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ordinary pop songs and why they're great.
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Tuesday, July 06, 2010
Ah of course there should always be things to mark the time and make one cringe at a later date and so to the most recent thing I like - "When I'm Alone" by Lissie. Weirdly takes you in with the simple little guitar riff (what else relies on that? loads of things I'm sure) then you realise it'd be nothing without the equally insistent bassline. While you're thinking all that, the chorus hits you over the head, so catchy and radio-perfect it's bordering on impudent!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6i7jNwv_3oc&feature=related
Post script .... I've found the real special thing in this one, the bit you wait for. It's the fact that, following the middle section (well the quiet section anyway), at 2:50, she very brings the chorus back (via the backing vox) kind of half a phrase too soon. You just have to skip at that point. It's joining the ranks of incredibly good "bring the beat back" moments. Rah!!!!
And before that it was a song that actually fits the bill for this blog. "Russian Roulette" by Rihanna. Fits the bill as in I think, rightly or wrongly, most people would have thought it was a bit of latter-day indistinguishable shite. But it transcends brilliance to me. It has every ounce of perfect wrung out of it. Never mind umber-ella-ella, she can actually sing and phrase and ... then there's the little bit of harmonising in the chorus. This, musically, is a gospel song. Take away the instrumentation, forget it's Rihanna - oh it's lovely. It doesn't half feel good to sing it everso everso loudly in the car too!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQ2nCGawrSY
posted by jessaka at Tuesday, July 06, 2010
Monday, July 05, 2010
Welcome back to the oldest posts - over 7 (count 'em) years ago!! Gawd bless bloody Foreigner eh?
In the absence of the ol' record playing equipment such as I had handy back then, I realised I've lost touch with all those original best friends that were my records so I can't pick one out of the ether to wax lyrical over. They will rise again but until then I find myself thinking in themes. So ......
The knotty issue of "favourite song". This is a concept that you realise at some point is patently ridiculous, but I used to like it when I tried very hard to adopt one, or two or - indeed - three. And these were they:-
When I Was A Young Girl by Julie Driscoll/Brian Auger/The Trinity. The first and probably most credible. 1968 album, Streetnoise, Marmalade label and all that. Borrowed with glee and anticipation from the record library. Zipped through each track in a cavalier fashion until the lyrics to this one stopped me in my tracks. The nearest I ever got (despite a fuck of a lot of trying) to understanding the blues. And this isn't it by a long shot (but I really don't like Nina's original). You simply cannot follow this song, it's way way too powerful. Ditto "Use Me" by Teardrop Explodes.
Tell Me What He Said by Helen Shapiro. This became a favourite by virtue of sheer elusiveness. I hunted high, low, near, far for this having heard it on the divine Jimmy Savile Sunday oldies show which was my total lifeblood and source of fine things. It just bops along a treat, terrific arrangement and - scariest of all - I just KNEW it was a Norrie Paramor job. Whatever happened to names like that eh? This does actually have a bit of "and why it's great" about it but it's a tough one to put into words.
and finally,
Nobody Does It Better by Carly Simon. This is almost nothing to do with the song (save for it's a very pure, perfect and singable melody line) and everything to do with the context. My response to that vexed question - what were you doing when Elvis died would be that I was listening to this in a holiday flat in the New Forest realising that the TV was about to be swamped with godawful films from the - ahem - King and that the scheduled Arena programme on lesser British beat groups of the 60s (which I had been anticipating with glee since the Radio Times had arrived the previous week) was undoubtedly now going to be sacrificed. Joy of joys, it wasn't!! And what's more when this song came on the radio that day, just for once they played it to the very end - oh how I lived for that "sweetness, you're the best" ending. And I shall remain loyal to this one for the rest of my days.
Favourite songs, what nonsense!
posted by jessaka at Monday, July 05, 2010
Thursday, July 01, 2010
Now this is an odd theme but I've had the first of these songs on my mind for ages and just downloaded it. Dagnammit and wouldncha know it, it made me cry!! Like real unstoppable tears and totally unbidden - there it is, what music can do. So... for posterity, the songs that never fail to tip me into the saline abyss:-
My Heart Belongs To Me by Barbra Streisand. Lyrically surely a close relation of "It's Too Late" by Carol King, but the latter doesn't get you "right there" in the same way.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VxyTQnDfDk
Castles In The Air by Don McLean. Not even a memorable song but I can vouch for its existence on 7 inches of vinyl as I bought it. Only then did I realise it made me really sad.
Live to Tell by Madonna. Ah the middle section - the lyrics, "If I ran away, I'd never have the strength to go very far..." etc.
Being Boring by Pet Shop Boys. This is the biggie, the one that speaks to the inner dread, it's like the soundtrack to a picture that always kind of scared me of an old lady in, funnily enough, an old Ladybird book. Some place of total loneliness that I knew in my heart when I was really rather too young for such angst. Really truly the saddest lyric tucked inside a pop song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMJijbj_zMY Labels: sad
posted by jessaka at Thursday, July 01, 2010
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Losing any sense of momentum with this blog so this is just to keep things fresh really. My current "how fantastic is this?!" song is "Low Rider" by War. Impossible not to move your hips, shake yr thang etc. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8mZdSq4MTs. Frantic in a very good way!
posted by jessaka at Sunday, October 11, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
Okay, I've gone way off the point now. This one is 48 years old but I never heard it before until last night! And it's brilliant! It's Funnel of Love by Wanda Jackson. And that's about all I know. It could be comedic (touch of the Carry On Up The Khyber about the backing) but her voice is incredible. And there's something sort of askew about the melody line - it doesn't go where your brain thinks it should but that, oddly enough, is what catches and keeps you. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gnHI_in8Dw
posted by jessaka at Monday, May 11, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Oh it's been so long since I posted anything that I haven't a clue what font I use or anything. So that's style out the window (if it was ever "in the window"). Anyway, laughingly I like to think what I lack in style I more than make up for in substance, hahahahahahahahaha....
Oh yes, the point - getting back to that - music, songs, of course. Well today, I have been drawn back to the 45s project by a "what I'm obsessing over right now" type song. I have no idea whether it was ever a single, but it's probably now welded into my mercurial personal top 20. It's "Big Exit" by PJ Harvey. I feel I should always have been into old Polly Jean, fascinating image and a pure original but I've yet to really explore the whole back catalogue. This one came to my attention from a repeated performance on "Later..". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4kTMYhY2ds
I can't actually listen to it enough (obsession really should be my middle name). It never fails to send exactly the same shivers down my spine. It's captures the point of pop/rock/whatever-it-is music entirely and perfectly.
posted by jessaka at Thursday, March 19, 2009
Thursday, October 09, 2008
This is just an entry to mark time really. I've just made a new compilation to drive to and the highlight is "Poison Prince" by Amy McDonald. It begins with a weird section, unconnected with the rest, which has shades of Mansun or Suede. And then into the little keyboard riff which is the raison d' of this song (much like, bizarrely, Follow The Rules by Livin' Joy). I can't decide if it's the melody or the sound of the instrument. It makes you want to skip in a circle anyway.
posted by jessaka at Thursday, October 09, 2008
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Now here's a blindingly obvious one, "Harvest for the World" by The Isley Brothers. That is to say I don't believe there's a soul out there who doesn't already think that this is a brilliant song. But like so much in "da modern world" it's become nigh on invisible through overexposure. Songs like this have been around all the Shite FM playlists so many times that they've been rendered null and void. We're desensitised and no longer marvel at that wonderful persistent acoustic riff nor feel moved by the lyrics that remain pertinent all these years after they were written.
Unlike those hippy hangover mid-70s days when this came to pass, I bet not one of us now believes for one minute that there will ever be any such harvest. Quick, let's go to Bluewater and spend money or we might just feel something!!!!
posted by jessaka at Thursday, August 14, 2008
Saturday, January 05, 2008
TODAY'S FAVOURITE SONG
Into 2008 with a long overdue new entry. Today's favourite song is two songs but one of them wasn't a single so maybe it's a bit of an impostor. Only one artist though - they're both by Talk Talk who I've just rediscovered in a whole new light. The song that kicked this off is "Living In Another World To You" http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=3V6CdsAMGYk. I liked it enough - way back then - to buy the 12" version. As with all TT songs, the vocal gives it this incredible emotive quality yet you never quite knew what the lyrics were saying. A quick online search and I found that the lyrics to this are every bit as powerful as the vocal makes you believe they are, perhaps more so ("Did I see tenderness where you saw hell" for example).
Closer investigation of the back catalogue was in order and thus I unearthed the real song of the day which is "Such A Shame" http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Pql5eImE9Ck. Can't get it out of my head.
And so, Talk Talk; To the casual observer just a.n.other pretentious synth-y 80s outfit. Oh no - to 'get' this band you have to know about Mark Hollis - a one-off, a musician in every sense and quite possibly a genius. Labels: Talk Mark Hollis
posted by jessaka at Saturday, January 05, 2008
Friday, September 14, 2007
TODAY'S FAVOURITE SONG
Way off beam this one ... "It's A Fine Life" from the original 1960s London stage recording of Oliver!. It's primarily sung, with guts and gusto aplenty, by Georgia Brown who played a far more realistically earthy if less photogenic Nancy than the sacharrine faced actress in the film. I digress. You can sing this at the very top of your voice and most reaffirming it is too. Originally released on the wonderful Decca label.
posted by jessaka at Friday, September 14, 2007
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
"Smiley Faces" by Gnarls Barkley.
Never heard of it until Louisa Lytton used it for her jive on Strictly Come Dancing. Was suckered in by the three chords that provide the intro. Then heard the original and was disappointed they didn't form a greater part of the song. But they're there behind the chorus, well, behind the word "face" in the chorus anyway. So there's the hook, but then you hear the lyrics - they're brilliant, a little therapy session in a song. Okay the middle section's a bit trite "here's a summary of something that you can smile about..." but funny with it. Nice phrasing, the flow of the words with the melody. Killer bass too, not as killer as "Trick Me" by Kelis but getting there.
posted by jessaka at Tuesday, June 26, 2007
TODAY'S FAVOURITE SONG
These will be sporadic little additions along the way. To fill in the endless gaps between posts and make up for my laziness. So, today it is "Feels Like Summer" by Sing-Sing. Great song, great video, filmed in Dungeness by the looks. Check it out on YouTube http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=bINe1J7Eq5M
posted by jessaka at Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Hovering around the same period in time here (as Labi Siffre), a year later perhaps, 1972. Time to rediscover Slade. Daft, loud, hairy and easily dismissed aged 9. But I always, even back then, had a soft spot for Coz I Luv You even though we only had it on one of those awful cover compilations of the era. It's great and totally nostalgic from the minute it opens - double tracked vocal and not remotely shouty. It's a totally compelling stompy old beat but then there's the quirk of the electric violin. Having seen this on TOTP2 I realise that Jim Lea (fiddle/bass/tunesmith) was a wasted crush opportunity - obviously eclipsed by what I perceived as the sheer physical hideousness of the other three at the time. How shallow - and this from the child with a thing for the one from Sweet who looked like a girl, well if you squinted!
And so, musically, they passed me by entirely which is why I have absolutely no recollection of the equally fantastic Look Wot You Dun (way ahead of their time - titles in textspeak and all). It's just an incredibly well crafted song, what more can you ask?! Labels: slade jim lea
posted by jessaka at Thursday, February 08, 2007
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
A song, any song, the last one I acquired. Ah yes....
It Must Be Love by Labi Siffre.
