Phonographic Memory
 

Welcome to my musical "dumping ground". Prepare yourself for gratuitous youtube links and short versions of memories connected to the music therein. Music has served as a lifelong companion to me, and my taste is varied even beyond my own understanding. Feel free to stay for a while, offer your thoughts, or just lurk and silently judge. :laughing:

I'll start here, with something I revisited this morning -

Fleetwood Mac - Gold Dust Woman

"Did she make you cry, make you break down,
shatter your illusions of love?"



This will always remind me of someone I trusted who acted as a mother figure for some time in my life, then suddenly turned me away and left me with the greatest devastation I ever knew at that point in my life. I then spent the next two years drug-addled, numb, and directionless. I pulled through with "Rumours" in heavy rotation on my phonograph (among others, but that album in particular really stood out for me during my time of need).

While I'm on the topic of drug use, I'm currently detoxing again and can't help but think of this classic song, which rolled into my life during my very first experiments with psychoactive medicine -

David Bowie - "Ashes to Ashes"

"Strung out and heavens high, hitting an all-time low..."



I'll probably be posting in this thread pretty often, so I apologize in advance if I seem a little spammy at times.

Also I really hope I didn't jack someone else's thread title, because mine seems so typical ... but fitting.

Firstly, welcome to the world of journals! Now we have a team of partners writing! Yay!

Secondly, don't worry about how often/seldom you post: from now on, this is YOUR journal and you post what, when and how you like. Anything deemed inappropriate would be rejected by the mods, who have to approve every post, but I don't see that ever happening.

Thirdly: two great songs. I love "Rumours" and though I'm not the hugest Bowie fan I do love "Ashes to ashes", especially with its clever nod back to "Space oddity". It's really interesting to see how these two songs relate to your life in a way they probably would not to anyone else.

Fourthly: Great title, and no, nobody else has used it.

Fifthly: Look for your name on the weekly update post for music journals this Sunday.

Sixthly: Welcome. Oh wait, I said that already didn't I? Well, it bears repeating. Welcome!
:thumb:

Both Ki and I have a unique flair when it comes to writing - especially about music.

I've recently been getting into the "old" Fleetwood Mac (Peter Green/Bob Welch (whose death I was greatly saddened by - I have a couple of his LPs in my collection, nice stuff)) but I have been a sucker for the late-70s 'Mac for my entire life. I've never really been a huge Bowie fan either, really (but I'm sure he'll show up off and on in this thread).

That's surprising. And thank you!

I was pointed out to your brilliant project of making a point to announce what's happening, etc. It's cool that you take the time to do that. :thumb:

I had this track stuck in my head earlier and couldn't help but remember the time I was singing it in the car, driving through a parking lot. I met eyes with someone who eventually turned out to be my boss. Talk about awkward.

Honey Ltd. - Silk & Honey



Earlier I briefly mentioned my struggle with alcoholism; this album will always remind me of an evening I spent by myself, completely wasted and sobbing as my (now ex) was asleep. (Note: the full album is in this video.) "The Wall" remains an album I only listen to when I'm deeply saddened for whatever reason.

Pink Floyd - The Wall



I also mentioned how I pulled through an abusive relationship. This song helped me get through - or simply realize that I was obviously with the wrong person if he wasn't willing to love me the way he was supposed to.

Tommy James & The Shondells - Get Out Now



Thanks, Tom. I really owe you one.

Enough of that, though, I'd like to bring forth the opening track on one of the very first records I had in my collection as a younger version of myself. This one always makes me melt away; it's one of my favorites especially in the summer, and I feel so smitten with the whole damn world every time I hear it.

Tommy James & The Shondells - Crimson & Clover



I could actually groove to Tommy James & The Shondells forever. I'll always be in love with that flower-child/garage rock-y stuff.

So I realize I haven't posted this in a while, but I was priming myself for Sparks (even though there was really no need to, but anytime is a good time for a Sparks binge - and that happened to happen for a couple weeks). I suppose now is a good time for a Sparks entry (but I'm sure there will be more).

Up until just a few weeks ago I wasn't really familiar with their album "Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins" apart from the major singles (which I have on vinyl) but I fell for this song. Hard. I'm still tripping over myself trying to explain what I love about it. I guess I just love it.

"Frankly, Scarlett, I Don't Give a Damn"



This was a little difficult to pinpoint, but the next song was the first Sparks song I'd ever heard (and the lyrics are hilarious). I became a fan in late 2008. They came when I needed them most (but that's a story for another day).

"She Got Me Pregnant"



Here's a song my sister and I used to sing in the car, both on the way to drop her off at school, and on the way back. She's an excellent kid; I love her to death. How cool is it when your younger sister will sing Sparks songs in the car with you (because she learned the lyrics in her spare time)? Seriously.

"Moustache"



This next one was one we'd sing on the way back (usually because I'd leave for work and she'd spend the rest of the night with my mother). Check these crazy vocal acrobatics.

"Don't Leave Me Alone With Her"



I was suffering from a massive heartache at the time I first heard this song (excuse the dumb video that goes along with it, really) and it took me a couple years before I could listen to it without crying. It's possibly the only Sparks song that has a hint of sincere tenderness in it (most of their songs are bathed in irony, snark, inappropriate jokes, and all sorts of delightful terribleness).

"With All My Might"



This next one will always remind me of cruising home at night in my dad's shitty '91 Plymouth Acclaim, in the middle of summertime, windows down, engine smoking as it always did. (He had aptly named the car Christine because of its weird behavior - my sister and I named it "Zombaby" for its ability to keep coming back from the dead, and for our strange affection toward it.) I always feel great when I hear this song.

"When I'm With You"



With 23 albums, countless B-sides, outtakes, demos, etc. it's really difficult to just choose a handful of Sparks songs to share, but these are the main ones coming to mind right now, in terms of nostalgia.

Nice journal and a bigger Sparks feature would be great............if you've got the time!

Thank you! There will be more, I promise that. There's more than enough to share from the plentiful vaults of Sparks. ;)

Sparks-themed post #2, because why the hell not?

Last spring I was met with this album on the phonograph for many mornings, because Ki (Rob) was going through a phase, and I can't say that I ever complained about it.

"No. 1 in Heaven" is an album with few tracks, but more than enough substance. Produced by Giorgio Moroder. Sparks were way ahead of their time with this electronic masterpiece.

Sparks - "No. 1 in Heaven" (FULL ALBUM)



This next song was one of my favorites just to sing on the way to work, a few years ago. I have a killer falsetto but I'm too ashamed/shy to show it off to anyone.

"Under the Table With Her"



This next song is a running joke in the fandom because it's one of the only songs written solely by Russell Mael. And it's about (no surprises) pineapples. I've heard stories of people bringing pineapples to the Maels in the 70s. Many silly image macros crafted by fangirls have involved pineapples. They're just a thing in the Sparks fandom.

Furthermore, my sister still randomly texts me lyrics to this song, and we've recited the whole thing in one go. Many times.

"Pineapple"



This next song is one of my most favorite Sparks songs. It's the origin of my username on almost every social networking site I've ever used. The lyrics are beautiful, though I'm always kept wondering just why the lady lingers. Oh well.

"The Lady is Lingering"



Now let's have some weird videos from the Maelian vault.

In case you've ever wanted to watch Ron Mael strip out of ladies' clothing, now's your chance. Here's Sparks' ode to the National Enquirer.

"I Predict"



Have you ever wanted to watch Ron Mael get pelted with pies? There's a video for that.

"All You Ever Think About is Sex"



Or maybe you've always wondered what it would be like if Ron tempted little girls with candy while wearing a bunch of weird masks. Well...

"Funny Face"



Or maybe you've always wanted to see the Maels kick each others' asses? Ok.

"Tips for Teens"



Oh, and just because I really like "Whomp That Sucker" in its weird, cheesy entirety, here's the full album in one convenient youtube video.

Today I was semi-fondly remembering 2009 as a really weird year for me.

Firstly, a song that reminds me of sitting alone in my bedroom after having been awake all night (one of my first nights after I quit taking drugs to make myself sleep, in the midst of a serious 10-15 pills a day problem) a few years ago.

It's still a soothing experience.

Steely Dan - "Any World (That I'm Welcome To"



In 2009 I was so obsessed with this dumb song that I bought it on 12". The maxi single (which I still have in my collection) includes the 7" single, with an extended mix. (Part II on side B.) Nobody should be surprised that I still enjoy it. And now, an ode to slobbing the knob.

Toto Coelo - "I Eat Cannibals"



More Toto Coelo, because I'm not sorry.

Toto Coelo - "Spy vs. Spy"



Another song I was totally obsessed with that year.

Thompson Twins - "We Are Detective"



Not surprisingly, I also went through a Knack phase that year. I still have one of their buttons on my jacket.

The Knack - "Baby Talks Dirty"



And then there was that time when Sparks teamed up with Les Rita Mitsouko, and this happened, and I loved it (many years after it happened).

Les Rita Mitsouko - "Singing in the Shower"



How could I forget Haysi Fantayzee?

Haysi Fantayzee - "Shiny Shiny"



And lastly, another song I loved so much in 2009 that I needed the 12" single.

Musical Youth - "Pass the Dutchie"



And that's my "2009 was my year of shitty pop music" post.

This morning:

Bobby Rydell - "Sway"



Summer is always the time when I get back to my hippie roots; I've always been head-over-heels for proper psych, so here's a few tracks I've always turned on, tuned in, and... grooved to.

Strawberry Alarm Clock - "Incense and Peppermints"



Vanilla Fudge - "You Keep Me Hangin' On"



The Association - "Along Comes Mary"



Tommy James & The Shondells - "Crimson and Clover"



The Electric Prunes - "Wind Up Toys"



Donovan - "Hurdy Gurdy Man"



There's thousands more I know I'm forgetting (but they will eventually resurface) but I must also mention that summer is also a great time for motown.

Marvin Gaye - "I Heard it Through the Grapevine"



Otis Redding - "Sittin' On the Dock of the Bay"



Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - "You Really Got a Hold On Me"



And I'll just throw in this super bonus for anyone ready to trip out today. It's 80 degrees and sunny in Seattle; this definitely calls for a major psych overdose.

Strawberry Alarm Clock - "Incense and Peppermints" (full album)

Thank you VERY much LiL (can I call you Lill?) ;) --- now "I eat cannibals" is stuck in my head! Get :banghead: OUT! :banghead:

Of course!

"I Eat Cannibals" is a real earworm.

.... Speaking of earworms:

From the very first LP I ever bought, Nancy Sinatra's "Boots".

"These Boots Were Made for Walkin'"



And if that one didn't get trapped in your head, there's more:

The Beatles - "Maxwell's Silver Hammer"



... But it was also pretty funny when Steve Martin sang it in the ridiculous film "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" (the OST also being one of the very first records I remember playing).

Steve Martin - "Maxwell's Silver Hammer"

Oh, I forgot about that. xD

Firstly, here's my portion of the "Song of the Day" project for 05/07/13 (Tuesday).

Dresden Dolls - "Girl Anachronism"



I was reminded of a homeless man I spotted on Alvarado Street in Monterey, CA when this came up in my shuffle last night. He was singing this, for whatever reason, and it was beautiful.

Glenn Frey - "You Belong to the City"



Another nighttime favorite ahead: check out the brilliant lyrics. Who else could compare a person's skewed mental state to "the mechanized hum of another world"? Gorgeous stuff.

Steely Dan - "Don't Take Me Alive"



I was so obsessed with this song back in '07. I was obsessed with Pat's entire debut album in those days. This song remains a comforting staple in my summertime night listening.

Pat Benatar - "If You Think You Know How to Love Me"



I remember when I had this as a ringtone that year:

The Human League - "(Keep Feeling) Fascination"



A few years later I learned to love what The Human League sounded like prior to their commercial success; this track in particular really stands out -

The Human League - "Being Boiled"



Which brings me to another point. I never imagined (and I was getting into this next song around the same time I discovered "old" Human League) DEVO once sounded like this:

DEVO - "Mechanical Man"



Though I must admit, I went out of my way to buy the "Freedom Of Choice" LP just because I really liked this song:

DEVO - "That's Pep!"



Which reminds me of another LP I worked my tail off to find, just because of a few particular songs, such as this weird song about pot brownies



This bizarre tune about Chief Kamanawanalea (Come on, I wanna lay ya)..



This super retro/groovy pre-freakbeat number -




And lastly... who could forget ...

The Turtles - "Elenore"



But wait, there's more.

The Turtles - "You Showed Me"



I feel a Turtles binge coming on.

Song of the Day for 05/09/2013 -

Sparks - "Waterproof"



I've been struggling with my depression lately (partly due to my crappy job and financial woes, but mostly due to my stupid brain and its lack of dopamine) and I listened to this on my way to work this morning. One lyric that never really stood out before just seemed to make me laugh/smile:

I'm waterproof, and nothing of a liquid nature's gonna mess with me.

Take that, unnecessary tears. Bitches.

Anyway I've been meaning to do a feature on Steely Dan (my 3rd favorite band this past year). My obsession came on so suddenly, but my love is justified. Brilliant songwriting, complex melodies, majestic mellow artistry - that's Steely Dan.

Steely Dan - "Your Gold Teeth"



This next one is very well-known, and it's been played too many times on the radio. It will always remind me of the nerdy kid I hung around with in high school.

Steely Dan - "Do It Again"



This was my jam on the way to work, every day back in '09.

Steely Dan - "Dirty Work"

Like a castle in its corner, in a medieval game, I foresee terrible trouble, and I stay here just the same.



At some point in my life ('05-'06ish) I was completely and utterly obsessed with this next song.

Steely Dan - "Rikki Don't Lose That Number"



Here's some super smooth nighttime driving music. Don't believe me? Try it.

Steely Dan - "Midnight Cruiser"



The lyric "I don't have the heart to lose another fight, so until my ship comes in, I'll live night by night" has always been striking to me, in this next song. I've been able to relate to that line alone on so many different occasions. On top of that, it's just a really sick groove.

Steely Dan - "Night by Night"



I feel as if nothing can really be said about this next song. The way the lyrics flow makes me so jealous; I wish I could write like this.

Steely Dan - "Sign in Stranger"



If anyone's reading this and they're unfamiliar with Steely Dan, I just have two words for you: Jazz. Rock. (Emphasis on the jazz part.)

Nice choices with Steely Dan, Devo and Pat Benatar

Wot, no "Reeling in the years" or "My old school?" And how about some Donald Fagen, while you're at it? ;) (Jesus! Can you believe I had to "adhust" his last name because the system saw part of it as a bad word?!)

Just three of thousands of weird acts I've been into at some point. :thumb:

Both great songs, but they've been played out for me as of late. "My Old School" will always remind me of high school (no surprises there) and the lyrics are pure gold.

First of all, my overall feeling watching this can be summed up in 2 words: Holy shit! If the studio version of this song was as badass as this, the Buckingham/Nicks incarnation of the 'Mac wouldn't be so hated.

Some people (not naming names here, Ki, not naming names, sweetheart, nope) just don't like Stevie, but honestly ... she is a powerhouse of wonder, and she is spectacular. Stevie Nicks certainly knows how to rock.

Fleetwood Mac - "Rhiannon" (Live, Midnight Special)



But wait, look what I found. Here's a clip of Journey (introduced by none other than Wolfman Jack!) from the Midnight Special.

I've got some fond memories stashed away that I always associate with this song. I remember stumbling out of the door of the duplex I lived in for a short while, to drive down the street (admittedly because I was too stoned to walk, and it was too hot, I don't know, I guess I figured it was a good idea) to the corner store for a little liquid energy. This came on the radio on my way out, driving a crappy Pontiac Sunbird I was borrowing. Mostly static, but the sun was shining and everything was groovy (and mildly sedated).

Journey - "Feeling That Way" (Live, Midnight Special)



This song sits deep in the vaults of my psyche, and at the right time, it can make me cry. Picture this: cruising down tree-lined countryside highways deep in the heart of southern Ohio, just as I know my life is about to come crumbling down (which, inevitably, it did) and finding this to be the most soothing thing of all the crap that came on the radio during my soul-searching cruise into nowhereland -

Todd Rundgren - "Hello, It's Me" (Live)



In 2009 I went through this unusual phase where I really loved The Knack. Yes, the same Knack that's responsible for sleazy songs like "My Sharona" and "Baby Talks Dirty", but wait, there's this. This. Many nights spent crying to this sopping mess of a love song.

And you can bet I cried my eyes out when Doug Fieger died.

The Knack - "How Can Love Hurt so Much"



While we're on the topic of things that have caused me the agony of mascara in my eyes, here's another one that rips my heart out every time. This song first came to me in 2007, August. I lost someone very close to me (for a while, at least - goodbyes are a bitch, you know?) - almost exactly a year later, I lost him for good.

(Good riddance. He was an asshole, and always will be.)

It doesn't hurt anymore; Karen just gets my tears flowing because she's Karen, and I love her.

Carpenters - "Tryin' To Get the Feeling Again"



Just to lighten the mood a little, this is my favorite Carpenters song. It's a cute, cheesy cover, but I'm pretty much obliged to love it because, well, Karen had the voice of an angel.

Carpenters - "Beechwood 4-5789"



On a completely unrelated note, and just because this has been swimming through my head for days...

This is one of my dad's favorite songs - he used to sing the part about the "tall walkin' big black cat" to my cat (RIP babylove) but always seemed to be singing bits and pieces of this song around the house.

If anyone can decipher all of the lyrics without any help, you've got to be a genius.

The Hollies - "Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress"



While browsing, I also found this. One of my favorites from high school.

Cliff Richard - "Devil Woman"



Which reminds me of a song I requested once, back when radio stations had request lines and proper music. I dedicated it to my mother, because I was a terrible child, and I don't blame her for hating me now.

Eagles - "Witchy Woman"

One thing I always get a little bit of flack for is my love for ABBA. Let's consider a couple things first:

1. People in America haven't really experienced ABBA beyond "Dancing Queen" and the "Mamma Mia" craze, therefore most people in my general vicinity (at any point of my life) don't realize that...

2. .... Björn Ulvæus and Benny Andersson are genius composers. They know just how to write a melody to really capture the heart and soul of the listener.

3. A lot of people still dismiss ABBA as a disco act, and little more than four pretty faces shaking their asses in flamboyant costumes.

I understand this, but I must politely express my disdain whenever I have the chance. ABBA is great. I have been a lifelong fan, and at some point, I will have "ᗅᗺᗷᗅ" tattooed somewhere on this temporary carcass of mine.

Please be patient, and keep an open mind as you experience my special feature on this delightful Swedish quartet.

When I was 16 or so, I was completely obsessed with this song. I was totally smitten for someone much older than myself at the time, and this track will always remind me of what a silly young girl I really was.

ABBA - "Dum Dum Diddle"



This was also a relevant track when I was 16. I had quite a thing for one of my English teachers.

ABBA - "When I Kissed the Teacher"



A few years prior to both of these obsessions, when I was about 13, one of my cassettes (I actually had a pretty nice collection for being a little girl and all) got a tiresome workout from all the times I had to hear this song.

ABBA - "Take a Chance On Me"



When I was 16 I bought "Take a Chance On Me" as a vinyl single - and this was the B-side. I was, admittedly, way more hooked on the B-side than the featured single. I must admit, though, the lyrics are really cool, and I've always been able to relate to this to some extent.

"I'm a Marionette"



I remember a time, a couple years ago, when I was driving away from an airport and crying my eyes out as this song was playing.

ABBA - "I Am Just a Girl"



There was a time in my life when I suffered a great loss. Perhaps the worst in my life at that point. This song helped me get through. It's beautiful. It still makes me tear up a little because it's heartbreaking. I hope it will never be relevant in my life ever again. But it does showcase Agnetha's incredible vocal beauty.

