For Task 3 of Unit 4, I will be discussing my Top 10 songs and why I have chosen them. I found this task very hard as the songs are so mixed and don’t correlate with each other, however this is my Top 10 and I really struggled to put it together. All of this is to do with the music I listen to, and there is no influence from the general publics thoughts and opinions as there are no ‘typical’ top 10 options in here. Here it is:
10. Bigmouth Strikes Again – The Smiths
Bigmouth Strikes Again by The Smiths, definitely had to feature in my Top 10. The first reason I chose it was because of my love for the band and this is my favourite song of theirs. The snare drum solo is astounding to me! As a drummer I thought that Mike Joyce’s playing was impeccable. The snare sound is great and it really blends well with the guitar and vocals. The guitar rhythm throughout the song is quite hard to play perfectly in time so I find it very impressive. Morrisey’s vocals gives it a creepier vibe then it should have in my opinion but I quite like that. The lyrics are somewhat disturbing, however I look past them due to how much I enjoy the music itself. Another reason as to why I like this song is because it brings back specific memories. For example, the first time I heard this song was when I was in Switzerland skiing. Now every time I am on the slopes, I’ll always listen to this song as it has become a tradition almost. And if I hear it any other time of year, I instantly think back to those moments away from home. The reason this song is only at number 10, is simply because although I love it, the other songs have more meaning to me, but I knew this had to feature as the song brings me so much joy when I listen to it.
9. Rocket Man – Elton John
Rocket Man is a beautiful song. Elton John isn’t my favourite artist, however this track is astonishingly good. His singing is top-notch and and the wide range of vocals used makes me envious. There is a drum groove at about 2:20 into the song which is one reason why I listen to it so much, because it blends so well with the trumpet that comes in and also the vocals. The use of the hi-hat opens in that section fit so well with the build up to the chorus. The hi-hat opens made me love drums and playing even more and I now use them frequently in certain improvisations as I have worked out how it effects the song. I think the drums are suited well to each part of the song as the mood of it changes so much. The sound of the snare is so perfect and the groove throughout the song is phenomenal. I associate it with Sunday mornings spent with the family, having a relaxing day. I would definitely say this song has influenced me when playing.
8. Ugotme – Omar Apollo
Omar Apollos ‘Ugotme’ is highly underrated in my opinion. The vocals on this song are immaculate and he sings so softly yet it is so strong. I think this is his best song, and it is in my Top 10 because all the features to the song are great. The harmonies in the chorus blend so well, and the guitar playing is very impressive. There is a rhythm guitar throughout, but an amazing lead guitar that comes in every now and again. It blends so well with the rhythm and adds so much emotion to it. Without it, the song would still be good, but the passion wouldn’t be there. I think the lead, mixed with the quality vocals is what makes me love the song so much, the passion and feeling to this song is amazing. The drum/trap beat that backs the song is great too, as is suits the mood and the snares are snappy. The high-hat sound throughout is on point and keeps the track flowing nicely. This song reminds me of walking my dog through the fields near my house on a spring morning.
7. Stay With Me – Faces
This song, makes me so happy as soon as I hear it. Stay With Me by Faces has the most incredible vibe to it! It reminds me of when I go out to Spain each year with my whole family, when we drive round, my parents never fail to play this at least once. This had to go on my Top 10 as it brings me and my family so much joy when we hear it, not to mention how amazing the music sounds in it too. The drums have a brilliant groove throughout and suit the song perfectly, with the little hi-hat and crashes throughout that keep it alive. The fills are good and don’t make the song too complex. On the other hand, Ronnie Wood on lead guitar plays the coolest riffs during the song and it creates the best vibe, especially when he solos, it sounds astonishing. Ian McLagan played the keyboard and it amazed me in this song how good it sounded as it seems very complex but makes the song so complete. Rod Stewarts vocals are phenomenal and his voice is so distinctive, it suits the track completely and he is the only one who could make it this great in my opinion. I will never get enough of this song.
6. Gimme Shelter – The Rolling Stones
‘Gimme Shelter’ in my opinion, is a wonderful song and so well written. This song makes me feel so many mixed feelings. The guitar is impeccable throughout and an array of different riffs are played during the song, all creating a cool sound. The whole vibe of the song, creates a passionate yet angry energy. It makes me feel so frustrated about what is happening the world today and how negative life can be, and The Rolling Stones manage to capture that in a very specific way. The lyrics are deep and quite sad, but the upbeat drum grooves and the lead guitar make it seem better. The harmonica is played by Mick Jagger in this track, as well as him singing and it gives the song another reason for being so unique, it also blends well with the guitar. Micks vocals are on point and high quality as usual, however Merry Clayton also features in the vocals, and her voice is superior compared to others. She puts so much effort into this song and gives it more passion then if Mick just sang on his own. The harmonies are great and her voice is so powerful that her voice even breaks towards the end at 3:01, which shows how much energy she actually put into it. This song is in my Top 10 as it never fails to make me smile, I enjoy hearing their two voices together a lot and it also brings back good memories of driving long distances with family. If we drive down to Devon or Cornwall, this song never fails to play and it reminds me of the quality time I had in my childhood with family.
5. Dogs – Pink Floyd
‘Dogs’ by Pink Floyd has made it into my top 5 for many reasons. The song is 17 minutes and 5 seconds long, and I enjoy every single bit of it. David Gilmour’s vocals are featured for a few minutes of the song and I find his range very surprising as he can hit many high notes, and for a reasonable length of time. However my favourite part of the song happens at 3:40 until about 4:45, and then again at 14:06 until 15:12. I can’t explain why I love it as much as I do, but the guitar sound is beautiful and I have never heard anything like it before. It makes me emotional and was the reason I knew I loved music. It was one of the first songs I listened to and took my breath away, I was interested in every single part of the song, despite how long it was. I still am not bored of this track and I don’t think I ever could be because there are so many different parts to it. The structure of the song is very original and I’ve never seen another band as original as Pink Floyd. In my opinion, it is an underrated song and I don’t think it gets the praise it deserves. Nick Masons drumming throughout is amazing and he adds cool fills to many of the sections on this track that I really enjoy listening to, at around the 10 minute mark he just starts playing a single double stroke and as simple as that is, its really effective. The drums are played and blended so well into each section and really suit the mood throughout the song. The reason it made my Top 5 is because of how much I enjoy the song. It’s a song I listen to when I am studying or working, and a song I listen to when I am relaxing with friends.
Tadow – Masego, FKJ
Masego and FKJs track ‘Tadow’ had to be featured in the Top 5 as I find it incredible. The guitar sound is of very high quality and it seems so pure. There is a rather unique sound to it, and the picking of the strings sounds complex and so interesting to watch. The drums are electronic so they don’t have a great sound, however they are quiet and I think that makes the song better. The hi-hat noises are louder and are made to be known in the song and it adds a nice touch. What makes this song for me is the saxophone, as it’s not often featured in modern songs these days however it fits perfectly in this and Masego is an amazing sax player. It gives a cool jazzy feature to this song when its actually more of a ‘Bedroom Pop’ sounding track. It adds another level to it which I really like and love to hear. The vocals from Masego are astonishing and express how talented he is. He hits a high note when he sings ‘Tadow’ that I find impressive and his voice in general is very soft sounding, which sits the song well as it’s meant to sound relaxed and laid back. The reason I like this song is because of the instruments featured and how they are played, but also because of the memories behind the song. I remember listening to it when I was in America about 2 years ago with some friends and we were all sitting at a skatepark with people we’d just met and someone played it through their speaker. Ever since, I have always listened to it and it reminds me of the summer and having fun.
3. The Chain – Fleetwood Mac
‘The Chain’ is quite an iconic song and personally, I think it should be featured on everyone’s Top 10 because it is astonishing! There are many memories behind this song but the main one is from when me and my friends would have parties back in school, this song would always come on and when the famous riff, aka the ‘Formula 1’ riff, was played, everyone went crazy and would sing it really loudly. The guitar at the start of the song that is played in the intro and verses, is great and I always feel happy when I hear it. The bass drum that comes into the intro is very distinctive and I like that you can easily point it out as there is only the guitar playing. The bass riff which is the most famous one, starts playing at 3:04 and is the ground for the next section of the song. You can hear it even when all the other instruments join in which is unusual as the bass is normally drowned out by everything else. The snare that is played during the beginning of this section slowly fades in and really builds up into the chorus, which then rolls into a cool grove. Mick Fleetwood’s skills are shown in this song and the drums are blended nicely into the chorus but aren’t too overpowering. The guitar solo at the end is incredible and the sound is kind of tinny in my opinion, but it works really well with the rest of it.
2. Wuthering Heights – Kate Bush
Kate Bush’s ‘Wuthering Heights’ definitely has to feature close to the No 1 spot as I can never get enough of her, particularly this track. Her voice is so distinctive and unique, so unusual to any other artist. It’s easy to identify as she conveys such a ‘witchy’ tone and creepy energy to her voice, yet it is so enchanting to listen to. The range of her vocals is phenomenal and she hits ear-piercing notes that are very impressive. I enjoy listening to her voice a lot because it’s so unlike any other and it intrigues me. The piano played throughout the song is blended nicely with her vocals and expresses the mood of the song which is peaceful and angelical, it works well with the rest of the instruments. The drums are subtle and not too loud which is good, and the fills that are played, are deep in contrast to the rest of the song which is played and sung in quite a high register. The love I have for this song is immense! Towards the end of it, there is a wonderful guitar solo that almost makes Bush’s song sound more modern and adds a twist to a very indie sounding song. I like the solo and it compliments the piano and the fading vocals well. Another reason I like the song is because it reminds me of visiting family, it would never fail to play whilst we were round someone’s. ‘Wuthering Heights’ makes me feel so happy and calm, and I forget everything negative going on. This song will always be one of my favourites, as well as Kate Bush also being one of my favourites.
1. If I Ain’t Got You – Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys ‘I Ain’t Got You’ is my number one song of all time. I chose this for many reasons, and I found it difficult to choose a top 10, but I always knew this was my top as it always has been. Alicia Keys has the most beautiful voice I have ever heard, and her talents are definitely shown the most in this song. She has a huge array of talent as not only is she singing the most incredible notes on this track, but she is also playing the piano at the same time, which sounds unbelievable. The harmonies she sings beside the main vocals, are so great and they blend so well and seem so effortless. The piano is played so carefully and is vey complex as she covers a wide range of notes throughout it. The drums suit the song perfectly as they are punchy and loud at times, especially with the bass drum. But, the rim click that is used in the verses, is loud and can be heard even over the piano which I find different and good as rim clicks are usually quiet. When she sings, her voice seems so pure and clear, however it is so high for her so it must be quite hard, but she makes it sound effortless and incredible. Keys hits some amazing riffs and shows off her vocal abilities throughout the whole song and it would amaze anyone who listens to it. A big reason I like this song is due to the memories that come with it. It reminds me of my best friend, as it is our song. I always sing it with her whenever we are together and we usually do it on karaoke at parties. It is such a beautiful song, and has a huge part as to why I want to be in the music industry. If I could drum in the background to a song even as half as good as this, it would mean the world to me. Alicia Keys’ ‘If I Ain’t Got You’ is and will always be at my No 1 spot as the track is my idea of a ‘perfect song’.
Overall I found this list incredibly hard to put together as there are so many great songs I could’ve featured, however I managed to finally do it and I believe that this is my genuine choice of my 10 favourite songs.
Fran Adams Drums 