Friday, July 11, 2014

top ten songs about (or with a tenuous link to!) Australian literature


Although it has its pitfalls, the internet can be an amazing tool for everything from information, entertainment and communication. It allows you to connect with people all over the world, old friends, and even total strangers. A while ago a search for information on a song I was including in one of my lists led me to stumble across Rol Hirst’s blog - http://histopten.blogspot.com.au/

I have never met Rol, probably never will, but via the internet have exchanged music list related banter and feel like I now know a lot of things about him. Its fun to check out his blog and talk about music, and in some kind of weird way, I feel that I have made a connection with someone on the other side of the world. And the best bit, he hasn’t asked me to deposit any money into a Nigerian bank account!!!

Anyway, Rol’s list site (which is much better than mine by the way, I encourage you check it out)  recently featured a list of song about American writers.  In the introduction to this post, Rol challenged me to compile a list about Australian writers in response.

Not one to back away from a challenge, I had to give it a go, but its harder to compile than the American list. Also I am not really a big reader and at one point I jokingly wondered if I even knew 10 Australian writers! I am of course friends in real life with one of them (www.brettmcbean.com, for all your horror genre needs). But Brett hasn’t had a song written about him, to my knowledge anyway, so that didn’t really help me.  As a result, I have had to widen the focus to Australian literature, and as you will see, there are some quite tenuous links indeed, which you are going to have to forgive me for.

So it’s a bit of a different list this week, with links to the songs, and also some links to information about the writer/work that is mentioned. I hope you enjoy it, but please help me improve the list, and don’t be afraid to make some more suggestions if there is something that would fit the topic better.

10 - Ita – Cold Chisel
Ok, so to start off with I am cheating a little bit. Ita Buttrose is of course well known in Australia for being a women’s magazine editor and media personality. She has written a number of books though, so that’s good enough for me to slip her into this list. Cold Chisel’s song is often mistakenly considered to be a tribute, but its actually not very complimentary about Ita at all.

Songlink:


Ita’s Wikipedia entry:


 
9 - A Town Called Malice – The Jam
What is an English 80’s new wave band doing on a list about Australian literature you may ask?  Well, the title is a bit of a play on Neville Shute’s novel “A Town Like Alice”. That is where the similarities between the two end (I believe, I haven’t read the book), but the song is great and would rate much higher on this list if there was a stronger relevance to the novel. Paul Weller has since stated that at the time of writing the song, he hadn’t read Shute’s novel.

Songlink:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfpRm-p7qlY

A Town Like Alice Wikipedia entry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Town_Like_Alice

8 - My Country – Midnight Oil
I love a sunburnt country,
A land of sweeping plains,
Of ragged mountain ranges,
Of droughts and flooding rains”


So wrote Dorothea Mackeller in her famous and beautiful poem “My Country”. The Midnight Oil song of the same name doesn’t really have much to do with Mackellar’s poem, but I suspect that it is more than just coincidence that they share the same title, as I think the Oils are making a point about patriotism and how it is used in modern society, and patriotism is a big theme running through Mackeller’s poem. I could be wrong of course.

Songlink:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ks7RrRFd-20

My Country (the poem) Wikipedia entry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Country

7 - Mother Greer – Augie March
Augie March are a band that I really struggle with. Their songs are well crafted and interesting, but I just can’t get into them. Several of my mates are big fans and consider some of their albums to be the best of all time, and it was from these recommendations, I found myself with a copy of their breakthrough album “Moo, You Bloody Choir” which contains the track “Mother Greer.” Straight away, I found myself wondering if the Greer was in fact Germaine Greer, but I find Glenn Richards lyrics really hard to decipher meanings.

A google search later and yes, the Greer is Germaine, and no wonder I can’t understand the lyrics, even Richards himself admits in the article below that he doesn’t know what he wanted to say, but it sounds like it wasn’t too complimentary.

 As for Germaine Greer, of course her  most famous contribution to literature is the famous women’s liberation best seller, “The Female Eunuch”.

