Top 100 Songs - 51 - 70

51) Greenday - Boulevard of Broken Dreams

From the most excellent album American Idiot. Absolutely love this track and it has an excellent video too.

52) David Gray - Babylon

From the album White Ladder. David has such an excellent voice and I really admire his lyric writing as well. Amazing to think that this album was recorded in his living room.

53) Tears for Fears - Head Over Heels

From the album Songs From The Big Chair. Songs is a fantastic album and is one of the few albums from the 1980s that still sounds modern today.

54) Gary Jules - Mad World

From the album Trading Snakeoil for Wolf Tickets. Another Tears for Fears track, but this version sung by the oh so soulful gary Jules. This is a haunting version of the song and it featured on the soundtrack for the awesome film Donnie Darko.

55) Faithless - Not Enuff Love

From Outrospective. D introduced me to this album when I was first seeing him so for me it has nostalgic connotations now as well as being a must-own album. This track is best listened to in a dark room with a sexy member of the opposite sex.

56) Deep Purple - Black Night

Wasn't sure whether to have this track, Smoke on the Water or something from the album Come Taste the Band. This is a true Purple landmark featuring Ian Gillan on Vocals. I was a huge fan of Come Taste the Band as a teenager but somehow it's just not so ROCK with David Coverdale on vocals.

57) David Byrne and Brian Eno

From My Life in the Bush of Ghosts. Bush of Ghosts is an album that EVERYONE should own - whaddya mean you haven't heard it? It is awesome and this is just one excellent track of many...America is waiting for a message of some sort or another...

58) Iggy Pop - The Passenger

Bless his cotton socks. Iggy does some great tracks when he is concentrating on music rather than flaaping his privates around. A classic.

59) Lou Reed - Charleys Girl

From Coney Island Baby. Everyone needs some Lou Reed in their top tracks. I found it a hard task to narrow it down, but love the whole of Coney Island Baby.

60) Blur - The Universal

Was hard to pick one Blur track too - Coffee and TV was a close second and may appear yet!

61) New Model Army - Family

This is a track that holds great resonance with me - I was that lonely teenager who left home at 16 looking for a place to fit in, and a replacement family. Still chokes me up now.

62) D'angelo - Aint no Sunshine

I love this song and D'Angelo does a great version of it. I downloaded lots of versions by different artists last year as I was looking for a version that I heard in a bar in Lesvos. Never did find out who sang it (it was a woman). Other great versions are by Jars of Clay and Eva Cassidy.

63) Chemical Brothers - Setting Sun

From Dig Your Own Hole. This is my favourite Chemical album, makes me want to dance!

64) The Ruts - Something that I Said

The Ruts might have really been something if Malcom Owen hadn't died so tragically. They had already made some brilliant tracks.

65) The Boomtown Rats - Rat Trap

Was amazed when I saw The Rats on the Brit awards last year (or was it the year before). I had forgotten how full and rich their sound was. It's hard to appreciate that when the track that is always played is I don't like Mondays. Don't get me wrong that was good but there was so much more to them than that.

66) Cat Stevens - Hard Headed Woman

From the superb album Tea for the Tillerman. Love every track on this one!

67) Lightning Seeds - Love Explosion

i smile at all the moments that make me hold my breath make me tell myself
the hours were never lost on you a mystery is what you are to me
hold me tight for a million years your love in mine it's like holy wine
lost inside those big brown eyes your lips touch mine and my eyes go blind
reaching out skin touch skin reaching out my lips come down to the love explosion
mission of sin reaching out my lips come down to the love explo-osion

68) Pink Floyd - See Emily Play

From Relics. wanted to buy this on CD but was appallled to find that they have changed the cover. I was so incensed that I didn't buy it. A true work of genius none the less and early Floyd at it's weird best.

69) Hawkwind - Lighthouse/ Quark strangeness and Charm

I'm afraid that I just couldn't choose between these two tracks, so number 69 is an unprecedented joint affair. The live version of Lighthouse (from Live 79) and Quark Strangeness and Charm from the album of the same name. I had to include Hawkwind as they were such a big part of my life when I was younger. They were the first proper concert I went to at the Rainbow theatre in London, and they were supported by an awful band called Miles over Matter who I felt sorry for as they got such a bad reception. I remember that there were weird cartoon films. I later read that backstage at that gig Dave Brock and Bob Calvert had been trying to kill each other backstage while Michael Moorcock was on stage reading poetry.

ALways worry when you see men in white coats at a concert.

70) Jethro Tull - Aqualung

from the album of the same name, it was either this one or something off Heavy Horses.

Is there room for me in there Jar Jar? Build me a Life Sized Lego Space Ship and let me Fly Away

Lego Space Ship
Originally uploaded by pupski.

N made this foe a Lego Star Wars competition and I think it's great. Wish you could get a life sized one.

I have felt like flying away today, I had a workman doing some electrical work at my house and just when I thought he had nearly finished he told me that they have to come back again next week and take the floors up - aaargh.....

I am never quite sure how to deal with workmen, I know some people go out and leave them to it - but I always feel like I have to stay around. Not sure why, it's either an issue of being in control or maybe i ahve watched too many tv programmes about workmen who rip you off or go through your stuff...

Where do we go to?

My Name is Sam (1901 Graffiti on wall)
Originally uploaded by pupski.

Love this graffiti from down the alleyway to my house. I wonder if Sam is still alive... I guess not. The two houses next to each other have always been rented and there is all sorts of things scratched into the passageway wall. It is covered over so it hasn't been eroded by rain. I think this must have been done soon after the house were built.. it could have even beeen one of the builders leaving his mark. You can see other graffiti on my flickr photo blog.

I was going to do a bit more of my top 100 songs of all time but I don't have time now, might come back and do it later. I realised that I will have to add Babylon by David Gray as saw the video on VH1 and remembered just how much I like it.

I wonder if I am too old to become a music journalist, maybe in my next life...

The window to my soul - or the soul as an overgrown and slightly delapidated garden

The window to my soul
Originally uploaded by pupski.

I imagine this is what you would see if you looked through a window to my soul. Everything would be lush and green but wild and overgrown.

Downloaded Two Princes by the Spin Doctors last night. I kept hearing it on different things on TV and couldn't remember the band. I did have that album on tape years ago but I think that I didn't much like the rest of it, It certainly wasn't memorable enough for me to remember it now!

The Suffocating Aroma of Insincerity

Don't you just hate department stores? The worst thing about them for me is the cosmetic and perfume departments. For some reason (in Norwich anyway) these departments are always located on the ground floor near to the entrance, meaning that you have to pass through them to get anywhere else in the store.

We went into Jarrolds today to get something from the art department (why is it that the art and toy departments - the most interesting in my opinion are always on the top floor?) and our senses were immediately assaulted by an array of chemically produced wafts. Add to that the vile lighting and the fake tanned, heavily made-up assistants proffering their sprays to you as you pass and you get a sensory overload of the headache inducing kind. A friend of mine who went shopping for cosmetics in one of these departments recently reported that the staff were openly bitching about the customers and their looks. Would you want a makeover from someone you knew was going to bitch about you to their mate the minute you left?

It's not that I am against perfumes and cosmetics per se, it's just that I prefer mine to be a bit more natural and not tested on rabbits and dogs. I buy mine at Body Shop or Lush. I also prefer them a bit more subtle, and I don't want them in my face whenever I walk into a shop.

WHAT A LOT OF ROT - TOP 100S AND ALL THAT

What a lot of rot
Originally uploaded by pupski.

I have been feeling a bit like this piece of wood this week, holey and rotten. Plus I am writing my blog today on a terminal at the public library because (wait for it!) there is a mouse sized spider in my computer room and I am too scared to go in there and sit at the pc. Laughable I know but there it is and I kid you not it is the size of a small mouse and boy can it run fast.

Well to more important matters. I thought that I might do a bit more of my top 100 songs of all time.

Here goes....

31 - 50 OF MY TOP 100 SONGS OF ALL TIME

31) Crosby Stills Nash and Young - Wooden Ships

This was another track that was hard to choose, I had it down to this one or Heplessly Hoping, both of which are excellent in my opinion. I have loved CSNY since I was a teen those harmonies stir something within my soul.

