Let's try something new, eh?
Here's an assignment:
- Choose three songs you think everyone should know. These should probably be songs that most people here don't already know (you be the judge). They don't have to be your favorites, and they don't have to be the Best Songs Ever. They just need to be songs you think more people should know.
- Find YouTube vids or MySpace links or something for the songs - so that other people can hear them too! (important!)
- In as many or as few words as you want, tell us why you think we should know these songs.
I'll kick it off with my three.
Warning: I've had a lot of caffeine, and I'm home sick, so I might ramble a bit...
- Elliot Smith - Waltz #2
The tune is the most persistent earworm I've ever encountered. It can stick in my head for, literally, weeks while I repeat all those wonderful lines over and over. I think it's his best song, and I do think it's one of the Best Songs Ever, so I'm always amazed to learn that people don't know any Elliot Smith, let alone this perfect little gem.First verse:
First the mic then a half cigarette
Singing "Cathy's Clown"
That's the man she's married to now
That's the girl that he takes around town
She appears composed, so she is, I suppose
Who can really tell
She shows no emotion at all
Stares into space like a dead china dollI'm never gonna know you now
but I'm gonna love you anyhowThe Everly Brothers' "Cathy's Clown" is about a man whose girl is so untrue that people are talking about him, calling him "Cathy's Clown"; and he's sick of it. And here's Elliot Smith singing about singing that song in reference to what could be an old flame of his own (though it could be fictional, I don't know his biography). Indeed, he may even be a Cathy's Clown, singing about singing "Cathy's Clown". I love recursion.
Second verse:
Now she's done and they're calling someone
Such a familiar name
I'm so glad that my memory's remote
'cause I'm doing just fine hour to hour, note to note
Here it is the revenge to the tune
You're no good
You're no good, you're no good, you're no good
Can't you tell that it's well understood"The revenge to the tune...". So sweet. And, the way he sings those "you're no good"s, I can't help but hear a reference to another classic song: "You're no good" (obviously).
The bridge:
I'm here today and expected to stay
On and on and on
I'm tired, I'm tiredNow that my ears are tuned to references to other songs, that "on and on" feels to me like a shout out to another song about a man who's been jilted: Stephen Bishop's "On and On":
Poor ol' Jimmy
Sits alone in the moonlight
Saw his woman kiss another man
So he takes a ladder
Steals the stars from the sky
Puts on Sinatra and starts to cryOn and on
He just keeps on trying
And he smiles when he feels like crying
On and on, on and on, on and onMaybe, maybe not. But it works if it is.
Smith finishes up with:
Looking out on the substitute scene
Still going strong
XO, mom
It's OK, it's alright, nothing's wrong
Tell Mr. Man with impossible plans to just
Leave me alone
In the place where I make no mistakes
In the place where I have what it takesThose last four lines are the mission statement for slackers and underachievers everywhere, and I've loved them since I first heard them. Yet as with so many of Smith's lyrics, they seem especially poignant in light of his suicide - it seems like a little more than simple fear of screwing up.
What a fucking drag!
And that was far longer than I wanted to go on this.
- Let's switch gears and listen to the Scud Mountain Boys, "In A Ditch":
(i had to make this video, since there's almost nothing from these guys on the net)Yeah, that was a drag, too, sorry. The Scud Mountain Boys are all broken up now, and they never really made much of an impact when they were together in the mid 90s. But they did put out this one album ("Massachusetts"), and "In A Ditch" is the first song on it. The rest of the songs (except one) keep the same slow, sad, country vibe, so any of them would've worked here since all I really want to say about it is that if you like Wilco or the Cowboy Junkies or Uncle Tupelo or Son Volt, these guys might be worth checking out too.
- Ok, really changing gears this time.
The Faces, "Ooh La La"
I would have never heard this song if it wasn't for the Rushmore soundtrack (which is simply full of really great songs - as befits one of my favorite movies). It's a such a happy, catchy, sing-along song, I can't help but smile when I hear it. It sounds nothing like any of the other Faces songs I've heard, though, and that's a bit of a let down since I like this one so much better. Ron Wood sang this one, after Rod Stewart and Ronnie Lane both decided the song wasn't good enough for them. Thankfully he had a voice back then!
So, what do you got? What songs should we know, and why ?
1. Everybody should know “Blues in the Bottle”. It exists in two forms, white old-time and black blues. Here is Prince Albert Hunt String Band, the canonical version of the white song; it was also recorded in the early sixties by (I think) Jim Kweskin & the Jug Band, and possibly by the Lovin Spoonful. The black song I only know from Lightnin Hopkins though others may have done it. It’s a very different song though the structure and the lyrics are the same. I only have that on vinyl and have not been able to find a digital copy on the web. Why should you know it? Well — I think it’s a good case study in the differences and similarities between blues and early country music. Which is an important bit of our musical history. And also it’s just a great song for listening to.
2. Civil War ballad “Two Soldiers”. Here are David Grisman and Jerry Garcia performing it. I think the best version I’ve heard might be Bob Dylan’s, from “World Gone Wrong”. If I can summon the energy to rise from my sickbed later on, I’ll upload that to somewhere — it is lacking in David Grisman but Dylan’s vocal is breathtaking where Garcia’s is more of a placeholder. Why should you know it? I dunno — just seems like a very moving song to me, and like not enough people know it.
3. “Chewin’ Chawin’ Gum”, by the Carter Family. (Or possibly predating them, I don’t really know.) Here’s the CF. The purity of Maybelle Carter’s voice shines, the song is just a little funny gem. I know this song from my childhood (my parents were folkies) but it seems like a lot of people don’t.
Ah: Here is Dylan singing Two Soldiers. I dig that Faces song.
1. Lila Downs deserves wider recognition in general, so I present Tirineni Tsitsiki, a track that is representative of neither her usual musical nor vocal styles. So why this one? For one thing, I simply think it’s beautiful. I love the simple guitar line, and the mix is crystal clear. The lyrics have actually brought me to tears: it’s a folk song of the Purepecha people of central Mexico, honoring the marigold flower that represents their people. I don’t have the translation in front of me, but it says something to the effect of “Marigold is a beautiful girl, and we the Purepecha will guard her forever.” In that respect, it’s a great representation of Downs’ work, because she often delivers a social message (especially promoting women’s and indigenous rights) as well as serving as an ambassador for Mexican native voices.
2. As long as I’m promoting small-time folk artists, I’m very fond of Cindy Kallet. Check out Nantucket Sound on her first album. This is quintessential Kallet: solo voice and guitar, original composition meant to sound like a traditional sailing ballad. Like a lot of her work, it uses alternate tuning (in this case, drop-D) and is really satisfying to play. But even if I’m willing to play along, I dare not try to match her deep alto voice.
3. Okay, speaking of ear bugs. Here’s a song that is well-known to just about everybody who listens to Montana Public Radio (oh by the way, it’s pledge week): Everyone Asked About You by Bob McGrath. Of course, all the parents and kids just call the song “Nora, Nora.” Why should you know it? Come on, it’s Bob! From Sesame Street! Doing a Paul Simon – Graceland thing!
Sorry–I’m on my Mac and I can’t insert hyperlinks (at least I don’t know how with Firefox) so I posted the url instead.
————
1. Okay, so this song isn’t so unknown, but I learned last year that Mrs. Cleek had never heard of Nantucket. And my sister-in-law doesn’t know them either. WTF? So I’m posting Nantucket’s “Heartbreaker” because everyone (even those who aren’t from NC) should know this Southern Rock nugget. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXvFX_XDpRw
2. “Becoming more like Alfie” by Divine Comedy. Because it’s just so quintessentially British. And the horns are a nice touch. It’s my top earworm song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5o0dwRc0HE&feature=PlayList&p=CD9EA26500CDD8FE&playnext=1&index=37
3. The V-Roys were a rockin’ band from Knoxville who played with Steve Earle a good bit. I don’t think they got along very well and they broke up after 2 or 3 albums. Here’s them singing “Wind Down” which kinda makes me want to play air guitar http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gqvz6Px92M
Bonus Round:
4. If you know Alejandro Escovedo, you know “Castanets.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCWKQA-YsXY. I think more people should know this song because it makes you want to dance all crazy-like (just look at the people in the video). It’s good song writing, too.
I can’t insert hyperlinks
do it manually:
<a href=”URL GOES HERE”>LINK TEXT GOES HERE</a>
Wow, quite a challenge to be honest. OK, here goes.
1. Creep (Acoustic) by Radiohead.
I’m sure you all know the ’93 version that made Radiohead (almost) a household name when it was played all over student radio, but it nearly broke up the band in the process.
Anyway, there is an acoustic version by Thom Yorke – just his voice and guitar, and it’s amazing. The man really knows how to ’emote’ and I want you all to give it a listen.
The best bit is about 3:00 in when he sings the word ‘Run’. Listen and you’ll see what I mean.
And this song, although just four chords, is a bitch to play well (they are all barres fact fans), let alone sing that well over the top.
The lyrics are about guy worshiping a girl from afar, knowing full well that she would never give him a second glance. Way too obvious for Radiohead nowadays of course.
‘I’m a creep, I’m a weirdo. What the hell am I doing here? I don’t belong here.’.
Radiohead referred to this song as their ‘Scott Walker’ moment. With no Scott Walker songs in my collection I’ll let someone else decide if the comparison is valid.
The band ended up hating the song for so long they stopped playing it live. They went years before playing at their Oxford South Park homecoming gig in 2001. I was there of course. :)
There is a really cool video to this version of Creep available here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsHKoJM8uv8
Superb stuff.
2. Columbia by Oasis.
Oasis sound turgid and out of ideas today but back in 1994 they were partly responsible for dragging British guitar music back into the daylight. Yes, they sound like the Beatles and took waaaaay too much cocaine, but their debut album had a major effect on me – it made me want to learn to play the guitar. One song in particular amkes my heart beat faster and my blood surge through my veins and it’s ‘Columbia’. An obvious coke-fueled inspiration with meaningless lyrics, but I used to play this at full volume in my little flat in Newbury and dance around the room without a care in the world. This song lead to my first electric guitar, something I will forever be thankful for.
You have to play the album version and you have to play it as loud as you can. There is a version on Youtube but this track is well worth 79p!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTE09Y6M-WE
3. Running The World by Jarvis Cocker
Jarvis Cocker used to be the frontman to Pulp, a quintessentially English band who, after over a decade of trying, finally came good with 1995’s ‘Different Class’ album (one of my top 10 albums of all time).
Anyway, Mr Cocker is quite the lyricist and a couple of years ago he released a solo album containing a hidden track called ‘Running The World’ which has some pretty strong lyrics – be warned, he makes use of perhaps the most offensive word in the English language. Readers who might me offended by this look away now…
“Well did you hear, there’s a natural order?
Those most deserving will end up with the most?
That the cream cannot help but always rise up to the top,
Well I say,… “shit floats”.
If you thought things had changed,
Friend, you’d better think again,
Bluntly put, in the fewest of words:
C*nts are still running the world,
C*nts are still running the world.
Now the Working classes are obsolete,
They are surplus to society’s needs,
So let ’em all kill each other,
And get it made overseas.
That’s the word don’t you know,
From the guys that’s running the show,
Lets be perfectly clear boys and girls,
C*nts are still running the world,
C*nts are still running the world.
Oh feed your children on crayfish and lobster tails,
Find a school near the top of the league,
In theory I respect your right to exist,
I will kill you if you move in next to me,
Ah, it stinks, it sucks, it’s anthropologically unjust,
Oh but the takings are up by a third,
C*nts are still running the world,
C*nts are still running the world.
