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."