Songlink:
https://myspace.com/augiemarch/music/song/mother-greer-28381449-28194333

 article:
http://www.smh.com.au/news/music/moo-to-you-germaine-augie-march/2006/04/20/1145344210396.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1

 Greer’s Wikipedia page
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germaine_Greer
 
6 - Theme from Schindler’s List – John Williams
Did you know that the Oscar winning Spielberg film was actually based on a novel written by an Australian? Thomas Keneally wrote the book Schindler’s Ark, winning a Booker Prize in 1982. John Williams moving theme music won an Oscar, for Best Original Score.

 Link to music:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VorGotjeLjM

 Schindler’s Ark Wikipedia entry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schindler%27s_Ark
 
5 - Our Sunshine – Paul Kelly
Bushranger Ned Kelly is infamous in Australian history, and has been the subject of many books and songs over the years. Indeed, I was at one point even considering a top ten Ned Kelly songs, but haven’t quite got the list bedded down just yet.  Paul Kelly’s Ned Kelly song is “Our Sunshine”, which takes its name from Robert Drewe’s 1991 novel about Ned, which in turn inspired the Heath Ledger/Orlando Bloom film “Ned Kelly”. From Paul Kelly’s bluegrass album “Smoke”, this is great listen.

 And if you are not happy with me using the name of a novel as part of the list, you could virtually argue that Ned Kelly himself is an important writer in Australian history – see the Jerilderie letter.

Songlink:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Fk69tFWPCY

 Link to the Our Sunshine Wikipedia entry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Sunshine

 Link to the Jerilderie letter Wikipedia entry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerilderie_Letter

4 - Six Months in a Leaky Boat – Split Enz
Geoffrey Blainey is a prominent Australian historian and author, and one of his most well known works is “The Tyranny of Distance”. I found a copy of this book in the bookshelves at my Father in Law’s house. I borrowed it with every intention to read it, and still haven’t got around to it yet.  The book, I am led to believe, discusses how the geographic remoteness of Australia shaped our nation. Tim Finn was reading the book around about the time he wrote Six Months in a Leaky Boat and it inspired the nautical theme of the song. Indeed, he even used the book title in the lyric “The tyranny of distance, Didn't stop the cavalier, So why should it stop me.” (PS- and yes I am aware that Tim Finn is not Australian and the song even references Aotearoa, the indigenous name for New Zealand, but Blainey’s novel is about Australia)

 Songlink:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAzIzmfzN_Q

 Blainey’s Wikipedia entry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geoffrey_Blainey

 3 - What’s a Few Men – Mark Seymour
My favourite Australian novel of all time would have to be A B Facey’s amazing memoirs “A Fortunate Life”.  A  cracking read, Facey led such an interesting life, enduring a hard childhood where he was forced to work from age eight and was the subjected to violent beatings by some of his employers. If that experience wasn’t interesting enough, he enlisted and served in world war one, became a professional boxer, local politician, tram driver amongst other things. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

Anyway, in the section where he talks about the war, he describes a visiting English colonel  who expresses disgust at the smell from the dead bodies that lie near the trenches. The troops explain that if he seek to retrieve these bodies the enemies across in the other trench will shoot at them which would result in further casualties. The rather unhelpful response from the colonel is “what’s a few men”. This story inspired the Hunters and Collectors song, a powerful anti war story. As I have written before, I am much more a fan of lead singer Mark Seymour’s solo work than the H & C stuff, I think he really comes into his own as a solo artist. I couldn’t find a link to the Mark Seymour “Daytime and Dark” album version of this song, but enjoy this H & C version. Either way, its still a great song.

Songlink:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4YVI8l9pck

 A B Facey’s Wikipedia entry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A._B._Facey

 2- Henry’s Men – The Bushwackers
I have mentioned this song before, in my top ten “Henry” songs. Some fine Australian folk and a tribute to the characters of Henry Lawson’s works. Lawson is considered by many to be one Australia’s best ever short story writers. His own story is quite colourful as well, battling through life with a hearing impairment, bouts of depression, drunkenness, jail terms and poor royalty deals.

