Songs I Didn't Skip (Holiday Edition)

 At the suggestion of a reader, I present this entry of holiday songs I didn't skip or downright flee from. This installment will be a little different as I don't have nearly enough holiday pop standards in my music library to write anything interesting about. It would be limited to jazz and lounge Christmas tunes and where's the fun in that? Instead, I pulled up a few playlists of popular tracks on Spotify and worked my way through.   Here's the Spotify playlist.

"All I Want For Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey (1994)

Despite this song being played absolutely to death each year, it's popular for a reason. The song manages to sound somewhat modern while paying tribute to classic acts like The Ronettes. I don't have much of a memory of this song prior to it being used in the 2003 film, "Love Actually". Carey's version is covered constantly and also works well on retail store sound systems. 

"This Christmas" by Donny Hathaway (1970)

I'll bet I've heard this somewhere before but it sounded new to me. This is a good tune and Donny does some good bass playing on it. Nice. 

"White Christmas" by Bing Crosby (1942)

The 800 pound gorilla of holiday songs, written by a Jewish immigrant. Now THAT's American! People forget that the version everyone knows/sings is just the chorus; there's also a verse that no one does that puts the point of view of the song to a Californian. This article has some good background on why Irving writes about palm trees in this famous Christmas song. The song is also the big hit from that same year's film, Holiday Inn, which is IMO, superior to the later "White Christmas" film (yes, even with the blackface number).

"Baby, It's Cold Outside" by Dean Martin (1959)

If you're going to play this one, Deano seems like the ideal singer. Fun facts:  Frank Loesser (Guys and Dolls) wrote this to perform at parties with his wife and the song was first featured in the 1949 Esther Williams movie, Neptune's Daughter, sung by Ricardo Montalbán!

"The Christmas Song" by Nat King Cole (1961)

Yes, Cole deserves to be known for "Route 66" or "Unforgettable" over this but that's not how things pan out. It's also a great song and musically one of the best Christmas songs ever written (those chords!).

"Frosty the Snowman" by Ella Fitzgerald (1960)

Ella could have sung the phone book (what's a phone book, Gramps?) and it would sound great. If I never have to hear the TV special line, "Happy Birrrrthday" ever again, it'll be too soon.

"What Christmas Means to Me" by Stevie Wonder (1967)

Huh, I was not aware that Wonder did an entire Christmas album.  Easy on the sleigh bells, there Stevie!

"Feliz Navidad" by José Feliciano (1970)

The autocorrect actually knew Jose's name which tells you all you need to know about this holiday staple. And yeah, I can't un-hear "and from Taco John's" even today from their old ad campaign that used this song.

"A Holly Jolly Christmas" by Burl Ives (1964)

The version from the old Rudolph special is better; less lethargic. I didn't realize that the song was intended to be sung by Yukon Cornelius. What would THAT have been like?

"It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" by Andy Williams (1963)

Another monster holiday hit.  Andy Williams is far from cool, but this over-the-top jazz waltz soldiers on year after year. From the lyrics of this song, I feel I missed out growing up in that I didn't have Christmas experiences that involved ghost stories or roasting marshmallows. Sad. 

"Step Into Christmas" by Elton John (1973)

I'm not sure I'd listen through this one again but it's fun to hear an EJ song I wasn't familiar with. 

"Jingle Bells" by Frank Sinatra (1957)

There really isn't very much to this song which makes it fun to hear what people do with it. 

"Sleigh Ride" by The Ronettes (1963)

I maintain that this standard works better as an instrumental. The lyrics feel kind of wedged in, so to speak. However, this Spector-ized version is as good as any. 

"Last Christmas" by Wham! (1984)

I don't really recall hearing this until maybe the 1990s and today it's of course everywhere with a ton of covers.

"Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" by Brenda Lee (1958)

I forget that Lee was only 13 when she recorded this: crazy. 

"Jingle Bell Rock" by Bobby Helms (1957)

This is of course a natural follow up to the Brenda Lee song. I remember singing this one in grade school wearing these white capes that my mom had to cut out of a sheet. Simpler times hahahaha.

"Blue Christmas" by Elvis Presley (1957)

We stay in the '50s for this, ahem, chestnut. The thing that always stands out about this version (like many of Elvis' songs, it was a cover) is the background singers that almost steal the show.

"Please Come Home For Christmas" by The Eagles (1978)

I had no idea this was a cover of a 1960 song. I was going to snark on Don Henley for writing the line, "friends and relations send salutations" but alas, Wikipedia steals all my fun. 

"Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" by Darlene Love (1963)

Phil Spector apparently liked a good baritone sax.

"Cool Yule" by Louis Armstrong and The Commanders (1953)

All those cats, warm as toast! "'Zat You, Santa Claus? " is also great, from this same session. This blog entry does a deep dive into the sessions that produced these two Louis Armstrong classics.

"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" by James Taylor (2002)

I cheated on this one as the OG Judy Garland version is what came up in the rotation but this version is too good to pass on. Taylor gets the sadness of the song's meaning across (not that Judy doesn't) from a non-Christmas movie where a family is NOT going to be spending the holidays together. 

"O Tannenbaum" by The Vince Guaraldi Trio (1965)

Truly a staple of my childhood.

"Mele Kalikimaka" by Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters (1950)

It's as if Bing's character from Holiday Inn sold out and moved to Hawaii.

"(Everybody's Waiting For) The Man with the Bag" by Kay Starr (1950)

The jazzy, give-me-my-stuff song.

"Santa Baby" by Eartha Kitt (1953)

Kitt's vocal (and the dudes singing backgrounds) get across the tongue-in-cheek aspect of this song; the best way to approach it.

"The Christmas Waltz" by The Carpenters (1978)

This is the top of the heap of the many versions of this classic.

Honorable mention:  "Joel The Lump of Coal" by The Killers and Jimmy Kimmel (2014)

As suggested by my brother in-law, this is pretty funny. And who knew a lump of coal could have knees? It truly is the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.  Happy mistletoe-ing everyone!

Dad's Movies: Emperor of the North

I work my way into the "E" section with Emperor of the North (1973)

I'm fairly confident that Dad sought out this title as it probably reminded him of his time riding the rails as a teenager (somewhat later than this movie depicts). I wonder if he ever saw 1933's Wild Boys of the Road?

Action director, Robert Aldrich, takes on the Great Depression with an epic battle between veteran hobo "A No. 1 (Marvin) and savage train conductor, "Shack" (Borgnine). Lee Marvin's character also picks up the tramp, "Cigaret" played by a very young Keith Carradine who tags along.

The plot is exceedingly simple:  Shack really doesn't like hobos catching rides on his freight train and is willing to use very violent means to repel them. He frequently uses a large hammer or a chain to accomplish this bloody task. A No. 1 is determined to ride Shack's train to Portland, OR and a lot of money is bet on him making it. The stage is set for an action set piece and battle of wills.

The characters and performances here are all caricatures and I feel like the best way to approach this show is that it's more of a fable of even a tall tale and not so much a documentary about life during the Depression. Marvin gives Kerouac-like speeches and Borgnine plays his villain very over the top. Borgnine plays Shack as if he was born angry. It's as if Borgnine's sadistic  "Fatso" character in "From Here to Eternity" went on to have a career at a railroad. If you've only seen Borgnine from his TV roles, this part will surprise you. Carradine's tagalong character doesn't always work for me but it's a necessary part.

The location and production look great. The parts of the film that weren't very effective were the interludes where we see Lee Marvin stealing poultry. These parts were surely meant to give the show some lightness but the clash of tones between the period-slapstick and the grim train scenes feel jarring.

The music score and title song are pretty bad, as if they were intended for a different kind of movie. Fortunately, the action scenes tend to be free of an underscore which helps.

Songs I Didn't Skip (Part 31)

 I suppose one day I'll load all of these songs into a playlist and see how many I'd bypass a second time. At least I'm creating some long-ass road trip playlists for when I drive across the country.

"Don't Get Me Wrong" by The Pretenders (1986)

This very catchy song has a perfect ending at a time where it could have easily taken the easy way and faded out. It's also one of my favorite singles from this band.

"Rockaway Beach" by The Ramones (1977)

The Ramones do surf rock.

"You Can't Get What You Want (Till You Know What You Want) by Joe Jackson (1984)

A fun, brass and slap bass-centered tune with a pretty awkward title.

"Honky Cat" by Elton John (1972)

I've always liked this track with its banjo and trombone instrumentation.

"Southern Nights" by Glen Campbell (1977)

The same year I saw "Star Wars" in the theater 12 times, this song was on the radio. Glen really had a way with the guitar hooks.

"Rockmaker" by Toto (1978)

Mid-tier Toto is just fine but it sounds like they couldn't come up with any lyrics for the chorus after singing, "Rockmaker...". Artistic license I suppose but it seems out of place for this band.

"Saved by Zero" by The Fixx (1983)

I now have BOTH hits by The Fixx on this list. 

"Hot For Teacher" by Van Halen (1984)

Say what you will about the lyrics, this track is TIGHT with a Deep Purple-esque opening drum solo and none of the synths that people griped about on other tracks from "1984".  I forget sometimes what chops this band had.

"You Dropped a Bomb on Me" by The Gap Band (1982)

On this funky tune, the character of the bomb is played by...the tympani. And props to these guys for resisting the temptation to not use the electronic "falling bomb" sound until midway through.

"Foxy Lady" by Jimi Hendrix (1967)

I almost had to skip this one since it still reminds me of "Wayne's World". Curses!

"I Was Made For Dancin'" by Leif Garrett (1979)

My, this really was peak non-cool white Disco, wasn't it.

"Let the Four Winds Blow" by Fats Domino (1961)

"From the East to the West, I love you the best."

"Days Are Numbers (The Traveller)" by The Alan Parsons Project (1984)

From the sound of this song, it seems like this guy was doing a lot of traveling in elevators.

"Waterloo" by Abba (1974)

It's remarkable how fully-formed this group's sound was on their first single, the sax not withstanding.

"I Can't Get Next to You" by Al Green (1970)

The line, "I've been trying to call you all day but I don't have your number" gives me pause. How, Al, are you trying to call this elusive person? Do you pester the poor operator? So many questions. 

"Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley (1956)

I love the bare-bones production of this track where you can really hear Bill Black and Chet Atkins.

"I'll Be Back" by The Beatles (1964)

In love, some of us are gluttons for punishment.

"Teahouse on the Tracks" by Donald Fagen (1993)

This album was kind of a soft opening for Steely Dan to resume making albums and touring again as Becker played on the album and toured with Fagen to promote it. It's not prime material but does have an extended trombone solo. 

"You & Eye" by David Byrne (1994)

I listened to this album a lot when it came out as I had just moved to Minneapolis and this was one of the first CDs I bought while working at Musicland (during my misspent retail years). The song is one of the better ones on the album with Byrne's fondness for Latin styles and a killer bass solo.

"Things I Miss the Most" by Steely Dan (2003)

This may not be peak-Dan but it's very funny and of course musically impeccable. 

Dad's Movies: "The Ghost Ship"

 Up today:  The Ghost Ship (1943)

This is an interesting entry in the 1940s Val Lewton series of horror movies though it isn't really a horror show. I'd call it more of a psychological thriller, a term that possibly didn't exist in the 1940s or at least not in the way we'd think of them. 

Really, this is about a mad sea captain and the relationships he has, particularly with his new third officer. There is an easy read of repressed homosexuality in this story though the film works on more levels than that which makes it far more interesting. 

Richard Dix, who was nearing the end of his career as an action movie star, is really good in this and from what I can tell, plays a very different character than he had before. The performance is pretty subtle and menacing. It's so tempting in these kinds of movies for these characters to be played over the top: not here. The guy playing the third officer, Russell Wade, does the job but comes off as pretty stiff. There are some good character actors playing the crewmen, like the calypso singer Sir Lancelot (whom I recently saw in "To Have And Have Not" and "Brute Force"). The guy who plays the deaf crewman (don't fuck with this guy!) is great as well. 

The other interesting part of this film is that due to a lawsuit, it was withdrawn from circulation for almost 50 years just after it was released so it appearing is very cool. Someone remembered it. Oh, and the title is pretty deceptive as it's not really a movie about a haunted ship. Sad.

I'm pretty sure Dad had a copy of this as it was part of a set that included the film "Bedlam" which he liked (another Lewton horror movie). As always, I wish I could talk to him about this one.

Songs I Didn't Skip (Part 30)

30? That's a LOT of sequels!


"Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before" by The Smiths (1987)

A great, if depressing song about shitty people and booze. I love the guitar sound on this track.

"Rider in the Rain" by Randy Newman (1977)

If this sounds kind of like an Eagles song, it's because Frey/Henley are singing on it.

"Mhórag 's na Horo Gheallaidh" by Clannad (1993)

Before Enya became the voice that launched a thousand cruise ships, she was in this Irish vocal group.

"Sara Smile" by Hall & Oates (1975)

Even a "casual fan" like me can respect this 70s classic.

"Sibella" by Richard Thompson (1998)

Another bitter flavored love song...I think.

"La La La" by The Bird and the Bee" (2007)

This duo's songs really sound great with fun studio-produced music and I love the sound of Inara George's voice.

"San Tropez" by Pink Floyd (1971)

This is a bit goofy. If I'd heard this without knowing anything about it, I'd likely never guess it was a Pink Floyd track.

"Even Better Than the Real Thing" by U2 (1992)

Another good, basic U2 pop song. I tend to appreciate this band more when it's just a single catchy track like this which allows me to ignore their self-important image.

"One Bourbon, One Scotch, and One Beer" by John Lee Hooker (1966)

This song really gets to the point: your lover leaves you and you go to the bar to get pissed with the booze combo pack.

"IGY" by Donald Fagen (1982)

What kind of nerd writes a song about the International Geophysical Year? Oh yeah, the co-founder of Steely Dan. This, like much of the rest of Fagen's first solo LP (it's old so I am calling it an LP!) has a lot of the Dan style with a touch less of the biting sarcasm. The sound of the album has always been a bit flat to me. I used to chalk this up to it being recorded on early digital equipment but I think it's just the way Fagen and co. wanted it. It's a good song, even if the early 80s synths and "synth blues harp" are a bit much.

"Can't Get Enough" by Bad Company (1974)

This song just screams, "BAR BAND".

"Dream Operator" by Talking Heads (1986)

From one of the band's later and lesser albums. The album itself is uneven but this track and a couple of others are really great. It might be the only Talking Heads song done as a waltz.

"The Big Money" by Rush (1985)

There's Geddy singing about our society again.

"Dani California" by Red Hot Chili Peppers (2006)

Hey look, it's a song that references Minnesota AND the Badlands (though I gather they're talking about North Dakota but I'll take it).

"Easy Does It" by Supertramp (1975)

A short but sweet opening to one of the band's lesser-known albums.

"Dear Prudence (Esher demo version) by The Beatles (1968)

Hearing a song like this in its early, stripped down form, is usually interesting and in this case make me appreciate how much the rest of the band added to the album track. The song feels pretty empty without Paul's bass lines.

"Rose of Cimarron" by Emmylou Harris (1981)

Harris has such a distinctive voice that cuts through this very retro Western song.

"Run Through the Jungle" by Creedence Clearwater Revival (1970)

I'm sure there's a Big Lebowski line I should be quoting but the one thing I will say is that I always assumed this song was about Vietnam: apparently it's about gun control.

"Smokin'" by Boston (1976)

Gee Wally, I don't think they're talking about cigarettes! This rocks pretty well for what was mostly one guy recording everything but the vocals in his basement. He does play a mean Hammond B3.

"Mr. Blue Sky" by Electric Light Orchestra (1977)

One of the best of Jeff Lynne's musical creations. It's an epic. The strings were conducted by Louis Clark, who went on to get his fame with the Hooked On Classics albums. The universe is truly just.

Songs I Didn't Skip (Part 29)

 The tunes, they keep on rolling along. Something like that.

"Catch a Star" by Men at Work (1982)

I don't think I ever lingered on this non-single before but it's pretty good! The song almost sounds like it's doing reggae. This is the kind of song I keep this list going for.

"Low Rider" by War (1975)

A classic bass line. I also feel like the horns are just barely behind the beat. Intentional or not, it works.

"Turn a Square" by The Shins (2003)

More early 2000's retro-alt-rock or whatever this is. Choice lyric:  "Have I left my home to whine in this microphone?"

"Only the Lonely" by The Motels (1982)

The better of the two Motels songs I have. I feel like a band with "motel" in its name is obligated to do a song about loneliness. 

"Get Lucky" by Daft Punk (2013)

This track deserves the popularity it has, is SO catchy, and has some great Nathan East bass lines woven in.

"Poison in the Well" by 10,000 Maniacs (1989)

This band wears its REM influences on its sleeve but manages to be more melodic. 

"Watching You Without Me" by Kate Bush (1985)

One of the non-singles from "Hounds of Love", from the concept album-like second side of the LP. The song is a fun mix of strings, including a prominent acoustic bass line, and electronics. And it wasn't featured on a hit Netflix show.

"Take Me As I Am" by October Project (1993)

A little self-serious in the tone but a good cut from a band that's mostly forgotten now.

"The Boys of Summer" by Don Henley (1984)

The drumming, such as it is on this 80s hit album, pretty much proves that Henley was more of a singer than a drummer.

"Baba O'Riley" by The Who (1971)

This one needs no compliments from me but I always think of the great show, "Freaks and Geeks" when I hear this where Jason Segal keeps correcting one of the other guys who keeps referring to this song as "Teenage Wasteland". 

"Wild Honey Pie" by The Beatles (1968)

It's far from the best track from The White Album but it may be the FUNNEST. 

"It Keeps You Runnin'" by The Doobie Brothers (1976)

The one where the Brothers take a trip on the Yacht of Rock.

"Don't Cry" by Seal (1994)

Seal's over the top production strikes again!

"What's the Frequency, Kenneth?" by REM (1994)

An interesting contrast to the previous 1994 song. This one is supposed to be about Gen X'ers not being understood by the older folks. Hahahahaha.

"Steppin' Out" by Joe Jackson (1982)

Joe sure made a good pop song using his keyboards and Korg drum machine.

"Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson (1982)

I swear I didn't plan back to back same-year songs. This is one of Jackson's best songs, IMO. 

"Only Human" by Human League (1986)

Another old hit recorded here in the Twin Cities (Flyte Time, now demolished).

"Fire in the Hole" by Steely Dan (1972)

This is the only Vietnam-referencing Dan song I can think of (it could be a killer trivia question). The earlier Steely Dan stuff has aged much better than I would have thought. The combination of jazzy chords/sarcastic lyrics with the almost country rock sound this first album had is unlike anything else.

"West End Girls" by The Pet Shop Boys (1984)

This is probably the one song I think of when I think of this group. An 80s classic.

"Rebel Prince" by Rufus Wainwright (2001)

Rufus has a very unique voice and musical style, very distinct from his Dad's.

"Supernatural Thing" by Ben E. King (1975)

One of the best and funkiest uses of "Supernatural" in a song, unless there's a Parliament song I'm forgetting about.

"Heard Somebody Cry" by Oingo Boingo (1985)

Danny's singin' about dead people again. 

Songs I Didn't Skip (Part 28)

This list begins a new Spotify playlist.  

"Don't Leave Me Now" by Supertramp (1982)

There's a quote from the 2000 film, "High Fidelity" (I don't know if it's in the original novel) that I sometimes think of when a song by this band comes around:  "Just because she moved in with some Supertramp fan doesn't make me five grand richer." The funny thing is, I can relate with both Rob, the snobby record store owner AND Ian, the alleged Supertramp fan. Yes, our musical tasted can get complicated.  This was the last song on the last album this band did with their original lineup (I suspect they got back together many years later to play some reunion casino gigs but I am not counting that) and it kind of sounds it. 

"My God Is the Sun" by Queens of the Stone Age (2013)

I don't remember really listening to this song which comes from a band that always sounds larger than life (I'm sure partly thanks to Mr. Grohl). Really good. 

