Monthly Archives: August 2018

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Song of the Day #3,700: ‘Queen Bitch’ – David Bowie

Before I get to my #4 album of 1971, let me say a quick Happy Birthday to my sister Amy.

This year Amy selflessly asked, in lieu of gifts, for donations to a non-profit she founded called Birthright America. The program’s mission is to give underprivileged kids the chance to experience the majesty of America’s National Parks. Amy brought the first group of lucky children on the inaugural trip earlier this month.

If the idea sounds interesting to you, please consider visiting the website and donating to the cause. Happy Birthday, Amy!

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Song of the Day #3,699: ‘Misty Mountain Hop’ – Led Zeppelin

Continuing my countdown of favorite 1971 albums we arrive at my #5, Led Zeppelin’s IV (also known as Runes and Zoso).

This album boasts such iconic tracks as ‘Stairway to Heaven,’ ‘Black Dog,’ ‘Rock and Roll,’ ‘Going to California’ and ‘When the Levee Breaks.’ Plus today’s track, ‘Misty Mountain Hop,’ which is less well known but just as awesome.

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Song of the Day #3,698: ‘Si Señor’ – Control Machete

The Random iTunes Fairy must be in a Hispanic mood this weekend. Today’s track is from the Mexican rap group Control Machete, and it’s in my music collection because it appeared in Alejandro Gonzalez Iñarritu’s 2001 film Amores Perros.

Amores Perros was Iñarritu’s first film, and though he would go on to win back-to-back Best Director Oscars 14 years later (for Birdman and The Revenant), it remains the best thing he’s ever done.

It was also the first film of one of my favorite actors, Gael Garcia Bernal, and one of the best films of that decade.

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Song of the Day #3,697: ‘Don’t Bother’ – Shakira

‘Don’t Bother’ is the lead single from Shakira’s 2005 album Oral Fixation Vol. 2, the English-language follow-up to Fijacion Oral, Vol 1 from early that same year. This was Shakira’s second English-language album.

With a few exception, I’ve always preferred Shakira’s Spanish-language work, and this song is a good example of why. The lyrics are just odd to the point of distraction.

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Song of the Day #3,696: ‘Bitterblue’ – Cat Stevens

The albums I’ve listed so far among my favorites of 1971 earned their spots on the strength of a few excellent songs. My #6 album, Cat Stevens’ Teaser and the Firecat, is excellent start to finish.

Sure, it has its highlight moments, including ‘The Wind,’ ‘Morning Has Broken,’ ‘Moonshadow,’ and ‘How Can I Tell You,’ one of the prettiest loves songs ever written. But ‘Rubylove,’ ‘If I Laugh,’ ‘Changes IV,’ ‘Tuesday’s Dead’ and ‘Peace Train’ are all worthy of high praise.

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