Results tagged “The Clash” from Birmingham Mail - Blog Rockin' Beats

To put it in the mildest and least controversial terms, it's been a rollercoaster past week or so. What with the threat of redundancy and an uncertain future casting a shadow over more pleasant moments such as fantastic birthday presents and catching up with family and friends I haven't seen in a while.

But, whatever is going on, I always manage to find a suitable soundtrack - a selection of songs that sum up my mood, whether it's good or bad. It lifts spirits, it comforts, it helps make sense of a crazy world. It captures a moment in your life in a way that films, TV, books, theatre etc just cannot.

I've always felt music is the most taken for granted art form. I mean, what sort of awful concept is background music? Would you put a copy of Dog Day Afternoon in the DVD player and then start doing the ironing?? But, I digress...

Once again, music has provided some much needed relief in an intense week. It wasn't quite my first love (that was probably Kylie when she played Charlene in Neighbours back in 1987), but I'm glad we met...and if the last week of my life was a movie, then this would be the soundtrack:

1. "Paper Planes" - M.I.A.
2. "Birthday" - The Sugarcubes
3. "Enjoy Yourself" - The Specials
4. "Black Swan" - Thom Yorke
5. "Mercy Mercy Me" - Marvin Gaye
6. "Their Law" - The Prodigy
7. "Career Opportunities" - The Clash
8. "Ola Kala" - I'm From Barcelona
9. "I Just Wasn't Made For These Times" - The Beach Boys
10. "Once In A Lifetime" - Talking Heads
11. "Olsen Olsen" - Sigur Ros
12. "It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" - REM

Couldn't let this week pass without paying respect to Rock N' Roll pioneer Bo Diddley, who passed away on Monday aged 79. Now I'm not going to sit here and pretend that I own a lot of his work or that I was a disciple of his music because the truth is, I wasn't. I don't own a single Bo Diddley record.

But my debt, which I suspect is the same for millions of others, to Bo is for the many great bands he inspired. Along with the likes of Chuck Berry and Little Richard, "The Originator" (if ever there was an apt nickname...) helped fashion a sound that would change music forever.

The Rolling Stones were certainly listening and taking notes. Even Buddy Holly (an example for others to follow in his own right) was inspired. Elvis too. Later the likes of Iggy and the Stooges, The Clash, Bruce Springsteen, U2 and the White Stripes barely disguised his influence in some of their work.

His best known songs include Road Runner, Mona and I'm A Man (with it's unforgettable hook). The Stones would go on to cover Crackin' Up while Pills was perfect for the New York Dolls. True fans could probably point me in the right direction of dozens of other great tracks.

In recent years, he continued to play on despite his deteriorating health before succumbing to heart failure.

I may not have appreciated his talent as I should have, but many of my favourite bands did. And for that, I give genuine thanks to The Originator.