Hello Diva.
When it came to doing something unique for your birthday I hit on an idea quite a while ago – a bit old school, but I wanted to do a ’30 Years Of Diva’ mixtape. Unfortunately the modern world makes this impossible, since we all stream music now…
So instead, I did a playlist, and I’m going to write why I chose every song for you. I’ll try and keep it brief.
First of all, the overall theme was ‘artists that performed at Glastonbury in that particular year’ – e.g 1994-2024. However, I went a bit mad (don’t go mad!) on some years so there’s a few extra…
Happy 30th to my soulmate, my best friend, and the most chaotic and best thing to ever happen to me in the whole world. Here’s to many more milestones shared with the best person I know.
Love you xxx
Reminder of the link if you need it: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1VBiHemEvWeJG33266A7tp?si=dd3e5e24813342f2
Into the Mystic – 2013 Remaster Van Morrison
For the year the diva was born, I chose a lovely chilled way to open and a song I know you love. Also, who knew Van Morrison played Glasto? Not me, that’s for sure. This song has always chilled me out and it makes me think of you quite often. 🙂
Disco 2000 Pulp
So 1995 is the height, probably, of Britpop, or at least where it ascended to new heights, and that’ll be because of this performance and this band. Choosing a song was difficult, but I picked this because I vaguely remember you singing it, and it also reminds me of being young and at the pub…you would’ve been even younger, of course. 🙂
Safe From Harm – 2012 Mix/Master Massive Attack
This is my first ‘blind’ pick, as in I’ve no idea if you know this song or like it, but I’m playing a hunch it might be up your street – I wanted some variety on here and it’s a dance-adjacent song that I genuinely like, so who knows?
Movin’ on Up Primal Scream
This one I am pretty confident in – from a brilliant album, Screamadelica, and a great song – I think it’ll land quite nicely with you. I vaguely recall Primal Scream being huge about 95/96….meanwhile, little diva was taking some of her first steps in the world 🙂
Let’s Stay Together Al Green
Once I saw Al Green played Glastonbury, I couldn’t leave this one out. Gorgeous song and perfectly in keeping with our ability to share music etc. I think this is one of the first songs we shared together, and I’m grateful for our music sharing every day – it keeps me listening to fresh stuff, but it’s also bonded you and I in a way I absolutely love.
The Salmon Dance The Chemical Brothers
OK, so I’ve no idea about this song but I had to include it because I know you love the Chemical Brothers, you white girl raver. x
Yellow Coldplay
These guys appear a few times, and it actually gets harder to choose songs of theirs to stay fresh. I picked this one cos we were talking about Coldplay the other week and I think this was both of our intro song to Coldplay. Plus, it’s good, innit?
Please Forgive Me David Gray
This is a song that really takes me back to getting to know you and loving you, and some great times we shared. I never had much time for it when I was younger, but you changed that by reminding me how nice a song it is – it’ll always make me think of you. x
Don’t Look Back in Anger – Remastered Oasis
I was surprised to discover Oasis headlined twice – mostly all I remember is that fucking dreadful performance in recent years! Choosing an Oasis song is difficult cos I think we have different opinions on what the good ones are, but I think this one’s universal. it really feels like the city we both call home’s anthem – so it had to go on here. I can remember hearing it for MONTHS as a kid – no doubt you were somewhere hearing it too.
All These Things That I’ve Done The Killers
OK, so saw the Killers, naturally had to include them, but what song? We’ve discussed the plague of white men singing with their eyes closed to Mr Brightside, so I left that one out and went for their best song (in my opinion) that I still love to this day.
Over And Over Hot Chip
Considering this is one of your favourite bands, a song I remember really well (and like) and we were singing it in your car the other week, I couldn’t leave it off. A song that makes me think of you pretty much immediately as it kicks in, you dancing, whirling, ball of fun 🙂
Standing In the Way of Control Gossip
I remember Gossip being *massive* about this time (07/08) and I know you love them. This is the song I remember the most from them over the years. Have a vague memory of a quite-naked Beth Ditto on the BBC singing this before I headed out to almost die in a field…
Harvest Moon Neil Young
I know you love this and it warms my heart whenever I see it or hear it. It makes me think of a very deep conversation we had (sure you know the one) and reminds me why I love you. x
No Surrender Bruce Springsteen
OK, so I had to take a left turn here and add a song I genuinely love, because Springsteen is often my performing idol and I have watched this headlining set about 50 times. But I picked this song because it exemplifies a friendship I always wanted – someone to love, care about, and face everything with. I think this song describes a battle-hardened, loving friendship more than anything I know. And I never had one, so it was always quite a hollow feeling when I used to pin it to people. Not with you – you’re the greatest friend I’ve ever made. x
Superstition – Single Version Stevie Wonder
A tough year to choose someone you liked (unlike the others) so I picked a classic from a classic artist. Not much else to this one.
