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 - July: AC/DC “Back In Black”

    Fresh off their success with Highway to Hell, Australian band AC/DC was planning a follow-up when tragedy struck.  Front man Bon Scott was found “dead by misadventure” after a drinking binge.  The group would have to audition a replacement for their seventh studio album, and Brian Johnson was brought in on lead for Back In Black.

    The new album was recorded in Nassau in the midst of a batch of tropical storms - a fact referenced in the opening lines of “Hells Bells.”  In addition to front man Johnson, the group was comprised of lead guitarist Angus Young, his brother Malcolm Young on rhythm guitar, Cliff Williams on bass, and Phil Rudd on drums.

    Back In Black was an immediate commercial success.  It is considered one of the greatest heavy metal albums of all time.  The group deliberately avoided using any of Bon Scott's lyrics for the album — not wanting to be perceived as profiting from their band mate's death.  The album's all black cover was done in mourning for Scott.   The album was so successful that many of their previous albums entered the charts, riding the coat tails of Back In Black.

    Shoot to Thrill

    "Shoot to thrill, play to kill, too many women with too many pills."  This high energy song is typical of the album as a whole.  The song itself was inspired by a story Johnson read about a drug dealer selling narcotics to depressed housewives.

    What Do You Do For Money, Honey

    Folks, let's face it:  there's just not a lot of subtlety in AC/DC lyrics.  It's pretty much all about sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll.  "You're lovin' on the take and you're always on the make/Squeezin' all the blood outta men.  Yeah, we're standin' in a queue just to spend the night with you.  It's business as usual again."

    Have a Drink On Me

    This track was the B-side to the single "Shook Me All Night Long." and followed that song on the album.  The song is about (get this) having a drink on me.    ;-)

    Rock and Roll Ain't Noise Pollution

    While the song takes a slow blues start, it kicks in with straightforward, head banging rock.  This is the final track on the album, and the fourth and final single released from the album.  The B-side to this single was "Hells Bells," the lead-off track for the album.

     

    ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

    I'm Alright by Kenny Loggins (from the motion picture "Caddyshack")

    You have to have the dancing groundhog in your head for this one! Caddyshack and Airplane were both released in the summer of 1980.  Actor Bill Murray's riffs throughout Caddyshack are legendary.

     

    STAFF PICKS:

    “Boulevard” by Jackson Browne

    Rob's staff pick is inspired by Hollywood Boulevard and the runaway kids on the street.  Life is hard on the Boulevard, but that doesn't mean this is where you will always be.  This song from the album "Holdout" was one of Browne's most successful songs.  "Everybody walks right by like they're safe or something.  They don't know."

    “Snortin' Whiskey” by the Pat Travers Band

    Wayne's staff pick cranks the volume up to 11 on a high energy blues-tinged rock anthem.  There's little doubt about what the song means when it leads off with the lyrics "Snortin' whiskey, drinkin' cocaine."    

    “Emotional Rescue” by the Rolling Stones

    Bruce gets himself in trouble this week by picking this less-than-popular disco-influenced song. Although Keith Richards contributes backing vocals, it is said that he did not like the whole disco vibe.  Although it was a number 1 rock song, the Rolling Stones never played it live until 2013.  

    “All Night Long (live)” by Joe Walsh

    Brian redeems the staff picks by bringing this Joe Walsh live classic.  It made it on both the rock and country charts.  This song appeared on the soundtrack to the motion picture "Urban Cowboy."

     

    LAUGH TRACK:

    “Gimme Some Lovin'” by The Blues Brothers

    Another motion picture comedy that hit the theaters in 1980 featured lots of cameos from blues and soul icons.

    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.

    43 min
  • What the Riff Remembers Eddie Van Halen
    Join What the Riff as we take a moment to reflect on the music and impact that Eddie Van Halen had on our lives as teenagers in the late 70s and early 80s. Eddie lost his long battle with cancer on October 6, 2020. He will be missed, but his mastery of the guitar will undoubtedly continue to inspire artists through eternity. We only feature 4 tracks in this bonus episode: “Eruption” from Van Halen 1, “Source of Infection” from OU812, “Girl Gone Bad” from 1984, and “And the Cradle Will Rock” from Women & Children First. Let us know how this affects you in a comment or review — or share your thoughts on our Facebook page.
    Eddie, we miss you. Rest in Peace, and may God bless your family.
    (Please check out Episode 17 - Fair Warning, and Episode 86 - Van Halen 2 for more awesome Van Halen tracks). 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.
    15 min
  • 1971 - November: Harry Nilsson “Nilsson Schmilson”

    Sometimes called "the American Beatle," Harry Nilsson was cited by the Beatles as their favorite American group during a 1968 press conference.  Nilsson Schmilsson was Harry Nilsson's (known professionally as Nilsson) seventh and most commercially successful album.

    Nilsson grew up without a father and was poor.  He began working early in life, and worked on computers in a bank by night, pursuing songwriting by day.  Nilsson would come to work for Phil Spector and would write for a number of artists including the Monkees and Little Richard before going out on his own.  He established a solid reputation as a songwriter through hits such as "Everybody's Talkin'" from the Midnight Cowboy soundtrack, and through pieces such as "Best Friend," the theme from the television show "The Courtship of Eddie's Father."  Nilsson was one of the few major artists of the era to achieve commercial success without ever touring.

    Nilsson also established a different type of reputation, indulging in excessive drinking and drug use, and instigating with famous people to do the same.  One of the more infamous occasions was Harry Nilsson's involvement with John Lennon's "lost weekend" in the 1970's.  

    Nilsson was connected to virtually everyone in the music industry and his funeral was attended by some of the biggest names.  If you haven't been acquainted with Harry Nilsson before, you may be surprised by how familiar his songs are to you.

     

    Jump Into the Fire

    This song has a more hard rock style than is typical of Nilsson's other work.  It gained further recognition following its inclusion as the soundtrack to a pivotal scene in Martin Scorsese's 1990 film "Goodfellas." 

    Without You

    This slower track was written by Badfinger and shows off Nilsson's 3-1/2 octave singing range.  Nilsson's cover went to number 1.  Mariah Carey also took a cover of this song to number 1.

    Gotta Get Up

    The transition from a carefree youth to adult responsibility can be a difficult one, and this song discusses that dread of facing responsibility.  You may recognize this as the "reset" song in the Netflix series "Russian Doll."  

    Coconut

    This calypso number was a novelty song featuring four characters (the narrarator, the brother, the sister, and the doctor) al sung in different voices by Nilsson.  The entire song is played using one chord, C7.  Nilsson wrote the word "coconut" on a matchbook during a vacation in Hawaii, thinking it would make a great lyric for a song.  He wrote the song in his car after finding the matchbook while driving in Los Angeles.

     

    ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

    Finale from the motion picture "Fiddler On the Roof"

    This musical comedy film was based on the Broadway musical of the same name about life in a Jewish community in pre-revolutionary Russia.

     

    STAFF PICKS:

    “Sunshine” by Jonathan Edwards

    Rob brings us a country-folk song off Jonathan Edwards debut album.  Originally, this song was not going to be on the album, but the engineer accidentally erased the master of another song and put this one on the album instead.  It was fortuitous, because it would go to number 4 on the charts.

    “Imagine” by John Lennon

    Brian's staff pick is perhaps the most iconic John Lennon song.  Inspired by Yoko Ono, the song asks the listener to imagine the absence of all the things that divide us.  .

    “Where Did Our Love Go” by Donnie Elbert

    Bruce features this cover of a Supremes hit from 1964.  Elbert took the song to number 15 in 1971.  Donnie Elbert was a soul singer and songwriter who grew up in Buffalo.  This was one of his biggest songs.  You may also be familiar with a cover by Soft Cell, done as an outro to "Tainted Love."

    “Get It On” by T. Rex

    Wayne's staff pick is from the glam rock group T. Rex.  This was their only hit in the United States.  Front man Marc Bolan claimed to have written this song out of a desire to record Chuck Berry's "Little Queenie," and said that the riff was taken from that tune.

     

    COMEDY TRACK:

    “Shanty” by Jonathan Edwards

    If you grew up in Atlanta in the 80's you will recognize this song from the 96 Rock "5 O'clock Whistle."

    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.

    32 min
  • 1994 - July: Hootie and the Blowfish “Cracked Rear View”

    While Cracked Rear View is the debut studio album for the band, Hootie and the Blowfish had been a fixture of the Columbia, South Carolina college scene since the mid 80's.  Guitarist Mark Bryan was attending the University of South Carolina, and heard Darius Rucker singing in the dorm room showers.  They started a band called the Wolf Brothers, playing cover songs.  Bassist Dean Felber went to high school with Bryan, and original drummer Brantley Smith completed the group.  Smith would later leave the group to go into music ministry, and was replaced by Jim Sonefeld on percussion.  The group got their name from two college friends' nicknames.

    Cracked Rear View is the 19th best selling album of all time in the United States, and would reach its first platinum status by January 1995, a feat that would become 21-times platinum by 2019.  The group self-published a couple of cassette demos in the early 90's, and self-released a small batch of  EP's called Kootchypop in 1993.

    It is difficult to pigeonhole the genre of the band.  Some call it roots rock, some alternative rock.  It has been called jangle pop, folk rock, heartland rock, and even country.  Perhaps that last reference alludes to Darius Rucker's decision to go solo in country music later (because it was not the sound of the band).  Whatever you call it, the sound was incredibly popular in the mid-90's.  As a result, Hootie and the Blowfish won "Best New Artist" in the 1996 Grammy Awards.

    There's really not a bad track on this album, folks.  The songs are tight, melodic, and well-produced, almost “anti-grunge” in comparison to another popular genre at the time.  We hope you enjoy this exploration of South Carolina's finest - Hootie and the Blowfish!

    I Only Wanna Be With You

    This is the third single from the album, and the biggest hit, peaking at number 6 on the US charts.  All of the band members are credited as songwriters.  Bob Dylan is also credited.  The song references several Dylan songs and in fact includes the lyrics, “putting on a little Dylan.”  Apparently after the song became a hit, Dylan's publishing company pushed legal action and settled out of court — even though they had been made aware of the lyrics beforehand and had no issues.

    I'm Goin' Home

    This is a deeper cut about a boy losing his mother.  "And the angel sing, sha la la la, sha la la la, I'm going home."  There's a wistfulness in a lot of these songs despite the sound being rather upbeat.

    Time

    The fourth single off the album peaked at number 14 in February 1996, showing how long this album remained relevant on the charts!  The lyrics are about time not being a friend. “Can you teach me 'bout tomorrow and all the pain and sorrow running free.  'Cause tomorrow's just another day and I don't believe in time.”

    Let Her Cry

    Darius Rucker described writing this song to KDFI Studios.  After listening to “She Talks to Angels” by The Black Crowes for the first time, and listening to a record by Bonnie Raitt, the lyrics to the song came to him in one stream of consciousness.

     

    ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

    Rebel Rouser by Duane Eddy (from the motion picture “Forrest Gump”)

    Tom Hanks would solidify his status as A-list and celebrity talent with his second Best Actor Oscar in a row for his role in this film.

     

    STAFF PICKS:

    Cruisin' for a Bruisin'  by The Reverend Horton Heat

    Wayne's staff pick showcases the rockabilly style of this group who is still out touring.  The lyrics are about a couple of guys about to fight over a girl.  There's a little bit of a surfing music and a little blues style to this as well.

    Prayer for the Dying by Seal

    Rob brings us the haunting sound of Henry Olusegun Adeola Samuel, better known as Seal.  His song “Kiss from a Rose” would appear on the soundtrack to Batman Forever.   Producer Trevor Horn handled both this second album and Seal's debut album.

    You Better Wait  by Steve Perry

    Brian's staff pick is a solo effort from Journey's iconic front man.  This is from his second solo album “For the Love of Strange Medicine.”  The song is about a girl who runs away and loses herself in the city.

    Come Out And Play by The Offspring

    Bruce finishes our staff picks with this breakout hit from Smash, the third album by The Offspring.  "Gotta keep 'em separated" came from when front man Dexter Holland was in med school experimenting with bacteria in a cooling flask.  The phrase came to him when the samples were interacting with each other.

     

    INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:

    Big Sky by The Reverend Horton Heat

    We go back to the rockabilly genre for this instrumental number from “the Right Reverend” to finish off this week's episode.

     

     

    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.

    42 min
  • 1980 - November: The Police “Zenyatta Mondatta”

    Power trios were unusual in the punk and new wave scene of the late 70's, but The Police were a notable exception.    By November 1980 they were putting out their third studio album, Zenyatta Mondatta which would be the second of four albums to hit the number 1 slot in the UK, continuing their meteoric climb to super stardom on both sides of the pond.  The Police only put out five albums, a surprisingly small discography for how famous the band would become.

    Drummer, Stewart Copeland formed the band with Sting and guitarist Henry Padovani originally;  with the more experienced and successful Andy Summers joining from a group called Strontium 90 a bit later.  Padovani left to join another group, and the trio began their rise to stardom.  

    The Police were powered by the frenetic drumming of Stewart Copeland, guitarist Andy Summers, and front man and bassist Sting.  The band was influenced by reggae and punk origins, but also took a turn towards new wave and progressive sounds that found a substantial commercial audience

    Zenyatta Mondatta was recorded quickly (in a three-week period) and released in October 1980 just before the start of their world tour.  While the band felt it rushed - they actually laid down the last track at 4:00 a.m. the day of their tour - it was received well by both critics and the public.  

