Look for the girl in the faded blue Dodgers hat and she's gone...

Monday, July 26, 2010

The Greatest Songs EVER. According to Rolling Stone. (409-400)

409. "Crossroads"-Cream
I was surprised to learn that this is actually a cover of Robert Johnson. Arranged by Eric Clapton, this track includes some of his best guitar work and has often been called "the greatest live guitar solo ever". It doesn't sound all that different from "Sunshine of Your Love" at first listen, but then he rips into the solo that distinguishes it. A great track, one of Cream's best. I highly recommend.

408. "Sweet Emotion"-Aerosmith

This track is one of those that you could swear you've heard before but you don't know where. It's got that instantly recognizable chorus. The guitar riff is very catchy, along with a great bassline that you can't help but sway to. In fact, you can't help but move when you hear this track at all. It comes from Aerosmith's first album and it really launched them into the mainstream. A fun track that I recommend, it'll have you singing "Sweeeeeeeeeeetttttt Emoooooooootion" for weeks on end.

407. "In Bloom"-Nirvana

Boring, undecipherable, and repetitive. I don't know how many other ways I can put it.

406. "I Believe I Can Fly"-R. Kelly
Come on now, there isn't a soul out there that hasn't heard this song. If you grew up in the 90's like myself, you probably heard it at the end of "Space Jam". It's just so lushly dramatic and inspiring, it strikes a chord with everyone. The vocals are great and soulful and very sing-a-longable.

405. "We've Only Just Begun"-The Carpenters
The pioneers of the soft rock genre: The Carpenters. This song is just SO distinctly 70's with a cheesy horn section and the production style. It has "Wedding slow dance" written all over it, and I'm certain it's been used at many. It's good, not something I'd listen to on my own free will.

404. "Visions of Johanna"-Bob DylanLet me start out by saying that I didn't listen to the entire song. Why? because this track comes in at 7:30 in total length. It's a formulaic Dylan track, with quasi-mystical lyrics that you don't quite understand but are certain that are just great and profound. This is a good track for as long as you can stand to listen to it, which for me was about the first 5 minutes.

403. "C'mon Everybody"-Eddie Cochran
You have to give Eddie Cochran credit for the number of guitarists he inspired, including one George Harrison. In fact, if I'm not mistaken, it was "20 Flight Rock" that Paul McCartney played for John Lennon to get into the Quarrymen. Anyway, this track sounds fresh even after all these years. It's very crisp and clean, like if Buddy Holly had been British. It's fun and pleasing to the ears, I'd highly recommend it for a summer playlist over say...Katy Perry.

402. "Thank You (Falettinme be Mice Elf Again) -Sly and the Family Stone


This track is undeniably funk. And it's the best funk I've heard. I couldn't help but start to move when I heard it. It's got such a fun group element to it, like the kind of song you would sing with a bunch of friends while you were hanging out. I couldn't get enough of this track, a must-listen.

401. "Tonight's the Night"-The Shirelles

I wasn't really crazy about this track. It was good, but it wasn't any better than the other girl groups that came before it. The backing vocals on it were annoying enough.

400. "Kicks"-Paul Revere and the Raiders

This was good, I liked it and would listen to it again but it sounds exactly like everything else from the era it came from. Jangly guitars, singer has a little bit of grit in his voice but not too much, basically like a Beatles throwaway. It would blend seamlessly onto one of those time life decade collections that are advertised all the time.

My favorite from this batch? Definitely "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Again)" by Sly and the Family Stone.

Friday, July 23, 2010

The sun is shining down, burns my feet as they touch the ground

Today's Beatles song of the day: "Good Day Sunshine"

Good day sunshine
Good day sunshine
Good day sunshine

I need to laugh and when the sun is out
I've got something I can laugh about
I feel good in a special way
I'm in love and it's a sunny day

Good day sunshine
Good day sunshine
Good day sunshine

We take a walk
The sun is shining down
Burns my feet as they touch the ground

Good day sunshine
Good day sunshine
Good day sunshine

Then we lie beneath a shady tree
I love her and she's loving me
She feels good, she knows she's looking fine
I'm so proud to know that she is mine

Good day sunshine

Good day sunshine
Good day sunshine
Good day sunshine
Good day sunshine
Good day sunshine
Good day sunshine
Good day sunshine

This song comes from the album "Revolver" and was written by Paul McCartney with some help from John Lennon. Not one of their more lyrically complex songs, it was inspired by the Lovin' Spoonful's song "Daydream".

Thursday, July 22, 2010

I have had enough, so act your age



Today's Beatles song of the day is...
"You Won't See Me"

When I call you up
Your line's engaged
I have had enough
So act your age

We have lost the time
That was so hard to find
And I will loose my mind
If you won't see me

I don't know why you
Should want to hide
But I can't get through
My hands are tied

I won't want to stay
I don't have much to say
But I can turn away
And you won't see me

Time after time you refuse to even listen
I wouldn't mind if I knew what I was missing

Though the days are few
They're filled with tears
And since I lost you
It feels like years

Yes it seems so long
Girl since you've been gone
I just can't go on
If you won't see me


This track comes from the Album "Rubber Soul" and was inspired by Paul McCartney's relationship with Jane Asher, who was not returning his calls and just flat out ignoring him. It's one of the few Beatles songs where Paul actually sings the lower harmony.