The ’59 Sound The Gaslight Anthem
This is also one of my favourite songs ever (from my favourite album ever) – getting the opportunity to see it/them live with you, my favourite person in the world, was something I’ll never forget. 🙂
Viva La Vida Coldplay
Second appearance for the boys, and my favourite of theirs I think. You know the thing about this song? It’s always made me emotional to hear it, and I never really got why, but after I met you I did, cos you made me a better, more emotional, more honest person, and I think if I ever lost your friendship or had never had it, I’d have gone down a dark path. That’s kinda what this song means to me, lyrically, so I had to put it here.
Ghost Town First Aid Kit
I don’t think I need to explain this one 🙂 a beautiful song that you chose to share with me at a difficult time for both of us. Will never not remind me of you – I love it, and I love you more when I hear it.
The Suburbs Arcade Fire
Another one you shared with me, I always really liked this, and I’m predisposed to love anything you share with me, because I think it’s one of the best parts of our friendship 🙂
If You Wait London Grammar
I know how much you love these guys, so I was going to find a way to get them on the playlist. This is the song I remember the most and like the most of theirs, so it was a natural choice. This is also where my romantic/sentimental thoughts of ‘Young Ed’ probably start Glastonbury wise.
I really wish I’d known you then – you’d have made my life much better so much earlier. 🙂
Another Sunny Day Belle and Sebastian
I love this song, because it pretty much encapsulates the year and a half of knowing you. There seemed to be a time when the sun and happiness and fun would never end. I’m not sure it ever has. Also, when I went to watch Belle and Sebastian last year, I really missed you being there, but it solidified my feeling that I loved you and I wanted music and journalism to be my life moving forward.
Dog Days Are Over Florence + The Machine
I know you love Florence and I thought I’d add this because it makes me think of the end of my uni years, where I almost heard this song every time I left home, it feels like. It gives me an oddly warm feeling to think of you somewhere out there being Young Ed and being amazing, and I just wish you’d been around to make my uni years as fun as they should’ve been.
At least you’re here now to make the rest of my life better.
Hey Laura Gregory Porter
Another one you shared with me, just a nice song really!
Paradise Coldplay
An underrated song, as we both decided the other week, but had to choose this to add to the Coldplay appearances on this playlist. 🙂 Will always remind me of sitting watching Glastonbury with you now.
Everyone’s Moving Out East Half Moon Run
I was shocked to find out how long these guys had been around! This is a gorgeous song you shared with me, one of many beautiful songs we’ve shared together – I just think it’s really lovely and I can imagine you (as young(er) Ed) sat in a field listening to it.
Hold On, We’re Going Home – BBC Live Version Nick Mulvey
I have a very specific memory of listening to this over the weekend we did some things for my birthday in 2023. I was dealing with all sorts of feelings, worries, and insecurities, but somehow knew if I just stuck with it, and with you, everything would be alright. I think this is a beautiful song and it’ll always remind me of you and those early days as we navigated a difficult path.
Hot N Cold Katy Perry
This is just fun, and puts me back in a time when I was having fun too. I’m sure you were too…:)
Seasons (Waiting on You) Future Islands
Had to get a Future Islands song in, and could’ve chosen any, but I think this one is our most mutually loved song, so here it is. Still think this is incredible, and it really makes me think of getting to know you.
How Does It Feel London Grammar
A second one of one of your favourites, and one I’m pretty sure you shared with me – it’s one I recognise anyway! Really nice song, and a proper Young(er) Ed song. 🙂
Listen to Your Friends Declan McKenna
And another of your favourite artists, so couldn’t leave him off, could I? Another one you’ve shared with me too – so I wasn’t going to miss it off 🙂
Wings Birdy
I think this song is beautiful – and to think you sent it me thinking I wouldn’t like it! Thank you for sharing it with me, and now I get to share it back with you, as one of the best songs of the last 30 Years Of Diva.
