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Middle Aged Dummies - Artist - Round 3 - #1's have been posted! (38 Viewers)

Seven Roads

Going to a few record stores tomorrow. Fanny is at the top of my list thanks to this thread - hoping to score some old vinyl from them. I've liked everything I've heard.
Good luck! You might also be able to find the newly released Beat-Club recordings from 1971-72. I cannot recommend those enough.

No dice. Three stores, not one Fanny album. I did order the Beat-Club vinyl from Amazon though.

That said, I did manage to get Rainbow, On Stage, with Ronnie on vocal @Mt. Man - looking forward to listening to this one tonight.
 

The Sweet​

#4 - Ballroom Blitz​


Producer - Phil Wainman
Writer - Nicky Chinn, Mike Chapman
Chart Positions - UK #2, Australia #1, Germany #1, US #5
Album - Desolation Boulevard US Edition
Year - 1973/1975
Lead Vocal - Brian Connolly
Steve Priest Vocal - Lead Chip Ins “Oh, I see a man in the back as a matter of fact
His eyes was as red as the sun
And the girl in the corner that no one ignores
'Cause she thinks she's the passionate one.”

And

“And the man in the back is ready to crack
As he raises his hands to the sky
And the girl in the corner is everyone's mourner
She could kill you with a wink of her eye”

Notes - Are you ready Steve? Uh-huh
Andy? Yeah
Mick? Okay
Alright fellas, let's go!


Ballroom Blitz is an interesting one. It was released in the UK in 1973 and sandwiched between two other UK #2’s, our #5 and #6 songs Hell Raiser and Teenage Rampage. Fox on the Run was released in March of 1975 in the UK and was another #2 smash. Would love to know which songs held off all 5 or 6 of these Sweet songs at #2.

Anyway someone at Capitol records, finally twigged that there were monster hits in the US if we do this right. Sweet had a #3 song in the US with Little Willy in 1972. Then one other stalled at #70, but nothing else while they were huge in the UK. Peak UK years were 1972 to 1975. In the US….nothing. The US label repackaged the Desolation Boulevard LP keeping only 3 tracks from the UK version. In came Ballroom Blitz and the rerecorded version of Fox on the Run. Not the Chinny/Chap version.
Capitol records knew Fox on the Run would be a hit, but led Desolation Boulevard with Ballroom Blitz in June of 1975.


The US version of the LP contains my #3, #4, #7, #13, #14, #18 and #25 tracks.
No You Don’t
was unlucky to miss out, but Pat Benatar did a wonderful cover a few years later.
The other two tracks could easily have been replaced with Teenage Rampage and Hell Raiser or my #1 track.

Blitz has often been covered, including for Waynes World by the lovely Tia Carrera. Desolation Boulevard should have been a monster LP, but the ears that listened dominated Glam Metal in the 80s.

Next Up - Probably their most well known song. It was the #1 song for the entire year of 1975 in Australia and 7th for the entire decade.

such a great song. Never get tired of it.
 
Added likes from 4

Sweet - bathroom blitz - am I the only one who forgot they did this one? Probably.

Every little light - the slambovians have been hit or miss, big hit here.

Big empty - one of the best of theirs

Jump Jive and wail - this is the song that made me buy the CD back in HS. GREAT tune

Passing out - strand depends on my mood, this one hit right

Jimi thing - I think this was my favorite from this album, loved it then, like it still

Manic Monday - Susan is an absolute delight, this was their biggest hit IIRC and second best from the album (iirc)

A forest - not their biggest hit but one of the best (top 4 probably)

Alabama song - maybe this was the reason I wanted to move to Alabama when I was a kid :oldunsure:

Great songs throughout!
 
Watched Beetlejuice Beetlejuice this afternoon. About 30 minutes in I hear a voice and think "hey. That's Mazzy Star!" Sure enough, it's Cry, Cry. :)
How’s the Movie?
Good enough. Had some slow moments and there was a scene in a church near the end that went on for a long time. Keaton is great in his role, of course.
I'd give it about 6 out of 10..maybe 6.5.
 
Watched Beetlejuice Beetlejuice this afternoon. About 30 minutes in I hear a voice and think "hey. That's Mazzy Star!" Sure enough, it's Cry, Cry. :)
How’s the Movie?
Good enough. Had some slow moments and there was a scene in a church near the end that went on for a long time. Keaton is great in his role, of course.
I'd give it about 6 out of 10..maybe 6.5.
What would you score the original as a comparison?
 
Seven Roads

Going to a few record stores tomorrow. Fanny is at the top of my list thanks to this thread - hoping to score some old vinyl from them. I've liked everything I've heard.
Good luck! You might also be able to find the newly released Beat-Club recordings from 1971-72. I cannot recommend those enough.

No dice. Three stores, not one Fanny album. I did order the Beat-Club vinyl from Amazon though.

