Music | Just Another Blog From a Woman

Top Ten Tunes- 2010

Posted on July 20, 2018 by Hayley Beasley Dye

Every Friday, I’m publishing my top ten songs from a single year and this week it’s the turn of 2010. Welcome to our final decade- the 10s!

For previous top ten tunes, please click on the year: 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Fun times.

In 2010, the UK is officially no longer in recession, Tony Blair appears at the Iraq enquiry and is questioned on his decision to take the UK into war against Iraq, American company Kraft Foods takes over British chocolate company Cadburys and the whole country ~~collapses~~ isn’t very happy about it, Levi Bellfield is charged with the murder of Milly Dowler who went missing 8 years ago, a Birmingham couple are charged and sentenced for starving their 7 yr-old daughter Khyra Ishaq to death, volcanic ash from Iceland causes British airports to close for 6 days, the general election takes place and results in a hung parliament, after leader of the Liberal Democrats Nick Clegg ~~whores himself~~ negotiates between the Conservative and Labour parties a coalition government is formed between the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats, David Cameron becomes the new British Prime Minister and Nick Clegg becomes the Deputy Prime Minister, 12 people are killed and 25 injured when gunman Derrick Bird goes on a killing rampage in Cumbria- he then turns the gun on himself, in the North East Roaul Moat shoots dead one person and badly injures two others– a week later a six-hour stand-off with the police and Gazza (yes Gazza) takes place as they try to talk him into giving himself up- he then also turns the gun on himself, Ed Miliband becomes the leader of the Labour Party, Prince Williams becomes engaged to Catherine Middleton, students protest against increased tuition fees and cuts to funding, fashion designer Alexander McQueen dies, the 2010 World Cup takes place in South Africa and Spain win the cup, the world’s tallest building opens in Dubai– it is 2,716ft tall, 33 miners are trapped underground in Chile– they are rescued after being underground for 69 days (I became OBSESSED with the Chilean miners and watched their rescue at 3am), the films Inception, Blue Valentine, Toy Story 3, The Social Network, Black Swan and The King’s Speech were all released, I turn 34 years old and Bessie Dye was born.

Well, there we have it, 2010 is the year that I have struggled the most to come up with 10 songs that I genuinely love. Now, is this because it was a weak year for music OR is it because for most of the year, I was either growing a human being inside of my actual body or I was tending to my tiny, beautiful, very loud human being and trying to keep it alive whist suffering from severe sleep deprivation and leaking milk from my mammaries (am I really selling motherhood to you?). Either way, I somehow came up with 10 songs that I loved from the year my babygirl was born. Here they are, in no particular order.

1. Only Girl (In the World) by Rihanna

2. Tightrope by Janelle Monae (here’s a video of Janelle performing Tightrope at Glastonbury Festival 2011. It is a masterclass in how to give audiences their money’s worth).

3. Rill Rill by Sleigh Bells

4. Beat the Devil’s Tattoo by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

5. Rambling Man by Laura Marling

6. Rolling in the Deep by Adele

7. We Used to Wait by Arcade Fire

8. All the Lovers by Kylie Minogue

9. Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down by Alicia Keys (yes I know the other version featured last week, but it is beautiful and I told you I’m struggling this week)

10. I’d Do It All Again by Corinne Bailey Rae (Corinne wrote this song about her husband that died suddenly at 32 years old and every time I hear it, it devastates me)

Hello world. My Boo at 2 weeks old (her eyes were always this wide open and she never lost that hair)

This week my favourite is Laura Marling. Don’t forget to let me know in the comments, which one is yours.

See you next week for 2011!

Top Ten Tunes- 2009

Posted on July 13, 2018 by Hayley Beasley Dye

Every Friday, I’m publishing my top ten songs from a single year and this week it’s the turn of 2009.

