#SongSharingChallenge
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dr.scottwatkins.me
Day 31: “Looking Forward: A song that gives you optimism”

i’m posting this from the start line of the Sydney marathon. This is a song for everyone who longs to love.

“The heart is a muscle” by Gang of Youths.

youtu.be/Y5OpvDdVtYU?...

#SongSharingChallenge
August 30, 2025 at 7:59 PM
dr.scottwatkins.me
Day 30: “Killer Videos: Your favourite music video”

This pioneered the music video genre and is one of my favourite artists.

“Sledgehammer” by Peter Gabriel.

youtu.be/OJWJE0x7T4Q?...

#SongSharingChallenge
August 30, 2025 at 4:59 AM
dr.scottwatkins.me
Day 29: “Friday on My Mind: A song from an early pioneer of Australian rock/pop music”

Johnny then John Farnham was a huge presence in my life growing up. His rendition of this song is striking.

“Help (live)” by John Farnham.

youtu.be/DgmNi-0atb4?...

#SongSharingChallenge
August 28, 2025 at 10:43 PM
dr.scottwatkins.me
Day 28: “Nearly Finished: A beautiful sad/melancholy song”

I only discovered this song recently. Trepidation is how I’d sum it up.

“Once upon a poolside” by The National.

youtu.be/-0v_D7nAc1k?...

#SongSharingChallenge
August 27, 2025 at 10:16 PM
dr.scottwatkins.me
Day 27: “The Joy of Sax: A song featuring the saxophone”

I’ve always loved Billy and this is a great tune, particularly live.

“Scenes from an Italian Restaurant ” by Billy Joel.

youtu.be/6Jn9b1gZFnE?...

#SongSharingChallenge
August 26, 2025 at 10:04 PM
dr.scottwatkins.me
Day 26: “From the Screen: A song you first heard in a movie”

From the film “The Last Kiss”. This introduced me to the wonderful Imogen Heap.

“Hide and Seek” by Imogen Heap.

youtu.be/UYIAfiVGluk?...

#SongSharingChallenge
August 26, 2025 at 1:40 AM
dr.scottwatkins.me
Day 25: “25 Years Ago: A song from 2000”

I can vividly remember walking away from UNSW, at the end of 2000, having finished my PhD, ready to see the world.

“These days” by Powderfinger.

youtu.be/7XaSm9-r_4U?...

#SongSharingChallenge
August 24, 2025 at 10:41 PM
dr.scottwatkins.me
Day 24: “24 Hours: A song you could listen to on repeat for 24 straight hours”

There are many songs I’d happily listen to repeatedly. I chose to maximise variety by choosing my favourite long song. The 23 minute epic.

“Supper’s Ready” by Genesis.

youtu.be/K04HYw25zdY?...

#SongSharingChallenge
August 24, 2025 at 2:44 AM
dr.scottwatkins.me
Day 23: “Guilty Pleasures: A song you're sheepish about loving so much”

I don’t feel guilt about any music I really love so I used this as a tactical opportunity to share a song choice that might seem slightly surprising.

“Anything” by Griff.

youtu.be/t84rj514gs0?...

#SongSharingChallenge
August 22, 2025 at 11:12 PM
dr.scottwatkins.me
Day 22: “Pair of 2s: A duet”.

I’ve chosen the duet we didn’t know we needed, Australia’s latest supergroup, featuring Paul Dempsey and Bernard Fanning.

“Disconnect” by Fanning Dempsey National Park.

youtu.be/Kx_r-carbFA?...

#SongSharingChallenge
August 21, 2025 at 10:25 PM
dr.scottwatkins.me
Australia doesn’t really “do” winter if we’re honest. So I’ve gone to the Northern Hemisphere and one of my favourite bands for this one.

“A long December” by Counting Crows

youtu.be/1D5PtyrewSs?...

#SongSharingChallenge
August 21, 2025 at 12:38 AM
dr.scottwatkins.me
I really love this song. It came to me in a Thai restaurant. It’s a “love song for the lonely.” A satellite call is the signal sent out to say “I’m still here for you”.

#SongSharingChallenge
August 19, 2025 at 10:32 PM
dr.scottwatkins.me
Day 19: “Sisters Doing It For Themselves: A song from a female solo artist.”

