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Alexander Rybak - 'Fairytale'

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Fraser McAlpine | 12:39 UK time, Monday, 18 May 2009

Alexander RybakOMG you will not believe this, right, but according to a TV show I watched over the weekend, 'Fairytale' is officially the best song in the whole of Europe. I know this will come as a shock to some of you, especially if you were hoping for a late surge from the Dizzee Rascal camp. It seems there's been some kind of competition, and lots of songs were considered - although not that many of our recent chart hits, I couldn't help but notice - and this one is the best. It may sound crazy, but you can't argue with democracy.

OK, OK, so that's possibly not the best word to use, given the accusations of political voting from certain countries, although you'll notice there's not as much moaning about this as usual, given that the UK didn't do as badly as we have in recent years. I could go into why, but we've already reviewed the Jade Ewen single, and it's madness to take Eurovision too seriously. And besides, it's all very well beating the rest of the continent, but the real test of a great song - as any fule kno - is the ChartBlog review.

(. Always nice to have a little fiddle when you're onstage, right fella?)

Now, from a UK pop perspective, there's a bit of a problem with songs like this, and it's to do with 'authentic' folk music and what we tend to think about it. Put simply, we tend to like folky music when it sounds like it's coming from the back room of a pub, either far away or in the past. We tend not to like folky music when it sounds like it was recorded properly in a studio with lots of digital polish on it, so that it becomes pop music. That's the point at which the dreaded r-word comes into play - Riverdance.

There again, the Eurovision Song Contest is no place to look for roots. The klezmer bounce and wailing violin of this song is about as close as you'll get in any case. It may even count as a refreshing change from the tiresome balladeering and over-blown pyrotechnics of some of the other entries (were it not for the three cossack-kicking dancers. Isn't that more Russia than Norway?).

As a song, it's kind of cute, silly, and tells an odd story of a couple who only fall in love when they're not getting on (or something like that, anyway). Alexander has quite an anonymous voice, for all that he's clearly a decent violinist, and looks not unlike a picture of Zac Efron aged 14, as drawn by a pavement artist with a nostril obsession.

Bit of a mixed bag all round, then.

Three starsDownload: Out now

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(Fraser McAlpine)

"Norway's song is rubbish but Alexander is alarmingly cute and a good performer "

Comments

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  • Comment number 1.

    Do you realise that the voting system was different this year?

  • Comment number 2.

    Iceland woz robbed. :(

  • Comment number 3.

    Not cossack. . Norwegian folk dancing. So there :P

  • Comment number 4.

    Ah cool. I knew I couldn't be right about that. Especially not with Russia literally right there watching.

  • Comment number 5.

    He only won cos he's FIT.

  • Comment number 6.

    I still think Ukraine were robbed. None of the others were trying anywhere near as hard! They had hamster wheels and half naked Roman soldiers and an acrobat instead of a vocalist. It was truly epic.
    My friends and I couldn't believe it when this little floppy haired noob with the broken violin bow won it.

  • Comment number 7.

    I absolutely LOVED Ukraine for the sheer ridiculousness of it! Her random drumming was the best bit ("because I can", when asked). Although some friend described her as a "stripper in a hamster wheel".

    I could write an entire blog on Eurovision but I wont. Just thought Ukraine deserved a special mention.

    Onto this song. My God is it a grower. Although its pretty cheesy folky type stuff, I actually really like it. His charming persona obviously helped him win, along with the dancers and the violin.

    But at the end of the day its probably the best song to have won Eurovision since Fly on the Wings of love, or Ukraine's Xena Warrior Princess thing a while back. Id 4 star it :p

  • Comment number 8.

    This song won ( by a record points total ) because it was the catchiest ( huge chorus )and the winner had superb charisma, and a likeable persona.

    Our entry never won because it was bland , banal , clithe - ridden and sounded extremely dated !

    Can we all now put to bed this misguided Terry Wogan inspired myth about losing because of block voting...that argument was not relevant for this competition. (old hat !)
    We cannot keep saying that forever ,when all our entries are sub standard,and do not deserve to win. !

    The best song won.

