by

Song of the Day #900: ‘Telephone’ – Lady Gaga featuring Beyoncé

Best Songs of 2010 – Honorable Mentions

Another week of honorable mentions before I get to the proper 2010 countdown next week.

I don’t buy into much of the fuss over Lady GaGa but she has released a few songs I enjoy. ‘Bad Romance’ and ‘Poker Face’ are tops among those, with ‘Just Dance’ as a runner-up.

This year she scored a hit with the single and video release of ‘Telephone,’ another club-ready dance anthem that proves you can write a song about anything so long as it’s supported by a good chorus and beat. This one is about not wanting to be interrupted by phone calls while at a club. As somebody who hates the telephone, I can relate.

Continue reading →

by

Song of the Day #899: ‘Suit of Lights’ – Elvis Costello

A couple of weeks back, I described Imperial Bedroom as my first Elvis Costello album. Sitting here today, I’m wondering whether or not that’s true. It may well have been King of America.

I definitely remember receiving King of America (along with Michael Penn’s March) as a birthday gift from my sister and brother-in-law. And thinking back, that must have been my introduction to Costello.

Either way, it supports the theory that we maintain an allegiance to the work that serves as an entry point to a beloved new artist. It’s probably no coincidence that those two albums remain my favorite Costello releases to this date.

Continue reading →

by

Song of the Day #898: ‘I’ll Wear It Proudly’ – Elvis Costello

After putting out nine albums over the previous eight years, Elvis Costello took a brief hiatus, waiting two years to release his next album, 1986’s King of America.

Of course he made up for lost time by releasing another new album later the same year, but that will have to wait for next week.

King of America was Costello’s first album since his debut not recorded with The Attractions (though they do show up on one track). Instead he was joined by a group of backing musicians he called The Confederates, traditional country and jazz players assembled by producer T. Bone Burnett.

Continue reading →

by

Song of the Day #897: ‘Stop For a Minute’ – Keane featuring K’NAAN

Best Songs of 2010 – Honorable Mentions

After three strong albums to start their career, English trio Keane released the experimental EP Night Train in 2010. Recorded while on tour in several different cities, the EP contained collaborations with international rappers and MCs.

Today’s track, ‘Stop For a Minute,’ features Somali rapper-singer-poet K’NAAN who trades verses with lead singer Ben Chaplin and raps toward the end of the song.

Continue reading →

by

Song of the Day #896: ‘Man Down’ – Rihanna

Best Songs of 2010 – Honorable Mentions

Last year, Rihanna’s ‘Fire Bomb’ came in at #2 on my list of the year’s best songs. That track almost landed in the top spot before a late surge by Brad Paisley.

This year Rihanna didn’t release anything as powerful as that track and warrants just an honorable mention. Her new album, Loud, has none of the ambition or pathos of Rated R. It’s a naughty, mischievous party album — diverting but not very memorable.

Continue reading →