Talkin' Baseball by Terry Cashman (1981)

For Duke Snider...


http://uk.video.yahoo.com/watch/456784/2533611

828. The Rockford Files Theme (1974)

The Rockford Files was an extremely popular television show running from 1974-1980. It starred James Garner as a less-than-gallant, but extremely human, private investigator Garner's portrayal of Jim Rockford later inspired Tom Selleck's Magnum P.I. The show's theme song written by Mike Post and Pete Carpenter spent 44 weeks on the charts eventually peaking at #10.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXtpoO_DlDM

Who Are You When I'm Not Looking? by Blake Shelton

#1 this week!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xXD9-1mLBY

829. Ventilator Blues by the Rolling Stones (1972)

The Stones wanted to sound like their heroes Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf. So, they constructed an old school blues number for Exile on Mainstreet. It is the only Stones song in which Mick Taylor recieved writing credit. His main contribution is the opening slide. The band has only played the tune live on one occasion and that was in 1972.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wEvKIrGcNI

830. Rock Lobster by The B-52s (1978)

"Rock Lobster" reminded John Lennon of Yoko Ono's avant guard work. He began working on Double Fantasy shortly thereafter. The song itself became on the B-52s signature tunes and includes references to imaginary animals augmented with weird noises by Cindy Wilson and Kate Pierson.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDZy6-fMCw4

831. Used to Love Her by Guns n Roses (1988)

Guns n Roses followed up Appetite for Destruction with a EP of unreleased material. "Used to Love Her" and "One in a Million" each caused a stir. The latter song angered some for its alleged homophobic and racist content. Meanwhile, feminists freaked over "Used to Love Her" and its seemingly mysogynst lyrics. However, the song is actually about Axl's dog...

Studio:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXIuAz7aryo

Live:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Le1u6BTm0SQ

832. Tall Cool One by Robert Plant (1988)

Hip Hop is known for sampling other people's music. In fact, it became a major source of controversy in the late eighties and early nineties. Interestingtly, Robert Plant decided to sample himself in 1988. "Tall Cool One" contains several Led Zeppelin samples.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiH9yXKSMVM

Born This Way by Lady Gaga

#1 this week: Lady Gaga

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4a8QtvOkBQ

Born This Way sounds an awful lot like Madonna's "Express Yourself"....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsVcUzP_O_8

and a mashup....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0PvggdjkKE

833. Black Magic Woman by Santana (1970)

Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac wrote "Black Magic Woman", but the song did not achieve classic status until covered by Carlos Santana. As a result, people forget the Mac version while the song is closely associated with Santana. In fact, the cover helped Santana's Abraxas go quadruple platinum. The Santana version now appears on Guitar Hero.

Fleetwood Mac:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0uS0IhXYLA

Santana:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsshNKN_Kag&feature=related

834. Reach Out I'll Be There by the Four Tops (1966)

"Reach Out (I'll Be There)" represents a dramatic change for Motown and the Four Tops. First, the song alternates between major chords. Also, it has a darker tone which is reflected in the lyrics and music. For example: "Now if you feel that you can't go on, because all of your hope is gone, and your life is filled with much confusion, until happiness is just an illusion and your world around is tumblin' down..." This is a harsh look at the world as opposed to the happy love songs Motown has been producing.

http://il.youtube.com/watch?v=cjR6u5QOTKE&feature=related

835. The Green Hornet Theme (1966)

The Green Hornet was creating in the 1930s as a modern day take on the Lone Ranger. In fact, the title character, Britt Reed, was the nephew of the Lone Ranger. In the 1966 television version, Van Williams starred in the title role with Bruce Lee playing Kato. The series ran one season. Hollywood kicked around the idea of a motion picture until 2011 when Seth Rogen finally brought the character back. The movie included the now iconic theme song used in the radio and television programs. The Green Hornet's theme is the interlude from Rinsky-Korsakov's turn-of-the century "Flight of the Bumblebee" featuring Al Hirt on trumpet. Quentin Tarrantino included this version in Kill Bill Vol. 1 which paid homage to Kato.

