Rach's Musical Brain - w/c 14th June 2021

I know it's been a month since I posted the last one of these, but to say things have been a bit hectic is an understatement. It's been busy at work, which has been really fun despite some late finishes, and I'm proud of myself for keeping my head high, helping out with everything I could. Assignment for module 2 is also due soon, so I've been focussing on that quite a bit, as well as starting on a new book. Yes, another one.

These songs have been cued up for a while, and even though I've cleansed the list a little bit - because I've been listening to more classical stuff lately - these next ones couldn't be deleted. These ones are always ones I listen to, and never fail to get me in a good mood when I'm feeling a little blue. Some throwbacks, some favourites, some soft ones. All fab!

And ones I absolutely never skip.

So without further ado, because the songs can speak for themselves, I give you this week's tunes! You can find them here

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NUMBER 10.

Walks Like Rihanna - The Wanted

I miss boy bands. I'm just going to come right out and say it. I love a good boy band, and The Wanted really were a good boy band. I loved all of their songs but by far this one was / is my favourite. This song came out in the 2013 album, and I still remember every word. Also Jay McGuinness is beautiful (far left).

NUMBER 9.

Warriors - Imagine Dragons

I first came across Imagine Dragons when I saw The Host (which I think came out in 2014) with their hit tune Radioactive, and now they're my favourites. This one featured in the trailer for Insurgent (a very disappointing movie for those of you who read the books) and I think it just works really for the theme of the film.

NUMBER 8.

Thnks fr the Mmrs - Fall Out Boy

I don't why I love this video so much, but I do. And I miss Fall Out Boy. Who else misses Fall Out Boy? This one is from 2007 so little teenage me would have been blasting this out on CD probably... or was it just iTunes back then. I like FOB's new stuff, I really do, but nothing beats the old stuff does... let's be honest.

NUMBER 7.

Dear God - Lawless

Now this song is literally so random. I found it when I was watching a fan-made trailer for Outlander's second season, which is probably my favourite season. Probably why it stuck with me. I've got a little bit behind with watching it - I haven't watched much past the middle of season 4 - but I need to do better. A friend is re-watching it so it's inspiring me to watch more... :D I love this song though. It's lovely to sing to. It builds and the voice is beautiful. Sydney Weaver's voice is truly something to behold.

NUMBER 6.

When You Say Nothing At All - Ronan Keating

Firstly, who doesn't love Ronan Keating. And secondly, who can't love Ronan Keating when it's paired with the immortal love of William Thacker and Anna Scott? Certainly not me. And certainly not us Pennicott in general. We're a sucker for Notting Hill, and we will both put our hands up for admitting we've watched it a lot in Lockdown. But hey, it's a great movie. Surreal, but great. (Those of you who have watched it will get that reference :p). But I love Ronan's style of singing... I used to listen to Boyzone quite a bit as a kid. Perhaps they'll make it onto a future one of these...

NUMBER 5.

I Lived Here - Martin Phipps

I found this song by accident. It was in a Daily Mix, just on shuffle, and it drew my attention because the tune here and the tune in Persuasion (starring Rupert Penry-Jones) are the same. Literally the same, so I was intrigued. But this is such a beautiful movie. It's heart-wrenching at times, but it really is a beautiful movie and I encourage all to watch it. And the soundtrack is truly beautiful too. The piano, which builds with the strings... always building. Beautiful.

NUMBER 4.

The Lady in the Lake - Daniel Pemberton

This scene is awesome, in fact it's probably my favourite from the film, apart from the big snake bit. But anyway. It's after Arthur returns back from an unsuccessful mission, all ready to give up the cause and just live life as an exile. He throws his sword into the lake and runs through the forest, landing in a puddle. When he pulls his hand out, his hand is attached to another and he's pulled forward into the water... by what is supposed to be Nimueh. In Arthurian legend remakes, Nimueh is often left out, so I was quite excited that Guy Ritchie included her but didn't necessarily tell you who it is (the viewer just has to infer) so any Arthurian legend nerd (I'm not a big nerd but you can thank Merlin for the fact I know more than most!) could infer it. Anyway, Nimueh shows Arthur what would happen if he renounced the sword and let Vortigern win... and when he re-emerges from the puddle, the sword is back in his hand. It's a pretty cool way of doing it. If you want to see the full scene, either watch the film (another recommendation) or watch this wee snippet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFVSvk6vMIA

NUMBER 3.

You Dance - Eastmountainsouth

I first heard this one in One Tree Hill, and what a show it was. Like The OC, One Tree Hill was that show that all teenagers in my age bracket (2 years either side) watched, and they LOVED it. This song is in season 1, when everyone is still babies (well, not babies, but the story was still quite new) and the characters all go to a burning boat festival, all burning something that they want to leave behind. I keep telling myself I need to a One Tree Hill rewatch, but seeing as we have Grey's on the go at the moment and I am studying, another TV show is a bit much. I have the DVDs... One Tree Hill isn't going anywhere. Whenever I hear this song though, I think of One Tree Hill, and it makes me smile.

NUMBER 2.

Goodbye - John Paesano

If there ever was a scene that you would never expect to hit you straight in the feels, especially when you watch the film rather than just listen to the soundtrack, the emotions just come out of nowhere. I mean the track is called 'Goodbye', but it's Newt's goodbye to Thomas... it's his best friend saying goodbye, telling him that he's been the best thing that's ever happened to him, and that he would have followed him anywhere if he could. Jeez, I'm getting emotional just writing this haha. Spoiler alert, everyone has made it to the Safe Haven, but Vince asks all of those who did make to remember those that didn't in their own way, just showing how much everyone has sacrificed along the way. But my favourite part is at 4m42s, it's soft piano, and it's when Thomas is remembering Teresa... remembering Newt, Frypan and all those people he lost. It's quite powerful if you watch the scene. Newt's letter gets me though. Every bloody time.

NUMBER 1.

Nightfall / Love Theme - Jon Hopkins

This is probably one of the weirdest but most beautiful books I have ever read, and when I saw the film, aw it was even better than I ever expected. Set in dystopian England, well not really dystopian actually, Daisy (left) goes to stay with her Aunt and her cousins, where she falls in love with Eddie (right). She comes to England angry and pissed off with the world, but falls in love with Eddie, who can speak to nature, is at one with the world, and she learns what passion and love is, and she finds herself changing for the better. The chemistry between Saoirse Ronan and George MacKay in this film is amazing, so it didn't surprise me when I found out they were dating afterwards. I've played Jon Hopkins before on these playlists, who's M.O. is always piano with accompanying strings, and I could quite easily listen to this soundtrack on repeat all day. And I love this quote too... "It's like I said all that time ago, if the world doesn't end I want be here at home, with you. And that's how I live now." Another recommendation is this film, 'How I Live Now'. It's a bit strange, but if you stick with it, it really is quite good.

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Wow this has taken a long time to do. Over 7 weeks... I'm not even joking when I say it's been ridonculous around my life at the moment. But hey, I finally got there... and I didn't give up. And I feel like these tracks are worth the wait!

As ever, the playlist can be found on my Spotify here and if you want to listen to any of the older tracks from previous lists, you can find them here.

Now I won't make a promise to have these out next in a couple of weeks, because I know there are a very busy couple of weeks ahead, including my assignment being finished and handed in, so I'll see you in July when I'm on holiday, and I can actually do some writing without feeling guilty that I should be working!

In the meantime, enjoy!