FlinterFile: Jeff Lynne’s ELO- When I Was A Boy

In 2015, Jeff Lynne’s ELO made a comeback on the music scene with an oldfashioned good ELO record. The single, When I Was A Boy, was inspired by the history of Jeff Lynne: as he was a boy, he listened to a radio under his bed, and got interested in music. In the video, we can see his whole life passing by, from the fifties to the ELO-spaceship to the Traveling Wilburys and further… Enjoy

Jeff Lynne’s ELO- When I Was A Boy

Advertisement

FlinterFile: Lost Frequencies- Are You With Me

In 2015, the Belgian DJ Lost Frequencies had a hit with a remix. The original song dates back to 2012, when Easton Corbin recorded the song as a country song. However, that’s not what it was after Lost Frequencies was done with it: he used the music and refrain of the song, made it a lot faster and put the whole thing together as a deep house song. Not a bad idea, since the song made it to number 1 in the UK (and it was the shortest number 1, as it topped the charts in the week the publishing of the charts changed from Sunday to Friday…). Enjoy

Lost Frequencies- Are You With Me

FlinterFile: Years & Years- King

In 2015, a band called Years & Years popped up. With an intoxicating song called King, written by the singer Olly Alexander, they went up in the charts. The song itself is about a relationship, which can be very addicting, and about the decline of a relationship, where you would want the other to end it. As it was written from his experiences, it was very close to him. However, there’s no pain to be heard in the song: it’s uptempo and, as said, very intoxicating. No wonder it made number 1 in the UK! Enjoy

Years & Years- King

FlinterFile: Kygo featuring Parson James- Stole The Show

In 2015, Kygo, a Norwegian DJ, had a hit with Stole The Show. After some remixes (for example of Ed Sheeran’s I See Fire) it was time to make a song of his own, now with singer Parson James. In the UK, it was a number 24 hit, and in the US dance chart it made number 11! Enjoy

Kygo featuring Parson James- Stole The Show

FlinterFile: Anna Of The North- The Dreamer

In 2015, Anna Lotterud (better known as Anna Of The North) made her debut with the single Sway. And as that was in summer, there had to be a winter song, too. She managed to make such a song, fitting December perfectly, and without doing a lot, it got a million Spotify plays in no-time! A perfect song to play this Christmas, and mind you: it’s probably not the last we’ve heard of her! Enjoy

Anna Of The North- The Dreamer

FlinterFile: Alvaro Soler- El Mismo Sol

In 2015, Alvaro Soler claimed the summer hit of the year. He was inspired by his own past, which was spend in quite some countries: when he was 10 years old, he moved from Spain to Barcelone, lived seven years there, going to a German school, and then he returned to Spain. He released an album with a band he established, and then decided to go solo and went to Germany. The song was inspired by the fact that diversity on his school was not a bad thing: it was a lot of fun. In Italy it was a number 1 hit, and there is another version with Jennifer Lopez around for the US market. Enjoy

Alvaro Soler- El Mismo Sol

FlinterFile: Jodie Abacus- I’ll Be That Friend

In 2015, Jodie Abacus made his debut on the pop scene. He wrote this song after he had a lung infection. In the time he had this infection, there was a friend who was always ready to help him. It gave him such a good feeling, that he wrote a song about it. It did not yet his the charts, but it’s only been around for some weeks now, so there is still time! Enjoy

Jodie Abacus- I’ll Be That Friend

FlinterFile- Jonathan Jeremiah- Rosario

In 2015, Jonathan Jeremiah released his second solo-album, Oh Desire. After his first hits in 2010, he went around the world, and now he has come home to record his second album. With his band he went to the Konk Studio, which is owned by Ray Davies (from the Kinks) and developed his country/soul/jazz sound more. That he succeeded, is clear if you listen to

Jonathan Jeremiah- Rosario

FlinterFile: Ben Liebrand- Dancer

In 2015, Ben Liebrand released his new album Iconic Groove, 25 years after his first album, Styles. One of the iconic grooves that is on the album, is the groove of the song Dancer. The song was originally played by Gino Soccio, who started his career in the disco playing keyboards on an album for producer Pat Deserio. For Soccio, it was the only hit (number 1 in the US disco chart) before disappearing in 1982. That’s one of the reasons Ben Liebrand also made a Where’s Gino Soccio mix of the song. Enjoy

Ben Liebrand- Dancer

FlinterFile: James Bay- Hold Back The River

In 2014, James Bay already released the song Hold Back The River. In 2013, he played before the Rolling Stones in Hyde Park, and that was one of the boosts his career got. It was written after a show he did, and he wanted to say to all his dear ones that he was very busy, but that they already could stay in touch. The song would be the last song to be added on the album, as he had a small gap on the album. It would be a number 2 hit in the UK. Enjoy

James Bay- Hold Back The River

FlinterFile: Christine And The Queens- Christine

In 2014, Christine and the Queens already released their first album. From this album, the single Christine was a big hit. Christine (Héloïse Letissier) met three women on the street in London and they convinced her to start with singing. They are the Queens. The style of Christine and the Queens is simple, minimalistic, and therefore a great way for Christine to express her feelings. The song was a number 3 hit in France, and even number 1 in Belgium. Enjoy

Christine & the Queens- Christine

FlinterFile: Josh Ritter- Where The Night Goes

In 2015, Josh Ritter released his new album, Sermon on the Rocks. He has been recording albums since 1999, and for this album, he worked with producer Trina Shoemaker, who worked with Emmylou Harris and Queens of the Stoneage before. Together they recorded the album in two weeks, and the result is (hopefully) as Josh wanted: it swings, is grand, and very good. Enjoy

Josh Ritter- Where The Night Goes

FlinterFile: The Weeknd- Can’t Feel My Face

In 2015, The Weeknd (real name Abel Tesfaye) scored a big hit with a dance track. The song, about a man who is in love with a woman who is absolutely no good for him, was musically written by Max Martin, who previously worked with famous artists like Taylor Swift and Katy Perry. There are some rumours the song is about cocaine, since the title comes from a movie, when it is said after taking cocaine. However, it really is about love. Number 3 in the UK, number 1 in the US. Enjoy

The Weeknd- Can’t Feel My Face

FlinterFile: Bryan Adams- Brand New Day

In 2015, Bryan Adams released his brand new album. The album was written with Jim Vallance, with whom he has worked a long time already. Jeff Lynne produced the album, which brought out the magic of the album: sometimes a track was completely changed, but in a good way. It took a few years, and it was mostly made over the internet. Though the techniques are modern, the sound is as we know it from the eighties. Enjoy

Bryan Adams- Brand New Day

FlinterFile: Leon Bridges- Better Man

In 2015, Leon Bridges made his debut. From his album, ‘Coming Home’, it was the first single. As he liked to get the real sound of the fifties and sixties in the soul he makes, he really used the old equipment. After making the song ‘Coming Home’, which was the start of his career, he made the song ‘Better Man’, which gave a real boost to his popularity. Enjoy

Leon Bridges- Better Man

FlinterFile: C Duncan- Here To There

In 2015, C Duncan tried to answer a question which has been around for some time. What if you cross classical music with pop? Of course, you could refer to the jazz improvisations of Ekseption, but C Duncan answers the question differently: he started with playing piano and violin, but quickly learned to play drums, bass and guitar, too. This year, he made his debut album: Architect. It is full of arrangements where we find ourselves confronted with both classical elements as well as the modern pop music. Great music to listen to, and though it has not charted yet, it probably is one of the most outstanding records made this year. Enjoy

C Duncan- Here To There

FlinterFile: Sigala- Easy Love

In 2015, the DJ Bruce Fielder released his debut single under the name of Sigala. He wrote the song after drinken some beers on Sunday. He took a part of the song ABC by the Jacksons, put a house beat under it and then played it to Tito Jackson… who absolutely loved it. Of course this is no guarantee for having a hit, but he debuted on number 1 in the UK, higher than the original by the Jacksons, who made it to number 8. Enjoy

Sigala- Easy Love

FlinterFile: Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats- S.O.B.

In 2015, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats made their debut. The group was formed in 2013, after two solo records from Nathaniel Rateliff, which were more Americana based. With his group, he plays more a sort of R&B, and they made their debut this year. It is about alcohol, and more specific: about a man who wastes his life drinking. It was more a joke than a real song, but luckily decided to record it after positive feedback from others. In the US, it had made the Top 5 of several charts, even number 1 on the Adult Alternative chart! Enjoy

Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats- S.O.B.

