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"