    De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da

    “That's all I want to say to you.”  Sting wrote this as a comment on how people like simple songs.  This was the first single off the album, and actually had some interesting lyrics despite the simple sounding name - “poets, priests and politicians have words to thank for their positions.  Words that scream for your submission and no one's jamming their transmission.”

    Canary in a Coalmine

    This frenetic reggae song is a deeper cut, though it got its share of play on rock radio at the time.  The lyrics seem appropriate today. “You say you want to spend the winter in Firenza.  You're so afraid to catch a does of influenza.  You live your life like a canary in a coal mine.  You get so dizzy even walking in a straight line.” — could be about today!

    Driven to Tears

    This political song chronicles the divide between the rich and the poor, and has a jazz influence.  This is the first politically-themed song written by Sting  for the group.  Sting saw a program about starving children in Africa, and the idea that people can afford televisions but not food for children drove him to tears.

    When the World Is Running Down (You Make the Best of What's Still Around)

    Also written by Sting, this song reached number 3 on the Billboard charts in 1981.  It is about making lemons from lemonade in a post-apocalyptic world.  

     

    ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

    The theme from the television series “Bosom Buddies”

    Tom Hanks got his start on this brief series about two men who dress as women to get a spot in an all-girls' apartment complex.

     

    STAFF PICKS:

    Once in a Lifetime  by Talking Heads

    Bruce features a well known piece co-written by David Byrne and producer Brian Eno.  It is about life passing you by.  The music reflects Afrobeat jam sessions, and the lyrics were inspired by Byrne listening to preachers delivering sermons.  The music video was created by Byrne and Toni Basil. 

    Stop This Game by Cheap Trick

    Wayne brings us a deeper cut with a more progressive rock feel.  George Martin (known as the 5th Beatle) produced the album from which this song is pulled.  Cheap Trick was a very popular live act in the late 70's and early 80's.  

    The Logical Song  by Supertramp

    Brian's staff pick is a live version of Supertramp's hit from the album "Breakfast In America."  It chronicles the disillusionment of higher education that teaches lots of things but leaves out important aspects of identity.  And of course, you can't go wrong with a sax!

    Touch and Go by The Cars

    Rob's staff pick is the synth-heavy debut single from the album Panorama.  John Lennon mentioned "Touch and Go" in his final interview.  He suggests that the song is a 50's song with 80's style.

    INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:

    The Other Way of Stopping by The Police

    Stewart Copeland, Andy Summers, and Sting take us out with this instrumental track from "Zenyatta Mondatta."  The name comes from a Bob Newhart comedy skit.

    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.

    37 min
  • 1994 - April: Hole ”Live Through This”

    Courtney Love's band Hole released their second album, Live Through This one week after the death of Kurt Cobain, Love's husband and front man for the grunge giant Nirvana.  Hole originated in the punk rock scene, but are often identified with the grunge movement due to Love's relationship with Cobain and their move to Washington to write this album.

    In addition to frontwoman Love, the band consisted of Eric Erlandson on lead guitar, Kristen Pfaff on bass, and Patty Schemel on drums.  Love and Erlandson wrote the songs, and Pfaff and Schemel were newcomers to the group, replacing bassist Jill Emery and drummer Caroline Rue who had left over creative differences.

    The album was noted for a toned-down and more melodic approach to things than their debut effort.  Themes of the album would revolve around aspects of Courtney Love's personal life, including relationships, motherhood, and post-partum depression.  A controversy that plagued the album was that much of the work was ghost-written by Kurt Cobain.  Band members and producers have consistently denied this, though it is perhaps understandable how a rumor like this would get legs, following on the heels of Cobain's suicide.  The only connection between Cobain and the album was that he sang backing vocals on a couple of songs when they were in the recording studio.  In fact, many of the tracks were performed during Hole's previous tour.

    While Live Through This is considered more melodic than their previous album, that is a relative measure - the album itself is still quite raw and gritty.  That didn't keep it from becoming a critical and popular success, going multi-platinum by December 1994.  Unfortunately, drummer Pfaff would not live to see this feat, having died of a heroin overdose in June, just before Hole was supposed to embark on a world tour.  

    Courtney Love would continue through several iterations of Hole, and pursue songwriting, acting, a writer of multiple manga volumes and a memoir.

     

    Violet

    This song is the opening track for the album.  It was inspired by Love's relationship with Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins, just prior to her relationship with Cobain.  Love said this song was "about a jerk, I hexed him, and made him lose his hair."  

    Miss World

    The second track on the album was the first single.  It is about a person who is loved by everyone, but is empty inside and drowning in depression.  "I'm Miss World.  Somebody kill me."

