Archive SotD – December 21-27, 2009

December 21, 2009 – “Elenore” – The Turtles

Flo and Eddie (of the Turtles, later of the Mothers of Invention) manage to both praise Elenore and blow her off at the same time in this 1968 song. “You’re my pride and joy, etc.” These days they’d probably say “You’re my pride and joy, whatever.”

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December 22, 2009 – “Blue Kiss” – Jane Wiedlin

Back during the heyday of Beatlemania, girls would identify themselves by which of the Fab Four they thought was cutest.

If the same thing happened in the ‘80s, reversing the gender, then I definitely would have been a “Jane” guy. The Go-Go’s were “easy on the eyes” as well as talented. Many of their songs were written, at least in part, by Jane Wiedlin.

When the Go-Go’s broke up, Belinda had more success – at least in part because she remade herself. Jane, on the other hand, kept writing and put out a few decent albums before fading away.

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December 23, 2009 – “If Only for the Moment, Girl” – Steve Perry

Ok, I’m not a big Steve Perry/Journey fan. And the song “We Are the World” was overblown. But I really like this song from the “We Are the World” album.

One thing, though: could the video BE any more “stalker-ish”?

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December 24, 2009 – “Pure Narcotic” – Porcupine Tree

Porcupine Tree was originally Steven Wilson’s one-man band. He made up the band as a mythical ‘70s prog-rock group, but his songwriting caught the ear of record execs and they decided to produce the tracks as Porcupine Tree’s debut. Since then Wilson has added bandmates and given a more contemporary sound to his work.

From 2005’s Stupid Dream.

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December 25, 2009 – “River” – Joni Mitchell

A great songwriter can take a single moment and make it universal. Although this song – covered many, many times – is played as a Christmas song, it really speaks to all the moments in our lives when things aren’t going exactly as planned. At those times, we all wish we had a river we could skate away on.

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December 26, 2009 – “You Better You Bet” – The Who

OK, so much for laid back Christmastime. Let’s pick up the tempo with “the sound of old T. Rex”.

Well, it’s the Who, but that’s part of the lyrics to the song…

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December 27, 2009 – “Arlington” – The Wailin’ Jennys

A FB friend, Chris, introduced me to this group last week through their interpretation of a traditional song, “A Parting Glass” (which you should also hear).

The group is a combination of three Canadian singer-songwriters who found their voices blend so well they had to get together. This song is one of their originals. Go buy the CD – 40 Days!