For the record over the last ten years   T H E  F R I D A Y  M U S I C  S P O T   has now starred 500 tracks, the grand total from November 2015. 

The first 50 songs can be replayed via this link. For 51-100 click here: 101-150 click this one and then 151-200 (link) ; while 201-250 is here ; 251-300 right here ; 301-350 revisited here ; and for 351-400 click this link ; for 400-450 link here ; Today lists the last 50, see below. 

Click on the blue arrow ➤ to replay that track. Please note: Many of the 500 videos featured are showing unavailable, but I'm sure you can search for an alternative, if you choose. 

451 ➤ 2-4-6-8 Motorway ............................. Tom Robinson Band
452 ➤ Walk In My Shadow .......…....................................... Free
453 ➤ Cast Your Fate To The Wind ............. Sounds Orchestral
454 ➤ Not Fade Away ............................................. Buddy Holly
455 ➤ Getting Closer .................................................. Lonerider
456 ➤ Beautiful........................................................... Carol King
457 ➤ Highway to Hell .................................................... AC/DC
458 ➤ If I Had a Hammer …....................................... Trini Lopez
459 ➤ Autobahn …………............................................ Kraftwerk
460 ➤ The Fairest of the Season  ....................................…Nico 

461 ➤ The Birds of St. Marks .......................... Jackson Browne
462 ➤ Fox On The Run .......….......................................... Sweet
463 ➤ Blitzkrieg Bop .........…................................. Rockin' 1000
464 ➤ Baby Let Me Take You Home .......................The Animals
465 ➤ Rage of Angels ....................................... Sign of the Wolf
466 ➤ Feet.................................................. The Equatorial Group
467 ➤ The Weaver's Answer ........................................... Family
468 ➤ Cheek to Cheek …......................................... Fred Astaire
469 ➤ On The Way ………….................................. Hollow Coves
470 ➤ Good One Coming On ........................ Blackberry Smoke

471 ➤ The Passenger ................................................... Iggy Pop
472 ➤ Up Around the Bend ....... Creedence Clearwater Revival
473 ➤ Ride Like the Wind .........…................. Christopher Cross
474 ➤ (Get Your Kicks On) Route 66 ..................... Chuck Berry
475 ➤ Saturday Gigs ......................................... Mott the Hoople 
476 ➤ The Riddle..................................................... Nik Kershaw
477 ➤ Highway ..................................... Robert Jon & The Wreck
478 ➤ Space Age Love Song …................... A Flock of Seagulls
479 ➤ Margaritaville …………............................... Jimmy Buffett
480 ➤ Woodstock ........................…Matthews Southern Comfort

481 ➤ The Cinema Show .............................................. Genetics
482 ➤ Wish You Were Here ....................................... Pink Floyd
483 ➤ Transcendental Reunion ............ Mary Chapin Carpenter
484 ➤ So Very Young ...............................................Cat Stevens
485 ➤ At Last ............................................................. Etta James 
486 ➤ Guinevere.................................................. Rick Wakeman
487 ➤ Boom Boom .......................................... John Lee Hooker
488 ➤ Galway Girl ................. Dennis O'Neil & Davey Armstrong
489 ➤ Rockin' in the Free World ……....................... Neil Young
490 ➤ Galadriel.....................................…Barclay James Harvest

491 ➤ Lotta Love ............................................... Nicolette Larson
492 ➤ She's A Star ............................................................ James
493 ➤ Angel Delight .........…........................ Fairport Convention
494 ➤ Sugar and Spice ........................................ The Searchers
495 ➤ Gonna Move Across the River ... Bill Pinkney the Drifters 
496 ➤ The Winter Long .................................................. Strawbs
497 ➤ She Knows How .............................................. The Burros
498 ➤ In Electric Dreams ............ Phil Oakey & Giorgio Moroder
499 ➤ Sultans of Swing ………........…...................... Dire Straits
500 ➤ The Weight ........................................ Playing For Change

  

Wahey made it... the 500th Friday Star Track is today. And it's another classic song, though presented in a slightly different manner by Playing for Change Foundation.

