Favorite 31 Songs by US Artists According to a Bunch of Middle-Aged Dummies (4 Viewers)

[Tau837]

My top 5 from round 28 excluding my own choice:

• @AAABatteries : Little Red Corvette - Prince
• @Val Rannous : Tuesday's Gone - Lynyrd Skynyrd
• @Chaz McNulty : Unchained Melody - Righteous Brothers
• @worrierking : Midnight Rider - The Allman Brothers Band
• @DrIanMalcolm : Killing Floor - Howlin' Wolf

I know for a fact that LRC is going to get a lot more points before the countdown is over.

 

[scorchy]

More greatness today. Tough to narrow it down, but still gonna stick with the my usual format:

Of those I already knew:

Gold: Return of the Grievous Angel (Dr O.) - Love, love, love this song. Also highly recommend this great Lucinda Williams/David Crosby cover from a Gram tribute record.
Silver: Shake Your Rump (rockaction) - my son always raps "my dad scorchy t's got a beard like a billy goat" instead. Gonna put it on the medal stand for that reason alone.
Bronze: King of Carrot Flames (Marco) - celebrate everything Neutral Milk Hotel ever recorded.

Of the new to me:

Gold: Tighten Up (Krista)
Silver: Bury Me Deep (neal)
Bronze: Slow Show (Eephus)

 

[Pip's Invitation]

If synth pop songs are gremlins, then Head Like a Hole is a gremlin when you feed it after midnight.

 

[falguy]

Of the ones I recognize off hand I have a number I really like

Chaz McNulty: Unchained Melody - Righteous Brothers
Sullie: Frankenstein - The Edgar Winter Group
worrierking: Midnight Rider - The Allman Brothers Band
Hov34: Use Me - Bill Withers

and, of course

Zegras11:My Sharona - The Knack

 

[falguy]

Thanks everyone for the .

Can't believe I forgot about Unchained Melody. That should be in my list

 

[MAC_32]

Hawks64:

Tip of My Tongue - Kenny Chesney


MAC_32:

American Kids - Kenny Chesney

That's some quality trolling putting them beside each other - I see you!

Despite growing up in rural Ohio I grew up auto-despising all things country. It was primarily the error I grew up in - 90's and aughts when they all followed the same formula over and over and over again. It wasn't until married with kids that I allowed any of it (no, seriously) into my orbit. It was very selective at first, but grew over time. Don't get me wrong - I still get irrationally pissy when one of those country songs finds its way onto the summer shuffle while I'm trying to enjoy an evening back deck cocktail, but my wife's only managed to slip a few on there.

This is not one of them though. This was one of the first that grabbed my attention that not all country sucks out loud...and more importantly was one of the first songs that engaged our kids in the music world. Each one of them - and at different times. So any time this song comes on for the rest of my life, hopefully while sittin' out back (but not) 3030 in my lap, those faded little map dots will always come back clear.

 

[Don Quixote]

Probably the first time Summertime has been followed by Frankenstein in a playlist.

I left like I needed to include some Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald in the list to reflect what I listen to. The contrast of the First Lady of Song with the raspy voice of Armstrong singing Gershwin's lullaby is like the ultimate comfort food for me; PB&J for the soul (I guess those who focus on the bread won't appreciate that contrast). Porgy & Bess has some flaws that may be for another board (or maybe for another time when such debates were happening 70 years ago), but still one of the jazz standards.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

My winner of today's picks that I know is Use Me (Hov34). I see Bill Withers, I upvote.

Also high on my list:

Frankenstein -- The Edgar Winter Group (Sullie)
Midnight Rider -- The Allman Brothers Band (Worrierking)
Ain't No Woman (Like The One I've Got) -- The Four Tops (Uruk-Hai)
Little Red Corvette -- Prince (AAABatteries)
Head Like a Hole -- Nine Inch Nails (Scorchy)
Tighten Up -- Archie Bell and the Drells (Krista4)
I Put a Spell on You -- Screamin' Jay Hawkins (OH)
The King of Carrot Flowers, pt. 1 -- Neutral Milk Hotel (Marco)
Unchained Melody -- The Righteous Brothers (Chaz)

 

[krista4]

I'm on yesterday's listening party and have a question: what's the deal with "Bohemian Like You" having the "Brown Sugar" riff? Was that a tribute or a flat-out steal?

Anyone? Whoever took it know the background (I think scorchy)?

Just finished my listening party for "new to me" of the #29s. My favorite was John Vanderslice's "Dead State Pacific." Cool voice, great lyrics.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

This Ol' Cowboy was one I recognized when it came on, but not by title.

As Doc Oc said, I had not heard or thought about Fine Fine Day in a very long time, and I was pleasantly surprised to see it here.

 

[MAC_32]

What a loaded round…

Best new to me - King of the World is the best 'new' song to flow through my ears since we started this thing and it ain't close. As soon as krista gets the spotify playlist up it's getting a heart then added to multiple play lists.

Thank you for getting it back into my life – Frankenstein and Midnight Rider, completely forgot about these awesome ****ing tracks.

Pivoting from prior formats as there are 3 selections that got squeezed in my final round of cuts...

Honorable mention – Kozmic Blues, no medal because unlike the bottom 3 it didn’t get to the final bubble, but…it probably should have.

Bronze Medal - Scenses From An Italian Restaurant, which will play well in this crowd. I get why Billy Joel irks some, but...not me - and especially not this one. It was never any doubt which one I'd add to my 31 if it made the cut, but this big beautiful epic didn't quite make it.

Silver medal - Shake Your Rump, when I mentioned I had a difficult time deciding which B Boys song there were 2 others on my mind - this was one of them.

Gold medal - Unchained Melody, this was the hardest gold medal choice yet...I was only able to break the tie because I realized spinning through this round's list that this is not just one of my favorites, but it's also the best track of this loaded lot.

 

[scorchy]

I'm on yesterday's listening party and have a question: what's the deal with "Bohemian Like You" having the "Brown Sugar" riff? Was that a tribute or a flat-out steal?

Anyone? Whoever took it know the background (I think scorchy)?

Sorry, missed the original post. Honestly, no idea and not something I ever noticed, but now that you point it out, seems obvious. I googled and a bunch of people have asked the question on Reddit, Quora, etc., but no real answer was forthcoming.

 

[krista4]

As soon as krista gets the spotify playlist up

Hawks64 puts the playlists up (which he did a couple of hours ago) and then I put them in the first post (which I did nearly an hour ago). It's there, awaiting your heart!

 

[krista4]

Sorry, missed the original post. Honestly, no idea and not something I ever noticed, but now that you point it out, seems obvious. I googled and a bunch of people have asked the question on Reddit, Quora, etc., but no real answer was forthcoming.

Ah, Google. Something I could have tried. Interesting that there's no real answer, though. I would have thought possible lawsuit.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Sorry, missed the original post. Honestly, no idea and not something I ever noticed, but now that you point it out, seems obvious. I googled and a bunch of people have asked the question on Reddit, Quora, etc., but no real answer was forthcoming.

Ah, Google. Something I could have tried. Interesting that there's no real answer, though. I would have thought possible lawsuit.

The Kinks Catch Me Now I'm Falling blatantly lifts the riff from Jumpin' Jack Flash also.

The Stones did sue (and win) against the Verve for Bitter Sweet Symphony taking the music from The Last Time so there is a precedence for them doing so - maybe those songs just never came to their attention.

 

[Don Quixote]

As a new to me, like the Marcia Ball selection. Haven’t heard of her before, but I’m a fan of that style and will need to listen to some more from her.

 

[Doug B]

Doug B:

Fine Fine Day - Tony Carey

Haven't thought of this song in years, but loved it back in the day.

Had basically the same experience a few years ago when it popped up on one of the '80s at 8' Billboard Top 40 shows on Sirius XM. Listened to it for the first time with mature ears (both 'musically' mature and life experience) and it hit far harder than it ever could to a middle-school Doug B.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Doug B:

Fine Fine Day - Tony Carey

Haven't thought of this song in years, but loved it back in the day.

Had basically the same experience a few years ago when it popped up on one of the '80s at 8' Billboard Top 40 shows on Sirius XM. Listened to it for the first time with mature ears (both 'musically' mature and life experience) and it hit far harder than it ever could to a middle-school Doug B.

He also had a big hit under the name Planet P Project (he had a pseudonym before it was cool) that I really liked - so this made me think of that as well.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Doug B:

Fine Fine Day - Tony Carey

Haven't thought of this song in years, but loved it back in the day.

Had basically the same experience a few years ago when it popped up on one of the '80s at 8' Billboard Top 40 shows on Sirius XM. Listened to it for the first time with mature ears (both 'musically' mature and life experience) and it hit far harder than it ever could to a middle-school Doug B.

He also had a big hit under the name Planet P Project (he had a pseudonym before it was cool) that I really liked - so this made me think of that as well.

I remember that song also.

 

[krista4]

Best new to me - King of the World is the best 'new' song to flow through my ears since we started this thing and it ain't close. As soon as krista gets the spotify playlist up it's getting a heart then added to multiple play lists.

I liked this one quite a bit as well. Other favorite "new to me" today:

Bury Me Deep by Poi Dog Pondering - I have a friend in this band and two others who used to be, but for some reason never listen to them. They were so ubiquitous in Chicago that I think I tired of hearing of them. This is a great song that reminds me I should listen more.

This Ol' Cowboy by The Marshall Tucker Band - I was aware of a band having this name but couldn't have told you any song they performed. I've since looked and see they did "Heard It in a Love Song," which I loathe. This one was interesting and cool, though.

Tuesday's Gone by Lynyrd Skynyrd - With this and the one just above, I'm noticing that I have a big hole in my knowledge of Southern Rock. Not sure I want to fill it, but I enjoyed this one as well. I also liked the Allman Brothers song, but realized I knew it already once I heard it.

 

[falguy]

I quite enjoyed 4 of the many New-2-Me songs this round

Tighten Up : Archie Bell and the Drells (krista4)
The King of the World : Bob Schneider (Just Win Baby)
Bury Me Deep : Poi Dog Pondering (neal cassady)
Killing Floor : Howlin' Wolf (DrIanMalcolm)

 

[simey]

Not to be a downer, but I so miss wikkid in a thread like this.

This is for Wikkid. He liked TP and The Heartbreakers and he loved The Clark Family.

 

[Hawks64]

#28s ranking

1. @Hov34 Use Me by Bill Withers - Just love this tune...always have, gets me moving. Love that repeating keyboard...so great. Guess I really do love the funk!
2. @Ilov80s Kozmic Blues by Janis Joplin - the multiple times this builds up throughout the song is awesome. Janis' voice is great, especially when she gets after it.
3. @The Dreaded Marco King of Carrot Flowers Pt. 1 by Neutral Milk Hotel - new to me and really love the simpleness of the music. What really gets me is that the mixing is really unique. Seems like two vocal tracks synched with the instruments in stereo. It's really cool and what really draws me in, haven't heard anything like it.

 

[Hawks64]

Hawks64:

Tip of My Tongue - Kenny Chesney


MAC_32:

American Kids - Kenny Chesney

That's some quality trolling putting them beside each other - I see you!

Despite growing up in rural Ohio I grew up auto-despising all things country. It was primarily the error I grew up in - 90's and aughts when they all followed the same formula over and over and over again. It wasn't until married with kids that I allowed any of it (no, seriously) into my orbit. It was very selective at first, but grew over time. Don't get me wrong - I still get irrationally pissy when one of those country songs finds its way onto the summer shuffle while I'm trying to enjoy an evening back deck cocktail, but my wife's only managed to slip a few on there.

This is not one of them though. This was one of the first that grabbed my attention that not all country sucks out loud...and more importantly was one of the first songs that engaged our kids in the music world. Each one of them - and at different times. So any time this song comes on for the rest of my life, hopefully while sittin' out back (but not) 3030 in my lap, those faded little map dots will always come back clear.

