Middle Aged Dummies!! Artists #1's have been posted!! (3 Viewers)

[Pip's Invitation]

@plinko The WA song I feel strongly about is the same one where Reece would do the Vedder/Bono shtick. That should be easy to guess.

 

[plinko]

@plinko The WA song I feel strongly about is the same one where Reece would do the Vedder/Bono shtick. That should be easy to guess.

Pretty sure I know the one you mean and will keep it mum, for now

 

[simey]

I'm supposed to go to the Barenaked Ladies tonight. I'm getting picked up in 27 minutes. My sister loves them (and I think my BIL likes them too), and she got me a ticket for taking care of her animals when they go out of town. It has been 90+ degrees today and humid, and it is storming right now with marble size hail, but it should depart any minute. I only know a couple songs by the BL, but it should be fun.

 

[scorchy]

Nice - I will be in Chicago this weekend as well for a b-ball tournament with the kid. I hear you about the food. HERE is the place that my wife and I go to every time we are in town now. Especially fun if you like the metal at all - burgers named after metal bands, metal music playing. The food is great though. I can't remember the name offhand, but I usually get the Slayer burger, and usually eat until I feel like I am going to burst.

Thanks for the rec - I've read it about it but never made it that far afield. Now that there's one in the west loop, I'll put it on my list for the next visit. Would probably be a better time with @plinko compared to the missus, given his encyclopedic knowledge of the subject.

ETA: Just read the post about your poor kitten, KP. So sorry.

 

[plinko]

I'm supposed to go to the Barenaked Ladies tonight. I'm getting picked up in 27 minutes. My sister loves them (and I think my BIL likes them too), and she got me a ticket for taking care of her animals when they go out of town. It has been 90+ degrees today and humid, and it is storming right now with marble size hail, but it should depart any minute. I only know a couple songs by the BL, but it should be fun.

You'll enjoy it and will probably recognize songs you might not have necessarily thought of, or known were them...

 

[plinko]

Nice - I will be in Chicago this weekend as well for a b-ball tournament with the kid. I hear you about the food. HERE is the place that my wife and I go to every time we are in town now. Especially fun if you like the metal at all - burgers named after metal bands, metal music playing. The food is great though. I can't remember the name offhand, but I usually get the Slayer burger, and usually eat until I feel like I am going to burst.

Thanks for the rec - I've read it about it but never made it that far afield. Now that there's one in the west loop, I'll put it on my list for the next visit. Would probably be a better time with @plinko compared to the missus, given his encyclopedic knowledge of the subject.

This was the first place I went after I landed, when we went there for hack hole, and I met up with my old work friend Adam. He lives in San Diego now.

 

[scorchy]

Protomartyr are playing something called Thalia Hall.. that's tempting. Going to guess neither of my mystery cohorts would want to join me for that one.

Thalia Hall should be pretty close to where you're staying and is great place for a show (I've seen THS and DBT there). Great mexican food in Pilsen too.

 

[simey]

The sun is trying to come out. Come on! I picked up my new drivewear lens glasses today at Costco, and I want to wear them until the sun sets. I found these demo frames on Ebay for $25 bucks and bought them, and had Costco put in some drivewear lenses with my new prescription. I'm excited to try them out. They are marketed to also be worn in overcast conditions.

 

[krista4]

I have been to the metal burger place! Another great food spot on my radar is Chicago Diner which is vegan but truly impressive in the realm of phony meat plates.

Forgot to say, I'm with you 100% on the Chicago Diner. When I was vegetarian, I took carnivores there all the time, and they loved it (as did I when I was carnivore).

There must be some great music playing somewhere while you're there...

Any websites or local rags you recommend for seeing what's happening during the time I'm there? I'm sure I can check out songkick or some such. Haven't planned for much yet. Most work nights I'll be laying low, unless there's something I can't resist... but I do have a full weekend much like I did in Cleveland, and I will try to get to 'The Empty Bottle' for the Say Sue Me show which I happened to stumble on, in a bandcamp email I think, unless it sells out, that's the night before I travel home so I don't mind staying out late-ish. Saw them in SF a few years back and they were fun. Great guitarist.

Chicago Reader to learn about all that's happening. Empty Bottle is a great dive venue, as is Subterranean. My top favorite (and also somewhat dive-y) is The Hideout, but also love Schuba's almost as much. Little bit bigger good venues are The Vic, The Metro, Park West, and the Riviera. Green Mill is a must to me, for jazz or whatever they happen to have going on at any time - so much history there and just the best vibe. Lots of great Ethiopian restaurants near the Green Mill and the Riv, if that might be your jam.

 

[krista4]

Protomartyr are playing something called Thalia Hall.. that's tempting. Going to guess neither of my mystery cohorts would want to join me for that one.

Thalia Hall opened after I'd left the city, but I've heard good things.

 

[krista4]

wow...you don't need to do the leg work, but thanks. My list is in order of favorite at #1, but as I have said previously, I could easily swap out the bottom half of my list with any of my next 30ish Kinks songs and I would feel perfectly comfortable with those selections in the top 31 as well. Maybe I should have chosen a different artist here. I didn't realize they has been picked over pretty well already. That's OK, while my #1 won't shock anyone, I suspect there are a few selections in my top 5 that will raise an eyebrow or two and there are some classics that I left of the 31 list that I would bet are part of that list from the MAD British Isles.

I for one am thrilled you chose them, and your curation of the playlist has been fabulous. Even if you chose every single song that got a vote before, you'd still have 16 new ones here! There are many of us who would never tire of talking Kinks.

