Music | Just Another Blog From a Woman

20 Best Cover Versions

Posted on January 29, 2018 by Hayley Beasley Dye

It’s easy to scoff at a cover version, but let’s hold off with the music snobbery just one second as some are worth praise. Some are even better than the original. Here’s a run down of my personal 20 favourite cover versions, in descending order. I’ve put the original recording artist in brackets. Spotify playlist at the end as always.

20. The Loco-motion by Kylie Minogue (Little Eva)

19. Dear Prudence by Siouxsie and the Banshees (The Beatles)

18. California Dreamin’ by the Carpenters (Mamas & the Papas)

17. When You Were Mine by Cyndi Lauper (Prince)

16. Brass in Pocket by Suede (The Pretenders)

15. Umbrella by Manic Street Preachers (Rhianna)

14. Piece of My Heart by Janis Joplin (Erma Franklin)

13. Live and Let Die by Guns N’ Roses (Paul McCartney and Wings)

12. Hazy Shade of Winter by the Bangles (Simon & Garfunkel)

11. Smells Like Teen Spirit by Tori Amos (Nirvana)

And the Top Ten….

10. I Heard it Through the Grapevine by the Slits (Marvin Gaye)

9. It’s Oh So Quiet by Bjork (Betty Hutton)

8. Mad World by Gary Jules & Michael Andrews (Tears for Fears)

7. Valerie by Mark Ronson feat Amy Winehouse (The Zutons)

6. Tainted Love by Soft Cell (Gloria Jones)

Top Five…

5. Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley (Leonard Cohen)

4. Hurt by Johnny Cash (Nine Inch Nails)

3. They Won’t Go When I Go by George Michael (Stevie Wonder)

2. Respect by Aretha Franklin (Otis Redding) If you only watch one of these music videos, then please make it this one. Aretha is the QUEEN!

1.Nothing Compares 2 U by Sinead O’Connor (Prince)

So, which one of these is your favourites? And which cover version do you love that doesn’t feature in my top 20? Don’t forget to come back on Friday for my weekly music series. This Friday it’s going to be music from 1986.

Top Ten Tunes- 1985

Posted on January 26, 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 1985.

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 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Eastenders in 1985

So in 1985, the Sinclair C5 is launched, TV soap opera Eastenders debuts, a fire breaks out at Bradford football stadium during a match killing 56 people, the Football Association bans all English football clubs from playing in Europe due to football riots and hooliganism, the Greenpeace ship the Rainbow Warrior is sunk after French agents plant a bomb, Live Aid concerts in both London and Philadelphia raise over £50,000,000 for famine relief in Ethiopia, the wreck of RMS Titanic is located by an expedition team, rioting as a result of racial tension take place in both Birmingham and Brixton, 55 people are killed in the Manchester Airport disaster when a plane bursts into flames, the first British mobile phone call is made and the films The Breakfast Club, The Goonies and Back to the Future are released. I turned 9 years old.

MV5BMjA5NTYzMDMyM15BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwNjU3NDU2MTE@._V1_SY1000_CR0,0,640,1000_AL_

There’s quite a few repeat appearances here. There’s only two acts here that you haven’t seen before in previous weeks, but it does not make this week’s playlist any weaker. Also, please note how the hair has definitely got a lot BIGGER in 1985.

1.How Soon is Now? by The Smiths

TheSmiths

2. Shout by Tears for Fears

Tears-for-Fears

3. You Spin Me Round (Like a Record) by Dead or Alive

I kind of feel sorry for the bloke on the right who is lacking in the hair department. Do you think he felt left out?

4. Take on Me by A-Ha

5. I’m Your Man by Wham!

mw14857

6. Inbetween Days by the Cure

The-Cure-circa-1985

7. Raspberry Beret by Prince

8. Running up That Hill by Kate Bush

Kate Bush Cloudbusting 1985 smusic

9. Crazy for You by Madonna

k1H1V8l

10. Road to Nowhere by Talking Heads

promoted-media-optimized_547b69009c04e

Whilst Dead or Alive are a close second, it’s Kate that wins again for me this week. One of the best songs ever written and those lyrics are phenomenal “And if I only could, I’d make a deal with God, And I’d get him to swap our places”. So, which one is your favourite?

See you next week for 1986!

Top Ten Tunes- 1984

Posted on January 19, 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 1984.

