Phil Riley started this one by noting references to a “Hotel California” Brexit – “You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.” A lot of good nominations this week, so I made it a Top 20.
1. You can’t always get what you want. Rolling Stones. Nominated by Patrick Hennessy, John Peters, Harriet Marsden and Tim Hailstone.
2. Things can only get better. D:Ream. Thanks to Niall Litchfield, Maria Sale. “Now used ironically since things stopped getting better,” pointed out Zaki Moosa.
3. See you later, alligator. Bill Haley & His Comets (via Bobby Charles). Call and response, although I was surprised to discover the original lyric goes, “after ’while, crocodile”. Nominated by Svennig, John Hall and Lawrence Freedman.
4. Green and pleasant land. William Blake, “Jerusalem”. From Paul T Horgan.
5. Another brick in the wall. Pink Floyd.
6. The answer is blowin’ in the wind. Bob Dylan, “Blowin’ in the Wind”. Thanks to John Peters.
7. Pretty vacant. Sex Pistols. John Reid was defiantly not all there.
8. Don’t worry, be happy. Bobby McFerrin. Truly irritating, from Jules Lewis.
9. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss. The Who, “Won’t Get Fooled Again”. Nominated by Stefan.
10. I did it my way. Frank Sinatra (via Paul Anka and Claude Francois), “My Way”. From David Webster.
11. I’ll tell you what I want, what I really, really want. Spice Girls, “Wannabe”. Quoted by Kenneth Clarke, chancellor, in a speech in 1996, who went on: “I want to see healthy, sustainable growth.” Thanks to Steve Anderson and Jerry Mouse.
12. Should I stay or should I go. The Clash. Nominated by BigNewPrinz.
13. The times they are a-changing. Bob Dylan. From Adam Lloyd-Binding.
14. Always look on the bright side of life. Monty Python. Thanks to The Evil Mekon.
15. Jingoism. From an untitled 1870s song popularised by “The Great MacDermott”, which included the lines: “We don’t want to fight but by jingo if we do, We’ve got the ships, we’ve got the men, and got the money too!” Nominated by Alwyn W Turner.
16. Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right, here I am, stuck in the middle with you. Stealers Wheel, “Stuck In the Middle With You”. Thanks to Paul Quilty and Tim Hailstone.
17. Mad dogs and Englishmen (go out in the midday sun). Noel Coward. From Peter Carbery.
18. I’d do anything for [x] (but I won’t do that). Meat Loaf. Nominated by Ali Hughes.
19. Shoulda put a ring on it. Beyonce, “Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)”. Thanks to Dave Cohen.
20. Take a walk on the wild side. Lou Reed, “Walk on the Wild Side”. From Dan Dyer, who also nominated “It’s coming home”.
Paul Wingrove tried to nominate “All you need is love”, but rules is rules. No Beatles.
Honourable mention for Jonathan Isaby for “Now That’s What I Call…” – an album title rather than lyrics, but he is allowed because he has collected them all.
Next week: Politician painters, after Boris Johnson’s bus-box revelation.
Coming soon: Backing musicians, such as Mick Jagger on “You’re So Vain” by Carly Simon.
Your suggestions please, and ideas for future Top 10s, to me on Twitter, or by email to top10@independent.co.uk