FlinterFile: Lianne La Havas- What You Don’t Do

In 2015, Lianne La Havas released her new album Blood. The album was based on the renewed connection with her roots on Jamaica. This meant new inspiration, and a lot of styles which combined together. This song is a mixture of jazz, doowop, R&B, but also has horns and even a gospel choir. The song is about the relationship of La Havas with her boyfriend, in which they know what they want without saying it. A very good song and probably one of the finest made this year! It charted number 29 in the US R&B chart. Enjoy

Lianne La Havas- What You Don’t Do

Song of the day: Tove Lo- Habits

The artist Tove Lo made her debut this year. She released an EP and an album, and she reached the charts with this song. It is the lead single from the EP and the album, ending up on number 3 in the US. She was the first artist from Sweden that charted since Ace of Base (with the Sign in 1994). After her own release, Hippie Sabotage came and sabotaged the song (meaning they made a remix) and released it. In this version, it would also reach the UK with a number 6 hit single. Enjoy

Tove Lo- Habits (Stay High)

Song of the day: Route 94- My Love

Remember that I was talking about Jess Glynne, who debuted this year with Clean Bandit? She also appeared on the song My Love by Route 94, which made it to number 1 in the UK. The song makes you think about the eurodance from the nineties, and it has a kind of deep house sound over it. Enjoy

Route 94 ft. Jess Glynne- My Love

Song of the day: Meghan Trainor- All About That Bass

Before 2014, there was hardly anyone who knew the music of Meghan Trainor. That changed with her song All About That Bass, which reached number 1 in both the UK and the US. The song was written in about 40 minutes and even the song-writers had not believed it would be a hit. Inspiration came from Just The Way You Are (Bruno Mars) and Lollipop (the Cordettes), together with the problems of body image by Meghan Trainor. Alltogether a very good song, enjoy

Meghan Trainor- All About That Bass

Song of the day: Jason Mraz- Hello You Beautiful Thing

Jason Mraz released his fifth studio album this year, named Yes! The song of the day is the third track of this album, and it is not an official single (as far as I know). Therefore, I could not find any chart positions. However, it’s a great song and it once more establishes Jason Mraz as a good singer, this time acoustic! Enjoy

Jason Mraz- Hello, You Beautiful Thing

Song of the day: Pitbull- Fireball

This summer, Pitbull invited John Ryan to sing on one of his records, so they could enter the charts together. Well… they succeeded. The song went to number 23 in the US, number 49 in the UK and even to number 1 in the Netherlands. In the US, it has sold around 750 000 copies now! For John Ryan, this was his debut (though he has already written some songs). Enjoy and dance to

Pitbull & John Ryan- Fireball

Song of the day: The Script- Superheroes

Pop rock from Ireland! They have already had several hits, and their new album brought some more songs which are very good to us. Oneof them ended on number 3 in the UK and number 73 in the general US chart. Tastes differ… The song was written for all those heroes which don’t have a song (we can’t all be Superman, can we?). Enjoy

The Script- Superheroes

Song of the day: Gary Fomdeck- I’ll Be There This Christmas

Firstly: Merry Christmas everybody!
Secondly: the song of the day. Actually, this song is a joke, which has become a bit too big… Every year, 3FM (a radio station) has an action for charity: Serious Request. One of the DJ’s, Gerard Ekdom, recorded a song in secret. No-one knew he was Gary Fomdeck, and so some radio stations started playing the song. And now it is number one in the Netherlands iTunes chart… Enjoy

Gary Fomdeck- I’ll Be There This Christmas

Song of the day: American Authors- Best Day Of My Life

The group American Authors was unsuccessful, until they recorded this big hit. Originally it was a single, but they decided to put it on their third EP. They were mainly looking for the right sound, and found it in the African rhythms. The stuttering in l-i-i-ife was found in old records from David Bowie (Changes) and Buddy Holly (among others). It gave them place 11 in the US and number 17 in the UK. Enjoy

American Authors- Best Day Of My Life

Song of the day: London Grammar- Strong

This probably was one of the surprises of the year. I can’t describe what the song sounds like, but I get goose bumps on my arms when I hear it. London Grammar are three persons, who make trip hop. The song made it to number 16 in the UK, and even to number 4 in Australia! Listen to

London Grammar- Strong

Song of the day: Michael Jackson- Love Never Felt So Good

I think Michael Jackson could never have imagined that he would score a number 9 hit in the US after he had died… However, he did. This year, some demo’s were found, some remastering and reworking was done, and then the results were released on the album Xscape. Jackson wrote the song with Paul Anka in 1983. Johnny Matis recorded the song, but the demo with Michael Jackson was until this year not released. Together with Justin Timberlake, the song became a hit. Enjoy

Michael Jackson & Justin Timberlake- Love Never Felt So Good

Song of the day: Coldplay featuring Avicii- A Sky Full Of Stars

2014 saw the new album of Coldplay being released. Lots of critics on the album, too. The whole thing was full of heart-broke songs, and that was not good. This song, though, doesn’t sound like it. The sound was due to the producer, namely Avicii. He would make sure Coldplay could score their first number 1 hit on the dance chart. Enjoy

Coldplay ft. Avicii- A Sky Full Of Stars

Song of the day: Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars- Uptown Funk!

A few weeks ago, Mark Ronson (famous from the remix of Valerie by Amy Winehouse) and Bruno Mars released their new single. The song is the single of Mark Ronson’s new album, which will be released next year. It was an instant hit: number 1 in the UK, number 3 in the US. The song sounds like the good disco from the seventies/eighties, and is very danceable! Enjoy and dance to

Mark Ronson & Bruno Mars- Uptown Funk

Song of the day: Dotan- Home

In the Netherlands, Dotan came back in the hit charts this year. Though he is not known outside the Netherlands yet, I would like to share this song with you. It has got something magic over it, and is the hit of the year in the Netherlands. Listen and enjoy

Dotan- Home

Song of the day: Ed Sheeran- Sing

This year, Ed Sheeran made his new studio album, with the help of Pharrell Williams. He gave Ed Sheeran a little other sound, which was a good decision: it made it to number 1 in the UK and 13 in the US! The song itself is a mix between pop, r&b and the sound of Justin Timberlake. The lyrics are about a night in Las Vegas, whatever that may mean… 🙂 Enjoy

Ed Sheeran- Sing

Song of the day: Train- Angel In Blue Jeans

In 2014, Train also returned to the hit charts! The song of the day was the lead single from their seventh album, Bulletproof Picasso. Though the normal chart positions (UK 58, US 79) were not very high, it was a song which was played quite a lot! Enjoy

Train- Angel In Blue Jeans

Song of the day: U2- The Miracle (of Joey Ramone)

U2 was a band that returned this year with a new album: Songs of Innocence. Firstly, the album was only available through free downloads, then it was released on CD. The album opens with this song, which ended on number 1 in the US adult alternative songs chart. The song refers to the singer of the Ramones, Joey Ramone. A great song and a very good album, enjoy

U2- The Miracle (of Joey Ramone)

Song of the day: Eric Clapton & Friends- Call Me The Breeze

There was a lot of new talent this year, but the established names also made music. Eric Clapton, for example. He invited his friends Mark Knopfler, John Mayer, Tom Petty, Don White and Willie Nelson to play a tribute to JJ Cale with him. The result is really fantastic, the album even went to number 1 in the Dutch album charts! Enjoy

Eric Clapton & Friends- Call Me The Breeze

Song of the day: Nico & Vinz- Am I Wrong

This summer, there were two songs which really were big hits. One of them is this song. Nico & Vinz are a Norwegian duo, formerly known as Envy. They released this song under the name Envy, having a big hit in Scandinavia. To reach the rest of the world, they changed their name, and with success: it was number 1 in the UK and number 4 in the US! Enjoy a bit of summer:

Nico & Vinz- Am I Wrong

Song of the day: Kiesza- Hideaway

Also a Canadian debute this year, by the singer Kiesza. She made a deep house single, which sounds very good. It was made in 90 minutes and makes you think about the good nineties dance music. The song reached number 1 in the UK and 51 in the US normal chart, so quite good. I hope we’ll hear more hits of her in the next year! Enjoy and dance to

Kiesza- Hideaway

Song of the day: Saint Motel- My Type

No, this song is not about the car, though it’s a nice car. This song is about a girl. The song was made by the American indie rock group Saint Motel, who have been working on their career since 2009. This year, their first (small) success came with this single. It ended in the UK on 34, which can be called good. I hope we’ll hear some more in the next years! Enjoy

Saint Motel- My Type

Song of the day: Common Linnets- Calm After The Storm

In this year, the Eurovision Song Contest was won by… eh… who was it again? Something with meat… does not matter, the song was no good anyway. The second place was taken by the Dutch duo the Common Linnets (who broke up shortly after their victory), formed by Ilse DeLange and Waylon. The release of the single became a success in Europe, with a good number 9 in the UK! Enjoy

The Common Linnets- Calm After The Storm

Song of the day: Lilly Wood & the Prick- Prayer In C

In 2010, Lilly Wood & The Prick made a song called Prayer In C. This was a folk pop song, which never charted. Until Robin Schulz took the song (without permission) and remixed it. He then released it and took it to number 1 in almost all countries you can think of, including the UK. In the US, the song ended up on 87 in the general chart. Enjoy

Lilly Wood & The Prick- Prayer In C (remix)

Song of the day: Sheppard- Geronimo

A new Australian band, which clearly stated they were there with their first single. Geronimo was number 1 in Australia, and almost reached the US charts. The song was inspired by a very famous Apache leader, namely Geronimo, who shouted out his name before he did something courageous. I think it’s a great song and we probably will hear more of the band in the future! Enjoy

Sheppard- Geronimo

Song of the day: Magic!- Rude

The band Magic! made their debute this year. The band is a Canadian reggae band, and they made a smashing hit of their debute single. The song was based on a bad relation of the singer with a girlfriend, but the story was changed a bit for the record: in the song, the singer is still meeting her and he asks her father if he can propose. In the US and the UK, it hit number 1! Enjoy

Magic!- Rude

Song of the day: Family Of The Year- Hero

Family of the Year is an American band, which had their first hit this year. This hit was a song from their second album, which already was released in 2012! A shorter version was released two years earlier, in 2010. However, only this year it would become a hit, with a number 1 position in the US on the alternative chart. Enjoy

Family of the Year- Hero

Song of the day: Dj Cassidy featuring Robin Thicke & Jessie J- Calling All Hearts

This can’t go wrong, I thought. Disco returned in 2013 and would spread further in 2014. This song was from the beginning of the year, and DJ Cassidy gathered a lot of famous names: Nile Rodgers (from Chic), John Robinson (Rufus & Chaka Kahn), Philip Bailey, Verdine White and Larry Dunn (Earth, Wind & Fire) and Robin Thicke together with Jessie J singing. A guaranteed hit, but it did not get very far in the world. Number 6 in the UK and number 9 in the US club songs chart, and that’s it. I very much like it, so enjoy and dance to

DJ Cassidy feat. Robin Thicke & Jessie J- Calling All Hearts

Song of the day: Hozier- Take Me To Church

This actually is a song from last year, but this year it has become an international success. Hozier performed it by David Letterman, and after this performance he managed to get to number 3 in the US! In the UK it has been on number 25. The text is a complete metaphor, in which the religion replaces the lover of Hozier, and so the text can be interpreted in several ways. Enjoy

Hozier- Take Me To Church

Song of the day: Alle Farben- She Moves

Talking about 2014, this must be one of the stranger (but therefore nicer) records. It was the debute of the German DJ Alle Farben, with the vocals of Graham Candy. It has not reached the charts in the UK or the US, but did reach the Dutch charts on number 15! A good hit, enjoy

Alle Farben & Graham Candy- She Moves (Far Away)

Song of the day: Clean Bandit featuring Jess Glynne- Rather Be

2014 was a good year for Clean Bandit. This group, which makes electric music, had a small hit with the song Extraordinary (which is very good too), but the big hit was made with Jess Glynne. It’s one of the best selling songs of this year, and it immediately came to number one in the UK when it entered the charts. In the US, the song came to number 10. The song was sung by Jess Glynne, who would also sing on a record by Route 94 (this will be featured later…). Enjoy

Clean Bandit & Jess Glynne- Rather Be

Song of the day: First Aid Kit- My Silver Lining

Sweden is completely back! It seems to go in waves, with some years less music, and then in one time a lot of good music comes from Sweden! Just like these two girls, who form the folk duo First Aid Kit. They had their first success this year, though they did not appear high in the charts. Their new album, Stay Gold, sold very good, and on that album is one of the best songs from last year, if not the best song! It’s enchanting and very very very good! Enjoy

First Aid Kit- My Silver Lining

Song of the day: George Ezra- Budapest

This month we’ll look back on the music of the past year! One of the positive surprises of the year 2014 was George Ezra. He released his debute album Wanted On Voyage this year, and the lead single of this album was Budapest. It made it to number 1 in Austria and New Zealand and number 3 in the UK. His special style in both his voice and his music makes this song a good hit, and we’ll probably hear more of him in the coming years! Enjoy

George Ezra- Budapest