MIKE PERCIACCANTE
In my last column I listed “Carry On” by Fun. as one of The Songs No iPod Should Be Without. It was pointed out to me by a loyal reader named Robin Yelle that the lyrics listed were for another fantastic song (the title track) on Fun.’s Some Nights CD. Though the mix-up was due to poor editing on my part (I apologize), the genesis of the mix-up was and is the fact that I was wrestling with which Fun. song to include in the column. I had planned to use the “other” song in this column. So here goes…in the last column, The song listed was “Carry On” but my reasoning was for “Some Nights.” In this column, the song will actually be “Carry On” and the reasoning will be specifically for “Carry On.” Sorry for the confusion.
So what songs will I include here besides “Carry On.” Again, because it’s spring, I think that the songs listed here should be happy songs that bring a smile to your face. That’s all songs that are enjoyable (gotcha…bet you thought I was gonna write fun).
Here they are.
171. Backwater – The Meat Puppets
The Meat Puppets only certified hit. This impossibly catchy song propelled the Too High To Die CD to Gold Record status. Once the CD was released in January of 1994, Rock and Modern Rock radio as well as MTV immediately began playing the song, the album’s best track. It’s upbeat, and grungy with interesting rhythms, cool vocals and strange lyrics.
And when I wake up in the morning
To feel the daybreak on my face
There’s a blood that’s flowin’
Through the feeling, with a knife
To open up the sky’s veins
Some things will never change
They stand there looking backwards
Half unconscious from the pain
They may seem rearranged
In the backwater swirling, there is
Something that will never change
Recommended version can be found on: Too High To Die (London, 1994).
172. Entertainment – Phoenix
Yeah, I know I included Phoenix in my last column. Not that it matters…I only include music that I feel is essential to your iPod. “Entertainment” is definitely essential. The lead single from the band’s Bankrupt CD (which will be released on April 23rd) is here because of its Eastern-influenced synthesizer, the amazing guitar riff, the vibe that makes you want to dance…and as always because of its lyrics:
What you want and what you do to me
I’ll take the trouble that you have in mind
Entertainment
Show them what you do with me
When everyone here knows better
What I once refused to be
Is everything they long together
I’d rather be alone
I know, it isn’t out yet, but it’s getting a lot of airplay (already) and I guarantee that, in a very short time, you’ll be hearing it everywhere.
Recommended version can be found on: Bankrupt (Glassnote Records, 2013).
173. My Songs Know What You Did In the Dark (Light Em Up)- Fall Out Boy
I came across this as I was changing stations in the car. I was passing by a Top 40 Station on my way to a station with, what I consider “more substance.” I heard this song and had to stop. I must admit that I am a fan of Fall Out Boy, but I had no idea what this song was. It was new, I’d never heard it and it caught my attention. When the jock back-announced it, I knew it had to be here. Why? Well I’m glad you asked. There are a number of reasons. Because it is nice to have Fall Out Boy back after an almost five-year hiatus. Because even though after a five-year silence Fall Out Boy sounds contemporary and relevant. Because the song’s lyrics and vocal delivery has a sing-a-long quality that creeps its way into your head and just won’t let go of your brain.
Be careful making wishes in the dark dark
Can’t be sure when they’ve hit their mark, mark
And besides in the mean, mean time
I’m just dreaming of tearing you apart
I’m in the de-details with the devil
So now the world can never get me on my level
I just got to get you out of the cage
I’m a young lover’s rage
Gonna need a spark to ignite
My songs know what you did in the dark
So light ’em up up up
Light ’em up up up
Light ’em up up up
I’m on fire
So light ’em up up up
Light ’em up up up
Light ’em up up up
I’m on fire
In the dark dark
In the dark dark
And last, but not least, because it’s good. That’s why!
Recommended version can be found on: Save Rock N Roll (Island, 2013).
174. Suffragette City – David Bowie
Yup, I know David Bowie has a new CD (The Next Day). I know it is really good. I know it is a return to form. I know it sounds like old David Bowie. I know it is the most unexpected surprise return to music of 2013. I have the CD and I love it. I plan on including a song or two that are on it in future columns. But I felt is better to include a “classic” Bowie track here.
Some interesting history on the song. Bowie originally offered the song to Mott The Hoople. They refused it and recorded Bowie’s “All The Young Dudes” instead. When it was released as a single to promote the ChangesOne greatest hits collection, it failed to chart.
