Middle-aged Dummies are back and bursting at the "themes" to get going! Full theme ahead! (1 Viewer)

[Dr. Octopus]

4.

Who? – Dickey Betts

What? – Allman Brothers Band

Where? – Montclair State College, Beacon Theater, Meadowlands Racetrack, Radio City Music Hall

When? – approximately 20 times between 1990-2001

Why? – It’s hard to not smile during a Betts solo, especially on the song I featured, Jessica. The Allmans had a resurgence in the 1990s and I was there for it. The Montclair State Show was in a small college campus theater – and it was amazing and hooked me.

I should probably give shout outs to Jack Pearson and Warren Haynes who were the two second lead guitarists playing with Betts and the Brothers (replacing Duane Allman) - both outstanding talents as well, but Betts was the guy I went to see.

 

[krista4]

#3 songs

kupcho1 – rain

Singin' In The Rain - Gene Kelly


Eephus – Single (Named) Ladies

To Be Loved – Adele


Charlie Steiner – songs from Mad Men

The Best Things in Life are Free - Robert Morse


simey – train songs

Jenny Dreamed of Trains - John Denver


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

You Can't Bring Me Down - Suicidal Tendencies


Dr. Octopus – guitarists I’ve seen live

Comfortably Numb - Pink Floyd (David Gilmour)


Yo Mama – World’s Worst Superheroes

The Analog Kid - Rush


Mrs. Rannous – umlauts

Schrei nach Leibe - Die Ärzte


KarmaPolice – songs from artists not on shuke’s list

All Across the Country - Atomic Rooster


Don Quixote – Afrobeat

Atwer Abroba (Spotify) - Ebo Taylor (Ghana)


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

Layla (Spotify) - Derek and the Dominos


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

Dog Days Are Over - Florence + The Machine


Mt. Man – Number, Please

9 to 5 - Dolly Parton


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

A Beautiful Song - Nazz


falguy – songs by 31 different Canadian artists

A Criminal Mind - Gowan


Raging weasel – name-checking Beatles or their songs

Shooting Star - Bad Company


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

Money for Nothing – Dire Straits


scorchy – songs by Manchester(-ish) artists

Slide Away – Oasis


titusbramble – Grand Theft Auto, specifically the 3D era

Gold - Spandau Ballet (VC - Wave 103)


shuke – Saxytime

Into The Mystic (Spotify) - Van Morrison


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

Take Me to the River (Live) - Talking Heads


John Maddens Lunchbox – Batman

Something in the Way (Spotify) – Nirvana


Mister CIA – Texas Places in Song Titles

LaGrange - ZZ Top


El Floppo – Mallet Rock

I Will Follow - U2


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

Lay, Lady, Lay - Bob Dylan - Nashville Skyline (1969)


rockaction - Songs that state the genre they’re in

Sweet Soul Music - Arthur Conley


ditkaburgers - Girl Groups X Boy Bands

It's Gotta Be You - Backstreet Boys


MrsKarmaPolice – Animal Kingdom

Wolf Like Me - TV on the Radio


Tau837 – Hair metal

Silent Lucidity - Queensryche


DrIanMalcolm – Songs about New York

New York State of Mind - Billy Joel


higgins – Instrumentals with places in the title

What Are You Going to Do When You Are Not Saving the World? (Man of Steel Suite: Part 1) - Hans Zimmer


Zegras11 – New wave

Just like Heaven - The Cure


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

Sure As Spring - La Luz


krista4 – Chicagoland

I Hate Chicago – Laura Jane Grace & the Devouring Mothers


Anonymous Mystery Theme Dictator - ???

Chandelier - Sia


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

My Immortal - Evanescence

 

[krista4]

#3 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

21. I Kissed A Girl - Katy Perry

20. Goddess On A Hiway - Mercury Rev

19. Dark Therapy – Echobelly

18. Run To You - Bryan Adams

17. Inside Out – Anthrax

16. There's Nothing I Won't Do – JX

15. You - Bad Religion

14. Don't Stop Me Now – Queen

13. Moving – Supergrass

12. The Time Is Now – Moloko

11. Ms Jackson – Outkast

10. Ray of Light - Madonna

9. Winter Hill – Doves

8. Carnaval de Paris - Dario G

7. Seven Days and One Week - B.B.E.

6. Coffee and TV – Blur

5. Losing My Religion – REM

4. Word Up – Gun

3. Chandelier - Sia



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 Rustoleum’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 that sample other songs on the list

Songs representing different Nicholas Cage movies / characters

Songs

This is your life, Krista

Something to do with Tina Turner/abused women

Jimi Hendrix

Detailing Britney Spears’ descent into madness

Addiction ... to love

Songs in A Minor

The plot to Thelma and Louise

Kourtney Kardashian

Songs about a major change in someone's life

Midlife crisis

Songs with a subject you should see a therapist about

Mental illness

Songs about the world's worst super heros

Mania

Things you do impulsively

Songs that use the word “The” at some stage in the lyrics

The Ballad of @krista4 and OH

Songs the were on the UK official singles chart for the week ending on Aug 16, 2008

Songs from multiple decades

Songs about exploration of identity

Dancing

Each of these songs holds a special place in the hearts of listeners, and they remain influential in the genres they represent

krista's iconic playlist

struggle, rebellion, and survival

songs that have no connection to each other whatsoever - y'all are just wasting your time - ha ha ha suckers

Id, ego, and superego

Each song is somehow connected to one of the first 31 themes submitted for this countdown

Songs that qualify for more than one of the MAD31 themes submitted

Obscure chess strategies

All of these songs tie into the movie Thelma and Louise

history repeating itself

Songs for which there exists another song with the exact same title

Songs that implicate the seven deadly sins

The plot of a movie

the arc of Pink Floyd’s The Wall

Being in an oppressive relationship, and the journey to take back control of your life

the arc of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

trapped in a continuous cycle and finding a release that feels like freedom

Moving on through suicide

Things that require immediate action

Determining your own destiny

the life and tribulations of Pamela Anderson

[Eliminating/adding characters to a title -or- re-ordering the words in a title] give you the title to another song.

the Kiefer Sutherland life story

Awakenings

Coming full circle

Trials and tribulations involving breasts?

My dad sucks

finding liberation

The trips Judas made and the things he did before he turned Jesus over to the Romans

If you add up the number of characters in the song titles and divide it by pi, you get the key to the universe.

the song/artist contains the letter J, K, Q, V, W, X, Y or Z

Birth to Death

Playlist of artists and songs that contain all letters of the alphabet

This a Jesus theme as we head towards Easter

Some voodoo with the running times of each song that I haven’t figured out yet

The first letter of the song title and artist name stand for contrasting elements in someone’s life story. Some examples are challenges vs achievements or resilience vs. fear and so on. The words combine to show the theme of duality or two sides/contrasts to a person’s journey.

the plot to The Matrix

Things that rhyme with purple

things that rhyme with orange

Things that rhyme with antidisestablishmentarianism

Going down the list, you can use the first letter of the title or artist to see acronyms/abbreviations

He said, she said

42

 

[krista4]

higgins – Instrumentals with places in the title

What Are You Going to Do When You Are Not Saving the World? (Man of Steel Suite: Part 1) - Hans Zimmer

higgins/Yo Mama crossover!

 

[krista4]

Also, now that you're past season 4, I'll share my sadness about how Sal's dismissal from the company; he worked so hard to do right and then something out of his control was his undoing.

Loved that character and was sad to see him go, too. I thought it was just a plotline and he'd be back, but nope. Maybe the actor had a movie role to get to or something.

 

[Yambag]

#3 songs

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

You Can't Bring Me Down - Suicidal Tendencies

Summary: Suicidal Tendencies is an American crossover thrash band formed in 1980 in Venice, California. Their single "Institutionalized", was one of the first hardcore punk videos to receive substantial airplay on MTV. Critics have also described Suicidal Tendencies as "the godfathers" of the genre crossover thrash, which they have been credited for creating along with Texas-based band D.R.I. and New York-based Stormtroopers of Death.

Times Seen Live in Concert: 1 = 1994 (with Metallica and Danzig)

Personal Connection: I found Suicidal Tendencies through a classmate who was wearing their t-shirt. I became intrigued once he played Institutionalized and Subliminal for me from their 1983 debut. I then sought out 1988’s How Will I Laugh Tomorrow When I Can’t Even Smile Today and loved their punk/thrash sound. Then things went to 11 with 1990’s Lights…Camera…Revolution which became a mainstay for me. This choice was easy with the leadoff from that album, a perfect encapsulation of what the band is all about.

Other songs to consider: Disco’s Out, Murder’s In, Institutionalized

 

[Dr. Octopus]

3.

Who? – David Gilmour

What? – Pink Floyd

Where? – Giants Stadium

When? – 1987

Why? – I’ve always been a huge fan of Gilmour’s tone and the soulfulness of his playing and he did not disappoint live. This show featured the entire Dark Side of the Moon being played in order to start the show. I saw the show from Governor Christie Todd Wittman’s box at Giants’ stadium, as a friend of mine worked on her campaign – I smoked pot in her bathroom.

 

[kupcho1]

kupcho1 – rain

Singin' In The Rain - Gene Kelly

OK, this one absolutely merits a link to the movie, here's the youtube link. Do yourself a favor and watch it. If you're feeling even a little bit down today (bad run in the Quarters contest perhaps?), this'll cheer you up.

Singin' in the Rain (Full Song/Dance - '52)​

Gene Kelly was phenomenal.

I'm usually a lyrics guy, but on this one, it's the music.

Let the stormy clouds chase
Everyone from the place,
Come on with your rain,
I've got a smile on my face!

 

[Charlie Steiner]

3. The Best Things in Life are Free - Robert Morse

Every time an old man starts talking about Napoleon, you know they're gonna die. - Roger Sterling

This selection is for all the Mad Men and theater geeks out there; much like everything else that went into the show and its attempt to immerse us in the time period, Robert Morse's inclusion in the cast was perfect on multiple levels and the show wouldn't have been as great with anyone else in the role of Bert Cooper.

Morse's career hit its stride at the same as the time period of Mad Men; he rose to prominence on Broadway in the mid 1950s, broke into movies in the late 50s and won his first Tony in the early 60s for his performance in one of the shows that influenced Matt Weiner's creation of the Mad Men world: How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. A New York Times critic of the era described Morse's portrayal as "a rumpled, dimpled angel with a streak of Lucifer," which to me could describe his portrayal of Bert Cooper as well, albeit if you added the word 'elder' to it. He stayed active in show business into his 80's, even working as a voice actor, and at 85, made a final appearance on Broadway in a revival of a nearly century-old play that's been adapted for the screen multiple times, The Front Page.

Morse stated in an interview with Entertainment Weekly that his chance to go out with this song and dance number was "a love letter from creator Matt Weiner. You couldn't ask for a nicer send off." Given how so many other characters left the show, Bert got the softest landing of all.

There's not much to add about the song, other than it comes from a 1927 musical called Good News and has been recorded by multiple recognizable names including Mel Torme (from the film version of the play), Frank Sinatra, Les Paul and Mary Ford, Sam Cooke, Bing Crosby, The Muppets, and SNL alum Victoria Jackson.

Spoiler: Spoiler

Just in case @krista4 is sneaking a peak, I'll say in spoiler tags that regarding Sal, I always thought he should have returned in season 7, working at a different firm, maybe even Belle Jolie Cosmetics, where Elliot Lawrence (the guy that propositioned him back in season 1) was promoted to head of advertising, had hired Sal, and the rest is implied.

Also, in case anyone didn't get enough of Bert's big scene, here it is.

Anyway, Waterloo is yet another episode bursting with activity, from the moon landing to Don's near firing to the Burger Chef pitch as well to realizing it's over with Megan, and finally to Bert's passing. And those are just the broad strokes. The actual acting in these scenes made me forget how much the episode went from plotline to plotline because each one told so much apart from the dialogue that it felt like watching a 2-hour movie even though it was just 45 minutes of run time. With so many scenes I'd like to mention, I'll keep it just two, as these are the scenes which to me evoke characters facing their Waterloo:

1. The scene with the partners discussing Don's possible firing:

Each character involved in that scene got to have a moment and each actor nailed their part in it, but what caught my attention the most was Joan's expressions, from trying to stay composed to icy defiance to full control, once again we're reminded that Christina Hendricks' greatest acting tool is her eyes.

