James Tansley
@tansleyjames.bsky.social
Artist. Decorator. Lost in music… always have been, always will be. Soon to be ex-serial music challenge host. #MDANT @tansleyjames on Twitter.
So pleased to finally get the 1986 vocal version of Boys Don’t Cry on cd. I know remakes are very rarely (if ever) better than the original but as a completist it’s always bugged me that the single version of this hasn’t been issued since 1986. #TheCure 😁💿
January 22, 2026 at 5:33 PM
So pleased to finally get the 1986 vocal version of Boys Don’t Cry on cd. I know remakes are very rarely (if ever) better than the original but as a completist it’s always bugged me that the single version of this hasn’t been issued since 1986. #TheCure 😁💿
Not my greatest idea to run three music challenges in one month but here goes…
#OrchestralManoeuvres Starts 1st Feb.
#StandaloneSingles Starts 1st Feb.
#Reverberations Starts 1st Feb.
#OrchestralManoeuvres Starts 1st Feb.
#StandaloneSingles Starts 1st Feb.
#Reverberations Starts 1st Feb.
January 22, 2026 at 9:44 AM
Not my greatest idea to run three music challenges in one month but here goes…
#OrchestralManoeuvres Starts 1st Feb.
#StandaloneSingles Starts 1st Feb.
#Reverberations Starts 1st Feb.
#OrchestralManoeuvres Starts 1st Feb.
#StandaloneSingles Starts 1st Feb.
#Reverberations Starts 1st Feb.
#Top30FirstAlbumFirstTrack 9
A Walk Across The Rooftops | The Blue Nile
A Walk Across The Rooftops | 1984
Just beautiful. Pristine in sound and perfect in it’s execution, just like all things Blue Nile.
youtu.be/qxK7AZEdVbU
A Walk Across The Rooftops | The Blue Nile
A Walk Across The Rooftops | 1984
Just beautiful. Pristine in sound and perfect in it’s execution, just like all things Blue Nile.
youtu.be/qxK7AZEdVbU
January 22, 2026 at 7:35 AM
#Top30FirstAlbumFirstTrack 9
A Walk Across The Rooftops | The Blue Nile
A Walk Across The Rooftops | 1984
Just beautiful. Pristine in sound and perfect in it’s execution, just like all things Blue Nile.
youtu.be/qxK7AZEdVbU
A Walk Across The Rooftops | The Blue Nile
A Walk Across The Rooftops | 1984
Just beautiful. Pristine in sound and perfect in it’s execution, just like all things Blue Nile.
youtu.be/qxK7AZEdVbU
#70sTop30 9
Trans-Europe Express/Metal On Metal/Abzug
Kraftwerk | 1977
Truly groundbreaking. Kraftwerk didn’t sell that many albums (or singles) in the 1970s but their influence is undeniable. TEE (both album and single) is Kraftwerk at the peak of their powers.
youtu.be/W1Fy-NE7vfI
Trans-Europe Express/Metal On Metal/Abzug
Kraftwerk | 1977
Truly groundbreaking. Kraftwerk didn’t sell that many albums (or singles) in the 1970s but their influence is undeniable. TEE (both album and single) is Kraftwerk at the peak of their powers.
youtu.be/W1Fy-NE7vfI
January 22, 2026 at 7:27 AM
#70sTop30 9
Trans-Europe Express/Metal On Metal/Abzug
Kraftwerk | 1977
Truly groundbreaking. Kraftwerk didn’t sell that many albums (or singles) in the 1970s but their influence is undeniable. TEE (both album and single) is Kraftwerk at the peak of their powers.
youtu.be/W1Fy-NE7vfI
Trans-Europe Express/Metal On Metal/Abzug
Kraftwerk | 1977
Truly groundbreaking. Kraftwerk didn’t sell that many albums (or singles) in the 1970s but their influence is undeniable. TEE (both album and single) is Kraftwerk at the peak of their powers.
youtu.be/W1Fy-NE7vfI
#RadioheadTop30 9
Climbing Up The Walls | 1997
Claustrophobic and unsettling but astonishingly good. It’s not one of OK Computer’s most accessible tracks but for this listener, it’s one of the best.
youtu.be/XX4EpkR-Sp4
Climbing Up The Walls | 1997
Claustrophobic and unsettling but astonishingly good. It’s not one of OK Computer’s most accessible tracks but for this listener, it’s one of the best.
youtu.be/XX4EpkR-Sp4
January 22, 2026 at 7:20 AM
#RadioheadTop30 9
Climbing Up The Walls | 1997
Claustrophobic and unsettling but astonishingly good. It’s not one of OK Computer’s most accessible tracks but for this listener, it’s one of the best.
youtu.be/XX4EpkR-Sp4
Climbing Up The Walls | 1997
Claustrophobic and unsettling but astonishingly good. It’s not one of OK Computer’s most accessible tracks but for this listener, it’s one of the best.
youtu.be/XX4EpkR-Sp4
#Top30FirstAlbumFirstTrack 10
Untitled | Interpol
Turn On The Bright Lights | 2002
A suitably dark and moody opener on Interpol’s debut album. Untitled sets the tone for the album perfectly.
youtu.be/xqYFU1_SiBo
Untitled | Interpol
Turn On The Bright Lights | 2002
A suitably dark and moody opener on Interpol’s debut album. Untitled sets the tone for the album perfectly.
youtu.be/xqYFU1_SiBo
January 21, 2026 at 7:34 AM
#Top30FirstAlbumFirstTrack 10
Untitled | Interpol
Turn On The Bright Lights | 2002
A suitably dark and moody opener on Interpol’s debut album. Untitled sets the tone for the album perfectly.
youtu.be/xqYFU1_SiBo
Untitled | Interpol
Turn On The Bright Lights | 2002
A suitably dark and moody opener on Interpol’s debut album. Untitled sets the tone for the album perfectly.
youtu.be/xqYFU1_SiBo
#70sTop30 10
Echoes | Pink Floyd | 1971
Running at 23m and 35s long Echoes is the longest (and joint oldest) song in my list. Peak Pink Floyd, a masterpiece of a composition that ebbs and flows seamlessly.
youtu.be/OcDiOUQBFd4
Echoes | Pink Floyd | 1971
Running at 23m and 35s long Echoes is the longest (and joint oldest) song in my list. Peak Pink Floyd, a masterpiece of a composition that ebbs and flows seamlessly.
youtu.be/OcDiOUQBFd4
January 21, 2026 at 7:23 AM
#70sTop30 10
Echoes | Pink Floyd | 1971
Running at 23m and 35s long Echoes is the longest (and joint oldest) song in my list. Peak Pink Floyd, a masterpiece of a composition that ebbs and flows seamlessly.
youtu.be/OcDiOUQBFd4
Echoes | Pink Floyd | 1971
Running at 23m and 35s long Echoes is the longest (and joint oldest) song in my list. Peak Pink Floyd, a masterpiece of a composition that ebbs and flows seamlessly.
youtu.be/OcDiOUQBFd4
#RadioheadTop30 10
Ful Stop | 2016
Back to A Moon Shaped Pool and the menacing Ful Stop. Along with my final choice from the album this was initially one of my standout tracks from the album. It still is.
youtu.be/NHDOk7lA53w
Ful Stop | 2016
Back to A Moon Shaped Pool and the menacing Ful Stop. Along with my final choice from the album this was initially one of my standout tracks from the album. It still is.
youtu.be/NHDOk7lA53w
January 21, 2026 at 7:15 AM
#RadioheadTop30 10
Ful Stop | 2016
Back to A Moon Shaped Pool and the menacing Ful Stop. Along with my final choice from the album this was initially one of my standout tracks from the album. It still is.
youtu.be/NHDOk7lA53w
Ful Stop | 2016
Back to A Moon Shaped Pool and the menacing Ful Stop. Along with my final choice from the album this was initially one of my standout tracks from the album. It still is.
youtu.be/NHDOk7lA53w
#Top30FirstAlbumFirstTrack 11
Alsatian Cousin | Morrissey
Viva Hate | 1988
Stephen Street produced and Vini Reilly starring stomper that opens Moz’s excellent debut solo album.
youtu.be/SyIyzmz2x94x
Alsatian Cousin | Morrissey
Viva Hate | 1988
Stephen Street produced and Vini Reilly starring stomper that opens Moz’s excellent debut solo album.
youtu.be/SyIyzmz2x94x
January 20, 2026 at 7:47 AM
#Top30FirstAlbumFirstTrack 11
Alsatian Cousin | Morrissey
Viva Hate | 1988
Stephen Street produced and Vini Reilly starring stomper that opens Moz’s excellent debut solo album.
youtu.be/SyIyzmz2x94x
Alsatian Cousin | Morrissey
Viva Hate | 1988
Stephen Street produced and Vini Reilly starring stomper that opens Moz’s excellent debut solo album.
youtu.be/SyIyzmz2x94x
#70sTop30 11
In Every Dream Home A Heartache |
Roxy Music | 1973
Just your every day love story about an inflatable doll. Peak Roxy, artistic, creative, unique and the music and lyrics… totally mind-blowing. There’s no one else like Roxy. There wasn’t then, there isn’t now.
youtu.be/l4uzAADWe00
In Every Dream Home A Heartache |
Roxy Music | 1973
Just your every day love story about an inflatable doll. Peak Roxy, artistic, creative, unique and the music and lyrics… totally mind-blowing. There’s no one else like Roxy. There wasn’t then, there isn’t now.
youtu.be/l4uzAADWe00
January 20, 2026 at 7:33 AM
#70sTop30 11
In Every Dream Home A Heartache |
Roxy Music | 1973
Just your every day love story about an inflatable doll. Peak Roxy, artistic, creative, unique and the music and lyrics… totally mind-blowing. There’s no one else like Roxy. There wasn’t then, there isn’t now.
youtu.be/l4uzAADWe00
In Every Dream Home A Heartache |
Roxy Music | 1973
Just your every day love story about an inflatable doll. Peak Roxy, artistic, creative, unique and the music and lyrics… totally mind-blowing. There’s no one else like Roxy. There wasn’t then, there isn’t now.
youtu.be/l4uzAADWe00
#RadioheadTop30 11
Lucky | 1997
There are so many outstanding songs on Ok Computer and I have four of them in my final eleven. First up is Lucky, I was blown away by it the first time I heard it. That feeling hasn’t dissipated at all over the passing 29 years.
youtu.be/FsyqsnY7dRA
Lucky | 1997
There are so many outstanding songs on Ok Computer and I have four of them in my final eleven. First up is Lucky, I was blown away by it the first time I heard it. That feeling hasn’t dissipated at all over the passing 29 years.
youtu.be/FsyqsnY7dRA
January 20, 2026 at 7:19 AM
#RadioheadTop30 11
Lucky | 1997
There are so many outstanding songs on Ok Computer and I have four of them in my final eleven. First up is Lucky, I was blown away by it the first time I heard it. That feeling hasn’t dissipated at all over the passing 29 years.
youtu.be/FsyqsnY7dRA
Lucky | 1997
There are so many outstanding songs on Ok Computer and I have four of them in my final eleven. First up is Lucky, I was blown away by it the first time I heard it. That feeling hasn’t dissipated at all over the passing 29 years.
youtu.be/FsyqsnY7dRA
Yes it’s an old one but I’m still dining out on it. Apparently it’s Blue Monday today so here’s a tune from #NewOrder to celebrate. 😁🎧
youtu.be/Odjl13--Lyk
youtu.be/Odjl13--Lyk
January 19, 2026 at 8:49 AM
Yes it’s an old one but I’m still dining out on it. Apparently it’s Blue Monday today so here’s a tune from #NewOrder to celebrate. 😁🎧
youtu.be/Odjl13--Lyk
youtu.be/Odjl13--Lyk
#Top30FirstAlbumFirstTrack 12
Disorder | Joy Division
Unknown Pleasures | 1979
I chose New Order yesterday so it seems right to select Joy Division today.
youtu.be/5BIElTtN6Fs
Disorder | Joy Division
Unknown Pleasures | 1979
I chose New Order yesterday so it seems right to select Joy Division today.
youtu.be/5BIElTtN6Fs
January 19, 2026 at 7:56 AM
#Top30FirstAlbumFirstTrack 12
Disorder | Joy Division
Unknown Pleasures | 1979
I chose New Order yesterday so it seems right to select Joy Division today.
