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James Tansley @tansleyjames.bsky.social · 4h

#ArtistFaveNonAlbumSingles 14 Life In Tokyo | Japan | 1979 A gamechanger for Japan. Produced by Giorgio Moroder, Life In Tokyo was a massive leap in quality and change of direction for the band. Of course it wasn’t a hit (initially) but it should have been. youtu.be/O0x4XHdoQ9E

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James Tansley @tansleyjames.bsky.social · 18h

#ArtistFaveNonAlbumSingles 15 Experiment IV | Kate Bush | 1986 I’ve slightly tweaked my #StandaloneSingles list from earlier this year. First up is Experiment IV which just goes to prove that not all new songs tagged onto Best Of collections are filler. A great KB single. youtu.be/rpcUTWHlbvI

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James Tansley @tansleyjames.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

#MusicThroughYearsII 17 1999-2000 Caramel | Blur (1999) youtu.be/nDbRIMfUMBY Rise | Doves (2000) youtu.be/BqQusKkRocQ

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James Tansley @tansleyjames.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

#MusicThroughYearsII 16 1997-1998 Elektrobank | The Chemical Brothers (1997) youtu.be/L0dxByaPWhM Spark | Tori Amos (1998) youtu.be/yRNZbPcpAfY

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James Tansley @tansleyjames.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

#ArtistFaveNonSingles 1 The Chain | Fleetwood Mac | 1977 The Chain is the only track where all five members get a writing credit. When you reach perfection on your first attempt why attempt to replicate it. Thanks @olgalovesyuri.bsky.social and @geodrew.bsky.social youtu.be/xwTPvcPYaOo

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James Tansley @tansleyjames.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

#MusicThroughYearsII 15 1995-1996 Olympian | Gene (1995) youtu.be/jbh6jTI8tfE Tesko Suicide | Sneaker Pimps (1996) youtu.be/BpM5Wy4Xt3I

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James Tansley @tansleyjames.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

#OrchestralTunes 17 (Random Order) Closed For Business | Mansun | 1998 The lead track on the Seven ep, the standalone single and bridge between AOTGL and Six. Classic Mansun and then some. youtu.be/A-qS11sqyqY

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James Tansley @tansleyjames.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

#ArtistFaveNonSingles 2 Bonny | Prefab Sprout | 1985 Track two on Steve McQueen. For years I couldn’t decide between Bonny, Appetite and WLBD as to which track was my favourite. But over the years it’s become Bonny and as the other two were both singles, it’s my choice here. youtu.be/VhwbiwR0VMk

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James Tansley @tansleyjames.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

#MusicThroughYearsII 14 1993-1994 Two fantastic single from the early-mid nineties. Such a rich and varied time for music, post-grunge and pre the Britpop explosion. Lenny Valentino | The Auteurs (1993) youtu.be/0S-xxO11piA Closer | Nine Inch Nails (1994) youtu.be/9-5IIx4R6E8

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James Tansley @tansleyjames.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

#MusicThroughYearsII 13 1991-1992 When I was 19 and 20, these were played aplenty. As a 54 year old, they still are. The Girl With The Loneliest Eyes The House Of Love (1991) youtu.be/ozkQgf99mgQ Theme From M*A*S*H (Suicide Is Painless) Manic Street Preachers (1992) youtu.be/y11f8Oc25AI

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James Tansley @tansleyjames.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

#ArtistFaveNonSingles 3 Hello Earth | Kate Bush | 1985 The Ninth Wave… the problem is which song to choose? And Dream Of Sheep is always up there but I can never get past the remarkable Hello Earth. I still think it’s the greatest thing she’s ever recorded. youtu.be/U7QCtPZ3pTg

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James Tansley @tansleyjames.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

#OrchestralTunes 18 (Random Order) Pleasantly Disturbed | Simple Minds | 1979 Not only is Charlie Burchill a magnificent guitarist but he’s also a dab hand at the violin. Pleasantly Disturbed (Life In A Day’s centrepiece) perfectly showcases his skills. youtu.be/jIMpl9GEWGY

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James Tansley @tansleyjames.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Two seminal albums both released on 12th September. Empires And Dance by #SimpleMinds (1980) and Spirit Of Eden by #TalkTalk (1988). Two of my favourite albums of all time, worlds apart in style and sound but in terms of quality and artistry, both albums overflow with creative freedom.

