Then...

Now...

1. Where Would You Be
2. When God-Fearin’ Women Get The Blues
3. Concrete Angel

​

At least I'm consistent with the new tracks from this album. Where Would You Be is my most-played Martina track of all time, with four versions in my Favourites playlist (the original, a live version and two instrumentals).

With #2 and #3 it's less clear cut. God-Fearin' Women is far more frequently played than Concrete Angel, but that's just because of the kind of track Concrete Angel is. When I can bring myself to listen to the latter I find it extremely powerful. So it's apples and oranges really.

 

Then...

Now...

Martina

1. Over The Rainbow [Live]
2. How Far
3. God’s Will

​

Not much change here, either. God's Will is now a definite third though. There's no chance of it hitting the #1 spot at the moment. Whereas I struggled to choose between Over The Rainbow and How Far for the top spot this time round.

 

Then...

Now...

1. I’ll Be There
2. ’Til I Can Make It On My Own
3. Once A Day

​

Timeless is quite a rich album. And with a lot of songs from which to choose.

 

Then...

1. Anyway
2. Tryin’ To Find A Reason
3. If I Had Your Name

​

The #1 is a favourite of mine. Pretty much the entire album besides that are songs I listen to every once in a while, when I'm in the mood. I'll play a song once and it hits the spot. Then I won't listen to the same song for months or years.

 

I didn't do this one last time, but just for completion...

Live In Concert
(CD only)

1. Independence Day
2. Whatever You Say
3. Anyway

​

This world needs more live Martina available on CD.

 

Then...

Now...

1. I Just Call You Mine
2. Ride
3. What Do I Have To Do

​

I'm kind of amazed that Lies hasn't featured in either, since for the longest time it was my favourite track from the album. So that shows the quality of the choices here.

 

Then...

Now...

1. Closing Time
2. Summer Of Love
3. You Can Get Your Lovin’ Right Here

​

Nice to see five different tracks represented in all. Whatcha Gonna Do has also been played a fair bit recently. Could it be a Top Three next time?

 

Then...

Now...

1. Little Bit Of Rain
2. Bring It On Home To Me
3. Baby What You Want Me To Do

​

Suspicious Minds was, for me, the standout on this when it first came out. It's just gone back into my favourites after a long time out of play.

 

Then...

Now...

1. That’s The Thing About Love
2. Reckless
3. The Real Thing

​

That's The Thing... took a couple of years to click with me, but it's a definite favourite now. It feels like classic Martina and would fit nicely alongside any track from Wild Angels.

 

This one wasn't released last time, but...

It’s The Holiday Season

1. It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas
2. It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
3. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

​

I'm not sure about this. The tracks all have a similar sound and I find it hard to tell them apart.

 

I can't wait to see which one she chooses.





Heroes is an absolute blinder, and I'm feeling excited about the changes that were suggested by Martina and the three producers. Ckay also has a really nice voice. If Martina doesn't record it (and even if she does) I'd still buy a Ckay version.

I'd love to hear a new Martina song that holds universal identification, so for that reason I'm really hoping she doesn't opt for Girls Like Me. But I got a sense that it spoke to Martina a little more.

There are two songs I haven't heard yet. Including another with a Heroes theme. Looking forward to hearing them in full.

It's fascinating to see this part of the process, and I love how involved Martina herself is. She has such an incredible instinct for what makes a song special.

 

Ah well. As long as all the Girls Like Martina enjoy her new song. I've saved myself 79p anyway.






My favourite of all the tracks performed on the show remains the original version of Ckay's Heroes:



I don't like the final version. It may be lyrically better (I couldn't pick out the lyrics in this version) but it's so overproduced and fast it loses a lot of the emotion: