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The Bed’s Too Big Without You was always one of my favorite Police songs, for a number of reasons. First of all, it’s about a subject that pretty much anyone can identify with–at least anyone who’s ever been dumped. Secondly, it’s got that cool reggae beat–Sting, Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland really mesh well here despite a rhythm that almost sounds like each is playing a different song. Also, I really love Andy Summers’ guitar work here–as always, subtly brilliant. Finally, Sting’s slightly off key plaintive crooning really gives you the feel of someone in pain.

Here’s a link to the video

And of course, the lyrics:

Bed’s too big without you
Cold wind blows right through my open door
I can’t sleep with your memory
Dreaming dreams of what used to be
When she left I was cold inside
That look on my face was just pride
No regrets, no love, no tears
Living on my own was the least of my fears

Every day just the same
Old rules for the same old game
All I gained was heartache
All I made was one mistake
Now the bed’s too big without you
The bed’s too big without you
The bed’s too big without you

Seattle is an interesting song in many ways. First of all, it rocks: there’s some really good guitar work here. Secondly, I really feel this is one of John Lydon’s best vocal performances, with lots of pith and rage that works well against the squealing guitars and funky bass. Finally, it’s curious as to what it’s about; Rumor has it that the song was written after the band had a negative experience in Seattle, but I cannot substantiate those rumors in any way. In many ways, it’s generic enough to cover a lot of different scenarios.

Here’s a link to the video

And of course, the lyrics:

Don’t like the look of this old town
What goes up must come down
Character is lost and found
On unfamiliar playing ground

Palaces, barricades, threats meet promises

Teen Angst rocks. It’s also humorous too. The lyrics really do a great job of giving a sarcastic look at what’s really going on in the minds of most angsty youth–what they really want is fast cars, everything to go their way, and to get laid. Pretty much the same ambitions of all teens over the last millennium.

The song does indeed rock, but it’s also catchy, and you can sing along to it or dance to it or both. It’s just a fun song to play at a party or sing in the kitchen at 3am at the same party.

Here’s a link to the video

And of course, the lyrics:

I don’t know what the world may need,
But I’m sure as hell that is starts with me.
And that’s a wisdom,
I’ve laughed at.

Cause what the world needs now
Is a new Frank Sinatra
so I can get you in bed.
Cause what the world needs now
Is another folk singer
Like I need a hole in my head.

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Now playing: America - Sister Golden Hair
via FoxyTunes

The first time I heard this song, I thought it would be the perfect backing music for the mutant gang from The Dark Knight Returns. It’s loud–very loud–angry, energetic and over the top. Plus there’s really nothing else that sounds like it, at least not that I’ve heard.

The song’s meaning is pretty self-explanatory–it’s about rejecting the system and creating something better. Well, maybe not better, but something different. Either way, I find the song and it’s sound compelling.

Here’s a link to the video

And of course, the lyrics:

ACTION!!!!!!!!!
It’s time to live and it’s time to die!
It’s time to live and it’s time to die!
It’s time to live and it’s time to die!
It’s time to live: REVOLUTION ACTION!!!!
What we gonna go for?
What we gonna go for?
What we gonna go for? REVOLUTION ACTION!!!!
What we gonna go for? What we gonna go for?
What we gonna go for? REVOLUTION ACTION!!!!
Welcome to step one - I can’t wait no longer -
Let’s make it happen!!!!!!!!!!!!
Another investigation of our generation!
Sublime information!
The collapse of a century!!!!!
I’m targeted at the Whitehouse
Like a bullet from a gun! Waste my life from scratch…
But at least we will leave a bad taste in your mouth!!!!
Dope - Fly - Fly - don’t take it
Take it out too far and I won’t fake it!
A blank promise - your words -
Nothing else than another hell ride
We got to!!!!!
REVOLUTION ACTION!!!! What we gonna go for????
REVOLUTION ACTION!!!! What we gonna go for????
REVOLUTION ACTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What we gonna go for???? What we gonna go for????
Revolution!!!!!! Action!!!!!
Revolution - Action - Revolution - Action!!!!!!
We got to….
Are you ready???????
A shoot - a pain - with the knife between my teeth
And then I leave you in cold blood!!!! I’m comin’ at ya!!!
I’m comin’ at ya!!!!!!!! Carl Crack like a flamin’ arrow -
Burning the regime of terror!!!!
With a gun pointing at my head
I realise what I could get instead!!!
What you gonna go for????? What you gonna go for?????
What you gonna go for?????????? REVOLUTION ACTION!!!!!
What you gonna go for?
What you gonna go for? REVOLUTION ACTION!!!!
What you gonna go for? What you gonna go for?
What you gonna go for? REVOLUTION ACTION!!!!
Many people are in power but none of them is one of us -
Press and media any hour - NOW TELL ME:
WHAT’S WRONG WITH US????????????????
In the lion’s throat I stand and wanna know!!!!!!!!
surrounded by me and my gang… your life just blows!!!
BREAK INTO THE CENTER WHERE YOUR HEART GOES!!!!!!!!!
You hold the cigarette like you’re trying to understand
But what if the next person near you
IS TAKING THE TRUTH OUT OF YOUR HANDS????????
REVOLUTION ACTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
REVOLUTION ACTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What we gonna go for????? ACTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
IT AIN’T SELF-DESTRUCTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
IT AIN’T SELF-DESTRUCTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
REVOLUTION ACTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Now playing: Jethro Tull - Bungle In The Jungle
via FoxyTunes