youtu.be/5BIElTtN6Fs
Disorder | Joy Division
Unknown Pleasures | 1979
I chose New Order yesterday so it seems right to select Joy Division today.
youtu.be/5BIElTtN6Fs
#70sTop30 12
Frederick | Patti Smith Group | 1979
Dedicated to Fred ‘Sonic’ Smith of the MC5. Because The Night was her big hit (and very close to selection) but this beauty from the Wave album is hard to beat.
youtu.be/a-befOtn9GQ
Frederick | Patti Smith Group | 1979
Dedicated to Fred ‘Sonic’ Smith of the MC5. Because The Night was her big hit (and very close to selection) but this beauty from the Wave album is hard to beat.
youtu.be/a-befOtn9GQ
January 19, 2026 at 7:54 AM
#70sTop30 12
Frederick | Patti Smith Group | 1979
Dedicated to Fred ‘Sonic’ Smith of the MC5. Because The Night was her big hit (and very close to selection) but this beauty from the Wave album is hard to beat.
youtu.be/a-befOtn9GQ
Frederick | Patti Smith Group | 1979
Dedicated to Fred ‘Sonic’ Smith of the MC5. Because The Night was her big hit (and very close to selection) but this beauty from the Wave album is hard to beat.
youtu.be/a-befOtn9GQ
#RadioheadTop30 12
There, There | 2003
The lead track from Hail To The Thief. An immediate favourite and it’s remained that way ever since.
youtu.be/7AQSLozK7aA
There, There | 2003
The lead track from Hail To The Thief. An immediate favourite and it’s remained that way ever since.
youtu.be/7AQSLozK7aA
January 19, 2026 at 7:51 AM
#RadioheadTop30 12
There, There | 2003
The lead track from Hail To The Thief. An immediate favourite and it’s remained that way ever since.
youtu.be/7AQSLozK7aA
There, There | 2003
The lead track from Hail To The Thief. An immediate favourite and it’s remained that way ever since.
youtu.be/7AQSLozK7aA
#Top30FirstAlbumFirstTrack 13
Dreams Never End | New Order
Movement | 1981
Peter Hook on lead vocal duty on the brilliant opening track on New Order’s debut album.
youtu.be/WS1X0EBlQ3Y
Dreams Never End | New Order
Movement | 1981
Peter Hook on lead vocal duty on the brilliant opening track on New Order’s debut album.
youtu.be/WS1X0EBlQ3Y
January 18, 2026 at 9:36 AM
#Top30FirstAlbumFirstTrack 13
Dreams Never End | New Order
Movement | 1981
Peter Hook on lead vocal duty on the brilliant opening track on New Order’s debut album.
youtu.be/WS1X0EBlQ3Y
Dreams Never End | New Order
Movement | 1981
Peter Hook on lead vocal duty on the brilliant opening track on New Order’s debut album.
youtu.be/WS1X0EBlQ3Y
#70sTop30 13
Picture This | Blondie | 1978
Imperial Phase Blondie and then some. Dreaming ran it close but it has to be Picture This for my choice. The melodies, the hooks, the soaring chorus, it has it all and all in under three minutes. Perfect.
youtu.be/QbdCpi4qTNY
Picture This | Blondie | 1978
Imperial Phase Blondie and then some. Dreaming ran it close but it has to be Picture This for my choice. The melodies, the hooks, the soaring chorus, it has it all and all in under three minutes. Perfect.
youtu.be/QbdCpi4qTNY
January 18, 2026 at 9:17 AM
#70sTop30 13
Picture This | Blondie | 1978
Imperial Phase Blondie and then some. Dreaming ran it close but it has to be Picture This for my choice. The melodies, the hooks, the soaring chorus, it has it all and all in under three minutes. Perfect.
youtu.be/QbdCpi4qTNY
Picture This | Blondie | 1978
Imperial Phase Blondie and then some. Dreaming ran it close but it has to be Picture This for my choice. The melodies, the hooks, the soaring chorus, it has it all and all in under three minutes. Perfect.
youtu.be/QbdCpi4qTNY
#RadioheadTop30 13
Pyramid Song | 2001
Hauntingly beautiful. I wasn’t taken by this track immediately but over the years it’s worked it’s way in to become a favourite.
youtu.be/3M_Gg1xAHE4
Pyramid Song | 2001
Hauntingly beautiful. I wasn’t taken by this track immediately but over the years it’s worked it’s way in to become a favourite.
youtu.be/3M_Gg1xAHE4
January 18, 2026 at 9:10 AM
#RadioheadTop30 13
Pyramid Song | 2001
Hauntingly beautiful. I wasn’t taken by this track immediately but over the years it’s worked it’s way in to become a favourite.
youtu.be/3M_Gg1xAHE4
Pyramid Song | 2001
Hauntingly beautiful. I wasn’t taken by this track immediately but over the years it’s worked it’s way in to become a favourite.
youtu.be/3M_Gg1xAHE4
#ExitMusic Starts 1st March.
Choose your thirty favourite song endings, the part where the end begins. Obviously the greatest ending belongs to The Perfect Kiss but there are plenty of others. A sweeping orchestral arrangement, an elongated workout or a towering crescendo. The choice is yours…👋
Choose your thirty favourite song endings, the part where the end begins. Obviously the greatest ending belongs to The Perfect Kiss but there are plenty of others. A sweeping orchestral arrangement, an elongated workout or a towering crescendo. The choice is yours…👋
January 17, 2026 at 9:55 AM
#ExitMusic Starts 1st March.
Choose your thirty favourite song endings, the part where the end begins. Obviously the greatest ending belongs to The Perfect Kiss but there are plenty of others. A sweeping orchestral arrangement, an elongated workout or a towering crescendo. The choice is yours…👋
Choose your thirty favourite song endings, the part where the end begins. Obviously the greatest ending belongs to The Perfect Kiss but there are plenty of others. A sweeping orchestral arrangement, an elongated workout or a towering crescendo. The choice is yours…👋
#Reverberations Starts 1st February.
A month-long celebration of all things guitar. From 80s Indie and Alt-Rock, to Shoegaze and Grunge and beyond, up to the present day. Think My Bloody Valentine, Ride, Pixies, Cocteau Twins, Hüsker Du, Nirvana, DIIV, Just Mustard…
A month-long celebration of all things guitar. From 80s Indie and Alt-Rock, to Shoegaze and Grunge and beyond, up to the present day. Think My Bloody Valentine, Ride, Pixies, Cocteau Twins, Hüsker Du, Nirvana, DIIV, Just Mustard…
January 17, 2026 at 9:54 AM
#Reverberations Starts 1st February.
A month-long celebration of all things guitar. From 80s Indie and Alt-Rock, to Shoegaze and Grunge and beyond, up to the present day. Think My Bloody Valentine, Ride, Pixies, Cocteau Twins, Hüsker Du, Nirvana, DIIV, Just Mustard…
A month-long celebration of all things guitar. From 80s Indie and Alt-Rock, to Shoegaze and Grunge and beyond, up to the present day. Think My Bloody Valentine, Ride, Pixies, Cocteau Twins, Hüsker Du, Nirvana, DIIV, Just Mustard…
#OrchestralManoeuvres
Starts 1st February.
Select your 28 favourite string arrangements in songs. Solo, full orchestra, electric, synthetic or sampled. Singles, b-sides, album tracks, live versions and remixes can all be included.
Post one song per day throughout February, ranked or unranked.
Starts 1st February.
Select your 28 favourite string arrangements in songs. Solo, full orchestra, electric, synthetic or sampled. Singles, b-sides, album tracks, live versions and remixes can all be included.
Post one song per day throughout February, ranked or unranked.
January 17, 2026 at 9:42 AM
#OrchestralManoeuvres
Starts 1st February.
Select your 28 favourite string arrangements in songs. Solo, full orchestra, electric, synthetic or sampled. Singles, b-sides, album tracks, live versions and remixes can all be included.
Post one song per day throughout February, ranked or unranked.
Starts 1st February.
Select your 28 favourite string arrangements in songs. Solo, full orchestra, electric, synthetic or sampled. Singles, b-sides, album tracks, live versions and remixes can all be included.
Post one song per day throughout February, ranked or unranked.
#StandaloneSingles Starts 1st February.
Throughout February choose 28 of your favourite standalone singles. Post one per day, ranked or unranked. Lead tracks on EPs and singles tagged on to Best Of compilations can be selected, the main criteria is that they aren’t on an artist’s studio album.
Throughout February choose 28 of your favourite standalone singles. Post one per day, ranked or unranked. Lead tracks on EPs and singles tagged on to Best Of compilations can be selected, the main criteria is that they aren’t on an artist’s studio album.
January 17, 2026 at 9:27 AM
#StandaloneSingles Starts 1st February.
Throughout February choose 28 of your favourite standalone singles. Post one per day, ranked or unranked. Lead tracks on EPs and singles tagged on to Best Of compilations can be selected, the main criteria is that they aren’t on an artist’s studio album.
Throughout February choose 28 of your favourite standalone singles. Post one per day, ranked or unranked. Lead tracks on EPs and singles tagged on to Best Of compilations can be selected, the main criteria is that they aren’t on an artist’s studio album.
#Top30FirstAlbumFirstTrack 14
Reel Around The Fountain | The Smiths
The Smiths | 1983
Unfortunately the Troy Tate version of this doesn’t count (I prefer that one) but this isn’t a bad substitute anyway. The Smiths kick off the stellar debut album in style.
youtu.be/V04bUY5Kl8w
Reel Around The Fountain | The Smiths
The Smiths | 1983
Unfortunately the Troy Tate version of this doesn’t count (I prefer that one) but this isn’t a bad substitute anyway. The Smiths kick off the stellar debut album in style.
youtu.be/V04bUY5Kl8w
January 17, 2026 at 8:32 AM
#Top30FirstAlbumFirstTrack 14
Reel Around The Fountain | The Smiths
The Smiths | 1983
Unfortunately the Troy Tate version of this doesn’t count (I prefer that one) but this isn’t a bad substitute anyway. The Smiths kick off the stellar debut album in style.
youtu.be/V04bUY5Kl8w
Reel Around The Fountain | The Smiths
The Smiths | 1983
Unfortunately the Troy Tate version of this doesn’t count (I prefer that one) but this isn’t a bad substitute anyway. The Smiths kick off the stellar debut album in style.
youtu.be/V04bUY5Kl8w
#70sTop30 14
The Light Pours Out Of Me |
Magazine | 1978
I’ve said it before but Magazine were one hell of a band. A unit made up of some of the most talented and original musicians of their generation. It’s not surprising then that they produced songs such as this.
youtu.be/OFGA2HbCa0A
The Light Pours Out Of Me |
Magazine | 1978
I’ve said it before but Magazine were one hell of a band. A unit made up of some of the most talented and original musicians of their generation. It’s not surprising then that they produced songs such as this.
youtu.be/OFGA2HbCa0A
January 17, 2026 at 8:15 AM
#70sTop30 14
The Light Pours Out Of Me |
Magazine | 1978
I’ve said it before but Magazine were one hell of a band. A unit made up of some of the most talented and original musicians of their generation. It’s not surprising then that they produced songs such as this.
youtu.be/OFGA2HbCa0A
The Light Pours Out Of Me |
Magazine | 1978
I’ve said it before but Magazine were one hell of a band. A unit made up of some of the most talented and original musicians of their generation. It’s not surprising then that they produced songs such as this.
youtu.be/OFGA2HbCa0A
#RadioheadTop30 14
Planet Telex | 1995
The Bends album opener and a double a-sided release with High And Dry. And as much as I love H&D, Planet Telex would have been my choice for the lead track.
youtu.be/09EsZXrKEP4
Planet Telex | 1995
The Bends album opener and a double a-sided release with High And Dry. And as much as I love H&D, Planet Telex would have been my choice for the lead track.
youtu.be/09EsZXrKEP4
January 17, 2026 at 8:05 AM
#RadioheadTop30 14
Planet Telex | 1995
The Bends album opener and a double a-sided release with High And Dry. And as much as I love H&D, Planet Telex would have been my choice for the lead track.
youtu.be/09EsZXrKEP4
Planet Telex | 1995
The Bends album opener and a double a-sided release with High And Dry. And as much as I love H&D, Planet Telex would have been my choice for the lead track.
youtu.be/09EsZXrKEP4