The Clash - Train in Vain
Joe Jackson - Is She Really Going Out With Him?
Back in my early teen years circa 1991, I had a summer job at a campground. Found a tape in the parking lot. Had a bunch of great songs that I didn't know, but these were the ones that really hit. Love that I was able to come to these artists in such a random way. Wish I still had that tape.
Once, before Eric Cartman took over, Vince Neil was the lead singer for Motley Crue.
Motley Crue - On With the Show
Best Crue song and no one can change my mind. I really wish they would retire for real. They had a good run and cranked out some killer tunes, but it's just pathetic now.
There's a lot of Bad Things in the world and sometimes its difficult to see the good. Then a perfect piece of pop music comes along and for 3 minutes or so you're reminded that it isn't all bad.
We're going to have some serious pop and hair band moments in the remaining days of this series. I'll be sure to mix them in though.
Poison - Let It Play
I'll be honest with you, Poison was my first favorite band. I thought about adding Fire & Ice, but I was so into this song when Flesh & Blood came out. Play, rewind, stop, play. It's a bit cliché, and not even top-tier Poison, but for a kid in love with music and going into HS, it hit.
Also from the Angus soundtrack, not sure how I missed putting this on the playlist. I was playing it on repeat last year for a while. What an incredible tribute to a friend who's gone. If this was the only song you ever wrote, you could live knowing you had done great work.
TBH, I could (and have) make a playlist of just Weezer songs that I've listened to obsessively.
Weezer - You Gave Your Love to Me Softly
One of the best. The whole Angus soundtrack is good. Remember the days of buying import singles or a whole soundtrack or compilation album just for one b-side or non-album track? Sucks that that is just gone now. What a rush.
Currently avoiding going out and clearing snow from the driveway.
Spacehog - Almond Kisses
Frigging love The Chinese Album. I never got super into Resident Alien, but maybe that's because it didn't have this song. Spacey and sweet. It's so good.
This song would have cone out right around the time I was starting high school. YEARS later, the first line of the chorus got into my head and I had to figure out what the song was. It hasn't left my library since. Long live vaguely literary songwriting!
A couple weeks ago there was a "Songs you wish were longer" type post and I couldn't really think of anything, but hell if I couldn't take another minute or two of this one. The verses are already energetic and powerful, but then the chorus just EXPLODES! I do wish we had gotten more than 2 albums from Elastica.
Much like The Flys were peak 1998, Feed the Tree is pretty solidly 1993. Weird lyrics, moody instrumental, swimmy video, and a great hook. I got to see Belly in 1995, bummed I didn't make it to Boston last fall, but hopefully another tour soon. Bonus link to a nice recent interview with Tanya.
I can only assume I've given this whole album a listen ONCE?
The Flys - Got You Where I Want You
This is peak 1998 right here. I could do without the little rap, but it's brief enough. Otherwise I love every bit of this song. It's cheesy and the lyrics are kind of dumb and it rules. I can listen to it over and over again.
I COULD just share nearly every FoW song with you, but I won't. Yet.
Fountains of Wayne - Hey Julie
By the time Stacy's Mom took over radio, I had fallen in love with the first FoW album and then their second. Their songs are these quirky little character studies set to a stellar soundtrack. Thus one sees our protagonist working a mind numbing office job and looking forward to getting home each day to the one he loves.
I grew up in the 80s along with MTV. The Cars videos were always classics, and Magic was the coolest of the bunch to me. Ric Ocasek as a New Wave/Power Pop Christ figure walking on water? Hell yeah! I'm actually surprised this was 1984, I thought it was 2 or 3 years later. But anyway, the SONG... love Ric's phrasing and the guitar solo is great. And it's a Cars song, so obviously catchy.
Happy New Year's Eve, folks. Have fun, but please be safe.
Superdrag - Sucked Out
Under 3 minutes of snotty-sounding power-pop bliss. But rather than snotty, the lyrics are a really honest (albeit brief) reflection on the business of making art.