A new Vinyl Countdown for you as Kate Robertson picks their top 10 tracks. Some great selections from across multiple decades and genres – you may just find a new favourite of your own amidst this list… 

Beyoncé – Formation

I’m not even going to try and do justice to the importance of Formation in a couple of lines. Is it even fair to put it in a line up of songs? Production, anthem, celebration, movie, lament, rallying cry. Whatever you call it – I’m going to say it – best song and video of the 21stC? 

Bloc Party – Positive Tension

The whole Silent Alarm album deserves a mention. It’s Matt Tong’s drumming on Positive Tension that brings the magic for me. 

The Jezabels – Time to Dance

I find it hard to find a band comparable to the sound of The Jezabels. Hayley Mary’s vocals are a lot to do with that. I’ve picked Time to Dance because I think if it were possible to have a ‘favourite song’ ever this would be it. This countdown could have easily been made up of only their songs. 

Florence and the Machine– Hunger

I discovered this song during my lockdown walks. It reminds me of stomping aimlessly around the streets with it on repeat. I find it both sad but completely energising at the same time. 

VLURE – Euphoria

I love VLURE. Their music takes me to walking up a rainy Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow. They are the best of what the Glasgow music scene has to offer: honest, ruthless, funny, epic. 

Frightened Rabbit – My Backwards Walk

Another Scottish offering. The music and the lyrics layer up in a way that is almost so perfect it could be formulaic. But it’s not, because it’s Frightened Rabbit. In my opinion they are one of the best bands of all time.

The National – Pink Rabbits

‘I was a white girl in a crowd of white girls in the park’. The National’s lyrics are often why I keep coming back to their songs. And also I didn’t expect Rabbits to emerge as a theme in this list. 

Rilo Kiley – A Better Son/Daughter

I first heard this at the end of Hannah Gadsby’s Nanette. I think it is one of the most honest and relatable depictions of mental health struggles. It reminds me there’s light in the world when my brain forgets it.

Queen – Under Pressure

I was asked recently what band I would pick if I could only listen to one band for the rest of my life. I went for Queen, so they had to go on this list. How can you pick just one Queen song though? I went with Under Pressure but I’ll probably change my mind tomorrow. 

Meatloaf – I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That)

It’s the to and fro of the final few minutes with Lorraine Crosby that puts this firmly in my top 10.  It is also my highlight of my favourite club night – Ultimate Power (non stop power ballads!). Wailing along to this song with your mates and hundreds of others is ridiculously happy-inducing.

 

Kate has a long standing love of music, with a wide range of experience in the music industries of both Glasgow and Brighton. They also have a most excellent golden retriever, but no rabbits that we’re aware of.

You can listen to Kate’s playlist here. Get in touch if you’d like us to feature your Vinyl Countdown.

 

Published 16th January 2024