When we reflect on the past, our mind tends to dwell on the highlights. The mountain peaks peeping through the clouds. I do it, we all do it, it’s human nature.
So, 1979 was a great year for music, for example, in my opinion, a view probably shared by a fair number of people who listen to this podcast. So was 1978 and 1980. But 1979 also had Lena Martell’s ‘One day at a time’ as a Number One in the UK, as was ‘When you’re in love with a beautiful woman’ by Dr Hook. The year finished with ‘YMCA’ in top position.
The past is rarely what it was cracked up to be.
And so, to the present. I could easily have run a Top 100 for the year, so much good music is being pumped out. But before I started doing this podcast and before Spotify made navigating new music much easier (for all of its drawbacks, some real, some imaginary), I would not have put in the hard yards to find it. There are, after all, only so many hours in the day.
So, I sympathise with people around my age who hanker after the past. We all do that. But if you know someone who is in danger of becoming an “In my day” merchant, why not send them a link to this podcast and the two coming up.
A special mention to Katie Bejsiuk at #38 and let us not forget the continuing war in Ukraine and in other parts of the world where citizens suffer the tragedies of conflict.
Tracklist:
40. Speeding 72, Momma
39. Born 100 times, Empath
38. Mother’s records, Katie Bejsiuk
37. That I won’t do, fanclubwallet
36. The right reasons, Carla Geneve
35. Reset my password, Public Body
34. Welcome to hell, Black Midi
33. The Bay of Fundy, The Unthanks
32. Ploys, Working Men’s Club
31. Meal deal, Panic Shack
30. Expert in a dying field, The Beths
29. Just stay in bed, Nina Nastassia
28. Rogation Sunday’s here again, Half Man Half Biscuit