Liverpool Hot 100
Liverpool Hot 100 - 100 songs from Liverpool
"Liverpool is more than a place where music happens. Liverpool is a reason why music happens."
Paul de Noyer, "Liverpool: Wondrous Place: Music from the Cavern to the Coral" (2002).
This is my list of my favourite 100 songs from Liverpool, limiting the selection to one song per artist.
The numbering is not really a ranking from the best to the least best, but it does somewhat reflect an order according to personal preference. But I will start with my choice for the best song to come from the city of Liverpool (which is to say, my personal favourite).
1
Shack – Not Afraid of Loving You
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVCT0pFUYvw
When it comes to music, I don't want to be impressed, I don't even want to be merely moved – I want to be swept away. This song does precisely that. Songs don't get any more beautiful than this. Michael Head was described by the NME as “our greatest songwriter.” The NME then asked if anyone recognized him. This his brother John doing the writing and the singing. He is equally impressive on Shack's “Miles Apart.”
2
Michael Head and The Strands – Something Like You
Love the video here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCX3VEiWv1o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3n9jktaycA
‘So come on get in.’
Seeing as I have introduced Michael Head as “our greatest songwriter,” it feels appropriate to select one of his songs next. Frankly, I could pick most anything written and sung by Michael Head, the greatest most unappreciated singer-songwriting genius-troubadour ever produced by Liverpool.
He may well have been wayward over the years, but he has been prolific, too, and has deserved to be much better known than he is. Known as a singer-songwriter troubadour-genius.
From his work with Shack I could have picked “Comedy,” “Queen Matilda,” “Cup Of Tea,” the unsettling and eerie “ Daniella,” the soothing “Closer Liverpool to Southport,” “Elizabethan Radio Star,” “Streets of Kenny” about Kensington, Liverpool, a place I know well, “Christine” or the exceptional “Captain's Table.” But since I have already selected a Shack track to open proceedings, I selected a track from one of Michael's other outfits.
Other great songs from The Strands are “It's Harvest Time,” “The Prize,” and “And Luna.”
3
The Wild Swans - Bluebell Woods
Paul Simpson is a superb lyricist and he's at his best on this magnificent track. The Wild Swans are one of the great Liverpool bands.
A personal favourite for me is “Bible Dreams” from 1988, a song that was in my ears as I graduated and prepared to take on the world.
I'm still at the preparation stage, working out whether I am too late or still too soon. I hear the opening to this I am right back in 1988, wondering where old friends – and opportunities – went. ‘But God has left this world bereft and the scars remain.’
Some other great songs from The Wild Swans are: “English Electric Dreams,” “Young Manhood,” “Bringing Home The Ashes,” “The Revolutionary Spirit,” “Sea of Tranquility,” “My Town,” “Bitterness,” and “Disintegrating.”
4
Echo and the Bunnymen - The Killing Moon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWz0JC7afNQ
‘Fate, Up against your will.’
This is hands-down the best line in a pop song ever. (Mac the Mouth, the song's writer, Ian McCullogh says so, anyway. And, of course, people repeat the claim. It's a good one, though – your will against the world, and the world in all its indifference and immovability resisting).
As someone who spent his fiftieth birthday dancing the night away to Echo and the Bunnymen in Sefton Park, Liverpool, I could happily have chosen a dozen or more songs from the Bunnymen. “The Cutter,” “Bring on the Dancing Horses,” “Lips Like Sugar,” “ “Pictures On My Wall,” “ Ocean Rain,” “Read it in Books,” “The Idolness of Gods,” “Bedbugs And Ballyhoo,” “Nocturnal Me,” “Villiers terrace,” “The Back Of Love,” “All my colours,” and the exotically titled “I want to be there when you come.” I like the edginess of band. But, being a sentimental and mellow sort of person, I shall single out “Nothing Lasts Forever” and “What Are Going To Do With the Rest of Your Life” for special praise.
5
Wah ! - The Story Of The Blues
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTmA1wQOd78
‘So you try to stop, try to get back up.’
I make no apologies for making obvious selections. There are good reasons why some songs are obvious choices: not only they are exceedingly good songs in themselves, they capture a moment in time and place and strike a very deep personal chord. The Story of the Blues was the story of the early eighties for very many people. I still have my battered old single from 1982. I saw Pete Wylie at the Citadel, St Helens. He's a funny guy! I also loved “Come Back,” a song he put out when people were leaving Liverpool in droves in search of work. I was in Sheffield at the time, but came back to study at Liverpool. Liverpool came back, too, with its indomitable spirit firing on all cylinders. Other great tracks from Pete Wylie are the incredibly catchy “It's Sinful,” “Diamond Girl,” “Four Eleven Forty Four” and the anthemic “Heart As Big As Liverpool” (a track worthy of being top of this entire list). Also very good are “Seven Minutes to Midnight,” “Don't Step on the Cracks” (the title alone appeals to me) and “Better Scream.” And some tracks from the excellent “Pete Sounds” album are worthy of mention: “Make Your Mind Up (Time for Love Today)” (too true!), “You and Me (and the Power of Love)” and “I Still Believe (Love And Soul And Rock And Roll).”
6
The Searchers - When you walk in the Room
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcVc4HU-eGk
‘I see a summer's night with a magic moon.’
I love this track. In an occasional tetchy moment, I will annoy Beatles fans by claiming The Searchers were the more influential band, with the twelve string guitar sound they pioneered influencing the entire West Coast sound of the US, which went on to sweep the world. Another great song from The Searchers is “Needles and Pins.”
Whatever happened to those four ex-skifflers from Liverpool, anyway?
7
Cilla Black - Anyone Who Had A Heart
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWAcG5p0Jyg
I sang to Cilla Black once. I don't think she could have been too impressed, given that I wasn't on the TV clip she used on “Surprise Surprise,” although it was hard to tell given that I was one of a few hundred or more. The story is that I was on the Kop with the other Liverpool fans before a match. It was 2pm and all the singers were still in the pub. Cilla tried her best to get us singing “You'll Never Walk Alone” and then left long before kick-off. We did our best.
I was never too keen on Cilla Black, I must admit. She has a very ambiguous relation to the Liverpool scene of the early sixties. She became much more active and involved after The Beatles and wasn't much of an active part of the Liverpool scene. But it would be churlish to deny that she had something. I did like "La La La Lu," though, words I try to live by. Maybe her finest moment was “I've Been Wrong Before,” but "You're My World" is very good. “Liverpool Lullaby” is also worth a mention.
8
John Lennon - Oh My Love
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3QZVdqUidw
‘Everything is clear in our world.’
I could have selected any number of songs here: “Watching the Wheels” is good, “I'm Losing You,” “Mind Games,” “#9 Dream,” “Working Class Hero.” But never “Imagine,” the My Little Pony of philosophical statements. I could never stand that song. On song, Lennon was top drawer. I also love the “Elvis Orbison” of “Starting Over.”
9
Gerry and the Pacemakers - Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKta_gRc2gA
‘But stop your cryin' when the birds sing.’
I've never thought that such things could be commanded. But it's a nice sentiment. This song closed Radio Merseyside's coverage of the Hillsborough Disaster at midnight, April 15 1989. I had returned from Hillsborough early evening and listened to the aftermath. It's a beautiful song in itself, but has an added personal dimension. Gerry and The Pacemakers sang three of my most favourite songs of all, this one and “Ferry Cross The Mersey” and “You'll Never Walk Alone.” I would also put a big shout in for “I'll Be There.” And the cheery, chirpy jollity of “I Like It.”
10
Billy Fury Maybe Tomorrow
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Dvb_PI7dJY
‘Maybe tomorrow, There'll be no sorrow.’
I don't think he believes it.
Billy Fury is my favourite singer from Liverpool. This one reminds me of Francoise Hardy (she was a young fan). Only more aching and sorrowful. Liverpool, the city of hopeless hope. Billy worked on the ships early on. Songs that could easily have been selected here include “Wondrous place,” “Halfway to Paradise,” lots of Billy's ballads and “Ain't Nothin Shakin.” Billy Fury is notable for writing his own rock'n'roll material on the groundbreaking Sound of Fury album. He became big as a singer of big ballads written by others, though. A significant artist, he was the fourth biggest selling act in the UK in the sixties, behind only Elvis, The Beatles, and Cliff Richard.
11
The Swinging Blue Jeans - You're No Good
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPSAz3a7nuU
‘I've learned my lesson, it left a scar.’
12
The Big Three - What'd I Say (live at The Cavern) – 1963
I could also have selected “Some Other Guy” here.
13
The Icicle Works - Love Is A Wonderful Colour
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1RyvR210m0
‘Resigned beside the glow.’
The Icies were a favourite band. "Hollow Horse" is a fantastic track. "Be careful what you dream of, it may come up and surprise you."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klR6YQzUNEs
The Icicle Works really should have owned the 1980s, rather than those Mancunian miseries that my brother liked (The Smiths, that is. Working on the building sites, my brother would bring his Smiths tapes. The workers threatened to down tools and stop working unless he put something else on. Being reasonable, my brother listened and took note of the objections. And put The Doors on. “This is the end ...” Ian McNabb had the talent and the drive to make it big. He's still going, so catch him where and when you can. I like the live performance of “Nirvana” in Sefton Park in 1983, also “Birds Fly (Whisper To A Scream),” “Stood before St Peter,” and “As the Dragonfly Fly Flies.”
14
Ian McNabb - Great Dreams Of Heaven
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hy7LTdL_ulw
‘Countries die, when rockets fly, and cities have been levelled, And we got great dreams of Heaven.’
Ian McNabb is so good that he deserves an entry of his own apart from the Icicle Works. I've had the odd heated exchange with Ian over football. He thinks it's a distraction and I don't. He's a feisty and opinionated person. So am I. (critics could easily claim that music is also a distraction). I like him. I loved the Icicle Works, they should have been huge. Other choices here are: “Liverpool Girl,” “You Must be Prepared to Dream,” and “That's Why I Believe.”
15
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark – Electricity
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y43XLVqjytQ
‘All we need is to learn to save.’
Wise words. People and nations that save and invest thrive, those that don't, don't. (Economic history in one line).
I could have picked any number of songs from OMD, they were the most regular hitmakers from Liverpool (actually over the water) since The Beatles. They had the knack for writing earworms. I once nearly got thrown out of the De la Salle/West Park sixth form library for whistling “Souvenir” endlessly. How more rock'n'roll can a person be? That librarian had no sense of rhythm. I think I had been getting on her nerves for a while. You can't go wrong with this band. I like the early edgy electronica but they became an unbeatable pop outfit: “Souvenir,” “Enola Gay,” “Joan of Arc,” “Maid of Orleans,” “Messages,” "Julia's Song,” “ Secret,” “ Messages,” “ Pandora's Box,” “Sailing On The Seven Seas,” “Stanlow.” I'll also go for “Walking on the Milky Way”, I love a huge slice of nostalgia.