    If THE U.K want to win , we will have to come up with something better than the Lloyd - webber , Diane Warren written song , ( Jade 's performance was excellent however ! )

    Right let's get on with crafting a winning Eurovision entry... who is responsible ?

    I want to speak to them .

  • Comment number 9.

    I adored Azerbaijan's entry. And Turkeys Dum Tek Tek or whatnot.

    2006 still the vintage year recently- check Ukraines entry then *shudder*

  • Comment number 10.

    The version of this song linked seemed to have had the first verse cut off. This saddens me ;(

  • Comment number 11.

    Alexander Ryback..........

    Hmmm... didn't Steven Segal play a character called Casey Ryback in one of his films ?

  • Comment number 12.

    Love his violin playing !

    There's nowt wrong with havin a little fiddle onstage....

  • Comment number 13.

    Actually, it's Rybak, not Ryback.

    Miss Paradox, resident Norway expert.
    ;)

  • Comment number 14.

    Bah! You know what I've done there, don't you, I've Anglicised his name. That's proper cultural imperialism, that is. I've practically invaded Norway there.

    Sorry!

    Fraser

  • Comment number 15.

    Steven Segal played Casey Ryback in the Under Siege films as the chef with the martial arts skills....

    Poor Alexander......

    Fraser you have "segalled " his name !!!!


    lol..

  • Comment number 16.

    Invaded Norway, huh? Well, we had it coming.

  • Comment number 17.

    Hello,

    Just for the record, my favouritest Eurovision song is "My Star" by Brainstorm or Prata Vetra by Latvia which was I think third around 2000? I actually bought their album Among the Suns because of it and it is a fantastic album by the way.

    Thranjax.

  • Comment number 18.

    I think mine would have to be " Waterloo " by Abba ,

    The song that started an amazing career !

    Great , great song !

  • Comment number 19.

    Yo Thranjax , nice to have you back.... Since The Maccabees ... which songs are you liking at the moment ?

  • Comment number 20.

    Hello Spirit!

    This month, I are mostly been listening to:

    St. Vincent - Actor
    Depeche Mode - Sounds of the Universe
    Decemberists - The Hazards of Love
    Doves - Kingdom of Rust
    Altered Images - The Best Of
    Momus - Joemus
    Wild Beasts - Limbo Panto

    according to my MP3 player.

    In terms of the top 40, then I would rate La Roux and Marmaduke Duke above the rest.

    And I have the manics' Journal for Plague Lovers lined up to listen to, jarvis's further complications, madness's the liberty of norton fulgate and tori's abnormally attracted to sin. And the Divine Comedy and Patrick Wolf are also due to release albums soon!

    I again heartily endorse Brainstorm - Among the Suns. In fact I will put that on my player asap.

    What is your job spirit? you have often implied you work in the music industry somewhere.

    Thranjax

  • Comment number 21.

    Wow , no wonder we have not heard from you for a while... you are busy listening to great music !

    Patrick Wolf - The Magic Position... what a song !

    Album The Bachelor is out soon.

    Altered Images .... my fave song by them would have to be "See those eyes "

    Love the Mode of course !
    And Doves !

    Journal by the Manics is class... a welcome return !

    Been meaning to hear The Decemberists , must get round to it....

    Regarding what I do.... I used to be involved in the music business... but have been largely out of it for the last six years... just the occasional input.

    Now I am feeling rejuvenated and cannot wait for my next big input into the wonderful world of music , just not sure which path to take.

    It could be writing pieces for magazines, the live entertainment side , or the advising side of recommending management and artists which songs to release for the best possible business and profile success for the act ( I largely have this knack of hearing a hit single .. it's uncanny but very useful ). And then the skills some marketing teams have is awesome in providing the next step.

    I will soon, when I am ready put my "feelers " out again and see the best thing that is offered or appeals to me.

    Always lovin music

    Spirit.

  • Comment number 22.

    Yes, See Those Eyes is probably mine as well, not least for the Prisoner inspired video.

    Hey, I left a link to a piece I wrote (because you were asking if I ever wrote anything) did you get that?

    I think you will find the Hazards of Love very interesting, perhaps a bit over the top and excessive in its adherence to prog rock templates, but very entertaining, not least for the near incomprehensible lyrics.

    Thranjax

  • Comment number 23.

