The votes are in.

Last week, with a Covid-busting Golden Discs voucher worth €25 on offer, I asked you to name your favourite use of a song in a film or TV series.

You answered in your tens.

And, owing to the sheer volume and quality of the entries, I am giving two vouchers to two joint winners for the first time.

Third Place:

In Dreams by Roy Orbison in Blue Velvet.

Andrew writes:

Dean Stockwell miming Roy Orbsion’s In Dreams I’ll never forget it. One of my favourite films.

Runner-up:

The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face by Roberta Flack in Play Misty For Me.

Otis Blue writes:

…Bonus points for being written by Kirsty McColl’s dad.

Joint winner:

Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want by The Dream Academy

Bertie Blenkinsop writes:

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off – Museum scene…

Joint Winner:

Tiny Dancer by Elton John in Almost Famous.

Millie in Quarantine writes:

Surely it has to be this. It makes me smile every time.

Thanks all.

Last week: Win Nick’s Voucher

Golden Discs

What a week!

In these “interesting” times, where would we be without music to offer an escape from the misery?

I’m inviting readers to post the song that instantly transports them to a happier place.

Here’s mine.

I’ve a glittering €25 Golden Discs voucher to offer to the winner, chosen by my pet goldfish.

Lines MUST close at  6.30am.

Please include video link if possible.

Nick says: Good luck!

Golden Discs

The votes are in.

Last week, with a boredom-busting €25 Golden Discs voucher to be won, I asked you to name your favourite music (song or album) to self-isolate to.

You answered in your tens.

But there could only be one winner.

Third place:

James Stephens – O the Brown and the Yellow Ale

Kingfisher writes:

James Stephens, the writer of The Crock of Gold, The Charwoman’s Daughter, The Insurrection in Dublin, and many poems, sings O the Brown and the Yellow Ale, a song about an old man whose young wife is enchanted away from him by a man from another world. Stephens was desolate after The Rising as a result of which one of his closest friends was executed. This song has a spooky and lonely feel that surely expresses his loss. Listen here.

Runner-up:

The Lonesome Touch by Martin Hayes & Dennis Cahill

Otis Blue writes:

Martin Hayes says it best…’The Lonesome Touch is a phrase used to describe a person’s music. It is the intangible aspect of music that is both elusive and essential. The word ‘Lonesome’ expresses a sadness, a blue note, a sour note. Even though the music bares the trace of struggle and of pain, it is also the means of uplift, transcendence, to joy and celebration’.

Winner:

Us And Only Us by The Charlatans

Clampers Outside writes:

One of the most underrated albums of rock/indie music there is. From the opening lush swirling sounds and vocals of ‘Forever’ you know you are in for a rhythmic ride. A ride that takes you with it with the most amazing ease through love songs ‘Impossible’ and ‘I Don’t Care Where You Live’ to tracks that’d put a stride on your strut like ‘A House Is Not A Home’ to my own bluesy favourite (if I have to pick just one) ‘Watching You’.It’s an album you can stick on from the start and let run to the end without ever jumping ahead.

Thanks all.

Last week: Win Nick’s Voucher

Golden Discs

James Stephens portrait: National Gallery of Ireland

La Feile Phadraig!

Last month, with a glittering €25 Golden Discs voucher at the end of the rainbow, I asked you to post your favourite song about Ireland by a non-Irish artist.

You answered in your tens

But there could only be one winner…

Galway To Graceland by Richard Thompson

Posted by ZeligIsJaded

Thanks all.

Without further ado, here is our Shamrockin’ St Patrick’s Day readers playlist. Enjoy!

Come Out Ye Black & Tans – Alan Partridge (Posted by Ghost of Yep)

The Galway Girl – Steve Earle (Cool_Hand_Lucan)

40 Shades Of Green – Johnny Cash (Paulus)

Give Ireland Back To The Irish – Paul McCartney & Wings (Scottser)

Belfast – Boney M (Bertie Theodore Alphege Blenkinsop)

Belfast – Orbital (Ben Madigan)

Mna Na hEireann – Kate Bush (Matt Pilates)

Bobby Sands – Meic Stevens (Stan)

Song For Ireland – Luke Kelly (written by Phil and June Colclough) (Posted by Joe cool)

Kathleen (Catholicism Made Easier) – Randy Newman (Gringo)

Clonakilty As Charged / On The Road To Tralee – Julian Cope (Otis Blue)

Danny Boy – The Leprechaun Brothers (Vanessa)

Cheese – The Irish Rodents (Vanessa)

The Luck Of The Irish – John Lennon (Jeremy Kyle)

Abigail, Belle Of Kilronan – The Magnetic Fields (Shosho)

The Magdalene Laundries – Joni Mitchell (Matt Pilates)

How To Disappear Completely – Radiohead (Smith)

Belfast To Boston – James Taylor (Shane B)

Les Lacs Du Connemara – Michel Sardou (f_lawless)

Kocham Cie Jak Irlandie (I Love You Like Ireland) – Kobranocka (Ben Madigan)

Danny Boy – Nana Mouskouri (f_lawless)

Dublin – Prefab Sprout (dylad)

The Fields Of Athenry – The Century Steel Band (Spaghetti Hoop)

Arthur McBride – Bob Dylan (CL)

Panic – The Smiths (Matt Pilates)

Sul-E-Stomp – Astralasia (Eamonn)

Iridium – The Sidh (Kolmo)

Note: YouTube have taken down Alan Partridge singing ‘Come Out You Black And Tans’ and there’s no video link on YouTube for Bob Dylan singing Arthur McBride.

Previously: Pot O’Golden Discs

What a week!

With the music scene grinding unceremoniously to an almost complete halt, I thought it might be an idea to ask you to share your favourite album to self-isolate to and why.

The winning entry will receive a life-affirming €25 Golden Discs voucher.

And will be chosen by my cat from a safe distance.

Lines MUST close at 9.30pm.

Include video of favourite track on album where possible.

Golden Discs