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.

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!

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.

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.  

Let It Shine - Brian Wilson

Let It Shine - Brian Wilson

3:58

Brian Wilson, 1988

Written by Brian Wilson and Jeff Lynne

Brian Wilson died yesterday, and thus one of the brightest lights in pop is dimmed.  There have been other taskmasters and perfectionists, but probably none so maniacal, fastidious, and endearingly oddball as Wilson.  Tis song, case in point, is sort of like a love song, but the lyrics could also be taken as an epiphany, or moving from one field of consciousness to another — maybe fitting for this occasion.  "The stars all send / Their silver light to me / Forever shine / On me eternally."  Yes, this song's production is all ice and synth percussion, but the gospel chorus and positive vibes give it enough warmth.

When You Smile - Roberta Flack

When You Smile - Roberta Flack

3:44

Killing Me Softly, 1973

Written by Ralph MacDonald and William Salter

Roberta Flack died yesterday.  I really only know the one song everyone knows — which has its own interesting history as being written about Don MacLean and having the originator, Lori Lieberman denied credit — but never mind all that.  Unlike most of Flack's slow-burning material, this song has a show-hall, New Orleans rag, almost burlesque vibe to it.  It's a jazzy, brisk, brassy love song that makes big claims.  "When you smile I can see you were born, born for me / And for me you will be do or die."  I love this energetic side of Flack and wish she had more songs like this.

Oogum Boogum Song - Brenton Wood

Oogum Boogum Song - Brenton Wood

3:06

Oogum Boogum, 1967

Written by Brenton Wood (as Alfred Smith)

There's always something that's new to you, no matter how much of an expert you are.  Despite nearly four decades of listening and learning about music, I had never heard of Wood until he died, yesterday.  Too bad.  An urgent, falsetto soul vocal makes this silly song ("When you wear your bell bottom pants / I just stand there in a trance") more than a novelty, despite the equally silly title.  After some funky piano and drum chords, Wood hits us with that out of sight vocal.  Go on with your bad self!