SONG OF THE DAY

“The Stars Of Track & Field” by Belle & Sebastian (If You’re Feeling Sinister, Jeepster Records/ Matador Records (re-issue), 1996). All songs on the album written and composed by Stuart Murdoch.

WHY TODAY?

Because I can’t get it out of my bloody head, and it’s been like six bloody days. I wake up singing it. I go to bed singing it. It’s haunting me.

INTERESTING FACTS (a la wikipedia)

– If You’re Feeling Sinister is the second album by Scottish pop group Belle & Sebastian, released on the independent label Jeepster Records in the United Kingdom and Matador Records in the United States.

– The album was released to much critical praise in 1996.

– Band leader Stuart Murdoch has stated in interviews that this is probably his best collection of songs, although they are not very well recorded.

– In 2005, Belle & Sebastian released a live version of the album entitled If You’re Feeling Sinister: Live at the Barbican on the iTunes Music Store. Its purpose was to offer fans a better recorded version of If You’re Feeling Sinister.

– The album has received wide acclaim. Pitchfork Media placed the album at #14 in its top 100 albums of the 1990s. Rolling Stone magazine featured the album on its list of “Essential Recordings of the 1990s,” while Spin included the record at #76 on its “100 Greatest Albums, 1985-2005” list.

– If You’re Feeling Sinister also appears as an entry in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die as chosen by music critics.

– In 2007, as part of the 33â…“ series, Scott Plagenhoef wrote a book about the album.

– Belle and Sebastian are an indie pop band formed in Glasgow in January 1996.

– Belle and Sebastian are often compared with influential indie bands such as The Smiths, as well as classic acts such as Bob Dylan and Nick Drake.

– The name Belle & Sebastian comes from Belle et Sébastien, a 1965 children’s book by French writer Cécile Aubry, later adapted as an anime.

VIDEO OF THE DAY

And live on the 2008 The BBC Sessions album: