101 Best Songs of 1986 vs 1996: #1 There Is A Light That Never Goes Out - The Smiths / A Long December - Counting Crows (5 Viewers)

[scorchy]

#65

Girl Can’t Help It - Journey

The third single from Raised on Radio and one of Journey’s last real hits. Another reminder that dad rock still had its place on the charts in the mid-80s.


All I Really Want - Alanis Morissette

Thursday, June 15, 1995. I was in the middle of a 2-hour drive home from Hammerjack's in Baltimore, shirtless because my clothes were drenched after being in the pit for amazing sets by Lords of Acid and My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult. The Alpine in my crappy 4-cylinder Mustang was tuned to the legendary WHFS out of Annapolis. At some point, the DJ noted that the station had just received this new CD from a Canadian woman who seemed equal parts brilliant/unhinged, and predicted she was about to be huge. He then played All I Really Want, and the weird enunciations and pained howling had me floored. The DJ claimed that he got so many calls about it that he played it again 30 minutes later, just as HFS was getting out of range for me. I went to Waxie Maxie the next day and bought Jagged Little Pill. Wore it out.

You Oughta Know got released as a single a few weeks later and Alanis was on her way to super-stardom, with Jagged Little Pill eventually selling a ridiculous 33 million copies. I was still on board for a while, but oversaturation and Alanis' odd phrasing/diction started to wear me down. My wife-to-be, who had just been screwed over by a long-term boyfriend when the album was released, still relates to every word. So much so that I bought her tickets to go see a touring production of Jagged Little Pill: The Musical next month for her birthday. Wish me luck.

Eventually, All I Really Want was released as the sixth and final single from ...Pill in November 1996. I boosted it a good 30 spots just for the memory.

 

[scorchy]

#64

Three NYC legends. The first song ever put on wax from Eric B and Rakim and the standout single from Jay Z’s debut album.

Eric B. Is President - Eric B. and Rakim

Can’t Knock the Hustle - Jay Z

 

[Pip's Invitation]

#65

Girl Can’t Help It - Journey

The third single from Raised on Radio and one of Journey’s last real hits. Another reminder that dad rock still had its place on the charts in the mid-80s.


All I Really Want - Alanis Morissette

Thursday, June 15, 1995. I was in the middle of a 2-hour drive home from Hammerjack's in Baltimore, shirtless because my clothes were drenched after being in the pit for amazing sets by Lords of Acid and My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult. The Alpine in my crappy 4-cylinder Mustang was tuned to the legendary WHFS out of Annapolis. At some point, the DJ noted that the station had just received this new CD from a Canadian woman who seemed equal parts brilliant/unhinged, and predicted she was about to be huge. He then played All I Really Want, and the weird enunciations and pained howling had me floored. The DJ claimed that he got so many calls about it that he played it again 30 minutes later, just as HFS was getting out of range for me. I went to Waxie Maxie the next day and bought Jagged Little Pill. Wore it out.

You Oughta Know got released as a single a few weeks later and Alanis was on her way to super-stardom, with Jagged Little Pill eventually selling a ridiculous 33 million copies. I was still on board for a while, but oversaturation and Alanis' odd phrasing/diction started to wear me down. My wife-to-be, who had just been screwed over by a long-term boyfriend when the album was released, still relates to every word. So much so that I bought her tickets to go see a touring production of Jagged Little Pill: The Musical next month for her birthday. Wish me luck.

Eventually, All I Really Want was released as the sixth and final single from ...Pill in November 1996. I boosted it a good 30 spots just for the memory.

Girl Can't Help It has a hell of a hook and should get more due than it does.

I got a little worn out with the Alanis oversaturation but I completely understand how she and her material resonated with certain people.

 

[scorchy]

#63

Keep Your Hands to Yourself - Georgia Satellites

Me and all my 14-year old friends made so much fun of this song. Now I crank it up whenever I happen upon it. Still have absolutely no idea how this made it all the way to #2 on the Hot 100. Odes to horniness have never been this goofy since,


Pepper - Butthole Surfers

Butthole Surfers have a lot bigger footprint than Georgia Satellites, but both are technically one-hit wonders. The Surfers had been active in the hardcore and psychobilly scenes for more than 15 years pre-Pepper and had at least a few videos shown on MTV (plus Gibby’s nutso vocal on Ministry’s Jesus Built My Hotrod). Pepper - allegedly a swipe at Beck - was the first time the band had any sort of mainstream impact, reaching #14 on the Modern Rock Chart and #1 on the US Airplay 100.

 

[rockaction]

(plus Gibby’s nutso vocal on Ministry’s Jesus Built My Hotrod)

A sticking point between me and my first girlfriend, who was very much a goth that dressed like Robert Smith. I liked that version of Ministry (the heavy industrial/rock version). She liked the earlier version that sounded nothing like that, but sounded like a band for a bad dance club, if you ask me. She liked Skinny Puppy, too. Our brief dalliance never led to too many fights about it because it was a brief moment in the sun, but it was obvious that the two smaller town misfits weren't into the same style of music even intra-artist.

 

[scorchy]

(plus Gibby’s nutso vocal on Ministry’s Jesus Built My Hotrod)

A sticking point between me and my first girlfriend, who was very much a goth that dressed like Robert Smith. I liked that version of Ministry (the heavy industrial/rock version). She liked the earlier version that sounded nothing like that, but sounded like a band for a bad dance club, if you ask me. She liked Skinny Puppy, too. Our brief dalliance never led to too many fights about it because it was a brief moment in the sun, but it was obvious that the two smaller town misfits weren't into the same style of music even intra-artist.

Ah, to go back to a simpler time when music/film preferences defined the dating pool. I can't remember which 90s writer (Chuck Klosterman, or maybe it was Troy from Reality Bites) dropped the pearl "What you like is more important that who you are."

I could have been the bridge between you and goth girl. Not a fan of Ministry's early stuff either (e.g., Every Day is Halloween; We Believe - which easily missed by '86 cut) but Psalm 69 (from whence ...Hotrod came) went just a bit too far the other way for me. I liked it, but much preferred the two previous records that meshed the sounds. So What? from 1989's A Mind is a Terrible Thing to Taste was originally in my Top 31 Songs by Americans list until Krista told me Al was born in Cuba.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

#63

Keep Your Hands to Yourself - Georgia Satellites

Me and all my 14-year old friends made so much fun of this song. Now I crank it up whenever I happen upon it. Still have absolutely no idea how this made it all the way to #2 on the Hot 100. Odes to horniness have never been this goofy since,


Pepper - Butthole Surfers

Butthole Surfers have a lot bigger footprint than Georgia Satellites, but both are technically one-hit wonders. The Surfers had been active in the hardcore and psychobilly scenes for more than 15 years pre-Pepper and had at least a few videos shown on MTV (plus Gibby’s nutso vocal on Ministry’s Jesus Built My Hotrod). Pepper - allegedly a swipe at Beck - was the first time the band had any sort of mainstream impact, reaching #14 on the Modern Rock Chart and #1 on the US Airplay 100.

I love both of these songs way more than I should.
I celebrate the Satellites entire catalog.

 

[rockaction]

I celebrate the Satellites entire catalog.

Only other I can remember is "Battleship Chains." I know I've heard the album, but can't remember its sound now.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

I celebrate the Satellites entire catalog.

Only other I can remember is "Battleship Chains." I know I've heard the album, but can't remember its sound now.

They only have 3 albums - I actually like their last one (which is the least known) the best. I also have a bunch of Dan Baird solo albums. He has one minor hit single as well.

 

[scorchy]

I celebrate the Satellites entire catalog.

Only other I can remember is "Battleship Chains." I know I've heard the album, but can't remember its sound now.

They only have 3 albums - I actually like their last one (which is the least known) the best. I also have a bunch of Dan Baird solo albums. He has one minor hit single as well.

Will have to check out some of their other stuff. All I knew about Dan Baird is that he looks like Butthead's cousin.

 

[Gr00vus]

#70
...