Songlink:

Henry Lawson’s Wikipedia entry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Lawson

1 - Banjo’s Man – Slim Dusty
Any list of Australian literature should really include our most famous bush poet, the man whose image adorns our $10 note -  Banjo Paterson of course. Its probably fitting as well that one of greatest country music stars also takes today’s top spot. Slim actually recorded an album called Henry Lawson and Banjo Patterson, where he put some of their works to music. I could have filled up this whole list with just this album. In this song, Slim hypothesises about the inspiration for one of Banjo’s most famous poems – The Man From Snowy River. Who was this brave and talented horserider? Was it Jack Riley from down near Corryong?

 Songlink:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sexkX3Nm5jA

 Banjo’s Wikipedia entry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banjo_Paterson

 The Man From Snowy River – the poem:
http://www.middlemiss.org/lit/authors/patersonab/poetry/snowy.html

 

 So Rol, what do you think? I gave it a good shot, I know some of the links are a bit tenuous, but I got there in the end.

 

Everyone - Please, help me improve this list – have I missed any more relevant direct links to Australian literature? Feel free to leave some comments, thoughts and suggestions below.

Monday, July 7, 2014

top ten "band" songs


Where does all the time go? Finding it hard to get the lists written up at the moment, but given I had some requests for a new list here is one. This week we look at top ten “band” songs. By band I don’t mean songs that were recorded by a band, nor do I mean the best songs by Robbie Robertson’s ensemble. No, I am copping out again and doing a list that is ipod searchable – the song just has to have the word band in the title. It’s an enjoyable list to listen this week, full of some toe tappers, some faux country/folk, some good old fashioned rock n roll and some seriously poignant lyrics at some points as well.

Enjoy the list and as always, please feel free to make some comments about your thoughts on the list, suggestions of your own (I am more inclined to keep making lists if I know people enjoy reading them)

 

10 - If Yr Famous and You Know it Sack Your Band – Custard
Custard were one of those bands from the 90’s that didn’t take themselves too seriously. Last year in one of my op-shop trips I came across their best of, and just had to give it a go. It has some good moments on it, but from my perspective can only be consumed in small doses. This is a great track, although it is probably fair to say that the title promises more than the actual track delivers. Not to worry though….the link shows lead singer Dave McCormack playing it.


9 - One Man Band – Leo Sayer
Yep, we all have our guilty pleasures, I don’t own this but pretty sure my Mum has a Leo Sayer album with this on, which is why its stuck in my head!


8 - Band on Every Corner – The Whitlams
The Whitlams sound must un-Whitlam like in this one, channelling country and celtic folk influences. A lot of fun, and one of the better non best of tracks from Eternal Nightcap. Grab your pint class, sway from side to side and sing a long…go on, you know you want to.


7 - Hi, We’re the Support Band – Tim Rogers
Rogers tackles the the subject of the support band (“we ain’t the ones you know”) in this fine effort from his excellent “What Rhymes with Cars and Girls”.


6 - I Made the Prison Band – Merle Haggard
In this upbeat, toe-tapping song from his 1967 album “Branded Man”, Haggard sings about a prisoner being stuck inside a lonely prison where “the walls are strong and the days are long”. The prisoner learns to play guitar and then successfully makes it into the prison band, which results in a complete change of the prisoner’s plans: “I'd been plannin' a break since Christmas. I had the details all worked out. But now I know that I ain't gonna go and there ain't no doubt … I gotta rehearse for the Friday night show 'cause I made the prison band.” The rehabilitative power of music perhaps?


5 - Listen to the Band – Monkees
Catchy, catchy track from the Monkees.


4 - Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band – The Beatles
I think my love of the Beatles is well established by now, but I have to say this wouldn’t be one of my top Beatles songs. Nevertheless its an enjoyable listen worthy of this list.


3 - Travelin’ Band – Creedence Clearwater Revival
Off to CCR next for some great rock and roll. I love how this song seems to arrive in a hurry and then not outstay its welcome. Enjoyable listen.


2 - And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda – The Pogues
Written by singer/songwriter Eric Bogle, this is an amazing piece of songwriting. Essentially an anti-war song, it describes the struggles of a WWI veteran and the bad memories that war has. I could pull out verses and quote them, but if you are not familiar with the track you would be better off just listening yourself. Many have covered it over the years, but I think the Pogues version probably takes the cake. Enjoy.