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 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 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Band Aid 1984

In 1984, Torvill and Dean wins gold at the Winter Olympics, the Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi is assassinated, the miners’ strikes begin, comedian Tommy Cooper collapses and dies from a heart attack live on TV, police officer Yvonne Fletcher is shot and killed in the Libyan Embassy siege, a Brighton hotel is bombed by the IRA in an attempt to kill PM Margaret Thatcher- she narrowly escapes injury, but 5 people are killed and 31 were injured, the Thames Barrier is opened by the Queen, British unemployment reaches an all time record high, runner Zola Budd controversially collides with Mary Decker during the 3000 metre race at the Los Angeles Olympics, Prince Harry (officially Henry) is born, the Band Aid charity single is released and goes to the top of the charts, pop band Bucks Fizz are involved in a serious road accident, Marvin Gaye is shot and killed by his father and the films Ghostbusters, Gremlins, the Terminator, A Nightmare on Elm Street and Footloose are released. I turned 8 years old.

ghostbustersmain

I think 1984 is another one of my favourite years so far. So many big names this week and our George features twice. So here’s my top ten 10 tunes from 1984, in no particular order. There’s a Spotify playlist at the end as per.

Wake Me Up Before You Go Go by Wham! (This video is pure 80s, pure Wham! and pure George- shaky camera work and bad miming ‘n’ all)

2. White Lines (Don’t Do It) by Grandmaster Flash & Melle Mel

Is this the most perfect band photo ever?

3. Borderline by Madonna

4939a513fa7bb9c4a21dcf53a6b26954--s-makeup-madonna-s

4. Hero Takes a Fall by the Bangles (watch the Bangles destroying the patriarchy in this video)

5. Seven Seas by Echo and the Bunnymen

Echo & the Bunnymen

6. Careless Whisper by George Michael

3BA259B500000578-4065606-image-m-33_1482711267397

7. Smalltown Boy by Bronski Beat

bronski

8. The Power of Love by Frankie Goes to Hollywood

9. Time After Time by Cyndi Lauper

Cyndi_Lauper_Time_After

10. Purple Rain by Prince

rs-238083-GettyImages-86103158

What?! Now you want me to pick one, singular track from that lot to be my favourite?! When you’ve got George Michael, Cyndi Lauper, Frankie, Wham AND Prince in that list altogether, it’s not possible, surely?…but I’m thinking as I still can’t listen to Purple Rain without getting misty eyes, it’s probably that. So, can you decide which one is your favourite? Let me know below.

See you next Friday for 1985.

Top Ten Tunes- 1983

Posted on January 12, 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 1983.

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 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 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Unemployment was in excess of 3 million in 1983.

In 1983, wearing seat belts in the front of cars becomes compulsory (though this didn’t sway my Grandad to do this), the CD goes on sale for the first time, the one pound coin is introduced in England & Wales, Margaret Thatcher wins the general election again with a landslide victory, Neil Kinnock is elected leader of the Labour Party, an IRA bomb kills 6 and injures 90 people outside Harrods in London, another IRA bombs explodes on Christmas Day in London, but does not harm anyone and Flashdance is released. And I turned 7 years old.

flashdance-movie-poster-1983-1020199627

Again, I’ve omitted a very popular tune this week and that tune is Billie Jean by Michael Jackson. As much as I loved that song and still appreciate it’s a great pop tune, I’ve listened to it too many times and it doesn’t quite carry the same sense of magic for me as it used to. So, here are my personal 10 favourite songs from 1983.

Karma Chameleon by Culture Club

2. Modern Love by David Bowie

c90790226db8fc48f050392189773769

3. This Charming Man by the Smiths

4. Love Cats by the Cure

83-cure-4-aa

5. Sweet Dreams (Are Made of These) by Eurythmics

eurythmicspic

6. Blue Monday by New Order

hqdefault-5

7. Drop the Pilot by Joan Armatrading

img_Joan_Armatrading_02

8. Africa by Toto

1983toto_5

9. Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler

bonnie-tyler-a

10. Uptown Girl by Billy Joel

Another strong year for British music, but which is your favourite? Whilst Billy Joel is obviously a very close second, it’s New Order that’s my top tune from this collection of 1983 gems. See you next week for 1984.

Top Ten Tunes- 1982

Posted on January 5, 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 1982.

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 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 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

the-remains-of-the-mary-rose-are-lifted-from-the-waters-of-the-solent-136400959704403901-151010010517

The Mary Rose. King Henry VIII’s flagship.

