Monthly Archives: September 2009

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Extract

extractAbout ten minutes into the new Mike Judge comedy Extract, I realized how long it’s been since I’ve seen a really bad movie. I’m just not used to that feeling of “Oh my god… I have to spend another hour and a half forcing myself to laugh at something that isn’t funny.”

At one point I contemplated walking out, imagining that if I came across something this dull on TV, I would certainly change the channel. Even a DVD rental would likely get ejected before the halfway point. But when I pay my $20 and take my seat before the lights go down, it feels like I’ve entered into a contract. And my end of the bargain is staying until the lights come back up again. I might be forgetting something, but I don’t think I’ve ever left a theater mid-movie in my life.

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Song of the Day #409: ‘Someday We’ll Be Together’ – Diana Ross & The Supremes

supsomedayI’m bypassing a few of The Supremes’ other #1 hits — specifically, ‘Love is Here and Now You’re Gone,’ ‘Come See About Me’ and ‘The Happening’ — and finishing off the Motown series with today’s song, their final #1 single.

This is my 28th Motown song — 3 1/2 months’ worth. I hope you’ve enjoyed the exploration of some of the finest music America has ever produced. I know I have. I do like the idea of keeping a theme on the weekends, and I think I know what I’ll try next. Stay tuned.

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Song of the Day #408: ‘Love Child’ – Diana Ross & The Supremes

suplovechildOf all The Supremes’ #1 hits, this one strikes me as among the most interesting because of the way it reflects the changing dynamic in both the music industry and the band itself.

For one thing, note that the song is credited to Diana Ross & The Supremes, a name change that took place in 1967 and led to a growing rift within the group. Indeed, Florence Ballard left the band just a year later and was replaced by Cindy Birdsong. ‘Love Child’ was The Supremes’ first #1 single without Ballard, and the first under their new moniker.

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Song of the Day #407: ‘Every Breath You Take’ – The Police

police20 Best Songs of the 80’s – #1

This is an odd pick because it breaks the pattern I’ve set up through the other 19 songs. While The Police were very much an early-80’s band, Sting went on to have a celebrated solo career, making him one of the only artists on the list who had more success outside the 80’s than in them.

So an argument could be made that this isn’t really an ’80’s song’ so much as a Sting song (the same argument I’ve used in excluding artists such as Michael Jackson, R.E.M. and U2 from the lineup).

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Song of the Day #406: ‘Don’t Stop Believin” – Journey

journey-escape20 Best Songs of the 80s – #2

You didn’t think I’d make it through this whole list without a Journey song, did you?

This spot could have been filled with any number of songs by Steve Perry and the boys — ‘Who’s Crying Now,’ ‘Stone in Love,’ ‘Open Arms,’ ‘Separate Ways,’ ‘Send Her My Love,’ just pick one. I’m going with ‘Don’t Stop Believin” because it’s the iconic Journey song, and also because its brand of muscular rock optimism really encapsulates the music of the 80s.

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