Full Disclosure: The past few (as well as upcoming) posts are an attempt to share some of my all time favorite songs. This is being done in complete sincerity and with 100% love & admiration. The fact that I even have to put this at the bottom is simply a testament to my lazy writing as of late. Ha!
I decree today that life Is simply taking and not giving England is mine - it owes me a living But ask me why, and I'll spit in your eye
Yet also tender...
Under the iron bridge we kissed And although I ended up with sore lips It just wasn't like the old days anymore No, it wasn't like those days
This is without a doubtone of my favorite Smiths songs. The mix of sour and sweet, if you will, is exactly what made them so special. Johnny Marr's blissful music in contrast to Morrissey's bittersweetly reminiscent words...pure magic.
I have managed to not write anything about The Smiths or Morrissey on this here site. I honestly have no clue as to why. No good excuses...nothing.
Shame!
Lads at ease.
In case you weren't aware, The Smiths are my all-time favorite band, and a Mr. Steven Patrick Morrissey is my choice for greatest songwriter in the English language. I am far from theonlypersonwhobelievesthis, for the Smiths/Morrissey freaks are many. So, because I have neglected my duties as Smiths and Moz fan, today we shall get into part one of a three part Smiths series!
For these three, I'll stick to The Smiths, but I'm fairly certain that this will be an ongoing series, so please do not mistake this as anywhere near all-encompassing. The Smiths/Morrissey combined catalog is getting deeper every year but I'll just be putting up a few personal favorites. There are many.
.
First up, a gorgeous song about patience.
"I know a place where we can go Where we are not known"
This three-cd set was sent to me by the fine folks over at Gigantic music. I got it early because of the type of jams that I usually post. Upon hearing it, I was only further convinced about the true genius of Ike Turner.
Now don't get me wrong, beating women is a truly horrible thing, (almost as bad as beating up animals) but Ike really was a virtuoso and an innovator. This all seems to unfortunately get lost in the haze of drug/woman abuse and Tina's subsequent rise in the 80's. (Another thing, those 80's Tina songs fucking suck.)
Marital bliss. The best example of Ike + Tina truly coming together in song and voice is "Idolize You." It is also a type of complimentary song to "Quicksand" in a strange way.
For some reason (the piano maybe?) this song always reminds me of an Elton John record. Southern Gothic Elton John.
Leon Russell is one of the most talented dudes around. He played on so many records, by so many artists, it nearly impossible to track all of his guest appearances and songwriting credits down.
The Rolling Stones, Donny Hathaway, Herb Alpert, Barbara Streisand (!?!?), they've all had his help. Crazy prolific, and apparently utterly incomprehensible when not singing (deep Oklahoma accent) he wrote this one for his 1972 album Carney. It is one of my favorite bouncy southern rock-type bangers.
You know that I don't usually post newer stuff, but honestly...this is one of my fucking jams.
Ted knows, I've been riding for Chromeo. Since before She's In Control, these dudes are the truth. The reason I even know about The Deele is because I saw Dave1 and P-Thugg (two 'g's so necessary!) big them up while citing influences. And "Rocket 2 U?" that was on one of their dope old school electro mixes. Like anything worth it's salt, they are a gift that keeps on giving.
Style icons, as well.
Their newest album has been out for a little bit now and it is great. They usually get love on other blogs and stuff, but not enough for my taste. Fancy Footwork is insane, from the title track to "Tenderoni" to "Opening Up" that shit bangs. Hard.
I really could only recommend a small child's handful of things released post-2000 more than this.
Full Disclosure: 1. First time I ever put up a buy link. That recommended. 2. Chromeo were all over MTV last week between commercials. I've been meaning to write about them for a while now, can't say that didn't remind me. 3. They just released the video for this song, (see here) another reminder. 4. I'll get back to old stuff next. 5. This post is also a shout out to Jordan in Washington. Just because.
On the other end of the spectrum, we have one of the best "Fuck you!" jams ever.
This shit comes from the one, the only, the incomparable...
For the ladies.
Al B. Sure! (!!!)
This guy was dope. Unibrow and all. On the strength! An early adapter to the new jack swing sound, Al B. was all kinds of awesome. Check the "Rock to the rhythm of the funky beat" break, a true gem.
In 1986, (the album was released in 1987, but I presume that it was written in '86) Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds and Antonio "L.A." Reid wrote what I consider to be one the best love songs ever sung by human beings. This also just so happened to be my year of birth. Coincidence? I like to think not.
The Deele were the group that contained Babyface & L.A. (this is before they went on to start Laface records. Which means before TLC, OutKast, millions of dollars, a split between the once great friends and Eddie Murphy eventually making Babyface's wife his own. Ouch.)
Great lyrics, true sentiment, flawless melodies, it's all there. Honestly, If I ever get married, (ha!) this will play as I stumble onto my wife's foot for our first dance.
Additionally: If I ever DJ a wedding (looking right at you: Jake, Elena, Ben, Teddy, etc.) you must dance to this at some point in the evening as your mothers and fathers weep.
...at the rad thrift store across the street from my pal's crib. I also managed to snag this and this.
Speaking In Tongues contains one of my absolute favorite Talking Heads jams ever in the form of "Girlfriend Is Better" An awesome song*, (the live version on Stop Making Sense rules a bit harder, but whatever) but I'm afraid that I don't really know about how much better life is with a significant other.
Now, the actual verse lyrics to the song do not make any discernible sense as far as I can tell, but the chorus does seem to imply that the girlfriend in question is
"...moving up going right through my heart"
I'm pretty sure that he means that in a good way, but honestly, who the hell knows?
(*Teddy introduced me to this jam through a mix that he sent me. Eerily enough, he just sent me some remixes that he's completed. Expect them up next.) .
As a solo artist, Lindsey was/is the shit. Seeing as how he and Christie McVie always pen my favorite Fleetwood Mac jams, this should have been inevitable. Go Insane was released in 1984, a great year for music regardless of if he were to have released something or not, but made that much better because he did.
Circa Tusk era Mac, the Bucks was on mad coke. This also goes for Stevie as well as pre and post-Tusk era Buckingham.
The shit must have been great because only a goddamned coked up egomaniac would have a double lp with four slip sleeves. Just for the hell of it. I just got Tusk on vinyl, so here goes a jam. Fleetwood Mac - The Ledge
Should say: "Poster that Brian did not realize was in his vinyl copy. He thought that he had overpaid for it, but once he saw that this (above) was included and huge, he proceeded to go apeshit and tease his sister about because, no, she could not have it."
Yet also tender...
Lads at ease.
Marital bliss.
Seriously, this cover is terrifying.
"That nigga J.C. crazy! A fur in the desert?!"
"Really Prince, like that?"
Style icons, as well.
For the ladies.
"What, do you think you're dope on a rope, nope!"
Waaaay before this.
"Teal pants? Yes, please!"
Isn't that supposed to be window of time?
Done by Woody @ the21gunsalute.blogspot.com
Who needs a crucifix in the shower?
"You're so upset because you can't watch All My Children"
