It’s rarely disputed that William Griffin (AKA Rakim) is the greatest hip-hop lyricist of all time. “Follow The Leader”, the first single and title track of his sophomore effort with DJ Eric B, represents the writer and rhymer at his apex. Everything that a rap nerd jizzes off of-complex verbiage, internal rhyme schemes, effortless flow-is… Read More “Follow The Leader” by Eric B & Rakim (1988)
“Everyday I Write The Book” was the first of three (count ‘em, three) Elvis Costello singles to hit the U.S. Top 40. It’s the first Costello song I remember hearing, and needless to say I still have a soft spot for it. It’s smoother and more soulful than Elvis’s first run of singles, and it’s… Read More “Everyday I Write The Book” by Elvis Costello & The Attractions (1983)
The art of interpreting a lyric appears to have been lost in recent years. I’m all for mindless pop music, but…I feel like we’ve been down this road before. Nina Simone was a master interpreter, and she totally inhabits her reading of “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood”, as she should. The song was written for… Read More “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” by Nina Simone (1964)
You can be a technically great emcee (or singer, or musician) and still miss the mark when it comes to making great records. Production matters. Why did Canibus never blow up? Why have Talib Kweli’s records (particularly in the last decade or so) been wildly inconsistent? Why have Rakim’s solo albums been disappointing? Because you… Read More “DNA” by Kendrick Lamar (2017)
I don’t have a ton to say about this song. It’s just really pretty. Musically, it sits somewhere between alternative singer-songwriter and the hushed folk tones of Nick Drake (whose music I discovered thanks to a combo of Mr. Sheik and Zach Braff). Duncan Sheik is severely underrated, but I guess he’s been underrated all… Read More “Days Go By” by Duncan Sheik (1996)
Tracy’s defiant “NO SELLOUT” move occurred with this song; the first single and title track from her all-important sophomore album. “Crossroads” came out when I was 13, and there was an honesty and resolve in her singing that resonated with me for years despite not really understanding what she was singing about. I can’t imagine the directions… Read More “Crossroads” by Tracy Chapman (1989)
John Mayer probably faced a lot of pressure to intro his second album (the excellent Heavier Things) with a radio accessible track. “Clarity” is an example of sliding in through the side door as opposed to the typical artist’s album strategy of sledgehammering the door down with the very first song. “Clarity” is defiantly chill.… Read More “Clarity” by John Mayer (2003)
Slick Rick might be the greatest storyteller in all of hip-hop history. Seriously, the guy could have written screenplays, his mind was so vivid. “Children’s Story” is widely (and correctly) cited as one of The Ruler’s most intriguing and impactful stories. The tale of a stick-up kid who gets his comeuppance resonated with hip-hop (and… Read More “Children’s Story” by Slick Rick (1988)
I believe I’ve established in my two previous Joni Mitchell entries how much I am here for the Queen of Canadian singer-songwriters. Come to think of it, why should I limit her to Canada? Joni is the greatest female singer-songwriter in existence. Her lyrics are poetic without being self-consciously obtuse, and her early singing set… Read More “A Case Of You” by Joni Mitchell (1971)
Paul Simon, in my opinion, is one of the greatest American songwriters in modern history. Perhaps second to Stevie Wonder, actually. “Bridge Over Troubled Water” is his crowning achievement. It’s anthemic, it’s pop, it’s easy listening, it’s soul, it’s gospel, it’s classical. The lyrics soothe without being cloying or corny. Michael and Lionel should’ve listened… Read More “Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Simon & Garfunkel (1970)
Five Star Jamz 