I was not and am not a fan of the ska revival from a few years ago. I thought most of the bands were more concerned about having the right sort of lineup than writing and performing good songs. That being said, there were a few good songs to come out of the movement, and this was one of them.

Hell Of A at is a fairly simple and traditional anti-violence ska song; you see someone who looks kind of cool, but it all falls apart because of the choice to carry a gun. I like this song because of it’s different feel and tempos. It starts out somewhat manic, settles into a fairly static rhythm, then goes nuts again. It just works really, really well.

Here’s a link to the video

And of course, the lyrics:

That’s a hell of a hat that you’re wearing
It goes real well with the earring
Five through the nose, bold and daring.
You’ve got to pardon me if I’m staring.
Man, I really dig your shoes.
Fat fade and fresh tattoos.
Bet the females can’t refuse.
And if I’m staring, please excuse.
Sharpest motherfucker in the joint.
The other motherfuckers stop and point.
The gear you wear seems complete, why you gotta pack the heat?
We question one accessory, don’t think the piece is necessary.
We agree you’re dressed to kill, but wonder if you will?
Hell of a hat you’re sporting, Jack.
Diamond cuff links and a sweet tie tack.
The pocket watch must’ve set you back.
You’re the man, man, you’re the mack.
Pinstriped number, me oh my, that’s rude.
And that’s a hell of an attitude.
You made the scene and set the mood.
I’m only starin’ ’cause I’m a nervous, dude.
Sharpest motherfucker, we repeat.
The other motherfuckers can’t compete.
The clothes you choose are stylish, why you gotta wear the gun?
We question one accessory, don’t think the piece is necessary.
We agree you’re dressed to kill, but wonder if you will

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Now playing: 20 Fingers w/ Gillette - Short Dick Man
via FoxyTunes

Okay, everyone knows Tainted Loe. I mean, EVERYBODY. You hum it walking down the street, and you’re likely to see a scene out of a Gene Kelly musical as the street explodes in song and dance…well, perhaps not, but you get the point.

What a lot of people don’t know, however, is how good the rest of the album that Tainted Love came from is. Among the great tracks is Sex Dwarf. Almost comical–okay, quite comical in many ways–the song’s evocative lyrics in many ways belie the sordid nature of what’s really going on. After all, it is a song about luring young girls into a life of pornography or prostitution or both, not quite the happy fun time it sounds like.

Oh yeah, it also works as a really cool disco song as well. That’s right, I said disco. Wanna make something of it? ;) All together now, “It’s got a great beat and I can dance to it!”.

