Because it's March 19th, and I am 41 years old. I know, I don't look a day over 40. (Well, strictly speaking, I'm not. Until tomorrow.)
10. My Life Story - Birthday Suit
It's always a treat to find a Jake Shillingford b-side on youtube.
9. Spearmint - Happy Birthday, Girl
From Spearmint's wonderful Christmas album, Oklahoma, but allowed here because the girl in question's birthday is on Christmas Eve. Other than that, too good to miss out.
8. Trembling Blue Stars - Birthday Girl
Lovely.
7. Elvis Costello & Burt Bacharach - Tears At The Birthday Party
From the best album Costello released in the past 20 years. But then, Burt Bacharach will do that for you.
6. The Cookies - I Want A Boy For My Birthday
Sorry, girls, I'm taken.
5. Eels - Let's Ruin Julie's Birthday
This is what happens when E doesn't get an invite to your party.
E, you're welcome at mine any time.
4. The Beatles - Birthday
Yeah, like they really needed the money that would be generated by writing a birthday song.
Still, great riff.
3. The All-Seeing I featuring Tony Christie - Happy Birthday, Nicola
Lyrics by Jarvis Cocker. Hence: brilliant.
2. The Smiths - Unhappy Birthday
If I wasn't superstitious, this could have been Number One. But do I honestly want to wish myself that?
I've come to wish you an unhappy birthdayThanks, Moz. I can always count on your for a card.
'Cause you're evil
And you lie
And if you should die
I may feel slightly sad
(But I won't cry)
See also It's Not Your Birthday Anymore.
1. Stevie Wonder - Happy Birthday
Just before the tipping point where Stevie went from genius to goon. I Just Called To Say I Love You was still a few years off. Plus, it's a tribute to Martin Luther King, so extra point for that. Still, the 80s electric keyboard sounds very Casio. He should have stuck with a proper piano.
Those were my birthday songs. Which do you wish me?
Sugarcubes - Birthday...? http://youtu.be/BFQPNApwJGU
ReplyDeleteIt was in consideration... until I decided that I really didn't want Bjork shrieking at me on my birthday.
DeleteBut, but, but, but Altered Images...just the song to bounce around to when you're old...and a special nod to Marilyn Monroe although it wasn't actually a record...
ReplyDeleteaha that's it! all I could think was "some dreadful women called Clare, played football, screeched Happy birthday"
DeleteLet it never be said I won't acknowledge when I'm beaten: Altered Images really should have been Top 3. Can't understand how it fell out of my memory.
DeleteJapan - All Tomorrow's Parties... wishing you loads of them. Happy birthday!
ReplyDeleteThank you. I almost typed "same to you", which I have developed a curious habit of replying with today, even though it isn't actually anyone else's birthday.
DeleteCracker have something to say on this, which would be my pick.....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Fz9jKjiFq0
ReplyDeleteExcellent! That's a cracker!
Deletethere is an Aussie band called Things of Stone and Wood - their one hit was the awesome song "Happy Birthday Helen".
ReplyDeleteI'll save that for my Top Ten Helen Songs, thanks.
Delete