Middle-aged Dummies are back and bursting at the "themes" to get going! Full theme ahead! (3 Viewers)

[krista4]

Omg, I'm caught up (temporarily).

#23s were great for me, but I already knew the vast majority of the playlist, so not a lot of new-to-me favorites to mention. It seems like I should just stop mentioning train songs and Afrobeat because they are always my favorites, so instead I'll give a special shout-out to Odetta's "Cool Water" and Califone's "Slow Rt. Hand" as favorites from this list.

 

[rockaction]

Theme: 31 Best Albums of 1984

23. Rock Box by Run-D.M.C.

Album: Run-D.M.C.
Released: March 27
I have to laugh when I read this album was considered the birth of hardcore rap since it sounds so tame today. But that's just fine by me. This album perfectly encaptures 80s hip hop and the whole b boy era. It holds up beautifully today. 40 years later and I still don't think the electric guitar and a rap song have gone together so well as they do on Rock Box. People have been chasing this dragon for 40 years with some very uneven results.

Rock Box

Run–D.M.C. · RUN-DMC (Expanded Edition) · Song · 1984

open.spotify.com

King of Rock almost made the genre countdown, but the use of "rock" in hip-hop music wasn't something I felt I could explain well enough to use the song. Anyway, I love the song you picked. Surprised that Run-D.M.C.'s eponymous made the countdown for you all. Usually people think of King of Rock or Raising Hell (which I have on vinyl, actually, and might pull out to listen to) as Run-D.M.C.'s two major crossover albums.

Love the bolded. Very astute comment. It's been hit-or-miss to say the least.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

I saw this post and thought another playlist was coming already - doesn't anyone want me to listen to any other music?

I somehow got caught up and had some time to try to research a potential artist for next artist countdown. It gave me the brief feeling of an overachiever.

I'm eleven albums in.

 

[-OZ-]

I saw this post and thought another playlist was coming already - doesn't anyone want me to listen to any other music?

I somehow got caught up and had some time to try to research a potential artist for next artist countdown. It gave me the brief feeling of an overachiever.

I'm eleven albums in.

I finished my Jackson Browne deep dive and moved on to Joe Jackson. Browne is on my list of potential artist countdowns. Love his stuff. I wasn’t a huge fan of Joe, but my second room mate in college was, so this is bringing back memories.

I’ve been enjoying the playlists here but haven’t commented. I missed a few and lost momentum. I might make it up or I might just start again and skip comments for a few.

 

[KarmaPolice]

I saw this post and thought another playlist was coming already - doesn't anyone want me to listen to any other music?

I somehow got caught up and had some time to try to research a potential artist for next artist countdown. It gave me the brief feeling of an overachiever.

I'm eleven albums in.

Nice!

I started on Opeth V3 the other night. I directly blame @jwb and @Yambag for this. Maybe 3rd time is a charm?

 

[Mister CIA]

There is some very basic soldering involved.

Famous last words

My old man, he's a television repairman.

 

[Mt. Man]

The #23s were excellent! I could’ve chosen about 2/3rds of the playlist, most of which I knew well. But that’s not very “selected” then, is it? Instead, here’s a dozen that stood out to me:

Selected Numbers:
Misirlou - Martin Denny
You Could Be Mine - Guns N’ Roses
Just a Girl - No Doubt
Queen of the Reich - Queensryche
Hooked on a Feeling - Blue Suede
Hard to Laugh - The Pursuit of Happiness
Smooth Operator - Sade
Corpus Christi Bay - Robert Earl Keen
Slow Rt. Hand - Califone
Funkytown - Lipps Inc.
Say You’ll Be There - Spice Girls
Le Freak - Chic

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

23. "Funkytown" - Lipps Inc. (1980)

"Funkytown" is a track put out by a Minnesota group called Lipps Inc. on Casablanca records back in 1980. The song came out of pretty much nowhere and flew up the charts, becoming the #1 song in twenty-eight countries, including the U.S.A. A disco/funk song released at the back end of disco's popularity, it was written by DJ Steve Greenberg and featured former Flyte Nyte vocalist Cynthia Johnson on vocals.