Here’s a link to a tribute video

And of course, the lyrics:

Isn’t it nice
Sugar and spice
Luring disco dollies
To a life of vice
I could make a film
And make you my star
You’d be a natural
The way you are
I would like you on
A long black leash
I would parade you
Down the high street
You’ve got the attraction
You’ve got the pulling power
Walk my little doggy
Walk my little sex dwarf
We could make a scene
We’d be a team
Making the headlines
Sounds like a dream
When we hit the floor
You just watch them move aside
We will take them
For a ride of rides
They all love your
Miniature ways
You know what they say
About small boys
I’m in my Rolls Royce
Look it’s so huge
It’s big and it’s gold
With my dumb chauffeur
Looking to procure
Run little doggy
Lure a disco dolly
Run my little sex dwarf
I feel so lonely
Get my little camera
Take a pretty picture
Sex dwarf
In a gold Rolls
Making it with the dumb chauffeur
Isn’t it nice
Sugar and spice
Luring disco dollies
To a life of vice
Sex dwarf
Isn’t it nice
Luring disco dollies to a life of vice
We could make an outfit
For my little sex dwarf
To match the gold Rolls
And my dumb chauffeur
We’ll all look so good
We’ll knock ‘em cold
Knocking ‘em cold
In black and gold
We can have playtime
In my little playroom
Disco dollies
My sex dwarf
And my dumb chauffeur
I would like you on a long black lead
You can bring me all the things I need
Sex dwarf
Isn’t it nice
Luring disco dollies to a life of vice
Isn’t it nice
Sugar and spice
Luring disco dollies to a life of vice

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Now playing: Jim Carroll Band - People Who Died
via FoxyTunes

One Step Ahead is a very intelligent song about being absolutely clueless, particularly where relationships are concerned. I’m sure that pretty much everyone can identify with this feeling, that absolute dread of not knowing where things are headed or what to do next.

I liked the song from the first time I heard it. I love the harmonies, the cool bass line, and it’s just a really well-crafted pop song. Not much else needs to be said, really.

Here’s a link to the video

And of course, the lyrics:

One step ahead of you
Stay in motion, keep an open mind
Love is a race won by two
Your emotion, my solitude
If I stop I could lose my head
So I’m losing you instead
Either way I’m confused
You slow me down, what can I do?
There’s one particular way I have to choose

One step ahead of you
Time is running out
Catching up with you
One step ahead of you
When I hold you close
Can I really lose?
One step ahead
Only one step ahead
She’s one step ahead of you

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Now playing: Lene Lovich - Tonight
via FoxyTunes

This is a cool disco song, and I have fond memories of it from my college days. It’s a great song about a woman asserting her sexuality. I imagine it’s better received now then back then, as I doubt it’s as controversial.

Personally, I love the atonal harmonies–reminiscent of X–and the grinding beat. Really, I do think this is a great song–perhaps not the best song ever, but so what? It’s got a good beat, you can dance to it, and you can dance to it.

Here’s a link to a televised live performance

And of course the lyrics:

Feel the fire, feel my love inside you it’s so right
There’s the sound and the smell of love in my mind
I’m a toy, come and play with me, say the word now
Wrap your legs around mine and ride me tonight

I’m a man - I’m a goddess
I’m a man - I’m a hooker
I’m a man - I’m a blue movie
I’m a man - I’m a slut
I’m a man - I’m a geisha
I’m a man - I’m YOUR babe
I’m a man - I’m a dream divine
And we make love together
And we’ll make love forever

The first time I heard Rise on MTV, I was captivated and enthralled–especially since I knew what a rare thing it was to see a PiL video. I rarely saw it again.

This is a great song, a bastardization of a traditional Irish blessing/folk song. The singer seems to be challenging the notion that anything you know is right, and that anything other than conformity will be squashed–sort of typical for John Lydon. Still, what really makes this song is the steady bass line, the pounding drums, the strings, and John Lydon’s hectoring vocals (yes, I know he really can’t sing, but he can use his limited range very, very effectively).

Here’s a link to the video

And of course, the lyrics:

I could be wrong, I could be right
I could be wrong, I could be right

Anger is my energy
Anger is my energy
Anger is my energy
Anger is my energy

Very Ape is likely not the first song you think of when you think of Nirvana (likely not second, third, forth, fifth, etc.), but it’s one of my favorite Nirvana songs. A raw condemnation of stupidity and ignorance and selfishness and the recognition of those qualities within himself, Kurt Cobain delivers a sardonic vocal while the guitars and drums just rage forward. A great song, albeit a short one.

Here’s a link to a fan video

And of course, the lyrics:

I am buried up to my neck in
Contradictionary flies
I take pride as the king of illiterature
I’m very ape and very nice

Out of the ground
Into the sky
Out of the sky
Into the dirt

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Now playing: Elvis Costello and The Attractions - Complicated Shadows
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