James Tansley

#Top31DavidBowie 25

Strangers When We Meet | 1995

My favourite David Bowie song of the 90s. Originally on the 1993 Buddha Of Suburbia soundtrack it later appeared in a different form on the 1.Outside album. It was finally released as a single in 1995.

youtu.be/4FQc4tbNjPA

#SimpleMindsTop30 24

“C” Moon Cry Like A Baby | 1984

My third and final choice from Sparkle In The Rain. My choices have all been the more reflective or melodic tracks from the album and although I know they wanted a big sound for the record, it’s these tracks I return to.

youtu.be/XBbC_cVsz68

Can’t even enjoy your temporary blip because United are so rubbish! 😂

I feel your pain. At least you are defending champions and in Europe though. I can only dream of those! 😂

It never leaves you does it Stephen. Nice to hear from you. I’m fine thanks, hope you’re okay?

Thanks Barry. They were great fun to take part in.

#OrchestralManoeuvres
Starts 1st February 2026.

Select your favourite string arrangements in songs. Solo, full orchestra, electric, synthetic or sampled. Singles, b-sides, album tracks, live versions and remixes can all be included.

Post one song per day throughout February, ranked or unranked.

I don’t think they ever bettered it Ricky, I mean how could they.

Not so difficult from 2005 onwards. Some great stuff released then.

In my experience bullies tend to overlook their behaviour because well, they’re bullies. And those who defend or belittle it, that’s a revealing window into their soul too. However if you’ve ever been on the receiving end of it, you never forget. Never.

#SimpleMindsTop30
Back in April 2023 I hosted two #SimpleMindsAnthology challenges on Twitter. If you aren’t aware of SM’s post 80s catalogue then Part 2 is worth checking out.

SM Anthology Part 1 ‘79-‘89
open.spotify.com/playlist/3lS...

SM Anthology Part 2 ‘91-‘22
open.spotify.com/playlist/26G...

Thank you @musiccountdownguy.bsky.social for all of the wonderful music challenges you’ve hosted over the past few years. I’ve always made year end mixtapes / playlists so the challenges have been a great way to revisit those and discover new gems. Thanks Barry. 👏

#1985AlbumsTop20 1

Hounds Of Love | Kate Bush

Side one has the hits but side two is just jaw-dropping. A fully immersive experience, an emotional rollercoaster that always demands attention. An artistic triumph, music to lose yourself in time and time again.

Hello Earth
youtu.be/U7QCtPZ3pTg

#Top31DavidBowie 26

Beauty And The Beast | 1977

The first of four tracks to feature from the mercurial “Heroes” album. As I’ve said before my selections are predominantly from ‘76-‘79, problem is there are just too many great tracks from that period to fit!

youtu.be/ZJNL8vVGlAM

#SimpleMindsTop30 25

Rockets | 2009

The lead single from Graffiti Soul was a real return to form. In terms of latter-day Simple Minds tracks, this is up with the best of them.

youtu.be/ccltYbkm-0o

Yes I saw them in Birmingham on that tour. It was a brilliant show. Wall to wall SM from 79-82, perfect!

I have the original on cd (it was on the X5 boxset) but I wish it was available elsewhere.

#1985AlbumsTop20 2

Steve McQueen | Prefab Sprout

If there’s a more melodic and beautiful side of music than side one of Steve McQueen then I’ve yet to hear it. Side two is pretty decent too and the strength of songwriting throughout is astonishing. A true masterpiece.

Bonny
youtu.be/VhwbiwR0VMk

#Top31DavidBowie 27

Panic In Detroit | 1973

Surprisingly this is my only selection from Aladdin Sane, just goes to show the quality of the competition. I think Ziggy had the better songs but AS benefits from a more beefed-up production. Which is evident on Panic In Detroit.

youtu.be/CM3fCUmSheY

#SimpleMindsTop30 26

New Warm Skin | 1980

I recently posted New Warm Skin in a B-Sides challenge. The flip-side of I Travel is prime Empires era Simple Minds. Easily good enough to fit on the album, I just wish it was more readily available for those who don’t know it.

youtu.be/LuHN4YfnFvI

No worries. It can be confusing when the singles are added on to deluxe editions and re-releases but if it wasn’t on an album at the time then that’s good enough as far as I’m concerned.

Thank you.

I think I know which one you mean but as long as it wasn’t on an original studio album then it counts.

And The Smiths too. Loads of options. 😁

I’ve already announced challenges for March and April too. Gives you plenty of thinking time. 😁

#StandaloneSingles Starts 1st February
Throughout February choose 28 of your favourite standalone singles. Post one per day, ranked or unranked. Lead tracks on EPs and singles tagged on to Best Of compilations can be selected, the main criteria is that they aren’t on an artist’s studio album.

#1985AlbumsTop20 3

Meat Is Murder | The Smiths

The Smiths second album has grown to be my favourite studio album of theirs over the years. Classic after classic, nine tracks of the highest quality both lyrically and musically. A deserved number one album too.

Well I Wonder
youtu.be/6psa1ptpGTc

#Top31DavidBowie 28

Time Will Crawl | 1987

Following on from yesterday’s choice is the second of my (80s) post Scary Monsters favourites. Time Will Crawl is a great (and criminally overlooked) Bowie track that perhaps should have been the lead single from the NLMD.

youtu.be/QTdA6MtroUY

#SimpleMindsTop30 27

East At Easter | 1984

My second of three choices from Sparkle In The Rain. I do have a somewhat troubled relationship with the album mainly because I was hoping for NGD part 2. But having said that, including 3 songs from it in my 30 isn’t bad going.

youtu.be/cKynoAVzQgo

You’re welcome. 😊