Tom about the Nutcracker
The Top 2000
NPO Radio 2's Top 2000 is a yearly music list airing from Christmas until December the 31st, 23:59 (directly followed by ABBA - Happy New Year). From the 1st until the 7th of December you were able to vote, filling in a list of max. 35 songs, a hard job because if you ask me, picking only 35 songs is quite a challenge! I called it the most important vote of the year. Some songs are rusted up in my yearly list. However every year there are songs that have a special story, especially for this year and therefore those songs made it to this list. Also that is what the Top 2000 is, looking back on memories born this year before celebrating the arrival of the next year. One of the things I love most about the voting is filling in the motivation of why I chose that particular song. Here's my list of songs I voted for this year.
My Top 2000 list:
(Alright, I'm a bad calculator, but I do know that below are 36 songs instead of 35: the why is explained.)
1. Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark – Maid of Orleans
It's such a beautiful song, listen here:
2. Fleetwood Mac – Go Your Own Way
When I hear this, I often think that this song is giving me a message. A message to follow my dreams by simply going my own way. This is something I'm really trying to do. It's something I would advice everyone to do, although it doesn't always seem to be easy. One thing is clear: How hard it's going to be, the path is there! The song seems to come to me on moments I need to be remembered by it. Local coverbands do often play this one a lot and last year I heard Fleetwood Mac live on Pinkpop. Go Your Own Way always hits me, and it does get me emotional from time to time..
3. Guns n’ Roses – November Rain
This is one of my all time favorite classics. In this list, I will never skip November Rain. It's just such a beautiful song and I do remember the rainy videoclip with the wedding, the funeral and Slash playing the guitar outside the church very clearly. It disappeared out of the top 10 last year, I hope one day it'll be back in it.. Often on family-days when a Guns n' Roses song is playing, people tell a story about little toddler Nicole.. I'll explain that one when we'll reach Knocking on Heavens Door.
Something else, I actually never have seen the original Guns n' Roses live but next June I get my chance when they're standing on Pinkpop, a Dutch festival. So.. who's coming with me?
4. Nirvana – The Man Who Sold The World
I dare to say that I find Nirvana's version better than David Bowie's version. Even though many will disagree, Nirvana surely beats the original version in this music top.. Nirvana is one of my favorite of all times and I just love the Unplugged in New York album. Perhaps this was the album that made me fell in love with Nirvana, even though I knew some of their other songs. Some say: Nirvana is one you hate or love.. Well, I love it!
5. Led Zeppelin – Immigrant Song
Okay, I admit, this song has entered my list the year that Thor: Ragnarok hit the theaters: 2017. I can't believe I had never heard this one before, while of course I knew some songs of Led Zeppelin. We come from the land of the ice and snow! This song always makes me laugh and it reminds me of some hilarious Loki/Thor moments: (Get Help..) It's an epic underrated song. I hosted a intro music quiz (based on the Top 2000) the other day and only one person guessed the artist while nobody knew the title..
Okay, I admit, this song has entered my list the year that Thor: Ragnarok hit the theaters: 2017. I can't believe I had never heard this one before, while of course I knew some songs of Led Zeppelin. We come from the land of the ice and snow! This song always makes me laugh and it reminds me of some hilarious Loki/Thor moments: (Get Help..) It's an epic underrated song. I hosted a intro music quiz (based on the Top 2000) the other day and only one person guessed the artist while nobody knew the title..
This year they have added a function where you can see a statistic of how the song has been doing it during all editions of the Top 2000. See here how Thor Ragnarok made it increase in 2017:
6. Neil Young – Keep on Rocking in the Free World
You know, you're able to visit the Top 2000 café every year. It's just that with one ticket (they're cheap and sold out fast!), you're allowed to stay for 30 minutes. This was one of the songs that was playing last year when I was there. It's the only one I remember because it was the only real good song I heard in there. I shall always be remembered to that when I hear this song. I used to have the title written on a sticker bought at Pinkpop, it's a great motto indeed.
7. Electric Light Orchestra – Don’t Bring Me Down
Speaking of great motto's, this definitely is one too! This is one of the songs I have listened to this year a lot, therefore (and because it's awesome!) it's in the list. The beauty of the list is that there always songs in it that have a extra special meaning that particular year. This year I've learned that I'm stronger than I think I am..
8. Guns n’ Roses – Knockin' on Heavens Door
Back in the days when I was 2 (long time ago, I don't remember it haha) a TV channel, probably MTV aired a daily Top 5. The early 90s seemed to be the years of Guns n' Roses, Mr. Big, Metallica and Ugly Kid Joe, as these were the artists my parents told me I enjoyed to listen to everyday. They sat me in front of the TV, watched me trying to sing along during Knockin' on Heavens door, while obviously all I brabbled was "Ai ai ai".. Even back then, I knew what good music was!
9. Nirvana – In Bloom
One of Nirvana I've started to appreciate more and more the last two years. Also this one entered the Top 2000 last year. The best version of this song I think is not the regular version, but the version that's on the Nevermind Deluxe album. I don't know, it's just a little different.
10. Led Zeppelin – Stairway To Heaven
I wished this was the number 1. It's such a beautiful song. Last year Stairway to Heaven disappeared out for the top 3 because of Billy Joel's Piano Man (not a bad song either..) and this year it ended up on place 5. Well, at least it's still in the top 5! The other day my father showed me a video of a version of Stairway To Heaven sung by the singer of Heart. Who thinks women can't sing should definitely listen to this: Stairway to Heaven by Heart
I wished this was the number 1. It's such a beautiful song. Last year Stairway to Heaven disappeared out for the top 3 because of Billy Joel's Piano Man (not a bad song either..) and this year it ended up on place 5. Well, at least it's still in the top 5! The other day my father showed me a video of a version of Stairway To Heaven sung by the singer of Heart. Who thinks women can't sing should definitely listen to this: Stairway to Heaven by Heart
11. The Eagles – Hotel California
The forever number 2 (however it actually did beat Bohemian Rhapsody a few years ago..). Such a beautiful song, can't skip it!
The forever number 2 (however it actually did beat Bohemian Rhapsody a few years ago..). Such a beautiful song, can't skip it!
12. Boston – More Than A Feeling
According to my father, this is the best song in the world! It indeed is a real, real good song!
According to my father, this is the best song in the world! It indeed is a real, real good song!
13. Lex Uiting – Nao ‘t Zuuje
This is a local song, very local song. It's from the city where I visited the 'vote-bus' (see below). Actually it's a slightly emotional, carnaval (link to the blog I wrote about this subject in March) ballade. It entered the list last year and that gave such a proud feeling. Note: I'm not that crazy of Carnaval, but a little I can have..
This is a local song, very local song. It's from the city where I visited the 'vote-bus' (see below). Actually it's a slightly emotional, carnaval (link to the blog I wrote about this subject in March) ballade. It entered the list last year and that gave such a proud feeling. Note: I'm not that crazy of Carnaval, but a little I can have..
14. Elton John – Circle of Life
The Lion King (1994) still is one of my favorite movies and Elton John's Circle of Life always brings me back to the Pride Lands!
The Lion King (1994) still is one of my favorite movies and Elton John's Circle of Life always brings me back to the Pride Lands!
15. Wham – Last Christmas
It's almost Christmas and my favorite Christmas song can't miss! However this month I have listened to Christmas Was A Friend Of Mine a lot, so I think I have one more Christmas song that enters my list next year!
It's almost Christmas and my favorite Christmas song can't miss! However this month I have listened to Christmas Was A Friend Of Mine a lot, so I think I have one more Christmas song that enters my list next year!
16. Jason Paige - Gotta Catch'm All (Pokémon theme song)
Okay, in 2015 this song was voted in due a FB action.. I thought it was funny, as long as if it's not that extreme (Top 10 for example). Yeah I gave it a vote again and that resulted (as usual) in a discussion with my father. "If you can't find 35 better songs.." I might leave it out next year then.. The radio channel has a game 'The Top 2000 Shuffle' in which you get 5 random songs from the last Top 2000. For each song you got to say No or Yes (if you want to hear it) and if you reach the last song, that one automatically will be played. During the voting week they did this game like every two hours. I was lucky enough to be selected for playing the game and I already feared the Pokémon song to be my first choice.. and that was the case! I made the DJ laugh by telling the story about the discussion with my father but I turned the song down.. I went to the 5th song: a Michael Jackson song, not bad.
Okay, in 2015 this song was voted in due a FB action.. I thought it was funny, as long as if it's not that extreme (Top 10 for example). Yeah I gave it a vote again and that resulted (as usual) in a discussion with my father. "If you can't find 35 better songs.." I might leave it out next year then.. The radio channel has a game 'The Top 2000 Shuffle' in which you get 5 random songs from the last Top 2000. For each song you got to say No or Yes (if you want to hear it) and if you reach the last song, that one automatically will be played. During the voting week they did this game like every two hours. I was lucky enough to be selected for playing the game and I already feared the Pokémon song to be my first choice.. and that was the case! I made the DJ laugh by telling the story about the discussion with my father but I turned the song down.. I went to the 5th song: a Michael Jackson song, not bad.
17. Nirvana – Smells Like Teen Spirit
Another Nirvana song: Yep, and it's not the last one! The ultimate rock song!
Another Nirvana song: Yep, and it's not the last one! The ultimate rock song!
18. Bon Jovi – Bed Of Roses
Bed of Roses is such a beautiful song. I once said they should play it on my funeral.
Bed of Roses is such a beautiful song. I once said they should play it on my funeral.
Isn't this beautiful? :
I wanna lay you down in a bed of roses
For tonight I sleep on a bed of nails
Oh, I wanna be just as close as the Holy Ghost is
And lay you down on a bed of roses
19: Europe – The Final Countdown
In the motivation I wrote this is the perfect nr. 1 for the Top 2000 (instead of Bohemian Rhapsody).. Because of "The Final Countdownnnnn" and then it's 2020, you know.. Never going to happen.
In the motivation I wrote this is the perfect nr. 1 for the Top 2000 (instead of Bohemian Rhapsody).. Because of "The Final Countdownnnnn" and then it's 2020, you know.. Never going to happen.
20. Muse – Uprising
One of my favorite bands of the century! And I think Uprising is their best song. I have seen Musest (Muse Coverband) two times now. Muse is definitely on my list too!
One of my favorite bands of the century! And I think Uprising is their best song. I have seen Musest (Muse Coverband) two times now. Muse is definitely on my list too!
21. Linkin Park – In The End
Another example of a band from which the singer died way too soon! (a.o: Nirvana, INXS) Spoken of things the singers (Kurt Cobain & Michael Hutchence) have in common, Chester Bennington had such an amazing voice.
Another example of a band from which the singer died way too soon! (a.o: Nirvana, INXS) Spoken of things the singers (Kurt Cobain & Michael Hutchence) have in common, Chester Bennington had such an amazing voice.
22. ABBA – Waterloo
Waterloo💓 My favorite ABBA song. Every time I hear it, my heart warms. And of course, it makes me think of my favorite country: England!
Waterloo💓 My favorite ABBA song. Every time I hear it, my heart warms. And of course, it makes me think of my favorite country: England!
23. ABBA – S.O.S
Also this ABBA song has something special. A few years ago I also had a great night when seeing a tribute-band of ABBA.
Also this ABBA song has something special. A few years ago I also had a great night when seeing a tribute-band of ABBA.
24. INXS – Never Tear Us Apart
25. Michael Jackson – Leave Me Alone
If you have never seen this videoclip, you definitely should. It's a funny one with labradors. Around the time Michael Jackson died, we just had our labrador. One channel aired Michael Jackson videoclips non stop for days. So every time I hear this Michael Jackson song with the labradors in it, it reminds me of my own labrador. 🐶
26. Foreigner – I Want To Know What Love Is
Just a really beautiful song!
27. Sly Fox – Let’s Go All The Way
Funny story. This is a song I have heard a lot on the radio, but first the only thing I remembered was the beginning. That's something like: "sham sham zea" <-- googling that, no results of course.. However somehow I found it and when I requested it, the Radio DJ even played it. Unfortunately, the song hasn't made the final list.
28. Slash ft. Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators – World On Fire
As for the motivation for this song I refer to a blog from June: Pinkpop/Music. My highlight of the the Pinkpop festival this year: The rocking sounds of Slash, Myles Kennedy & the Conspirators. I made the choice of going to stand in front at Slash's performance. That's something I don‘t choose to do often, or like ever. (You shouldn't do that at a performance of Rammstein or Rage Against the Machine for example, if you don‘t want to end up in the raging crowds or if you don‘t feel like you‘re standing so secure in your shoes, like me.) Since last year I‘m developing myself by stopping to see my legs-condition as an obstacle. It‘s like they are less a burden now, but of course there are some limits. But standing in front at Slash ft. Myles Kennedy & the Conspirators is not something I regret. I hope to see Slash again next year, when he comes with Guns n' Roses.
29. Nirvana - Heart Shaped Box
One of the first songs of Nirvana I knew. I bought the single of this song. Unlike the videoclip, the image on the single is quite beautiful.30. Nazareth – Love Hurts
Really beautiful song, although some here at home disagree..
31. Ugly Kid Joe – Cats in The Cradle
It's sad that there's no song from Ugly Kid Joe at all in the Top 2000. This one or Everything I Hate About You should have been in there!
32. Nirvana – Come as You Are
Here's Nirvana again, you know me by now! I really like this song. As read in the title, this song is about being yourself. Don't pretend to be someone else. And a "No, I'm not going to judge you", perhaps is to read in the line: "No, I don't have a gun", Kurt keeps repeating.
33. Guns n’ Roses – Estranged
Estranged perhaps is the less known sister/brother of November Rain. Give it a chance, because it truly is just as beautiful! A little lyrics: Cause I see the storm getting closer
And the waves they get so high
Seems everything we've ever known's here
Why must it drift away and die..
34. Led Zeppelin – Kashmir
They made such great music, Led Zeppelin! I'll always enjoy this one for the full 8:30 minutes!
35: Giant – I’ll See You In My Dreams / Journey - Don't Stop Believing
I listed these two songs together because they kind of have the same meaning to me. I voted for I'll See You In My Dreams last year, but it's actually not in the voting list so I chose Don't Stop Believing from Journey instead. Never stop believing in your dreams, it's something I have mentioned in my blogs a lot. Ever since my teen years the song Don't Stop Believing came to me on moments when I was about to stop believing.. It's like it's the Universe's way to send me a reminder, a confirmation and it's so beautiful. It's something that gets me emotional too. You know one of my dreams is meeting Tom Hiddleston one day and when he was on the English Radio 2 (betrayal interview) the song Don't Stop Believing was played during that show or after it. And here it comes: Two hours later I switch back to the Dutch Radio 2 and on the very same moment there it is: Don't Stop Believing from Journey!
I would like to share the lyrics of I'll See You In My Dreams with you, see why I have fell in love with it:
34. Led Zeppelin – Kashmir
They made such great music, Led Zeppelin! I'll always enjoy this one for the full 8:30 minutes!
35: Giant – I’ll See You In My Dreams / Journey - Don't Stop Believing
I listed these two songs together because they kind of have the same meaning to me. I voted for I'll See You In My Dreams last year, but it's actually not in the voting list so I chose Don't Stop Believing from Journey instead. Never stop believing in your dreams, it's something I have mentioned in my blogs a lot. Ever since my teen years the song Don't Stop Believing came to me on moments when I was about to stop believing.. It's like it's the Universe's way to send me a reminder, a confirmation and it's so beautiful. It's something that gets me emotional too. You know one of my dreams is meeting Tom Hiddleston one day and when he was on the English Radio 2 (betrayal interview) the song Don't Stop Believing was played during that show or after it. And here it comes: Two hours later I switch back to the Dutch Radio 2 and on the very same moment there it is: Don't Stop Believing from Journey!
I would like to share the lyrics of I'll See You In My Dreams with you, see why I have fell in love with it:
Gone, the voice that used to fill the room is all but gone
An echo of a perfect love that ended wrong
Girl, we tried so hard when love was on our side
And yesterday will always be the reason why
You keep comin', you keep comin' back, you keep comin' back for more
An echo of a perfect love that ended wrong
Girl, we tried so hard when love was on our side
And yesterday will always be the reason why
You keep comin', you keep comin' back, you keep comin' back for more
I'll see you in my dreams
There we'll be safe tonight, from the lonely days of memory
I'll see you in my dreams, oh
There we'll be safe tonight, from the lonely days of memory
I'll see you in my dreams, oh
Time, time will never be a friend of mine again
It tries to make your memory fade, but I won't let it end
Let the sun go down, so I can drift away
Let me close my eyes and live another day
You keep comin', you keep comin' back, you keep comin' back for more
It tries to make your memory fade, but I won't let it end
Let the sun go down, so I can drift away
Let me close my eyes and live another day
You keep comin', you keep comin' back, you keep comin' back for more
I'll see you in my dreams
There we'll be safe tonight, from the lonely days of memory
I'll see you in my dreams, oh
There we'll be safe tonight, from the lonely days of memory
I'll see you in my dreams, oh
The truth, oh it's there for you to see
Sometimes it's painful to be on your own, on your own
Sometimes it's painful to be on your own, on your own
I'll see you in my dreams
There we'll be safe tonight, from the lonely days of memory
I'll see you in my dreams
Back in my arms again, and no matter what tomorrow brings
I'll see you in my dreams, oh, oh, oh
There we'll be safe tonight, from the lonely days of memory
I'll see you in my dreams
Back in my arms again, and no matter what tomorrow brings
I'll see you in my dreams, oh, oh, oh
Visiting the 'Vote-Bus':
and I also visited the 'vote-bus' itself, as they had a stop somewhere close. So, on the 6th, just like many others, my alarm went on 6 o'clock and I was traveling to the location on 7:20. The only difference is that for most people if the alarm is set on 6 o'clock, its for work and definitely not for fun.. I'm not traveling towards the café this year, so I really liked it that the bus had a stop close to my home this year. The weather had turned into a December Rain and my feet were cold afterwards.. But I spoke with one of the DJs of the radio and of course scored me a photo. It was definitely worth wasting some sleep hours for!
I hope you enjoyed my blogpost. And now let's go enjoy Christmas!
And I wish you a..
xx
Nicole
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