(C*nts are still running the world)
(C*nts are still running the world)
The free market is perfectly natural,
Do you think that I’m some kind of dummy?
It’s the ideal way to order the world;
“Fuck the morals, does it make any money?”
And if you don’t like it? Then leave.
Or use your right to protest on the street,
Yeah, use your right but don’t imagine that it’s heard,
Not whilst C*nts are still running the world,
C*nts are still running the world,
C*nts are still running the world,
C*nts are still running the world,
C*nts are still running the world,
C*nts are still running the world,
C*nts are still running… the world.”
And he’s right isn’t he kids?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=monyiOsoKxg
I’ll give it a go, but I’m probably not as eloquent as the others:
1. Bonnie “Prince” Billy: Pushkin Although I could have named any number of Bonnie (or Palace or Will Oldham) songs, this one has always had a special place in my heart. The depth of feeling when he claims that “God lies within” is so expressive and powerful, that I can’t listen to it enough. God is the answer, but God lies within. (It’s a weird video, but not many are better quality).
2. Bears: Never Have To Guess Cleek, I know you’ve listened to Bears, but I don’t think a lot of others outside of Cleveland have had the pleasure. They are a sunny pop outfit, perfect for a summer night (or for reliving a summer night in the dead of winter). They give me a real Vasalines, or Cannanes vibe, but are from right here in sunny Ohio.
3. Hayden: Trees Lounge One of the greatest soundtrack songs of all time in my opinion. This song is full of emotion. While his voice borders on a JMascis growl, the song never devolves into a Dino Jr. guitar wankfest (as much as I love that). I would have put his amazing song “Pots and Pans” in place of this, but couldn’t find video of it.
thanks, hope you like the songs, everyone.
Cleek,
While on the subject of Elliott Smith, let me recount one of my favorite concerts ever: About the time Heatmiser broke up and he was first recording this, he rolled through Cleveland on a tour with Mary Lou Lord. They played a show at a newish bar (that is now one of the premier live music sites in town) that wasn’t well publicized. Also, he was virtually unknown (I only knew of him because my brother was a passing acquaintance with him in Portland at the time). Long story short, my then girlfriend/now wife and I watched him play a beautiful set with about 12 other people in the bar. Afterward, we spoke about Portland, my brother (he recognized me and thought I was him–we’re twins) and life in general for the rest of the night. It was pretty amazing. A couple years later he’s playing on the Academy Awards show in his white suit next to Celine Dion…nuts.
I miss him and his music.
I need to add another.
Mr. Airplane Man: Jesus On The Mainline sure, it’s a traditional gospel song, but these two women from Boston kill it! I love Mr. Airplane Man with just drums & guitar (think white stripes for adults). They rank up there with the Black Keys for this style (for me, anyhoo, your mileage may vary.)
Rob: that version of “Creep” is indeed great, and the video too. Thanks for linking it. That Radiohead record was one of the very few records I ever bought new on cassette (because I hadn’t got a CD player yet, and new records were not being sold on vinyl any longer by and large.) (The only other records I can remember buying new on cassette are: Bob Dylan “Good as I been to you”, and the Michael Jackson record from 1993 which was not called “What the hell was I thinking” but perhaps ought to have been.)
this is all good stuff!
it’s official, ok-cleek.com readers have the best taste in music.
i’ll do another one of these someday.
dbati,
wow. that’s awesome.
i’m reading an interesting book about him right now. lots of stories about him hanging out in bars :)
man, what a waste…
Ellen (my wife) is very taken with the selections here, and says she had never listened to the lyrics of that Eliot Smith song. She describes In a Ditch as “melancholy”.
the book i’m reading has a pic of his hand-written lyrics to that, they’re a bit different (changes in bold):
first the mic then a half cigarette
singing Cathy’s Clown
but where’s the man she’s married to now?
is that the girl that he takes around town?
she appears composed
so she is, i suppose
who can really tell?
she shows no emotion at all
stares into space like a dead china doll
i’m never gonna know you now
but i’m gonna love you anyhow
now she’s done and they’re calling someone
such a familiar name!