1- Band on the Run – Wings
It takes a pretty good song to top the number two track mentioned above, and “Band on the Run” is a pretty good song.

The track tells the story of a band being confined to prison and then escaping and going on the run. Written by McCartney, the song consists of a three part structure, revolving around the themes of escape and liberation. It is said that McCartney was inspired to write the song by a comment from fellow Beatle George Harrison, who once quipped at a business meeting “..if we ever get out of here”. The first part of the song is soft and melodic, as the central character complains about prison life: “Stuck inside these four walls, sent inside forever, Never seeing no one nice again like you, mama” Harrison’s unwitting contribution, “if we ever get out of here” heralds the start of the second part of the song, as the singer thinks about giving everything away if he was able to escape. Guitar, drum and bass starts to become more prominent. The third, and main part of the song bursts into life as the full sounds of an orchestra emerge. McCartney is said to have likened this to “a hole being blasted in the wall”, as the inmates escape and go on the run. The lyrics describe the search party looking for the prisoners: “ ..the Jailer Man and Sailor Sam, were searching every one, for the band on the run”, but “…In the town they’re searching for us every where, but we never w ill be found..”



That's another band of songs down for another week - tell me which "band" is your favourite?

See ya next time!

Friday, June 13, 2014

top ten "stuck" songs


When I was compiling my top 25 favourite albums list I often got stuck on which order to put the albums in. So instead of getting frustrated about that, I thought, “that’s a great topic idea”. So here it is, my top ten “stuck” songs.

 

10 - Stuck – Stacey Orrico

The Panel was a great show on Australian TV, not only for the chat and comedy, but the music. They used to allow artists to perform whatever song they wanted, but it had to be acoustic. This caught out a few of the pop singers of the day, but conversely also showcased some others. I don’t know anything about Stacey Orrico, but I was introduced to her song on one of the compilation CD’s from the Panel. The link below is the original version of stuck though.

 



9 - Stuck at the Airport – Money Mark

When I used to listen to the Steven and Gary’s Classic Albums podcast (what did happen to these guys? ) they often talked about buying a new Christmas album each year. Around about that time, I saw “This Warm December” in the bargain bins, a Christmas album that had a few Jack Johnson songs on it, so I thought why not give it a try. Its good, and this song is good, and not overly christmasy in its theme.


 
8 - Stuck with Me – Green Day

If I have started to send you asleep, this one should wake you up!


 

7 - Stuck inside a Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again….- Bob Dylan

Yep, its Bob time.


 

6 - Stuck in Moment You Can’t Get Out of It – U2
I did like the “All You Can’t Leave Behind” album of U2, and this is one of the singles from it. An enjoyable song.


 

5 - Stuck on You – Lionel Richie

My wife is a Lionel fan, and hence I have now been to two of his concerts. He could write a good pop song, and this is certainly one of his better ones.


 

4 - Stuck on You – Elvis Presley

So Lionel was stuck on you, and now its Elvis’ turn. A completely different track.


 

3 - Stuck on You – Paul Norton

Another Stuck on You? Yes, this time its back to the 80’s for some big haired pop. This is a great track.


 

2 - Stuck with You – Huey Lewis

And we are going to stay in the 80’s, for Mr Lewis who is not stuck on you, but stuck with you!


 

 

1 - Stuck in the Middle with You – Stealer’s Wheels

The number one track, and if it was a horse race it would have won by many many lengths.  Its catchy, and I think we have all been in situations where there are clowns to the left of us, and jokers to the right of us!

 

 
 
What are your favourite stuck songs?
 

Friday, June 6, 2014

Top Ten "Sunday" songs


Last time I gave you my top Saturday night songs. What comes after Saturday night? Sunday, of course, so the logical next list is my top “Sunday” songs. Enjoy the list.

 

10 - Never on Sunday – Connie Francis

We begin this week’s list with a greek song, that many of the typical songbirds got a hold of and re-recorded in English – eg. Connie Francis, Doris Day, Petula Clark. A nice way to kick us off. Just don’t go kissing Connie on Sunday, that’s her day of rest.


