Live: I Alone (1994)

"I Alone" is not a love song. According to Ed Kowalczyk, the song is much more abstract and deep. In reality, it's based on the need to discover "truth" for oneself as opposed to relying on others. I always thought it was a stalker song and fit the O.J. Simpson-Nicole Brown relationship...

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

Guns n Roses: Dead Horse (1991)

This is an old GnR song off Use Your Illusion I.  The song begins acoustically before going electric and climaxing. Axl brings it full circle with the acoustic guitar to finish it off. The band made a video for the song in 1993, but never released it as a single. It was the golden age of music video and sometimes bands did videos for songs they did not release as singles.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8X76NRiQLQ

Sam & Dave: Hold On, I'm Coming (1966)

Isaac Hayes and David Porter came up with the title as Hayes was tring to get Porter out of the bathroom. With a title in hand, they went on to write the Sam & Dave classic. Booker T. & the M.G.'s provided the instrumentation making this quite a superstar collaboration.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_juH0AHvwk

Brad Paisley and Alabama: Old Alabama

#1 this week on the country charts.

Pop charts: Adele and Rock Charts: Foo Fighters.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dlzCv_-zN4

Pearl Jam: Nothing As It Seems (2000)

Jeff Ament wrote "Nothing As It Seems" about his Montana childhood. It's a highly reflective song which Ament considers a song about "judgement." It's dark, moody, and reminiscent of Pink Floyd. It's the type of song that never enjoys commercial success, but is loved and appreciated by music fans.

Studio (w/lyrics):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lL7AYBDAX8

Music Video:

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

Live:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30BlueyXoyg&feature=related

The Lovin' Spoonful: Summer in the City (1966)

Mark Sebastian wrote "Summer in the City" and submitted it to a magazine. His brother, John, reworked the poem for popular consumption. In production, the band added a car horn and jackhammer to add ambiance. The song feels like summer in the city.

Live:

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

Studio:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLdv4a3AVIY&feature=related

The Stooges: I Wanna Be Your Dog (1969)

Want to know where the Sex Pistols came from? Listen to "I Wanna Be Your Dog" with its 3 chords, memorable riff, distorted guitar, and pounding piano. Brilliant in its simplicity and audaciously aggressive! This is not the Beatles singing "I Wanna Be Your Man"!

Studio:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJIqnXTqg8I

Live:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OM9b3uUQ2zI

The song has been covered hundreds of times.

Sonic Youth:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BII01gneTU

R.E.M w/Patti Smith:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nb31X1pmrag

Joan Jett:

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

Billy Joel: Don't Ask Me Why (1980)

"Don't Ask Me Why" sounds like it belongs on earlier Billy Joel albums. It is softer than other tracks he recorded around 1980. He also includes some Latin piano in the bridge.

Best Line: All your life you had to stand in line. Still you're standing on your feet.

Studio:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVUUoN87Y5o

Live:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHJyu9beA7Q&feature=related

Foo Fighters: Best of You (2005)

"Best of You" is the Foo Fighters most popular song to date. It's their only single to go platinum and reached #18 on the pop charts, their best showing to date. The song is about breaking free from whatever confines you and was written following appearances at John Kerry campaign rallies in 2004.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_L4Rixya64

Jeff Beck: A Day in the Life (2008)

Jeff Beck's brilliant cover of the Beatles' "A Day in the Life." The Beck version appeared on the soundtrack to Across the Universe. His version won a Grammy for Best Rock Instrumental in 2010.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uwvBizKAwc

ZZ Top: Doubleback (1990)

ZZ Top contributed "Doubleback" to the Back to the Future III soundtrack. The time traveling epic took place in the old west and the band made a cameo as a band.

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

Aerosmith: Jaded (2000)

Although released in December 2000, this song reminds me of spring as it was on the radio constantly was the weather warmed. Sony told Aerosmith that if they did not release "Jaded" as a single, they would be dropped from the label. The note continues to provide inspiration to lead singer Steven Tyler. That is when Tyler is not hosting karaoke contests...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=705LEH3j2g0

Adele: Rolling in the Deep (2011)

It's been a long time since someone with actual talent hit #1.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYEDA3JcQqw

Bon Jovi: Have a Nice Day (2005)

The title track to Bon Jovi's ninth studio album helped propel the record to platinum status. It has sold over 1.5 million copies in an age where people no longer buy albums. The success demonstrates the popularity of the band with its fans, many of whom have followed Bon Jovi since the mid-80s.

