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!