16
The Chants - Heaven And Paradise
The Chants (1962-1975) were a vocal group of the 1960s from Liverpool, United Kingdom. Members were Eddie Amoo (vocals), Eddie Ankrah (vocals), Joe Ankrah (vocals), Alan Fielding (vocals) and Nat Smedo (vocals). Don't get them mixed up with the band of the same name from the US.
17
The Real Thing - You To Me Are Everything
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yT1iDKkZNYU
‘The sweetest song that I could sing.’
I like a bit of dance and disco. Also very good from The Real Thing are “Can't Get By Without You” and “Whenever you want my love.”
18
Frankie Goes To Hollywood – The Power of Love
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyoTvgPn0rU
‘This time we go sublime, Lovers entwine-divine divine.’
I'm not sure why I picked this one. It may be because it is a Christmas song. I think I picked it because it shows that even the most transgressive of rascals have a soft side and will wimp out in the best way in the end.
If pushed, though, I would go for “Welcome to the Pleasure Dome.” I love a throbbing bass line.
More obvious selections would have been “Rage Hard,” “Relax,” and “Two Tribes.” Also Holly Johnson's “Americanos.”
19
The Christians – When the Fingers Point
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjEla5Lw_TI
‘So you find a new home and a new place to hide, Where's there's peace and shelter from the poison outside.’
'Where is the home you will build for me? Where shall my resting place be?'
I love this band and pushed them hard when their first album came out. I can honestly say that I saw them and heard them before the world knew them through their chart success. They were on the It's Immaterial song “Ed's Funky Diner” and I told everyone I knew (all three of them) that these guys had the talent to go big. They have many other great tracks to their name: “Forgotten Town,” "Greenbank Drive,” “Harvest for the World,” “Hooverville,” “Born Again,” and “The Bottle” have a great groove, “Rise” shows the band still in great form, whilst “Ideal World,” “In my Hour of Need,” “Father” and “Words” are profound and moving. I saw The Christians opening for Ray Charles at the King's Dock, Liverpool in the early 2000s. They played an incendiary R&B set, bringing the early Ray Charles back to life. Great band.
20
The Troubadours - Gimme Love
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbyTTWN9CYs
21
The Mojos - Everything's Alright
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8tMGdUrpLw
Early sixties British R&B. A bit of a racket, then.
22
Deaf School - Hi Jo Hi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mpprg8Bt1U
‘Ain’t you see it in the news, It’s good to be back with all of you’se.’
Arty, witty, and clever.
If “Hi Jo Hi” makes for a great way to introduce a list, “What a Way to End it All” makes for a great way to close it.
23
A Flock Of Seagulls - Wishing (If I Had a Photograph of You)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opkzgLMH5MA
‘I wouldn't spend my life just wishing.’
I had the good fortune to see Al Stewart at the Coach House, Capistrano, California, 2018. Before the show started I walked round to take a look at some of the photos on the wall of artists who had performed there over the years. I saw John Lee Hooker and other such worthies. And then the Flock of Seagulls! I was pointing and shouting all open mouthed to no one in particular. And no-one had the first idea why I was so excited. They're from Liverpool! I liked their hair styles.
“I Ran” and “The More You Live, the More You Love” are also good songs.
24
Liverpool Express - You are my love
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3fXMVjVgmQ
‘And then my heart began to sing.’
This is my kind of thing, and my kind of band. “Every Man Must Have a Dream”, “Dreamin,” “It's a Beautiful Day.” I like the sad songs: “So What?” It reminds me of Billy Fury's “Forget Him.”
25
The Lightning Seeds - Life of Riley
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ugeyuMdBoQ
‘So, here's your life, We'll find our way, We're sailing blind, But it's certain, nothing's certain.’
A band that has the capacity to lift you up, the Beach Boys of the River Mersey. “Lucky You,” “Pure” and “Marvellous” are pure pop, and simply marvellous.
26
The 23rd Turnoff - Michael Angelo (1967)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kd4H9weVqoM
‘Stay in your book, dreamers.’
A choice slice of psychedlic Liverpudliana.
27
The Beatles - Strawberry Fields Forever
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtUH9z_Oey8
‘Living is easy with eyes closed, Misunderstanding all you see.’
“Nowhere Man” is my favourite Beatles song. Apart from “Octopuses Garden,” that is. The first song I can consciously remember is The Beatles' “Penny Lane.” I remember the film. “Strawberry Fields” is the flip side. I won't list the very many Beatles songs that could have made the selection. You know the albums. But if I had to pick just one more, I'd go for “And Your Bird Can Sing.” But it could be any. “Girl” was a big favourite back home. And “In My Life.”
28
The La's “Freedom Song”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THPQoF2VaxY
Timely, I would say. I mean, where has all the freedom gone? And, more to the point, who or what is taking it away.
To be honest, the exceptional “Timeless Melody” is the better song, and encapsulates the timeless melody of Liverpool as the City of the Sea.
Other good songs from The La's are “Feelin'”, “Way Out,” and “Son Of A Gun.”
29
George Harrison - Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-KAvPbO8JY
‘Give me hope, Help me cope, with this heavy load.
Trying to, touch and reach you with, Heart and soul.'
