My pub juke box
Derek Andrew,
managing director of Marston's Inns and Taverns, chooses his favourite tracks.
Every song represents a moment in time, a person, or an event, etched on my memory forever...
So I've dusted off my loon pants, cheesecloth shirt and RAF greatcoat, and here we go. Enjoy! Or hear 'em and weep, because it might yet rain until September — after all, it did last year! And yes, I do have change for a fiver so that you can feed the machine!
First record I ever bought
HELP
The Beatles
They were the star turn on Sunday Night at the London Palladium, sandwiched between Bruce Forsyth's Beat the Clock and the rotating Tiller Girls — and yes, they came back next week!
1. THE FEVER
Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes
The greatest Springsteen song ever not to be recorded commercially by the Boss. This song has everything — heartfelt lyrics, rhythm, sax break, crescendo, the full Monty of R&B with swooping doo-wop-style backing vocals.
2. HANGING AROUND
The Stranglers
Unique band, unique sound. From the magnum opus that was Rattus Norvegicus, a blistering landmark album and the start of the real three-album purple patch for the Godfathers of punk.
3. MOONAGE DAYDREAM
David Bowie
For me, Ziggy and Aladdin Sane were always the best manifestations of the Thin White Duke. Lord knows what it's about. Who cares? Listen and dream. Quintessential '70s anthem from a ground-breaking album.
4. BIG MUSIC
The Waterboys
Mike Scott and the boys discovered their sound for the '80s, I guess, in much the same way as Glen Miller sought his unique sound in the '40s. Epic song, and the title says it all — an aural assault of the highest pedigree, with a stunning Gaelic lilt.
5. STAYIN' ALIVE
Bee Gees
Some of the greatest songsmiths of our time, and always guaranteed to fill the dancefloor. Parodied and remixed, but never equalled. That Travolta swagger is the killer teen-walk of all time. I will have this played at my funeral — either that, or Return to Sender!
6. MOONDANCE
Van Morrison
The greatest song Sinatra never recorded. Timeless swing that many a crooner would have died for. Van is the man, and this track was his zenith. Resistance is futile... click those fingers and shake that arm.
7. LIKE A HURRICANE
Neil Young
The master of the grungy chord- change at his rampaging best. A nine-minute tour de force that takes you on a sonic rollercoaster. A stadium classic of irresistible quality.
8. LADYTRON
Roxy Music
A defining debut on the Old
Grey Whistle Test — a pastiche of '50s-style kitsch, blended with lyrical and technological mastery. Annoyingly classified as glam-rockers, these boys created a five-album run of astounding evolutionary progress. True Roxy fans will recognise the code to all pleasure is CPL593H.
9. WHAT'S GOING ON?
Marvin Gaye
A question I often ask myself! There had to be a Motown song in here — and one of such magnificence that it transcends the genre. Tackled by many, but never bettered. A lost jewel, is our Mr Gaye. This one just beat Philadelphia's Back Stabbers by the O'Jays onto the list.
10. IT'S TOO LATE
Carole King
Can't leave a Goffin/King number out. From the iconic Tapestry album comes a song of compelling beauty and meter, tinged with the sadness of a failing relationship.
