when you hit me, hit me hard....

Earworms of the Week

“Flower of Scotland”

Inevitable, really.  England are playing Scotland at Murrayfield in the first round of the Six Nations on Saturday, so it was probably only a matter of time before this awful dirge popped into my head.  That and the pipers I saw playing it on a preview show last night.  I'm not saying that "God Save the Queen" is any better as an anthem, but harping on and on about a solitary, pyrrhic victory that took place some 698 years ago seems a bit much.  The lyrics bang on about being a nation again, and it looks as though that might actually happen in the forseeable future.  A word of advice: choose a different anthem to represent yourselves to the world... something that better represents you as a nation....

"Donald Where's Your Troosers?" - Andy Stewart and the White Heather Group

....this perhaps?

“Video Games” – Lana del Rey

Yeah, yeah...so she's from a wealthy background and has clearly had a lot of help to get to her current stratospheric profile.... but I can't forget when I saw her performing on "Later....".  I didn't know a damn thing about her and was still captivated by this song and by her performance.  I haven't rushed out to buy the album, but this is a cracking song and it's still floating around my head.

“Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow” – Fleetwood Mac

Wasn't this used as a campaign theme by Bill Clinton or someone in their US Presidential campaign?  Maybe that's why it's popped into my head whilst watching footage of Newt Gingrich's stupid, fat face.  No other ideas.  The song I can live with.  Newt Gingrich's stupid, fat face I could easily manage without.

“Brown Sugar” – The Rolling Stones

Out of nowhere, the intro to this pops into my head.  I knew it was the Stones, but it still took me a few moments to place the song.... and then I dug my iPod out and gave them a listen.  They should have given up years ago, obviously, but when they're good....

"LA Woman" - The Doors

Jim Morrison was one of those charismatic, magnetic singers that just commands your attention.  Even though he died in 1971, the same year this song was released, you can still feel that power on record.

"People Help the People" - Cherry Ghost

I can take or leave some of his later stuff, but this record - and the album it comes from - are brilliant.  He's working on a pop record, apparently. I hope he gets his mojo back.  No cover by Birdy or anyone can be as good as this, surely?

"Milk" - Kings of Leon

"Salty knees, salty knees
 tell metheknaboothefreeyounooo,
and the alaskan night thaweeetasteytroon
salty bees, stay for tea"

Great lyrics.

“John Taylor's Month Away” / “Bats in the Attic” – King Creosote & Jon Hopkins

My new favourite album.  I can't get enough of these gentle songs about fishermen and bats and the like, all sung in a gentle Scottish lilt with some gorgeous instrumentation and subtle electronic noodling.  I missed this album last year, so I'm delighted to have discovered it now.  Really enjoyed the gig too.

"Many of Horror" - Biffy Clyro

I caught the end of their set at Glastonbury last year, but apart from "Mountains", I wasn't aware that I really knew anything by the band.  Watching a trailer for "The Descendants" a few weeks ago, though, I heard a song that I thought I recognised, but annoyingly couldn't place.  It was good.  I googled it, and it was this.  I gave up and downloaded "Only Revolutions".  It's a fantastic album.  I suppose it's possible that people who only know them from the singles might be a bit alarmed by just how ROCK they can be.... but luckily, my heavy metal past more than prepares me for that.  There are some daft lyrics on the album

"I pronounce it aluminium 'Cause there's an I next to the U and M
Now write it down slowly and read it out fast..."

hmm.

... but there's also some real poetry on here, especially in this song.  Just as I couldn't get enough of "Mountains" for several weeks, I really can't get enough of this song either.  It was an X-Factor cover, you say?  Oh, let's not go there.....

Anyway.  That's your lot.  Have a good weekend y'all....