As for the legwork, I already did it, so I'd might as well post. Hopefully you'll find it interesting to see how your list compares to M-aD consensus.

 

[Eephus]

The sun is trying to come out. Come on! I picked up my new drivewear lens glasses today at Costco, and I want to wear them until the sun sets. I found these demo frames on Ebay for $25 bucks and bought them, and had Costco put in some drivewear lenses with my new prescription. I'm excited to try them out. They are marketed to also be worn in overcast conditions.

I recently got my first pair of prescription sunglasses and it's been a revelation. I should have done it decades ago.

The only problem is my sunglasses are for distance only unlike my usual progressives so it's a pain to have to check my phone to see what song is playing.

 

[rockaction]

I recently got my first pair of prescription sunglasses and it's been a revelation. I should have done it decades ago.

Awesome. One caveat is that you'll start wearing them all the time because you can see out of them and people will think you're hiding being high. I wear my prescription Ray-Bans all the time indoors and usually forget about it until people start looking at me funny. They think I'm trying to pull of Dylan or JFK or something (I have a tortoise shell frame and black-framed prescription because...well...I'm free).

But they are a revelation. Especially in California with the California sun.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Had to make an avatar change because the pic made me laugh, didn't think the music nerds or Mr. Mascis would mind.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Maybe he the best rock band no one really talks about.

Besides the people you draft with constantly like NV and I. Ahem.

Sure - I was speaking more generally.

 

[The Dreaded Marco]

Maybe he the best rock band no one really talks about.

Besides the people you draft with constantly like NV and I. Ahem.

Sure - I was speaking more generally.

They are now the band I've seen the most times live. Still so good going on (wtf?) 27 years!

 

[rockaction]

Sure - I was speaking more generally.

I did indeed think that you were talking about the general press and music buzz, but I figured I'd kid around anyway. Me, NV, The Dreaded Marco and others have been singing their praises a long time in here.

No big deal. Just giving you a little business.

 

[Just Win Baby]

I finally had a chance to listen to the #24 playlist. I'm gaining ground!

Excluding my own song, I already knew that I liked this song:

• Queen - We Are The Champions

Once I listened to it, I realized I knew and liked this song, just didn't recognize it by name:

• Chicago - (I've Been) Searchin' So Long

On first listen to this playlist, these were the unfamiliar songs I liked the best:

• Brandi Carlile - My Song
• SRV - Dirty Pool
• ...And You Will Know... - Pictures of an Only Child
• Green Day - Whatsername
• Daft Punk - Too Long / Steam Machine
• Taylor Swift - my tears richochet
• Phish - Halfway to the Moon
• deadmau - The 16th Hour

Great playlist!

 

[scorchy]

Intermission of night two at the Salt Shed. Dillinger Four led off. Mountain Goats just finished. Hold Steady in 20 min. Maybe it's the gummies talking, but I hope everyone here gets to experience their equivalent joy of singing No Children ("I hope you die, I hope we both die") with a thousand other Mountain Goat fans. Even better, if like me, your partner is singing along happily next to you.

 

[rockaction]

Dillinger Four led off

You've got to be kidding me.

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[Pip's Invitation]

More #21 thoughts:

I'm in Love With My Car is amazing. Did radio avoid it just because it's not sung by Freddie Mercury? It deserves to be known by more than diehard Queen fans.

I enjoyed North Winds Blowing very much -- ethereal but not wispy. One of my favorite Stranglers thus far.

I liked the melody on Myla Goldberg.

Arms and Hearts might be my favorite THS song so far. Why was this relegated to a B-side?

More winners from Doves and Spoon, definitely diving deeper on these at some point.

 

[krista4]

Chicago Reader to learn about all that's happening. Empty Bottle is a great dive venue, as is Subterranean. My top favorite (and also somewhat dive-y) is The Hideout, but also love Schuba's almost as much. Little bit bigger good venues are The Vic, The Metro, Park West, and the Riviera. Green Mill is a must to me, for jazz or whatever they happen to have going on at any time - so much history there and just the best vibe. Lots of great Ethiopian restaurants near the Green Mill and the Riv, if that might be your jam.

I was just telling OH about your trip, and he reminded me that if you're up in the northern venues I mentioned (Riv, Green Mill), the Hopleaf is a great pub to visit. I guess they have food, but known for their beer selection, heavily Belgian, and just a good chill vibe. He also mentioned Carol's Pub, great dive bar sometimes with live music, too.

Also north part of Chicago, Argyle Ave and environs for Vietnamese and Devon Ave for Indian.

 

[scorchy]

You've got to be kidding me.

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Sorry, rock. If it makes you feel better, for the few songs that I knew all the words, I sang along in what I imagine to be your voice.

 

[rockaction]

Sorry, rock. If it makes you feel better

No need to be sorry and I don't feel bad. Holla away in your own voice. Sing it to the sky, bro.