2. Don and Megan's phone conversation:

Usually, "will they or won't they?" refers to a couple getting together, so naturally Mad Men turned that upside down in the last season by showing ambiguous moments between them that hinted at both reconciliation and divorce until finally reaching the decisive moment:

Don: What are you up to?

Megan: I'm going to the movies with jill. I think we're gonna see "The Wild Bunch."

Don: I wanna see that.

Megan: You want me to wait? When are you going to indiana?

Don: I don't even know if I'm going.

Megan: What happened?

Don: They're going to fire me.

Megan: ( sighs ) I'm sorry.

Don: I thought if I kept my head down and...did my job--I guess that's not
what they want.

Megan: What do they want?

Don: They want me to move on.

Megan: Well, maybe you should. Aren't you tired of fighting?

Don: Yes. I guess I could see it as an opportunity. I could finally
move out there.

Megan: ( sighs )

Don: Megan?

Megan: I'm here.

Don: Is that what you want me to do?

Megan: Don...

Don: I'll always take care of you.

Megan: I'll be fine.

Don: Well, until you are. Whatever you need. I owe you that.

Megan: You don't owe me anything. Goodbye, Don.

 

[-OZ-]

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

Dog Days Are Over - Florence + The Machine

Fantastic ending to the best trilogy in the comic book genre.

In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, the song “Dog Days Are Over” by Florence and the Machine is a powerful and unexpected addition to the soundtrack. The track is used to underscore one of the film’s most emotionally charged and visually dynamic sequences. The song, with its triumphant energy and cathartic melody, captures the essence of the film’s themes of redemption, healing, and personal growth. The moment it plays is an intersection of joy and sorrow, perfectly balancing the intense action on screen with the emotional journey of the characters.

“Dog Days Are Over” was originally released by Florence Welch and her band in 2008, and it quickly became one of their signature songs. The song’s upbeat, euphoric rhythm paired with its deeply emotional lyrics reflects the theme of breaking free from oppression and embracing new beginnings. In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, its use in a pivotal moment offers a sense of renewal and transformation. The Guardians are facing difficult trials, and the song offers a hopeful sense of closure for some of the characters’ arcs. The track’s inclusion is a perfect example of how James Gunn, the director, seamlessly blends music with narrative.

In the film, the song plays during a sequence filled with high-octane action, where the Guardians take on an enemy in a colorful, intense, and almost surreal fight scene. The choice of Florence and the Machine’s “Dog Days Are Over” serves to elevate the stakes, energizing the audience with its infectious rhythm. The song’s dynamic and fast-paced build echoes the Guardians’ own growing strength and resilience, providing a cathartic release after the tension that had been building throughout the film. It’s a celebratory moment amid chaos, making the victory feel that much sweeter.

The emotional weight of “Dog Days Are Over” is also enhanced by the context of the film’s narrative. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 deals with themes of loss, healing, and finding a new purpose after trauma. The characters, particularly Rocket Raccoon, have undergone immense suffering, and the song’s message of overcoming adversity resonates deeply with their struggles. For the audience, the music amplifies the sense that, despite the hurdles, the characters are stepping into a brighter, more liberated future. This sense of hope is captured in Florence Welch’s soaring vocals, which echo the emotional payoff of the Guardians’ journey.

Ultimately, the inclusion of “Dog Days Are Over” in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is a testament to the film’s brilliant use of music to deepen its emotional resonance. James Gunn has always been known for his unique soundtracks that blend iconic songs with storytelling, and this particular choice exemplifies how music can transform a scene. It adds another layer to the film’s narrative, turning a moment of intense action into one of reflective triumph. The song not only enhances the visual spectacle but also leaves the audience with a lingering feeling of joy and catharsis, making it an unforgettable part of the film.

Happiness hit her like a train on a track
Coming towards her, stuck still, no turning back
She hid around corners and she hid under beds
She killed it with kisses and from it she fled
With every bubble, she sank with a drink
And washed it away down the kitchen sink

Run fast for your mother, run fast for your father
Run for your children, for your sisters and brothers
Leave all your love and your longing behind
You can't carry it with you if you want to survive
The dog days are over
The dog days are done

And I never wanted anything from you
Except everything you had
And what was left after that too, oh

Happiness hit her like a bullet in the back
Struck from a great height
By someone who should have known better than that

Next up -

 

[Dr. Octopus]

kupcho1 – rain

Singin' In The Rain - Gene Kelly

OK, this one absolutely merits a link to the movie, here's the youtube link. Do yourself a favor and watch it. If you're feeling even a little bit down today (bad run in the Quarters contest perhaps?), this'll cheer you up.

Singin' in the Rain (Full Song/Dance - '52)​

Gene Kelly was phenomenal.

I'm usually a lyrics guy, but on this one, it's the music.

Let the stormy clouds chase
Everyone from the place,
Come on with your rain,
I've got a smile on my face!

appropriate choice for your avatar.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

3. A Beautiful Song
Artist: Nazz
Album: Nazz Nazz (1969)
Todd's role(s): co-producer, writer, arranger, guitar, backing vocals
Writer(s): Todd Rundgren

The song: Let me get this out of the way. Everyone knows, and Binky constantly reminds us, that "Open My Eyes" is the best Nazz song. But Todd Rundgren did not receive production or engineering credit on Nazz' self-titled debut album, so any song from it is ineligible for my list.

(For those who don't read my posts: The Philadelphia-based psychedelic rock band Nazz was the vehicle through which Rundgren broke into the music business. He served as its guitarist and primary songwriter but generally not its lead singer.)

Rundgren took an interest in production and engineering during sessions for the band's first album, when he thought the producer was going through the motions and experimented with the board after hours.

For the second Nazz album, Nazz Nazz, production was credited to the band as a whole, but Rundgren did most of the work. The vast amount of material recorded for the record fell generally into two camps: a continuation of the psychedelic rock of the debut, and introspective, keyboard-based material inspired by Laura Nyro, whose music Rundgren had become obsessed with. The other members strenuously objected to the latter songs.

Album closer "A Beautiful Song," which clocks in at more than 11 minutes, is the one track that fuses both of those categories. It begins with a lengthy instrumental section, which has Rundgren playing guitar solos accompanied by horn and string arrangements (which he worked up himself). This is followed by an organ solo that gives way to horn and string crescendos and an orchestral flourish. The guitar and organ parts at the beginning of the song don't sound too different from what Santana was doing at the time, except their debut album hadn't come out when the song was recorded, so either Rundgren came up with the sound independently or he was aware of Carlos and co.'s live shows and/or demos (Nazz Nazz was recorded in LA, so they were in the same state at the time.) This cedes to a mellow guitar-driven passage and more orchestration, and then that transitions into a bluesy passage with Clapton-like guitar solos and barrelhouse piano, followed by a blast of horns and strings and a rumble of tympani. Finally, at 6:40, we hear vocals, and the next few minutes are a piano ballad very reminiscent of Nyro's work, ending with Robert "Stewkey" Antoni singing "all I can do is rave on," after which the blues-rock guitar solos backed by orchestration return, first fast and loud, then quieter, then faster and louder into the fadeout.

"A Beautiful Song" "was the obligatory epic," Rundgren said in the liner notes of a 2019 Nazz compilation. "Each record had a tune at the end you could skip if you wanted to. I made the assumption - and therefore imprinted it into the band - that one of the things that made The Beatles and Beach Boys successful was to bring in other sorts of instrumentation."

Before he got into production and engineering for hire, this was by far the most ambitious track Rundgren had been associated with. One wonders if it helped open some doors for him.

The album: Nazz Nazz arose from arduous sessions that led to the breakup of the band. If implosion hadn't happened at this point, in early 1969, it would have happened soon after.

"It was brief and very intense," Rundgren said about Nazz' career in those 2019 liner notes. "I've made peace with it, but a lot of potential was wasted. I don't really blame any single person for that. I had a hard time focusing on the band, I continued to develop myself as a songwriter and a performer. Eventually everyone would feel like a backup band - I was writing the songs, producing the records. As time went on my presence was bound to distort the thing."

In the same liner notes, drummer Thom Mooney said: "Todd was turning into a, um ... affectionately I would say, a narcissistic megalomaniac. I say that with great love, too, because it includes an incredible, overwhelming talent. But also the narcissism of wanting to share space with no one."

Nazz went to London in January 1969, started work on two songs, and were sent home after 1 day of recording because they had failed to fill out their permit paperwork from the Musicians' Union properly. They returned to the Hollywood studio where they had recorded their first album, and spent January and February churning out the massive number of songs that Rundgren was coming up with. Stewkey hated some of the new songs and refused to sing them. Rundgren hated Stewkey's keyboard playing and had session musicians re-record some parts. Bassist Carson Van Osten quit as soon as the sessions were completed, and after a few subsequent gigs, Rundgren followed him out the door.

Rundgren had wanted to release the bulk of the material as a double album (the working title was Fungo Bat, though all involved say that was never intended to be the real title), but the two remaining members, Stewkey and Mooney, thought it was preposterous for a not-very-successful band to make their second record a double, and asked the label SGC to pare it down to a single. The 11 tracks selected leaned heavily toward the psychedelic rock material and were released under the name Nazz Nazz. It includes Rundgren's first lead vocal, on the uptempo blues song "Kiddie Boy."

Stewkey and Mooney carried on with various replacements for a few years, at one point hooking up with Chicago musicians Rick Nielsen and Tom Petersson, playing under the Nazz name in some markets and under the name Fuse, Nielsen and Petersson's former band, in others. Eventually they changed their name to Sick Man of Europe, and disbanded when Nielsen and Petersson returned to Chicago and formed Cheap Trick.

SGC tried to capitalize when Rundgren had an unexpected top 20 hit, "We Gotta Get You a Woman," off his first solo album. With input from Stewkey and Mooney, in 1971 it released another album called Nazz III (Nazz Nazz Nazz was RIGHT THERE), which mostly consisted of leftover songs from the January-February 1969 sessions, with some parts re-recorded. (The legend that those involved replaced Rundgren lead vocals with Stewkey lead vocals on some tracks is not true; Stewkey re-recorded some of his own vocals, and the "alternative versions" of some songs with Todd singing that have surfaced over the years were actually demos never intended for release.)

You Might Also Like: "Under the Ice" may be the best take on The Who's sound by an American band; Mooney totally channels Keith Moon here. https://open.spotify.com/track/7Hh1HRFuK6NUMDoSRYoqkC?si=7882a2f581ea499f

At #2, the song that may well have served as the template for Rundgren's production style in the 80s.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

Round 3 - Schrei Nach Leibe - Die Ärzte

Another three dot band, this time from Germany. They picked the name when one of the members realised the "a" bin in record stores was mostly empty. Rock on.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Fun fact: At time same time as Rundgren's Nazz, there was another band called Nazz based in Phoenix. After releasing one single, they moved to LA and changed their name to Alice Cooper.

 

[simey]

simey – train songs

Jenny Dreamed of Trains - John Denver

This song is off John Denver's 1997 children's album "All Aboard!" All the songs on the album are railroad songs. He passed away two months after its release in a plane crash. Even though the album was marketed as a children's album, it is just as enjoyable for adults. Earlier in the countdown I chose "Steel Rails" by Alison Krauss, but my favorite version of that song is by John on this album, but I didn't want to double up on an artist, and I enjoy her version as well. "Jenny Dreamed of Trains" was written by Guy Clark and Vince Gill, and John's cover is by far my favorite version of the song. For me, there has always been something so warm and sincere in his tenor voice, and I love his voice singing this song.

When Jenny was a little girl she only dreamed of trains
She never played with dolls or lacy kinds of things
Jenny counted boxcars instead of counting sheep
She could go anywhere when she went to sleep

 

[KarmaPolice]

It is a little weird that @Yambag and i had 3 songs the same, and they were in the same exact spots on the playlists - #14, #18, and #29.