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James Tansley @tansleyjames.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Just wish I’d known about the hashtag sooner. Always more than happy to post about #TheCure so long may it continue. 😊🎧💿

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James Tansley @tansleyjames.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

#OrchestralTunes 19 (Random Order) As One | Suede | 2018 Suede bringing opera to the masses (well to a small army of devoted fans but you get my point). youtu.be/GMi7dNxsBho

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James Tansley @tansleyjames.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

#ArtistFaveNonSingles 4 Well I Wonder | The Smiths | 1985 A song they never played live and I still can’t understand why. Wonderful vocals from Moz and Johnny’s guitars are beautiful. youtu.be/6psa1ptpGTc

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James Tansley @tansleyjames.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

#MusicThroughYearsII 12 1989-1990 Two of the finest opening and closing album track I’ve heard. I Wanna Be Adored | The Stone Roses (1989) youtu.be/aa10yl8mirk Frou-Frou Foxes In Midsummer Fires Cocteau Twins (1990) youtu.be/qgffvFM1J-Q

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James Tansley @tansleyjames.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

#TheCureFriday The Hanging Garden | 1982 The only single released from the 1982 masterpiece Pornography. It perfectly encapsulates the mood of the album and era, just a shame it’s hardly ever played live. youtu.be/yEH5jReEkSk

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James Tansley @tansleyjames.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

#ArtistFaveNonSingles 5 Disintegration | The Cure | 1989 Of course The Cure had to feature and of course it had to be an album track from Disintegration and of course it had to be the title track. This song is a big reason why Disintegration is my favourite album. youtu.be/__EVr7CF3Hw

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James Tansley @tansleyjames.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

#OrchestralTunes 20 (Random Order) Experiment IV (Extended Version) Kate Bush | 1986 Experiment IV just goes to prove that not all new songs tagged onto Best Of collections are disappointing. The extended version is the best version. youtu.be/rpcUTWHlbvI

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James Tansley @tansleyjames.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

#MusicThroughYearsII 11 1987-1988 Fabulously wordy stuff from Mr Cole (I can still reel this all off with no mistakes) and one of the 80s greatest singles from Ms Cherry. My Bag | Lloyd Cole & The Commotions (1987) youtu.be/hMdyuUk94Ao Buffalo Stance| Neneh Cherry (1988) youtu.be/JWsRz3TJDEY

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James Tansley @tansleyjames.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

#OrchestralTunes 21 (Random Order) What Is This Thing Called Love | Editors | 2013 Sure it’s no Munich or Papillon but I still like it. youtu.be/WD5QSholcGo

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James Tansley @tansleyjames.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

#ArtistFaveNonSingles 6 View From A Hill | The Chameleons | 1983 As far as closing tracks on albums go, there really aren’t many finer than this one. A song of two halves and a masterclass in melancholy and melody. youtu.be/v3nbk3Eqs5A

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James Tansley @tansleyjames.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

#MusicThroughYearsII 10 1985-1986 Two perfect examples of mid-80s excellence. The Word Girl | Scritti Politti (1985) youtu.be/MC51g1vOIHo Infected | The The (1986) youtu.be/A66CErNBrwA

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James Tansley @tansleyjames.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

So nice to see #DownsideUp the b-sides collection by Siouxsie And The Banshees is finally being reissued in November. I missed it the first time around on CD and of course got fed up waiting for it to be reissued again so I purchased it digitally last year. 🙄 Oh for a crystal ball. 💿

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James Tansley @tansleyjames.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

#ArtistFaveNonSingles 7 London, Can You Wait? | Gene | 1995 Pure class and quality from Gene. I don’t think they ever bettered it although they came very close on numerous occasions. youtu.be/GwWeGCQLLYk

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James Tansley @tansleyjames.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

#OrchestralTunes 22 (Random Order) Cold | The Cure | 1982 Most of the times The Cure use strings, they’re synthesised but there are a few exceptions where the real instruments are used, including the cello on this stunner. youtu.be/hdAAQqb1WgU

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James Tansley @tansleyjames.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

#MusicThroughYearsII 9 1983-1984 I was 11 and 12 when these two were released. Loved them both then. Love them both now. Let The Music Play | Shannon (1983) youtu.be/_-0sUuGufmw Since Yesterday Strawberry Switchblade (1984) youtu.be/S7ZNn8VrnBI

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James Tansley @tansleyjames.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

#OrchestralTunes 23 (Random Order) Be On Your Way | Daughter | 2023 Simply wonderful. youtu.be/6GDzvjRRIkY

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James Tansley @tansleyjames.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

#ArtistFaveNonSingles 8 All I Need | Radiohead | 2007 I know Ok Computer is widely regarded as their greatest album but it’s In Rainbows I return to the most. And in particular this absolute beauty of a song. youtu.be/wUL8NklXDsw

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James Tansley @tansleyjames.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

#MusicThroughYearsII 7 1981-1982 Two songs so evocative of the time yet still sound so good. I genuinely never tire of hearing them both. I’m In Love With A German Film Star The Passions (1981) youtu.be/JXhJbC-kvaw Love My Way | The Psychedelic Furs (1982) youtu.be/LGD9i718kBU

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James Tansley @tansleyjames.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

#OrchestralTunes 24 (Random Order) Daydreaming | Radiohead | 2016 I’ve posted Burn The Witch previously but Daydreaming is in my Radiohead top three songs so it more than warrants an inclusion this time. youtu.be/TTAU7lLDZYU

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James Tansley @tansleyjames.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

#ArtistFaveNonSingles 9 This Fear Of Gods | Simple Minds | 1980 Empires & Dance is peak Simple Minds. Their European travelogue, a rhythmic monster of an album and ‘Gods’ is the monolithic centrepiece. youtu.be/hdFbVklPTjE

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James Tansley @tansleyjames.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

#MusicThroughYearsII 6 1979-1980 I still think these two singles are the greatest tracks released by both artists. Two post-punk masterpieces. Zerox | Adam & The Ants (1979) youtu.be/H5RgWrQjUSg Atmosphere | Joy Division (1980) youtu.be/KSYBW8JlijM

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James Tansley @tansleyjames.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

#OrchestralTunes 25 (Random Order) Dead Man’s Suit | Cherry Ghost | 2007 I picked the gorgeous Mathematics for #OrchestralManoeuvres but after that, Dead Man’s Suit is my favourite track on the album Thirst For Romance. youtu.be/TFBJXQb_h0M

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James Tansley @tansleyjames.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

#ArtistFaveNonSingles 10 Roads | Portishead | 1994 This stunning track still stops me in my tracks every single time I hear it. It wasn’t a single but then again it’s just too good for daytime radio. It doesn’t deserve to be background music to the office printer. youtu.be/7nxWP9BhI7w

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James Tansley @tansleyjames.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

#MusicThroughYearsII 5 1977-1978 Two seminal electronic releases. They were the future back then. They possibly still are. I Feel Love | Donna Summer (1977) youtu.be/NaD7bNmblm0 Being Boiled | The Human League (1978) youtu.be/kQvVVkzU_7U

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James Tansley @tansleyjames.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

#OrchestralTunes 26 (Random Order) One Better Day | Madness | 1984 A quintessential slice of Madness melancholy but laced with a glimmer of hope. Their initial burst of chart success was starting to waver by this point (no. 17) but this wonderful tune deserved better. youtu.be/7Xwh1J6VQnI

