Inspired by Jonny’s example, I’ve enjoyed putting together a playlist for my 60th birthday, one track for each year of my life with a bit of artistic licence when things didn’t quite fit as neatly as I would have liked! Some are in the year they were most significant to me, rather than the year they were released. If you’re on Apple Music, you can find it here.
It starts with the song that was number one when I was born, I’ll never find another you by The Seekers. My mum and dad had the album which we must have listened to a lot when we were young because I can still remember every word. It includes the first single I bought, Knowing me, Knowing you by Abba (but not the first album by ELO because I just can’t listen to them any more.) It has songs for the places we’ve lived – Solsbury Hill by Peter Gabriel and London’s Calling by the Clash. It has songs for running – Kate Bush and Sounds of Blackness, feminist anthems – Tears for Fears and Eurthymics, double Aretha and triple Bill Withers. It has songs for weddings – To build a home for Joel and Kat’s and Blinded by your grace for Harry and Grace’s. There are songs about friendship – Lean on me by Bill, I am grateful for my friends by Daudi Matsiko, and Anytime you need a friend by the New Jersey Gospel Choir – and family – We are Family by Sister Sledge. For 2015, there’s the song that kept me company through my treatment, Some Holy Ghost by Mavis Staples. Enjoy!
1965 I’ll never find another you The Seekers
1966 keep on running Spencer Davis group
1967 Your love keeps lifting me Jackie Wilson
1968 wonderful world Louis Armstrong
1969 California Soul Marlena Shaw
1970 The thrill is gone BB King
1971 family affair Sly and the Family Stone
1972 lean on me Bill Withers
1973 if you’re ready The Staple Singers
1974 summer breeze Isley Brothers
1975 lovely day Bill Withers
1976 knowing me knowing you Abba
1977 Solsbury Hill Peter Gabriel
1978 I will survive Gloria Gaynor
1979 we are family Sister Sledge
1980 London calling Clash (released 1979)
1981 back to my roots Odyssey
1982 let’s groove Earth Wind and Fire
1983 all cried out Alison Moyet
1984 wondering where the lions are Bruce Cockburn
1985 sisters are doing it for themselves Eurthymics and Aretha
1986 knew you were waiting for me Aretha and George
1987 motherless child Van Morrison
1988 fast car Tracy Chapman
1989 woman in chains Tears for Fears
1990 nothing compares to U Sinead O’Connor
1991piece of my heart Erma Franklin (1990)
1992 Anthem (crack in everything) Leonard Cohen
1993 moving on up M People
1994 I’m going all the way Sounds of Blackness
1995 protection massive attack Tracey Thorn
1996 anytime you need a friend New Jersey Gospel Choir (1995)
1997 ready or not Fugees
1998 to Zion Lauren Hill
1999 why does my heart feel so bad Moby
2000 beautiful day U2
2001in the waiting line Zero 7
2002 Gabriel Lamb (2001)
2003 where is the love Black Eyed Peas
2004 Ma Africa One Giant Leap
2005 Volcano Damien Rice
2006 Diferente – Gotan Project
2007 indiscriminate act of kindness Foy Vance
2008 One day like this Elbow
2009 girl put your records on Corinne Bailey Rae
2010 Stay the same Bonobo
2011back to black Amy Winehouse
2012 running up that hill Kate Bush (summer olympics remix)
2013 Gregory Porter Liquid Spirit (2014)
2014 To build a home Cinematic Orchestra
2015 some Holy Ghost Mavis Staples
2016 love and hate Michael Kiwanuka
2017 Grandma’s hands Bill Withers
2018 blinded by your grace Stormzy
2019 sorceress Jordan Rakei
2020 My friend the forest Nils Frahm
2021 walk with me Jono Mccleery
2022 love and hate in a different time Gabriel’s
2023 grateful for my friends Daudi Matsiko
2024 beauty in your wake Fink
Run for your life 