Retail chain Woolworths closes across the country after 100 years of business, it is announced that the UK’s economy is official in recession- the first time since 1991, Karen Matthews and Michael Donovan are sentenced to 8 years in prison for kidnapping Matthews’s daughter Shannon in a bid to claim £50,000 for her safe return after reporting her missing to the police, Slumdog Millionaire walk away with 8 awards at the Oscars and Kate Winslet wins Best Actress, Prime Minister Gordon Brown suspends Prime Minister’s Questions as a mark of respect for the death of leader of the opposition David Cameron’s six year old son, reality TV star Jade Goody dies after a 7 month battle with cervical cancer, protests are held in London ahead of the G20 summit– one person dies of a heart attack during the protests, Swine Flu hits the UK, the Telegraph publishes details of MPs’ expenses claims, the BBC publish their expenses report and cancel bonuses for their 10 most senior executives, the number of British Forces personnel killed in Afghanistan reaches 237, the highest ever UK rainfall is recorded resulting in several towns flooded and a bridge collapsing killing a police officer who was standing on it at the time, more than 80% of the UK now have internet access in their own homes, actor Natasha Richardson dies in a skiing accident, Somalian pirates attempts to hijack the MV Maersk Cargo Ship and take Captain Phillips hostage, Barak Obama is inaugurated as the 44th President of the USA, Michael Jackson dies, deadly bushfires in Victoria, Australia leave 173 people dead and 2000 homes destroyed, an earthquake in Italy kills 300 people, after a plane is struck by a flock of geese just after take-off- Captain Chesley B. Sullenberger successfully crash lands on the Hudson River, films Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Up in the Air, The Hangover, Precious, Up, Inglourious Bastards and Avatar are released and I turn 33 years old.

The last quarter of 2009 was particularly good for me as I had started growing a little bun in my oven. Well, I say it was good. It mainly involved me vomiting, falling asleep on the sofa by 8pm every night and unsuccessfully hiding the fact that I was up the duff from my colleagues. Musically, I actually really like this year’s playlist as it contains both commercial chart songs and lesser known songs. I think this will probably be how the rest of the playlists will go. So here’s this week’s, in no particular order.

1. Bad Romance by Lady Gaga

2. Shark in the Water by VV Brown

3. Big Bad Handsome Man by Imelda May

4. Tenuousness by Andrew Bird

5. Fight For This Love by Cheryl (I should probably feel slightly ashamed of putting this one in here, but do you know what? I do not. Not even slightly)

6. Empire State of Mind by Jay Z featuring Alicia Keys

7. Never Forget by Noisettes

8. Halo by Beyonce

9. Eet by Regina Spektor

10. Blood by the Middle East

My no.1 this week is -predictably- Queen Bey, but which one is yours?

See you next week for the start of the -er- 10s (?) 2010!

Top Ten Tunes- 2008

Posted on July 6, 2018 by Hayley Beasley Dye

Every Friday, I’m publishing my top ten songs from a single year and this week it’s the turn of 2008. And can you believe we only 10 more years to do.

For previous top ten tunes, please click on the year: 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

In 2008, Mohammed Al Fayed told an inquest into Princess Diana’s death that she and his son had been killed in a conspiracy arranged by the Royal family, Tony Blair, MI5, MI6 and the British ambassador to France, the inquest concludes a verdict of “accidental death” caused by the intoxication of Diana’s chauffeur, 9-year-old Shannon Matthews is kidnapped, the police arrest her mother and her mother’s boyfriend and charge them with organising the kidnapping for financial gain, Boris Johnson becomes the new mayor of London, Barry George is acquitted of the murder of Jill Dando, the Olympics takes place in Beijing, Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross prank call actor Andrew Sachs, which results in Brand and Ross being suspended by the BBC, Lewis Hamilton becomes the youngest ever Formula One World Champion, Fidel Castro steps down as president of Cuba after 50 years in power, writers strike in Hollywood for 3 months, Barack Obama beats John McCain in the US elections, the films The Dark Knight, Slumdog Millionaire, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Mamma Mia and the Reader are released and I turn 32 years old.

Are we really on 2008? This means we only have 9 more years until we’re up to date. So this week sees the return of Bey and the first appearance of a certain American Lady. Here in no particular order, are my 10 favourites from 2008. Spotify playlist at the end.