The original and genuine. As distinct from the Madness version which always sounds (to me) like it's joking. When this was "in the charts" back in 1971 I remember my Mum liked it and I ..possibly therefore.. didn't. Many years later I succumbed. It's so light and airy and tinkly. The bit that has me, that I wait for, is the melody line for "as I do", " about you", "without words" and "and the birds". And even in writing that I've made a connection with Sing Baby Sing by the Stylistics which contains that very same melody run. You want to savour it, sing it slowly, elongate it.
There's also a connection with one of my other fatal attractions - the sound of a synthesized flute - there it is all through the chorus!! It turns up and calls me to a song be it good or bad. But then we don't discriminate at 45s dot so I'll just namecheck two...D.I.S.C.O by Ottawan and Haitian Divorce by Steely Dan.
posted by jessaka at Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Tuesday, October 05, 2004
Not days, not weeks but months..MONTHS!! And what has happened save for a general amount of life de-hancing (?) nothingness. Pretty much nothing, that's what. Plenty of same old same old. Funny how sparkly new ends up as same old. Life eh? Well I wasn't going to include any song just to make for a novel post. Just let blog-land know that I was clinging to the shipwreck of life. But having reminded myself by writing the very word, let's have a quick look at Rainy Night In Georgia by Randy Crawford: Funny I just found out that it was (originally?) done by Brook Benton of "Mr Bartender" fame * Anyway, it once played it's way via my subconscious as a soundtrack to a dream which was rendered all the more atmospheric (okay, sad) as a result. It's very visual, I find. Paints a lonely, dark, drizzly picture. But the core, the point, the bit that really gets you "right there" is the, ahem, middle eight - the bit that's in the middle or thereabouts and digresses from the main tune anyway - that begins "how many times I wonder.." and ends "...it's life and we just got to play the game". (Or not, I might say to Randy or to whoever wrote it, the credit is somebody called White, thre's a thing). She sings "life" in two poignantly meaningful syllables. That is the song in a nutshell per me.
* Little Brook Benton anecdote: he's probably some really credible writer/singer but, frankly, I wouldn't know him from a hole in the road were it not for that one song "Mr Bartender" that I heard on the radio, probably radio 2, at my mum & dad's house in about 1979. A day or two later I'm at school and overhear this girl (it was Kim Smith, never forget a name nor a face) waxing lyrical about George Benson and ther's me all keen to show I know a thing or two so I just have to butt in with "oh George Benson, "Mr Bartender", he's great". Fist in mouth, carrying a watermelon, I'll get me coat etc etc.
posted by jessaka at Tuesday, October 05, 2004
Saturday, February 21, 2004
Sugar Town by Nancy Sinatra
Not sure why. Well it's a great cutesy-daft song of course. I mean I'm not sure why it's getting in to the great "45s dot" hall of dubious fame. Mostly because when it surrounded me in the old motor the other day I did my internal "great song" thing and sang along lustily (it's the only way to sing it, you just try) and then realised it might have to be my next entry in what was becoming a forgotten little project. So here it is. Lay back, laugh at the sun, give away all your money and you're in Sugar Town!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjsh2j7W6Bo
posted by jessaka at Saturday, February 21, 2004
Friday, January 02, 2004
A month? A whole month has passed without inspiration?!! Apparently so.
Well I thought about this one a more sesonal few days back but it's coming in a little late now. Christmas songs. There's really only one fantastic one but there's two that I love.
The Power of Love by Frankie Goes To Hollywood
This isn't particularly a "christmas" song save for it's release date. But it's a really lovely song that's well executed. Just short of overblown. "I'll protect you from the hooded claw, keep the vampire from your door" - great.
Sleigh Ride by ?
This is the uppest, happiest most fantastic christmas song ever!! The singing never fails to amaze me, it's belted out with such perfection. And I have a real soft spot for the drums on this too - there's something strangely "hi-de-hi" going on there.
posted by jessaka at Friday, January 02, 2004
Tuesday, December 02, 2003
On a French tip tonight. And here comes the pick of my little sub-collection of cross-channel singles.
