Songs I Didn't Skip (Part 36)

There's still some musical gold in them thar old iTunes hills!

I started a new Spotify playlist for this installment here

"Missionary Man" by Eurythmics (1986)

A couple of things came to mind here. It's interesting to me how Lennox/Stewart pivoted from a synth/pop/whatever early-80s duo into more of a rock and roll band with guitars and drums (shoot, there's even a real electric bass on this track!). Also, they feature another vocalist doing backgrounds on this song;  interesting, given Annie Lennox's vocal chops. 

"A Slow Song" by Joe Jackson (1982)

The ending track from Jackson's very good "Night and Day" LP where he channels his inner old man. 

"Let's Go Crazy" by Prince (1984)

Another rippin' guitar solo from Mr. Genius. 

"When I Need You" by Leo Sayer (1977)

A pop ballad deserving of its popularity. "Fun" fact:  the film composer James Newton Howard played keyboards on this song. I also like how they use little rhythmic breaks in the chorus. Jeff Porcaro's drumming pushes this into real Yacht Rock territory. 

"Shiver" by Maroon 5" (2002)

One of the more rockin' songs from this now (gulp) 20+ year old album.

"You Know My Name (Look Up the Number) by The Beatles (1970)

I used to listen to this when I was a kid and found it just too goofy to resist, preferring it to "Let It Be", the A-side of the 45. An amusing toss-off.

"Still Fighting It" by Ben Folds (2001)

Yeah, yeah, pop singer becomes a parent and writes a song about the experience. This one is better than that. "It sucks to grow up". "You're so much like me. I'm sorry". 

"Too High" by Stevie Wonder (1973)

A really solid opening track to one of his best LPs.

"Sixteen Tons" by Tennessee Ernie Ford (1955)

There are some jazzy coal mining musicians hanging out there in the background. Seriously, this is still great.

"Someday, Someway" by Marshall Crenshaw (1982)

The year 1982 is strong with this list. 

"Houdini" by Kate Bush (1982)

Wow, it really is! A deep Kate track with another killer/odd Eberhard Webber double bass line.

"Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)" by Billy Joel (1977)

This is pure, distilled,  Joel, complete with engine revving sounds at the end! One of his best.

"It's a Miracle" by Roger Waters (1992)

The line about Andrew Lloyd Weber still makes me laugh. 

"Dream Weaver" by Gary Wright (1975)

A camp classic from the 1970s that I somehow couldn't pass up this time around. 

"She Blinded Me With Science" by Thomas Dolby (1982)

1982 strikes again. There's nothing quite like this 80s classic.

"I Got the Feelin'" by James Brown (1968)

There's a lot going on, rhythmically, in this one. 

"Long Haired Lady" by Paul McCartney (1971)

The music on this song does well in hiding the fluffiness of the lyrics. Paul was certainly good at this.

"That'll Be the Day" by Linda Ronstadt (1976)

This has to be one of the best Buddy Holly covers ever made. 

"China Girl" by David Bowie (1983)

About halfway through the song, Bowie sounds kind of drunk. Brilliant. 

"Chrome Plated Heart" by Melissa Etheridge (1988)

This song really sounded *different* in 1988 when I first heard it on the radio. Bonus:  some good bass lines. 

Songs I Didn't Skip (Part 35)

Perhaps this is getting silly but there are apparently more crusty old songs to not skip.

"Queen of Clubs" by KC and the Sunshine Band (1974)

An early KC single that falls much more on the R/B side than their later Disco hits. Nice.

"Sundown" by Gordon Lightfoot (1974)

A 1974 double feature! This came through on the rotation before Lightfoot's death. The song might have been his most well known one if it hadn't been for a certain epic song about a boat. RIP, Gordo. 

"Women & Men" by They Might Be Giants (1990)

The album this, well...sea shanty...(?) came from was the first TMBG I was exposed to. Pop music extreme nerds, extraordinaire.

"Wichita Skyline" by Shawn Colvin (1996)

A song about running away from your problems that goes down smooth. 

"Iron Hand" by Dire Straits (1991)

Now this is one I hadn't heard in a long time. It turns out to be about a labor uprising. Sneaky. 

"Empty Heart" by The Rolling Stones (1964)

What can I say? Sometimes you have to let a Stones song, er, roll.

"(Nothing But) Flowers" by Talking Heads (1988)

A funny twist on retaking the land from urban sprawl. Will no one think of the Pizza Huts?

"The Chain" by Fleetwood Mac (1977)

One of the better tracks from this ultra/mega/uber pop LP. I'd linger on any of them except perhaps "Don't Stop..." as it still reminds me of the Bill Clinton campaign.

"The Ghost of Tom Joad" by Bruce Springsteen (1995)

You just couldn't resist actually quoting Mr. Joad, could you Bruce?

"Green Book" by Steely Dan (2003)

I don't think, in retrospect, that the material these guys wrote after the re-formed the band was as strong but it was just so damned good to have more of Becker/Fagan after years of drought. I'd even listen to the occasional Becker-sung track once in a while.

"Rio" by Duran Duran (1982)

This may be peak-Duran with its noodling synths and almost comprehensible lyrics.

"Every Time I Think of You" by The Babys (1979)

This might be what you'd get if Phil Spector and Meat Loaf collaborated. 

"Private Universe" by Crowded House (1994)

A good, perhaps second rung CH track that feels anything but, um, Crowded.

"Lovely Rita" by The Beatles (mono mix, 1966)

I don't think I've heard the newer stereo remix but the mono version of this song works better for me than the ultra-wide 1966 stereo version, even though I grew up listening to it. The mono holds together better BUT it's amusing to hear the old stereo version where the right channel is just Paul; his vocals and bass. He got the whole channel to himself!

"Heartbreaker" by Pat Benatar (1979)

This one, with its quiet vocal breaks in the chorus, still packs a punch.

"Drivin' With Your Eyes Closed" by Don Henley (1984)

Buried in the gated or synth drums is...a cowbell.

"Space Oddity" by David Bowie (1969)

Bowie missed out on a real marketing opportunity:  Major Tom's Protein Pills!

"Brilliant Disguise" by Bruce Springsteen (1987)

What's with all the Bruce on these lists? This song, and the other tracks from "Tunnel of Love", hold up better than I would have expected.

"Let's Go" by The Cars (1979)

You don't want to "break her crown"???

"Down With Disease" by Phish (1994)

This is probably an example of a song that people who aren't into Phish think is good. Well, it is and I am not. And no, I don't know what the hell the song is about. The most amusing thing on the album this song came from is the 30 second instrumental track, "Riker's Mailbox". Go look it up.

Songs I Didn't Skip (Part 34)

Here we go with another batch tunes that seem to be mostly pop songs from my youth with (hopefully) a few oddities for good measure. Never mind, kids, just go out and play with your screens!

"Missing You" by John Waite (1984)

This is the epitome of mid-1980s pop songs. It's just good enough to stand up to a little scrutiny but goes down easy while cruising the aisles of your favorite big box store. 

"Birthday" by The Beatles (1968/2018 mix)

I'm sure I've said this on the blog somewhere before, but The White Album was the first Beatles LP I got to know well in my youth, with all its glory and weirdness; a lumpy masterpiece. This song was always such a solid opener of Side 3 on the original LP with its almost throwaway lyrics. However, the song just drives so hard and gets the job done in an economical two and a half minute length. The Giles Martin remix is very good and adds some clarity on the vocals, though I still like the old mono mix for its rock muddiness. 

"Maneater" by Hall & Oates (1982)

As usual for the duo, the song is really catchy with a Motown-esque bass line. Oates claims the song wasn't really about a woman but about life in the big city. Yeah, okay.

"Strange Pursuit" by Devo (1978)

A deep cut from the band's second album that has fun with the vocoder. I also dig the ending fade over the arpeggiated keyboard line.

"Rest Your Love on Me" by Bee Gees (1978)

Barry Gibb does it again. In 1978, at the peak of his band's disco power, Gibb does a Country song. You've got to respect that.

"A View to a Kill" by Duran Duran (1985)

One of the only Bond themes that overshadows its film, which isn't tough given the weakness of this particular 007 movie, but it IS one of the best themes with a good groove and the right amount of over-the-top in the John Barry arrangement. The lyrics are...oh never mind, just dance into the fire.

"Prove It All Night" by Bruce Springsteen (1978)

There's not much to say except it's Peak Bruce.

"Urgent" by Foreigner (1981)

A pretty good Foreigner song with some goofy synth programming by Thomas Dolby.

"Get Your Hands off My Woman" by The Darkness (2003)

A funny, retro-metal sounding cut with some Freddie Mercury inspired vocals. 

"Twist in My Sobriety" by Tanita Tikaram (1988)

An unusual and memorable debut from a 19 year old singer/songwriter that also features an oboe!

"Dancing with Myself" by Billy Idol (1981)

Idol, in his early retro rock and punk period before he discovered keyboards.

"(Love Is) Thicker Than Water by Andy Gibb (1977)

Yeah, it's sung by Barry's brother but it might as well be a Bee Gees single. You can't escape the OG BG!

"Sleep to Dream" by Fiona Apple (1997)

A rude awakening (ahem) or perhaps a palette cleanser after the previous song. Apple can be a bit on the pretentious side with the lyrics but she gets a pass since she's doing this as a singer-songwriter, age 19. The production has a real heft with the bass/drums matching the emotions of the song; subtle it ain't. I'll bet Apple has gone on to more mature material since then but this is outstanding for a debut.

"Mr. Roboto" by Styx (1983)

Mr. DeYoung was quite the prophet:  "...too much technology." Indeed. It's kind of a sad end of a run of huge albums for this band. This track and maybe the other single, "Don't Let It End" (hmm), are solid, and in the case of this track, FUN, but does anyone really remember or care about the rest of this LP? Styx seems to have forgotten its core strengths were the singles. Whatever concepts their earlier albums had didn't go much beyond the cover art.

"Think" by James Brown (1960)

A cover of an earlier R&B hit, but differently done with the funky JB grooves.

"Refugee" by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (1979)

We had some Peak Bruce, now some Peak Tom. One of his best, for sure.

"What Is Love?" by Howard Jones (1984)

This one just screams, "EIGHTIES",  however, it's one of Jones' best songs.

"I Know There's an Answer" by The Beach Boys (1966)

Classic, amazing album, etc, etc but this track has Glen Campell playing the banjo!

"Radar Love" by Golden Earring (1973)

A fun classic rock staple that has this great, extended instrumental break/bridge.

"Rose Darling" by Steely Dan (1975)

This could be considered second-string "Dan", if barely. The sweet sound of the song is underlined by some typically sour and sarcastic lyrics. This has to be one of the earliest appearances by Michael McDonald on a Steely Dan record. 

Songs I Didn't Skip (Part 33)

 I keep thinking I'll run out of tunes from this playlist but so far I am not consciously listening to songs I previously skipped. 

"Girl from the North Country" by Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan (1969)

It's cool to have the two of them on a song but the singing here is...rough. Bob does better on the earlier solo version.

"Roll On" by The Living End (2000)

It's like if The Clash did a union anthem.

"Brothers in Arms" by Dire Straits (1985)

I somehow didn't know this was about the Falklands war.

"Super Freak" by Rick James (1981)

According to James, this was recorded so "white folks would have something to dance to". In retrospect, it seems like this song had slightly more reach than that.

"Lithium" by Nirvana (1992)

For a song in a genre called "grunge", this song (and the entire album) is awfully well and cleanly recorded.

