Somewhere Over The Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole on YouTube.
The song “Over The Rainbow” was originally written for the movie “The Wizard of Oz” and was sung by Judy Garland. In 1993 the Hawaiian musician Israel Kamakawiwo’ole released an ukulele version of the song on his album “Facing Future”. Since then his interpretation was used in various films and commercials. Israel Kamakawiwo’ole died of weight-related respiratory illness at the age of 38 in 1997.
References:
Over And Over by Hot Chip on YouTube.
Probably the track with the best groove I heard for years.
Your Woman by White Town on YouTube.
This song is an example for how good and successful a song can be despite its lacking of variation and arrangement complexity. It samples a recording of “My Woman” performed by Al Bowlly and the Lew Stone and the Monseigneur Band in 1932. The song was originally written by Bing Crosby, Irving Wallman, and Max Wartell.
White Town adds some really simple loops which don’t change throughout the whole song. The bit of variation there is comes from the individual presence and absence of the looped instruments and the vocals.
Always On My Mind by Pet Shop Boys on YouTube.
This song is definitely one of my all time favourites. It became famous after Elvis Presley recorded it in 1972. The Pet Shop Boys performed it for an TV special at the tenth anniversary of Presley’s death in 1987 and later released it as a single.
I’m Not In Love by 10cc on YouTube.
It’s only about a year ago that I came across this brilliant song and decided to buy it. Of course I heard it several times before. But I never really paid so much attention. A week ago I found this awesome making of.
