MIKE PERCIACCANTE
Okay! Its finally spring. At least that’s what the calendar says. I know, I know — the thermometer says something entirely different. I wish it was warmer, too. It will be soon enough. With music it doesn’t matter what season it is. It doesn’t matter if it’s cold, warm, freezing or boiling hot. Music makes you smile and a great song makes you want to sing along and just feel good. So…. I decided to devote this column to feel-good songs.
166. California Dreamin’ – The Mamas & The Papas
It’s sad and mournful, yet sunny and upbeat all at once. It was written on a cold winter evening well before The Mamas & The Papas even existed and reeks of 60’s idealism, but it’s one hell of a song. If you’ve ever listened to the radio you’re sure to know this song and even more likely to have found yourself singing along to it. Classic California singer-songwriter pop.
All the leaves are brown
All the leaves are brown
And the sky is grey
And the sky is grey
I’ve been for a walk
I’ve been for a walk
On a winters day
On a winters day
I’d be safe and warm
I’d be safe and warm
If I was in L.A.
If I was in L.A.
California dreamin’
California dreamin’
On such a winter’s day
Recommended versions can be found on: If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears (MCA, 1966) and California Dreamin’: The Best of the Mamas & the Papas (Universal, 2006).
167. When Doves Cry – Prince
Because Prince is THE MAN. He’s quirky, different, outrageous, flamboyant, difficult, headstrong, controversial, opinionated, reclusive and a brilliant musical chameleon. Call him what you want, but the multi-instrumentalist who’s music features echoes of Rock, R&B, Soul, Funk, Rap, Blues, New Wave, Electronica, Disco, Psychedelia, Folk, Jazz, and Pop is nothing short of a musical genius.
The track is here because it’s an amazing song. It makes you smile and want to dance! It was the first single from his Purple Rain album, the soundtrack to the movie of the same name. It was a huge hit, and it topped the U.S. charts for five weeks. When it was released, Prince was so hot that it shipped as a platinum single. WOW!
The song is also different. Quick, how many dance songs (and “When Doves Cry” is definitely a dance track) don’t have a bass? Not too many. This song does have a fantastic guitar part as well as a great synthesizer section and amazing lyrics. Check out these lyrics:
Dig if u will the picture
Of u and I engaged in a kiss
The sweat of your body covers me
Can u my darling
Can u picture this?
Dream if u can a courtyard
An ocean of violets in bloom
Animals strike curious poses
They feel the heat
The heat between me and u
How can u just leave me standing?
Alone in a world that’s so cold? (so cold)
Maybe I’m just 2 demanding
Maybe I’m just like my father 2 bold
Maybe you’re just like my mother
She’s never satisfied (she’s never satisfied)
Why do we scream at each other
This is what it sounds like
When doves cry
Recommended versions can be found on: Purple Rain (Warner Brothers, 1984), the greatest hits collections The Hits/The B-Sides (Paisley Park, 1993) and The Very Best of Prince (Warner Brothers/Rhino, 2001) as well as the video Prince And the Revolution: Live (Warner Brothers, 1985).
168. Carry On – Fun.
Because it’s FUN…both the song and the band. The music is unique. And the lyrics…the lyrics are top notch and filled with imagery.
Some nights, I stay up cashing in my bad luck
Some nights, I call it a draw
Some nights, I wish that my lips could build a castle
Some nights, I wish they’d just fall off
But I still wake up, I still see your ghost
Oh Lord, I’m still not sure what I stand for oh
What do I stand for? What do I stand for?
Most nights, I don’t know anymore…
Oh woah, oh woah, oh woah oh oh
Oh woah, oh woah, oh woah oh oh
This is it, boys, this is war – what are we waiting for?
Why don’t we break the rules already?
I was never one to believe the hype – save that for the black and white
I try twice as hard and I’m half as liked, but here they come again to jack my style
And that’s alright; I found a martyr in my bed tonight
She stops my bones from wondering just who I am, who I am, who I am
Oh, who am I? Oh, who am I? mmm… mmm…
Despite the fact that the lyrics are mournful, the music is upbeat and the message is optimistic. It really doesn’t matter it still makes me smile. How many bands can lay claim to releasing music that owes as much to ELO and Queen as it does to Hip Hop? Not many. And, how many bands with musical influences such as these could win the Grammy Award for Best New Artist. Again not many. For those two facts alone the song should be on your iPod.
