Following the release of his latest single 'Relegated', we caught up with singer-songwriter Marcus Man to find out what influences go into his music. If you're a fan of Marcus' picks be sure to check out 'Relegated' at the end of the article.
1 Oasis - Talk Tonight
"This was one of the first tunes I learnt on guitar, and I still play it regularly as a cover at gigs today. I think the lyrics are some of Noel’s best & the fact it’s a B-side blows my mind. He was one of the main reasons I got into writing songs & particularly liked the quieter, more acoustic side to Oasis. That’s where I think the lyrics & Noel were at their best. To be fair any of the tracks from The Masterplan album could’ve gone here but talk tonight just about wins it. Huge influence on me. "
2. Arctic Monkeys - Mardy Bum
"‘Well now then Mardy Bum, I’ve seen your frown & it’s like looking down the barrel of a gun.’ What a corker of an opening line. Also sums up what I’d like to achieve as a songwriter at the minute- to write tunes that get straight to the point & highlight situations that people are going to relate to. I also love the idea of having a laugh at yourself when writing a song which is what this tune definitely achieves. Again the whole of this album could’ve gone on there but mardy bum sums it all up."
3. Thin Lizzy - Dancing in the Moonlight
"Without a doubt one of the most underrated bands I know, with Phil Lynott as a cracking frontman. He was a tank of lyricist, and one I use for inspiration every single time I sit down with a guitar. Plus if I ever get the aux cable at a party this gets put on immediately."
4. Aretha Franklin - Ain't No Way
"This is the king of gut-wrenching heartbreak songs. Stacked full of emotion, and build-ups to something dead special. Like all the songs on this list it’s straight to the point lyrically & I when you’re writing about romance I think that’s the best way to go about it. It’s also got the best closing 30 seconds of a song I’ve ever heard. "
5. Bruce Springsteen - The Promised Land
"Springsteen is my Dad’s favourite & so I grew up listening to him in the car for as long as I can remember. It was mostly his upbeat singles & big hits. It was only till I was older that I started listening to the quieter side of the Boss & came across tracks like The Promised Land. The way he writes about his relationships, as well as his mental struggles, is unreal in this tune, and I’m always striving to reach that level of honesty, though I know I’ll never come close!"
Watch Marcus Man 'Relegated'
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