Arts and Entertainment
Song of the Day 10/1: Gilbert O’Sullivan, “Alone Again (Naturally)”
I mentioned this song yesterday, comparing its opening verse to Paul Westerberg’s original version of “Can’t Hardly Wait” because the protagonists of both songs start their soliloquies by announcing they’re going to throw themselves off a tower. Sadly, Westerberg’s paean to despair never enjoyed the kind of commercial success that Raymond Edward “Gilbert” O’Sullivan achieved […]
My Fave Tunes For September 2021
And the months dwindle down to a precious few. September…: Will this be Nathan Arizona’s fave of the month? Maybe he’ll tell us…: Oh, snap! Personal to the Tubs: Please change your name. The Tubes pop up, but not the Tubs. Change the name of The Name Song. All I get is Shirleyshirleybobirley. Song’s on […]
Song of the Day 9/29: Son Volt, “Livin’ in the USA”
Son Volt’s 10th LP, “Electro Melodier,” released in July, continues Jay Ferrar’s turn toward political lyrics since Trump’s election. The music, though, fits right in with the Americana/roots furrow he’s plowed his entire career. I haven’t noticed any big market for this sort of thing, but the album has gotten some of Farrar’s strongest reviews […]
Song of the Day 9/28: Bob Dylan, “Tomorrow Is a Long Time”
Bob Dylan, now 80 years old, yesterday announced the resumption of his Never Ending Tour, which took its longest break since 1984 because of the pandemic. This probably won’t make the setlist this year — I’m not sure Dylan’s reduced vocal flexibility would do it justice, and the woman he wrote it for is now […]
Song of the Day 9/25: Devo, “Satisfaction”
When Devo hit the mainstream in the late ’70s, they espoused a philosophy that seemed as odd and silly as their electronica-inspired music: devolution, the idea that humans had stopped evolving and were now regressing, or “devolving.” Taking a look at this country’s recent history — or even just Marjorie Taylor Greene — I don’t […]
Song of the Day 9/24: The Electric Prunes, “I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night)”
Judging by the hangover I definitely had too much of something yesterday, but I think it was Propofol. The Electric Prunes released this classic slice of psychedelia in late 1966. It was a moderate hit, reaching No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1967, but its place in rock history was cemented when […]
Song of the Day 9/21: Graham Parker, “You’ve Got to Be Kidding”
Judging by the visitors to our comments section today, I’m guessing it’s walkabout day at the RWNJ adult-care center. They apparently take themselves very seriously, but if they expect anyone else to take them seriously, well, they can take it up with Graham Parker. This tune was on Parker’s debut LP, “Howlin’ Wind,” released in […]
Song of the Day 9/19: Squeeze, “Tempted”
Writers lazily compare Squeeze’s Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook to John Lennon and Paul McCartney, but they worked more like a musical theater team — Difford wrote the lyrics, Tilbrook the music, like Bernie Taupin and Elton John. Tilbrook’s inventive melodies and genre-spanning compositions get most of the critical attention, but Difford could amaze in […]
Song of the Day 9/18: Nicki Minaj, “Anaconda”
Given that Trinidadian rapper/twerker Nicki Minaj is now an expert on the Covid vaccine’s effect on the male reproductive organs, I thought readers might appreciate a look at her credentials. I’m not sure what her major was in college, but immunology doesn’t appear to have been her field of advanced study. I do think, however, […]
Song of the Day 9/15: Billy Joe Shaver, “I’m Just an Old Chunk of Coal (But I’m Gonna Be a Diamond Someday)” Plus the Best Norm MacDonald Clip
Comedian Norm MacDonald, that self-identified Old Chunk of Coal, was sick with cancer for almost a decade before he died the other day, and told almost nobody. He started referring to himself as “just an old chunk of coal” seven or eight years ago, and this, apparently his favorite country song, is where the phrase […]
Song of the Day 9/13: Iggy Pop, “Mask”
What is it with MAGAnuts and their hatred of masks? Have you seen videos of these disturbed people, frothing at the mouth over the fact that their kids have to wear facemasks in school? Not only is wearing a mask a crucial step in public health, I have to agree with Iggy here — you […]
Song of the Day 9/12: Bill Withers, “Ain’t No Sunshine”
This one gets my vote for the most effective I-miss-my-woman song ever written. Bill Withers’ breakthrough hit was inspired by one of the great parting scenes in cinema — no, not “Casablanca,” but a film we don’t hear much about anymore despite its outstanding reputation, “Days of Wine and Roses,” starring Jack Lemmon and Lee […]
Song of the Day 9/11: Pat Benetar, “Hit Me With Your Best Shot”
Joe Biden is hitting America’s homicidal Republicans with his best shot — a vaccine mandate that’s popular with over 60% of the public, even in deep-red states. Somebody should tell all those butch GOPers they’re acting like soy boys — man up and take the shot. The tune, Pat Benetar’s first Top 10 hit (No. […]
Recent Comments