    Asking For It

    This deeper cut is about rape.  Love talked about a time when she would stage dive, and found her clothes ripped off.  Love felt like she was raped by the audience.  Love's life and upbringing was a tumultuous one, with rebellion, drugs, and broken family relationships.

    Doll Parts

    The second single from the album is likely the best known one.  It reflects her insecurity with Kurt Cobain.  Love and Cobain both went into rehab when Love was pregnant.  Unfortunately Cobain would run away from the rehab center shortly before his suicide.

     

    ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

    Theme from Space Ghost for “Space Ghost Coast to Coast”

    This comedy spoof of a late night talk show was the first original series produced by the Cartoon Network.

     

    STAFF PICKS:

    “Player's Ball” by OutKast

    Brian brings us Southern Rap from Atlanta's own OutKast.  The song discusses living in the south and living in the hip hop culture.  This is off OutKast's debut album entitled "Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik."

    “Rocks” by Primal Scream

    Bruce's staff pick is off Primal Scream's fourth album "Give Out But Don't Give Up."  Bobby Gillespie and Jim Beattie originally formed this Scottish rock band with a psychedelic sound, but went more classic rock and blues with this album.

    “Found Out About You” by the Gin Blossoms

    Rob's staff pick features the fourth single from the Gin Blossoms' second album, “New Miserable Experience.” The Gin Blossoms formed in Tempe Arizona in 1987, and were identified as alternative rock and “jangle pop.”  The name comes from a picture of W.C. Fields describing his ruddy complexion. 

    “Because the Night” by 10,000 Maniacs

    Wayne's pick features a cover originally performed by The Patti Smith Group from 1978.  Natalie Merchant fronts 10,000 Maniacs in an Unplugged version  of this classic written by Patti Smith and Bruce Springsteen

     

    INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:

    Main Theme from the motion picture “Bad Girls”

    This instrumental was the soundtrack from a western featuring Madeliene Stowe, Andie MacDowell, and Drew Barrymore.

    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
  • 1980 - October: Ozzy Osbourne ”Blizzard of Ozz”

    Today Ozzy Osbourne is a household name, and arguably this debut album is where it all started.  Before Blizzard of Ozz was released, Ozzy had been fired from his position as front man for the heavy metal band Black Sabbath, and he was certain that he would “go back to Birmingham and the Dole” after that.  However, Don Arden, Black Sabbath's manager, had hoped that Ozzy would return to the group, and signed him to Jet Records to record new material in Los Angeles.  He sent his daughter to look after Ozzy and "protect his investment."  That daughter was named Sharon Arden...and would soon be famous in her own right as Ozzy's wife and manager.

    This album was originally intended to be a super group called Blizzard of Ozz, with Ozzy (born John Michael Osbourne, but known as Ozzy since elementary school) on lead vocals, Don Airey (Rainbow) on keyboards, Bob Daisley (Rainbow) on bass, Lee Kerslake (Uriah Heap) on percussion, and virtuoso Randy Rhoads (Quiet Riot) on lead guitar.  The band was surprised and upset to find that they had been relegated to "Ozzy's band" when the group name became the title of this solo album.

    Blizzard of Ozz was released in the UK in September 1980, and in the US in March 1981.  It would go on to 4x platinum status, and would be Ozzy Osbourne's best selling solo album.  

    And now, for those of you who are ready to hear from The Prince of Darkness, the Godfather of Metal himself, in his prime - “ALL ABOARDDDDDDD!  heh-heh-heh-heh!”

     

    Crazy Train

    While this song is a classic and staple of metal, it took some time for this first single to achieve that status.  It peaked at number 9 on the Billboard charts in July 1981.  It is about the cold war - "Hears of a cold war, that's what we've become.  Inheriting troubles, I'm mentally numb."

    Mr. Crowley

    The second single from the album was a lot less well known outside of rock radio at the time.  It is about Aleister Crowley, who was an English occultist and magician from the early 20th century.  Ozzy had read a book about Crowley and was inspired to write a song by that and a deck of tarot cards they found in the studio.  The guitar solo from this piece is a famous one by Rhoads, who would be killed in a plane crash in 1982.  Mr. Crowley and Crazy Train were the only singles released from the album.

    Goodbye to Romance

    This slower-paced song was the first track written for the album, and was Ozzy's way of saying goodbye to his former band.  Black Sabbath fired Osbourne in April 1979, claiming that he was "unreliable and had excessive substance abuse issues compared to the other members."  

    I Don't Know

    The opening track from the album was surprisingly not released as a single.  However, it did get considerable airplay on rock stations regardless.  Some suggest that this song was also about Osbourne's departure from Black Sabbath, but the lyrics sound more like a plea to not expect answers to serious questions from rock and roll singers.

