Southsea Tunes: The Songs of My 2011

 
Since I do not follow chart music, I rarely get to the end of a year and reflect on the tracks that were released in that time. However, what I do enjoy doing, is to reflect on the tracks that characterized my year, regardless of when they were released. To me, certain songs encapsulate events and feelings perfectly and my listening habits tend to be eclectic and varied as opposed to whatever happens to be playing on the radio. Here are my major tracks of 2011:

 
‘Blind Faith’ – Chase & Status

Their ‘No More Idols’ album is easily my album of the year and this track is my favourite. It has an old school vibe and some interesting lyrics such as: “What is a man now to do with his mind, when it’s working over time? The best I can do is now dance with the Devil”, words which have had quite a great bearing on my life this year.

 
‘Come Undone’ by Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan

When I played this to my Mum, she said that she thought Lanegan sounded like a “sleazy old Frenchman” but to me, he has one of the sexiest voices in alternative music today. The song itself was prevalent in my year as it makes me think of a certain person who had a massively important role in my 2011.

 
‘No One’s Gonna Love You’ by Band of Horses

Also covered by Cee Lo Green and both versions are equally as fantastic. The opening lyric of “It’s looking like a limb torn off” is one which most of us can equate to events in our lives at one time or another. The sentiment of the song was particularly important to me this year and the song itself has been a favourite of mine for some years.

 
‘Introdiction’ by Scroobius Pip

When I listen to anything involving Scroobius Pip, I want quirky and humorous rap that doesn’t take itself too seriously and far from being a rap parody, it harks back to the origins of hip-hop and discusses social issues and ideas. Here, Scroobius Pip is introducing his solo album and he does this in absolute style: its opening line, “I saw a dead fish on the pavement and thought ‘what did you expect, there’s no water round here stupid, should have stayed where it was wet” is testament to this.

 
‘Army of Me’ by Bjork

This track is meaty and one of those ones that might not necessarily mean that much on a personal level, but rather one which is just awesome to be played loud! The Skunk Anansie remix (which is just as you’d expect) adds an extra dimension to an already brilliant track and this has been played relentlessly by me this year.

 
’48 Roses’ by Mariachi El Bronx

I feel as though I should mention this for two reasons: 1. It is an AWESOME track, and 2. This is the only band I’ve been to see live this year. The song is an homage to man who is unable to love just one woman and claims that he’ll “fall back in love when he’s older.” It’s cheeky and fun and set to a fantastically catchy, Spanish guitar-esque Mariachi style.

 
‘Everything In Its Right Place’ by Radiohead

This classic Radiohead track has been played on my iPod a lot this year. Mainly because I love the ultra-smooth opening notes which are so precise and tight that they echo the song’s sentiment entirely. I’ve listening to this when I’ve felt like I need calming down and also when I’ve felt like I want to appreciate well-constructed music that will stand the test of time. Sometimes, you just cannot beat Radiohead – that’s a life lesson.

 
‘Tighten Up’ by The Black Keys

This is a band who I’ve been aware of for a few years now but it was only in 2011 that I decided I really like them and this was the track to do it. The video is quirky and cute and the song is brilliantly written. The lyric which has been of particular importance to me this year is, “Someone said true love is dead and I’m bound to fall, bound to fall for you.” I like the idea of it being ‘sod’s law’ that you fall in love with someone when you least expect it, when your opinion of romance is at an all-time low.

 
‘Starlings’ by Elbow

This has been my go-to song to sing to myself this year. Elbow are, and probably always will be, my favourite band. I love them and that is largely due to their intricate and delicate lyrics; not least of which, are displayed in this beautiful little song.

 
So, these were my songs of 2011 – what were yours? Let me know!