ABBA - "My Love, My Life"



And of course, everyone loves when Frida steps forward.

I have no friends, no one to see - and I am never invited.
When I am here, talking to you, no wonder I get excited.

This extra verse was not included in many commercial compilations, but it could not have been any more relevant to my entire life up until my mid-20s.

ABBA - "The Name of the Game"



Agnetha and Frida weren't always the leading ladies in every ABBA song. Here's a great one with Björn on lead (and some racy lyrics, come to think of it). And it's so funky.

ABBA - "Man in the Middle"



And now for some recent favorites:

"Under Attack"



"The Day Before You Came"



When I was about 19ish I had the intro to this song as a ringtone, and it's still one of my favorites because it accurately sums up a large part of my life and my general disdain for every shitty job I've ever had.

"Money Money Money"



"If It Wasn't for the Nights"



"Lovers (Live a Little Longer)"



Screw it, I'm pasting the full album here.

ABBA - "Voulez Vous" (Full Album) - 1979



I bought a copy of this album on vinyl when I was about 20ish, but it was left in a hot car and ultimately warped. So I bought a nicer copy about a year ago. That's how devoted I am to my collection. Or how lame I am. I can't tell which.

In short, I love ABBA.

Firstly, the Song of the Day, 05/13/13 -

Queen - "Don't Stop Me Now"



I've always loved this next song. It's soothing when I feel like I can't live on this planet anymore, as I've lost my wits with human beings, as I can no longer tolerate their idiocy, their folly, their complete and utter bullshit.

Oh, man, look at those cavemen go.

David Bowie - "Life On Mars?"



While we're grooving to the sounds of sexy men, I stand by my statement that Marc Bolan was one of the most insanely appealing men that ever lived.

T. Rex - "Cadillac"



T. Rex - "Hot Love"



But let's just take a moment to pay attention to Mickey Finn doing his thing on the bongos, because he was one hell of a fox.

T. Rex - "Jeepster"



When I was maybe about 11/12, I was unspeakably obsessed with this next band. This extreme fondness wore off about 3 years later, but whenever I need a touch of nostalgia, or to remember my days as a silly little girl, I turn to The Cars. (I still find Benjamin Orr to be gorgeous in those days.)

"Just What I Needed" (Live - Midnight Special - '78)



There was a local radio station that I listened to, practically from birth, until it caved and turned into a country station when I was about 17. Every Saturday night they'd have a few solid hours where they played 70s hits in particular (it was a 50s/60s/70s station - all the greats). This next song will always remind me of those days -

Jay Ferguson - "Thunder Island"



And this (one of my mother's favorite songs when I was young) -

Lobo - "Me and You and a Dog Named Boo"



And there's this funky number - super smooth, kind of Steely Dan-ish, no wonder I loved it. It was the beginning of something groovy for me.

Climax Blues Band - "Couldn't Get it Right"



The other day I was reminded of something I was really into a number of years ago (I'd say I was about 18?) - either way it prompted me to get the "Saturday Night Fever" soundtrack on vinyl just because of how much I liked this one single track.

Walter Murphy - "A Fifth of Beethoven"



Speaking of disco, remember when the Rolling Stones tried it on for size? (And it was actually kind of weird?)

"Miss You" (12" Disco Version)



And there was that time when KISS ventured off into the catacombs of groovy disco magic ... (and it was actually pretty cool).

"I Was Made for Lovin' You"



My dad was a huge fan of KISS when I was a little girl, so I grew to love them as well. Even though this next song is a cover (Originally by 60s girl group The Crystals) it's my favorite KISS song.

KISS - "Then She Kissed Me"



Speaking of rockers doing covers of girl group classics ....

I'll always be head over heels for this next song, though it might have a lot to do with the fact that I just really love the Ronettes.

Ramones - "Baby I Love You"



Next time: the magic of 60s girl groups (and why they're significant)!

Two small points: if you happen to have that Lobo single and flip it over you'll find "I'd love you to want me", one of THE most heartbreakingly beautiful love songs ever (just listen to that sad piano!), and speaking of CBB, I love this one from them, though the one you posted always seems to be the one people reference:

Lobo: I'd love you to want me


Climax Blues Band: "I love you"

Oh yes. Many nights as a teenage girl sobbing away to "I'd Love You to Want Me".

"I Love You" (Climax Blues Band) has always gotten plenty of airplay - it's a classic but I rather grew tired of it.

Here's a couple more songs that had turned me into a sobbing mess during my younger days:

The Seekers - "I'll Never Find Another You"



Carpenters - "Can't Smile Without You"



The past couple days I've kind of been on a KISS kick. This next track I remember from my childhood - if only for the spooky chorus (is it just spooky to me?). The lyrics are a little dumb (as with most KISS songs) but the music is funky as hell.

KISS - "Almost Human"



It's very similar to this song (which was also in heavy rotation during my childhood, thanks to Dad's KISS obsession -

KISS - "Calling Dr. Love"



Another odd thing I discovered, when I was about 12, is that I was so struck by a certain part of this next song. I'd remembered it from my early childhood, but only that portion - the rest of the song had totally been lost on me. Thus began my affection for Deborah Harry - and Blondie.

Blondie - "One Way or Another"



Deborah's not the only lovely lady I prefer, musically. Yesterday I promised a special feature on girl groups of the 60s - the girls that started it all.

My favorite girl group of the 60s are the Shangri-Las. (My love for them started sometime during 2009.) They're best remembered for their controversial melodrama "Leader of the Pack"...



They didn't really get much attention apart from this. Apart from this next track, which was also covered by Aerosmith in the 70s.

The Shangri-Las - "Remember (Walking in the Sand)"



These girls had serious attitude. Check this out.

The Shangri-Las - "Right Now and Not Later"



But they were, after all, little girls.

The Shangri-Las - "It's Easier to Cry"



However, the untrained ear would never have guessed after hearing this. This one's my favorite Shangri-Las song (Mary Ann Ganser on lead vocals - RIP, beautiful girl) -

The Shangri-Las - "I'm Blue"



Another well-known (and loved) girl group of the 60s were the Ronettes. They were all kinds of adorable. (I always felt that Nedra was much cuter than Ronnie.)

Everyone knows this song.

The Ronettes - "Be My Baby"



And even this one.

The Ronettes - "Baby, I Love You"



This one's my favorite Ronettes track.

The Ronettes - "You Came, You Saw, You Conquered"



Yesterday I loosely mentioned the Crystals. Let's do some Crystals.

The Crystals - "Da Doo Ron Ron"



The Crystals - "He's a Rebel"



Yesterday I posted KISS' cover of this classic.

