MIKE PERCIACCANTE
Happy New Year! I thought it might be fun to start 2013 with some old songs and some new songs…a kind of then and now. So here goes. The fiorst two songs are from the dawn of Rock ‘n’ Roll and are definitely “classics.” The last two are recently released and are destined to become “classics.” Check ‘em out.
Key To The Highway – Big Bill Broonzy
First released by Big Bill as a single in 1941, this song helped Broonzy make the jump form Delta bluesman to the more urban sound of Chicago blues. Though this song is best know as an Eric Clapton track, Broonzy’s version is the definitive one. Broonzy’s version wasn’t even the first one released—Charlie Segar beat him to it by almost a year. Both Segar and Broonzy are given credit as being the lyricist as according to Broonzy they were both singing slightly different versions (in the South) at approximately the same time. The song was recorded with Big Bill accompanying himself on guitar. The great riff, understated runs as well as the bass all picked and strummed on an acoustic guitar make this version of “Key To The Highway” required listening.
Recommended versions can be found on: An Introduction to Big Bill Broonzy (Fuel 2000, 2007) and The Big Bill Broonzy Story (Verve, 1960).
138. Flip Flop & Fly – Big Joe Turner
Turner’s voice was as big as his body…and he was 6’2”/320. He helped transform the blues into Rock ‘n’ Roll. Doc Pomus was quoted as saying that “Rock ‘n’ Roll would have never happened without him.” Now that’s an amazing pedigree and legacy. The song was originally released as a single on March 19, 1955 and is classic rockin’ jump-blues.
Now flip, flop and fly
I don’t care if I die
Now flip, flop and fly
I don’t care if I die
Don’t ever leave me, don’t ever say goodbye
Yeah, I know that Belushi and The Blues Brothers covered it (and so did Bill Haley and a lot of others), but Turner’s version is the best!
Recommended versions can be found on: Big Bad & Blue: The Joe Turner Anthology (Rhino/Atlantic, 1994), Big Joe Turner’s Greatest Hits (Atlantic, 1951, re-issued in 1989 on CD) and the 1950’s compilation box set–which also features Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Elvis, Ritchie Valens, Buddy Holly and many more–Loud, Fast & Out of Control: The Wild Sounds of the ’50’s (Rhino, 1999).
152. Kill The DJ – Green Day
It’s here because in 2012 Green Day decided to go back to its roots…and because it’s a great song. Why else would any song be here? “Kill The DJ” is a rocking tune on which the band lays hook after hook on the listener. Tough the band claims that they wanted to get back to the silly and sometimes frivolous sound of their first CDs, the song is anything but. First: it’s kind of dance-rocky. Second: it’s quite political. Don’t believe me? Check out these lyrics…
Walking after dark
In the New York City park
Your thoughts are so unholy
In the holiest of holes
Onward Christian soldiers
Filled with jive and mind control
The blood left on the dance floor
Running running red
The bullet that you asked for
Killing you to death
Unless you…
And Third: yeah, Billie Joe is angry. Don’t believe me even after reading these lyrics? Think back to his meltdown in Las Vegas. You can blame only part of that on needing to go to rehab. In any event it’s a great song with a great groove—and it belongs on your iPod.
140. Locked Out of Heaven – Bruno Mars
Yup, Bruno Mars. Surprised that I’d include a Bruno Mars song? Why? Because the guy has a ton of talent…that’s why. Need another reason? Okay, here goes. Because it sounds like the great lost Police song. It’s got a groove that Sting might have written back when he mattered and wasn’t just phoning everything in. The song rocks and has a slight reggae feel with a syncopated backbeat that would make Stewart Copeland proud and the lead guitar is just tasty enough to propel the song along—kind of like Andy Summers would do with a Police track. It also has a little of Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” and even a touch of Dire Straits in its DNA. Now that’s a pedigree. What’s more—it’s funky, you can dance to it…and it’s a love song. Check out the lyrics:
One, two, one, two, three
Oh yeah, yeah
Oh yeah, yeah, yeah
Ooh!
Oh yeah, yeah
Oh yeah, yeah, yeah
Ooh!
Never had much faith in love or miracles
Never wanna put my heart on the line
But swimming in your world is something spiritual
I’m born again every time you spend the night
Okay, so here we go (again). I’m gonna keep asking. My last column featured a suggestion from Jim in Westfield, so you know that I’m open to hearing what you like. I’m going to ask for your help (again). What are some of your favorite songs? What songs do you really like? What are you listening to? What songs can’t you live without? What songs have to be on your playlists? I really do want to hear from you. Send me an e-mail telling me what music you like and why. 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 those ideas along too. E-mail me at: [email protected]. Type Can’t Live Without in the topic. Til Next time!