    Oh sorry, just noticed it on one of your previous messages..... going out now... will read it later.... and get back to you tomorrow.......

    Spirit.

  • Comment number 24.

    but have you seen that Patrick Wolf video for Vulture! good lord...

  • Comment number 25.

    Well this topic has completely gone off on one. In true Spirit style, thought Id share a random thought about up and coming music..

    .. Im absolutely creaming myself about the Artic Monkeys new album. Me and many others Im sure, but nothing (not even the massive popular success it will achieve) will detract from its probably the album I am most excited about this year.

    Thats all.

  • Comment number 26.

    Oh and to bring it back on 'topic', still really liking this song.

  • Comment number 27.

    Sorry Liam, I can't believe we are on the Eurovision winners blog and we are discussing the video to "Vulture " by Parick Wolf !

    Oh the irony Jax.....

    Anyway Jax, I cannot seem to access your link on the Lady Sovereign post. When I click I get a blank page and access denied . Shame. Any ideas ?

  • Comment number 28.

    The Decemberists... like the hazards of love track.

    The video to 16 Military wives is very good, and I like The Rake's Song.

    I can see why they appeal to their following.

    Hey Fraser , any chance of maybe a part of chartblog where us bloggers can share the music that we are listening to at the moment ?

    It would be very informative and promote our community spirit .

    What do you think ?

    Would love to know what everyone likes, and it could prove informative as we would all get to know new artists that we may have missed, and want to discover.

  • Comment number 29.

    Anyway, shooting off topic again.

    Basement Jaxx.

    I was out clubbing last nite and the d.j played Red Alert .

    It sounded immense .

    I went up to his booth and diplomatically asked for the new single " raindrops " which he duly played.

    The clubbers loved it.

    A good summer single , strong chorus, love the falsetto, and it gets better each listen.

    Liam, you are lovin a cool song !

  • Comment number 30.

    Fluorescent Adolescent - What a great , great song !

  • Comment number 31.

    Hello,

    Glad you like the decemberists spirit! Liam, you are right the Arctic Monkeys new album is another upcoming highlight!

    Spirit, the link is



    I guess the % signs are spaces, please bear in mind I didn't design the page or the site.

    Or go to metalliville.co.uk, click on live reviews at the bottom and then scroll down in the main frame to SwedenRock 2008.

    Fraser, a general sort of comments thread about what we are listening to now would prevent this hijacking!

    Thranjax

  • Comment number 32.

    Yo Jax..

    In the u.k.. NEW entries !

    Manics - Journal - Number 3

    Madness - Liberty - Number 5

    Jarvis - Complications - Number 18

    I am out tonight hosting an entertainment quiz function.... will give your article areally good read later.

    Enjoy your evening

    Spirit .

  • Comment number 33.

    Sorry ! typo !

    Jarvis is at 19 !

  • Comment number 34.

    And just to stay on topic, this song , Fairytale is at number 10 !!!

    It beats our entry, but hey it's the far better song, so well deserved Alexander !

  • Comment number 35.

    And now of course , shooting off topic again... ( hi Liam ! )

    Empire of the sun ( oh here he goes again ! ) are into the TOP 40 in the singles and album charts !

    Now that radio is lovin the song......

    The next step is getting the video to " We are the people" on heavy rotation on the major music channels.

    It is a video that certainly deserves to be seen.

    Anyway back to the topic.... Alexander you are one good looking dude !

  • Comment number 36.

    Haha yeh great that it made it to number 10, its being played a lot by me and my housemates atm.

    Fluorescent Adolescent pales in comparison to some tracks off Favourite Worst Nightmare (and plenty off Whatever people say I am, that's what I'm not). Spirit, give Old yellow bricks and 505 a listen if you wanna trawl those up on your iTunes. Promise no disappointment.

    Raindrops is a brilliant track. If anybody gets the chance to go see them live do, they are one of the best live acts Ive ever seen (Ive got a lot left to see mind you).

    Bonkers number one .. no surprises there. Well earnt..

    Listening to Empire Of the Sun a lot atm Spirit, thought Id let you know, knowing how happy youd be ...

    .. Thats it for random thoughts atm.

  • Comment number 37.

    505 is an immense song !!!!

    So brilliant !!!

  • Comment number 38.

    Haha, love Old Yellow Bricks although it doesn't seem to fully fit on the album. My fave 'monkeys track has to be A Certain Romance or The View From the Afternoon, the latter just for the drumming. Personally spirit, I'm not feeling Empire of the sun, to me feels like a bit of a watered down MGMT. Maybe it'll grow, or perhaps after Klaxons, Foals and even MGMT i'm a little disillusioned with this whole indie/pop/electronica thing. We'll see

  • Comment number 39.

    The View From the Afternoon is probably my fav track too.

    Empire of the Sun are pretty much a watered down MGMT, but I like MGMT so much that they are good enough for a listen. If that makes sense ^^. Not sure if Id lump Foals in the same group as MGMT and Klaxons.

    The synth sound deffo seems to be back. I think Sam Sparrow really brought it to the front of pop music with Black and Gold though. Lady Gaga, Little Boots, La Roux and the others just seem to be following that.

  • Comment number 40.

    Hi Catman

    In reply , I can understand your view.

    When Empire of the sun were first drawn to my attention as one to watch in mid 2008, I immediately had the album shipped over from Australia where it was released first.

    I played the album and was a little disappointed .

    Nothing stood out.

    Why were people asking me to get behind this band when there seemed to be little substance or real outstanding quality to get excited about ?

    To help a band get recognition, you have to feel their appeal, their attitude and general aura, and on first play I was struggling.

    I was aware their videos were gonna be full of wonder and awe, but I needed to feel the music.

    To cut to the chase , I forgot about this so called amazin band ,and went to Egypt for a well earned rest , and a little soul searching .

    On a scorching hot day, on a beach in Sharm El Sheik , somehow I heard We are the people again on my I-Pod.

    As soon as that huge chorus came in where Luke sings ;

    "I can't do well when I think you're gonna leave me,
    But I know I try,
    Are you gonna leave me now ?
    Can't you be bellieving now ?

    I thought........ WOW ! this is huge.

    It somehow connected with me.

    I played the album again and it began to make sense.

    By the end of the holiday , I totally got it !

    The vision , the dream , the aura , the scope and the power.

    I will say however that the album is not consistantly great.

    The first four tracks on the album though, are absolutely top drawer.. and I played them constantly.

    We are the People is a great , great song but it took me sometime to be convinced .

    When I saw the finished video, for the song, they raised the bar again.

    Not everyone will like the song, but music is individual and that song spoke to me when I needed to be spoken to.

    The healing power of music is a wonderful comfort sometimes !

    Spirit.

  • Comment number 41.

    Catman... it would be great to hear about the songs you are lovin at the moment......

  • Comment number 42.

    Liam... out of interest... what are your thoughts about Josh Homme producing the new Monkey's album and the leaked tracks sounding heavier with a great sense of power ?

    I saw a picture of Alex the other day, he has grown his hair , and I thought he looked fantastic !

  • Comment number 43.

    Back to the topic

    Alexander , you play a mean violin !

  • Comment number 44.

    Yo Jax

    I have just read your article .

    You paint a wonderful view of Sweden.

    You should be extremely proud of your work. Very proud !

    First class.

    You write with real love for your art, and your passion and knowledge really shines through.

    Your attention to detail and the information you shared is top notch.

    I loved the " Fill your head with rock " idea.

    I could go on all night about some of the bands you named that are so superb , it hurts.

    Loved the bass guitarist , who complained that his bass was too "bassy ".

    Hello !!!

    I am still laughing now !!!

    You have a natural skill for writing , and you paint a picture with words in a truly effective way.

    When one has such a clear talent, the best thing one can do, is share this talent with the world.

    Great stuff.

    Spirit.



  • Comment number 45.

    Josh Homme can only be a good thing for The Monkeys. The drummer from them said that going to be a QoTS gig changed the way he thought about live music ("I need to hit harder").

    For them to take themselves in a more MGMT or Klaxons direction would be a bit dull I think, as Jax said, its been done. So they could stay on a similar track to their previous 2 albums, but that would just be dull. Going down a slightly heavier route, but retaining the lyrical brilliance? Yes please! Ill just stick to the Last Shadow Puppets if I want a lighter (perhaps more refined?!?!) sound.

  • Comment number 46.

    Oh Liam..............
    Now you have gone and mentioned The Last Shadow Puppets !

    Now you have caused me to go off topic and ask the question.....

    Just how good was The Age Of The Understatement ?

  • Comment number 47.

    You know Fraser's gonna wake up today , put on his deep burgundy housecoat, prepare his cornflakes with ice cold milk, turn on his computer and find out that we have all totally hijacked the 2009 Eurovision winner !!

  • Comment number 48.

    Hi

    Wow spirit thanks for that good review glad you enjoyed it!

    I would have gone back this year and covered it again, however with my wife having a child it doesn't seem to be a priority!

    Glad to see Jarvis, Madness and the Manics charting - album wise anyway!

    As for the Empire of the Sun, I think I am with the general consensus - fantastic singles, slightly under par album. But with MGMT setting the bar so high for this style of music, they always had a tough task ahead of them.

    I do think it might be a good idea if all 1980's influences were banned for a week to see what else bands can come up with.

    An entertainment quiz function? Go on, ask us one...

    Thranjax

  • Comment number 49.

    Totally agree on your Empire comment.

    The first four tracks on the album ;

    1) Standing on the shore

    2) Walking on a dream

    3) Half Mast

    4)We are the people

    are all very good with the hypnotic, interwoven melodies really weaving something magical.

    Unfortunately there is a real downturn in quality for the rest of the album, but that is not my focus.

    It's those first four songs that had me hooked.. and when you see the video to We are the people.... you will understand the wonder and the vision of this very forward looking duo.

    Regarding MGMT..

    Time to pretend ( Noel Gallagher's fave song of 2008 )

    Electric feel

    Kids

    3 uber brilliant singles ! Amazingly good !!

    Regarding music quizzes... oh my word ... my head is full of so much.. where would I start. ?

    You would have me opening up so ,so much.............

  • Comment number 50.

    Spirit, great, bring it on! This could become the longest and least relevant blog entry on the site!

  • Comment number 51.

    OK Jax ,just the one to start you of with........

    Which act had a NUMBER 1 single in the 70 's and a NUMBER 1 in the 90's but with a totally different line up ?


    Enjoy.

  • Comment number 52.

    England World Cup Squad is my guess.

  • Comment number 53.

    got to go out now, try some more tonight!

  • Comment number 54.

    you got it superb !!

  • Comment number 55.

    Back home in 1970

    World in motion in 1990.

    Cool.

  • Comment number 56.

    I thought it had to be them or Manchester United.

    More!

  • Comment number 57.

    OK , but trust me , you are starting off something potentially prolific....

    And it's down in tablets of stone that you are encouraging to do this !

    I do love putting in loads of new stuff , and like to really fire a quiz up in a live enviroment , using quick fire wit, interplay and I like to play positively on peoples skills and personalities .

    My quizzes are largely current and focus on the here and now, and acts that are doing it, or having big influences on those doing it !

    But for now I will give you a posing question that will involve a little bit of brain power.....

    Here goes...

    Who is the only artist to have had number one singles as ;

    A) a solo artist
    b) a duo
    c) a trio
    d) a quartet
    e) a quintet

    There is only one possible answer...

    Good luck...

  • Comment number 58.

    Well er...

    Paul McCartney? solo, with stevie wonder, with wings, the beatles and er... did the beatles ever have someone else on one of their records? Billy Preston was it?

    the only other person it might be i can't work out the duo.

  • Comment number 59.

    My word ...excellent !!

  • Comment number 60.

    Paul Mccartney it is !

  • Comment number 61.

    hurrah! i thought it might be cliff, but couldn't think of the duo. or the quartet.

  • Comment number 62.

    or the trio for that matter.

  • Comment number 63.

    Age of the Understatement is a fantastic album. Really atmospheric and well written. I was a bit sad that when I saw them at Reading Festival some of the magic of the album was lost, they bought a 16 piece orchestra but it's such a hard sound to re-create. I wish I'd seen them when they were touring.

