Because the best kind of thought that comes into your mind unbidden is a catchy melody. This week, that means new singles from the likes of Tailgunner, Francis Rossi and Black Swan, a Nanowar of Steel EP, albums by Bullet and Beyond the Black, as well as a Wishbone Ash epic. Keep up with the latest about the show and rock music in general by following me on Twitter/X @BethCharleswor5.

Playlist:

Wishbone Ash – Sometime World
Tailgunner – Eulogy
Dirkschneider and the Old Gang – Propaganda
Violet – Set Me Free
Black Swan – Paralyzed
Iron Savior – Relax
Nanowar of Steel – Genghis Khan (The Genghis Khan Song to End all Genghis Khan Songs
Francis Rossi – Push Comes to Shove
Bullet – Full Throttle
Hokka – Death by Cupid’s Arrow
Beyond the Black – (La Vie est un) Cinéma
Subway to Sally – Feuerkind (acoustic version)

The only thing that unites these rock songs is prominent melodies. This show aired in a week with not much to speak of in terms of new releases, so I did a themed show instead. What links Lacuna Coil and The Crazy World of Arthur Brown? Or Danko Jones and Helloween? The answer is songs with the same title. Normal service has resumed for new music, but for now, enjoy an hour of songs you already know and love. And of course, my music-related tweets continue @BethCharleswor5.

Playlist:

Black Sabbath – The Wizard

Marillion – Going Under

Evanescence – Going Under

Def Leppard – Love Bites

Judas Priest – Love Bites

Danko Jones – I Want Out

Helloween – I Want Out

Von Hertzen Brothers – Coming Home

Scorpions – Coming Home

The Crazy World of Arthur Brown – Fire

Lacuna Coil – Fire

Thin Lizzy – Are You Ready

Disturbed – Are You Ready

Uriah Heep – The Wizard

Your go-to show for all kinds of tuneful rock. Some courageous souls released new music in the gap between Christmas and New Year, among them Lovebites, Circu5 and Helix. In addition to that, we remember the late Chris Rea, plus there are songs to gladden the hearts of Rammstein, Lenny Kravitz and Iron Maiden fans and much more. Keep up to date with the latest about the show (which this coming Tuesday will be a themed show, because there was precious little released over New Year and nothing that fitted this show’s remit) by following me on Twitter @BethCharleswor5.

Playlist:

Lenny Kravitz – Are You Gonna Go My Way?
Angus McSix feat. Rhapsody of Fire and Alex Krull – I Am Adam McSix
Lovebites – The Castaway
Coney Hatch – You Ain’t Got Me
REO Speedwagon – Live Every Moment
Secret Rule feat. Marco Pastorino – Lost in Paradise
Rammstein – Radio
Circu5 – Scars
Magnum – C’est la Vie
Helix – Stuck in the 80s
Iron Maiden – Déjà Vu
Chris Rea – Tell Me There’s a Heaven

Your selection box of rock from musicians with a gift for melody. No albums this week, but singles ranging from Dragony feat. Brittney Slayes to Myrath and from Austen Starr to Zachary Baker (yes, that is Zacky Vengeance; no, he doesn’t sound at all like you’d expect). Plus a Tony Moore song I’ve seen him playing live recently, Pat Benatar belting out one of her biggest hits and Lemmy’s festive collaboration with Billy Gibbons and Dave Grohl, to name but a few. If this is your kind of music, follow me on Twitter/X @BethCharleswor5.

Playlist:

Pat Benatar – Heartbreaker
Hyperion – Yet We Still Fight
Dragony feat. Brittney Slayes – Shadow and Flame
Zachary Baker – Dark Horse
John Corabi – New Day
Myrath – The Funeral
Periphery – Lune
Tony Moore – Crazy in the Shed
Asia – Emily
Tailgunner – Tears in Rain
Lemmy, Billy Gibbons and Dave Grohl – Run Rudolph Run
Austen Starr – Read Your Mind

Rock with more hooks than a roll of Velcro. This was a huge week for new releases before things quietened down for the holidays, so we had singles from Billy Idol, Epica and Axel Rudi Pell, among others, as well as long-players by Lord of the Lost and Jim Peterik and World Stage – and a massive hit from Rush, just because. Keep up with the latest about the show on Twitter/X (@BethCharleswor5) and my Substack.

Playlist:

Rush – Red Barchetta
ZP Theart – Dark to Light
KMFDM – Oubliette
Transatlantic Radio – Wide Awake
Jim Peterik and World Stage feat. Colin Peterik – River of Music
Visions of Atlantis & Warkings – Pirates & Kings
Epica – Avatar – The Final Incarnation
Urock feat. Ian Gillan – The Line
Billy Idol – Too Much Fun
Venger – Navigate the Labyrinth
Axel Rudi Pell – Ghost Town
Lord of the Lost – Sharp Edges

If it rocks and it’s tuneful, you’ll find it here. Singles that fit the bill this week include Big Big Train, Smith/Kotzen and Beyond the Black. Peter Goalby released a long-lost album. I’ve been enjoying watching Stray recently, so they figure in the show, as do cuts from the back catalogues of Diamond Head, Heart and Korpiklaani. Keep up to date with the latest about the show by following me on Twitter/X @BethCharleswor5.

Playlist:

Korpiklaani – Let’s Drink

Smith/Kotzen – Blindsided

Stray – I Believe It

Lost in Hollywood feat. Of Virtue – Like a River

Textures – Vanishing Twin

Peter Goalby – I’ll be the One

Heart – I Want Your World to Turn

Wicked Leather – She is the Storm

Diamond Head – In the Heat of the Night

Hällas – Face of an Angel

Big Big Train – The Sharpest Blade

Beyond the Black – Ravens

They come in many forms, but these rock songs are all catchier than the seasonal lurgy. This week was big on singles, ranging from Michael Monroe to N2O and from The Rods to Chez Kane. Add to that some British Lion and The Raven Age, because I’ve seen both live recently, and one of my favourite Orden Ogan songs just because I can. For the latest about the show, follow me on Twitter/X @BethCharleswor5.

Playlist:

Orden Ogan – The Things We Believe In
Jaime – Above and Beyond
N2O – Radio
Greystone Canyon – Stealing Our Freedom
The Rods – Tears for the Innocent
The Gems – Hot Bait
Michael Monroe – Disconnected
British Lion – Eyes of the Young
The Veer Union – Meet Your Maker
The Raven Age – Visions
Chez Kane – Love Tornado
FM – Tough it Out
Liv Kristine – Lotus (acoustic version)