Johnson's earlier project, the aforementioned Flyte Nyte, might be familiar to those that follow the R&B world because the group had both Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis (and later Morris Day) in it before they all changed the name Flyte Nyte to The Time before later changing it again to Morris Day and The Time. Anyway, I almost used Pseudo Echo's keytar-tastic cover for this, but I liked the original quite enough to use the original instead.

Lipps Inc. released a few more tracks as singles but was never able to match the success it had with "Funkytown." Greenberg seems like an affable guy and controls the rights to the song, which he supervises to make sure it's used appropriately and doesn't over-saturate the market, regardless of monetary offer for said song.

Pseudo Echo were one of the few successful Australian Synth Pop Bands.
You had to understand the Australian Rock Music scene was totally unwelcoming to them and other bands such as Real Life.
Bands like Rose Tattoo, the Angels, Ac/DC etc are what you had to sound like to survive.

Pseudo Echo played around with their version of Funky Town to introduce a more rock oriented sound to their audience as a fun concert number. The reception was overwhelming positive and after going to #1 in Australia it went top 10 in the UK and US.

After being synth pop and synth rock. They then made the brilliant decision to turn into a heavy metal act.
Alienating the young fan base and the audience they were after just laughed at them

 

[Eephus]

A bunch of MADs adjacent new album releases

EP from John Lodge from the Moodies. Don't know if there's more coming later

Love Conquers All

John Lodge · EP · 2025 · 5 songs

open.spotify.com

Live album from single (named) lady Kelela who may or may not have made my countdown

In The Blue Light

Kelela · Album · 2025 · 12 songs

open.spotify.com

The first Ryan Adams album of the year

Another Wednesday

Ryan Adams · Album · 2025 · 13 songs

open.spotify.com

Landfill Indie veterans The Wombats have a new one

Oh! The Ocean

The Wombats · Album · 2025 · 12 songs

open.spotify.com

Afrobeat from Colombia of all places written around an old rhythm track by the late, great Tony Allen

LA BOA MEETS TONY ALLEN

Tony Allen · Album · 2025 · 9 songs

open.spotify.com

Solo album from Gary Louris from The Jayhawks and Golden Smog

Dark Country

Gary Louris · Album · 2025 · 12 songs

open.spotify.com

85 year old Soul legend Candi Staton releases what she says is her final album. It includes a Stones cover.

Back To My Roots

Candi Staton · Album · 2025 · 12 songs

open.spotify.com

Live EP by Jack White

No Name Live

Jack White · EP · 2025 · 5 songs

open.spotify.com

A couple of live tracks from The Black Crowes w/ Jimmy Page

No Speak No Slave (Live)

Jimmy Page · Single · 2025 · 2 songs

open.spotify.com

New from the Manics

Critical Thinking

Manic Street Preachers · Album · 2025 · 12 songs

open.spotify.com

New Bartees Strange and Horsegirl for the kids. Speaking of kids, Bono's son's band Inhaler has a new album. There are new albums from Neil Young and Doves announced for today but not on streaming yet.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

I like the Enter the Haggis selection. Any further recomendations? Would like more.

Edit: I seem to have almost memorized the lyrics. I really need more songs.

I see Amazon has several of their albums. Where should I start?

Glad you liked it! This and the below 6 would be a good starter pack

Another Round
Gasoline
No More Stones
Donald Where's Your Troosers
Mrs. Elliott
Lancaster Gate (instrumental)

Enjoy

@MAC_32

Are these albums or individual songs? I can't find track listings anywhere. Their site is unfotunately awful. Nothing like light grey writing on a light grey background to bring a smile to my face.

What album(s) is "One Last Drink" on? Or any of those songs?

 

[Don Quixote]

Afrobeat from Colombia of all places written around an old rhythm track by the late, great Tony Allen

LA BOA MEETS TONY ALLEN

Tony Allen · Album · 2025 · 9 songs

open.spotify.com

Good timing.

 

[scorchy]

We never learned to dance in PE class but we did play games with a giant parachute. I remember everyone would get so excited days that we walked into the gym and saw a parachute rolled out on the floor. I have no idea the educational theory behind that one.

I'm headed out now into the frigid temps for the Eagles superbowl parade. My kid flew in from Cali to PHL last night and I drove up from Baltimore. Pip already told me he's watching on the TV from his couch.