Events in 1982 include Argentina invading the Falklands, Channel 4 is launched in the UK (wow we had a whole 4 channels to choose from back then), the Queen celebrates her Pearl Jubilee, the Eurovision Song Contest is held in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, Prince William is born, a man manages to break into the Queen’s bedroom, the Mary Rose flagship of Henry VIII is raised from the Solent, the IRA detonate two bombs in central London killing 8 soldiers and 7 horses and wounding 47 people and the film E.T. was released. I celebrated my 6th Birthday.

homepage_EB19970914REVIEWS08401010316AR

Straight up apologies, for Come on Eileen, but I’ve heard you far too many times to still love you as much as I did. Here’s my top ten tracks of 1982 regardless.

The Lion Sleeps Tonight by Tight Fit (for the love of God- watch this. Watch this now. This video is all kinds of terrible and has to be seen in its entirety).

2. Pass the Dutchie by Musical Youth

3. Golden Brown by the Stranglers

stranglers170613w

4. Mad World by Tears for Fears

2ee198434783e4a69a93f471f48904b5--the-new-wave-tears-for-fears

5. A Town Called Malice by The Jam

thejam

6. Heartbreaker by Dionne Warwick

DionneWarwick-5

7. (Sexual) Healing by Marvin Gaye

Marvin_Gaye_(1973)

8. Only You by Yazoo

7b9e19acd4c64948c9b4515a669d2606

9. Say Hello, Wave Goodbye by Soft Cell

82-02-25-soft-cell-cs

10. Seven Tears by Goombay Dance Band

Come on and tell me your favourite (what do you mean it’s not the Goombay Dance Band?!). Mine’s Tear for Fears. It’s a still mad world lads. See you next week for 1983.

Top Ten Tunes- 1981

Posted on December 22, 2017 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 1981.

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 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 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

So 1981, the year that Prince Charles married Diana Spencer (and I won a fancy dress competition dressed as Diana in her wedding dress), Peter Sutcliffe is charged with being the Yorkshire Ripper, Dynasty debuts on TV, Pope John Paul II is shot, but not killed, John McEnroe throws a paddy at Wimbledon and shouts “You cannot be serious” at the umpire for the first time (and my brother won the boys section of the same fancy dress competition dressed as McEnroe with a large plaster over his mouth. The Beasleys were on FIRE in 1981), race riots spread across the UK, Bucks Fizz won the Eurovision Song Contest (best UK entry ever) and Raiders of the Lost Ark was released. I turned 5 years old.

Yes please

Oh so this is when things get deliciously 80s. There may be some credible tunes here, but yes there is Adam Ant, yes there’s Kim Wilde and yes there’s Bucks Fizz and I’m not apologising for any of it. Enjoy!

Just Can’t Get Enough by Depeche Mode

2. Reward by Teardrop Explodes

3. Kings of the Wild Frontier by Adam and the Ants

4. Can You Feel It by the Jacksons

5. Tainted Love by Soft Cell

6. Pretty in Pink by Psychedelic Furs

7. Kids in America by Kim Wilde

8. One in Ten by UB40

9. Making Your Mind Up by Bucks Fizz (If you need cheering up then I implore you to watch this. It’s their Eurovision performance and it evens features our Tel*)

10. Under Pressure by Queen and David Bowie

Whilst this has been one of my favourite years so far (I think I say that every week), choosing my favourite was easy. It’s Queen and Bowie. Obvs. Which one is your favourite?

I’ll be taking a break from Top Ten Tunes next week as I’ll be posting my 10 most popular blog posts from this year instead. So see you on Friday 5th January for 1982.

*Famous Irish TV/radio personality Terry Wogan who was hugely popular and bit of legend in the UK and Ireland and who we sadly lost last year.

2017 Culture Review: the best of TV, Films and Music

Posted on December 18, 2017 by Hayley Beasley Dye

Here’s my succinct cultural review of 2017. It’s been a great year for TV yet again, not so strong musically, but a few corkers nonetheless. I’ve only bothered with a top 3 for each category, but there were of course, lots of other great TV programmes, films and music from this year. There’s a longer playlist at the end with 25 of the best singles and album tracks from the year for y’all.

Best Album

3. Colours by Beck

2. MASSEDUCTION by St. Vincent

1. Melodrama by Lorde (gloriously unapologetic pop, whilst remaining beautiful, dramatic and intimate)

Best Song

3. Everything Now by Arcade Fire

2. Tomorrow by Anni

1. New York by St. Vincent (my only criticism of this song is that it’s far too short.)

Best Film

3. Dunkirk/The Last Jedi (couldn’t decide between those two)

2. Trainspotting 2

1. Lion (released at the beginning of 2017 in the UK and I’m still reeling from the fact it didn’t walk away with the Oscar for Best Picture quite frankly. Read more about how this film made me feel here)

Best TV Programme

3. Stranger Things

2. The Crown

1. Master of None (actual perfectionism)

That’s mine. You know the score, now tell me yours.