Joe le Taxi by Vanessa Paradis
This is the first entry in ages that actually fits the bill. That is based on my assumption that it's one of those songs in the novelty or, at least, not taken seriously category in most peoples' perception. But then I'm given to generalisation so could be wrong. Let's just say I'm assuming that most people would be chortling into their beer if I said that this song is definitely in my personal top 10. Yeah? And? etc etc.
Once again I'm sold on arrangement and production here in a big way. But the thing with this song is the phrasing. It's brilliant!! All the emphasis is saved for the ends of the lines "... parTOUT", "son saxo JAUNE" and so on. Whatever else he may or may not have been up to, Vanessa's uncle Franck got a fantastic bit of singing out of her.
Added to that, any song that namechecks Yma Sumac is simply beyond reproach in my book.
posted by jessaka at Tuesday, December 02, 2003
Saturday, November 29, 2003
Oh oh oh ...... this one has to be done right now. And this is a proper blog entry cos it's to do with now, a moment in time and specifically a sliver of lyric whose song has maddeningly eluded me all week. "..But don't you feel it, Don't even think it". It was going to be pure luck if I ever placed this one. But here I am, free as a bird with my records for the first time in aaaaages and the third one I play is...
.....and Stones by The Blue Aeroplanes
Now this, as a song, is a worthy inclusion and no mistake. That whole guitar thing is just inspired, there's not another song that sounds like it. And it's a bit melancholy, edgy. Lots of half delivered suggestions of what life's about that are so spot on. And then all of a sudden there it is, my maddening lyric. Yes yes yesssss. Serendipity. And that line is but nothing to the closing lyric "...throw your head back ... close your eyes ... throw your arms around .... whatever you think it is". Ain't that about the truth?! On my eternal wish list must be a conversation with whoever wrote this marvellous thing. Genius man genius!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlbQrGZ4Kgc
posted by jessaka at Saturday, November 29, 2003
Sunday, November 23, 2003
That song (Wonderful Tonight) is now annoying me by its very presence here!!!
The Love Cats by The Cure
just for "Hand in hand is the only way to land, always the right way round"
but getting back to songs I actually paid good money for better add
A Forest by The Cure
This was my very favourite thing once upon a time. The most perfect soundtrack for driving ever. Correction... for being driven - long distance through a rainy night in a strange place feelong over-tired and disorientated. I hope to synchronise song with scenario one day. Back when it was my very favourite thing I thought the last verse said "The GOAL was never there, it's always the same, you run into a nothing....." all very deep 6th form army coat stuff. Then I realised it was "the GIRL was never there" and boy was I disappointed!
posted by jessaka at Sunday, November 23, 2003
Thursday, November 20, 2003
Am reluctant to add any further negative entries, having dispensed with Baker Street and Chain Reaction earlier. However, given that they've had their due pasting I cannot believe I've overlooked my all time worst most hated song! I was reminded of it tonight as it played, in muzak form, in a curry house. And that loathsome song is...
Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton
I dislike everything this song says and stands for. That whole era of entirely unsatisfactory male/female relating. It is just so pathetic to think that any female would be flattered for one second by this song, let alone the poor long suffering cow that it was written for. "Oooh you look just like all the decades of oppression have told you you should, just for me, great. Now we're off to a party and I can rest easy knowing you look like that, then I'll get pissed and .. hey! result! you can double up as my mum (albeit a mum I'd like to fuck if I was sober), and take me home and put me to bed and tell me I'm wonderful" Good old Eric eh? What a little charmer. Gets a new "old lady" in his life and he cranks out a little number for her that reveals every reason why she should call time on the old dinosaur and his ilk.
