R.E.M. - Nightswimming

sometimes i feel like i'm copping out by posting videos and not writing something. but really, what can i say that this song doesn't say a million times better? i know that if you're at work you can't listen to this, but you should find the time. don't even think about the words. just listen to his voice. how it quivers, how it pines for the moon.

The Clash - Magnificent Seven - Tom Synder Show 1981

the clash's disco song. remember lucy? happy anniversary sweetheart.

THE FALL on the tube channel 4 - 1983

i haven't posted nearly enough fall material. over the last 2-3 years they've become one of my favorite bands. yeah, i'm late to it, so what? what are you listening to?
the only bad thing about the fall is that they've made it hard for me to listen to pavement. for those of you not in the know, pavement ripped off, then watered down, EVERYTHING, from the fall.

Squeeze - Up the Junction (TOTP)

i'm putting this up cuz you never hear it anywhere and it's their best song. but, no, the radio can only play 'tempted'. so i guess it's up to me.

Love Stinks - J. Geils Band

one of my favorite songs ever. the guitar/drum breakdown at the end is classic. peter wolf is one of the great frontmen of all time. i can't wait for the 'lights out' reissue!

lesson #53: gloomy thursday

it's been cold here lately. snow. in march. bullshit.
sometimes i wanna bundle up and curl into a ball on the couch.
these are the songs i do that with:

1. annie-ronnie lane and pete townshend. off of the great 'rough mix'. i am a recent convert to ronnie lane. just a beautiful man. everything he sings relaxes me. this song is a gem. a gorgeous lullaby. lucy said it sounded irish. i guess it does. maybe that's why i like it. one of those songs where when you hear it for the first time you feel like you've always known it.

2. tonight will be fine-teddy thompson. richard's son does a fine version of this leonard cohen song. so understanding and steady. 'if i've got to remember that's a fine memory'. ah, if only...

3. a long way from home-the kinks. man, i love the kinks almost as much as wes anderson does. i think hearing ray davies tough but weary voice as a kid prepared me for the replacements. a song of compassion with a touch anger. complex and subtle. and mick avory is a somnabitch!

4. on and on and on-wilco. tweedy's best song? debatable. but the one that moves me more than any of his others. i guess it's about his father and the loss of him mother, but it could just as easily read as a relationship song. a resigned musing on death. 'please don't cry/we're designed to die'. not nihilistic at all. just accepting. and loving.

5. be not so fearful-bill fay. 'be not so fearful, be not so pale. someone watches you, you will not leave the rails.' 'be not so sorry for what you've done, you must forget them now they're done'. 'and when you wake up you will find you can run'.
haven't you waited your whole life for someone to tell you that?
well, he's telling you now.

music.
i fell so much better now.

Elvis Costello covers

every parent should play this for their children. or is that not a good idea?