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