I have to say that my favourite George Harrison songs are “Love Comes to Everyone” and “All Those Years Ago.” I also love “Blow Away.” But you really can't beat “Give Me Love, Give Me Peace on Earth.” I never like to be contrarian for the sake of being contrarian – I just like to go with any flow that is worth going with. Love and Peace on Earth will do me fine, flowing with the rhythm of life. Liverpool is a water city, a city with a mighty river and a sea. Other great songs from George Harrison are "Here Comes the Moon," “All Things Must Pass,” “Dream Away,” “My Sweet Lord,” “I'd Have You Anytime,” “When We Was Fab,” “What is Life,” “That is All,” and “Got My Mind Set On You.”
30
Jimmy Campbell - Don`t Leave Me Now (1970)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dErjA8Kj3YY
This is one seriously sad and broken song, harrowingly, hauntingly beautiful. The fact that Jimmy Campbell died without ever receiving the recognition he deserved only adds to the sadness. A magnificent slice of elegiac pop.
31
The Spinners - Liverpool Barrow Boys
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzrloBl77u4
As good as anything you could here. It gets me up and running, anyway. I had a wheelbarrow once. Until someone pinched it out of my back yard. I did work with a trolley, though.
32
Speed with Monica Queen - Good Luck Charm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnbG5ORmgxc
‘The things that look so good, don’t always go to plan.’
Described thus: Slightly Brit-poppy in nature, this is a truly great Americana song from a Liverpudlian band with a Glaswegian guest singer (she's also the guest singer on Belle & Sebastian's Lazy Line Painter Jane). One of the best songs that no one but me has ever heard. Available on Speed's 1999 album, Sonic Solutions
33
The Lotus Eaters - The First Picture Of You (1983)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnIqtV16B3k
‘flood the world deep in sunlight, break into the peaceful wild.’
Peter Coyle went on to produce some incredible music, both with The Lotus Eaters and as a solo artist, but this song, with the incredible Jem Kelly on guitar, is the song I left school to. It's a bittersweet beauty. I remember those days well. Oddly, this is the kind of song that has you remembering days you were yet to have from the first. If that makes any kind of sense. It's such an obvious choice that I was hesitant to choose it. A couple of the nice ladies from the Women's Confraternity in St Helens once gave me the best advice I have ever been given – write straight from the heart, don't overthink things.
But if you insist on something less obvious, “Soul In Sparks” is exceptional, with “It Hurts,” “Start Of The Search,” “You Fill Me With Need,” and “Can Your Kisses Fly” not far behind.
34
Cast – Walkaway
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbYkYKQdL7I
‘Now you must believe me, you never lose your dreams.’
This was playing the last time I saw Bruce Grobbelaar at Anfield. Bruce drove me mad, but he was a character and was far more impressive a goalkeeper than perhaps we knew at the time. I liked him.
This is the perfect Liverpool song. In fact, it is a song that could only come from Liverpool.
Other Cast songs that could have been included are: “Live The Dream,” “Sandstorm,” “Guiding Star,” and “Fine Time.”
35
Elvis Costello 1983 Everyday I Write the Book
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1d4r9awjKE
‘I'm a man with a mission in two or three editions.’
Declan Patrick MacManus, that is.
He has Liverpool connections, with family up here, he stayed in Liverpool. And I believe he has said he is a Liverpool fan. So I shall select one for Liverpool fans, "Turning the Town Red" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3Ai8q_0e8o
“New Amsterdam” and “Alison” are also favourites.
36
The Beautiful South – Rotterdam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onKrpUeocUk
I'm probably cheating a little (a lot) with this selection. I remember a comedy show called The Brothers' McGregor. It was about a Liverpool family. The mother would claim that everybody of any note was born in Liverpool.
Not many people know that singer songwriter Paul Heaton was born in Merseyside (OK, Bromborough, Cheshire, I'm pushing it as far as I can) and singer Jacqui Abbott in St Helens, Merseyside. That's close enough.
37
The Last Chant - Run of the dove
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJ9aZoxIW7k
38
Beryl Marsden - I Only Care About You – 1963
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtpAuIJ40u0
I also like "Breakaway" and “Everybody loves a lover.” This is the Liverpool scene before The Beatles went big, and before Cilla Black showed up.
39
Care - Flaming Sword
Paul Simpson and Ian Broudie make for an unbeatable combination. Joyous pop.
Also “Whatever Possessed You.”
40
The Teardrop Explodes - Reward (1981)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyStfUvTwDo
It's the obvious choice, of course. I remember the fuss it caused at school. We all responded to the new sounds. This track was electrifying. Music was getting exciting. I liked “Ha Ha I'm Drowning,” very much.
This is the Liverpool sound I remember.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aZwlQ7tGNU
Other great songs from The Teardrop Explodes are “When I Dream,” “Passionate Friend,” “The Great Dominions” and “Tiny Children.”
41 Julian Cope - Beautiful Love
Julian Cope was leader of The Teardrop Explodes, and made some exceptional music on his own. “World shut your mouth” was also very good.
42
The Cherry Boys - Kardomah Café 1983
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V61WrhDgwkI
It pleases me no end to have got to know drummer Howie Minns a decade or so ago. He's as sound as a pound, a top bloke, and a FB friend. And this is an all-time Liverpool classic. This is a track which could have come from Liverpool in any era. The Cherry Boys were one of the hardest working bands on the Liverpool scene. They are another band that should have made it big. Other tracks from the band that are well worthy of acclaim are: “Maybe I'm a Fool,” “Falling,” and “It's Hypothetical.”
