I grew up in the 70s when listening to the chart show was part of my Sunday evening. Who remembers hovering over the radio, ready to record the music on tape, then having to forward slightly after each song in case it recorded over the end of the previous one? Then labelling each tape and putting some sticky tape over the top so your mum didn’t record over it. I grew up listening to my dad's favourites singers - Elvis, Kenny Rogers, and John Denver my mum's favourites - Simon and Garfunkel and Queen. I also loved singing in school in the choir.
The 1970s
The 90s was my hardcore decade listening to rock music. The sounds of this decade were Nirvana, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Aerosmith. I went to the Monsters of Rock festival in Donnington and saw Aerosmith in concert at Donnington and Birmingham. I was at the front and the sight of Steve Tyler's skin-tight red see-through catsuit will be forever burned into my mind! I still had a love for Whitney Houston though, and have a soft spot for a ballad that can be belted out.
My first album was Grease. I went to see the film at the cinema with my mum and dad and loved it. It was the time where you could stay in the cinema and watch it again, and we did! The next day I curled my hair like Olivia Newton-John put on my jeans and denim jacket and strutted along the street. I was 7 or 8!
Top Songs Of The 1970s
You're The One That I Want - John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John
Such a great song from a fantastic feel-good film.
The Sound Of Silence - Simon and Garfunkel
A beautifully written song, the lyrics have so much meaning. It was so hard picking one of their songs as The Boxer and Bridge Over Troubled Water are also favourites.
John Denver - Take Me Home Country Roads
I have always been a John Denver fan and I've sung this song with my online choir many a time. This makes me want to go to West Virginia. I also have a soft spot for Grandma's Feather Bed and Annie's Song.
The 1980s
Then in the 80’s I was an avid Top Of The Pops fan. The Radio 1 roadshow always went to Barry Island or Porthcawl and I went one year to see Gary Davies but it was packed! This was the decade I found music, listening to Duran Duran, Prince and Nik Kershaw. When I heard Prince had died in 2016 I was devastated, Growing up his music had been a big part of my life. I had many of his albums and the Purple Rain album was my favourite.
Top Songs Of The 1980s
This Old House - Shakin Stevens
This was the first single I ever bought on vinyl. Ok, I know, it's pretty awful!
When Doves Cry - Prince
An amazing song that still stands the test of time. RIP Prince, a true genius.
Wouldn't It Be Good - Nik Kershaw
Great pop song and I was in his fan club!
The 1990s
The 90s was my hardcore decade listening to rock music. The sounds of this decade were Nirvana, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Aerosmith. I went to the Monsters of Rock festival in Donnington and saw Aerosmith in concert at Donnington and Birmingham. I was at the front and the sight of Steve Tyler's skin-tight red see-through catsuit will be forever burned into my mind! I still had a love for Whitney Houston though, and have a soft spot for a ballad that can be belted out.
Top Songs Of The 1990s
Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana
It's just a brilliant anti-establishment song. Kurt Cobain in a legend. RIP
I Will Always Love You - Whitney Houston
This is one of the best pop ballads ever. The song starts low and builds to a crescendo and Whitney's voice is perfect. RIP another legend gone too soon.
Give It Away - The Red Hot Chilli Peppers
I just love this band, their mix of rock and funk is just perfect. Probably my favourite band.
The 2000s
The 2000s were dominated by Eminem, Lady Gaga and the Killers for me, but I also loved the soft melancholic Damien Rice and the haunting voice of Jeff Buckley. Songwriting is very important to me and the lyrics of Damien Rice and James Blunt resonated as well.
Top Songs of the 2000s
Hallelujah - Jeff Buckley
The song lyrics written by Leonard Cohen are perfect but it's Jeff Buckley's version that gives me chills. RIP.
Stan - Eminem
Love the hook, this song brought Eminem to my attention and Dido is great. The lyrics are about an obsessed fan. Dido's Thank You is also excellent, and although sounds similar has a totally different vibe.
Mr Brightside - The Killers
Fun, cheerful song, great to dance to - if you have the energy!
The 2010s
The 2010s for me was all about Adele, Avicii, musical soundtracks like A Star Is Born and the Greatest Showman. When I heard Avicii had committed suicide it really struck a chord, another life gone too soon. In 2016, I did a musical road trip, I visited New Orleans, Memphis and Nashville and went to the Grand Ole Opry and the Ryman Theatre. From my visit to Nashville, I started listening to new country singers and old country music again such as Johnny Cash and Eric Church.
This decade found my husband and I travelling more and becoming bloggers and travel Vloggers over at Fly Drive Explore where we started road tripping. For every road trip, we would make a playlist for our driving. Here is our Route 66 playlist. At the end of this decade, I joined an online choir, the first time I have sung in a choir since my school days.
Top Songs Of The 2010s
Shallow - Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper
I loved the 70s film version of A Star Is Born and the new remake is amazing. I wanted to put a Lady Gaga song in my list, I think she is a genius and I would so love to see her in concert. A fantastic ballad.
Wake Me Up - Avicii
I used to go to the gym and listen to this on my headphones as well as One Republic's Counting Stars. Both of these songs are high energy excellent to work out to. Sadly Avicii committed suicide in 2018. RIP.
Hurt - Johnny Cash
If you have never heard this song, please seek it out on YouTube. At the time Johnny Cash was dying of cancer and it's such a melancholic version of this song by Nine Inch Nails. When I went to Nashville in 2016 I visited the Johnny Cash museum and became a big fan then. RIP.
So that was one of the hardest posts I've ever written! Let me know some of your favourites songs and why. What memories do they bring up for you?
*Collaborative post
