Last Friday (the Good one), with a €50 voucher redeemable at any Golden Discs store on offer, I asked you for your favourite songs relating to sports?
You wrote in in your dozens.
But there could be only one winner.
Third Place:
Hey You Bastards I’m Still Here by Mark Kozelek & Desertshore
Fergalito writes:
“Adore this tune which mentions boxing so still counts…I listened to about five times a day for a solid week when I first heard it.”
Runner-up:
When an Old Cricketer Leaves the Crease by Roy Harper
Stephen Moran writes:
“Growing up in the ’80s and being a fan of the sound of leather on willow was akin to the love that dare not speak its name; but the sight of Marshall, Ambrose and Viv Richards (the master blaster) and Co. routinely thrashing the Sassenachs by an innings to the sound of conch shells at The Oval was worth “spending warm summers days indoors” …
“So in honour of the boys of summer, I nominate a song as beautiful and as evocative as any in the English language.”
Winner:
Long Shot Kick De Bucket by The Pioneers
F_lawless writes:
“Relating the sudden and dramatic demise of noted racehorse Long Shot at a race held at Kingston’s famed Caymanas Park, ‘Long Shot Kick The Bucket’ became one of Trojan Records’ earliest UK chart hits, with the record peaking at No.21 in the Official UK Singles Chart in 1969.”
To ease you through the Easter weekend, why not another music competition?
A reader wrote in with the following suggestion:
“I’m suggesting songs relating to sports/with a sport reference? It’d have to be very broad and encompass every sport from riding a bike/horse – cars/tractor – running/walking – skydiving/deep sea diving/sailing – table-tennis/tiddlywinks – GAA/rugby/soccer etc… You get the drift.”
On Saint Patrick’s Day, with a patriotic €50 Golden Discs voucher on offer, I asked for your favourite Irish song (either as Gaeilge or in English) sung by any artist from Ireland or abroad.
“From the 1991 album Loveless. Came to this album late and couldn’t believe it was an Irish band. Kevin Shields is a genius, essentially pioneered the shoegaze sub-genre.
“For me this song evokes so many feelings that change throughout. I get a mix of anxiety, sadness and utter bliss, due almost entirely to the music and arrangements. Turned up much later on the Lost in Translation (2003) soundtrack. Suited that movie perfectly & the band were introduced to a new generation. Timeless masterpiece.”
Runner-up:
Beautiful Affair by Stockton’s Wing
Clampers Outside writes:
‘Walking around, be part of the sound,
Forget all your downs.
Feel the air.
Beautiful affair’
“An iconic, utterly timeless song not only of the trad-folk genre but of the whole catalogue of Irish music, I believe.
“Released in 1982, I was only 11, I remember the radio play it received, which was plenty. But it wasn’t until my early 20s did I appreciate the beauty of it.
“The lyrical poetry, particularly the chorus – my favourite lines are are above – opening the song with a gently sung chorus of male voices sans music accompaniment helps create a feeling of mysticism and magic.
“There is a near expectation of melancholy to the sound. The music comes in, layering a fullness to the seemless chorus and lead singer interplay. That expectation of melancholy tenderly lost now by a positivity in the lyrics that you can “feel (in) the air” around you. That mystic.
“But it’s not over there… another light hit confirming that upbeat feeling comes in on the delightful dancing sound of the tin whistle.
“By now, I’m usually smiling and feeling light on my feet, ready to take on another two hits of the beautiful chorus… and when it’s all over, hit ‘play’ again.
“Once is never enough, sure it’s pure magic.”
Winner:
The Foggy Dew by Sinéad O’Connor and The Chieftains
Niall writes:
“Practically anything sung by the national treasure that is Sinéad O’ Connor.
“I’ve never heard a voice as powerful as hers. The passion, energy and emotion she puts into singing is like nothing else I’ve heard.”
Friends In Time by The Golden Horde (ft Larry Gogan)
Andy Pipkin writes:
“When I discussed this competition with herself and I told her I was going too dedicate a song to the first love of my life which is, music (and live music) let’s just say it didn’t go down so well!
“So I thought I better do the right thing and dedicate my choice to my best friend, my soul mate, my beautiful angel and hopefully soon to be Mrs Pipkin!
“Unbelievably she’s not really into music but this has been our song since I first introduced her to it.”
Last week, with a sparkling €25 Golden Discs voucher on offer, I asked you to name the song you sing while Hoovering.
You answered in your dozens, providing a dust-beating playlist of domestic chore-easing choonage.
But there could be only one winner.
Third Place:
Flawless – George Michael
Bertie Blenkinsop writes:
The perfect song for those of us who only dance from the knees up (and are partial to a double hand clap)…
Runner-up:
Fluke – Tosh
Clampers Outside writes:
I used to do most of my hoovering and cleaning after a big night out as I always found it a good way to get up and work off the previous nights excesses. The single came with 4 mixes – GOSH, MOSH, COSH & POSH – with the first, GOSH, being my preferred as it’s a faster track with a fuller sound that feels really lush, but yet it won’t grate on that sore head, but instead, carry you away to the night before as you run that sucker over the floors :) No better tune to lift the spirits while working off the excesses of the night before while doing the mundane of the morning after :)
Winner:
Etta James – seven day fool.
Eamonn writes
Hoover your heart out, my hearties. No noise cancelling ‘phones on my head, so……. before or after hoovering, indeed, anytime anyday, Etta sounds good. Would you rather brush the dog or Hoover? it is one of life’s imponderables…
…we’ve had better starts to the new year than 2021 has so far given us. But chin up! We got this.
Taking inspiration from regular and much valued reader Janet, this week I want to know: What’s your favourite song to dance around the room to when you’re doing the hoovering?