That said, I did manage to get Rainbow, On Stage, with Ronnie on vocal @Mt. Man - looking forward to listening to this one tonight.
I would bet that if you asked the members of Fanny which of their albums you should get if you could only get one, they would all say Beat-Club. They felt their studio recordings never did justice to the strength of their live act, and they tried for years to get the Beat-Club recordings officially released until finally succeeding this year.
 
Seven Roads

Going to a few record stores tomorrow. Fanny is at the top of my list thanks to this thread - hoping to score some old vinyl from them. I've liked everything I've heard.
Good luck! You might also be able to find the newly released Beat-Club recordings from 1971-72. I cannot recommend those enough.

No dice. Three stores, not one Fanny album. I did order the Beat-Club vinyl from Amazon though.

That said, I did manage to get Rainbow, On Stage, with Ronnie on vocal @Mt. Man - looking forward to listening to this one tonight.
I would bet that if you asked the members of Fanny which of their albums you should get if you could only get one, they would all say Beat-Club. They felt their studio recordings never did justice to the strength of their live act, and they tried for years to get the Beat-Club recordings officially released until finally succeeding this year.
This one?
 
Seven Roads

Going to a few record stores tomorrow. Fanny is at the top of my list thanks to this thread - hoping to score some old vinyl from them. I've liked everything I've heard.
Good luck! You might also be able to find the newly released Beat-Club recordings from 1971-72. I cannot recommend those enough.

No dice. Three stores, not one Fanny album. I did order the Beat-Club vinyl from Amazon though.

That said, I did manage to get Rainbow, On Stage, with Ronnie on vocal @Mt. Man - looking forward to listening to this one tonight.
I would bet that if you asked the members of Fanny which of their albums you should get if you could only get one, they would all say Beat-Club. They felt their studio recordings never did justice to the strength of their live act, and they tried for years to get the Beat-Club recordings officially released until finally succeeding this year.
This one?
Yep!
 
The #4s were forceful. Formidable. Fan4stic. Okay, that last one was definitely over the line. What I’m saying is that there was a lot of great stuff in this round. But let me pick out a small(er) subsection.

Selected (and shuffled) #4s:
Ballroom Blitz - Sweet. This one first up? I wasn’t ready!
The Beach Boys - God Only Knows
Jaded Lover - Jerry Jeff Walker
Resurrection Fern - Iron & Wine
People Get Ready - The Impressions (/Curtis Mayfield)
Get Out - Chvrches
Jump, Jive & Wail - Brian Setzer Orchestra
Requiem - The Tea Party
Independently Happy - Blue October
Big Empty - STP . My #1 from them.
Rock ‘N’ Roll Over You - The Moody Blues

Shuffle Adventures:
I really liked the combination of Mitski’s “Your Best American Girl” followed by “Every Little Light” by The Slambovian Circus of Dreams. Which was also back-to-back in the regular playlist, but that happens sometimes.
 
Watched Beetlejuice Beetlejuice this afternoon. About 30 minutes in I hear a voice and think "hey. That's Mazzy Star!" Sure enough, it's Cry, Cry. :)
How’s the Movie?
Good enough. Had some slow moments and there was a scene in a church near the end that went on for a long time. Keaton is great in his role, of course.
I'd give it about 6 out of 10..maybe 6.5.
What would you score the original as a comparison?
Haven't seen the full original for a long time. I saw about 3/4 the other day before having to leave. I like the original more. Maybe 7 or 7.5. I think the novelty of seeing and hearing Douglas As Beetlejuice helped that score. He was funnier to me in the first, but I was a LOT younger, obviously.
So, it was good, nothing special.
 
Strand of Oaks #4 - "Passing Out" (2018)

Another song that didn't make the cut for the Hard Love album so it had to wait a year before seeing the light of day on Harder Love. Tim didn't do any press for the latter release so there's still some mystery about "Passing Out" and why it wasn't on the album. I'll go out on a limb to say he probably left it off because it sounded too much like the previous Strand album and he wanted more of a clean break for Hard Love.

It's another mid-tempo rocker with a catchy guitar line that functions as an instrumental chorus. The song was written during Tim's peak wild years but I don't take the title literally--the song seems to be more about loneliness than intoxication.

You get on the phone and I can't hear ya
I know she called but I won't tell you
I know I need mostly just you
Ready to go and leave me with those bad nights
Sinking in your good life
Passing out



 
3's PLAYLIST

#3 -
Blue October-OZ-Moving On
FannyPip's InvitationBlind Alley
The Tea PartyScoresmanEmerald - https://open.spotify.com/track/5fP3YyFGBeIWFOPqXF4keS?si=2c9919e95a144d1e
SweetJohn Maddens ****ing LunchboxFox on the Run (Remix)
Oingo BoingoKarmaPoliceStay
Belle and Sebastiankupcho1Sukie in the Graveyard
Mitski Ilov80sShould've Been Me
The Slambovian Circus of DreamsYambagAlice In Space
The Moody BluesCharlie SteinerThe Other Side of Life
Stone Temple PilotsYo MamaTrippin’ on a Hole in a Paper Heart
Brian SetzerMrs. RannousRock This Town
Curtis MayfieldDon QuixoteMove On Up (Extended Version), by Curtis Mayfield
Bryan Ferry/Roxy MusicBinkytheDoormatBoth Ends Burning
Strand of OaksEephusShut In
Dave MatthewsTau837Dancing Nancies
Mazzy Starlandrys hatFade Into You

Kenny ChesneyMACYoung
The Beach Boyszamboni"In My Room"
Susanna HoffsZegras11And Your Bird Can Sing
Judas Priest Raging Weasel Living After Midnight
The CureJuxtatarot From the Edge of the Deep Green Sea
Iron and WineTuffnuttUpward Over The Mountain
Jerry Jeff WalkersimeyMorning Song To Sally
The DoorsjwbWild Child
ChvrchesJML’s Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Secret IdentityDeath Stranding
Earth, Wind, & FireUruk-HaiBest Of My Love
DestroyerThe Dreaded MarcoTimes Square
Andrew BirdMister CIAArchipelago
Steve AlbiniOliver HumanzeeRx - Budd
Ronnie James DioMt. ManHeaven And Hell
April WineFalguySign of the Gypsy Queen
 
Morning Song To Sally

Jerry Jeff wrote this song for his 1969 album Driftin' Way of Life. It's a perty folk song, and my favorite off this album.

Yes, standing by the road has been my song before
Much too long, hm-hm-hmm
But now somehow I'm forced to see me there once more
And that's this song, hm-hm-hmm
For my waking thoughts of you are but extensions of my dreams
Without you here beside me, I'll never know all that they mean



Nanci Griffith covered this on her Other Voices/Other Rooms album. This is her and Jerry Jeff singing the song together at one of her shows.
 
Belle and Sebastiankupcho1Sukie in the Graveyard
Holy frijole, Batman, 2 in a row!

The 5th off of The Life Pursuit, Sukie in the Graveyard is 3:00 of pure pop perfection with some wicked lyrics. Basically, the song is about a girl that was a bit of a rebel, had some trouble at home and took off

There was an awful row between her mum and dad
They said she hadn’t done this, she hadn’t done that
If she wanted to remain inside the family home
She’d have to tow the line, she’d have to give it a go
It didn’t suit Sukie
So she took her things and left


and ends up posing nude at the art school she hung around.

Sukie was the kid, she liked to hang out at the art school
She didn’t enroll, but she wiped the floor with all the arseholes

She had to pose for life for all the scholars of art
She didn’t feel funny, she didn’t feel bad
Peeling away everything she had
She had the grace of an eel, sleek and stark
As the shadows played tricks on the girl in the dark
 
Belle and Sebastiankupcho1Sukie in the Graveyard
Holy frijole, Batman, 2 in a row!

The 5th off of The Life Pursuit, Sukie in the Graveyard is 3:00 of pure pop perfection with some wicked lyrics. Basically, the song is about a girl that was a bit of a rebel, had some trouble at home and took off

There was an awful row between her mum and dad
They said she hadn’t done this, she hadn’t done that
If she wanted to remain inside the family home
She’d have to tow the line, she’d have to give it a go
It didn’t suit Sukie
So she took her things and left


and ends up posing nude at the art school she hung around.

Sukie was the kid, she liked to hang out at the art school
She didn’t enroll, but she wiped the floor with all the arseholes

She had to pose for life for all the scholars of art
She didn’t feel funny, she didn’t feel bad
Peeling away everything she had
She had the grace of an eel, sleek and stark
As the shadows played tricks on the girl in the dark
It wasnt about True Blood?
 
3's PLAYLIST

The Slambovian Circus of DreamsYambagAlice In Space
Being from Philadelphia, the band’s annual New Years Eve Eve show on December 30th is always a special one. This show features lots of guest appearances including family members and always closes with Alice in Space, a song which was inspired by the annual Mummer’s Day Parade in Philly. Longo wrote the song with the hope that it would help chase away adulthood and allow the inner child to shine through.

In this live version, the song is blended with the Mummer’s Medley. Just as the Mummers Parade features dancers with decorated umbrellas and parasols, so does the Slambovian Circus of Dreams annual show on the year’s penultimate night. “The parasols combine the Mummers tradition with that of New Orleans and its Second Line,” says Tink. “Our fans want to be part of the show and the umbrellas celebrate rebirth for the new year. They want to show their respect and their love for the band.”

https://youtu.be/m7zo0YO9wdU
 
Belle and Sebastiankupcho1Sukie in the Graveyard
Holy frijole, Batman, 2 in a row!

The 5th off of The Life Pursuit, Sukie in the Graveyard is 3:00 of pure pop perfection with some wicked lyrics. Basically, the song is about a girl that was a bit of a rebel, had some trouble at home and took off

There was an awful row between her mum and dad
They said she hadn’t done this, she hadn’t done that
If she wanted to remain inside the family home
She’d have to tow the line, she’d have to give it a go
It didn’t suit Sukie
So she took her things and left


and ends up posing nude at the art school she hung around.

