Friday 1 May 2020 / music
Six Music Fans Reveal The Tunes Getting Them Through Lockdown
In these extraordinary times, as we’re parted from our
families, friends and everything that keeps us sane, music is, as it always has been, still there for us. It’s the one companion that can’t be torn away. It’s what we use to
track our lives, to make sense of what is happening to us. Music is more
important now than it has been at any other time in modern history. With this in mind, I spoke to six
music fans across the UK about the tunes getting them through these
trying times.
Thursday 23 April 2020 / music
Big Fat Lockdown Quiz: The Beatles Edition
Beatlemaniacs, listen up! Are you tired of fumbling through questions about the Top 40 and last year's X Factor winner in every Zoom quiz? Itching to show off your knowledge of the intricacies of the Lennon-McCartney songwriting partnership? Then this is the lockdown quiz for you! I've made an easy, medium and hard quiz, so if you're the sort of fan who knows the difference between Hey Jude and Hey Bulldog, you might want to skip 'easy'!
HARD
Q1: Which Beatles song was covered by the Rolling Stones in 1963?
Q2: Which song did Paul McCartney claim to have written about his dog?
Q3: Which of these public figures was NOT featured on the cover of Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band: Bob Dylan, Edgar Allen Poe or James Dean?
Q4: Who became a temporary Beatle when he replaced a sickly Ringo on their 1964 tour?
Q5: In 1965, The Beatles became the first British band to release a double A-side single. Which two songs were on that single? (two points available)
Q6: Who produced the Let It Be album?
Q7: Which two Beatles fall over while running away from fans in the opening credits of their 1964 film, A Hard Day’s Night? (only one point available)
Q8: What was the name of the German artist and bass player who designed the Revolver album artwork?
Q9: What is the only Beatles song to feature lead vocals from a non-Beatle?
Q10: Their counterculture anthem All You Need is Love was written for the first ever live international television programme. What was that programme called?
Q11: What was the B-side to She Loves You?
Q12: Brian Epstein was the Beatles most famous manager, but who was their first?
Q13: The music video for Lady Madonna was actually supposed to be for another song. Which song was it?
Q14: Why does a murderous cult attempt to kidnap Ringo in the 1965 film, Help?
Q15: As The Quarrymen, Paul, John and George (with John Lowe and Colin Hanton) paid to record a few songs in a Liverpool studio. How much did it cost them?
A1: I Wanna Be Your Man
A2: Martha My Dear
A3: James Dean
A4: Jimmie Nicol
A5: We Can Work It Out and Day Tripper
A6: Phil Spector
A7: George Harrison and Ringo
Starr
A8: Klaus Voorman
A9: The Continuing Story of
Bungalow Bill
A10: Our World
A11: I'll Get You
A12: Allan Williams
A13: Hey Bulldog
A14: Their sacrificial ring is stuck on his finger
A15: 17 shillings and 6 pence.
MEDIUM
Q1: Before Ringo Starr joined the band in 1962, who was the original drummer?
Q2: Which 1965 single came to Paul McCartney in a dream?
Q3: Which Beatle was barefoot on the famous cover of Abbey Road?
Q4: Who was the only Beatle to have actually lived on Penny Lane in Liverpool?
Q5: Which of these singles finally broke The Beatles four-year streak of number ones in the UK: Strawberry Fields Forever, Love Me Do or Hello Goodbye?
Q6: Which 1966 Beatles song was both the first song to feature backwards music and the first song to have a music video?
Q7: Which member of the band is actually called James?
Q8: Which scathing song was written about Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, who the band studied under in India: She Said She Said, Lady Madonna or Sexy Sadie?
Q9: Who angered the band (apart from John) by moving a bed into the studio during the recording of Abbey Road?
Q10: Which song was inspired by an antique circus poster?
Q11: Why did Paul McCartney get deported from Hamburg in 1960?
Q12: The Beatles famously got rejected by a major record label in what is now considered the greatest mistake in music history. Which label was it?
Q13: With which song did Ringo Starr get his first writing credit?