I wanted to pick an artist I’d not featured.

“Space they cannot touch” by Kate Miller-Heidke

youtu.be/x0Q4zM-qh6o?...

#SongSharingChallenge
August 18, 2025 at 11:33 PM
dr.scottwatkins.me
Day 18: “Unplugged: An acoustic song.

Paul Dempsey delivers incredible solo performances. I chose the acoustic version of

You only hide by Something for Kate

youtu.be/0UZMLEqBGag?...

#SongSharingChallenge
August 17, 2025 at 10:37 PM
dr.scottwatkins.me
Day 17: “Sunday Night TV: A TV theme song”.

I discovered Paula Cole via her singing live with Peter Gabriel. The world discovered Paula Cole through the theme song to Dawson’s Creek

I don’t want to wait by Paula Cole

youtu.be/L_dVEtLPdDE?...

#SongSharingChallenge
August 16, 2025 at 9:55 PM
dr.scottwatkins.me
Day 16: “Sweet 16: Your favourite song from the year you turned 16”.

I had this on a very well-played cassingle!

“Love… thy will be done” by Martika

youtu.be/10V_Z0_udjg?...

#SongSharingChallenge
August 15, 2025 at 11:12 PM
dr.scottwatkins.me
Day 15: “The Middle: A song with a great bridge”.

Oh hi! The live version of this, on the Eras tour, introduced millions to the concept of a bridge.

"Cruel Summer (Live from TS The Eras Tour)” by Taylor Swift.

youtu.be/falok9hp22I
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August 14, 2025 at 10:45 PM
dr.scottwatkins.me
Day 14: “One-Hit Wonders: A one-hit wonder from the 70s or 80s”.

I chose this by looking at my music library and finding bands where I really only listen to one of their songs.

"The whole of the moon” by the Waterboys.

youtu.be/sBW8Vnp8BzU?...

#SongSharingChallenge
August 14, 2025 at 10:40 AM
dr.scottwatkins.me
Day 13: “I’m So Sorry: A song about regret”.

I’m specifying the live version as I feel Phil Collins got better at singing this over the years.

Afterglow by Genesis

youtu.be/eAPHIcfEf9w?...

#SongSharingChallenge
August 13, 2025 at 4:27 AM
dr.scottwatkins.me
Day 12: “Singalong: A song you can’t help singing along to”.

Sung at the top of my voice.

Mr Brightside by The Killers

youtu.be/gGdGFtwCNBE?...

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August 11, 2025 at 9:18 PM
dr.scottwatkins.me
Day 11: “Pair of Drumsticks 11: A great drumming song”.

Again, only one choice.

Drum Duet by Genesis

When your lead singer is a drummer you end up with a six minute song featuring two drummers and no other instruments. Brilliant.

youtu.be/VjkbGR4ppCY?...

#SongSharingChallenge
August 10, 2025 at 10:46 PM
dr.scottwatkins.me
Day 10: “10 out of 10: A song you consider to be perfect”.

“Perfect” is very hard to define. I love many, great songs. But my choice tells an epic story that resonates strongly with many.

All too well (10 minute version) by Taylor Swift.

youtu.be/sRxrwjOtIag?...

#SongSharingChallenge
August 10, 2025 at 6:07 AM
dr.scottwatkins.me
Day 9: “Alex the Seal: A song with a lyric you misheard/always get wrong”.

This one goes out to Starbucks Lovers everywhere.

Blank space by Taylor Swift

youtu.be/e-ORhEE9VVg?...

#SongSharingChallenge
August 8, 2025 at 9:30 PM
dr.scottwatkins.me
Day 8: “8th of the 8th: In honour of 'Happiness Happens Day', a really happy and joyful song”.

Again, there was only one choice. A song of joy from Brisbane’s finest.

My happiness by Powderfinger

youtu.be/HM_eb0vVo0k?...

#SongSharingChallenge
August 7, 2025 at 9:00 PM
dr.scottwatkins.me
Day 7: “Flying Solo: A song with a cracker of a solo from an instrument other than a guitar”.

There was only one choice. The song I’ve air drummed more than any other.

In the air tonight by Phil Collins

I strongly recommend a live version.

youtu.be/IeDMnyQzS88?...

#SongSharingChallenge
August 7, 2025 at 10:49 AM