Originally a hit for 60s Jamaican Rocksteady artist Dandy Livingstone, this version by the Specials comes from the Ska revival based around Coventry in the West Midlands of England in the late 70s. The movement was part of the anti-racism movement in music at the time. Time for a ska revival revival?
If you ever find yourself wandering an English coastal town you may notice curiously-dressed sixty-somethings lurking outside venues wearing badges proclaiming "Keep the Faith." Over 40 years ago they were part of the Northern Soul scene. Based in clubs in the North-West of England, Northern Soul was about clothes, dancing and, crucially, imported American soul music, most of it deliberately obscure. Keep the Faith.
"Counting the cars on the New Jersey Turnpike. They've all come to look for America."
Written in 2007 the text of Estonian composer Arvo Pärt's motet is the final part of Saint Patrick's Breastplate, a traditional prayer for protection.
Prescient (sort of) sixties French pop from Jacques Dutronc.
Ah, remember the days when people worried about the little things like love. But don't worry, those days will be back. In the meantime here are the The Ink Spots.
One for all parents and children. Written by Bowie for his son Duncan, it contains some valuable parental advice:
"And if the homework brings you down
Then we'll throw it on the fire
And take the car downtown."
Quite a few of you are taking a well-deserved break over the next few weeks and plenty of you will be driving long distances, so why not while away the long hours at the wheel by taking the Night Train?
After a long day we all need a Nocturne. Here's Lili Boulanger's 1911 Nocturne for violin and piano.
At a time when the temptations are huge - picnics, beaches, raves, it might be worth reminding ourselves of the Greek Myths and strap ourselves to the mast.
"Exhausted" seems to have replaced "busy" in the University lexicon. But, to borrow from Tolstoy, we are all exhausted in different ways. Here is John Lennon's take on it.
Apparently we are not only sleeping more during lockdown but also dreaming more because we have extra time for REM Sleep. But surely the main issue about sleep is which side of the bed you choose? Cornershop have the answer
Given it's the end of term (sort of) and the school education of children seems to have been abandoned for the time being, it could only be this Glam Rock monster from 1972 courtesy of Alice Cooper.
"Strange old man, shall I go with you? Will you turn your hurdy-gurdy to my songs?" Franz Schubert's Hurdy-Gurdy Man
There are lots of reasons to play Summertime and lots of versions (check out the original by Abbie MItchell as well as Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong's) but how about Sam Cooke?