My Current Playlist of Favorite Music
You may not always agree with my content.
You may even strongly disagree with my opinions.
But we can still be friends and form a bond.
How? MUSIC. Music is magic and brings people together.
Ever watch someone on youtube…ya can’t stand them…ya spy on their channel and find a playlist of great songs?
And then ya don’t hate them quite as much. (lol)
Music bonds people.
This is my favorite music, listed (and changed) on a monthly-or-so basis.
Notes:
-I’m a sucker for great drumming and rhythm sections (was my first instrument as a kid)
-I’m a sucker for great production quality
-I’m a sucker for any melody/riff that moves me in any way emotionally
-I’m a sucker for great vocals and vocal harmonies
My loves cross MANY genres: Prog, Jazz (from standards to Bebop to modern Smooth), Vaporwave, Mallsoft, Ambient/Space, Disco, Rock, Pop (even Bubblegum), Big Band, Easy Listening, Metal, Electronica, Synthwave, Vintage Oldies, Classical, Movie Scores, occasional Country and any music that can incorporate moving sounds with both technical ability and advanced music theory.
You may see a Tool (modern prog rock) vid right next to an Atomic Kitten (Europop/disco) vid. Or Backstreet Boys next to Ghost.
Judge me. I’m used to it.
I am not a rap nor grunge fan (just a few exceptions on the latter)
As I’ve stated on youtube and content past: “Music is MAGIC.”
Groups of people creating sound together that has emotional impact on others in ways that uplift, energize, bond. THAT is magic. One of the greatest gifts humans have in my opinion. It moves people. It brings joy. It bonds people.
Listed chronologically starting with what I’m listening to right now:
Discovered them way back when I was a kid and will seek out this song every couple years. Eddie Van Halen had a hand in producing it, but the band unfortunately never went anywhere. That 80’s pop rock sound, uplifting, with that voice!
Pretty fixated on this for the past year, I watch it often. Playing polyrhythm in parts, including 16th notes in two bar cycles that have the snare hit landing on a different note over about 8 bars, while maintaining the bass drum rhythm with the bass guitar at the same time. So. FRIGGIN. Cool. (And would take me a solid two months of full time playing to even begin to master just THAT part, if I were still playing).
Revisiting this, a great go-to when I need a little energy for exercise. The lead singer is big on animal rights, making her an awesome person. Love the drum/rhythm line, and love the added screamo at the end.
Remastered visual, which is awesome. I loved watching this ten years ago but the vid quality was always bad. I know little about S Club 7, they’re all grown up now, I just always loved the song and video. Giving hints of how wide my music tastes are considering the videos around this one.
Another great workout song, have loved this since I was a little kid, RIP Dio with that amazing voice, saw him live several times back in his Black Sabbath days.
Because I just can’t resist this on a regular basis. Sally Carr makes for bonus eye candy. Occasionally becomes an insanity-inducing earworm (in the best way ;p).
Kinda gotta go to Ghost after Chripy, right? Was going to see this tour in 2022 but he/they came nowhere near my area.
And one more Ghost for good measure. Kinda cheesy? Yup. Kinda fun? Yup. Huge weakness for women in high-cut one-pieces? Definitely.
One of those times when ya get a great movie coupled with a great score. I’ll have other M83 song on this page for sure.
And another M83. This is one of his latest releases. I’m not a fan of his music videos, so this is audio only. But listen to that audio! If I had fulfilled my dream as a kid of being in a band and creating my own sound and music, much of it would’ve resembled this (but with Bill Bruford or Danny Carey on drums and Nick Beggs on bass adding a little polyrhythm in the mix ;p). I have been into cutting edge synth tech since I was a child, and I’m a sucker for great production quality.
One of those songs you hear at the grocery store, and say “HEY!…Thanks for playing that!” And it ends up on your playlist in heavy rotation for a while, then ya come back to it again another time. A great example of what the 80’s were like; the uplifting vibe and feel-good music was plentiful.
