Last night I watched the CNN "Soundtracks" show on the music of 9/11. Billy Joel was mentioned and interviewed for this episode. One, for his performing at The Concert For New York City and his anthem "New York State Of Mind". That put me in a Billy Joel mood, so I decided to post the songs from his non-80's era output. These songs are in no particular order, but there's no doubt which song would be # 1, "Piano Man":
"The Ballad of Billy The Kid":
"Captain Jack":
"Los Angelenos":
"The Entertainer":
"Summer, Highland Falls":
"New York State of Mind":
"Prelude/Angry Young Man":
"I've Loved These Days":
A very timely song, "Miami 2017 (Seen The Lights Go Out On Broadway":
I was finally able to work through all of Neil Young's 15 80's era CDs, musicians use to be so much more prolific. Many of these 80s artists continued releasing great CDs even though the CD release schedule was much more condensed compared to now.
A quick introduction to Neil Young. Neil Percival Young was born November 12th, 1945. Obviously Young, the so-called Godfather of Grunge, has had a prolific career. He's recorded with many amazing bands throughout the years including Buffalo Springfield, CSNY, Crazy Horse and Pearl Jam. Although this blog is mostly about Young's solo work and work with Crazy Horse, I'll be focusing on their 42 CDs. He has now released music in six different decades. When he dies, which I hope won't be for a long time, the world is going to lose a music legend.
Besides being a world renowned musician he also is an environmentalist, has worked with Farm Aid and has helped develop audio player Pono.
25) "This Notes For You":
26) "Sunny Inside":
27) "Union Man":
28) "Wonderin":
29) "Computer Cowboy":
This is from Young's 1983 Rockabilly CD which he recorded with The Shocking Pinks: 30) "Cry Cry Cry":
31) "Payola Blues":
32) "Jellyroll Man":
This song was written by Young and was a #8 hit for Nicolette Larson in 1978. 33) "Lotta Love":
This is Young and his band performing at Farm Aid. 34) "Motorcycle Mama":
Among the people who have covered this song include Patsy Cline, Sylvia, Anne Murray, The Beatles and The Waterboys. 35) "Wayward Wind":
I thought of this blog as I was driving home and listening to Jimmy Eat World's "A Praise Chorus". That whole CD, "Bleed American" is great and has a lot of great songs on it. "The Middle" is a great song, but probably my second favorite song on that CD is "A Praise Chorus", I especially love the old great songs it mentions. Songs like "Crimson and Clover", Madness' "Our House" and I just recently noticed a reference to Bad Company's "Rock N' Roll Fantasy". (I'm looking forward to seeing Jimmy Eat World open for Incubus in early August.)
When I got home I thought I might not be the first one who thought of this. Thus I Googled it. And the A.V Club has the best and most definitive list. I found many of the below songs from their article. For this blog I'm going to post the song that mentions other(s) songs and then post the mentioned song(s).
I have other songs that would fit this blog, although I have yet to decide if I will have a part 2 to this blog. I'm almost to the point where I can start posting the Neil Young countdown blogs.
Lynryd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama":
mentions Neil Young's "Southern Man":
Snow Patrol's "Hands Open":
mentions Sufjan Stevens amazing "Chicago":
The above song and this song are both from the amazing CD "Come On Feel The Illinoise". Completely random, but this is my favorite Sufjan Stevens song, I'm not the only one, just read some of the comments for this song. "Casimir Pulaksi Day":
Built To Spill's "You Were Right":
mentions many classics. Some of those are:
Pink Floyd's "Another Brick In The Wall, Pt. 2":
Jimi Hendrix's "Manic Depression":
Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band's "Against The Wind":
Bob Marley's "Three Little Birds":
Jimmy Eat World's "A Praise Chorus"
mentions Joan Jett and the Blackhearts' "Crimson and Clover":
As I continue slowly working through Neil Young's very expansive discography, my #39 80's performer, here's the final blog for Depeche Mode. These are their 11 best songs:
First of all a happy Earth Day wish to all. I hope our current administration comes to the realization that choices made today will affect how future generations live. It's in everyone's best interest to protect this great world we live on.
