In conclusion, I found this book I little bit pointless, yet has its good moments. Dont go out of your way to buy it, get About a Boy or High Fidelity instead!


Good read but the old man shows through   July 2, 2004
 3 out of 8 found this review helpful

This is an interesting read, and though I have heard few of the songs he talks about, he inparts his enthusiasum and interest to the reader. However it is obvious that he is a middle aged man with middle aged taste and his dismissal of dance/electronic music as unable to impart emotion is 1. wrong and 2. missing the point. Why does every song need to put you though an emotional rollercoaster? Is it not possible to enjoy music for the pleasure of music alone? His admiting to listen to music day in day out, every minute of the day suggests a lover of musical wallpaper. Never-the-less worth reading.


An honest, unpretentious book about music and life   May 23, 2004
 10 out of 10 found this review helpful

Half of the songs I'd never heard of in this book, but it didn't matter. These are 31 songs that Nick Hornby wanted to tell us about, and I'm glad he did. For anyone that has loved any kind of music this wont dissapoint. It feels very personal as he talks about why he's loved music through his life, from the songs he listened to as a boy to the songs his autistic son listens to now. It's also very funny in parts, have a read of 'Needle In A Haystack' by The Velvelettes.

When I used to read the NME in the eighties, I always enjoyed when the reviewer would stop talking about the band or singer and talk about the emotion and feeling that their music stirred up. 31 songs does this, beautifully. I started by reading the artists I liked first, thinking I'll save The J. Geills band for another time (all I knew by them was 'Centrefold'). After a few of the songs though you dont really care what music it is to a certain degree, he writes so well.

I was becoming too busy to listen to the music I loved, but after reading the book I'm going to find a bit more time. It is as engaging as his novels, I found it quite inspiring in parts, 31 musical 'thought for the day's that can be as meaningful or as meaningless as you like, but always passionate and entertaining.


Enjoy   April 25, 2004
 0 out of 1 found this review helpful

Firstly this is not an all time greats list. Nick Hornby does make that very clear, yet it's amazing how many reviewers take him to task for forgetting their favourite song or musical genre. 31 songs is another classic Nick Hornby. Beautiful writing, intelligent criticism and it provided me with an introduction to some artists I hadn't heard of previously.I enjoyed the book immensely and broadened my musical tastes.To be perfectly honest I think asking for more is just being a little too demanding.


A disappointment..   March 3, 2004
 18 out of 22 found this review helpful

After the music content and opinions expressed in the fantastic High Fidelity I was expecting great things from this, but unfortunately was left feeling rather let down. My main gripe being that he appears to have given up the ghost and rather than attempt to keep up with new music/bands, uses that terrible 'I'm too old to listen to this type of music' cliche, beloved of far too many over 40's. As someone fast approaching 40 myself, and still buying and enjoying anything and everything, I found it all sadly predictable. His dismissal of loving songs because of the memories they evoke as well, I found hard to agree with.One of the great things about listening to music is the way that a particular song can instantly transport you back to a certain moment in your life, sometimes with startling clarity. The songs he picked I can't fault, as I myself am guilty of a few secret, embarrassing favourites (Theme from 'White Horses' by Jackie Lee, anybody!)and obviously this is all about personal taste. Overall, it proves that Nick Hornby is a great writer, but by allowing his musical tastes to become so predictably middle aged, is not much of a music scribe.