A few very good music links to share. Apologies as a couple of these are slightly out-of-date with the change in seasons. Good reads regardless.


First, investigative journalism at its finest.

Taylor Swift and Bryan Adams’ Duet of “Summer of ’69” Reopens One of Music’s Great Historical Mysteries: Is This Song About the Sex Position?


Next, isn’t it funny how if a song is good or great, it is easy to overlook logical inconsistencies within its lyrics? But if a song sucks, you pounce on those mismatched details quickly.

John Gonzalez broke down DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince’s classic “Summertime” and found that it, shockingly, may not have been a completely accurate description of a typical summer day in Philly. I laughed, I clapped, I may have even cried a little as I read this.

I Know It’s Been 27 Years, but I Have Some Notes on DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince’s “Summertime”


Finally, who better than Chuck Klosterman to rank all 131 of Van Halen’s songs in order of quality? This is great, and had me listening to some VH as I read through it Friday. I would make a few different choices – “Panama” is my #1 – but in general I agree with his sympathetic view of the Van Hagar years and his praise for Diver Down. And while I find his choice as worst VH song ever to be a little harsh – I’ve always liked that one even recognizing its many weaknesses – I do love his justification for why it is there.

All 131 Van Halen Songs, Ranked From Worst to Best Only time will tell if they stand the test of time.