TOP 10 SINGLES OF 2012

here are my Top 10 singles of 2012.
let me know if you like any of them.
what were your favourite singles of this year??


#10 - The Power Of Love - Gabrielle Alpin 

'let yourself be beautiful'

if you would have told me that I would like a cover of this song
as much as the original I would have laughed you out of town.
but I do. I love the vastness of it ... how it's quite bleak but then
has this hopeful-ness surging in at the end. almost too much.





#9 - Palm - I Am In Love 

'I was born with different eyes'

this song turned my world upside down. for real.
how the hell did I only find this by accident when
a song like gotye's is the best selling song of the
year.





#8 - Tomorrow - The Cranberries 

'you spend a long time in your head'

from their first new album in 11 years
but sounding just like a continuation of
their 1992 sound ... and the guitar parts,
dude, the guitar parts ... still sounding all
bittersweet, intricate and smiths-like.





#7 - Anything Could Happen - Elllie Goulding

'cover your eyes, so you don't know the secret'

Grimes who? - and I love Grimes. when I first heard this, I couldn't
believe what I was hearing. this is exactly how I like my singers to
return. almost unrecognisable from Ellie Goulding of old, the beats
and production sound like nothing else you've heard this year ...
and I've not even mentioned the video ...





#6 - Ride - Lana Del Rey

'I am alone in the night'

after 'Born To Die' I really did think 'well that's it, Lana will never
top that song - WHERE ELSE IS THERE TO GO ... and then I heard
this. epicly widescreen in sound and scope ... it's even more desolate
than 'Born to die - and I didn't even think that was possible. yet there
is also another side to this song. it is bristling with defiance, the part
at 3.36 is a real SING IT OUT LOUD AT THE TOP OF YOUR LUNGS
moment ... the most powerful of song combinations: feeling power
whilst wallowing in despair. this song is an interesting development
in her songs. I'm very interested in what will come next.





#5 - Perfect World - Gossip

'a church, a place to fit in, a new religion'

when I like a song, I just listen to it on repeat
non-stop. between this and BTD it must have
been up in 3 figures. no lie. this astounded me.
it was like they had became the band they
were destined to be. I love the vulnerability
and (gentle) strength this song has.

still floors me.





#4 - Born To Die - Lana Del Rey

'feet don't fail me now'

where to go after 'Video Games was the question. did not expect this.
huge, lavish production. I love how it's (basically) a ballad but underneath
(hardly noticeable - until you pay attention) it has a load of beats and
really UN-BALLAD-Y type things going on ... but they don't detract or
overpower it at all. a song like this comes along and reminds you why
music is so important to you in the first place.





#3 - Something New - Girls Aloud

'I don't want to talk, I just want to dance'

the production. the production. the production. that is what
Girls Aloud have always got perfect. and this is no exception.
10 years ago with 'Sound of the underground they sounded
ahead of their time - and they still do. this is how you do Pop.
and the bit 0.17 - yep just unison walking - but how amazing
does it look. jaw-droppingly good live (or that's just me) see
here and here - and it's even better on the 2nd one. not least
by Cheryl's 'I'm not gonna nearly fall THIS TIME, my walk
will be even stronger this time!!' re: the video, I would have
got rid of half  the graphics. the visuals are so good and then
a pop-up graphic ruins the moment. but even with that, it
can't detract from the epic-ness of this song.





#2 - ILL Manors - Plan B

'keep on believing what you read in the papers'

I bought Plan B's first album. wasn't crazy on the 2nd album
sound. this I like a lot. I love the combination of strings and
beats. added to the social commentary lyrics, it's one powerful
mix ... and Plan B doesn't just talk the talk: he is donating £1
from every ticket sale from his 2013 arena tour to a 'big pot'
to be spread to projects via his newly set-up Each One Teach
One trust that will give money to 'the individuals within the
community who are doing great things, but are struggling to
do them because they've got no financial support' - a shame
more singers are not like Plan B.





#1 - Impossible - James Arthur

'tell them I was happy
tell them what I hoped would be impossible'

so I was casually watching the X factor final. I wasn't paying
that much attention though. okay it was a given I wanted
James Arthur to win. he was always so hard on himself, he
had to win - winning would be the only way to banish those
thoughts he always had away. so I was casually watching
when he started singing this song (that would be the winners
song) I looked up immediately.I thought I knew the song
(having now heard the original I didn't) by the end of the
song (and after having heard 2.39 onwards) I was ringing
to vote. probably the 2nd time I had voted the entire series.

this song mines the same territory as Leona Lewis's 'Bleeding
love (and what I spoke about on 'Born to die') being a ballad
on the surface but with a myriad of beats happening beneath
it. if it was just a schmalzy ballad (like so many of the X factor
winners songs have been ... err this) I'd have NO INTEREST
in it at all ... the production and James's urgent delivery are
what makes this song extra-ordinary and why it's my single
of the year.

I love how Nicole reacts to the song, how it's gentle head
swaying at first - and then OUT OF HER SEAT PUNCHING
THE AIR at 2.58 (to almost redemption/salvation at 3.13)
reminds me of when I saw Blondie at Wembley arena (all
seated) I was on the front row, the only person standing up,
reacting. after the gig I saw (legendary first album producer)
Craig Leon near the barrier and got talking to him and then
Chris Stein came along. he invited me backstage. when I saw
Debbie she went 'I saw you on the front row' and put me on
the guest list for the following weeks London gig.

backstage after that gig, who should walk by in the corridor,
only Belinda (THE GO GO'S) Carlisle!!! you see, always follow
your heart kids, you never know where it might lead.




... and yes he won!!