A Playlist Of Positivity

Introduction

A song came on and I thought that makes me feel good, why not do a playlist of songs like this, and the first four songs that came to mind all involved Mick Jones. Then I started to think maybe I should choose one and do a Mick Jones playlist but I have decided to include them here.

This is not a relaxing playlist, it is a jump up and down playlist and when every one of these songs is playing, I don't want them to stop.

As I'm writing this I see the Genius lyrics display all the lyrics to the songs but they don't count toward the word count of the article cum playlist.

So come on, let's go with the song that inspired this playlist.

Carbon/Silicon - "The News"

Carbon/Silicon was formed by Mick Jones (The Clash/Big Audio Dynamite) and Tony James (formerly of Generation X and Sigue Sigue Sputnik). When I hear the words to this I just want them all to be true. Yes it's raucous but listen to the words and I challenge you not to feel better and full of hope.

Full lyrics here, but listen to the song. I didn't realise the page would display fully here but you can see the positivity in this.

Big Country - "Fields Of Fire" from "The Crossing"

Stuart Adamson is sadly missed but the band is still playing today, almost every song of theirs is an anthem and the E-Bow guitar sound lifts me every time I hear it. The instrumental sequences are to die for, so of the words are very uplifting as well.

Penguin Cafe Orchestra - "Beanfields" from "When In Rome"

This is an instrumental, so there are no lyrics and I wanted something in before another Mick Jones related piece. Simon Jeffes' group are described as an avant-pop band but all their tunes are based on wonderful repeated musical phrases, and "Beanfields" is no exception.

Simon died of a brain tumour in 1997, but his son continues to lead them under the name "Penguin Cafe" who are definitely worth investigating.

You can find out more about them here.

The Clash - "Train In Vain" from "London Calling"

My favourite song from my favourite Clash album and one that I have sung live. It is a break-up/ lost love song but it still makes me feel good listening to it and playing, even on my acoustic guitar in my room.

Los Lobos - "Come On, Let's Go" from the film "La Bamba"

This is just an amazing cover of the Ritchie Valens song for the tribute film. Los Lobos are a favourite band of mine, and I do love this film. Ritchie Valens "La Bamba" is one of the few non-English songs to hit the UK and USA charts. There are a few here:

Aztec Camera and Mick Jones - "Good Morning Britain"

This was an unexpected collaboration and Mick gave Aztec Camera's sound a little more hardness, but I love the strings and the whole sound. It is a great call and response song.

Baxter Dury - "It's A Pleasure"

I love this song by Ian's lad. A simple synthesiser motif and you can tell he is his father's son but his own man.

Big Audio Dynamite - "Medicine Show"

Another Mick Jones song, which will bring a smile to anyone's face, with the lyrics and the great sound samples, especially the judgement sequence.

The Sensational Alex Harvey Band - "Anthem" from "The Impossible Dream"

I will close the playlist with this eight-minute absolute beauty from the band, driven by an insistent snare drum, and a beautiful wordless female voice before Alex takes up the song along the snare, and eventually, the band join in. I think this closes the album, but I could listen to it forever.