"Sky Is Falling" by Ambrosia (1997)

So, you may be asking what this band, better known for its late-1970s soft rock hits, sounded like two decades or so removed from its heyday? A tune that reminds me of the more slickly produced "Christian Rock" stuff I've heard (don't ask) without the Jesus lyrics. The song is pretty meh, with a message that seems to say that stuff is bad but what 'cha gonna do? Oh, and SIX MINUTES LONG? Moving on.

"It Hasn't Happened Yet" by William Shatner (2004)

This track, along with the rest of the album, has the right amount of silly but the production and those involved still take the endeavor seriously. It somehow works for me. This song could be an alternate universe Shatner story where he never made it out of doing Shakespeare in Canada.

"Living in America" by James Brown (1985)

Brown may have been past his prime but this is still pretty fun. I mainly associate the song with my time in the McDonald's All American Marching Band back in 1986-87. A good chunk of the music we played in those parades was then-current pop hits, custom arranged by the staff who ran the band from Florida A&M (hardcore marching band folks). This was one of them.

"Clean" by Depeche Mode (1990)

The ostinato that runs through this song reminds me a lot of the opening of Pink Floyd's "Meddle" album. 

"Human Rocket" by Devo (2010)

Devo performing a nostalgic tribute to...itself. 

"The Rubberband Man" by The Spinners (1976)

I've loved this goofy song ever since I heard it on the radio back in the 70s. The lyrics are pretty damned funny too. How many songs have lyrics like, "How much of this stuff do he think we can stand?"

"Better Days" by Bruce Springsteen (1992)

Pretty good for 1990s Bruce.

"Every Night" by Paul McCartney (1970)

Sir Paul's first solo album holds up well today and it gets better for me each time I hear songs from it besides, "Maybe I'm Amazed" (always a classic, original version please).  And the showoff plays everything on the album.

"Listen" by Chicago (1969)

This song has a really good bass line played by Peter Cetera and wow, a lot of cowbell!

"Accidents Will Happen" by Elvis Costello and the Attractions (1979)

A classic EC song that's apparently autobiographical. 

"Pac-Man Fever" by Buckner and Garcia (1981)

Now THIS is a novelty song!

"In God's Country" by U2 (1987)

I love the guitar sound on this track that, in my opinion, is an underrated song. Take that with a grain of salt; U2 has never really clicked with me. 

"Magnet and Steel" by Walter Egan (1978)

It's another one-hitter helped out by members of Fleetwood Mac. A catchy song and it has the toy piano sound on it that somehow works.

"Love Sick" by Bob Dylan (1997)

One of his better late period tracks that should outlive the Victoria's Secret ad it was associated with 20 or so years ago. 

"American Idiot" by Green Day (2004)

A song that holds up pretty well, even without its early-Iraq War political context. 

"Hey Joe" by The Jimi Hendrix Experience (1967)

I didn't realize this was a cover. The Byrds also covered this blues song with lots of cowbell. Jimi really missed out on the whole cowbell thing.

"How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)" by James Taylor (1975)

I play this tune on gigs regularly but it's been a while since I'd heard the OG JT.

"The Carpet Crawlers" by Genesis (1974)

One of the singles (this album had singles?!) from the group's last LP with Peter Gabriel, "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway". It's an album that has some really strong moments but is somehow less than the sum of its parts. I didn't realize that the band (with Gabriel) recorded a new version of this song in 1999. 

Songs I Didn't Skip (Part 27)

 Sheesh, glad I didn't go with Roman numerals for this!

"Jambalaya (On the Bayou)" by Fats Domino (1961) 

Hank Williams wrote this one, which was new to me.

"Have a Heart" by Bonnie Raitt (1989)

Speaking of good covers, this one holds up fairly well though the keyboards place it firmly in the late-1980s. It would be cool to hear a version of this with a little less 80s production.

"I'm Looking for Someone to Love" by Buddy Holly and The Crickets (1957)

A very well-recorded track for 1957. I found it...funny(?) that this song came up while I was driving to play a gig at The Surf Ballroom. 

"For the Turnstiles" by Neil Young (1974)

Some good, old-fashioned bleak/scaled down Neil. 

"Stay On" by BoDeans (1993)

This is the kind of thing that dominated what they called "adult contemporary" radio in the 1990s. Nice tune.

"La Petite Fille de la Mer" by Vangelis (1972)

A dense, keyboards and guitar instrumental that doesn't really sound like his more famous, later material.

"Time Passages" by Al Stewart (1978)

This isn't a bad song but the production is SO cheesy.

"(I Don't Want to Love You But) You Got Me Anyway by The Sutherland Brothers (1973)

What's with the parentheses in this song title??? And, another band from Scotland.

"I Don't Wanna Go On with You Like That" by Elton John (1988)

A so-so EJ song that sounds like it was whipped up fairly quickly. A long time ago, my great grandmother used to have one of those Hammond electric organs that were somehow "popular" in the 1970s. When we would go visit her in Iowa, we kids would play around on this thing and likely annoyed our parents greatly. One of things it had were some crude "rhythm" auto track things (proto loops?). The constant electronic beat on this song, which sounds like an electronic wood block or something, reminded me of the beats that thing would play when you were messing around "playing" it. 

"We've Been Had" by The Walkmen (2002)

More early aughts alternative radio fodder. This song was apparently used in a car commercial. I like that. 

"Vita Voom" by Ozric Tentacles (1993)

The Ozric Tentacles Groove rolls on!

"See Saw" by Aretha Franklin (1968)

Even by Aretha standards, this one is fantastic. I also love the bass line on this track.

"Pineapple Head" by Crowded House (1993)

This is up there with the band's best singles and has a definite "Norwegian Wood" feel to it. 

"I'm Happy Just to Dance with You" by The Beatles (1964)

A great, early George Harrison song that holds up, even at a tidy 2 minutes long.

"Treat Her Like a Lady" by Cornelius Brothers (1971)

Another one of those songs which basically advises you to not be a jerk or someone like one of the Corneliuses will step in. 

"Lies" by Thompson Twins (1982)

OK, I think I have made it through most of the TT hit singles on this list. Phew. 

"Allentown" by Billy Joel (1982)

Joel's records are often overproduced but that can't get in the way of this song, which is still great. I chuckled a bit at the cover for the single:  

                                        Billy will be riding the rails soon!

"The Scientist" by Coldplay (2002)

Wait, what is this about again?

"Lucifer" by The Alan Parsons Project (1979)

I love how a song like this, a pseudo prog rock instrumental, can be a hit. Only in the 70s.

"Runnin' with the Devil" by Van Halen (1978)

This was a hit around the same time and TWO SATAN SONGS IN A ROW!!!

"Touch and Go" by The Cars (1980)

This is a fun song and one their best.

"Forever Man" by Eric Clapton (1985)

Likely the best song from this dated 80s album that really has a lot of timbale going on!

"Feels So Good" by Chuck Magione (1977) Now that is some smoooooth jazz. The cover for this album looks like Dr. Teeth hugging a flugelhorn. 

"Steady, As She Goes" by The Raconteurs (2006)

Huh, I guess there's a good reason this sounds like a Jack White record.

"Oye Como Va" by Santana (1971)

All I can see when I hear this song now is The Dude cruising around after stopping at In and Out Burger. It's the perfect song for that.

"Take On Me" by A-ha (1985)

A 1980s classic that really must have owed some of its success to its music video.

"Don't Worry About the Government" by Talking Heads (1977)

One of my favorite TH songs that might just be the anthem for those who toil in the "Deep State"

    "Some civil servants are just like my loved ones. They work so hard and they try to be strong."

"It Hurts to Be in Love" by Gene Pitney (1964)

'Ol Gene should have hired Buddy Holly's recording team. 

"So Far Away" by Dire Straits (1985)

The opener for the 80s blockbuster album, "Brothers In Arms" that sounds a bit more like the material they were doing late 70s. It's interesting that this is followed on the album by what DOES sound of its time, "Money For Nothing". 

Songs I Didn't Skip (Part 26)

 I took a short hiatus from this, mostly due to more podcast listening but it's time to get back on the musical horse.

"Blackjack" by Ray Charles (1955)

I'm guessing Ray didn't open any of his Vegas shows with this one.

"Any Major Dude Will Tell You" by Steely Dan (1974)

I don't have much to add about this classic other than that it looks backward a bit from the style they adopted for the early albums and would seem rather out of place just one or two LPs later. 

"People" by King Crimson (1995)

This album perhaps doesn't quite count as a "Supergroup" by hit-making pop group criteria but it really is from its complement of fantastic musicians. The lyrics are somewhat forgettable but the playing is stellar. 

"Give Judy My Notice" by Ben Folds (1995)

Not my favorite track on the album (that is likely "Jesusland") but a solid Phil Collins-quality (if he'd been an alternative 90s artist) breakup song. 

"Be Bop A Lula" by Gene Vincent (1956)

I know pop artist names aren't everything but you just don't expect a song like this, which just drips with early rock and roll teen energy, to come from someone named "Gene".  Sorry dude. 

"We Made It" by Toto (1982)

The classic movie director Howard Hawks once said what makes a good movie is "three great scenes, no bad ones" and you could make this argument about pop albums. Toto IV definitely fits this and while this song isn't one of the "great" ones, it's definitely not bad. Thanks Howard. 

"Livin' in the Red" by War (1987)

I guess this is what happens when a band gets into middle age; songs get writen about too much debt.

"Greenbacks" by Ray Charles (1955)

What a great next-track after the War song. You could think of this as a prequel where we find out why the guy in the War song lost all his dough. 

"Honky Tonk Blues" by Huey Lewis and the News (1983)

I had never bothered to look up whether this was an actual Hank Williams cover or a tribute. Score one for ol' Hank. An interesting cut to end the album with guest steel guitar player John McFee of the Doobie Brothers. 

"Take a Chance" by Eric Clapton (1986)

Clapton's late 1980s material hasn't really aged well, even though this album had a lot of heavy hitters playing on it. This song is pretty blah overall but does have bassist Nathan East who manages to outplay Clapton. I often think he was best when playing others' material. 

"This and That" by Michael Penn (1989)

This song does a 180 and manages to hold up very well now, for me at least. It helps that the songwriting is strong and that it manages to sound more like a 1990s song. Maybe collaborating with Phil Collins isn't always the best idea; right Eric?

"Werewolves of London" by Warren Zevon (1980)

This is a live version which, on the plus side, adds some funny alternate lyrics. On the other hand, it's slower which I don't love. I give a slight edge to the original. 

"Too Much Rain" by Paul McCartney (2005)

I would never have guessed that this album was produced by Nigel Godrich (of Radiohead). This is a really nice song that reminds me of his very first solo record. 

"Flipside" by Kristin Harsh (2001)

A very good early aughts (doesn't that sound dumb?) alt-rock song. The "flipside" in this case is of a...molecule?

"White Shadow" by Peter Gabriel (1978)

A song I don't hear often from his "Scratch" album. It sounds a bit like his earlier Genesis stuff.

"Knockin' On Heaven's Door" by Eric Clapton (1975)

Yep, a LOT better when covering others. 

"San Ferry Anne" by Wings (1976)

This is a cool little song and Paul manages to work in some fun jazz bits in a track that's barely over the 2 minute mark.

"You Belong to Me" by Patsy Cline (1962)

Another great Cline cover song with the usual Floyd Cramer/Jordnaires lineup.

"Nighttime in the Switching Yard" by Warren Zevon (1978)

Who knew that a train yard could be so...FUNKY!

Songs I Didn't Skip (Part 25)

This has gone on so long now that I've had to abandon one of the "parameters" of this endeavor. Mainly, that I would stop when I hit a repeated track. Since phones are little computers, they do reboot now and again so the music app has reset and I've had to restart the tunes so now I just try to make sure I am not writing about a song twice. I knew you'd understand. 

"Magneto and Titanium Man" by Paul McCartney and Wings (1975)

One of the more fun and stronger songs from the well-worn (I did in fact have a very well worn LP of this long ago) "Venus and Mars" album. How was this not sneaked into a Marvel movie?

"Lay Your Hands on Me" by Thompson Twins (1985)

If you're going to do a song with this title, you might as well go whole hog and hire a choir (see also:  "Like a Prayer"). 

"Cold Weather Blues" by Muddy Waters (1964)

The album this is from, "Folk Singer" is all Waters doing acoustic blues songs that don't sound like they would be heard at a BBQ restaurant.  I also had to laugh when this one came up on the rotation as it was very hot outside. 

"King for a Day" by XTC (1989)

Even though this is one of the "lighter" songs from this album, there's a lot going on here. Also, great bridge. 

"(Ghost) Riders in the Sky" by Johnny Cash (1979)

No wonder those riders were so scary:  they were playing French Horns!

"Only the Children" by Toto (1988)

This song comes off as a bit like a filler track with some vague references to what we would now call income inequality but even second rung Toto is still worth listening to. I keep harping on this but this album sounds more dated now for its thin 80s production sound than anything else. The earlier LPs sound better. But what do I know, that style sold a lot of records.

"Universal Traveler" by Air (2004)

Another cool atmospheric song from this duo but what's up with the way they pronounce "universal traveler"? You've gotta love the French. 

"Pearl of the Quarter" by Steely Dan (1973)

A relatively sweet, by SD standards at least, song from a pretty sarcastic album. I dig "Skunk"s guitar playing on this track as well. 

"Piano in the Dark" by Brenda Russell (1988)

You'd think there would be more, uh piano on this song but I guess a little goes a long way, doesn't it Brenda?

"Drivin' My Life Away" by Eddie Rabbitt (1980)

This is another one of those songs that I have this foggy memory fragment where I heard it on a radio growing up. During those times, I caught songs like this in cars or perhaps on the old clock radio, complete with a "Groundhog Day" style flip clock, that I had near my bed. A good song that, like a lot of country music, was well recorded.

"Shoot High Aim Low" by Yes (1987)

There is apparently a point to this song but I sure didn't pick up on what that was. Does it matter? No. The performances here are at the usual high level for this band but this album always sounded really cold and sterile (here we go again) to me, recording/production-wise. This wasn't that unusual for the 80s but this album still stands out for that quality. This is especially apparent in the drum sounds. I used to chalk this up to the increased use of digital recording equipment but I think now it was more of a deliberate choice.  

"Say It Ain't So" by Weezer (1994)

 SO 1990s.

"Downstream" by Supertramp (1977)

A nice, pared back piano/vocal song from the sometimes forgotten co-lead of this band, Rick Davies.

"Am I Going Insane (Radio)" by Black Sabbath (1975)

I swear I hear Daffy Duck laughing during the fade-out of this song.

"Campfire Song" by 10,000 Maniacs (1987)

Now this doesn't sound like a 1980s song and yes, that was Michael Stipe doing background vocals. Fun fact(s):  This album was released with a cover of Cat Stevens' "Peace Train" on it but the song was removed from later reissues after the singer made comments that seemed to endorse killing author Salman Rushdie. Needless to say Rushdie was NOT popular with Muslims. I have to assume that this controversy has blown over by now since he is very much alive and doesn't bring up anything about this on his TV appearances. I somehow got the idea that the song was removed due to a rights dispute. Also, there is a credit on the album for "portraits of menfolk". 

"Cars" by Gary Numan (1979)

An early new-wave staple. Gotta love all those expensive Moogs.

"Somebody" by David Byrne (1992)

Byrne finally goes all-in on the latin music style. I think most of not all of this album is done in this style. Really fun horn arrangements on this track.

"Emily" by Joanna Newsom (2006)

I was hesitant to add this to the list since it is a marathon, compared to everything else here, listen at 12 minutes long. However, I didn't skip it while I was cutting tree branches so here we are. Newsom (yes, related to Gavin) is one of those artists you either love or hate and while I wasn't sold on her odd vocal delivery at first, it has grown on me. When you combine the weird lyrics and delivery with the sumptuous musical arrangements, complete with a full orchestra AND the aforementioned Lee Sklar on bass, you get something extraordinary. I'd say give it a chance and listen to this or another track from the album, preferably not in a car or doing yard work. 

"What in the World's Come Over You" by Jack Scott (1960)

Funny choice there, oh random mode.

"Warlocks" by Red Hot Chili Peppers (2006)

I couldn't really gleam anything meaningful from this typically funky Red Hot Chili Peppers tune but any song that has lyrics with, "a subterranean marching band" has my vote.

"Where The Hell is Bill?" by Camper Van Beethoven (1985)

This little project sure has gotten me to listen to a lot of CVB songs! As for this one, just what is a sideways haircut? This song also has an inside joke with some old friends that isn't worth repeating here but if they're reading this, they'll understand!

"Invisible Sun" by The Police (1981)

I'm pretty sure this was the Police album I got to know first. It's still great and on this song, the thing that stands out to me is the way Sting's vocals on the chorus sound:  they're sung in octaves which gives them a strange sound to me, maybe it's something to do with the way the notes hit in his range? The bottom line sounds low for his usual singing and the top line sounds higher than normal. I don't know if that was intentional but it does make for a good effect. 

"Hell Yes" by Beck (2005)

At one point I made an inside joke that you "can't make love to no Beck". I take it back. 

Dad's Movies: The Eagle Has Landed

 We go back to the WW II well with the 70s (somewhat) star-studded movie, The Eagle Has Landed (1976)

This film, the final one directed by John Sturges (The Great Escape and other action classics), feels more like a movie from ten years earlier with its collection of English and American stars playing Germans. For a twist, we have an American playing an Irishman, complete with a dodgy accent and red hair.  I read that Richard Harris was originally set to play this character which would have been better, I'd think, Michael Caine sounds like he always does and is occasionally allowed to chew the scenery.

Donald Pleasence does a slimy Himmler and Treat Williams even shows up. Robert Duvall is almost convincing as a German officer. I don't know what kind of accent he was trying to do. Top cheesy honors, however must go to Larry Hagman as the cartoonish American army commander. I was rooting for the Germans to blow his annoying character up. 

The whole thing comes together well in the last third but has periods where the movie gets borderline boring. A wartime heist movie, even one as ridiculous as this, needs to have more pop. However, it was satisfying to see the priest throw a punch at Donald Sutherland's Devlin character. I have to suspect that this was just a money gig for Sturges who by all accounts just wasn't into directing movies any longer. Still, decent fun for a WW2 movie. 

Songs I Didn't Skip (Part 24)

"Quiche Lorraine" by The B-52s (1980)

This is quite the dog-walking song though it's a wee bit unfair to Great Danes.

"Patch My Heart" by The Mad Lads (1966)

A really good old R&B song I don't remember hearing, complete with an old-time salon sounding piano. And if I didn't know better, I would never have guessed this band was called The Mad Lads.

"Carolina in My Mind" by James Taylor (1976)

I had no idea this classic recording was a re-do from his debut LP in 1968, made for the Beatles'-owned Apple Records. Still, despite its familiarity I still dig this song. Another bass fact: Lee Sklar played on this song (the redo). Sklar is one of my favorite electric bassists. Go check him out. He has a hell of a beard, too.

"Cities" by Talking Heads (1979)

One of Tina Weymouth's better bass lines. The song fades IN and OUT. Does this mean David Byrne never stops deliberating on where to live? I don't know, but a dry ice factory is a good place to get some thinking done. 

"The Big Sky" by Kate Bush (1985)

I like seeing Kate get some contemporary appreciation, thanks to a certain Netflix show. There's supposedly a didgeridoo on the song but it's pretty buried in the mix. 

"Kind Hearted Woman Blues by Robert Johnson (1937)

It's pretty easy to forgot how influential this guy was. There's just something about those old cuts that really hits you. Choice lyric:  "She's a kind-hearted woman. She studies evil all the time." Yowza. 

"I Want Your Love" by Chris Issak (1993)

There's a pretty clear through-line from the previous song on this list to this one. It was interesting to hear these back to back.

"Surfin' Bird" by The Trashmen (1963)

I first heard this song on the "Full Metal Jacket" soundtrack and found it pretty fun and kinda strange. It's one of those odd little one-off songs that sounds pretty unique, considering it's really just a basic 60s surf tune (it's actually two songs or quotes another song at the end). The band was a Minneapolis-based surf-rock (!) band that broke out of its regional status with this song. I love how the sound of the recording just washes over you in waves, intentional or not. The track sounds like it was recorded with distortion in mind and sounds like those old analog electronics are just being pounded. 

Fun fact:  this was recorded at a studio in Minneapolis that a group I play in also recorded in.

Alternate fun fact:  This song was NOT a favorite of my old friend Eric S. Back in 1987/88 or so, a few of us stopped at Eric's house to pick him up and as soon as he opened the car door, we blasted this song on the stereo. It was kind of a dick move, but I think we all laugh about it now. If not, sorry Eric.

"The Beast and the Dragon, Adored" by Spoon (2005)

It's been fun revisiting all of this almost 20 year old alt-rock stuff.

"Sweetheart" by Franke & The Knockouts (1981)

I was surprised to hear this wasn't released in 1978. It really has that Ambrosia thing going on.

"Overjoyed" by Stevie Wonder (1985)

Even a middling SW song is still good, even one like this that sounds pretty dated and overproduced. 

"Black Dog" by Led Zeppelin (1971)

I'm not going to have anything new to say about this classic but come on, it's named for a black dog!

"Stuck in the Middle With You" by Stealers Wheel (1971)

More Scots! This Bob Dylan-esque song was apparently mocking the record business and, I didn't realize this was produced by Leiber and Stoller. 

"Blue Ridge Mountains" by Fleet Foxes (2008)

This record has such a great reverb-drenched folky/melancholy vibe.

"Please Mr. Please" by Olivia Newton-John (1975)

I have often been mellow. And hey, the original UK B Side to this was "Don't Cry For Me Argentina". That's pretty goofy.

"Storms in Africa" by Enya (1988)

I somehow got even MORE mellow! If this wasn't used for an IMAX movie at a science museum, someone was asleep at the wheel...from listening to too much Enya. That doesn't make much sense, does it.

"Stay Up Late" by Talking Heads (1985)

There ended up being a lot of songs by this band on here but they come up a lot and songs like this are just too damn fun to pass up.

Songs I Didn't Skip (Part 23)

 What, no pithy remark for this one?

The Spotify version of this was getting out of hand so I started a "part 2"

"Land of Confusion" by Genesis (1986)

I'll get the bass player observation out of the way first. The synth bass on this one sounds like a "pew pew" laser sound that's been lowered in pitch. I wonder what Mark King from Level 42 would have done with this track. However, I forgot/never noticed that the bridge of this song changes to a conventional electric bass (I avoid the use of the term, "bass guitar" thanks to my Dad...long story). Keen. The song is likely my favorite from this album, even if it was overshadowed by its music video. Also, I never noticed the cover for the single. Clever. 

The song is of course referring to the Cold War but is just vague enough to still feel relevant as I listen to it, the day of the first public January 6 Committee hearing. Too many people, causing too many problems. And guys, your generation most certainly did not "get it right".  Is this laying it on a bit thick for a song like this? Most certainly. 

This album was also one of the earlier CDs I bought, but this one was from good old Columbia House! We did what we could in those days. I've gone on way too long about this but I also remember the CD being the first one I encountered that had this coding on the disc called an INDEX that was basically a track within a track. This album had one to break up the longer song into two pieces or something. This was a pretty short-lived feature from the early days of the audio CD but my first player had buttons for them and this CD had one. Aren't you glad you know this?

"Love is a Battlefield" by Pat Benatar (1983)

After the relative angst of the previous 80s song, this one is a palate cleanser, despite its overwrought title. 

"Starting Five" by Dios (2004)

Another one of those, "where did I get this song?" tracks. It was probably from some random CD sampler I've long since lost or was on a TV show like 'The OC".  Not bad though, I don't get the "kids playing on a playground" background sounds thing. But sometimes, all you need is a catchy chorus where you just sing, "hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo...".

"Only When You Leave" by Spandau Ballet (1984)

I totally forgot that this was one of this group's hits. 

"Lodi" by Creedence Clearwater Revival (1969)

I was tempted to make some kind of funny Big Lebowski comment but I'll just note instead that this song really doesn't glamorize the life of a musician on the road. But hey, at least it isn't about Vietnam...or IS IT???

"Twilight Zone" by Golden Earring (1982)

This is of course an 80s classic but..."feels like being cloned"???

"Joy" by Apollo 100 (1972)

A fun rock-like arrangement of the JS Bach classical piece that screams "early 1970s" which is why it's fodder for period movie soundtracks.

"The Hidden Track" by Earlimart (2004)

Good early 2000s alt-pop with an Elliot Smith-like vocal. Thank you for shopping at Earlimart! 

Why is the song called "The Hidden Track"? Did the CD of it have an actual hidden track? Did you know CDs had these? This was when there would be an extra song or bit of music at the end of a noted track that would play if you didn't skip to the next song. The only way to know it was there, besides waiting for it to play, was to have your CD player (OK, fine, software does this too!) display remaining time and note that it didn't match the length listed on the CD box or booklet. So clever (not that it matters now but those engineers sure knew how to keep us all guessing). 

"Me and My Arrow" by Harry Nilsson (1971)

Another weird little song by Mr. Nilsson about "Oblio, the pointless boy".

"Another Day" by Air (2003)

These cool, Euro-electronica tunes can really hit the spot sometimes.

"Pick Up the Pieces" by Average White Band (1975)

This band was Scottish? Another 70s instrumental, sax-heavy hit and if it ain't Scottish, it's CRAP!

"Baby's in Black" by The Beatles (1964)

This sounds like one of those early Beatles songs that was a cover of an R&B song but it's a Lennon original. How many Beatles songs are in 6/8 time? I can't think of any others off the top of me head.

"It's a Man's Man's Man's World by James Brown (1966)

Another tune in 6/8...and according to Wikipedia (again, the source of all knowledge), Rolling Stone called this song, "biblically chauvinistic" but hey, it's James Brown WITH STRINGS!

"The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" by Gordon Lightfoot (1976)

If you live in Minnesota, you're not really allowed to skip this song. One of the great lyrics:  "Does anyone know where the love of God goes when the waves turn the minutes to hours?" Observation:  he really imparts a lot of information in this song!

"Short Side of Nothing" by Los Lobos (1992)

And good track from the "Kiko" album...and it doesn't resolve. 

"I Wanna Be Sedated" by The Ramones (1978)

This one kinda cracks me up.

Songs I Didn't Skip (Part 22)

 "Welcome to the Occupation" by REM (1987)

Apparently written about the US Government's "activities" in Central America in the 80s, the song could pretty easily be adapted to today's situations.

"Hold On, Hold On" by Neko Case (2006)

A really good song from what is likely her best solo record.

"World Leader Pretend" by REM (1988)

OK, so this did in fact pop up shortly after the last REM song and if I were trying to be more even-handed, I'd have omitted this one but it's a song I like well and I did in fact let it play so here we are with an REM-heavy list. Like I've said before, this whole exercise is about re-hearing things I wouldn't always pick out of my music library to listen to. I suspect that the song isn't in fact about war or politics but more personal isolation but with this band, who the hell knows.

"It Ought to Be Easier" by Lyle Lovett (1996)

There's a lot of truth in this song about breakups.

"Let Me Roll It" by Paul McCartney and Wings (1973)

This was only a B side but it's one of the best tracks from "Band on the Run" if you ask me. 

"Tombstone Blues" by Bob Dylan (1965)

In which Bob rambles on for six minutes about being out of frozen pizza. A seriously funny song, really (much funnier than my joke here) with a lot of great BD turns 'o phrase. 

"The Heart of Rock & Roll" by Huey Lewis and The News (1983)

Classic 80s retro-pop. From one of the first albums I bought when I got a CD player in 1985. It's good but there weren't exactly a ton of choices on CD at the local Musicland store that year. Someone described Huey Lewis and The News as the world's greatest bar band. I've got to agree.

"Stomp!" by The Brothers Johnson (1980)

Another hit that landed near the end of the reign of Disco. I sometimes wonder when I hear songs like this if the Disco era was a golden age for string players. So many of these hits have strings (and other 70s pop) so life must have been good if you did that kind of work. Also notable, the bass playing on this song by Louis Johnson who was one of the earlier bassists who really nailed slap playing on electric bass. Funky!

"Jigsaw Falling Into Place" by Radiohead (2007)

A good track from one of their better LPs which I mainly remember for the way in which it was initially released. You could go on their website and "name your price" to get an mp3 download which was a big deal at the time and served mostly as a Fuck You to their record label. 

"The Pope" by The Men of the Robert Shaw Chorale (1962)

This is such a goofy little song that I need to link to a YouTube video of it since it's unsurprisingly not on Spotify. "Oh no, I would not be the Pope!"

"The Penguin" by Dave Harris and The Powerhouse Five (1960)

A cool little instrumental tune that came from one of those "bachelor lounge" compilation CDs from that brief time in the 90s when this music became hipster bait. 

"Lazy Flies" by Beck (1998)

As a friend of mine once said, "you can't make love to no Beck!"  

"Too Hot" by Kool & The Gang (1980)

Sounds a bit more 80s than 70s and hats off to Kool and his "Gang" for adapting to the times between the decades. 

"I Love Her All the Time" by Camper Van Beethoven (1986)

The song doesn't quite match the title. And apparently I needed more Camper Van Beethoven in my rotation.

"While My Heart Is Still Beating" by Roxy Music (1982)

A good slow-burn track from the band's final (best?) album.

"The End" by The Beatles (1969)

There's so much to say about anything from this album but nearly nothing that hasn't been said before, better put, by others, but I will add two things. I still find it amazing that this band did an album this good at time where they were right on the edge of breaking up. The chaos and unevenness of "Let It Be" (so well illustrated in the recent Peter Jackson documentary) just reinforces what they could do if they pulled it together for one last hurrah in the studio. Also, it's a little weird to hear this song by itself without the rest of the bits that flow together in the final 15 or so minutes of the LP. So much that long ago, I made an edit of the whole thing so it would play on my (likely iPod at the time) in its entirety. And:  RINGO!!!

"Knock on Wood" by Eddie Floyd (1966)

Another classic R&B song that I became familiar with, not by the original version, but with a later cover. The 1979 Amii Stewart disco version was probably the first one I heard. This one is of course better.

"Heart of Gold" by Neil Young (1972)

This one gets a pass for its use of harmonica as it's such a good song (well recorded, too) and yes, I'm sure Neil got tired of playing it since it got so mainstream but I still like it. It's one of those songs that sounds good in the grocery aisles as well as the headphones. 

"Porcelain" by Moby (2000)

Speaking of grocery store music, this one was all over the place back in the early aughts (man, that sounds dumb). Even NPR used it on their music breaks, FFS. However, years later I find this to be a good listen if the mood strikes. I guess it did here where it made picking up some dog poo go very smooooooothely. 

"So Nice to Be with You" by Gallery (1972)

Ok, so this band's name has to be in the running with Bread for having the world's most generic rock band name. There had to have been a better name for a band than something a line of home appliances was called, guys. 

"I Don't Wanna Go Home" by The Alan Parsons Project (1980)

From a concept album about gambling that is one their better ones. I still can't hear the name of this group without hearing Mike Myers, as Dr. Evil, saying "I'm calling it The Alan Parsons Project".

"Human Touch" by Bruce Springsteen (1992)

From Bruce's solo years, it sounds more like an 80s song but whatever, Boss.

"Same Old Saturday Night" by Frank Sinatra (1955)

It sounds like a sequel/companion piece to "Saturday Night is the Loneliest Night of the Week". Typical 50s Sinatra/Capitol sound. It's all good.

"Haitian Divorce" by Steely Dan (1976)

I was once at a 'Dan concert where the drunk person sitting near me yelled out, several times, "PLAY HAITIAN DIVORCE!"  Who the hell has this song as their favorite Steely Dan song? Personal meaning, I guess.

"Car Wheels on a Gravel Road" by Lucinda Williams (1998)

Another good alt-Country song I hadn't heard in a long time.

"I'm a Loser" by The Beatles (1964)

 I love the way Lennon just barely gets down to that low note at the end of the verses. 

"Out of Time" by The Rolling Stones (1966)

Beatles followed by Stones. Yep, that's the order! Tell me I'm wrong here.

"Message in a Bottle" by The Police (1979)

This remains one of my favorite Police songs and it really doesn't sound like something from 1979.

Songs I Didn't Skip (Part 21)

 "Let 'Em In" by Paul McCartney and Wings (1976)

ANOTHER song featuring trombones! It must be a sign of something.

"Space Truckin'" by Deep Purple (1972)

A nonsense song that's nevertheless great fun to listen to, from an album that (and I try not to overuse this term) ROCKS. 

"Come Running" by Van Morrison (1970)

You know this is great when the "B" side of this was the classic song, "Crazy Love".

"Hotel California" by Gipsy Kings (1990)

I have really dug this cover, ever since it was used to great effect to accompany John Turturro's introduction as The Jesus in "The Big Lebowski". 

"Instant Karma!" by John Lennon (1970)

Perhaps my favorite Lennon solo track. The booming Phil Spector production really works here.

"April Fools" by Rufus Wainwright (1998)

No disrespect to his Dad, but Rufus has a lot more musical talent than Loudon.

"Today's the Day" by Aimee Mann (2002)

Mann plays the bass track on this song; cool.

"Na Na Na Na Naa" by Kaiser Chiefs (2005)

A great "tossed off" rocker.

"How Much I Feel" by Ambrosia (1978)

The last song had the line, "she's not the kind of girl that I like". This one might be the polar opposite. 

"That's the Way (I Like It)" by KC and The Sunshine Band (1975)

One of those catchy disco tunes that could just dispense with all the lyrics, save for "uh huh, uh huh".

"Wild Wild Life" by Talking Heads (1986)

A fun song from one of the lesser TH LPs

"It's Not the End of the World?" by Super Furry Animals (2001)

A relatively sweet alt-pop song even with the question mark in the title. Apparently Paul McCartney made an appearance on the album. The track has a fun retro sound to it. 

"Red Mining Town" by U2 (1987)

I'm not entirely sure why, but I have never quite gotten the love people have for U2. I like some of their songs but their material just never connected for me. However, "The Joshua Tree", which is where this song came from, is probably the one I'd pick as "best" though there's a lot of their output I have not heard. 

"Take Your Mama" by Scissor Sisters (2004)

This song, which at times sounds like an electronic tribute to Elton John, is a pretty clear message about coming out to...well, your Mama! The group also does an interesting cover of "Comfortably Numb" on the same album.

"Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" by Elton John (1974)

Speaking of...this is a great cover of The Beatles classic that has its own style while still paying tribute to the original. So much that Lennon himself appears on the track. I also love the part near the end where it goes into a reggae feel. Who knows, perhaps I'll stumble on the "sublime" cover of this song by William Shatner!

"More, More, More" by Andrew True Connection (1976)

This woman had one or two hits back in the day and, according to the all-knowing Wikipedia, was a porn performer who managed to break into pop music. The song is pretty catchy but really, she's not very good. 

"Why Bother" by Weezer (1996)

This was pretty new to me. The album is supposedly inspired by Japanese culture. Besides the album art and "Madama Butterfly" references, I didn't catch on. Maybe it was because I was mowing the lawn when I listened to it.

"Day-O (Banana Boat Song)" by Harry Belafonte (1956)

Harry really sounds like he's singing in a giant banana warehouse, especially when the song begins/ends. And, yes I am glad to not work on a banana plantation.

"Cowboys From Hollywood" by Camper Van Beethoven (1986)

CVP is sure well represented on this list for good reason:  they're fun. They even have a song called, "The Day That Lassie Went to the Moon".

"Ridin' the Storm Out" by REO Speedwagon (1977)

This is a really good live track that's better than its album original. A great straight-forward 70s rock & roll song. 

"Our Song" by Yes (1983)

This sounds more like an older Yes song than the other songs on the famous "90125" LP that tends to be more synth heavy. This has plenty of keyboards but has a more "live" feel to it. The song also benefits from not being overplayed on radio.

Songs I Didn't Skip (Part 20)

 "Well...All Right" by Blind Faith (1969)

A different but inferior cover of the Buddy Holly classic. This particular Supergroup could have done a bit more with this. 

"Skip Tracer" by Sonic Youth (1995)

A very 90s sounding alt-rock track with lines like, "shouting the poetic truths of high school journal keepers". 

"Bluebeard" by Cocteau Twins (1993)

Those twins sure do get around.

"Hello Walls" by Willie Nelson (1962)

I know the Nelson version of this song better than the Faron Young cover, which was a lot more popular at the time. I guess that makes me some kind of hipster.

"Know Your Onion" by The Shins (2001)

Speaking of hipsters, you probably were (or wanted to be) one if you were listening to this band 20-ish years ago. Sheesh. 

"Pressed Rat and Warthog" by Cream (1968)

What the hell is an "atonal apple"?

"Children Say" by Level 42 (1987)

Still good 80s pop/funk that is best when you don't pay too much attention to the lyrics.

"If I Could" by Phish (1994)

A decent song from one of Phish's more mainstream releases, or so I gather.

"Mr. Big Stuff" by Jean Knight (1971)

Another Stax-produced song I wasn't familiar with. Groovy.

"Just What I Needed" by The Cars (1978)

The first Cars single and one of their best.

"Waiting in Vain" by Bob Marley and The Wailers (1977)

Pretty much anything on "Exodus" is worth lingering on. 

"White Horse" by Laid Back (1983)

Gee, could this song be about drugs?  ....no way!

"Let's Groove" by Earth, Wind, & Fire (1981)

A late disco hit, heavy on the vocoder.

"Sunset Strip" by Roger Waters (1987)

Even though this is from the "lesser" Water Rogers album, it's still decent and the songs work well if you just forget the silly concept. And hey, it has the line, "Calling me back, back to the Black Hills again"! Somehow I don't think he's talking about Western South Dakota.

"Battle Scar" by The 88 (2005)

Another alt-pop band (whatever that is) that I think I listened to after they appeared on a TV show. In this case, it was "The OC" which was a very good show back in the day. They also did the theme from the great sitcom, "Community". 

"Bring It On" by Seal (1994)

More Trevor Horn-produced slickness. It still sounds good today, from the same album with that song used in "Batman Forever". I'd wager that the song will outlast the movie.

"Common People" by Pulp (1995)

This is a really good song even though the William Shatner/Ben Folds cover version edges it out for me. It isn't fair, but it's hard to compete with the Shat.

"All Night Long" by Joe Walsh (1980)

Speaking of soundtracks that outlast their movies, this one is from the "Urban Cowboy" soundtrack. Perhaps a nostalgic favorite for some but otherwise forgettable. The movie, that is.

"Mind Your Own Business" by Hank Williams (1949)

It's really the same song as "Move It On Over" with different words, but it does have the line, "'Cause me and that sweet woman's got a license to fight". 

"Failure" by The La's (1990)

Another good track from this pop classic.

"No Compassion" by Talking Heads (1977)

Yes, people indeed have problems.

"Hammer to Fall" by Queen (1984)

One of my favorite Queen songs, I forgot how late this one was in their career. It sounds like an early track and is mostly stripped down to the rock basics.

"Swearin' to God" by Frankie Valli (1975)

Frank's first foray into Disco. I'll give him this much, he knew how to adapt to changing "taste". 

"Don't Panic" by Coldplay (2001)

One of the best, as far as I know (which isn't much), Coldplay songs.

"Chains of Love" by Erasure (1988)

Great retro-Europop. I'm just making these categories up as I go. Also, the song does have something to say about acceptance. 

"Whenever You're On My Mind" by Marshall Crenshaw (1983)

For me, this is the Marshall Crenshaw song.

"A Lonely Voice" by October Project (1993)

This band has a pretty unique sound and the album the song came from has some strong tracks. It was nice to hear it again after so long.

"Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes" by Perry Como (1952)

Another song about not trusting your romantic partner or at least giving her (yeah, it's always a she) advice about not straying. Como's lines in the song seem to be reinforced by some obnoxious trombones! Also, it's a little odd that Perry Como is better represented on this list than The Beatles. Hmmm. I could have excluded "easy listening" from the genre filter but it would eliminate gems like this. Hahahaha.

Songs I Didn't Skip (Part 20)

 20? At the rate this is going, I am eventually going to be doing a series about songs I DID skip.

