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Song of the Day #3,795: ‘When a Cowboy Trades His Spurs for Wings’ – Willie Watson and Tim Blake Nelson

Most of the early discussion about the Coen Brothers’ new film, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, has centered not on its content but its distribution. Produced by NetFlix, and originally rumored to be a limited series rather than a full-length feature, the film is the first in a series of releases by the streaming platform of films by high-profile directors.

Next up is Alfonso Cuaron’s lavishly received Roma, with Martin Scorsese’s The Irishman due in early 2019. Each of these films will get a very limited theatrical release to secure award season eligibility but for the vast majority of viewers, it will be found only on their TV, or God forbid, their iPhone.

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Song of the Day #3,794: ‘Watch Your Step’ – Elvis Costello

Elvis Costello produced my second-favorite album of 1981, and just a few months earlier, he released my favorite.

Costello’s fifth album, Trust, is similar to Squeeze’s East Side Story in that it’s a New Wave record dabbling in a host of other genres. Squeeze lead singer Glenn Tilbrook even duets with Costello on the fun track ‘From a Whisper to a Scream.’

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Song of the Day #3,793: ‘Woman’s World’ – Squeeze

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my American readers! Now, here’s a song by a thoroughly British band.

My second favorite 1981 album is East Side Story, the fourth (and best) album by the UK band Squeeze. Produced almost entirely by Elvis Costello, this ia a New Wave classic that weaves in elements of country, rockabilly and psychedelia. Best known for the single ‘Tempted,’ East Side Story is stellar from start to finish.

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Song of the Day #3,792: ‘You’re My Home’ – Billy Joel

Billy Joel’s compilation of live performances, Songs in the Attic, is my third favorite album released in 1981. It might have cracked the top two but I subtracted a few points because it’s a greatest hits collection of sorts.

Joel was riding a commercial high after the releases of The Stranger, 52nd Street and Glass Houses, and saw an opportunity to introduce his new fans to the music he had recorded prior to breaking into the mainstream. Rather than release the original recordings, which were performed with session musicians, he preferred to put them in new context with the backing of his talented touring band.

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Song of the Day #3,791: ‘Who’s Crying Now’ – Journey

Before I begin, Happy 18th Birthday to my nephew Daniel! If you haven’t had a chance to listen to his recent EP, Daniel Gallup, you can do so through my blog right here.

My #4 album of 1981 is the only one on this list that I actually listened to in 1981. In fact, I’m pretty sure Journey’s Escape was the first album I ever owned. It was also the first (and last) album I ever experienced in the form of an arcade game.

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