My top 10 running songs of 2020 - better late than never
10 - The city – Jockstrap
A beautiful ethereal sung intro "I ran outside in the mustard air, my arms outstretched to feel it"... breaks into electronic static and heavy beats perfect for a run. Sampled spoken word pours over the beats with an abstract tale of a monster and a beaver "The beaver was taking a shower, he refused to use shower curtains so blue water was flooding the bathroom." Quirky and brillaint.
And the title - perfect for my first few months in London.
9 - Song for our daughter – Laura Marling
Not about her daughter (she has no children). A warm hug of a song. The tune meandering slowly along relaxing your mind while legs continue to pace.
The build up of strings to the chorus is uplifting. Apparently it is a letter to her younger self. Marling's voice, as always, is sumptuous.
8 - Roses and gold – Biig Piig
The fade in and then...that dreamy voice rapping in Spanish and English and an almost trip hop beat. "Aunque duele lo quiero sin miedo" Trans: "Although it hurts I want it without fear."
7 - Jungle Drum – Emiliana Torrini
From the bouncy intro we are carried straight into the chorus like going over the rapids in a raft.
"My heart is beating like a jungle drum dug a dugga dugga rrrrrug a dugga dugga dug..." Just try not to sing along like a loon.
6 - Serpentine prison – Matt Berninger
A slow, growly self pitying song perfect for those low moods when you just want to revel in misery. No? Just me then.
Whatever it is,
I try not to listen,
Cold cynicism
And blind nihilism
I need a vacation
From intoxication
Tell her I miss her
In a serpentine prison
5 - Do you realise – Flaming Lips
As you would expect it is a bitter sweet experience with Wayne Coyne and the 'Lips. A rousing, uplifting backing is punctuated by the "Do you realise" refrain. At the same time life affirming and disarming.
"Do you realise that you have the most beautiful face?"
"Do you realise we are floating in space?"
"Do you realise that happiness makes you cry?"
"Do you realise that everyone you know someday will die?"
4 - He loves me – Brittany Howard
Soul music for your run. The Alabama Shakes lead singer and guitarist shares deep personal truths about her faith in God having become disillusioned following the death of her older sister.
"It is a song I deeply want to share to help others realize loving and being loved by God doesn’t have to look the same for everyone"
A prayer, a mantra, a reminder that we are loved just as we are.
3 - Ishq – Hashmat Sultana
I saw this Punjabi group live in Folkestone and was blown away by their music and harmonies.
What a vocal range and the rhythm drives you forward. I have no idea what they are saying but I belt it out none the less.
2 - Waves – Aisling Brouwer
An instrumental piece. Strings. Beauty. Passion. Heavenly.