43
Michael Holliday - The story of my life
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiTKlU9Ck7o
I love Michael Holliday's voice on this Burt Bacharach classic. I know Marty Robbins recorded an excellent version, but this is my favourite version.
44
Black / Colin Vearncombe - This is life
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PskatLfJS5U
‘You feel tired but you can't sleep, feel so hungry you can't eat.’
As a huge fan of Colin Vearncombe aka Black, I could have picked so many songs here (I have everything Colin ever did). I was a huge fan of Colin from way back, before "Wonderful World" was a hit. He was killed in a car accident and I attended his memorial at Liverpool Cathedral the night before I flew out to California first thing next morning. I wouldn't have missed it for anything. Colin was a great songwriter.
It would have been easy to pick either of Colin's first two hits, “Wonderful Life” and “Sweetest Smile,” for the reason that they are exceedingly good. I remember them making the charts. I remember the first album with great tracks like “Everything is Coming Up Roses,” “I'm Not Afraid,” and “I Just Grew Tired.” I thought Colin Vearncombe would go on to further success, but somewhere momentum was lost. The next albums were very good, with songs like “You're a Big Girl Now.” Maybe the style was too downcast for the shallow eighties. Colin left us with so many great songs: “When it's over,” “I Can Laugh about it now,” "Ghosts," “Walk On Frozen Water,” “Agnes' Prayer,” “Fly up to the Moon,” “Water on Snow,” “Sometimes for the Asking,” “Ashes of Angels,” “Beautiful,” “Listen,” “Feel Like Change,” “No one, none, nothing,” “Parade,” "Too Many Times," “Just Making Memories,” “Swingtime.” Do yourself a favour and just acquire everything that Colin ever did.
45
The Merseybeats - Sorrow 1963
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6zPVLkpdpA
This is a brilliant song, music, lyrics, the lot. It's as simple as that.
“I Think of You.”
46
Neil Campbell - Delay Tactics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m71EgrRXKDM
Virtuoso guitar player, the best guitar player I have ever seen and, I'm honoured to say, a personal friend. This guy should be much better known, because he is exceptional, prolific, and endlessly creative and imaginative. It's hard to pick individual pieces out. You really need to hear entire pieces of work from Neil to appreciate the man's artistry.
He doesn't often work with singers, but the songs he recorded with Perri Alleyne-Hughes are exceedingly good: “Beyond Words” I like a lot.
47
The Real People – She
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7K-x_Yur2Cg
Just don't let anyone say I'm not with it.
48
China Crisis - Working with fire and steel (1983)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZ7vX7xX0G8
‘To be workers of red.’
China Crisis are a favourite band. This could easily have been “Wishful Thinking” or “Christian” or “Black Man Ray” or “Here Comes a Raincloud.” They have an effortlessly smooth and easy musicality, a little like Steely Dan. I like the edginess of “Working with fire and steel” and “Hanna Hanna.” But their pop sensibility is clear and sophisticated, irresistibly so. “Wishful thinking” is my favourite track, soft and wistful, “Christian” is pure, and many more just so impossibly catchy: “Black Man Ray,” King in a Catholic Style,” “The Highest High,” “African and White,” “You Did Cut Me,” “Tragedy & Mystery,” “Best Kept Secret” and “Hampton Beach.” The fact that they enjoyed some chart success in the early mid-eighties, combined with the fact their songs were of an incredibly high standard can lead us to think they were much bigger than they were. They should have been huge.
49
The Coral - Dreaming Of You
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amJNTsfl8MU
Liverpool pop music has been guitar based since The Beatles. The music I grew up with in the eighties, though, was synth based. Come the nineties and things had swung back to guitars. The Coral put out any number of strong records in this vein: “Pass It On,” “In the Morning,” “Jacqueline,” “All Of Our Love,” “Don't Think You're the First,” and “Goodbye” are all very great songs.
50
Space – Neighbourhood
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IE8ER2bobIc
‘Oh if you find the time, Please come and stay a while, In my beautiful neighbourhood.’
Another band that I have seen in Sefton Park. It was a very entertaining afternoon. I like that park. It all happens in Sefton Park. Space are an entertaining band with curious lyrics.
“Female of the Species,” “Me And You Versus The World,” “Diary of a Wimp,” "Now She's Gone" and “You and Me Versus the World” are well worth hearing.
51
Rain - Taste Of Rain
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BloI8KatZNI
‘It is carved in stunning shapes and patterns on my soul, Carried like dreams to places my body could never go.’
Fantastic guitar ready sound.
52
It's Immaterial – The Better Idea
An obvious choice here would have been “Driving Away From Home.” ‘It's only thirty nine miles, And forty five minutes to Manchester.’ It was the breakthrough song, and justifiably so. I remember impressing the cool kids by praising It's Immaterial, who were one of those out-there leftfield bands that impressed cool kids and student types. They did better songs, though, even if they didn't come to public notice: “The Better Idea,” “Life on the Hill,” “Just North of Here.” You get used to the style. I'll give a shout out to “Out of the Blue,” too, which bafflingly failed to make the last and long awaited album. Great band, another band that should be better known (check out "House for Sale" from a couple of years ago, it has a great sound to it).
It's Immaterial have recorded some superbly inventive and imaginative songs over the years: “Ed's Funky Diner,” “Space,” “The Mermaid,” “Life on the Hill,” “White Mans Hut,” “Rope,” “New Moon,” “In The Neighbourhood,” “Heaven Knows,” “Homecoming,” “New Brighton,” “Washing the Air.”