We're off around the world with musicians from all corners. Beginning with a drummer who you'll probably recognise before the song's composer gets things rolling.

Originally on the Band's 1968 debut album 'Music from Big Pink' (a house in West Saugertes, near Woodstock, New York) an LP widely considered to be one of the most influential in rock history. 

Here then is 'The Weight' recorded by Playing for Change. With the Band's guitarist Robbie Robertson and a full supporting cast. Look out for the mid-song solos from Ahmed Al Harmi [Bahrain] playing oud and Rajeev Shrestha [Kathmandu] on sitar >

Footnote: In the 1969 movie 'Easy Rider', the song was used as recorded by the Band, but their recording was not licensed for the soundtrack LP release. To deal with this, ABC-Dunhill commissioned Smith, a band that recorded for the label at the time, to record a nearly identical cover version of the song for the soundtrack album. 

BIG Foot note: In among the 500 Star Tracks, there have been many of my all time favourites.
And there's plenty more where they came from !

  

An alternative (and occasional) music posting highlighting something out of the ordinary.
Perhaps of limited appeal, unconventional, experimental or just far-out !
Call it what you like (or switch it off, if you don't like). 

Ever since the local pub here in Fairlight advertised their 'Burns Night' plans (tonight) I have mostly been listening to Rabbie Burns, in verse and song. 

I've a few songs to share, for certain times during this year, but for now this widely acclaimed song of heartbreak is from a 5 Hand Reel album I have, 'For A' That' released in 1977. Vocals by Bobby Eaglesham > ‘Ae Fond Kiss’ 

The lyrics and more about this tale (see right hand column) can be found on -  www.bbc.co.uk/arts/robertburns/works/ae_fond_kiss/  - giving details of Robert Burns's association with Agnes McLehose. 

  

STORYTIME: are you sitting comfortably ? Then I'll begin...

On a rainy night in 1977, a talented, yet hardly known musician walked into an almost empty pub in Deptford, South London, for a drink.

The place was practically deserted. A couple of young lads playing pool in the corner. Maybe three or four other people scattered around.

And in another corner, a small Dixieland jazz band was setting up.

They weren't particularly talented. Older men with older instruments, wearing worn pullovers. The kind of band you'd walk past without a second glance.

But they played anyway.

As he sat there nursing his pint, something caught his attention. Not their skill - but their commitment. Here was a band playing to a room that didn't care, in a pub that was practically empty, on a night when most people would have stayed home.

He started calling out requests. "Creole Love Call", "Muskrat Ramble", classic Dixieland standards from decades past.

The musicians looked genuinely surprised. Someone in this empty pub actually recognized their music. Someone was actually listening.

When they finished, the bandleader stepped up to the microphone and announced with quiet dignity: "Goodnight and thank you. We are the Sultans of Swing."

He had to laugh. The Sultans of Swing. In this forgotten pub. Playing to an empty room. "You couldn't be less a sultan of anything," he thought, "if you were in that band, on that night, in that pub."

But that's exactly what struck him.

He went home to the council flat he shared with his brother David and bass guitarist John Illsley. They were living on next to nothing, couldn't even pay the gas bill. The name "Dire Straits" wasn't clever marketing - it was their actual situation.

Mark Knopfler picked up his National Steel guitar and started writing about those musicians. About playing music not for fame or money, but simply for the love of it.

The song was good. But something was missing.

Then he bought his first Fender Stratocaster - a 1961 model. And he recalls "It just came alive as soon as I played it on that guitar." He revamped the chord structure and Dire Straits recorded a demo. A BBC Radio London DJ named Charlie Gillett loved it so much he played it on his show. Two months later, they had a record deal.

But when the single was officially released in May 1978, UK radio stations weren't interested. Too long. Too wordy. Not commercial enough.

The song seemed destined to fade away - just like the band that inspired it.

Then something unexpected happened.

The record started selling in Holland. Then it spread across Europe. Then American radio picked it up. "Sultans of Swing" climbed to number four on the Billboard charts.

And BBC Radio 1, which had passed on it as too wordy? Finally played it !

And the real Sultans of Swing?

Nobody ever found them. The musicians who played that night in Deptford never came forward. They never knew their offhand introduction became immortalized in one of the greatest rock songs ever written.

But maybe that's the point.

Those musicians didn't play for recognition. They played because music mattered to them - even when nobody was watching. But one person noticed. That's all it took.

The story of "Sultans of Swing" reminds us that the most powerful moments often happen in the quietest rooms. That passion doesn't require applause to be real. That somewhere, right now, someone is creating something beautiful - not for fame, not for fortune, but because they can't imagine doing anything else.

And maybe someone is listening.

We've probably all been there, in a pub with a band playing to an audience that isn't bothered. Yet the musicians are enjoying themselves.

Support 'live' music, because everyone has to start somewhere - and when Mark Knopfler wrote this song, Dire Straits were unknown !

   

As we edge ever closer to the 500th FMS Star Track I'm thinking something familiar and appropriate would be in order... video and story wise !

Last week due to bad weather some areas of the UK where without power. I send these tracks out every Friday, but without internet and electricity no one can listen to them. We all live in 'Electric Dreams' and as such: We'll always be together, However far it seems; - 'Together in electric dreams'.

Cue Philip Oakey (singer and co-founder of the Human League) and Giorgio Moroder (Italian producer and composer, of Donna Summer & the film 'Midnight Express', to name just two). 

Of course this song is also from a movie, 'Electric Dreams' released in 1984 - wonderfully described in one YouTube comment as "Filme fantástico música sensacional" (In English: Fantastic film sensational music - if you hadn't guessed). Press play >

>>> The last song played on MTV 80s in the UK before its shutdown on December 31, 2025, was "Together in Electric Dreams", marking a poignant farewell as the channel ceased broadcasting alongside other MTV music channels in the region. 

  

Last week's video ending in a very wintery way, compounded by some cold miserable weather on the home front to start 2026. I think I have a possible antidote for you. 

Also I'm planning once a month to feature an artist or band I've only just discovered. Starting today with The Burros. 

The group were formed in the early 1990s when singer songwriters John Harvey, Bob Pereira and Steve Farley came together in Detroit. Their music has a warm and sunny feel like it's always summer. Their LP 'Homestead' from 1995 is full of love songs and the formula works [vocals, chorus, break, vocals, playout]. 

From the opening Byrds like Eagles intro to 'She Knows How' there's a good easy feeling about it as it rolls along, and you just know the guitar break is coming (3 minutes in) and returns before it disappears off down the road. 

I hope this track warms you up, for at least 5 minutes anyway, unless you hit replay of course or even listen to the rest of the album on YouTube. 

I can recommend 'Her Heart Decides' (typical Burros), 'Lean Into Me' (jangles along), 'Perfect Time' (pedal steel & piano), actually the whole album. (Click link)

The Burros are as follows:

Guitar, Vocals – Bob Pereira & John Harvey

Bass Guitar, vocals, Twelve-String Guitar – Joe Lambert

Drums – Bill Harvey & Nino Dmytryszyn

Guitar – Tim Diaz

Keyboards – Christian Codish

Pedal Steel Guitar – Bobby East

   

That's 2025 over and out !

It was a particularly sad year as we said goodbye to many loved ones.

It also seemed like one of those years when we lost many music artists. I choose to not always dwell on this and instead noticed that 1945 must have been some extra special year, with so many famous musicians born that year and turning 80 in 2025.

One band member born 5 years before in 1940 was Dave Cousins of the Strawbs, but he left us in July of last year.

I was a big lover of his music. There were many tributes paid, highlights recorded and favourite tracks to recall. Here's one memorable song.