 

[simey]

I'm headed out now into the frigid temps for the Eagles superbowl parade. My kid flew in from Cali to PHL last night and I drove up from Baltimore. Pip already told me he's watching on the TV from his couch.

Enjoy the parade.

 

[krista4]

#22 songs

kupcho1 – rain

Happy When it Rains - The Jesus and Mary Chain


Eephus – Single (Named) Ladies

Jerk Ribs – Kelis


Charlie Steiner – songs from Mad Men

Cup Of Loneliness - George Jones


simey – train songs

Train - The Clarks


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

The Salaminizer – Gwar


Dr. Octopus – guitarists I’ve seen live

Into the Sea - God Street Wine (Aaron Maxwell/Lo Faber)


Yo Mama – World’s Worst Superheroes

Simple Man - Lynrd Skynrd


Mrs. Rannous – umlauts

Finisterra - Mägo de Oz


KarmaPolice – songs from artists not on shuke’s list

After Hours - A Tribe Called Quest


Don Quixote – Afrobeat

Progress (Spotify) - Tony Allen & Afrika ‘70 (Nigeria)


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

Ohne Dich (Spotify) - Rammstein


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

Fooled Around And Fell In Love - Elvin Bishop


Mt. Man – Number, Please

1234 - Feist


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

Something Warm - Rick Derringer


falguy – songs by 31 different Canadian artists

She-La - 54-40


Raging weasel – name-checking Beatles or their songs

Heart Songs - Weezer


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

Late in the Evening – Paul Simon


scorchy – songs by Manchester(-ish) artists

Whistling In The Dark – Easterhouse


titusbramble – Grand Theft Auto, specifically the 3D era

Your Teeth In My Neck - Scientist (III - K-Jah)


shuke – Saxytime

Born to Run (Spotify) - Bruce Springsteen


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

Lost - Meat Puppets


John Maddens Lunchbox – Batman

Super Freak (Spotify) - Rick James


Mister CIA – Texas Places in Song Titles

I Was Born In San Antone - Garrett T. Capps


El Floppo – Mallet Rock

Ghosts - Japan


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

Thursday - Morphine - Cure For Pain - (1993)


rockaction - Songs that state the genre they’re in

Death Letter Blues - Son House


ditkaburgers - Girl Groups X Boy Bands

Playas Gon' Play - 3LW


MrsKarmaPolice – Animal Kingdom

Wolves - Phosphorescent


Tau837 – Hair metal

Here I Go Again - Whitesnake


DrIanMalcolm – Songs about New York

City of Blinding Lights - U2


higgins – Instrumentals with places in the title

Austria (Band of Brothers) - Michael Kamen


Zegras11 – New wave

Tainted Love - Soft Cell


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

My Head Hurts - Wavves


krista4 – Chicagoland

Motorist – Jawbox


Anonymous Mystery Theme Dictator - ???

By The Time I Get To Arizona - Public Enemy


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

In Hell I'll Be In Good Company - Dead South

 

[krista4]

#22 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

24. Better Off Alone - Alice Deejay

23. Love Is The Drug - Roxy Music

22. By The Time I Get To Arizona - Public Enemy



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

Songs that can qualify for other people’s themes

Songs by people with facial hair

All songs use an instrument with keys

Songs that are the narrative arc of a divorce

Addiction

Songs with 125 BPM or more

 

[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

25. Sharp Dressed Man - ZZ Top

24. Better Off Alone - Alice Deejay

23. Love Is The Drug - Roxy Music

22. By The Time I Get To Arizona - Public Enemy



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

Songs that sample from other songs on the list

 

[Dr. Octopus]

23.

Who? – Aaron Maxwell/Lo Faber

What? – God Street Wine

Where? – 712 Club, McGovern’s, Wetlands, Stone Pony, Irving Plaza, Seton Hall Auditorium, Fastlane, Gramercy Theater, Wonder Bar (to name a few)

When? – 1998-2024 (approximately 35 times)

Why? – I’ve been with this band since its inception, and I have never seen a tighter live band. Aaron is the true star on guitar, but Lo has worked hard to make himself better and the way they weave in and out of each other’s solos is amazing.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

We never learned to dance in PE class but we did play games with a giant parachute. I remember everyone would get so excited days that we walked into the gym and saw a parachute rolled out on the floor. I have no idea the educational theory behind that one.

