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Ah yes, this song.

Okay, this is just plain fun, primarily because of the delivery of the spoken word lyrics. The singer’s attitude comes out in a major way, and it’s just plain fun. The song is pretty funny too. Just one of those fun eighties throw-away songs, but I think it’s still fun to listen to now.

Here’s a link to the video

And of course, the lyrics:

Toto, I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore….
I was walking up Broadway you know
and there’s this incredible looking Swedish girl having a
Cappuccino across the street from Lincoln Center, I started
talking to her you know - She said her name was Lola,
Her English wasn’t too good you know - but we wound up spending
about 5 hours together just hanging out you know.
So We go back to my place - we get high - we get really into each other man.
It was love about to happen…I’m serious.
And then all of a sudden she gets up and she says, she says “Hey, I really gotta leave”
Damn
A E I O U Sometimes Y
There are 178 parent languages on our planet with over 1000 dialects…
It’s amazing we communicate at all.
Languages and dialects - with this one thing in common:
A E I O U Sometimes Y
Ahhh!
A E I O U A E I O U A E I O U A E I O U
Sometimes Y!!
But you know I was really flipped out you know and she asked me
if I’m angry or something I said of course I’m angry man this
isn’t high school or anything you know so I’m feeling really
cavalier and I say ah…call me if you want to…
huh, yeah…call me if you want to
So she rang me up and she says, “Hey! Do you wanna go out?”
Huh, Do I wanna go out
A E I O U Sometimes Y
A E I O U Sometimes Y
Operator! Operator! What’s happening operator?!
Mommy? Mommy Mommy!! Where are you
Mommy? I can’t see you
I can’t see you Mommy!
All artists, potentially, are the victims of their desire to be unique
Just observe it
Don’t fight it
Work it. Work it. Work it. Work it. Work it.
Yeah she took me home man she threw me all
around the room man
I mean this chick was really hot she was nice
to me you know
She let me keep on my cowboy boots and everything…she was
Allright… oh! oh! yeah! oh! oh! oh! oh! ohhhhhh!!!
I dare you to play this record
A E I O U Sometimes Y
A E I O U Sometimes Y
Anyway so she took me home and she
splattered my brains
Yeah there I am there I am what happened what happened
Where was I oh here I am
I told her I wouldn’t sleep with her friends - she
Doesn’t sleep with my friends Anything else you do
You know…Don’t you tell me
Lola

New Frontier is one of those cool songs that you’re supposed to like–but I like it anywhere.

I personally think it’s just a cool sounding song. Like many, I enjoyed Steely Dan, and this isn’t too far removed. I like the feel, the story behind the song, and the music.

Speaking of the story behind the song, from SongFacts:

On The Charlie Gillett Show on London’s Capital Radio in 1988, Fagen said: “You’ll hear a little blues guitar played by Larry Carlton, and it’s kind of a track reflecting the spirit of the times. The storyline is basically about a bunch of kids who have a party in a fall-out shelter while their parents are away for the weekend.” (thanks, Edward Pearce - Ashford, Kent, England)

Here’s a link to the video

And of course, the lyrics:

Yes we’re gonna have a wingding
A summer smoker underground
It’s just a dugout that my dad built
In case the reds decide to push the button down
We’ve got provisions and lots of beer
The key word is survival on the new frontier

Well I can’t wait ’til I move to the city
‘Til I finally make up my mind
To learn design and study overseas
Let’s pretend that it’s the real thing
And stay together all night long
And when I really get to know you
We’ll open up the doors and climb into the dawn
Confess your passion your secret fear
Prepare to meet the challenge of the new frontier

—————-
Now playing: Sublime - Doin’ Time
via FoxyTunes

This song has one of those melodies that sort of worms it’s way into your brain sideways and lurks just under the surface, surfacing every now and then to remind you, “this is a kick-ass song.”

It does have a great guitar melody, and better than average lyrics as well. Despite the metaphors, the song’s meaning is fairly easy to discern, most likely about someone who has been burned by a fickle partner. Plus, it’s a fun rocking song. There’s not much going wrong with this one.

