Seven Of The Greatest Albums Of All Time

Hey Howdy! 


Another installation of Music Mondays is coming your way.  I can tell you that Herc is the single most music driven person I have ever known.  He has an incredible knowledge of it, an amazing history built around it, and great stories all about it.  This is a wonderful post by Herc, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!


7 Of The Greatest Albums Of All Time
(that just happened to be released in 1982!)
[part of ongoing series 7 Greatest Albums]

In 1982, Herc was in his teens, a crucial time for any music lover: bonds are formed, memories are made and allegiances are pledged that will affect the rest of our lives. Herc was one of those kids who walked around with headphones on, listening to cassette tapes he recorded, in his trusty Sony Walkman. Walking down the street, sitting in class or riding the bus, the headphones and Walkman were ever-present. Music was his drug of choice, the one thing that got him through the day, all day, every day. It fueled the fires of his passions, bandaged his bruised ego and helped heal his heart. Over the past 30 years, these albums (like Herc) have withstood musical trends and fashion fads, not too mention the epic and expensive transition from physical media (records, tapes) to digital media (CDs, files). Music is still his drug of choice, though, and these are some of his biggest highs.

all 7 albums in one Spotify playlist
or click on each album title to listen, one at a time

Blackout - Scorpions
unleashed 3/29/1982

The lead single from Blackout was entitled “No One Like You” and in interviews with the band they say it was originally written in their native German and lost its meaning in the English translation. It must have been inconceivably brilliant because the song as it was released is absolutely fantastic from that first drum beat. The album itself begins with a rocking guitar siren on the title track and gets better and better from there. The second track, “Can’t Live Without You”, is a throwback to 70s British Glam Rock with its counted off intro, self-referential lyrics and helium-voiced sing-along chorus. Then comes “No One Like You”, a blast of harmonic high guitars and longing lyrics. There are other songs, most notably the tour memoir valentine “Arizona”, that round out the album but after those first three tracks the rest of the album sounds familiar.

Rio - Duran Duran
unleashed 5/10/1982

From it’s stylish cover illustration to the equally stylish grooves within, Rio hastened the arrival of the New Romantic portion of the New Wave: pretty boys in pretty clothes playing gussied-up disco music for the next generation. A major factor in their popularity was the ability to see the band in music videos filmed in exotic locales, yet another layer of stylishness. Simon, Nick and the three unrelated Taylor boys played dance/pop music and released a series of 12”s and EPs featuring enhanced dance remixes of the songs from Rio making them a feature in clubs as well as the radio and the (M)TV on both sides of the Atlantic. In hindsight after nearly 30 years, some of the music does sound stuck in the Eighties but most of it holds up.

Combat Rock - The Clash
unleashed 5/14/1982

“This is a public service announcement/With GUITARS!” are the first words your hear when you drop the needle/press Play on The Clash’s fifth full-length release. The guys had toured the world, read the newspaper and, after six years together, they were reaching a breaking point both as a group and in their popularity. The songs they recorded for the album that eventually became Combat Rock were musically as diverse as ever, a sonic trademark of the musical alchemists known as The Clash. Two of the band’s biggest hits emerged from the album, “Should I Stay Or Should I Go” and “Rock The Casbah.” But the one Herc keeps going back to is “Straight To Hell” which was later sampled in M.I.A.’s global smash “Paper Planes”. By 1983, the band that had recorded Combat Rock was all but extinct, limping along after firing two members. Fortunately for us, we’ll always have this memento.

The Lexicon Of Love - ABC
unleashed 6/25/1982

As rhythmically funky as it orchestrally lush and packed with more heartbreak scenarios than any romance novel, The Lexicon Of Love still manages to sound contemporary almost 30 years after its release. Love, after all, is timeless. and this is love in its purest romantic form. Martin Fry is hardly original in his delivery, drawing on everyone from Fred Astaire, Frank Sinatra and Bryan Ferry before him, but somehow it doesn’t matter because the words he sings and the way he sings them ring true. All of this hopeless romanticism is set against a wall of sound constructed by Trevor Horn (featuring many of the players who would later go on to form Art Of Noise) that melds the burgeoning new wave sound of the time with classic soul and rhythm & blues sounds of the late Sixties and early Seventies. The album flows lyrically and musically towards an all too soon end but that’s okay because you can play it again. And again.

Friend Or Foe - Adam Ant
unleashed 10/14/1982

On the morning of May 16, 1981, Herc watched Adam & the Ants perform (lipsync) “Antmusic” and “Dog Eat Dog” on American Bandstand. After lunch, he rode his bike up to the Base Exchange (BX) and bought their album Kings Of The Wild Frontier. Six months later, Adam & his Ants issued Prince Charming, which was more of the same music but the make-up and costumes had changed, from a Pirate/American Indian mash-up to a Pirate/Dandy Highwayman mash-up. Within 12 months, Adam had jettisoned all but one Ant and released this, his debut solo album. This time out, he wore minimal make-up and dressed like a Pirate/Cowboy hybrid. The music was just as dense and as rhythmic as the previous two outings, proving he had chosen to retain the right Ant and, on the first day of 1983, Adam returned to American Bandstand performing what would become his biggest hit, the hyperkinetic “Goody Two Shoes”.

1999 - Prince
unleashed 10/27/1982

One night in November 1982, while ironing a couple of shirts to wear to school the following week (snicker, snicker), Herc was listening to “The New Music Test Department” on a local radio station as he usually did on Sunday evenings. It was a chance for the deejay to break from the “rock” format and play new releases in all genres from punk to funk. On that particular night, he first heard “Little Red Corvette” and a lifelong obsession began with the music of the artist who will always be known as Prince. A sprawling and ambitious double album, 1999 featured tight funk jams and longer, looser workouts with drum machines and layered synths paving the way for what would become known in the Eighties and early Nineties as the “Minneapolis sound”. The music was the soundtrack to parties, the background for make-out sessions and inspiration for at least one American Government term paper. Within two years, Prince would be the biggest recording artist in the world, rivaled only by Madonna and Michael Jackson. But his ascent is easily traced back to this, his launching pad and proving grounds.

Thriller - Michael Jackson
unleashed 11/30/1982

Herc ain’t gonna lie, he probably slept on this record until Christmas 1982, when he finally picked up a copy for himself after listening to his father’s copy far too often. “Billie Jean” was an awesome song and his live performance of it on the Motown 25 show, where he revealed his new Moonwalk, lit the fuse on this firecracker which went on to become the biggest selling album of all time even before MJ’s untimely death. All but two songs were released individually and became Top Ten singles and when the mini-movie for the title track was released, millions would stop whatever they were doing and just watch. The performances are breathtaking but it is the polished production by Quincy Jones that does it for Herc. Even after all the tabloid tales, this is still a great listen.

>>>Bonus 1982 Spotify Playlist<<<
For the record (get it?), Herc also played the groove out of these vinyl albums from 1982 and has since owned compact disc versions. Tracks from these albums (as well as the albums above) are the bedrock of Herc’s Digital Music Archive.


Asia - Asia***Picture This - Huey Lewis & the News***8th Wonder - The Sugarhill Gang***Just Another Day In Paradise - Bertie Higgins***Mountain Music - Alabama***The Golden Age Of Wireless - Thomas Dolby***Success Hasn’t Spoiled Me Yet - Rick Springfield***All Four One - The Motels***Toto IV - Toto***American Fool - John Cougar***Diver Down - Van Halen***A Flock Of Seagulls - A Flock Of Seagulls***Hot Space - Queen***Built For Speed - The Stray Cats***Eye Of The Tiger - Survivor***Eye In The Sky - Alan Parsons Project***Night And Day - Joe Jackson***Emotions in Motion - Billy Squier***Billy Idol - Billy Idol***The Party’s Over - Talk Talk***Screaming For Vengeance - Judas Priest***Upstairs At Eric’s - Yaz***What Time Is It? - The Time***Fast Times At Ridgemont High soundtrack***New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84) - Simple Minds***H2O - Hall & Oates***Kissing To Be Clever - Culture Club***The Nightfly - Donald Fagen***Shabooh Shoobah - INXS***Spring Session M - Missing Persons***Hello, I Must Be Going - Phil Collins***Long After Dark - Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers***Computer Games - George Clinton***Oh No, It’s Devo! - Devo***Gap Band IV - GAP Band***The Distance - Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band***Business As Usual - Men At Work***Dare - Human League***Non-Stop Ecstatic Dancing - Soft Cell***The Message - Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five***

Seven One Hit Wonders Of The 80s

Hello Monday!

You remember what Monday means, right?  It means we are all about to be graced with Herc's presence. 

Today he is gonna talk about the 80s which, as we all know, is the best decade EVER! 

So many awesome things hailed from there, the most important is ME!

Go Herc!!!

7 One Hit Wonders of the 80s
[part of ongoing series 7 Song Playlists]

Herc has a problem with certain terms: “chick flick”, “military intelligence” and “one hit wonder” are among his biggest peeves. By definition, a one hit wonder should be an artist’s one and only hit. This calls into question the definition of a hit - do we measure sales or airplay or both? Do we rely on the charts and, if we do, which chart? So many questions, so little time and space. Here are seven songs that show up whenever one hit wonder lists are compiled. Herc likes these songs and hopes you do as well.

