Middle-aged Dummies are back and bursting at the "themes" to get going! Full theme ahead! (15 Viewers)

[Mt. Man]

#, Please # 26
Song: 5150
Artist: Van Halen
Year: 1986

(Youtube Version) 5150
(Live version) "5150" - Van Halen Live in Tokyo Feb 1989

4 Lines:
'Til one for all, with you, it's only one for me
Oh, why draw the line
And meet you half the way?
And you don't know what that means

Number Theory:
This song (and, since this is a rare title track for Van Helen, also the album) is titled after Eddie Van Halen’s 5150 Studio, where every album from 1984 on was recorded. That, in turn, comes from Section 5150 of the California Welfare and Institutions Code, involving the right for police to involuntary hold a person if they are “a danger to themselves, danger to others or ‘gravely disabled’.”.

While not exactly a hit, 5150 is definitely a sentimental favorite of mine. Of course there’s a bit of controversy on the whole Hagar thing, but this rises above it. It’s much more of a song for Eddie and Alex anyway. The song’s about a relationship going sour, with the singer feeling like they’re trying to “meet (the other person) half the way” but getting no such effort from them.

Who knows, maybe it’s also a plea for Van Halen fans to give Hagar a shot on his first album with the band? Nah, that’s almost certainly reading too much into things.

Significant Digits:
Off album#: 7
Track #: 8


Artist crossover with other playlists: 5
(Known: 2, with Van Halen. Another will come next time)

–
Next on the countdown, The Proclaimers had it easy by comparison.

 

[Yambag]

26's (Another Great List!)

Known
Cure: Prayers for Rain
Steve Miller Band: Serenade
Weezer: Buddy Holly
Van Halen: 5150
Finger Eleven: One Thing
Toto: Africa
Warrant: Heaven
Psychedelic Furs: Pretty In Pink
Smashing Pumpkins: Tonight, Tonight
DMB: Bartender

Caught My Attention
Al Stewart: Night Train to Munich
The Stranglers: North Wind Blowing
Turn Me On Dead Man: Beatle George
Deerhunter: Coronado
Al Martino: I Have But One Heart
allSTARS: Things That Go Bump In The Night
Manchester Orchestra: Dinosaur
Hawaii Samurai: Voodoo Princess Terror

 

[Yo Mama]

#, Please # 26
Song: 5150
Artist: Van Halen
Year: 1986

(Youtube Version) 5150
(Live version) "5150" - Van Halen Live in Tokyo Feb 1989

4 Lines:
'Til one for all, with you, it's only one for me
Oh, why draw the line
And meet you half the way?
And you don't know what that means

Number Theory:
This song (and, since this is a rare title track for Van Helen, also the album) is titled after Eddie Van Halen’s 5150 Studio, where every album from 1984 on was recorded. That, in turn, comes from Section 5150 of the California Welfare and Institutions Code, involving the right for police to involuntary hold a person if they are “a danger to themselves, danger to others or ‘gravely disabled’.”.

While not exactly a hit, 5150 is definitely a sentimental favorite of mine. Of course there’s a bit of controversy on the whole Hagar thing, but this rises above it. It’s much more of a song for Eddie and Alex anyway. The song’s about a relationship going sour, with the singer feeling like they’re trying to “meet (the other person) half the way” but getting no such effort from them.

Who knows, maybe it’s also a plea for Van Halen fans to give Hagar a shot on his first album with the band? Nah, that’s almost certainly reading too much into things.

Significant Digits:
Off album#: 7
Track #: 8


Artist crossover with other playlists: 5
(Known: 2, with Van Halen. Another will come next time)

–
Next on the countdown, The Proclaimers had it easy by comparison.

Love it. This is my favorite of the Van Hagar songs.

 

[kupcho1]

Selections:

31. If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next - Manic Street Preachers

30. Hear The Drummer Get Wicked - Chad Jackson

29. Pick Up The Pieces - Average White Band

28. Virtual Insanity – Jamiroquai

27. Another Chance - Roger Sanchez

26. Living On My Own - Freddie Mercury

Broadway shows

 

[Yambag]

Selections:

31. If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next - Manic Street Preachers

30. Hear The Drummer Get Wicked - Chad Jackson

29. Pick Up The Pieces - Average White Band

28. Virtual Insanity – Jamiroquai

27. Another Chance - Roger Sanchez

26. Living On My Own - Freddie Mercury



Incorrect guesses:

UK top ten singles

A play off the above guess. Songs that all charted in the same six countries:
UK
Australia
Germany
France
Ireland
Netherlands

 

[Eephus]

26. Tweet feat. Missy Elliott - "Oops (Oh My)" (2002) - Single (Named) Ladies
Full name: Charlene Keys (childhood nickname mononym)

Tweet is a protege of Missy Elliott who made her first recorded appearance at the relatively advanced age of 30 singing "come on, get crunk with me" behind one of Missy's raps. "Oops (Oh My)" was Tweet's debut single in early 2002. It was a big hit peaking at #7 on the main US pop charts and #1 on the R&B charts.

When "Oops" starts off it sounds like a typical R&B song about sex but it soon becomes apparent that this sister is doing it for herself. The track was produced by Timbaland and bears his characteristic stuttering beats. One of my favorite parts of the song is the little counterpoint line that runs under the chorus which is actually a synth sample from Devo's "Girl U Want".