As I mentioned in my previous blog I'm going to see Modest Mouse with my rock concert girlfriend on June 5th in Salt Lake City. I usually go to setlist.fm to see what their setlists have been like in the past. Modest Mouse doesn't go out on tour until May 23rd, their first stop is The Knitting Factory in Spokane, Washington. I'm posting all the songs that they played on the last stop of their most recent concert tour. I do that for two reasons 1) so I can get more familiar with their music 2) so I can give their music a bit more exposure. I've been loving "We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sunk" as my drive music the last couple of days.
1) "Dark Center of the Universe":
2) "Tortiose and the Tourist":
3) "Black Cadillacs":
4) "Lampshades On Fire":
5) "Missed The Boat":
6) "Trailer Trash":
7) "Bukowski":
8) "King Rat":
9) "This Devil's Workday":
10) "Coyotes":
One of the live performances that I found from this actual show on Youtube. 11) "Dashboard":
12) "Fire It Up":
13) "Cowboy Dan":
14) "Trucker's Atlas":
15) "Shit In The Cut":
16) "Sugar Boats":
Another one of the performances from the actual show, 17) "Dramamine":
Sometimes I'm able to write about non-80's bands and this is one of those times. Earlier today I found out I will be seeing Modest Mouse in concert, it's scheduled to be here in Salt Lake City on June 5th. As I usually do I did a deep dive into their music. I've listened to "Good News For People Who Like Bad News" several times and thus I'm very familiar with this CD. However I wasn't familiar with any of their other CDs. So on a nice relaxing day I listened to their two most recent CDs. They're 2007's "We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sunk" and 2015's "Strangers To Myself". Of course nearly everyone knows "Float On", but of course they have other good songs. In fact they have many other good songs. They also have one of the most distinctive sounds in all of rock music.
Isaac Brock - lead vocals, guitars, banjo, keyboards (1993–present)
Jeremiah Green - drums, percussion (1993-2003, 2004–present)
Obviously the most famous former member of Modest Mouse is former Smith's guitarist Johnny Marr, although he was only with the band for a couple of years. Johnny Marr is coming up on my Greatest 80's Bands of all-time due to his work with The Smiths. Speaking of Johnny Marr and Modest Mouse, Marr said that if he ever rejoined a band it would be Modest Mouse. He said they had fun. (From the December, 2016 Q magazine.)
The opening act for Modest Mouse is a band called Morning Teleportation, a band that has a unique sound all their own. It seems the two bands will be a good and musically matching pair. A review will be coming.
Here are some of Modest Mouse's best songs, all of these songs come from the three CDs I mention above. These songs are in no particular order.
Of course I'm going to include this song, "Float On":
For those of you who don't know "Black Mirror" is a trippy, bizarre show that explores the worst case scenarios of what things could be like in the future. Frighteningly some of these episodes seem completely possible. Episodes like the experience of Bryce Dallas Howard in "Nosedive" seem almost probable in happening.
"San Junipero" is another bizarre episode of "Black Mirror". One is not quite sure what is going on for most of the show. But along the way we hear some of the best music of all-time. "San Junipero" happens in several different years, but mainly in 1987. However 1980, 1996 and 2002 also make appearances.
I would never be crazy and say the 80's are all the way back. However the 80's have shown up in "13 Reasons Why", "Stranger Things" and now this episode of "Black Mirror". Here are some of my favorite songs from "San Junipero".
I don't remember ever hearing this song, but I have no idea how it could have escaped my attention. Alexander O' Neal's funktastic workout "Fake":
Bucks Fizz "The Land of Make Believe":
T' Pau "China In Your Hand":
T' Pau "Heart and Soul":
M A R R S "Pump Up The Volume":
Robbie Nevil "C 'est La Vie":
A band coming up on my Top 106 Greatest 80's bands of all-time. The Smiths "Girlfriend In A Coma":
Terence Trent D'arby "Wishing Well":
I haven't heard this song for a long time. Living In A Box "Living In A Box":
Club Nouveau "Lean On Me":
Lipps Inc. "Funky Town" (12" Version)":
The Spinners "Working My Way Back To You":
Alanis Morissette's "Ironic":
Salt-N-Pepa "Push It":
Lauryn Hill kills on this song. The Fugees "Killing Me Softly":
Cameo's "Word Up":
And what a great song to close this episode, although the lyrics don't quite match the ending. Belinda Carlisle's "Heaven Is A Place On Earth":
All these performances are from the 1986 MTV Music Awards. Sadly the quality of the videos aren't very good. And do you notice how obtrusive the MTV logo is? Did they think that people might not know what channel they were watching?