ONE HIT WONDERS

“Tainted Love/Where Did Our Love Go” - Soft Cell [1981]

As originally released, “Tainted Love” was the radio single, a remake of a classic Northern Soul track. For the dance clubs, “Tainted Love” was coupled with the Supremes signature song, to form a seamless, damn near ten minute medley. Upon initial hearings, it’s hard to fathom that all that music is made by just one man and a couple of synths. Today, you can recreate the song on your iPad with Garage Band/

“Take On Me” - a-ha [1985]

The video for this song was groundbreaking for it’s time and has been lovingly recreated and parodied on Family Guy. The boys in a-ha recently performed a worldwide farewell tour celebrating more than a quarter century together and almost two dozen hits outside of America’s borders.

“Come On Eileen” - Dexy’s Midnight Runners [1982]

This one stands out from a lot of its contemporaries because of it’s gypsy, folksy instrumentation and pubbish sing-a-long vocals as opposed to smooth, polished vocals backed by synth drums, keytars and other electronic noisemakers. The sheer joy of the escalating vocal makes this a beloved standard in the Hercmobile. Also seek out the cool cover version - with female lead vocals - by Save Ferris.

“The Safety Dance” - Men Without Hats [1982]

Back in the day, this was Herc’s jam. He’d dance and sing across the floor while sweeping or mopping at his very first job. It’s where he met the future Mrs. Herc who wore the brown polyester uniform like no other. Most recently featured in an episode of Glee from earlier this year in which the wheelchair bound Artie gets up offa that thing and dances his butt off. But before you bow down and worship the music as miracle, you should know ***SPOILER ALERT*** that it was a daydream. Equally catchy is the band’s 1987 release “Pop Goes The World”.= which sounds like it is played on a toy piano.

“Turning Japanese” -The Vapors [1980]

Did you know that this song is about self-pleasure? Yup. Featuring an Oriental musical motif and an otherwise fast-rocking backing track, “Turning Japanese” is the tale of a man’s obsession with pictures of his lovely lady. He misses her so much that he learns to “love” himself. Repeatedly. Catchy, no?

“Mickey” - Toni Basil [1982]

Cheerleader rock returned to the charts some 20 years after Beach Boy Brian Wilson invented it with his classic “Be True To Your School”. But “Mickey” was different. The song’s lyrics had nothing to do with school spirit but the stop start beat and music video made it abundantly clear that cheerleaders were AWESOME. Singer Toni Basil was a choreographer first and foremost and after here brief singing career she went back to it but not before recording “Mickey” en Espanol.

“Funkytown” - Lipps, Inc. [1980]

This was Disco’s last breath if you will. Another two person outfit making all that joyful noise, this one was available as shortened yet still catchy radio single or a full length disco dancer featuring wonderfully manipulated voices decades before Auto-Tune. In 1986, Psuedo Echo covered ”Funkytown” in a guitar heavy, New Wave rocking sheen and scored their only U.S. hit thus making “Funkytown” that rarest of all birds, a one hit wonder for two artists.


ONE HIT WONDERS


Did Herc forget anything?  Is that the greatest 7 song playlist ever?  I vote YES. 

Seven Devo Songs

Its the first Monday of October! 

You know what that means, right?

Good.  Glad I don't have to explain that to you.  I hope you make it count.

I'm fond of my name, did you know that?!

I keep it pretty well under wraps and would never do something so foolish as name a blog after myself.  Not to mention have my car's license plate be my name.  I would never dream of starting a business using my name and I absolutely wouldn't fantasize about naming all of my children after myself.  Oh wait...I guess that is me completely to a T. 


I'm very fond of things that are reminiscent of my name too, kinda like the band Devo.  Herc is back and gonna tell you about 7 awesome songs of theirs today for Music Monday!


7 Devo Songs
[part of ongoing series 7 Song Playlists]

Devo was seen by many as a novelty, a cartoon-ish band with only one song, “Whip It”. But those of us who are into their music know that they actually have more than a few good songs. They crashed onto the scene with a punky, robotic reading of the Rolling Stones classic “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”. Their look and sound evolved with each release until they finally broke up in 1990. Rediscovered by nerds and hardcore geeks in the dawning of the cyber-age, the band has reunited several times, most recently last year, when they released their first new album in 20 years, with band member in their sixties, but still sounding the same musically, lyrically and vocally. And if you ever watched Rugrats (don’t lie), all the music was written and performed by Devo’s chief songwriter and lead singer, Mark Mothersbaugh. His original music has been featured in hundreds of other movies and television shows as well.

Devo-tify!

“Girl U Want” [1980]
A quirkier rewrite of The Knack’s “My Sharona”, “Girl U Want” was actually the first single off the Freedom Of Choice album. It has been covered several times in varying tempos, cementing the song’s lyrics as universal truths.

“Whip It” [1980]
The second single from Freedom Of Choice, this is the group’s biggest hit and therefore the one Devo song almost everyone knows leading to its inclusion on several One-Hit Wonder lists. Combining a guitar riff cribbed from Roy Orbison’s classic “Oh, Pretty Woman” with a fully mechanized rhythm track, “Whip It” should not be taken at the face value of it’s lyrics. It is not about kinky stuff. It is a positive song about overcoming adversity and challenge.