32) The Who - We Won't Get Fooled Again

Love the Who and this a classic. Was great to see them perform it again on Live8 recently. Roger Daltrey is still charismatic after all these years.

33) U2 - it's a Beautiful Day

Another hard track to choose and U2 have done so many good ones. This one is uplifting though and i like that in a song!

34) James Taylor - Sweet Baby James

Adore James Taylor and it was a toss up between this track and Fire and Rain. JT is great for when you are feeling blue.

35)Steelydan - Barrytown

From the most excellent album Pretzel Logic. This has always been my favourite ST track. Not sure why actually but sends a shiver down my spine.

36) Roy Harper - How does it Feel

from Folk Jokepus
Used to be absolutely mad on Roy when I was younger. Very good for young hippies, not quite so keen now as I was but have been revisiting him recently for nostalic reasons. My favourite album as a teenager was The Unknown Soldier, but it does not date so well as this one. Some of the lyrics on Folk Jokepus make me cringe a little now - but you miust remember it was made around 1973 and things have changed a lot since then.

37) Don Mclean - American Pie

An absolute classic that I still can remember the words to. A long, long time ago...

38) Stiff Little Fingers - At the Edge

Didn't have much by SLF, but loved this single and it still sounds fresh today. Seems more and more relevant as N heads towards being a teen, hope I'm not like the parents in the song though...

39) The Clash - White Man in Hammersmith Palais

You can never have too much Clash can you? This is early Clash, and one of their best.

40) Yes - Owner of a Lonely Heart

From the album 2112
Rocking Yes. This reminds me of a time when I was staying in Devon and drinking far too much. Great Summer listening.

41) Bob Dylan - Knocking on Heavens Door

From the soundtrack to the excellent but weird film Pat Garret and Billy the Kid.
haunting.

42) The Smiths - Last night I dreamt that Somebody Loved me

A poignant moment from Morrisey et al.

43)Santana - She's not There

There was a local band in my hometown that used to play this song, but this is the best version I have heard. The combination of superb guitar and vocals just gives it a special something.

44) Doors - When the Musics Over

This really is brilliant. I can't often be bothered to listen to the doors these days, the tracks are so long. Really you have to listen to it in a darkish room with candles and incense and minimal conversation - then it can really blow you away.

45) Horslips - sure the Boy was Green

From the album Aliens
Horslips somehow never got the fame and recognition that they so obviously deserve (give this album a listen and you will see what I mean!).

46) Billy Bragg - The New Brunette

"Shirley...." A sublime moment from the Bragster, excellent lyrics!

47) The Beatles - here comes the Sun

From Abbey Road.
Well you've gotta have a Beatles song haven't you? I always remember someone playing this after a party and the sun came out ...oh those heady days of youth...

48)Patti Smith - Frederick

From Wave
Was heavily into Patti Smith for a while, she is best known for her famous single Because the Night, ehich is NOT on this album.

49) Thin Lizzy - Don't believe a Word

Loved Phil Lynott and not just for his sultry looks. Classic rocking stuff!

50) Guns n Roses - Sweet Child O Mine

Unleash those air guitars Slash is in the house.

Life is a Blur and I don't mean the band

swing
Originally uploaded by pupski.

I feel a bit like this photo today...not used to these very early mornings after the summer hols...ah well.

Talking of Blur the band I whink one of their tracks will be in my top 100 but as yet I haven't decided which one, it will either be The Universal, End of a Century or Coffee and Tv. Hmm maybe that is a cue to put some music on. darn it have also just realised that I have missed out Dire Straits, John Martyn and Suede.

PUPSKI'S TOP 100 SONGS OF ALL TIME

1. David Bowie - Young Americans
from the album of the same name, excellent lyrics, excellent musicians, excellent everything!

2. Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here
Absolutely sublime, got into Pink Floyd when I was 12 and still love them now, the fisrt PF album I owned was Relics.

3. Bob Dylan - Oh Sister
From Desire, I always think this is about incest. I know bob doesn't have the best voice but he really has something.

4. Joni Mitchell - River
Love it, I know just how she feels. This song makes me happy.

5. Dire Straits - Telegraph Road
From Love Over Gold, there is so much in this track, I revisited recently and was amazed at how fresh it sounds.