I'm headed out now into the frigid temps for the Eagles superbowl parade. My kid flew in from Cali to PHL last night and I drove up from Baltimore. Pip already told me he's watching on the TV from his couch.

Unlike in 2018, our CEO didn't give the whole company the day off, so I'm watching from my desk at home while I'm "working." (I'm basically responding to emails and otherwise messing around.) I'll be on the couch when I go downstairs for lunch.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

This goes out to @scorchy and the other Eagles fans freezing at the parade today!

22. Something Warm
Artist: Rick Derringer
Album: Guitars and Women (1979)
Todd's role(s): producer, engineer, backing vocals
Writer(s): Rick Derringer

The song: Derringer and Todd Rundgren became good friends in the '70s and worked together on Derringer's 1979 album Guitars and Women. "Something Warm," its opening track and first single, is an energetic power-pop number which could very well have been the result of Rundgren's "songcraft agitating," as it sounds like it could pass for a track on one of his 1976-79 solo or Utopia albums. The harmonies that emerge in the middle of the song definitely sound like those heard on Utopia discs around this time.

This is the fourth straight side 1, track 1 to appear in this countdown. That is no accident, as Rundgren believed in sequencing the best track first. In the liner notes of his most popular solo album Something/Anything?, Rundgren wrote that he put "I Saw the Light" first because he thought it had the most potential to become a hit (which it did).

The album: Derringer is best known for two massive hits: "Hang on Sloopy," with his first band The McCoys, and "Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo," which was first recorded by Johnny Winter before Derringer's own version was included on his first solo album All American Boy and became a hit. While Derringer continued to release albums, he became just as known for being an in-demand session guitarist, working with both Winter brothers, Steely Dan, Bonnie Tyler and others, and eventually taking on production work for others. Both he and Rundgren have served in Ringo's All-Starr Band, but not at the same time.

He befriended Rundgren when they were neighbors in New York and played on some of his solo albums, including Something/Anything?. So it was no surprise that Derringer would eventually recruit Rundgren to produce one of his own albums. The record is mostly no-nonsense straightforward rock with no hints of the disco, yacht rock and punk trends of the time. Two songs were written by Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick, who also has a history with Rundgren.

Rundgren covered "Everything" from this record on the (re)Production album. https://open.spotify.com/track/6vJwVnHPAMKt1C6LsPr5X8?si=b7a81ea8fdf84c56

You Might Also Like: "Timeless" has a similar melody, arrangement and cadence to Rundgren's late '70s work and is probably another example of Todd's "songcraft agitation." But the spectacular guitar work is all Derringer. https://open.spotify.com/track/6ACHI12umgfTn3HgGAWsJe?si=ebd9ea709b2c4f0b

At #21, we break the streak of first songs to feature a last song, which is a cover of a tune that every middle-aged dummy should know.

 

[landrys hat]

hey @shuke there's another Morphine track for ya

 

[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

25. Sharp Dressed Man - ZZ Top

24. Better Off Alone - Alice Deejay

23. Love Is The Drug - Roxy Music

22. By The Time I Get To Arizona - Public Enemy



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

Songs that can qualify for other people’s themes

Songs by people with facial hair

All songs use an instrument with keys

Songs that are the narrative arc of a divorce

Addiction

Songs with 125 BPM or more

Songs representing different Nicholas Cage movies / characters

 

[Chaos34]

The mystery theme is...

Songs

 

[Don Quixote]

Don Quixote – Afrobeat

Progress (Spotify) - Tony Allen & Afrika ‘70 (Nigeria)

I know Tony Allen is known to at least some here, but for those who don’t know him… he was one of the founders of Afrobeat along with Fela Kuti. He was the drummer and band leader of Fela Kuti’s band in the 1960s and 1970s. Fela Kuti said that without Tony Allen, there would be no Afrobeat. Here is a bit from an obituary written about him after his death:

Few musicians can claim to have invented a revolutionary rhythm, but then few are quite like the late Afrobeat pioneer Tony Allen. Brian Eno called him “the greatest drummer that ever lived”, citing his style alongside James Brown’s funk breakbeat and the constant pulse of German band Neu! as the “three great beats of the 1970s”. Allen’s swirl of jazz, Yoruba and highlife was unlike anything the world had ever heard: a full-body polyrhythmic workout that would give most drummers sore wrists just thinking of it.

Allen came to prominence in Lagos alongside Fela Kuti. He started drumming in the late 50s while working at a radio station, looking to jazz icons such as Art Blakey and Max Roach for inspiration as he taught himself to play. In 1964 he met Kuti and they spent the next half-decade fine-tuning their fusion of west African party music and American funk and jazz, in the bands Koola Lobitos and, by 1969, Africa ’70. While Kuti, who died in 1997, is more well-known than his musical soulmate, he said that “without Tony Allen there would be no Afrobeat”.

Allen has always said he didn’t invent Afrobeat per se, but his drumming was the genre’s backbone. He was a machine behind the kit, his method providing the foundation for Kuti’s fancies. Allen’s was a physical, multi-limbed approach. He thought drumming should be akin to “riding a bicycle”, as he told the Wire magazine. “You have to use your four limbs,” he said, which was “very rare” among drummers when he was starting out: “Maximum was three.” It’s little wonder Kuti said that Allen did the work of five drummers, though Allen went one further. “When I’m in a happy mood playing, you can hear me like six drummers,” he said in one interview. “On some days it could be 100!”

The “Progress” album was written when Tony Allen was starting to try to branch into some solo work of his own instead of just being subordinate to Fela Kuti. He was still connected to Fela Kuti at this time though, as he is backed by the Afrika ‘70 band, and Fela Kuti plays the saxophone on this track. A couple of years after this one, he broke off from Fela Kuti completely and took some of the band members with him. Definitely a number of ways that could have gone for Tony Allen. The new album that Eephus posted earlier is great too and a good use of his recorded drum tracks and honest to the Afrobeat style, though adding a bit of interesting Colombian elements too.

 

[MAC_32]

I like the Enter the Haggis selection. Any further recomendations? Would like more.

Edit: I seem to have almost memorized the lyrics. I really need more songs.

I see Amazon has several of their albums. Where should I start?

Glad you liked it! This and the below 6 would be a good starter pack

Another Round
Gasoline
No More Stones
Donald Where's Your Troosers
Mrs. Elliott
Lancaster Gate (instrumental)

Enjoy

@MAC_32

Are these albums or individual songs? I can't find track listings anywhere. Their site is unfotunately awful. Nothing like light grey writing on a light grey background to bring a smile to my face.

What album(s) is "One Last Drink" on? Or any of those songs?

Individual songs, punch them into either amazon or spotify and you'll find them. One Last Drink is on Soapbox Heroes, I believe most others are on Casualties of Retail or Cheers & Echoes.

 

[MAC_32]

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

In Hell I'll Be In Good Company - Dead South

After a run of depressing cuts, we were overdue for something quirky and fun.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Simple Man is one of my favorite all-time songs and also holds some special meaning to me.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

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

24. Better Off Alone - Alice Deejay

23. Love Is The Drug - Roxy Music

22. By The Time I Get To Arizona - Public Enemy

artists with facial hair

 

[Yo Mama]

World’s Worst Superheroes #22

Simple Man
Artist - Lynyrd Skynyrd (1973)

Strengths - Doesn’t overthink things; easily amused; doesn’t have to look at the menu since he always orders the same thing at his favorite restaurant.

Weaknesses - Very predictable, his enemies always know exactly where he’ll be; believes everything he reads on the internet; all of his passwords (not to mention the combination on his luggage) are 1-2-3-4-5.


There Goes My Hero

Situation - You run a charity that is dangerously running out of funds. You need someone to play in the upcoming Celebrity Quiz Show to win money for your charity. To summon your hero, you send up a signal into the clouds (a picture of a woman in a bikini eating chicken wings).

Quiz show host: “Welcome to Celebrity Quiz Show, where celebrities answer trivia questions to win money for their favorite charities. Our next celebrity is Simple Man, who is playing for the charity Yo Mama’s Kids!” [audience cheers]

Simple Man: [waves at crowd] “Youuuu mmmmmmake mmmmmmee hhapppppy!”

Host: “Tell us a little about yourself, Simple Man.”

SM: “I was born a poor black child.”

Host: [stares at camera] “Well, OK then. Let’s get to our first question. What is the name of the plant that chocolate derives from?”

SM: [raises hand] “Life is like a box of chocolates.”

Host: [BUZZ] “Incorrect. Next question: How does an alligator propel itself through the water?”

SM: [blares air horn from his pocket] “”My Mama says that alligators are ornery because they got all them teeth and no toothbrush.”

Host: [getting frustrated] “No, in the water. How does it propel itself in the water?”

SM: “That’s some high quality H2O!”

Host: [BUZZ] “Incorrect. Next question: What is the name of the novel by Richard Adams about a group of rabbits fighting for survival?”

SM: [slams hand on dais] “ Tell me about the rabbits, George!”

Host: [BUZZ] “Incorrect, and my name isn’t George. Anyway that’s the end of our show. Simple Man, you raised a negative $10,000 for your charity. Please make the check out to Celebrity Quiz Show.”

SM: [slaps forehead] “Doh! I tried my best and I failed miserably. The lesson is: never try!”

[audience cheers]

 

[Yo Mama]

Simple Man is one of my favorite all-time songs and also holds some special meaning to me.

Agreed. I’ve listened to it so many times working on this list.

 

[Don Quixote]

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

24. Better Off Alone - Alice Deejay

23. Love Is The Drug - Roxy Music

22. By The Time I Get To Arizona - Public Enemy

artists with facial hair

Now I’m picturing Alice Deejay’s singer with a ZZ Top beard.

 

[-OZ-]

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

Fooled Around And Fell In Love - Elvin Bishop

While Not THE Most popular song to use in movies, this gem appears in at least 15 movies including boogie nights, Big daddy, Harold and kumar…

Here, it answers The question, How is Gamora?

Perfect song for Quill, in a great scene where the warrior starts to have… other feelings.
The melody is pleasant… I will not succumb to your pelvic sorcery!

I must've been through about a million girls
I'd love 'em, and I'd leave 'em alone
I didn't care how much they cried, no sir
Their tears left me cold as a stone
But then I fooled around and fell in love
I fooled around and fell in love
I fooled around and fell in love
Fooled around and fell in love
It used to be when I'd see a girl that I liked
I'd get out my book and write down her name
But when the grass got a little greener on the other side
I'd just tear out that page
But then I fooled around and fell in love!

Up next - probably my favorite song all time.

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

In Hell I'll Be In Good Company - Dead South

I wasn’t expecting a dead South song.

 

[jwb]

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

Late in the Evening – Paul Simon

This one is all about the percussion and the horns. And Paul's joy of telling the story of his musical journey while growing up. I read that the drummer (Steve Gadd) used two sticks in each hand to simulate two drummers playing. Whatever he did, it sounds great, with all kinds of neat percussion fills all throughout the song. I love Paul's little "yea..." after each line in the second verse as he sings about being a cool teenager on the streets: "I'm with my boys, I'm with my troops... yea". Like most of us, he's got a fondness for those days, and you can get a real sense of it if you really listen. Easily my favorite Paul Simon solo song.

 

[jwb]

Anonymous Mystery Theme Dictator - ???

By The Time I Get To Arizona - Public Enemy

This is starting to sound like a life's journey. This is your life, Krista?

 

[kupcho1]

kupcho1 – rain

Happy When it Rains - The Jesus and Mary Chain

JAMC were certainly a product of their era.

When The Jesus And Mary Chain erupted out of nowhere with the insta-classic debut album Psychocandy in 1985, the band appeared to personify the gloomy emo-goth movement of the era: people with giant Robert Smith-like hair, almost entirely black wardrobes, and extremely pale skin because they never saw the sun, if they could be bothered to look up at all. Naturally, my club kid friends and I clamored to the (Cabaret) Metro in Chicago for JAMC’s first appearance there, where we were greeted by a band that couldn’t have cared less how much we loved their record. They never looked up, ran through that first album in about a half-hour, and finished with a literal mic drop by one of the Reid brothers (who held out his hand, opened his fist, and dropped it), with no encores. We got the feeling that they would have respected us more if we hadn’t shown any enthusiasm at all.

With a love song for their people

“Happy When It Rains” has an undeniable surge of positive romantic energy that sails the song across. Goth club kids needed a love anthem of their own, and this song provided it, with this hooky depiction of the main relationship: “And we tried so hard / And we looked so good / And we lived our lives in black.” It’s almost too much, so the song title makes sense, as the besotted is still going to need a little bleakness to balance out all of this unnerving joy: “Looking at me enjoying something / That feels like feels like pain.”

You were my sunny day rain
You were the clouds in the sky
You were the darkest sky
But your lips spoke gold and honey
That's why I'm happy when it rains
I'm happy when it pours

 

[KarmaPolice]

When I saw "Simple Man" I pictured Billy Bob in Slingblade as a superhero. "there ain't no gas in it"

 

[Eephus]

Simple Man is one of my favorite all-time songs and also holds some special meaning to me.

I went to a funeral once where "Simple Man" was played in honor of the deceased. It was a woman's funeral, the wife of a friend from work, but they never explained the significance of the song for her. It's a rather long song and people were getting squirmy in the pews by the end.

 

[Yo Mama]

When I saw "Simple Man" I pictured Billy Bob in Slingblade as a superhero. "there ain't no gas in it"

Argh. I got references to spaceballs, tropic thunder, Forrest Gump, water boy, watership down, of mice and men, and the Simpsons. Can’t believe I forgot this one. Mmmmhmmmm!”

 

[Eephus]

I know Tony Allen is known to at least some here, but for those who don’t know him… he was one of the founders of Afrobeat along with Fela Kuti. He was the drummer and band leader of Fela Kuti’s band in the 1960s and 1970s. Fela Kuti said that without Tony Allen, there would be no Afrobeat. Here is a bit from an obituary written about him after his death:

Huge fan. There are many days where he's my absolute favorite drummer.

The rhythms he plays are sometimes counterintuitive but they always fit the tune like a glove.

 

[Ilov80s]

Anonymous Mystery Theme Dictator - ???

By The Time I Get To Arizona - Public Enemy

This is starting to sound like a life's journey. This is your life, Krista?

That makes a lot of sense

 

[MAC_32]

This Finisterra epic is unreal

 

[Yambag]

#22 songs

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

The Salaminizer – Gwar

Summary: Gwar is an American heavy metal band formed in Richmond, Virginia, in 1984. They are known for distinctively grotesque costumes combined with over-the-top violent and sexual humor typically incorporating social and political satire. Gwar has attracted both acclaim and controversy for its music and stage shows, the latter of which notoriously showcase enactments of graphic violence that result in the audience being sprayed with fake blood, urine, and semen.

Times Seen Live in Concert: 2 = 2006, 2012

Personal Connection: I distinctly remember first seeing Gwar on a VHS tape my friend got about various heavy metal groups. Of course once you see them, you just know you have to check out an album. Scumdogs of the Universe was my first Gwar album and this song, The Salaminizer was the first song I heard. I instantly loved everything about them and would beg anyone I knew to give them a listen. Their concert movie, Live From Antarctica is legendary and I have seen them live a few times, which is always an experience.

Other songs to consider: Two of their most popular songs are Sick of You and and Saddam a Go-Go

 

[Charlie Steiner]

22. Cup of Loneliness - George Jones


The only thing keeping you from being happy is the belief that you are alone. - Anna Draper, season 2, episode 12, The Mountain King


One of the most if not the most influential character on Don Draper is Anna. Instead of having him arrested for fraud when they meet, she seems to recognize that like her, he is wounded and needs healing rather than punishment. She appears in only a few episodes, yet actress Melinda Page Hamilton makes the most of every second of screen time to bring Anna to life with depth.

The song begins as the episode ends, with Don slowly wading into the ocean, arms stretching out, so that only the thickest of watchers would miss the baptismal symbolism of his action.

Again, the choice of song is absolute perfection, where if you tug on the song just a little, it reveals layers of connection to the episode:

1. Obviously, the theme of the song relates to the closing scene, though since Don had said "people don't change" in the previous scene, the song is more tongue-in-cheek in the long run.

