What the Riff Next Gen

What the Riff Next Gen

By Rob Marbury, Wayne Rowan, Bruce Fricks, John LynchMusicMusic Commentary
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What the Riff Next Gen episodes

  • 1980 - September: Pat Benatar “Crimes of Passion”

    Patricia Mae Giraldo, better known as Pat Benatar, became one of the most prominent female rock stars when she made her debut in 1979.  Her most successful studio album was this second album, Crimes of Passion, which would benefit from play on rock stations around the country and the new music video media spearheaded by MTV.

    Benatar had actually abandoned early dreams of a singing career, choosing to pursue health (actually sex education) at Stony Brook University, rather than music at Juliard.  She dropped out of Stony Brook after a year, married Dennis Benatar, and worked as a bank teller in Virginia while he was stationed at Fort Lee.  Her interest in singing was rekindled after attending a Liza Minnelli concert.  She had some local success in Richmond and in New York where she and Dennis moved in the mid-70's, — but the real breakthrough would happen in Halloween 1977 when she performed in a spandex costume.  Shortly thereafter she was signed by Chrysalis Records.  She ended up divorcing Dennis Benatar thereafter, but would keep his last name as her professional name.

    While Pat Benatar achieved strong success on her debut album with the hit "Heartbreaker."  Crimes of Passion would make Benatar a household name.  The album would spend five consecutive weeks at number 2 on the album charts in January 1981, and would net Benatar a Grammy Award for "Best Female Rock Vocal Performance" of 1980.  Pat Benatar would appear on the cover of the October 1980 issue of Rolling Stone along with her guitarist and future husband, Neil Giraldo.

    We think you will enjoy this excellent album.  At least we will do our best to hit you with our best shot!

     

    Hit Me with Your Best Shot

    This song is the second single off the album, but the biggest hit, and her first entry into the top 10.  The song was written by Canadian musician, songwriter, and producer Eddie Schwartz, inspired by a therapy session he participated in that involved hitting pillows.  This is a true rock anthem. 

    Little Paradise

    This deeper cut leads off side two of the album, and was written by guitarist and soon-to-be husband of Pat Benatar, Neil Giraldo.  To us, it feels a little more like Ted Nugent or southern rock.  

    You Better Run

    The first single released from the album is a cover of a song originally performed by The Young Rascals.  Although this song missed the top 40 (peaking at number 42 on the Billboard Hot 100), it would become the second music video ever broadcast on MTV after the Buggles' "Video Killed the Radio Star."

    Hell Is for Children

    This emotional song was written by Benatar, Giraldo, and bassist Roger Capps and is Neil Giraldo's favorite song.  Pat Benatar was inspired to write this song by a  series in New York about abused children.  Later on Benatar and Giraldo would actually create foundation for abused children

     

    ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

    Main theme from the television series “Cosmos”

    This popular PBS series premiered in September 1980, and would make Carl Sagan a household name.

     

    STAFF PICKS:

    “Introduction/Lola” by the Kinks

    Brian's starts our staff picks off with a live version of the 1970's hit about an encounter between a young man and the cross-dressing Lola.  In the song the guy meets Lola in Soho, London, but the inspiration was a result of Kinks manager Robert Wace spent an evening in Paris dancing with a cross-dresser.  

    “Games Without Frontiers” by Peter Gabriel

    Wayne's staff pick takes its name from a European TV show, "Jeus Sans Frontieres" where people from different places would play games of skill while wearing strange costumes.  The British version of this game show was called "It's a Knockout," and that title also makes it into the song.  The song's lyrics are a commentary on war and negotiations between countries being like children on a playground.  Kate Bush contributes backing vocals in this song.

    “The Legend of Wooley Swamp” by the Charlie Daniels Band

    Bruce takes us on a spooky trip to the Wooley Swamp where the ghost of miser Lucious Clay torments the spirits of his killers, the Cable Boys.  Today Wooley Swamp is the name of a farm campground and RV park near Raleigh.

    “Turn It On Again” by Genesis

    Rob finishes off our staff picks with the first single off Genesis' album "Duke," written by band member Mike Rutherford.  It is about a man who doesn't do anything but watch TV, and begins to think of the TV personalities as his friends.  The song has a complex time signature, with much of the song in 13/8.  

       

    INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:

    "Dinorah, Dinorah" by George Benson

    We're turning to a jazz instrumental by R&B and Jazz artist George Benson to finish off this week's podcast.  It was off his 1980 album, "Give Me the Night."

    Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?”

    NOTE: To adjust the loudness of the music or voices, you may adjust the balance on your device. VOICES are stronger in the LEFT channel, and MUSIC is stronger on the RIGHT channel.

    Please follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/whattheriffpodcast/, and message or email us with what you'd like to hear, what you think of the show, and any rock-worthy memes we can share.

    Of course we'd love for you to rate the show in your podcast platform!

    **NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.

    38 min
  • 1965 - November: Smokey Robinson and the Miracles “Going to a Go-Go”

    When Berry Gordy's Motown Record Corporation began, the first group signed was The Miracles, also known as Smokey Robinson and the Miracles from 1965 to 1972.  The group was also the first of Motown's million-selling recording artists, and the first Motown act to appear on American Bandstand.  The group would have a nineteen-year run on the American music charts, with over fifty hits, sixteen within the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100.  

    Smokey Robinson led the group from its start in 1955 as “The Five Chimes” until he retired from the group in 1972 to take a larger tole as Motown's vice president.  Other members included Robinson's wife Claudette, Ronald White, Marv Tarplin, Pete Moore, and Bobby Rogers.  In addition to their chart success, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles would have a profound affect on rock and roll, with many of the Miracles' hits being covered by groups like the Zombies, the Who, the Rolling Stones, the Hollies, and the Beatles.

    Robinson, whose first name is William, got the name “Smokey” from his uncle.  Young William Robinson loved cowboy movies, and his uncle started calling him “Smokey Joe” as a cowboy name.  Everyone called him that until he was about 12 years old, at which time he dropped the “Joe” part.

    Going to a Go-Go is the first Miracles album to use the name “Smokey Robinson and the Miracles.”  It is also the only studio album by the group to chart in the top 10 of Billboards 200 albums chart, peaking at number 8.  Smokey Robinson produced the album, and wrote or co-wrote all but one of the songs on it. 

    We're sure you will enjoy this blast from the past. 

     

    Ooo, Baby Baby

    The Funk Brothers provide the instrumentals for this pleading song about a man who cheated on his woman and begs forgiveness.  It was listed as number 266 on Rolling Stone Magazine's list of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.”

    Tracks of My Tears

    This iconic song is another of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time,” coming in at number 50.  The song itself is about putting on a good face for others after a breakup.  “Baby take a good look at my face, you'll see my smile looks out of place.  Yeah, just look closer, it's easy to trace the tracks of my tears.”

    My Girl Has Gone

    Marv Tarplin plays a 12-string guitar on this song that tries to put a positive spin on a breakup.  “Don't you cry, hold your head up high.  Don't give up, give love one more try, ‘cause there’s a right girl for every guy.”

    Going to a Go-Go

    The up-temp dance song was covered by the Rolling Stones on their 1982 album “Still Life.”  Miracles member and co-writer Bobby Rogers said that the song was inspired by the success of the “go-go” clubs that were popular throughout the United States in the 1960's.  

     

    ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

    The theme from the television series “Combat!”

    This drama series started in black and white and switched to color during its run from 1962 to 1967, and focused on a World War II American squad fighting Germans in France.

     

    STAFF PICKS:

    Everyone's Gone to the Moon by Jonathan King

    Bruce's staff pick was written and sung by Jonathan King while he was an undergraduate at Cambridge.  He went on to become a record producer, songwriter, and entrepreneur.  He discovered the band Genesis in 1967 and produced their first album, “From Genesis to Revelation.” 

    I'm A Man by The Yardbirds

    Rob brings us a most politically incorrect tune, originally performed by Bo Diddley in 1955.  The Yardbirds covered it this year after Jeff Beck replaced Eric Clapton as guitar.

    May the Bird of Paradise (Fly Up Your Nose) by “Little” Jimmy Dickens

    Brian's staff pick features 4' 11" tall Jimmy Dickens.  The reference was used frequently by Johnny Carson, and the song chronicles some events in the life of a cheapskate.

    It Ain't Me Babe  by The Turtles

    Wayne finishes up the staff picks with a cover of a Bob Dylan song.  The song is about a boy telling a girl that he is not the one who will meet her every need.  This is the biggest hit of the first album by The Turtles. 

     

    INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:

    Cleo's Back by Junior Walker & the All Stars

    We close out this week's podcast with an instrumental from another Motown group.

    Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?”

    NOTE: To adjust the loudness of the music or voices, you may adjust the balance on your device. VOICES are stronger in the LEFT channel, and MUSIC is stronger on the RIGHT channel.

    Please follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/whattheriffpodcast/, and message or email us with what you'd like to hear, what you think of the show, and any rock-worthy memes we can share.

    Of course we'd love for you to rate the show in your podcast platform!

    **NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.

    27 min
  • 1981 - February: Rush “Moving Pictures”

    With the release of Moving Pictures, Canadian power trio Rush moved to their highest level of commercial success.  Bassist and lead singer Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and percussionist extraordinaire Neil Peart were established at the top of the prog rock genre, and this eighth studio album would be their most successful studio release in their career, becoming so when it crossed the quadruple platinum level of sales.

    The band had originally planned to release a live album at the conclusion of their tour for "Permanent Waves," but Neil Peart encouraged them to change direction towards a new studio release based upon interesting material they were creating during sound checks on tour.  The album itself was more accessible than some of their early work.  While most songs would clock in at over 4 minutes (and "The Camera Eye" was over 10 minutes long), the pieces were still more radio-friendly than longer pieces like Hemispheres and 2112.  The music and lyrics cover topics like travel, individualism, and fame.

    The album cover art consists of a group of movers transporting canvas art (moving pictures), onlookers who are crying at seeing the art (moving pictures), and a film crew recording the entire scene (making moving pictures).  

    There is simply no bad track on this album, and Bruce found it difficult to determine which songs to feature.  We encourage you to purchase or download Moving Pictures for your repertoire if you don't already have it. 

     

    Red Barchetta

    Although not released as a single, this is a fan favorite, and one of their most accomplished lyric stories.  Neil Peart's lyrics were inspired from a short story by Richard S. Foster called "A Nice Morning Drive," written in the November 1973 issue of Road and Track magazine. It is about a country drive during a time in the future when cars had been outlawed by "The Motor Law."

    Limelight

    This piece reflects Peart's mixed feelings about fame, and is the second single from the album.  Many times Lee and Lifeson would interact with the public while Peart would remain away from the crowds.  Some of the lyrics reflect a line from Shakespeare's "As You Like It," as does the title of their first life album, "All the World's a Stage."

    Vital Signs

    The last track on side 2 takes a more reggae feel, similar to The Police.  It also has more in common with more synth-heavy pieces which would appear on subsequent Rush albums like Signals and Grace Under Pressure.  The music is about individuality and conformity, a theme often recurring in Rush's catalogue. 

    Tom Sawyer

    Undoubtedly, this is the most famous Rush song.  It was written by Rush in collaboration with lyricist Pye Dubois of the band Max Webster, and pays homage to the free-spirited individualist confidently striding through the world.  Although the first single, the leading track to the album, and the most successful song, Tom Sawyer peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 44.  Most concerts late in their career would open with this song.

     

    ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

    Main Theme from the television series Diff'rent Strokes

    This comedy series addressed many social issues, and would take a more serious tone with a 2-part episode addressing pedophilia in this month.

     

    STAFF PICKS:

    Turn Me Loose by Loverboy

    Brian's staff pick stays with the Canadian bands, featuring the first breakout hit by Loverboy from their debut album.  While the band appreciated the success, they were less pleased with the S&M community, who adopted it as a kind of "theme song" of their practitioners.  

    Miss Sun by Boz Scaggs

    Rob brings us a song first recorded in 1977 by a group of session musicians who would become Toto, and those musicians worked on the Scaggs version as well.  The Toto musicians participated in Scaggs' ciritical and commercial hit album "Silk Degrees" in 1976.  Miss Sun peaked at number 14 in February.  It has a jazzy chord progression.

    People Who Died by The Jim Carroll Band

    Wayne's staff pick features a punk-infused song from Jim Carroll, whose biography inspired the film "The Basketball Diaries."  The movie deals with Carroll's heroin addiction.  The song mentions the name of a number of Carroll's friends and acquaintances who had passed away.  Jim Carroll himself died in 2009.

    I Ain't Gonna Stand for It by Stevie Wonder

    Bruce's staff pick highlights a country-oriented song by R&B legend Stevie Wonder. Wonder plays piano and drums on this song, and is joined by backing vocalists Charlie and Ronnie Wilson of The Gap Band.  You may also be familiar with a cover of the song done by Eric Clapton in 2001.

     

    INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:

    YYZ by Rush

    We sneak in one more from Moving Pictures with this instrumental homage to the Toronto airport.  The initial percussion is Morse code for the letters YYZ - the three-letter code for Toronto.

    Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?”

    NOTE: To adjust the loudness of the music or voices, you may adjust the balance on your device. VOICES are stronger in the LEFT channel, and MUSIC is stronger on the RIGHT channel.

    Please follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/whattheriffpodcast/, and message or email us with what you'd like to hear, what you think of the show, and any rock-worthy memes we can share.

    Of course we'd love for you to rate the show in your podcast platform!

    **NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.

    48 min
  • 1967 - June: The Hollies “The Hollies’ Greatest Hits”

    One of the last British Invasion groups of the 1960s, and one of the few grroups that never disbanded, was Manchester's own The Hollies.  Alan Clarke and Graham Nash founded the group, and after a few iterations joined with Vic Steele (lead guitar), Eric Haydock (bass), and Don Rathbone (drums) in a group known as the Deltas.  They would first be known as The Hollies at a Manchester gig in December 1962, taking the name from both the Christmas season and in admiration of Buddy Holly.  By 1967, Steele had been replaced by Tony Hicks, and Rathbone by Bobby Elliott.  Eric Haydock would be replaced by Ernie Calvert in 1966.

    The Hollies' Greatest Hits was released in May 1967 after their fifth studio album, though they had only achieved major U.S. success in 1966.  This album showcases their three-part harmonies and the sound reminiscent of many early 60's British Invasion bands.  They did covers and songs from other writers at first - a common practice in bands at the time - before becoming comfortable writing their own material.  

    Though The Hollies had many decades more music and hits to come, Graham Nash would depart a few months after this Greatest Hits collection was released to join his new band, Crosby, Stills & Nash.  This collection is a good representation of the early days of this iconic band.

     

    Bus Stop

    This was the first U.S. top 10 hit by the group, released in June 1966.  Songwriter Graham Gouldman wrote this piece using opening lyrics first written by his father, playwright Hyme Gouldman.  Graham Gouldman would later be a member of the band 10cc.

    On a Carousel

    Clarke, Nash, and Hicks penned this song.  These three would form the core of the songwriting for The Hollies after they began writing on their own.  Previous hits were from Graham Gouldman or covers.  It was originally released in February 1967 as a single, and captures the spirit of young love.

    Look Through Any Window

    This one hit the charts as a single in the US in September 1965, and was their first top 40 hit. “Look through any window, yeah, what do you see?  Smiling faces all around, rushin' through the busy town.”

    Stop, Stop, Stop

    Released in the US by Imperial records in October 1966, this track has a distinctive sound with a banjo as lead instrument and employing a tape delay to give it an eastern feel.  It was inspired when the band was taken to a strip club for the first time.  “Stop, stop stop all the dancing.  Give me time to breathe.”

     

    ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

    Theme from the motion picture “To Sir With Love”

    Sidney Poitier stars and singer Lulu contributes this song (and makes her film debut) in this drama about social and racial issues in an inner city school.

     

    STAFF PICKS:

    “Creeque Alley” by The Mamas & The Papas

    Rob kicks off the staff picks with an autobiographical piece on how The Mamas & The Papas formed.  The line “and no one's getting fat 'cept Mama Cass” could refer to Cass Elliott's weight, ...or to her financial situation, as she was making more money than the rest of the band!

    “I Got Rhythm” by The Happenings

    Bruce takes us way back with a show tune originally composed by George and Ira Gershwin in 1930.  The Happenings were known for playing classic songs in a sunshine pop style.  “I Got Rhythm” would make it to number 3 on the US charts with this version.

    “From the Underworld” by The Herd

    Wayne's staff pick features a 17 year old Peter Frampton!  This song was the first UK hit by the group, and was inspired by the story of Orpheus and his flight from Hades.  The psychedelic tune was payed on Pirate Radio in the UK, where radio broadcasts were conducted from ship to avoid the BBC.

    “Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon” by Neil Diamond

    Brian's pick is a hit from Neil Diamond addressing the female fans at his concerts directly.  Diamond was a sex symbol at the time, and his audience skewed female, as demonstrated by the apparel thrown up on stage.

       

    LAUGH TRACK:

    “Ding Dong the Witch Is Dead” by The Fifth Estate

    This may be more novelty than comedy, but your ears do no deceive you.  That's right, this song from "The Wizard of Oz" made it into the charts this month via this cover by The Fifth Estate.

    Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?”

    NOTE: To adjust the loudness of the music or voices, you may adjust the balance on your device. VOICES are stronger in the LEFT channel, and MUSIC is stronger on the RIGHT channel.

