20
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Franz Ferdinand - Matinee
"Sir Terence of Wogan was very proud to be mentioned in a song by beat combo Franz Ferdinand, and I liked the tune too, so much so that I said 'I'll
make it .........blank"
<tum-ti-tum, tum-ti-tum>
"So, let's see what the rabble have got"
Barry Cryer - 'my wife' <bong>
Wendy Craig - 'a matching handbag' <bong>
Gorden Kaye - 'best in show' <bong> "Well, we're getting there"
Lorraine Chase - 'up' <bong>
Kenny Everett - 'anywhere, it's up to you New York New Yorkipoos!' <bong>
(Kenny twists microphone)
Jan Leeming - 'my record of the year! <ding-ding-ding-ding-ding>
Ah, the early 80s. Enduring image. Isn't it?
Andrew S
No of votes: 12, Score:
71, Highest vote: 1st
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19
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The Killers - Mr Brightside
Growing up in Las Vegas could have a bad effect on you - living in a city where Celine Dion plays most nights (refer Top 50 singles of 1997 - ok, only kidding) could really distort young minds. But, as Mr Brightside demonstrates, these Vegas showmen have come through it remarkably well. The self-professed hardest workers in rock did not pen lyrics like 'it started out with a kiss, how did it end up like this?' between bouts with the bottle and the needle - they also claim to be drug free!
This track, capturing the energy of their live sound, launched the Killers into our consciousness for 2004. For the feel good pop rock anthem of the year, choose Mr Brightside. Oh, and stay off them slot machines.
Isaac H
No of votes: 12, Score:
94, Highest vote: 1st
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18
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The Killers - Somebody Told Me
Las Vegas - famous for being a tourist "spectacle" (I'll leave you to read between the lines), the place to go for shotgun weddings, and now for the first time homegrown musical talent on their own doorstep, courtesy of The Killers. Suffice to say that they didn't cut their teeth opening up sets in Caesars Palace for the likes of Tom Jones and Shirley Bassey. Just as well then that they got the hell out of the desert and came over here. "Somebody Told Me" somehow manages to weld together synth-pop and rock to stupendous effect, and done with such energy you find it hard to believe it clocks in at just over 3 minutes.
Jason M
No of votes: 13, Score:
65, Highest vote: 1st
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17
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Blink 182 - I Miss You
Well, haven't we grown up all of a sudden? I suppose when the whole band are fathers and approaching 30 it becomes a bit difficult to pull of the teen-angst schtick. It doesn't explain why Tom DeLonge pronounces 'head' as 'yedd', but he sounds like he means it, so we'll let him off. The song has a nice moody sweep to it that is less harsh than many of their previous singles, quite possibly because the guitar sound is less prominent. Here's hoping they won't go all Paul McCartney on us.
P Shoo
No of votes: 13, Score:
71, Highest vote: 2nd
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16
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Shapeshifters - Lola's Theme
The scene - The house of some 'Shapeshifters' on the Wednesday of the single's release.
'Brilliant news lads, we're guaranteed No.1! I told you a disco house version of a bootleg song that's done well in the clubs would work'
'Yeah, genius to use a name beginning with S and ending in R as well. Spiller, 'Who do you love now (Stringer)', Sugababes...er'
'Oh no!'
'What?'
'We've forgotten to make a video!'
'Bum. Tell you what, grab that singer we got to re-record the vocal 'cos we couldn't afford the original sample and send her down the fair 'round the corner. Give her £50 and let her play on the dodgems and stuff'
'Yeah, that'll work'
Andrew S
No of votes: 13, Score:
73, Highest vote: 1st
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15
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Razorlight - Golden Touch
Whilst in 2004 the Libertines lurched, coughed, spluttered, bounced in and out of rehab, and finally curled their toes skywards (well, I think it's all over bar the shouting), an old schoolmate of Libs man John Hassell (who used to play with them on occasions) emerged to bring us Razorlight. Yus, that Johnny Borrell has got a mouth that, if opened wide enough, can cause total solar eclipses, but he's also got quite a vocal range on him. Other tracks on their superb debut album "Up All Night" have him either tearing his larynx apart, but here he's giving it a bit of a rest, which suits this tale of chasing the "fit but my god, don't she just know it" girl. Yeah, the Libertines are certainly fulfilling the rock and roll ethos in all respects, but musically, I'm siding with this lot.
