This song is perfect. Perfect melody, perfect vocal performance, perfect background vocals, perfect tempo, perfect mix of melancholy and hopefulness in the lyrics. Todd Rundgren is a weirdo, and his music is all over the place, but “Can We Still Be Friends?” is in the pantheon of the greatest songs of all time. Hard to believe… Read More “Can We Still Be Friends?” by Todd Rundgren (1978)
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)
Joni Mitchell’s singing voice has changed quite a bit over the year. I assume some of that is due to age, and a lot more of it is due to smoking cigarettes. I’m quite fond of her latter day voice (although I don’t recommend smoking cigarettes as a general rule). It’s interesting to compare her… Read More “Both Sides, Now” (re-recorded) by Joni Mitchell (2000)
Might as well contain some of the elements if the opportunity arises. I wouldn’t be surprised if Diane Warren was inspired to write the former song after hearing Stevie Wonder’s 1972 classic. Forget the “who’s singing” Milli Vanilli scandal. Not to say that Frank Farian and Clive Davis’s business practices* deserve applause or anything, but how… Read More “Blame It On The Rain” by Milli Vanilli (1989)/”Blame It On The Sun” by Stevie Wonder (1972)
Those guys Difford and Tilbrook write a hell of a song, eh? “Black Coffee in Bed” could probably be a minute or two shorter (and there must be a radio edit somewhere), but even at its 6 minute length (the album version, anyway), remains an ace pop tune. Michael Jackson was trying to explain what… Read More “Black Coffee In Bed” by Squeeze (1982)
“Better Off Dead” is a stunning (still! 47 years later!) document of a guy who feels he has nothing to offer his partner. He’s a drunk, can’t pay his bills, doesn’t treat his lady right. She’s taken off with the kids, and now he’s staring down the barrel of a gun, ready to take his own… Read More “Better Off Dead” by Bill Withers (1971)
This is as pretty as unrequited love songs get. Might be the prettiest unrequited love song ever written. Is Alison’s husband really treating her like shit, or is Elvis just a pining ex? Can you be a bitter ex and still close out with a line like “my aim is true”? (it certainly makes me… Read More “Alison” by Elvis Costello (1977)
Five Star Jamz 