10 Songs That Have Affected My Life (For The Better)

I know I haven't done this.

Now, a few days ago I did a post about my top 20 favourite songs EVER. Well, I saw a post today while I was working on campus and I saw a post from Fall Out Boy saying '15 songs that have affected my life' or something similar. I gave that some thought and, well, it turns out not all of them were my top 20 favourite songs. So I thought "sod it, I'll do a blog post". because it's my blog. And I can.

So here's 10 songs that changed my life. Or at least heavily affected my life in some way before now. Here goes.

10: 'Welcome Home' by Coheed & Cambria

I first heard this back in 2010 while I was watching heavy music channel, Scuzz, and I immediately fell in love with it. I'd never heard anything like it and I was completely encapsulated by it. I immediately went to learn it and managed to fairly soon after. We've covered it numerous times in Against The Tide despite the fact I can't really sing it to save my life. But it affected me greatly because it caught me on one of my worst creative lows and it kick-started my love for rock again. Without this song, I don't think my life in ATT would've continued.


9: 'Stockholm Syndrome' by Muse

This is the first Muse song I consciously remember hearing. And I remember being blown away by it. I remember my friend, Ben, had tried to introduce me to Muse before but I wasn't keen on it (because it wasn't a 1960s song) but then I heard this (on Kerrang! I think) and I fell in love with Muse. I can play most of this on guitar as well but it affected me because I suddenly found myself loving a band that my mum wasn't keen on. It was the first time that'd happened in a number of years and Muse still remain my 2nd favourite band to this day. Fun fact, I was playing this song when I wrote the riff to the Against The Tide song 'Within Me'.


8: 'Suspicious Minds' by Elvis Presley

When I was young, I had a PlayStation 2. I also had a game called SingStar. From what I remember, Suspicious Minds was the first song I ever sang on it and I remember loving it. SingStar was kind of a piss-take karaoke but it was the first real experience I remember of singing something in all seriousness. And I loved doing it. So I kept doing it despite numerous protestations. Without this song I don't think I'd have wanted to start seriously singing.


7: 'Save Me' by Queen

So when I was with my first girlfriend, our song was 'Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)' by Green Day. However, soon after Valentines Day the relationship started to fall apart and we didn't see much of each other for about a month. Eventually, I was convinced that it was time to end it due to the fact it wasn't helping either of us. So I did. However, not having really done that before, it was quite emotional. I started walking home quite upset when, half way, I turned my mp3 player on and this song was the first one on shuffle. I totally forgot I had it on there but it came on and I just stopped for the  whole song. At that moment, that song made total sense and it felt like it'd been written for me. Every other time I've been in that situation of either ending a relationship or having a relationship ended on me, I put this song on as it always perks me up slightly when it happens. Strange I know, but it works so...


6: 'Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad' by Meat Loaf

Although I love Meat Loaf, I hated him for a number of years. My mum used to put him on in the car even though I didn't like it. But then, with songs you hate, you learn the lyrics. Anyway, I only remember a few songs from the early days. I remember Bat Out Of Hell and Heaven Can Wait, but we never got as far as this song. But one day, we did. And that's when I started to enjoy Meat Loaf. I loved the lyrics in this story despite not knowing what they meant but it just worked in my head. I loved it and, since then, I kind of loved rock music.


5: 'She's A Mystery To Me' by Roy Orbison

I remember hearing this for the first time while I was in the bath listening to the radio. I knew it was Roy Orbison but I had no idea what the song was. However, I fell in love with it. It's a beautiful song from Roy's later years and, I personally think, one of this best. I heard it around the time I was with one of my ex-girlfriends too so it seemed to be relevant at the time. I think it's one of those songs that you ought to sing at a wedding. Maybe that's just me. I don't know. But it eventually led me to write one of my most heartfelt songs. So I have something to thank Roy, Bono and The Edge for. (The Edge and Bono wrote it).