    Please follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/whattheriffpodcast/, and message or email us with what you'd like to hear, what you think of the show, and any rock-worthy memes we can share.

    Of course we'd love for you to rate the show in your podcast platform!

    **NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.

    31 min
  • 1993 - February: R.E.M. ”Automatic for the People”

    By the time that R.E.M. put out their eighth studio album, the band had been a major factor in alternative rock for a decade.  Automatic for the People takes a step back from the faster paced music of earlier albums and creates a more pensive, mellow  feel with themes of loss and nostalgia for times gone by. Guitarist Peter Buck, bass and keyboardist Mike Mills, drummer Bill Berry, and front man Michael Stipe present a more acoustic landscape with this critically and commercially successful album.

    Many of the songs on this album originated during sessions for the previous album, “Out of Time,” recorded at Prince's Paisley Park Studios.  The recording was done in multiple locations including Seattle, New Orleans, Miami, Atlanta, and of course R.E.M.'s home town of Athens, Georgia.  The band formed from UGA students in 1980 and was one of the earliest alternative rock groups on the scene.  R.E.M. lead the charge of the Athens-based music scene.

    The album name is a motto originated at Weaver D's Delicious Fine Foods in Athens, Georgia.  At one point the album was going to be called "Star." The album cover sports a photograph of a star-shaped sign from the Sinbad hotel in Miami, not far from the studio where some of the tracks were recorded.  This album would produce six singles, and reached number 2 on the U.S. Billboard 200 Album charts.

    While originally released in October 1992, we're featuring it in May 1993 when "The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite" single was released in February 1993, the third single from the album.  We hope you like this trip back to college rock in the early 90's.

     

    Ignoreland

    Although this track was not released as a single, it still made it into the charts.  The high energy song finds Michael Stipe throwing out crazy lyrics and phrases about politics, mostly raging against Republicans Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush.

    Try Not to Breathe

    Michael Stipe was writing about his grandmother as she was dying in this folksy track in 3/4 time.  The title originated from a session where Peter Buck had the guitar mic near his mouth.  The engineer said he was making too much noise, and Buck replied, "OK, take two.  I'll try not to breathe."  Stipe thought it made a nice title!

    Monty Got a Raw Deal

    Another folk oriented track, this one is about the actor Montgomery Clift, who starred in The Misfits, From Here to Eternity, and A Place in the Sun.  The lyrics were meant as a contemplation on movies versus reality.   Guitarist Peter Buck plays a Greek stringed instrument called a bouzouki on this song.

    Night Swimming

    This soft ballad is almost a chant with its repeating, circular melody.  John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin fame is credited with the string arrangement.  If the piano sounds familiar, it might be because Mike Mills recorded the piano using the same instrument that Derek and the Dominos used to record "Layla" many years prior to this.   "Every streetlight reveals a picture in reverse..."

     

    ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

    “Pennsylvania Polka” by Frankie Yankovic & His Yanks

    The film "Groundhog Day" debuted in February 1993, starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell. The film "Groundhog Day" debuted in February 1993, starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell. The film "Groundhog Day" debuted in February 1993, starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell. ;-)

     

    STAFF PICKS:

    Walk On the Ocean by Toad the Wet Sprocket

    Brian's staff pick starts us off with the group named from a Monty Python skit.  Lead singer Glen Phillips wrote the lyrics in about 5 minutes as a “stream of consciousness” without any real meaning.  He had images of water on his mind after a trip to the ocean in Washington state, but nothing beyond that. 

    Mr. Wendal by Arrested Development

    Bruce brings us a little southern hip hop from Atlanta's own Arrested Development.  The song tells about an encounter with the homeless Mr. Wendal and about what the rapper learns from a non-materialistic person versus what society says.

    I Am the Bullgod by Kid Rock

    Wayne's staff pick brings up the energy with a rocking song from Detroit's Robert James Ritchie, aka Kid Rock.  This is off his second independent album, and would be re-released on a major label years later.  It is a good example of the blend between rap and heavy metal that was making its appearance at the time.  

    Courage (for Hugh MacLennan) by The Tragically Hip

    Rob's closes out the staff picks with a hit from Canadian band The Tragically Hip - off their third studio album.  The reference to Hugh MacLennan is a shout-out to the author of a 1959 novel entitled "The Watch that Ends the Night."  Lines from that novel are paraphrased in the last verse of the song.

     

    INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:

    New Orleans Instrumental No. 1  by R.E.M.

    Rob does a little double dipping this week to finish off the episode with an instrumental track from this week's album pick.  R.E.M. recorded this in New Orleans in a place that was supposedly haunted.

    Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?”

    NOTE: To adjust the loudness of the music or voices, you may adjust the balance on your device. VOICES are stronger in the LEFT channel, and MUSIC is stronger on the RIGHT channel.

    Please follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/whattheriffpodcast/, and message or email us with what you'd like to hear, what you think of the show, and any rock-worthy memes we can share.

    Of course we'd love for you to rate the show in your podcast platform!

    **NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.

    38 min
  • 1977 - May: The Sex Pistols “Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols”

    We've profiled albums from bands which were a mess in real life before, but it would be hard to identify a more "bad boy" oriented group than the Sex Pistols.  We'll also not be profiling any other Sex Pistols studio album…because Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols is their sole studio album.  The Sex Pistols put out a number of singles ahead of the album, so while the full album was released in October of 1977, their single "God Save the Queen" was released in May of 1977.  The Sex Pistols defined Punk Rock in a way that would influence the entire genre for decades.

    Members of the group were Glen Matlock on bass, Steve Jones on guitar, Paul Cook on drums and Johnny Rotten (who got the nickname for his bad teeth) on lead vocals.  Sid Vicious would come in on bass after Matlock split with the group.  

