Never realized my favorite song from 1979’s “Squeezing Out Sparks” actually had a music video. That’s cool. AND … you get to see Graham with this sunglasses off! Impression? Graham, you were wise to leave the glasses ON! Don’t get me wrong. You’re not a bad looking guy, but you kind of look like Corey Feldman. Very, very, very smart career move to leave the glasses on, even though your music would still be pretty bitchin’ if you decided to be in “License to Drive 2.”
The Milkmen’s greatest moment and an early parody (circa 1985) of mullet-culture. If you happen to find Philly accents awesome and/or hysterically funny, you should have a blast. There is a “joke” spoken in the opening interlude that probably would prompt lawsuits if released today. I take it as being in the context (and lexicon) of the people being lampooned. However, some may not see it that way.
This unusual, reggae-influenced pop-punk song about germophobia hit the Top 20 in Britain back in 1978. Back then, most people probably thought it was a clever satire. Today, many people consider being a germophobe a badge of honor. Ai-yi-yi! Yesterday’s satire becomes today’s “And your point is?”
Neneh Cherry (“Buffalo Stance”) recorded a brilliant cover of this that’s floating around out there.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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’.
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.
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