Monday, July 19, 2010

Twist and Shout


The Beatles - Twist and Shout
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You Know You Got Me Going Now, Just Like You Knew You Would


I've decided that I want to start doing a Beatles song of the day. To start us out, today's song is "Twist and Shout".

Well shake it up baby now
(shake it up baby)
Twist and shout
(Twist and Shout)
Come on, come on, come on, come on baby now
(Come on baby)
Come on and work it on out
(Work it on out)

Well work it on out honey
(Work it on out)
You know you look so good
(Look so good)
You know you got me going now
(Got me going)
Just like I knew you would
(Like I knew you would oooh!)

Well shake it up baby now
(Shake it up baby)
Twist and shout
(Twist and Shout)
Come on, come on, come on, come on baby now
(Come on baby)
Come on and work it all out
(Work it all out ooh!)

You know you're a twisty little girl
(Twist little girl)
You know you twist so fine
(Twist so fine)
Come on and twist a little closer now
(Twist a little closer)
And let me know that you're mine
(Let me know your mine ooh!)

Ahhhhhhhhhh, Ahhhhhhhhhh,
Ahhhhhhhhhh, Ahhhhhhhhhhh,
Ahhhhh, Ahhhhh, Woah, Yeah


Well shake it up baby now
(Shake it up baby)
Twist and shout
(Twist and Shout)
Come on, come on, come on, come on baby now
(Come on baby)
Come on and work it on out
(Work it on out oooh!)

You know you're a twisty little girl
(Twist little girl)
You know you twist so fine
(Twist so fine)
Come on and twist a little closer now
(Twist a little closer)
And let me know that you're mine
(Let me know your mine oooh!)

Well, shake it, shake it, shake it, baby, now

(shake it up baby)
Well, shake it, shake it, shake it, baby, now

(shake it up baby)

Well, shake it, shake it, shake it, baby, now

(shake it up baby)

Ahhhhhhhhhh

Ahhhhhhhhhh

Ahhhhhhhhhh

Ah!


Originally by the Isley Brothers, the Beatles version can be found on the album "Please Please Me". John Lennon, having barely any voice left after a full day of recording, belts it out and just shreds his vocal chords to the point where you can hear him gagging at the end of the song.
It was famously used in the movie "Ferris Buehler's Day Off" in the scene where Ferris commandeers a parade float.
This track is one of those rare cases where the cover actually surpasses the original in all facets.


Friday, July 16, 2010

When I walked in through the door, thought it was me I was looking for









I dedicate this post to Pete Townshend. I've always been really fascinated by the way his mind works, it's like he knows something the rest of us don't. Just so twisted and amazingly creative. There's a line in the movie "Almost Famous" that says: "I don't think anybody can really explain rock 'n' roll. Maybe Pete Townshend."

Title is from "This Song is Over" by the Who

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Their Hearts Were Full Of Summer


Here's what I've been listening to this summer:

"Van Diemen's Land" by U2
It's the only U2 track that I can think of that is actually sung by The Edge, and it's great. It's very mellow and the Edge does a great job with his vocal oppertunity.

"Running Down a Dream" by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
This is a great track for when your driving with the windows down on a Friday afternoon. My favorite part of this song though is the guitar solo, which is just fantastic. It just has that summer vibe to it.

"American Slang" by the Gaslight AnthemAs I've mentioned before, The Gaslight Anthem just might be my new favorite band. This track just gets stuck in my head with it's adrenaline propelled chorus and it's beautifully cryptic lyrics. This band combines the best elements of Bruce Springsteen's and the Clash's blue collar sound and updates them without sounding fake. If you haven't heard of them I HIGHLY suggest you check out all of their records, because I can't think of anything bad to say about any of them.

"I'da Called You Woody, Joe"-The Gaslight Anthem
Normally when I compile lists like this I try to avoid repeats, but this song can't be left off. It's a tribute to JOE STRUMMER! How could I say no? It's very heartfelt and you can really tell that Joe and the Clash had a deep impact on him. It's just like Joe would have wanted it: no pretenses and straight from the heart.

"And I heard it in his chain gang soul.

It wasn't just the same sad song.
Sayin', "Let it out, let it out, let it out, you're doing all right."

And I'm doing all right,

Are you doing all right?


And I carried these songs as a comfort wherever I'd go.
They was there when my summers was high,
There when she left me alone.
Saying, "The soul is hard to find."
"

"Not Dark Yet" by Bob DylanThis track just has a thick swamp groove. It sounds like he's on the bayou just...waiting. It's slow, and kind of peaceful.

"Boys of Summer" by Don Henley

This is my quintessential summer song. Every time I hear it it just puts me in that state of mind. And also, there's just something about the term "Boys of summer" that I like.

As for my summer reading, I've recently just finished "Redemption Song: The Ballad of Joe Strummer" by Chris Salewicz. Overall I thought it was a great read all though it takes a while for it to get to the Clash portion of his life.

Just a little summer update for y'all!

Sunday, July 11, 2010

You Told Me Fortunes In American Slang















Title is from "American Slang" by the Gaslight Anthem who just might be my new favorite band. Only about two and a half weeks until I go back to Virginia!! So excited!