Short, sharp and stunning.
Bohemian Rhapsody recently turned 40 and there’s no denying that Queen’s epic track is operatic in its scale and electrifying throughout its length.
What about the other side of things though? You know, those songs that are like a manic burst of energy that lift your spirits before fading away on your iPod?
Here are some of our favourite short, sharp and stunning songs that clock in at just over two minutes each.
Song 2 – Blur
On repeat because: You always need a reason to temporarily lose your mind..
I Can’t Explain – The Who
On repeat because: Those overlapping guitars are a thing of beauty.
Fell in Love with A Girl – The White Stripes
On repeat because: Your adrenaline is pumping so much that it’s impossible to listen to anything that’s more chilled.
Interlude 1 – Alt J
On repeat because: It’s impossible to not sing along to the lyric “She she she she only ever ver ver ver ver”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGsQUMtq1dQ
Pink Moon – Nick Drake
On repeat because: ‘The Master’ will never be beaten. Ever.
Norwegian Wood – The Beatles
On repeat because: You always need music when it’s 3am and your on the laptop.
Not Fade Away – The Rolling Stones
On repeat because: You’re perplexed how Jagger and Richards can be so dynamic in such a short space of time.
Amours – Louise Attaque
On repeat because: You have no idea about what the hell you’ve just listened to. It’s like Mumford and Sons sped up…but in French.
Fertilizer – Frank Ocean
On repeat because: Equal parts bridge song, video game theme and jaunty soul record all in one. Try get that trailing tune out of your head.
Friend or Foe – Jay-z
On repeat because: Beats + brass.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5g8G5mqSdI
Hit the Road Jack – Ray Charles
On repeat because: No song has any right to be this stunning in such a short space of time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY4jondX6tg
Organ Donor – DJ Shadow
On repeat because: You’ll be begging for a beat to kick in.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KbDGxHJ28Y
Allison – The Pixies
On repeat because: The same reason why people want to instantly go back on a rollercoaster after it has just finished.
The Pigeon Detectives – I Found Out
On repeat: Awful name for a band, ridiculously catchy riff.
Get Free – The Vines
On repeat: You’re not deaf…yet.
Priority – Mos Def
On repeat because: That flow.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLKXSFeOSbc
The Clash- White Riot
On repeat because: It’s The Clash. No other reason is needed.
Seaside – The Kooks
On repeat because: Lazy and languid is all that you want to hear today.
Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want – The Smiths
On repeat because: First time around, you were too absorbed listening to the vocals to appreciate everything else that’s going on.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaoCEdZnyFk
Tea for the Tillerman – Cat Stevens
On repeat because: Awe inspiring in its beauty, criminal in its brevity.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHlo_N34vuo
My esteemed editor Paddy McKenna says that a list like this can’t end on a downer so…
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge
