Song Versus Song

The Unforgettable Fire

2012-02-20T19:40:00.002-05:00

U2's The Unforgettable Fire. The title track from the 1984 album of the same name. It was not a hit per se, but one of several really good songs from the bands fourth album.

I Don't Want To Talk About It

2012-02-04T11:57:00.002-05:00

Some gut wrenching stuff from Rod Stewart, live. Originally it was a hit in 1979 in the U.S, though he recorded it in 1975. The song was a Crazy Horse song originally, released in 1971.

The story of light

2012-01-24T00:06:00.000-05:00

Trippy stuff from William Orbit in 1993.

Etta James died.

2012-01-20T22:04:00.001-05:00

The great-voiced Etta James died today. What an unfortunate loss. Here is the beautiful At Last.

Simple Minds - New Gold Dream

2012-01-14T21:34:00.000-05:00

Like the title says.

81 82 83 84. Actually, 82 - as in 1982.

Shayla

2012-01-05T22:51:00.004-05:00

Back again after a break.

Blondie, 1979, with some of Debbie Harry's best vocals.

Count On Me

2011-12-22T23:34:00.000-05:00

Jefferson Starship gets wistful in 1978.

Great Balls of Fire! Whole Lotta Shaking Going On!

2011-12-20T20:09:00.001-05:00

Jerry Lee Lewis rocking the piano in 1957.

And here he is really rocking it with Whole Lotta Shaking Going On, also from 1957.

Moves Like Jagger

2011-12-14T09:13:00.000-05:00

Maroon 5??? Really? Yeah, it's a catchy new song from Maroon 5. Hard to believe, but nevertheless.

Beck thinks he's in love

2011-12-13T13:14:00.000-05:00

2006, Beck. Cool.

My first Styx post

2011-12-10T17:11:00.000-05:00

Who knows, maybe my last Styx post...

Renegade. More from 1979.

My first Hall and Oates post

2011-12-09T12:54:00.000-05:00

I like a lot of their songs but this is the first time I thought to post one. You Make My Dreams Come True is infectious. So much so, the blue eyed soul makes you want to act like the people in the second video below. Or maybe not. The 1980 hit was one of many for the duo.

\

500 Days of Summer;

My first Boston post

2011-12-08T15:02:00.000-05:00

I'm not a fanatical fan of Boston, but I don't mind their music, so here's Rock and Roll Band from

Midnight Special 1979 - Journey

2011-12-07T15:07:00.000-05:00

If you didn't know it was 1979, the hair might be a clue. Journey performing Loving Touching Squeezing on the show Midnight Special. This was their first Top 20 hit, from 1979.

Precious

2011-12-06T13:43:00.000-05:00

The Pretenders from 1980, not a big hit but a song that's still tough to get out of your head.

Friends of Mr. Cairo

2011-12-05T14:47:00.000-05:00

Jon & Vangelis 1981 hit. This isn't the official video version where you can see that Jon is Jon Anderson from Yes, but the sound is clearer than the video version and this is the full long form version of the song.

Evil Woman

2011-12-04T12:37:00.000-05:00

ELO's Evil Woman from 1975.

Party Weekend

2011-12-03T15:17:00.000-05:00

Party Weekend - Joe "King" Carrasco and the Crowns. The best quality version I could find unfortunately.

Slow An' Easy

2011-12-02T13:27:00.000-05:00

Whitesnake's David Coverdale trying very hard to sound like Robert Plant on Slow An' Easy in 1984, and doing a not bad job of it.

Magic Single Barrel

2011-12-01T13:31:00.000-05:00

La Taverne Du Lac, definitely chill. Circa 2002.

Crosseyed and Painless

2011-11-30T13:14:00.000-05:00

Talking Head's 1980 song, produced by Brian Eno, Crosseyed and Painless and a fan video interpretation.

I'm still waiting.

Dream Baby

2011-11-29T13:52:00.000-05:00

Roy Orbison, Sweet Dream Baby

Yes, the Rolling Stones DID Reggae

2011-11-28T15:44:00.000-05:00

It's hard to believe, but the Rolling Stones actually did some reggae. In 1976, they covered Eric Donaldson's Cherry Oh Baby on their album Black and Blue - an album better known for Fool To Cry.

Sigue Sigue Sputnik???

2011-11-27T15:39:00.000-05:00

Love Missile F1-11 from Sigue Sigue Sputnik. Not a great band that was thrust forward with a lot of hype in the mid 1980s. But, this song isn't terrible.

