Saturday, July 31, 2010

Sufjan Stevens, "For The Widows In Paradise, For The Fatherless In Ypsilanti"

It's unclear at this point whether Sufjan Stevens is going to go through with his plans to record 50 albums for 50 states, but here's at least one of his best songs about Michigan.

And a big shout out to Johnny for suggesting this album! 

The Scorpions, "Rock You Like A Hurricane"

The only thing bigger than an '80s ballad like "Rock You Like A Hurricane" is The Scorpions playing it with an entire orchestra.  At times it almost seems like too much, but that's sort of the point, isn't it?

Friday, July 30, 2010

The Pass, "Treatment Of The Sun"

I'm finding myself more and more interested in this type of music.  Maybe it's the vibe of summertime, maybe it's because they sound a lot like Phoenix.  But whatever the case, I'm listening the bejesus out of it.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Jack Johnson, "Sitting, Waiting, Wishing"

After doing the soundtrack for "Curious George," I almost entirely gave up on Jack Johnson.  But enough of my snobbery... this song is pre-"Curious George" and it's enjoyable.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Violent Femmes, "Gone Daddy Gone"

I love this song, if for no other reason than because the drummer is using brushes.  How often do you see drummers using brushes these days?  Good stuff.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Gerry Rafferty, "Baker Street"

For most people, I'm guessing this song brings to mind the movie "Good Will Hunting"--and with good reason: There are some awesome scenes in the film that are set to this song.  But I'll always remember being attached to this song on my parents' 8-track player.  I actually bought an 8-track player later in life just to be able to play the cassette, since my parents' original player broke--but then the cassette itself broke.  Man, 8-tracks were just the worst.

Monday, July 26, 2010

Joe Walsh, "Life's Been Good"

It's only natural that the day after I post a Don Henley song, I'll post a Joe Walsh song.  It's the right thing to do.

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Don Henley, "Boys Of Summer"

Feeling the summer heat yet?  Here's a song to cool you down.  It's in black & white... what's cooler than that?

Friday, July 23, 2010

The Bird And The Bee, "I Can't Go For That"

This is my new favorite album.  And it also rocks that she's performing live here while pregnant.  Wouldn't you love to be a baby in a womb listening to Hall & Oates all day?  I can go for that.  (Just kidding--it would probably drive me insane at some point in my little baby brain).

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Smash Mouth, "Walkin' On The Sun"

You know what: Smash Mouth had a few good songs.  I still probably wouldn't buy their greatest hits album, but this one's not bad.

Chris Walla, "Sing Again"

This video was one of 50 songs listed as "New State Songs" by Paste Magazine.  I love stuff like this.  I hope one day to be cool enough to be on a panel that does stuff like this.

While I'll probably feature a lot of songs from this list as time goes on, here's South Dakota's state song... in a video that appears to be shot entirely in Portland (not to be confused with "Portland, Oregon"--Oregon's new state song).





Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Wing, "Beat It"

When I see a performance and interview like this, I feel like someone's pulling my leg.  I keep waiting for someone to acknowledge what shouldn't be the 500 pound gorilla in the room, something like, "You're a terrible singer... what do you make of your ironic success?"  But they're asking her questions like she looks and sings like Norah Jones.

She doesn't look and sing like Norah Jones, right?  Am I being too harsh?  William Hung isn't good, either, and people are always asking him the same kinds of questions.  Don't they know they're not good?

Or are they one step ahead of me, and they know they're bad, and the interviewers know they're bad, but they ask these questions knowing that everyone knows all that?

Maybe I'm just an assh*le.  Enjoy Wing.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Karen Carpenter Drumming

There aren't many women who could drum and sing the lead vocals like Karen Carpenter.  But what happens when you get two Karens in the room at once?  It's like a kaleidoscope of drumming, people!

Monday, July 19, 2010

Lyndsay Buckingham, "Holiday Road"

Planning to take the family on a cross-country road trip this summer?  Perhaps from Chicago to Wally World in the Family Truckster?  Be sure to listen to this song a lot on your journey, and a comedy of errors will ensue!

