Song: Mad About You

Artist: Hooverphonic, Belgium

Album: The Magnificent Tree, 2000

Notes: Cinematic soundscapes from hip Belgian trio, featured once on 'Cold Case' tv series.

Song: So Beautiful

Artist: Pete Murray, Australia

Album: Feeler, 2003

Notes: Restrained, mellow musings from top singer-songwriter star down under.

Song: The Last Dance

Artist: Clare Macguire, England

Album: Light After Dark, 2011

Notes: Another US radio premiere, big pop/dance sound channeling Adele and Annie Lennox.

Song: The Outsiders

Artist: Athlete, England

Album: Beyond The Neighborhood, 2007

Notes: Much overlooked British indie-rockers. Literate lyrics, quirky but rewarding melodies.

Song: Pitter Pat

Artist: Erin McCarley, Garland, Texas

Album: Love Save The Empty, 2009

Notes: Top-notch female singer-songwriter, melancholic ballad from dazzling debut album.

Song: This Is Not America

Artist: David Bowie/Pat Metheny Group, England/Missouri

Album: The Falcon and The Snowman

Notes: Surprising collaboration between the Thin White Duke and jazz fusion guitarist.

Song: Like I Do

Artist: Angel Taylor, Los Angeles

Album: Love Travels, 2009

Notes: Second airing of one of the best cuts by my favorite new singer-songwriter.

Song: Happiness

Artist: Ali Campbell, England

Album: Big Love, 1995

Notes: Reggae-tinged nugget and first solo single by UB40 lead vocalist. Regrettably deleted.

Song: Mary’s Prayer

Artist: Danny Wilson, Scotland

Album: Meet Danny Wilson, 1987

Notes: Melodic career highlight from Scottish band which was around for five years.

Song: Set Fire To The Rain

Artist: Adele, England

Album: 21, 2011

Notes: Standout cut from one of the year's best albums. Same producer/co-writer as Clare Macguire (above).

Song: Love Resurrection

Artist: Alison Moyet, England

Album: Alf, 1984

Notes: Before there was Adele, there was the mighty sound of the former Yazoo vocalist, Alison Moyet.

Song: That’s All Right Mama

Artist: Arthur 'Big Boy' Crudup, Forest, Mississippi

Album: That's All Right Mama, 1952

Notes: One of the most important building blocks in rock history. Vintage R&B from unheralded artist.

Song: Hey Ho

Artist: Gin Wigmore, New Zealand

Album: Holy Smoke, 2010

Notes: Lovely Mexican horns highlight imaginative track from interesting New Zealand singer-songwriter.

Song: Takin’ It To The Streets

Artist: Doobie Brothers, San Jose, California

Album: Takin' It To The Streets, 1976

Notes: Timeless radio staple, the band's first single to feature Michael McDonald.

Song: My Lullaby

Artist: Maria Mena, Norway

Album: White Turns Blue, 2004

Notes: Simple, pure, yearning ballad written at the age of 13 about parents' divorce.

Song: Hey St. Peter

Artist: Flash & The Pan, Australia

Album: Flash & The Pan, 1979

Notes: Another unusual pop/rock ditty by ever-creative new wave Aussie duo.

Song: Tennis Elbow

Artist: Sky Sailing, Owatonna, Minnesota

Album: An Airplane Carried Me To Bed

Notes: Earlier band name of Adam Young before he changed to Owl City ('Fireflies'). Clever synth-pop.

Song: Voodoo Child

Artist: Angelique Kidjo, Benin

Album: Oremi, 1998

Notes: Unknown outside World Music circles, amazing cover of Hendrix classic by exceptional African queen.

Song: Winter

Artist: Rolling Stones, England

Album: Goat's Head Soup, 1973

Notes: One of the best non-single ballads by the Stones from one of their finest albums.

Song: Always On Your Side

Artist: Sheryl Crow & Sting, Missouri/England

Album: Wildflower, 2006

Notes: Perfectly constructed marriage of melody and lyrics by the two rock veterans.