 

[El Floppo]

El Floppo – Mallet Rock

I Will Follow - U2

#3

this was the first U2 song I ever heard, and might still be my favorite. (from Boy, 1980)

glockenspiel is used here, credited to The Edge, and works as an accompanying element to the melody off of Edges guitar. it's interesting to hear it more percussively as well, when it's not used melodically... matching the hammering guitar in a way. there are songs where the mallets are used like this where I can imagine the song without- that it's just there for how Bono describes below (and I love that description, btw... definitely how the instrument is used in a lot of songs)- but I can't imagine Follow without it.

"The song features a glockenspiel to provide what Bono called "underlying instrumental colouring"; it was added at his suggestion, and was played during the Boy recording sessions by him and the Edge"

 

[Yambag]

It is a little weird that @Yambag and i had 3 songs the same, and they were in the same exact spots on the playlists - #14, #18, and #29.

I did not notice the placements, that is pretty wild.

 

[krista4]

It is a little weird that @Yambag and i had 3 songs the same, and they were in the same exact spots on the playlists - #14, #18, and #29.

Getting warmer!

 

[krista4]

El Floppo – Mallet Rock

I Will Follow - U2

#3

this was the first U2 song I ever heard, and might still be my favorite. (from Boy, 1980)

glockenspiel is used here, credited to The Edge, and works as an accompanying element to the melody off of Edges guitar. it's interesting to hear it more percussively as well, when it's not used melodically... matching the hammering guitar in a way. there are songs where the mallets are used like this where I can imagine the song without- that it's just there for how Bono describes below (and I love that description, btw... definitely how the instrument is used in a lot of songs)- but I can't imagine Follow without it.

"The song features a glockenspiel to provide what Bono called "underlying instrumental colouring"; it was added at his suggestion, and was played during the Boy recording sessions by him and the Edge"

I chose this as my #1 in JML's U2 countdown. I also chose several others as my #1, but when I submitted my list, this was #1.

 

[KarmaPolice]

It is a little weird that @Yambag and i had 3 songs the same, and they were in the same exact spots on the playlists - #14, #18, and #29.

Getting warmer!

 

[rockaction]

3. "Sweet Soul Music" - Arthur Conley

Another ode to a genre. Arthur Conley, in a song co-penned with Otis Redding (and with credit later given to Sam Cooke, whose "Yeah Man" heavily, um, influenced this track), romps through a bunch of artists come prior as well as his contemporaries in show business and soul music. It's really simple in its lyrics, simply name-checking and paying homage to soul music masters, but it's the horn section and instrumental execution that sets this song apart a bit. It's a horn section cribbed from Elmer Bernstein's film score for The Magnificent Seven. In fact, this whole song is borrowed or derivative, but that won't stop the memory of one sunny day, driving down the highway in Connecticut, listening to this song on the radio.

It's infectious.

eta* Here's the Sam Cooke song, which was released posthumously. No wonder why he got credit and royalties for this one. I was unaware of this until last night. Heh. Sam Cooke was the man.

"Yeah Man"

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

 

[Yo Mama]

4. "Hip-Hop" - Dead Prez

Two emcees, M-1 and Stic.Man, deliver what could be the ode to the genre within the genre. Yes, there's Common and Mos Def to be considered, but this 1999 release is unique in its call-and-response chorus, not to mention its essence, which is a message about commercialization of the art form of hip hop and lyrics about elevating one's self and consciousness beyond material things.

Yes, that's all indeed there, but there's also the snaking, winding bass line that permeates the track, a bass line so unique that nothing else in hip-hop has ever sounded quite like it, either before or after. Kudos to the DJ, Hedrush.

It's bigger than hip-hop
Hip-hop
Hip-hop
Hip

eta* Here's Mix Master Mike juggling the beat from "Hip-Hop" with an old blues classic from the movie Scratch

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

eta2* Here's a mash-up of Grizzly Bear's "Two Weeks" with the song

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

First time I saw these guys was on the Dave Chapelle’s Block Party concert movie. They were awesome in that.

 

[rockaction]

First time I saw these guys was on the Dave Chapelle’s Block Party concert movie. They were awesome in that.

It's strange, because as much as I like similar music to Chappelle, I never saw his show while it aired. By the time the show filtered down to me, he was already turning down the next episodes and had fair but seemingly weird reasons why. His comment that he saw a cameraman laughing the wrong way at a joke to do with race sort of made me do a doubletake.

How do you really know why the person is laughing or if they're taking it a way you didn't intend?

Seemed picky, and he's done nothing in the interim to suggest there isn't a whole lot of stuff that I don't understand and don't really want to tangle with in his world. Seemed really embittered, actually, and I don't think he's done much to dampen that impression I have of him.

So I don't get the good time/party vibe Dave. It wouldn't be carefree for me and never was by the time I got to it all.

 

[Yo Mama]

First time I saw these guys was on the Dave Chapelle’s Block Party concert movie. They were awesome in that.

It's strange, because as much as I like similar music to Chapelle, I never saw his show while it aired. By the time the show filtered down to me, he was already turning down the next episodes and had fair but seemingly weird reasons why. His comment that he saw a cameraman laughing the wrong way at a joke to do with race sort of made me do a doubletake.

How do you really know why the person is laughing or if they're taking it a way you didn't intend?

Seemed picky, and he's done nothing in the interim to suggest there isn't a whole lot of stuff that I don't understand and don't really want to tangle with in his world. Seemed really embittered, actually, and I don't think he's done much to dampen that impression I have of him.

So I don't get the good time/party vibe Dave. It wouldn't be carefree for me and never was by the time I got to it all.

Yeah, you can probably make a similar point with Kanye, who I thought was awesome in this movie too.

 

[KarmaPolice]

#3: ATOMIC ROOSTER - ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY

I've been listening to a couple albums from thse guys for a bit now. I stumbled on them while digging through 70s metal/rock. This was who I thought I was going to do for a 70s MAD31 before Rolie and the boys grabbed my attention for Part 3. Only 6 albums, so there isn't as much to dig through as most on my lists. Like others on my list, they morph in sound and style a bit as they progress, and often on the same album. You'll find some sludgy proto-metal, blues, funky grooves, and general great playing on all the albums. All Across the Country I chose because of the fantastic drumming and it's the opener to an album I hadn't gotten to until thinking about them for a MAD adventure.

Recommended listening: All 6 albums are worth a listen, IMO. I really like In Hearing of Atomic Rooster and Death Walks Behind You, so I will post a couple from those and suggest that as a starting point. I will include a funkier track in Stand By Me from Made In England, and another track off Nice N' Greasy.

Head In the Sky

Atomic Rooster · In Hearing of Atomic Rooster · Song · 1971

open.spotify.com

Sleeping for Years

Atomic Rooster · Death Walks Behind You · Song · 1970

open.spotify.com

Stand By Me

Atomic Rooster · Made In England · Song · 1972

open.spotify.com

Goodbye Planet Earth

Atomic Rooster · Nice 'n' Greasy (Expanded Edition) · Song · 1973

open.spotify.com

NEXT: let's officially get to what my pivot for Part 5 is. I found another group that has a 100% hit rate for me.

 

[rockaction]

First time I saw these guys was on the Dave Chapelle’s Block Party concert movie. They were awesome in that.

It's strange, because as much as I like similar music to Chapelle, I never saw his show while it aired. By the time the show filtered down to me, he was already turning down the next episodes and had fair but seemingly weird reasons why. His comment that he saw a cameraman laughing the wrong way at a joke to do with race sort of made me do a doubletake.

How do you really know why the person is laughing or if they're taking it a way you didn't intend?

Seemed picky, and he's done nothing in the interim to suggest there isn't a whole lot of stuff that I don't understand and don't really want to tangle with in his world. Seemed really embittered, actually, and I don't think he's done much to dampen that impression I have of him.

So I don't get the good time/party vibe Dave. It wouldn't be carefree for me and never was by the time I got to it all.

Yeah, you can probably make a similar point with Kanye, who I thought was awesome in this movie too.

Wow. Yeah. Kanye is now—I went through the motions of putting together a Top 31 of Kanye because in order to talk about this century in pop music he has to be discussed—but I decided I wasn't really that sympathetic to him, either, and that whatever he's gone through I can not relate to, nor does it make me feel especially endeared or simpatico with him as he is now. No coincidence that Chappelle was on Saturday Night Live doing a monologue about him at one point.

This is like a who's going to watch the watchers or something like that. Who is going to do a funny but enlightening monologue about Chappelle and Kanye and their rise and then different perception (I won't say fall) in pubic consciousness?

 

[rockaction]

You, Caffey? You, Lieutenant Weinberg?

 

[krista4]

It is a little weird that @Yambag and i had 3 songs the same, and they were in the same exact spots on the playlists - #14, #18, and #29.

Getting warmer!

I'm serious. ETA: what I mean is, you have a clue to the theme somewhere in here.

ETA2: It's actually more of an expansion of the hint I previously gave about the order mattering.

 

[Yambag]

It is a little weird that @Yambag and i had 3 songs the same, and they were in the same exact spots on the playlists - #14, #18, and #29.

Getting warmer!

I don't think I have anything left to give.

 

[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

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

21. I Kissed A Girl - Katy Perry

20. Goddess On A Hiway - Mercury Rev

19. Dark Therapy – Echobelly

18. Run To You - Bryan Adams

17. Inside Out – Anthrax

16. There's Nothing I Won't Do – JX

15. You - Bad Religion

14. Don't Stop Me Now – Queen

13. Moving – Supergrass

12. The Time Is Now – Moloko

11. Ms Jackson – Outkast

10. Ray of Light - Madonna

9. Winter Hill – Doves

8. Carnaval de Paris - Dario G

7. Seven Days and One Week - B.B.E.

6. Coffee and TV – Blur

5. Losing My Religion – REM

4. Word Up – Gun

3. Chandelier - Sia



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 Rustoleum’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 that sample other songs on the list

Songs representing different Nicholas Cage movies / characters

Songs

This is your life, Krista

Something to do with Tina Turner/abused women

Jimi Hendrix

Detailing Britney Spears’ descent into madness

Addiction ... to love

Songs in A Minor

The plot to Thelma and Louise

Kourtney Kardashian

Songs about a major change in someone's life

Midlife crisis

Songs with a subject you should see a therapist about

Mental illness

Songs about the world's worst super heros

Mania

Things you do impulsively

Songs that use the word “The” at some stage in the lyrics

The Ballad of @krista4 and OH

Songs the were on the UK official singles chart for the week ending on Aug 16, 2008

Songs from multiple decades

Songs about exploration of identity

Dancing

Each of these songs holds a special place in the hearts of listeners, and they remain influential in the genres they represent

krista's iconic playlist

struggle, rebellion, and survival

songs that have no connection to each other whatsoever - y'all are just wasting your time - ha ha ha suckers

Id, ego, and superego

Each song is somehow connected to one of the first 31 themes submitted for this countdown

Songs that qualify for more than one of the MAD31 themes submitted

Obscure chess strategies

All of these songs tie into the movie Thelma and Louise

history repeating itself

Songs for which there exists another song with the exact same title

Songs that implicate the seven deadly sins

The plot of a movie

the arc of Pink Floyd’s The Wall

Being in an oppressive relationship, and the journey to take back control of your life

the arc of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

trapped in a continuous cycle and finding a release that feels like freedom

Moving on through suicide

Things that require immediate action

Determining your own destiny

the life and tribulations of Pamela Anderson

[Eliminating/adding characters to a title -or- re-ordering the words in a title] give you the title to another song.

the Kiefer Sutherland life story

Awakenings

Coming full circle

Trials and tribulations involving breasts?

