WWTBAM Bored

Today's 3 entries on my list of favorite pop and rock songs:


287. BELIEVES AGAIN-MICHAEL CARPENTER (2001)
ALBUM: Hopefulness

Quite a few years ago a friend told me about a website/record label specializing in a music genre called
Power Pop..music that featured 60's melodic sensibilities, crunchy guitars, big beats and lots of rich
harmonies. It was a wonderful discovery, proving that good music was still being made even if radio
wouldn't touch it anymore. One of the first artists I uncovered on that website was this guy, one of
Australia's best kept secrets. He's a master at creating memorable melodies, and this track is my
absolute favorite. The Beatles influence is pretty evident, but I actually find it brings another 60's group
to mind: Herman's Hermits. Now, before you start snickering, let me stress that that is NOT intended to
be derogatory in any way. I happen to think that Peter Noone and company made some of the best radio singles
of the 60's...I had every one of them. Had this been released in 1965 it would've been a smash. It just has
that sunny, feel good vibe about it (just check out the round of voices at 2:30 into the song..just wonderful)..ahh,
but listen to the lyrics..all may not be as it seems..




286. DON'T TAKE ME ALIVE-STEELY DAN (1976)
ALBUM: The Royal Scam

Typically classy Dan groove and lyrics which sound great even though you have no freakin' idea what they mean.
One of those I can't resist singing harmony to.




285. I'M SO GLAD I'M STANDING HERE TODAY-THE CRUSADERS W/JOE COCKER (1981)
ALBUM: Standing Tall

The jazz group enlists Joe Cocker to sing this inspirational, emotional and powerful number.
All about overcoming setbacks and emerging with head held high. It may produce a lump in your throat.

The Royal Scam is awesome in its entirety. Haitian Divorce is a crowd favorite at Dan concerts.

That Joe Cocker number is amazing. I went looking to see if it closes any movies, which it should, but found this instead, about how they wrote it for him and how everyone else had written him off after some addiction issues:

http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=6508

Ritterskoop wrote:That Joe Cocker number is amazing. I went looking to see if it closes any movies, which it should, but found this instead, about how they wrote it for him and how everyone else had written him off after some addiction issues:

http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=6508

Good read. Thanks Skoop!

Vandal wrote:The Royal Scam is awesome in its entirety. Haitian Divorce is a crowd favorite at Dan concerts.

I like Kid Charlemagne a lot as well, but overall, Scam is not on the upper level of Dan favorites for me. Of course, that's a pretty high bar.