53
Thomas Lang - The Happy Man
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4WJy811PXI
Thomas Lang is another great singer I've been lucky enough to ses, a singer of torch songs. "Happy Man" is an obvious track, but it was the song that made his name, the first one I remember hearing. I remember him supporting Alison Moyett in Liverpool just before Christmas 1985 (was it the Empire?). I said he'd be topping the bill next year. As an August boy, I love “August Day.” He was being positioned as a male Sade, a singer of smooth and sophisticated pop jazz. He received a lot of good coverage and his songs were good.
His best songs were class: “Fingers and Thumbs,” “Wild Strawberries,” “August Day,” “Strength” and the exceptional “The Longest Song.”
54
Badfinger – Come and Get It
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3TOcw7taBo
Written by Paul McCartney. Very Beatles.
55
Rockin' Horse - Baby Walk Out With Your Darlin' Man
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3RcKwW45LM
How to describe this? 1971, kind of country, downbeat, world-weary, love-lorn, with a scouse accent. Kind of downbeat La's. Which is downbeat.
56
Scaffold – Liverpool Lou
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOoFWG0diAs
Now you are talking! Oh my, the memories. I attended the Liverpool-Everton FA Cup Final in 1989. It was the Hillsborough Cup Final, so there was much nervousness as to how it should be approached. The Liverpool fans took it over and sang every Liverpool song they knew, which is a lot. At one point, the hairiest man in Christendom grabbed me round the shoulder and had me swaying back and forth as the crowd - also swaying - sang “Liverpool Lou.” He had more hair down his back than I had on my head. I looked forward to seeing the results when I got back home to watch the video, only to see that the BBC had imposed good taste, cutting the communal singing out and cutting to some choir boy singing “You'll Never Walk Alone” in Liverpool Cathedral. I preferred the way we did it. And we won the match, too.
Much better than “Lily the Pink.” Although I do remember people being amused by this track so much that they took it to #1 at Christmas. They may have been drunk.
57
Cook da Books – Keep on Believin’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVIWesVlEcY
Top band indeed. I wonder who remembers The People's Festival at the Pier Head, and some special days and nights in Liverpool. This has a great brooding quality that has all the trademark Liverpool edginess – Liverpool is the archetypal edgy city.
Other great selections from Cook Da Books are “Piggie In The Middle Eight,” “Living For The City” (as Da Books), “This Is Not the Time,” “I Wouldn't Want To Knock It!” and “One Day.”
58
The Farm - All Together Now
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buJ2DZZHHAI
‘Let’s go home.’
Another obvious choice. Such choices are obvious for a number of reasons, not least the fact they are just great songs. But other songs from The Farm could be selected: “Rising Sun,” “Love see No Colour” and “Groovy Train” - also obvious choices for being so damned good.
59
Skyray - Mind Lagoons
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPmsaVrqT1o
Take a walk on the wild side. Experimental electronica from the great Paul Simpson of Wild Swans fame.
60
The Boo Radleys - Wake up Boo!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJXPTnPmm78
Infectious and uplifting.
Also very good are “Barney and Me,” “What's in the Box,” “Lazarus.”
61
The Dennisons- Nobody Like My Babe
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UGiWMgzytg
True story, Jack Sugdon out of Emmerdale Farm was a member of The Dennisons.
62
Ooberman - Shorley Wall
An obscure choice from leftfield, but the band's origins are in Liverpool (although it also seems the band kept distintegrating as members left to move to Liverpool. I'm claiming it, I like its ambient style.
63
Marina Van-Rooy - Sly One
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gC56MX8UJYk
Europop Exotica from Liverpool. It beats The Reynolds Sisters hands-down.
64
Ringo Starr - Six O'Clock
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkOAvWST-Hk
This is more like it. I love this great singalong. It has Macca on there, Sir Fab himself. I do like the “No No” song, too. And “Weight of the world” (‘Ev'ry heart has a hunger.’) And “Only You” with Harry Nilsson (I hope everyone remembers Harry. When John Lennon was asked to name his favourite band, he said “Harry Nilsson").
Only You
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5zpFpfw3Fw
I'll be singing this one all day now. If I ever stop singing "Six O'Clock" that is.
Ringo is my favourite Beatle. He's straight forward, down-to-earth, with zero pretension.
And he has any number of great songs to his name. In addition to the above:
“Sunshine Life for Me,” “Bye Bye Blackbird,” “Back Off Boogaloo,” “Photograph,” “It Don't Come Easy,” “It Don't Come Easy.”
65
Billy J Kramer & The Dakotas - Bad To Me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CMX0mCFYJ4
‘So the birds in the sky won't be sad and lonely, 'Coz they know that I've got my one and only.’
None better than this.
Also good from Billy are “Little Children” and “I'll Keep You Satisfied.”
66
Melanie C - Goin' Down
Given that there are not many female artists in this list, I think there is a place for what is by far and away Mel C's best song. I can't say that I like it, though, but presume that somebody else might.
67
Hambi & The Dance - L'Image Craqué
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWSkPl0qR2k
Memories of my younger days, when I was so cutting edge and out-there (in my dreams). I remember now how I lost touch with my heavy rock roots - I went off to uni and started to develop musical tastes that fitted in with student types. We are worlds away from Motorhead here. (Gee, I loved Motorhead. I remember one Motorhead concert when Lemmy, in between songs, asked "what's that chief, you can't hear the vocals? You don't know how lucky you are!"