One of my all-time favorite female vocalists. Beautiful song, great voice.
Wonderful song, Marillion fan since I was a teen, back in the Fish days through the Steve.
If you enjoyed Marillion’s Easter, this is my favorite live version, if you’re curious about what they look like, etc. Circa 1990.
Another song I’ve loved since I was a child.
I discovered Atomic Kitten on a file sharing network way back in the early 2000’s. I was in a pretty major depression, and watching porn on the network, when one of their videos was randomly in the mix. I clicked on it, enjoyed the song, and started exploring them. They had the most infectious happiness about them, and made for an excellent distraction as I explored their music/videos. Video is set to a specific time stamp for one of my fave songs by them, “Believer.”
The first Atomic Kitten video with their new member, Jenny Frost (on the left) that would stay with them until they stopped. This is my “fun, cute, not-taken-seriously, entertainers-style” music. Yes, it’s an added bonus that they’re very easy to watch. You said you weren’t going to judge me.
Lastly on Atomic Kitten for now…this video was a biggie for me, and any AK fan; I had discovered them within literally only months of the release of this video…and…but…it was their last. This was the last song/video they made as the group they were, and was basically a “goodbye” to their fans. Having helped me through depression at the time, this was intensely bitter sweet. Beautiful song and video, a perfect way for them to depart.
One of those bands me and all my metal head friends were following that no one found out about until much later. One of my fave male singers for sure…for obvious reasons. Great song, great lyric as well. Saw them live at least twice (and “yes,” he could do this live).
Another favorite Queensryche song, opening song on this concept album, and GREAT song for pre-workouts.
What I’m assuming may fit into synth vaporwave…not sure. Independent artist, I don’t know anything about him/her/them, just have this on regular rotation the past year. There is something amazingly nostalgic about it that is very difficult to describe. The artist really hit something special with this. I mostly listen to it before a nap or sleep.
His band is SO…DANG…TIGHT. And it’s live. No backing nor click tracks here. P.S. The producers insisted that James be put on…and stay on…that platform. Because back then, his gyrations were considered a little too risque. (lol) They figured they could minimize it if they kept him on the thing. Do you think it worked? 😉
One of those times ya randomly remember a song and have to hear it again. For me, I then research and learn about it; released around ’82 it hardly charted, but re-released in ’89 it went top ten, I believe #1. The singer wasn’t more than 22 with that amazing voice and went on with another member to a degree of success in the 90’s with another big hit in group called Alias, “More Than Words Can Say” that was played constantly.
Another I’m playing often again lately. If a Tool fan is watching this, I could’ve sworn there was another video of this when it was initially released, but I haven’t been able to find it. Be great if someone could confirm that; it was one that didn’t feature the graphics that Tool is known for (CGI in this case). I prefer this style. Even wikipedia doesn’t reference any other video. (Did I imagine it?) And will def post Schism here soon, another favorite.
I kinda have to put this here, right after Tool, don’t I? Tool fans are now disgusted. (lol). And “yes,” I actually enjoy this song and The Saturdays and “No,” not just for the eye candy. Part of my Euro-pop faves, being Atomic Kitten, The Saturdays and Girls Aloud. I warned you my tastes were diverse. And I never understood how or why people refuse to embrace genres outside their “clique.” Stupid.
I will forever associate this song as defining a crossroad in the history of music. My friends and I will often refer back to it; it was The Outfield’s first single off their ’89 release, and the production quality (must hear on CD) is at the top of the game. My friends and I were VERY excited about the 1990’s and the future of music. “Can you imagine where this is going from here?!?” we’d exclaim. Problem: the music industry took it in the exact *opposite* direction. And it’s literally measurable and objective; video documentaries have been made about the decline of musicianship and skill sets starting shortly after this time. And we’ve never really recovered. (sigh) Great song and astounding production.
In an effort to keep from scaring away the Christians with all the Ghost stuff here. ;p I bounce between agnostic and atheist, and will, if I haven’t yet, discuss my spiritual experiences on this site and the 8 hour meditations I engaged in at one point in my life. I explored all the religions a long time ago…not for me. That doesn’t mean I don’t/won’t listen to religious music. I’m an Amy Grant fan as another example (and have been to one of her concerts). I bought the above when it was released on CD. Must-hear vocal harmonies…listen to the end!
This is one of those songs that stuck with me, kinda a go-to background hum in countless day to day activities over the years since its release. Was among the last of those sorta “80’s style amazing producers and composition” pop songs in the early 90’s. Gorgeous song and stunning production quality. And I want his hair. Please hair gods, gimme that hair. P.S. I actually enjoy getting Rick-Rolled.
My favorite Bruce Hornsby song, and I enjoy much of his music. He def has his own niche. I had to wait years for this official video to be posted on his official channel; before that, it was difficult to find and often in poor quality. This seems to be among his least-played songs as far as radio goes, which has always disappointed me.
This is the last scene in his The Jazz Singer movie, which I went to as a child in a packed theater; it was the first time, and only time, I have ever witnessed a movie theater audience give a standing ovation at the end of the movie. Neil was one of the…if not “THE”…first music I was ever exposed to as a toddler, and was the foundation to ushering in my love of music.
Back just before the internet when PBS would air groups/artists that would then explode onto the concert scene, Celtic Woman being another that had almost as much success as Yanni. I saw him twice in concert including this tour, was a fan before his explosion as I used to listen to “New Age” radio stations back then, while they still existed in my area. Yanni had a fan base long before this release.
My favorite Yanni song that hardly gets any attention. Those that feel the same, always wonder the same. I think it’s beautifully composed and arranged.
I don’t know when or how I would’ve first heard this song, but I think most middle age people would associate this with a great sense of nostalgia, even tho it was before our time. Wonderful cute song, and over just a bit too fast, as many of the oldies-style songs were. One of those songs where ya don’t discover what the group even looks like until decades later on the internet.
Posting this version of Sugar Sugar since I have a vague memory of having watched this cartoon as a child, where I believe I’d originally associate the song…but which I’m sure must’ve been repeats at the time; I believe the original airings may’ve been before my time. Everyone knows this song, and that distinctive sound. It also brings up the massive cultural shift we’ve had in male/female dynamics in courtship, etc. I think I speak for a great many when I say that I miss this era.
Part of the innovative artistry of combining musicianship and visual, Bowie was one of the front runners, this considered a ground breaking video at the time. Great song and anyone who appreciates Bowie loves how he bridged the two mediums into a unique art form his entire amazing career. Will post a live rendition next to this that I listen to just as much.
The rhythm section…those drums…and that…friggin…BASS line! Live version of Ashes to Ashes.
Youtube put this back in my suggested videos knowing I’ve watched it enough times. Always enjoyed it from the time it was released, always surprised it wasn’t more popular. Trivia: McCartney cameo. Disappearing mole. Song is a remake. Tracey is an all-around entertainer, having done comedy shows and movies going way back, skilled character actor. Irresistible song imo, another one of those “I will always come back to it” songs.
Another “I will always come back to” song. THIS is what I’ve always known as the original music video (complete with full female vocal in the bridge that is so often deleted…which is criminal…from other recordings). But, on an unknown channel and in low quality (WHY??). Trivia: The female vocal wasn’t even planned for the song until the day of the recording (could you imagine her voice not being there??). The redhead is the original singer (many other performances/videos feature a different singer). I have never seen the movie, only clips. And lastly, my heavy metal friends razzed me SUPER hard for liking this song.
Another one from Limahl that I love, that I think remains relatively unknown. This has been the only video of it on the only channel I’ve known to post it, so again, low quality video. Another song/video I’m surprised wasn’t more popular; has that familiar uplifting/fun 80’s vibe.
One of my favorite Tangerine Dream songs, I bought the studio version/album back when it was originally released. Will listen to this every so often, and always will.