As Christmas and the end of the year approaches the reflections on the year begin.

One I look forward to is Spotify’s, “Your Top Songs”, and it arrived in the Spotify App in the last few days.  Over the next couple of posts, I will run through the list.

First up is what I regard as my all time favourite song – Born to Run.  It is the title track of the album I have no hesitation in saying is my favourite album of all time.  The album version was the one featured in my most listened too, although it could just as easily have been one of the many other versions I have from Springsteen’s concerts which now are thankfully able to be downloaded. From the opening wall of sound to the end this song has it all. My most vivid memory of the song isn’t seeing it performed live but a morning recess in Year 12, when the teacher who introduced me to Bruce put the song on in the Music Centre. He had it absolutely pumping out through the school HiFi. Forty plus years on having it pumping out is the only way to listen to Born to Run.

Second and a complete change of pace are The Carpenters, We’ve Only Just Begun. Certainly a contrast from the first song on my list but still a song I don’t tire of.

Next is by Australian, music icon Brian Cadd, Ginger Man.  I’ve loved Brian Cadd from his days in Axiom and Arkansas Grass. Ginger Man is a song of its era, about times past, when we posted letters and travelling from Australia to the other side of the world, in this case, the USA was an epic journey.  The references to his  Dad and brother mythical or otherwise, are so real, I feel I am eavesdropping on a very personal letter back home. Brian Cadd a songwriter of extraordinary talent and a characteristic voice released Ginger Man in 1972, a golden period of Australian music. I have seen Brian Cadd live many, many times from the very first concert I ever went to in 1972 through to a couple of years ago when he toured with a fellow Axiom member and former lead singer of Little River Band, Glenn Shorrock.  He is a storyteller and Ginger Man is one of his best.

From Brian Cadd, the playlist moves to a 1969 song that I have written about before, Marmalade’s, Reflections of my Life.  My post of 2013 talks of how I had viewed the song across two distinct eras.

There was by now a very familiar theme to my 2018 songs, they like me are all old! Bread’s Everything I Own was next.  David Gates voice, jangling guitar and simple drum beat make this such a regular in my playlists.

Neil Dimond, yes another oldie, Cracklin’ Rosie followed. Hot August Night was on its release regarded as one of the great live albums, I still think it is. Neil Diamond’s version of Cracklin’ Rosie is one that truly captures the energy that makes Neil Diamond’s live performances of the 70s must-sees. His concert at Adelaide’s Football Park was a night to remember, one I shared with my parents. The version on my playlist was the single version, with extra production that gives it a wonderful richness. It’s easy to understand why it was on this list as I regularly hit the repeat as it ends.

A complete change pace followed Cracklin Rosie,  Gene Kelly’s Singin in the Rain,  from the soundtrack of A Clockwork Orange. There are just those times when this upbeat all-time classic fits the bill.

Joe South’s Games People Play was next. It was a surprise to me why it was in my regulars. It’s a nice song, and I enjoy it but it’s one of hundred’s I enjoy hearing from time to time. The lyrics are interesting if you take the time to listen.

Next, Carly Simon’s Your So Vain, a song about which so much has been written over the years since its release. I’ve loved Carly since the early 70s. No Secrets is a really enjoyable listen as is pretty much all of Carly Simon’s music. This or any one of many of Carly Simon’s songs could easily have appeared in my top 100 as she has provided many hours of listening in 2018.

Rotterdam (or anywhere), a song not from the 60s or 70s, rounded out the Top 10. The Beautiful South was a band I had never heard of until they appeared on a Release Radar with “Don’t Marry Her” and the line after which stopped me with a jolt. Take a listen if you aren’t easily shocked! The Beautiful South never seem to have made any sort of a dent in the Australian market, more is the pity. There is an edgy risqué element to the lyrics of The Beautiful South.  I am sorry I found this band so late, but it is pleasing to see that Dave Heaton and Jacqui Abbott are touring and recording. Perhaps they will tour the Antipodes sometime soon?

Back to 1970 for the next on the list. A song that it is very much a reflection of its era The Hollies, Too Young to be Married. It’s always strung a cord with me as we were supposedly also too young to be married, but the best part of 39 years on it seems to have worked out!

Again delving back, one of my school time favs – Lindesfarne’s Lady Eleanor. It’s haunting and magical. Last year on our trip to the UK we visited the Holy Island of Lindisfarne and I found myself imaging the Lady Eleanor floating across the field in front of me.

The Beach Boy’s classic Good Vibrations was 13th. It’s a classic from one of the great concept albums of the 60s and for that matter ever.  Good Vibrations appearance also continued to confirm that my 2018 music listening had been stuck in a time warp, something confirmed by numbers 13, 14 and 15.

More Brian Cadd at 13, Show Me the Way, He’s such a great storyteller.

Harry Nilsson’s Without You, from Everybody’s Talkin’, an album that I think my parents purchased was 14th.

And embarrassingly, my top 15 is rounded out by Tommy Roe’s Dizzy. I remember buying this single when it came out.

A Top 15, which shows I’m stuck in the past. I could roll out reasons why today’s music just doesn’t cut it, but I think I will go with the fact that by and large music for me is connected to events and for each of the songs in my Top 15 of 2018 there is a story, either about the artist or the song that resonates with me.