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…
Friday Playlist
It’s not every year that Jan. 1 falls on a Friday. I better commemorate the day properly. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2Oujqry0LpkOAHZtVAHAP3?si=grpHae5cTSaIigH2h-_a2w “The New Year” – Death Cab for Cutie “New Years Morning” – JarJarBeatz “New Year’s Day” – U2 “New Year” – Beach House “Happy New Year” – ABBA “This Year” – The Mountain Goats
Reaching for the Stars, Vol. 52
Chart Week: December 22, 1984 Song: “Bruce” – Rick Springfield Chart Position: #33, 6th week on the chart. Peaked at #27 for a week in January. As artists move through their careers they often jump from one record company to another. This can lead to uncomfortable situations when the artists break through and their previous employers attempt to capitalize. Rick…
Beatles Songs, Ranked
“Favorite Songs by Artist X” lists are a dime a dozen when it comes to certain bands. They are click-baity and unnecessary, as they’ve been done and done and done again. Still, as a music fan I will almost always read them and listen to the songs they cover if it is a band I care about. I think that…