22 March 1996 I haven't found any independent source online to substantiate the widely-stated claim that the BBC banned Richie Kavanagh's 'Aon Focal Eile'. The sole basis for it seems to be a 1997 RTÉ interview in which Richie suggests a London radio producer told him this. What we can be sure of is that … Continue reading Richie Kavanagh – ‘Aon Focal Eile’
Gilbert O’Sullivan – ‘Clair’
26 October 1972 Others abide Operation Yewtree's questioning; Gilbert is free. Even with lines like "to me you're more than a child" and "in spite of our age difference" there's no implication of anything untoward in 'Clair'. We know that this is simply the Gilbertian muse in action: take an idea whimsically, run with it … Continue reading Gilbert O’Sullivan – ‘Clair’
Ariana Grande – ‘No Tears Left To Cry’
27 April 2018 This was the first new music released by Ariana Grande after the bomb attack outside her concert in Manchester on 22 May 2017. Twenty-two people were killed by the attack and over a thousand others were injured. The up-tempo electro-pop of 'No Tears Left To Cry' aims to be defiant and resolute … Continue reading Ariana Grande – ‘No Tears Left To Cry’
Calvin Harris and Dua Lipa – ‘One Kiss’
13 April 2018 It doesn't say much for the star quality of Dua Lipa or Calvin Harris that 'One Kiss' puts me in mind of early-'00s randomer Euro-dance hits like Rui Da Silva's 'Touch Me'. Dua's chorus vocal hook is strong, and Harris's instrumental hook soon after is stronger still, but we used to have … Continue reading Calvin Harris and Dua Lipa – ‘One Kiss’
David Cassidy – ‘How Can I Be Sure’
19 October 1972 Every generation has its male pop teen-idols and pin-ups. Since the '90s, they've tended to originate in variety packs of four or five, known to science as boybands, so that you can choose your preferred dreamboat from the cheeky one, the cute one, the tough one, the talented one, or—let's not kink-shame—the … Continue reading David Cassidy – ‘How Can I Be Sure’
Drake – ‘God’s Plan’
2 February 2018 Maybe the provocative video for 'God's Plan' was acknowledgement that the track was especially bland and needed an add-on to grab attention. The synth riff and trap beat are nice but slight. Drake's rap, though, is a contrail of nothingness, a swatch of beige and off-white shades you could paint your kitchen … Continue reading Drake – ‘God’s Plan’
T. Rex – ‘Children Of The Revolution’
5 October 1972 The crop is getting noticeably thinner; 'Children Of The Revolution' doesn't have a bridge or a third verse, and at barely two-and-a-half minutes it's half the length of 'Hot Love' and two minutes shorter than 'Get It On'. Also thinning off here is the market demand; 'Children Of The Revolution' didn't get … Continue reading T. Rex – ‘Children Of The Revolution’
Dua Lipa – ‘IDGAF’
26 January 2018 I feel defeated. 'IDGAF' must be one of the dullest tracks ever to top the charts. From its lack of a tune to its lack of a hook, the whole thing is resolutely dour and flat. The pitch is Dua Lipa serving up attitude, but her cursive monotone is a subdued mumble … Continue reading Dua Lipa – ‘IDGAF’
Slade – ‘Mama Weer All Crazee Now’
21 September 1972 If Slade are the Oasis of glam, then with 'Mama Weer All Crazee Now' they seem to be getting their Be Here Now era in early. The substance of choice here, as per the lyrics, may be whiskey, but this tired and tiring trudge is redolent of the most coked-up of rock … Continue reading Slade – ‘Mama Weer All Crazee Now’
Ed Sheeran – ‘Perfect’
8 December 2017 When all 16 tracks from Ed Sheeran's Divide album swamped the top twenty in the UK and in Ireland in March 2017, they had to change the rules. However, Ed wasn't done with breaking the charts that year, no sirree. 'Perfect' had been around for a while - after all, it was … Continue reading Ed Sheeran – ‘Perfect’
Dermot Henry – ‘The Gypsy’
7 September 1972 There are a few factoids and minutiae to get out of the way first. This is the second chart-topping single for Sligo folk-showband balladeer Dermot Henry, after 1970's rich-people-have-feelings-too sobfest 'If Those Lips Could Only Speak'. We won't see such Sligo dominance of our number one spot again until the advent of … Continue reading Dermot Henry – ‘The Gypsy’
