Sex & Drugs - A Giant Dog

Sex & Drugs - A Giant Dog

2:16

Pile, 2016

Written by Sabrina Ellis and Andrew Cashen

"I can't even remember being young," Sabrina Ellis wails on this song.  It's a punk anthem about living fast and hoping you last.  "All the hearts that we broke / And all the liquor and coke / All the weed that we smoked / We were so hungry and broke."  Fun Kinks-style guitars, anthemic vocals, and a pulse-pounding, bouncing, almost vaudeville piano line over thumping bass.  It's short, swift, and energetic.

Sugar And Stress - The English Beat

Sugar And Stress - The English Beat

2:55

Special Beat Service, 1982

Written by Roger Charlery, Andy Cox, Everett Morton, David Steele, Dave Wakeling, and Wesley Magoogan

A jittery jolt of ska-pop mixed with a bit of post-punk paranoia. Built on a skanking rhythm guitar and a brisk, driving beat, the song churns with tension.  The melody is brisk and sweet, but the mood is teeth-gritting anxiety.  "This world is upside down / The rights and wrongs don't get much wronger / Mistakes found in the past turn into rules protecting power."  Dave Wakeling’s vocals are quick and clipped, shooting out lines like a man trying to stay cheerful while clearly coming unglued. Sax stabs and dub lines keep the energy unpredictable, and there's a nervous edge to everything, like the whole song's on the verge of a panic attack.

Sittin' and Thinkin' - The Spencer Davis Group

Sittin' and Thinkin' - The Spencer Davis Group

2:57

Their First LP, 1965

Written by Spencer Davis

I know so little about these British R&B-influenced rock groups of the '60s.  This group had Steve Winwood on guitar and vocals as well as the titular Davis, who I guess only played guitar?  Maybe he did some vocals.  It was said, perhaps tongue in cheek, that the group was named after Davis because he didn't mind doing the interviews.  This song is a typical blues, very harmonica-heavy, with some real train-sound chugging harmonica near the end.  The lyrics are likewise primitive, standard blues fare.  "Just want to know yeah the reason / You treated me so unkind."  It's a fine blues shuffle, but nothing special.  There's only one reason why these guys became famous and their black influences didn't, and it's not the former's exceptional talent.

The Song Of a Hundred Toads - The Handsome Family

The Song Of a Hundred Toads - The Handsome Family

2:24

Singing Bones, 2003

Written by Rennie Sparks and Brett Sparks

This is a story song of the Old West, of the kind Marty Robbins sang, except if Robbins had been brought up by Nick Cave and had a grim baritone rather than a jolly one.  In it, the narrator is making his way to a gold man with a cart and his dog, but the horse and cart tip over, his dog runs, and he wanders on foot, presumably dying of thirst days later.  "In handfuls of dust from between the dying weeds / I laid down in the dirt as the sun lost her glow."  It could have been a chapter in Lonesome Dove.  

Selling Out - Tom Lehrer

Selling Out - Tom Lehrer

2:18

The Remains Of Tom Lehrer, 2003 (recorded 1953)

Written by Tom Lehrer

I've been a big fan of the satirist Tom Lehrer for many decades now.  He was a math professor who could have been his era's "Weird" Al, but shunned the limelight.   He put all his songs in the public domain.  He was a political progressive way, way before it was cool and he wasn't afraid to point at our society's hypocrisies and errors, and even name names.  So I know most of his brief oeuvre — but not every single song.  For example I don't listen to the spelling songs he made for "Electric Company."  So, while "We Will All Go Together" is a more appropriate send-off, this jaded look at artistic ideals vis-a-vis commercialism is a new one to me.  "I've always found ideals / Don't take the place of meals."  Wise words.  RIP to a genius.

Forty Days - Ronnie Hawkins

Forty Days - Ronnie Hawkins

2:15

single, 1959

Written by Chuck Berry, 1955

This song is a cover of Berry's "Thirty Days," with the titular deadline changed for some reason.  Hawkins pus a rockabilly spin on it with some echoing backing vocals, and a jittery guitar and boogie-woogie piano.  The narrator of this song affirms that he's going to get the judge, the sheriff, a gypsy to put a "hoodoo" on his lady, even the FBI and the United Nations, to help him get his woman back.  Mister, she's just not that into you.

Feels So Good - Chuck Mangione

Feels So Good [single version] - Chuck Mangione

3:32

Feels So Good, 1977

Written by Chuck Mangione

I became aware, looking through the social media, that Chuck Mangione died on the 22nd.  The Blizzard of Ozzy overshadowed this news, but I think he's worth a tribute, though I know virtually nothing about him.  The pop jazz trumpeter only reached my consciousness through his self-effacing appearances on "King of the Hill."  This version is the single edit; the album version is over nine minutes, and I don't think I could sit through many instrumentals that long that aren't by Miles Davis.  Anyway, this is an upbeat, poppy melody, very much of its smooth '70s era.  Yacht-pop-jazz!

Heart Tattoo - Them In Uniform

Heart Tattoo - Them In Uniform

3:34

single, 2025

Written by Them In Uniform?

This is bright indie pop with touches of swirling pop-punk guitar, a sturdy rhythm section, and what used to be called riot grrrl (an old reference from an old man).  Madeline Simpson, the vocalist, has a terrific, expressive voice that brings the angst and emotion of the lyrics to the forefront.  Those who have felt heartbreak or been betrayed in matters of the heart, which is everyone, can't help but feel those familiar chills when Simpson sings, "Did you forget about me when he touched your hair / Or when he took you home, or when you started to dance?"  

I Don't Wanna Stop - Ozzy Osbourne

I Don't Wanna Stop - Ozzy Osbourne

3:59

Black Rain, 2007

Written by Ozzy Osbourne, Zakk Wylde, and Kevin Churko

Ozzy Osbourne died yesterday.  To borrow a phrase from that master wordsmith Elvis Costello, while I cannot pretend that Ozzy's records have been a fixture on my turntable, it's undeniable that he was one of the giants in his field, and he recorded at least three songs that even I consider great enough to cement his reputation alone.  I already know a few of his ubiquitous hits, so I went with this song today for its title and its unfamiliarity.  Its "party on" vibe comes off as affected or manufactured, but Ozzy's sneering vocal delivery and the heavy fuzzy sound at the bass (evoking Rob Zombie) makes it an enjoyable, if slick, ride.  Snort a line of ants in Ozzy's memory.  Rest in power king.

You Can't Divorce My Heart - Lefty Frizzell

You Can't Divorce My Heart - Lefty Frizzell

2:54

single, 1955

Written by Chuck Rogers

Despite the poor-lonesome-me sentiment of the lyrics, this genuine honky-tonk country song starts with a sting of jaunty strings and guitar, until settling down into a more appropriately subdued tempo.  Over gentle drum and tinkling piano, Frizzell honks out the typical barroom country tale of woe: he's been left by his wife, but he will always love her. "The judge gave you your freedom / But you can't divorce my heart."  He reminds her of the wedding, with the parson and rice, and tells her that she'll remember her vows. He chides her with "shame and harm" she brought to him.  Yeah, but what did he do first?  There's never any accountability in these songs.

Take This Heart and Lock It Up - Murry Hammond

Take This Heart and Lock It Up - Murry Hammond

4:35

Trail Songs Of the Deep, 2025

Written by Murry Hammond

While the Hammond songs on Old 97's albums are often my favorites ("W. Tx Teardrops," "Crash On the Barrelhead"), when left to his own devices he stays in the comfort zone of train imagery, acoustic guitar, and brushes on the drums.  Unfortunately, his comfort zone is very much the slow lane, and while that has its place, it's not usually my thing.  His easy-going drawl, soft chugging percussion, and ethereal whistling can leave me wanting a little bit of kick to break it all up.  Hammond's pleasant voice makes this sad country ballad a decent listen, if the ending does go on a bit long.

Hey Mr. Caution - Eddie Constantine

Hey Mr. Caution - Eddie Constantine

2:42

single, 1965

Written by Eddie Constantine?

