Careless - Paul Kelly and the Messengers

Careless - Paul Kelly and the Messengers

2:57

So Much Water So Close to Home, 1989

Written by Paul Kelly

This is jangly guitar pop of the kind that was popular with the cool kids in the late '80s and early '90s.  But the upbeat tempo belies the sadness of the lyrics.  This song takes a leaf from Screamin' Jay Hawkins' song "Strange," with its unanswerable questions: "How many wrinkles in a pickle? / How many hairs in a head? / How many waves in the ocean? How many crumbs in bread?"  Kelly's song opens with: "How many cabs in New York City? / How many angels on a pin? / How many notes in a saxophone? How many tears in a bottle of gin?"  The narrator was careless, wrapped up in himself, and lost his love, his rock.  "How many stars in the milky way?  How many ways can you lose a friend?"

Caldonia - Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five

Caldonia - Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five

2:38

single, 1945

Written by Louis Jordan

A boogie-woogie jump blues addressed to the long, lean, big-footed girl of the title, posing the eternal question, "What makes your big head so hard?"  The tune is propelled along by the brassy, catchy horn lines.  Jordan shrieks the title name with a piercing falsetto on the ending syllables, anticipating the trademark whoop of Little Richard.  Jordan recorded it again in 1956 in a more rocking, guitar based style, and I think it's this version I might be more familiar with.  The song was also covered by many other artists.

Candy - The Astors

Candy - The Astors

3:02

single, 1965

Written by Isaac Hayes and Steve Cropper

Like the Strangeloves' "I Want Candy," this doo-wop soul song is not about confectionery, but — naturally — a girl.  The narrator, a young Shakespeare in search of a sonnet, compares her eyes to the sky and her voice to the mountain dew.  And, "She's just a lump of sugar / And sweetened my tea."  Curtis Johnson's falsetto voice fits the sugary pop of the song.

Church - Lyle Lovett

Church- Lyle Lovett

6:01

Joshua Judges Ruth, 1992

Written by Lyle Lovett

By far the longest song covered on this blog so far, the previous record holder being Melanie's "Ring the Living Bell" at 5:04.  This is a story song, appropriately enough about a preacher who goes on with her sermon way too long.  So the narrator climbs up onto the balcony and shouts, "To the Lord let praises be / It's time for dinner now let's go eat / We've got some beans and some good cornbread."  Lovett's wry sense of humor and a rousing gospel chorus keep this song, like the cornbread, from going stale.

Colors - Black Pumas

Colors - Black Pumas

4:06

Black Pumas, 2019

Written by Eric Burton

Eric Burton (not the famous English Animal, who spells his with a D) is an Austin-based musician.  I heard this song on several TV shows and loved it.  It's a neo-soul, bluesy song, a lovingly retro feel.  Over a beautiful interplay of guitar and organ, Burton sings positive vibes with an ethereal voice ("A good day to see / My favorite colors, colors / My sisters and my brothers").  

Little Red Light - Fountains Of Wayne

Little Red Light - Fountains Of Wayne

3:35

Welcome Interstate Managers, 2003

Written by Chris Collingwood and Adam Schlesinger

The "little red light" of the title is a notification that the narrator has received messages.  But there is no such light on his big black Radio Shack portable phone or his big black laptop.  His love has left and not leaving any messages.  "I go to work / I come back home / But you're still gone / And I'm still alone."  The rocking, anthemic, fist-pumping power pop of the song belies the bleak situation depicted in the lyrics.

Little Sparrows - The Handsome Family

Little Sparrows - The Handsome Family

3:08

Honey Moon, 2009

Written by Brett Sparks and Rennie Sparks

A stately and unusually lighthearted song from the long-running, gloomy alt-country band.  Brett Sparks, in his honeyed baritone, asks the titular birds, perched above an overpass, "Take me with you when you go."  He asks the same thing of the geese and dandelion seeds, even "All you paper cups rolling down the windy street."  There's no action in this song, only longing.  Over a plaintive steel guitar, slightly offbeat but tender images float from Sparks' aw-shucks, golden voice.

Look Good in Blue - Blondie

Look Good in Blue - Blondie

2:55

Blondie, 1976

Written by Jimmy Destri

A sped-up pop tango, with detached vocals over slinky piano, jazzed up by electro-synthesizer and electric guitar solo.   The narrator sees a friend who's down, probably over a bad breakup.  Now is the time!  He's vulnerable.  She offers commiseration, of a sly kind: "If it's alright with you / I could give you some head / And shoulders to lie on."

Livin' in Sin - Dan Auerbach

Livin' in Sin - Dan Auerbach

2:24

Waiting On a Song, 2017

Written by Dan Auerbach?

An uptempo, catchy acoustic country-folk ditty about a possibly illicit relationship.  He only meets the lady at night, after all.  Her touch is electrical!  But it's not all physical.  "I need your spiritual voodoo / You are my cynical guru."  In the end, he concludes, "everybody's livin' in sin."  It's like a spiritual cousin to the Talking Heads' "Creatures of Love."  

Lipstick, Powder and Paint - Big Joe Turner

Lipstick, Powder and Paint - Big Joe Turner

2:29

Rockin' the Blues, 1956

Written by Jesse Stone

A fast-paced blues rocker shouted affably by the big man.  It seems to be a rousing celebration of sneaking around.  "Taller than the barnyard, ten feet high / Hide me till your man pass by."  Also, he wishes his baby loved him the way his dog does: "Licks my hand wherever I go."  Swinging horns and background vocals give this number extra muscle.