Songs »The Hoochy Coo

by The Fatimas (1967)

When on shuffle, unfamiliar songs will often pop up and their presence in my library can’t be explained. Sometimes it’s quite annoying (boring indie rock – who put this here?) and other times it is a complete happy surprise.

The Fatimas’ whirlwind chanting garage rock out “Hoochy Coo” is one such delight.

While I’ve learned the song has gained at least a few new listeners from its inclusion on the Girls in the Garage, Part 2 compilation, very little information about the band is readily available.

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Posted on June 28, 2013

Songs,Style Icons: Male »Richie Havens, Here Comes the Sun, Wonder Child

RIP

Folk icon Richie Havens is remembered not only for his long career in folk music and particularly his break out performance at Woodstock but for being a genuinely kindhearted man. He devoted his time to educating children about the environment and never let fame get in the way of his life and his music.

It’s difficult to choose a favorite song from such an impressive list but I’d recommend a listen to his fantastic version of Here Comes the Sun, one of his biggest hits, and his touching cover of Wonder Child, a lesser known song originally performed by Helen Reddy on Sesame Street (it might bring you close to tears if you have little kids though!)

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Posted on April 30, 2013

Songs »She Thinks I Still Care

by George Jones (1967)

George Jones, who recently passed away after a long life riddled with alcoholism and blessed with talent and success was the voice of classic country.

I love classic country, which has very little in common with what passes for it today.

My favorite song by Jones is She Thinks I Still Care; Ann Murray, Connie Francis and Elvis all charted with the song, but Jones’ is the best of them all.

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Posted on April 27, 2013

Songs »You’ll Lose A Good Thing, Barbara Lynn

by Barbara Lynn (1962)

Barbara Lynn played guitar like a boss, wrote her own songs, and gave us the wonderful You’ll Lose a Good Thing. She’s like a hero I never knew before and her hit song is the kind that makes the world stop for a few minutes then seem like a better place when it ends.

lose2

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Posted on March 25, 2013

Songs »Easier Said Than Done

by The Essex (1963)

I was surprised to find the catchy number one hit, Easier Said Than Done did not come from one of the big known groups but a group of (totally adorable) Marines named The Essex.

While the band had little faith in the b-side, it quickly became their biggest and only real hit.It’s still makes for pretty great listening.

Plus, it played at my last restaurant meal in Brooklyn, so it has become a bit of a sentimental favorite.

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Posted on March 17, 2013

Songs,Spend a Couple Minutes »Cyriak Videos

Computer Animations

Van found these videos by Cyriak on YouTube, starting with Kitty City. He continues to be mesmerized by them, and who can blame him with the clever animation and catchy songs?

A boy could do worse for a creative inspiration than Cyriak, who seems genuinely interesting and has been picked up by rock and rollers to make awesome videos.

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Posted on March 7, 2013

Songs,Style Icons: Female »Patti Page, The Tennessee Waltz

“The Singing Rage”, 1950

The only thing lovelier than Patti Page was her voice. Her signature song Tennessee Waltz is one of my very favorites of all time.

If you are unfamiliar with her dreamy voice, I once recommended a great collection that would be a great introduction.

She passed away on New Years Day.

patt2

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Posted on January 3, 2013

Laughs,Songs »Oppa Gangnam Style

by PSY (2012)

Ok, some of you are going to find this Korean club hit annoying. I’m not even sure why I’m liking it so much. It’s undeniably catchy (just try walking away from it with Heeey sexy lady not playing in your head). Plus the over the top video, complete with awesome silly dance is quite compelling.

It’s apparently becoming a viral sensation (so, you’ve likely already heard about it from your mom or co-worker) and artist PSY says he’d love to take his horse dance to the states. We should be so lucky!

Refinery 29 is to thank/blame for introducing me. Oh, And Van loves it. Like really really loves it.

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Posted on August 9, 2012

Hunks,Songs »Lost in the Paradise, Caetano Veloso

by Caetano Veloso (1969)

Lost in the Paradise is the perfect way to say “hello summer!” – much more comfortable than a half dozen heat waves, like a caipirinha in music form.

I’m learning more about Brazilian tropicalia artist Caetano Veloso, (so far I’ve learned he was/is quite handsome) but this mellow tune is the perfect first step into his world.

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Posted on July 19, 2012

Songs »Daddy, What If

by Shel Silverstein

While a song like “Daddy, What If”, about the love between a father and son can easily bring me to tears in this heightened emotional (pregnant) state, a song with a squeaky “child” voice is unlikely to make any sort of favorable impression on me.

But such is the magic of Shel Silverstein. Tears were falling before I knew it.

Enjoy this clip from the Johnny Cash show.

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Posted on July 8, 2012

Songs »Gold

by John Stewart (1979)

Let’s face it, I’ll take to just about anything that features the warbling of Stevie Nicks.

But Gold by John Stewart would be awesome even without her.

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Posted on June 18, 2012

Songs »I Go To Pieces

by Peter and Gordon (1965)

There’s something so day dreamy about sad British invasion ballads. In some way, they meld together in a golden oldie station haze but when you stop to listen to one, like the Peter and Gordon hit I Go To Pieces, it’s easy to feel like teen nursing a broken heart (in a good way).

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Posted on June 5, 2012

Songs »Rains of Castamere

by The National (2012)

Being away I just got caught up with the “Blackwater” episode of Game of Thrones and what an episode it was! A modern take on the Rains of Castemere was a perfect song to end such epic awesomeness. And now I can say I’ve heard The National.

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Posted on May 30, 2012

Songs,Style Icons: Male »Jive Talkin, Robin Gibb

RIP

Disco is really taking a hit. Robin Gibb of the awesomely smooth Bee Gees recently passed away on the heels of disco great Donna Summer.

In tribute I suggest listening to Jive Talkin‘ at least several times. You’ll feel good and feeling good is what The Bee Gees were all about. A pretty great legacy to leave behind: smiling, dancing fans.

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Posted on May 24, 2012

Songs,Web Sites »I Want Someone Badly, Your Daily Song Fix

by Shudder to Think featuring Jeff Buckley (1998)

Jeff Buckley makes me sigh. Has since I was in 8th grade getting my heart constantly broken.

Today I sighed anew after finding I Want Someone Badly, a song by him I’d never heard before. It reminds me of Terence Trent D’arby (in a great way).

Thanks to Daily Sound Fix for introducing me. A look through the site, which features forgotten music, promises more gems are waiting to be found. Too bad it hasn’t been updated for a year.

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Posted on April 11, 2012

Songs »Dream Away

by George Harrison (1982)

Grey windy Sundays are no good for fun family outings but they definitely work for making home made soup and playing classic favorites like Time Bandits in the background.

Almost as shocking as the film’s ending is the rock song that plays over the ending credits.

After sticking in my head for days I decided to find out what it was. Seems Dream Away was written specifically for the movie by George Harrison and is considered one of his best solo works.

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Posted on March 27, 2012

Songs »Kiss Them For Me

by Siouxsie and the Banshees (1991)

Kiss Them For Me will always call to my memory the hallways of junior high.

I had bought an oversized Siouxsie and the Banshees tee based solely on my love for this exotic 120 minutes hit (which, of course I owned in cassingle format).

A really cool mom schooled me on Siouxsies’ history when she saw me wearing it (that mom later got arrested for running a brothel, but was super nice, had the kindest son and is the reason I knew about the origins of punk when I did).

This 90’s comeback which featured a very sexy Siouxsie in sequins and champagne video is perfect listening for those pining for the best the 90’s had to offer (aside from naive optimism and allowances from our parents.)