Says something for the song that it arouses such passionate ire in me!
posted by jessaka at Thursday, November 20, 2003
Sunday, November 16, 2003
Alfie
Oh my god how can this have not yet made an appearance?!! I suppose it doesn't fit the brief because it's not a crap song redeemed by one good bit or anything like that but it's "an important song" so it's in!
And it's in as a song, regardless of who by. Let's be honest it's a song by Bacharach & David but rendition wise the only one I have reference to is, for better or for worse, by our Cilla. And she doesn't make a bad fist of it but then the arrangement is just soooo good. That little piano run, the barely there drum as it builds after the opening. The sung melody, especially once we get to "as sure as I believe.."etc. And then we have the lyrics! They knock you over with their truth and then put you on your feet. How many times has the mere singing of this song (out loud, start to finish) righted my little Scalextric car of a soul when it's come off the tracks?
There really should be a room somewhere full of people who are given to wonder "What's it all about?", which is certainly up there with the big boys as questions go. Never mind "Sit Down" by James or (aaaaagh) "Life" by Des'ree, "Alfie" shall be playing in that room and maybe, just maybe we'd all be smiling by the end.
posted by jessaka at Sunday, November 16, 2003
Saturday, November 15, 2003
This is a short step from "Song2" really. The encapsulation of all that is musically inspirational into those magical 3 minutes to create the perfect pop (hmmm pop isn't the right word, there isn't a right word) song. I'm sure there are more than these three....
This Charming Man by The Smiths.
You can't fault Andy Marr for this stuff, writing songs that you believe already existed. There are better Smiths songs imho but this one IS so beautifully short into the bargain.
You & Me Song by The Wannadies
Whatever happened to this lot, or was it just two - Par bloke and girl with placcy mouth organ. They shone brief and bright with this for my money. Perfect power pop chorus with those little verse homages to a sweet life most ordinary.
Desire by U2
Okay it's maddeningly struttingly self-conscious. This one knows it's a good song and knows all it's references. But it works and that's the main thing. I think I was nearly fooled by this era U2 so I remember it fondly.
posted by jessaka at Saturday, November 15, 2003
Friday, November 07, 2003
Going off the theme tonight somewhat, but I think I'm allowed to be self-indulgent what with it being MY weblog an' all. So, frankly, I am turning to ... anything at all by Lush.
Simply because every time I listen to their stuff I have to have a little word heavenwards to Chris Acland, Lush's wildly unrecognised and underrated drummer and one of the saddest of the rock 'n roll suicide hall of fame. No matter how crap the song (and there were plenty of crap ones I concede) I'll bet you you can't fault the drumming. Solid, and understated, driving everything along with these perfectly placed inspired little fills and runs. World hang your head that this man's talent passed you by. He turned 30 and threw in his lot. Chris Acland R.I.P.
posted by jessaka at Friday, November 07, 2003
Monday, November 03, 2003
Am becoming almost prolific of late, it comes of a lot of driving with music. So tonight's little bit of inspiration comes courtesy of...
Song 2 by Blur
I know somebody who doesn't like this song and I mean really doesn't like it. Seriously - what's not to like? It's inspired. The best dirtiest bass line ever that follows both of the choruses. Both, yes just two, and it all comes in at under two minutes. The 2 thing is all over it in fact! And the whole thing's taken right up there by that second insistent guitar note that's added as it plays out. "Oh yeah" indeedy!
posted by jessaka at Monday, November 03, 2003
Saturday, November 01, 2003
Can You Feel The Force by The Real Thing
So far the only entry I've been listening to as I write bcos I've just downloaded it. Not in my singles collection but a veritable must in that there's a reason it's good AND it proves that music = life. It has single handedly turned me happy from sad in the space of listening to it. How did they do that eh? Eddie & Chris Amoo I believe. Did they write their stuff? Think they did.