http://new.music.yahoo.com/videos/BonJovi/Have-A-Nice-Day/--22953098

Three Doors Down: It's Not My Time (2008)

Three Doors Down hit #1 on the rock charts, Top 40, and VH1 Top 20 Countdown with "It's Not My Time." It also reached #17 on the Hot 100. The video is reminiscent of an eighties action show.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpfhcljJ9bQ

The Rolling Stones: Have You See Your Mother Baby? (1966)

"Have You Seen Your Mother Baby, Standing in the Shadow?" is one of the longest song titles in history. It is one of the earliest tracks to feature guitar feedback and also features horns. The band filmed one of the earliest music videos to promote the single. It has not been performed live by the band since 1966. Mick Jagger did perform it solo in 1993.

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

Sara Evans: A Little Bit Stronger (2011)

#1 this week...E.T. on the pop charts. Sara Evans on the country...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22zB6Soc2Gk

R.E.M. #9 Dream (2007)

R.E.M. covered John Lennon's "#9 Dream" for a Darfur benefit album. Lennon recorded the song in 1974. The cover marked the first time former drummer and founding member Bill Berry recorded with the band since 1996's New Adventures in Hi-Fi.

R.E.M.:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TFKNdcYRJg

Original:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGFvlnCq-ts&feature=related

Joltin' Joe DiMaggio by The Les Brown Orchestra (1941)

In 1941, Joe DiMaggio hit in 56 consecutive baseball games. In honor of his accomplishment, Alan Courtney and Ben Homer wrote "Joltin' Joe DiMaggio" which was recorded by the Les Brown Orchestra. Betty Bonney provided the vocals. Since 1941, Pete Rose has come closest to DiMaggio when he hit in 44 straight in 1978.

Lyrics:

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/poetry/joltinjoedimaggio.shtml

and the song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1q6odQuCxFU

Bruce Springsteen: O Mary Don't You Weep (2006)

"O Mary Don't You Weep" dates to before the Civil War. It's an old slave song which contained coded messages of hope and deliverance. The slaves use the Biblical stories of liberation including Lazarus, Exodus, and the Flood. It was first recorded in 1915 for posterity. The song experienced a resurgence with the Civil Rights Movement.

Springsteen version:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tebjshm7f_I

Gospel Version:

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

Aretha Franklin:

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

U2: In a Little While (2000)

Originally, "In a Little While" was about a love "hangover", but the meaning changed when U2 heard the piece was the last song Joey Ramone listened to on his deathbed. Note Bono's scratchy voice on the vocals. To me, the song signifies the summer of 2000.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q32eogAbW48

Little Richard: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1986

His life and career in links.


Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/little-richard/bio/

Another Bio: http://www.history-of-rock.com/richard.htm

In 1955, Little Richard breaks out:

Tutti-Frutti: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFq5O2kabQo

Long Tall Sally: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsJVT8Jr_pM

Slippin’ and Slidin’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZP3wdwRhpFs

Rip It Up: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REYiLcTrrG8

Ready Teddy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFd4p5Hx-Xo

He continues to roll into 1956:

The Girl Can’t Help It: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dioNDDIqNOY

Lucille: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3-OaNevkfg

Success continues into 1957 and 1958:

Jenny, Jenny: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cK9x0oQ-Nlg

Good Golly Miss Molly: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqHQqb5ot74

1957: Quit to become a preacher. In 1959, he became a gospel singer, but returned to rock in 1962.

Crying in the Chapel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuDnoxtRv0o

His chart career sputtered, but he scored a minor hit in 1970:

Freedom Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1KmS5_nehQ

Today, he occasionally records, performs, and has appeared in commercials.

Influence:

James Brown: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzlpTRNIAvc

Otis Redding: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohkFgdCE2yQ&feature=artist

The Beatles: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ibeqQA2_Yw&feature=related

Jimi Hendrix: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHlRa-RPjWE&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3WsFEr1LOA&feature=related

AC/DC: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8THnH-FO3E

Freddie Mercury: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGc3rn8qaRA

John Fogerty: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ke4AadQ4lE

Bob Seger: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2aBOTNGWMY

Kenny Chesney: Live A Little

Katy Perry is back to #1 on the pop charts. The Foo Fighters are still #1 on the rock charts.

#1 on the country charts...Kenny Chesney

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX0ufg-Sxl4