2. Selecting a Gospel tune also relates back to Peggy's pitch to Popsicle earlier in this episode, in that Peggy draws on the act of Holy Communion for the ad, emphasizing the idea of sharing as a way to join together/reconcile.

3. For those of us who needed to watch the Showtime biopic on George Jones to know anything about him, it turns out George was a real-life Don Draper of sorts, with a wildly successful career and a wildly wild personal life.

 

[El Floppo]

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

24. Better Off Alone - Alice Deejay

23. Love Is The Drug - Roxy Music

22. By The Time I Get To Arizona - Public Enemy



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

Songs that can qualify for other people’s themes

Songs by people with facial hair

All songs use an instrument with keys

Songs that are the narrative arc of a divorce

Addiction

Songs with 125 BPM or more

Something to do with Tina Turner/abused women?

 

[Chaos34]

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

My Head Hurts - Wavves

Considering the inauspicious launch of what's basically a solo act led by multi-instrumentalist and singer songwriter Nathan Williams, I'm surprised Wavves is still a thing, but it seems some new music is in the works and likely a tour.

Inauspicious? Yeah, at the age of 23 in 08 Nathan produced his first album (Wavves) in his parents' garage on a laptop. A lo-fi surf punk effort received enough praise for him to continue and produce Wavvves (extra V) in 09 in a real studio and hire a drummer for a local west coast tour. Things were looking up for the San Diego based band and they signed to tour Europe with a gig at a major music festival, Primavera Sound.

Before he took the stage Nathan took a cocktail of MDMA, Diazepam and Xanax. Punker gonna punk. The soundcheck was a mess with him complaining about this and that, messing with monitors and arguing with his drummer, Ryan Ulsh. They tried to play but Nathan kept stopping and whining at the sound guys or yelling at Ryan. The crowd booed and Nathan insulted them in the most unflattering terms. So they pelted him with beverages and snacks. Ryan seemed to approve because he joined the crowd by throwing his drumsticks at Nathan. This caused Nate to charge Ryan but he fortunately or unfortunately lost his footing on the wet stage and took a fall. While struggling to get up, Ryan proceeded to pour a beer over Nathan's head to the only applause Wavves received that day. Tour canceled.

My Head Hurts seems like the appropriate track.

The 2010 redemption album King of the Beach is quite good and featured the first of a string of indie hits that has me assuming a few of you know Wavves. Nathan's apologized to Europe, completed a 12 step program, and made a good living with his many musical talents. I pulled something catchy and Blink182ish from the experimental 2015 album V. There's Cambodian pop turned punk and 70s South American psychedelia turned punk to be found there. It's been 8 years since he's released something so I'm excited to hear what's coming this year.

 

[El Floppo]

El Floppo – Mallet Rock

Ghosts - Japan

I had just discovered Japan when this came out. While I dug the album and the song, the song itself diverged from their more synthy, boppy, pre-Duran Duran sound. No bass (poor Mick Karn!). No drums.

Written entirely by David Sylvian (who's music was a good friend during my 20s and 30s) and in retrospect a hint at some of the musical avenues Sylvian would explore on his impending solo career, referencing Stockhausen as an influence. "Sylvian has since said to Mojo magazine that "Ghosts" pre-empted the band splitting up: "It was the only time I let something of a personal nature come through and that set me on a path in terms of where I wanted to proceed in going solo." "

Sylvians brother and drummer Steve Jansen followed him into his "solo" career. It's Jansen playing the marimba here as the only really dominant melodic element outside of the keyboard strings.

Something I only just found- this was Japans highest charting single, which seems insane on a bunch of levels.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Mrs. Rannous – umlauts

Finisterra - Mägo de Oz

I did not understand a word but this was a crazy cool song.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

all of his passwords (not to mention the combination on his luggage) are 1-2-3-4-5.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Before the speeches at the end of the Eagles' parade, they are playing the national anthem ... on saxophone.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

Round 22 - Finesterra - Mägo de Oz

Mägo de Oz is a Spanish folk-metal band. This song is the final selection on a two-disk album of the same name, The explanation on WIkipedia pretty much covers the setting and story line. This song is fifteen minutes long, but I like it and don't care. So suck it up, people.

And the link is wrong. That's the whole side. This is the fifteen minute selection.

I have no idea why that happened. It was correct when I sent it in.