MIKE PERCIACCANTE
Two weeks ago I offered up some songs from the seventies, two weeks before that it was five recent songs. This week, it’s a mish-mosh. There is nothing that ties these songs to each other but the fact that each is great and worthy of being on your iPod (smartphone, or mp3 device).
Each song is catchy. Some were hits. One definitely was not. Three can be classified as Modern Rock, one is dance pop and another is acoustic-folk. Some you’ll know. Others you may have to research. Doesn’t matter. These songs are excellent and deserve to be heard. Check ‘em out, you’ll like ‘em. Once they are on your player, share them with your friends. They’re that good.
106. Hey St. Peter – Flash And The Pan
Flash And The Pan were Harry Vanda and George Young, the creative force behind the Easybeats. From the late ‘70s to the early-‘80s, Flash And The Pan released five fun albums filled with quirky Modern Rock-Pop. Young (is the older brother of Angus and Malcolm Young of AC/DC fame) and Vanda‘s song had literate, strange, eccentric, and attention-grabbing lyrics layered over smart poppy music and melody.
The morning was cold and lonely
City lights old and grey
The sun arose trying to smile
Gave it all away
The honky-tonk called a stranger
The stranger couldn’t pay the bill
Made a stand, raised his hand
Sang a song, no time to kill
I said, Hey, hey, hey, St. Peter
I’ve got a tale to tell
I’ve just been down in New York town
It really feels like hell
It really feels like hell
Recommended versions can be found on: the debut album, Flash & The Pan (Epic, 1979), the re-mastered re-issued version of the debut which also includes five bonus tracks (Renaissance Records, 2008) and Collection (Epic, 1994).
107. Just Can’t Get Enough – Depeche Mode
The band’s debut Speak and Spell (Mute/Sire) became a major hit propelled by this immensely danceable riff and hook-filled synth-pop track. Even if you can’t dance, the song’s beat and lyrics are insidious.
When I’m with you baby, I go out of my head
And I just can’t get enough, I just can’t get enough
All the things you do to me and everything you said
And I just can’t get enough, I just can’t get enough
We slip and slide as we fall in love
And I just can’t seem to get enough
We walk together, were walking down the street
And I just can’t get enough, I just can’t get enough
Every time I think of you I know we have to meet
And I just can’t get enough, I just can’t get enough
Nissan even used it (albeit in a Muzak version) in one of their commercials—raise the volume of your TV and listen closely, it’s there in the background.
Recommended versions can be found on: the debut album, Speak and Spell (Mute/Sire, 1981), the double live CD 101 (Sire, 1989), Singles 81>98 (Reprise, 1998) and The Best of Depeche Mode, Vol. 1 (Sire/Reprise/Mute, 2006).
108. Don’t Tell Me – Madonna
About five or six years ago I went to see Joe Henry play at Lincoln Center in New York. Joe introduced a song of his called “Stop” with the following, “I originally wrote this song as a bossa nova. My sister-in-law wrote it as a #1 hit.” Henry is married to Madonna’s sister, Melanie, and the song, in Madonna’s hands evolved into “Don’t Tell Me.” The song actually peaked at #4 on the Billboard Top 40 Chart, but did reach #1 on the Dance Music/Club Play Singles Chart. Either way it’s a great song. Madonna’s version of the song added a synthesizer to the folky lyrics and sexy slow burn delivery. This is another song that you might want to load the video version onto your mp3 player or iPOD.
Recommended versions can be found on: Music (Warner Brothers, 2000).
109. I Will Follow – U2
Once upon a time, U2 made great music without an agenda. They wrote superb rock songs in E, that sounded great and had everyone singing along…and the songs didn’t have political undertones. They just played Rock ‘n’ Roll. It didn’t last all that long, by their third album, War, the lyrics began to take on a political bent. This may very well be the first and last great agenda-less U2 song. The song has a great driving rock beat and features searing, soaring guitars. I can’t think of a better reason to include it. Can you?
Recommended versions can be found on: Boy (Island, 1982, a re-mastered expanded deluxe edition was released by Island in 2008), Under A Blood Red Sky (Island, 1983) and The Best Of 1980-1990 (Island, 1998).
110. Fast Car – Tracy Chapman
The second song on her eponymously named debut CD served as Chapman’s and the singer-songwriter movement’s revitalization. Chapman was a veteran of the Boston coffeehouse scene with a number of rejection letters from major and minor labels. All that changed after she finally landed that contract and released her CD. “Fast Car” is a folky lament about living in dead-end circumstances but having the hope to make it…and the innate knowing and understanding that (no matter what) “it’s going to get better.”
You got a fast car
I want a ticket to anywhere
Maybe we make a deal
Maybe together we can get somewhere
Anyplace is better
Starting from zero got nothing to lose
Maybe we’ll make something
But me myself I got nothing to prove
Recommended versions can be found on: Tracy Chapman (Elektra, 1988) and the “greatest hits” disc, Collection (Warner Brothers, 2001).
So now comes the part where I ask for your opinions. I know each and every one of you has an opinion on music. Everyone has his or her own tastes, like and dislikes. I really do want to hear from you. What songs do you like? What are you listening to these days? What songs can’t you live without? Send me an e-mail telling me what music you like and why. Those of you who have written to me know that I will respond to your e-mails. I’ll feature your song selection in a future column. If you have an idea for an entire column based on a theme or artist, send your ideas along. E-mail me at: [email protected]. Type Can’t Live Without in the Topic. Til Next time!