The video is set in an ice hotel similar to the one from Die Another Day. Tweet is joined by four dancers wearing newsboy caps like Missy Elliott. Tweet's shirt and skirt stay on for the duration of the song and Missy appears in a cutaway wearing a fur collared dress. Missy's image melts at the end of the song but the hotel remains standing.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

New-to-me songs from #26 that caught my attention:

Mrs. Rannous – umlauts

Night on Bröcken - Fates Warning

KarmaPolice – songs from artists not on shuke’s list

How You Got That Girl - Ex Hex

Don Quixote – Afrobeat

Jungle Music (Spotify) - Kelenkye Band (Ghana)

JMLs secret identity – songs in D#Minor, the saddest key of all

North Winds Blowing (Spotify) - The Stranglers

I think they were in MAD 2, and I didn't get to most of those playlists.

-OZ- - song / music moments from the Marvel cinematic universe

Live to Rise - Soundgarden
I haven't seen most Marvel movies and this isn't on any Soundgarden albums, so...

Raging weasel – name-checking Beatles or their songs

Beatle George - Turn Me On Deadman

shuke – Saxytime

Coronado (Spotify) – Deerhunter

El Floppo – Mallet Rock

Telepath (Dirty Projectors Version) - Manchester Orchestra, Dirty Projectors

landrys hat - favorite Side 2 Track 1s from my record collection

People Everywhere (Still Alive) - Khruangbin - The Universe Smiles Upon You (2015)

rockaction - Songs that state the genre they’re in

Whatever (Folk Song In C) - Elliott Smith

I don't think tuffnutt had this in his top 31 in MAD 1.

MrsKarmaPolice – Animal Kingdom

Dinosaur - Manchester Orchestra

DrIanMalcolm – Songs about New York

Return of the Crooklyn Dodgers - The Crooklyn Dodgers

higgins – Instrumentals with places in the title

Cantaloupe Island - Herbie Hancock

Chaos34 - Post Surf Rock Surf Rockish (80s fwd)

Voodoo Princess Terror - Hawaii Samurai

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Selections:

31. If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next - Manic Street Preachers

30. Hear The Drummer Get Wicked - Chad Jackson

29. Pick Up The Pieces - Average White Band

28. Virtual Insanity – Jamiroquai

27. Another Chance - Roger Sanchez

26. Living On My Own - Freddie Mercury



Incorrect guesses:

Songs that give advice

Bands That Have Never Been in My Kitchen

Songs by artists who have headlined Glastonbury

Songs featuring the Mellotron

Fear mongering

Song titles that could be part of geometry proofs

Bands who have a member whose first or last name is a James Bond reference

Bands with family members

Songs that reference a location in another country

Songs that have nine or more words in the title

Songs that mention famous streets

Bands who had a member mysteriously disappear, get declared dead, but no body has ever been found

Songs that reference footballguys user names

Songs without a guitar

Song titles that are commands

First two words of song titles in order of lyrics from The Youngbloods’ Get Together

Songs about resilience in the face of adversity

Songs about the importance of progress

Songs to make people overthink and speculate about an imaginary theme that doesn't really exist

31 songs that MADs submitted in prior MAD rounds, but judge disqualified because the submitting MAD failed to get the long-form birth certificate of all band members before submitting

Songs NOT produced by Todd Rundgren

Artists without umlauts

Songs Sam Rockwell has danced to in a movie

Songs about navigating and adapting to a constantly changing world

Songs credited to more than one songwriter

UK top ten singles

Singles released by UK artist/bands

31 British Isles Songs That Did Not Appear in the MAD British Isles Countdown

Non-guitar driven songs

Songs in 4/4 time

Songs under 5 minutes.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

The Smiths was a soundtrack for the kids who didn't want to bop along to The Go Gos or learn the steps to Billie Jean.

But only if they went to college!

 

[Don Quixote]

Selections:

31. If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next - Manic Street Preachers

30. Hear The Drummer Get Wicked - Chad Jackson

29. Pick Up The Pieces - Average White Band

28. Virtual Insanity – Jamiroquai

27. Another Chance - Roger Sanchez

26. Living On My Own - Freddie Mercury



Incorrect guesses:

Songs that give advice

Bands That Have Never Been in My Kitchen

Songs by artists who have headlined Glastonbury

Songs featuring the Mellotron

Fear mongering

Song titles that could be part of geometry proofs

Bands who have a member whose first or last name is a James Bond reference

Bands with family members

Songs that reference a location in another country

Songs that have nine or more words in the title

Songs that mention famous streets

Bands who had a member mysteriously disappear, get declared dead, but no body has ever been found

Songs that reference footballguys user names

Songs without a guitar

Song titles that are commands

First two words of song titles in order of lyrics from The Youngbloods’ Get Together

Songs about resilience in the face of adversity

Songs about the importance of progress

Songs to make people overthink and speculate about an imaginary theme that doesn't really exist

31 songs that MADs submitted in prior MAD rounds, but judge disqualified because the submitting MAD failed to get the long-form birth certificate of all band members before submitting

Songs NOT produced by Todd Rundgren

Artists without umlauts

Songs Sam Rockwell has danced to in a movie

Songs about navigating and adapting to a constantly changing world

Songs credited to more than one songwriter

UK top ten singles

Singles released by UK artist/bands

31 British Isles Songs That Did Not Appear in the MAD British Isles Countdown

Non-guitar driven songs

Songs in 4/4 time

Songs where artists let out excessive vocalizations of the “ahh,” “ooh,” “dee,” etc. variety.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Selections:

31. If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next - Manic Street Preachers

30. Hear The Drummer Get Wicked - Chad Jackson

29. Pick Up The Pieces - Average White Band

28. Virtual Insanity – Jamiroquai

27. Another Chance - Roger Sanchez

26. Living On My Own - Freddie Mercury

Broadway shows

A break up and starting over

 

[krista4]

Songs where artists let out excessive vocalizations of the “ahh,” “ooh,” “dee,” etc. variety.

I hope this exercise isn't just a bunch of frustration for you guys, but I'm enjoying the creativity in the guesses!

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

Selections:

31. If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next - Manic Street Preachers

30. Hear The Drummer Get Wicked - Chad Jackson

29. Pick Up The Pieces - Average White Band

28. Virtual Insanity – Jamiroquai

27. Another Chance - Roger Sanchez

26. Living On My Own - Freddie Mercury



Incorrect guesses:

Songs that give advice

Bands That Have Never Been in My Kitchen

Songs by artists who have headlined Glastonbury

Songs featuring the Mellotron

Fear mongering

Song titles that could be part of geometry proofs

Bands who have a member whose first or last name is a James Bond reference

Bands with family members

Songs that reference a location in another country

Songs that have nine or more words in the title

Songs that mention famous streets

Bands who had a member mysteriously disappear, get declared dead, but no body has ever been found

Songs that reference footballguys user names

Songs without a guitar

Song titles that are commands

First two words of song titles in order of lyrics from The Youngbloods’ Get Together

Songs about resilience in the face of adversity

Songs about the importance of progress

Songs to make people overthink and speculate about an imaginary theme that doesn't really exist

31 songs that MADs submitted in prior MAD rounds, but judge disqualified because the submitting MAD failed to get the long-form birth certificate of all band members before submitting

Songs NOT produced by Todd Rundgren

Artists without umlauts

Songs Sam Rockwell has danced to in a movie

Songs about navigating and adapting to a constantly changing world

Songs credited to more than one songwriter

UK top ten singles

Singles released by UK artist/bands

31 British Isles Songs That Did Not Appear in the MAD British Isles Countdown

Non-guitar driven songs

Songs in 4/4 time

Songs where artists let out excessive vocalizations of the “ahh,” “ooh,” “dee,” etc. variety.

We are still on a streak of Uk Top 10 singles, but Freddie Mercurys original stalled at #50.
A remix in 1993 hit #1 though.

Just wondering if there is something to do with sampling or remixing in the answer

 

[Yo Mama]

Songs where artists let out excessive vocalizations of the “ahh,” “ooh,” “dee,” etc. variety.

I hope this exercise isn't just a bunch of frustration for you guys, but I'm enjoying the creativity in the guesses!

My guess: things that will drive a bunch of middle aged dummies who are trying to find a pattern go crazy.

 

[titusbramble]

So the GTA playlist is going to get into a small spot where we're going to have tracks off of what I think are the worst stations in this bit of the series. That's fine, and that's a limitation of the theme, but here's the question to you all. The GTA games have been taken apart, amended, expanded and blown to pieces by modders, a particular niche being to create much harder versions of the games, with absurd attention to detail to the point where the person(s) modifying the game have been in back and forth "fights" with speedrunners to try to block off the obvious tricks that good players will use, then the good players find a work around, that'll then be patched and then so on and so forth. One such mod, for GTA III, didn't just concentrate on the actual gameplay, but also added additional content in terms of a brand new radio station called Bang Radio - featuring tracks that are not featured in the original game, but are now. Albeit in a style that I think is best described as "bad Dutch karaoke". If you think the next 2-3 tracks in the actual playlist suck, then I could have expanded the field of vision of the theme to the likes of Total Eclipse Of The Heart and other tracks that are on the same channel. Pick your fights ladies and gents

 

[titusbramble]

Songs where artists let out excessive vocalizations of the “ahh,” “ooh,” “dee,” etc. variety.

I hope this exercise isn't just a bunch of frustration for you guys, but I'm enjoying the creativity in the guesses!

My guess: things that will drive a bunch of middle aged dummies who are trying to find a pattern go crazy.

Just checked back through what's been picked. I'm wondering if there isn't some sort of weird themeception thing going on, where it's referencing all the other themes, albeit obscurely as heck - there is a bike in the GTA games called a Sanchez, and the dictator's picked a track from Roger Sanchez. I could be well wide of the mark but maybe there's something in that?

 

[kupcho1]

If you think the next 2-3 tracks in the actual playlist suck, then I could have expanded the field of vision of the theme to the likes of Total Eclipse Of The Heart and other tracks that are on the same channel. Pick your fights ladies and gents

Or hit the skip button.

 

[Don Quixote]

Songs where artists let out excessive vocalizations of the “ahh,” “ooh,” “dee,” etc. variety.

I hope this exercise isn't just a bunch of frustration for you guys, but I'm enjoying the creativity in the guesses!

All good as enjoying trying to figure out. I say that now until this is me a week from now.

Sweet Dee Has a Heart Attack (2008)

Charlie Day in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2005)

m.imdb.com

 

[Mister CIA]

Selections:

31. If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next - Manic Street Preachers

30. Hear The Drummer Get Wicked - Chad Jackson

29. Pick Up The Pieces - Average White Band

28. Virtual Insanity – Jamiroquai

27. Another Chance - Roger Sanchez

26. Living On My Own - Freddie Mercury

b-e-s-u-r-e-...

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

Songs where artists let out excessive vocalizations of the “ahh,” “ooh,” “dee,” etc. variety.

I hope this exercise isn't just a bunch of frustration for you guys, but I'm enjoying the creativity in the guesses!

Will we want to punch the Mystery submitter when the answer is revealed?

 

[shuke]

26s

shukelist songs!
Dr. Octopus – Serenade - Steve Miller Band - I also saw him open for the Dead on that tour
jwb – I Feel Love – Donna Summer - solid Art Bell bumper music here
titusbramble – Africa - Toto

Other favorites:
kupcho1 – Prayers for Rain - The Cure
landrys hat - People Everywhere (Still Alive) - Khruangbin - One of my favorites by them and I just realized I haven't included them on shukelist despite seeing them live.
rockaction - Whatever (Folk Song In C) - Elliott Smith
MrsKarmaPolice – Dinosaur - Manchester Orchestra
higgins – Cantaloupe Island - Herbie Hancock
Zegras11 – Pretty in Pink - The Psychedelic Furs
krista4 – Tonight, Tonight – The Smashing Pumpkins - At times I think this is a top 100 song of all time. Right now is one of those times.

Awesome new to me:
Raging weasel – Beatle George - Turn Me On Deadman
Mister CIA – Dallas After Midnight - Ray Wylie Hubbard
Chaos34 - Voodoo Princess Terror - Hawaii Samurai

 

[shuke]

shukelist songs!

I swear I'm not trying to make this about me, just recognizing when people post the greatest song by a particular artist, as defined by me.

 

[shuke]

I hope this exercise isn't just a bunch of frustration for you guys, but I'm enjoying the creativity in the guesses!

I'm not going to try to seriously guess for another 5 or 10 songs.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Songs where artists let out excessive vocalizations of the “ahh,” “ooh,” “dee,” etc. variety.

I hope this exercise isn't just a bunch of frustration for you guys, but I'm enjoying the creativity in the guesses!

My guess: things that will drive a bunch of middle aged dummies who are trying to find a pattern go crazy.

This is me: I either find it right away or I'm sunk.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

I was really hoping it was songs in 4/4 time, because I have absolutely no idea what else it could possibly be.

 

[Rustoleum]

Songs where artists let out excessive vocalizations of the “ahh,” “ooh,” “dee,” etc. variety.

I hope this exercise isn't just a bunch of frustration for you guys, but I'm enjoying the creativity in the guesses!

I didn’t submit a list, or listen to any of these yet, but just from the titles so far, it uncannily describes stages of my marriage.
(We will know for sure if #1 is I Feel Free by Cream.)

Also: “exercise in frustration” is pretty apt as well.

 

[DrIanMalcolm]

Lots of known songs in the 27s.


Unknown:
Days Move Slow -- I really liked this one.
Lazy Bones - this one's really cool. Neat groove.

Known:
November Rain - I'm a sucker for the guitar solo. In the video, Slash leaving the church to go shred outside was a real 90s moment.
Slaves and Bulldozers - I remember buying Badmotorfinger and really thinking this one sounds like a sledgehammer to the head. The entire album actually kind of scared me for a while until I started to really groove on it.
Walk by Foo Fighters is a real killer.
Heart & Soul by Huey Lewis ain't bad.
Hold On (I'm Comin') - Sam & Dave - I mean, it's an absolute classic. I love the horns.
Girls on Film - this is a real good one.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

Songs where artists let out excessive vocalizations of the “ahh,” “ooh,” “dee,” etc. variety.

I hope this exercise isn't just a bunch of frustration for you guys, but I'm enjoying the creativity in the guesses!

My guess: things that will drive a bunch of middle aged dummies who are trying to find a pattern go crazy.

Just checked back through what's been picked. I'm wondering if there isn't some sort of weird themeception thing going on, where it's referencing all the other themes, albeit obscurely as heck - there is a bike in the GTA games called a Sanchez, and the dictator's picked a track from Roger Sanchez. I could be well wide of the mark but maybe there's something in that?

I had this same thought. I guess I'm waiting for umlauts.

 

[Yo Mama]

Selections:

31. If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next - Manic Street Preachers

30. Hear The Drummer Get Wicked - Chad Jackson

29. Pick Up The Pieces - Average White Band

28. Virtual Insanity – Jamiroquai

27. Another Chance - Roger Sanchez

26. Living On My Own - Freddie Mercury



Incorrect guesses:

Songs that give advice

Bands That Have Never Been in My Kitchen

Songs by artists who have headlined Glastonbury

Songs featuring the Mellotron

Fear mongering

Song titles that could be part of geometry proofs

Bands who have a member whose first or last name is a James Bond reference

Bands with family members

Songs that reference a location in another country

Songs that have nine or more words in the title

Songs that mention famous streets

Bands who had a member mysteriously disappear, get declared dead, but no body has ever been found

Songs that reference footballguys user names

Songs without a guitar

Song titles that are commands

First two words of song titles in order of lyrics from The Youngbloods’ Get Together