Q14: Despite famously writing I am the Walrus, who did John later claim was in fact the walrus in the song Glass Onion?
Q15: What city were The Beatles in when they found out they'd got their first American number one with I Want to Hold Your Hand?
A1: Pete Best
A2: Yesterday
A3: Paul McCartney
A4: John Lennon
A5: Strawberry Fields Forever
A6: Rain
A7: Paul McCartney
A8: Sexy Sadie
A9: Yoko Ono
A10: Being for the Benefit of Mr Kite
A11: He nailed a condom to the wall and set it on fire
A12: Decca Records
A13: What Goes On
A14: Paul McCartney
A15: Paris
EASY
Q1: Which Beatle married Linda Eastman in 1969?
Q2: What was the name of the Liverpool music venue where they made their name?
Q3: Which iconic song was written by Paul McCartney to comfort Julian Lennon after the divorce of his parents?
Q4: Which Beatles song shares a name with a famous novel by Haruki Murakami?
Q5: Which song contains the lyrics ‘close your eyes and I’ll kiss you/tomorrow I’ll miss you’?
Q6: Which Beatle shared an ex-wife with Eric Clapton?
Q7: Which Beatle was rumoured to have died in 1966 and subsequently been replaced by a lookalike?
Q8: Which song was inspired by Mia Farrow’s sister, Prudence Farrow?
Q9: The band’s 1968 album The Beatles is more commonly referred to as: A) The Blue Album B) The White Album or C) The Yellow Album?
Q10: Which of these songs was NOT written by George Harrison: Yesterday, Piggies or Here Comes the Sun?
Q11: In which song did Paul imagine his future grandchildren would be named Vera, Chuck and Dave?
Q12: Why did fans throughout the American 'Bible Belt' burn Beatles albums en masse in 1966?
Q13: Which was the last Beatles album to be released?
Q14: What was Ringo Starr's real name?
Q15: In which Californian city did the Beatles play the final show of their last ever tour?
A1: Paul McCartney
A2: The Cavern Club
A3: Hey Jude
A4: Norwegian Wood
A5: All My Loving
A6: George Harrison
A7: Paul McCartney
A8: Dear Prudence
A9: The White Album
A10: Yesterday
A11: When I'm 64
A12: John claimed The Beatles were 'more popular than Jesus'
A13: Let It Be
A14: Richard Starkey
A15: San Francisco
Tuesday 7 April 2020 / poetry
Smear: Poems for Girls published in US
The new expanded edition of Smear: Poem for Girls, which features my poem 'Dust', is now available in the US! Greta Bellamacina is such a beautiful poet and I've admired her work for a while, so it was a great honour to be included in her anthology.
NORMAL PEOPLE
You. must. watch. this.
The stakes are always high when adapting a beloved book for film or television, but for a novel as big as Normal People, the expectations were immense. Dubbed 'the great millennial love story', we follow on-off lovers Marianne and Connell through school and university in Ireland. One of the rare adaptations that's actually better than the book, Normal People deserves all the praise it's getting and more. Excruciatingly intimate and devastatingly poetic, it's television at its finest. Give it all the awards!
All twelve episodes are available on BBC iPlayer.
ONE TREE HILL
Okay, so no one's claiming One Tree Hill is exactly ground breaking programming, but it's definitely great entertainment. With its notoriously bonkers storylines - like when a stoned dog literally ate supervillain Dan's heart - and more car crashes/stalkers/affairs than you can shake a stick at, this teen drama is a ride from start to finish. Realistic portrayal of American youth, it certainly is not (or at least, I hope it's not) but it's so full of heart you'll be gripped by episode two.
All nine seasons are available on Amazon Prime.
All nine seasons are available on Amazon Prime.
BUZZFEED UNSOLVED: SUPERNATURAL
This internet hit has garnered a huge following, having been buoyed by the infamous 'hey there demons' meme that's been circulating for the past few years. It follows two friends as they hunt for ghosts in some of America's most haunted locations. Interest in the supernatural is not a viewing requirement; the draw of the show is watching hardcore sceptic Shane and believer Ryan bicker, dispute evidence and generally do stupid stuff in creepy houses. As much a comedy as it is a ghosthunting show, this has been one of my favourite discoveries of the year.
All six seasons are on both YouTube and Amazon Prime.
LUTHER
Okay, so I was massively late to the party with this one. Pretty much everyone has seen this already, but I'm giving it a shout out just in case you missed it. DCI John Luther investigates some of the most evil crimes in London with the occasional help of Alice, a psychotic killer he failed to convict. In the meantime, he finds himself pursued by the law for his sometimes unorthodox methods of catching a criminal. At times terrifying, this is one of the darkest police dramas on television - and it's utterly captivating.
All five seasons are available on Sky, and the first four are available on Netflix.
THE O.C.
I was an obsessive O.C. fan in my early teens, but I didn't think I'd enjoy re-watching it as much as I have. It's definitely aged a lot since it premiered in 2003 and some of the performances aren't quite as #Emmyworthy as I thought they were first time round, but it's still a lot of fun. Whether it's the nostalgia value or the voyeuristic opportunity to see how the other half live (although why the Cohens' huge McMansion doesn't seem to have a third bedroom for Ryan baffles me to this day), a cheeky O.C. rewatch is the perfect escapism we all need right now.
All four seasons are available on Amazon Prime.
Monday 30 March 2020 / music
Big Fat Lockdown Quiz: General Music Edition
Impress your friends with this music quiz next time you assemble on House Party for your weekly pub quiz. It's split into three difficulty levels, so choose which you feel is most appropriate for your group or mix and match to create your own. Good luck!
HARD
Q1) The most famous version of Twist and Shout was released by The Beatles in 1963, but who recorded the original?
Q2) Which famous Indian musician is the father of singer Norah Jones?
Q3) Which flamboyant male singer was responsible for assembling the groupie girl band The GTOs?
Q4) In which year did Adam and the Ants release their debut album, Dirk Wears White Sox?
Q5) How many Grammys has Lana Del Rey been nominated for?
Q6) Which famous ex did Nick Jonas write Wedding Bells about?
Q7) Which rocker was declared clinically dead for two minutes in 1987 before being revived by paramedics?
Q8) Which iconic rock anthem was named after a brand of deodorant?
Q9) Which folk singer’s life inspired the Coen Brothers’ 2013 film, Inside Llewyn Davis?
Q10) What colour bus is calling Jim Morrison in the song The End?
Q11) In which year did Wu-Tang Clan form?
Q12) Which song was the first to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1958?
Q13) Which Hollywood starlet released an album called Anywhere I Lay My Head in 2008?
Q14) Name the four legendary musicians who formed the short-lived supergroup The Dirty Mac in 1968 (one point for each member).
Q15) Singer Christopher Edwin Breaux is better known by what moniker?
A1) The Top Notes
A2) Ravi Shankar
A3) Frank Zappa
A4) 1979
A5) 6
A6) Miley Cyrus
A7) Nikki Sixx
A8) Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana
A9) Dave Van Ronk
A10) Blue
A11) 1992
A12) Poor Little Fool by Ricky Nelson
A13) Scarlett Johansson
A14) Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, Mitch Mitchell and John Lennon
A15) Frank Ocean
MEDIUM
Q1) On which legendary American crooner was the character of Johnny Fontane in The Godfather supposedly based?
Q2) Who was the lead vocalist of both Whitesnake and Deep Purple?
Q3) Who sang the theme tune to the James Bond film, Quantum of Solace (2008)?
Q4) What was the name of The Who’s rock opera released in 1969?
Q5) Which song did Rolling Stone proclaim the greatest of all time?
Q6) Who is the bassist of American band, Pearl Jam?
Q7) Which jazz singer released an autobiography titled Lady Sings the Blues in 1956?
Q8) Which British band released the song Telegram Sam in 1972?
Q9) Which of these iconic singers DIDN’T die in a helicopter crash: Otis Redding, Buddy Holly or Little Richard?