“Beautiful World” [1981]
Although it failed to crack the Hot 100, “Beautiful World” and its accompanying video of wonderfully sequenced film archive footage are beloved by fans who enjoy the cold, detached vocals ironically singing about “a sweet, romantic place”. The lyrics paint a pretty picture but the ultimate meaning is revealed in one of the final lines.

“Through Being Cool” [1981]
After the success of “Whip It”, Devo gained many pop music fans who were unaware of the band’s “de-evolution” beliefs. They wrote this song in direct response to all these trendy band wagoneers, alerting these fairweather fans that the band was indeed “through being cool” and they planned on eliminating the “ninnies and twits”.

“Jerkin’ Back And Forth” [1981]
This was the song that hooked Herc on the band. He witnessed their glorious performance on an episode of the late night comedy show Fridays as an impressionable youth. Those wild Devo dudes were performing live on treadmills DECADES BEFORE OK Go even attempted their flashy choreography in a video.

“Going Under” [1981]
Released on a special three song 12” to club DJs along with the above two songs, the herky jerky “Going Under” actually made the Disco Charts. But it wasn’t until the song was featured in the second episode of Miami Vice that it was permanently placed in Herc’s rotation. There are some sweet, rumbling bass notes so beware.

“That’s Good” [1982]
A single from the spudniks fifth album, “That’s Good” found the boys completely immersed in electronic music making. Produced by Roy Thomas Baker, who is best known for producing Queen and creating the ultra-clean sound of The Cars, the song was featured on an episode of Sarah Jessica Parker’s first (and best) series, Square Pegs. The video for this song actually was banned from MTV for a time thanks to a “suggestive” french fry, donut and naked lady.

Devo-tify!





I love Devo.  I love this playlist and Spotify is so very cool.  I really hope you are on that bandwagon guys, its pretty awesome.  Tell us what you think!

Seven Songs That Peaked At #7

Guess what, I really like sevens.  Its been a thing my whole life.

When I was an athelete, I tried to always be number 7.  Sometimes I was 14 cause it was seven times two.  I also like math.  Nerd Alert.

Its Monday and you know what that means, right?  Herc is here with another installment of Music Mondays.  He's onto my love of sevens and has maxed it out in this post.  Check it!

Seven Songs That Only Peaked At #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Charts

(part of an ongoing series 7 Song Playlists)


“We’re #7! We’re #7!”
These songs reached their chart peak a mere six positions away from the pinnacle. They were the little engines that couldn’t. In an alternate universe, these shoulda-woulda-couldas … oh never mind, here they are:


“Beth” - Kiss (1976)


Long before those Glee-ful dudes re-introduced this ballad to your earholes, it originally languished as the b-side of “Detroit Rock City”, a rocking little ditty inspired by a fan killed in an auto accident on his way to a KISS concert, although this doesn’t make much sense until you hear the full length album version on Destroyer. Legend has it that a radio DJ somewhere flipped the record over and the phones lit up. Drummer Peter Criss co-wrote the song before he joined KISS and the woman’s name originally used was “Beck”, short for Becky. When performing this song in concert, Criss sang to a taped backing track while the other members took a breather backstage, probably reapplying their make-up and snapping Polaroids. I never would have guessed it but “Beth” is KISS’s highest charting single. (Yeah, yeah I know they are an album band. Whatevs.) Anyway, once Peter Criss was sacked and Eric Carr, The Fox, was brought in to take his place behind the skins, the band had the kabuki face painted stones to re-record and perform the song with his vocals. For me, the definitive Criss version is his lip-synched performance on Paul Lynde’s Halloween Special way back in 1976. The show is available on DVD and is notable for featuring KISS, Betty White, Tim Conway, Billy Barty and Donny & Marie Osmond amongst others. Truly, a once-in-a-lifetime gathering.

“Wanted Dead Or Alive” - Bon Jovi (1987)


Rock stars as cowboys. This song, like almost every other Bon Jovi song, encourages the listener to sing along at the top of his or her lungs. And with it’s echoing vocal style, this song has also inspired more dude duets than Hall & Oates ever did. Righteous. I might add that it has been my personal experience, after attending three Bon Jovi concerts in the late 1980s, that some of Bon Jovi’s female fans have some pretty spectacular ... “lungs”.


“Welcome To The Jungle” - Guns N Roses (1988)


In a drunken stupor, Axl Rose thought he was Balloo in The Jungle Book and wrote an epic dream song about it. Not really. Some people claim that the first songwriting collaboration between Axl and Slash is the greatest hard rock song of all time. Maybe it is or maybe it isn’t but this wailing piece of a hard rock cautionary tale pulled no punches in depicting the horrors that awaited big-eyed dreamers as they stepped off the bus that brought them from their podunk towns and hicksvilles to the big bad city. Should have brought knee pads, hayseeds. (“It’s gonna bring you to your knees!”) And flame retardant pajamas. (“You’re gonna burn!”) Does anyone else want a doormat with this song title on it? That would be so cool.


“Bust A Move” - Young MC (1989)


Young MC (not his birth name I’m guessing) was a college student at USC when he wrote three songs that would enable him to drop out of school and travel the world: “Bust A Move” for himself and two monster hits for Tone-Loc, “Wild Thing” and “Funky Cold Medina”. But Young MC stayed in school and got his degree, kids, so let that be a lesson for you. No matter how many rap hits you write, you should always finish what you start. And own your publishing, that’s where the money is. That and merch. Though technically no longer “young”, Mr. MC continues to write and perform to this day.


“7” - Prince (1993)


Not the best song Prince ever wrote, performed, recorded or released. Not even close. And then he released a bajillion remixes and edits of it. The video was a mess and I think he might have been using that symbol as his name at the time which didn’t help his case. No wait, the album’s title was that unpronounceable symbol. But it’s pretty cool that a song titled “7” only made to #7 on the charts, ain’t it?


“Barbie Girl” - Aqua (1997)

This was Devyn’s favorite song for a while back in the day. She even had the cassette single or “cass-ingle”. I wonder if it’s still her jam? The song regularly shows up on two all-time lists: One Hit Wonders and Worst Songs Ever. While they were initially litigious, taking their case all the way to the Supreme Court before being advised to “chill”, Barbie maker Mattel later used a lyrically modified version of the song in their ads.


“Higher” - Creed (2000)


Oh sweet irony that a song entitled “Higher” could not make it any higher than #7. Before they became a punchline, this bombastic anthem about lucid dreaming was their first charted single and Creed performed it on the rooftop of a Las Vegas casino (The Rio!) for some music awards show so that they were higher than the other acts. Unless Snoop was there.

Seven Songs From Seven Adam Sandler Films

Music Monday it is, TV WEEK it is not!

We are taking a brief break from themed weeks and today Herc has a special post on Adam Sandler.


A veritable expert on all things tv, music, movies, among many other topics, Herc is very much qualified to tell you about these things here on 7w/D. 

Take it away, Herc!


7 Songs From 7 Adam Sandler Films
(part of an ongoing series of 7 Song Playlists)  

Ignoring the argument whether or not Adam Sandler movies are worth watching, I’d like to propose a counterpoint discussion that the movies he is involved with as a star, writer or producer usually have really good soundtracks and are at least worth listening to.  Nothing new or unheard, just a delicious mix of over and under-played songs from the Seventies up til now as well as cover versions (see 50 First Dates), mash-ups (see Just Go With It) and popular songs performed by characters in the movie (see The Wedding Singer).

SPOTIFY IT!

“The Stroke” - Billy Squier

from Billy Madison

“Carry On Wayward Son” - Kansas

from Happy Gilmore

“Tom Sawyer” - Rush

from The Waterboy

“Disco Inferno” - The Trammps

from Bedtime Stories

“Photograph” - Ringo Starr

from Funny People

“Every 1’s A Winner” - Hot Chocolate

from Grown Ups

“Cooler Than Me” - Mike Posner

from Just Go With It

FULL DISCLOSURE:  My A.S.S. (Adam Sandler soundtracks) playlist contains more than 150 songs and these were the first seven that played in shuffle mode.

Seven Favorite "Soundtracked" TV Shows

Happy Music Monday!  Its also Labor Day, but I'm not sure I should wish a happy one to people.  I think that defeats the point, yeah?


Today we are kicking off TV Week in celebration of all the new TV shows and returning favorites that are gonna happen this month!  Herc happens to be a TV connoisseur in his time away from the 7w/D offices.  Combining two of his passions, he has put together the best sounding TV shows for you and of course compiled the Spotify lists that go with them

As far as the rest of the week goes, be on the lookout for 90s shows, Gilmore Girls, Muppets and even more!


Let's get this party started Herc!

 
Herc’s Seven Favorite “Soundtracked” TV Shows

These TV shows feature more of Herc’s favorite songs than all other shows combined. Some of them have had official albums and playlists released but none of those releases do any justice to the sheer quantity and quality of the songs played on the following television series. It is a paradox that it is these very songs that make it cost prohibitive to issue the majority of these shows on DVD or Blu-Ray with the original, as broadcast soundtrack intact. To give you a taste of each series music, songs from the premiere episode are listed. For a full serving, click the Spotify link for each show.



Ed [2000-2004]

Music aside, this is one of the greatest shows ever to hit the airwaves. It aired from 2000-2004 and is criminally unavailable to watch legally. Sonically, it mines the familiar, popular songs of the Seventies and Eighties with the occasional contemporary song thrown in for good measure.