Recommended versions can be found on: Some Nights (Fueled By Ramen Records, 2012).
169. 1901 – Phoenix
Why is it here? Because it’s so damn catchy. Because it is about a better time. Thomas Mars, the French band’s lead singer has said that the song is about turn of the 20th Century Paris. He has been quoted as saying that “Paris in 1901 was better than it is now. So the song is a fantasy about Paris.” And finally, because when you listen to it you can’t help but smile. That’s good enough for me.
Recommended versions can be found on: Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix (Glassnote Records, 2009).
170. Goody Two Shoes – Adam Ant
Yeah, I know its thirty years old. Yeah I know its Adam Ant’s first solo single. I also know it’s a fantastic song that still to this day makes me want to, at least, attempt to dance. It’s here because it is a tongue in cheek answer to the press who at the time constantly intruded upon every aspect of Ant’s life. The official video presents a day in the life of Adam Ant, from waking up, to performing to being followed by members of the press. At the end of the day, he effectually answers the main question posed by the song by takes home a female journalist. So good that I have to share all the lyrics:
With the heartbreak open
So much you can’t hide
Put on a little makeup makeup
Make sure they get your good side good side
If the words unspoken
Get stuck in your throat
Send a treasure token token
Write it on a pound note pound note
Goody two goody two goody goody two shoes
Goody two goody two goody goody two shoes
Don’t drink don’t smoke – what do you do?
Don’t drink don’t smoke – what do you do?
Subtle innuendos follow
There must be something inside
We don’t follow fashion
That would be a joke
You know we’re going to set them set them
So everyone can take note take note
When they saw you kneeling
Crying words that you mean
Opening their eyeballs eyeballs
Pretending that you’re Al Green Al Green
Goody two goody two goody goody two shoes
Goody two goody two goody goody two shoes
Don’t drink don’t smoke – what do you do?
Don’t drink don’t smoke – what do you do?
Subtle innuendos follow
There must be something inside
No one’s gonna tell me
What’s wrong or what’s right
Or tell me who to eat with sleep with
Or that I’ve won the big fight big fight
Look out or they’ll tell you
You’re a Superstar
Two weeks and you’re an all time legend
I think the games have gone much too far
If the words unspoken
Get stuck in your throat
Send a treasure token token
Write it on a pound note pound note
Don’t drink don’t smoke – what do you do?
Don’t drink don’t smoke – what do you do?
Subtle innuendos follow
There must be something inside
Don’t drink don’t smoke – what do you do?
Don’t drink don’t smoke – what do you do?
Subtle innuendos follow
There must be something inside
Don’t drink don’t smoke – what do you do?
Don’t drink don’t smoke – what do you do?
Subtle innuendos follow
There must be something inside
Don’t drink don’t smoke – what do you do?
Don’t drink don’t smoke – what do you do?
Subtle innuendos follow
There must be something inside
Recommended versions can be found on: Friend Or Foe (Epic, 1982), the best of collections Super Hits (Epic/Legacy, 1998) and The Essential Adam Ant (Epic/Legacy, 2003). The song is also available on the boxed set Antbox (Columbia, 2000). Additionally, the official video can be found on YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o41A91X5pns.
Okay. Time for me to plead… again. That’s right. It’s that time… again. I want to hear from you. Please write me and tell me some of your favorite songs. What are your feel-good songs? I know you have ‘em. There are so many. One small column can’t possibly contain all of ‘em. I promise that there will be more feel-good music columns. Tell me what you like and why. By like, I mean really like… what are the songs that make you feel good? What songs always put a smile on your face? So send me an e-mail and tell me what music you love. Tell me what music you can’t live without – what makes you feel good. I promise that I’ll feature your song selection in a future column. E-mail me at: [email protected]. Type Can’t Live Without in the Topic. Til Next time!
