Ambiguous, mysterious, sexy, full of charm but also harm, they're the objects of obsession, as it's often unclear what the balance of good-bad may be. Fictional or real, famous or personal, let's find songs inspired by them ...
Read moreJust count on this: songs with unusual time signatures
Hard to beat? Not necessarily. While most songs are in 4/4 time, and others in 3/4 waltz, there are many fascinating variants that push the boundaries, often in a catchy way. It’s not necessary here to name the numbers, just how it feels when you count …
Read morePlaylists: single-minded songs
It might mean concentration, determination, persistence, relentlessness, and even obsessive behaviour, but while that perhaps thinking of one thing, or one person, but this is a topic has gathered a broad range of music and ideas. Guest Sidecar Shiv reveals more in fabulous playlists picked from last week’s topic
Read moreConcentrate! Songs about single-mindedness
Concentration, drive, relentless purpose and pursuit are needed for certain levels of achievement, but how is it expressed in song lyrics? In finding love or 'the one", to work, to gain acclaim, achieve fame, or a particular goal? For inspiration here are examples in music, film, sport and more …
Read moreScandalous! It's songs about shame
Far bigger than embarrassment, shame can be private, deep-seated and complex, covering all sides of society, psychology, religious, private or public life, a many-sided identity that can be corrosive but also controlling, useful but also harmful. How does it show in song?
Read morePlaylists: songs about resilience
Love and marriage, fighting alcoholism, fearless drag queens, 400 years of black resilience, to being able to bend rather than be brittle and break – there’s something very strong going on here, thanks for playlists picked by guest magicman inspired by last week’s topic
Read moreBe here/there now: songs about the fear of missing out
FOMO? A social phenomenon term derived in the last 30 years of internet culture and social media, but fear of missing out is nothing new. From big events to looking for love, don’t miss out on this fun topic with songs related to it
Read morePlaylists: songs about breaking things
Breaking: it happens suddenly, slowly, in many forms, and places – hearts, minds, bodies, objects, houses, relationships. Guest guru Uncleben picks up the pieces from last week’s many suggestions and puts them together with cracking results
Read morePlaylists: songs about indifference
As independent and tough as the honey badger, these playlists rise above any concerns. They don’t care what anyone else thinks. How come? They are brilliantly compiled by guest AmyLee, picked from hundreds of nominations
Read moreCan you pull this off? Songs about underwear
Descriptive, metaphorical, sexy, suspenseful, comical, funny, sensible, functional, or filthy, it’s time to rummage though your musical unmentionables, big up the smalls, fill out those bras, slip on those slips, and disc jockey up your shorts …
Read moreTitular spectacular: songs with provocative, strange, or humorous titles
Tantalising, striking, quirky, perhaps violent or sexually strange, offbeat, bizarre combinations of words, numbers or symbols and more, awful, wonderful, suggest songs that cry out to be heard and live up to their title
Read morePlaylists: songs about misunderstanding
Etta Jones to Dr John, the Cure to Bob Dylan, if you were unclear about misunderstandings, then our guest writer Suzi straightens it out with perfect playlists inspired by last week's topic
Read morePlaylists: cover versions by the opposite sex
Amy to Beck, Bobby to Apple, this week's fabulous playlists by takeitawayGuru of versions by the other gender go much further than A to B, and show sometimes a cover can be Miles better
Read moreSo hard to do? Upbeat breakup songs
Is the heartbreak over? Perhaps, but this week it's time to name songs with a positive element, showing that, whether in lyrics or style, the sadness is shifting to gladness
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