Earworm

Published on 16/08/2024.

The first ever Earworm suggested playlist is a bittersweet dedication that goes out to another sleepless night: bitter for the bloodshot eyes that met the glaring sun at 7 o’clock this morning, yet sweet to be able to celebrate that the first version of Earworm is up and running. Let’s dive into my top five songs for this week:

1. I’d Kill to Fall Asleep – New Found Glory
2. Asleep – The Smiths
3. Unsquare Dance – The Dave Brubeck Quartet
4. All Night Long (All Night) – Lionel Richie
5. Today – Smashing Pumpkins

I’d Kill to Fall Asleep

I think the name alone may be a dead giveaway as to why I chose to add this to my top five songs for this week. Nonetheless, this 2004 pop punk outing from New Found Glory’s Catalyst is up to par with bigger hits on the album such as Truth of My Youth and Failure’s Not Flattering, even if the theme may seem on the trivial side. Who can believe this one turned 20 this year?

Asleep

Sing me to sleep
Sing me to sleep
I’m tired and I
I want to go to bed

The lyrics on this 1985 B-side are certainly on the simpler side of The Smiths’ oeuvre, but the slow-creeping melancholy brought on by Morrissey’s haunting vocal is still a testament to the beautiful work created by the Mancunian four-piece. Now, if only I could fall asleep…

Unsquare Dance

This instrumental jazz jaunt from 1961’s Time Further Out may seem an odd choice for a playlist on the theme of late nights, but I remember hearing it years ago on a McDonald’s advert in the UK – the precise piano flicks of Dave Brubeck seeming an odd musical backdrop for a carelessly burnt ‘Arabica’ coffee. Nevertheless, I have associated bleary eyes and the Quartet ever since.

All Night Long (All Night)

I know everyone knows all of the lyrics to this one. I’m sure everyone of driving age has had a Brooklyn 99-esque car sing-song to this classic from Lionel. Hell, I’m convinced that there are fish in the ocean that have pulled all-nighters whilst humming this. This song definitely falls under the Reminder category rather than Check Out.

All night…

Today

Just when it looked like I may be getting a bit of life into myself, a wave of tiredness has invited in a flood of ’90s angst to drive home this playlist. Having said that, I have quite the predilection for this not-quite-as-cheery-as-it-first-seems offering from Billy Corgan’s outfit due to the fact I used to practise it with a local band when I was 16 years old. Best £30 I ever made when I covered a gig for the bassist one week. What does any of this have to do with sleep? The album is Siamese Dream. Cheeky connection, I know!

Written by Lewis Brown.