Off the 1974 'Hero and Heroine' LP the opening track is called 'Autumn' as a three-part song, this is the final piece called 'The Winter Long'. It was released as a single titled 'Hold on to Me (The Winter Long)'. This seemed a nice sentiment to wish everyone for 2026. 

A very nice video that ends in a rather chilly and snowy way (somewhat appropriate given this morning's white scenery I'm looking at, out of the window).  

The full 8-minute album track is here FYI: (click)  

  

When I was shown this video not only did the dancing look fantastic but the music they were dancing to was really good.
The video has racked up close to 3 million views and is from the 2013 National Shag Dancing Championship in South Carolina. I kid you not (link) :

"The Carolina shag is a partner dance. The shag is a recognized dance in modern national and international dance competitions and became the official state dance of South Carolina in 1984".

Obviously here in Britain hearing the word 'shag' conjures up a couples activity of a very different kind. Watch here partners Sam West & Leslie Melton Jennings [who took 1st place in the competition] despite rubber legs Sam losing a shoe mid dance. 
On to the music, and this is where things got more interesting. 
Bill Pinkney was a part of The Drifters from 1953. When the group's manager fired all the members in 1958 and hired new singers under The Drifters name, Bill Pinkney created a group called the Original Drifters. They have been popular throughout the southeastern US for decades and their music's been a staple of the 'beach music scene'. 

Tracking the origins of the song ‘Gonna Move Across the River’ proved a bit difficult as it sounds older than the 1997 release date I eventually came up with. It's a great track - so any excuse to boogie, maybe not as well as Sam & Leslie, but kick off your shoes if you wish, it's Christmas !

Bill Pinkney & the Original Drifters >

  

An alternative (and occasional) music posting highlighting something out of the ordinary.
Perhaps of limited appeal, unconventional, experimental or just far-out !
Call it what you like (or switch it off, if you don't like). 

In 2011 a multi instrumentalist, best know for playing the hurdy-gurdy, named Nigel Eaton composed a catchy schottische melody while teaching a workshop at the idyllic Halsway Manor in Somerset. (A 'schottische' is a partnered county dance that originated in Bohemia. While Halsway Manor is the home of the National Centre for Folk Arts.) 

'The Halsway Schottische', later became a Carol, when Nigel's friend, another hurdy-gurdy player Iain Frisk, wrote seasonal winter lyrics for the melody and 'The Halsway Carol' was born.

So on the Winter Solstice, not exactly Midweek I know, but then the shortest day didn't fall as such, I bring you a Carol “Sing for the coming of the longest night”  [full lyrics]

There are many recordings, this one is sung by Jackie Oates, from her album 'The Spyglass & the Herringbone' >

Check out the original 'Halsway Schottische' by Nigel Eaton, and also Peter Knight & John Spiers recording, which was my introduction to it. And "So dance in the shadows of a winter's night". 

  

You may have read back in the Summer that The Searchers performance at the Glastonbury Festival would be their last show ever. After touring since the late 50s, founding member John McNally and Frank Allen, who joined the group in 1964, decided that enough was enough and finally called it a day. They had actually played a farewell tour in 2019. Then a further farewell tour in 2023 and another in 2024. (more here).

At the height of the bands popularity they appeared on a 'Thank Your Lucky Stars' Merseybeat special on December 21st 1963 (Saturday at 5:50 for those who maybe remember watching). Also appearing on the tv show were Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas, Gerry and the Pacemakers, Cilla Black and of course The Beatles.

YouTube has The Searchers playing 'Sugar and Spice' from that programme. Naturally in black and white, we have bouncing around, drummer Chris Curtis, bassist Tony Jackson on vocals with Mike Pender also singing and on guitar along with John McNally. 

There are two videos: one with an intro and authentic 60s backing of screaming OR this one that has no screaming - 'Thank Your Lucky Stars' Track > 

However if you crave the authentic - then click here.

There is also a different video, in colour, in a recording studio setting. While 'Sugar and Spice' sounds to have sped up a little. Link here.