So why is it here? Well for one thing because it rocks–it’s played at breakneck speed! For another, because of the outrageous Little Richard-influenced piano. It’s also got a really cool sing-a-long “wham bam thank you maam” hook, a number of really cool asides and throwaway lyrics like “oh hit me.”
(Hey man) oh leave me alone you know
(Hey man) oh Henry, get off the phone, I gotta
(hey man) I gotta straighten my face
This mellow thighed chick just put my spine out of place
(Hey man) my schooldays insane
(Hey man) my works down the drain
(Hey man) well she’s a total blam-blam
She said she had to squeeze it but she..and then she..
Oh don’t lean on me man, cause you can’t afford the ticket
I’m back from suffragette city
Oh don’t lean on me man
Cause you ain’t got time to check it
You know my suffragette city
Is outta sight…she’s all right
(Hey man) ah Henry, don’t be unkind, go away
(Hey man) I can’t take you this time, no way
(Hey man) droogie don’t crash here
There’s only room for one and here she comes, here she comes
Oh don’t lean on me man, cause you can’t afford the ticket
I’m back on suffragette city
Oh don’t lean on me man
Cause you ain’t got time to check it
You know my suffragette city
Is outta sight…she’s all right
Oh hit me!
Oh don’t lean on me man, cause you can’t afford the ticket
I’m back from suffragette city
Oh don’t lean on me man
Cause you ain’t got time to check it
You know my suffragette city
Don’t lean on me man, cause you can’t afford the ticket
I’m back from suffragette city
Oh don’t lean on me man
Cause you ain’t got time to check it
You know my suffragette city
Is outta sight…she’s all right
A suffragette city, a suffragette city
I’m back on suffragette city, I’m back on suffragette city
Ooo, sufraggete city, ooo, suffragette city
Oooh-how, sufragette city, oooh-how, sufragette,
Ohhh, wham bam thank you maam!
A suffragette city, a suffragette city
Quite all right
A suffragette city
Too fine
A suffragette city, ooh, a sufragette city
Oh, my sufragette city, oh my suffragette city
Oh, suffragette
Suffragette!
The Clockwork Orange references in the lyrics are pretty cool, too.
Recommended versions can be found on: The Rise And Fall of Ziggy Stardust (originally released on RCA in 1972 and subsequently re-released on Ryko and most-recently Virgin). Additionally the song can be found on many different collections (I have listed the most recent label on which the CD was released) including: Bowie At The Beeb: The BBC Sessions (EMI, 2000), the live albums Ziggy Stardust – The Motion Picture (EMI, 1982), David Live (Virgin, 1974) and Live Santa Monica ’72 (EMI/Virgin, 2008). The song can also be found on the greatest his collections ChangesOneBowie (RCA, 1976), ChangesBowie, Bowie: The Singles 1969-1993 (Ryko, 1993), The Singles Collection (EMI, 1993), The Best of David Bowie 1969-1974 (Virgin, 1997), The Best of Bowie (Virgin, 2002) and the Sound and Vision box set (Ryko, 1989).
175. Carry On – Fun.
I could make almost the same argument for the inclusion of “Carry On” as I did for “Some Nights.” If only I had labeled it properly. The music IS unique and the lyrics have an imagery that few wordsmiths can match. However, I won’t go any deeper in comparison. The song is here because it’s damn good. Check out these lyrics:
If you’re lost and alone
Or you’re sinking like a stone
Carry on
May your past be the sound
Of your feet upon the ground
Carry on
Woah
My head is on fire
But my legs are fine
Cause after all they are mine
Lay your clothes down on the floor
Close the door
Hold the phone
Show me how
No one’s ever gonna stop us now
Cause we are
We are shining stars
We are invincible
We are who we are
On our darkest day
When we’re miles away
So we’ll come
We will find our way home
If you’re lost and alone
Or you’re sinking like a stone
Carry on
May your past be the sound
Of your feet upon the ground
Carry on
Carry on, carry on
These lyrics are quite hopeful…almost redemptive. They are encouraging. They make me feel happy. They make me smile and hopefully they do the same for listeners everywhere. “Carry On” is another reason to purchase and Fun.’s other music.
Recommended versions can be found on: Some Nights (Fueled By Ramen Records, 2012).
For those of you who missed it in my last column…
#168 Revisited and Corrected – Some Nights – 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).
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. And, to Robin Yelle, thank you for reading the column and for liking the song selection. You obviously have excellent taste in music. And, thank you again for pointing out to me that I goofed. Robin, please send me some of your favorites, I promise to feature them in another column. E-mail me at: [email protected]. Type Can’t Live Without in the Topic. Til Next time!
