Song: Mad About You
Artist: Hooverphonic, Belgium
Album: The Magnificent Tree, 2000
Notes: Cinematic soundscapes from hip Belgian trio, featured once on 'Cold Case' tv series.
Song: So Beautiful
Artist: Pete Murray, Australia
Album: Feeler, 2003
Notes: Restrained, mellow musings from top singer-songwriter star down under.
Song: The Last Dance
Artist: Clare Macguire, England
Album: Light After Dark, 2011
Notes: Another US radio premiere, big pop/dance sound channeling Adele and Annie Lennox.
Song: The Outsiders
Artist: Athlete, England
Album: Beyond The Neighborhood, 2007
Notes: Much overlooked British indie-rockers. Literate lyrics, quirky but rewarding melodies.
Song: Pitter Pat
Artist: Erin McCarley, Garland, Texas
Album: Love Save The Empty, 2009
Notes: Top-notch female singer-songwriter, melancholic ballad from dazzling debut album.
Song: This Is Not America
Artist: David Bowie/Pat Metheny Group, England/Missouri
Album: The Falcon and The Snowman
Notes: Surprising collaboration between the Thin White Duke and jazz fusion guitarist.
Song: Like I Do
Artist: Angel Taylor, Los Angeles
Album: Love Travels, 2009
Notes: Second airing of one of the best cuts by my favorite new singer-songwriter.
Song: Happiness
Artist: Ali Campbell, England
Album: Big Love, 1995
Notes: Reggae-tinged nugget and first solo single by UB40 lead vocalist. Regrettably deleted.
Song: Mary’s Prayer
Artist: Danny Wilson, Scotland
Album: Meet Danny Wilson, 1987
Notes: Melodic career highlight from Scottish band which was around for five years.
Song: Set Fire To The Rain
Artist: Adele, England
Album: 21, 2011
Notes: Standout cut from one of the year's best albums. Same producer/co-writer as Clare Macguire (above).
Song: Love Resurrection
Artist: Alison Moyet, England
Album: Alf, 1984
Notes: Before there was Adele, there was the mighty sound of the former Yazoo vocalist, Alison Moyet.
Song: That’s All Right Mama
Artist: Arthur 'Big Boy' Crudup, Forest, Mississippi
Album: That's All Right Mama, 1952
Notes: One of the most important building blocks in rock history. Vintage R&B from unheralded artist.
Song: Hey Ho
Artist: Gin Wigmore, New Zealand
Album: Holy Smoke, 2010
Notes: Lovely Mexican horns highlight imaginative track from interesting New Zealand singer-songwriter.
Song: Takin’ It To The Streets
Artist: Doobie Brothers, San Jose, California
Album: Takin' It To The Streets, 1976
Notes: Timeless radio staple, the band's first single to feature Michael McDonald.
Song: My Lullaby
Artist: Maria Mena, Norway
Album: White Turns Blue, 2004
Notes: Simple, pure, yearning ballad written at the age of 13 about parents' divorce.
Song: Hey St. Peter
Artist: Flash & The Pan, Australia
Album: Flash & The Pan, 1979
Notes: Another unusual pop/rock ditty by ever-creative new wave Aussie duo.
Song: Tennis Elbow
Artist: Sky Sailing, Owatonna, Minnesota
Album: An Airplane Carried Me To Bed
Notes: Earlier band name of Adam Young before he changed to Owl City ('Fireflies'). Clever synth-pop.
Song: Voodoo Child
Artist: Angelique Kidjo, Benin
Album: Oremi, 1998
Notes: Unknown outside World Music circles, amazing cover of Hendrix classic by exceptional African queen.
Song: Winter
Artist: Rolling Stones, England
Album: Goat's Head Soup, 1973
Notes: One of the best non-single ballads by the Stones from one of their finest albums.
Song: Always On Your Side
Artist: Sheryl Crow & Sting, Missouri/England
Album: Wildflower, 2006
Notes: Perfectly constructed marriage of melody and lyrics by the two rock veterans.
Song: Santa Maria
Artist: Gotan Project, France
Album: La Revancha del Tango, 2001
Notes: Delightful tango-fused gem by terrific Paris-based World Music trio.
Song: A Little Respect
Artist: Erasure, England
Album: The Innocents, 1988
Notes: Perhaps the synth-pop duo's most accessible hit.
Song: Ring Them Bells
Artist: Gordon Lightfoot, Canada
Album: Waiting For You, 1993
Notes: Skilled interpretation of a Bob Dylan composition by Canada's legendary Lightfoot.
Song: Dividing a Spider
Artist: Arthur Adam, Holland
Album: myspace.com/arthuradam
Notes: Curious, engaging and rewarding cut by Dutch singer-songwriter newcomer.
Song: Daddy Wasn’t There
Artist: Mike Myers, Canada
Album: Austin Powers Goldmember, 2002
Notes: Fun but still musically top-notch ode by the actor to deadbeat dads.
Song: Bizarre Love Triangle
Artist: Frente!, Australia
Album: Marvin The Album, 1994
Notes: International, stripped down version of their cover of the New Order classic.
Song: Silent All These Years
Artist: Tori Amos, Newton, North Carolina
Album: Little Earthquakes, 1992
Notes: Poignant, signature hit ballad by the versatile pianist/singer-songwriter.
Song: Parasite
Artist: Mack Starks, Nashville
Album: Blind Spot, 2005
Notes: Winning track by obscure artist who describes his music as a mix of rock, folk and lounge.
Song: I’m Still Caught Up With You
Artist: Gladys Knight, Atlanta
Album: Miss Gladys Knight, 1978
Notes: Vintage soul cut of the week, completely lost, deftly soothing cut from her first Pips-less outing.
Song: Can You Dig It?
Artist: Mock Turtles, England
Album: Turtle Soup, 1991
Notes: Tremendous indie-rock from overlooked Manchester combo, fronted by (actor), Steve Coogan's brother, Martin.
Song: For My Wedding
Artist: Don Henley, Gilmer, Texas
Album: Inside Job, 2000
Notes: Deeply sad preview of what to realistically expect from marriage. Antidote to Train's 'Marry Me'.
Song: Pack Up
Artist: Eliza Doolittle, England
Album: Eliza Doolittle, 2010
Notes: Perky debut built on old World War 1 marching song from newcomer, Eliza Caird.
Song: Big Time
Artist: Peter Gabriel, England
Album: So, 1986
Notes: Still so fresh, features the Police's Stewart Copeland on drums.
Song: Alibi
Artist: David Gray, England
Album: Life In Slow Motion, 2005
Notes: Yet another insanely well-written, A+ ballad from perhaps his best album.
Song: Sugar Box
Artist: Then Jerico, England
Album: The Big Area, 1989
Notes: Fronted by young Mark Shaw, polished New Wave synth-pop from short-lived combo.
Song: Maybe Tomorrow
Artist: Goldenhorse, New Zealand
Album: Riverhead, 2002
Notes: Lovely, laid-back, breezy folk-rock from still active New Zealand five-piece.
Song: Moonshadow
Artist: Cat Stevens, England
Album: The Teaser and The Firecat
Notes: Timeless singer-songwriter magic, now set to be basis for a new musical.
Song: Brand New Day
Artist: Ryan Star, Long Island, New York
Album: Last Train Home, EP, 2009
Notes: Theme to the FOX-tv series 'Lie To Me', Star's best outing so far.
Song: Orphan Girl
Artist: Gillian Welch, New York
Album: Revival, 1996
Notes: Overlooked, sad and beautiful slice of Americana from one of the genre's very best.
Song: Stupid Girl
Artist: Garbage, Madison, Wisconsin
Album: Garbage, 1995
Notes: Classic alt-rock from the mid-'90s, career highlight for the Shirley Manson-fronted band.
Song: Broken Land (acoustic and original versions)
Artist: Adventures, Northern Ireland
Album: The Sea of Love, 1988
Notes: Rare acoustic version blends effortlessly into much overlooked anthemic rock original.