Category Archives: song of the day

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Song of the Day #1,028: ‘Don’t Forget Me’ – Neko Case

Now here’s a song that I’d never heard before discovering it through this cover version. ‘Don’t Forget Me’ was originally written and recorded by Harry Nilsson for his 1974 album Pussy Cats.

That album was produced by John Lennon and features a wild cover of Dylan’s ‘Subterranean Homesick Blues’ as well as gentler fare like this. Apparently Nilsson and Lennon’s hard partying carried over into the studio and resulted in a wild, half-genius, half-WTF album.

Nilsson even ruptured a vocal cord during the sessions but kept it to himself, and you can hear his voice getting progressively more harsh through the record.

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Song of the Day #1,027: ‘The Bug’ – Mary Chapin Carpenter

Bob Dylan has two songs represented over the next couple of weeks, and so too does Mark Knopfler. First up is Mary Chapin Carpenter’s take on Dire Straits’ ‘The Bug,’ a hit track from their final album, 1991’s On Every Street.

Carpenter released her version of the song on her 1992 album Come On Come On, a fine work that also includes ten original compositions and her hit cover of Lucinda Williams’ ‘Passionate Kisses.’

This song is a good case study for the old “can anything be country?” argument. I’d classify the Dire Straits original as more of a blues rock track, but it’s really not all that different from Carpenter’s version, which is clearly country.

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Song of the Day #1,026: ‘Man in the Long Black Coat’ – Joan Osborne

Two of the songs in my cover series are Bob Dylan originals. I guess it makes sense that the work of somebody with as limited a voice as Dylan would attract more capable singers.

I’ve already featured another Dylan cover that could have fit here, and like yesterday’s post, it was by Adele. I wouldn’t be surprised if she has a covers album in her future… she’s a fine interpreter of others’ tunes.

Joan Osborne is as well (and she has released a covers album — 2002’s How Sweet It Is). Today’s song, however, comes from her excellent debut album, Relish.

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Song of the Day #1,025: ‘Lovesong’ – Adele

Adele has made quite a splash with her new album, 21, topping the charts on two continents and capturing the attention of both young and old listeners.

She’s even reached my wife, who seldom has time for new music. So we got the CD, and it has spent most of its time in my wife’s car. I’ve heard it once, and I liked what I heard, especially lead single ‘Rolling in the Deep.’

Another song that made a big impression on me is today’s SOTD, a cover of The Cure’s ‘Lovesong.’ I enjoy her sultry take on the pop confection enough to have it launch a new theme week.

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Song of the Day #1,024: ‘Secret Heart (Live)’ – Ron Sexsmith

I’m sticking with Ron Sexsmith’s appearance on Elvis Costello’s Spectacle for my second selection this weekend.

Today’s track is the first song on Sexsmith’s self-titled 1995 major label debut. ‘Secret Heart’ is a simple, lovely ballad about unrequited love. It has been covered by Rod Stewart and Feist, among others.

This half-circle of songwriters with guitars on Spectacle intrigues me. Sheryl Crow, Jesse Winchester, Neko Case, Costello and Sexsmith took turns playing their own songs and each other’s while the rest of the group (and the audience) quietly watched.

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