Top Tens...

Everyone else seems to be doing it so I thought I might give it a go. Yes, I'm talking about those top ten lists. Turn-offs, turn-ons, music, movies, life changing experiences.

Who knows, it may help explain a few things about my personality and how I came to be the person I am today. Then again it may not. It may just amuse you for five minutes. Either way, I'm not bothered. I'm only here for your entertainment.

So let's start with music. Music is such a big part of my existence that I think I would probably die if it was taken away from me. I'm not exaggerating. It feeds me - nourishes my soul. And there are so many different types of music that contribute to that nourishment that when people look at my music collection they end up with totally bewildered looks on their faces. I can't say I blame them. It is a bit daunting.

Today's list is going to be the first ten albums I ever bought. As in, albums purchased with my own money - be that pocket money, money sneakily slipped into my hand by Uncle Vern when he came to visit, money nicked out of mum's purse - you get the drift.

Try not to laugh... I know some of them are considered slightly dodgy but I liked them at the time and they had a huge influence on me.

Promise not to laugh?

OK, you can titter. But no sniggering. Sniggering is mean. I'll get upset. Really.

The First Ten Albums I Purchased (in no real order):

1. KISS - Unmasked
I was about nine. Grandad came to visit and gave Brutha & I $10 each to go and buy records. Brutha got Dynasty. I was desperately trying to look cool in front of Brutha so I bought Unmasked.

Needless to say, Grandad nearly had a heart attack when his (supposedly) sweet, innocent Milly Molly walked in the door with this little gem. I vaguely remember harsh words being spoken to my parents about letting me buy something created by blokes wearing makeup.

But I was too busy listening to the album to notice. I love it. I still do. Shandi is one of the greatest songs they ever wrote. I used to change the first two letters and pretend they were singing it about me. Try singing it to me sometime... I guarantee it'll make me swoon. I'll be yours forever. (forever, we say goodnight and go home...oooh oooh...)

2. 1982 - With A Bullet

We used to drive from Adelaide to Melbourne every summer and we'd always have to take turns in who's music was played. The days before a trip were always filled with that uniquely 80s task of recording albums onto cassette tapes to play in the car. The Nolans and Olivia never seemed to last for too long into the trip, yet Brutha's albums seemed to go on forever. That's because Brutha was a bit of a sly one and figured out early on in the game that compilations had a much longer running time than most individual artists albums and he requested them for Christmas presents.

I wised up with this one.

The Stranglers, Mental As Anything, Olivia Newton-John, Cliff Richard, The J Geils Band. Absolute corker.

3. Spandau Ballet - Parade

Brilliant example of 80s New Romantic pop. Stylish, sexy and sing-able.

One of my earliest experiences of peer teasing - I seemed to be the only one who truly appreciated their magic. Steve Norman and Martin Kemp featured heavily on the walls of my bedroom. I used to think that one day I might grow up and marry one of them. Awwwww.

This classic is currently residing at Brutha's house I believe... although he doesn't deserve to posses it. I'll be nicking it back when I'm next in Adelaide.

You've been warned.

4. Wang Chung - Points on the Curve

Refer recent post mentioning this highly under-rated 80s band.

Two hit wonders they may be, but what hits those two hits were.

Bloody brilliant.

Not sure what happened to this one... suspect it may be residing with Parade.

I feel a little repossession coming on.

5. The Style Council - Our Favourite Shop

Paul Weller is one of the great artists of our time. Period.

Anyone who wants to argue that with me better have a few days put aside. I've loved him since The Jam.

And don't get me started on DC Lee... I worshipped that woman.

What a voice.

I wanted to be her. Secretly I still do. In her 80s persona of course.

6. John Cougar Mellencamp - Scarecrow

This is about the time I started to get slightly political with my music. Good old fashioned rock. For "the man".

I've seen Mellencamp (in his various incarnations - Cougar, no Cougar, Johnny, John) in concert four times. The only other band I've seen live more than that is INXS and that's because they toured to Adelaide more (and I fancied the pants off Michael Hutchence for a good ten years).

But we're not talking INXS (Brutha had the albums, there was no need for me to buy them). We're talking Mellencamp. He rocked. And he had a spunky bass player (Toby Myers). I love bass players. John Taylor (Duran Duran). The aforementioned Martin Kemp. Nikki Sixx (see below). Bass players are hot.

But back to Mellencamp...

7. John Mellencamp - The Lonesome Jubilee

I can honestly say that I like every song on this album. Damn JCM writes a good tune. And uses some funky instruments. And it sounds just as good live as it does on the album. That's always a turn-on.

Thanks must also go out to Lisa Germano. She was the reason I continued with my violin lessons... she showed me that fiddle could be funky. And you could play violin and play in a rock band. And get to hang out with Toby Myers.

I bet he's really old and ugly now... shame.

8. The Beatles - Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

Anyone who doesn't own this album should. I picked up a mint condition copy (complete with the funky cardboard cutouts of badges and fake moustaches and the like) at a market in Adelaide's East End when I was about 14. My dad said I was finally developing some taste.

When I lived in London I would break out into the last verse of A Day in the Life every time I'd walk past the Royal Albert Hall.

I still giggle thinking about it.

9. The Police - Synchronicity

I have to admit that the only reason I bought this album initially was because I overheard a boy I fancied say he was saving up to buy it. He played guitar. He looked like a 14 year old version of Sting. Mmmmmm...

When he found out I owned this album he actually spoke to me. And asked me to tape it for him. When I brought the tape to school he took it and never spoke to me again. I should have realised he was just using me, but I was naive. He broke my heart.

However, I will always be grateful to him for introducing me to Sting. Trudie Styler is one lucky woman.

10. Mötley Crüe - Theatre of Pain

Ahhhhh... the Crüe. Vince, Sixx, Mick and Tommy. I was 14. I was starting my rebellious phase.

My parents hated you. Brutha thought you were stupid and girly. I knew better. The tough kids at school stopped picking on me when they found out I liked your music. You gave me some cred.

I had the walls of my bedroom plastered with posters of you. I know you had to share the walls with Bon Jovi, but you should have been used to that. Tommy shared Heather with Richie.

You remain flashy, trashy and sexist. And while I know its not really PC for me to love you, I still do. You look as cool as ever. Well, apart from you Vince. You're looking a bit paunchy. You don't replace the smack with snacks. That's not going to help you get into the spandex pants.

So that's the ten. Next time I may share with you the first ten albums I ever received... that'll flip your lid.

I'm going off to listen to some music.