"Wildfire" by Micheal Martin Murphey (1975)

A bit on the morbid side, but a great guitar hook and a catchy chorus makes it go down easy.

"Suddenly Last Summer" by The Motels (1983)

Only the Lonely > Suddenly Last Summer

"Say It Ain't So, Joe" by Murray Head (1975)

It seems like Mr. Head should have had more success as a solo artist than he did although he did something significant in three different decades (60s/70s/80s), so not terrible. Plus, he'll always be my favorite JCSS Judas.

"Chapel Song" by We Are Augustines (2011)

Another one of those "where did this come from?" tracks. A solid indie-rock song.

"Ambiguity Song" by Camper Van Beethoven (1985)

"Everything seems to be up in the air at this time" has likely never appeared in a song lyric before.

"One Thing Leads to Another" by The Fixx (1983)

A classic New Wave song...about politics. Deep.

"Golden Years" by David Bowie (1975)

I really dig the way they work in the doo-wop background vocals into this 70s staple.

"Hold Me Now" by Thompson Twins (1983)

Yes, this group wasn't a duo nor were there any twins involved.

"The Ability to Swing" by Thomas Dolby (1988)

I do like some TD once in a while but after hearing this song, I do question his ability to swing.

"Accentuate the Positive" by Dr. John (1989)

A major label, all-star session musician packed album of standards that sounds very polished but somehow comes off as kind of boring. However, Dr. John DOES have the ability to swing.

"Tramp" by Otis and Carla (1967)

This one made me laugh and of course it's another very groovy Stax single.

"King of Pain" by The Police (1983)

Sting does a more artsy version of an 80s Phil Collins breakup song.

"You Can Leave Your Hat On" by Randy Newman (2003)

A very different take on this song from the famous Joe Cocker version. Newman said of the album it's from:  "an ugly Norah Jones record". 

"Goodbye Blue Sky" by Pink Floyd (1979)

This track works decently as a standalone song and is one of the few cuts from the album I am not sick of.

"First We Take Manhattan" by Jennifer Warnes (1986)

Warnes got Leonard Cohen to contribute this new song to the album (it's all covers of his songs and thankfully omits, "Hallelujah") and this track has Stevie Ray Vaughn on guitar. The album used to be one of these audiophile (audiophool) favorites that was trotted out for sound system demos.

"For the Love of Big Brother" by Eurythmics (1984)

It's odd that this album is MIA on streaming/download stores, isn't it?

"Lonely Boy" by Andrew Gold (1977)

Okay, so why exactly is this kid lonely? I think there's a missing verse in there someplace. The song has a cool off beat piano/drums thing in the verses. 

"Crazy Love, Vol. II" by Paul Simon (1986)

Still a 1980s classic that seems almost ageless. 

"She" by Harry Connick Jr. (1994)

The first foray into jazz/funk for the crooner and it's pretty good. I don't know that the song is that great but the band sounds tight. 

"Kiko and the Lavender Moon" by Los Lobos (1992)

Cool little song that was adapted for use on Sesame Street. Next, we need a video featuring Elmo synced up to some weird Tom Waits song. 

"Mrs. Vandebilt" by Paul McCartney and Wings (1974)

Nope, you surely don't pay rent living in a tent, says Sir Paul. Fun song which should be paired with the Stan Kenton song, Who's Got a Tent For Rent"

Songs I Didn't Skip (Part 19)

I did some yardwork over the weekend so why not lump that in with the dog tracks?



"Baby Come Back" by Player (1977)

According to Wikipedia, "As reported on the American Top 40 replay broadcast of November 5, 1977, "Baby Come Back" was written after two of the band members had broken up with their girlfriends." No shit.

"Take the Long Way Home" by Supertramp (1979)

My long familiarity with the album this came from the fact that I bought a vinyl copy of it from a drug store in Rapid City back in '79 and listened to it a lot. Most of us didn't own that many records and yes, I walked ten miles each way to school every day in a blizzard AND LIKED IT! Ahem. This remains their best record, followed closely by "Crime of the Century".

"O, Ky" by Archer Prewitt (2005)

This guy's main job is as a cartoonist. Fun.

"Shou Condor (Giant Condor)" by Yma Sumac (1957)

Sumac was such an odd pop music success back in the 50s that has almost become hipster fodder, thanks in part to one of her songs being on "The Big Lebowski" soundtrack.

"Mo Gihile Mear (Our Hero)" by The Chieftains and Sting (1995)

From that hit album where the iconic Irish band played tunes with a lot of musical stars.

"Richard Cory" by Simon and Garfunkel (1966)

A song based on a poem? Yes, completely on-brand for this duo.

"Talking in Your Sleep" by The Romantics (1983)

This song, which is the better of their two hits, would be a great pairing with the song, "Every Breath You Take" for its stalkiness. Bonus bass player observation: there seems to be electric and synth bass being doubled here. I'd never heard that before.

"Get Out of This House" by Shawn Colvin (1996)

Despite the fact that this has harmonica, it's a good song that ain't too subtle.

"Wild, Wild West" by The Escape Club (1988)

The music video was apparently banned in the UK: something about disfigured legs.

"Punky's Dilemma" by Simon and Garfunkel (1968)

From what remains my favorite S&G LP. Of course, even a song that has a line like, "I'm a Citizens for Boysenberry Jam fan", can still be about Vietnam.

"These 3 Sins" by Gomez (2004)

Another relic from my last years of pop music relevancy (as a consumer, natch).

"Anywhere, Anyhow, Anywhere" by The Who (1966)

What, not "AnyWho"? This is a classic Who track that really sounds like it's blasting out from the radio of an old car, even on modern headphones.

"Ode to My Family" by The Cranberries (1994)

"My Fatherrrrrrr"

"Jesus is Good" by The 88 (2005)

Yep, another one like the Gomez song. College/Alt fodder from 20 years ago.

"Pink Pussycat" by Devo (1979)

This really doesn't sound like 1979. What did people think of this then? I love how the old synths are just a little out of tune; yet another reminder of the greatness of Devo. The song also kind of cooks.

"Sleep to Dream" by Fiona Apple (1996)

Man, even the rhythm tracks sound just plain angry! Great line: "I've got my own Hell to raise."

"Would Be Killer" by Gnarls Barkley (2008)

I was kind of just tuning out the lyrics while I was listening to this when I realized that this is actually kinda creepy.

"There There" by Radiohead (2003)

A very solid track from the band's (in part) response to 9/11 and the W administration. They manage to make a long musical buildup with a core guitar-centered rock band sound, despite previous ventures into heavy electronica.

"Smile Please" by Stevie Wonder (1974)

Nothing from that album gets skipped.

Songs I Didn't Skip (Part 18)

 My, how I go on...

"Double Vision" by Foreigner (1978)

So, the song isn't about being high, but a hockey injury. How boring. One of the best hits from this band.

"Coup D'etat" by Level 42 (1985)

Our former president was obviously a fan of this song. Hahahahaha. The lyrics seem to be a strained metaphor for relationships but I can't deny the extremely good funk bass playing by lead vocalist Mark King. His slap bass sound really plays well with all of the synths. 

"In Love" by Fear of Pop (1998)

An early Ben Folds/William Shatner collaboration that I imagine is what someone's diary entry sounds like when put to music and dramatic Shat line readings.

"Words" by Missing Persons (1982)

The leads for this group used to work with Frank Zappa?!

"In Germany Before The War" by Randy Newman (1977)

Another RN song about awful people. Not exactly good dog exercising music but I lingered on it anyway.

"Big Time Sensuality" by Bjork (1993)

This has a great lyric that goes, "I don't know my future after this weekend and I don't want to." MUCH better dog walking tune!

"The Letter" by Joe Cocker (1970)

There weren't a ton of recorded-live rock and roll hits back then. This had to have been one of the first.

"Some Like It Hot" by The Power Station (1985)

Supergroooooop!

"Give Me the Night" by George Benson (1980)

So smooth and funky that it transcends its place in the disco category. 

"Don't Talk to Strangers" by Rick Springfield (1982) 

Leave it to a guy named "Rick" (sorry Ricks!) to offer this advice to his lady friend.

"Roy Walker" by Belle and Sebastian (2003)

Little did I know that this band was, in fact, not just two people named Belle and Sebastian. 

"Roy Rogers" by Elton John (1973)

Oh boy, the Music app is being funny today. Good lyric:  "Comic book characters never grow old".

"She Bop" by Cyndi Lauper (1984)

It had been a while since I'd heard this one. Another solid hit 

"The Real Life" by John Mellencamp (1987)

I feel like I posted about this song and it *did* come up on some past listening...or I am really forgetful. Maybe it's a sign I am about to start repeating things. Gack.

"Buena Vista Social Club" by Buena Vista Social Club (1997)

A great instrumental slow-groove song from this album. I love the way they work Ry Cooder's slide guitar into the ensemble. 

"You and Whose Army?" by Radiohead (2001)

I preferred the album this song came from, "Amnesiac" from its concurrently released LP, "Kid A" which was more "out there" if you will. The former better represents what I like or look for when I listen to this band and that's probably more on the mainstream side if I'm honest. I suppose I just don't want to work that hard when I listen to pop.

"Meet Me Halfway" by Kenny Loggins (1987)

Kenny really new how to churn out those 80s hits. Telling:  there are four people credited with "synthesizers" on that track!

"Everloving" by Moby (1999)

Now *that* is some good dog walking music.

"River, Stay 'Way From My Door" by Frank Sinatra (1961)

Well, what do you know? A Sinatra song about floods!

"Waltz (Better Than Fine)" by Fiona Apple (2005)

I've always liked this little tune. "If you don't have a date, celebrate. Just go out and sit on the lawn and do nothing." 

Songs I Didn't Skip (Part 17)

Thanks to any of you who have engaged with me on this list. It's fun to hear what other people think about these songs. Time to make the donuts!

"This Island Life" by Violent Femmes (1994)

This band got on my radar (or should it be SONAR?), not from hearing their biggest hit, "Blister in the Sun" but from hearing "Country Death Song", with its hardcore banjo playing, blasted on a friend's car stereo in the early 90s. This somehow resulted in me getting a CD of their 1994 album that few likely remember today. I still like the band, in limited quantities. 

"No Self Control" by Peter Gabriel (1980)

I guess it's been a while since I've listened to some of PG's music. This is a fun track that features Phil "Swarm of Bees" Collins on drums and a marimba!

"Highwayman" by Willie Nelson/The Highwaymen (1985)

The big hit from the country supergroup of the same name. How many country supergroups were there?

"Queen of the Silver Dollar" by Emmylou Harris (1975)

A great Shel Silverstein song. 

"Immigrant Song" by Led Zeppelin (1970)

What can I say about this classic? It, excuse the expression, ROCKS, and will outlast its association with the Thor movie. 

"Ballet for a Rainy Day" by XTC (1986) 

Peak XTC at their prog-rock Beatles-esque best.

"Grown Up Wrong" by The Rolling Stones (1964)

A basic, economical R&B-flavored Stones track

"Chattanooga Choo Choo" by Ray Charles (1960)

Yeah, pretty much beats the original.

"Closer to the Heart" by Rush (1977)

I wouldn't call this one their "monster" songs (I knew someone in college who repeatedly referred to Neil Peart as a "monster") but it's a very radio-friendly Rush song that gets right to it and doesn't wear out its welcome.

"Peter Gunn" (1959)

The original Mancini recording. If any song can be described as "Cool", it would be this one. That alto sax solo is out of control! I also associate it with the old arcade video game, Spy Hunter. 

"Anna" by Toto (1988)

IMO, the bass playing in this group, at least on the albums, wasn't as good after David Hungate left (1980) the band and the tracks on this album show it. This song sounds like it has keyboard bass but no matter; a solid Lukather power ballad.

"Some People" by LeAnn Rimes (2006)

Every time I hear a song like this, I get thinking how fundamentally similar modern country songs are to plain old rock/roll pop songs. There are surface level stylistic differences but the bones are the same. This is a good sentimental pop song with high production values and since it's "country", just plain "VALUES" LOL.

"Being Boring" by Pet Shop Boys (1990)

This is a good counterweight to the previous song on this list at least as far as the lyrics go. It's another song about long-term relationships.

"Try and Love Again" by The Eagles (1976)

Was Randy Meisner the "Ringo" of The Eagles? He got one song on this album and it's actually pretty good, though I don't love his lead vocal which seems to get outshined by the background singing (Frey/Henley?) so I could see this working very well as a cover. Maybe I also like it due to the fact that I am not sick of hearing it, unlike many of the other songs from this LP.

"Debaser" by The Pixies (1989)

Yeah, the lyrics are probably surrealist BS but the song is fun.

"Just a Man" by Los Lobos (1992)

From a very good album overall. The band is worth checking out if all you know them from is "La Bamba"

Songs I Didn't Skip (Part 16)

 "Last Night" by The Mar-Kays (1961)

Back when this amazing studio house band could just jam for 3 minutes and release the recording as a hit.

"Gold" by John Stewart (1979)

If this sounds like a Fleetwood Mac song with a different vocalist, it's because it was put together, at the behest of the record label, adding Stevie Nicks and Lindsay Buckingham. The song has a great 70s radio-hook sound to it but I can see why Stewart pretty much disowned it as it didn't really represent what he usually wanted to do as an artist.

"Coward of the County" by Kenny Rogers (1979)

This is quite the song and pretty dark, too.

"I Want to Live" by Talking Heads (1976)

Solid TH song and an early demo but Tina really needed to tone down the fret sound on the bass!

"Veronica" by Elvis Costello (1989)

This is of course a great EC song but I had no idea Sir Paul played bass on and co-wrote this. Makes sense.

"Walk With You" by Ringo Starr (2010)

Another Paul McCartney collaboration pops up. Nice tune.

"SWLABR" by Cream (1967)

I chose to stop here because this is one of the few Cream singles I haven't heard a million times.

"Sing a Simple Song" by Sly and the Family Stone" (1968)

Sly cannot be skipped!

"Breath of Life" by Erasure (1992)

This song sounds older than it is because if someone made a song that sounds like it today, it'd be thought of as an 80s (or even late 70s Kraftwerk) throwback.

"That Was Yesterday" by Foreigner (1985)

Phil Collins may have been the king of 80s relationship-end songs but this one is on the Phil level with perhaps less bitterness. Yes, Lou Gramm has been dumped but he's got his pride and he's moving on!

"Enjoy the Silence" by Depeche Mode (1990)

This is a good companion to the Erasure song and really the whole album reminds me of my last year or so of college as I happened to buy a used CD of it after hearing parts of it at a friend's place. It's likely the band's best album and got popular for good reason. Listening to it now also made me think of how much work went into these old electronica albums. They seem like they took a lot more effort to sequence/record than something like it would today. These songs were made on computers then, like today, but the hardware them was a LOT harder to use.

"Satellite"  by Elliot Smith (1995)

Some good angst-folk vibes here.

"The Most Beautiful Girl in the World" by Prince (1995)

Funny how I get two of the same year in a row. Even "lesser" Prince is still damned good, even if he may have "borrowed" it.

"Ana Ng" by They Might Be Giants (1988)

An early TMBG song that shows they were pretty much fully developed before I'd heard them in the early 1990s.

"All U Can Eat" by Ben Folds (2006)

Ben goes on a rant against Americans ... who eat at buffets?

"It Ain't Over 'Till It's Over" (1991)

Lenny goes really deep into retro-Motownland. 

"Sleep Late, My Lady Friend" by Harry Nilsson (1967)

I swear I've never heard this one before. And who can argue with the sentiment here?

"Powder Your Face With Sunshine (Smile, Smile, Smile)" by Dean Martin (1948)

As this was written by someone who was recovering from spinal injuries, I'll take this as more of a guideline than a rule. Also seems somewhat stiff for a Deano tune.

Songs I Didn't Skip (Part 15)

 I don't have anything quippy to add for the fifteenth installment. But I wonder, if Toto were still making albums, would they have used, "The Fifteenth One"? Deep.

"Lido Shuffle" by Boz Skaggs (1977)

And speaking of Toto...The Boz strikes again! 

"Would I Lie To You?" by Eurythmics (1985)

I stated a while back that I'd stop this crazy thing when I hit a repeat. For a second I thought I did but NO. This technically isn't a dupe since I have two versions of this song in ye olde music library. Why, you ask? Back in an ancient time, I was a member of this thing called a Listserv (kids, ask your parents about these) devoted to audiophile turntables and vinyl. Oddly enough, kids do know what these are! For a time, I found it entertaining to read a lot of discussion about a hobby I could barely afford but made my best effort at it participating in.

There were a number of somewhat well-known audiophile magazine reviewers who contributed there and one of them was reviewing this super high-end turntable setup that cost north of $100,000 (in early 2000s dollars) and he made a CD-R (Do kids know what these are? Never mind, no kids are reading this anyhow) that was a sampling of tracks he played back from a lot of different LPs to give people an idea of what this machine could do with everyday ordinary vinyl. The guy asked the membership of this list to reply with an address and he'd mail a copy of this CD to the first one. That guy (let's be honest, it was a dude) would mail the CD to the next person down and so on after presumably listening to it and, like me, making a copy. The songs sounded fantastic and had virtually no "noise" even though some of them were decades old even then. The Eurythmics song was slightly better, to my ears, than the regular CD version I had, perhaps more bass if I remember that right. In any case, Apple Music doesn't consider it the "legit" version in their database so it's in there twice and does sound slightly different. Aren't you glad you asked?

"Caught in the Rain" by Revis (2003)

While we're on an early 'aughts mode, here's a one-hit wonder of post grunge. I have this track because I once stayed at the Hard Rock Resort hotel in the Orlando Universal park and in the room, along with the bars of soap, shampoo and bible, there was a sampler CD (what's with all the sampler CDs?!) that, if memory serves, was created for the hotel with tracks of...rock. It was a bit more legal than the previous CD, I'm thinking. This is the only reason I would have this song and probably didn't listen to it since then. It was also "notable" for being on the soundtrack to the 2003 Daredevil movie that no one liked. 

"Do You Realize" by The Flaming Lips (2002)

This is getting to be as bad as the 1978 pattern. This song works pretty well on its own even though it's part of a concept album. Cool.

"When You Come" by Crowded House (1988)

Out of all the solid Crowded House hits, this one flies under the radar a bit but very solid.

"Candela" by Buena Vista Social Club (1997)

One of these days I should look up the English lyrics for these tunes.

"Urge For Going" by Joni Mitchell (1972)

A classic among classics for JM that expresses the constant movement in life so well.

"Cool Yule" by Louis Armstrong and The Commanders (1953)

Yeah, it's a holiday song but one of my favorites; written by Steve Allen, who wrong a lot of songs (8,500 supposedly)! The recording has the horns sounding like they are coming from Grant's Tomb, but still great.

"Skating Away on the Thin Ice of the New Day" by Jethro Tull (1975)

A song (supposedly) about climate change...in 1975!

"Loneliest Star" by Seal (2003)

OK, so I stopped paying attention to Seal not long after this song came out but this is mid-shelf Seal. Very slickly produced, shiny pop.

"It's Now Or Never" by Elvis Presley (1960)

To be honest, I lingered on this one with the thought that it's be a good tune to do at ballroom dance gigs; Elvis cha-cha.

"Walking The Long Miles Home" by Richard Thompson (1999)

I could imagine this being a bitter sequel to the previous song.

"Toolmaster of Brainerd" by Trip Shakespeare (1989)

If there's one song in all of these posts you should go check out, it's this one. "Up in Brainerd where the children go to milking school. " It sounds like a Midwestern Jefferson Airplane. 

"Son of Your Father" by Elton John (1970)

It's nice to hear one of the EJ songs that doesn't come up very often, from one of his "American" style LPs.

"Ride Captain Ride" by Blues Image (1970)

A classic one-hitter who's membership went on to play in a number of notable 1970s rock acts.

"I Sat by the Ocean" by Queens of the Stone Age (2013)

2013? That's like super contemporary for this list!

"Imposter" by Oingo Boingo (1981)

Gee Danny, tell us what you really think.