Another post inspired by a conversation on Twitter earlier today.  The premise is simple, all you need to do is post links to the 8 songs that you would take with you to a desert island.  Here’s mine…

New Order – Blue Monday  The grand daddy of all EDM.  Originally written to work as an encore played by sequencers for the notoriously difficult band, the song took on a life of it’s own, becoming the best selling 12″ single of all times.  Perversely, the cost of producing the floppy disc cover was more per unit than the record sold for – proof enough that the band always put their art before their profits.

Depeche Mode – Never Let Me Down Again  When I was a young lad I joined the RAF.  During basic training only one person had any kind of equipment for playing music and they had a limited repertoire of tunes.  Their main CD was the excellent Depeche Mode live album, 101.  This became the theme song of our Bull Nights during January 1990

Shakespeare’s Sister – Goodbye Cruel World  In the early 90’s something amazing happened.  Siobhan Fahey and Marcella Detroit released their second album as Shakespeare’s Sister – Hormonally Yours.  Now most people will remember the ethereal song, Stay, but I feel the album smacks you in the face with the opening track, Goodbye Cruel World.  Cementing Fahey’s place as an “alternative” artist after the goody two shoes pop of Bananarama, this song never fails to bring a smile to my face as I remember my time at the most northern military base in the UK at the time, RAF Saxa Vord in the Shetland Islands.

Fleetwood Mac – The Chain  If I could only ever listen to one Fleetwood Mac track ever again then this would be it.  It has it all, Buckingham’s guitar picking, Nicks trademark vocals and that thumping John McVie bassline that builds though the song.  A simply incredible song.

Manic Street Preachers – You Love Us  Another live encore song.  I was lucky enough to see them in Glasgow at the end of the Design for Life tour and they were the best live band I have ever seen.  After a thumping performance they came back on stage to do this number, nearly taking the roof off the SECC.

Arcade Fire – Rebellion (Lies)  I was torn between this and the seminal Wake Up, both taken from their debut album, Funeral.  It was remembering the live performance of this track that made my mind up.  Simply enjoy it…

Glen Campbell – Wichita Lineman  One from my childhood days.  My parents were early converters to Radio 2 and the music that was played during the mid/late 70s shaped my tastes for years.  This is one I remember, although it was a toss up to include this over Crystal Gale’s Don’t You Make My Brown Eyes Blue.

Peter Gabriel/Kate Bush – Don’t Give Up  Just an amazing tune.  Enjoy…