 
9 - Sunday Morning – No Doubt

Before she was a Hollaback Girl, Gwen Stefani was in a rock band, and from memory “Tragic Kingdom” wasn’t too bad an album either. “Sunday Morning” came from it.


 
8 - Sunday Papers – Joe Jackson

Leaving 90’s rock to head to the late seventies new wave pop of Joe Jackson and “Sunday Papers”. Its about someone who stays and home and lives life through the Sunday paper.


 
7 - Pleasant Valley Sunday – Monkees

It might be a pleasant valley, but this is pleasant pop, exactly what one would expect from the Monkees.


 
6 - Sunday Girl – Blondie

Blondie don’t seem to get much a run on my blog for some reason, which is a shame because I quite like thme – I think the topics I have picked just haven’t been suitable. They have better tracks than this one, but its their Sunday contribution.


 
5 - Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon – Queen

I think I was banging on about this track when I listed “A Night at the Opera” as my second favourite album. It’s a great track, totally over the top, a little bit camp, but very very enjoyable


 
4- Sunday, Bloody Sunday – U2

Being someone that does look up music on the internet,I have observed that U2 seem to really divide people – those that don’t like them really don’t like them. I am far more neutral, I like some of their stuff, but wouldn’t consider myself a huge fan. “Sunday, Bloody Sunday” is textbook U2, anthemic stadium rock!


 
3- Lazy Sunday – Small Faces
From the anthemic rock of U2, to the cockney music halls of East London with this pearler of a track by the Small Faces.


2- Saturday Night and Sunday Morning – Paul Kelly

Its back – straddling the Saturday night and the Sunday lists, but too good to leave off!



1- Sunday Morning Coming Down – Jerry Lee Lewis

So, we have reached the top spot, and the choice of track was clear to me, the difficulty though was choosing which version to go for. Kris Kristofferson wrote and recorded this amazing track, Johnny Cash did a great version, but the one that has really worked for me is Jerry Lee Lewis’s rendition on his “Mean Old Man” album.

 

Kristofferson’s lyrics are truly amazing as he tells the tale of a desperate man. The opening lyrics really sum it up –

 

Well I woke up Sunday morning

 With no way to hold my head, that didn't hurt

 And the beer I had for breakfast wasn't bad,

 So I had one more for dessert.”

 

As the man wonders the town aimlessly, we realise how desperate he is:

“Then I walked across the street

 And caught the Sunday smell of someone's fryin' chicken

 And it took me back to somethin'

 That I'd lost somewhere, somehow along the way.

 

 On a Sunday morning sidewalk

 I'm wishing Lord that I was stoned

 'Cause there's something in a Sunday

 That makes a body feel alone.”

 

There are good lyrics, and then there are truly great lyrics.

 

Johnny Cash version


 

Jerry Lee Lewis version


 

Kris Kristofferson version


 

So there it is, my top Sunday songs.  What are your favourites? Feel free to post a comment below

Saturday, May 24, 2014

Top ten "Saturday night" songs


Little Richard once sang “ Well, it's Saturday night and I just got paid, Fool about my money, don't try to save, My heart says go go, have a time, Saturday night and I'm feelin' fine.” Indeed, many songwriters over the years have chosen to sing about the party night, Saturday night. Here is my top ten “Saturday Night” songs.


10 – Someday I’ll Be Saturday Night – Bon Jovi

Not often you will see a Bon Jovi track on these lists, but I like this one. I like the acoustic start to it, always like a hook that sucks me in.


 

9 – Saturday Night  - Skyhooks

Another typical Skyhooks song, where they are out trying to pick up chicks in their car.


 

8 – Almost Saturday Night – John Fogerty

John’s getting excited about Saturday night too, but its not quite time yet  - he is almost there.

 


 

7Another Saturday Night – Cat Stevens

Many other tracks on this list are looking forward to Saturday night. Not this one, which dreads another Saturday night with no one to talk to. Originally a Sam Cooke song, I couldn’t make up my mind which version to go for, but decided to go with Cat’s cover.


