Don’t listen to these playlists. They’re not really that good at all. Then again they might be. What do you reckon? Actually they could actually be brilliant, chosen by guest playlister megadom from a whole set of funny and moving suggestions …
Read moreTry putting this down: songs with self-deprecation
Humorous or serious? Self-defence mechanism, attention-seeking, of self-aggrandisement? This week’s lyric topic is richly nuanced, ironic, and covers a range of emotions, often fuelled by love and ambition, tempered by self-belittling
Read moreThe game is afoot: songs that quote Shakespeare
We fling open the doors of the Bar to the great Bard, and his incalculable influence on our language and thought patterns as shown in song lyrics, key words and phrases, perhaps also characters and narratives, knowingly, wittily, or unconsciously
Read moreTake a chanson me: songs about singing
It’s time to sing out suggestions on this lyrical, meta-topic – from the perspective of singer or listener, by humans, animals or birds, whether for love, warning, fear, joy or despair, or singing simply to exist, make others aware
Read morePlaylists: songs about hats and other accessories
Head to foot, wrist to chest, this week’s musical accessorising, picked by guest playlister Mnemosene2 from last week’s highly fashionable topic stylishly covers many parts and genres, including postpunk, calypso and jazz
Read morePlaylists: songs about gentleness
From the sensual to the sensitive, benign behaviour to the feel of a soft breeze, this week’s guest playlister Ravi takes a delicate, skilled touch to bring out gentleness all forms, physical and emotional, in beautiful selections
Read moreGently does it: songs about gentleness
Soothing words, a light touch; holding baby, stroking an animal; lifting a fragile glass a measured, restrained response to tense moments, rage or violence; the soft caress of a light breeze across the eyelids, let’s gently let it out in song
Read morePlaylists: songs that reference nursery rhymes
From Beautiful Pea Green Boat to Rockabye, they float up in a whole range song contexts and genres. Picking out perfect examples nominated in last week’s topic, guest playlister EnglishOutlaw takes us from innocence to experience
Read morePlaylists: songs about being stubborn and ignoring advice
An impressive collection of tough cookies feature in this week’s lineup of artists ready to take no nonsense from anybody, covering the full spectrum obstinacy, from soul to punk and beyond, picked by discerning ear of guest Maki
Read moreI'll do it my way: songs about being stubborn and ignoring advice
Stupid or inspired? Annoying obstinacy, obduracy, inflexibility and bullheadedness, or admirable persistence, pertinacity, tenacity and indomitability? It can go both ways, but how might it shape up in song lyrics?
Read morePlaylists: songs featuring alarm and alert sounds
Alarm clocks to church bells, foghorns to sirens, this week let’s sound the alert - two fantastic playlists featuring these sounds and more are on the musical horizon, picked by this week’s lighthouse keeper pejepeine
Read moreBeep, rattle and wail: songs featuring alarm and alert sounds
Sound effects or samples in songs that cover alerts and alarms and of all types are what could sound out this week’s creativity cacophony, from car and fire alarms to clocks and klaxons, and no doubt plenty of horns, bells or whistles
Read moreIncendiary notes: songs about deliberate fire starting
What happens when we do it on purpose? This week’s sparky topic might well be illuminating, fanning the flames of human life in all its creativity energy and destructive tragedy, from hearth to ritual, entertainment to war
Read morePlaylists: songs about nicknames and pseudonyms
There are many, and they might come from a reputation for sexual prowess, musical style, behaviour or appearance. Whatever the sobriquet, or the source, we can certainly name the result: two fantastic playlists from this week’s guest writer Uncleben
Read moreYou can call me Alias: songs about nicknames and pseudonyms
Nom de plume to nom de guerre, moniker, handle to sobriquet, this week let’s dig out songs that mention substitute names, from youth and the unknown to the famous, whether they come from affection, fear, pure description or hype
Read moreGet on up: songs about or inspiring motivation
New Year resolutions, revelations or revolutions? Whether it’s from or for love, money, survival, fear, self-respect or more, let’s open 2020 with songs that may motivate, but ideally also tell us where that comes from
Read morePost your favourite musical finds of 2019: heard, shared, live or purchased
To round off 2019, please share any music you’ve especially enjoyed or discovered this year, here at the Bar, or outside it, material new or old, releases your’ve bought, or any great experience at live music events
Read moreIt's got legs: songs about furniture
Rockin' chairs and recliners to tables and desks, sofas, wardrobes, amoires, beds, side tables to dining suites, lyrically as passing image, or as a main subject, let’s furnish this week’s song theme with some solid support
Read moreVote on what lies beneath: songs about trust
There’s a UK general election today, but here it’s also time to vote for songs about trust, that fragile but vital hub around which the world spins, in love, family, friendships, the self, creativity, religion, but also played in politics and business
Read morePlaylists: songs with great arrangements
It’s an artful arrangement in itself: classical to jazz, pop to prog, the parts unfold and come together beautifully in these playlists picked by this week’s guest magicman, drawn from hundreds of suggestions from last week’s topic
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