i’m so glad that memory’s remote
cos i’m doing just fine hour to hour
note to note
he’s got the words, but he can’t sing the tune
“you’re no good”
“you’re no good, you’re no good, you’re no good”
till he’s sure that we’re all understood
i’m never gonna know you now
but i’m gonna love you anyhow
we’re here today and expected to stay
on and on and on
i’m tired i’m tired
looking out at the substitute scene
still going strong
you and me, mom
it’s okay, it’s alright, nothing’s wrong
tell mr. man with the mic in his hand
to just leave me alone
in the place where i make no mistakes
in the place where i have what it takes
yeah, the Scud’s were definitely melancholy. the singer is Joe Pernice – now of the Pernice Brothers – in case anyone recognized the voice.
A most excellent thread. Here are my offerings, I’ll post them and then circle back to listen to all of y’alls.
Perpetuum Mobile by the Penguin Cafe Orchestra. This (and a lot of their other stuff) shows up a lot as bumper music. The Penguin Cafe was the odd project of Simon Jeffries until his untimely death from a brain tumor in 1997. Whimsical, sly, and beautiful. I love Penguin Cafe.
P.S. — Attention fiddlers! “Music For A Found Harmonium” was not written by “Traditional”. It was written by Simon Jeffries.
The Storm by Jonah Sithole. Sithole was a Zimbabwean guy who figured out how to get traditional mbira music to work on guitar. He was the guiter player in Thomas Mapfumo’s “Blacks Unlimited”, and had this (and other) hits on his own. I love Zimbabwean music, it lifts me up.
Catimbo by DJ Dolores and Santa Massa Chegou. DJ Dolores is a guy from Recife in Brazil. His band does this kind of life mash-up of electronica, house, and black Brazilian funk. I can’t get enough of this stuff.
Happy listening to all cleekazoids!
I took a road trip in 2003 and I listened to XO by Elliot Smith at least 10 times. I was driving in NYC–somewhere in the lower East Side and I swear Matthew Modine walked in front of me when I was stopped at a crosswalk. “Sweet Adeline” was playing, and he was staring at me because I’d driven to far over the white line. I almost screamed out, “I loved you in Vision Quest!” So this CD reminds me of Matthew Modine.
I don’t know a lot of these songs folks have posted so I’ll have fun listening. I never liked that song “Creep,” but I like this version.
OK, there’s more. Here are three cover versions I would like to share with my fellow Cleekers and Cleekettes.
1. Radiohead – Nobody Does It Better.
Originally recorded by Carly Simon in 1977 for a Bond film, here is Radiohead’s simply awesome cover from a 1995 MTV show:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHe-iwAI9BE
The video quality isn’t great but the audio is fine and it really is something worth checking out. :)
2. The White Stripes – Jolene.
Live from a show in Blackpool a few years ago. I played this incessantly when I first heard it. You’ll either love it or hate it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zskw3mCQFL4
OK, we all know Meg can’t play the drums for toffee, but I think Jack White is an American national treasure. He should be cherished and nurtured – the guy was born out of time as far as I can make out.
3. Muse – Feeling Good.
I love this grungy Nina Simone cover. Sadly I know youngsters who thought this was a Muse original. Sigh.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inW91qRDGwI
I’m a big fan of Muse and their live shows are simply amazing. They’ve found a formula that works and they stick to it, which is a double-edged sword.
I picked these covers more or less at random – I have plenty of others I’m holding back in case Cleek wants to run this topic again.
Thanks Russell; that DJ Dolores video is pretty incredible.
I have plenty of others I’m holding back in case Cleek wants to run this topic again.
i will!
Gah!
I like recursion too, but here is the Jonah Sithole video.
that DJ Dolores video is pretty incredible.
Glad you enjoyed it! I keep running it by some guys in my area who do laptop / electonica stuff in the hope that they’ll want to fire up something similar.
i will!
Please do!