Top Ten Tunes- 1980

Posted on December 15, 2017 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 1980. Oh yes, I welcome you to the EIGHTIES!

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 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 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

1980 was another eventful year. John Lennon was shot and killed in New York, a former Hollywood actor became the president of the United States, Alton Towers opened, the Rubik’s Cube was voted best toy, terrorists seized the Iranian embassy in London, which leads to the SAS to storm the embassy and release all the hostages, the world found out “who shot JR?” and my all time favourite film The Shining is released. And I turned the grand old age of 4 years old.

So here’s my top ten songs from 1980. There’s a few repeat artists here (artists that have appeared on previous Top Tens), but this list is no weaker for it. Lots of strong tunes here and there’s a Spotify playlist at the end as always.

1. Babooshka by Kate Bush

2. Baggy Trousers by Madness

3. Going Underground by the Jam

4. Too Much Too Young by the Specials

5. Master Blaster (Jammin’) by Stevie Wonder

6. Happy House by Siouxsie and the Banshees

7. Ashes to Ashes by David Bowie

8. Atomic by Blondie

9. Love Will Tear Us Apart by Joy Division

10. Brass in Pocket by The Pretenders

Whilst it’s very close between Blondie and Joy Division for my favourite track this week (kind of annoying these two songs appear within the same year tbh), but it has to be Joy Division. Love Will Tear Us Apart is one of the greatest songs every written. So, which is your favourite then?

See you next week for 1981!

Top Ten Tunes- 1979

Posted on December 8, 2017 by Hayley Beasley Dye

Every Friday, I’m publishing my personal top ten songs from a single year and this week it’s the turn of 1979.

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 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 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Margaret Thatcher, the first British female Prime Minister

So in 1979, Sid Vicious died of an overdose, an IRA bomb killed Lord Mountbatten, some bird called Margaret Thatcher became Prime Minister and Alien was released. And yes, I celebrated my 3rd Birthday.

I have to say this has been my favourite year so far and it features my favourite song of all time. And because I’m such a fascinating human being, I’m going to leave it to you to work out which one it might be…

[Spotify playlist at the end as per]

One Step Beyond by Madness

2. Rapper’s Delight by Sugarhill Gang

3. I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor

4. Boys Don’t Cry by The Cure

5. Video Killed the Radio Star by the Buggles

6. I Don’t Like Mondays by Boomtown Rats

7. Cars by Gary Numan

8. Since You’ve Been Gone by Rainbow

9. Roxanne by The Police

10. Don’t Stop Me Now by Queen

So don’t be shy, tell me which one is your favourite from this 1979 list of absolute corkers.

See you next week for the beginning of…..THE EIGHTIES!

*Top image is the Cure in 1979

Top Ten Tunes- 1978

Posted on December 1, 2017 by Hayley Beasley Dye

Every Friday, I’m publishing my personal top ten songs from a single year and this week it’s the turn of 1978.

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 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 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Grange Hill

In 1978, the first ever test tube baby was born, Nancy Spungen was stabbed to death by Sid Viscous in New York, Grange Hill and Dallas debuted on TV, Ipswich Town won the FA Cup and both Grease and Superman were released. And I turned 2 years old.

So, here’s my personal top ten tracks from 1978. Spotify playlist at the end of this post as usual.

Blame it on the Boogie by The Jacksons (if you have a spare 4 minutes you will not regret watching this glorious Jacksons video. It is 100% 70s)

2. Hong Kong Garden by Siouxsie & the Banshees

3. Teenage Kicks by The Undertones

4. Wuthering Heights by Kate Bush (you won’t regret watching this video either. Obviously. It’s Kate being a QUEEN as per)

5. Just the Way You Are by Billy Joel (whilst this was released in ’77, it didn’t become popular and didn’t peak in the UK charts until ’78)

6. Because the Night by Patti Smith Group

7. To Be Someone (Didn’t We Have a Nice Time) by the Jam

8. Hanging on the Telephone by Blondie

9. Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick by Ian Dury & the Blockheads

10. Ever Fallen in Love (with someone you shouldn’t’ve) by the Buzzcocks

So, you know the drill, let me know your favourite please. For me, it’s very close between the Undertones and Kate Bush, but it ultimately has to be Kate.

See you kids next week for 1979.

*The image at the top of the page is of Debbie Harry with the Buzzcocks in 1978.

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: