Sleeping in is giving in, so lift those heavy eyelids

So I've decided to share my favourite Arcade Fire tracks. I've loved them since I was at school and a recent appreciation has made me rekindle that and I've listened to them a lot over the past few days.

So we'll start with Rebellion. My first glimpse into them, it must have played 1,000,000 times in a row from 12am - 3am. Accompanying my five hour stint on MSN chatting to young men I've never met. Couldn't get enough of that shit. A lad named Dave from Newcastle sent me that as well as the Kings of Leon's debut album. Really showed me some good music.

Afterlife. The introduction of the synth record. 1,000,000 times playing this driving to and from work which was a 10 minute drive. The beginnings of late January nights and introducing yourself to everyone. Reminds me of a boy from my old work, didn't have much impact on my life at all. He was very pretty but there was no attraction. Great song though.

Sprawl 2. Oh my godddd...accompanies me on my way to work now, a half mile run at it's shortest. Would keep on skipping it right back to the beginning. A boy at my last work told me this song reminded him of me when I was getting told off at work for twerking in the cash office. Oh right. Well we ended up being really good friends and one time out of work we put this on when under the influence and it blew my mind. I got the album, which admittedly was long overdue, and now my housemate listens to nothing more than that. He actually came down once and said "not this again". So hypnotic.

Neighbourhood Number 1. Nothing specific to this one, oh thank god I hear you say. Just a good song that filled quietness perfectly. It's the song I always end up hearing when it's getting really close to the end of a night at my house. Friends are drunk and talking over the table whilst a song I secretly adore manages to stumble it's way onto my 3000 song playlist, and no one is going to ask me to skip it. We all have a good time.

Wake Up. So late to this party. I thought I had the entire Funeral album, that Dave must have let me down. I heard this after I heard Sprawl 2. Anyway, it's amazing. The most powerful dance moves, really can't retain the movement when listening to it in public. Having it playing whilst driving is a really great moment for me.

Power Out. An more upbeat version of Neighbourhood Number 1. So right in all places.

Keep The Car Running. It may be considered one of the most generic, but you cannot fight off that feel good vibe for long. The song that took me from Funeral to Neon Bible. I think this may have even featured in another playlist of mine. Such a great sounding combination and with that voice on top. It's nice to sing along.

No Cars Go. Ok so the love for this started a long time ago. I remember telling a boy I really fancied at college that I had heard it when I discovered Funeral, actually accused me of being a liar. Yeah, that's what I would lie about. So it was rediscovered when I brought a guy home and we listened to music. All I ever fucking do. And he was looking through my phone as he had had enough of Katy Perry, and he puts this on. Even shouted "Women and children. Let's go". With that I was sold, I delivered the line "this could be the start of something special", meant it, and then he became my boyfriend. But that all started because of dancing all over the bed being really weird. Really good song.


And finally, my most recent, a sweet little Talking Heads' cover; This Must Be The Place. Memories of the crazy weekend before with your oldest friends, doing exactly what you want to, and to music you can whip out a mega cool dance routine to. I had a really nice Christmas this year. And then I come home and discover this version, there is always a hint of excitement when you come across a combination of two of your favourite artists. This doesn't fail.

So there we go. Great. Just listen to them on headphones.

Baby if you hold me, all of this will go away

Top ten albums which you can listen to, cover to cover, for five days straight. In no particular order...

LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver

Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros - Up From Below

Bombay Bicycle Club - I Had The Blues But I Shook Them Loose

The Arcade Fire - Funeral

Fleetwood Mac - Rumours

Alanis Morissette - Jagged Little Pill

Daft Punk - Discovery

The Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Fever To Tell

Kings of Leon - Aha Shake Heartbreak

Noah and the Whale - Peaceful, the World Lays Me Down

Lets get together before we get much older

Here is a list of my favourite 15 songs to listen to in the sun. Particularly when in my little red motor; whether it’s off to start the summer day en route to see my best friend who lives an hour and a half away, or even when I find myself driving past the turning to my house just to have an extra 20 minutes in the car with the stereo to accompany my viewing of the gorgeous Cornish sunsets.

Dance Yrself Clean – LCD Soundsystem

There could not be a better suited opening track; to both the final album that was made by the fabulous James Murphy and co, and for a start of a sunny day. It begins slow as usual with LCD, but the wonderful suspense of the genius seven minute duration up to the inevitable bass explosion gets you from A to B with a hand punching the air and a shuffle in your seat. Listen to it loud.

Don’t Look Back Into The Sun – The Libertines

Possibly my favourite introduction to a song ever. Just a loud drum and a simple guitar tune to be joined by the wonderful combination of Doherty and Barat. Fabulous to walk with the rays falling on your shoulders.

How Do I Know – Here We Go Magic

Just a really laid back song, all components coming together to make a beauty of a track you just want to sway to under a sunset, eventually leading up to a more energetic thrusting. It will have you singing along with woooo-hooo-oooo.

Walking On A Dream – Empire of The Sun

So dream-like, definitely a good one for the progression of gears; I like it to start when I’m in a 30 zone approaching an A road. Another swayer, can’t quite sing along because the lyrics are unclear. One which is not, is “Never looking down, I’m just in awe of what’s in front of me”. Feel that sun, look at that road. Sometimes I skip it back to the beginning simply because it’s so seasonally delicious.

Keep The Car Running – The Arcade Fire

A nice little guitar to introduce all the other wonderful instruments used by the talented Canadian group. This is one I thrust my body forwards with, whilst tapping the steering wheel, and screaming along. The combination of sounds are perfect for that summer vibe.

Sticks ‘n’ Stones – Jamie T

Oh wow, so many elements. A poetic start to get you in the mood, similar to Walking On a Dream, I like to make the build up of speed to correlate with the build up of the song. Such great verses, such a great bridge, and when we finally get to the chorus, it does not fail to impress. RUNNING WITH BELIEVERS. I could dance to it all day every day, shouting out the window; you’re still my friend it’s impossible to hate you.

Green Garden – Laura Mvula

The lyrics just paints the picture of where you want to be, and the music takes you there, strutting along the way, until you have got to the garden, and you are dancing there like you used to. I go wherever you go, wherever you take me I go.

Ray of Light – Madonna

An absolute classic accompaniment to a beaming sun and motorway driving. Turn that indicator on and over take whilst you wiggle in your seat and you proclaim how you feel like you’ve just got home, because it’s true. Nothing better.

Plage – Crystal Fighters

Now, I think the majority of Crystal Fighter songs are fantastic for the desired season. They have nailed the whole ‘song completely embodying a summer feeling’. Another great build up of tapping growing into a full blown arm flinging affair. “Come over here with your heart, and I will love your heart with mine”. We’re probably in Barcelona, probably skinny dipping in the sea completely intoxicated, probably listening to this song. Take me there, I’ll do it.

Smile Upon Me –  Passion Pit

Another one that takes a dream like stance. I like listening to it when I’m going fast, and it’s going loud. Passion Pit’s lyrics really are my favourite; there’s a place in this world where people like me are fond of people like you.  Just got the tempo and vibe you need when the sun is shining. It makes you appreciative of your friends, and appreciative of the weather. Especially if you live in Britain.

Feel The Love – Rudimental

Great dance song and lovely little voice. Not really little, just an adjective I use to show affection. Booming track which was a great soundtrack to the summer of 2013. No one can deny it, you feel the love too.

Send Me On My Way – Rusted Root

Aw. Now this is one you clap and march to, maybe even skip round a pool table if you’re really feeling lucky. Indecipherable lyrics; but with that flute or whatever it is, you are in the country in the sun. Or maybe even in a toilet in a bar in New York, excited, and no one else caring. Turn it up and bloody dance around.

We Want – Skindred

College summers, driving with friends who have just passed their driving test. After the rap like introduction, you are bouncing. Bo bo.

Outside – Summer Camp

Haven’t had the pleasure of driving along to this yet, I have, however, chose it as my buddy as I walk to work on the most glorious afternoon. Nothing makes you want to take a detour more than this, lets go outside today. A simple melody with the upbeat tempo makes you just want to be where you should be. Outside.

Baba O’ Riley – The Who

My oldest favourite. Nothing says summer like The Who, being out there in the field.  Is it a piano at the beginning? Who cares. Listen to the piano after it. Listen to Daltrey. Is the sun shining? Yes it is. Listen to that drum roll, this is what life is all about. Just when you think it couldn’t get any better, out comes the violin solo, leading to the most perfect stomp. The perfect summer soundtrack. Thanks Papa, for introducing me to the teenage wasteland. That sounds like he helped me get fucked up on drugs, he merely just said one day “listen to this”

I feel chirpy just writing this. I await leaving the house tomorrow with great haste; put out the fire and don’t look past my shoulder.