Q10) Which famous musician played the guitar solo on the Beatles’ While My Guitar Gently Weeps?
Q11) What was the most expensive music video of all time?
Q12) In which area of South London was David Bowie raised?
Q13) Which Rage Against the Machine song became Christmas Number One in 2009 as a result of a campaign to end the X Factor’s domination of the festive charts?
Q14) Martha Reeves was the lead singer of which 1960s girl group?
Q15) Which band inspired Daisy Jenkins Reid’s 2019 smash hit novel, Daisy Jones & The Six based?
A1) Frank Sinatra
A2) David Coverdale
A3) Jack White and Alicia Keys
A4) Tommy
A5) Like a Rolling Stone by Bob Dylan
A6) Jeff Ament
A7) Billie Holiday
A8) T. Rex
A9) Little Richard
A10) Eric Clapton
A11) Scream by Michael and Janet Jackson
A12) Brixton
A13) Killing in the Name
A14) Martha and the Vandellas
A15) Fleetwood Mac
EASY
Q1) Which English band had a number one hit in 1965 with (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction?
Q2) Which American singer married burlesque performer Dita Von Teese in 2004?
Q3) Which member of One Direction left the group to pursue a solo career in 2015?
Q4) Who released Don’t Stop Believing in 1981?
Q5) Which band became the first to win The X Factor in 2011?
Q6) Which American rapper posthumously released Ghetto Gospel alongside Elton John in 2004?
Q7) Whose signature song is Hotel California?
Q8) Who is the lead singer of Evanescence?
Q9) Which Mississippi-born singer is often called the King of Rock and Roll?
Q10) Which band famously asked ‘where were you when we we’re getting high?’
Q11) Which British singer occupied 16 positions in the UK Top 20 in 2017?
Q12) What was the first single released by Adele?
Q13) In 2004, a Pepsi advert aired featuring Pink, Britney Spears and Beyonce as rival gladiators. Which iconic song did they perform together?
Q14) Who was the lead singer of My Chemical Romance?
Q15) Who had the top selling album of 2019?
A1) The Rolling Stones
A2) Marilyn Manson
A3) Zayn Malik
A4) Journey
A5) Little Mix
A6) Tupac Shakur
A7) The Eagles
A8) Amy Lee
A9) Elvis Presley
A10) Oasis
A11) Ed Sheeran
A12) Hometown Glory
A13) We Will Rock You by Queen
A14) Gerard Way
A15) Lewis Capaldi
Thursday 13 February 2020
Ten Karaoke Songs for People Who Absolutely Cannot Sing
There are two types of people in this world. There are those, like my step-nan Jackie, who have to have the microphone prised from their clutches after yet another rambunctious rendition of La Bamba. And then there are those – the introverts, the fatally self-conscious and the simply godawful singers amongst us – who freeze with terror at the sheer mention of the dreaded K word: karaoke. This list is for the latter group.
Karaoke – arguably Japan’s greatest cultural export – doesn’t have to be a source of dread. In fact, research has shown that a good karaoke sesh has a surprising number of health benefits, including reduced stress levels, boosted endorphins and even a reduction in blood pressure. Not to mention, it’s just good fun. No one wants to be a spoilsport, so here’s a selection of great tunes you can sing along to shame-free at your next work party.
Shake it Off by Taylor Swift
Simple and upbeat, this modern karaoke classic is a real crowd pleaser. This one’s more about having a good time than delivering a powerhouse performance, so you can wow your audience with your fun-loving attitude if nothing else!
Livin’ La Vida Loca by Ricky Martin
Ditto this catchy little hit by the King of Latin Pop. Everyone will be having such a good time that your vocals are the last thing they’ll notice.
Islands in the Stream by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers
This is surprisingly easy to sing and requires a duet partner, so the heat won’t be all on you. It’s practically impossible to feel self-conscious with this classic feelgood tune.
Bubbly by Colbie Caillat
This is just such a sweet and simple song that anyone can sing. You shouldn’t have much trouble with this one.
