A Thursday on 29 February rarely happens, so let’s not skip it: Songs about jumps, leaps, bounds, hurdles, vaults of all kinds, literal and metaphorical, no t random occurrence of a related words, but where the leap in question is central to to the song's theme. Get inspired by many varied contexts and guests in the Bar …
Read moreComposed: songs about coolness
From Arican itutu to European sprezzatura, American jazz and poetry to hip hop, and a lot more besides, how do you define coolness, whether in lyrics, or expressed in the music itself? It’s time to compose yourselves with some cultural inspiration …
Read moreGut instinct: songs about the stomach and digestive system
It’s our second ‘brain’ a part of the body that rules us more than we think. Whether in literal or metaphorical lyrics, it’s time to pull in or push out, in the form of song suggestions. Inspired by gut feelings, intestines, belly buttons and cultural and scientific inspiration here …
Read moreSpinal tap? Get back: songs about the vertebral column and neck
Human or animal, literal or metaphorical, spines slender, broad, sexy, defined, fat, muscular, hairy, strong, weak, in pain, broken, bent, tough, rough, rippling or tingling, in any context, it’s time to put our backs into this song subject
Read moreBack to black: songs about suicide
It’s an important, topical theme, and has fuelled many songs, but has addressing it also saved lives? This week, from reasons to method, even with some dark humour, through music and more, we examine at this very serious issue
Read moreTweet, trill and warble: music that mentions, mimics or samples birdsong
Spring has finally sprung, and to celebrate, let’s look at, from science to poetry, how the most natural and winged songwriters have inspired humans to make reference to their work in their own through music or lyrics
Read moreDon't fret about the riff: it's songs about guitars
Thrum! This week let's pluck out out songs that mention guitars in lyrics or title, whether electric, acoustic or bass, and what role or meaning they have – companion, inspiration, religion, weapon, language or more
Read moreAny requests? Songs about asking, begging or pleading
Gentle query to formal demand, subtle hint to outright down-on-your-knees supplication, let's ask questions about songs that include the expression of wanting something or someone
Read moreHurt so good: songs about channelling mental and physical pain
Hurt can be the source of most songs, but this week we look at the when pain can be positive, and suggest songs that take the upbeat, or even pleasurable view of pain in the mind and body
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