The Crystals - "Then He Kissed Me"



I think that's enough for now. I expect to make a few more posts dedicated to the swinging girls of the 60s, because you just can't pack all that excellence into one post and call it "good".

Song of the Day for 05/15/13 -

The Velvet Underground - "Candy Says"



Ki and I met each other and lived (for a few months) in California. Every time I hear this song, my heart is filled with so much joy remembering the nights we spent walking along the beach. Oh, and all the times we skipped off to the grocery, drunk and in need of more liquor. Those California nights...

Lesley Gore - "California Nights"



We weren't far from San Francisco, but we never got to see it. I still want to see Haight/Ashbury and experience San Franciscan nights!

Eric Burdon & The Animals - "San Franciscan Nights"



We passed by the Monterey fairgrounds a few times, at least. There's not much there - not a field, anyway - many small buildings but it was, alas, the holy lands of Monterey Pop.

Here's Jefferson Airplane grooving it in Monterey, 1967.

"Somebody to Love"



I went through a Jefferson Airplane phase, I believe, sometime in 2005/06. Unfortunately it didn't reach much further than "Surrealistic Pillow". Here's the full album for anyone who has nothing to do for a good 33 minutes.

Jefferson Airplane - "Surrealistic Pillow" (1967) FULL ALBUM



Here's a couple of my favorite rarely-mentioned songs from that record:

"3/5 of a Mile in 10 Seconds"

Take me to a circus tent where I can easily pay my rent.



"Plastic Fantastic Lover"



Here's another track that reminds me of California, if only for its sound. I can't explain what it is, exactly, but it sounds just what I'd describe as "true California style". It's got the chill groove, the brass, the tambourine ... good lord. I just can't explain how great this song makes me feel.

(Written by Tommy James - we'll do a Shondells feature eventually too.)

Alive N' Kickin - "Tighter, Tighter"



When I was a 16 year old girl, I did wear flowers in my hair. And I did want to go to San Francisco.

Scott McKenzie - "San Francisco"



This next track is a little weird and unexpected, but it will eternally remind me of an afternoon I spent outdoors - it was at least 75 degrees in the dead of "winter" in California, hot as hell, and I was walking uphill as this song was playing.

Though, a particular set of lyrics will always remind me of someone I wish would just drop dead already.

Distraction he wanted
to destruction he fell
now he forever stalks the ancient mansions of hell

T. Rex - "Dandy in the Underworld"



Though I love my home here in Seattle and wouldn't trade it for anything, sometimes I still long for the sun, the ocean, the seagulls ...

The Mamas & The Papas - "California Dreamin'"



That'll do for now. Next time: Tommy James & The Shondells. Why does a bubblegum band from Ohio matter? Bitch, please. Stay tuned.

Phonographic Memory is a great name for a music blog. Like you, I have a great deal of affection for '60s and '70s pop music. I have a large collection of vintage singles by Phil Specter girl groups and UK Sixties girl singers like Lulu, Cilla Black, Sandie Shaw, Marianne Faithfull, Dusty Springfield and Sandy Posey.

My all time favorite single is Linda Scott's 1962 song I Told Every Little Star. A few years ago film maker David Lynch used the song in the movie Mullholland Drive. Actress Susan George was lip syncing I Told Every Little Star at casting call for Justin Theroux who was playing a movie director in the scene.

Susan George's breezy performance of the song is loaded with irony because her character, Camilla Rhodes, is the mistress of a mob boss who has already threatened to break Theroux's legs if he doesn't cast Camilla as the leading lady in his film. Notice how Theroux says "This is the girl" under duress while the mob boss hovers over him at the audition. Theroux then turns and looks wistfully at Naomi Watts, the aspiring actress he really wants to cast in the role. And from her reaction, it appears that Naomi gets Theroux's non-verbal message that the audition is fixed.

I love their s/t album and have been listening to it a lot lately. Love this song, and "I'm Set Free" as well. Sterling Morrison's guitar solo on "I'm Set Free" is a thing of fragile, wavering beauty, like much of this album in concept and sound. It's the VU's wavering/beautiful album. Great thread -- enjoying so many of the songs you've posted. :)

How could I ever forget that song? It was in heavy rotation in my collection a number of years ago. Such an adorable classic.

Lulu really blew me away the first time I heard her voice. Here she is, at age 15. I still can't even believe this remarkable little girl. So much sass!

Lulu - "Shout"



Speaking of Cilla Black, I was listening to this next song on my way to work this morning and actually made a mental note to post my affections for it later. It's lush, lovely, and a little overwhelming. I get a little weak in the knees over this one.

With your hand resting in mine, I feel a power so divine.

Cilla Black - "You're My World"



Let's not forget that our dear Cilla was very close to Marc Bolan!

Cilla Black/Marc Bolan - "Life's a Gas"



A couple fond memories of Sandie Shaw (I must add, like most girls of the 60s, Sandie was a beauty) -

Sandie Shaw - "Monsieur DuPont" (ToTP)



"Puppet on a String"



Marianne Faithfull - I'm not terribly familiar with her, but I do know she was very close to Mick Jagger. (And she was, much like Sandie, Cilla, Dusty, and many others, a living dream.) I also need to brush up on what I know of Sandy Posey (I've heard her name a few times) but I do love Dusty Springfield, always and dearly.

Dusty Springfield - "The Look of Love"



Dusty Springfield - "I Only Want to Be With You"



I believe that love songs from the 60s and 70s (I grew up on this stuff) gave me the most irrational, unreasonable, unrealistic expectations for the rest of my life. :laughing:

I think I'll probably get back into them eventually; their lyrics had been striking to me when I was first getting into their music (5+ years ago) - especially this. This really caught me off guard.

The Velvet Underground - "The Gift"



Glad to hear you're enjoying the weird stuff I've been posting. My entire life has been accompanied by music of some sort, and I know there's even things hidden deep in my psyche that I've forgotten about by now. Music is incredible like that; I have always felt that it's the only artform that really, deeply touches people. :thumb:

When I was 16 years old, my grandma gave me a record that changed my entire life. I was familiar with the band, of course, having grown up with the radio tuned to all the greats, from the 1950s-1970s (and occasionally the 80s, but let's not get ahead of ourselves here), but I had just started my vinyl collection and I was about to be blown away by the psychedelic sounds of Tommy James and his super-groovy Shondells.

http://www.newlog.com.ar/LPMZ/tommy-james_crimson.jpg

This became an all-occasion album for me. I listened to it sober, drunk, high, low, happy, sad, angry, tired, heartbroken, anxious, hot, cold, whatever. It's still one of the greatest cure-all sort of albums for me.

This has been one of my most favorite songs of all time, ever since I was old enough to walk, I've been grooving to this beautiful anomaly of sound.

"Crimson and Clover"



I also enjoy Joan Jett's rendition, mostly because I adore Joan Jett.

This next one will always, always remind me of my grandmother. Because her name is Kathleen, and she was once one of the most important people in my life. She has since distanced herself from me, and I do miss having a grandmother; I'll feel a strong loss when she passes away and I'm worried that she'll never approve of me as a human being. As distasteful as I find her behavior and attitude, I love her dearly. This one's for "Kitty".

"Kathleen McArthur"

So respectable, so refined.



My first reaction to this song was something along the lines of "what the hell is this?" This is some really crazy psych stuff. It still sort of makes me shiver.

"I Am a Tangerine"



My mother loved this next song when I was a little girl. She was never one to turn the radio up too loud, or to really get excited about much, but she loved the hell out of this song (even before she was a crazy born-again Christian) and it will always remind me of her.

God, this is so goddamn groovy.

"Crystal Blue Persuasion"



This is my second favorite from the "Crimson & Clover" album. It will always remind me of the night before I left for Cincinnati, in 2007.

"Sugar on Sunday"



There's a secret message between "Breakaway" and "Smokey Roads", but I can't seem to find it anywhere. Anyone who has the LP or access to the full album might be interested to know, to my memory, that the backmasked bit says something like "Extrapolate the quadruped and turn it into something nutritious. Then, when the aurora rises in the heavens, I shall compensate thee amply."

I branched out a bit from "Crimson & Clover" (and I'm still finding little hidden gems) eventually, and happened upon this (which I'd known since forever, and even rather enjoyed Tiffany's version as well) -

"I Think We're Alone Now"



But did you know that this next track's melody is the above track, backwards?

"Mirage"



Here's something super sweet. (Maybe a little too sweet for some!)

"I Like the Way"



And here's something really funky.

"Gotta Get Back to You"



And a groovy video for an overplayed track that was once covered by Billy Idol.

"Mony Mony"



Some classic summertime driving music:

"Hanky Panky"



And finally, I think I've mentioned this song before, but it opened my eyes to a bad situation I was in, some time ago - and sure as hell, I took the warning to heart. Thanks, Tom. You saved my life.

"Get Out Now"



Anyone with even half a heart for 60s garage rock (or even bubblegum) needs to get themselves acquainted with these guys. It's for your own good.

I'm sure you'll like this song. Somebody was asking me today about an example of a Sparks song that mixes their sound with dance and this came to mind.


The Greatest Show on Earth - Sparks - YouTube

First off, here's my "Song of the Day" for 05/17/13 -

I can't find the studio version anywhere, so here's a really nice live version from '77. I dedicate this to my boss' boss, my boss, and my boss' right hand man. You fuckin' pigs.

Pink Floyd - "Pigs (Three Different Ones)" (Live, 1977)



While I'm not especially partial to "Terminal Jive" as a whole, I always liked that track. Sparks experimented with electronic/disco sounds, and it ended up working quite well for them. Ron Mael wrote an entire album for Telex, in fact. Not surprisingly, it was called "Sex".

Here's a couple tracks:

Telex - "Brainwash"



Telex - "Exercise is Good For You"



Telex - "Drama Drama"



Ron and Russell also wrote for Noel. Nobody really remembers her, or knows who she is, or actually cares, but here's the song that not a whole lot of Sparks fans ever want to talk about.

Noel - "Dancing is Dangerous"



While we're still in a disco groove, I want to throw this in, because I'm not ashamed to admit my love for the bros Gibb.

Andy Gibb - "Shadow Dancing" (12" extended)



Here's a cover of a classic I posted a couple days ago. I'll be apologizing to my mother on her deathbed for the amount of times I played this dumb song when I was younger.

Shaun Cassidy - "Da Doo Ron Ron"



That's all for me today.

Let's start with a little bit of classic motown.

Gladys Knight & The Pips - "I Heard it Through the Grapevine"



And just a little more.

Martha & The Vandellas - "Nowhere to Run"



Junior Walker & The All Stars - "Shotgun"



This is one of my mother's favorite songs, and one that will always remind me of my childhood.

Little Anthony & The Imperials - "Shimmy Shimmy Ko Ko Bop"



Well, would you look at what I found ... almost forgot about this one.

The Mamas & The Papas - "Creque Alley"



I was jamming out to this in the car this morning.

Dusty Springfield - "Anyone Who Had a Heart"



A little more Dusty...

"All Cried Out"



This has been running through my head off and on for a few days...

Creedence Clearwater Revival - "Run Through the Jungle"



Next time: T. Rex.

You newest post brought back a few memories for me.

My parents used to mix up martinis at yard parties and everybody would dance in a conga line to Shimmy Shimmy Ko Ko Bop. It was like a scene out of the cable television show Mad Men.

I had forgotten what a great song All Cried Out was. I have a remastered copy of A Girl Called Dusty where the mix sounds much better. Most of the dozens of Dusty anthologies were mastered in pre-digital age and have the sound quality of an 8 track tape player.

I've listened to the Mamas & Papas for years and somehow I never came across the across the song Twelve-Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming To the Canyon) until about five years ago. Like California Dreamin' autobiographical song about John Phillips' move from New York City to Laurel Canyon in sunny La-La Land. I think it's the most beautiful song John Phillips ever wrote. The lead vocal harmonies by Cass & Denny on the verses are so lovely I get a lump in my throat whenever I play the song.

I was absolutely shivering listening to that track. I've never heard it before, but I should always know that any song of theirs is a beauty. Never have I heard vocal harmonies as pure or beautiful as The Mamas & The Papas. Nobody will ever come close to the talent they had.

I feel it's more appropriate to put the scheduled feature of T. Rex on hold for another night, to make way for The Doors. Ray Manzarek, keyboardist, passed away last night in Germany after a long struggle with bile duct cancer. I was deeply saddened by this news; I'm still sad, but coping. All our heroes must die eventually.

Sleep well, Ray. You and Jim have a lot of catching up to do. You are so loved and admired.

I'll start with one of my most favorite Doors track:

"The Crystal Ship"



This next track will always remind me of the winter I spent in my father's basement after coming home from Cincinnati. I sat there in the dark for weeks, just my records and I, trying to heal my shattered soul.

"When the Music's Over"



This will always remind me of drunk times in our apartment in California. Very drunk times. Falling-asleep-in-the-bathroom times.

"Soul Kitchen"



And then there's this. I love this song so much, perhaps because it dates itself a little bit. And it makes me so comfortable.

"20th Century Fox"



I've always loved the bassline in this, but Ray's keyboards are ever prominent. Just fabulous. And this one sounds like a vinyl rip. Hell yeah.