Here’s a link to the video

And of course, the lyrics:

Got a set of wings that I couldn’t use
Bought them in a store on the avenue
Didn’t mean to spend all the cash I had
The second that I saw them, I wanted them bad

Climbed up the mountain, observed the view
But angel wouldn’t say what I had to do
Then angel flew away and left me standing there
I knew I couldn’t fly, but I didn’t care

—————-
Now playing: Cypress Hill - When the Shit Goes Down
via FoxyTunes

Could You Be The One? is a great pop song. A fairly simple chord progression, a simple vocal, a subject that pretty much anyone can sympathize with (the fear of falling in love), and it just plain sounds good. It’s a really nice, really catchy song, which sneaks in a nice melody under it’s veneer of punk.

Here’s a link to the video

And of course, the lyrics:

Could you be the one they talk about?
Hiding inside, behind another door?
Is it only happiness you want?
Does wanting a feeling matter any more?

Don’t even know what I’m hiding for
Don’t even know what I’m crying for
Don’t even know, could you be the only
Broken hearted one

—————-
Now playing: Atari Teenage Riot - No Success
via FoxyTunes

I first heard this song years ago on The Box (remember that, kiddies?) and I was very amused initially. Over time, however, I found that I really liked this song. I like Scatman John’s scat-singing, and I very much enjoy the rhythm and the beat. As to the story behind the song, from Wikipedia:

The lyrics detail how he overcame his difficulties with stuttering by turning them into the ability to scat-sing, and encourages children who stutter not to give up.

I think that’s pretty cool too.

Here’s a link to the video

And of course, the lyrics:

(Scatting by Scatman John)
I’m the Scatman
(Scatting by Scatman John)
I’m the Scatman
(Scatting by Scatman John)
Everybody stutters one way or the other
So check out my message to you.
As a matter of fact don’t let nothin’ hold you back.
If the Scatman can do it so can you.
Everybody’s sayin’ that the Scatman stutters
But doesn’t ever stutter when he sings.
But what you don’t know I’m gonna tell you right now
That the stutter and the scat is the same thing.
Yo I’m the Scatman.
Where’s the Scatman ? I’m the Scatman.
Why should we be pleasin’ all the politician heathens
Who would try to change the seasons if they could?
The state of the condition insults my intuitions
And it only makes me crazy and my heart like wood.
Everybody stutters one way or the other
So check out my message to you.
As a matter of fact don’t let nothin’ hold you back.
If the Scatman can do it brother so can you.
I’m the Scatman.
(Scatting by Scatman John)
Everybody stutters one way or the other
So check out my message to you.
As a matter of fact don’t let nothin’ hold you back.
If the Scatman can do it brother so can you.
I’m the Scatman.
I hear you all ask ’bout the meaning of scat.
Well I’m the professor and all I can tell you is
While you’re still sleepin’ the saints are still weepin’ cause
Things you call dead haven’t yet had the chance to be born.
I’m the Scatman.
(Scatting by Scatman John)
I’m the Scatman….repeat after me
It’s a scoobie oobie doobie scoobie doobie melody
I’m the Scatman….repeat after me
It’s a scoobie oobie doobie scoobie doobie melody
(Scatting by Scatman John)

—————-
Now playing: Beastie Boys - Unite
via FoxyTunes

The Perfect Drug is likely my favorite Nine Inch Nails song. The video notwithstanding, it’s a fairly simple song of lost love and the anguish that comes from that hollow feeling in your soul. I really like it because I feel it’s one of Trent Reznor’s best vocals and best arranged songs. Additionally, I love the build up, the cool drum solo, and the cool down aftermath as acceptance is achieved. A great song.

Here’s a link to the video

And of course, the lyrics:

I got my head but my head is unraveling
Cant keep control can’t keep track of where it’s traveling
I got my heart but my heart’s no good
You’re the only one that’s understood

Take me with you
Without you everything just falls apart
It’s not as much fun to pick up the pieces

Step Right Up is one of those great, funny songs that anyone can instantly identify with. We’ve all been pitched to our entire lives, and this song is particularly evocative of that fact. Waits’ gritty voice juxtaposed against the jazzy bass and saxaphone really bring it all off. A great song.

Here’s a link to a tribute video

And of course, the lyrics:

Step right up, step right up, step right up,
Everyone’s a winner, bargains galore
That’s right, you too can be the proud owner
Of the quality goes in before the name goes on
One-tenth of a dollar, one-tenth of a dollar, we got service after sales
You need perfume? we got perfume, how ’bout an engagement ring?
Something for the little lady, something for the little lady,
Something for the little lady, hmm
Three for a dollar
We got a year-end clearance, we got a white sale
And a smoke-damaged furniture, you can drive it away today
Act now, act now, and receive as our gift, our gift to you
They come in all colors, one size fits all
No muss, no fuss, no spills, you’re tired of kitchen drudgery
Everything must go, going out of business, going out of business
Going out of business sale
Fifty percent off original retail price, skip the middle man
Don’t settle for less
How do we do it? how do we do it? volume, volume, turn up the volume
Now you’ve heard it advertised, don’t hesitate
Don’t be caught with your drawers down,
Don’t be caught with your drawers down
You can step right up, step right up

‘Cause it forges your signature
If not completely satisfied, mail back unused portion of product
For complete refund of price of purchase
Step right up
Please allow thirty days for delivery, don’t be fooled by cheap imitations
You can live in it, live in it, laugh in it, love in it
Swim in it, sleep in it,
Live in it, swim in it, laugh in it, love in it
Removes embarrassing stains from contour sheets, that’s right
And it entertains visiting relatives, it turns a sandwich into a banquet
Tired of being the life of the party?
Change your shorts, change your life, change your life
Change into a nine-year-old Hindu boy, get rid of your wife,
And it walks your dog, and it doubles on sax
Doubles on sax, you can jump back Jack, see you later alligator
See you later alligator
And it steals your car
It gets rid of your gambling debts, it quits smoking
It’s a friend, and it’s a companion,
And it’s the only product you will ever need
Follow these easy assembly instructions it never needs ironing
Well it takes weights off hips, bust, thighs, chin, midriff,
Gives you dandruff, and it finds you a job, it is a job
And it strips the phone company free take ten for five exchange,
And it gives you denture breath
And you know it’s a friend, and it’s a companion
And it gets rid of your traveler’s checks
It’s new, it’s improved, it’s old-fashioned
Well it takes care of business, never needs winding,
Never needs winding, never needs winding
Gets rid of blackheads, the heartbreak of psoriasis,
Christ, you don’t know the meaning of heartbreak, buddy,
C’mon, c’mon, c’mon, c’mon
‘Cause it’s effective, it’s defective, it creates household odors,
It disinfects, it sanitizes for your protection
It gives you an erection, it wins the election
Why put up with painful corns any longer?
It’s a redeemable coupon, no obligation, no salesman will visit your home
We got a jackpot, jackpot, jackpot, prizes, prizes, prizes, all work guaranteed
How do we do it, how do we do it, how do we do it, how do we do it
We need your business, we’re going out of business
We’ll give you the business
Get on the business end of our going-out-of-business sale
Receive our free brochure, free brochure
Read the easy-to-follow assembly instructions, batteries not included
Send before midnight tomorrow, terms available,
Step right up, step right up, step right up
You got it buddy: the large print giveth, and the small print taketh away
Step right up, you can step right up, you can step right up
C’mon step right up
(Get away from me kid, you bother me…)
Step right up, step right up, step right up, c’mon, c’mon, c’mon, c’mon, c’mon
Step right up, you can step right up, c’mon and step right up,
C’mon and step right up

There are so many things to like about this song. The atonal violin, the O Superman-like repetition of “Friday”, the super funky organ solo in the middle, just the way the song sounds, it’s great.

Like many, I first became aware of Deus because of Beavis and Butthead, and I thought the song was really freaky, and really, really cool. I also have to strongly recommend this album, Worst Case Scenario.

I have no idea what this song is about, but if I had to guess, I’d say it was an acid trip. The lyrics have that disjointed feeling, and the instruments bring everything together in a claustrophobic, psychedelic mish-mash.

Can you tell that I love this song?

