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Song of the Day #1,571: ‘Always Something There to Remind Me’ – Naked Eyes

I’ve always wondered why one-hit wonders, if they’re capable of writing and recording a song worthy of hit status, aren’t able to keep it up? