“The Spider and the Fly” by the Rolling Stones
“Sittin’… thinkin’… sinkin’… drinkin’… Wond’ring what I’d do when I’m thru tonight”
“There She Goes Again” by the Velvet Underground
Really wondering how he’s going to sound with Metallica.
“Be My Baby” by the Ronettes
Alright, so I missed a week. Work, travel, nice weather. But I’ve got every song for the next week picked out. Starting with this one: the perfect pop song.
“Havana Moon” by Chuck Berry
I like Berry’s non-carefree girls/rock/cars songs best, if only because they’re so rare. Listening to his fast stuff like “Maybellene” and “School Days” it’s obvious he’s a strong lyricist, but most of the time the material is so shrewdly aimed at teenagers. So when you get something like this, telling an actual story with actual depth of emotions, it’s that much more powerful. You wonder whether he would have been able to do more, if this tapped him out.
On a related note, I watched this movie on Sunday. If you like rock and roll AT ALL you should watch it if for nothing else than to see Chuck Berry completely give up on Keith Richards learning how to play one of his riffs properly.
“Shake for Me” by Howlin’ Wolf
I have been reading Keith Richards’ autobiography. One thing I’m loving about it is the fact that whenever he mentions a song or artist I haven’t heard I’m able to go over to Rdio and, for the most part, listen to what he’s talking about. It’s amazing. I remember when I started exploring old music way back in ye old year 2000 how difficult it was to hunt down some tracks, particularly obscurities or pre-1964 stuff. Now it’s all there. Full Bo Diddley albums, not just bargain-bin twelve-track compilations, Buddy Holly’s work with the Crickets— things I never could find in record stores up here and only had limited luck with obtaining my other means. So Howlin’ Wolf is one artist I’m finally delving into beyond two or three tracks. Lots more, too.
“Jump On It” by Sir Mix-A-Lot
This, along with a dance routine, is how the bridal party got everyone onto the dance floor last night. It worked.
“It’s Too Late” by Otis Redding
Ever since the Kanye/Jay-Z track I’ve noticed (perceived?) an uptick on Otis Redding songs out on the internet, so I figured I’d share my favourite one that was later reworked into a Kanye track. Here’s your Sunday classic.
“Summer Rain” by U2
Went camping this weekend (hence the lack of a post yesterday). After weeks of cool weather and rain the forecast was calling for a modest 24 degrees with only 20% chance of precipitation. Naturally, it downpoured. But it’s gotten to the point where you just have to go for it— swimming in the rain isn’t so bad, especially since you’re already soaked.
“Holiday” by Weezer
They can fight their legacy all they want, but Blue Album Weezer is still classic. And this song is appropriate because I’m taking a few days off of music blogging to (hopefully) enjoy the summer weather. Meanwhile, here’s the mixtape— hit random for most kismet.
“Another Girl, Another Planet” by the Only Ones
In a perfect world, this would be a classic wedding tune, and Blink 182 would have never gotten their grubby paws on it.
“Eric B is President” by Eric B and Rakim
So quotable. I probably know more lines from this one than any other rap song. Make ‘em make ‘em clap to this.
“Dancing in the Street” by Martha and the Vandellas
There’s a terrible commercial on right now that uses this song, with new singers and new lyrics. I’m posting this to remind me that it’s a great song that bad people have done bad things to.
“I Am A Pilgrim” by the Byrds (Rdio)
I love how much the Byrds changed their sound towards the end of their career.
“My Back Pages” by the Byrds
One of my favourites, and one I suspect will only get better with time.
“Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right” by Bob Dylan.
I was away this weekend, and I didn’t even bother posting songs. I know, selfish, right? So to make up for it I’m posting three songs today, starting with what should have been Sunday’s classic, a track from the birthday boy Bob Dylan. This is maybe the first non-ubiquitous Dylan song I heard, and the first that really spoke to me, even though I was just a high school kid. It’s simple, but powerful in a way I don’t think anyone else has ever captured again and again the way Dylan did.