I do like a decent amount of country artists but only a few make it in my regular rotation. Kenny is one of them and his channel is one of the SiriusXM stations I listen to outside of DMB.

 

[Hawks64]

I really wish I could tag or add notes to the songs in the playlists so we know whose pick it is.

 

[Don Quixote]

#28s ranking

1. @Hov34 Use Me by Bill Withers - Just love this tune...always have, gets me moving. Love that repeating keyboard...so great. Guess I really do love the funk!
2. @Ilov80s Kozmic Blues by Janis Joplin - the multiple times this builds up throughout the song is awesome. Janis' voice is great, especially when she gets after it.
3. @The Dreaded Marco King of Carrot Flowers Pt. 1 by Neutral Milk Hotel - new to me and really love the simpleness of the music. What really gets me is that the mixing is really unique. Seems like two vocal tracks synched with the instruments in stereo. It's really cool and what really draws me in, haven't heard anything like it.

The entire album with that one from Neutral Milk Hotel is great. I did not post/share a last five out, but King of Carrot Flowers probably would have made it as it was among those I was thinking about at the end (as well as Holland, 1945).

 

[Nick Vermeil]

Head like a Hole takes this round for me. Not only does it take me back to a particular time, it puts me in a specific room, with a certain group of people, in a particluar club with distinct smells and eventual killer hangover. Good times. I miss being young and stupid. Now I'm just stupid.

 

[Hawks64]

Head like a Hole takes this round for me. Not only does it take me back to a particular time, it puts me in a specific room, with a certain group of people, in a particluar club with distinct smells and eventual killer hangover. Good times. I miss being young and stupid. Now I'm just stupid.

You and me both

 

[scorchy]

Head like a Hole takes this round for me. Not only does it take me back to a particular time, it puts me in a specific room, with a certain group of people, in a particluar club with distinct smells and eventual killer hangover. Good times. I miss being young and stupid. Now I'm just stupid.

Cloves and fog machines. God I miss those days.

 

[Zegras11]

Zegras11:

My Sharona - The Knack

I went to Long Beach St, and Long Beach based KNAC radio station was all over this song and band from the start. One of my fave guitar riffs towards the end. Another huge frat party song. More of those to follow.

 

[Ilov80s]

Here are 2 songs each round that would have or could have been in my top 31. They either crossed my mind but missed the cut or just escaped me when I was plotting this out

Rd 31
Long Tall Sally by Little Richard
Minnie the Moocher by Cab Calloway

Rd 30
It Was a Very Good Year by Frank Sinatra
Drive by The Cars

Rd 29
Borderline by Madonna
Turn the Page by Bob Deger

Rd 28
Aquarius/ Let the Sun Shine In by 5th Dimension
Unchained Melody by The Righteous Brothers

 

[Ilov80s]

And my, that's super cool this song got a mention, a relatively lesser know song I like that I am pleasantly surprised to see

Rd 31
Oh Mandy by The Spinto Band

Rd 30
Mystery by The Wipers

Rd 29
Jam On It by Newcleus

Rd 28
Return of the Grievous Angel by Gram Parsons

 

[simey]

I've since looked and see they did "Heard It in a Love Song," which I loathe.

boooooooooooooo!!

 

[MAC_32]

Head like a Hole takes this round for me. Not only does it take me back to a particular time, it puts me in a specific room, with a certain group of people, in a particluar club with distinct smells and eventual killer hangover. Good times. I miss being young and stupid. Now I'm just stupid.

I don't think this will play the role of spoiler in this crowd, but unplanned March of the Pigs binges have become normal for me - like, play the song a half dozen or so times in a row...then not again at all for several months. I'm not even sure it's on my spotify and it's definitely not on any play list - it's all youtube. I think it's the bizarre structure that draws me to it and then because of it I have to listen to it multiple times, especially the live versions when Trent goes around for a 3rd spin of chaos. Can only imagine what one of those mid 90's shows were like...