Whitney Houston's "How Will I Know":
I can't post the video here, but you can watch it here: https://youtu.be/vR0kWX9zCR4
One of the best videos of the 80s by one of the best singers ever. "Greatest Love Of All":
This is from the 1986 Grammy's, "Saving All My Love For You":
Robert Palmer "Addicted To Love":
Sadly one of the forgotten bands of the 80's, their best CD is "Nervous Night". Not many remember that CD, but it's a great CD. Although their performance of this song is very bizarre. The Hooters "Nervous Night":
It seems they had two performances this night, thankfully they sing this version normally, "And We Danced":
It seems Simply Red had two performances also, this is "Money Too Tight":
Another one of the best ballads of the 80s, "Holding Back The Years":
Okay this isn't one of the best MTV video performances ever, it's extremely self-indulgent. Van Halen "Best of Both Worlds":
This blog is inspired by this episode of CNN's "The Eighties":
I know it's hard to believe now, but MTV used to be about music. Yes, I know Music Television actually being about music-what a bizarre concept. Watching the above show, it brought back a lot of great memories about all the amazing music of the 80s. As this show highlights, almost all that decade's music was amazing. From Madonna to Cyndi Lauper to Depeche Mode to The Beastie Boys to infinity and beyond.
Honestly with my ongoing 106 Greatest Bands of all-time going on and all the other 80's blogs I've written I have pretty much written about all music related topics of that decade. As I was watching the above video I was desperately trying to find something new that I haven't written down. About that time Madonna's classic performance of "Like A Virgin" flickered across the screen.
Madonna "Like A Virgin" (1984):
Tina Turner "What's Love Got To Do With It (1984):
ZZ Top "Sharp Dressed Man" (1984):
Unfortunately for this video the "embedding is disabled by request. However if you want to watch this performance, here's the url: https://youtu.be/5r5jHn53Gvs
Sadly David Bowie's "Blue Jean" isn't even available to watch and either is Ray Parker Jr's "Ghostbusters".
All these performances are from 1985 MTV Music Awards Show.
The Eurythmics "Would I Lie To You":
Yes Alex, I'll take lip synching for $100. Tears For Fears "Shout":
John Cougar Mellencamp "Lonely Ol' Night":
Sting's "If You Love Someone Set Them Free" isn't available at Youtube. However Prince and the Revolution's performance of "Purple Rain" at the 1985 American Music Awards is available. I was never able to see him live, so this is as close as I'll ever get:
Welcome to my series of blogs for the 80's New Wave band Depeche Mode. Depeche Mode formed in England in 1980. The original lineup was Fletcher, Gore, Gahan and Clarke. Clarke left the band in 1981 and later was a member of both Yaz and Erasure. That means that Clarke is in two of themusicaddict's greatest 80's bands. Erasure is my # 48 80's band.
For the 80's era part of this series of blogs, the CDs covered will be 1981's "Speak and Spell" to 1993's "Songs of Faith and Devotion." I like several of Depeche Mode's songs, but honestly # 40 seems a bit high for them. They are VH1's #98 Greatest Artist of All-Time. I have 84 Depeche Mode songs on my iTunes.
Current members
Andy Fletcher – keyboards, backing vocals, bass guitar (1980–present)
Martin Gore – keyboards, backing and lead vocals, guitars (1980–present)
Peter Gordeno – keyboards, piano, bass guitar, backing vocals (1998–present)
Former members
Vince Clarke – keyboards, lead and backing vocals, guitars (1980–1981)
Alan Wilder – keyboards, piano, backing vocals, drums (1982–1995, one-off show in 2010)
Since 1981 Depeche Mode have released 14 CDs - 1981's "Speak and Spell" to this year's "Spirit." Their latest CD is a sadly dispiriting CD. Depeche Mode peaked with 1990's "Violator" and the law of diminishing returns has been in effect since then. Depeche Mode is still a fairly successful band and are still touring in large venues. However it's been several years since they were at the top of their game. (Thanks to Wikipedia for most of the biographical information on this blog.)