1. American Boy by Estelle

2. The Promise by Girls Aloud

3. Dance Wiv Me by Dizzee Rascal (featuring Calvin Harris)

4. Poker Face by Lady Gaga

5. Boyfriend by Alphabeat

6. My Delirium by Ladyhawke

7. If I Were a Boy by Beyonce

8. The Devil’s Crayon by Wild Beasts

9. Run by Leona Lewis

10. One Day Like This by Elbow

But which one is my favourite? A few years ago, I would have said -hands down- Elbow. However, I have heard that song a few too many times now (it’s still a great track, so that’s why it’s here). Now, my favourite is probably….oh sod it…imma gonna go with Elbow anyway. I still love it.

See you next week for 2009!

Top Ten Tunes- 2007

Posted on June 29, 2018 by Hayley Beasley Dye

Every Friday, I’m publishing my top ten songs from a single year and this week it’s the turn of 2007.

For previous top ten tunes, please click on the year: 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

gordon-brown-pm_1568038c

In 2007, protests were held in India against the treatment of Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty by fellow contestants in British reality show Celebrity Big Brother, BBC correspondent Alan Johnston is kidnapped in the Gaza Strip and was released 4 months later, a fire badly damages the Cutty Sark in Greenwich, Tony Blair steps down as Prime Minister and Gordon Brown becomes the new British PM, a smoking ban comes into effect in England and Wales banning smoking in any enclosed public places, foot and mouth disease breaks out in the UK, 11-year-old Rhys Jones is shot dead in Liverpool, Nick Clegg becomes the leader of the Liberal Democratics party, the first ever iPhone is introduced, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto is assassinated, a terrorist attack takes place at Glasgow airport and 5 people were injured, the final Harry Potter book is published, films There Will Be Blood, The Bourne Ultimatum, No Country for Old Men, Juno, Hot Fuzz and La Vie En Rose are all released and I turn 31 years old.

La_vie_en_rose_(2007)

In 2007, I packed my bags (again, I seem to pack my bags a lot over the years) and moved to New York, New York for a summer, where I was lucky enough to train at AADA (American Academy of Dramatic Arts) in acting, singing and dancing. It turned out to be one of the best experiences of my life and I made very special friends for life. And I still from time to time pine for New York. I just need to win the lottery, so I can buy that holiday apartment in NYC. This week, we have Amy featuring twice and Ri-Ri and Regina return plus it’s the first appearance from another iconic British singer.

1. Stronger by Kanye West

459577_1926

2. Harder Than You Think by Public Enemy

Public-Enemy-in-2007-001

3. Valerie by Mark Ronson featuring Amy Winehouse

1165009-mark-ronson-amy-winehouse-617-409

4. Foundations by Kate Nash

Kate-Nash2

5. Better by Regina Spector

regina_spektor_photo_credit_shervin_lainez_webjpg

6. Umbrella by Rihanna featuring Jay-Z (Umbrella was no.1 in the UK for 10 consecutive weeks and in some kind of sickened twist this was over the summer of ’07 where in the UK we had weeks upon weeks of non-stop rain causing flooding across the country. The weather in the UK had been good the day before the record was released, but from the day of its release the severe weather hit the UK. The UK started to blame this ark-building weather on Rihanna as the wet weather and Rihanna’s reign over the charts continued, it was thus named the “Rihanna Curse”. In the end, her record company were savvy and collaborated with a UK umbrella firm and produced the Rihanna branded umbrella. Sick)

7. Call the Shots by Girls Aloud (how has it taken me so long to put a Girls Aloud song in these lists?!)

4380

8. I Still Remember by Bloc Party

bloc party

9. Back to Black by Amy Winehouse

10. Hometown Glory by Adele

1392995.main_image

Look at us kerrrazy cats. With some of my NYC crew. Love, love, LOVE them.

Oooh, well it has to be Back to Black, doesn’t it? Which one is your favourite this week?

See you next week for 2008!