Here’s a link to the video

And of course, the lyrics:

Your head come on is dead and gone it might as well be said so long
It’s suds and soda a brain decoder and can I wait for my decoder
Get off get up you son of pop the light below is bright on top
It’s suds and soda a smile decoder and can I get yeah what I ordered?
And there’s always something in the air, sometimes, suds & soda mix ok with beer
Can I, can I break your sentiment
You’re just a monument, can’t see no precedent
Just wanna shout what the fuck
Jimmy dean is halloween like kerosene for dee dee scene
It’s suds and soda a brain decoder and can I skip this thing I ordered
Get off get up you son of pop the light below is bright on top
It’s suds and soda a vibe decoder and can I get yeah what I ordered?
And there’s always something in the air, sometimes, suds & soda mix ok with beer
Can I, can I break your sentiment
(to me) you’re just a monument, can’t see no precedent
Just wanna shout what the fuck
And there’s always something in the air
Your face come on is dead and gone, you might as well be said so long
It’s suds and soda a brain decoder and can I wait for my devoter
Get off get up you son of pop the light below is bright on top
It’s suds and soda a smile decoder and can I skip yeah what I ordered?
And can I break your sentiment?
So can I break your sentiment, so can I break your sentiment
So can I break your sentiment, so can I break your sentiment
So can I break your sentiment, so can I break your sentiment
So can I break your sentiment, so can I break your sentiment
So can I break your sentiment, so can I break your sentiment
Friday, friday, friday, friday, friday, friday, friday

This Charming Man is a high energy, terribly catchy pop song, with some of Morrissey’s best vocals. It’s a great pop song, with a great beat and fun to dance to, not to mention the great sound of Johnny Marr’s guitars. From Wikipedia:

I’ll try any trick. With the Smiths, I’d take this really loud Telecaster of mine, lay it on top of a Fender Twin Reverb with the vibrato on, and tune it to an open chord. Then I’d drop a knife with a metal handle on it, hitting random strings. I used it on “This Charming Man”, buried beneath about 15 tracks of guitar … [it] was the first record where I used those highlife-sounding runs in 3rds. I’m tuned up to F# and I finger it in G, so it comes out in A. There are about 15 tracks of guitar. People thought the main guitar part was a Rickenbacker, but it’s really a ‘54 Tele. There are three tracks of acoustic, a backwards guitar with a really long reverb, and the effect of dropping knives on the guitar – that comes in at the end of the chorus.

It’s also a great song about–well, love, or at the very least the feeling of being overwhelmed by emotion.

Feeling detached from and unable to relate to the early 1980s mainstream gay culture, Morrissey wrote “This Charming Man” to evoke an older, more coded and self-aware underground scene. The singer explained of the song’s lyrics, “I really like the idea of the male voice being quite vulnerable, of it being taken and slightly manipulated, rather than there being always this heavy machismo thing that just bores everybody.”

The song itself is about an encounter between a young man whose bicycle has broken down, and the handsome stranger who picks him up and seeminglyl seduces him. The lyrics are provocative, heartfelt and just very nicely written.

Here’s a link to the video

And of course, the lyrics:

A punctured bicycle
On a hillside desolate
Will nature make a man of me yet?

A jumped up pantry boy
Who never knew his place
He said “return the ring”
He knows so much about these things
He knows so much about these things
He knows so much about these things

I have to admit, this is the only post-Smiths Morrissey song that I like–although, admittedly, I haven’t heard the entirety of his output. Still, let’s focus on the positives.

Suedehead is a really good, highly underrated tune. The song itself is about a broken relationship, with the nature of that relationship being left to question. Was it a passing fancy, a strong friendship? A long term relationship? One of the things I like about this song is that it leaves pretty much all of this in question, allowing the listener to make up his or her own mind.

Here’s a link to the video

And of course, the lyrics:

Why do you come here?
And why do you hang around?
I’m so sorry
I’m so sorry

Oh, it was a good lay, good lay
It was a good lay, good lay
It was a good lay, good lay
Oh
It was a good lay, good lay
It was a good lay, good lay
Oh, it was a good lay, good lay
Oh
Oh, it was a good lay
It was a good lay
Oh, a good lay
Oh, it was a good lay
Good lay, good lay
Oh
It was a good lay