Somewhere Only We Know Keane
I know you love this song, I think I only really gained an appreciation for it at *this* year’s Glastonbury, but it really is a pretty song and I know it would’ve been one of your favourites both in the year they first performed it and now – your love for Keane always surprised me, but I’m glad it exists 🙂
Coming Home Leon Bridges
You sent me this, so it’s stuck in my head since 🙂 I know it’s one you love, so it was a natural addition here.
Bros Wolf Alice
You sent me this in the midst of me learning how I felt about you – I’ll never forget it, or that you like a song I never expected you to like! I still think of you and that conversation when I hear it to this day.
2am Foals
Foals were getting massive around this time and this is the one I remember of theirs, assisted by you, who of course, shared it with me 🙂
What Katie Did The Libertines
This will always remind me of going to cricket with you last year and sitting happily in my flat as night turned to morning, thinking about how much I enjoyed myself with you. You’ll always be the reason my last summer was so eventful and yet so fun, and this will always put me straight back there.
Hymn to Her – 2007 Remaster Pretenders
We both love the Pretenders anyway, but this reminds me of a very warm conversation about one day seeing the Pretenders together (which we later did, of course) – but also just happily in the moment of a cold Friday morning, finding ways to cheer each other up and give each other the best day we could.
Brass in Pocket – 2018 Remaster Pretenders
Ultimate diva song. No other words are necessary. 😉
Pain The War On Drugs
I didn’t want to choose Holding On again, so I picked this one – reminds me of sitting watching Glastonbury with you last year and talking about potentially going one day, and how hearing this would make you feel. We later got to see them live and I’m really glad we did.
Come Around and Love Me Jalen Ngonda
Great song, new star, combines both the fact that you got me into doing music journalism, which I have absolutely loved sharing with you for your observations (and hope to continue doing so), and one of the most fun nights we had going to a gig. It’s a lovely feeling to remember that with you.
Nothing Matters The Last Dinner Party
Sort of reminds me of the late summer with you, and first hearing these guys – and then of course getting to share all that with you as I went on to review them and such. It’s a great song too and one of the best new things you’ve put me onto.
Foundations Kate Nash
A classic that I couldn’t not put on – plus I’m pretty sure I’ve heard you sing it, and it always makes me smile to think about it.
Daft Punk Is Playing at My House LCD Soundsystem
A memory of you being crazy at the BDP Summer Party and enthusiastically telling me all about LCD Soundsystem. You looked beautiful and you were tons of fun, and I’ve always been grateful for the way you handled me that night and made sure I was OK and having a good time.
oh baby LCD Soundsystem
Your favourite LCD Soundsystem song – so I added it as an extra after adding the above.
Eat That Up, It’s Good For You Two Door Cinema Club
I never liked these guys until you made me listen to this 🙂 – one of those songs I associate with wishing I’d known a younger you and been happier and more fun sooner rather than the grumpy miserable lonely person I was.
A Sky Full of Stars Coldplay
One of my favourite Coldplay songs because it takes me back to two places – Bulgaria, where I got devastated (I think you know that story) – but it was a huge part of my growth and maturation as a human being and developing the ability to travel alone, which took me across the world – and the Champions League final in 2019, when Liverpool won. I still hadn’t met you then, but I found out more fun was still to come my way.
Clocks Coldplay
Final Coldplay song and based on us watching Glasto together this year – one of their best for me and I couldn’t not include it.
Pink Rabbits The National
Light Years The National
Mr. November The National
Closing with these three seems to make the most sense – they’re the band we first bonded over, the band we most bonded over, and three very distinct songs that make me think of you. Pink Rabbits is probably the best of the three, in the sense it takes me back to us getting close and feeling invincible, and making you happy – I still think we’re destined to drink one together somewhere at some big moment in our lives.
Light Years is just beautiful and the song that I’ve listened to most when thinking of you or struggling to sleep in the late evening – I thank you for introducing it to me.
However, I wanted to end on Mr November because it’s fast becoming my favourite and the most upbeat of the three. It’s difficult to put everything into words about that song, but there’s a part of me that knows everything is going to be alright, just because you’re here. In the last eighteen months, you’ve rebuilt me from a lonely, dark, place, encouraged me to follow my dreams, shared several wonderful memories with me, and never been anything less than supportive and loving in doing so.
Mr November is just the upbeat way I’m feeling moving forward – with you looking out for me, along with Snowy, everything’s possible.
Thank you for everything you are and everything you will be, I’ve always believed in you, I’ll always believe in you, I love you so much and you’re the most perfect friend and person I could imagine being lucky to have in my life every day when I wake up.
Happy 30th birthday, Diva. Here’s to many more years. x