Arts and Entertainment
Song of the Day 5/1: Billy Bragg, “The Internationale”
May Day, though not celebrated in reactionary America, was declared International Workers’ Day in 1889 by the Second International organization of workers’ and socialist parties, which also adopted “The Internationale” as its official anthem. English songwriter and activist Billy Bragg has supported leftist causes since his early career, after being inspired by the Clash. “I […]
Song of the Day 4/30: Tom Rush, “No Regrets”
While the novel coronavirus has wreaked havoc on the music world, a few musicians have caught the bug and recovered. I didn’t even know folk icon Tom Rush had the disease until he announced this week that he has beaten it — no mean feat for a 79-year-old. He’s always been known as much for […]
‘Bulo’s Fave Tunes: April 2020
About as rich and diverse a month for new music that you could ever hope for. Might as well start with music from the Album Most Likely To Top Most Critics’ Polls, at least based on the initial reviews. Her lyrics are as good as any I’ve ever heard in rock/folk/roots/whatever music. The music can […]
Song of the Day 4/29: Founders Sing, “Lie-Lie-Lie-Lie Lysol”
Founders Sing entered the YouTube musical political satire genre, currently dominated by Randy Rainbow, in mid-February with a video called “The Day Democracy Died,” set to the tune of “American Pie.” Whoever’s behind it has released a video every couple of weeks since. This their latest, set to the tune of of the Kinks’ “Lola” […]
Song of the Day 4/28: Trey Anastasio, “Lonely Trip”
Trey Anastasio of Phish is keeping busy during quarantine by writing new songs and releasing them on his Instagram account. They don’t all sound like Phish’s jam-band excursions or their new record, which dabbles in prog-rock flourishes. This one is a gentle acoustic guitar ballad that fits the moment nicely. He released the song March […]
Song of the Day 4/27: Tommy Tucker, “Sitting Home Alone”
Today’s Coronavirus Quarantine Classic© comes from Tommy Tucker, an R&B artist of the ’50s and ’60s whose only brush with fame came with “Hi-Heel Sneakers,” which reached No. 11 on the Billboard chart in 1964. Born Robert Higginbotham in Springfield, Ohio, he performed in various bands in his home state before relocating to Newark, N.J. […]
Song of the Day 4/26: The Rolling Stones, “Living in a Ghost Town”
I’m impressed that the coronavirus has prompted so many musicians to write songs to address the new reality. The latest to drop is this one from the Rolling Stones, which soared to No. 1 on iTunes within a day of its release — the band’s first No. 1 song in 40 years. The tune predates […]
Song of the Day 4/25: Randy Rainbow, “A Spoonful of Clorox”
Randy Rainbow didn’t waste any time joining the Mock the Moron bandwagon with his usual panache.
Song of the Day 4/24: The Velvet Underground, “White Light/White Heat”
Some people are saying this would be effective against the coronavirus. Maybe it works, maybe it doesn’t. Lou Reed wrote the song in an attempt to capture the sensation of shooting up methamphetamine. The Velvets recorded the song in 1967 for release on their debut LP in 1968, when it was also released as a […]
Song of the Day 4/23: Jon Bon Jovi, “Do What You Can”
New Jersey has been one of the states hardest-hit by the coronavirus, and last night a bunch of stars with New Jersey ties threw a benefit “Jersey 4 Jersey” concert via livestream, headlined by Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi, who wrote a song about the pandemic for the occasion. Singer-songwriter Charlie Puth sang “Growing […]
Song of the Day 4/22: Neil Finn, “Heroes”
In case you hadn’t noticed, the interwebs are awash in musicians performing home concerts, generally alone with an acoustic guitar or piano. I’ve caught several of them, but this one stands out — not just for Neil Finn’s choice of a song that can be interpreted as a tribute to all those people who have […]
Song of the Day 4/21: Lucinda Williams, “Man Without a Soul”
Lucinda Williams has a new album, “Good Souls Better Angels,” coming out this week, and its lead track doesn’t pull any punches. Though it doesn’t mention him by name, there’s no question who the “Man Without a Soul” is. “We’re living in unprecedented times,” Williams told HuffPo. “We’ve never had a person like this in […]
Song of the Day 4/20: Afroman, “Because I Got High”
Happy 4/20! I hope everyone Zooms their celebrations. Afroman (real name: Joseph Foreman) wasn’t exactly advocating marijuana use with his 2001 hit. The lyrics, a string of bad decisions, started with a real-life incident. “I woke up real ambitious — and then my buddy, who I ain’t seen in a long time, came by. I […]
Recent Comments