#284 — DEAD OR ALIVE | MUSIC | THOUGHTS & MUSINGS

Ending The Year With Thirty-five Top Songs

My list for the 2023 edition — the twenty-fifth consecutive year — of the Dutch Radio 2 Top 2000

It’s that time of year again — the festive month. I always sigh with relief when it’s the second of January, and we can get back to the normal routine again. Except of course for saying ‘best wishes’ to everyone you see for the first time in the new year — family, friends, colleagues and strangers.

Yes, I can be a bit of a Gringe when it comes to Christmas. I tried to analyse this for myself. On the one hand, I would really like to celebrate with my daughter and her family, but my husband is tired within an hour, and I would hate to have to leave so soon. Then there’s my husband’s feeling about Christmas: he hates it — everything about it.

Our compromise is that I decorate the house — no Christmas tree, just two garlands with lights, a bowl of shiny balls and tinsel, and a cute Christmas house with lights my daughter made me some years ago. Another part of the compromise is that our children come over for a cuppa and cake.

My being a bit of a Gringe comes because I feel trapped between what my husband wants, and what I want.

But there is one thing about this month that I absolutely love, and that is the Top 2000 on one of our national radio stations, Radio 2. Every year we can vote for our favorite numbers, and then on Christmas day, it starts.

Last year, I was too late to send in my choices, but this year, just like in 2021, I sent in my 35 choices, and they are definitely not all the same as two years ago. The one goal I set myself this year was not to have the same artist on my list twice.

Radio 2 revealed the actual list on 15 December, so I also know if my chosen songs are on the list, and if so, when I will hear them on the radio.

Let me take you on my musical journey for 2023!

1. * Eva Cassidy — Fields Of Gold *

This American singer and musician died of cancer at 33 and was virtually unknown outside of Washington D.C., where she was born and bread. She had a beautiful soprano voice, and where I love the original of this song by Sting, I prefer the version by Eva Cassidy. — Number 558 (to be heard on 29 December between 20.00 and 21.00)

2. Son Mieux — Tonight

I discovered this band when their song, Multicolor, became a hit. This is a Dutch band, and when you look at their website, you will think they have escaped from the seventies, which is the ‘look’ they go for. After Multicolor came Tell Me More, but I totally feel in love with Tonight, when they released it in October 2023. — Number 213 (to be heard on 31 December between 02.00 and 03.00)

3. Ed Sheeran — Supermarket Flowers

Some months ago, my daughter and I sat talking about my mom, like we do so much when sitting together. She asked me if I knew this song of Ed Sheeran, which I didn’t. The song came out in 2017, the year my mom passed away, and that afternoon, my daughter played it for me. I soon sat with tears in my eyes, and when the song came to the line ‘A heart that’s broke is a heart that’s been loved’, I told her to stop it. I was sobbing, and as I sit here, seeing those words, my eyes fill with tears. While I still can’t listen to this song, I wanted it on my list. — Number 1302 (to be heard on 27 December between 06.00 and 07.00)

4. Tina Turner — The Best

I am transported right back to the early 90s when I did my basic training, experiencing short nights and endless days. Except for being drilled on the parade ground, learning about all kinds of military and medical stuff, we also had to scrub floors, clean barracks and get ready for inspection. This song was one of those that blared through the corridors of the barracks, and I even used it as inspiration for a story. — Number 392 (to be heard on 30 December between 10.00 and 11.00)

5. * AC/DC — Thunderstruck *

I’m not good at recognizing a song with the first chords, and frequently only know a song when I hear the chorus. However, when the first note of this song sounds, the rock chic in me immediately awakens. — Number 28 (to be heard on 31 December between 20.00 and 21.00)

6. * Di-rect — Soldier On *

I didn’t immediately like this song when I heard it the first time, but it soon became one of my favorites, and not only because this bit of the lyrics always touch my heart:

A million different voices That are trying to break you Just listen to one The one that’s inside you And soldier on

— Number 18 (to be heard on 31 December between 21.00 and 22.00)

7. * Snow Patrol — Chasing Cars *

They say we all have one song that always makes you cry. This is mine. When I binge-watched all of Grey’s Anatomy a few years ago — I had never watched it before — many of the sad scenes had this song as background music. When hearing this song, it always reminds me how mentally tired I am. — Number 107 (to be heard on 31 December between 12.00 and 13.00)