68
Frankie Vaughan - Tower Of Strength
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HzCiqtqxC4
The original Frankie. My mum liked this guy. Apparently she disgraced herself by screaming at him outside Liverpool Empire. He took it in good heart (and fled indoors). I have a vague memory of this song knocking Elvis' “His Latest Flame” off the number one position. But I'll stand correction (it may have been the other way round).
I could easily have picked “Green Door” here.
69
David Garrick - Dear Mrs Applebee
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-Qaeq4LjHY
About as un-Liverpool as you can get, I think. Which is somehow very Liverpool, a city of contrary flows. He was born in Liverpool. A place that likes the odds.
70
Pale Fountains - Thank You
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pmrc63ivZFg
‘And God say right and I'll be there in time, There's just something for me.’
Love this band. Michael Head (again). Is this video shot in Sefton Park?
I would have loved to have chosen "Palm of my Hand"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNNOObXEpYw
How to describe the style? Arthur Lee and Love plus Burt Bacharach and a ton of scouse imagination and drive. Also exceptional: “Just a Girl” and “Jean's Not Happening.” These tracks should have been Michael Head's big breakthrough. Instead, he had to keep writing great songs in an attempt to get the recognition his talent deserved. He now has a great catalogue and zero recognition.
71
Paul McCartney - Every Night
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSHkH_uMmtY
Macca comes in for a lot of criticism. He's thumbs-up, cheery, can-do, life affirming, not cool kind of guy in a weary and cynical age. And he's the master of melody with a beautiful voice. I could have picked a hundred songs by Sir Fab, either as a solo artist or with wings. I have a soft spot for “Monkberry Moon Delight.” Also “This One,” “Junk” “Another Day,” “Once Upon a Long Ago,” “No More Lonely Nights.”
Paul McCartney – Junk 5
72
Wings - My Love
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5g9ZwxFKdg
I think Macca deserves another entry under Wings. It could be any, so I'll make it an obvious one. It's a beautifully warm love song with an exceptional guitar solo.
I like “Magneto And Titanium Man,” which for all the world reminds me of Belle and Sebastian. But there are so many great songs to choose from: “Waterfalls,” “Mull of Kintyre,” “With A Little Luck,” “Bluebird,” “Tug of War,” “Pipes of Peace,” “Silly Love Songs” (I like them and so do many other people), “Listen To What The Man Said,” “Band on the Run,” “Goodnight Tonight,” “Winter Rose,” “Warm and Beautiful.”
And many more. I like his demo for “Goodbye.” Sir Fab is so good he makes it all look so effortlessly easy.
73
Johnny and Marie - Up and Running
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXM8qQ_z5L8
Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! If this doesn't get you jumping for joy, call for an autopsy. Phil Jones, exceptional. This takes me right back to a time and place I loved. It was a time of mass unemployment and having always to pick yourself after being knocked down, forever fighting against the odds to succeed in having a beautifully ordinary life. And this was the anthem of those fighting to find a place in the world.
74
The Reverb Brothers - Someone's Selling off the Country
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdpC-8ycI0s
‘Someone that thinks they got it all worked out, They can’t work out what to do about me.’
That's the story of my life dealing with clueless authorities of various kinds. Those early eighties songs remain pertinent – the present we criticised then has become the future - and the present enlarged is no future at all. From over the water.
75
Dalek I Love You – Freedom Fighters
Liverpool electronica, and worth a place for being plain odd.
76
The Zutons - Don't Get Caught
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RU3LquIG20s
‘In my old clothes, I lay there just dreaming.’
A decent band, with many a catchy tune to their name. Having a girl on sax was an eye-catching innovation which they made the most of, but she can play to some effect. Some excellent songs. I much prefer their original version of “Valerie” to Amy Whinehouse, whose voice I never could stomach (she always sounded like Norman Wisdom perennially shouting “Mr Grimsdaaaale!” “Confusion,” “Don't Ever Think Too Much,” “Not a Lot to Do,” “Oh Stacey Look What You've Done,” “Beautiful,” “I know I'll never leave,” “Always Right Behind You.”
77
Alternative Radio - Concertina Ballerina (First Night, 1986)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYToBlm_3-A
A band I discovered as a student and loved from the first. A lot of people will find the synth sounded dated. It's dated in the best sense for me, evoking the many great memories I have of the mid-eighties. I love the accordian and acoustic guitar on “Concertina Ballerina,” but could easily have chosen “Valley of Evergreen,” “Strangers In Love,” “Change of Heart.” These songs come with great memories for me.
78
Brian Atherton and the Light – Contrasting Strangers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qva7aa57tHI
I'm wondering who even remembers this one. Moody as heck. It came and went. It stayed with me. I don't think it made an impression anywhere. Mid 1980s, the vocal savours a little of Scott Walker. I have no idea what became of Brian Atherton. But I never forgot this beauty.
79
Amsterdam - Does This Train Stop On Merseyside
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsWFYucvrVw
Ian Prowse, top fella. There are any number of selections that could have been made here covering Ian's work over the years, with Amsterdam and Pele.
“Fair Blows The Wind For France,” “Name and Number,” “My Name Is Dessie Warren,” “Nothing's goin' right” featuring Christy Moore, “Love Phenomenon,” “I Did It For Love,” “Lest We Forget,” "Hatred Is Wasted."
80
The Monkey Steps - Next In Line
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSt-cIHhl0Q
Back to guitar roots.
