No 1 - Stiff Little Fingers - Alternative Ulster

Well here it is my all time favorite song. Sums up my time in Ulster during the troubles than coming back to England with people not really understanding the Shit on there doorstep and how lucky they were to live in England. This songs sum's it up. Still makes me want to jump and down.

If you haven't notice but my top 10 features all Irish artists and most of the songs are by Van Morrison.

I've had fun doing this and I hope you have fun doing yours.

"And the RUC dog of repression

Is barking at your feet"

No. 2 - Gary Moore & Phil Lynott - Still in Love With You

There are different version of this Lizzy classic, but whilst the live and dangerous version is one of the best this  version by Gary and Phil deserves to be heard. Both missed.

"My head, it keeps on reeling

It's got me in a crazy spin"

No. 3 - Rory Gallagher - Cant Believe Its True

My favorite Rory song, and I love how he plays the Sax on this song. Has that lovely late night jazz feel to it.

"Don't need no fingerprints to know

You've got your hands on my very soul"

No. 4 - Energy Orchard - Madame George

When I first heard this I thought I heard heaven, a fantastic and better version than Van's.

Simply a song I never tire of hearing.

"The kids out in the street collecting bottle-tops
Gone for cigarettes and matches in the shops"

No. 5 - Van Morrison - Saint Dominic's Preview

Van the man sowing images into my imagination allow to see things that may be others don't.What a fantastic storyteller.

I still think St Dominic's is a far better album than Astral Weeks or as Van would say maybe the critics are flying to high to see my point of view. 

"(You know that) No one's making no commitments

To anybody but themselves,"

No. 6 - U2 + Gospel Choir - I still haven't found what I'm looking for

I love the way U2 brougtht in the choir to sing this, makes the song 10 times better and it was a classic before the choir. It's my favorite U2 song

"I have spoke with the tongue of angels
I have held the hand of a devil"

No. 7 - Rory Gallagher - A million miles away

My second all time favorite Rory Gallagher song, the best song to sum up loneliness. My last song to be played at my funeral

"This hotel bar has lost all its
people, 

The piano man has caught the
last bus home,

The old bartender just collapsed
in the corner, 

Why I'm still here, I just don't
know,

I don't know."

No. 8 - Brian Kennedy - Brown Eyed Girl

The best version of the Van Morrison song. Should be played more often on the radio.

Remember seeing Brian playing with Van at the Corn exchange and thought what a voice, loved him since and he can write books as well.

"Making love in the green grass

Behind the stadium"

No. 9 - Clannad & Bono - In A Lifetime

Another song to played at my funeral. Love the duet and Clannad and Bono should do more.

"Believe the light in you
So the light shines in you"

No. 10 - Joby Fox - Belfast

Now this should be Energy Orchard but the videos are not that good and Joby Fox was a member of the band and it's a lovely version. 

" How I know you so well, your like Heaven , your like  Hell"

No.11 - This Mortal Coil - Song To The Siren

This is the song I want played at my funeral amongst others. Play it at full volume.

Elizabeth Fraser one of the greatest voices I have ever had the pleasure to listen to. 

"Should I lie with Death my bride?"

No. 12 - Page & plant - Kashmir (

The best song Zeppelin ever ever did, forget stairway. 

"My Shangri-La beneath the summer moon, I will return again

Sure as the dust that floats high in June, when movin' through Kashmir. "

No. 13 - U2 - One

My second favorite U2 song in this top 100, however I've just noticed I've missed Bad off. Doh!!

"Did I disappoint you

Or leave a bad taste in your mouth"

No. 14 - The Streets - Has It Come To This

I love Mike skinner and his lyrics. This really sums up the late 90's and early 2000, playstations, herbs, SR Nova etc.  Still the best song I've heard in the last decade.

"Sex, Drugs 'n' On The Dole"

No. 15 - John Lennon - stand by me

Lennon looking and playing what he loves the early part of rock n roll. remember staying up to watch the interview with john and Bob Harris on the Old Grey whistle test. Great slide guitar in it.

"If the sky that we look upon

Should tumble and fall

All the mountains should crumble to the sea"

No. 16 - The Beatles- Nowhere Man

The first album I ever loved was Rubber Soul and this is my all time favorite Beatle trak.

"Nowhere Man, the world is at your command"

No. 17 - David Bowie - Moonage Daydream

Went to school in 73 with Ziggy stardust blasting out of my cassette player and a 6th former came up to me and said" Moonage Daydream by David Bowie, good choice"

Loved Ronno's guitar playing and asI listen to it today it's still fresh and exicting as it was 40 odd years later.

"Freak out in a moonage daydream oh yeah! "

No. 18 - Gary Moore - Separate ways

Gary Moore doing what he does best. Love the horns in this song and the passion Gary sings and plays. I great breakup song.

"Time after time we will try to understand.

I don't know where we went wrong,

but there's no use in holdin' on."

No. 19 - Joe Strummer and The Mescaleros - Yalla Yalla

Joe writes songs that make you go and investigate what's in the lyrics. I mean where is ragga F.M.

Really miss his musical abilities.

 

"Kool Moe Dee was in the treacherous three

There's old school, new school and Brownie McGee"

RIP Joe

No. 20 - The Rolling Stones - Wild Horses

My favorite stones song. I tip a glass to MT for getting me into the stones. 

 

"I watched you suffer a dull aching pain

Now you decided to show me the same"

 

No. 21 - Bad Company - Bad Company

The first album I brought before hearing a track, brought it because of Paul Rodgers and Mick Ralphs. Wore out  two copies of the album and I still love the title track. 

 

"Rebel souls, deserters we are called"

 

No. 22 - Black Sabbath - Paranoid

One of the best bands to come out of Birmingham. Great vocals, great guitar playing and a great crowd stomper.

"I tell you to enjoy life I wish I could but it's too late"