Songs I Didn't Skip (Part 32)

 I took a bit of a break from actively tracking my music listening and am now ready to resume this ill-considered journey of musical navel gazing. I started a new Spotify list here

"Season of the Witch" by Donovan 

Hmm, how many words can he find that rhyme with "witch"?

"Like the Weather" by 10,000 Maniacs (1987)

This track sounds way later than its year and looks ahead to the onslaught of college rock in the 90s.

"Portable Television" by Death Cab for Cutie (2011)

There may be some irony behind what passes for an upbeat song by this band.

"Action" by Freddy Cannon (1965)

Freddy really does want to take you places...and whoa there on the "whoo"!

"Heaven is 10 Zillion Light Years Away" by Stevie Wonder (1974)

A lesser-known track from this classic SW album, it's still great and I love the vocals, though the instrumentation is a bit cluttered. 

"Couldn't Get It Right" by Climax Blues Band (1977)

This hit by an English rock band was on the radio a lot when I was growing up. Such a great groove with a good helping of cowbell. The song is supposedly about the band not being able to find a Holiday Inn while on the road. Deep stuff.

"Turn Your Lights Down Low" by Bob Marley & The Wailers (1977)

Now this is a sexy groove.

"It Makes No Difference" by Ray Charles (1962)

Another great cut from the LP of Ray covering country songs.

"Soul Suckin' Jerk" by Beck (1994)

A funny song that weaves in Beastie Boys, if I am hearing this right.

"Kings" by Steely Dan (1972)

I read that this song was about Nixon, but really, couldn't you say that about most things in '72?

"How Long" by Ace (1975)

A classic 70's FM radio hit with a killer chorus. 

"Lessons in Love" by Level 42 (1987)

This one manages to be more smothered in keyboards than usual and, from a review I read, "reeks of 1987". Yup. 

"Soul Man" by Sam & Dave (1967)

It's hard to pass on this classic, though I've probably heard the version from "The Blues Brothers" more often. Sad.

"Wilderness" by Archer Prewitt (2005)

Definitely some John Lennon influence with some tight bass playing weaved in.

"The Winner Takes it All" by Abba (1980)

One of the things I like to listen for in most Abba tracks is the bass playing by their usual bassist, Rutger Gunnarsson. There's a lot going on and he was part of the signature sound of the band, right up there with the vocals and the jangle pianos. This song, which someone dubbed, "divorce pop" has the right amount of overwrought metaphors that still sounds personal. Happy times.

"Hey You" by Pink Floyd (1979)

Speaking of happy, this track works well on its own and I am not sick to death of it like I am with "Another Brick". I always liked the bass playing on this one and then learned that Gilmour played it. Sorry ,Roger.

"Need You Tonight" by INXS (1987)

"...that makes me sweat."  Yeah, that's one of the classic all-time pickup lines.

"That's All" by Genesis (1983)

Another entry in the Phil Collins "Breakup Songbook".

"Love Ain't For Keeping" by The Who (1971)

Pretty much everything on "Who's Next" is great (okay, maybe not "My Wife") so this song, about getting down with your lover on...a picnic, gets the nod.

"Burn You Up, Burn You Down" by Peter Gabriel (2003)

A groovy second-string PG track.