MIKE PERCIACCANTE
As promised, this week’s column features more songs that contain the word “radio” in the title. Seems pretty self-explanatory, doesn’t it? I guess it should. So, without boring you with a long intro, here they are—enjoy!
84. On Your Radio – Joe Jackson
Why? Well I’m glad you asked. Because it one of the best kiss-my-@$$ songs ever written. For anyone who ever doubted Jackson, he tells them loudly and clearly that they can find him on the radio!
Ex-friends, ex-lovers and enemies
I’ve got your case in front of me today
All sewn up
Ex-bosses you never let me be
I got your names and your numbers filed away
I’ve grown up
See me
Hear me
Don’t you know you can’t get near me
You can only hope to hear me on your radio
On your radio
You’re gonna hear me on your radio.
Ex-teachers still coming through to me
Tough kids don’t stop trying to kick me to the ground
I don’t care
Go on just do what you do to me
You look so sick when you’re pushing me around
You’re nowhere
It’s here because it’s Joe Jackson at his angry young man best…and mostly because it rocks!
Recommended versions can be found on: I’m The Man (A&M, 1979), Live 80/86 (A&M, 1988), Live at Rockplast (Made In Germany Music, 2012) and on numerous best of collections including: Steppin’ Out: The Very Best of Joe Jackson (A&M/Universal Music, 2001) and Gold (Mercury, 2008).
85. The Spirit of Radio – Rush
Because Neil Peart is a rare bird—a drummer who writes superb, amazing, erudite and smart lyrics. Well you asked…didn’t you. And here they are:
Begin the day with a friendly voice,
A companion unobtrusive
Plays that song that’s so elusive
And the magic music makes your morning mood.
Off on your way, hit the open road,
There is magic at your fingers
For the Spirit ever lingers,
Undemanding contact in your happy solitude.
Invisible airwaves crackle with life
Bright antenna bristle with the energy
Emotional feedback on timeless wavelength
Bearing a gift beyond price, almost free
All this machinery making modern music
Can still be open-hearted.
Not so coldly charted, it’s really just a question
Of your honesty, yeah, your honesty.
One likes to believe in the freedom of music,
But glittering prizes and endless compromises
Shatter the illusion of integrity.
For the words of the prophets were written on the studio wall,
Concert hall
And echoes with the sounds of salesmen. Of salesmen. Of salesmen.
Because legend has it that the song’s name was inspired by the catchphrase/slogan or tag of a Toronto radio station. And finally because the song alludes to Simon and Garfunkel’s “Sounds Of Silence.”
Recommended versions can be found on: Permanent Waves (Mercury,1980), the live albums Exit Stage Left (Mercury, 1981), Different Stages: Live (Anthem Records, 1998), Rush in Rio (Universal, 2003), R30 (Sanctuary, 2005), Snakes And Arrows Live (Eagle Rock Entertainment, 2005), Time Machine: Live in Cleveland (Anthem Records, 2009) and on the best of collection(s) Chronicles (Mercury, 1990), Retrospective, Vol. 1: 1974-1980 (Mercury, 1997), The Spirit of Radio: Greatest Hits 1974-1987 (Mercury, 2003) and Gold (Mercury, 2006).
86. Radio Gaga – Queen
Because, believe it or not it reached #1 in 19 different countries. Naturally, in the U.S. it only reached #16 in the Billboard Top 100. That’s because so many people in the states thought Queen stopped making music with “Another One Bites The Dust.” Another reason, solely based on my fondness for childish humor, is because it was originally conceived by its composer (Drummer Roger Taylor) as “Radio Ca Ca”– the song is basically an indictment of radio criticizing it for its lack of musical diversity. It’s also a love letter to radio asking it to come back and return to its glory.
I’d sit alone and watch your light
My only friend through teenage nights
And everything I had to know
I heard it on my radio
(Radio)
You gave them all those old time stars
Through wars of worlds — invaded by Mars
You made ’em laugh — you made ’em cry
You made us feel like we could fly
So don’t become some background noise
A backdrop for the girls and boys
Who just don’t know or just don’t care
And just complain when you’re not there
You had your time, you had the power
You’ve yet to have your finest hour
(Radio)
All we hear is Radio ka ka
Radio goo goo
Radio ga ga
All we hear is Radio ga ga
Radio blah blah
Radio what’s new?
Radio, someone still loves you!
Recommended versions can be found on: The Works (Capitol, 1984), the live releases Live Magic (first U.S. release on Hollywood Records in 1986), Live At Wembley ‘86 (Hollywood Records, 1992) and on the best of collection(s) Greatest Hits II (Parlophone, 1991), Classic Queen (Hollywood Records, 1992) and Stone Cold Classics (Hollywood Records, 2006).
87. Turn Up The Radio – The Rockets
Because it is a great song from Detroit’s great lost bar band. In another more righteous world, the band would have been big stars and “Turn Up The radio” would have been a huge hit. Just because it wasn’t a hit doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have it on your iPod…and the lyrics are cool.
Turn up the radio, I want a quick reaction
Turn up the radio, Baby let the music play
Turn up the radio; I want some satisfaction (guaranteed)
Turn up the radio, Baby let the music play
Turn up the radio, Baby let the music play
Turn up the radio, Baby let, Baby let, Baby let it play
Recommended versions can be found on: The Rockets (RSO, 1979) available on iTunes and vinyl, The Rockets/No Ballads (Renaissance, 2009) which combined the band’s second and third albums onto one CD and on Live Rockets (Capitol, 1983). You can also find this great song on You Tube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7LWVwqufjI.
