AC/DC: Dirty Deeds Done Dirty Cheap (1976)

In 1981, Atlantic Records was sued because the lyric 36-24-36 was followed by what some thought was the number 8. As a result, a couple in Illinois received thousands of prank calls. The number actually referenced the perfect woman's measurements. Whether or not the 8 actually exists in the recording is up to the listener.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHW3Ek9VTpg

Simon and Garfunkel: The Boxer (1969)

"The Boxer" took Simon and Garfunkel over 100 hours to record. They brought in Fred Carter Jr. to play guitar on the track. Paul Simon struggled with the chorus and used "lie-la-lie" as a space filler until he could develop one. He couldn't and the refrain remained. Some thought the song was a veiled shot at Bob Dylan, but in reality, it was autobiographical. At the time, Simon felt people were beating him mercilessly. He even included the Biblical phrases "workman's wages" and "seeking out the poorer quarters" to accentuate his isolation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3LFML_pxlY


Live:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qy1hXDOenOY


　


　

KISS: Heaven's on Fire (1984)

"Heaven's on Fire" is one of the few songs from the non-makeup era that KISS still performs live. The song is filled with typical KISS musical themes (fans know!). The song hit #11 on the American rock charts and the video received MTV airplay, when MTV played videos. The video included Mark St. John's official debut. He would soon leave the band with Reiter's Syndrome. Bruce Kulick replaced him shortly thereafter.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZjevnnkA20

Bruce Springsteen: Spare Parts (1987)

Springsteen did not release "Spare Parts" as a single in the U.S. The song is about an unwed mother abandoned by her boyfriend. She considers killing the infant by drowning, but decides to baptize the child instead. Most of the Tunnel of Love album is rather understated, but "Spare Parts" is right in your face and upfront.

Studio:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ool5NhBjYko


Live:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwGMyArC7Mk

Nirvana: The Man Who Sold the World (1994)

David Bowie originally recorded "The Man Who Sold the World" in 1970. Nirvana covered the song during their unplugged performance for MTV in 1993. Bowie loved the Nirvana version, which made him realize for the first time his impact in America. Kids today now compliment Bowie for covering Nirvana when he plays the song. Bowie generally responds with a heartfelt "fuck you."

Nirvana:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fregObNcHC8



Bowie:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSH--SJKVQQ

Top 10 songs of 2008

Just my favorites as usual. Most of today's music just sucks, but that is probably true of any era.

1. Pork and Beans- Weezer
2. Viva la Vida- Coldplay
3. Girls in Their Summer Clothes- Bruce Springsteen
4. Man Sized Wreath- R.E.M.
5. Use Somebody- Kings of Leon
6. Violet Hill- Coldplay
7. Nostradamus- Judas Priest
8. Supernatural Superserious- R.E.M.
9. Not My Time- 3 Doors Down
10. Saints of Los Angeles- Motley Crue
10. Nine Lives- Def Leppard

The Dave Clark 5: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2008

The Dave Clark Quintet began in 1957. They changed their name to the Dave Clark Five (DC5) in 1962. They were the second British Invasion group to appear on Ed Sullivan after the Beatles. The DC5 charted 17 times in the Top 40.
This knocked the Beatles out of the #1 spot in 1964:

Glad All Over (1964): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P94S8IAv94w

Bits and Pieces (1964): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoRLIJJSG4o

Can't You See That She's Mine (1964): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsPlbKCZQP4

Because (1964): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IX9SJNHz9hM

Anyway You Want It (1964): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUqiuICUD04

I Like It Like That (1965): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDujWM5rBSI

Catch Us If You Can (1965): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-cqUstY-kM

Over and Over (1965): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbyHPxFrFU8

You Got What It Takes (1967): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_3E_VFzMvw

The hits began to dry up after 1967 because they did not change with the times. The DC5 broke up in 1970. Much of their catalogue remained unavailable between 1975 and 1993 because of a licensing issue. Rumors swirled that Jan Wenner blocked the DC5's induction into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in favor of Grandmaster Flash. The band finally made the Hall in 2008.

Gamble and Huff: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2008

Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff were record producers that pioneered Philadelphia soul. The pair produced 15 gold singles and 22 gold albums. Gamble began at age 17 when he teamed with Jerry Ross. Gamble joined the pair soon thereafter.
In 1971, Gamble and Huff formed Philadelphia International to rival Motown. Clive Davis aided the pair in their venture. The sound evolved from simple to complex. The Philadelphia sound was a major influence on disco. The genre began to decline after 1975. In 1982, their biggest star, Teddy Pendergrass, was paralyzed in a car accident. They have since continued to write (over 3000 songs) and have collected numerous awards and honors.


