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There is absolutely, positively nothing subtle about this song. It’s about sex; raunchy, nasty, dirty wonderful sex. Oh yeah, the song rocks, it’s got a great beat, and it’s just plain fun. Turn off your brain and enjoy it.

Here’s a link to the video

Do you think that I can get some chickie chickie
Maybe gets a little finga sticky sticky
You my electrical lip balm flava
I gotta do ya until the next song saves ya
And can I get a little zip zip lookie lookie
Can I get a little uh uh nookie nookie
Hey whatcha say, it doesn’t matter anyway
You won’t do another ’cause you’re getting with me

[Repeat Chorus]
I got the fever for the flava of the cootchie
Yo hey ma yo hey ma yo hey mamama hootchie
I got the fever for the flava of the cootchie
Yo hey ma yo hey ma yo hey mamama hootchie
Whoap Whoap Go!

Crosseyed and Painless is one of those ultra-funky songs that is just a buzz to get down to on the dance floor. I’m not really sure what it’s about–perhaps about how politicians and other leaders twist and manipulate data and statistics to make you believe what they want–but I cannot say that for sure.

And of course, the lyrics:

Lost my shape,
tyring to act casual.
Can’t stop,
I might end up in the hospital.
Changing my shape,
I feel like an accident.
They’re back,
to explain their experience

I’m still waiting (repeat)

This song has no real purpose. It doesn’t need one either. It’s Bloodhound Gang being Bloodhound Gang, and that’s good enough for me. We never know why the singer is angry at whomever, but it really doesn’t matter anyway.

Oh yeah, the song’s got a good rocking beat too.

Here’s a link to a fan video

And of course, the lyrics:

You must die I alone am best.

I hope you die

If It Happens Again is your basic warning song. The singer’s lover has done something–most likely had an affair–and the singer is making it quite certain what will happen if the indiscretion is repeated.

What really makes this song for me is the flat horns, which make a really nice counterpoint to the beat. Combined, it makes for a really strong song.

Here’s a link to the video

And of course, the lyrics:

If it happens again I`m leaving
I`ll pack my things and go
If it happens again
There`ll be no looking back
I won`t say I told you so

No more spanners in the works,
All the works been done
Had your face rubbed in the dirt
On show for every one
But believe me
If it happens again I`m leaving
If it stays the same I`m gone
When compromise is the song you sing
It`s been going on to long

Deadweight was featured on the soundtrack for the movie A Life Less Ordinary starring Ewan McGregor and Cameron Diaz–a movie I must confess that I’ve not seen, but I’ve heard…interesting things about. It did have a pretty good soundtrack however.

This is a pretty good pop song, one that sticks in your head a bit. It has a kind of mid-60’s smooth jazz feel (one could imagine the likes of Trini Lopez performing this song), but at the same time there’s a bit of edge provided by the lyrics. The video is quite cool as well, better than average for a music video promoting a movie, as Beck interacts with the movies’ characters and scenes through surreal visuals.

Here’s a link to the video

And of course, the lyrics:

On a highway unpaved going my way
You’re so alone today
Like a ghost town I’ve found
There’s no relief, no salt in the sea
Is it true what they say
You can’t behave
You gamble your soul away
Measuring your dreams of this life seems
Like the gristle of loneliness

Don’t let the sun catch ya crying
Don’t let the sun catch ya crying

Strawberry Letter 23 is a cool, funky song that I’ve always loved, even back in the days when I completely despised anything R&B. It’s got a great guitar solo, some really funky bass playing, and some awesome lyrics. From Wikipedia:

“Strawberry Letter 23″ is a song written by Shuggie Otis, although known most prominently by the version done by The Brothers Johnson. Otis wrote the song for a girlfriend, who used strawberry-scented paper in letters to him. George Johnson of The Brothers Johnson was dating one of Otis’ cousins when he came across Freedom Flight, Otis’ 1972 album that featured the song. The group would later record it for their 1977 album Right On Time, under legendary producer Quincy Jones. The album would go platinum. “Strawberry Letter 23″, as recorded by The Brothers Johnson, in a funkier, more dance oriented vein than the original Otis version, hit the Hot 100 #5 and R&B #1 in 1977. The famous solo in this song was originally recorded by Shuggie Otis. Studio guitar player Lee Ritenour later recreated Shuggie Otis original solo for the Brothers Johnson 1977 album.

The song’s title appears to be a misnomer, the actual lyrics reading in part: “…a present from you, Strawberry Letter 22.” This however is not true. Otis wrote it for his girlfriend, who liked to send him letters written on strawberry scented paper. The song describes the feelings evoked by “Strawberry Letter 22,” the title indicating the hopes of another letter. Another explanation is that the song is a reply to strawberry letter 22 and the title refers to the song being like a “strawberry letter 23″

The Brothers Johnson version of the song featured prominently in the penultimate “Ecotone” episode of the HBO series Six Feet Under when main character Nate Fisher and his brother David experienced a shared dream which included their deceased father.