     

    ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

    Theme from the animated TV series “Thundarr the Barbarian”

    This staple of Saturday morning animated action shows made its debut in 1980, predicting cosmic destruction in 1994.

     

    STAFF PICKS:

    “Rough Boys” by Pete Townshend

    Wayne brings us a side project from the Who's Pete Townshend.  "Rough Boys" is off his second solo album, but this one sounds just like the Who.  It is dedicated to the Sex Pistols, and Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic described it as a "blistering punk love letter."

    “Another One Bites the Dust” by Queen

    Rob's staff pick spent 15 weeks on the top 10, making it the longest running top-10 song of 1980.  This song has a number of sound effects, but there are no synthesizers used to make the song.  "Another One Bites the Dust" was considered for the Rocky III film, but ended up being "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor when things fell through on "Dust."  

    “Sometimes a Fantasy” by Billy Joel

    Brian features one of many hit singles off Joel's "Glass Houses."  The song is about erotic phone call lines - 900 numbers.  Joel was careful with the lyrics he chose to avoid issues with censors and moral advocacy groups.

    “Late in the Evening” by Paul Simon

    Bruce's staff pick is the lead single off Simon's fifth studio album and semi-autobiographical movie "One Trick Pony."  Dummer Steve Gadd is playing with two pairs of drumsticks in each hand to give the percussion a fuller feeling.  According to Songfacts, the lyrics are based on a drwam that Simon had when he was a teenager of being a rock star.

     

    INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:

    “Behind My Camel” by The Police

    This instrumental track from the 1980 album release, Zenyatta Mondatta was written by Andy Summers, but hated by Sting and Stewart Copeland.  Summers plays both lead guitar and bass on this track, because Sting opted out.

    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.

    42 min
  • 1973 — August: Lynyrd Skynyrd ”(Pronounced ’Lĕh-’nérd ’Skin-’nérd)”

    There are only a handful of bands who seem to jump fully formed onto the scene from their debut album, and one of these is certainly Lynyrd Skynyrd with their debut studio release (Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd).  Lynyrd Skynyrd is arguably the band that defines Southern rock.  Originally formed as “My Backyard” in 1964, the group would take the name “Lynyrd Skynyrd” in 1969, taking the name of a PE teacher (Leonard Skinner) at Robert E. Lee High School — a teacher whose strict enforcement of school policies against boys having long hair resulted in guitarist Gary Rossington dropping out of high school.  In addition to guitarist Rossington, the band consisted of front man Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Allen Collins, guitarist and bassist Ed King, keyboardist Billy Powell, and drummer Bob Burns.

    Despite the jam band feel from songs like “Freebird,” the band itself went into the studio with their songs quite perfected, and no improvisation was allowed.  The album itself is terrific, and the band vaulted into an incredible popularity after opening for The Who during their Quadrophenia tour.

    Skynyrd would produce five studio albums before tragedy struck in a plane crash in 1977 that killed Van Zant, Steve Gaines, Cassie Gaines, assistant road manager Dean Kilpatrick, and the pilot and co-pilot.  Other members of the band would suffer serious injuries.

    FOTS Bill Cook brings us this iconic Southern Rock album, which happened to be the first album he ever owned.

     

    I Ain't the One

    The opening track from the album was written by Gary Rossington and Ronnie Van Zant.  It tells a story of a rich girl "tryin' to put a hook on me" when she was found to be pregnant, but "you know and I know, woman, I ain't the one."

    Gimme Three Steps

    The lyrics that Ronnie Van Zant penned for this well known tale are a true story.  Ronnie Van Zant had a fake ID, and made the rest of the band stay in the car while he went into The Little Brown Jug in Jacksonville, Florida.  He was confronted by a man with a loaded 44 after dancing with his wife, Linda Lou.  Van Zant ran out to the car and wrote the lyrics on the way back to their studio.

    Things Goin' On

    This deeper cut is appropriate for today.  It is influenced by the Muscle Shoals sound, and has a great honky tonk keyboard sound.  The song is a warning about social and environmental issues, and the politicians' uncaring attitudes.  

    Tuesday's Gone

    A slower cut, this song has become iconic over time.  Stories regarding the meaning of the lyrics conflict to a great degree.  Some say it is about a girl who was left behind, while others say it is about a lifestyle that was lost as the band became famous.  "Train roll on many miles from my home, see, I'm riding my blues away.  Tuesday, you see, she had to be free but somehow I've got to carry on."

     

    ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

    “Rock Around the Clock” by Bill Haley and the Comets

    This song was part of the movie "American Graffiti," debuting in the theaters in August 1973

     

    STAFF PICKS:

    “Why Should I Care” by Beck, Bogert, & Appice

    Bruce features a supergroup formed by Jeff Beck, Tim Bogert (bassist for Vanilla Fudge, Cactus), and Carmine Appice (drummer for Vanilla Fudge, Cactus, and Blue Murder).  The song was written by Raymond Louis Kennedy, who also wrote "Sail On, Sailor" for The Beach Boys and "Isn't It Time" by The Babys.  

    “Half Breed” by Cher

    Rob brings us a song about a biracial girl with a white father and a native American mother, and the lack of acceptance she found from both races.  Cher had some Cherokee ancestry on her mother's side.

    “I Found Sunshine” by The Chi-Lites

    Wayne's staff pick brings us the soulful sound of The Chi-Lites from Chi-town — Chicago.  They were going to name the band "The Hi-Lites," but decided to make it "The Chi-Lites" in homage to their Chicago.  The band charted 21 songs on the hot 100 throughout their career.

    “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown” by Jim Croce

    Bill brings the staff picks home with acclaimed singer-songwriter Jim Croce's first hit.  Leroy made a pass at Doris, and her husband beat him up.  Leroy Brown was based on a guy that Croce met in the army.  He went AWOL from the army, but was arrested when he came back for his check.  Croce knew after listening to him that he would write a song about him one day.

     

    COMEDY TRACK:

    “Uneasy Rider” by The Charlie Daniels Band

    Continuing the storytelling theme, the late, great Charlie Daniels tells a story about getting stranded in a red neck bar in Mississippi.

    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.

    42 min
  • 1970 - March: The Guess Who “American Woman”

    Who is the finest rock band to come out of Winnipeg, Canada?  That's right, The Guess Who.  In January 1970 they released their sixth studio album, American Woman, and were riding the wave of one of their most commercially successful albums in March.  This album took a harder rock direction from their formerly psychedelic and pop sound, and would produce their only number 1 hit in the US, making them the first Canadian band to top the American Hot 100 chart.

    The Guess Who got their name in 1965 when their record label, Quality Records, released a single under the name “Guess Who?”  They were attempting to build a buzz that the song might be a famous band recording incognito, but the name stuck.  At the time of recording American Woman, the group consisted of Burton Cummings on lead vocals, keyboards, and harmonica, Randy Bachman on lead guitar, Jim Kale on bass, and Garry Peterson on drums.  All band members contributed backing vocals to the strong harmonies of the group.  This album would be Randy Bachman's last with the group (until rejoining in 1983), as he would go on to form Bachman-Turner Overdrive.

    Friend of the show Bill Cook stands in for the vacationing Brian Dickhute as we look back on one of Canada's greatest rock bands.

     

     

    No Time

    This first single off the album is a reverse “Dear John” letter.  The song was originally on their album “Canned Wheat,” but made a reappearance on this album with a faster tempo.  “Seasons change and so do I, you need not wonder why.  There's no time left for you.”

    American Woman

    This title song may be their best known of The Guess Who songs.  Randy Bachman started this riff while tuning his guitar during a concert after breaking a string, and turned it into a chart-topping hit.  The lyrics reflect the differences between girls in the States and girls in Canada.  American women were considered “dangerous” by the band.  

    8:15

    This deeper cut is talking about meeting at a place at 8:15.  We enjoyed the jangley guitar and the drum break in this one.

    No Sugar Tonight

    This track was the B-side from the American Woman single.  Randy Bachman had written a song called “No Sugar Tonight,” and Burton Cummings thought it was too short.  They added a Cummings song that was “New Mother Nature” to lengthen it.  “No Sugar Tonight” was inspired when Bachman saw a tough biker berated by his wife, and she shouted out the final line “And one more thing...you ain't gettin' no sugar tonight!”

     

    ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

    The Intro to ABC's “Wide World of Sports”

    The event that came to be known as “the agony of defeat” occurred this month when Vinko Bogataj crashed during a ski jump attempt.

     

    STAFF PICKS:

    Celebrate by Three Dog Night

    Bruce's staff pick peaked at number 15, and is off Three Dog Night's second studio album called "Suitable for Framing."  There are three vocalists for Three Dog Night, and they're all taking lead on this song.  Danny Hutton is on lead in verse 1, Chuck Negron is on lead in verse 2, and Cory Wells is on verse 3.  The song also features the Chicago horn section.

    Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes) by Edison Lighthouse

    Wayne features a group with Tony Burrows on lead.  Burrows would have three hits fronting three different bands - Edison Lighthouse, White Plains, and Brotherhood of Man.

    Let  It Be by The Beatles

    Friend of the show Bill Cook brings us this timeless epic song from the final days of The Beatles.  McCartney wrote this song during a time when the rest of his band members were moving on with their lives, and Paul wasn't sure where his life was going.  In a dream his mother - named Mary - comes to him and says, "let it be."

    (editors note:  it looks like Bruce was wrong about Ringo Starr living in Atlanta.  He has homes in London, Los Angeles, and Monte Carlo, so don't look for him in Buckhead!)

    Always Something There to Remind Me by R.B. Greaves

    Rob's staff pick was authored by Burt Bacharach and Hal David.  R.B. Greaves recorded this version at Muscle Shoals, and took it to number 27.  Most people are probably more familiar with the Naked Eyes version from 1983, which took the song to number 20.

     

    LAUGH TRACK:

    Do the Funky Chicken by Rufus Thomas

    Nothing finishes off a great podcast quite like doing the funky chicken!

    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.

    37 min
  • 1975 - April: Aerosmith ”Toys in the Attic”

    With their third studio album Aerosmith really came into their own.  Toys in the Attic would be their most commercially successful studio album in the United States, and would spawn two enduring rock anthems.  

    Aerosmith came out of Boston in 1970 with Steve Tyler on lead vocals and harmonica, Tom Hamilton on bass, Joe Perry on guitar, Brad Whitford also on guitar, and Joey Kramer on drums. 

    Toys in the Attic was immediately successful and made Aerosmith into international stars.  Their first top 40 hit, "Sweet Emotion," came off this album, and its success encouraged listeners to check out the previous Aerosmith albums, bringing them back onto the charts.  

    Flamboyant front man Steve Tyler was often compared with Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger, but the resemblance did not carry over to the music.  Aerosmith would tact closer to Led Zeppelin than to the Stones, and would carry high energy vocals and a more funky rock sound.

    If you're ready for some hard rocking mid-70's jams, then “WALK THIS WAY!”

     

    Toys in the Attic

    This driving title track refers to someone who is completely crazy - similar to phrases like bats in the belfry, or an elevator that doesn't stop on all floors.  "Leaving the things that are real behind, leaving the things that you love from mind."

    Walk This Way

    This iconic song about a teenage boy losing his virginity to a promiscuous cheerleader got its name from a scene in the Mel Brooks comedy "Young Frankenstein."  This track was where Aerosmith really exploded onto the scene.  The lyrics are almost a rap with their speed, and it would become a true rap song with Run D.M.C.'s cover.

    Big Ten Inch Record

    A throwback boogie written in 1952 by Bull Moose Jackson, the double entendre actually refers to vinyl records which were originally 10-inch, 78 rpm.  Aerosmith kept the cover faithful to the original big band feel.  Steven Tyler's harmonica work is prominent in this track.

    Sweet Emotion

    Another epic track, the lead "talking guitars" announce something different.  The song expresses Tyler's frustration with the band and tensions with the band member's wives and girlfriends.  This is one of the songs that Van Halen covered in their early days.  

     

    ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

    Theme from the television series “Kung Fu”

    David Carradine was Kwai Chang Caine, a refugee from China in the American west in the television show, which ended in this month.

     

    STAFF PICKS:

    “Don't Call Us, We'll Call You” by Sugarloaf

    Wayne's staff pick was inspired by the experience of the band with CBS records.  No one would call them back.  After they became famous, they turned the tables on the record companies who now wanted to talk to them.  You'll hear riffs from The Beatles and Stevie Wonder embedded in the song.

    “Amie” by Pure Prairie League

    Bruce features a breakup song originally released on their second album in 1972.  It did not do well when first released, but gained popularity as an album cut on college radio stations, and was re-released as a single in 1975.  On the original album the song is preceded by a short song entitled "Falling In and Out of Love," which is reprised at the end of "Amie."  You occasionally hear these together on the radio.

    “Philadelphia Freedom” by Elton John

    Rob's staff pick was a single without an album when it came out.  Elton John was friends with Billie Jean King, who was part of the Philadelphia Freedoms professional tennis team at the time.  This song was written as a tribute to her and the team.  "'Cause I live and breathe this Philadelphia freedom."  

    “No-No Song” by Ringo Starr

    Brian brings us a lighthearted song from the former Beatle drummer, giving us a whimsical anti-drug message.  "No, no, no, no, I don't smoke it no more...I'm tired of waking up on the floor!"

    LAUGH TRACK:

    “Dynomite” by Tony Camillo's Bazuka

    We finish off this week with a track inspired by "Good Times" and J.J. Walker's catch phrase.

    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.

    36 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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