My dad sucks

finding liberation

The trips Judas made and the things he did before he turned Jesus over to the Romans

If you add up the number of characters in the song titles and divide it by pi, you get the key to the universe.

the song/artist contains the letter J, K, Q, V, W, X, Y or Z

Birth to Death

Playlist of artists and songs that contain all letters of the alphabet

This a Jesus theme as we head towards Easter

Some voodoo with the running times of each song that I haven’t figured out yet

The first letter of the song title and artist name stand for contrasting elements in someone’s life story. Some examples are challenges vs achievements or resilience vs. fear and so on. The words combine to show the theme of duality or two sides/contrasts to a person’s journey.

the plot to The Matrix

Things that rhyme with purple

things that rhyme with orange

Things that rhyme with antidisestablishmentarianism

Going down the list, you can use the first letter of the title or artist to see acronyms/abbreviations

He said, she said

42

The order corresponds with release date. Song 31 was released on the 31st of the month, etc.

 

[krista4]

The order corresponds with release date. Song 31 was released on the 31st of the month, etc.

I think this would be even more cruel than the actual theme is.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

The order corresponds with release date. Song 31 was released on the 31st of the month, etc.

I think this would be even more cruel than the actual theme is.

I've got nothing left other than to think "what cruel scenario have we not thought of yet?"

 

[Zegras11]

Just like Heaven

The Cure · Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me · Song · 1987

open.spotify.com

"Just Like Heaven" is a song by British alternative rock band the Cure. The group wrote most of the song during recording sessions in southern France in 1987. The lyrics were written by their frontman Robert Smith, who drew inspiration from a past trip to the sea shore with his future wife. Smith's memories of the trip formed the basis for the song's accompanying music video. Before Smith had completed the lyrics, an instrumental version of the song was used as the theme for the French television show Les Enfants du Rock.

"Just Like Heaven" was the third single released from their 1987 album Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me. The song became the Cure's first American hit and reached number 40 on the Billboard charts in 1988. It has been praised by critics and covered by artists such as Dinosaur Jr. and Katie Melua. Smith has said he considers "Just Like Heaven" to be one of the band's strongest songs.

Pictures of You - 2010 Remaster

The Cure · Disintegration (Deluxe Edition) · Song · 1989

open.spotify.com

In Between Days - 2006 Remaster

The Cure · The Head on the Door (Deluxed Edition) · Song · 1985

open.spotify.com

The Lovecats

The Cure · Japanese Whispers · Song · 1983

open.spotify.com

Lovesong - 2010 Remaster

The Cure · Disintegration (Deluxe Edition) · Song · 1989

open.spotify.com

Friday I'm in Love

The Cure · Wish · Song · 1992

open.spotify.com

 

[Dr. Octopus]

It is a little weird that @Yambag and i had 3 songs the same, and they were in the same exact spots on the playlists - #14, #18, and #29.

Getting warmer!

I'm serious. ETA: what I mean is, you have a clue to the theme somewhere in here.

ETA2: It's actually more of an expansion of the hint I previously gave about the order mattering.

Songs from past MADD Countdowns placed in the same spot they were taken previously?

 

[krista4]

Songs from past MADD Countdowns placed in the same spot they were taken previously?

Also extra-cruel.

Let me give some more info: you don't need to know anything about M-aD countdowns, nor even music at all, to get the theme.

 

[krista4]

By the way, since I'm giving multiple hints per day, and everyone is still struggling, I'm lifting the restrictions on number of guesses per countdown day.

 

[El Floppo]

#3 songs

kupcho1 – rain

Singin' In The Rain - Gene Kelly

can't hear this without thinking of Clockwork Orange.

btw- freshman year of college, I took a really lovely and innocent southern girl to see this on a first date on campus (my first time seeing it). did not go terribly well.

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

A Beautiful Song - Nazz

I kept waiting for the beat and hip-hop flow after that long instrumental introduction. Nas. that's on me.

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

Take Me to the River (Live) - Talking Heads

my friends and I saw the movie opening day... fun show, with most of the audience dancing in the aisles and area in front of the screen.

There's a great live show in Rome from 1980 on youtube that has a cool loose and funky version of this.

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

Lay, Lady, Lay - Bob Dylan - Nashville Skyline (1969)

love it.

my moms' 1st cousin Shelly moved to Nashville after studying violin at Juilliard and formed a string section of session musicians that became a kind of defining sound for country (and pop/rock) coming out of nashville in the late 60s and 70s. played with everybody- and I had always thought was on this record which is why I started writing this... but apparently not . his daughter founded the Bluebird cafe where my post grad cross-country road trip buddy and I saw a not yet crossed over early 90s country superstar who's name escapes me right now.

MrsKarmaPolice – Animal Kingdom

Wolf Like Me - TV on the Radio

such a great tune. my favorite of theirs on a given day.

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

Sure As Spring - La Luz

I recognize the band as somebody I've playlisted, but had no memory of the sound. cool old and new surf sound mashup.

krista4 – Chicagoland

I Hate Chicago – Laura Jane Grace & the Devouring Mothers

considering I genuinely dislike Billy Joel, you win this one in a landslide

Anonymous Mystery Theme Dictator - ???

Chandelier - Sia

I'm a sucker for certain female overwrought pop songs... especially this one.
what I've heard of Sia, the songs are usually a little discombobulated, but always have a killer hook... and I'm a hook guy. but this one has everything and doesn't mess around with too much outside of that big hook. big fan.

 

[El Floppo]

It is a little weird that @Yambag and i had 3 songs the same, and they were in the same exact spots on the playlists - #14, #18, and #29.

Getting warmer!

I'm serious. ETA: what I mean is, you have a clue to the theme somewhere in here.

ETA2: It's actually more of an expansion of the hint I previously gave about the order mattering.

things that make you think of soup?

 

[Yambag]

Songs from past MADD Countdowns placed in the same spot they were taken previously?

Also extra-cruel.

Let me give some more info: you don't need to know anything about M-aD countdowns, nor even music at all, to get the theme.

Ha, I was just exploring previous Mad lists also! Today's guess is a theme to make Mads go on a wild goose chase only to realize there is no theme.

 

[higgins]

The mystery dictator picked songs that aligned with other drafters’ themes….in the order they affirmed they would draft….in this thread.

 

[Yambag]

The mystery dictator picked songs that aligned with other drafters’ themes….in the order they affirmed they would draft….in this thread.