    The members didn't get along with each other, didn't get along with the media, the public, or pretty much anyone.  They had already had an obscenity-laden interview on television in December 1976 which kept the tabloids busy for days afterward, and "God Save the Queen" continued their infamous image with its broadside against conformity and the crown.

    The popularity of the Sex Pistols was a reflection of the underlying resentment towards the tough times in England during the late 70s.  Their enduring popularity is a reflection of the punk movement the Sex Pistols helped to found in this short-lived group and album.

     

    God Save the Queen

    Also known as "No Future," with lyrics like "God Save the Queen, she ain't no human being," it is not surprising that the BBC refused to play the song.  Despite this, it went to number 2 on the charts in the UK.  The Sex Pistols leased a boat just before the Queen's Jubilee (25-year anniversary) and played off it past Westminster Abbey and Parliament.  They were arrested as they exited the boat.

    Submission

    This deeper cut takes a different pace than your normal punk song, but plays on words.  "I'm on a submarine mission for you baby."  Not as submissive as it appears at first, is it?  Their manager wanted them to do a bondage-type song, but the band never was known to take instructions very well, and so created this pun on the word as a result.

    Pretty Vacant

    This third single was one of the first songs written by the group.  The track is a rant about appearances masking a lack of substance.  "I'm so pretty, you're so pretty...pretty vacant...and we don't care."  The music of the Sex Pistols remains loud, and uses simple power chords.

    Anarchy in the UK

    The Sex Pistol's first single released is iconic.  "Don't know what I want, but I know how to get it.  I want to destroy the passerby."  

     

    ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

    The theme from the television series “The Brady Bunch”

    We apologize for the abrupt change!  "The Brady Bunch Hour" variety show had its last airing in May 1977.

     

    STAFF PICKS:

    Calling Dr. Love  by Kiss

    Brian's staff pick starts us with more cowbell!  Gene Simmons takes lead vocals on a song inspired by a short from "The Three Stooges," entitled "Men in Black," where they were calling various Doctors.  Katey Sagal (from Married...With Children) is a backing vocalist on this song. 

    Heard It In a Love Song by The Marshall Tucker Band

    Bruce brings us the highest charting single from Spartanburg, South Carolina's own.  The Marshall Tucker Band got their name from a door key to the warehouse whey had rented for rehearsal, which had the name "Marshall Tucker" inscribed on it.  Later they found out that the key belonged to a blind piano tuner who had tuned a piano in the rented space just before their arrival.

    Lonely Boy   by Andrew Gold

    Rob's staff pick was on the charts for about two months, and tells a story about a family raising a boy who is the center of their world until his little sister comes along.  Linda Ronstadt contributes to the vocals in this track.  Andrew Gold had a close association with Ronstadt.

    Couldn't Get It Right  by Climax Blues Band

    Wayne gets his groove on with a two-hit wonder from an English band.  The band wrote the song "from absolutely nowhere" after their label couldn't find a standout song for the single from their album.  The lyrics were inspired by the band searching for the "Holiday Inn" sign for their motel after a show on their tour in America. 

     

    INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:

    Cruise Control by the Dixie Dregs

    We finish off this week with a long instrumental from the prog rock band the Dixie Dregs.  This is likely their most famous song, and is covered by a lot of bands.

    Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?”

    NOTE: To adjust the loudness of the music or voices, you may adjust the balance on your device. VOICES are stronger in the LEFT channel, and MUSIC is stronger on the RIGHT channel.

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    **NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.

    39 min
  • 1987 - August: The Grateful Dead “In the Dark”

    The Grateful Dead are most famous for their status as a tour band, jam band, and cult band.  They may be the greatest touring rock group of the rock era.  They were originally known as the Warlocks when they formed in 1965 in San Francisco, but had to change the name when they discovered another band already using the title.  Jerry Garcia found the word "Grateful Dead" in a dictionary, meaning "the soul of a dead person, or his angel, showing gratitude to someone who, as an act of charity, arranged their burial."

    Jerry Garcia is the guitarist and vocalist, and probably the most famous member.  Bob Weir is also on guitar and vocals, Phil Lesh is on bass, Brent Mydland is on keyboards and vocals, and Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann share duties on drums.

    In the Dark is the twelfth studio album by the Grateful Dead, and their most commercially successful album.  Although The Dead hadn't recorded in six years, most of these songs would be familiar to "Dead Heads" from their touring lineup, as much of the album had been played since 1982 or 1983.  The album got its name because they recorded the baseline tracks for the album in an empty darkened theater with the same lighting they would use on tour in order to capture the "feel" they had for the songs.  The cover art had lettering in the shape of an eye, and inside the "eye" are photos of the band members eyes.  The CD release had the photos upside down.

    Bruce shares with us this masterpiece from the cult phenomenon known as The Grateful Dead.

     

    Touch of Grey

    This is the single from the album.  It reached number 9 on Billboard's Hot 100, and number 1 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks.  It was first performed as an encore on September 15th, 1982 in Maryland.  The Grateful Dead encourage to record the music during their tours, and the number of bootleg recordings make it easy to track the original debuts of songs.  Touch of Grey is the only Grateful Dead song to hit the top 40, so technically The Grateful Dead are a one-hit wonder!

    West L.A. Fadeaway

    This blues piece was also originally performed in 1982.  Supposedly this is a tribute to John Belushi's death at the Chateau Marmont hotel in 1982.  Belushi had appeared onstage with the Dead at least once, in New Jersey in 1980.  The opening lyric begin, "I'm looking for a Chateau, 21 rooms but one will do."  Jerry Garcia had a bad drug problem in the early 80's and started cutting back on opiate usage in 1985.  He slipped into a diabetic coma for several days in 1986, so he was lucky not to have shared Belushi's fate by this time.

    My Brother Esau

    This is a deep cut — so deep that it didn't make it onto the album.  It also didn't make it onto the CD, but was the B-side for the “Touch of Grey” single and made it on the cassette version of “In the Dark.”  It is an updated story of the Biblical tale of Jacob and Esau, set in the Vietnam war era.  It was originally performed in 1983 in Tempe, Arizona.  

    Hell In a Bucket

    While this song sound smooth and upbeat, the lyrics are dripping with venom towards an ex-lover. While not a single, this song received considerable air play on rock-oriented stations in 1987.  "I may be going to hell in a bucket, baby, but at least I'm enjoying the ride."

     

    ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

    “Good Times” by INXS with Jimmy Barnes (from the motion picture “The Lost Boys”)

    The movie that started the trend towards young, good looking vampires was released this month with a killer soundtrack.  This one was a cover of a song originally done by The Easybeats

     

    STAFF PICKS:

    “Painted Moon” by The Silencers

    Rob starts off the staff picks with a group from Scotland that formed in London in 1986.  The Silencers have been compared to U2, Big Country, and Simple Minds.  Painted Moon is off their debut album, “A Letter from St. Paul,” and made it to the top of the charts in August 1987.  The Silencers would put out three albums before their popish stile was eclipsed by the grunge movement.

    “Detox Mansion” by Warren Zevon

    Wayne's staff pick comes from the composer of "Werewolves of London."  If this track reminds you of REM, there's a reason:  REM is the backing band for this song and this album, "Sentimental Hygeine."  The song deals with drug use and recovery.  "Well, its tough to be somebody, and it's hard to keep from falling apart up here on Rehab Mountain we gonna learn these things by heart."

    “Girls, Girls, Girls” by Motley Crue

    Brian's staff pick is a straightforward elegy to strip clubs.  Motley Crue takes a lyrical journey around the country to reminisce about famous - or perhaps infamous - "gentlemen's clubs" in different U.S. cities.

    “Mary's Prayer” by Danny Wilson

    Bruce's staff pick is from a Scottish pop group formed by Gary Clark, Kit Clark, and Ged Grimes.  Their originally name was Spenser Tracy, but they changed the name at the last minute under threat from actor Spenser Tracy's estate.  The name Danny Wilson comes from a 1952 Frank Sinatra film.  The song has a lot of religious imagery, but at its root is a story about a boy losing a girl and missing the days when he meant the world to her.

     

    INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:

    “Pipeline” by Dick Dale and Stevie Ray Vaughan

    This instrumental track was from the beach movie "Back to the Beach", and hearkens back to the 60's beach music  Stevie Ray Vaughan and Dick Dale cover this classic tune for the movie.

    Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?”

    NOTE: To adjust the loudness of the music or voices, you may adjust the balance on your device. VOICES are stronger in the LEFT channel, and MUSIC is stronger on the RIGHT channel.

    Please follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/whattheriffpodcast/, and message or email us with what you'd like to hear, what you think of the show, and any rock-worthy memes we can share.

    Of course we'd love for you to rate the show in your podcast platform!

    **NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.

    48 min
  • 1969 - May: Crosby, Stills & Nash “Crosby, Stills & Nash”

    It is hard to think of a time in the rock era when Crosby, Stills & Nash were not already a mainstay of the genre, but every rock legend has an origin, and the self-titled debut album first appeared in May of 1969.  It was a near-instant success and one of the harbingers of a turn from blues-oriented rock to more acoustic, folk-oriented rock that would usher in the decade of the 70's.

    Crosby, Stills & Nash were a supergroup from their debut.  David Crosby came from The Byrds, Stephen Stills came out of Buffalo Springfield, and Graham Nash was from The Hollies.  Each was a songwriter as well as a vocalist and instrumentalist (Crosby on guitar, Stills on guitar and keyboards, and Nash on guitar).  The addition of Neil Young (who has also previously played with Buffalo Springfield) would come after the album was released.

    As you listen to this podcast pay attention to the harmonies in the songs.  That is the calling card for CS&N.  Band members differ on where the trio first sang together.  Crosby and Nash maintain that it was at Joni Mitchell's house, but Stephen Stills insists that he would have been too intimidated to sing at Mitchell's place, and that it was at Cass Elliot's (from The Mamas and the Papas) house!  Either way the harmonies were so good it was clear that they would have to form a group.  

    Much of the album is accomplished with multi-instrumentalist Stephen Stills (aka "Captain Many Hands") playing on the tracks, though Crosby and Nash played guitar on songs that they wrote.  You can't duplicate this onstage however, so more instrumentalists had to be brought in for the tour — including Neil Young.  One of their first stops - only their second concert as a group in fact -  would be Woodstock, where they played a set between 3:00 and 4:00 a.m.

    Rob brings us this harmonic, folk album.  We hope you enjoy it!

    Suite:  Judy Blue Eyes

    This song is one of two hit singles from the album.  The song was written by Stephen Stills, inspired by his former girlfriend, Judy Collins.  It is a play on words - “Sweet Judy” and written as a 4-part suite.  The first section is a pop song, the second section is in half tempo (relative to the first section), the third section picks up the tempo and is more poetic, and the fourth section is in Spanish.  

    Long Time Gone

    This should be a familiar track which is time-stamped from the late 60's.  It was written the night that Bobby Kennedy was killed.  David Crosby wrote this political, counter-cultural work.   “Speak out, you got to speak out against the madness, you got to speak your mind, if you dare.  But don't try to get yourself elected.  If you do you had better cut your hair.”

    You Don't Have to Cry

    The first song Crosby, Stills & Nash ever sang together is this deep cut.  Stephen Stills wrote this one as a love letter to Judy Collins, trying to convince her to move from New York to California.  “Are you thinking of telephones and managers and where you've got to be at noon?”

    Helplessly Hoping

    This deep cut was the B-side from the single for “Marrakesh Express” The beautiful acoustic work reminded us of songs like Fleetwood Mac's "Landslide" or Kansas' "Dust In the Wind."  

     

    ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

    Everybody's Talking from the motion picture “Midnight Cowboy”

    Harry Nilsson performs this Grammy award-winning cover from the first X-rated movie to win an Academy Award for Best Picture.

     

    STAFF PICKS:

    “Galveston” by Glenn Campbell

    Brian's staff pick is one of three songs Jimmy Webb wrote for Campbell (the others being "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" and "Wichita Lineman").  

    “Just a Little Bit” by Little Milton

    Wayne takes us to the Mississippi delta for some blues.  Ike Turner discovered Little Milton for Sam Phillips at Sun Records.  Little Milton became more famous when he went to Checker Records, a more blues-oriented label.  Little Milton was a prolific blues artist.

    “It's Your Thing” by The Isley Brothers

    Bruce moves from blues to soul with the first hit from the Isley Brothers after leaving Motown Records.  Ronald Isley wrote the song while dropping his daughter off at school.  It features the lyrics “I can't tell ya' who to sock it to,” an adaptation of  a popular line from the time that originally appeared in Aretha Franklin's “Respect.”

    “In-A-Gadda-De-Vida” by Iron Butterfly

    Rob finishes off our staff picks with the radio version of the 17-minute psychedelic opus.  Is it heavy metal, is it acid rock?  We can't say, but Songfacts clears up the name as a misnomer.  The title was supposed to be "In the Garden of Eden," but someone wrote the name down wrong and the record label decided to stick with "In-A-Gadda-De-Vida" as an eastern-sounding title.

       

    INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:

    Theme from "Hawaii 5-0" by The Ventures

    Surfs up as we close out this week's podcast with an instrumental from the cop drama which debuted in 1968 and ran for 12 seasons.  The Ventures' version of this song was on the charts this month as a top-5 hit.

    Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?”

    NOTE: To adjust the loudness of the music or voices, you may adjust the balance on your device. VOICES are stronger in the LEFT channel, and MUSIC is stronger on the RIGHT channel.

    Please follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/whattheriffpodcast/, and message or email us with what you'd like to hear, what you think of the show, and any rock-worthy memes we can share.

    Of course we'd love for you to rate the show in your podcast platform!

    **NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.

    35 min
  • 1991 - April: Temple of the Dog “Temple of the Dog”

    In the aftermath of the death of Andrew Wood, lead singer of alternative rock bands Malfunkshun and Mother Love Bone, a supergroup was formed in tribute called Temple of the Dog and they released an album of the same name. Soundgarden's front man Chris Cornell had been Andrew Woods’ roommate previously, and wrote several songs inspired by Wood.  After returning to Seattle from a tour with Soundgarden, Cornell approached Stone Gossard (rhythm guitar) and Jeff Arment (bass) of Mother Love Bone about collaborating.  Temple of the dog was rounded out with Mike McCready (guitar), Matt Cameron (drums), and another singer — Eddie Vedder, who was in town to audition with a group soon to be known as Pearl Jam.

    Temple of the Dog was recorded in 15 days at the end of 1990, and totally produced by the band.  There were no expectations from the record company, making the recording process a lot more relaxed for band members.  The album was released in April 1991 and initially sold 70,000 copies.  After the artists split company, going to Soundgarden and the newly-formed Pearl Jam, the record company realized that this collaboration between the two bands was a real gem, and they gave the album new interest with promotion in the summer of 1992.  

    In retrospect the album and collaboration would receive much critical praise, but the most important aspect of the project was that the group agreed that Andy Wood would have really liked the songs.

    We hope you enjoy this early grunge collaboration.

     

    Say Hello 2 Heaven

    This was a single from the album and one of two songs Chris Cornell wrote in tribute to Andrew Wood while he was on tour with Soundgarden.  Cornell's vocals are distinctive, though this song is a bit of a departure from what you would typically hear from grunge in general and Soundgarden in particular.  

    Reach Down

    This blues-inspired song is perhaps a deeper cut from the album, and is the second song Cornell wrote as a tribute to Wood while on tour before forming Temple of the Dog.   It is the second track on the album and contains a long guitar solo tribute from Mike McCready.

    Pushin' Forward Back

    This driving song in 7/4 time is the second single released from the album, and it has a proto-Pearl Jam feel to it.  "Gracious mother held me to her breast until the day I started pushin'."

    Hunger Strike

    Perhaps the most popular song on the album, this single is a duet between Cornell and Vedder.  The lyrics are an anti-capitalist rant against want.  The song and video was re-released after the popularity of Pearl Jam was established.

     

    ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

    Theme from the television series "Dinosaurs"

    This family-oriented sitcom was released by Jim Henson productions, and had puppets and people dressed as dinosaurs.

     

    STAFF PICKS:

    “Groovy Train” by The Farm

    Wayne takes us to one of his favorite music spots, Manchester, for this staff pick.  The Farm were actually from Liverpool, and the song reached number 6 on the UK charts.  This was the first single from their debut album, Spartacus.   

    “Lift Me Up” by Yes

    Rob demonstrates once again that all roads lead to Yes, in this case a lot of members of Yes.  The song is from the album Union, and it was their last hit single. Unfortunately, although Arista records was able to bring the group back together, they just couldn't stay together.  The song is about a homeless person seeking help.

    “Just the Way It Is, Baby” by The Rembrandts

    Bruce's staff pick features a duo of Danny Wilde and Phil Solem.  This Rembrandts hit tells the story of a girl who is just using a boy.  When she realizes her mistake later on the tables are turned, because the boy has moved on.  The Rembrandts are best known for the theme song to the television series "Friends."

    “Show Me the Way” by Styx

    Brian finishes the staff picks this week with a late hit from Styx while Dennis DeYoung was in and Tommy Shaw was out. This song was penned by DeYoung as a prayer during a crisis of faith.  It went to number 3 on the charts, giving Styx hits across three decades. .

       

    LAUGH TRACK:

    “Ordinary Average Guy” by Joe Walsh

    Joe Walsh parodies his earlier hit “Life's Been Good,” with a song about living a boring, average, ordinary life.

    Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?”

    NOTE: To adjust the loudness of the music or voices, you may adjust the balance on your device. VOICES are stronger in the LEFT channel, and MUSIC is stronger on the RIGHT channel.

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    Of course we'd love for you to rate the show in your podcast platform!

    **NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.

    46 min
  • 1983 - January: Def Leppard “Pyromania”

    All right.  I got something to say...It's better to burn out than fade away!

    Def Leppard would go from a popular band to the stratosphere of rock music with their third album, Pyromania.  The band lineup for this album would be front man Joe Elliott, Rick Savage on bass, Rick Allen on drums, Steve Clark on Guitar, Pete Willis on rhythm guitar, and newcomer Phil Collen on guitar.   There's an explanation for why the lineup seems a bit guitar-heavy.  While the album was being recorded Pete Willis was fired for "excessive alcohol abuse."  Phil Collen was brought in as a replacement.  However, Willis' rhythm guitar work was used throughout the album.

    The band was originally called Atomic Mass when they started in 1977.  Elliott proposed the name Deaf Leopard, and then-drummer Tony Kenning suggested changing the spelling to Def Leppard.  Just before they started recording at the end of 1978, Kenning left the band.  He was replaced by Rick Allen.  The entire band was young - Elliott was only 18 when they formed - but Allen was only 15 when he joined!

    The band began becoming more popular with their second album, High 'n' Dry, which was produced by Robert John "Mutt" Lange.  Mutt Lange would also produce Pyromania and Hysteria, which were the killer albums for the group.

    Pyromania is a bit of a transition album, as the songs ranged from hard rocking numbers to more popular MTV-oriented rock.  The big hits were staples in the MTV rotation, with "Rock of Ages," and the bit hit "Photograph," which knocked Michael Jackson's "Beat it " off the number 1 "most requested video on MTV.  But every song on the album is a good one.  We're featuring some of the deeper cuts to give you a sense of how awesome this album is beyond the big hits we know so well.

     

     

    Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop)

    This is the lead track on the album, and received air play on rock-oriented radio despite not being released as a single.  It's a pretty straightforward rock anthem.  It was originally titled "Medicine Man" according to Wikipedia, and had different lyrics.  "So grab a little heat and come along with me, 'cause your mama don't mind what your mama don't see."

    Stagefright

    This is a deeper cut that was the opening song for their Hysteria tour.  It was also a song about picking up groupies at the concert.  Def Leppard was legendary for their "activity" with groupies during breaks and solos at the concert.

    Die Hard the Hunter

    Here is a rare song with a deeper meaning.  This deep cut is about war and post-traumatic stress disorder.  It talks about a returning soldier who can't leave the war behind.  "You got no enemy, no front line.  The only battle's in the back of your mind.  You don't know how to change from bad to good.  You brought the war to your neighborhood."

    Foolin'

    This track is their third single from the album, and chronicles a love gone bad.  "On and on we rode the storm.  The flame has died and the fire has gone.  Oh, this empty bed is a night alone.  I realized that long ago."

     

    ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

    Main Theme from the television series The A-Team

    Here is Mr. T's big television role after Rocky III.  I love it when a plan comes together! 

     

    STAFF PICKS:

    Don't Tell Me You Love Me  by Night Ranger

    Wayne kicks off the staff picks with this hit from Night Ranger's debut album "Dawn Patrol."  This has a straightforward rock style with a good balance between dual guitars and keyboards to create a wall of sound. Their first five albums sold over 2 million  

    Even Now by Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band

    Rob brings us the second hit from Seger's album "The Distance."  Many musicians were used on this album including the Mussel Shoals Rhythm Section, Glenn Frey, and Bonnie Raitt.  Seger worked with the Eagles on their song "Heartache Tonight."

    Sexual Healing  by Marvin Gaye

    Brian's staff pick takes the pace down with this iconic ballad - one of the first songs to use the Roland TR808 drum machine.  The song was inspired by a visit from author David Ritz, and an observation that Gaye needed to break away from pornography - he needed sexual healing!  Ritz wrote the song. 

    Atomic Dog by George Clinton

    Bruce cranks up the funk with the last Parliament Funkadelic song to reach number ` on the US R&B Chart.  Clinton was still "feeling pretty good" from a night of heavy partying and composed most of the song spontaneously - with David Spradley and Garry Shider standing on either side of him to keep him steady at the microphone.  "nothin' but the dog in me!"

     

    INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:

    Epilogue (Resolution) by Triumph

    Classically trained Rik Emmett would have at least one instrumental on Triumph albums, and this one finishes their sixth album "Never Surrender."

    Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?”

    NOTE: To adjust the loudness of the music or voices, you may adjust the balance on your device. VOICES are stronger in the LEFT channel, and MUSIC is stronger on the RIGHT channel.

    Please follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/whattheriffpodcast/, and message or email us with what you'd like to hear, what you think of the show, and any rock-worthy memes we can share.

    Of course we'd love for you to rate the show in your podcast platform!

    **NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.

    43 min

About What the Riff Next Gen

From the publisher's feed

Every episode of “WHAT THE RIFF NEXT GEN” brings a ROCK AND ROLL album that debuted on the U.S. Billboard charts during a random month between 1995 and 2005. Four Classic Rock fans discuss the artist and 4 tracks from the album as it plays in the background. Then we riff on 3 additional “staff picks” of other artists that were also on the charts during that month and year. You’ll hear Classic Rock bands that were still producing new work, as well as some newer Alternative and Grunge bands that were gaining momentum during this Millennium Y2K Period. We encourage you to find and purchase the tracks and albums from Apple Music, Spotify or your other favorite music service. Please subscribe so you don’t miss any release! In addition to “Next Gen” you can search our ORIGINAL “What the Riff?!?” episodes (1-373) covering 1965 - 1995. We also invite you to follow us and learn more about us @whattheriff on Facebook.

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