A Playlist For May

Introduction

I thought I would do a playlist as an example for my May 2026 Challenge, which you can see here, although this then creates an infinite loop, as this story appears in the Challenge:

I know I am going to have a huge choice here, but I will limit it to a listenable few for you all. I may add more if you suggest a glaring miss. The word May can refer to a name, the month and can be used as a versatile modal verb used to express possibility (it may rain), grant or request permission (you may go), or offer suggestions/wishes (may the best man win).

"Maypole" from "Midsommar"

I have still not seen the film, but this sounds wonderfully disturbing. It is on my list. I've included two different videos of this. The music in both I find very impressive.

Maypole Song - "The Wicker Man"

The Wicker Man is one of the greatest horror films ever made (I am talking the Robin Hardy original, where Sir Christopher Lee played possibly his greatest role, and he did it for free). I have to say one of the many things that disturbed me in the film was the folk songs, and this is a perfect example of that.

Now we move away from the disturbing Maypole music:

John Martyn - "May You Never" from "Solid Air"

An absolutely beautiful song from a favourite of mine, who we lost many years ago, and yesterday we also lost his wife, Beverly. This is a slice of immortal beauty that we can keep forever.

Rod Stewart - "Maggie May" from "Every Picture Tells A Story"

The acoustic intro to this and the song itself was co-composed by Martin Quittenton, who was the uncle of someone I used to work with (the surname was a giveaway).

Enya - "May It Be" from "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring"

I do like Enya, including the fact that she lives in an Irish Castle with her cats for company. I first heard her with Clannad, and still enjoy her music. This is a beauty.

Blue Öyster Cult – "Then Came the Last Days of May" from "On Your Feet Or On Your Knees"

This was the first album by The Blue Öyster Cult that I bought, and I was so disappointed with the sound. Then I thought "Heavy Metal" is meant to be loud, so I turned it up, and that sorted it. This is a more restrained song originally from their debut album.

So that is the month, the modal verb and the name covered in the last three songs, so now we will complete the playlist.

Kevin Ayers and The Whole World - "May I?" from "Shooting At The Moon"

The Whole World also featured Mike Oldfield on guitar. This has a very French feel to it, and Kevin recorded it as "Puis Je?" in French. The line:

"May I sit and stare at you for a while?"

is slightly stalkerish these days, although the girl hopefully has the option to refuse.

Kevin Ayers was a good guy, so I don't think there was any bad intention.

Green Lung - "May Queen" from "Woodland Rites"

This has pagan vibes akin to the first couple of songs on this playlist, although it is closer to heavy rock.

Robert Plant - "May Queen" from "Carry Fire"

This Robert Plant song will close this playlist, delving into a pagan folk sound with echoes of the Misommar song that we started this playlist off with.

I hope you have found something to enjoy in here and were not too disturbed by The Wicker Man song.