Song of the Day 8/12: The Staple Singers, “I’ll Take You There”
The Staple Singers' first No. 1 hit, and the song they're best remembered for, didn't really have much to do with the group. Mavis Staples is the only one who…
DL Open Thread Monday, Aug. 12, 2024
Is there a bad idea John Carney won't embrace? Most basketball fans are aware that the Philadelphia 76ers want to construct a new arena in downtown Philly right next to…
Song of the Day 8/11: Céline Dion, “My Heart Will Go On”
As El Som noted in today's Open Thread, the musical highlight of Trump's sparsely attended Montana rally was the syrupy tear-jerker "My Heart Will Go On" by Céline Dion –…
Song of the Day 8/8: Taylor Swift, “Look What You Made Me Do”
Taylor Swift cancelled three shows in Vienna after three suspects were arrested and charged with plotting an attack on her show. Police found bombs and ISIS propaganda, indicating again that…
Song of the Day 8/7: Warren Zevon, “I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead”
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz might present as an old man, but he's only 60, and a whole lot cooler than he looks. He proved it when the Rock and Roll…
DL Open Thread Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024
Reaction to Kamala Harris' selection of Tim Walz as her running mate has been widely praised. Most pundits have cited his mien, best summed up by Harold Meyerson of the…
Song of the Day 8/6: Big Data feat. Joywave, “Dangerous”
Trends in popular music evolve rather slowly in modern times, which makes it harder to tell when they shift. Eleven years ago, for instance, this tune was all the rage,…
DL Open Thread Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024
Kamala Harris will name her choice for vice president today. Because American politics is essentially sports for the athletically disinclined, the bookies have Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz pulling slightly ahead…
Song of the Day 8/4: Aerosmith, “Dream On”
Some of the rock bands that formed in the '60s are still performing live – some are on their third or fourth farewell tour. But bands formed in the '70s…
Song of the Day 8/2: Rupert Holmes, “Escape (The Piña Colada Song)”
These hot, sticky days call for tropical drinks with tiny umbrellas in them, and no tropical drink with a tiny umbrella is more popular than the piña colada – nobody…
Song of the Day 7/31: Prince, “On the Couch”
JD Vance, the Ted Cruz of the North, did not write in his memoir that he once had sexual congress with a latex glove wedged between his couch cushions. But…
DL Open Thread Wednesday, July 31, 2024
Everyone knows the story of the emperor's new clothes, but I think they miss the point of it. As Hans Christian Andersen told it, two con-men told the king their…
Song of the Day 7/30: Flavor Flav, “Unga Bunga Bunga”
OK, who saw this one coming? A major financial backer and official hype man for the U.S. women's water polo team is none other than Flavor Flav, who came to…