"Peace Frog/Blue Sunday"



My dad fancied the Doors when I was a kid; he didn't collect much of their material (I made up for that later in my life with my records, though) apart from a Greatest Hits album. This next song will always remind me of being about 8 years old and in a fuss because it was raining like crazy outside. It later became a favorite of mine in high school, because I was ... well, strange.

"People Are Strange"



Close-ups of Ray's golden hands, Robby's black eye, Jim Morrison looking drunk as hell, and this lovely song. What more could you ever want out of a video? Seriously!

"Touch Me" (Live on Smothers Brothers)



Remember "Gloria"? Shadows of Knight? Aww yeah, man. That's some groovy stuff. Well ... Jim Morrison had it in his mind and turned it into some sort of super-horny masterpiece.

And here it is.

The Doors - "Gloria"



And here's more of Jim getting all horny on us.

"Backdoor Man"



Fan yourself off and get a load of this. I've always loved the bass-heavy sound of this.

"Five to One"



This is one of the grooviest Doors songs. I can't find the right words, but I love the distortion. I love the electronic sound. It must have really blown some brains clear out of their skulls at the time it was released. It's just unlike anything else that was going on at the time.

"Waiting for the Sun"



This next song reminds me of many nights spent completely drugged out of all fathomable consciousness, but just aware to the point where I could understand the lyrics. And I took them to heart. This song stayed with me for a very long time.

"You're Lost, Little Girl"



Lastly, who could forget Ray's defining masterpiece, the big, crazy-long keyboard solo in "Light My Fire" ... he's banging it out on TWO FREAKING PIANOS HERE.

"Light My Fire" (Live)



RIP Ray Manzarek, the man with the golden hands. We lost a remarkable man today. There's so much more I could have included in this feature, but I think this will suffice. For now, there is no more pain for Ray, only a beautiful legacy left behind.

RIP Ray.

I was never a fan of the Doors, but even I could see this guy was something special at the keys. Either way, it's another rock legend lost to us and as someone once said, every death diminishes us all.

Ride that storm, Ray!

I always wondered who was playing the bass on the Door's studio albums. A few years back I heard an interview with Ray Manzarek on NPR and he said the Doors never used a bass player in live shows or on studio recordings. Manzareck said he played the keyboard parts with his right hand while playing the bass lines on the organ with his left hand. Damn, I never knew that!

I don't envy old rock & roll soldiers like Manzarek who spend the rest of their adult lives in the shadow of the musical accomplishments they earned when they were young and in their twenties.

It's hard to reinvent yourself if you used to play keyboards for the Doors. Manzarek stayed in the music business and produced a small legacy of respectable solo albums & even produced the Los Angeles the acknowledged masterpiece of the band X, L.A.'s premier punk band.

I've been fond of the Doors for years, but I never knew Ray's talent extended to this -

Seriously, Ray was a keyboard badass.

Before I begin with this next feature, I have to stress the importance of the following statement:

I love Marc Bolan. I adore him for everything he was. It hurts a little, and my heart aches when I think of how his life ended. He was completely adorable, full of himself, believed in what he wanted in this world, and wouldn't settle for anything less. He is someone to be admired.

Glam is often dismissed as "silly" in all its flamboyance, but Marc Bolan was glam rock. He was the two-penny prince, and I absolutely love his fabulous little soul.



Here's the promised T. Rex feature.

This song will always remind me of my first time borrowing a rental car - I took it to the airport, and drove past 40 miles of cows and trees.

Marc's on backing vocals here - he spent a little time with this group in the late 60s. Ki and I had a stray cat named Desdemona Delilah. Or, simply, Desi D.

John's Children - "Desdemona"

Lift up your skirt and fly.



Andy Ellison was also a part of John's Children; he later went on to play with Radio Stars, with ex-Sparks bassist Martin Gordon. Marc later invited Radio Stars to his TV program in the late 70s.

Now here's Marc with Steve Peregrin Took - T. Rex was once Tyrannosaurus Rex, a folk duo.

Tyrannosaurus Rex - "Debora"



You can hear Marc speak here in this bootleg. He had a delicate speaking voice that makes me weak in the knees.

"Mustang Ford"



"Chariots of Silk"



Along came Mickey Finn (who met his demise in 2003 after a lifelong struggle with alcoholism) and this happened ...

"Lofty Skies"



"Jewel"



"Seagull Woman"



Their sound began to change in the early 70s.

"Ride a White Swan"



1971 brought us the T. Rex record that everyone and their mother knows. "Electric Warrior" ... which brought us the song that everyone knows. You know the one.

"Get it On" (ToTP)



One of my personal favorites from this album -

"Mambo Sun"



And another -

"Planet Queen"



Then, in '72, another popular T. Rex record was released. Let us not forget this next track, which was released only as a single, but kicks ass.


"20th Century Boy"



This next song also suffered the same fate.

"Children of the Revolution"



Marc Bolan never drove a Rolls Royce. He never drove anything, because he was terrified of dying in a car. (Much like myself - except, unlike Marc, I've had a license, and I drive every once in a while despite my fears.)

Speaking of cars...

"Cadillac"



"Buick MacKane"



And if you don't feel like a super badass listening to this, I don't think we're listening to the same song.

"Chariot Choogle"



Mark Volman of The Turtles sang backup on many tracks from "The Slider". If that isn't the most badass thing you've ever heard, get out of here. Seriously. Just go.

Last two from "The Slider" that I really really dig -

"Baby Strange"



"Telegram Sam"



"Tanx" (1973) was kind of a disaster (as well as the albums that followed, up to 1977...) thanks to a host of illicit substances (mostly cocaine) that were swimming through Marc's fine little self. So I think we'll just skip that whole thing for now and go right into this great track from "Dandy in the Underworld". Its title track.

Marc got his act together and had a child with Gloria Jones in '77. He had his own show, too.



Marc passed away in a car accident a couple weeks before his 30th birthday, on September 16th, 1977. He left behind his wife, Gloria, and his newborn son, Rolan.

Here's a photo of David Bowie being restrained by a couple friends after being harassed by the press at Marc's funeral. The two were very close friends.

There's a lot more that could have been added to this post, but I'm in a time crunch, and I would much rather inspire others to do a little digging of their own, and to fall in love with T. Rex on their own time.

By the way, I almost forgot to roll out my Song of the Day for 05/21/2013 -

This one's for Ki. Happy birthday tomorrow, sweetie.

The Beatles - "I'm Happy Just to Dance With You"



Next time: Who the hell knows?

Song of the Day - 05/23/2013. I almost forgot about this until today.

Petula Clark - "My Love"



Petula makes me happy.

"Don't Sleep in the Subway"



"Downtown"



Anyway, every so often this odd song runs through my head and reminds me of the entire week I spent as a sales associate at a Forever 21 shop in Northern California. I couldn't stand the irritating girls there; they were so preppy, plastic, caked with make-up, empty-headed. This song was the only tolerable thing that ever played in that store.

