Song of the Day

Song of the Day (55): I Can’t Be Satisfied – Muddy Waters

Recorded in Chicago in 1948, this song marks Muddy’s move from acoustic guitar to electric guitar which echoes the move from the Dleta Blues to Chicago Blues. It helped make Muddy’s name in the blues world. Well I’m goin’ away to leaveWon’t be back no moreWoman I’m troubled, I be all worried in mindWell baby […]

Song of the Day (54): Dirty Old Town – The Pogues

Written by Ewan MacColl in 1949 for the play Landscape with Chimneys about Salford an industrial town in northern England. The Shane MacGowan the Pogues make it their own. And its in keeping with their spirit; the town is awful, polluted, dirty, declining before it ever peaked, and life is hard, but still there is […]

Song of the Day (53): Jesus, The Missing Years – John Prine

Listen to John Prine at his dry-witted best with more than a tinge of sadness. Sharp, but not on the attack. I am partial to the live version for the intro when he expresses astonishment that no one knew where Jesus was from age twelve to thirty. You have to love any story that mixes […]

Song of the Day (52): Train in Vain – The Clash

They played Clark University in late 1979, maybe early 1980. Whoever ran the show had oversold the place and the Clash wouldn’t come on until everyone could come inside. Rock and Roll. YouTube: https://youtu.be/aUzBgeI5dpc?si=tmtflbdLhchF48t4Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/6ITuEsxEy2qPhqMowdDAeI?si=6c85570a3f864ab4

Song of the Day (51): Rex Bob Lowenstein – Mark Germino and the Sluggers

This might be my favorite paean to the FM DJ: His request line’s open but he makes no bonesAbout why he plays Madonna after George Jones I played Mark Germino’s music all the time in the early 90’s and was sad to learn that he passed away a few years go. I had my own brief bout […]

Song of the Day (50): Put Your Records On – Corinne Bailey Rae

Opening with a nod to Bab Marley and his Three Little Birds, this delightful lilting song fits so perfect for a lazy summer day. Such a positive, beautiful, uplifting song. It was everywhere in 2006 and is good to hear again. I hope you get your dreams Go ahead, let your hair down YouTube: https://youtu.be/rjOhZZyn30k?si=wQs-8Y1HuXtphIyC […]

Song of the Day (49): Something More than Free – Jason Isbell

Isbell ang this at the Democratic convention, on Monday, standing along on the stage, just him and his guitar. Raised in Alabama, he’s a born rebel and who has travelled a hard road, joining the Drive By Truckers till the drink became too much for everyone to take. He’s survived and keeps recovering, finding an […]

Song of the Day (48): Ode to Billie Joe – Bobbie Gentry

This song is so ingrained that we can become blind to what it shows us. Or it is reduced to a mystery: What were they throwing off the bridge? Why did Billie Joe commit suicide? Close your eyes. Listen to it fresh. It is a cold song, chilling in the harshness of what we hear. […]

Song of the Day (47): That Summer Feeling – Jonathan Richman

How sweet. How delicate. He captures that longing not only for a memory, but an innocence. Almost childlike, but deadly serious. YouTube: https://youtu.be/3edg69iBr2Q?si=bI08wmLSuWWU3o1J Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/5oOC6EBnSQ3PfRAQyfjAla?si=1206909c3f924bdc