Songs about resilience in the face of adversity

Songs about the importance of progress

Songs to make people overthink and speculate about an imaginary theme that doesn't really exist

31 songs that MADs submitted in prior MAD rounds, but judge disqualified because the submitting MAD failed to get the long-form birth certificate of all band members before submitting

Songs NOT produced by Todd Rundgren

Artists without umlauts

Songs Sam Rockwell has danced to in a movie

Songs about navigating and adapting to a constantly changing world

Songs credited to more than one songwriter

UK top ten singles

Singles released by UK artist/bands

31 British Isles Songs That Did Not Appear in the MAD British Isles Countdown

Non-guitar driven songs

Songs in 4/4 time

I have a real guess: Guinness World Records

In my extensive research after a few drinks and a trip down a major rabbit hole tonight, I found that Freddie Mercury, Jamiroquai, and Manic Street Preachers all have some connections with Guinness World Records. Do the others? I (and Wikipedia) have no idea, but 3 out of six ain’t bad.

 

[scorchy]

jwb – songs that sound great on a decent 2-channel system

I Feel Love – Donna Summer

This song was so far ahead of its time, the future is still trying to catch up.

Yeah, the MAD Skateland song from this round picked itself. I Feel Love love was years before my era under the disco ball but I can guarantee it's still a mainstay at the few remaining rinks today.

 

[scorchy]

#26: EX HEX - HOW YOU GOT THAT GIRL

I have been a fan of Ex Hex since hearing their debut, but sadly the name Mary Timony is a name I didn't know until my write up for the WILD FLAG song, which was the person along with Carrie Brownstein that I was talking about. She was in both, along with the band Helium in the 90s as well as 5 solo albums and other projects. I have been listening to a bit in the last week since that post, and I wasn't joking that if I did this playlist today this would be in the top 5 because I bumped her up to the top of my next wave of listening/playlist projects. All of the music is so good, and there is a fun variety as well. I am looking forward to digging in more.

Recommended listening: Ex Hex only has 2 albums, and I really like both. I have taken the opener Don't Wanna Lose a couple times in drafts I believe, and I think I have seen Rainbow Shiner from their second album pop up as well. For the playlist it was down to this song and Another Dimension, so that is another I would highly recommend. Because of discussions in another thread I would also throw out the tune Hot Spurr for gb @El Floppo for reasons... Fans of Mudhoney would like Helium as I got similar vibes listening to them.

Next: We get another entry from the "What's in my Bag" watching. This one is from the same person/episode as the Linda Perhacs album.

Big fan of Mary Timony too so was stoked to see her pop up here. She's local to the DMV and I've seen her live more than a few times over the years - her style really is like time travel in the best way possible. Also, she was Snail Mail's (Ellicott City represent!!!) guitar teacher for quite a while and you can definitely pick up the influence.

 

[Mt. Man]

Catching up with the #26s hopefully before the next round posts. Again, here’s a dozen songs I really (really, etc) liked from this group.

Known Numbers:
Serenade - Steve Miller Band
One Thing - Finger Eleven
I Feel Love - Donna Summer
Heaven - Warrant
Tonight, Tonight - The Smashing Pumpkins

Total Surprises:
How You Got that Girl - Ex Hex
Glory to the Day - Jesse Winchester
Dallas After Midnight - Ray Willie Hubbard
Telepath - Manchester Orchestra & Dirty Projectors
Cantelope Island - Herbie Hancock

Go Figure

There was a minor nocturnal theme this round. So let me shout out “Night Train to Munich” from Al Stewart with Laurence Juber (that might have been my favorite new song this round) and Fates Warning (a band I know some songs from, but have never done a deep dive) with “Night on Brocken”

 

[krista4]

Selections:

31. If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next - Manic Street Preachers

30. Hear The Drummer Get Wicked - Chad Jackson

29. Pick Up The Pieces - Average White Band

28. Virtual Insanity – Jamiroquai

27. Another Chance - Roger Sanchez

26. Living On My Own - Freddie Mercury

b-e-s-u-r-e-...

Hmmm, is there a guess in here? (I mean this seriously, not sarcastically.)

 

[Don Quixote]

Selections:

31. If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next - Manic Street Preachers

30. Hear The Drummer Get Wicked - Chad Jackson

29. Pick Up The Pieces - Average White Band

28. Virtual Insanity – Jamiroquai

27. Another Chance - Roger Sanchez

26. Living On My Own - Freddie Mercury

b-e-s-u-r-e-...

Hmmm, is there a guess in here? (I mean this seriously, not sarcastically.)

I think it’s A Christmas Story reference to the decoder ring.

 

[krista4]

Selections:

31. If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next - Manic Street Preachers

30. Hear The Drummer Get Wicked - Chad Jackson

29. Pick Up The Pieces - Average White Band

28. Virtual Insanity – Jamiroquai

27. Another Chance - Roger Sanchez

26. Living On My Own - Freddie Mercury

b-e-s-u-r-e-...

Hmmm, is there a guess in here? (I mean this seriously, not sarcastically.)

I think it’s A Christmas Story reference to the decoder ring.

Ah yes. Thank you!

 

[krista4]

#25 songs

kupcho1 – rain

Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head - B.J. Thomas


Eephus – Single (Named) Ladies

Stop This Flame – Celeste


Charlie Steiner – songs from Mad Men

The Infanta - The Decembrists


simey – train songs

Railroad Man – Eels


Yambag – Metal songs from 1988-1992 that became the gateway into the world of music for a young Yambag

The Last Act of Defiance – Exodus


Dr. Octopus – guitarists I’ve seen live

Cumberland Gap - Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit (Jason Isbell)


Yo Mama – World’s Worst Superheroes

Dr. Greenthumb - Cypress Hill


Mrs. Rannous – umlauts

Sex On The Beach - Yächtley Crëw


KarmaPolice – songs from artists not on shuke’s list

Two Weeks Since You've Gone - Scott Walker


Don Quixote – Afrobeat

Mapendo Mapendo (Spotify) - The Mighty Cavaliers (Kenya)


JMLs secret identity – songs in D#Minor, the saddest key of all

C'Mere (Spotify) - Interpol


-OZ- - song / music moments from the Marvel cinematic universe

Blue (Da Ba Dee) - Eiffel 65, Gabry Ponte


Mt. Man – Number, Please

2000 Miles – Pretenders


Pip’s Invitation – songs from albums produced and/or engineered by Todd Rundgren

Living Color – Jill Sobule


falguy – songs by 31 different Canadian artists

She Comes Into The Room - Skydiggers


Raging weasel – name-checking Beatles or their songs

American Saturday Night – Brad Paisley


jwb – songs that sound great on a decent 2-channel system

The Dogs of War – Pink Floyd


scorchy – songs by Manchester(-ish) artists

One Day Like This – Elbow


titusbramble – Grand Theft Auto, specifically the 3D era

Change - Conor & Jay (III - Head Radio)


shuke – Saxytime

Sir Duke (Spotify) - Stevie Wonder


Ilov80s - One song from each of the 31 best albums of 1984

Sex Farm - Spinal Tap


John Maddens Lunchbox – Batman

Revolution (Spotify) – REM


Mister CIA – Texas Places in Song Titles

Nuevo Laredo - Doug Sahm


El Floppo – Mallet Rock

Under My Thumb - Rolling Stones


landrys hat - favorite Side 2 Track 1s from my record collection

Brain Cycles - Radio Moscow - Brain Cycles (2009)


rockaction - Songs that state the genre they’re in

So You Want to Be a Rock 'N' Roll Star? – The Byrds


ditkaburgers - Girl Groups X Boy Bands

It Happens Every Time - Dream Street


MrsKarmaPolice – Animal Kingdom

Locust Laced - Sleigh Bells


Tau837 – Hair metal

Round and Round - Ratt


DrIanMalcolm – Songs about New York

In the City - Joe Walsh


higgins – Instrumentals with places in the title

Love On A Real Train (Risky Business Soundtrack) – Tangerine Dream


Zegras11 – New wave

Goody Two Shoes - Adam Ant


Chaos34 - Post Surf Rock Surf Rockish (80s fwd)

Dreaming - Seapony


krista4 – Chicagoland

Leave the City – Magnolia Electric Co.


Anonymous Mystery Theme Dictator - ???

Sharp Dressed Man - ZZ Top


MAC_32 – Songs to play during (and after) a funeral

Famous Last Words - My Chemical Romance

 

[krista4]

#25 Playlist

 

[krista4]

Selections:

31. If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next - Manic Street Preachers

30. Hear The Drummer Get Wicked - Chad Jackson

29. Pick Up The Pieces - Average White Band

28. Virtual Insanity – Jamiroquai

27. Another Chance - Roger Sanchez

26. Living On My Own - Freddie Mercury

25. Sharp Dressed Man - ZZ Top



Incorrect guesses:

Songs that give advice

Bands That Have Never Been in My Kitchen

Songs by artists who have headlined Glastonbury

Songs featuring the Mellotron

Fear mongering

Song titles that could be part of geometry proofs

Bands who have a member whose first or last name is a James Bond reference

Bands with family members

Songs that reference a location in another country

Songs that have nine or more words in the title

Songs that mention famous streets

Bands who had a member mysteriously disappear, get declared dead, but no body has ever been found

Songs that reference footballguys user names

Songs without a guitar

Song titles that are commands

First two words of song titles in order of lyrics from The Youngbloods’ Get Together

Songs about resilience in the face of adversity

Songs about the importance of progress

Songs to make people overthink and speculate about an imaginary theme that doesn't really exist

31 songs that MADs submitted in prior MAD rounds, but judge disqualified because the submitting MAD failed to get the long-form birth certificate of all band members before submitting

Songs NOT produced by Todd Rundgren

Artists without umlauts

Songs Sam Rockwell has danced to in a movie

Songs about navigating and adapting to a constantly changing world

Songs credited to more than one songwriter

UK top ten singles

Singles released by UK artist/bands

31 British Isles Songs That Did Not Appear in the MAD British Isles Countdown

Non-guitar driven songs

Songs in 4/4 time

Broadway shows

Songs that all charted in the same six countries:
UK
Australia
Germany
France
Ireland
Netherlands

Songs under 5 minutes

Songs where artists let out excessive vocalizations of the “ahh,” “ooh,” “dee,” etc. variety

A break up and starting over

Things that will drive a bunch of middle aged dummies who are trying to find a pattern go crazy

Stages in Rustoluem’s marriage

Guinness World Records

 

[Dr. Octopus]

26.