8. * Journey — Don’t Stop Believin’ *

That’s true, right… that we never should stop believing. We all go through trying times and have to find our way through the curveballs life throws at us. We should never stop believing that we will get to the other side, and this song serves as a little reminder of that. — Number 105 (to be heard on 31 December between 12.00 and 13.00)

9. Davina Michelle — Dating the Devil

When working from home, I listen to Radio 2, and on Friday mornings they always have someone in the studio for a live show, mostly of new songs. Davina Michelle is a Dutch singer and YouTuber, and one morning she was in the studio, and I instantly liked the song. When I chose songs for my list, I thought that Dating the Devil was the song I heard, but it turned out it was 17. I will have to remember that for next year! — Didn’t make the list

10. Simon & Garfunkel — The Boxer

Have you ever listened to the story in this song? Of all the songs by Simon & Garfunkel, The Boxer is my absolute favorite, because of the poor boy going to the big city to make a living. He wanted nothing more than to go home, but seems stuck where he was. A beautiful, yet sad story. — Number 225 (to be heard on 31 December between 01.00 and 02.00)

11. Disturbed — The Sound Of Silence

The raw voice of David Draiman of the heavy metal band, Disturbed, pays beautiful homage to the Simon & Garfunkel song, The Sound of Silence. I could have chosen either versions, but since I set myself a goal to have each artist on my list only once, my choice landed on that of Disturbed. — Number 16 (to be heard on 31 December between 22.00 and 23.00)

12. Bryan Adams — Summer Of ‘69

While making my list, this song played on the radio, and humming along, I added it. I was born in 1967, and when I told my daughter ‘nine’ probably fits the lyrics better than ‘seven’, she said I should just sing: the summer of sixty-mine! — Number 171 (to be heard on 31 December between 06.00 and 07.00)

13. * Roxette — Joyride *

There is no way I can leave this song off my list, as it’s as much part of my DNA as it is of my daughter’s. It reminds us of those long road trips we made between Cape Town and Johannesburg, and overnighting in Bloemfontein because 1400 kilometers is a bit too far to drive on one day! This song always puts a smile on my face, remembering those trips and how we sang along to the entire Joyride album! — Didn’t make the list

14. Tom Jones — It’s Not Unusual

Speaking of road trips, I also have fond memories of those years when we drove 1500 kilometers from Vanderbijlpark to Windhoek when I was still a child. My parents were into the music of Elvis, Engelbert Humperdinck, Neil Diamond, Tom Jones and more. Whenever I hear It’s Not Unusual, it always transports me back to those long road trips! — Didn’t make the list

15. * Nick Cave & Kylie Minogue — Where The Wild Roses Grow*

It’s not only the song that I love but also the clip of this song, which tells the story of a murder, and is a song which turned me to Nick Cave’s murder ballads. None of those murder ballads captured me as this one did. A fun fact about this song: Nick Cave wrote it with Kylie Minogue in mind, as he had a quiet obsession with her for over six years. — Number 848 (to be heard on 28 December between 19.00 and 20.00)

16. Electric Light Orchestra — Last Train To London

I can’t make a list of top songs without putting one of ELO on it, as that is my husband’s all-time favorite band. I chose Last Train To London because I recently published a story using the song as inspiration. — Didn’t make the list

17. Tears For Fears — Shout

Thinking of the concerts of ELO we went to, I thought of seeing Tears for Fears live, and how both my husband and I enjoyed singing along with Shout. — Number 985 (to be heard on 28 December between 08.00 and 09.00)

18. Prince & The Revolution — Purple Rain

I’ve never been a huge fan of Prince — don’t shoot me — but there are some of his songs I like. Of those, Purple Rain definitely is my favorite. — Number 19 (to be heard on 31 December between 21.00 and 22.00)

19. Pink Floyd — Comfortably Numb

Remember, I mentioned the rock chic earlier? Yes, I definitely am a Pink Floyd fan, and this song is just so incredibly beautiful that I had to include it here, even though I know it will be in the Top 2000 anyway. — Number 14 (to be heard on 31 December between 22.00 and 23.00)

20. Roger Waters — 501 Am (The Pros And Cons Of Hitchhiking)

The one good thing my first husband did was to introduce me to The Pros And Cons Of Hitchhiking, and it’s been a favorite from me ever since. So many times I wore headphones, lying on the carpet on my back, listening to the album from front to back! I just had to include this on my list! — Didn’t make the list