 

[Zegras11]

20's PLAYLIST

		#20-
Todd Rundgren	New Binky the Doormat	A Dream Goes On Forever A Dream Goes on Forever (2015 Remaster) Provided to YouTube by RhinoA Dream Goes on Forever (2015 Remaster) · Todd RundgrenTodd℗ 1974 Bearsville RecordsVocals: Todd RundgrenWriter: Todd RundgrenAut... www.youtube.com
Jorge Ben Jor	Don Quixote	Xica da Silva Jorge Ben - Xica Da Silva SUBSCRIBE TO OUR BRAZILIAN MUSIC CHANNEL - http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=thesoundofbrazil youtu.be
Brandi Carlile	JB Breakfast Club	Raise Hell - Bear Creek Raise Hell Brandi Carlile · Song · 2012 open.spotify.com
The Police	Zegras11	Next To You Next To You The Police · Song · 1978 open.spotify.com
Modest Mouse	The Dreaded Marco	Dark Center Of The Universe Modest Mouse - Dark Center Of The Universe Track 3 from "The Moon & Antarctica"All rights reserved to Modest Mouse.I might disintegrate into the thin air if you'd likeI'm not the dark center of the un... www.youtube.com
Genesis	Yo Mama	Tonight, Tonight, Tonight Tonight, Tonight, Tonight - 2007 Remaster Genesis · Song · 1986 open.spotify.com
Stevie Ray Vaughan	Sullie	Change It (Official Music Video) Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble - Change It (Video) Music video by Stevie Ray Vaughan And Double Trouble performing Change It. (C) 1985 Sony BMG Music Entertainment www.youtube.com
The Decemberists	kupcho1	O New England O New England The Decemberists · Song · 2008 open.spotify.com O New England Provided to YouTube by Universal Music GroupO New England · The DecemberistsAlways The Bridesmaid℗ 2008 Capitol Records, LLCReleased on: 2008-01-01Producer: ... youtu.be
...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead	plinko	Contra Mundum XI: Bleed Here Now (2022) Contra Mundum ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead · Song · 2022 open.spotify.com
The Kinks	Galileo	20th Century Man (1971 - Muswell Hillbillies) 20th Century Man The Kinks · Song · 1971 open.spotify.com
Rush	higgins	Middletown Dreams Middletown Dreams Provided to YouTube by Anthem Entertainment (Masters)Middletown Dreams · RushPower Windows℗ 1985 Anthem Entertainment LPReleased on: 1985-10-14Auto-generated... www.youtube.com
Sigur Rós	Scoresman	Brennisteinn (Brimstone) - Kveikur - 2013 Brennisteinn Sigur Rós · Song · 2013 open.spotify.com
Donald Fagen	Charlie Steiner	Any Major Dude Will Tell You Any Major Dude Will Tell You Provided to YouTube by Universal Music GroupAny Major Dude Will Tell You · Steely DanPretzel Logic℗ 1974 Geffen RecordsReleased on: 1974-01-01Producer: Gary ... www.youtube.com
Green Day	MAC_32	Horseshoes & Hand Grenades Horseshoes and Handgrenades Green Day · Song · 2009 open.spotify.com
Big Thief	Ilov80s	Interstate Interstate Big Thief · Song · 2016 open.spotify.com
Daft Punk	rockaction	Crescendolls Daft Punk - Crescendolls (Official Video) Official Music Video for “Crescendolls”, taken from “Discovery” available on all platforms: https://daftpunk.lnk.to/DiscoverySubscribe to the official Daft ... youtu.be
Taylor Swift	Jpalmer	champagne problems champagne problems Taylor Swift · Song · 2020 open.spotify.com
Elliott Smith	Tuffnutt	Tomorrow Tomorrow Elliott Smith - Tomorrow Tomorrow Everybody knowsWhich way you goStraight to overNo one wants to seeYou inside of meStraight to overI heard the hammer at the lockSay you're deaf and dumb and ... www.youtube.com
Chicago	Pip's Invitation	Women Don't Want to Love Me Women Don't Want To Love me Chicago · Song · 1974 open.spotify.com
The Stranglers	John Maddens Lunchbox	No Mercy The Stranglers - No Mercy Music video by The Stranglers performing No Mercy. (C) 1984 BMG Rigts Management (UK) Limited m.youtube.com
Ryan Adams	Dr. Octopus	It's So Quiet, It's Loud It's So Quiet, It's Loud Ryan Adams · Song · 2021 open.spotify.com
Stevie Wonder	Uruk-Hai	Isn't She Lovely Isn't She Lovely Provided to YouTube by Universal Music GroupIsn't She Lovely · Stevie WonderThe Definitive Collection℗ 1996 UMG Recordings, Inc.Released on: 2002-10-29Compos... www.youtube.com
Slade	Mrs. Rannous	My Oh My (Piano and Vocal) My Oh My (Piano & Vocal) Provided to YouTube by BMG Rights Management (UK) Ltd.My Oh My (Piano & Vocal) · SladeRogues Gallery℗ 1985 Perseverance Ltd. under exclusive licence to BMG R... www.youtube.com
Phish	shuke	Mike's Song Mike's Song Phish · Song · 1997 open.spotify.com
Electgric Light Orchestra (ELO)	jwb	Don't Bring Me Down Don't Bring Me Down Electric Light Orchestra · Song · 1979 open.spotify.com
Frank Black	Mister CIA	Just A Little Just a Little Provided to YouTube by The Orchard EnterprisesJust a Little · Frank BlackOddballs℗ 2013 The Bureau RecordsReleased on: 2013-07-16Music Publisher: Wixen Music... www.youtube.com
Clutch	Raging Weasel	Jackhammer Our Names Jackhammer Our Names Clutch · Song · 2022 open.spotify.com
Dinosaur Jr.	KarmaPolice	Never Bought It Dinosaur Jr-Never Bought It Hand It Over 1997 www.youtube.com
Warren Zevon	worrierking	Werewolves of London Werewolves of London Warren Zevon · Song · 1978 open.spotify.com You may have heard this one. Mick Fleetwood and John McVie supplied the rhythm section ably. Waddy and Warren were appalled that the record company selected this as the Excitable Boy album's first single. It worked out fine.
Alice in Chains	Mt. Man	Red Giant Red Giant Alice In Chains · Song · 2018 open.spotify.com
Queen	snellman	One Vision One Vision - Remastered 2011 Queen · Song · 1986 open.spotify.com
AC/DC	falguy	Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap AC/DC · Song · 1976 open.spotify.com
The Hold Stead	scorchy	Chips Ahoy Chips Ahoy The Hold Steady · Song · 2006 open.spotify.com
Damon Albarn	Eephus	Gorillaz (feat. Little Dragon) --- Empire Ants Gorillaz - Empire Ants - Plastic Beach Empire Ants taken from the 2010 album Plastic Beach including the singles Rhinestone Eyes, Stylo, Superfast Jellyfish and On Melancholy Hill. www.youtube.com
Ray Charles	simey	Ray Charles - Hard Hearted Hannah From "The Very Best Of Ray Charles" www.youtube.com Hardhearted Hannah Ray Charles · Song · 2021 open.spotify.com
Doves	landrys hat	Jetstream Jetstream Doves · Song · 2009 open.spotify.com
Spoon	Hov34	Everything Hits at Once Spoon - Everything hits at once Don't say a wordThe last one's still stingingBack of my mindI feel that phone ringingAnd there is no way back from thisEverything hits at onceWhat we needs i... www.youtube.com
Foo Fighters	Just Win Baby	Walk Walk Foo Fighters · Song · 2011 open.spotify.com
Simon & Garfunkel	zamboni	"Punky's Dilemma" Simon & Garfunkel - Punky's Dilemma "Punky's Dilemma," was also written by Simon for The Graduate soundtrack, but the film's producers rejected them. It was written for scene in which Benjamin ... www.youtube.com
Bruce Springsteen	DrIanMalcolm	Darlington County Darlington County - Bruce Springsteen - Paris 85 Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band - Proshot Darlington County - 29th June 1985,Parc De La Courneuve, Paris, France www.youtube.com
The Prodigy	titusbramble	Girls Girls The Prodigy · Song · 2004 open.spotify.com
Bauhaus	otb_lifer	Crowds Crowds Bauhaus · Song · 1980 open.spotify.com
Heart	Doug B	Oldest Story in the World Oldest Story In the World Heart · Song · 2004 open.spotify.com
The Tragically Hip	Northern Voice	Fireworks Fireworks The Tragically Hip · Song · 1998 open.spotify.com
deadmau5	zazale	Mercedes Mercedes deadmau5 · Song · 2014 open.spotify.com
Elton John	timschochet	Gray Seal 05 - Grey Seal - Elton John - Live at The Hammersmith Odeon 24-12-1974 As an early Christmas present I thought I'd upload the 1974 Christmas show with Video! This one's dedicated to Formulaonemad who's a real good friend, and gr... www.youtube.com