88. Radio Free Europe – R.E.M.
Because it is as enigmatic s the band that sang it. If R.E.M. had chosen to distort and speed up the guitars instead of recording them in a more poppy and smooth manner, the song would have been a punk anthem. The original version (a single) was released in 1981 on Hib Tone Records with a much more punky feel. Two years later it was released on the band’s first full length album, Murmur. Because as with any R.E.M. song worth its salt, the lyrics are almost impossible to discern. For the record, I’m almost positive the lyrics are:
Decide yourself if radio’s gonna stay
Reason: it could polish up the gray
Put that, put that, put that up your wall
That this isn’t Country at all
Radio station: decide yourself
Keep me out of Country and the word
Wheel of fortune’s leading us: absurd
Push that, push that, push that to the floor
That this isn’t nothing at all
Straight off the boat, where to go
Calling out in transit
Calling out in transit
Radio Free Europe (radio)
Decide: defy the media too fast
Instead of pushing palaces to fall
Put that, put that, put that up your wall
That this isn’t fortunate at all
Radio station: decide yourself
We’re calling out in transit
Calling out in transit
Radio Free Europe (radio)
Decide yourself: come in on a boat
Media’s too fast
Keep me out of Country and the word
Disappointment into us: absurd
Straight off the boat, where to go?
Calling out in transit
Calling out in transit
Radio Free Europe
Radio Free Europe
Calling out in transit
Calling out in transit
Radio Free Europe
Radio Free Europe
Recommended versions can be found on: Murmur (IRS, 1983) and on the best of collections Eponymous (IRS, 1988), The Best of R.E.M. (EMI, 1998), the rare and official promo album 20 Years of R.E.M. (Warner Brothers, 2001) and …And I Feel Fine: The Best of the I.R.S. Years 1982-1987 (Capitol/IRS, 2006).
90. Border Radio – The Blasters
Because it’s a homage to “Border Blaster” radio stations. These AM radio stations were located in various Mexican cities near the U.S./Mexico border. Because they weren’t governed by the FCC (a United States entity) there were no wattage restrictions. They could blast their single across the U.S. They played what they wanted and it usually was better than the bland AM radio that was prevalent in the states. And more specifically because it rocks! Or rather, because it is kick-@$$ rockabilly!
One more midnight, her man’s still gone
The night moves too slow
She tries to remember the heat of his touch
While listening to the border radio
She calls toll free and requests a song
Some they used to know
She prays to herself that wherever he is
He’s listening to the border radio
This song comes from 1962
Dedicated to a man who’s gone
50.000 watts out of Mexico
This is the border radio
This is the border radio
Recommended versions can be found on: The Blasters (Slash, 1981) which has recently be re-issued on CD By Wounded Bird Records, Live; Going Home (Evangeline, 2004) and on the best of collection(s) The Blasters Collection (Warner Brothers, 1991), Testament: The Complete Slash Recordings: 1981-1985 (Rhino, 2002).
As a bonus, I’ve included two songs that though they don’t feature the word “radio” in the title, they are about the wonder of radio and how music heard on the radio can change one’s life. The last two songs of this column are:
90. Heard It On The X – ZZ Top
Ah, Mexico (again)…because the song is a tribute to Wolfman Jack. More specifically it’s a tribute to the two “Border Blaster” radio stations in Mexico, that were run by the DJ (XERF and XERB). In the early ‘70s, before FM radio really took off, these “Border Blaster” stations were rumored to play a lot of ZZ Top music.
C’mon, the lyrics say it all:
Do you remember
Back in nineteen sixty-six?
Country Jesus, hillbilly blues,
That’s where I learned my licks.
Oh, from coast to coast and line to line
In every county there,
I’m talkin’ ’bout that outlaw X
That was cuttin’ through the air.
Anywhere, y’all,
Everywhere, y’all,
I heard it, I heard it,
I heard it on the X.
We can all thank Doctor B
Who stepped across the line.
With lots of watts he took control,
The first one of its kind.
So listen to your radio
Most each and every night
’cause if you don’t I’m sure you won’t
Get to feeling right.
Anywhere, y’all,
Everywhere, y’all,
I heard it, I heard it,
I heard it on the X.
Recommended versions can be found on: Fandango (London, 1975), Live IN Germany (Eagle Rock Entertainment, 2011) and on the best of collection(s) The Best of ZZ Top (Warner Brothers, 1977), Rancho Texicano: The Very Best of ZZ Top (Warner Brothers/Rhino, 2004) and Chrome, Smoke & BBQ: The ZZ Top Box (Warner Brothers, Rhino, 2003).
91. Left Of the Dial – The Replacements
Because it is actually a love song to both college radio and Let’s Active guitarist Angie Carlson. Paul Westerberg met Carlson (who later married Let’s Active’s Mitch Easter) on tour and was smitten but due to touring and scheduling commitments could never see her. His lyrics say it all:
And if I don’t see ya, in a long, long while
I’ll try to find you
Left of the dial
With regard to college radio, well, the stations are usually found on the left of the dial on the lower bands. College radio is the real last bastion of what radio should be—the place where new music is broken; a place where all musical forms of expression can be found.
Recommended versions can be found on: Tim (Sire, 1985) and on the best of collections All for Nothing/Nothing for All (Reprise/Sire, 1997) and Don’t You Know Who I Think I Was?: The Best of the Replacements (Rhino/Reprise/Sire, 2006).
I know you must really be getting tired of this, but I do want to hear from you. What songs would you take to a desert island? What are your must-have songs? What are the songs can’t imagine your iPod not having loaded on it. 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, send your ideas along. I want to hear your thoughts. E-mail me at: [email protected]. Type Can’t Live Without in the Topic. Til Next time!