"Oddfellows Local 151" by REM (1987)

A great name for a song which is (probably) about some bums and kind of catchy for an REM song.

"Straight for the Heart" by Toto (1988)

Oh yes, guys, a sex worker will often "walk the streets in the name of romance".

"25 or 6 to 4" by Chicago (1970)

Whether the song is about drugs or finishing the writing of a song in the wee hours, it has a killer guitar solo.

"Country Road" by James Taylor (1971)

JT's songs often sound alike at first but they're so damned easy to listen to...oh crap...EZ!

"Diamond Girl" by Seals and Crofts (1973)

I kind of dig the smooth-jazzy instrumental breaks on this one...bongos and flute!

"The Mayor of Simpleton" by XTC (1989)

This may be the "pop single" of this album but it's good and has a great bass line.

"Me and Sarah Jane" by Genesis (1981)

Wait, Genesis did a song about a Doctor Who character???

"Lonesome Loser" by The Little River Band (1979)

Another perfectly crafted '70s pop tune with tight, Australian vocals.

"Paper in Fire" by John Cougar Mellencamp (1987)

The critic Robert Christgau wrote (about the album this came from), "In which Mellencamp's confused conscience and self-serving defeatism become so single-minded they take on the force of truth." He gave the LP an "A-". 

"Murder Incorporated" by Bruce Springsteen (1995)

Speaking of pop singer populists, this one takes on the topic of guns. Go Bruce!

"State Trooper" by Bruce Springsteen (1982)

From "meh" Bruce to MasterBruce. This track is so great with its raw, desperation. 

"Imagine" by John Lennon (1971)

I've heard this one SO many times but it's still great. I wonder what Lennon would think of this song being embraced both by atheists and religious folks (I have literally played this in a church service)?

"Careless Whisper" by George Michael/Wham! (1984)

George may not have considered this his best work but it's pretty much a perfect 1980s ballad. The sax line, which took forever to get right, sells it right up front.

"O Valencia!" by The Decemberists (2006)

Wait, this is 17 years old?! Crap. It still sounds pretty fresh. 

"The Bertha Butt Boogie" by The Jimmy Castor Bunch (1975)

This is a hilariously EPIC funk track. How do I know? One of the characters is named, "Bathsheba Butt". No question.

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. 

Dad's Movies: "Everybody Does it"

 Classic movies meet classical music in this installment:  Everybody Does It (1949).

One sure sign of how much more visible classical music used to be in American culture is the way it was sometimes made the subject of farce in Hollywood mainstream movies. This was apparently a remake of a very similar 1939 film made by the same studio so the idea must have had appeal. 

The whole setup is pretty silly and is yet another example of the old, "those ladies are better off staying home" idea of marital happiness. It's pretty eye-rolling but the whole thing is played for laughs and the cast manages to sell it well enough. Paul Douglas is funny and seems in on the joke but Linda Darnell has to be the straight woman who wants to make Douglas' character into a singing star. As Neil Young sang, "You were born to rock, you'll never be an opera star."

Dad likely saw this when it came out and was undoubtedly amused by the digs and references to classical music. 

Dad's Movies: Father Goose

 And now, it's Father Goose (1964)

I grew up in a pro-Cary Grant home so this movie was on rotation but I'd managed to avoid watching the whole thing until now. 

The whole thing is pretty light with cute interactions between Grant, Caron, and the kids but I wasn't sure I bought the romantic chemistry between Caron and Grant. Sure, there's a huge age difference but this IS Cary Grant we're talking about so if anyone can make that work, it's him. In this case it was kind of lukewarm. The situation (and this is kind of a situation comedy) is fun and I got a kick out of all the back-forth between Grant's character and Trevor Howard's Royal Navy commander. 

The show could have used some tightening up but it gets the job done. This was one of Grant's last films and while this one is fine, it's perhaps a bit of a shame he didn't do something more interesting.