21. P!nk ft. Nate Ruess — Just Give Me A Reason

I love Pink’s voice, and many of her songs are favorites of mine. Recently I heard Just Give Me A Reason on the radio, and enjoyed the powerful voice of this woman, which is why this song specifically made it to my list. — Number 743 (to be heard on 29 December between 04.00 and 05.00)

22. Lady Gaga — Bad Romance

Thinking of women with powerful voices it reminded me of Lady Gaga. It’s the same with her as with Pink — many of her songs are favorites of mine, but for this year I included Bad Romance. — Number 1272 (to be heard on 27 December between 09.00 and 10.00)

23. Jay-Z & Alicia Keys — Empire State Of Mind

Back in 2012, my husband and I stayed overnight in a hotel for the first time. It was absolutely wonderful, and because we stayed in Hotel New York, this song became a symbol of that wonderful weekend. — Number 386 (to be heard on 30 December between 10.00 and 11.00)

24. Coldplay — Viva La Vida

There are so many times of Coldplay that I really love, and it’s always difficult to make a choice. Two years ago, I included Fix You, which is a song that tug at your heartstrings, but this year I chose for Viva La Vida, one of my husband’s favorites. — Number 22 (to be heard on 31 December between 21.00 and 22.00)

25. * Whitney Houston — Greatest Love Of All *

Where there is an enormous list of songs of Whitney Houston I love, this is my all-time favorite and will probably always make my list. I’ve written about this song before, but the more I grow as a person, the closer I get to my authentic self, the more I understand the greatest love of all is loving yourself. — Number 1565 (to be heard on 26 December between 09.00 and 10.00)

26. Amy Winehouse — Back To Black

Another powerhouse of a woman and one who has left this earth far too early is Amy Winehouse. Back To Black is one of my favorites of hers. — Number 75 (to be heard on 31 December between 15.00 and 16.00)

27. Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark — Joan Of Arc (Maid Of Orleans)

I love the music of OMD, but barely ever can remember the names of their songs. Not only theirs, though! I’m just not good with names. One I always remember is this one. — Number 514 (to be heard on 30 December between 00.00 and 01.00)

28. Chris de Burgh — The Lady In Red

My absolute favorite of Chris de Burgh is The Getaway album, but the only song from the album which is really known is the first. Second to that album, The Lady In Red brings some warm feelings too. — Number 1001 (to be heard on 28 December between 07.00 and 08.00)

29. * Danny Vera — Roller Coaster *

This song was the number 1 in 2020, and ever since, it’s been one of my favorites. Danny Vera is a Dutch singer, and he has a lovely voice, but if you ask me to name one of his other songs, I wouldn’t be able to do that. — Number 2 (to be heard on 31 December between 23.00 and 00.00)

30. Anouk — Modern World

Anouk always makes it to my list, but with her broad repertoire, I never choose the same song every year. This year, I went for Modern World, for no special reason. — Didn’t make the list

31. * Lisa Lois — Hallelujah *

I love the song Hallelujah and many singers have covered it, but the version of Lisa Lois, another Dutch singer, wins it from them all. Her strong and clear voice gives this song all the power it needs. — Number 936 (to be heard on 28 December between 12.00 and 13.00)

32. Racoon — Nickel for Goodbye

Every time I hear this new song, I hum along with it, and while making my list, I actually remembered the name, and therefore added it. — Didn’t make the list

33. Robbie Williams — The Road To Mandalay

My husband introduced me to this song, and ever since, it has been a favorite of mine. — Number 1806 (to be heard on 25 December between 15.00 and 16.00)

34. Robert Miles — Children

About once a month we have a music evening, where my husband plays our favorites via YouTube. He always includes Children by Robert Miles. This is also the favorite song of my furry grandchild, my daughter’s border collie. The moment he hears the first chords, his ears perk up and then he ‘sings along’. — Number 1106 (to be heard on 27 December between 22.00 and 23.00)

35. KLF & Tammy Wynette — Justified And Ancient

This is another song my husband introduced me to, or maybe I should say re-introduced. When he mentioned the name, I said I didn’t know it, but once he started playing it, I realized I did! — Didn’t make the list

On Christmas Eve we start at number 2000, and countdown to number 1 on New Year’s Eve. The radio will be on most of the time, but we will also watch the live feed from the Radio 2 Top 2000 cafe on television.

As it goes with lists, once I had submitted the songs above, I remembered others I would also have wanted on here. Who knows, maybe next year.

Note: Songs listed between stars were also on my list in 2021.

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