• Reaching for the Stars, Vol. 59

    Chart Week: July 12, 1986 Song: “If She Knew What She Wants” – The Bangles Chart Position: #29, 10th week on the chart. This was the song’s peak; it fell out of the Top 40 the next week. I recall being in love with a lot of unattainable women in the summer of 1986. There was Heather Thomas, whose poster…

  • Friday Playlist

    This week a focus on new songs by (mostly) long-established artists. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1NcunvPiPLtGOAlgYAd3q7?si=5162366ab0a94dd0 “Galacticana” – Strand of Oaks Oh hell yes, new music from Timothy Showalter! And it sounds great! And one critic has said the album this comes from is the finest of his career! It comes out October 1 for those of you who track such things. “Living in…

  • Friday Playlist

    The new music has been, thankfully, piling up again. So let’s go deep this week with an extra-packed playlist. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7zJa8rdvchL1SxNPyb6OlM?si=ace9b79327764b5d “House Burn Down” – King Princess Being pessimistic about your life shouldn’t sound this good. “Lockdown” – The Wind Ups Maybe it’s just me, but I hear a lot of the Ramones in this track. “Why Don’t You Touch Me”…

  • Friday/Holiday Playlist

    ‘Tis the season for my annual Independence Day playlist. One new addition this year but otherwise the same collection of fine songs that can, at least tangentially, relate to American Independence Day. Everyone have a safe and happy Fourth of July weekend!

  • Friday Playlist

    https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7uF5mMF2vKbAqTfGSc6iDP?si=936bf6aa771a455d “Nashville Girls” – Janet Simpson This was about to drop off my current music playlist when I realized I had not shared it with you. Which is a huge error on my part, because it is a hell of a song, filled with swagger. “Inside My Head” – Lost Ships I love songs like this that have a variety…

  • Reaching for the Stars, Vol. 58

    Chart Week: June 12, 1982 Song: “Fantasy” – Aldo Nova Chart Position: #32, 12th week on the chart. Peaked at #23 for two weeks in May/June. I only caught a few songs of this countdown, but I tuned in at the perfect time. I’m guessing I had not heard this jam in a long, long time. Which is a damn…

  • Friday Playlist

    https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5U27plJPrIhtDG71gbci5k?si=9d33b49628be4dc4 “Solar Power” – Lorde Oh good Lord(e)! Our New Zealand queen has returned in a major way. An almost instant Song of the Summer, one that arrives with a rather controversial album cover. Her album art makes me feel uncomfortable, so I’m just avoiding it as much as possible. YMMV. “the angel of 8th ave.” – Gang of Youths…

  • Friday Playlist

    It’s been a few weeks since we’ve had a proper playlist. The new music has dried up just a hair and I haven’t had much time to devote to what is available over the past couple weeks. I’ve hacked together something to keep you occupied for a half hour or so, including two amazing videos. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6oe7cH8xXzXb43aUaPh49h?si=c61d522bd99e4347 “Evergreen” – Bendigo Fletcher…

  • Reaching for the Stars, Vol. 57

    Chart Week: May 12, 1979Song: “In the Navy” – The Village PeopleChart Position: #5, 9th week on the chart. Peaked at #3 for two weeks. I wasn’t old enough to “get” the Village People when they were at the height of their powers. I was 6–7 years old during their brief moment at the top of the pop culture pyramid.…