All I want for Christmas is... Tunes

Don't you think I've done well with these alphabetical blog posts? We're coming to the end now, and I wanted to include a post about music as it's something that gets me through the hardest times, and we all know 2016 has been A Very Hard Time in general. So when Get To The Front got in touch with me, the timing couldn't have been more spot on. They're a fab little independent online music magazine, jam packed with gig listings as well as news, reviews and interviews.

Onto that little rhyme there? Poetry is kinda my jam, and the guys at Get To The Front picked up on this - they wanted me to write a post for you guys about my favourite lyrics, because poetry and lyrics go hand in hand a lot of the time. So here's my top 5 'lyrics' if that makes sense - the ones that mean the most to me, resonate a lot and generally fill my little heart with love and joy.

"We are bound for an unknown destination, the stars above offer no consolation" this is from Calm And Crystal Clear by Neil Murray, which is a fab original but I first heard it when Missy Higgins covered it on her album 'Oz'. Anyway, I love this line because it's true, we are bound for an unknown destination (because who knows what happens when we die) - but mostly because the second part is so clever. Consolation, constellation, geddit? This line really always just makes me smile.

"I like her 'cause she's strong, headsmart and independent" this is from A Part of Me by Neck Deep, who are one of my favourite bands of 2016, and I just think this line is so lovely - it makes me think of Sam, because all of those things are true and they are a big part of why I love her.

"If you please and if you don't please, that makes perfect nonsense to me" Pete Doherty is a lyrical, poetic and musical genius; this line is from New Love Grows On Trees (his solo Grace/Wastelands album) and I adore it. I used to listen to this song on the daily, and I love the abstract nature of it. One form of poetry I love writing is absurdism - although it took me a while to get my head 'round it - and I think this line/song in general definitely plays a part in that.

"It's too late to make to make it right, probably wouldn't if I could" it's not so much this specific line, but the sentiment behind it - this is from Not Ready To Make Nice by the Dixie Chicks, which is essentially a "fuck you George Bush" song. Enough said, really.

"Dint ya see she were gorgeous, she was beyond belief but this guy at the side drinking a Smirnoff Ice came and paid for her Tropical Reef" honestly I struggled to pick just one bit of Red Light Indicates Doors Are Secured by Arctic Monkeys, because it is such a jam. If you've ever been on a night on you can relate to it, and I love how their hometown shines through. I didn't know what photo to out with this so here's me @ Leeds Fest when I saw Arctic Monkeys lol.

I could have picked so many lyrics and songs for this, but these are some songwriters that really inspire both me and my poetry (here's a poem and here's another poem). Tell me some of your favourites!!

This post was written in collaboration with Get To The Front, but all words/thoughts are my own. Please see my disclaimer for more information!