 

6-  Forty Miles to Saturday Night – Paul Kelly

We usually associate Saturday night songs with the city and partying. But what would have happen if you lived in the middle of nowhere and you had to travel a long distance just to get to your party. Well, Paul describes it very well in this song  - the anticipation and excitement is just like the city songs, it just takes a bit longer. A great alternative perspective on Saturday nights.


 

5 – Saturday Night – Cold Chisel

I love that moment in Cold Chisel songs when they transition from Barnesy to Mossy’s vocals (and vice versa) Their voices are so different, yet compliment each other so well.  Saturday Night is one of those songs where Ian starts off the lead vocals but Jimmy jumps in later on…great stuff.


 

4- Saturday Night at the Movies – The Drifters

Ah…they don’t make songs like this any more.  A whole lot of fun from beginning to end, talking up  a night out at the movies snuggling up to “..your baby in the last row of the balcony.” The attention to  detail in the lyrics is great, love the description of  popcorn smells from the candy stand and all the pretty girls. Sounds like a great Saturday night.


 

3 – (Looking For) The Heart of Saturday Night – Tom Waits

Tom Waits really did have some beautiful ballads, and his early career stuff is nothing like that later stuff with the rough voice.This track is just lovely.

 


 

2 – Saturday Night and Sunday Morning – Paul Kelly

Most lists that I make end up having a Paul Kelly track (or two) and I usually bang on about how great the songwriting is. So, its that time again. When a song opens with the line “she’s a screamer and no one knows, just me and her old boyfriend I suppose” you know you can’t go wrong. Especially when it rocks out in such a catchy way as this one does. “Words and Music” is probably not one of my favourite PK albums, but this would have to be one of the best tracks on that album.

 


 

1 - Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting – Elton John

Here at musiclists.blogspot.com we don’t condone violence. We do condone great songs though, and this is a great song, worthy of the number one spot!

 


 

 

So there it is, my top ten “Saturday night” songs….what gives you Saturday night fever?

 

Friday, May 16, 2014

Top ten road accident songs


A slightly morbid topic this week, but there have been some great songs written about road accidents so this was too good a topic to ignore. So let me run you through my top ten songs  - have have truck accidents, bus accidents car accidents, motorcycle accidents and  pedestrian accidents all through the list this week.

 

Please take care on the  roads though, don’t end up in one of these songs.

 

10 - Last Kiss – Wayne Cochran

“We were out on a date in my daddy's car,
 We hadn't driven very far.
 There in the road straight ahead,
 A car was stalled, the engine was dead.
 I couldn't stop, so I swerved to the right,
 I'll never forget the sound that night.
 The screaming tires, the busting glass,
 The painful scream that I heard last.”

I was first introduced to this song via the Pearl Jam cover that became a hit a few years back. Personally, I am not a fan of the Pearl Jam cover, it’s a bit too pedestrian for my liking. So I have turned to Wayne Cochran’s version. You can’t deny it fits the theme though.


 

9 - Car Crash – Eskimo Joe
“I don't wanna die
 In a car crash with you
 Tonight
The roads are wet
 And you're asleep at the wheel
 Open your eyes”

 Eskimo Joe are a good Australian rock band. Kav Temperley’s vocals are really suited to such dramatic songs like this one as he really portrays a lot of emotion in his lyrical delivery.

 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdjo43dIeLU

 
8 - Indisposed – Australian Crawl
“Wanna tell you 'bout my Frenda
 He got hit by a Fender
 But he'll soon be on the menda
 He's of the male genda”

 So the back story here – Australian Crawl are an up and coming band on the verge of making it, and they are booked to appear on “Countdown”, the music TV show you want to get on in Australia in the early 80’s. Their lead singer, James Reyne though, manages to get hit by a car and ends up having to do the Countdown performance with two broken arms.  This incident also inspired this song, a stomping rock song that is a lot of fun, in spite of, or maybe because of, the dodgy lyrical rhyming!