Sukie was the kid, she liked to hang out at the art school
She didn’t enroll, but she wiped the floor with all the arseholes

She had to pose for life for all the scholars of art
She didn’t feel funny, she didn’t feel bad
Peeling away everything she had
She had the grace of an eel, sleek and stark
As the shadows played tricks on the girl in the dark
It wasnt about True Blood?
Sooooo-KEH
 
3. Blind Alley
Album: Fanny Hill (1972)
Writers: Nickey Barclay and Alice de Buhr
Lead vocals: Nickey Barclay with Jean Millington

Fanny's Nickey Barclay wrote a lot of songs that draw inspiration from the Rolling Stones, but Blind Alley, my highest-ranking original of hers and second-highest-ranking Fanny original overall, has been compared to The Who. The dynamics are definitely similar. The powerhouse drumming performance from Alice de Buhr, who received a co-writing credit, drives the song in a way that Keith Moon often did for the Who. The crunchy guitar riffs from June Millington and the melodic bass fills from Jean Millington bear some resemblance to Pete Townshend and John Entwhistle, respectively. Barclay's thunderous vocal -- joined for most of the song by Jean -- and frenetic piano playing top off a performance that is powerful, triumphant and inspirational, especially on the Beat-Club version, which is represented on the playlist.

The lyrics are every bit as high-stakes as the music. They contain revolutionary rhetoric, just like their cover of Stephen Stills' Special Care, but with a much more ambivalent tone, reflecting awareness of how that could be harmful to people on "our" side as well as "theirs".

Take care of yourself, this is your story
Your voice is shakin' the walls, and they're crumbling down
But what can I do except stand here watching you
My fearful eyes are paralyzed with visions of tomorrows swept away

And someone's gonna get burned

We're leading ourselves down a blind alley
No one to watch over us as we stumble and fall
But what can I see, except all your history
A reaper grim sent saracens who cannot see the writing on the walls

And someone's gonna get burned

We're clearing the way for a new order
Old ways are losing their hold, now we've opened our eyes
But what can I say except God speed anyway
A destiny and its got to be, and later on they'll judge you right or wrong


Blind Alley appeared in setlists regularly after it surfaced on Fanny Hill, as it should have. It is the subject of several "Person X reacts to this song after hearing it for the first time" videos on YouTube, as it should be. Like Seven Roads, it is inexcusable that this was not in regular rotation on FM radio.

We have closed out Fanny Hill, and Blind Alley's inclusion means that side 1 of that record is the only side to be represented in my top 31 in its entirety. Side 2 of Charity Ball just missed, as closer A Little While Later was one of my final cuts.

Studio version: https://open.spotify.com/track/0nmSckL5AuSJHqeuCLwv8x?si=e7499908045a4dff

At #2, the closest thing Fanny has to a signature song.
 
#3' - "Best Of My Love"

When I posted "Don't Ask My Neighbors" about 20 picks ago, I mentioned that it was hard to tell which EWF members (if any) played on the record. There's no doubt on this one. The percussion, the bass, and (especially) the lead guitar give the game away.

One of the biggest hits of the year, and one of the best of the decade. Wanda Hutchinson sings the living hell out of this. Great record and great performance.

Next, EWF's best.
 
3. The Other Side of Life (The Other Side of Life, 1986)

I have to confess that the further they got away from Long Distance Voyager, the more I held it against them that they had moved on from being the hippie minstrels they were 20 years earlier. In re-experiencing these last few songs, I've 'forgiven' them and see that this latter material doesn't need to be left behind because they're guilty of not being hippie songs.

It's interesting to me that the song that shares the title of the album is the first track on the second side. It reached all the way to #58 on the US Billboard Hot 100, #18 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary and #11 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks charts. I watched the video for this song recently, and what kept me from outright laughing at it is the absolutely vacant expression on Ray's face, which I think is reflection of how his diminishing role in the band had to have been affecting him. This is my own personal opinion here: with Tony Visconti at the helm with his focus on a more synthesized sound, it not only left Ray completely out in the cold save whatever compositional contributions he could make, it also seemed to remove any last vestiges of group collaboration, which I would say suffered a fatal blow when Mike Pinder decided to retire. All of their material since Long Distance Voyager feature the synthesizer more prominently than Pinder's Mellotron ever had been, save my #19 song, Beyond, which was deliberate. This is of course a complete 180-degree change of direction, so if anything, they should be applauded for being able adapt and have the success they did, even if it did come at a price.
 
Dave MatthewsTau837Dancing Nancies

"Dancing Nancies" is a song originally featured on the 1994 DMB debut studio album "Under the Table and Dreaming." Like many of their songs from this period, "Dancing Nancies" became a fan favorite and a regular feature in their live performances.

The song’s lyrics explore existential themes, particularly the idea of "what could have been." Dave reflects on life’s possibilities, asking what his life might have been like if he had made different choices. The "Nancies" in the title refers to the hypothetical paths one might take in life, and the song deals with themes of fate, identity, and the consequences of choices.

The lyrics are filled with questions of self-identity and doubt, starting with the famous line: "Could I have been a parking lot attendant? Could I have been a millionaire in Bel Air?" These playful but introspective musings explore the randomness of existence and how different our lives could be based on small decisions.

Dave has described the character in "Dancing Nancies" as someone asking "What if?"—a person imagining alternate realities and the possibilities that life holds. He has mentioned that the lyrics reflect a sense of uncertainty and self-reflection that many people experience when considering their life choices. One notable point Dave has made is that the song’s title, "Dancing Nancies," refers to a sense of randomness and chaos. The “Nancies” aren't a literal reference but are meant to evoke images of things that are whimsical or unpredictable. He has suggested that the song taps into the feeling of realizing that life doesn’t follow a strict plan and that there’s a certain beauty in the unpredictable nature of existence.

Musically, "Dancing Nancies" blends rock, jazz, and folk, typical of DMB’s eclectic style. It starts with an acoustic guitar riff that builds into a full arrangement, featuring prominent violin work from Boyd Tinsley and saxophone from LeRoi Moore. The song has a dynamic structure, with quiet, reflective verses that build into an intense and soaring chorus. The syncopated rhythms and unique phrasing contribute to the song’s energetic and unpredictable feel. The contrast between Dave's quiet introspection and the full-band crescendos makes it a highly emotive track.

"Dancing Nancies" is another staple of DMB’s live shows, often performed in extended versions that include improvisational solos by various band members. Fans particularly love how the song allows for creative expression during live performances, with the band often adding extended instrumental breaks or transitioning into other songs. DMB has played the song live in concert 1,080 times, and there are 72 live releases of the song.

Critics have generally responded favorably to "Dancing Nancies," praising its combination of thoughtful lyrics and complex musical arrangements. While some have noted that the lyrics can be a bit abstract or whimsical, most agree that the song effectively captures the feeling of wondering about one’s place in the world. Fans are particularly drawn to the introspective nature of the song, as well as the raw energy that Matthews and his band bring to the performances.

I linked the version from DMB's Live at Red Rocks 8.15.95 album. This version showcases the band's energetic live presence, with Boyd Tinsley’s violin and LeRoi Moore’s saxophone playing key roles in the song's development. Here are a couple other excellent versions:
 
Belle and Sebastiankupcho1Sukie in the Graveyard
Holy frijole, Batman, 2 in a row!

The 5th off of The Life Pursuit, Sukie in the Graveyard is 3:00 of pure pop perfection with some wicked lyrics. Basically, the song is about a girl that was a bit of a rebel, had some trouble at home and took off

There was an awful row between her mum and dad
They said she hadn’t done this, she hadn’t done that
If she wanted to remain inside the family home
She’d have to tow the line, she’d have to give it a go
It didn’t suit Sukie
So she took her things and left


and ends up posing nude at the art school she hung around.

Sukie was the kid, she liked to hang out at the art school
She didn’t enroll, but she wiped the floor with all the arseholes

She had to pose for life for all the scholars of art
She didn’t feel funny, she didn’t feel bad
Peeling away everything she had
She had the grace of an eel, sleek and stark
As the shadows played tricks on the girl in the dark
It wasnt about True Blood?
Sooooo-KEH
And this is why it was the title of the playlist. I couldn't get that out of my head and its a running joke with my wife and me.
 
3. Blind Alley
Album: Fanny Hill (1972)
Writers: Nickey Barclay and Alice de Buhr
Lead vocals: Nickey Barclay with Jean Millington

Fanny's Nickey Barclay wrote a lot of songs that draw inspiration from the Rolling Stones, but Blind Alley, my highest-ranking original of hers and second-highest-ranking Fanny original overall, has been compared to The Who. The dynamics are definitely similar. The powerhouse drumming performance from Alice de Buhr, who received a co-writing credit, drives the song in a way that Keith Moon often did for the Who. The crunchy guitar riffs from June Millington and the melodic bass fills from Jean Millington bear some resemblance to Pete Townshend and John Entwhistle, respectively. Barclay's thunderous vocal -- joined for most of the song by Jean -- and frenetic piano playing top off a performance that is powerful, triumphant and inspirational, especially on the Beat-Club version, which is represented on the playlist.

The lyrics are every bit as high-stakes as the music. They contain revolutionary rhetoric, just like their cover of Stephen Stills' Special Care, but with a much more ambivalent tone, reflecting awareness of how that could be harmful to people on "our" side as well as "theirs".

Take care of yourself, this is your story
Your voice is shakin' the walls, and they're crumbling down
But what can I do except stand here watching you
My fearful eyes are paralyzed with visions of tomorrows swept away

And someone's gonna get burned

We're leading ourselves down a blind alley
No one to watch over us as we stumble and fall
But what can I see, except all your history
A reaper grim sent saracens who cannot see the writing on the walls

And someone's gonna get burned

We're clearing the way for a new order
Old ways are losing their hold, now we've opened our eyes
But what can I say except God speed anyway
A destiny and its got to be, and later on they'll judge you right or wrong


Blind Alley appeared in setlists regularly after it surfaced on Fanny Hill, as it should have. It is the subject of several "Person X reacts to this song after hearing it for the first time" videos on YouTube, as it should be. Like Seven Roads, it is inexcusable that this was not in regular rotation on FM radio.

We have closed out Fanny Hill, and Blind Alley's inclusion means that side 1 of that record is the only side to be represented in my top 31 in its entirety. Side 2 of Charity Ball just missed, as closer A Little While Later was one of my final cuts.

Studio version: https://open.spotify.com/track/0nmSckL5AuSJHqeuCLwv8x?si=e7499908045a4dff

At #2, the closest thing Fanny has to a signature song.
This reminded me of Rush / Working Man.

I guess that's why they call me
They call me the workin' WOman
 
3. Blind Alley
Album: Fanny Hill (1972)
Writers: Nickey Barclay and Alice de Buhr
Lead vocals: Nickey Barclay with Jean Millington

Fanny's Nickey Barclay wrote a lot of songs that draw inspiration from the Rolling Stones, but Blind Alley, my highest-ranking original of hers and second-highest-ranking Fanny original overall, has been compared to The Who. The dynamics are definitely similar. The powerhouse drumming performance from Alice de Buhr, who received a co-writing credit, drives the song in a way that Keith Moon often did for the Who. The crunchy guitar riffs from June Millington and the melodic bass fills from Jean Millington bear some resemblance to Pete Townshend and John Entwhistle, respectively. Barclay's thunderous vocal -- joined for most of the song by Jean -- and frenetic piano playing top off a performance that is powerful, triumphant and inspirational, especially on the Beat-Club version, which is represented on the playlist.

The lyrics are every bit as high-stakes as the music. They contain revolutionary rhetoric, just like their cover of Stephen Stills' Special Care, but with a much more ambivalent tone, reflecting awareness of how that could be harmful to people on "our" side as well as "theirs".

Take care of yourself, this is your story
Your voice is shakin' the walls, and they're crumbling down
But what can I do except stand here watching you
My fearful eyes are paralyzed with visions of tomorrows swept away

And someone's gonna get burned

We're leading ourselves down a blind alley
No one to watch over us as we stumble and fall
But what can I see, except all your history
A reaper grim sent saracens who cannot see the writing on the walls

And someone's gonna get burned

We're clearing the way for a new order
Old ways are losing their hold, now we've opened our eyes
But what can I say except God speed anyway
A destiny and its got to be, and later on they'll judge you right or wrong


Blind Alley appeared in setlists regularly after it surfaced on Fanny Hill, as it should have. It is the subject of several "Person X reacts to this song after hearing it for the first time" videos on YouTube, as it should be. Like Seven Roads, it is inexcusable that this was not in regular rotation on FM radio.

We have closed out Fanny Hill, and Blind Alley's inclusion means that side 1 of that record is the only side to be represented in my top 31 in its entirety. Side 2 of Charity Ball just missed, as closer A Little While Later was one of my final cuts.

Studio version: https://open.spotify.com/track/0nmSckL5AuSJHqeuCLwv8x?si=e7499908045a4dff

At #2, the closest thing Fanny has to a signature song.
This reminded me of Rush / Working Man.

I guess that's why they call me
They call me the workin' WOman
I can see that. Similar in its heaviness.
 
3. Blind Alley
Album: Fanny Hill (1972)
Writers: Nickey Barclay and Alice de Buhr
Lead vocals: Nickey Barclay with Jean Millington

Fanny's Nickey Barclay wrote a lot of songs that draw inspiration from the Rolling Stones, but Blind Alley, my highest-ranking original of hers and second-highest-ranking Fanny original overall, has been compared to The Who. The dynamics are definitely similar. The powerhouse drumming performance from Alice de Buhr, who received a co-writing credit, drives the song in a way that Keith Moon often did for the Who. The crunchy guitar riffs from June Millington and the melodic bass fills from Jean Millington bear some resemblance to Pete Townshend and John Entwhistle, respectively. Barclay's thunderous vocal -- joined for most of the song by Jean -- and frenetic piano playing top off a performance that is powerful, triumphant and inspirational, especially on the Beat-Club version, which is represented on the playlist.

The lyrics are every bit as high-stakes as the music. They contain revolutionary rhetoric, just like their cover of Stephen Stills' Special Care, but with a much more ambivalent tone, reflecting awareness of how that could be harmful to people on "our" side as well as "theirs".

Take care of yourself, this is your story
Your voice is shakin' the walls, and they're crumbling down
But what can I do except stand here watching you
My fearful eyes are paralyzed with visions of tomorrows swept away

And someone's gonna get burned

We're leading ourselves down a blind alley
No one to watch over us as we stumble and fall
But what can I see, except all your history
A reaper grim sent saracens who cannot see the writing on the walls

And someone's gonna get burned

We're clearing the way for a new order
Old ways are losing their hold, now we've opened our eyes
But what can I say except God speed anyway
A destiny and its got to be, and later on they'll judge you right or wrong


Blind Alley appeared in setlists regularly after it surfaced on Fanny Hill, as it should have. It is the subject of several "Person X reacts to this song after hearing it for the first time" videos on YouTube, as it should be. Like Seven Roads, it is inexcusable that this was not in regular rotation on FM radio.

We have closed out Fanny Hill, and Blind Alley's inclusion means that side 1 of that record is the only side to be represented in my top 31 in its entirety. Side 2 of Charity Ball just missed, as closer A Little While Later was one of my final cuts.

Studio version: https://open.spotify.com/track/0nmSckL5AuSJHqeuCLwv8x?si=e7499908045a4dff

At #2, the closest thing Fanny has to a signature song.
This reminded me of Rush / Working Man.

I guess that's why they call me
They call me the workin' WOman
Maybe it’s more Finding My Way, but then I couldn’t make my Man /Woman comment.
 
STP #3 - Trippin' on a Hole in a Paper Heart
Album - Tiny Music . . . (1996)

I’ve taken this song in quite a few music drafts - I think the first being the six words or more song title draft. I love how the band just decided on this one to see how much Rockin’ they could fit into less than 3 minutes.

Scott Weiland wrote this song about a bad acid trip - so it’s a refreshing change-up from all the songs about heroin.
 
3. The Other Side of Life (The Other Side of Life, 1986)

I have to confess that the further they got away from Long Distance Voyager, the more I held it against them that they had moved on from being the hippie minstrels they were 20 years earlier. In re-experiencing these last few songs, I've 'forgiven' them and see that this latter material doesn't need to be left behind because they're guilty of not being hippie songs.

It's interesting to me that the song that shares the title of the album is the first track on the second side. It reached all the way to #58 on the US Billboard Hot 100, #18 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary and #11 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks charts. I watched the video for this song recently, and what kept me from outright laughing at it is the absolutely vacant expression on Ray's face, which I think is reflection of how his diminishing role in the band had to have been affecting him. This is my own personal opinion here: with Tony Visconti at the helm with his focus on a more synthesized sound, it not only left Ray completely out in the cold save whatever compositional contributions he could make, it also seemed to remove any last vestiges of group collaboration, which I would say suffered a fatal blow when Mike Pinder decided to retire. All of their material since Long Distance Voyager feature the synthesizer more prominently than Pinder's Mellotron ever had been, save my #19 song, Beyond, which was deliberate. This is of course a complete 180-degree change of direction, so if anything, they should be applauded for being able adapt and have the success they did, even if it did come at a price.

This is one of my favorite Moody Blues songs. To me, it really combines their 70's prog greatness with a more 80's pop sound.
 
Blue October-OZ-Moving On
The best breakup song, and not just from romantic relationships. I’d encourage y’all to watch the video, I love it.

From their 2020 release, this is what I live for. A positive song about breaking through whatever has held you back.

You're not good for my soul
The one who cares less always has control
Well, I'm taking that back, and you'll be amazed
'Cause I only get better looking with age
 
#3 STAY


I see this one at the top of a lot of random lists I looked at after I did my playlist. Thinking about it tonight, for me what it was is that I had first listened to the 90s album that really made me like that part of Elfman's voice. This ended up my favorite on Dead Man's Party because this was the track I loved his voice on the most from the album, especially during the chorus - which is what I would be singing all day at work and started the discussion about music with the college kids. Infectious pop beat mixed with the weird/eerie synth buzzing around blends well with the lyrics to keep us off guard as usual and making repeat listens so worthwhile.

Again, I adore all my top 4 and they've been the favorite 4 for most of this adventure. Looking at them Stay is ahead of Who Do You Want to Be due largely to Elfman's vocals. My top 2 are there because as I posted earlier, my Oingo Boingo sweet spot is when Elman is in self-deprecating, social outsider mode. #1 is there because it was my first repeater of theirs and where I first fell for the band.
 
#3 STAY


I see this one at the top of a lot of random lists I looked at after I did my playlist. Thinking about it tonight, for me what it was is that I had first listened to the 90s album that really made me like that part of Elfman's voice. This ended up my favorite on Dead Man's Party because this was the track I loved his voice on the most from the album, especially during the chorus - which is what I would be singing all day at work and started the discussion about music with the college kids. Infectious pop beat mixed with the weird/eerie synth buzzing around blends well with the lyrics to keep us off guard as usual and making repeat listens so worthwhile.

