Don’t laugh, but I love this song..!

I think it’s quite a difficult thing to talk about the music you love in public. It shows your taste (or lack of!) like nothing else and is something that divides people the world over. I hate that dreaded question ‘what music are you in to?’ that I heard so many times at university. The only acceptable answer is ‘all kinds’, which I found out after one-too-many winces at my answer of ‘cheesy pop’. There’s pressure to say something cool and retro or to be into something so new that no one has even heard of it yet.

I might just start making up bands so that I look cooler – “Did you hear the new Percy and the Unicorns track? It is bare sick” etc. Actually that does sound like a band I would enjoy but hey, they don’t exist… yet. I had to come up with a playlist for our anniversary party last summer and it took me months to get the right mix of music for all our guests of different ages and tastes. It must have turned out ok because most of our friends and family were up dancing the whole night and loved the band we chose, so hopefully my taste isn’t too disgusting.

So it even though it might be cause for ridicule I wanted to share my favourite songs with you all. It doesn’t necessarily mean these are my favourite performers and that I like all their songs, it’s only these particular songs and lyrics that are important to me. They are the songs that give me goosebumps, make me cry, put a big smile on my face and make me want to sing along. I have a massive internal catalogue of my favourites, with something for every occasion – especially in the dance-your-socks-off category – but today I’m going for the songs that I simply love. Favourite bands such as Queen, The Beautiful South, Abba, Fleetwood Mac and *wince* the Spice Girls have missed out on this list because they have too many awesome songs to be able to pick just one.

My 18-month-old nephew has got it right – there’s just one song that he’ll clap and dance to – Creedence Clearwater Revival’s Bad Moon Rising – and that’s it. It’s HIS theme song and he’s sticking to it. Making that kind of decision is so much easier when you haven’t already got a lifetime of songs and memories in your head! Plus, I’m not sure he’s all that bothered about the lyrics at his age – he simply enjoys the tune, can clap to the beat and dance around to it without falling over so for my nephew it’s the ultimate song, albeit one of the only songs he’s ever heard outside of Cbeebies.

So here comes my shortlist… Maybe we’ll have something in common or maybe you hate all my choices but whatever anyone thinks of my top tunes, these always have been and will always be MY favourites. So make sure your volume is adjusted and have a listen to these epic songs:

Richard Hawley – Tonight the streets are ours

Mr Big – Romeo

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The Beatles – In my life (with When I’m 64 a close second – our first dance at our wedding)

Elton John – I guess that’s why they call it the blues

Don McLean – Vincent (or if I’m feeling more cheerful American Pie)

Train – 50 Ways to say goodbye

The Mamas and the Papas – Dream a little dream of me

It’s by no means a complete list – songs will no doubt get added as I discover them and maybe you could recommend something I might like? I’ve also not included the whole loooong list of songs that remind me of a time or place, which are therefore equally as important in my life but didn’t quite make the cut this time. Plus, I am really forgetful and I just can’t remember every song I love… then I’ll hear it on the radio and I’ll be shouting “I love this song!” from the rooftops and will wish I’d included it in the list. Do you have a list of favourite songs? Can you pinpoint just ONE best song? What’s your theme song? your anthem?