This is an extremely difficult little list to compile. There are so many songs that I love that it is almost impossible to narrow it down to 10 ... strike that it is impossible. I also tend to fall in love with albums rather than singles. However I'm going to have a stab at it and these are the ones that come to mind right now at this precise moment, but if you ask me tomorrow I could just as easily have Public Enemy in there, or Tantalise by Jimmy the Hoover.

So right now, at this moment these are the ... cough 14 (or so) 'singles/artists' that make me smile and fizz with adrenalin, joy, enui or simple contentment.

In no particular order.

James - 'We're going to miss you when you're gone'. I can't think of one thing that James have done that I don't like and there are at least another 9 that should be in my top ten. I think I like this one so much partly because of the video that goes with it, where most of the band (genuinely according to someone I know that has worked with them) were put under hypnosis to perform. It piqued my interest initially because I have worked as and am qualified and accredited as a hypnotherapist. It's not just the video though the song is fantastic.

Malcolm Mclaren - Double Dutch. A fast paced joyous delight that makes me want to jump for joy.

The Disturbed - 'Down with the Sickness' (though another band that I have many favourite tracks from). I love the simple stirring introduction to this song, it really gets my adrenalin pumping, and David Draiman's vocals on this are delicious. I'm not so keen on the shouty bit in the middle, but Draiman is one of the few that can shout somewhat in tune, Chester Beddington (Linkin Park) being the master of this style in my opinion

The alabama 3 - Bullet Proof or as my youngest called it when she was a pre-teen 'slappers on the roof' derived from mishearing the line "snipers on the roof". Beautiful ballsy vocals from 'Devlin Love' tickle me pink.

Idlewild - Sorry I'm going to have to cheat (again) and zip a few singles together here, I love most of the offerings from this band (except their extremely folksy later offerings) and these four songs in particular could keep me happy all day - 'Welcome home', 'American English', 'When I argue I see shapes' (a hint of synaesthesia there I feel) and 'I understand it'

Sparkle horse - 'Sick of Goodbyes', this single is very different from the rest of the material on the album 'Good Morning Spider' and is one of their few songs which doesn't rely heavily on distortion and what to (s some may be seen as 'sound effects'. I love the chuggy beat and chance to hear Linkous's (RIP sweetie) voice in it's natural state.

Glasvegas - 'Geraldine', Just love it! And miffed that their drummer Caroline McKay has left, she was smashing. Some think she wasn't terribly good, I think technical perfection isn't always what counts.

Cosmo Jarvis - 'Gay Pirates' this is one that will probably stay in my top ten forever, and 'The Wave That Made Them Happy'. I love this boy, he's multi talented and deserves great success. Gay Pirates, despite it's name and jaunty sound is probably one of the most tender and passionate love songs you'll hear. He started writing and performing music and mini dramas/comedies when he was quite young (about 17 when they started appearing on Youtube I think). His first album Humasyouhitch/sonofabitch was released on the indie label 'Wall of Sound' in November 2009. He's wicked, irreverent, funny, tender, ballsy and honest.

Laura Marling - 'Alas I cannot swim'. My daughter introduced me to this talented artist and this 'Easter Egg' ( a hidden track) track from her album of the same name is one of my favourites. Although the album takes it's name from this song you won't hear it unless you look for it, way after the rest of the songs have played. Her voice is sweet, and her music seems almost delicate yet the themes she explores can be dark, she is young but her lyrics betray a wisdom well beyond her years.

Deep blue something - 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' What can I say about this brilliant one hit wonder. I love it and it makes me squeal if it comes on unexpectedly, which can be very embarrassing for my daughters when we are out.

Tim Minchin - 'Somebody else would (probably) do'. If you are not familiar with Tim Minchin he is primarily a comedian (though I'm not sure he would see it that way). I'm not usually overly fond of 'funny songs' but Minchin (along with Flight of the Conchords and Axis of Awesome) has an intelligent, incisive and very funny way with music. I love Minchin's cynical and sometimes satirical performances though I do feel he can be a tiny bit pretentious at times. This is one of my favourites of his, and sums up how I feel about the whole love thing.

Mike Oldfied - I have completely failed to pick a favourite so I'm afraid I've had to leave it simply at the maestros name.

Linkin park - Another Band which I have to leave unspecific regarding a specific song, I adore them, and the way the Chester Beddington manages to scream in tune is an auditory wonder of the world for me. A few of my favourites are 'Paper cut', 'Crawling', 'Hands Held High'... damn it, just all of them.

Placebo - Oh dear another artist rather than a single, I simply can't narrow it down here either, but 'Summer Rain, Pure Morning, and all of the 'Meds' album spring to mind.

There they are, a sample of the songs that I love but by no means is this a fixed in stone list, even now songs are popping into my head which could easily be interchanged with some of the above (OMD 'Maid of Orleans', and Mikka 'Grace Kelly' for eg). I like to really listen to music, for me it is rarely a background thing even a poppy song that just make you want to bounce or sing along can change my mood for the day (always for the better), but my favourites will always be something that makes me sit up and take notice, that produce a strong reaction in me one way or another.

Thank you for reading :-)
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