Jason M
No of votes: 13, Score:
86, Highest vote: 1st
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14
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Damien Rice - Cannonball
Simple, beautiful and released as a single a good 23 years (or thereabouts) after the album 'O', this was the song that whipped pop radio behind Damien Rice and made his debut record the coffee table hit of 2004. Which beats me; because if coffee is not the coffee table hit of any year then they should probably change the name of the table to something more appropriate. And what's the CD doing there anyway? Is the stereo on the coffee table as well? The householder would have to do something very creative with the cables to make sure they aren't a home hazard and it wouldn't leave much room for a cappuccino or any other beverage for that matter. Or was it left there deliberately so that when Julia finally 'comes up for a coffee' then she can see how ultra with-it you are? You first put on 'O' to set the mood and change it for some Maroon 5 when you want things to become "a little more funky". Secretly though, Julia is laughing at you because she was still a virgin when she first heard 'Cannonball' - it was that long ago. And Maroon 5??? Ha ha ha ha ha!!!!!
Danny G
No of votes: 14, Score:
50, Highest vote: 1st
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13
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Scissor Sisters - Laura
"Hello Thomas", said George. "Hello George", said Thomas. "Oh look, it's the fat controller!" Am I the only one in the world that feels that the intro to this song bears an uncanny resemblance to that other musical meisterwerk, the theme tune to Thomas The Tank Engine and Friends? I am? Oh. Can I bolster this review with some frankly bizarre analogy? Well, if 2004 was one big party, you could guarantee that the Scissor Sisters would be the ones dancing on the table, slurping some ridiculous cocktails of almost obscene proportions (no doubt inversely proportional to the size of the garments Jake Shears would be wearing). If there is to be a disco revival, they will be spearheading it.
Jason M
No of votes: 14, Score:
79, Highest vote: 2nd
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12
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U2 - Vertigo
How do they do it? When most bands of their vintage have to make do with revivals, reunions and remixes, U2 are still grabbing music by the balls and squeezing hard. Not for them an over-reliance on the nostalgia factor - this track, their 36th single, was so loved by the digital generation that it practically took up permanent residence at the top of the download chart (fitting for a band with their own specially branded iPod). Critics may argue that it's just U2 by numbers (Jangling guitars? Check! Screaming Bono? Check! Deep sounding, but ultimately facile lyrics? Check!) and that they're skirting dangerously close to self-parody, but so what? When you sound this damn good, who cares?
Greg B
No of votes: 15, Score:
93, Highest vote: 1st
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11
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Gwen Stefani - What You Waiting For
I love this, I love her, it almost makes me wish I was blonde. I often wonder, what am I waiting for? I put the radio on, I'm raring to go and I'm not waiting anymore, I'm off down the road in a tutu and army boots shouting 'tick tock' at strangers and it's all down to Gwen. I never get sick of hearing this, it creates mischief. If you like the idea of jumping up and down on your bed dressed as Alice in Wonderland then this is the song for you.
Lisa G
No of votes: 15, Score:
94, Highest vote: 1st
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A MASSIVE THANKS also to all those who slaved over a hot keyboard to produce the write ups: Danny G, Paul M, Kat H, Andrew S, Isaac H, P Shoo, Jon B, Liza H, Derek K, Harley R, Karen G, Spencer G, Emyr I, Greg B, Claire J, Lisa G, Nelson, Veronica M, Kaz, Talia K, Emi H