The First Lines Game

In the interests of sheer good fun, let's play a game.

This is a meme that used to do the rounds on facebook and myspace (yes, myspace!) back in the day, as well as being featured on this here blog a few times and it's just good fun.  Who doesn't love a pub quiz moment where you get to show off your knowledge?

------------------------------------

The rules:

Step 1: Put your music player on shuffle.
Step 2: Post the first line (or a few ;)) from the first 30 songs that play, no matter how embarrassing.
Step 3: Italicise the lyrics and post the details when someone guesses both artist and track correctly*
Step 4: For those who are guessing -- looking the lyrics up on a search engine is CHEATING!
Step 5: If you like the game post your own


*I'll even add a YouTube link, because music is for sharing :)

------------------------------------

1. It’s okay, I’m good. Let’s go.

2. What an amazing time

    What a family

    How did the years go by?

    Now it's only me

What You Waiting For? - Gwen Stefani (Laura - way to go!)

3. Don't you know

    So many things they come and go?

4. I gotta take a little time

   A little time to think things over

5. She was a fast machine she kept her motor clean

    She was the best damn woman that I ever seen

6. I been livin for the weekend

    But no not anymore

7. The world was on fire and no one could save me but you.

     It's strange what desire will make foolish people do.

8. I ain't the kind you take home to mama 

    I ain't the kind to wear no ring 

9. Hello, hello, baby, you called?

    I can't hear a thing

Telephone - Lady Gaga and Beyoncé  (well done Jenny K!)

10. Oceans apart day after day

      And I slowly go insane

Right Here Waiting - Richard Marx (well done, Laura!)

11. It doesn't hurt me.

      Do you want to feel how it feels?

12. Don't be so quick to walk away

      Dance with me

13. People like you always want back the love they gave away

      And people like me wanna believe you when you say you've changed

14. Popping bottles in the ice, like a blizzard

      When we drink we do it right gettin slizzard

Like a G6 - Far East Movement (Laura)

15. I hopped off the plane at L.A.X.

     With a dream and my cardigan

Party in the USA - Miley Cyrus (Laura)

16. I would take the stars

     Out of the sky for you

17. Worn and haggard, weathered and torn

      Drug through the keyhole of that back door

Making Me Look Good Again - Drake White (Laura)

18. Oh, well, imagine,

      As I'm pacing the pews in a church corridor,

19. It was a theme she had

     On a scheme he had

     Told in a foreign land

20. I wanna walk that line a little crooked

      And live my life a little on the rocks

21. What if I told you about my little nothing town

       The two room house where I came from

If I Told You - Darius Rucker (Laura)

22. To the left, to the left

      To the left, to the left, 

      Everything you own in a box to the left

Irreplaceable - Beyoncé (Jenny K)

23. There's nothing like summer in the city

      Someone under stress meets someone looking pretty

24. Bet you think I'm sitting at home. No.

      Bet you think that I'm all alone. No.

Somewhere On A Beach - Dierks Bentley (Laura)

25. I'm busy throwing hints that he keeps missing 

      Don't have to think about it 

Push The Button - Sugababes (Jenny K)

26. Right now you are down and out and feeling really crappy

     And when I see how sad you are it sort of makes me...

     Happy!

27. On a boat, on a beach

      In the water, in the sand

      In the back of a bar

      Cold beer in your hand

You Look Good - Lady Antebellum (Laura)

28. Her hair is Harlow gold

      Her lips sweet surprise

29. Dry lightning cracks across the skies

      Those storm clouds gather in her eyes

Blown Away - Carrie Underwood (Laura)

30. There is freedom within

      There is freedom without

      Try to catch a deluge in a paper cup

Don't Dream It's Over - Crowded House (Laura)

------------------------------------

Good luck, quizzers!

View Post

My Workout Playlist (Summer 2017)

The summer break from school is always a time when I try to get things a little more organised, whether it's catching up on blogging, seeing friends and family, sorting out the hundreds of little things required around the house, or taking a little time to take care of myself, with lots of rest and relaxation, healthy meals, and working out more (I always find that good habits in July and August spill over to September, which is perfect for a busy, busy month!).

As you'll be aware, any workout needs a good soundtrack, so I thought I'd share my current one - these are the tracks that keep me on course when I'm walking, cross-training or heading off to class!

1. Can't Hold Us - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Ray Dalton

2. Scandalous - Mis-Teeq

3. Who's Got A Match? - Biffy Clyro

4. TiK ToK - Kesha

5. What You Waiting For? - Gwen Stefani

6. Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God) - Kate Bush

7. Eye of the Tiger - Survivor

8. Pass Out - Tinie Tempah

9. XXPEN$IVE - Erika Jayne

10. Paper Planes - M.I.A.

11. You Don't Know Me - Jax Jones

12. Work It -  Missy Elliot

13. Like A G6 - Far East Movement

14. Despacito (Major Lazer & MOSKA remix) - Luis Fonsi

15. All I Do Is Win - DJ Khaled ft. T-Pain, Ludacris, Snoop Dogg & Rick Ross

16. You Shook Me All Night Long - AC/DC

17. Worth It - Fifth Harmony

18. Summer - Calvin Harris

19. I Love It - Icona Pop ft. Charli XCX

20. Mr Brightside - The Killers

From rap to rock, dance to Real Housewives, I like to mix it up. You can enjoy this smorgasbord of musical wonder for yourself over on spotify.

What tunes get you in the workout zone?

--------------------------------------------------

A few more music posts for your delectation:

My favourite music of 2016

The Musical Theatre Roles I'd Love to Play

Music, Hotels, and Cocktails, oh my!

View Post

My favourite music of 2016

I love music. I always have. From down-home country to soaring gospel, cheesy pop to gritty rock, I have time for the joy that music brings.

So it seemed natural for me to put together a list of my favourite songs of 2016. Originally I was aiming for a top ten...but that proved too much of an ask. So here are my top 50 songs of the year. You can also listen to the whole eclectic thing over on Spotify!

One quick note - three Beyoncé songs would have made the cut (Sorry, Formation, and Daddy Issues), but as her music isn't available on Spotify where I compiled the main list, she's absent from my rundown. Massive fan of both her and the magic that is Lemonade though, definitely one of the most iconic listens of the year. Viva Queen Bey.

View Post

Happy Monday/Ten Happy Things #15

It's Monday, it's the start of the week, and I'm joining up as ever with Katy and Jasmin for a lovely, positive start to the week. Let's go!

1. A cosy weekend

Lovely, tasty meals, good wine and chats

Poppet loves using me as a cushion/vantage point

Really enjoyed catching 'Addams Family Values' yesterday on Channel 4. I'm a total wuss so horror movies are off the table for me, so spooky family/kids films like The Addams Family ones or Hocus Pocus are as scary as it gets!

Around this point of the year, when the fireworks for Diwali and Guy Fawkes' Night are having their usual fortnight of loud bangs and flashes, we always book a couple of home weekends so we can be around for the katzen. As fun as travelling and socialising are, it's also nice to hibernate a little too. Good, wholesome food, lashings of red wine, napping and kitty cuddles...I feel replenished and ready for a busy week!

2. Side Show

View Post

Happy Monday/Ten Happy Things #11

It's Monday, it's the start of the week, and I'm joining up as ever with Katy and Jasmin for a lovely, positive start to the week. Let's go!

1. Holidays right on the horizon!

From months to weeks to days, our holiday has finally come right into view. I can't wait to explore New York and Boston, revisit Toronto, and go back to the play-area-for-grown-ups that is Vegas! Beautiful hotels, so much to see, catching up with friends and amazing food are all on the menu, and I can't wait. Our dear friend Shona is kitty- and house-sittign for us too, so there are no worries on that front (the trio love Aunty Shona!).

There's a bottle of Laurent-Perrier Rosé in the fridge chilling all ready for Friday evening!

2. Theatrical fun

Between Pride and Prejudice and Vanities last week, I'm in a very theatrical spot right now! I must get some tickets arranges for the last few months of the year. We'll definitely try to catch some theatre in New York too. Hamilton's a non-starter (resale tickets only, and they are all about £1000 for a pair), so we've gone for the next best thing and are preparing to laugh our socks off at Spamilton instead. We'll definitely try the ticket lottery while we are in town too, although with odds of 10,000/1 it will be the most foolhardy gambling of the whole trip!

View Post

The Musical Theatre Roles I'd Love To Play

I have always loved musical theatre. From the time I first heard the Jesus Christ Superstar soundtrack - my mum had a copy of the original cast recording on cassette, and many a preteen evening was spent singing along with every number lustily - I was hooked. Growing up in rural Scotland and bouncing around other parts of the UK and Germany as an RAF brat, there wasn't much scope for attending musicals in person, but I listened to soundtracks like it was going out of fashion. In choirs and ensembles and as solos and duets, numbers from Miss Saigon, Cats, Les Miserables all became like close friends as I learned and performed them over and over again. At home and in the boarding house at school we watched Oliver!, and Grease, and The Sound of Music every time they were on TV.

When I went off to university, I was so excited to join a theatre society. Prior to then I'd done a lot of singing and a lot of 'straight' theatre, and a couple of school musicals, but the bug was still nascent. While at Aberdeen I was lucky enough to take part in productions of 42nd Street, Anything Goes and Oklahoma, as well as various student shows. It was also in Aberdeen that I finally started to be able to see musicals, both amateur and professional productions. The city has so much great musical theatre, and the £5 day tickets were a godsend for a student eager for music, dancing and stories. At times I skipped meals to get to musicals - rather like Carrie Bradshaw says in Sex and the City when she bought Vogue instead of dinner, I just felt like it fed me more.

After graduating, the world of teacher training and work kept me off stages (I will go back one day - LOVE a bit of Am Dram), but I loved working on kids shows, whether directing, writing, assisting backstage or choreographing (hilariously. I am not a dancer. Which it turns out is great when you're trying to corral nine-year-olds in a production of Grease - you'll never give then moves that are too tricky!). Once I lived near, and later in, London, I was lucky enough to go to so many great shows - the time I've spent watching musicals has filled me with joy and that special glow that comes from a show well done. The Book of Mormon, Wicked, Matilda, Billy Elliot, Guys and Dolls, Les Miserables...each show has been a treat and a triumph.

Tomorrow night my little musicals obsession comes full circle, as I head off to the Regents Park Open Air Theatre (a favourite venue - weather, please be kind!) for their production of Jesus Christ Superstar. I'll be attending with the lovely Shona, who I met all those years ago, doing musicals together in Aberdeen. In honour of the occasion I thought I'd geek out a little and share the ten musical roles I'd love to play. Indulge me if you will, and I'd love to hear which roles you would play in the comments. Happy Friday, all!

1. Mary Magdelene, Jesus Christ Superstar

Where it all began. I love Mary's songs, and her part is so beautiful. This is a show I like so much I once watched a production in Spanish, which I do not speak (Jesu Christo Superstar!), purely for the love of the tunes. The song below was actually my audition song for years.



2. Rizzo, Grease

Yes, I'm way too old. But this is a dream list, and dream lists know no bounds. This role is brilliant - bright, sassy, cracking songs. I think Rizzo was the first badass bitch I fell in love with on screen. Stockard Channing is the role for me too - what a performance!



3. Reno Sweeney, Anything Goes

Playing Reno in a university production was an utter joy. She's such a dame, and how can you not love a woman who a) has an entourage of angels (girl squad strong, decades before T Swizzle) and who b) gets 80% of the cracking numbers in the show. I'd love to play this role again one day, now I'm actually closer to Reno's been-there, done-that life experience.



4. Eva Peron, Evita

Man, I loved this soundtrack. And the movie with Madonna, too. Singing Don't Cry For Me Argentina with arms alofts, a la the balcony scene, is never not fun. It was also this show that first got me interested in Latin American politics/geopolitics in general, so cheers, ALW.



5. Mme Thenardier, Les Miserables

As my Snapchat would suggest (cmclaire12 on there, if you're looking for a follow), I love a bit of broad comedy. So this role, with it's grotesqueness, has always appealed!



6. Felicia, The Witches of Eastwick

I adore The Witches of Eastwick. How wonderful to have a show with not one, but five decent, starring, female roles. The trio of saucepots all get some cracking songs, but the villainess of the piece is my utter fave - this queen bee is all bossiness and mean quips and I love it! Her songs are also a triumph, as is her demise:



7. Kate Monster, Avenue Q

In an often sweary, frequently rude show, Kate is the sweet heart of the production. And she's a kindergarten teacher, so I empathise entirely with many of her struggles! Her big ballad, There's A Fine Fine Line, is both wonderful and the only number in the show that contains zero swears.



8. Elphaba, Wicked

Because sometimes you just need to belt! Hannah and I went to see this show together and bought the CD on the way out, and we've spent many an evening or a car journey singing along together. At my first teaching post in Northamptonshire the lovely assitant head of music and I would often have singalongs around the piano from this score. So many great songs, but the biggie will always be...



9. Nancy, Oliver!

In my early twenties, I tried out for a few TV talent shows, because why not? The third one and final one I went for was I'd Do Anything, the BBC search for a new Nancy, and the audition was such fun. I didn't know it was happening until the day of (Naomi texted me on the off-chance). I drove up to Manchester, queued for seven hours, practised my song in the car/the loos (I went for I Say A Little Prayer, in addition to the ubiquitous and required As Long As He Needs Me), auditioned, got through to the next round, got to audition for ALW's casting director, and didn't make the cut for the London fifty. But man, what a fun day out. Ten out of ten, would do again.



10. Eliza Schuyler Hamilton, Hamilton... 

Like a significant portion of the world, I am obsessed with Hamilton. Own the CD, am reading the book, couldn't get tickets for Broadway (seriously, who can?), cannot wait for the West End production. Eliza is the heart of the whole thing, and I love everything about the part. Burn is my favourite song from her, or maybe Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story, but as those aren't on youtube yet, I'll share this snippet of joy instead.





...or King George III, Hamilton

Seriously, if anyone ever wants to flip the genders in the show, I am ALL OVER THIS ROLE.



Thank you for joining me on this musical journey. And now I will leave you with one of my favourite Ham4Ham performances, the little skits and performances the cast host for the people queueing for the ticket lottery (I'll be in that queue in a couple of months!).


Happy Friday all - hurrah for almost-the-weekend!

View Post

A very musical weekend

A couple of weekends ago (life has been busy so I'm catching up on posts a bit!) I was lucky enough to have a very musical weekend, with two days filled with music, fun and friends. On the Saturday of the weekend I got to go to Capital's Summertime Ball; on the Sunday I got to take in the delights of Field Day.

I hadn't been anticipating being able to attend the Summertime Ball, but I was lucky enough to win a competition on twitter run by Hospitality Finder. Just by being the lucky retweeter (is that a word?) I was given two VIP tickets to go to the gig, with great seats in the Club Wembley area.

It was a truly amazing gig with so many great acts from the pop, dance, R 'n' B and hiphop worlds. Favourites of mine were Jess Glynne, Tinie Tempah, and Flo Rida, and it was great fun to see Craig David doing his thing and throwing back to some of the songs of my youth during his set!

The arena was full to the brim and the crowd was so good-natured and fun. One of the things I really enjoyed about the Summer Time Ball was the length of the sets - by having each act do a handful or a half-dozen numbers everything kept moving and there was always something new and exciting on the horizon. I also enjoyed the sinaglong karaoke between acts - great fun for a dance and a sing!

Thank you so much to Hospitality Finder for my prize, and thank you to Kaz for coming along and being such great company!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On the Sunday after the Summertime Ball I had to shake out my weary bones (we danced a lot) and get ready for another day of musical fun, this time with the lovely Erica. Erica had been invited along by the team at I heart wines, and she was kind enough to invite me along to enjoy a day at the festival with her. Erica would be taking over their instagram for the day, and we'd be able to take pictures, enjoy the music, and sip a few complimentary wines, too.

On board.

I like to call this look 'festival clothing is hard, yo'. Due to the fact that it had been raining all weekend the ground was a quagmire; add in the fact our washing machine had been out of order for a good two weeks, and you have an ensemble like this. Much chic, very fashion.

 Before hitting the wine and the music, we took a good look around the awesome food offerings. From bao, to pizza, to stir fries, to all cheese everything, we were truly spoiled for choice. I'm so glad we were doing plenty of walking and dancing, because the calorie intake was serious....

How sweet is the I heart wines wine truck? I'm a sucker for a VW van (we even had one at our wedding as the photobooth), so I adored this cute little vintage delight. And the complimentary glasses of delicious fizz, too... As well as rocking up to Field Day, you can also find the I heart wines van at Boardmasters festival in August, and at Truck festival next month too!

As well as getting to hang out with Erica, the wonderful Charley was in attendance too, with her boyfriend and a gaggle of friends. It was such fun to dance and catch up and enjoy the delights of the festival together. Watching Temper Trap together was a real highlight - the crowd were so up for dancing and having a great time, despite the rain!

Love that this is technically a picture of our trio - Erica is reflected in Charley's shades!

While we were milling around the festival Erica and I leapt on the chance to make our own gif - how cute is this? Erica, thank you so much for inviting me along, and I heart wines, thank you so much for your hospitality. The whole weekend did this music fan good!

Disclaimer: I was hosted at Field Day by I Heart Wines, as stated. Transparency, baby. 

View Post

Music, hotels and cocktails, oh my!

It is a truth universally acknowledged that I like cocktails. I also like hotels, airports, and all things travel. And music, along with all things culture, makes my heart sing!  This means that on occasion I get invited to events that are the perfect fit.  one such event happened last Thursday, when I was invited along by the London Pullman Hotel to enjoy a night of cocktails and canapes, and to toast the unveiling of the hotel's theme song, composed by French electro-poppers Sauvage (think Air crossed with Years + Years, with a pinch of Daft Punk and some loungey additions).

I was fascinated to go inside the hotel - I've stayed in Novotels, Sofitels and Ibis hotels before (just a few of the other Accor brands), but this was the first time I'd visited a Pullman.  The hotel's location is a dream, right between Euston & St Pancras, and opposite the British Library.  I've passed several times while marching around the city, but this was my first time inside.

The entrance is beautiful, with large light fixtures, comfortable seating in intimate little clusters, and an impressive bar in the near-distance.  We'd explore further later in the evening, but after being greeted it was time to head to a lounge for drinks and chatter ahead of the musical portion of the evening.

Loved the warm welcome...with a little French flair!

Sauvage did a great little set, in lighting that was superb for eating, drinking and chatting, but not so great for music photography.  Their songs are catchy and vibrant, and I like the piece they composed for Pullman - it's a great little track.  I think it's cool all the ways hotels can brand themselves now - from fragrances to theme songs, styling to mattresses you can purchase to take home.  Such fun!

Excellent nibbles were passed and enjoyed.

And the friendly bar staff kept glasses topped up at all times - it was quite the party!

I loved these little Opera cakes - so dainty and pretty, and a lovely nod to Pullman's French heritage.

There was a lovely wee gaggle of bloggers and influencers in attendance and I had some super chats, especially with the always gorgeous Erica & Charley.  What a treat to catch up with friends on a 'work' night!

The champagne Jean-Paul Deville was refreshing and light - perfect for a fun, chilled evening gathering.

After their set we were lucky enough to get half an hour with Sauvage to talk all things music, culture, and collaboration.  Quite a vast range of questions followed, as well as us giving the gents plenty of tips for exploring London the morning after.  Bloggers, always with the #opinions.

I also liked hearing about how the band got together and the awesome Apache creative collective they are part of at home in Paris.  We also got a few silly questions in, including which songs would get them on the dancefloor - I was impressed at their beautifully honest answers.  Crystal Waters and Michael Jackson for the win.

After the interviews, our lucky group got to tour the hotel.  As someone who is by nature far too nosey (or to quote my sainted grandmother, "inquisitive"), I always love to do this part!

I adored these light fixtures, spanning the reception and bar areas.

The Golden Arrow bar looked comfortable and relaxed.  I loved the mixture of larger, open tables and more intimate banquettes.

The whisky collection alone means that I will have to come back to visit the bar - and bring a Matthew, too!

After that we took the elevator up to view a standard room, and one of the hotel's beautiful suites.  I'm hoping to stay here at somepoint so I can do a full review - the styling and finish were both fabulous!

Loved, loved, loved the quirky details in each room.

Far above the city, all is quiet and serene.

Loved this light in the suite.  Took most of my self-control not to curl up with a book immediately.

From the hotel you get the nicest view of the city - I imagine it's just as lovely of a morning!

Thank you so much to Talented Talkers for inviting me along, Pullman Hotels for hosting me so generously, and Sauvage for such a fun set and a great interview chat.




Disclaimer, for the win: I was invited to this event and hosted beautifully by Pullman.  All opinions, champagne shots and questioning of French electro-pop acts my own, as ever.

View Post