Also, this video is eerily similar to the movie "Brazil."

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Eddy Arnold, "Make The World Go Away"

You wanna know a good way to make the world go away?  This song is a good start.

Grace Jones, "Do Or Die"

Grace Jones is far scarier than any of the dead animals she's wearing.  And the lip-syncing oddly makes things worse for me.

Wait a second... Is that a horse tail she's wearing?  Can horses climb ladders?  Is SHE the animal?  Maybe those two dancing fellas will put her back in her stable once the performance is done and feed her a carrot for her efforts.

Friday, July 16, 2010

The Drifters, "Under The Boardwalk"

On a blanket with his baby, hot sand, coitus under the boardwalk... ah, the things you see at the beach.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Stories, "Brother Louie"

This is the theme song of my new favorite TV show, "Louie" on FX.   Great show.  I wouldn't recommend it for the whole family, since it definitely includes adult language and situations.  But it's good for when you've put the kids to bed, grabbed fourth meal, and had a few beers... because that's what Louie would probably do.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Bee Gees, "How Deep Is Your Love"

For the love of Samantha Sang, I can't believe it's been more than a year since I've posted a Bee Gees video!

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Soul Train Line Dance

This was good for me in almost every way--until they featured the guy in blue from 2:20-2:30, with the creepy eyes.  Between his weird moves and his crazy eyes, he's like a scary Soul Train assassin robot.

Monday, July 12, 2010

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, "Refugee"

I feel like Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers don't get as much respect as they deserve for their full catalog of music.  The documentary "Runnin' Down A Dream" is definitely worthy of a viewing, if you have the 238 minutes to spare--a great way to pass the time if you're flying overseas or sitting in the DMV.

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Michael Jackson, "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough"

A classic.  Jam on.  But you know what MJ needs: A bigger bow tie.  Honestly, did you get a look at that thing?  It's huge.

Saturday, July 10, 2010

The Singing Nun, "Dominique (Disco Version)"

When people at Studio 54 were drugged out of their minds and dancing their bellbottoms off to this snazzy disco tune, I hope they realized they were jamming out to a Belgian nun with a John Denver haircut.

Friday, July 9, 2010

Hot Hot Hot, "Buster Poindexter"

Summer be damned: Buster Poindexter is the sizzle in the hizzle.  I broke a sweat just by sitting here watching this.  And is that Bill Murray out there with Buster?  1987 is where the party's at!

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Janis Joplin, "Summertime"

I love me some heat.  Let's see if I feel that way in two weeks, but for now, I'm soaking up the rays.

Hopefully you're staying cool out there, folks.  I'm not sure this video will help you cool down at all, but at least it's somewhat topical in that it's got "summer" in the title and Janis Joplin appears to be sweating quite a bit.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Toad The Wet Sprocket, "Fall Down"

I've seen these guys a few times live, and they put on a pretty good show.  Plus, the lead singer always likes to play barefoot, and that takes some courage--though perhaps not more courage than it takes to be introduced by Dennis Miller, always a risky gamble.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Cake, "Sheep Go To Heaven"

Sheep go to heaven.
Goats go to hell.

Monday, July 5, 2010

Carl Lewis, National Anthem

Here's hoping you had a better-than-horrible Independence Day!

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Richard Max, "Right Here Waiting"

If a movie were to be made about the life and times of Richard Marx, I think Topher Grace could play the lead role.  Just a thought.



The Submarines, "You, Me & The Bourgeoisie"

My wife and I just saw this group with some friends.  They're pretty good... akin to The Cardigans.  Any group that has a xylophone is fine by me.

Friday, July 2, 2010

Spinal Tap, "Listen To The Flower People"

"This Is Spinal Tap" is funny because it's true.  And that includes this spot-on 'flower power' parody:







Thursday, July 1, 2010

Jackie Wilson, "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher & Higher"

There's a bunch of good covers of this song, from Bruce Springsteen to Dolly Parton, but no one beats the original.