These are some great Depeche Mode songs that don't qualify for their 80's era blogs:
"Barrel of A Gun":
"It's No Good":
This might be my favorite Depeche Mode song ever. "A Pain That I'm Used To":
I like a lot of songs by Toto, I think they have a lot of great songs. However I had the misfortune of seeing them in concert several years ago and they were terrible. They jammed way too much, they were crude and the songs were stretched out by the jamming. In short they are a terrible live band, it was one of the concerts I just wanted to end asap. So if you get the chance to go see them, don't. Just listen to them on your device of choice.
This is all the live Toto you need: 15) "Good For You":
14) "Don't Chain My Heart":
13) "Afraid of Love":
12) "Out of Love":
11) "Georgy Porgy":
10) "Hollyanna":
9) "I'll Be Over You":
8) "Pamela":
7) "Stop Loving You":
6) "Love Has The Power":
This is one of their last hits, although it was a pretty minor hit. But I don't rate each song on that, I rate each song on how much I like it. I really like this song. 5) "Stranger In Town":
4) "I Won't Hold You Back":
3) "Rosanna":
2) "Hold The Line":
Not every song is worthy of 178 million views, but this song is. 1) "Africa":
I'll be writing up a brief ELO biography eventually, but not tonight. I don't have time, but I do have enough time to post a few more of their best songs.
I'm through the first 5 episodes of Season 1 of "Thirteen Reasons Why" and I absolutely love it so far. I love the characters, the actors and the music. The music is great, it's a mix of old songs, new songs and new mixes of old songs. Like the show itself, many of the songs are moody. The songs capture all the highs and lows of being a teenager.
Season 1 has classics from The Cure, The Alarm, Echo and the Bunnymen and Neil Young. For this blog I have to focus mostly on older songs, newer songs don't really make me stand up and take notice. There are a lot of great new songs, but those are the songs that are a bit off the radar. Thus they are harder to find. Many of the very popular songs now are pretty disposable.
Here's the official trailer:
Here are a few of my favorite songs from Season 1:
The Chromatics "Into The Black":
I'm so very surprised that I have a Selena Gomez song on any blog of mine. But credit must be given with her amazing cover of the Yaz classic. "Only You":
Lord Huron "The Night We Met":
Suggested songs for Season Two. Many of the following songs are moody and capture that teen feeling so well. But some of these songs are a little bit more angry and maybe don't fit into "The 13 Reasons Why" universe.
twenty one pilots "Stressed Out":
Fiona Apple "Across The Universe":
Natalie Imbruglia "Torn":
Lady Gaga "Angel Down":
ZZ Ward "Put The Gun Down":
Mazzy Star "Fade Into You":
Metallica "Unforgiven":
Nothing More "Here's To The Heartbreak":
R.E.M. "It's The End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)":
Again "their" refers not only to the work of Young, but also all the talented sidemen that helped him. The first 7 songs are from his 1994 CD "Sleeps With Angels", which in my opinion is Young's best CD from his entire career. It's a great CD that I have already written about multiple times. I highly suggest you check it out, below:
These are the pre 80s era songs that were either Neil Young solo hits or songs he recorded with Crazy Horse. Again I use "their" to acknowledge Young's talent but also all the talented people have helped him over his amazing career. These songs are in no particular order.
As all true rock fans know Neil Young has been very successful since the late 60s. He released great songs in the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and the years since. Neil Young is my # 39 Greatest 80s musician, but he had a lot of great songs before and after that. Eventually I'll produce a series of countdown blogs for his 80s era output. First I have to work through his 14 CDs I'll be considering for his 80s era blogs, a task that's going to take awhile. Until I can write those blogs I want to post an unknown at this time number of blogs covering his songs before and after his 80s era output. This blog is his pre-80s classics. Although this blog is mainly about Neil Young, obviously he has had a lot of help over the years. That's why I kept "their" in the title to acknowledge bands such as Crazy Horse, Pearl Jam, CSNY, Buffalo Springfield and gulp, Devo.
These are the pre-80s era Neil Young songs that he recorded with Buffalo Springfield and CSNY.
As part of Buffalo Springfield "For What It's Worth":
