Reaching for the Stars, Vol. 54
Chart Week: February 16, 1980 Song: “Coward of the County” – Kenny Rogers Chart Position: #3, 14th week on the chart. This was the song’s chart peak. One of my complaints about the old American Top 40s that I listen to is that only a small selection of the total library of shows gets played. If you listen often enough,…
Friday Playlist (Updated)
“Couch” – PONYSome pretty good pop-punk. That opening riff sounds like it came from the first Clash album. “Richie Sacramento” – MogwaiThis veteran Scottish act wrote this in tribute mostly to the late Dave Berman, but also to all their musical contemporaries who have passed in recent years. “River” – Akron/FamilySadly news broke late last night that Miles Seaton from…
Friday Playlist
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5mOEnfHmu6hczie2nEJ1uX?si=YXxArXA7QKSjg2bodicQeA “You Don’t Own Me” – Pale Waves This song reminded me of something I’ve heard before… “You’re Not the One” – Sky Ferreira …perhaps this. They aren’t exact matches but have some serious shared DNA. I wonder if Sky Ferreira will ever put out another album. “Show Me Love” – Robin S “Show Me Love” – Robyn Unlike the…
Reaching for the Stars, Bonus Tracks
Songs: “Sweet Caroline” – Neil Diamond. Peaked at #4 the week of August 16, 1969 “Take Me Home, Country Roads” – John Denver. Peaked at #2 the week of August 28, 1971 “Smoky Mountain Rain” – Ronnie Milsap. Peaked at #24 for two weeks in February/March of 1981 A different kind of RFTS post today. Rather than breaking down a…
Friday Playlist
The first playlist of February. The sun is coming up a little earlier every morning and staying up a little later each evening. Sure, the windchill is going to be well below freezing for the next week, but with the added sunlight it’s time to start thinking ahead to spring’s arrival. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/01co63z6jLx1oyJiC4Jpf7?si=00gWmgdhTnGk7w63CkgDKg “Brisbane Radio” – Stephen’s Shore I always associate…
Reaching for the Stars, Vol. 53
Chart Week: January 21, 1984 Song: “Undercover of the Night” – The Rolling Stones Chart Position: #20, 11th week on the chart. Peaked at #9 for two weeks in December and January. This edition is more about how I listened to the song than the song itself. Although there will be some song trivia before we’re done. 1983 was a…
Friday Playlist
Phil Spector died last week. To say he leaves a complex legacy is an understatement. He crafted some of the most unforgettable songs ever, and created a sound that will forever be synonymous with his name: The Wall of Sound. But he was also, by many measures, a horrible human being. He ruined the life and career of his one-time…
Friday Playlist
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4qSu2wUNZdxpOL37MvmsXL?si=7CVOmwG5RkyuVWoRN70smA “Start All Over Again” – Candy Opera This sounds straight out of the early ’80s New Romantic movement, with a few modern flourishes. Which makes total sense as Candy Opera got their start in the early ’80s Liverpool music scene. They plugged along for about ten years, split up, and went their separate ways. Then, three years ago, they…
Friday Playlist
After taking nearly a month off from sharing new-ish music, it’s time to start getting caught up. So an extra-long playlist this week, filled with recent songs and a few classics. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5loDhcQ5z3UdAFjkS3fuFY?si=CRH1_dOfRMOJEYbwB2x2lQ “Funny Farm” – The Hold Steady A late 2020 treat, and THS has a new album due out on February 19. That day is going to be a…
Emergency Playlist
A special playlist is in order this morning. There are plenty of other songs about this fine state that I’m guessing came from folks not happy with what went down in Georgia last night, thus they have been left behind. Hell, some of these may make no sense in the context of the election, Jay Farrar comparing his impending estrangement…