London Calling

I'm sure like so many of you, I was amongst the billions of viewers who anticipated the opening of the London 2012 Olympics. It wasn't just the music that I adored but the unravelling of the tale of our heritage that maintained my attention. There was so much going on, but not so that it looked messy or sloppy. It was a true spectacle executed perfectly and the more I think about it, the more difficult it becomes for me to pick just one highlight. My favourites keep fluctuating from the army of Mary Poppins' descending on Lord Voldemort, to the Child Catcher hurtling his way through the arena to the much loved Mr Bean. But I even liked the beginning and the unravelling of the Industrial Revolution. At points, it reminded me of the Quidditch World Cup in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire with its real sense of occassion and organised commotion. Even moreso when the future stars of British athletics lit the flame.

Danny Boyle did a sterling job, executing it so fluidly that it overflowed with sheer excellance that I don't think Rio will be able to top it in 2016. Boyle could've stuck with the safe, the boring and the predictable concerning his music choices. I was expecting Take That or Coldplay, certainly not ceremony opener Frank Turner or even more surprisingly, Alex Trimble of Two Door Cinema Club fame. Arctic Monkeys were a brilliant choice, but for me would've been that bit more enjoyable if they saved us their totally underwhelming cover of The Beatles. In fact, I think any mention of The Beatles should have been wiped from the conciousness of the world with some sort of Memory Charm. I used to love The Beatles but I'm sick to death of hearing about them that I couldn't really care less anymore. Paul McCartney gets bloody everywhere and I don't think I can take hearing him sing Hey Jude one more time at another momentous occasion. It's like when your Dad or Uncle get up at a wedding and insist on singing one more song. Give it a miss next time, Macca.

On the other hand, I thoroughly enjoyed the musical snippets of The Kinks and ELF. As if the World didn't need reminding that British music is best, we did it with style. Rule Britannia! 

You can listen to my 'London Calling' playlist here which features most of the songs that were played during the opening ceremony for the London 2012 Olympics. If playlists are your thing, then why not check out my Keep Cool and Listen On compilation from back in May or my 13...Unlucky For Some from a few weeks ago.

Photo Source

The Clash - London Calling

Mike Oldfield - Tubular Bells

The Jam - Going Underground

The Who - My Generation

The Rolling Stones - I Can't Get No Satisfaction

The Kinks - All Day and All of the Night

Mud - Tiger Feet

The Specials - A Message to you Rudy

David Bowie - Starman

Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody

The Sex Pistols - God Save The Queen

New Order - Blue Monday

Frankie Goes To Hollywood - Relax (Don't Do It)

Soul II Soul - Back To Life

The Progidy - Firestarter

Eurythmics - Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)

Underworld - Born Slippy

Dizzee Rascal - Bonkers

Amy Winehouse - Valerie

Muse - Uprising

Tinie Tempah - Pass Out 

Emeli Sande - Heaven

The Chemical Brothers - Galvanize

Bee Gees - Stayin' Alive

Electric Light Orchestra - Mr Blue Sky

Arctic Monkeys - I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor

David Bowie - Heroes