>>>Spotify Ed<<<

"Next Year" by The Foo Fighters (theme song)

"Tropicalia" by Beck

"Your Life Is Now" by John Mellencamp

"Do That to Me One More Time" by The Captain & Tennille

"Between the Sheets" by The Isley Brothers

"Knock Three Times" by Tony Orlando & Dawn


My Name Is Earl [2005-2009]

A show that wasn’t afraid to take comedic risks, it rewarded its viewers with an eclectic soundtrack that spanned five decades. Unfortunately, when the DVDs were released, some of the music was replaced with generic filler.

>>>Spotify Earl<<<


“Been Caught Stealing” - Jane’s Addiction

“It Takes Two” - Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock (this one is Earl’s jam)

“Winning” - Santana

“99 Luftballons” - Nena


Freaks and Geeks [1999-2000]

Close to my heart for a number of reasons, this show was set in 1980 and featured songs from then as well as the late Seventies. It barely lasted one season, as it was cancelled before all the episodes had aired but is fortunately available on DVD with every song as originally broadcast.

>>>Spotify Sam<<<

“Bad Reputation” - Joan Jett & the Blackhearts (theme song)

“Runnin’ With The Devil” - Van Halen

“I’m Alright” - Kenny Loggins

“Renegade” - Styx

“Come Sail Away” - Styx


Supernatural [2005-????]

The only show on this list still being produced, Supernatural has unleashed a collection of hard rock classics upon a new generation. Imaginative editing coupled with well chosen songs has left indelible images on the brains of the shows legion of fans. This show rocks!

>>>Spotify The Winchesters<<<

“Ramblin’ Man” - Allman Brothers Band

“Back In Black” - AC/DC

“Highway To Hell” - AC/DC

(It’s interesting to note that this episode, in its pilot form, contained different music, listed below)

“Boulevard Of Broken Dreams” - Green Day

“Disco Inferno” - 50 Cent

“Points Of Authority” - Linkin Park

“La Grange” - ZZ Top

“Enter Sandman” - Metallica


Cold Case [2003-2010]

Using music as an integral part of the atmosphere of the series, each episode featured songs from the same year, the year the original crime took place (shown in flashbacks) as well as a melancholy ballad near the end of the episode as the culprits were arrested. This ballad was exempt from the “same year” policy as its purpose was to show criminals being brought to justice and survivors getting on with their lives. A few episodes managed to use songs from only one artist to show cohesiveness yet allow for the passage of time. It is doubtful that this show will ever see a DVD release due to the large amount of music featured.

>>>Spotify Lil<<<

(Unlike later episodes, this one did not begin with a specific date, only the year “1976”)

“More Than A Feeling” - Boston

“You Sexy Thing” - Hot Chocolate

“I’m Not In Love” - 10cc

“Have You Ever Seen The Rain” - Creedence Clearwater Revival (the song at the end)


Miami Vice [1984-1989]

Watching Miami Vice is like watching dated, cliched Eighties music videos interspersed with cop action drama. Unlike the other shows on this list, mostly contemporary music was used and it plays a huge role in the show as does the tropical Miami setting.

>>>Spotify Crockett And Tubbs<<<

“Theme from Miami Vice” - Jan Hammer (a hit song in it’s own right)

“Miss You” - Rolling Stones

“All Night Long (All Night)” - Lionel Richie

“Somebody’s Watching Me” - Rockwell

“Girls Just Want To Have Fun” - Cyndi Lauper

“In The Air Tonight” - Phil Collins


The Good Guys [2010-2011]

If you blinked, you might have missed this action comedy ode to those cop shows that partnered opposite personalities as it was relegated to the TV wasteland known as Friday nights. Sadly it lasted just one season and that season was just last year. While no DVD release has been set, the series is out there in the stream-iverse, in the Cloud so what are you waiting for? The soundtrack for this show was pretty much Trans-Am rock with a few surprises thrown in.

>>>Spotify the Trans-Am<<<

"I Fought The Law" - The Clash

"20th Century Boy" - T. Rex

"The Stroke" - Billy Squier

"Thunderstruck" - AC/DC


Have you got a favorite that Herc should know about?  Tell him in the comments!  What shows are you looking forward to?

(In case you care, I'm excited for New Girl, the return of Bones, the return of Grey's Anatomy and too many others!)

Seven First Singles From Elvis Presley

Heya!

Thanks for tuning in to day 2 of Elvis Week!  Herc has written you an awesome post for Music Monday and it is all about The King's First Seven Singles.  

He first hit the scene 57 years ago.  Can you believe that?  I so wish I was around then.  I would love to take my DeLorean back to the early days and see him perform live, before 1960 once.  Who took my flux capacitor? 

Please leave some love in the comments for Herc's awesome work, please!

Elvis’s First 7 Singles

[part of ongoing series 7 Song Playlists]

(b/w means “backed with” and indicates the single’s B-Side as the A-side is usually promoted as the “hit”)

(The first five singles were on Sam Phillips’ Sun Records and consequently re-released once he signed with RCA on 11/21/55)

Elvis-ify!

7/19/54    “That’s All Right” b/w “Blue Moon Of Kentucky”

This is where it all began, everything fell into place and a star was born.  Elvis had recorded a few songs before this but this would be the first released single and although it failed to chart nationally, it was HUGE in the music melting pot known as Memphis.

9/25/54    “Good Rockin’ Tonight” b/w

“I Don’t Care If The Sun Don’t Shine”

A more perfect second single could not have been recorded and released.  Of course, he “stole” this song from the original artist, just like a lot of his early stuff.  Nothing was being written expressly for the man who would be The King yet so he sang what he liked.  And from the sound of it, he liked the crap out of this one.

12/28/54    “Milkcow Blues Boogie” b/w “You’re A Heartbreaker”

Originally written as a straight up blues song in the early Thirties, several covers before Elvis turned it into a rockabilly raver, and he honed it into a jittery showcase for his swivelling hips and trembling lips.

4/10/55    “Baby Let’s Play House” b/w

“I’m Left, You’re Right, She’s Gone”

A bubbling, hiccuping somewhat threatening plea to his baby to come back and “play house”, this was E.P.’s first nationally charting single, cracking the Top Ten on the Country and Western Charts.

8/6/55    “I Forgot To Remember To Forget” b/w

“Mystery Train”

Arguably, this is Elvis’s first strictly country-sounding song and it shot all the way to the top of the C&W charts becoming the first of many, many Number One records he would achieve.  It’s worth noting that the B-side, “Mystery Train” has become one of Elvis’s most acclaimed songs, covered by hundreds of artists.

1/27/56    “Heartbreak Hotel” b/w “I Was The One”

Co-written by a high school teacher and inspired by a suicide note left by a jumper that simply read “ I walk a lonely road”, this was the dam-buster, the song that put Elvis in the worldwide spotlight that he would enjoy endure even after his untimely demise.  It wasn’t an immediate smash - until he performed it on television a few weeks after its release.  His first Pop #1, his first million-selling single and his first single to make the Rhythm & Blues charts.

5/12/56    “I Want You, I Need You, I Love You” b/w

“My Baby Left Me”

Similar sentiment to “Baby Let’s Play House”, this one is delivered in a more tender less demanding way, with begging and pleading.  Terribly romantic, Presley uses his voice to great effect and the nation swooned.  

Elvis-ify!

Seven Songs About Mondays

Monday again! 

Welcome to another week, and another installment of Music Mondays on 7w/D!  Herc is back again and handing out another 7 song playlist.  I love listening to his spotify playlists while reading the post he writes.  Truly an interactive blog experience.  Viva la Herc!

7 Songs About Mondays

[part of ongoing series 7 Song Playlists]

Mondays have a bad rep.  They are the beginning of the work or school week and, even more importantly, Mondays mark the end of the beloved weekend.  Mondays figure prominently in pop music as well, often bearing the blame for a failed weekend or the breaking point in an otherwise doomed romantic entanglement.  Here are some Monday songs to help you bury the weekend and get on with the week so go get yourself another cup of coffee and jelly donut glass of water and some fresh fruit and start the countdown to next weekend.  Or, if you’re an orange, Monday hating cat, have another lasagna.

Spotify playlist

“I Don’t Like Mondays” - Boomtown Rats [1979]

Before he asked us to “Feed The World”, Bob Geldof was the lead singer of The Boomtown Rats.  One day in 1979, he read a news story about a teenage girl in California who had fired several shots into a schoolyard, killing two and injuring nine others.  When asked by authorities why she would do such a thing, she replied “I don’t like Mondays; this livens up the day.”  Bob composed a song about the senseless incident and it’s equally senseless motive, pointing out that he was not trying to glorify or exploit the tragedy.

“Monday Morning” - Fleetwood Mac [1975]

Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks performed this song before they were recruited into Fleetwood Mac and recorded it for inclusion on that band’s 1975 self-titled album.  A rare, positive vibin’ Monday-titled tune about a man pledging his love if his woman will just do the same instead of lovin’ him and then getting “on down the line”.

“Come Monday” - Jimmy Buffett [1974]

Part of “The Big 8”, songs that Jimmy plays at all of his concerts, this 1974 song managed to climb three charts simultaneously upon its release: Pop, Country and Easy Listening.  One of the only “looking forward to Monday” songs on this list, his job on the road as a lonely performer has him longing to be back home on Monday.

“Monday, Monday” - The Mamas and the Papas [1966]

It’s a sweet Sixties song about being dumped.  “Every other day of the week is fine” but whenever Monday comes “you can find me cryin’ all the time”.  Ah Monday. “Can’t trust that day”  Like it has nothing to do with you, guy, it’s all Monday’s fault.

“Blue Monday” - New Order [1983]

The biggest selling 12” single of all time is also one of the longest running (7:26) charted songs of all time as well.  A non-traditionally structured song, “Blue Monday” exists in multiple remixes as well as an instrumental version titled “The Beach”.  The meaning of the lyrics are somewhat of a mystery to these old ears as Monday is never mentioned but I think “How does it feel? /To treat me like you do” hints at some form of a less than loving relationship.

“Manic Monday” - The Bangles [1986]

Originally, The Artist Always Known As Prince recorded this song as a duet with his Purple Rain co-star Apollonia but later pulled it from her group’s only album, Apollonia 6.  Two years later, after hearing their single “Hero Takes A Fall” and seeing lead singer Susanna Hoffs, he dusted off the demo and sent it to The Bangles, then working on their second release, Different Light.  The group and their producer added their own touches with Prince maintaining his songwriting credit under the name “Christopher”, a character he portrayed in the film Under The Cherry Moon.

“Rainy Days And Mondays” - Carpenters [1971]

A cataloguing of things that “always bring (the singer) down”, this sugary fluffy concoction shot up the charts in 1971.  Karen’s voice glides and soars over a minimal musical backing but the girl has “what they used to call the blues”.  The backing vocals are lush, a Carpenters trademark, and the very definition of easy listening.  Herc can never to just one Carpenters track, he listens by the handful.

Spotify playlist

What is it about Mondays?

Seven Videos That Played On MTV's Debut

 Herc has been writing in third person lately, and now Devyn wants to try to do the same.  Devyn is very pleased that Herc is enjoying being her guest here.  She is particularly thrilled with the level of research that Herc puts into every post he sends Devyn's way.  Today's post is on the 30th anniversary of MTV.  Devyn is so jealous that Herc was around when history was made on TV.  Devyn's very proud to present to you Herc's list today to commemorate.  

The new tradition here  on 7w/D will be a Spotify Playlist included at the bottom of each MM post, particularly the ones that are included in Herc's 7 song playlist series.  Spotify is free, its easy and it is everywhere.  On this post, as with many others, Herc has also included video links on the title of each song.  He puts in lots of time and effort to make his posts so interactive, give the links a try!

Devyn will try to be more like Herc and include interactive links or maybe even pictures soon.  Text can be boring.  

Let's relive 30 years ago, shall we?

The First 7 Videos played on MTV

[part of ongoing series 7 Song Playlists]

Herc first glimpsed MTV while walking through a Sears with his Texas Grandma in the Summer of 1982.  It was a Neil Young concert clip.  Herc knew this because it said so in the lower left-hand corner of the screen.  It was a good day because later that day, while his younger cousins were watching E.T. at the mall’s theater, Herc’s Grandma bought him a ticket to The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas.  Yup, she was that good of a Grandma.  Even bought him a bag of his new favorite candy, Resse’s Pieces.  In celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the debut of Music Television (MTV) on this day, here are the first 7 videos aired.  Witness the birth of MTV here.

“Video Killed the Radio Star" by The Buggles

It was almost as if this song was specially composed for this historical moment yet it was actually recorded and released a couple of years earlier.  The same theme and sentiments were expressed later in the decade by Queen in their hit “Radio Ga Ga”.  Coming full circle, video vixen Lady GaGa took her name from the Queen song.

"You Better Run" by Pat Benatar

She was tough yet possessed operatic vocal range.  Her songs were sassy and confrontational, showing a full range of emotions to go along with her hard as nails attitude.  Pat Benatar blazed a trail, along with Heart’s Wilson sisters, for girls in the male dominated world of rock and roll.  

"She Won't Dance with Me" by Rod Stewart

A lesser song of Road the Mod’s, the video was like several others he released during the era featuring his band playing and goofing around on a soundstage.

"You Better You Bet" by The Who

The first black and white video ever aired on MTV.  A straight forward performance piece featuring a somewhat restrained vocal performance by singer Daltrey and a hyper, hopping guitar performance by guitarist Townshend.

"Little Suzi's on the Up" by Ph.D.

A pretty dumb video by all accounts.  The song was later covered by metal band Tesla, who had a decent sized hit with it.  Wonder whatever happened to Ph.D?

"We Don't Talk Anymore" by Cliff Richard

Strangely out of place amongst the other rockers listed here, Cliff Richard was billed as England’s Elvis Presley and had been recording and performing since the 50s.  In the late 70s and early 80s, he enjoyed a career resurgence that included this song.

"Brass in Pocket" by Pretenders

Most listeners mistake this song’s title as “I’m Special” because of the lyrical emphasis on the phrase.  It remains one of the catchiest songs ever recorded, capable of multiple plays without fatigue.  Try it.  And then, by all means, listen to all the other Pretenders songs you can get your ears on.  Thank me later.

SPOTIFY PLAYLIST