George Michael Top 15 Songs

Posted on June 25, 2018 by Hayley Beasley Dye

I still miss our George so much. I think I was in some kind of shock when I found out he died right at the end of a fuckery of a year for celebrity deaths, sandwiched between the news of Carrie Fisher becoming gravely ill and then her death followed by her mother’s equally heartbreaking death, it all seemed quite unbelievable. George was local to my where my parents’ live, his house only down the road from them. I was staying at my parents’ for Christmas when he died, so it took on a slightly surreal feeling that it happened not far from where I was. However, let’s not mull on the sad times now. George Michael was a phenomenal talent, the perfect popstar not to mention a beautiful person who was generous with both his time and money for people less fortunate than himself. Today, would have been his 55th Birthday, so to celebrate both him and his music, I’ve put together a list of my top 15 George Michael songs (it was going to be a top 10, but I just couldn’t narrow it down to that). Whilst, I do love the Older album, somehow not one track from it made my top 15. They’re just sitting on the outside of it in my top 20 (if I’d done one). As per, there’s a Spotify list at the end.

15. Amazing (from the album Patience, 2004, reached no.4)

14. Kissing a Fool (from the album Faith, 1998, reached no.18)

13. Too Funky (from the album Red Hot + Dance, 1992, reached no.4)

12. One More Try (from the album Faith, 1998, reached no.8)

11. Waiting for the Day (from the album Listen Without Prejudice Vol. I, 1990, reached no.23)

10. Heal the Pain (from the album Listen Without Prejudice Vol. I, 1991, reached no.31)

9. I Knew You Were Waiting (from the album Aretha, 1987, reached no.1)

8. As (from the album Ladies & Gentleman: The Best of George Michael, 1999, reached no.4)

7. A Different Corner (from the album Music from the Edge of Heaven, 1986, reached no.1)

6. Father Figure (from the album Faith, 1988, reached no.11)

5. Careless Whisper (from the album Make It Big, 1984, reached no.1)

4. Praying for Time (from the album Listen Without Prejudice Vol. I, 1990, reached no.6)

3. Faith (from the album Faith, 1987, reached no.1)

2. Freedom ’90 (from the album Listen Without Prejudice Vol. I, 1990, reached no. 28)

1. They Won’t Go When I Go (from the album Listen Without Prejudice Vol. I, 1990, wasn’t released as a single). The most perfect cover version. This song show cases George’s vocals like no other song does. I still get chills every time I listen to this song. Whilst it’s originally a Stevie Wonder song, George absolutely (to borrow a phrase from Simon Cowell) makes it his own. Breathtaking.

The one that almost made it: Mothers Pride (from the album Listen Without Prejudice Vol. I, 1991, didn’t chart in the UK, but got to no.46 in the US)

I absolutely love George’s cover of Queen’s Somebody to Love that he performed at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert in 1992. Here is a video clip of him rehearsing it (with another great British talent that we lost in 2016- David Bowie watching). I think the video nicely demonstrates George’s sensational talent as a singer and performer. He makes it all look effortless. It is worth watching from beginning to end. It never fails to make me feel emotional. It was released as part of the Five Live EP (a collection of his performances from the concert) and reached no.1 in 1993.

George had a sense of humour too. Here’s a clip of him sending himself up for Comic Relief:

And here’s a clip of him mocking himself again for Extras:

I’d love to know which George Michael track is your favourite, so let me know in the comments section below.

For other musical artist top tunes click on the link:

Beatles Björk Blur The Cure Kylie Minogue Madonna Prince Pulp Suede Tori Amos

Top Ten Tunes- 2006

Posted on June 22, 2018 by Hayley Beasley Dye

Every Friday, I’m publishing my top ten songs from a single year and this week it’s the turn of 2006.

For previous top ten tunes, please click on the year: 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

A tornado hits London and causes considerable damage.

In 2006, a whale is discovered in the River Thames in London, the football World Cup takes place in Germany, TV presenter Richard Hammond suffers a series brain injury when the jet-powered car he’s driving crashes whilst filming for Top Gear, in London Russian secret service agent Alexander Litvinenko is poisoned and dies, a tornado hits London, a series of murders take place in Ipswich– all the victims are female prostitutes, a man is later arrested and charged for the murders, Hogmanay in Edinburgh and Glasgow are cancelled due to bad weather (I know- I was there in Edinburgh!), Saddam Hussein is charged wth crimes against humanity and is sentenced to death by hanging, over 160 people are killed when seven bombs are detonated on trains in Mumbai, India and Montenegro and Serbia split and gain independence. The films Casino Royale, The Departed, Little Miss Sunshine, Night at the Museum, Volver, This is England and The Queen are all released. I celebrate my 30th Birthday.

Is this the right time to tell you that in 2006, I did an impromtu audition for Baz Luhrmann. I mean, he didn’t ask me to, but I did anyway. I was in Sydney as my better half was working at the Opera House and there was absolutely no way he was going to have fun without me over there. One night we got invited to the opening night of the Sydney Film Festival. I got verrrrrrr drunk on free champagne and myself and an actress that was in the show my husband was working on, discovered that Baz was at this party. We decided it would be a really good idea to go and audition for him. Yeah. At a party. Whilst very drunk. Uninvited. I don’t quite remember what happened, only that the “audition” involved a song and dance routine. That Baz Luhrmann look embarrassed (WHY?! We were being so cool). That I smashed my champagne glass and continued to drink from it. And that shortly afterwards someone suggested to my husband that it was time to take me home. I am nothing, but classy. ANYWAY. I absolutely love this year. It contains lots of fun pop, a heartbreaking tune and one of my all time favourite songs. So in no particular order, here’s my top ten tunes from 2006. Spotify playlist at the end as per.

1. Ain’t No Other Man by Christina Aguilera

2. Sexyback by Justin Timerblake

3. SOS by Rihanna

4. Rehab by Amy Winehouse

5. Standing in the Way of Control by The Gossip

6. Gold Lion by Yeah Yeah Yeahs

7. Us by Regina Spektor

8. Who Knew by Pink

9. I Am Not My Hair by India Arie

10. Irreplaceable by Beyonce

It’s been a while since I put a photo of myself up on these posts, here’s me on my 30th Birthday.

This week my favourite has to be Us by Regina Spector as that’s the song that I walked down the aisle to (but this wasn’t the year I got married). So, please tell me which of these songs you love the most.

See you next week for 2007!

Top Ten Tunes- 2005

Posted on June 15, 2018 by Hayley Beasley Dye

Every Friday, I’m publishing my top ten songs from a single year and this week it’s the turn of 2005.

For previous top ten tunes, please click on the year: 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

7acb14f47f199ec05383a783ea8aa6dcf1c72660

Ellen MacArthur

In 2005, the IRA issue a statement detailing their withdrawal from their commitment to decommission weapons as part of the Northern Ireland peace process, Ellen MacArthur obtains the solo sailing around the world record, Mark Thatcher is trialed for his involvement in an attempted coup in Equatorial Guinea, The Gender Recognition Act comes into place- allowing transgender people to have their reassigned gender recognised by law, Prince Charles marries Camilla Parker-Bowles– she will be known as the Duchess of Cornwall, the Labour Party wins the General Election again and Tony Blair begins his third term as Prime Minister, Tony Blair assumes the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Live 8 (similar to Live Aid) concerts are held across the world, London is selected for the 2012 Olympic games, the IRA orders an end to their armed campaign and focuses on democratic politics instead, England cricket wins the Ashes, Conservative leader Michael Howard resigns and David Cameron is elected as the new leader, a man from Scotland is proved to have been the first person to be “cured” of HIV, footballer George Best dies, the Civil Partnership act comes into force which grants the same rights to same-sex couples as married heterosexual couples, 70% of the UK now have internet access at home, Hurricane Katrina strikes New Orleans flooding 80% of the city and killing 1,600 people, YouTube is founded, Pope John Paul II dies, an earthquake in Kashmir kills 70,000 people, Michael Jackson is found not guilty of Child Molestation Charges, Bird Flu claims more lives in Indonesia, terrorist attacks in Sharm al-Sheikh kill 90 people.