Anyway (ooh two paragraphs on a Real Thing song - I worry myself!) from the top... a pretty credible if a trifle over-long "aliens out there" opening (it was from that little spate of StarWars-lite chart stuff) into the joy-inducing exhilarating "whoo hoo hoo ooh". That's the happy bit. The icing on the cake, the reason it stands up to be counted, is the two "You can feel the pressure lifting off your head..." / "You can see a change in people's attitude..." bits. Not sure what they are musically, bridges I guess, but they're bloody good, well constructed I'm sure, if I knew what I was talking about.
posted by jessaka at Saturday, November 01, 2003
Tuesday, October 28, 2003
And for no reason and every reason the next entry is
Stars by Dubstar
This is the most blog-like entry. I think some should be like that - pertinent to the moment. I'm not sure what this song's about, nor whether it's optimistic or terribly sad - I can hear both. Interesting/hypnotic drum pattern and she (Sarah?) is one of the few people who can credibly get away with singing like that - a dead ordinary sort of sweet girl's voice.
posted by jessaka at Tuesday, October 28, 2003
Monday, October 13, 2003
Just toying with an addition to this sporadic little project. I've strayed from the original idea almost consistently really, either they aren't in my singles collection or I'm analysing why something's NOT good. Well sometimes songs are just there and just good and I've never analysed why. Here's three....
Reward by Teardrop Explodes
Is just sublime really. Had a video with somebody up a fireman's tower playing trumpet. Wish I could see that again like seeing it for the first time and thinking this was the best thing I'd heard for a long time.
Generations of Love by Jesus Loves You
Okay, it's Boy George and no-one's fooled. Two mixes on either side of the 7" and both are great but for me the "La La Gone Ga Ga" version has the edge. It's like a great big tin of Quality Street of a song.
Dancing on the Floor by Third World
One damn fine thing to dance to. Loads of feeling and four, count 'em, proper verses. Atmospheric intro followed by a sense of soulful abandon. Lost to history while rubbish like "Chain Reaction" (don't get me started) survives.
posted by jessaka at Monday, October 13, 2003
Tuesday, September 09, 2003
Cheerio little granule of credibility, as I am about to wax lyrical about ....
Red Dress by Alvin Stardust
Never bought - too young at time but it's tucked away somewhere on the family reel to reel tape recorder. And have just "acquired" it from that great cyber community out there - ta v much whoever else had it!! Not one of old Alvin's better known ditties but it did make it to, let's see, number 7 back in '74. Predictably dire lyrics ("you're a girl and I'm a mister" indeed) but it fair bops along, nice arrangement. Sounds like there should have been a chorus between verses 1 & 2 but instead it sneaks in under the magic three minutes. I always liked the extended repeated playout too (maybe Noel Gallagher was an Alvin fan - tee hee).
posted by jessaka at Tuesday, September 09, 2003
Thursday, August 14, 2003
So I thought I'd keep this up did I - ha! I'm a disappointment to myself. But, seized by inspiration I shall post a new entry. It's a record I don't own and it's
Everybody's Gotta Learn Sometime - The Korgis
Cards on the table - I do like this one BUT I think it may be a distant relation of "Baker Street" in terms of perception (see below/above for my thoughts on that overrated song). This dawned on me recently in a car as the DJ came in at the end saying something like "...and what a great song that was". And I thought, no no it just sounds as though it's great, more important/meaningful than it actually is. Even though I like it a lot, it really doesn't bear close inspection - I mean it's just one verse, repeated, plus chorus. Not really value for money lyrically then. The Baker Street connection really came together as I realised that the "instrumental break" (can you have an instrumental break if it's only one instrument playing?) in the middle is a synthesiser emulating a saxophone! Thank goodness they didn't use a real one or I'd have relegated this to the subs bench on principle!!
posted by jessaka at Thursday, August 14, 2003
Saturday, April 12, 2003
Tonight it's time for the most played MP3 on my computer which is also one of my singles. And it's "Rock With You" by Michael Jackson. Now technically it's not one of my singles because it's the album version which is by far the better. The difference being in the extended synth break in the middle which is just ... lovely. Two bites of the cherry compared to the single version, and the second "bite" has these extra notes in. And there's something that I can never fathom happens at the end. Some key change or chord progression at the start or the outro when he first sings "feel that beat...". I wish I knew what it was - answers on a postcard.
