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"