On 7th July (7/7), a series of co-ordinated terrorist bomb attacks take place across London. Three bombs explode within seconds of each other on three separate underground trains and a fourth explodes on a bus. 52 civilians die in the attacks and 700 are injured. Two weeks later there are four attempts to explode bombs on London transport again. However, nobody is injured, but the failed suicide bombers are on the loose. The next day the metropolitan police accidentally shoot dead Brazilian Jean Charles de Menezes mistaking him for a terrorist. 3 out of the 4 bombers are found arrested 5 days later. 7/7 was the deadliest terrorist attack the UK had seen since the Pan Am bombing in 1988.

The films Brokebank Mountain, Walk the Line, Sin City and Wallace & Gromit: the Curse of the Were-Rabbit are released. I turn 29 years old.

Gang, I really struggled to find 10 favourites for this year. 2005 was not a strong year musically. I personally was never into bands like Franz Ferdinand, the Strokes, the White Stripes et al who seemed to dominate the music scene at the time, so it was slim pickings for me. However, I’m still quite pleased with the playlist that I eventually came up with, so here’s my favourites from 2005 and the good news is, 2006 is musically a much better year.

1. Feel Good Inc. by Gorillaz

2. Hung Up by Madonna

3. Forever Lost by the Magic Numbers

4. Black Horse and the Cherry Tree by K T Tunstall

5. Bloody Fucking Mother Asshole by Martha Wainwright (Best song title ever)

6. Neighbourhood #3 (Power Out) by Arcade Fire (Probably one of the best performances I have ever seen on Jools Holland- worth watching until the end)

7. Ugly by the Sugababes

8. Ordinary People by John Legend

9. King of the Mountain by Kate Bush

10. Triumph of a Heart by Bjork

Whilst, Gorillaz is a very close second it’s Dame Madge that’s my favourite this week. Don’t forget to let me know, which one is yours.

See you next week for 2006!

Top Ten Tunes- 2004

Posted on June 8, 2018 by Hayley Beasley Dye

Every Friday, I’m publishing my top ten songs from a single year and this week it’s the turn of 2004.

For previous top ten tunes, please click on the year: 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

a-fathers-4-justice-campaigner-dressed-as-batman-on-a-balcony-of-buckingham-palace-after-breaching-security-136393216187403901-140912155637

Just Batman hanging out at Buckingham Palace, nothing to see here.

In 2004, the Daily Mirror publishes the blacked out portion of a letter written by Princess Diana where she claims that someone is trying to kill her, serial killer Dr Harold Shipman is found dead in his prison cell, the Hutton Inquiry into Dr David Kelly’s death is published and condemns the BBC’s handling of the affair and exonerates the government, Chinese cockle pickers in Morecambe are caught up in the nighttime tides, which results in the drowning of 23 pickers, landmark office building The Gherkin is opened in London, children’s animation Peppa Pig debuts on TV, Fathers 4 Justice stage a protest in the House of Commons by throwing purple powder at Tony Blair, the Olympics take place in Athens, a Fathers 4 Justice campaigner breaches security at Buckingham Palace dressed as Batman, British hostage Ken Bigley is beheaded in Iraq, a train is derailed in Berkshire when a car is deliberately left on the train tracks- 7 people are killed, British aid worker Margaret Hassan is taken hostage and killed in Iraq, fox hunting is banned in the UK, the CIA admits that there was no imminent threat from weapons of mass destruction before the invasion of Iraq in 2003, a terrorist attack takes place in Madrid as 5 suicide bombers detonate bombs on rush hour trains and kill 190 people, one million people in Sudan flee their homes following ethnic cleansing, 335 people die in a siege in a school in Northern Ossetia and 700 are injured, President George W Bush wins the US election for a second term, Facebook is launched, Hurricane Jeanne kills 3000 people in Haiti, in the Indian Ocean the strongest earthquake in 40 years results in a tsunami that kills over 280,000 people with around 1,500 of them being British.

The films Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Shaun of the Dead, Saw, Fahrenheit 9/11, The Aviator and the Incredibles are released and I turn 28 years old.

