It may have been one of the worst clubs in the world and is currently decaying away in Thornaby but the former Queen's Campus union "The Rocket" provided the most reliably great Saturday night I've ever known.
 
The biggest appeal was that you knew everyone there and the music playlist was so regimented you could say with almost certainty what would be played. This playlist is representative of that. 
 
Great memories!

1. I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) - Proclaimers
2. Everyday I Love You Less And Less - Kaiser Chiefs
3. Livin' On A Prayer - Bon Jovi
4. Summer of 69 - Bryan Adams
5. Don't Stop Me Now - Queen
6. Gold Digger - Kanye West
7. I Predict A Riot - Kaiser Chiefs
8. I'm Always Here - Jim Jamison

One thing in life I missed out on were the days when MTV actually played music. I can only imagine how exciting it was to have a channel that added the new dimension of video to pop songs.
 
Thankfully there is still some enjoyment to be had from it's legacy and it left behind a few wonderful unplugged sessions that I've highlighted here.
 
The first two tracks are common pub quiz questions: What was the first song played on MTV? Video Killed The Radio Star; What was the first song played on MTV Europe? Money For Nothing

1. Money For Nothing - Dire Straits
2. Video Killed The Radio Star - The Buggles
3. Summer Of 69 (Unplugged) - Bryan Adams
4. Back To You (Unplugged) - Bryan Adams
5. Tears In Heaven (Unplugged) - Eric Clapton
6. Layla (Unplugged) - Eric Clapton
7. San Francisco Bay Blues (Unplugged) - Eric Clapton
8. Don't Look Back In Anger (Unplugged) - Noel Gallagher

I'm not big on Valentines Day for the usual reasons (i.e. it being a made up day to sell stuff) but it does give a good excuse to put together a love song playlist. Ballads aren't really my thing but there are a few goodies out there and this list has some of the best.

1. Thank You For Loving Me - Bon Jovi
2. Making Memories Of Us - Keith Urban
3. Silly Love Songs - Wings
4. Tired Of Being Alone - Al Green
5. Blue Jeans and a Rosary - Kid Rock
6. Sometimes - Britney Spears
7. A Little Bit More - Dr Hook
8. Something About The Way You Look Tonight - Elton John

Quite a morbid topic but as death is a key part of our lives it's clearly going to be some good material for music. 
 
"American Pie" to most people is an upbeat number with a catchy chorus, but to a music aficionado like myself it's so much more. Written about the death of Buddy Holly, it chronicles music of the 60's in the most succinct and entertaining way possible. I strongly suggest you have a read about the meaning of the lyrics.
 

1. American Pie - Don Mclean
2. Tears In Heaven - Eric Clapton
3. Fire and Rain - James Taylor
4. Cancer - My Chemical Romance
5. Long Live The Queen - Frank Turner
6. Keep Me In Your Heart - Warron Zevon
7. Champagne Supernova - Oasis
8. The Last Resort - The Eagles

I love soundtracks. Other than the internet it's probably the best way to discover new music. I especially like it when films and TV shows have songs specifically written for them. This mix is a collection of a few of my favourites. 

1. Accidentally in Love - Counting Crows (Shrek 2)
2. Doing That Thing You Do (That Thing You Do) - The Wonders
3. Grease Megamix - Grease Cast
4. I Just Can't Wait To Be King - Jason Weaver, Laura Williams & Rowan Atkinson (The Lion King)
5. You've Got A Friend In Me - Randy Newman (Toy Story)
6. Grandstand Theme - Keith Mansfield
7. I Don't Want To Miss A Thing - Aerosmith (Armageddon)

The last couple of weeks have been good for finding new music, and this list is a reflection of what I've found.

Train have a new album out that has some songs that are close to pop-rock perfection. And on the topic of pop-rock perfection, Butch Walker is a big producer I'd never heard of who has written some amazing songs (though the track on this list is a cover of a Taylor Swift song).

Ke$ha is an artist people will love to hate, but I love a great pop song and "Your Love Is My Drug" delivers.

1. Save Me San Francisco - Train
2. You Belong With Me - Butch Walker
3. Your Love Is My Drug - Ke$ha
4. The Bird And The Worm - Owl City
5. Fallin' For You - Colbie Caillat
6. Good Gone Girl - Mika
7. (If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To - Weezer
8. Let It All Hang Out - Weezer

For my first mixtape here I've put together a simple one. Just the best bits of Glee season 1. The songs are all covers but put a really interesting spin on some classics and they conjure up the scenes from the series that are sure to put a smile on your face!

1. Don't Stop Believin - Glee Cast
2. Halo & Walking On Sunshine Mashup - Glee Cast
3. It's My Life & Confessions Mashup - Glee Cast
4. Proud Mary - Glee Cast
5. Don't Stand So Close To Me / Young Girl - Glee Cast
6. Jump - Glee Cast
7. Smile - Glee Cast
8. True Colors - Glee Cast