6 Underground - Sneaker Pimps

Sneaker Pimps’ debut album Becoming X was the trip-hop’ genre's most commercially successful record in the States, despite the band being seen as genre-hoppers and thus not particularly beloved in their native England. 6 Underground reached #7 on the US Modern Rock Chart and nearly broke into the Billboard Top 40. Follow-up single Spin Spin Sugar also had a nice run at the clubs.

Sneaker Pimps were a staple on that Groove Radio station I mentioned upthread. Pretty much heard 6 Underground or Spin Spin Sugar (almost always the 9 minute plus Armand Van Helden mix) every couple of hours on there for a year or so. Love those tunes.

 

[Gr00vus]

#65

Girl Can’t Help It - Journey

The third single from Raised on Radio and one of Journey’s last real hits. Another reminder that dad rock still had its place on the charts in the mid-80s.


All I Really Want - Alanis Morissette

Thursday, June 15, 1995. I was in the middle of a 2-hour drive home from Hammerjack's in Baltimore, shirtless because my clothes were drenched after being in the pit for amazing sets by Lords of Acid and My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult. The Alpine in my crappy 4-cylinder Mustang was tuned to the legendary WHFS out of Annapolis. At some point, the DJ noted that the station had just received this new CD from a Canadian woman who seemed equal parts brilliant/unhinged, and predicted she was about to be huge. He then played All I Really Want, and the weird enunciations and pained howling had me floored. The DJ claimed that he got so many calls about it that he played it again 30 minutes later, just as HFS was getting out of range for me. I went to Waxie Maxie the next day and bought Jagged Little Pill. Wore it out.

You Oughta Know got released as a single a few weeks later and Alanis was on her way to super-stardom, with Jagged Little Pill eventually selling a ridiculous 33 million copies. I was still on board for a while, but oversaturation and Alanis' odd phrasing/diction started to wear me down. My wife-to-be, who had just been screwed over by a long-term boyfriend when the album was released, still relates to every word. So much so that I bought her tickets to go see a touring production of Jagged Little Pill: The Musical next month for her birthday. Wish me luck.

Eventually, All I Really Want was released as the sixth and final single from ...Pill in November 1996. I boosted it a good 30 spots just for the memory.

Girl Can't Help It has a hell of a hook and should get more due than it does.

I really like Girl Can't Help it, and I mostly don't like Journey. Perry's voice is something else, and the backing vocals (just about everyone else) are outstanding. Jonathan Cain's keyboards mostly work in this one, though I'm not loving the fake horn synth sound he chose for parts of it. Neal Schon is on point with the guitar riffs and solo as usual. The thing that makes it work for me more than most other Journey tunes is the replacement Randy Jackson / Larrie London studio rhythm section - they just groove more solidly than most of their other rhythm section lineups. In the linked video, it's Mike Baird on drums instead of Larrie London (who sticks to studio work for the most part), Baird rocks it up a bit more than London did, I prefer London's understated work on the album track, but you have to make adjustments when you're playing stadium shows.

 

[scorchy]

#62

The Rain - Oran “Juice” Jones

I hope you learn a valuable lesson from all this, you know?
And you're gonna find somebody like me one of these days
Until then, you know what you gotta do?
You gotta get on outta here with that alley-cat-coat-wearing
Hush-Puppy-shoe-wearing crumbcake I saw you with
'Cause you dismissed!

Who knew “the Juice” graduated from the Naval Academy and served as a sniper in the USMC? All I could have told you about him was that his top-10 hit The Rain was everyone’s jam at Skateland in the summer of ‘86. And that I couldn’t name another one of his songs.


You’re The One - SWV

Sisters with Voices (SWV) sold 25 million records over their 10-year career, making them one of the top selling girl groups of all time. You’re the One, off SWV’s second album, made it all the way to #2 on the Hot 100. I miss this kind of sassy R&B.



#61

Rumors - Timex Social Club

Another 1986 one hit wonder. Like The Rain, Rumors peaked at #8 on the Hot 100 and at hit #1 on the R&B charts. After brief stints opening for Run DMC and New Edition, the Club broke up, with a few of the remaining members topping the pop charts as Club Nouveau in 1987.


Tha Crossroads - Bone-Thugs-N-Harmony

Cleveland’s Bone-Thugs-N-Harmony started out in the early ‘90s as gangsta rappers on Ruthless Records. Their biggest hit though was a straight-up R&B tribute to their mentor Eazy E. Only 8 songs released in 1996 made it to #1 on the Hot 100 and Tha Crossroads is one of them*

*We’ve already seen the Spice Girls and Mariah and one more #1 will be way up the list. Four didn’t make the cut. Sorry if anyone was looking forward to Macarena.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

One member of SWV is married to Eddie George and competed on a season of Survivor.

I like The Rain better now than I did then.

I couldn't tell you a damn thing about the two '96 songs. I was in a completely different universe then.

 

[scorchy]

I couldn't tell you a damn thing about the two '96 songs. I was in a completely different universe then.

Had I still been in Gainesville, that would have been the case for me as well - all alternative, industrial, and hip hop. But living back home in the sticks actually broadened my musical experiences, for better or worse.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Only 8 songs released in 1996 made it to #1 on the Hot 100 and Tha Crossroads is one of them*

The whole 90s seemed like that. Songs would be #1 for like 14 weeks.

 

[scorchy]

Only 8 songs released in 1996 made it to #1 on the Hot 100 and Tha Crossroads is one of them*

The whole 90s seemed like that. Songs would be #1 for like 14 weeks.

I used to know this, but Billboard did something (Soundscan?) to how they compiled their charts that made things more scientific rather than relying on program directors. It paved the way for hip hop to start crossing over and obviously led to much longer stays at the top. Somehow now, we've got a system where the entire top 10 is comprised of Taylor Swift songs.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Only 8 songs released in 1996 made it to #1 on the Hot 100 and Tha Crossroads is one of them*

The whole 90s seemed like that. Songs would be #1 for like 14 weeks.

I used to know this, but Billboard did something (Soundscan?) to how they compiled their charts that made things more scientific rather than relying on program directors. It paved the way for hip hop to start crossing over and obviously led to much longer stays at the top. Somehow now, we've got a system where the entire top 10 is comprised of Taylor Swift songs.

Correct. Soundscan was introduced in 1990-91-ish and revealed that people were buying a lot more metal, country, hip-hop and grunge/alternative than the charts had previously reflected. That reveal is what made Garth Brooks a crossover superstar. No one outside the country music bubble had any idea who he was until Soundscan sent his chart numbers into the stratosphere.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

I used to know this, but Billboard did something (Soundscan?) to how they compiled their charts that made things more scientific rather than relying on program directors. It paved the way for hip hop to start crossing over and obviously led to much longer stays at the top. Somehow now, we've got a system where the entire top 10 is comprised of Taylor Swift songs.

I read the same about Soundscan somewhere, too. Of course, that led to accusations of rigging the game - just in a different way than it had been for decades.

The big problem was that there was no more "consensus" radio to let records fight it out mano y mano. So you'd have a record be #1 for two months and sell a bazillion units that 75% of the listening public never heard because everything was so fragmented. Your best chance to hear the majority of the big hits was to listen to channels like "Mix" 107.3 in DC, but they played no hip-hop, almost no country, and no rock harder than Sheryl Crow.

As an across-the-board music fan in that decade, it was the worst of my lifetime. There was no streaming (Napster hit late, but most either didn't know about it or it wasn't feasible because it would take 30 minutes to load a song). If you had a good underground station like WRNR and went into Tower Records with an open mind, you had a shot at hearing some cool stuff a little off of the radar. But there was nowhere to hear all of the mainstream hits in one place - it was all either/or.

 

[General Malaise]

I recently jumped back into Dwight's music the last couple years and just really dig it. Karaoke night at my neighbor's Garage Cantina has seen a handful of really awful GM attempts at "Fast As You". Terrific song and yeah, Yocum as an actor is just.....:chef's kiss:

Am I wrong that it was you who turned me on to Nada Surf's Let Go? Didn't want to tag you in case my memory was faulty.

I pimped it pretty hard when I first bought it after reading the review in RStone. At the time, I was a big Bob Dylan fan, so the track "Blonde on Blonde" hit me in all the right places.

And, as a one-time avid drinker of Killian's Red (before I knew anything about 'craft beer'), it was an album just full of songs that really clicked with me. Still jam out to "Fruit Fly" too.

Thanks for the smile, GB.

 

[rockaction]

Who knew “the Juice” graduated from the Naval Academy and served as a sniper in the USMC? All I could have told you about him was that his top-10 hit The Rain was everyone’s jam at Skateland in the summer of ‘86. And that I couldn’t name another one of his songs.

I saw you
And him and him
Wallkin' in the rain
You were holding hands and I
Will never be the same

When he reprimands her -- if your station let you play that part -- was just the best part of that song. Ooh, could you ever feel his anger as he makes her take her coat.

 

[zamboni]

Papa Don't Preach - Madonna
[/B]

One of her very best IMO. Hoping her very best one, at least IMO, is still to come for ‘86.

 

[scorchy]

When he reprimands her -- if your station let you play that part -- was just the best part of that song. Ooh, could you ever feel his anger as he makes her take her coat.

Now shut ya mouth cuz you cold busted!

I'll admit that when when we were listening to this the other day, the follow-up lines where Juice says his first instinct was to pull a Rambo and shoot both of them was a bit jarring given the overall goofy vibe of the song.

 

[rockaction]

At the time, I was a big Bob Dylan fan, so the track "Blonde on Blonde" hit me in all the right places.

I love this album and song.

 

[scorchy]

One of her very best IMO. Hoping her very best one, at least IMO, is still to come for ‘86.

My ATF is gonna be way up there. Likely a 50/50 shot we're talking the same song.

 

[rockaction]

Juice says his first instinct was to pull a Rambo and shoot both of them was a bit jarring given the overall goofy vibe of the song

I'm not sure Juice found the song goofily vibed, though. He sounded so serious.

 

[scorchy]

Juice says his first instinct was to pull a Rambo and shoot both of them was a bit jarring given the overall goofy vibe of the song

I'm not sure Juice found the song goofily vibed, though. He sounded so serious.

Yeah, maybe it was only when he got to the end and did the Silly rabbit, Trix are for kids/You without me like cornflakes without the milk/You're just a squirrel... that the goofiness came out. Before then, the Juice was pissed.

 

[zamboni]

One of her very best IMO. Hoping her very best one, at least IMO, is still to come for ‘86.

My ATF is gonna be way up there. Likely a 50/50 shot we're talking the same song.

Probably close range.

 

[rockaction]

Sorry if anyone was looking forward to Macarena

Macarena was '96? Holy ****, I'm old.

What that song brings back memories of (and you're not the only one that gets in your own sociopolitical head, scorch) was the millions of awkward white men and women trying to do the Macarena and doing it without care -- nay, it was reckless abandon -- of perhaps playing too close to stereotype of Latin American culture while doing it.

Those of us that sat it out more artfully walked the line, I would say.

 

[scorchy]

What that song brings back memories of (and you're not the only one that gets in your own sociopolitical head, scorch) was the millions of awkward white men and women trying to do the Macarena and doing it without care -- nay, it was reckless abandon -- of perhaps playing too close to stereotype of Latin American culture while doing it.

Those of us that sat it out more artfully walked the line, I would say.

Yeah, one of those times where my stubborn tendency to forego group activities was a boon. I remember being the curmudgeon at an Orioles game tsking all the rhythmless white folks macarena-ing along with Los Del Rios.

 

[rockaction]

Yeah, one of those times where my stubborn tendency to forego group activities was a boon

I remember dancing through and throwing off the people trying to electric slide at prom.

God, another painful memory of being sort of a jerk as a teenager. Live and let live, bro.

 

[Gr00vus]

I recently jumped back into Dwight's music the last couple years and just really dig it. Karaoke night at my neighbor's Garage Cantina has seen a handful of really awful GM attempts at "Fast As You". Terrific song and yeah, Yocum as an actor is just.....:chef's kiss:

Am I wrong that it was you who turned me on to Nada Surf's Let Go? Didn't want to tag you in case my memory was faulty.

I pimped it pretty hard when I first bought it after reading the review in RStone. At the time, I was a big Bob Dylan fan, so the track "Blonde on Blonde" hit me in all the right places.

And, as a one-time avid drinker of Killian's Red (before I knew anything about 'craft beer'), it was an album just full of songs that really clicked with me. Still jam out to "Fruit Fly" too.

Thanks for the smile, GB.

Great album, I think my favorite off it is still High Speed Soul. Great tune, killer opening guitar riff.

 

[scorchy]

#60

Rhymin’ and Stealin’ - Beastie Boys

So dumb yet so awesome. Second entry from Licensed to Ill.


Naked Eye - Luscious Jackson

Luscious Jackson was the first act signed to the Beastie Boys’ Grand Royal label. Named after former 76er Lucious Jackson (or possibly his son - Syracuse swingman Lucious III), the band was pretty big on the indie circuit but only had a single cross-over hit. Naked Eye hit #36 in December of 1996.

If we’re talking about all-female alternative hip-hop bands affiliated with the Beastie Boys, I’ll take Northern State.

 

[rockaction]

#60

Rhymin’ and Stealin’ - Beastie Boys

So dumb yet so awesome. Second entry from Licensed to Ill.

Quoted it upthread so I'll refrain.

Awesome song.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

I loved Naked Eye and LJ’s other “modern rock” radio hit “Citysong.”

 

[Gr00vus]

I loved Naked Eye and LJ’s other “modern rock” radio hit “Citysong.”

These are great. My favorite of theirs is Let Yourself Get Down off their debut. You can really hear the Beastie Boys influence on that one.

 

[scorchy]

#59

The Body of an American - The Pogues

Fare thee well, gone away, there's nothing left to say
With a sláinte Joe and Erin go, my love's in Amerikay
The calling of the rosary, Spanish wine from far away
I'm a free born man of the USA

The Pogues 1986 4-track EP Poguetry in Motion managed to pack in two of their best songs: A Rainy Night in Soho and this ode to Big Jim Dwyer.


Untrustabable - Built to Spill

While so many other bands were attempting to ride the grunge wave to mainstream success, Built to Spill set out to do the opposite, making albums full of sprawling prog-influenced songs with killer guitar solos. They released their best record - Perfect from Now On - in January 1997. My favorite song on it, however, was released as a 7” in late 1996, making it eligible for this list.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Untrustabable - Built to Spill

I've been getting into these guys recently - it's amazing how much of a catalog they have for a band that isn't all that well known (meaning not really in the mainstream).

 

[scorchy]

Untrustabable - Built to Spill

I've been getting into these guys recently - it's amazing how much of a catalog they have for a band that isn't all that well known (meaning not really in the mainstream).

They do an amazing live cover of Cortez the Killer that's available on Spotify. Doug Martsch shreds.

 

[scorchy]

#58

A pair of songs from the two bands most-represented in this countdown.

Panic - The Smiths

Burn down the disco
Hang the blessed DJ
Because the music that they constantly play
It says nothing to me about my life
Hang the blessed DJ

It would be another year before I ever heard a Smiths song, meaning they had broken up by the time I fell hard. They’re still probably my favorite band of all time and I could have filled this list up with their 1986 releases. Panic was a non-album single released just one month after The Queen is Dead album dropped. It’s the perfect sing-along at the annual show played by my favorite Smiths cover band.


Tonight, Tonight - Smashing Pumpkins

For the past week while walking the dogs, I’ve been listening to a 7-hour Smashing Pumpkins podcast from two of my favorites: Yasi Salek of Bandsplain! and Rob Harvilla of 60s Songs that Explain the 90s. Here’s one anecdote:

Billy Corgan vs Kim Thayill

Alt-rock was definitely dying by ‘96, but no one told Billy Corgan. The Pumpkins’ third album Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness was huge, both in terms of its scope and its commercial success. It debuted at #1 upon its release in October 1995, eventually selling more than 5 million copies in the U.S. - a rare feat for a double album. All but one of its singles were held off until the following year, with Tonight, Tonight released in April 1996. Great song, totally bizarre video.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

#58

A pair of songs from the two bands most-represented in this countdown.

Panic - The Smiths

Burn down the disco
Hang the blessed DJ
Because the music that they constantly play
It says nothing to me about my life
Hang the blessed DJ

It would be another year before I ever heard a Smiths song, meaning they had broken up by the time I fell hard. They’re still probably my favorite band of all time and I could have filled this list up with their 1986 releases. Panic was a non-album single released just one month after The Queen is Dead album dropped. It’s the perfect sing-along at the annual show played by my favorite Smiths cover band.


Tonight, Tonight - Smashing Pumpkins

For the past week while walking the dogs, I’ve been listening to a 7-hour Smashing Pumpkins podcast from two of my favorites: Yasi Salek of Bandsplain! and Rob Harvilla of 60s Songs that Explain the 90s. Here’s one anecdote:

Billy Corgan vs Kim Thayill

Alt-rock was definitely dying by ‘96, but no one told Billy Corgan. The Pumpkins’ third album Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness was huge, both in terms of its scope and its commercial success. It debuted at #1 upon its release in October 1995, eventually selling more than 5 million copies in the U.S. - a rare feat for a double album. All but one of its singles were held off until the following year, with Tonight, Tonight released in April 1996. Great song, totally bizarre video.

Among the very best these respective years had to offer.

 

[scorchy]

#57

Don’t Want to Know if You are Lonely - Husker Du

I’m usually more team Bob than team Grant, but Don’t Want to Know if You are Lonely is a classic.

I Was Wrong - Social Distortion

Mike Ness is so damn cool. I Was Wrong - the lead single of Social Distortion’s 5th album - was the the band's only hit song to make the Hot 100 (#54), which says more about the place of alternative music on the pop charts in 1996 than the track itself. I like I Was Wrong - just as I like most Social D - but it maybe cracks the top 5-10 of best Social D songs, IMO.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

I see Husker Du, I upvote. Also team Bob, but Grant had some major highlights in HD, and this was one of them.

Social D was on the bill for my first Neil Young concert (2/5/91), but I arrived too late for their set. I did see Sonic Youth's set and they were awful. Neil's set was mindblowing, of course.

 

[scorchy]

Social D was on the bill for my first Neil Young concert (2/5/91), but I arrived too late for their set. I did see Sonic Youth's set and they were awful. Neil's set was mindblowing, of course.

Never had the pleasure of seeing Mr. Young, but have seen Social D/Mike Ness a bunch. Mrs. Scorchy is a big enough fan that she insisted on having the DJ play Ball and Chain at our wedding reception, not as our first song (that would be All Mine by Portishead) but immediately after.

I really, really like Sonic Youth and originally had an '86 song on the list but you're spot-on that they could be awful live.

 

[Bogart]

Tonight, Tonight - Smashing Pumpkins

For the past week while walking the dogs, I’ve been listening to a 7-hour Smashing Pumpkins podcast from two of my favorites: Yasi Salek of Bandsplain! and Rob Harvilla of 60s Songs that Explain the 90s.

These are both excellent podcasts and I highly recommend them. Flew from Dallas to San Fran and back this weekend and specifically listened to Rob's episode on "It Was A Good Day" and Yasi's episode on The Offspring. You didn't know you needed a 4 hour podcast on Dexter and crew, but you do.

 

[scorchy]

I was listening to that Rob podcast this morning. His lead-up talking about the "daylight-saving riot", Afghan Whigs, and sitting in a room with another RA listening to Ice Cube just nailed so much of my college experience. I love how he can take unrelated snippets of memory and bring them back to the point of the podcast. I'm jealous of his talent.

He makes a great partner for Yasi and their affection for one another shines through (much like Sean/Amanda/Chris on the Big Picture pod). It took me a while longer to start really digging Yasi, but I feel like over the past year she's really honed her skills and I've become more accustomed to her little mannerisms that once annoyed me.

 

[Dan Lambskin]

Love me some Social D, unfortunately never got to see them live

 

[scorchy]

#56

Bonzo Goes to Bitburg - The Ramones

The Ramones 1986 album Animal Boy wasn't really up to their standards. Bonzo Goes to Bitburg was the standout track though, and it kills. The song is a reaction to the Bitburg controversy from 1985, when Ronald Reagan paid a state visit to a German World War II cemetery where numerous Waffen-SS soldiers were buried.