Ebony Eyes - Bob Welsh

2011-11-26T09:37:00.000-05:00

Live with Stevie Nicks at CalJam '78 - a live version of a song I've already posted.

Help Me Somebody - Byrne Eno original

2011-11-25T09:12:00.000-05:00

David Byrne and Brian Eno collaborated in 1981 on the album My Life in the Bush of Ghosts, that had a number of interesting tracks and not a lot of notoriety. Help me Somebody really stood out for me as a memorable tune.

Brian Eno and David Byrne - Help Me Somebody Vidéo barbax123 sélectionnée dans Musique

More Love

2011-11-24T08:45:00.000-05:00

Pretty much everyone who thinks of Kim Carnes thinks of her 1981 hit Bette Davis Eyes. Preceding that, in 1980 she had a top 10 hit with More Love.

The Faces ~ Pool Hall Richard

2011-11-23T13:17:00.000-05:00

Rod Stewart, Ron Wood, and music that kicks...

From 1973.

Sir Duke

2011-11-22T06:23:00.000-05:00

Stevie Wonder's Sir Duke from the 1976 album Songs in the Key of Life, and released as a single in 1977.

Benny Goodman - Sing, Sing, Sing

2011-11-21T11:10:00.000-05:00

This is the full version as recorded in 1936, wonderfully cleaned up and restored for youtube by deathray393.

This is an excellent swing tune with some fantastic drum work in the full version (which is longer than 8 minutes).

Give it a listen, it is musical brilliance.

Islands and shores - Deportees

2011-11-20T10:54:00.000-05:00

Another Swedish band. I swear I am not deliberately picking Swedish songs. This is a new release from 2011.

It's all in the game - Tommy Edwards

2011-11-19T07:45:00.000-05:00

Classic, smooth. Tommy Edwards from 1958. It's All In The Game.

Color on the Walls (Don't Stop) - Foster The People

2011-11-18T07:41:00.000-05:00

The second best song from Foster the People.

Flo Rida - Good Feeling is a good song

2011-11-17T07:29:00.000-05:00

I'm just not convinced that modern music carries the same level of greatness with it as songs of years gone by. There are fewer and fewer unique good chord sequences, or melodies that haven't been used. But good songs still come along that have a hook as good as any other - they can still compete and it restores my faith in the current music scene. It's not all bass and beat, there's thought put into the song. I posted a recent song like that earlier this week, and here's another. Flo Rida's Good Feeling. Catchy.

Missing Persons - Words

2011-11-16T13:23:00.000-05:00

Dale Bozzio being Lady Gaga before Lady Gaga:

OK Go - Here it goes again +++

2011-11-15T10:09:00.000-05:00

From 2006 OK Go's hit Here It Goes Again, and 209's This Too Shall Pass - the Rube Goldberg version of the video - a very cool video .

The Black Keys - Lonely Boy

2011-11-14T21:54:00.001-05:00

A viral video for a song not yet released on CD.

Positively 4th Street

2011-11-12T20:37:00.001-05:00

Bob Dylan's no-chorus-included Positively 4th Stret, from 1965.

You got a lotta nerve
To say you are my friend
When I was down
You just stood there grinning

You got a lotta nerve
To say you got a helping hand to lend
You just want to be on
The side that’s winning

You say I let you down
You know it’s not like that
If you’re so hurt
Why then don’t you show it

You say you lost your faith
But that’s not where it’s at
You had no faith to lose
And you know it

I know the reason
That you talk behind my back
I used to be among the crowd
You’re in with

Do you take me for such a fool
To think I’d make contact
With the one who tries to hide
What he don’t know to begin with

You see me on the street
You always act surprised
You say, “How are you?” “Good luck”
But you don’t mean it

When you know as well as me
You’d rather see me paralyzed
Why don’t you just come out once
And scream it

No, I do not feel that good
When I see the heartbreaks you embrace
If I was a master thief
Perhaps I’d rob them

And now I know you’re dissatisfied
With your position and your place
Don’t you understand
It’s not my problem

I wish that for just one time
You could stand inside my shoes
And just for that one moment
I could be you

Yes, I wish that for just one time
You could stand inside my shoes
You’d know what a drag it is
To see you

Fooled Around and Fell in Love

2011-11-06T14:14:00.003-05:00

Elvin Bishop, Fooled Around and Fell in Love from 1976:

Lene Lovich Double Shot

2011-11-05T08:07:00.000-04:00

Lene Lovich was never a huge hit in North America, but she did gain notoriety with her song Lucky Number in 1979. It became a cult hit, here while going to number 3 in England. That year Say When also went to #19 in England. Here's both of those songs - the official video for the former, and a fan video for the latter.