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James Tansley @tansleyjames.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

#ArtistFaveNonSingles 11 In Every Dream Home A Heartache Roxy Music | 1973 Peak Roxy. Otherworldly, glamorous, artistic, unique and totally mind-blowing. There’s no one else quite like Roxy. There wasn’t then, there isn’t now. youtu.be/l4uzAADWe00

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James Tansley @tansleyjames.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

#MusicThroughYearsII 4 1975-1976 For Fox On The Run see yesterday’s comment on Roll Away The Stone and as for ‘Anarchy’ what more can you say. A pivotal piece of musical history. Fox On The Run | Sweet (1975) youtu.be/qBdFA6sI6-8 Anarchy In The U.K. | Sex Pistols (1976) youtu.be/q31WY0Aobro

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James Tansley @tansleyjames.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

#TheCureFriday Shake Dog Shake | 1984 I like The Top but compared to what came before and after, I do struggle with it a bit. But having said that, Shake Dog Shake is in my Cure top ten songs so pluses and minuses. youtu.be/ai3FcnN0YEc

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James Tansley @tansleyjames.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

#OrchestralTunes 27 (Random Order) Some Kind Of Fool Japan/David Sylvian | 1980/2000 Originally recorded for Japan’s Gentlemen Take Polaroids album in 1980 but replaced by Burning Bridges. I think it was re-recorded or re-mixed in 2000 for inclusion on Everything & Nothing. youtu.be/aR3XMrjH6ZQ

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James Tansley @tansleyjames.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

#ArtistFaveNonSingles 12 Disgusting | Mansun | 1997 Paul Draper wanted it to be released as a single and it should have been. Definite Ants vibes in the percussion but it’s the overall feel of the track that makes it hit home. Still my number one Mansun song. youtu.be/HR6633q0c08

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James Tansley @tansleyjames.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

#MusicThroughYearsII 4 1973-1974 I still adore Roll Away The Stone and I had to include the greatest car journey ever documented in popular music from 1974. Roll Away The Stone | Mott The Hoople (1973) youtu.be/MFGZMIMoCkc Autobahn | Kraftwerk (1974) youtu.be/vkOZNJYAZ7c

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James Tansley @tansleyjames.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

#OrchestralTunes 28 (Random Order) The Frog Princess | The Divine Comedy | 1996 Plenty of scope for Divine Comedy songs with an orchestral score but I’ve always been particularly partial to this one. youtu.be/2PRq5fENZDM

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James Tansley @tansleyjames.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

#ArtistFaveNonSingles 13 Battle | Blur | 1999 Perhaps an odd choice for your favourite Blur song but here it is. I just love everything about the William Orbit produced 13, the sounds, the textures, the experimentation. This is the Blur sound that I gravitate towards. youtu.be/UwW86i79CxA

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James Tansley @tansleyjames.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

#MusicThroughYearsII 3 1971-1972 The much sampled and much loved Zeppelin classic and I don’t know too much Beefheart but I like what I know. When The Levee Breaks | Led Zeppelin (1971) youtu.be/uwiTs60VoTM Big Eyed Beans From Venus Captain Beefheart & The Magic Band (1972) youtu.be/XF177Aj59C8

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James Tansley @tansleyjames.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

#OrchestralTunes 29 (Random Order) Texarkana | R.E.M. | 1991 Criminally underrated tune from R.E.M.’s Out Of Time album. Mike Mills takes the lead vocals and the orchestral score drives the track along perfectly. youtu.be/Yadhda29pw8

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James Tansley @tansleyjames.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

#ArtistFaveNonSingles 14 Echoes | Pink Floyd | 1971 Pink Floyd’s finest 23m 32s. The structure, the flow, the dynamics… everything. They may have produced more consistent and better albums than Meddle but for sheer scale and ambition, side 2’s Echoes alone is hard to beat. youtu.be/OcDiOUQBFd4

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