2004 is the year that saw me and my better half pack our bags and drive around the US of A for the summer. We started in New Orleans and ended up in San Fransisco. Honestly, the customs officers thought we were mad when we told them our plans on arrival. Musically, 2004 wasn’t a strong year, but there was still a few songs that I absolutely loved and here they are! In no particular order.

1. Ladyflash by The Go Team!

2. Trick Me by Kelis

3. Fit But You Know It by The Streets

4. Thank You by Jamelia

5. Amazing by George Michael

6. Call On Me by Eric Prydz

7. Freakin’ Out by Graham Coxon

8. Mr. Brightside by the Killers

9. Remember Me by the Zutons

10.1980 by Estelle (this song isn’t available on Spotify, so the playlist is only 9 songs long this week. Here’s the video for it instead)

The Killers are my favourite this week (obvs), which one is yours?

See you next week for 2005!

Top 10 Prince Songs

Posted on June 7, 2018 by Hayley Beasley Dye

In honour of what would have been Prince’s 60th Birthday today, here’s a list of his top 10 songs.

Just Another Blog From a Woman

I’m probably the 10 millionth blogger to write up their favourite Prince songs today, but I couldn’t help but stick my oar in too. So, farewell our Purple Prince. Thank you for leaving us with the most wonderful music.

10. Manic Monday by the Bangles

Album: Different Light

Year: 1986

Chart Position: 2

Whoa, so the first track I choose isn’t actually performed by Prince? It’s a Prince song nonetheless, written under the pseudonym Christopher.

9. Take Me With You

Album: Purple Rain

Year: 1985

Chart Position: 7

8. Diamonds & Pearls

Album: Diamonds & Pearls

Year: 1991

Chart Position: 25

7. 7

Album: Love Symbol Album

Year: 1992

Chart Position: 27

6. Money Don’t Matter 2 Night

Album: Diamonds & Pearls

Year: 1992

Chart Position: 19

5. Sometimes it Snows in April

Album: Parade

Year: 1986

Chart Position: 193 (it didn’t chart in the UK until after his death in…

View original post 211 more words

Top Ten Tunes- 2003

Posted on June 1, 2018 by Hayley Beasley Dye

Every Friday, I’m publishing my top ten songs from a single year and this week it’s the turn of 2003.

For previous top ten tunes, please click on the year: 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

11F5B26F000005DC-0-image-a-1_1467807240746

Anti-Iraq war protests in London

In 2003, over 2 million people (and 6-11 million worldwide) demonstrate against the Iraq war in London, the London congestion charge comes into place, UK land troops join troops from the US, Australia & Poland in the invasion of Iraq, Saddam Hussein is captured and a statue of him is toppled over in Bagdad, it is announced that Hussein’s rule over Iraq is over, weapons expert Dr David Kelly commits suicide 3 days after he appears in front of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee regarding the information he had on weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, the Hutton inquiry into Dr David Kelly’s death is launched as there is doubt cast surrounding the suicide verdict, Concorde makes its final commercial flight after flying for over 27 years, Iain-Duncan Smith resigns as leader of the Conservative party, US President George W Bush visits London among mass protests, England win the rugby World Cup, Lady Louise Windsor is born– the first child of Prince Edward, Space Shuttle Colombia disintegrates on re-entry killing all 7 crew members on board, the highly infectious disease SARS spreads across Asia, Arnold Schwarzenegger is elected Governor of California, Michael Jackson is arrested and charged with child abuse, the films Kill Bill, Lost in Translation, School of Rock, Love Actually and Monster are all released and I turn 27 years old.

2003 sees the return of Blur (minus one band member), Beyonce (minus all band members), the Sugababes (with their interchangeable band members) and our Kylie (who doesn’t need band members). Also, this week sees a Top Ten Tunes first. It is the second appearance for a song that was in a previous list, but this version is so different I thought I could justify sneaking it in again. Here’s the best of 2003, in no particular order. Spotify list at the end as always.

1. Crazy in Love by Beyonce