A Todd Rundgren album can vary between pure pop to bossa nova, guitar rock to wild experimentation; like the proverbial box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get with the next Rundgren album. Released in 1989, the Nearly Human album is Todd at his best, a pop masterpiece of well-crafted songs performed impeccably, live-in-the-studio. "Parallel Lines" is one of the strongest cuts, initially written for an off-Broadway musical based on the script for a never-produced 3rd Beatles movie.

"Parallel Lines" (Todd Rundgren) Copyright 1989 Fiction Music, Inc./Todd Rundgren BMI

If you enjoyed this show, please check out these related episodes:

https://lovethatsongpodcast.com/utopia-the-road-to-utopia

https://lovethatsongpodcast.com/todd-rundgren-cliche

https://lovethatsongpodcast.com/utopia-winston-smith-takes-it-on-the-jaw

https://lovethatsongpodcast.com/xtc-thats-really-super-supergirl

-- This show is one of many great podcasts on the Pantheon Podcasts network. Check 'em all out!

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The best British band from the '60's that never hit the bigtime in America-- Small Faces. Steve Marriott, Ronnie Lane, Kenny Jones and Ian McLagan would become rock legends due to their future projects (Humble Pie, The Who, The Faces, etc) , but it all started for them here. Small Faces recorded a number of psychedelic pop gems, but "Tin Soldier" may be the pinnacle. Shall we have a listen?

Small Faces - "Tin Soldier" (Steve Marriott, Ronnie Lane) Copyright 1967 EMI United Partnership Limited

-- This show is part of the Pantheon network of music-related podcasts. Check out their other shows!

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Back in '77, one thing UK punk bands didn't have much use for was love songs. But Pete Shelley of the Buzzcocks wrote what could be called "modern love songs"; honest songs about longing, romance, loneliness, and yes, love -- all laced with self-deprecating humor. But their music was aggressive, all raging guitars, pounding drums & pummeling bass. With those thoughtful (dare I say, sensitive) lyrics on top, it was the best of both worlds. On this episode, we take a deep dive into the Buzzcocks classic "What Do I Get?".

If you enjoyed this episode, check out The Hustle Podcast's interview with Steve Diggle.

Buzzcocks - "What Do I Get?" (Pete Shelley) Copyright 1978 Complete Music Limited

-- This show is one of many great music-related podcasts on the Pantheon network. You should check them out!

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"War" was originally written for The Temptations, but when Motown was too squeamish to have one of their top acts release an overtly anti-Vietnam song, Edwin Starr stepped up and secured his place in history. His no-holds-barred delivery of "War" resulted in one of the most commercially successful protest songs ever recorded. Though Edwin Starr never reached these heights again, he left his mark with a song that transcended its Vietnam-era roots: It was one of the songs on Clear Channel's no-play list after September 11, 2001.

"War" (Norman Whitfield & Barrett Strong) Copyright 1970 Jobette Music Co, Inc.

If you enjoyed this show, please check out these related episodes:

https://lovethatsongpodcast.com/the-temptations-i-cant-get-next-to-you

https://lovethatsongpodcast.com/stevie-wonder-i-wish

-- This show is just one of many great music-related podcasts on the Pantheon network. Check them all out!

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It Came From Boston (Vol. 2): Local boy from Wellesley, MA pays his dues in & around Boston and New York; eventually becomes a solo artist and strikes gold on his 2nd solo album, Don't Say No. "Lonely Is The Night" was the 2nd single and my favorite track from the album, so let's have a listen to this classic song from the early '80's.

"Lonely Is The Night" (Billy Squier) Copyright 1981 Songs Of The Knight

-- This show is part of the Pantheon network of music-related podcasts. Check out their other shows!

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For the 50th episode of the podcast, we're mixing it up a bit. I just finished reading a fascinating book by Andrew Grant Jackson where he lays out his belief that 1965 was "The Most Revolutionary Year In Music". Let's have a listen to some of the sounds of '65 and see if we agree. The Beatles, the Stones, the Byrds, James Brown, Marvin Gaye, Motown... it's all there.

You can find a copy of his book here:

https://www.amazon.com/1965-Most-Revolutionary-Year-Music/dp/1250059623

(and no, I don't get any $$ for recommending it-- I just like the book!)

-- This show is just one of many great music-related podcasts on the Pantheon network. Check them all out!

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A Robyn Hitchcock song is so unique, it could only come from the mind of Robyn Hitchcock. From his first recordings with The Soft Boys in the '70's through to his solo work today, Robyn is a singular artist with a vision all his own. This is a track from my favorite Hitchcock album, Element Of Light.  

"Airscape" (Robyn Hitchcock) Copyright 1986 August 23rd/Bug Music

As mentioned during the podcast - the Glass Harmonica:

https://youtu.be/eEKlRUvk9zc

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glass_harmonica

-- This show is just one of many great music-related podcasts on the Pantheon network. Check them all out!

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Wealth and excess go together; emptiness and detachment are right around the corner. This song delves into all of that, along with a particular obsession. What do you do when money no longer buys you a thrill? Bryan Ferry has some thoughts...

NOTE: Though there's no profanity used in this episode, the discussion does involve sexual activities so be warned... you might wanna listen to this one on headphones.

"In Every Dream Home A Heartache" (Bryan Ferry) Copyright 1973 Careers-BMG Music Publishing (BMI)

This podcast makes multiple references to Marie-Hélène de Rothschild's "Surrealist Ball". More details on the infamous event here, if you're interested:

https://dangerousminds.net/comments/glimpses_of_the_extravagant_surrealist_ball_of_1972

https://therake.com/stories/icons/party-animals-the-rothschild-surrealist-ball/

The song as used in the opening scene of "Mindhunter" Season 2, Episode 1 on Netflix:

https://youtu.be/9wqICwjCYGQ

-- This show is just one of many great music-related podcasts on the Pantheon network. Check them all out!

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To say Rush has a devoted fan base would be an understatement. I know, because I was a card-carrying member of the "Rush Backstage Fan Club" back in the '80's. Perhaps no Rush song connected so directly with their fans as "Subdivisions". On this episode, we celebrate Neil Peart with a deeper look at this fan favorite.

"Subdivisions" (Music by Geddy Lee & Alex Lifeson, Words by Neil Peart) Copyright 1982 Core Music Publishing

If you enjoyed this show, please check out this episode:

http://lovethatsongpodcast.com/yes-owner-of-a-lonely-heart

This show is part of the Pantheon Podcast network.

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On this episode, we revisit the great '70's hard rock/power pop album Attention Shoppers! by Starz. "X-Ray Spex" is a blast of punky pop with some interesting use of studio effects. Turn it up!

"X-Ray Spex" (Peter Sweval, Joe X. Dube, Michael Lee Smith, Brendan Harkin & Richie Ranno) Copyright 1978 Starzongo Music, Inc/Rock Steady Music, Inc/ASCAP

Related Episodes:

https://lovethatsongpodcast.com/starz-she

-- This show is part of the Pantheon network of music-related podcasts. Check out their other shows!

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