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

#20 - The Stranglers - No Mercy

The Stranglers - No Mercy

Music video by The Stranglers performing No Mercy. (C) 1984 BMG Rigts Management (UK) Limited

m.youtube.com

Year - 1984
Album - Aural Sculpture
UK Chart position - #37
Vocals - Hugh Cornwell
Key Lyric - Everybody seems the same all over
The search is on for love and comfort constantly
If it comes your way tomorrow, count yourself lucky
Life shows no mercy
Life shows no mercy

Interesting Points

1- Because JJB was absent for a lot of this album as he was looking after his terminally ill father, the Stranglers used backup singers for the first time on this track for parts JJB would normally sing.

2- The Stranglers, outside their biggest hits, werent really an international band. This song however was their second biggest hit in Belgium

3- By now in the fickle UK market, they were seen as has beens. Their loyal fanbase though was always counted on to get their singles in the 30-50 region of the charts and bought their albums religiously. Only covers from them would chart higher from now on.

4- The lyrics for these carry optimism, only to be snuffed out at the end with the line of every verse, “Life shows No Mercy”

5- The band appear in the video clip as Doctors and patients, just like in the Sweden video. Either their directors have no imagination or the band like dressing up as Doctors and patients


Summary to date

Year
1977 - 4
1978 - 2
1979 - 2
1980 - 0
1981 - 1
1982 - 0
1983 - 0
1984 - 2
1985 - 0
1986 - 0
1987 - 0
1988 - 1
1989 - 0
1990 onwards - 0

Where to find
Rattus Norvegicus - 4/9
No More Heroes - 0/11
Black and White - 1/12
The Raven - 2/11
The Gospel According to the Meninblack - 0/10
La Folie - 1/11
Feline - 0/9
Aural Sculpture - 2/11
Dreamtime - 0/10
All Live and All of the Night - 1/13
10 - 0/10
1991 onwards - 0
B Sides - 0
Greatest Hits - 0
Standalone Single - 1

Running Vocal Count
Hugh Cornwell - 7
Jean-Jacques Burnel - 5
Other - 0

Rundown
#31 - Walk on By
#30 - Ugly
#29 - All Day and All of the Night
#28 - Meninblack
#27 - Goodbye Toulouse
#26 - Princess of the Streets
#25 - Sweden (All Quiet on the Eastern Front)
#24 - Duchess
#23 - Sometimes
#22 - La Folie
#21 - North Winds
#20 - No Mercy

Next we go back to their punk sound with a song with more troubling lyrical content. It was written and recorded just after one of the biggest albums was released, but was considered too good to not be released as a single immediately.

 

[plinko]

Chicago Reader to learn about all that's happening. Empty Bottle is a great dive venue, as is Subterranean. My top favorite (and also somewhat dive-y) is The Hideout, but also love Schuba's almost as much. Little bit bigger good venues are The Vic, The Metro, Park West, and the Riviera. Green Mill is a must to me, for jazz or whatever they happen to have going on at any time - so much history there and just the best vibe. Lots of great Ethiopian restaurants near the Green Mill and the Riv, if that might be your jam.

I was just telling OH about your trip, and he reminded me that if you're up in the northern venues I mentioned (Riv, Green Mill), the Hopleaf is a great pub to visit. I guess they have food, but known for their beer selection, heavily Belgian, and just a good chill vibe. He also mentioned Carol's Pub, great dive bar sometimes with live music, too.

Also north part of Chicago, Argyle Ave and environs for Vietnamese and Devon Ave for Indian.

If the El goes I can get there. Much respect for you and Oliver’s references, I’ll keep you posted here on my ventures

 

[plinko]

The Slade and Stranglers songs catch me right away. Slade had a moment in this era, and I was with it. I wouldn’t discover the Stranglers for ~20 more years.

One could argue Clutch only continue to get more interesting and impressive with age.
Chips Ahoy is top notch THS.
Dirty Deeds is top notch AC/DC.
Hardhearted Hannah is a riot.
Metally Heart song is pretty fun.
I like this Foo

Werewolves is so good it blows everything else here away, like when we had Born to Run and Goodbye Yellow Brick Rd in with all the 30’s.

Steely Dan making me want to go pick up some of that legal herb.

I don’t know whether Frank Black really has a ton of great stuff or if Mister CIA has just done a great job of pulling out all the gems for us

I ALWAYS like Dino Jr, Spoon, Modest Mouse, that’s not news but now you can add Doves to that list. Brandi and Jorge usually bringing the goods as well.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Lol. Was this Queen song in Iron Eagle?

 

[plinko]

Lol. Was this Queen song in Iron Eagle?

I’m my mind Iron Eagle is this song and some kid just flying around

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

Lol. Was this Queen song in Iron Eagle?

Fried Chicken?

 

[kupcho1]

The Decemberists
#20 O New England

Another from the Always The Bridesmaid (2008) collection.

This song describes a “failed attempt” at coming down to New York from New England (likely Maine given the “7 hour” trip) for the new year. The singer and his companion take the “blue line” subway for fun and get off at a random stop, only then realizing he had “lost his token” to board the subway again, leaving the pair stranded in the city in the rain. He implies later that not only did this end up being a failed vacation, but also a failed attempt to reconnect with his companion during the trip. Instead of rekindling their romance, all he gets is a crappy souvenir for his trouble.

This here is the fable of a failed attempt (fabled failed attempt, oh-oh)
To find new life in a love in the seat of its origin (failed attempt, oh-oh)
From Long to Coney Island, from Mid to West to Upper Highland
And all I got is this ill-gotten full color souvenir
The new millennium in New York

 

[Uruk-Hai]

# 20 "Isn't She Lovely"

Stevie's ode to his infant daughter. It's fairly lightweight musically (almost like a Jackson Browne song, but - you know - good) though, in typical Wonder fashion, the groove locks in from the first second and never lets up. Lyrically and (especially) vocally, it's amazing. Stevie was never one to hide his emotions, but he's at probably his most naked here. It's just a dad expressing his amazement and love for his kid.

Before the reveals started, I meant to put a post together about how Stevie describes "seeing" in his songs. I never got there because I'm lazy, but his descriptions of visual things have always caught me. I may pick back up on that if I get the time and motivation because it fascinates me.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Dirty Deeds is top notch AC/DC.

If I were doing a countdown of my favorite AC/DC songs, this would be in the Top 5. Of course it rocks one's face off with no remorse, but it's also really clever.

 

[Mt. Man]

20. Red Giant (off Rainier Fog, 2018)

Too late now, show's over
Real life is much closer
Take the makeup off, you wonder
Why I look the same, only bolder

(Youtube version) Alice In Chains - Red Giant
(Live Version - a bit muted, but beggars can’t be choosers) Alice In Chains - "Red Giant" Mansfield MA 08/09/19

Obviously this will hit folks differently, but this is another song that grabs me from the start. It’s simply solid work from the guitar and drums throughout. It doesn’t shift tones as much as many AIC songs, but there’s a lot of raw power here. Which fits into the lyrics very well.

Like many later AIC songs, there hasn’t been much talk from the band on the meaning or influences for this song. So make your own path. For me? A red giant is bright and (well,) large, but it’s also one at the final stages of its life. It’s easy to translate that into how a band/artist might feel.

Next on the countdown, let’s stick with the “sun” theme, if on a different album.

 

[Galileo]

#20 - 20th Century Man (1971 - Muswell Hillbillies)

20th Century Man

The Kinks · Song · 1971

open.spotify.com

Depression, paranoia and despair…hey, sounds like a typical Kinks song. Quite frankly, as I look at the subject matter of their catalog, I am surprised I enjoy it as much as I do. But, I guess they are keeping it real. I suppose I didn’t really pay much attention to lyrics in my youth when I first formed bonds with the music based on sound and feel. This one is a little bluesy and melodic. The song captures the weariness of being swallowed up by modern life and a desire to return to the glory days of old. The lyrics of this song probably resonate harder today than at the time Davies wrote it.

This is the age of machinery
A mechanical nightmare
The wonderful world of technology
Napalm hydrogen bombs biological warfare

This is the twentieth century
But too much aggravation
It's the age of insanity
What has become of the green pleasant fields of Jerusalem

Ain't got no ambition
I'm just disillusioned
I'm a twentieth century man but I don't want, I don't want to be here

My mama said she can't understand me
She can't see my motivation
Just give me some security
I'm a paranoid schizoid product of the twentieth century

You keep all your smart modern writers
Give me William Shakespeare
You keep all your smart modern painters
I'll take Rembrandt, Titian, Da Vinci and Gainsborough

Girl we gotta get out of here
We gotta find a solution
I'm a twentieth century man but I don't want, I don't want to die here

Girl, we gotta get out of here
We gotta find a solution
I'm a twentieth century man but I don't want, I don't want to be here

I was born in a welfare state
Ruled by bureaucracy
Controlled by civil servants
And people dressed in grey
Got no privacy, got no liberty
'Cause the twentieth century people
Took it all away from me

Don't want to get myself shot down
By some trigger happy policeman
Gotta keep a hold on my sanity
I'm a twentieth century man but I don't want to die here

My mama says she can't understand me
She can't see my motivation
Ain't got no security
I'm a twentieth century man but I don't want to die here

I don't want twentieth century, man
I don't want twentieth century, man
I don't want twentieth century, man
I don't want twentieth century, man

This is the twentieth century
But too much aggravation
This is the edge of insanity
I'm a twentieth century man but I don't want to be here

 

[Galileo]

Raise Hell - Brandi Carlile: Wow, fantastic. I knew nothing of Carlile's work before this countdown so I don't know what lies ahead, but it is hard for me to imagine this is only #20.

 

[simey]

The sun is trying to come out. Come on! I picked up my new drivewear lens glasses today at Costco, and I want to wear them until the sun sets. I found these demo frames on Ebay for $25 bucks and bought them, and had Costco put in some drivewear lenses with my new prescription. I'm excited to try them out. They are marketed to also be worn in overcast conditions.

I recently got my first pair of prescription sunglasses and it's been a revelation. I should have done it decades ago.

The only problem is my sunglasses are for distance only unlike my usual progressives so it's a pain to have to check my phone to see what song is playing.

I love my prescription sunglasses and these new drivewear lens glasses. Both pairs are progressives with distance and up close. My distance isn't very bad, but I need a little something there to fine tune things, especially when watching TV. Up close I need a lot of help. Fine print is completely blurred without the help of glasses.

 

[plinko]

Contra Mundum here is my second of three offerings from ...'s most recent and possibly final record. I like the mellowness of it, how it doesn't try to do too much but still builds up to a climactic finale. Fits well in the epicish cluster **** that is their last record. Also a cheeseball video filmed in somebody's townhouse. I feel like I hear Reece's voice more strongly in this but Keely is featured.

They did a number of self made videos for this album, considering hardly anyone listened to it and it appears to have broken them up for now. CK, God bless the guy, he really tries to do a lot of things.

Since we were on the topic of Spoon and Britt Daniel, I've mentioned this before in some thread or other but will again, as this did not even approach my cut so here is a bonus track. I DON'T LIKE IT ... but some do, and might

( I may have posted it right before we started when I was blasting stuff, and if so my apologies )

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Favorite 21/20s:

Todd Rundgren - in my
ELO - Roll Over Beethoven
Dino Jr. - Plans
Spoon - My Babe
S&G - The Only Living Boy In New York
Stevie Ray Vaughan - Change It
Sigur Ros - Brennisteinn
Daft Punk - Crescendolis
The Stranglers - No Mercy
Gorillaz - Empire Ants
Grey - Elton John

 

[Pip's Invitation]

20. Women Don't Want to Love Me
Album: Chicago VII (1974)
Writer: Robert Lamm
Lead vocals: Peter Cetera
Released as a single? No

This is one of the band's funkiest tracks, with Robert Lamm's clavinet and Terry Kath's wah-wah guitar driving the song masterfully. The vocal melody is also outstanding, especially the way Peter Cetera's voice soars on "by and by," "and you grow" and "of this man." And of course there's another amazing guitar solo -- with great counterpoint by the horns -- before the song ends with a thrilling horns-and-piano coda.
A theme of Lamm and Lee Loughnane's 2021 interview with Dan Rather was the toll the band's constant recording and touring took on their personal lives. Lamm had two failed marriages before a successful third one ("I was an idiot," he said) and Loughnane had four failed marriages (and said that, despite good relationships with his children, his trumpet has been the only constant in his life). This song tackles those sentiments head on:
Woman don't want to love me
She hates the telephone
'Cause lovin gets complicated
Singing with the band
The point is simply stated
I'm gonna fix this situation
With the final liberation
Of this man
Live version from 1974: https://youtu.be/UcP-2PGsjjw?t=1453
Leonid and Friends version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-qknbJpvQg

At #19, a song that begins with a blast of power chords and goes on to reference Howdy Doody.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Lol. Was this Queen song in Iron Eagle?

Fried Chicken

 

[Just Win Baby]

Foo Fighters

Just Win Baby

Walk Walk Foo Fighters · Song · 2011 open.spotify.com

This is the second song I chose from Wasting Light, the Foos' 7th studio album. I talked about that awesome album in a previous post.

Walk won two Grammys in 2012 -- Best Rock Performance and Best Rock Song. It reached #1 on the Billboard Rock Songs chart.

Grohl described the song as follows:

According to Dave Grohl, he came up with the verse about "having a trial" after the time he was helping his first daughter Violet Maye on "learning to walk", and eventually she was able to walk on her own... Dave decided to put the final version as the last track of Wasting Light because it "sort of makes sense to the album's theme of time and second chances" and to "end the record on a positive note". Grohl added that the optimistic tone was a reminiscence on how bad he felt after Kurt Cobain killed himself and wanting others to realize "in life, you get trapped in crisis, where you imagine there’s no way out. When really, if you dare to consider that crisis a blip on the radar, it’s easier to push through. And, yeah, I was just like, ‘I don’t want anyone to have that feeling that I had that morning.’ ”

In 2020, Kerrang ranked the top 20 all-time Foo Fighters songs and ranked Walk #16.

Purposefully placed as the final track on Wasting Light, Walk was a song Dave had been sitting on for a few years previously before realising that it fit perfectly with the seventh album’s themes of time, nostalgia, and second chances. Invoking ’90s pop-rock contenders Tal Bachman’s She’s So High and prominently featuring Rami Jaffee on keyboards, there is real warmth and texture in its sepia-toned colour and thematic positivity. That powerful bridge (‘I'm dancing on my grave / I'm running through the fire / Forever, whenever / I never wanna die’) speaks both to the rich history of the band and the hope for many years to come.

In 2023, Consequence of Sound ranked what they characterized as all 156 Foo Fighters songs up to that point, ranking Walk #22. Here is an excerpt from their writeup:

“Walk” is an example of everything this period of the Foos gets right. There is an ease both in Grohl’s voice and his songwriting, living up to those “Tom Petty of his generation” comparisons and dropping a track long into his career that feels equally breezy and urgent. This relaxed delivery, of course, turns on its head during the bridge, when Grohl becomes feverish in his cadence, resulting in a song that is among the most well-rounded in the band’s discography.

Around 2019 (2014 article was updated "4 years ago"), Spin ranked what they characterized as all 152 Foo Fighters songs up to that point, ranking Walk #18. Here is their writeup:

The hard-earned, personal-victory closing to Wasting Light, and one of the biggest modern-rock radio hits of all-time. It’s anthemic even by Foo Fighters standards, ranking among their greatest builds, sing-along choruses and chest-pounding climaxes (“I’M NEVER GONNA DIE! I’M NEVER GONNA DIE!”).

Here is the official video.

Here is a cool acoustic performance by Dave.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Random thoughts on some of the #20s that I know:

A Dream Goes on Forever is one of Todd's best ballads, and was the first single from Todd (1974), which is basically the inverse of Something/Anything? S/A is a double album where almost everything works and features mostly straightforward pop songwriting that Todd decided was "too easy". Todd is a double album where a lot of things don't work and features relentless experimentation and weirdness. Its high points, like this one, are some of Todd's best material, though.
Next to You is another frenetic rocker from the Police's early years that remained a concert highlight from inception to reunion tour.
Tonight, Tonight, Tonight is best experienced via the full-length album version, the last 5 minutes of which have some freaky, intriguing synth experiments from Tony Banks. The single version is a bit too Phil solo-ey for my tastes.
20th Century Man is my #1 Kinks and my Kinks selection in the British Isles countdown. What I said there: "There are a squillion different directions you could go with The Kinks because of the high quality of their output and the vast differences in sound of their various eras. This song, the opener to and first single from 1971's Muswell Hillbillies, is one of Ray Davies' best social commentaries ("the 20th century took it all away from me", "this is the edge of insanity") and one of their most unique tunes musically, featuring a driving acoustic guitar-based arrangement that explodes into a frenzy of organ solos by John Gosling. By the time I was listening to FM radio, it was getting some airplay but not a ton, so that has kept it fresh for me."
Any Major Dude Will Tell You is one of Steely Dan's best ballads, boasting a great melody. An interesting thing about Fagen is that he hated being frontman and never wanted to be lead singer -- but the songs he and Becker wrote didn't really work with anyone else's voice, so he resigned himself to it. In the '70s he hated touring because venue PA systems were not good enough to get the songs across the way he wanted them to, and because he didn't like being perceived as the bandleader, so in 1974 he and Becker brought Royce Jones and Michael McDonald into the touring band to take on some of the vocal duties. Jones sang this one on that tour. (In the '90s and onward, Fagen has been much more comfortable onstage as frontman and lead singer. It's probably helped that venue PA systems are better and he can have whoever he wants from the jazz world in the touring band.)
Isn't She Lovely is a joyous burst of emotion.
Mike's Song is named that way because it was the first song Mike Gordon wrote for Phish, and he didn't have a title for it. From their earliest days it has been one of the best vehicles for their live improvisation. In concert, it begins the "Mike's Groove suite," which ends with a song called Weekapaug Groove and can include just about anything in the middle (at one show I saw, it was a cover of Neil Young's Albuquerque).
Don't Bring Me Down is one of ELO's hardest rockers and most forthright melodies. Yet most of the rest of the album it comes from (Discovery) consists of Bee Gees imitations (it was 1979, after all). Go figure.
One Vision was a new-to-me favorite from the worldwide countdown. I never saw Iron Eagle and don't remember the song from the '80s.
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap is quintessential AC/DC. If you can't get into it then the band is not for you.
Grey Seal is one of my favorite songs from Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, which is a very high bar. The arrangement is jawdropping.

 

[plinko]

Any Major Dude Will Tell You is one of Steely Dan's best ballads, boasting a great melody. An interesting thing about Fagen is that he hated being frontman and never wanted to be lead singer -- but the songs he and Becker wrote didn't really work with anyone else's voice, so he resigned himself to it. In the '70s he hated touring because venue PA systems were not good enough to get the songs across the way he wanted them to, and because he didn't like being perceived as the bandleader, so in 1974 he and Becker brought Royce Jones and Michael McDonald into the touring band to take on some of the vocal duties. Jones sang this one on that tour. (In the '90s and onward, Fagen has been much more comfortable onstage as frontman and lead singer. It's probably helped that venue PA systems are better and he can have whoever he wants from the jazz world in the touring band.)

I saw them just a handful of years ago, after Becker's death, but it was really fun and the thing that came across the most was Fagen's joy of just being out there doing it

 

[plinko]

The sun is trying to come out. Come on! I picked up my new drivewear lens glasses today at Costco, and I want to wear them until the sun sets. I found these demo frames on Ebay for $25 bucks and bought them, and had Costco put in some drivewear lenses with my new prescription. I'm excited to try them out. They are marketed to also be worn in overcast conditions.

I recently got my first pair of prescription sunglasses and it's been a revelation. I should have done it decades ago.

The only problem is my sunglasses are for distance only unlike my usual progressives so it's a pain to have to check my phone to see what song is playing.

I love my prescription sunglasses and these new drivewear lens glasses. Both pairs are progressives with distance and up close. My distance isn't very bad, but I need a little something there to fine tune things, especially when watching TV. Up close I need a lot of help. Fine print is completely blurred without the help of glasses.

How were the Barenakeds??

If you've had enough of barenaked ladies there is a peepee on one of these album covers

 

[simey]

#20 - Ray Charles - Hardhearted Hannah - Spotify

Brother Ray did this song in 1960. It was the B-side to his single Ruby. He decided to make an album only about women, so in 1961 he did an album called Dedicated to You. It consist of 12 songs, and each song has a woman's name in the title. Hardhearted Hannah made the album, and it is the first song on it. It's a fun jazzy tune with some fun lyrics, horns that are screaming for a strip tease, and Ray on vocals and piano (which he does a couple solos). Hardhearted Hannah aka Hard Hearted Hannah (The Vamp of Savannah) is a popular song from the Great American Songbook, and I love Ray's version.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

20. Women Don't Want to Love Me
Album: Chicago VII (1974)
Writer: Robert Lamm
Lead vocals: Peter Cetera
Released as a single? No

This is one of the band's funkiest tracks, with Robert Lamm's clavinet and Terry Kath's wah-wah guitar driving the song masterfully. The vocal melody is also outstanding, especially the way Peter Cetera's voice soars on "by and by," "and you grow" and "of this man." And of course there's another amazing guitar solo -- with great counterpoint by the horns -- before the song ends with a thrilling horns-and-piano coda.
A theme of Lamm and Lee Loughnane's 2021 interview with Dan Rather was the toll the band's constant recording and touring took on their personal lives. Lamm had two failed marriages before a successful third one ("I was an idiot," he said) and Loughnane had four failed marriages (and said that, despite good relationships with his children, his trumpet has been the only constant in his life). This song tackles those sentiments head on:
Woman don't want to love me
She hates the telephone
'Cause lovin gets complicated
Singing with the band
The point is simply stated
I'm gonna fix this situation
With the final liberation
Of this man
Live version from 1974: https://youtu.be/UcP-2PGsjjw?t=1453
Leonid and Friends version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-qknbJpvQg

At #19, a song that begins with a blast of power chords and goes on to reference Howdy Doody.

Love this song. I mean, this is Chicago's version of a Stevie Wonder record - right? Wonder wouldn't have written these lyrics, but the groove is him.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

#20 - Ray Charles - Hardhearted Hannah - Spotify

Brother Ray did this song in 1960. It was the B-side to his single Ruby. He decided to make an album only about women, so in 1961 he did an album called Dedicated to You. It consist of 12 songs, and each song has a woman's name in the title. Hardhearted Hannah made the album, and it is the first song on it. It's a fun jazzy tune with some fun lyrics, horns that are screaming for a strip tease, and Ray on vocals and piano (which he does a couple solos). Hardhearted Hannah aka Hard Hearted Hannah (The Vamp of Savannah) is a popular song from the Great American Songbook, and I love Ray's version.

I always loved the "talk about your cold refrigerated mamas" line the most. This song could have come out in 1942, except for the singer. It's big band music with blues as thick as syrup poured over it.

 

[Galileo]

The Decemberists
#20 O New England

Another from the Always The Bridesmaid (2008) collection.

This song describes a “failed attempt” at coming down to New York from New England (likely Maine given the “7 hour” trip) for the new year. The singer and his companion take the “blue line” subway for fun and get off at a random stop, only then realizing he had “lost his token” to board the subway again, leaving the pair stranded in the city in the rain. He implies later that not only did this end up being a failed vacation, but also a failed attempt to reconnect with his companion during the trip. Instead of rekindling their romance, all he gets is a crappy souvenir for his trouble.

This here is the fable of a failed attempt (fabled failed attempt, oh-oh)
To find new life in a love in the seat of its origin (failed attempt, oh-oh)
From Long to Coney Island, from Mid to West to Upper Highland
And all I got is this ill-gotten full color souvenir
The new millennium in New York

Loving this one...I have listened to it 3 times already