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MUSIC MATTERS

My Five

The starting track from the greatest hits /compilation album, Back to Front, ‘Do it to me’ is an upbeat number that’ll sweep you off your feet with some great sax work. Lionel Richie’s success with The Commodores in the 1960s and 1970s is considered to be the best in the Motown era and this album reflects his work from that era while also including a few solo numbers. There is no arguing the fact that as a songwriter and performer Lionel Richie is right up there with Michael Jackson.

From the eponymous album, the song is almost 14 years old and still finds a place on my regular playlist. I didn’t know till recently that this was his last pop-rock album; the song, however, is a full fledged return to form for the ‘Piano Man’. A gospel feel with nice arrangement of background vocals, the number alludes to a person seeking faith and truth.

After his Take That days ended, Robbie William’s music evolved and matured. This amazing song develops from a simple piano introduction into a euphoric chorus of a confession. The plaintive cry “I’m lovin’ angels instead” haunts you long after you move on to the next track. A great number from a terrific entertainer.

Though his popularity dipped somewhat in the 1980s, Elton John came back as strong as ever in the 1990s. ‘The One’ is a special track that stands out — a song about that ‘special someone’ with whom you find personal happiness. Elton John’s piano skills are awesome and the song ends in an extended violin instrumental, adding an extra bit of colour. Surely, Sir Elton John is The One.

This mystical power ballad from the album Listen without Prejudice Vol. 1 with overt references to matters of theology is a kind of wake-up call, and is rated as one of the more mature works of ex-Wham star George Michael. Listen without Prejudice was snubbed as a commercial disaster, but its powerful lyrics compel the listener to think and ask questions. “The rich declare themselves poor /And most of us are not sure /If we have too much/But we’ll take our chances /Because God’s stopped keeping score.”

Michael Jackson: Stranger in Moscow

Eric Clapton: Wonderful Tonight

Richard Marx: Right Here Waiting

Phil Collins: Another Day in Paradise

Michael Bolton: Safe Place from the Storm

(Peter Premraj is a senior training coordinator with an infotech company in Chennai)

[Readers may contribute to MyFive at myfivecolumn@gmail.com. Submissions must have a full address and telephone number. Publication is at the discretion of Weekend Metroplus.]

My Five is a personal list of the five greatest tracks in popular music

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