Musical Motivation: James Reidy

James Reidy's latest single, Love Me, is an anthem to the very core. With the Birmingham based singer/songwriter explores his failed relationship, he strikes a universal cord in his epic radio anthem. Having fallen in love with the song the moment we heard it, we knew we needed to find out more. So we asked him what songs make him...



Smile

Blind Love - Lola Young

I actually found this category really tricky, listening to music usually makes me smile regardless so to just to pick just one. I chose this tune as Lola is one of my favourite new artist right now, I absolutely love this song, it’s beautifully written, a melodic dream and it creates an incredible picture. The track feels very heartfelt, raw and true and that’s something I can always get onboard with. It definitely puts me in a happy, quietly contented mood even if it is a perceivably sad song.

Contemplate

2009 - Mac Miller

This was a close call between, 2009, Small Worlds and Dunno, appearing on Mac’s album Swimming. The whole album is incredible, these tracks in particular create a real tone and they are my go to tunes to sit back, shut out the world and sit with my own thoughts and feelings. I had to go with 2009, it’s particularly special and the violins at the start of the song, wow - his live performance of this track for Tiny Desk Concerts gets brought up every time I mention his name.

Cry

The Borders - Sam Fender

This was another close call between this track and 'I Always Wanna Die (Sometimes) - The 1975’ which is song that’s been with me at some really low points in my life experience. I've always loved the Sam Fender track, but I chose ‘The Borders’ purely due to the fact that I was watching a live performance from Sam Fender, at TRNSMT Festival I believe and out of nowhere I welled up with emotion and started crying, I’ve had friends tell me they’ve cried at concerts/shows before but have never experienced such a thing, especially sitting in my own bedroom. I can’t really explain it, I guess it was the emotion, the power, the feel of the whole performance, it brought up some emotions within me. It’s an incredible song, lyrically, the story - absolutely brilliant, I love everything Sam Fender at the minute.

Laugh

Sk8er Boy - Avril Lavigne

This song came on the radio the other day and I couldn’t believe. I hadn’t heard it for what must about 10 years, I remember it was a massive song back when I was in primary school, it’s still a great tune. I’ll pick this one as there’s something wonderful about people who struggle through school (a lot of people do - I definitely did!) at a young age, finding themselves and going out into the world and changing their stars. Those are the people who get to have the last laugh, not at anyone's expense but because you find the life you always dreamed of, the perfect career, partner, home(s) etc. and be who you were truly born to be - and yes I want to be the superstar slamming on his guitar!

Want to work out

Wiley Flow - Stormzy

I would say it’s a rarity that I ‘want’ to work out, regardless of what music is being played. I enjoy keeping fit though and whenever I’m training, I want something that gets me little pumped!

Reminisce

The Man - Ed Sheeran

Its definitely not one of his most popular songs, maybe that’s why I like it so much - taken from his second album Multiply. It rolls me back to time when I was just getting into to music, and maybe the passion was starting to stir within me. I was a million miles away from who and where I am today. I hadn’t picked up the guitar at this point and wasn’t even dreaming about what I could achieve in music, I was still working in a job that I would eventually give up to pursue my dreams - I’m very happy with how my life has tuned out since and we keep moving!

Relax

Lost in Paris - Tom Misch

I’m becoming a big Tom Misch fan. My musical tastes and curiosity continues to grow and there’s nothing better that sitting back listening to some soft Jazz style tunes in the background. I don’t think much more needs to be said, I’m yet to check out his new album ‘What Kind of Music’ but it’ll be next on the list after I’ve exhausted ‘Geography’ - I’m late to the party I know!

Feel Determined

Love Me - James Reidy

I had to throw my own tunes in here somewhere, mainly because I’m my biggest fan. I absolutely love this tune and what it stands for in my life, it’s not about feeling sad or wallowing in your emotions, it’s about overcoming emotional traumas, negative experiences/ people and harnessing that as power towards everything you can possibly achieve in your life and I hope the song can do that for other people. I jumped around my kitchen till 4 AM listening to myself back the night we finished this in the studio, a massive thanks to brother Benj (Ben Stancombe - Production/Co-write) for helping to make this tune what it is.

Dance

The Sound - The 1975

I had to give The 1975 a mention. I could have picked so many different songs for this question and truth be told if I’m feeling in the mood I will dance to practically anything. This song has great bounce, always cheers me up and gets me in the mood to jump around and sing along.



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