Some of their work:
I'm Gonna Make You Love Me by Dionne Warwick: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUmFpbcm4_8

Me and Mrs. Jones by Billy Paul: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWOTdt9Bovk

If You Don't Know Me By Now by Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbaSh8i5eyE

Love Train by the O'Jays: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTp0AlTuPNA

For the Love of Money by the O'Jays: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXE_n2q08Yw

Top 10 songs of 2009

My favorites anyway...

1. Magnificent- U2
2. Uprising- Muse
3. Just Breathe- Pearl Jam
4. Breathe- U2
5. East Jesus Nowhere- Green Day
6. Oh Yeah- Chickenfoot
7. Can't Stop Partying- Weezer
8. Wheels- Foo Fighters
9. Check My Brain- Alice in Chains
10. The Static Age- Green Day

John Mellencamp: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2008 part 3

2000-present

Peaceful World (2001): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PL28-RVO0_E

Walk Tall (2004): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjNn9_bfp6k

Mellencamp was involved in the Rock for Change Tour in 2004.

Our Country (2006): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlxQGZDmtyw

The Americans (2007): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9RJYxMdMrY

Troubled Land (2008): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7j-BEyIuQ3g

No Better than This (2010): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBrQv66oLxc

Mellencamp carries on with his music, painting, and is one of his generation's great story tellers.

John Mellecamp: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2008 part 2

1990-1999

John Cougar Mellencamp dropped the Cougar in 1990 and was simply John Mellencamp again.

Get a Leg Up (1991): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7eve-kJHSA

Again Tonight (1992): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-lvws5ikyY

Now More than Ever (1992): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyGTEXe95ZQ

Human Wheels (1993): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWWMmxyKOR0

A video with Cindy Crawford:

Wild Night w/Meshell Ndegeocello (1994): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nPPRQeTxTY

Dance Naked (1994): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKrcvol1NsM

Key West Intermezzo (1996): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlMPYwGWLcI

Just Another Day (1996): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g92vl5lsWVM

He released a book with some of his paintings in 1998.
I'm Not Running Anymore (1999): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbRXhsnY3yo

John Mellencamp: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2008 part 1

1976-1989

John Mellencamp was born with spina bifida and should have died. However, a doctor performed experimental surgery saving the infant's life. He married at 18, graduated college in 1974, and played music. A record agent convinced him to change his name to John Cougar for marketing purposes and he released his first album in 1976. It flopped. He released a second album overseas and scored a hit in Australia.

I Need a Lover (1978): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adMXjSithMs

The song was released in the US the next year.

In 1982, he hit it big time with American Fool after building his audience.

Hurts So Good (1982): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dOsbsuhYGQ

Jack & Diane (1982): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h04CH9YZcpI

Success continued with Uh-Huh

He changed his name to John Cougar Mellencamp

Crumblin' Down (1983): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PErUiAyVoGc

Pink Houses (1983): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOfkpu6749w

Authority Song (1984): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsEwK69LXjQ


He cofounded Farm Aid in 1985 to help struggling farmers.
Scarecrow

Lonely Ol' Night (1985): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQMkRzWT8mo

Small Town (1985): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CVLVaBECuc

R.O.C.K. in the USA (1986): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgtmStUrXMQ

Rain on the Scarecrow (1986): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joNzRzZhR2Y

The Lonesome Jubilee

Paper in Fire (1987): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myo9wXrNUP4

Cherry Bomb (1987): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KF0gsbQKhD8

Check it Out (1988): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GimNm_PKtYM

Big Daddy

Pop Singer (1989): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLShxXgIK5w

The Ventures: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2008

The Ventures are the most successful instrumental rock group in history. They have sold over 100 million records. The group formed in 1958 and tour to this day.
Walk Don’t Run (1960): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHP7YUw0G2Q

Perfida (1960): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyUcnoracMM

Slaughter on Tenth Avenue (1964): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TDn4HdoM2w

Secret Agent Man (1966): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0K9JGrevUGQ

Hawaii Five-O (1968): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rcvo4U33_L4

Joy (1971): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oP3m7mDJHgo

Theme From Airport 1975 (1974): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zV1I1YTuec

Charlie’s Angels (1977): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vebitw7fLaM

Starsky and Hutch (1977): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybGDhSXLLAU

Top 10 Songs of 2010

My favorite songs from the year 2010.

1. Tighten Up- The Black Keys

2. Resistance- Muse

3. I Should Have Known It- Tom Petty

4. Amongst the Waves- Pearl Jam

5. Because the Night- Bruce Springsteen (Yes, a re-release; it would be higher if it had not originally come out in 1978).

6. Last of the American Girls- Green Day

7. Memories- Weezer

8. No Better Than This- John Mellencamp

9. Between the Lines- Stone Temple Pilots

10. I Gotta Feeling- The Black Eyed Peas