Keep on Smilin'

2011-11-04T07:55:00.003-04:00

Wet Willie's pick-me-up song usually does what sets out to do - at least for me. That makes it an invaluable song for tough times. The band from Mobile Alabama reached #10 on the Billboard charts in 1974 with this number.

A great infomercial from Time Life

2011-11-01T19:38:00.000-04:00

Soft Rock Classics: aside from the too much Air Supply, a great infomercial.

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue

2011-10-29T20:43:00.003-04:00

Crystal Gayle's classic from, you guessed it, 1977. Asong which purportedly was written for Shirley Bassey. While I like Shirley Bassey, I'm glad this song ended up where it did. So did a lot of other people. The song went to number one on the Country, Pop and Easy Listening charts.

High Quality Audio version:

You can see the Solid Gold performance here - follow the link embedded in the video.

Sara

2011-10-24T06:31:00.000-04:00

Here's another great song from Stevie Nicks' days in Fleetwood Mac. Sara is truly a moving song, sung with an angelic voice, and an ethereal tone. I've always been partial to the album version (from 1979's Tusk). But I've included here as well the remastered 10+ minute version as well, mainly for the extra verses.

Yesterday Van Morrison's Into The Mystic had a magical quality to it as well - that's two in that mode in a row for me - both all-time great songs.

Here's the album version of the breathtaking Sara.

And here's the longer version of the song that is apparently written about Sara Recor Fleetwood.

Into The Mystic

2011-10-23T06:00:00.000-04:00

Van Morrison released Moondance in 1970 and the song Into The Mystic was on it. The song is truly brilliant, one of the greatest songs of all time. Its reminds me of sailing off to Heaven.

According to Wikipedia, a lot of other people feel the same way about the song;

The lyrics are about a spiritual quest, typical of Morrison's work. "Bass thrums like a boat in motion, and the song comes back to water as a means of magical transformation."...Compared to "Yesterday" by The Beatles, It has been described as "another song where the music and the words seem to have been born together, at the same time, to make one perfectly formed, complete artistic element."

We have a winner

2011-10-22T21:10:00.003-04:00

A while ago I polled another 'contest'. The choice was between the 1970's and 2000's and the category was songs that were hits outside of America but not in America.

The contenders were songs that might surprise you because you've probably heard them. But neither of these songs were Top 40 in America.

From the 2000's was Eminem's "Stan", and from the 1970's was David Bowie's "Rebel Rebel".

So who won? Well the voting was light this time but Rebel Rebel won. That brings the battle between the 1970s and the 2000s to a tie. One win for each decade. It's still early though.

If you want to see the summary of the head-to-head, you can see it here.

Get It Right Next Time

2011-10-19T22:51:00.002-04:00

The late great Gerry Rafferety, from 1979. He died in January of this year.

Cabaret Voltaire says "Do Right!"

2011-10-13T21:27:00.003-04:00

Sensoria - precursor to industrial rock. Or perhaps New Wave Industrial Rock, from Cabaret Voltaire. In 1984 this broke into the Top 100 in the U.K.

Confirmed - Worst 10 Songs of the 1980s

2011-10-10T11:27:00.002-04:00

ABC has the list as voted by Rolling Stone readers;

1. Starship — “We Built This City”

2. Europe — “The Final Countdown”

3. Chris de Burgh‘s — “The Lady in Red”

4. Wham! — “Wake Me Up (Before You Go Go)”

5. Men Without Hats — “The Safety Dance”

6. Falco — “Rock Me Amadeus”

7. Bobby McFerrin — “Don’t Worry Be Happy”

8. Toni Basil — “Mickey”

9. Taco — “Puttin’ On the Ritz”

10. Rick Astley — “Never Gonna Give You Up”

I've never been a huge fan of 1980's music, but don't judge the decade by this list. In fact, there are a couple in there that weren't so bad.

And for your enjoyment (or 'enjoyment'), here's a sample;

Sadeness - Principles of Lust

2011-10-04T21:18:00.001-04:00

Back to back Enigma from the first CD; MCMXC (that's 1990, the year it was released). Sadeness was a top 10 hit in a lot of countries, the only other top 10 hit they had in either the U.S. or the U.K., was 1994's Return to Innocence.

Israelites

2011-10-03T21:05:00.002-04:00

Desmond Dekker, via Wikipedia;

In 1968 Dekker's "Israelites" was released, eventually topping the UK Singles Chart and peaking in the Top Ten of the US Billboard Hot 100. Dekker was the first Jamaican artist to have a hit record in the US with a form and style that was purely Jamaican, though he never repeated the feat.

Get up in the morning, slaving for bread, sir,
so that every mouth can be fed.
Poor me, the Israelite. Aah.

Get up in the morning, slaving for bread, sir,
So that every mouth can be fed.
Poor me, the Israelite. Aah.

My wife and my kids, they are packed up and leave me.
Darling, she said, I was yours to be seen.
Poor me, the Israelite. Aah.

Shirt them a-tear up, trousers are gone.
I don't want to end up like Bonnie and Clyde.
Poor me, the Israelite. Aah.

After a storm there must be a calm.
They catch me in the farm. You sound the alarm.
Poor me, the Israelite. Aah.

Poor me, the Israelite.
I wonder who I'm working for.
Poor me, Israelite,
I look a-down and out, sir.

New Red Hot Chili Peppers sounds Retro

2011-10-02T07:30:00.000-04:00

I'm not a big fan of the Chili Peppers but a few of there songs I haven't minded - until now. Their latest song is one I quite like. I'm With You (2011) sounds reminiscent of Roxy Music's The Main Thing leading into the chorus. That's a good thing, trust me. The chorus itself is a really catchy sequence worth a good listen (or several). The whole thing has a retro sound to it, and that's also a good thing. Well done.

For comparison purposes, check out Roxy Music's The Main Thing here.

The Main Thing

2011-10-01T10:12:00.000-04:00

Roxy Music's rhythmic The Main Thing from their swan song album Avalon. This video is a prelude to tomorrow's seemingly unrelated post. It was not an attempt to load up on Roxy Music this week.

Like A Rolling Stone

2011-09-30T08:52:00.000-04:00

Rolling Stone Magazine's #1 on "The Greatest 500 Songs of All Time", a song that's eponymous and therefore no surprise it rated as their #1. Still, it's a really good song; Like A Rolling Stone.

Just Can't Get Enough

2011-09-29T08:45:00.000-04:00

The Depeche Mode version, not the Black Eyed Peas version. From 1981, as early as Depeche Mode singles go, Just Can't Get Enough.

Another Angelic Voice

2011-09-28T20:34:00.001-04:00

Roxy Music's Avalon from the 1982 album of the same name, features Yannick Etienne with the angelic background vocals. Of course Bryan Ferry's vocals aren't too shabby either.

Dreams - Fleetwood Mac

2011-09-26T21:10:00.003-04:00

I just can't get enough of Stevie Nicks' voice or songs.

1977's Dreams from the phenomenal album Rumours.

Carpet Crawlers

2011-09-25T14:45:00.005-04:00

Genesis from the 1974 concept album The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway - Carpet Crawlers was released in 1975.

Heard It In A Love Song

2011-09-24T07:43:00.001-04:00

Another one from 1977, what an incredible year for music. This country song was a cross-over hit for the band considered a Southern Rock band. The song reached #14 on the Billboard charts. It has a sort of Eagles sound to it.

Echo Beach

2011-09-17T08:36:00.001-04:00

Canadian band Martha and the Muffins, from 1980.

Railroad Bill

2011-09-15T07:38:00.000-04:00

My favorite version (to date) of the very old song Railroad Bill - Etta Baker with Taj Mahal. This CD was released in 2004 and I believe that's when it was recorded, when Etta 91 years old.Taj Mahal was heavily influenced by Etta Baker.

Lay Lady Lay

2011-09-14T07:33:00.000-04:00

This isn't a lot of people's favorite Bob Dylan number and it's not mine, but I do still like it a lot. From 1969's Nashville Skyline. It definitely has a country feel. Charlie Daniels played guitar on the track.

Stop Draggin' My Heart Around

2011-09-13T19:25:00.003-04:00

Great song, incredible vocals and from 2:53 to 2:58 visual excellence. From Stevie Nicks' first solo album Bella Donna. The same album that spawned Edge of Seventeen, Leather and Lace and After The Glitter Fades.

Loud Music

2011-09-10T00:19:00.000-04:00

Michelle Branch's latest, Loud Music.

It's catchy music. Go figure.

Conway Twitty - Lonely Blue Boy

2011-09-06T19:12:00.000-04:00

Conway Twitty - Lonely Blue Boy from 1960, in his pre-country days, sounding a little like Elvis.

She's On It!

2011-09-05T07:40:00.000-04:00

Beastie Boys, pre-hitting it big in 1985 from the Krush Groove Soundtrack. Don't ask, I can't help you.

Nice video though. The song hit #10 in the U.K. but went nowhere in the U.S.

1970s Versus 2000s: Hits outside America

2011-09-04T17:40:00.000-04:00

I haven't had a song versus song contest in a long time. It's due. And this one is going to blow your mind. Here are two songs that were hits outside of the United States but in the U.S. - not so much. Be prepared to be surprised in at least one case. Vote for your favorite of these two songs, and support your preferred decade.

In the 2000's, especially the early part it was hard to find someone bigger than Eminem. In 2000, Stan, featuring Dido and her hook from 'Thank You' went to number one in England. In the U.S., it peaked at #51.

For the 1970's

In 1974, David Bowie released Rebel Rebel. It went to number 5 in the United Kingdom, but peaked in the United States at #64??? I was surprised to see that.

One Day In Your Life

2011-09-03T01:02:00.000-04:00

Canadian band 54 40, with a song from 1987 that wasn't their biggest hit, but it was always one I liked.

North To Alaska

2011-09-02T05:41:00.000-04:00

Johnny Horton's 1960 #4 hit and #1 country hit, North To Alaska - 51 years later.

Funky Town

2011-09-01T06:08:00.000-04:00

From the dying days of disco (actually in the post mortem period - 1980) Lipps Inc's iconic Funky Town.

Videos have come a long way. Music, well not everything progresses in a linear fashion.

Knock on Wood, Disco version

2011-08-31T18:13:00.000-04:00

From the tail end of the height of the disco era (1979), Amii Stewart's remake of Knock on Wood - the Eddie Floyd classic.

Big Bang Theory Theme Song, Live

2011-08-30T17:20:00.000-04:00

The Barenaked Ladies live at ComicCon 2010, performing the full version of their theme song for the hit TV show The Big Bang Theory.

In attendance - Wil Wheaton and the cast members of the show.

Third Rate Romance

2011-08-29T00:26:00.000-04:00

The Amazing Rhythm Aces original 1975 hit Third Rate Romance was a country rock hit that peaked at #14 but went to #11 on the country charts and #1 in Canada. Below it is a funny but very well done Dwight Yoakum live cover version that might be even better than the original, a rarity indeed.

The original is nearly always better

2011-08-28T10:30:00.000-04:00

In this case, undoubtedly so. Dobie Gray's 1973 hit Drift Away far better than any subsequent version, no matter what Billboard says about the Uncle Kracker version of 2003, which stayed on top of the adult contemporary charts for 28 weeks Nonetheless, the real soul was in Dobie's version.

An instrumental you won't realize you recognize

2011-08-27T03:45:00.000-04:00

Bill Doggett - Honky Tonk a top hit from 1956. Here's parts 1 and 2. No doubt some part of it will ring a bell even if you think you've never heard it.

Tiptoe Through The Tulips

2011-08-26T04:41:00.000-04:00

Tiny Tim's 1968 oddball hit, that my mom hates. Tiptoe Through The Tulips. Why post it? Juxtaposed to Maria Callas it provides both an interesting contrast and a good transition to something more contemporary.

Maria Callas rendition of Madama Butterfly

2011-08-25T08:49:00.000-04:00

From 1955*, Maria Callas rendition of Puccini's Madama Butterfly which originally premiered in 1904.

Maria Callas died in 1977, but was a true star of operatic brilliance.

*The year is the studio recording that I'm aware of, but I cannot confirm if this is from that recording or another.

China Grove

2011-08-24T11:02:00.002-04:00

After a couple of songs about death, a more 'traditional' song was needed. From the Doobie Brothers' 1973 album The Captain and Me, China Grove. One of their many memorable hits. Not exactly traditional, but a step in a different direction from the previous few posts.

Jim Carroll - People Who Died

2011-08-23T21:22:00.001-04:00

Jim Carroll ironically, died. He wrote the movie The Basketball Diaries, but in 1980, The Jim Carroll Band released the album Catholic Boy with the under-appreciated People Who Died, a new wave sort of Ramones meets Lou Reed meets Rancid. While the official video takes footage from The Basketball Diaries, I'm always partial to Zombie flicks, so here's a version that merges video from the Dawn of the Dead remake. It's a good match. By the way, isn't it taking too long for the second season of The Walking Dead?

Warning - there's some graphic content here.

In My Time Of Dying

2011-08-18T21:57:00.000-04:00

There's been a number of versions of this traditional gospel song. Let's start with the classic Led Zeppelin. Here's the live version at Earl's Court in 1975.

Part 1 of 2

Part 2 of 2

And now - Bob Dylan in 1962????

The modern version came from a re-working in 1945 by Josh White. Sadly, I couldn't find a version of it online. But it all stems back to Blind Willie Johnson in....1927??? "Jesus Make Up My Dying Bed"

Other versions include Charlie Patton in 1929, John Sebastian in 1971, John Fahey in 1971,

More Stones

2011-08-17T21:27:00.001-04:00

Far Away Eyes from 1978's Some Girls, courtesy of the Rolling Stones.

So if you're down on your luck and you can't harmonize

Find a girl with far away eyes

And if you're downright disgusted and life ain't worth a dime

Get a girl with far away eyes.

The ultimate slide guitar blues

2011-08-13T23:33:00.000-04:00

Ry Cooder's Feeling Bad Blues, from the movie Crossroads.

Jack The Ripper!

2011-08-11T11:26:00.003-04:00

Link Wray in 1961 released Jack The Ripper - you might recognize it from the Antonio Banderas movie Desperado.

Flying Lizards

2011-08-10T07:31:00.000-04:00

Money, as sung by the Queen of England herself, in this Flying Lizards 1979 rendition of the 1959 Barret strong song Money, which was also covered by the Beatles in 1963.

Jut a side note, John Lee Hooker used to perform a song I Need Some Money some time (?) prior to 1959 that had the following, suspiciously similar (but not identical) lyrics,

"The best thing in life is free

But you can give it to the birds an' bees

I need some money,

Need some money.

Oh yeah, what I want"

Riots in London

2011-08-09T18:29:00.003-04:00

Riots in London. Calls for the Clash, and London Calling from way back in 1979. Forget the politics, the music is just good.

Future Hit: Heavy Metal Lover

2011-08-09T09:09:00.001-04:00

Lady Gaga, Heavy Metal? Really? No. But a song with a really catchy bridge. I'm pretty sure this will be a hit.Both the chorus and the "I could be your girl, girl, girl" parts are infectious. I could do with less of the synth vocals, but it's still catchy.

1,2,3 get loose now!

2011-08-08T07:18:00.003-04:00

It Takes Two, Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock. 1988.

Government Hooker

2011-08-07T06:04:00.005-04:00

Lady Gaga, this is definitely weird but this ends up being catchy in an ABBA meets Madonna meets disco sort of way.

Swamp!

2011-08-06T10:18:00.002-04:00

Talking Heads performing live at Wembley Arena in London their funky/creepy song Swamp which was released in 1993. I'm not sure when this video was recorded but the youtube page says 1982, which would mean it's not from the Stop Making Sense concert movie, which was released in 1984. Anyone with any clarification, please let me know in the comments section below.

(lyrics below)

Now lemme tell you a story
The devil he has a plan
A bag a' bones in his pocket
Get anything you want

No dust and no rocks
The whole thing is over
All those beauties, in solid motion
All those beauties, gonna swallow you up

hi hi hi hi hi hi
hi hi hi hi hi hi hi

One time, too many
Too far to go
I-we come to take you home

And when they split those atoms
Its's hotter than the sun
Blood is a special substance
They gonna pray for that man

So wake up young lovers
The whole thing is over
Watch out, touch monkeys
All that blood, gonna swallow you whole

hi hi hi hi hi hi
hi hi hi hi hi hi hi

What's that? Who's Driving?
Where we goin'? Who knows?
I-we come to take you home

How many people do you think I am?
Pretend I am somebody else
You can pretend I'm an old millionaire
A millionaire washing his hands
Rattle the bones, dreams that stick out
A medical chart on the wall
Soft violins and hands touch your throat
Ev'ryone wants to explode

And when your hands get dirty
Nobody knows you at all
Don't have a window to slip out of
Lights on, nobody home

Click click - see ya later
Beta beta - no time to rest
Pika pika - risky business
All that blood, will never cover that mess

hi hi hi hi hi hi
hi hi hi hi hi hi hi

So soft, hard feelings
No tricks, let's go
I-we come to take you home

hi hi hi hi hi hi
hi hi hi hi hi hi hi

What's the song mean? He mentions the devil, but I think the focus is more about a nuclear holocaust and the world spinning out of control into an inevitable nuclear war.

Fine State of Affairs

2011-08-03T20:54:00.004-04:00

The under-rated Burton Cummings, Fine State of Affairs from 1980.

When I had my wheels in motion
Never did you think of me
Fine thing, fine state of affairs...
If I had my mind in motion
Never would I think of you
'Cause it's my fate, fine state of affairs
No one cares, no, no

You're not supposed to want nobody
Not supposed to need nobody
(Nobody... Nobody cares)
You're not supposed to touch nobody
(Nobody cares)
Don't you dare go love nobody

Ooh I miss the real exciters
Anything with anyone
Such a fine thing, fine state of affairs... ooh yeah
Lining up for fast one-nighters
When the final show was done
Such a fine thing, fine state of affairs
No one cares, no, no

You're not supposed to touch nobody
(Nobody cares)
Not supposed to love nobody

Fine state, state of affairs
Fine state, state of affairs

Looking for readership

2011-08-02T23:17:00.000-04:00

If you read this blog and are familiar with the original intent may have noticed that I haven't posted any head to head song versus song contests in quite some time. That's because there aren't in my opinion, nearly enough readers who would vote in the contests. I'm looking for statistically significant comparisons of song versus song winners. Bias issues aside, the small readership this blog enjoys doesn't provide significant results on the song match-ups. Consequently I've stalled on the contests, and resorted to posting interesting, eclectic songs that I happen to like.

I'm biding my time waiting for more readership. If you enjoy the blog, and you know someone who likes music, please think about mentioning the blog to them. I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks.

Big Time Sensuality

2011-08-02T21:17:00.003-04:00

Bjork, from 1993 with Big Time Sensuality - the fourth single from her debut album.

Sonny Boy Williamson - Keep It To Yourself

2011-08-01T01:42:00.002-04:00

Sonny Boy Williamson - Keep It To Yourself. From the British tours in 1963 though the song was originally recorded in 1956. Sonny Boy Williamson had a few other memorable songs like "Nine Below Zero", but his only Billboard hit was "Don't Start Me To Talkin'" which reached #3 in 1955.

According to the Led Zeppelin biography Hammer of the Gods, during the tour in England, Sonny Boy set his hotel room on fire while trying to cook a rabbit in a coffee percolator.

Sonny Boy died in 1965 of a heart attack.

Long Tall Sally

2011-07-31T22:49:00.000-04:00

One of the earliest hits of the Rock and Roll era, Little Richard's Long Tall Sally (1956). Great tune.

One of my favorite entertainment memories of this song is the scene from the Arnold Schwarzeneggar's film Commando when the helicopters are flying into the jungle.

Works well.

Silver Springs. Haunting.

2011-07-30T22:04:00.003-04:00

One of my all time favorite songs. That it never made Fleetwood Mac's 1977 album Rumours is amazing. Stevie has one of the most amazing voices ever and combined with wistful lyrics and haunting melodies, her songs are truly amazing.

America is at a crossroads

2011-07-29T11:11:00.001-04:00

Just like Robert Johnson was almost 100 years ago. Cross Road Blues, 1936.

Amy Winehouse

2011-07-28T11:44:00.001-04:00

Amy Winehouse's death is sad, although unfortunately not the least bit surprising. Alcohol and drug use can easily become abuse and that almost never seems to end well. It's a lesson that will be lost on far too many people.

Her talent was greater than just "Rehab" as can be seen here in Back To Black. At only 27, what's left is a lot of years of lost potential.

The Stroke

2011-07-27T06:34:00.001-04:00

Billy Squire live with his biggest hit from 1981, The Stroke.

Clones

2011-07-26T06:28:00.000-04:00

Alice Cooper's new wave, Gary-Newmanesque 1980 top 40 hit, Clones.

Freedom

2011-07-25T06:06:00.000-04:00

George Michael, and models. From 1990.