Song: Santa Maria

Artist: Gotan Project, France

Album: La Revancha del Tango, 2001

Notes: Delightful tango-fused gem by terrific Paris-based World Music trio.

Song: A Little Respect

Artist: Erasure, England

Album: The Innocents, 1988

Notes: Perhaps the synth-pop duo's most accessible hit.

Song: Ring Them Bells

Artist: Gordon Lightfoot, Canada

Album: Waiting For You, 1993

Notes: Skilled interpretation of a Bob Dylan composition by Canada's legendary Lightfoot.

Song: Dividing a Spider

Artist: Arthur Adam, Holland

Album: myspace.com/arthuradam

Notes: Curious, engaging and rewarding cut by Dutch singer-songwriter newcomer.

Song: Daddy Wasn’t There

Artist: Mike Myers, Canada

Album: Austin Powers Goldmember, 2002

Notes: Fun but still musically top-notch ode by the actor to deadbeat dads.

Song: Bizarre Love Triangle

Artist: Frente!, Australia

Album: Marvin The Album, 1994

Notes: International, stripped down version of their cover of the New Order classic.

Song: Silent All These Years

Artist: Tori Amos, Newton, North Carolina

Album: Little Earthquakes, 1992

Notes: Poignant, signature hit ballad by the versatile pianist/singer-songwriter.

Song: Parasite

Artist: Mack Starks, Nashville

Album: Blind Spot, 2005

Notes: Winning track by obscure artist who describes his music as a mix of rock, folk and lounge.

Song: I’m Still Caught Up With You

Artist: Gladys Knight, Atlanta

Album: Miss Gladys Knight, 1978

Notes: Vintage soul cut of the week, completely lost, deftly soothing cut from her first Pips-less outing.

Song: Can You Dig It?

Artist: Mock Turtles, England

Album: Turtle Soup, 1991

Notes: Tremendous indie-rock from overlooked Manchester combo, fronted by (actor), Steve Coogan's brother, Martin.

Song: For My Wedding

Artist: Don Henley, Gilmer, Texas

Album: Inside Job, 2000

Notes: Deeply sad preview of what to realistically expect from marriage. Antidote to Train's 'Marry Me'.

Song: Pack Up

Artist: Eliza Doolittle, England

Album: Eliza Doolittle, 2010

Notes: Perky debut built on old World War 1 marching song from newcomer, Eliza Caird.

Song: Big Time

Artist: Peter Gabriel, England

Album: So, 1986

Notes: Still so fresh, features the Police's Stewart Copeland on drums.

Song: Alibi

Artist: David Gray, England

Album: Life In Slow Motion, 2005

Notes: Yet another insanely well-written, A+ ballad from perhaps his best album.

Song: Sugar Box

Artist: Then Jerico, England

Album: The Big Area, 1989

Notes: Fronted by young Mark Shaw, polished New Wave synth-pop from short-lived combo.

Song: Maybe Tomorrow

Artist: Goldenhorse, New Zealand

Album: Riverhead, 2002

Notes: Lovely, laid-back, breezy folk-rock from still active New Zealand five-piece.

Song: Moonshadow

Artist: Cat Stevens, England

Album: The Teaser and The Firecat

Notes: Timeless singer-songwriter magic, now set to be basis for a new musical.

Song: Brand New Day

Artist: Ryan Star, Long Island, New York

Album: Last Train Home, EP, 2009

Notes: Theme to the FOX-tv series 'Lie To Me', Star's best outing so far.

Song: Orphan Girl

Artist: Gillian Welch, New York

Album: Revival, 1996

Notes: Overlooked, sad and beautiful slice of Americana from one of the genre's very best.

Song: Stupid Girl

Artist: Garbage, Madison, Wisconsin

Album: Garbage, 1995

Notes: Classic alt-rock from the mid-'90s, career highlight for the Shirley Manson-fronted band.

Song: Broken Land (acoustic and original versions)

Artist: Adventures, Northern Ireland

Album: The Sea of Love, 1988

Notes: Rare acoustic version blends effortlessly into much overlooked anthemic rock original.