I never heard of this guy, but he's American!  Could have fooled me.  He sounds just like a Parisian yé-yé rock singer to my thick ears.  Apparently he fled the US during the McCarthy era, so I guess by 1965 he'd had a lot of practice getting fluent.  This song is inspired by the character Lemmy Caution, a private eye who first appeared in a 1936 novel.  Although the creator is English and Caution is American, there was never an English-language movie made about him, but plenty of French ones, which starred Constantine.  They were noir, but later tended toward comedy and even science fiction (like Dick Tracy!).  In this song, a breathless female voice keeps trying to get Caution's attention, but he's busy tossing hard-boiled threats at some guy named Tony.  It's played tongue-in-cheek.

Happenings Ten Years Time Ago - The Yardbirds

Happenings Ten Years Time Ago - The Yardbirds

2:57

single, 1966

Written by Keith Relf, Jim McCarty, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page

This is an archetypical example of psychedelic British garage-rock as it gets, I think.  The lyrics are transcendentalist hippie nonsense: "Happenings ten years time ago / Situations we really know / But the knowing is in the mind."  There's a general ominous feel to the music in the first section.  But the dual guitars by Beck and Page bring some unusual and exploratory, if not melodic, touches.  The guitars wail like a siren, mimic explosions or roaring engines, and underneath Beck is making incomprehensible Cockney noises.  Throw some liquid light shows on the walls and you have the era in a nutshell.

Heartaches By the Number - Connie Francis

Heartaches By the Number - Connie Francis

2:45

Country Music - Connie Style, 1962

Written by Harlan Howard

Connie Francis died yesterday.  I happened upon a great song of hers, "Pretty Little Baby," and put it on this blog in 2023 (before it, for whatever reason, became a TikTok trend).  This is a very typical country heartbreak song, pledging an undying yet unrequited love ("Yes, I've got heartaches by the number / A love that I can't win / But the day that I stop counting / That's the day my world will end").  Francis' voice conveys a lot of emotional depth into her version.  Maybe the lyric is an appropriate send-off for Francis, one of the great voices in modern music.  

Hang Me, Oh Hang Me - The Deep Dark Woods

Hang Me, Oh Hang Me - The Deep Dark Woods

4:22

Hang Me, Oh Hang Me, 2007

Traditional

This Saskatoon country-rock band is clearly influenced by Gram Parsons, Son Volt, and traditional country bluegrass.  This song is a cover made famous by Dave Van Ronk, that came to more prominence when Oscar Isaak sang it in Inside Llewyn Davis.  Some sites claim the song is a Van Ronk original, but this site says it's much older, and points to a 1961 recording by one Sam Hinton.  Anyhoo,  this is the lament of a world-weary gambler or outlaw.  "Hang me, oh hang me / So I'll be dead and gone / I wouldn't mind the hanging, boys / I'll be waiting 'round here too long."  The guitar, harmonies, and drums are all pure alt-country sound.  The band puts their own spin on the lyrics, using fragments of the old ones and some apparently new.  I love the guitar work here, but the whole band is masterful here. I always like to see the new young bucks (never you mind that this came out 18 years ago; I'm old) breathe new life into the traditional tunes. 

Hey Boys - the Dillards

Hey Boys - the Dillards

2:26

Wheatstraw Suite, 1968

Written by Rodney Dillard, Mitch Jayne, H.R. Pedersen, and Dean Webb

This is a sprightly, fingerpicking bluegrass folk-rock number, defiantly throwback.  It concerns an old homesteader and moonshiner, reflecting on the successes of his youth and how he's content to just sit around talking and drinking with his friends.  He's reached the age where he's a contended, largely indifferent epicurean.  "Rear back, talk about your politics / Fight about religion and worry about war / I'll sit, a-spittin' in the fireplace / Pour a little cider when your throat gets sore."  The lyrics are light, but the band is serious about playing genuine bluegrass with skill.

Wine Wine Wine - The Nightcaps

Wine Wine Wine - The Nightcaps

2:26

single, 1959

Written by the Nightcaps

The Nightcaps were one of Dallas' first important rock bands, and released the song "Thunderbird," later made famous by ZZ Top.  Apparently they remained active until 2009!  This song is a primitive rockabilly beat made to dance to, written by the band when they were in high school.  Billy Joe Shine's nasal whine (wine?) on this song and the repeated title word for a chorus gives the song a high droning sound.  Rollicking piano and blaring horns make it a Jerry Lee Lewis-style romp.

We Are Great Again - Billy Simons Jr.

We Are Great Again - Billy Simons Jr.

3:38

Now That We've Solved Everything, 2025

Written by Billy Simons Jr.

An ironic ode the senile liar currently corrupting the White House.  "And when that grifter steps in shit / They lick his boots from heel to tip."  The world needs more musicians like this, in the vein of Woody Guthrie (and it's his birthday today, in an odd bit of synchronicity; I didn't know that until I started to write this).  Brave, well-spoken, and unwilling to play to the middle.  Unlike many political musicians, Simons doesn't let the music lean on the crutch of the lyrics, although his acerbic wit is sharp as a razor ("Forget the Paine of common sense / We reign with our incompetence").  He also lets his acoustic guitar support the song, crafting catchy melodies.  I just discovered this artist and I'll be listening to more.

Wunderbaren Jahren - Sportfreunde Stiller

Wunderbaren Jahren - Sportfreunde Stiller

3:21

So wie einst Real Madrid, 2000

Written by Peter Brugger

I couldn't find much about this German band, but this is some good old, fun-sounding, fast-paced indie rock with guitar, crashing high percussion, what seems to be an organ, and pub-singalong vocals.  It's a song about wonderful past years with friends, the halcyon times, with opportunities that shone bright but may not have been taken.

Wolf Teeth - JD McPherson

Wolf Teeth - JD McPherson

2:56

Signs & Signifiers, 2011

Written by JD McPherson and Jimmy Sutton

A stuttering neo-rockabilly-blues number, with clattering percussion, piano trills, and vocals that draw from Tom Waits and Screamin' Jay Hawkins.  The lyrics are a sort of big bad wolf come on that on paper seem to have been thought up on the spot, but McPherson's rabid delivery sells it.  "Running through the woods / Chasin' red hood / Spendin' money like a pauper / When the beggin' gets good."

Why Don't You Do Right (Get Me Some Money Too) - Peggy Lee

Why Don't You Do Right (Get Me Some Money Too) - Peggy Lee
2:28
single, 1942
Written by Kansas Joe McCoy and Herb Morand, 1936

Irresistibly fun fact about this song: it is a rewritten version of a song by the Harlem Hamfats jazz band called "The Weed Smoker's Dream."  Here it's a chastisement of a man who can't get his act together.  "If you had prepared twenty years ago / You wouldn't be a-wanderin' from door to door."  Backed here by Benny Goodman's ace band, Lee gives us a vocal of cool, controlled seduction.  It's a torch song, but delivered with a playful yet steely vocal.  She delivers the lines with a mix of sultry restraint and quiet authority, not belting it out, but insinuating.  The phrasing is jazz-perfect: slightly behind the beat, full of nuance.

Redwood Tree - Van Morrison

Redwood Tree - Van Morrison

3:05

Saint Dominic's Preview, 1972

Written by Van Morrison

A beautifully arranged folk-rock ode to a fictionalized place and time.  The narrator of the song remembers going out into nature, looking for a dog or a rainbow or maybe just to get out of the rain.  He thinks back to how much was learned since those innocent days.  "Oh redwood tree / Please let us under / When we were young we used to go / Under the redwood tree."  Morrison, who grew up in Belfast, is here imagining what it might be like to grow up around the massive California trees. and what they might inspire.  With piano and saxophones playing against the guitar, the song has a delightful melody that carries the listener along with it.

Real Mean - RVIVR

Real Mean - RVIVR

2:03

RVIVR, 2010

Written by RVIVR?

Never heard of this Olympia-based punk band, but Franz Nicolay mentioned them in his excellent book so I gave them a listen.  This song is about the dissolution of a relationship.  The narrator blamed herself and first but since then has grown and sees the antagonist as at fault.  "I tried to fix it more than you could ever know / To do things right, to be your friend and make it right / To find a thread that I could start to sew."  It's not particularly fast-paced, for a punk song, but the guitars come in jagged, aggressive bursts.  The song concludes, "You're old enough to know the difference between being real and being mean."  It's a sentiment you might hear from a sophomore, but at just two minutes, we can forgive a little emo heartbreak.