Song of the Day 11/13: Buffy Sainte Marie, “Universal Soldier”
Buffy Sainte-Marie has been in the news recently because a documentary has cast strong doubt on her claim to indigenous ancestry. She has long claimed she was born on a…
Song of the Day 11/12: The Pretenders, “Brass in Pocket”
Another entry on my Greatest Songs by Women ballot, this was the hit that ushered in the '80s – in Great Britain, at least. It was the third single off…
Song of the Day 11/11: Paul Simon, “Armistice Day”
We don't call it that any more, of course. Armistice Day honors the end of the war that was going to end all wars. After the peace failed, so did…
Song of the Day 11/10: Jefferson Airplane, “White Rabbit”
Grace Slick faded relatively young, but back in the '60s she was among the most important female artists in rock, the face of the San Francisco sound that turned made…
Song of the Day 11/9: Janis Joplin, “Mercedes Benz”
Several Janis Joplin songs will make WXPN's Greatest Songs by Women Countdown next month. This, the last one she ever recorded, got my vote. Joplin recorded the tune in one…
Song of the Day 11/8: Kristin Hersh, “Me and My Charms”
I engaged in lots of strategic voting when I filled out my list of the 10 greatest songs by women for WXPN. I didn't agonize over which Joni Mitchell song…
Song of the Day 11/7: Wayne County and the Electric Chairs, “Out of Control”
In honor of Trump's meltdown on the stand in his fraud trial yesterday. Wayne County, who became Jayne County more than 40 years ago, was involved with Andy Warhol in…
Song of the Day 11/6: The Sugarcubes, “Birthday (Ammæli)”
Here's one from my WXPN list of Greatest Songs by Women. The not-yet-mononomous Bjôrk Guðmundsdóttir fronted the Icelandic avant-rock sextet the Sugarcubes when she wrote the lyrics to the song…
Song of the Day 11/5: The Beatles, “Now and Then”
Forty-six years ago John Lennon sat down at his piano, turned on his tape recorder and played a song he was working on that wasn't quite complete. Last week, after…
‘XPN’s Top Songs By Female Artists: Nathan Arizona’s Ballot
"Based on some combination of 'accomplishment,' impact, historical significance and what I like."-Nathan Arizona 10. 9. 8. 7. 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1.
Song of the Day 11/3: Kate Bush, “Hounds of Love”
El Somnambulo posted yesterday about WXPN's year-end countdown being devoted to female artists this year. So is this year's class at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, being inducted…
‘XPN’s Top Songs By Female Artists Poll: My Ballot
Every year, WXPN does an 885 Countdown featuring different themes. This year, for the first time, they're featuring best songs by female artists, which can include groups as well. For…
Song of the Day 11/12: Eva Cassidy, “Autumn Leaves”
Who looks at fallen leaves and thinks of lost love instead of hours of raking and bagging? A guy without a lawn, that's who. Iconic lyricist Johnny Mercer spent most…