December 11, 2008 Earworm

There's something about a song that keeps on trying even though there's little hope of recognition. Chip Taylor's "Anyway That You Want Me" first got a run in '66 with The Troggs but was DOA and later that year, The Liverpool 5 (an LA session band, of course)got to #98 with it before disappearing. The American Breed closed out their chart run with it in '68, peaking at #88, and then Evie Sands decided that she'd give it a go since everyone else had been stealing her hits and finally got herself on the charts, but only to #53. I'm sure there's more but...

When Spiritualized chose to cover it as their debut single in 1990, it was clear that they were no longer going to be Spacemen 3 no matter what logo was on the sleeve. Stretched out to nearly seven minutes, they made themselves at home but, again, the song failed to have any major chart impact, ignored in the US and peaking at #75.

Life is unkind.

December 10, 2008 Earworm

Sure, "Bittersweet" will always be my most Hoodoo Gurus-ious moment but "Death Defying" can be a religious experience as well. Like scanning the road ahead while eyeing the rapidly descending gas gauge, Dave Faulkner decides that reaching the destination trumps potential hazards, and then places a resignation heavy foot on the accelerator.

Next?

December 05, 2008 Earworm

It looks as though Boy George is going to have to serve some jail time thanks to his alleged imprisonment of a male escort and I can't imagine how he can survive that sort of scenario. If he does, let's hope that he has learned that inviting hustler's up to view his "art photos" is as dangerous as it is cliched.

The delirious disco flash of "Mystery Boy", a b-side much played on jukeboxes all over Baltimore back in the Club's banner year of '83, seems almost too perfect. But, it is was it is and it is the weekend so we might as well start lacing up our dancing shoes.

December 04, 2008 Earworm

An old friend woke me from a sound sleep at 5:15 this morning, the commanding end to The Shirelles' "Soldier Boy" blasting my body into a sitting position. So vivid that I reached to shut off the clock radio before the whole could be disturbed. Having been set aside due to over familiarity, "Soldier Boy" must have felt it was time for an airing so, here we are.

A little googling about in search of a cosmic explanation as to why this record would so rudely remind me of its presence at such an ungodly hour provide no clues but I did learn that "Soldier Boy" has gained or maintained a major presence in the Chicano communities since its 1962 heyday. That is almost as mysterious to me as why it woke me up.

December 03, 2008 Earworm

Again, that addictive Facebook application has spun the circle back, bringing long ago faces, blurred by time, back into sharp focus.. It's been a chance to pull up a chair and watch the shenanigans unfold, this time without the roar of the music washing away the subtleties, and I am surprisingly pleased to realize that although we've all grown, we really haven't changed that much. The politics of pretty still remain but, without the arrogance of youth, the edges are somewhat dulled. The question of whether folks are simply sliding back into their old roles or if they just never bothered to give them up remains unanswered; the buffer the music once provided now replaced by a distance that provides a safety zone where everyone is able to apply whatever face they feel best fits the moment. Still, if you care for nuance, there are plenty of hints at what has become of those who, for what now feels like a only a moment, ruled our small little world. And it is on that nuance, that I set my drink, as I mentally stroll to the jukebox to once again play Big Country's "In A Big Country", and chuckle over a wonderful summation of everyone's behavior both now and then that was shared with me last night: "tossing the hair, rolling the eyes, denying everything".

December 01, 2008 Earworm

So, AlliB sent a clip from Rick Springfield's 1973 Saturday morning cartoon show, "Mission: Magic" to me this morning. Now I have Rick's "Speak To The Sky" stuck in my head.

Not a bad thing for a Monday morning following a long weekend, I guess...

November 26, 2008 Earworm

We approach the designated day of thanks and, unless you are a turkey or a totally self-absorbed meanie-head, surely you can find something for which to be grateful. If not, they may want to consider the idea that they're doing something wrong. Right?

The last Stax hit by Sam & Dave is an obvious choice for today so 1968's "I Thank You" it is. Now I want everybody to get off of your seat and get your arms together and your hands together...

If that doesn't work, flip the 45 and "Wrap It Up".