It was used in Quentin Tarantino’s Jackie Brown. It was featured in the second episode of the third season of Nip/Tuck. It was also included in the Collector’s Edition of the Pulp Fiction soundtrack. It was also featured in a commercial for Special K Red Berries breakfast cereal. In addition, the song’s melody was sampled for the verses on Beyoncé’s “Be With You” from her 2003 debut solo album, Dangerously In Love .

Here’s a link to a fan video

And of course, the lyrics:

Hello, my love
I heard a kiss from you
Red magic satin playing near, too

Ooh…ooh…ooh…ooh…ooh…

Snowball is really not much more than a cool pop song. I love the use of Sisyphean imagery to describe a relationship going sour, and the melody is really cool.

Here’s a link to a fan video

And of course, the lyrics:

My baby took our love
And then she rolled it up
Rolled it up a hill
Like a ball of snow
Like a snowball grows
Until it gets too big
Until she lost control
And it rolled back down
And it rolled back down
And it rolled back down
And it rolled back down

Eyes were made for looking’
Hands were made for holdin’
Hearts were made for lovin’
Lips were made for kissin’
Legs were made for walkin’
Tracks were made to follow
That’s what i’m gonna do
Two tracks
In the snow
Two tracks
Up that hill
My heart broke
When my baby left
Two tracks behind

Everyone knows Jump Around, but not quite as many people know Shamrocks and Shenanigans.

I’m specifically referring to the Butch Vig remix in this instance: the album mix is fine, but the addition of the guitars, the ‘Boom-Sha-Lock-Lock-boom’ in between verses, and the pounding rhythm really add up to a great song. I’m honestly amazed it’s not a staple at sporting events.

Here’s a link to the video

And of course, the lyrics:

I kicks the flava, like Steven King writes horror
If I was a Jew then I’d light a menorah
I got rhymes for ya, excuse me senora
Are you a whore or are you a lady?
Is it Erica Boyer or Marcia Brady?
Let me know hon, the deed’ll get done
Just assume the position, I’ll take my rod
And then I’ll go fishin’, I’ll get your river flowin’
When it comes to givin’ pleasure, I’m every woman’s treasure
I came to work your body, so let me do my job
I’ve never been laid off, my rhymin’ skill paid off
Cause now I’m makin’ records, now I’m makin’ tapes
Steady bustin’ suckers in bunches like grapes
Makin’ all the papes, scoopin’ up the loot
Puttin’ suckers on the run, pull my gun and then I shoot
I never been a front, I never a fraud
I gotta natural skill, for that I thank the Lord
Cause I feel blessed, I’m casually dressed
I always got my gun, but I never wear a vest
I’m quick on the draw like the horse named McGraw
From the cartoon boom sha lock lock boom

I rock mad styles, I hop turnstiles
I rock all mikes, I last all night
I puff fat blunts, I rock fine scunts
Step up bo, I’ll knock out your gold fronts
Everlast, that’s my name
My unique rhyme style’s my claim to fame
The House Of Pain’s the name of my clip
You can’t be down, punk, get off my dick
You make me sick, like Stawberry Quik
Your style is wack, you ain’t the mac
So yo step back, get off the crack
And sing a new tune like boom sha lock lock boom

I’m sure that no one has ever heard this one before.

Okay, it’s a great rock and roll song; one which has, in fact, achieved classic status. It’s a great fusion of guitar, bass and drum that’s also incredibly simple to play, even for someone who’s maybe held a guitar or a pair of drumsticks for less than an hour.

There’s lots of thoughts as to what the song is about, from being a simple song about masturbation to being a song about kicking drugs to possibly being from the point of view of a girl looking for someone with large hands. You can read more at SongFacts and SongMeanings. Personally, I’ll stick with the masturbation theory.

Here’s a link to a live performance

And of course, the lyrics:

When I’m out walking
I strut my stuff
And I’m so strung out
I’m high as a kite
I just might
Stop to check you out

Let me go on like I
Blister in the sun
Let me go on
Big hands, I know you’re the one

Sunday, Sunday is a subtle parody of traditional Sunday activities in England, and perhaps the veneer of expectations. From SongMeanings:

I like the subtitle of this song; “Legislated nostalgia: to force a body of people to have memories they do not actually possess.” Think about that when you see some TV commercial for the music of a specific decade boasting about what “great times” those were, when you don’t remember them being so good.

Ultrasleaze

Personally, that works for me. So does this song, with it’s opening thundering drums, simple hooks, and catchy melody.

Here’s a link to the video

And of course, the lyrics:

Sunday, Sunday, here again in tidy attire
You read the colour supplement, the TV guide
You dream of protein on a plate
Regret you left it quite so late
To gather the family round the table to eat enough to sleep
Oh, the Sunday sleep

You dream of protein on a plate
Regret you left it quite so late
To gather the family round the table to eat enough to sleep
And Mother’s Pride is your epithet
That extra slice you will sonn regret
So going out is your best bet
Then bingo yourself to sleep
Oh, the Sunday sleep