 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQ9BDhvUwHM

 

7 - Stan – Eminem

“So this is my cassette I'm sending you, I hope you hear it
 I'm in the car right now, I'm doing 90 on the freeway
 Hey Slim, I drank a fifth of vodka, you dare me to drive?”

 
I was debating whether to include this song, because this accident is no accident if you know what I mean. Eminem’s signature tune, it’s the story of an obsessed fan who locks his pregnant partner in the trunk of the car and drives off a bridge. Charming I know, but it is a well constructed song.


 

6 - There is a Light and it Never goes Out – The Smiths
“And if a double-decker bus
Crashes into us
To die by your side
Is such a heavenly way to die
And if a ten-ton truck
Kills the both of us
To die by your side
Well, the pleasure - the privilege is mine”

 Its only a fleeting reference to an accident, but too good a lyric to overlook for this list. I am not really a Smith’s fan, but “The Queen is Dead” album which features this track is brilliant and was a contender for my favourite albums list.  A great song, and a wonderful lyric that is sweet and morbid simultaneously.


 

5- Anytime – Neil Finn
“see a dog upon the road
 Running hard to catch a cat
 My car is pulling to a halt
 The truck behind me doesn't know
 Everything is in the balance
 Of a moment I can't control
 And your sympathetic strings
 Are like the stirrings in my soul
 I could go at anytime”

 
In “Anytime”, Neil just sets up the accident, doesn’t tell us what happens, and then reflects on how quickly a small thing can change your life forever. Not a bad achievement in a short pop song!


 
4- Leader of the Pack – The Shangri -Las
“The tears were beginning to show
As he drove away on that rainy night
I begged him to go slow
But whether he heard, I'll never know
Look out! Look out! Look out! Look out!”

 Well let this be a warning to school girls all over. Mess with the cool guys and this is what happens. No one approved of her hanging out with the leader of the pack and it ended with devastating consequences.


 
3- Bat Out of Hell  - Meatloaf
“And I never see the sudden curve until it's way too late.
Then I'm down in the bottom of a pit in the blazing sun,
Torn and twisted at the foot of a burning bike,
And I think somebody somewhere must be tolling a bell.
And the last thing I see is my heart, still beating,
Breaking out of my body and flying away
Like a bat out of hell.”

 From one motorcycle accident to another, but a lot heavier this time. According to Wikipedia, Jim Steinman had a desire to write the most extreme crash song of all time. Did he succeed? Well I only put it third on the list, but there is no denying it is more extreme than the next song so maybe he did. As  usual, Meatloaf carries the song with his dramatic vocal delivery.


 
2 - Don’t Pass Me By – The Beatles

“I'm sorry that I doubted you
I was so unfair
 You were in a car crash
 And you lost your hair”

 Hehehe…I cannot explain to you how much I love this song, when I think it would be safe to say that most people, including Beatles fans, think it’s a load of rubbish. Ringo’s contribution to the “White Album”, it’s a magnificent piece of faux-country with Ringo wondering where his darling is, and contemplating the fact that she might not love him any more. It turns out that she was in a car crash though. I love it, it’s a great track.

 You are probably wondering why I chose this and not a genuine Beatles masterpiece “A Day in the Life”, which also makes reference to a car crash. Well I felt the reference was too fleeting (and yet I included the Smiths song, hypocritical I know) whereas with “Don’t Pass Me By”, the car crash really underpins the whole song. Although it is only mentioned in the lyrics once, it explains why the darling didn’t arrive and leads to Ringo’s paranoia about whether his loved one still likes him.



 
1- Lights on the Hill – Slim Dusty

“So it's down through the gears, she's a-startin' to pull
The gauge on the tank is a-showin' they're full
 And the lights comin' over the hill are a-blindin' me
There's rain on the road and I can feel the load start a-shiftin
 In a dance
 Too late, I see the post and I haven't got a ghost of a chance”

So for today’s number one track, I also turn to country music, and Slim’s masterpiece “Lights on the Hill”. Written by his wife, it’s the happiest sad song you will ever hear. But underneath that cheery melody, the lyrics are the story of a truck crash. Brilliant stuff.

 

So there it is, my top ten list – what other songs make you want to crash?