 

[simey]

Aquarius/ Let the Sun Shine In by 5th Dimension

Joe Osborn's bass on this song, especially on Let the Sunshine In, is fantastic.

 

[simey]

Round #28 is tough with determining favorites, cause there are so many I like a lot.

My favorite song that I didn't know is "Let The Tears Run Down" and I also like "King of the World" a lot.

 

[simey]

My favorite five today:

Reflections
Summertime
Use Me
Return of the Grievous Angel
King of Carrot Flowers Pt. 1
Kozmic Blues - She always sounded like she lived her songs.
and all of the southern rock songs.

I wrote down six, because one is on my list

 

[shuke]

This Ol' Cowboy by The Marshall Tucker Band - I was aware of a band having this name but couldn't have told you any song they performed. I've since looked and see they did "Heard It in a Love Song," which I loathe. This one was interesting and cool, though.

They have a pretty big "heavy hitter" song that I love and would be surprised if you didn't get multiple entries with it. But I felt I need to give some love to This Ol' Cowboy. Love the use of the flute, something you hardly see in rock n roll.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

1A and a 1B when it comes to Wilco songs

I’m curious about 1B, but its possible it shows up later so we can wait and see.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

That's some quality trolling putting them beside each other - I see you!

The odds that Kenny Chesney would account for your third straight match of an artist in a round had to be pretty long.

 

[MAC_32]

That's some quality trolling putting them beside each other - I see you!

The odds that Kenny Chesney would account for your third straight match of an artist in a round had to be pretty long.

I was shocked when krista teased it last night - figured a good over/under for total Chesney with this lot would be like 2.5.

 

[shuke]

Today's top 5 (+1 from my list)

krista4: Tighten Up - Archie Bell and the Drells
Pip’s Invitation: I Am Trying to Break Your Heart - Wilco
Val Rannous: Tuesday's Gone - Lynyrd Skynyrd
Eephus: Slow Show - The National
Hov34: Use Me - Bill Withers
The Dreaded Marco: King of Carrot Flowers Pt. 1 - Neutral Milk Hotel

Bummed I didn't have room to include The National in my list.

This Wilco tune was very close to being in mine but I took something else.


Favorite new to me:

Just Win Baby: The King of the World (2001), from Lonelyland - Bob Schneider

 

[shuke]

Why did I think Warren Zevon was English?

 

[Ilov80s]

Why did I think Warren Zevon was English?

He grew up in a mob connected home. His dad was a legit gangster.

 

[jwb]

Finally home so I can start listening. Favorites today:

New to me:

@krista4 Tighten Up - Really fun song.
@ditkaburgers Lonely Town - Holy 80's!!!

Known:

@worrierking Midnight Rider
@Val Rannous Tuesday's Gone
@AAABatteries Little Red Corvette
@Zegras11 (and @falguy) My Sharona

I'm happy a few people picked My Sharona. I love that song and remember how awesome and new it sounded when it came out (I was around 14). I probably would have picked it too but very mistakenly assumed The Knack was an English band - I didn't even bother to check

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Why did I think Warren Zevon was English?

He grew up in a mob connected home. His dad was a legit gangster.

So Italian?

 

[Dr. Octopus]

I’m allowed to say it.

 

[Ilov80s]

So Italian?

The American Italian Anti-Defamation League would like a word with you lol. Also I think it was the Jewish mob in LA that he ran numbers and collected for. Mickey Cohen.

 

[The Dreaded Marco]

Number 28:


Pip’s Invitation:

I Am Trying to Break Your Heart - Wilco


Dr. Octopus:

Return of the Grievous Angel – Gram Parsons


jwb:

Excitable Boy – Warren Zevon


Eephus:

Slow Show - The National


AAABatteries:

Little Red Corvette - Prince

Another strong list.
Tough to narrow it just 5 "known to me" songs but went with these.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

1A and a 1B when it comes to Wilco songs

I’m curious about 1B, but its possible it shows up later so we can wait and see.

I’ll mention it if it appears.