Category Archives: random weekends

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Song of the Day #5,202: ‘Goin’ to Acapulco’ – Bob Dylan

Today’s random selection is a cut from the 11th volume of Bob Dylan’s Bootleg Series, this one dedicated to the Basement Tapes album he recorded with The Band in 1967. Those recordings didn’t see an official release until 1975, a span that saw Dylan release eight other albums.

While the final album featured 16 songs from those 1967 recordings, along with eight more recorded by The Band in the ensuing years, there was a wealth of other material committed to tape during those sessions. Bootlegs of those songs have been passed around by fans ever since.

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Song of the Day #5,196: ‘Alligator_Aviator_Autopilot_Antimatter’ – R.E.M.

Today’s random selection is a track from R.E.M.’s 2011 album Collapse Into Now, their 15th studio release and the last album they released before breaking up later that year.

Hard to believe it’s been more than a decade since the band split. And any hope of a reunion is likely fruitless, as just last year, Michael Stipe had this to say about the prospect: “We decided when we split up that that would just be really tacky and probably money-grabbing, which might be the impetus for a lot of bands to get back together.”

Honestly, I’d be fine with a tacky, money-grabbing new release from R.E.M.

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Song of the Day #5,195: ‘Heart’s Desire’ – Ron Sexsmith

After my series on second hits by one-hit wonders, frequent commenter Dana suggested I feature some artists who have had long career despite never having a single hit. It’s a good idea I will add to the list.

In the meantime, the Random iTunes Fairy has made one such selection today, offering up a song from Canadian singer-songwriter Ron Sexsmith’s 2002 album Cobblestone Runway.

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Song of the Day #5,189: ‘Big Boys (Alternate Version)’ – Elvis Costello

Today’s Random Weekend track is a cut from the bonus disc of Elvis Costello’s 2002 reissue of his 1979 album Armed Forces.

‘Big Boys’ is the fourth song on Side One of the original album, and it’s a tight, angry song about sexual immaturity and corrosive infatuation. It’s pretty much perfect as is.

This “alternate version” is similar to the album track structurally, but nowhere near as successful.

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Song of the Day #5,188: ‘Adult Education’ – Daryl Hall & John Oates

Daryl Hall & John Oates’ ‘Adult Education’ was released in 1984 as one of two new songs appearing on a greatest hits collection titled Rock ‘n Soul Part 1. The other new track was ‘Say It Isn’t So.’ ‘Say It Isn’t So’ made it to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, while today’s SOTD peaked at #8.

Calling that collection a “greatest hits” was the opposite of false advertising. Every song on that record was a smash of one degree or another, with four tracks making it to #1. When even the two bonus tracks on your compilation become top ten hits, you know you’re on a roll.

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