4: 'The Long And Winding Road' by The Beatles

When I was finishing school at 18, I got a bit emotional. Because what was effectively my life for 7 years was about to come to an end. And, being ASD, change is more scary. But, as usual, I find solace in music. And, out of all the songs I tried to use, this one worked the best. Because, for me, it reflected exactly how I felt at that moment and, suddenly, what happened next didn't seem so scary. So thanks, boys!


3: 'Love Of My Life' by Queen

It's often the case that someone's favourite song has affected them in some way, and mine certainly has. This song has affected my life in so many ways, mainly due to Freddie's passion within it. No matter how many times I hear I always associate it with happy memories because, for me, the loves of my life are my friends and my mum. I have a number of close friends who I have mostly fond memories of, same with my mu. So whenever I hear this I think of those fond times with both my friends and my mum. Which is nice. So when I cry listening to it, it's definitely happy tears. Except when I saw Queen+Adam Lambert live in 2012 where they brought Freddie on stage in video form singing it. I was an emotional wreck at that moment.


2. 'Halo' by Machine Head

This is thanks to my friends, Tom and Joe. I wasn't really into this kind of music during my early teenage years but when we went to the local youth club, they continually requested it. Eventually, I started to enjoy it too and started to sing along to it with them. There weren't many nights when Halo wasn't played and we'd sing it. I still have a video somewhere of Tom moshing out to it. But it still reminds me of random nights at the youth club when we'd just hang out because it was fun. And this is the song I always associate with it. We still listen to it now. Normally when Tom and I are driving somewhere and we have it rather loud as we sing along...badly...sorry Tom.


1. 'Heaven and Hell' by Black Sabbath (w/ Ronnie James Dio)

This song I think sums up my most recent heavier songs rather well. I first heard this last year after Mum played it to me on YouTube but I absolutely loved it when I heard it. Although I'm not a huge fan of him generally, I respect Dio immensely as a metal musician and this song is no different. But it also led me to try and write more melodically challenging songs of late. My cousin said to me the other day that the song I wish to release next, 'The Truth To Life', is Sabbath-esque and I guess that was kind of the idea. This song made me realise what kind of music I want to strive for for the moment. No doubt I'll end up doing what feels right at the time but this'll be the template for many of my future songs I would imagine.


So yeah. That's mine in case you're interested.

Until next time!

My favourite 20* Songs EVER.

Don't THINK I've done this before...

Hey guys. So if you haven't already worked out, I LOVE music. And not just limited to any kind either. I know what I like and, more often than not, I like what I hear. But I do get asked sometimes to come up with a top 5 list or something and, I just can't. So I've tried to work out a top 20 list of my ALL-TIME favourite songs. Hope I can do it. I'm also going to explain very briefly why I love them so much and, obviously, link you to them.

So here goes:



20: 'Ghost Town' by The Specials

I love this song for a number of reasons. Firstly, it's 2-tone. I love that genre and many of the bands that came out of it and I'm slightly jealous of anyone who's in a band with them. I'd love to write and perform that kind of music but I really don't seem myself doing it anytime soon. Anyway, it's also a good political song from the early Thatcher years so it's an interesting British history resource!


19: 'The Headmaster Ritual' by The Smiths

So I love the Smiths and this just strikes a chord with me. I love a multitude of Smiths songs but this one sticks out for me because of Morrissey's recollections of his school years! I also love Johnny Marr's guitar work in this song especially for some reason.


18: 'Time Is Running Out' by Muse

Not the last time you'll see Muse on this playlist, I first got into Muse around 2007 and, initially, didn't like them. However, I heard Supermassive Black Hole and fell in love with them. They're still on my Live Act To-Do-List and cannot wait for Drones to come out. However, this particular song struck a chord with me because of its power. I'm normally paranoid about the end of the world but this song makes it a bit better each time I feel nervous...


17: 'Desolate' by FireKind

Unless you're in Australia or in certain parts of the UK or the Alps, you've probably never heard of FireKind but the story is this. In 2011; my old band, Against The Tide, won a competition to support the band (who were called Rude Tiger at that point) and I remember falling in love with their music almost in an instant. They are also some of the nicest guys you could possibly meet and I'm looking forward to hearing their debut album,,,whenever that comes out...


16: 'Heart Of Glass' by Blondie

Two reasons I love this track. 1, I have a slight crush on Debbie Harry, as did many others in the 70s/80s. My second reason is I absolutely murder this at karaoke. I love "singing" this on karaoke nights when I attend them and watching people writhe as I fail to hit the high notes. To be fair, unless I miraculously become Debbie Harry, I'm always going to fail at it. I'll just listen to it instead...


17: 'Thinking Out Loud' by Ed Sheeran

I know this hasn't been out long but I still love it. The idea of Ed writing this as a kind of wedding song is just pure loveliness and I think, personally, it lives up to that idea. If I could go to a ballroom dance with someone and dance to this before I die I'd be a happy Joshy.


16: 'Unchained Melody' by The Righteous Brothers

Yes, I do like the film Ghost. Yes, I do like the pottery scene. Get over it. I'm also a huge fan of 60s pop music and, apart from a few others which will make an appearance in this, this is one of the ultimate songs for me. I just love the melodies in it and the vocal range. Superb.


15: 'Vienna' by Ultravox

This should've been Number 1. Mum made me listen to Ultravox when I was little as they were one of her favourite bands when she was in her 20s. I do love Ultravox but this will always be my favourite. It's just so moody and well produced. I can't believe this lost out to a stupid fake Italian guy...


14: 'Bat Out Of Hell' by Meat Loaf

Someone else Mum made me listen to growing up. However, this is still one of my all time favourites. It's just like a rock opera in 9 minutes. The whole album too is wonderful and diverse. I had a hell of a time trying to decide which ML song was my favourite but I think this one and one more covers it nicely.


13: 'I'm Into Something Good' by Herman's Hermits

I was a tiny bit obsessed with this song in 2006-2007 after Mum got a 60s compilation CD with this song on it. I annoyed my school friends by singing it continually. Just because it wasn't Beyonce I guess it wasn't worth listening to. But then again, I loved it and that's that matters. I still enjoy hearing it from time to time!


12: 'The Show Must Go On' by Queen

If you ever feel like complaining or feel like you can't do something for whatever reason, listen to this song. Recorded in 1991, Freddie's health was rapidly deteriorating and Brian was worried Freddie couldn't sing it as, let's face it, it's a powerful track. Freddie then downed a shot of vodka and reportedly said "sing it? I'll fucking nail it, darling". He then proceeded to do the whole song in 1 take. (Trust me, that's pretty damn incredible). So never say you can't do something!


11: 'Hungry Heart' by Bruce Springsteen

I love the Boss. I just love how happy the music to this song is despite the slightly sombre lyrics behind it. I was lucky enough to see Springsteen in 2013 and it is, hands down, the best concert I've ever been to to date. It'll take a lot to top that!


10: 'Cancer' by My Chemical Romance

Although I love a lot of MCR, this song is my ultimate favourite for them. I remember crying the first time I heard it and I cried again when they played it when I saw them live. It's just a really sad yet strangely uplifting song. I can't explain it.


9: 'If There's Any Reason' by FireKind

Remember FireKind from earlier? Well, they did another song that I completely fell in love with. I haven't heard this live yet but I hope to one day. It's just a lovely song and the music just works with it, The slightly airy and ethereal sound that surrounds it. It's a reverb lover's heaven but it's still lovely.


8: 'Tears Dry On Their Own' by Amy Winehouse

I remember this coming out and enjoying it when it came out. It's a lot more sassy than Amy's usual stuff but I think that's why I enjoy it so much. Because it is slightly different! Mind you...I wouldn't cheat on your partner though...you might end up in this position! I miss Amy...


(Joint 7th): 'Dear Future Historians...', 'Slipshod' and 'The Last Garrison' by Enter Shikari

Had the very lucky opportunity to see this band live this time last week and all 3 of these songs were played. All are from the new album but I just love both of these songs. Dear Future Historians makes me cry fairly often because I just find it really lovely. But The Last Garrison is just uplifting. Slipshod's just fun. GET ME THE MANAGER.






6: 'Thunder Road' by Bruce Springsteen

This is one of my ultimate uplifting songs. Just the idea of running away on a road trip or something is a lovely sentiment. The piano in it as well is just stunningly beautiful. I'll have to stop there or I'll go on about it all evening and no-one wants that.


5: 'Heartbreaker' by Led Zeppelin

That riff tho. I just love the whole blues-eyness of this track and Plant's vocals in it. It's just so...sexy! Sexy stuff from Zep.


4: 'What A Wonderful World' by Louis Armstrong

Just the hope in this song. It talks about everything wonderful in this world which still rings true now as it did then. Only now we're not in a Cold War context. Either way this is still a beautiful song and one of those really weird timeless ones.


3: 'Save Me' by Muse

One of those songs that made me cry when I first heard it again. Matt doesn't sing this one. Chris does. He wrote it as well and it was written about his wife who stuck by him despite his battle with alcohol addiction. Which is what makes it so poignant. On a personal note, it reminds me of an old friend of mine who I don't speak to anymore. We had a mutual love of Muse and this song just reminds me of her a little bit as I always kind of aspired to be a bit like her. (Hence why my favourite lyrics from this song is 'turn me into someone like you').


2: 'Bohemian Rhapsody' by Queen

I think most people who know me would expect this to be first but, still. It's 2nd. There's nothing I love more when I'm down to just listen to this song and sing and dance along to it. I can play half of the song on piano and some of the ending on guitar. I'm hoping one day to perform it live but that'll probably never happen. Just the amazingness of this song is the only reason this needs to be my number 2, even if it is the most popular Number 1 single in UK chart history!


1: 'Love Of My Life' by Queen

Anyone who knows me is now saying "of course it was going to be Queen". Well, hope I didn't disappoint. But this is my all-time favourite song because of how different the live version is to the recorded version. In the recorded version, it's mostly piano based with the other members coming in towards the end. However, the live version is solely Brian and Freddie with Brian normally on a 12-string acoustic guitar. I was very lucky to see Queen + Adam Lambert in 2012 where Brian played this song on his own with Freddie walking on in video form at the end. I was crying. But I remember first hearing the live version and thinking it was the most beautiful thing I'd ever heard in my life. I still think that to be fair just because of the raw passion and power Freddie puts into it. If I ever watch a live performance I haven't seen before and they play it I cry every time. I've also attempted to play this live before and it didn't work but I'll happily just listen to it. Also, I just love Freddie Mercury a bit too much :')

So there we have it. My 20(2) favourite songs ever. Hope you enjoy this list and find some enjoyment in it. I'd be interested to hear what your favourite songs are!

Until next time, see ya!

Love Song

I don't need a love song
To tell me how I'm feeling
And I don't need a love song
To walk on the ceiling and I
Don't need a love song to tell you...

...That I'll walk across the world
Lay on the wire
Jump in cold water
To cool my desire...

...But maybe I do...

And I don't need a love song
To tell you don't feel the same
And I don't need a love song
To keep calling your name and I
Don't need a love song to show you...

...Just what you're missing out on
A brand new sunset
A make or break
For this price on my head...

...But maybe I do...

But how can I know for sure?
If the music don't flow
So if all else fails
I'll write that song myself...

And I don't need a love song
To know how I'm feeling
And I don't need a love song
To know I'm not healing and I
Don't need a love song to prove to you...

...That I'll never try to stray
Never look away
Find somebody new
And cherish every day...

...But maybe I do...

...And maybe...I want to...

The Truth To Life

Welcome to the world
It's not a bad place
It's a bit misguided
But it's home.

Now that you're here
You'll experience more
Than any of us could
Ever really dream of.

And that's good.

Because you'll experience life.

You'll experience love.

You'll experience good days.

And bad days.

And meh days.

And "ah fuck it" days.

Days when you can't face the world.

Days when you can.

Days where you want to punch it in the face.

Days when you won't.

But this is what life is made up of. Days.
And it's too short to worry about the little things.
Go out there and explore the world in ways I never could.
We're sadly going to lose it at some stage so see it when you can.

Go around and travel. Meet people. Meet a girl. Or a boy. We're not fussy.
Experience love. The first kiss that makes your heart explode.
Someone you can connect with on more than a physical level.
Someone you can just talk meaningless shit with and still find them fun.

Love isn't a curse. It's beautiful. It's all around. As is hate. But you can ignore hate.
You can't ignore love. Believe me, we've all tried to at one point or another.
Read, love, eat, drink, be merry. Have a few close friends rather than lots of good ones.
Ignore race, ignore colour, ignore creed and only focus on their humanity.

This is the truth to life. Tolerate. Be happy. Be contented. Don't care what people think of you.
Go into the world. Make waves. Take nothing but memories and leave nothing but footprints.
And when I'm old and decrepit I'll still want to listen to your stories of worlds I've never seen.
And when I'm dying you'll hopefully read this out as a eulogy to the future generations.

All it takes are days to enjoy the world...

Don't waste time. Live every second, every minute, every day. Wake up in the morning and intend
To do as much good as you can. A little good goes a long way.

As will you...

So, Adoption...

Sometimes, lecturers can make us think about things other than their specialist subject.

Being at university, you come across many different things, schools of thought, opinions and, above all else, situations. University is such a big melting pot of culture, interests and personalities and I seriously love being here. But, sometimes, you can start thinking about things that someone says that's totally unrelated to your degree.

This happened to me today as the topic of adoption came up as a passing comment in my lecture today. My lecturer (who shall remain nameless) admitted they were looking to adopt and left it at that. (We were talking about Children's Rights so I guess it is kind of connected in a small way...)

Anyway, as an opinion, the lecturer asked by a show of hands who would adopt given the chance and, from what I can recall, I was the only one who put their hand up. But I didn't realise I was doing it. Thankfully, I wasn't asked why I would. But as I played the piano to relax this afternoon after a heavy lecture, I started to think about reasons why I would adopt and why I perhaps wouldn't.

Obviously, this question is very simple anyway because it's a hypothetical situation. But to continue with this post, imagine you (and I) had the means to adopt and take it from there.

To begin my reasons why I would and would not adopt: let's make one thing clear. I am 20 years old and I'm in my second year of uni. I don't have the time to adopt or even think seriously about having kids right now. I do, however, have a lot of time to think about things like this.


So here goes.

The other day, I was informed that my awesome cousin and his lovely wife were expecting their first child this year. Knowing who they are and their personalities, that kid is going to have awesome parents and I can't wait to see how they do.

But I started using this as a basis for my own thoughts on the issue. I've said multiple times on blogs and generally that I've always wanted to be a dad. I've even written two blogs on names I'd choose for my first child among others. And while it would be nice to have a child who I did partially create and is biologically half of me, having one that isn't would also be as rewarding. Because there are so many children in this country alone that are abandoned or unwanted by their biological parents.

And, while I'm happy for my cousins and this next comment is not a dig at them at all, but what's the point in bringing a new child into the world when there are thousands more in this country alone that one could give a home to?

In England alone, "68,840 children were in the care of local authorities on 31st March 2014, compared to 68,060 in 2013" (British Association of Adoption and Fostering, 2014). And while this does mean fostering as well as being taken into care generally, it's still a number that's rising. (As an extra point, most of these are boys). So there are plenty of children out there who could use a stable home as well needing some kind of solid home basis. And these children range from babies to teenagers.

Adoption rates in the UK actually rose in the 3 years between 2010 and 2013 by 42%, which means that adoption is still a very viable option in today's day and age. (Obviously, being facilitated by a number of different traumatic circumstances such as underage, rape and other unfortunate outcomes). "There were 3,580 looked after children placed for adoption at 31 March 2014 representing 5% of all looked after children." (Gov.uk, 2014)

Obviously, as this is not an academic piece, I'm merely scratching the surface of why adoption might be a plus and why I would personally consider it.

I've been taught all throughout my secondary school years that adoption can happen from a number of different circumstances. But if you do decide to adopt, you do need to understand something. It's not by any means the easiest option. Adoption is stressful for the biological parties involved and it might be a forced adoption or they may have to give up the child because of difficult circumstances.

Either way, it's one of those situations when EVERYONE'S feelings have to be taken into account. It might be that the child is being removed due to fears for the child's safety (which can happen) but it could also be due to uncontrollable circumstances such as financial troubles, age, religion, culture etc. So it's never an easy decision to come to nor is it an easy process to go through. On the other side, one party might decide they don't to go through with an adoption which can also cause stress in itself but I have no idea how rare that would be,

Nor will it be easy on the child. Unless you tell them from the moment they have some concept of the world around them that they are adopted, they might reverse adversely to the news. I have known adopted people who have taken the fact they have well but it might not always be that way. They may become resentful to the fact that their family structure is, to them, a lie or an illusion. Sometimes they might feel that, because they're not biologically related to you that you somehow mean less to them.

Obviously, this is something to tackle should that occur but that's all part and parcel of the experience. You're going to have a bad time with a teenager regardless. (Sorry to other teens reading this, but most teens can be bastards from time to time...I was...so were many others I knew,,,)

So what do you get out of adoption? Well:

• You've raised another human that isn't yours. Throughout history, Humans have been one of the great adopters of the world so it's perfectly reasonable to adopt something or someone that isn't yours. Ever wondered why humans adopt other animals into their lives?
• Knowing that you've given someone else's child a good home when they might not have otherwise. There's every chance that one could adopt a baby or child from a terrible and abusive home. If they grow up to be wonderful, awesome and contributing members of society, job done! You've given that child a safer home than they might have to begin with.
• Knowing you've given someone else's child a good home when their biological parents could not otherwise. Leading on from the last bullet point, the child might've been put up for adoption because of financial/cultural/age/religious reasons and they may well have struggled throughout their lives. While it's sad that the biological parent(s) could not provide that life for the child, at least someone could. (Obviously, there's nothing to suggest you couldn't keep the biological parent(s) involved somehow in that situation. Many do).
• Knowing that you've done one of the hardest things imaginable. Adoption is not easy at all. It's a very laborious process and a big commitment to make. If you can do it and do it well then you deserve a medal in my honest opinion. The fact you feel you can is something in itself but to do it is a whole different thing altogether. So, if you've ever adopted successfully and done it successfully, you have my utmost respect.

What would I do ideally? If it were up to me, I'd adopt and have one of my own. Because then you've fulfilled your human urge to have your own off-spring while at the same time possibly helping someone who might've had a bad quality of life otherwise. Obviously, this blog post of horribly over-simplified but, in an ideal world, I'd want to adopt and have one of my own and hope to bloody hell they get along. 

Then again, if you raise them right then they likely will...

Anyway. That's me done. If anyone would like to correct me on anything I've said or share your own experiences or opinions on adoption as a process then please do! You know I love to hear what you guys have to say.

It only leaves me to wish the very best of luck to my cousin and his wife, who's expecting their own child as well as my lecturer who is adopting. 

Although, I do pose the question:

If you could adopt, would you?

See ya!