Who? – Jason Isbell

What? – Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit

Where? – Stone Pony Summer Stage

When? – 2022

Why? – Originally a lead guitarist for the Drive-By Truckers as a teen, Isbell turned more towards his country roots after being asked to leave the band due to his heavy drinking (he’s now sober). The bands version of Hendrix’ “Little Wing” may have been one of the best covers I’ve heard live.

 

[zamboni]

DrIanMalcolm – Songs about New York

In the City - Joe Walsh

Love the connection here.

:clicksbottlestogether:

 

[Dr. Octopus]

kupcho1 – rain

Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head - B.J. Thomas

I still have this on a 45 single

 

[Raging weasel]

The 25's
American Saturday Night -Brad Paisley
Key Lyrics
She's got Brazilian leather boots on the pedal of her German car
Listenin' to The Beatles singin' Back in the USSR

 

[krista4]

krista4 – Chicagoland

Leave the City – Magnolia Electric Co.

Artist connection to Chicago (1-5 scale): 4 - OK, this was a mistake. Should have been a 3. I just think of Jason Molina as a Chicago guy, because he recorded here, played here a lot, went into rehab here, etc. But outside of rehab and recording, I'm not sure he ever lived here. Chicago's loss. 10+ years after his death, I still think frequently of him and his music and how tragic it all was.
Song connection to Chicago (1-10 scale): 2 - The song is about Chicago but never mentions it and is another song about leaving, so it scores pretty low.
Total: 6

Note to @DrIanMalcolm , feel free to score songs like this and "Tonight, Tonight" as wins for Chicago. I promise you that even if Chicago takes an early lead, I have some songs near the end that will even things up.

 

[Don Quixote]

Don Quixote – Afrobeat

Mapendo Mapendo (Spotify) - The Mighty Cavaliers (Kenya)

Going to Kenya for the first time. I had not heard of The Mighty Cavaliers until I was working on my playlist and came across some references to The Mighty Cavaliers as a band to check out, and liked what I heard. The YouTube link has under 500 views. Spotify describes The Mighty Cavaliers as having under 200 monthly listeners, and their most popular song as just having over 2,300 streams. So, this one might be a bit on the deep end.

Their style of music is a form of Benga music that was popular in Kenya, but includes western soul and funk influences. For a long time, The Mighty Cavaliers just had one single that was available. A couple of their albums have been re-released by the “Want Some Records” label in Germany in the past couple of years. One of the members of The Mighty Cavaliers was Daudi Kabaka, who may be best known to western audiences for the cover of his “Helule Helule” by The Tremoloes.

Below is what I was able to find about them from a review about this album:

Want some records? Then you're going to have to dig, dig and dig some more and hope that luck turns your way. German imprint and online record dealer Want Some Records did just that. Label head Dennis Krailing, an avid aficionado of African music, couldn't believe his eyes or ears, when the elusive original "Mapendo" by The Mighty Cavaliers arrived at his doorstep directly from Kenya. Originally released in 1977, this particular record remains "shrouded in mystery". To this day, little to nothing is known about its backstory or its creators other than what is mentioned in the credits. It comes as no surprise then, that Krailing eventually decided to hire Uganda-based journalist and friend Michiel van Oosterhout to find out more about the album's true origins, knowing full well that he was planning on making it his label's premier release.

"If you look at the original cover of this very rare Kenyan funk-infused album all you will find are the names of the engineer and the producer, as EMI Kenya omitted the names of the musicians and songwriters. Digging deeper, a rather sinister story of deceit develops whereby 'Mapendo' becomes symbolic for all that was wrong about the Kenyan record industry in the 1970s, and the music industry in Africa as a whole. As this maltreatment of artists proved endemic throughout the continent, although little talked about. One of the three surviving members of The Mighty Cavaliers, bass player Bonnie Wanda [...], vividly remembers participating in the recording of the two albums the band made in 1976 and 1977 – 'Fisherman' and 'Mapendo' – and how they, especially on the latter album, got short-changed by shrewd record label executives", Oosterhout writes. The rest of the story can be found in the record's liner notes.

Listening to "Mapendo", what stands out is its warm and soulful timbre, glistening with a unique fervour and apparent joie de vivre. The joyous musicality and vicious groove is highly infectious and sure to trigger an exuberant response. Combining a wide array of influences with dazzling guitar work, funky vibes, bluesy hues and African swagger, "Mapendo" has an undeniable bounce to its step and potential to ignite dancefloors the world around. Having greatly enjoyed the psych-fueled 2018 reissue of fellow Kenyan afro-rock outfit Black Savage on Afro7, we believe The Mighty Cavaliers to be yet another prime example of 1970s Kenyan afro-funk, though the emphasis here is most definitely on funk. No doubt this longplayer can stand its own and deserves all the attention it can get. That being said, this long overdue reissue treatment should do the trick and shine a light on this remarkable group of musicians. Better late than never.

 

[jwb]

jwb – songs that sound great on a decent 2-channel system

The Dogs of War – Pink Floyd

Out of all the Pink Floyd songs I could have chosen, why this one? Why not something off Dark Side, Wish You Were Here, or Animals (Dogs is really good)

Because this song is gargantuan. I'll again post the old Maxell tape commercial, because for me, this song is like that. Listen as loud as you can stand, and let it just dominate the room. I like everything about it - the slow buildup, the vocals/lyrics, the huge drums when they kick in, the guitar and sax solos, the background singers... and those keyboards. They sound sooo menacing. Saw them do this live on the Delicate Sound of Thunder tour - it was fantastic. I like the Gilmour led Floyd just as much as the old stuff.