6. Led Zeppelin - Black Dog
I could air guitar all day to Led Zep. From Led Zeppelin IV.

7. Stevie Wonder - I believe (when I Fall in Love)
From Talking Book, It's every girls dream that someone would write them
a song like this! This track was used to play out the excellent film High Fidelity.

8. David Bowie - Cat People (Putting out the Fire)
From Let's Dance. Bowie at his best, slow intro and brooding vocals, excellent!

9. Lightning Seeds - Sense
The great Terry Hall collaborated with Ian Broudie on this track. I know that it's not fashionable but I absolutely love the Lightning Seeds, this little gem is from the album Pure.

10. Led Zeppelin - The Immigrant Song
"We come from the land of the ice and snow,
from the midnight sun where the hot springs blow."
Sheer rocking brilliance, from the album Led Zepplein III.

11. Radiohead - Creep
From Pablo Honey, excellent Lyrics.

12. Sting - Brand New Day
from the Album of the Same name.
I love this album and it was hard to choose one track. I always thought it was a good move to make such a good track the last one as it leaves you wanting more.

13. David Gray - Sail Away
From White Ladder, was tempted to include all the tracks from this album, there is not a dud on it.

14. Primal Scream - Movin on Up
From Screamadelica. If this track doesn't get you up on your feet dancing then nothing will! Feel good music for summer time, winter time, anytime!

15.The Clash - Stay Free.
I have loved the Clash since I saw them perform Clash City Rockers
on BBC2 in 1979, this is a feel good track as well, with a serious undercurrent. Recently cropped up in the film School of Rock.

16. Pink Floyd - Comfortably Numb
From The Wall, an excellent track. I remember it from the first time I saw the Wall at the cinema, I was so chuffed to get in (I was 16and it was an 18!). Sadly I know how he feels - think a lot of ushave had those weird times in our lives.

17. Bob Marley - Redemption Songs
It was hard to choose a Bob Marley song. I have always loved this one and it is associated with a sad time in my 20s.

18. John Martyn - Over the Hill
From Solid Air, Solid Air would definitely be in my top 10 albumsof all time! Soulful, stoned and sublime!

19. Van Morrison - And it Stoned me
From Moondance, another in my top 10 albums of all time.

20. Genesis - Abacab
From Abacab. I really like Genesis sans Peter Gabriel and I love this track and not just because it evokes memories of my mispent youth.

21. Jose Feliciano - California Dreaming
Some of Joses covers are a bit corny, but this one is great. The flamenco guitar really adds something to the track, and when he starts singing in Spanish my legs turn to jelly.

22. Bob Dylan - Senor (Tales of Yankee Power)
From Street Legal
Dylan on fine form, favourite line:
"Senor, senor, do you know where we're headin'?
Lincoln County Road or Armageddon?
Seems like I been down this way before.
Is there any truth in that, senor?"

23. Simon and Garfunkel - The Only Living Boy in New York
In my opinion by far the best track by S and G. Haunting. Heard more recently on the soundtrack of the great movie Garden State.

24. Bruce Springsteen - Thunder Road
Not that keen on Brucie, but there are two tracks of his I love and this is one of them. Cited in the book High Fidelity by Nick Hornby as one of the top 5 opening tracks on an album.

25. Rush - Spirit of Radio
I hadn't heard this track for about 12 years and I could still remember the lyrics word for word! I used to love Rush, this is one their more accessible tracks. Rushare great for air guitarists, and they boast some corking lyrics.

26. Black Uhuru - Guess who's Coming to Dinner
From the album of the same name.
One of the best reggae albums of all time.

27. Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel - Come up and See Me (make me smile)
From The Best Years of Our Lives. I remember Steve barefoot and wired on Top of the Pops, love the guitar solo.

28. Lynyrd Skynyrd - Freebird
One of the great rock classics, made all the more poignant by the tragic deaths of half the band.

29. Paul McCartney - Maybe I'm Amazed
Don't generally like Macca all that much, but love this - it's so romantic. Would love someone to write me a song like this.

30. Fleetwood Mac - Landslide
Hard to choose a Fleetwood number, I was a huge fan of Rumours as a teenager, but love this track too.

Well will have to finish there stay tuned for another exciting installment of my Top 100 songs of all time Later