My favourite songs of all time

by Steve Wallis

I composed a list of what I then thought were my five favourite songs of all time a while ago, and have since realised that there are many other songs that I like just as much if not more. To see my original list of five songs, plus details of how I came to choose them and the lyrics from three of them, click here.

I’ve listed below a more up-to-date list of my favourite songs of all time:

Heaven (Candlelight Mix) – DJ Sammy and Yanou featuring Do (DJ Sammy: Heaven – US import obtained from Amazon on the internet)

Fly Up To The Moon – Colin Vearncombe featuring Ladyblack (live at the bassline johannesburg – obtained from www.colinvearncombe.com)

Eye In The Sky – Alan Parsons Project

99 Red Balloons (Club Mix) – Nena (Definitive Collection – obtained from Germany from ebay on the internet)

Eternal Flame – The Bangles

On My Own – Les Miserables Manchester Company (Highlights)

Empty Chairs At Empty Tables – Les Miserables (Official soundtrack)

Why Does It Always Rain On Me? – Travis

Raintown (Piano Version) – Deacon Blue (Riches – I got it as a free record with “Raintown”)

A Town Called Malice – Paul Weller

Dignity – Deacon Blue (Raintown)

Torn – Natalie Imbruglia (Left Of The Middle)

Luka – Suzanne Vega

Cora – Latin Quarter (Modern Times)

England 2 Colombia 0 – Kirsty MacColl (Tropical Brainstorm)

You Don’t Always Do What’s Best For You – Black (The Collection)

Colourblind – Darius (dive in)

Walking On Sunshine – Katrina and the Waves

Sleep On My Pillow – Katrina and the Waves

Don’t Give Up – Peter Gabriel featuring Kate Bush

If – Paul Heaton (Fat Chance)

Johannesburg – The Housemartins (The People Who Grinned Themselves To Death)

Not Like You – The Bangles

Stan – Eminem featuring Dido

America For Beginners – Latin Quarter (Modern Times)

Dominion – Latin Quarter (Swimming Against The Stream)

The Men Below – Latin Quarter (Mick & Caroline)

Can’t Help Falling In Love – Lick The Tins

I Will Always Love You – Whitney Houston

All At Once – Whitney Houston

The Greatest Love Of All – Whitney Houston

No Matter What – Boyzone

Old And Wise – Alan Parsons Project

Call It Democracy – Bruce Cockburn

Freedom – The Housemartins (London 0 Hull 4)

Duel – Propaganda

Only You – The Flying Pickets

Now You’re Gone – Black

Wonderful Life – TJ Davis

Smoke – Natalie Imbruglia (Left Of The Middle)

Nikita – Elton John

Candle In The Wind – Elton John

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road – Elton John

Alive – Colin Vearncombe (live at the bassline johannesburg – obtained from www.colinvearncombe.com)

Sweetest Smile – Colin Vearncombe (live at the bassline johannesburg – obtained from www.colinvearncombe.com)

(Something Inside) So Strong – Labi Siffre

Follow Me – Uncle Kracker

Ever Fallen In Love? – Buzzcocks

Rebel Yell – Billy Idol

White Wedding – Billy Idol

Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes – Paul Simon (Graceland)

Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend – Martine McCutcheon

Perfect Moment – Martine McCutcheon

Ordinary Man – Christy Moore

Biko Drum – Christy Moore

The Day The Nazi Died – Chumbawamba (available on the compilation album “By Any Means Necessary” in aid of Youth Against Racism in Europe)

Don’t Pay The Ferryman – Chris de Burgh (High On Emotion – Live From Dublin)

Borderline – Chris de Burgh (High On Emotion – Live From Dublin)

The Revolution – Chris de Burgh (High On Emotion – Live From Dublin)

The Lady In Red – Chris de Burgh (High On Emotion – Live From Dublin)

Que Te Quiero – Katrina and the Waves

Us Amazonians – Kirsty MacColl (Tropical Brainstorm)

They Don’t Know – Kirsty MacColl (Galore)

Calling Occupants Of Interplanetary Craft – The Carpenters

Top Of The World – The Carpenters

This Woman’s Work – Kate Bush (The Sensual World)

Dead From The Waist Down – Catatonia

Mulder & Scully – Catatonia

Freight Elevator – Latin Quarter (Mick & Caroline)

Roll To Me – del Amitri

Baby, It’s Cold Outside – Tom Jones featuring Cerys from Catatonia

Excitable – Amazulu

Radio Romance – Tiffany

A Little Time – Beautiful South

Sleeping Satellite – Tasmin Archer

Honesty – Billy Joel

Pure – Lightning Seeds

Three Lions ‘98 – Lightning Seeds featuring David Baddiel and Frank Skinner

Nineteen – Paul Hardcastle

Driftwood – Travis

Stop – Sam Brown

The Great Pretender – Freddie Mercury

Barcelona – Freddie Mercury and Monserrat Caballe

Since Yesterday – Strawberry Switchblade

Little Lies – Fleetwood Mac

Would I Lie To You – Eurythmics

You Better Be Doubtful – The Housemartins (The People Who Grinned Themselves To Death)

Miracle Of Love – Eurythmics

Lovefool – The Cardigans

Take On Me – A-Ha

Manhatten Skyline – A-Ha

500 miles – The Proclaimers (Sunshine On Leith)

Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen

Born In The USA – Bruce Springsteen

Broken Wings – Mr Mister

C’est La Vie – B*Witched

China In Your Hand – T’Pau

Dancing In The Dark – Bruce Springsteen

Echo Beach – Martha & the Muffins

Every Breath You Take – The Police

Hero – Enrique Iglesias

Hotel California – The Eagles

I Just Died In Your Arms Tonight – Cutting Crew

I Will Always Love You – Whitney Houston

I’ll Do Anything For Love – Meat Loaf

If You Tolerate This Then Your Children Will Be Next – Manic Street Preachers

Ironic – Alanis Morrisette

It’s A Kind Of Magic – Queen

Jolene – Strawberry Switchblade

Killing Me Softly – The Fugees

Kiss Me – Sixpence None the Richer

La Bamba – Ritchie Valens

Let It Be – The Beatles

Light My Fire – The Doors

Like A Prayer – Mad House

Little Lies – Fleetwood Mac

Livin’ La Vida Loca – Ricky Martin

Losing My Religion – REM

Manic Monday – The Bangles

Moonlight Shadow – Mike Oldfield

Mustang Sally – The Commitments

Never Ever – All Saints

Nothing Compares 2 U – Sinéad O’Connor

Reete Petite – Jackie Wilson

Save Tonight – Eagle Eye Cherry

Should I Stay Or Should I Go? – The Clash

Solid As A Rock – Ashford & Simpson

Space Oddity – David Bowie

Changes – David Bowie

Stand By Me – Ben E King

Suddenly – Billy Ocean

Summer of ’69 – Bryan Adams

Sweet Child O’ Mine – Guns ‘n’ Roses

Tainted Love – Soft Cell

Tell Her About It – Billy Joel

The Drugs Don’t Work – The Verve

The Music Of The Night – Phantom of the Opera (Official soundtrack)

The Power Of Love – Huey Lewis & the News

Time After Time – Cyndi Lauper

Total Eclipse Of The Heart – Bonnie Tyler

Tubthumping – Chumbawamba

Video Killed The Radio Star – Buggles

Walk Of Life – Dire Straits

We Built This City – Starship

We Didn’t Start The Fire – Billy Joel

What Can I Do? – The Corrs

Whole Again – Atomic Kitten

Why? – Annie Lennox

Wonderwall – Oasis

You Got It – Roy Orbison

Song Of Bangladesh – Joan Baez (available on the “Workers’ Songs” CD from the Scottish Socialist Party – buy one with a black inlay card rather than putrid green!)

Rhiannon – Fleetwood Mac

She’s My Best Friend – Black

Love Shine A Light (Xenomania Club Mix) – Katrina and the Waves (on the “Love Shine A Light” CD single)

Walking Where The Roses Grow – Katrina and the Waves (Roses – bought in Calgary, Canada, at the end of a great skiing holiday)

Everything Is Coming Up Roses – Colin Vearncombe (live at the bassline johannesburg – obtained from www.colinvearncombe.com)

Go Love Someone Else – Katrina and the Waves (Roses – bought in Calgary, Canada, at the end of a great skiing holiday)

Cap In Hand – The Proclaimers (Sunshine On Leith)

Sunshine On Leith – The Proclaimers (Sunshine On Leith)

Plan – Leon Rosselson (That’s Not The Way It’s Got To Be – only produced on record; it may be available at ebay)

They’re Going To Build A Motorway – Leon Rosselson (That’s Not The Way It’s Got To Be – only produced on record; it may be available at ebay)

Ballad Of Spycatcher – Leon Rosselson and Billy Bragg

Tom’s Diner – DNA featuring Suzanne Vega

Take My Breath Away – Berlin

Tell Me Your Name – The Stripes (on Nena’s Definitive Collection – obtained from Germany from ebay on the internet)

Marlene On The Wall – Suzanne Vega

Love Song For My Mom – Moby

Mother Stands For Comfort – Kate Bush (The Ninth Wave – B-side of the “Hounds Of Love” album)

Cloudbusting – Kate Bush (Hounds Of Love)

One Step Beyond – Madness

Stars – Dubstar

So Many Stars – Natalie Cole

Man In The Moon – Voice of the Beehive

Moonlight Romance (dub) – Amazulu

Moonlight Shadow – Mike Oldfield

Hello Earth – Kate Bush (The Ninth Wave – B-side of the “Hounds Of Love” album)

Space Oddity – David Bowie

Changes – David Bowie

Hello – Lionel Ritchie

Hymn To Her – The Pretenders

Back In The Chain Gang – The Pretenders

Don’t Cry For Me Argentina – Madonna

Suicide Is Painless – theme from M*A*S*H

That’s When I Reach For My Revolver – Moby (Animal Rights)

Through The Barricades – Spandau Ballet

Belle Of Belfast City – Lick The Tins

Surrender – Colin Vearncombe (The Accused)

I Can Laugh About It Now – Black (The Collection)

Rushes – Darius (dive in)

Walking Down Madison – Kirsty MacColl (Galore)

Wannabe – Spice Girls

Never Be The Same Again – Melanie C

I Heard It Through The Grapevine – Marvin Gaye

No More “I Love You’s” – Annie Lennox

Walking On Broken Glass – Annie Lennox

A Whiter Shade Of Pale – Annie Lennox

Hey, I Was Right, You Were Wrong – Black (The Collection)

Left Of Center – Suzanne Vega featuring Joe Jackson on piano (Tried And True)

Mambo De La Luna – Kirsty MacColl (Tropical Brainstorm)

Gypsy – Suzanne Vega (Tried And True)

Sit Down – James

Patricia The Stripper – Chris de Burgh (High On Emotion – Live From Dublin)

My Girl’s Mad At Me – Madness

Romeo & Juliet – Dire Straits

True – Spandau Ballet

Cheeky Song – The Cheeky Girls

Last Day Of Our Acquaintance - Sinéad O’Connor

Memory – Elaine Paige (from the musical “Cats”)

Yellow – Coldplay

Trouble – Coldplay

The Star And The Wiseman – Ladysmith Black Mombazo

Nightshift – The Commodores

Chain Reaction – Diana Ross

Shiny Happy People – REM

Breakaway – Tracey Ullman (Forever)

Stairway To Heaven – Led Zeppelin

Lisdoonvarna – Christy Moore

The Glory Of Love – Peter Cetera

Somebody To Love – Queen

Somebody – Bryan Adams (Reckless)

Voices Inside – Latin Quarter (Modern Times extra bonus track)

Toulouse – Latin Quarter (Modern Times)

Modern Times – 12” version – Latin Quarter (Modern Times bonus track)

In Liverpool – Suzanne Vega (Tried And True)

Book & A Cover – Suzanne Vega (Tried And True)

Rosemary – Suzanne Vega (Tried And True)

Boys Of Summer – DJ Sammy (Heaven – US import obtained from Amazon on the internet)

Sunlight – DJ Sammy (Heaven – US import obtained from Amazon on the internet)

Heaven – DJ Sammy and Yanou featuring Do (DJ Sammy: Heaven – US import obtained from Amazon on the internet)

Paradise – Black (The Collection)

(hidden track) – Darius (at end of “dive in”)

Incredible (What I Meant To Say) – Darius (dive in)

Bella Ciaou – Folklore Sicilian (available on the “Workers’ Songs” CD from the Scottish Socialist Party – buy one with a black inlay card rather than putrid green!)

Viva La Quita Brigada – Christy Moore (available on the “Workers’ Songs” CD from the Scottish Socialist Party – buy one with a black inlay card rather than putrid green!)

Knock Song – Christy Moore

A Working Class Hero – John Lennon (available on the “Workers’ Songs” CD from the Scottish Socialist Party – buy one with a black inlay card rather than putrid green!)

Ideology – Billy Bragg (available on the “Workers’ Songs” CD from the Scottish Socialist Party – buy one with a black inlay card rather than putrid green!)

The Ballad Of John MacLean – Matt McGinn (available on the “Workers’ Songs” CD from the Scottish Socialist Party – buy one with a black inlay card rather than putrid green!)

Great Balls of Fire – Jerry Lee Lewis (the best version I’ve come across is at the start of the “Great Balls Of Fire!” Film soundtrack)

The Internationale – Steve Wallis (my version ends with the line “L’Internaçionalé unite la classe travailleurs” meaning “The Internationale unites the working class” instead of “The Internationale unites the human race” – visit the most important web page you will ever read if you want to know why this is so significant)

A Slow Waltz For Chile – Latin Quarter (Swimming Against The Stream)

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