Songs about numbers

I was listening to 12:51 by The Strokes which gave me the idea of creating a list of the best songs with numbers in the title. I hope this gives you an insight into the workings of my genius brain.

Here are the rules I set:

1. The song has to have numbers in the title to be considered.

2. The song has to be decent.

3. The artist has to be someone that I have something to say about.

Bob Marley & The Wailers - Three Little Birds

Everyone should have Bob Marley's 'Legend' album in their music collection. Like many other great musicians, Robert Nesta "Bob" Marley passed away in his prime. He remains the most widely known and best-selling performer of reggae music, and is credited with helping spread both Jamaican music and the Rastafari movement to a worldwide audience.

Crowded House - Four Seasons In One Day

This 1992 hit from the loveable Kiwis was written about the changeable weather in Melbourne - where singer Neil Finn was living at the time.

I only rediscovered these guys the other day - if you haven't listened to them for a while take a moment to remind yourself how good 'Don't Dream It's Over' and 'Weather With You' are. These live versions are f*cking spot on.

Grizzly Bear - Two Weeks

A good friend of mine James got me into Grizzly Bear. When you think of the name Grizzly Bear it might lead you to think of an aggressive rock and roll or metal band. This couldn't be further from the truth.  The make softly spoken superb folk-indie.

Their 2009 album, 'Veckatimest' remains one of the most played albums on my ipod. Two Weeks is the most famous of their songs but they have plenty of other gems. They also did the soundtrack for the film Blue Valentine. Can't wait to hear that.

Led Zeppelin - 4 sticks

The song title came from the fact that drummer John Bonham used two sets of drum sticks rather than one – so four sticks in total.

So many great songs by these guys - if you haven't heard tracks such as 'Kashmir', 'Dazed and Confused' or 'Immigrant Song' make amends now. Click on the track name to watch the video.

For their Top 20 tracks have a look at this.

Mystery Jets - Two Doors Down

Mystery Jets remain my favourite live band - great music to get twatted and dance about too. If you're not familiar with their stuff have a listen to 'Dreaming of Another World' or 'Serotonin (live)' from their album (also named Serotonin) which came out last year.

The 'Dreaming of Another World' video also contains one of the best dance moves of 2010 (40 seconds in - bloke with the tash - you'll get what I mean).

Bob Dylan - Positively 4th Street

This song was recorded in New York in 1965 and was a classic hit on both sides of the Atlantic. It was written about the street where he once lived (who would have thought it?). The song was the follow-up to 'Like A Rolling Stone' and has been widely covered since.

Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960's when he was the reluctant figurehead of social unrest. A number of his songs such as 'Blowin' in the Wind' and 'The Times They Are a-Changin' became anthems for the US civil right and anti-war movements. 

The Strokes - 12:51

With their new album 'Angles' due in March and headline slots at Benicassim Festival and Coachella Festival, 2011 looks to a big year for The Strokes.

Strokes guitarist Albert Hammond Jr. told Rolling Stone that the album title represents "what the record sounds like. It comes from five different people," meaning that all of the members of the band contributed to the songwriting process.  Deep.

The Coral - 1000 Years

1000 years is a dreamy package of surf pop brilliance. Essential listening.

That's all I have to say about this.

Neil Young - Four Strong Winds

A good mate of mine denounces Neil Young's music as hill-billy nonsense. He's not for everyone but I'm a massive fan. Tracks such as 'Harvest Moon', 'Old Man' and 'Comes a Time' are absolutely priceless. Any man that includes a broom on his list of live instruments is a hero if you ask me (see the Harvest Moon video 25 seconds in).

Cherry Ghost - 4AM

Taken from their first album 'Thirst for Romance' - 4AM is a great track. Their last album, 'Beneath this Burning Shoreline' was one of my favourites of 2010. They are a superb live band, and one of my favourite bands in the world. They are playing in March at the Union Chapel in Islington...get on board.

They added this cover of 'Finally' by Ce Ce Peniston to their live shows in the summer - f*cking spot on.

Arcade Fire - Neighbourhood #4 (7 Kettles)

From their 2004 debut album, 'Funeral', which featured a series of songs that were numbered and this is the best of them.

They seem to be headlining every festival this summer and rightly so, their 2010 album 'Suburbs' was cracking and is widely accepted as one of the best of last year.

Here's why.

Yeasayer - O.N.E

I'd forgotten how much I liked this track.

I'm not a massive fan of Yeasayer - I find them a bit odd, but this track and a few others (such as 'Ambling Alp' and '2080') are really decent.

Over and out.