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It's a Wednesday, You Wouldn't Understand

8/15/2012

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This year the Olympic Theme was written and performed by Muse. Surely NBC would at least show them performing it, right? Nope. Instead we got too much Jessie J and Take That. NBC got a lot of flack for their coverage. Fifty-seven different cable channels, and they still couldn't show everything?

Here's Muse performing the song that Americans didn't get to see. I would post the "official" video, but the Olympic Overlords won't allow it to be embedded.

I'm a big fan of Muse, but I must say that I'm not totally blown away by their Olympic song. Lyrics like "I'm gonna win" are a little too "on the nose" for my taste.

Kinda reminds me of Pearl Jam's own take on an Olympic theme from a few years ago.

Since the first two entries today are a little weak, I'll finish on a strong note. Here's one that pops up on the iPod occasionally. 

I never skip it, and always turn it up.
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Wednesday Warbling

3/7/2012

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When I say "Nitty Gritty Dirt Band", you probably have one of two thoughts:
  1. Will The Circle Be Unbroken, "Mr. Bojangles", Nashville, Roy Acuff, Earl Scruggs, Jimmy Martin, and Mother Maybelle Carter
  2. Who?

They have a modern reputation as a country band, but in 1967, they sounded like this:

The Kinks hit it big in 1964 with "You Really Got Me", a simple, yet memorable tune with a killer hook that would influence guitar heroes for decades. If you flipped over the 45 when you bought it, this is what you would have heard:

You know "Take Five" by Dave Brubeck (yes you do). Now, clap along with "Unsquare Dance" - short but sweet!
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The All-Request Lunch Hour

2/28/2012

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I've gotten my first three requests, so it's time for the All-Request Lunch Hour! You can make a suggestion over on the right of this page!

Tamara suggested a theme (which I'm still working on putting together), and also this song from one of my all-time favorites: Talking Heads.

Here's your song, Tamara, and thanks for listening!

Carmen was inspired by yesterday's King of Radio entry to suggest The Oogum Boogum song. 

If you listen all the way til the end, at around 2:25, I don't think he's singing the phrase "check out the boots"... but maybe that's just me... Thanks for the suggestion, Carmen!

You may be familiar with Screaming Trees and the song "Nearly Lost You" from the "Singles"movie soundtrack, but their "Sweet Oblivion" album is really worth listening to. Thanks to Scott (not me, I swear) for this suggestion from that LP. Songs from this album will be featured again in the future!

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Afternoon Delight

2/27/2012

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I'm a little under the weather this afternoon. Maybe sharing some fun music will make me feel better.

Michael Jackson used to be in a group with his brothers. They were pretty darn good.

I like Jonathan Richman a whole lot. You'll see him here often. Here's a great representation of what it's like to see him live. The audience in this clip seems to take a few seconds before they really catch on to him, but by the end, it feels like a JoJo show.

Fun to hear, fun to watch!
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Obese Tuesday

2/21/2012

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Since it's Mardi Gras, I thought I'd share three tunes that have nothing to do with celebrating the day!

You are very familiar with "I Want Candy" or maybe "Do You Wanna Hold Me" by Bow Wow Wow. Did you know they recorded more than two songs? Well, they did, and here's my favorite. It's all about recording your favorite songs onto a cassette, and then carrying those songs where ever you go. We all did it in the 80's, and many did the same in the 90's with CD's before mp3 players made it all obsolete.

Speaking of "I Want Candy", it was originally recorded by The Strangeloves. And if you like that song, I'm betting you'll dig this one too.

You know that song "Some Kind of Wonderful" by Grand Funk that they play at weddings? There was another song with that title by The Drifters. Is it wrong to say that I like this version better? It's a little peppier than The Drifters' version.
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Monday Moving

2/20/2012

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Let's get your toes tapping on this Monday, shall we?

I know you know Otis Redding from "Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay" and "The Song Duckie Sings at the Record Store in the Movie Pretty in Pink". Here's a great live nugget from a talent who was taken from us too soon.

It's difficult to have a long, successful music career. It's actually pretty rare. It can be even more difficult when you've got young artists nipping at your heels. I believe "4 Minutes" is Madonna's answer to Gwen Stefani's "Hollaback Girl". I'm ok with that. Both are great songs!

[the original video does not allow embedding, so here's a fan-made version]

Uruguay has given the world so many great artists like Los Shakers and um... 

Just turn this one up, ok? It's so good.
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And so it begins

2/15/2012

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I know practically nothing about Minus The Bear, and I kind of like it that way. I know what they look like, and that's all I really need. I discovered them while listening to a cable music channel called "Math Rock". Um, okay.

This is a remix of "My Time" from the Omni album. This remix is from the "Hold Me Down" EP, which is available as a free download HERE. It's a little dancier than much of Minus' stuff, but gives you a good idea of what the band is about. It's a great song for in the car.

Speaking of "dancing", here's one you can't help but dance to. It says so right in the title! I learned about Bohannon from the Tom Tom Club in their song "Genius of Love". Music is for learning!

So many songs come and go through the years, until only certain songs get remembered. Here's a great song from 1968, that would be surprised to hear on your local Classic Rock station.
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Valentine's Day

2/14/2012

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As I was putting this post together, I realized that at least three of may favorite artists had "Valentine" songs. Seems like a no-brainer to post all three today!

Now, if I was really "King of Radio", I'm not sure how often I'd actually play these particular songs, but the artists will be showing up often for sure.

And so in no particular order, I give you my three Valentine's Day selections, starting with Elvis Costello.
"My Funny Valentine" is originally from the 1937 musical "Babes in Arms". The movie featured Mickey "The Mick" Rooney. It's been recorded hundreds of times, and of all the versions I've heard, this one certainly was recorded by Elvis Costello. 
Up next, the title track from the album "Blue Valentine" by Tom Waits. It's from his earlier days, which were blusey and jazzy, unlike his more recent work, which has been truck tires and megaphones.
I don't know if the recent film has anything to do with the Tom Waits song or album, but if there were hipsters involved in the making of the film, I'd say "probably". 
Finally, to wrap up today's Love Fest, it's (apparently) the Artist of the Day here at The Vertical Files: The Replacements.
I love that Paul pronounces "February" with both "R"s. Not everybody does that. This is a studio out-take, but sounds almost identical to the version that ended up on "Pleased to Meet Me".
I'm never going to try to force "King of Radio" to have a theme. Mostly it's just songs I like in a random order. If a theme happens naturally (like today), it happens!

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    King of Radio

    When I am king, these are the songs you will hear on the radio.

    These selections are best enjoyed with your system's volume up as loud as possible.

    [unfortunately, not all videos will play on all devices and browsers. sorry about that.]


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