Angels by Robbie Williams
You’ll get approximately two seconds into this song before everyone joins in and your voice gets drowned out, which makes it the perfect karaoke song for the tone deaf and timid.
Achy Breaky Heart by Billy Ray Cyrus
Or really any classic country song. Just put on an embarrassing Tennessee accent (even if you’re from Luton) and you’ll fool all your friends into thinking you’re a country prodigy.
Teenage Dirtbag by Wheatus
A guilty pleasure for basically everyone under 50, the vocals are pretty easy and you’ll have great fun performing it.
Waterloo by Abba
It is a truth universally acknowledged that no karaoke night is complete without at least one Abba song. Honestly, any of their songs are a pretty solid bet but, as someone who loves them both ironically and non-ironically, Waterloo is the perfect combo of fan favourite and easy to sing.
Up the Junction by Squeeze
The beauty of this song is that it can be 'sung' by pretty much anyone. It's a 'talkie' and to be honest, the worse your vocals, the more authentic it sounds.
Sumer Nights by John Travolta and Olivia Newton John
If my own experiences are anything to go by, you'll start this duet with one Sandy and one Danny. Pretty soon, though, the rest of your friends won't be able to resist adding to the numbers until you inevitably have two fully fledged groups, the Pink Ladies and the T-birds, both giving it all the sass they have. It doesn't matter if you're any good because that's not the point, you know?
Monday 13 January 2020 / music
Monday Playlist: Inspired by... The Girls
An intoxicating, sun-soaked fever dream, Emma Cline's The Girls was loosely based on the Manson Family and follows a teenage girl who gets sucked into a murderous, hippie cult in 1969. It was the hit novel of the year when it was released in 2016 and brought a new wave of literary interest in late-60s Hollywood (see: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood)
Heroin - Lana Del Rey
The only modern song on this list, Heroin still feels like the most natural fit. With lines like 'Topanga's hot today/ Manson's in the air' and 'something about this sun has made these kids get scary/ writing in blood on the walls and shit' perfectly conjures up visions of sizzling sun, cult worship and endless California hills.
The End - The Doors
This song sounds like pure evil to me. It's like a bad trip. A twelve minute epic, this otherworldly track goes on a psychedelic journey with Jim Morrison hollering about killing his parents before finally ending with 'kill! kill! kill!' It's an incredible song, but it's about as nightmarish as popular music gets. You could absolutely see someone like Charles Manson latching onto this song back in the 1960s.
Helter Skelter - The Beatles
This is a cracking song by the Fab Four, and it's a shame it's been marred by the Manson story. The killers famously wrote the title (as well as another of their tunes, Piggies) on the walls in their victims' blood, believing Helter Skelter to be code for a race war that would ravage the earth. Aside from that unfortunate legacy, it's also famous for potentially being the first heavy metal song.
Rejoyce - Jefferson Airplane
A spookily hypnotic psychedelic track, this is the perfect fit for a book about a man who cast a psychological spell so strong that teenage girls were willing to kill for him.
Summer in the City - The Lovin' Spoonful
The Girls is one of those novels where the setting is another character. The intense heat of the California summer is an integral part of the book, and it's evoked fantastically in this psychedelic pop anthem.
You Only Live Twice - Nancy Sinatra
The sweeping instrumentation and intriguing vocals of this classic Bond theme give it a real Hollywood vibe that fits perfectly with the book. The book begins as bored teenager Evie becomes obsessed with a stranger called Suzanne, who ultimately initiates her into the killer cult, so the lyrics are a great fit: 'love is a stranger who'll beckon you on/ don't think of the danger'.
Hurdy Gurdy Man - Donovan
I don't know whether it's just the inclusion on the Zodiac and The Conjuring soundtracks, but this song has always given me serial killer vibes. It sounds so dark and unsettling, it's hard to believe it's actually about a flower child/street musician who 'comes singing songs of love'. Either way, it's both classic Sixties and super creepy, which makes it the ideal choice for a playlist inspired by a Hippie murder cult!
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