81
Kathryn Williams - Heart Shaped Stone
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HI7xg-IcaHs
A bit of a cheat, this. She's not associated with Liverpool. She was born here (or was her mother born here?)
82
Candie Payne - All I Need To Hear
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUHQVwNkGZw
Candie used to visit Hairy Records in Bold Street Liverpool, where I lived inside big boxes of vinyl. Very sixties! She was going to be the next big thing. And then decided to do something else. "One More Chance," "I Wish I Could Have Loved You More." And that one about the umbrella I like, what's it called, "Big Umbrella." She looks remarkably like one of the two girls who were in my history sixth form class.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qFzRWiQ3RA
Very sixties, very retro, very good:
“ I Wish I Could Have Loved You More,” “One More Chance,” “Why Should I Settle For You,” “In the morning,” “Seasons Change,” Candie and Howie Payne “Silver Dagger,” “Hey Goodbye.”
83
Pete Leay & Buster - Juliette
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WY9NB0wysxE
84
Peter Coyle – Christmas in Liverpool
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13PKkMzBCh0
‘Holding on to sweet memory.’
A purely sentimental choice. I like Christmas, I like memories, family, nostalgia, home. It's a personal choice, too, given that I once spent Christmas in Liverpool's Broad Green Heart and Chest Hospital. Other Peter Coyle tracks I like are “Reach For The Sun” and “Stay Deep In The Music.” Peter Coyle was leader of The Lotus Eaters, of course, and has done some great experimental music over the years. Strongly recommended.
85
The Leasiders - Seth Davey
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6_LCCBZoqg
‘Come day go day, I wish in my heart it was Sunday.’
I'm a sucker for the sad and the sentimental. And one you can singalong to.
86
Jack Owen – Mist Over the Mersey
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11iA7-at7IQ
As above. Jack Owen is from Manchester way. Which is fine. Because the Mersey actually has its source in Stockport.
87
The Foo Foo Band - We're All Bound to Go
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6iEW8rxksY
The Mersey Rigger - Whip Jamboree - Trad.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gwv7_JGHYRA
Keep That Wheel A Turning - Trad. Arr.P.M.Adamson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emwRzaiaA9M
From the 'Keeping The Old Songs Alive Collection'.
Three trad tunes in one.
88 Lori and the Chameleons – Touch
A complete change of pace and direction. This has shades of “Go Wild in the Country” and “I Could be Happy.” Reaching #70 in December 1979, it was way ahead of its time.
89
Rory Storm and The Hurricanes - I can tell
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvFSGPXjfp4
Ringo Starr's band before The Beatles
90
The Ellan Vannin Tragedy - Hugh E. Jones
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FK6g46ooCmk
‘She sank in the waters of Liverpool Bay, There she lies until this day.’
91
Henry Priestman - At The End of The Day
Henry was the keyboards player and writer with The Christians. This song from his solo album “The Last Mad Surge of Youth” is a beauty. His “Valentine Song” is the best Valentine's Day song ever written, after Willie Nelson's “Valentine.” I like his “Goodbye Common Sense” too.
92
Howie Payne - The Brightest Star
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3tNaK_r6O4
Howie Payne is the brother of Candie Payne, and did great work with The Stands. I like “Come Down Easy” and “Here She Comes Again” very much.
93
The Revolutionary Army of the Infant Jesus - Bright Field
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLxRuRfH0J4
Begins with the poem by by R S Thomas.
This band are indescribable. If I was to say that this band are the best band that ever came out of Liverpool, it might attract the attention this band deserves. Extraordinary. Experimental Dark Folk. I can't offer any words here, merely recommend that you immerse yourself in their mesmerising albums. They are in a class and category of their own.
Come Holy Spirit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=javeIEaxoPQ
"Beauty will Save the World"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygIK7HzFPCY&t=591s
The Gift of Full Tears
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zENXZYhY_vs
94
Keith McKnight - Ghosts In The Mersey
A hauntingly beautiful song for all those who have ever fallen in love with Liverpool, people and place.
'You are tied to the city and it will pull you back some day.'
95
Gomez - See The World
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKJJRnuCwF4
‘Empty handed, surrounded by a senseless scene, With nothing of significance, Besides a shadow of a dream.’
One of those bands that were going to be big.
“Get Myself Arrested” is also a decent song. They never made it big, though.
96
George Melly & John Chilton's Feetwarmers – Hometown
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9kZZZaZ3kE
I liked George Melly, jazz-blues artist and a very witty and genial fellow.
97
The Yachts - Suffice To Say
Experimental
98
The Room - Things Have Learnt to Walk that Ought to Crawl
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbzeLaYSK6U
A decent band. “Heat Haze” is a good tune.
99
Gerry & The Pacemakers - You'll Never Walk Alone
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OV5_LQArLa0
‘Walk on, through the wind
Walk on, through the rain
Though your dreams be tossed and blown
Walk on, walk on, with hope in your heart
And you'll never walk alone
You'll never walk alone.’
I know I've picked Gerry already, but this is the anthem. I sung this every week when I attended the matches of Liverpool football club. I simply have to have this track.
100
Ken Dodd - Think Of Me (Wherever You Are)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-MOVctgrE0
‘So goodnight, and God Bless, wherever you may be, The moon you can see, it's shining on me.’
I have to have Doddy in there. The funniest comedian ever, he was an unlikely romantic crooner, but he had a beautiful singing voice and sang some truly great songs.
The River ( Le Colline Sono In Fiore )
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_X74RolsIPI
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