Let’s get right to it:
Apropos of the recent political posts here, here’s a couple of songs which tie in to my mood on the current situation. First up, nothing beats this as a litany of resigned hopelessness. Leonard Cohen – “Everybody Knows.”
Second, with a bit more anger: The Clash – “Know Your Rights.” “This is a Public Service Announcement…with guitars!”
This one has a politcal title, but given that it comes from the brilliant album Kid A, the lyrics are a vague framework for you to build meaning from. I need to post more Radiohead, and this song reminds me of why: Radiohead – “National Anthem.”
As promised, here is the track from Hustle & Flow that has been nominated for the Best Original Song Oscar: Terrance Howard (as “DJay”) – “Hard Out Here For A Pimp.” (Language warning for those of you at work.)
Personally, though, I much prefer this track, which makes me want to tear shit up. In the film, DJay wants to call this “Beat That Bitch”, but his high-school buddy complains that they’ll never get radio play, because people will think he’s talking about abusing women….to which the geeky muscian character points out: “Nah….all of the Bitches I know are guys.” They decide that this title brings across the same aggression, but without the gender confusion: Terrance Howard (as “DJay”) – “Whoop That Trick.” (Language warning for those of you at work.)
This is one of my favorite songs by Yes, off their much-ignored follow-up to the hugely popular 90125 album, Big Generator: Yes – “Shoot High, Aim Low.”
Here’s another new song that I discovered this week, from a group called Lansing-Dreiden, originally from Miami, but now moved to NYC. Lansing-Dreiden – “Glass Corridor.”
I first heard this song on the way to ‘s last weekend, and was immediately struck by the similarity to Bauhaus. It’s all there–the riding drum, the music, the “Peter Murphian” sound to the singers voice, the dark lyrics. This is another one with a Language warning. She Wants Revenge – “Tear You Apart.”
Lastly, my favorite song from Tom Waits, from his early-80s album Swordfishtrombones. Just a nice bit of Jazz with a gravel-voiced narrator telling us a little story: Tom Waits – “Frank’s Wild Years.” Love it.
There you go, folks. Enjoy.