    Good news is that they are planning a second album and hopefully a larger tour. Bad news probably being that it wont be for a while, due to The Monkey's new album. Dunno what The Rascals are up to at the moment.

    Time to Pretend makes my top 5 songs of all time (this is a debate and a half, gogo).

  • Comment number 64.

    Time to Pretend is great, and a tough act for them to follow but Kids and Electric Feel were also very good.

  • Comment number 65.

    But I guess Cliff was in TWO quintets, being with the Shadows and with the Young Ones. Actually Hank played on Living Doll with the Young Ones as well didn't he so technically that is a sextet.
    Although on the other hand I don't think the Act name was The Young Ones Featuring Cliff Richards and Hank Marvin so it wouldn't count.

  • Comment number 66.

    Yo Liam...

    You have implied that you have a top 5 Songs of all time list.

    Of which Time to pretend is one.

    I am dying to know what your other four are and why........................

  • Comment number 67.

    Ok Jax .... I am off out to the cinema now to see " Angels and Demons "... but I will leave some questions for you....

    1) Whose real name is Dylan Mills ?

    2) Which band are named by The Guiness Book of Hit Singles , as being the most successful of the last 20 years, but their first London gig only drew 9 people ?

    3)According to the Performing Rights Society which 90's song was the most sang song at karaokes in the u.k in 2008 ?

    4) Which song title links Pink and Coldplay ?

    5) Which song title links Green Day AND Madonna ?

    Away you go...

  • Comment number 68.

    Paul Mccartney


    solo - Pipes of peace

    duo - Ebony and ivory

    trio - Mull of Kintyre- Wings.......... with Linda and Denny Lane.

    quartet - all those amazin Beatles singles

    quintet - Get Back- Beatles and Billy Preston.

  • Comment number 69.

    Which band's new album is called..

    Battle for the sun ?

  • Comment number 70.

    Liam one for you...

    Whose new album is called...

    Scars.

    out in June ?

  • Comment number 71.

    Spirit, if you talk even half as much in real life as you do on here, boy do I feel sorry for your colleagues.

  • Comment number 72.

    Spirit,


    How was Angels and Demons? It looks pretty good and the book is certainly better than The Da Vinci Bore.


    anyway your questions:

    1. Dylan Mills: No idea.

    2. Oasis?

    3. Angels?

    4. Trouble

    5. there's a song called holiday on American Idiot, I don't know if it was a single.

    Read my comment on the Placebo review yet? New album Battle for the sun should be good... always liked them.

    Thranjax

  • Comment number 73.

    Hi Spirit,
    In response to your earlier question, I am really into Manics at the moment, both old and new. Also, somewhat bizarrely, RATM, although that's not great revision music, makes me want to set fire to my textbooks! Also enjoying Muse, partly in anticipation of their forthcoming (very forthcoming, not even a release date yet) album, partly because they're epic! Not to mention the Arctic Monkeys, pretty much for the same reason and of course, my all time faves, Radiohead! New music is't brilliant at the mo, although I do quite like that placebo track which got a rubbish rating.
    All the best

    ManCat!

  • Comment number 74.

    Catman, like you, I can't wait for more material from Muse. and RATM - happy memories.

    Oliviaaa, given that the two posts after yours were reponses to Spirit, I think you just have to accept that the page is being renamed SpiritBlog slowly but surely.

    Thranjax.

  • Comment number 75.

    Haha, in my head, alongside such conspiracy theories that suncream actually makes you burn quicker so that you put more on and then buy more, Spiritwarrior is simply Jimmysavillecigar: did anyone else notice that he stopped posting right around the time that spirit did?

    Catman231
    (in case any of you are wondering, as a child, I was bitten by a radioactive cat)

  • Comment number 76.

    Catman, maybe you are right...

    my own idea was that Fraser was Jimmysavillecigar, frantically writing messages to himself on two keyboards...

  • Comment number 77.

    and don't worry, you don't have to explain your name.

    lord knows mine is a long story.

  • Comment number 78.

    I had to google who's new album was called 'Scars', I didnt know that was what it was gonna be called! Having seen loads of material off it live, I never bothered to look it up. Bassment Jaxx for anybody wondering lol.

    Most successful band of the last twenty years? U2 or Oasis I guess then. Probably a good call on Oasis..