posted by jessaka at Saturday, April 12, 2003
Monday, April 07, 2003
So what should the next one be? It's got to be a song that I've found a reason to like. No. It's going to be "Don't Let Go" by En Vogue because the reason eludes me. I suspect that other ears hear a completely different song. A run of the mill bit of r'n'b girly tedium perhaps? But it isn't! It's really sort of over there and "other". It has no form, starts as if from nowhere, like it could be the middle or end just as well as the beginning. And then it's in these little sections that don't relate to each other. But that's precisely why it's good. Ah and it has the most wonderful line about - "If I could wear your clothes, I'd pretend I was you, And lose contro-ol". That's infatuation writ large if ever I saw it!
posted by jessaka at Monday, April 07, 2003
Ah, how time slips by, best laid plans etc AND I should really be doing some proper work so's I look confidently knowledgeable at "a meeting" tomorrow. But then, hey, short people can't pull that one off anyway so why bother?! Let's do song of the day instead. And it is...
"Adult Education" by Hall & Oates. Simply because I've been playing it in the car. It's on a "Greatest.." album and they did do quite a few not bad 'uns including "I Can't Go For That" which bloody Mick Hucknall is currently ripping off in a completely redundant sorta way. But I digress. Was Adult Education ever a single? Does it not count if it wasn't? Dunno. The point is, it's just totally fantastic eighteeez production. And you can whack the volume way up and it still doesn't shatter your (car) speakers*. Just sounds really good. I recommend max volume for the inspired drum-fest after "..that she could graduate to adult kisses". Deee-licious. Watch out for speed cameras though. If you're in a sublimely good (or bad - so long as it's extreme) mood, this will cause you to drive somewhat fast.
* same goes for "When Doves Cry" by Prince.
posted by jessaka at Monday, April 07, 2003
Tuesday, March 11, 2003
I am too tired to do anything justice so let's just rip into an all time worst record. I have two (in my mind as opposed to my record collection - heaven forfend). They're very different.
"Chain Reaction" by Diana Ross. This is just *so* pointless!! What's it meant to be? At best something to dance to - yes? Well then it must also be the very worst "dance" record too. It just plods along with this relentless unimaginative beat and the least taxing most boring melody ever. I shouldn't fail to be surprised that it's always a "floor filler" at a certain type of function. Yes it's a "function" record isn't it. Completely unchallenging, shuffle-about-by-numbers rubbish.
"Baker Street" by Gerry Rafferty. This is a contentious one, I know. But really, what is so good about it? I'm always sceptical about the high regard in which the saxophone is held, particularly in pop songs. In this case it seems to have lent some sort of untouchable credibility to an otherwise boring and nondescript song. In fact the sax serves as the chorus following the whiny old verse. And everyone thinks it's a classic! Huh??
posted by jessaka at Tuesday, March 11, 2003
Sunday, March 09, 2003
This is my very best idea. The only one I'm likely to sustain anyway. Each entry will be a record of mine and why I like it (or maybe why I don't). It's my all-consuming interest, arriving at that REASON why a song is good. Might be a song that's universally perceived as naff, or maybe just extremely ordinary. But I have an idea that we all like the same thing about each and every "pop" record.
Here's my best illustrating record. "I Want To Know What Love Is" by Foreigner. It's everso radio friendly. A big overblown number. Bet loads of people like it. I do, I have it. BUT IT'S ACTUALLY NOT THAT GREAT! How tedious and turgid is the verse? And the chorus isn't that strong - not really. The entire point, the reason for liking that song is the feeling you get from the bridge between verse and chorus ("In my life, there's been heartache and pain...."). Paring it down further, I swear it's just the keyboard chords underpinning that section that do it. So there!
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