From wikipedia:

Before departing for Germany, Reagan ignited more controversy when he expressed his belief that the soldiers buried at Bitburg "were victims, just as surely as the victims in the concentration camps." In his remarks immediately after the cemetery visit, Reagan said that "the crimes of the SS must rank among the most heinous in human history", but noted that many of those interred at Bitburg were "simply soldiers in the German army... There were thousands of such soldiers for whom Nazism meant no more than a brutal end to a short life."

Discussing the inspiration for the song, Ramones lead singer Joey Ramone, a Jewish man, explained that the president "sort of **** on everybody."

I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone - Sleater-Kinney

I wanna be your Joey Ramone
Pictures of me on your bedroom door
Invite you back after the show
I'm the queen of rock and roll

Not sure if Sleater-Kinney is technically Riot Grrrl, but I'll go with it. Like a lot of Riot Grrrl bands, Sleater-Kinney had a couple of songs I loved (this and 2000's You're No Rock -n- Roll Fun both kick major ***) and a lot more that did absolutely nothing for me. Oh well, I guess I'm not really the target demographic.

 

[plinko]

#58

A pair of songs from the two bands most-represented in this countdown.

Panic - The Smiths

Burn down the disco
Hang the blessed DJ
Because the music that they constantly play
It says nothing to me about my life
Hang the blessed DJ

It would be another year before I ever heard a Smiths song, meaning they had broken up by the time I fell hard. They’re still probably my favorite band of all time and I could have filled this list up with their 1986 releases. Panic was a non-album single released just one month after The Queen is Dead album dropped. It’s the perfect sing-along at the annual show played by my favorite Smiths cover band.


Tonight, Tonight - Smashing Pumpkins

For the past week while walking the dogs, I’ve been listening to a 7-hour Smashing Pumpkins podcast from two of my favorites: Yasi Salek of Bandsplain! and Rob Harvilla of 60s Songs that Explain the 90s. Here’s one anecdote:

Billy Corgan vs Kim Thayill

Alt-rock was definitely dying by ‘96, but no one told Billy Corgan. The Pumpkins’ third album Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness was huge, both in terms of its scope and its commercial success. It debuted at #1 upon its release in October 1995, eventually selling more than 5 million copies in the U.S. - a rare feat for a double album. All but one of its singles were held off until the following year, with Tonight, Tonight released in April 1996. Great song, totally bizarre video.

I saw The Smashing Pumpkins last night at the Chase Center
with Janes
Momma always said if you can't say anything nice...
but AMA

 

[Pip's Invitation]

#58

A pair of songs from the two bands most-represented in this countdown.

Panic - The Smiths

Burn down the disco
Hang the blessed DJ
Because the music that they constantly play
It says nothing to me about my life
Hang the blessed DJ

It would be another year before I ever heard a Smiths song, meaning they had broken up by the time I fell hard. They’re still probably my favorite band of all time and I could have filled this list up with their 1986 releases. Panic was a non-album single released just one month after The Queen is Dead album dropped. It’s the perfect sing-along at the annual show played by my favorite Smiths cover band.


Tonight, Tonight - Smashing Pumpkins

For the past week while walking the dogs, I’ve been listening to a 7-hour Smashing Pumpkins podcast from two of my favorites: Yasi Salek of Bandsplain! and Rob Harvilla of 60s Songs that Explain the 90s. Here’s one anecdote:

Billy Corgan vs Kim Thayill

Alt-rock was definitely dying by ‘96, but no one told Billy Corgan. The Pumpkins’ third album Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness was huge, both in terms of its scope and its commercial success. It debuted at #1 upon its release in October 1995, eventually selling more than 5 million copies in the U.S. - a rare feat for a double album. All but one of its singles were held off until the following year, with Tonight, Tonight released in April 1996. Great song, totally bizarre video.

I saw The Smashing Pumpkins last night at the Chase Center
with Janes
Momma always said if you can't say anything nice...
but AMA

So, how WAS the show?