  • Comment number 79.

    Hi Cat

    The Manics mean so, so much to me..... absolutely brilliant , James has an amazin voice and some of their songs are , really special. A GREAT ,GREAT band .

    After Black Holes , which was an excelent album , Muse have raised the bar really high and there are many people like yourself, waitin for what I have been told is something ambitious and special.

    Muse's songwriting skills and album sales are following a very positive trajectory.

    Killing in the name of - a really great song.


    Lovin all the conspiracy theories regarding Jimmy Savilles cigar......

    But when you step back ... you can even imagine that Fraser has a whole room of computers and he is in fact , me.

    The spirit Warrior is an urban myth .

    Now that's scary !

  • Comment number 80.

    Anyway , getting right back to topic........

    Jax

    I really enjoyed Angels and Demons!

    I loved your Placebo comment and have purposely not commented on their song yet, so that your comment has it's very own 15 minutes of fame. lol


    Re the questions.......

    Angels was the most sang song at karaokes in 2008, cool.

    Trouble - Pink and Coldplay. Cool.

    Holiday - Madonna and Coldplay. Cool .

    You need 1 AND 2........


  • Comment number 81.

    Wheres my comment about my 5 fav songs of all time gone?!? I guess I forgot to click post.

    Mr Brightside - The Killers
    Iris - Goo Goo Dolls
    Time to Pretend - MGMT
    Why? - Annie Lennox

    And the final one is probably ..

    The long way around - Dixie Chicks

    (Fighting off competition of my fav Artics song at time of writing and The Corrs - Run Away).

    Cant be bothered going into reasons for each. I am aware Im opening a can of worms here though..

  • Comment number 82.

    You got it Liam... U2 's first London gig only drew 9 people......

    Now who is Dylan Mills ...................

  • Comment number 83.

    The can of worms are out....

    Mr Brightside- What an immense song....... when I first heard it I could not believe how good it was... superb.... will be seen as a classic in 20 years time.

    MGMT - Great song...it's a given.
    That opening keyboard riff is already iconic.

    Annie - Why - Great song..... and The Corrs... great song

    Iris - I played this at a function recently, and at the end loads of people said how they really loved the song.

    It worked so well in City of Angels....

    Great stuff.

  • Comment number 84.

    Holiday - Madonna and Green Day... sorry.

  • Comment number 85.



    As well as Fraser's excellent reviews and interviews etc maybe we could have threads for what we are listening to, that we think is great and want to share... excitement of new material... gigs we are attending or have seen and want to share .

    It would keep us all up to date and informed and enhance the community spirit.

    Maybe.....

  • Comment number 86.

    Absolutely right spirit we could do with a thread but on the other hand this thread seems to be doing fine!

    Still don't know who Dylan Mills is and without googling it i won't get it.

    Top five songs of all time? Goodness I have no idea! If we are limiting it to songs which have charted as singles that might help..


    Roxy Music - Virginia Plain
    The Associates - Party Fears Two
    Gary Numan - Are Friends Electric
    The Divine Comedy - Something for the Weekend
    Sparks - The Number One Song in Heaven.

    .. help that is to show my age and bizarre tastes. If we include album tracks as well then heaven help us all. And this doesn't include "classical" music, soundtracks or singles which only charted abroad or only charted in specialist charts.

    What a task to set us Spirit!

    Thranjax



  • Comment number 87.

    And yes Spirit I am aware that "Are 'Friends' Electric" is technically by Tubeway Army!

  • Comment number 88.

    No comment on The Dixie Chicks Spirit? Gutted!

  • Comment number 89.

    It's been two long years
    Since the top of the world came crashing down !

    Oh Liam what a great song , the voice , the instrumentation , the meaning , the response to the Bush saga....

    Superb song... means a real lot to me .

    Hey life can throw a lot of trouble at us.... we have to always find the solution and come back stronger !

  • Comment number 90.

    Jax... can't wait to rave over some of your choices later...

    Right now I have to catch the National Express down to the Country Club, where there are no Cars, and I can listen to Avalon.... which of course is......
    the Number one song in heaven !

    Best Wishes.

  • Comment number 91.

    The Dixie Chicks

    It's been two long years
    Since the top of the world came crashing down.....

    Superb song.

    Great voice , instrumentation , meaning and message.

    Hey ... when the chips are down.. you dust yourself down and comeback stronger.

    Awesome stuff .

  • Comment number 92.

    Country Club of course is a great one! I was so genuinely saddened when Billy Mackenzie died... another undervalued genius. His "Winter Academy" is an amazingly beautiful song and performance.

    The Dixie Chicks are amazing for their honesty and their views, although I'm not into their music as such, I greatly admire them.

    Thranjax

  • Comment number 93.

    Heh yeh they certainly got in a lot of trouble for that. And came back with such a fantastic album to counter it. Glad it did happen really as it obviously shaped that album.

  • Comment number 94.

    The thought of choosing my five favourite songs of all time is far too difficult for me.

    It would change daily dependent on mood , company , circumstance and there are too many songs and special moments to consider.

    I try to live in the now, and hope that my five favourite songs are yet to be written.

    My five favourite current songs would have to be :

    Enter Shikari - Juggernauts

    Mr Hudson - Supernova

    Empire of the Sun - We are the people

    Dizzee Rascal - Bonkers

    Carolina Liar - Show me what I'm looking for.....

    4 OFF THE RADIO 1 "A" list...

    I must say the people that organise the playlists are mostly so sharp in getting this right and shaping the songs for the station.

    Sterling stuff.
    Music changes so fast and great songs are always around to find.....

    Radio 1 is a great place to be....

  • Comment number 95.

    La Roux - Bulletproof

    Climbing up the playlist.. its a brilliant song. I really hated In for the Kill (1) because of her voice on it and 2) because it kept getting played in appapropriate times on nights out). So this is a breath of fresh air and gives me hope in La Roux.

  • Comment number 96.

    honestly!

    I'm away for two minutes and people start posting on threads other than Alexander Rybak - Fairytale!

    Nearly at 100 posts now!

    Spirit, you are right, hopefully the best songs ever are yet to be written.

    I also can't quite make up my mind about La Roux, but think I like her.

    Did we establish who Dylan Mills is?

  • Comment number 97.

    Sorry for the slow reply but I felt compelled to respond to Spirit's claim that Muse rose the bar with Black Holes and Revelations. Really?!? Admittedly, it was very commercially successful and yes, it is undoubtedly a brilliant album, encompassing aspects of dance music, alternative rock and even classical guitar, showcasing Muse's awesome talent, both now and in the future. But their best ??? Have you heard Absolution or 'Symmetry ??? Songs like 'Butterflies and Hurricanes' and 'New Born' are some of the best ever written; the only stand-out track on Black Holes' is 'Knights of Cydonia'. Starlight is pants.

    p.s. Apparently Muse are going for an 'orchestral' sound on the next album. Should be interesting.

  • Comment number 98.

    Ok well Dylan Mills is obviously the guy with the number one single !!!!

    He's a rascal !!

    But who are

    Kwasi Danquah

    and


    Victoria Hesketh ?


    Someone must know....

  • Comment number 99.

    Hi Cat

    Or are you possibly Jimmy Saville's cigar..... ?

    You could be double bluffing by suggesting that Jimmy is me !

    On the other hand...

    Jax could be Jimmy , using distraction techniques to make us think that Fraser is Jimmy using two computers frantically answering himself .....

    On the other hand.....

    Has anyone ever seen Liam and Jimmy in the same room at the same time ?

    Maybe Liam is Jimmy ?

    Trust no one ! lol lol

  • Comment number 100.

    In response to Muse....

    They have written and performed many great songs... all great albums... all truly special in different ways......

    The fact that they keep doing this... and keep pushing boundaries.... selling more albums.....playing to bigger crowds.... wowing Glastonbury to an insane degree (the neutrals did not know they were that good !!!! ) means that over time the bar keeps getting higher...

    Starlight rose high on many radio airplay charts and although not maybe being as technically brilliant as other previous songs... it's commercial pull was great enough to bring in even more fans and generate interest from non converts, to discover other treasures that the band had to offer...

    This truly innovative great band... stand at the peak of their powers...

    Can't wait for the next chapter....

Ìý

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