Category Archives: song of the day

by

Song of the Day #2,575: ‘Shoot Out the Lights’ – Richard & Linda Thompson

thompson_shoot_out_lightsIn contrast to the first two albums featured this week, which I knew by reputation and their hits but didn’t own, today’s record is one I’ve owned for quite awhile but have never heard.

I first learned about Shoot Out the Lights (and Richard and Linda Thompson) when Rolling Stone named this record the 9th best of the 80s in their decade wrap-up issue. Sitting alongside albums by Prince, R.E.M., Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon and U2, this folk rock album by a married British couple seemed entirely out of place.

Continue reading →

by

Song of the Day #2,574: ‘Rio’ – Duran Duran

duran_rioAnother 1982 album that I know only through its hit singles, Duran Duran’s Rio is considered one of the first and best New Wave records.

I’m familiar with the title track (today’s SOTD), ‘Hungry Like the Wolf‘ and ‘Save a Prayer‘ but that’s it. The videos for those songs earned heavy rotation in MTV’s early days, helping propel the band to stateside success.

Continue reading →

by

Song of the Day #2,573: ‘1999’ – Prince

prince_1999Las week I counted down my personal favorite albums of 1982, a list that contained some great titles but made no claim to truly represent that year’s musical output.

I turned 10 that year, after all, and I haven’t spent the next 32 seeking out every album I missed during my childhood.

For the next two weeks, I’ll highlight tracks from some of the 1982 albums that might have made my list had I been more familiar with them.

Continue reading →

by

Song of the Day #2,572: ‘Blacklisted’ – Neko Case

nekocaseHere’s a typically moody southern gothic track from Neko Case’s 2002 album Blacklisted. The whole album has this great sound.

Today’s track — the title cut — is a quick little poem that seemingly uses a train as a metaphor for a person who won’t settle down. That’s how I read it, anyway.

What’s unclear to me is how this song fits its title.

Continue reading →

by

Song of the Day #2,571: ‘Hurricane’ – Mindy Smith

mindy_smith_one_moment_moreI don’t have much to say about today’s Random Weekend selection, which comes from one of those albums that found its way into my collection through mysterious means.

Mindy Smith’s debut album, One Moment More, was released in 2004. Since then she has put out four more albums, one as recently as 2012.

I don’t know who she is or why I own this album.

Continue reading →