TV Intro:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuoNLnrPlFM

Full Version:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mtp3xpJ2Hk

836. Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd (1974)

Screaming "Free Bird" has become a tradition at rock concerts. This tradition was immortalized on a Beavis and Butthead episode. The song has become a southern rock anthem since its release. It also contains a ridiculously long guitar solo. During live shows, the song has sometimes lasted over 14 minutes.

Live (1975):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkTQUtx818w

Studio:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9sGd-JLvNA

837. Seasons of Wither by Aerosmith (1974)

"Seasons of Wither" was inspired by a Massachusetts winter. Although never released as a single, the ode to the cold miser managed to become a staple of rock radio. People seemed to identify with it. In fact, looking out the window right now, I can completely understand the song.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9_-VpIVGnc

Black and Yellow by Wiz Khalifa

#1 this week...(you have to be kidding me)...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UePtoxDhJSw

838. Barracuda by Heart (1977)

"Barracuda" represents Ann Wilson's response to a sleazy record execs attempts to intimate a lesbian love affair between her and her sister Nancy. The song has been compared to Led Zeppelin's "Achilles Last Stand" due to its guitar riff. In 2008, the GOP used the song to introduce Sarah Palin at their convention which angered the Wilson Sisters. However, other band members loved the idea since it brought the song back into the public's consciousness.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bt_-R5LInU

839. Ohio by Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young (1970)

"Ohio" was inspired by the Kent State Massacre on May 4, 1970. At the time, American campuses were hotbeds of antiwar sentiment. Kent State students protested the Vietnam War leading to some violence and arson. The Ohio National Guard was called in to maintain order. On May 4, 2000 gathered to protest and the guard moved to disperse the crowd. They clashed with the protesters and eventually opened fire. The gunfire killed four.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GI7-m919ynU

840. Lick It Up by Kiss (1983)

Kiss scrapped their makeup and appeared in public without it for the first time since their early days. They premiered their new look on a half hour MTV special which also debuted their video for "Lick It Up." (Note for younger readers: MTV used to play music). Despite heavy promotion, the song stalled on the charts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gcj34XixuYg

841. Blow Up the Outside World by Soundgarden (1996)

"Blow Up the Outside World" sounds like it comes from a prisoner's perspective. Imagine being in jail and watching with bitter regret the progression of everyday life. Of course, one does not have to be an actual prisoner to feel imprisoned. Chris Cornell has admitted he would not mind blowing up the outside world to keep it from encroaching on him. On a side note, the song itself has been compared to a Beatles composition.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sC2GjXMk7i4

842. Can't Stop Loving You by Van Halen (1995)

"Can't Stop Loving You" is a nod to Ray Charles' "I Can't Stop Loving You." Sammy Hagar even mentions Charles in the song. The beginning of the video shows a man with a gun. The end shows his wife and son waiting for him when he leaves prison. Everything in between is in the video for "Don't Tell Me (What Love Can Do)."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxgfyrP3CNc

843. Digging in the Dirt by Peter Gabriel (1992)

Peter Gabriel was a music video pioneer with "Sledgehammer" and "Big Time" changing the game. In 1992, he continued with his animated musical featurettes. However, "Digging in the Dirt" was darker and more ominous than his prior ventures.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zc1uLytiAc4

S&M by Rhianna (banned in 11 countries)

Although the song is about the tabloid media, the video has been banned in 11 countries...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6T1BTPq194

844. Breaking the Law by Judas Priest (1980)

Want to understand a man that was a teenager during the eighties? Here it is...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psTUiQzNoxw

845. Song 2 by Blur (1997)

Rock n Roll enjoyed one last gasp in the late nineties courtesy Britpop bands like Blur. This energetic stadium anthem is their most famous composition. They called it "Song 2" after writing it because they could not agree on a title. Blur simply stuck with "Song 2" for the title. It sounds almost as if Homer Simpson helped write it...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlAHZURxRjY

846. Don't You Forget About Me by Simple Minds (1985)

"Don't You Forget About Me" is one song destined to be on the hitlist at any retirement home circa 2035. The #1 hit by Simple Minds is one of the defining tracks of the era. Plus, it was in one of the defining movies of the period, The Breakfast Club. As a result, the song will remain with the eighties generation well into their golden years.

Studio Version & Official Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpc7TBhilFI

Live Aid (1985):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuAOl2oXXho