(OPEN) A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS - John Coltraine - I know. Not an unknown song but it sure worked for the open.
FOR SPACIOUS LIES - Beats International (After the Housdmartins and before Fat Boy Slim Norman Cook was part of this long-forgotten group that made one album that included this joyful track I always go back to)
I DON’T KNOW WHY I LOVE YOU - House of Love - This came out of the alternative explosion of the early nineties and holds up as one of the best examples from the UK.
KISS YOUR LIPS - Allo Darlin’ - My favorite song from The British band’s self-titled 2010 perfect debut. They should have been more successful!
IS IT TRUE - Brenda Lee - About 25-years-ago a friend turned me on to this unlikely song from the “I’m Sorry” vocalist and I’ve been listening all the time ever since. The song just rocks!
LOVE AND LONELINESS - The Motors - When I was a youngster back in the early 80s I was moved by the songs pseudo-psycho-analysis and unforgettable new wave groove.
BROKEN ENGLISH - Marianne Faithful - When I first saw Marianne perform this song from the eponymous album on SNL in ‘79 my head was blown. Nothing i’d heard was quite like her. Then when I learned her backstory: wow!
ROCK ‘ N ROLL GIRL - Paul Collins Beat - Great song from this West Coast power pop group was on a remarkable CBS Records (The Police, Joe Jackson) collection I picked up when visiting my uncle in Sweden circa 1979 (too). Still love it!
DAVEY CROCKETT - Thee Headcoats - A lark of a song from 1959, always makes me smile. Is this where The Ramones got “Gabba Gabba Hey”?
LOCO DE AMOR - David Byrne - Song during open credits of “Something Wild,” one of my favorite Jonathan Demme movies. Perfect!
BIG BROWN EYES - Old 97s - First song I saw these guys play at SXSW many years ago. Great blend of power pop and classic country! Been a fan ever since.
HAVE I STAYED TOO LONG - Sonny & Cher - I first heard this song on their 1991 CD Greatest Hits Collection. It’s always stuck with me.
A SHOT IN THE ARM - Wilco - Their early album SUMMER TEETH is one of my favorites by Wilco and this is my favorite song from it.
TEAR STAINED LETTER - Richard Thompson - The gateway song from his first solo album to Richard and Linda Thompson and all of his wonderful solo work.
REACH OUT IN THE DARKNESS - Friend and Lover - I had never heard this song from the 60s before it played during the closing credits of a Mad Men episode about 15 years ago. Still sounds perfect!
SPRINGTIME IN NEW YORK - Jonathan Richman - I love Jonathan and this song from 2002’s HER MYSTERY NOT OF HIGH HEELS AND EYESHADOW is special as he strolls through the New York neighborhood I call home.
ANNIE’S GONE - Redd Kross - From one of the quintessential west coast band’s only major label releases when they were all signing indie bands. I go back to this one often. Power pop doesn’t get much better than this.
SOMETHING I’VE GOT TO TELL YOU - Glenda Collins - This was on a collection of a British 60s cult figure Joe Meek’s productions I heard for the first time about 25 years ago. It has about 16,000 plays on Spotify when it should have been a massive hit.
HAMMOND SONG - The Roches - I didn’t first hear this song for some time after its initial release (it wasn’t cool!) but once I did I was blown over by the pure harmonies. So good!