I went down this road yesterday and seemed to hit a dead end.

 

[rockaction]

Impressions of the known-to-me songs. I figure I'm just free-flowing, so why not? So many songs I like on the list today. "Just Like Heaven" and the songs Zegras put to go along with that one are all winners. The Cure certainly does a wistful love song wonderfully. "Chandelier" by Sia is also a track that I really like. A bunch of them. "Singin' In the Rain" is a great track, and while I used to think of A Clockwork Orange when I would hear it, I no longer do. I think of something more pleasant.

"You Can't Bring Me Down" by Suicidal Tendencies was my senior year of high school and that my yearbook is inundated with pictures of me in a Suicidal Tendencies shirt is something I look back upon with a certain amount of embarrassment but understanding. Come to think of it, "Something In The Way" by Nirvana was my other senior year, and I listened to and liked that song a whole bunch.

"Gold" by Spandau Ballet is one I saw them do live at like Glastonbury or something like that and I enjoyed their performance. "9 to 5" is a classic sing-a-long, and I don't mind Billy Joel so much (although I love how Uruk just cannot stand him) and "New York State of Mind" certainly fits DrIanMalcolm's theme. "Comfortably Numb" is my second favorite Pink Floyd song to "Wish You Were Here," and even though that's not saying much, I think both songs are outstanding. Gilmour is a good guitarist to pick, apparently, and otb_lifer would tell you about why if he were here.

La Luz and Laura Jane Grace are two artists that I'm pretty familiar with but I don't know those particular songs so I'll have to give them a listen. (Something to look forward to, anyway.) "Lay, Lady, Lay" is one I know I've heard but can't remember for the life of me. Nashville Skyline was not a Dylan record I've ever owned, which again isn't saying much, but I did have all of his records up through Blonde on Blonde.

Anyway, that's about it for first impressions. I suppose I shall give the list a listen. (Oh, I want to hear the Adele song, too.)

 

[Yo Mama]

World’s Worst Superheroes #3

The Analog Kid
Artist - Rush (1982)

Strengths - Not reliant on AI or GPS or any of those fancy doohickeys other kids use these days; can successfully survive an EMP attack

Weaknesses - So offline he doesn’t even know who major celebrities are like the Rizzler or the Hawk Tua girl; not compatible with modern technology


There Goes My Hero

Situation - You’re attempting to break into a secret facility of the E.V.I.L. Corporation to rescue your captured partner. You are unable to crack the incredibly complex access code at the main entrance to enter the facility. You need a technology expert to help you break in and save the day.

You: [entering the code 1-2-3-4-5. A loud buzz tells you this is another incorrect attempt.] “Rats! Nothing I’ve tried seems to be working. I need some tech help now! Oh good, there’s a kid wearing a Dodger hat wheeling a cart of wires and equipment coming this way. Just what I needed.”

The Analog Kid: [picking up an Atari 2600 controller and what looks like a Geiger counter that was used at Chernobyl that had fallen off the high school AV cart he was pushing] “Hey, Mister. I heard you needed some help. Mr. Telephone Man hooked me up with some of his equipment.”

You: [dubiously checking out a Mattel handheld electronic football game] “Sure thanks. I’m trying to crack the code on this entry system. It’s an asymmetrical encryption system based on complex algorithms.”

TAK: [furiously typing some calculations into his Casio calculator watch] “OK, I think I know what we need. Hand me that code-breaker off the cart. It’s the thing the size of a shoebox with a bunch of lights and switches on it. Thanks. So I just need to plug this into the digital access code screen. The codebreaker box uses RF cables. I just need that RF to RCA converter box over there. Hmm, I don’t see the RCA male connector that fits into a coaxial cable. Do you see one?”

You: [digging through a cardboard box filled with old cables and speaker wires] “I can’t find anything.”

TAK: “I also need a coax to HDMI switch plate. Is there a Radio Shack nearby?”

You: “A what? They no longer exist.”

TAK: “OK, how about a Circuit City? A Fry’s?”

You: “No man, all of those stores are gone. You need to do something! We’re running out of time!”

TAK: “There’s nothing else I can do. Peace out.” [starts walking away]

You: “You can’t just leave! Look at all this junk. You don’t know what you’re leaving behind!”

The Analog Kid: [just smiles then pulls down his baseball cap and covers up his eyes]

MASSIVE GUITAR SOLO

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

simey – train songs

Jenny Dreamed of Trains - John Denver

Far out!

 

[Eephus]

MADs adjacent article that I'm posting here rather than digging up the round where @kupcho1 did the Clash.

It's a "quantitative" ranking of all the songs on Sandinista! where the author polled 35 of his friends and compiled their rankings. The methodology assured the chalkier songs rose to the top but that doesn't matter as much as the writer's 21,000 words about all aspects of this fascinating and often puzzling album.

The Clash’s Sandinista!: A Quantitative Analysis

Sandinista! isn’t the best Clash album, but it’s certainly the most interesting. Let’s figure it out.

joeydaniewicz.com

 

[Pip's Invitation]

MADs adjacent article that I'm posting here rather than digging up the round where @kupcho1 did the Clash.

It's a "quantitative" ranking of all the songs on Sandinista! where the author polled 35 of his friends and compiled their rankings. The methodology assured the chalkier songs rose to the top but that doesn't matter as much as the writer's 21,000 words about all aspects of this fascinating and often puzzling album.

The Clash’s Sandinista!: A Quantitative Analysis

Sandinista! isn’t the best Clash album, but it’s certainly the most interesting. Let’s figure it out.

joeydaniewicz.com

He got 35 people to listen to every track of Sandinista?

 

[Zegras11]

My last two songs I doubt would be in anyone's top 2

 

[jwb]

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

Money for Nothing – Dire Straits

Any Dire Straits album will sound good. But Brothers in Arms is exceptionally well produced, and this song is great. There's a lot of sound but it's not all-encompassing like some other songs I posted. But it all just sounds so good. Sting really adds to this one, and it really comes through on my setup. Love the quick dismissive "ah, that ain't workin" after the bongos line.