 

[Yambag]

#25 songs

Yambag – Metal songs from 1988-1992 that became the gateway into the world of music for a young Yambag

The Last Act of Defiance – Exodus

Summary: Exodus is an American thrash metal band formed in 1979(!!) in Richmond, California. Fun fact is that they featured a then-unknown Kirk Hammett, who was the band's lead guitarist from its inception until his departure in 1983, when he left to join fellow Bay Area thrash metal band Metallica as Dave Mustaine's replacement. Along with Metallica, they are often credited as pioneers of the Bay Area thrash metal scene and have sold over five million albums worldwide.

Times Seen Live in Concert: 0

Personal Connection: A very clear memory during this time was one of my other neighborhood friends who said he wanted to get into metal as well. To me he did not seem the type, but he went out and bought 1989’s Fabulous Disaster anyway. I think he might have listened to it once and then gave it to me, never to buy another metal album. His loss was my gain as Exodus became one of my favorite thrash metal bands. In honor of my friend, I chose the first song off of Fabulous Disaster as it was probably the only one he actually listened to.

Other songs to consider: Their most well-known song that got MTV play is The Toxic Waltz, but I prefer Faster Than You'll Ever Live to Be

 

[krista4]

Going to Kenya for the first time. I had not heard of The Mighty Cavaliers until I was working on my playlist and came across some references to The Mighty Cavaliers as a band to check out, and liked what I heard. The YouTube link has under 500 views. Spotify describes The Mighty Cavaliers as having under 200 monthly listeners, and their most popular song as just having over 2,300 streams. So, this one might be a bit on the deep end.

I assumed these were all known to you before! Cool that you made some new discoveries via research.

We were at a restaurant across the street from us last weekend, and their entire playlist was Afrobeat! I Shazam'd so much that night.

 

[Don Quixote]

Going to Kenya for the first time. I had not heard of The Mighty Cavaliers until I was working on my playlist and came across some references to The Mighty Cavaliers as a band to check out, and liked what I heard. The YouTube link has under 500 views. Spotify describes The Mighty Cavaliers as having under 200 monthly listeners, and their most popular song as just having over 2,300 streams. So, this one might be a bit on the deep end.

I assumed these were all known to you before! Cool that you made some new discoveries via research.

We were at a restaurant across the street from us last weekend, and their entire playlist was Afrobeat! I Shazam'd so much that night.

Nice! Wish I had a restaurant like that near me.

Most of mine were known to me. I have a playlist of about 70 of my favorites from Africa in that era that the list is mostly from. I did find a couple of new ones to add as was pulling together my 31 though. Always like to find something new.

 

[Chaos34]

I bet you were a showoff on roller skates. I never learned to skate backwards, but my sister could, and she would whiz by going backwards like she was the queen on the rink. I'd always make an ugly face at her. I was athletic growing up, but I was not a good roller skater. I couldn't even do that fancy thing where you cross one leg over the other going forward like on a turn. If I tried, I tripped myself. I was better on a skateboard.

It's sad to say that I was better at rolling skating than anything else I've ever attempted in my life. In NFL terms, I had all the tools - could skate fast, lead the dance lines, get under the lowest limbo bars, etc. Unfortunately, all those things ceased mattering by the end of junior high - I peaked when I was 14.

I haven't caught up with the last several pages. Drove six hours through winter wonderland to get to Tahoe for a Super Bowl party tomorrow. But Simey, if it helps, I was pretty athletic too. And for someone doing surf music who loves surfing, supping, and skateboards, when it came to roller skating, well, I just pushed with my right foot and used my left like skateboard. Anything else was dangerous and tragic.

 

[krista4]

Wow!!! Just finished the #26s. By far my favorite playlist so far. There was actually something I liked about every song on the playlist, even songs outside my wheelhouse such as Deicide's "Dead by Dawn," where I loved the drum parts, or Fates Warning's "Night on Brocken," where I loved the guitar parts.

Hard to choose just a few to highlight, but here goes:

- "Prayers for Rain" was indeed as glum as advertised, which means I love it. My favorite rain-related song (narrowly edging out the Beatles' "Rain") is also a plea for rain. I wonder whether it will show up. Oh wait, I have the lists.

- Big ol' heart to "Night Train to Munich." I think the train songs are batting 1.000 with me.

- "Serenade" was a Steve Miller song I really liked, bringing the total to, ummmm, one!

- "One Thing" by Finger Eleven sounds like another band that I can't quite put my finger on (no pun intended). Nice one.

- The "Beatle George" homage was interesting. I thought it was a cover of "The Inner Light" at first since it cribs all the lyrics.

- I would listen to Bugzy Malone talk or rap or probably just breathe forever.

- I enjoyed both Manchester Orchestra songs but especially "Telepath," definitely because of the mallet rock elements. I'm loving the Mallet Rock selections.

- Enjoying Khruangbin, I thought, "What the hell am I listening to?" Per Wiki, the band "is known for blending global music influences, such as Thai rock, Iranian pop, and dub, with American soul, rock, and psychedelia." Well no wonder I couldn't figure it out.

- "Cantaloupe Island" is the only time I would allow the name of that evil melon to be muttered in this house. Loved the song.