THE TOP 10 SONGS I CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT!
In this blog we talk to Colin Kennedy, a well known DJ of the WLR Pirate Radio station days, who has gone on to serve the much lamented TCR FM in Tramore and now sits behind the controls with Kilkenny Community Radio. He is also author of After Hours, a superb tome retracing his time behind the mic when Pirate Radio was at its zenith in the 1980s. A time of carefree fun .....and avoiding the authorities who tried to ruin the fun of those pioneering young men who raged against the inevitable dying of the light. So, if a nucellar holocaust happened in the morning and the only safety you had was a small little island, here's the Top 10 tunes Colin would bring with him to keep him occupied.
10. Artist; WARREN ZEVON. Song; TURBULENCE.
Most unlike his Californian singer/songwriter contemporaries Warren found subject matter in the most unlikely of areas. For this he chose the trials and tribulations of a Red Army conscript in Afghanistan, complete with a the bridge sung in Russian. The rhythm section of Bob Glaub and Richie Hayward are so locked into it that the song just swings beautifully.
9. Artist; THE CLASH. Song; GUNS OF BRIXTON
One of the stand outs from glittering collection that is London Calling. A dub reggae tale of Yardie gangsters facing down the Met Police Special Patrol Group. Class!
8. Artist; JACKSON BROWNE Song; FOR A DANCER
Glenn Frey often told the story of watching Jackson as he worked on his songs, carefully crafting and honing them until they were perfect. This is a case in point. A haunting melody and beautiful arrangement with lyrics that reflect on life, death and loss. Often thought to be about the death of his first wife it was actually written two years prior to that event.
7. Artist; THE TURTLES Song; SHE'D RATHER BE WITH ME.
For a couple of years in the mid-1960s The Turtles made some of the most perfect pop songs with this one being the pick of the bunch. Insanely catchy and filled with hooks plus that big singalong chorus. Who could resist?
6. Artist; ABBA Song;- SOS. Loved this from the first moment I heard it. Bjorn and Benny do angst and darkness - all very Scandinavian! And I've never heard a piano sound quite like this before or since.
5. Artist; BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN Song; RAMROAD
First encountered in a record shop where it was playing loudly on the system. Sounding quite unlike anything else around at that time, like a throwback to a bygone age with Bruce still in his cars and girls phase. As E Street Band drummer Max Weinberg observed "If Ramrod doesn't move you you really should get yourself checked."
4. Artist; THE UNDERTONES Song; JIMMY JIMMY.
At number 4 is Jimmy Jimmy. Power chords! Big shouty chorus!! Condense it all into about three minutes. John O'Neill understood the construction of a pop song perhaps better than any other Irish songwriter ever.
3. Artist; GLORIA GAYNOR. Song; NEVER CAN SAY GOODBYE.
The flawless pinnacle of disco for my money. Apart from being an outrageously catchy song the intricacies of the arrangement never fail to have me scratching my head in wonder. There's A LOT going on within, some of it very complex.
2. Artist; THE BEATLES Song. Golden Slumbers/Carry the Weight/ The End
Signing off as only they could, the end of the sixties, the end of the Beatles, with this closing medley from Abbey Road. They set the standard all bands should still aspire to and they remain the best, peerless.
1. The Sex Pistols - God Save The Queen. This, I'd happily listen to it on repeat for the rest of my days. It's got snarling attitude and was the perfect antidote to all the mid-seventies beardy prog rocker types with their 20 minute guitar and drum solos. Proof too that you didn't have to play guitar as well as Eric Clapton once you played with passion, like it meant everything. Solid gold!