Dave's Strange World

“The Fury (Main Titles)” – John Williams

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One of John Williams’s best and in my opinion, most underrated scores. Composed for director Brian DePalma’s 1978 follow-up to “Carrie,” “The Fury” wasn’t as successful, which is probably why the score (and the film, for that matter) has either been forgotten or ignored. It’s on Netflix instant and is worth a look. Overall, I’d give the movie 3-stars. It’s DePalma at his best … and his worst. However, the ending is pretty spectacular and will either have you convulsing in hysterical laughter or running for the nearest toilet to hurl, depending on what a sick fool you are.

“Cat People (Putting Out Fire)” – David Bowie and Giorgio Moroder

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The theme song for Paul Schrader’s underrated and wonderfully bats–t crazy Freudian horror film from 1982, in its better original version recorded for the film. (There’s a remake on Bowie’s gazillion-selling 1983 album “Let’s Dance,” which is decent, but not as good as this one). Quentin Tarantino had the good taste to include this on the soundtrack for “Inglorious Basterds” during the scene where Shoshanna gets ready for a night of revenge.

“Celluloid Heroes” – The Kinks

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A beautiful hymn to old Hollywood and the perils of fame and ambition. I’ve never been able to confirm if this song has ever been used during an Oscars night montage, but I would be dumbfounded if it hasn’t. If anyone knows when and if this was ever used, I’m all ears.

“Can’t Leave Her Alone” – The Godfathers

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The English Social Distortion record this super-cool and rockin’ Kinks-Stones rave-up that would have been a huge hit had it been recorded/released twenty years earlier. Produced by the late, great Vic Maile.

“When I Was Young” – Eric Burdon and The Animals

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A great Animals song that, while a hit back in the day, rarely pops up on Oldies or classic rock stations, unless the station is doing some “deep cuts from the vault” type thing. Too bad, because this is a really unusual and terrific song that’s the equal of “House of the Rising Sun” in my opinion.

“The Great Song of Indifference” – Bob Geldof

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Break out the Bushmills! Geldof gives the Pogues a run for their money with this rollicking ode to apathy and nihilism. Despite the subject matter, I guarantee it will get your toes a-tappin’.

“The Wake-Up Bomb” – R.E.M.

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R.E.M. rocks harder than they ever have on this loving homage to early 1970s glitter rock. “Bomb” and the 1996 album it came from (“New Adventures in Hi-Fi”) are terrifically underrated and worth checking out if you’ve never heard them or dismissed them back in the day, as many did.

“Eurotrash Girl” – Cracker

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Track 69 (chuckle, chuckle) from 1993’s “Kerosene Hat.” Wonderfully catchy and rockin’ in the traditional Cracker mode. I dare you not to be singing along after the first minute or so.

“Bastards of Young” – The Replacements

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A gem from 1985’s “Tim” album. The accompanying video was considered “radical” and “ironic” back in the day, though nowadays, after 10 seconds, you get the idea and the concept doesn’t seem that clever. Still, it’s a great song and it beats pickin’ cotton and waitin’ to be forgotten.

Henry Rollins on Van Halen

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Henry dishes on meeting David Lee Roth and his feelings on “the Van Halen.”