Again, I adore all my top 4 and they've been the favorite 4 for most of this adventure. Looking at them Stay is ahead of Who Do You Want to Be due largely to Elfman's vocals. My top 2 are there because as I posted earlier, my Oingo Boingo sweet spot is when Elman is in self-deprecating, social outsider mode. #1 is there because it was my first repeater of theirs and where I first fell for the band.
Love this one. Probably my favorite Oingo Boingo song.
 
Curtis MayfieldDon QuixoteMove On Up (Extended Version), by Curtis Mayfield
Hush now child
And don't you cry
Your folks might understand you
By and by
Just move on up
Towards your destination
Though you may find, from time to time
Complication


I could see this one as a popular #1 for Mayfield, and I would not argue with those who have it there. Depending on the day, it may be there for me. The Curtis albums has some songs depicting a harsher reality faced by blacks, but “Move On Up” is a motivator song with one of his most infectious grooves.

I went for the extended version from the album. I had heard the single edit a lot, but it was not until I listened to the Curtis album one day that I heard the full thing. The extended version includes a great percussive break on the congos and jam at the end that gets left out of the single edit and elevates the song for me by a wide margin over the single edit.
 
Round 4

Many great known to me's in this round plus a few great new ones. Best round yet. Spectacular!

* Blue October - Independently Happy- enjoyed this one a ton
Ballroom Blitz - Sweet - Still sounds great in 2024!
* Who Do You Want to Be - Oingo Boingo
* Every Little Light - Slambovian Circus of Dreams - My God I love this song ♥️
Rock 'N' Roll Over You - Moody Blues - forgot about this one off of TOSOL. 1 of 2 Moody albums I owned
Big Empty - STP - love the jazzy vibe in the opening to this one
Jump Jive and Wail - Brian Setzer - as mentioned previously, love, love this one
People Get Ready - The Impressions - great tune. perfect vocal
* Mother of Pearl - Roxy Music
* Passing Out - Strand of Oaks

Listening in playlist order that's now 7 in a row added to my favorites. A record for me!

*Flowers in December - Mazzy Star - Reminds me of Canadian artist The Cowboy Junkies .
*Anything But Mine - Kenny Chesney - Yet another favorite added. Told my partner that if he ever came around here, I'd definitely go.
God Only Knows - Beach Boys - not my favorite BB song but pretty damned good, nonetheless
Manic Monday - Bangles. My 2nd favorite Bangles song.

(At this point it would have been much easier to identify the songs I didnt add!)

Alabama Song. The Doors

April Wine - Oowatanite. Written and sung by their bassist at the time - Jim Clench. He also sung Weeping Widow which was just listed. Many people say that's cowbell used in this song but it is, in fact, a firehall bell. This was off their great STand Back album. 4 of my earlier songs came from this album.
 
The Beach Boyszamboni"In My Room"
When I was putting my list together, I didn't expect this to end up in the top 5, but it just kept drifting up and up. Just a beautiful (albeit brief) song that showed early signs of what these guys could bring to the table in terms of harmonies. Per Wiki, Brian Wilson explained in 1990: "When Dennis, Carl and I lived in Hawthorne as kids, we all slept in the same room. One night I sang the song 'Ivory Tower' to them and they liked it. Then a couple of weeks later, I proceeded to teach them both how to sing the harmony parts to it. It took them a little while, but they finally learned it. We then sang this song night after night. It brought peace to us. When we recorded 'In My Room,' there was just Dennis, Carl and me on the first verse... and we sounded just like we did in our bedroom all those nights. This story has more meaning than ever since Dennis' death."
 
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pril WineFalguySign of the Gypsy Queen
As I told @falguy, this would be my #1 April Wine song with a bullet. I picked it high in the covers draft, only learning in recent years that it was originally recorded by some dude named Lorence Hud.

I also like the live version from Live in London with the triple lead guitar attack: https://youtu.be/DkvS_JjbyGs?t=1526
 
The Beach Boyszamboni"In My Room"
When I was putting my list together, I didn't expect this to end up in the top 5, but it just kept drifting up and up. Just a beautiful (albeit brief) song that showed early signs of what these guys could bring to the table in terms of harmonies. Per Wiki, Brian Wilson explained in 1990: "When Dennis, Carl and I lived in Hawthorne as kids, we all slept in the same room. One night I sang the song 'Ivory Tower' to them and they liked it. Then a couple of weeks later, I proceeded to teach them both how to sing the harmony parts to it. It took them a little while, but they finally learned it. We then sang this song night after night. It brought peace to us. When we recorded 'In My Room,' there was just Dennis, Carl and me on the first verse... and we sounded just like we did in our bedroom all those nights. This story has more meaning than ever since Dennis' death."
It's not only about the harmonies to me. I'm not a big lyric guy, but the loneliness and alienation expressed in them is remarkable for people this young. Beats the hell out of anything Paul Simon ever wrote.
 

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