If only for the music. The lyrics are practically worthless.

Lindstrøm & Christabelle - "Lovesick"



It always reminded me of this lush creation -

Lynsey De Paul - "Sugar Me"



Around the time I discovered the song above, I was also getting groovy with Fox. This next song will always remind me of walking through town during the last summer I spent in Minnesota.

Fox - "Only You Can"



And then there's this. I love this cheesy garbage.

Fox - "Imagine Me, Imagine You"



During my intro to Fox, I was also becoming acquainted with some similar (though lesser known) sounds of the 70s.

Sailor - "Girls, Girls, Girls"



Racey - "Some Girls"



And this is just really dumb, but it's a real earworm.

Kenny - "The Bump"



Was any youth complete without Sweet? Nope. NOPE NOPE.

Sweet - "Wig Wam Bam"



I have this next vinyl single. Because I had to have it, and yes, I played it to death.

Silver - "Wham Bam (Shang a Lang)"



May as well throw in the Bay City Rollers ...

"Saturday Night"



Speaking of singles I drove my parents nuts with as a young lady ... my record suspiciously went missing at some point but I absolutely loved this song when I was about 15/16.

Rod Stewart - "You're In My Heart"



This song actually popped into my head this morning. I don't know why. But I do remember loving this one around 13/14. I also loved Neil Sedaka, but we'll explore his wonders on a different occasion.

Captain & Tennille - "Love Will Keep Us Together"



Here comes the part where I lose all credibility in having any sort of decent taste in music. I loved this song when I was about 14/15. Could these lyrics be any dumber? Good lord.

The DeFranco Family - "Heartbeat (It's a Love Beat)"



And of course, I had to have this LP. Had to.

Marshall Hain - "Dancing in the City"



I think I'm going to aptly name this post (everything after Petula, of course) "really terrible crap I have loved".

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mc...q2opo1_500.gif

Next time: Squeeze, and why they're pretty alright.

Before I begin with the Squeeze feature, I've got to throw in a couple videos I watched this morning that totally blew me away. These are a couple songs I feel I've already talked about, but here's two live performances that are absolutely stellar.

Gayle McCormick has serious pipes of gold. If you can listen to her and not be impressed, you're probably tone deaf. The song below is a cover of the Shirelles' original hit; it's also been covered by the Carpenters, the Beatles, Cilla Black and even Ace goddamn Frehley.

Smith - "Baby It's You" (1969)



I know I've posted this next song at least twice, but I just found this video this morning. This is a live performance (though I can't tell if the music itself is a pre-recorded track) and the vocals are outstanding. Mark Stein appears to be on something funky as he bangs away at the organ like he's having an orgasm and grooving at the same time. Maybe that's all part of the charm.

I love this song (originally by Diana Ross & The Supremes); I love this group.

Vanilla Fudge - "You Keep Me Hangin' On" (1968)



Sometime during 2008/2009 I rediscovered this terrific group from London, Squeeze. Glenn Tillbrook and Chris Difford, two insanely skilled and clever songwriters, were the leaders of this new wave/power-pop group. I'd venture to say they were England's version of The Knack (except maybe a little less filthy).

Most American people remember Squeeze for this track. I know I did. This one's from 1981. The lyrics always made me a little uncomfortable because they're so difficult to figure out, but you can bet the vocals are smooth as hell. Here's some super-sexy vinyl.

Squeeze - "Tempted"



Apart from this song, I wasn't truly aware of the genius of Squeeze for years. Then I heard this. It's dumb, it's poppy, but it was different. Check that Cockney accent. Here's an early track from the late 70s.

"Cool for Cats"

The squaw is with the corporal, she's tied against a tree.
She doesn't mind the language; it's the beating she don't need.



Also from "Cool for Cats", this song will always remind me of one of the grossest human beings I ever had the misfortune of knowing. He was a chronic masturbator, and just an all-around disgusting creature. Good riddance.

"Touching Me, Touching You"

I'm always touching myself,
I've got nothing better to do,
and when I'm touching myself
I'm always thinking of you



Yet another odd track from "Cool for Cats", sort of disco-y but the lyrics are just fantastic.

"Slap and Tickle"



Though this is my favorite from the album. It's so pretty.

"Goodbye Girl"



I have Squeeze's first LP on limited edition red vinyl. Why? I don't know; I had to have it, I guess. Here's a gem from that album (1978). I'm sort of surprised this song wasn't courtesy of Giorgio Moroder. I absolutely love this song.

"Take Me, I'm Yours"



I'm relatively certain I have "Argybargy" (1980) in my collection but it's been a good year since I've looked at the majority of my records. This song always stood out to me.

"Another Nail in My Heart"



I've always really loved this song, too. Maybe it's just the strange sound of it; I don't even really know what I love about it. I just love it. Maybe it's just so typical of the era, and so new-wavy. Or maybe it's just the synth sounds. I don't know; it's just cool.

"I Think I'm Go-Go"



No truer words have ever been sung - "if I didn't love you, I'd hate you" - very accurate in my black and white world. More brilliant lyrics; it's just the Squeeze way.

"If I Didn't Love You"



I do have to admit that I'm not terribly familiar with "East Side Story", Squeeze's 4th album. It's in my collection but I've never actually listened to it past "Tempted". I'll work on that sometime.

From their 5th album, "Sweets from a Stranger" (1982), a song that everyone's probably heard at least once at the grocery store.

"Black Coffee in Bed"



This next one is just brilliant. I don't know what set of lyrics to quote here that could sum it all up; it's just lovely and lush.

"Tongue Like a Knife"

She was the jewel that sparkled in darkness,
she was the love of everyone's life,
she was the catch of everyone's parties,
she was the one with a tongue like a knife.



I sort of lost interest in Squeeze past this album, but this next track (from 1987's "Babylon and On") is pretty cool. The brass is very typical of the late 80s, as are the rapidly-sung lyrics. But it sounds more like classic Squeeze than anything.

"Hourglass"



I'll throw this one in for good measure. It's a b-side from "Argybargy".

"Annie, Get Your Gun"



And I almost hate to admit it, but this song plays in my head whenever I've been in West Seattle.

"Up the Junction"



As you can tell, my obsession with Squeeze was brief and not terribly extensive. Perhaps someday I'll extend my knowledge of their catalogue. For now, this will have to do.

Though I really loved this hilarious song by Chris Difford. It sounds like something Weird Al wrote; it's just funny as hell.

Now I have tits just like my mum,
I'm out of breath before I run,
I like to eat, because it's fun!

"Fat as a Fiddle"



Next time: the genius of Weird Al Yankovic?? We'll see.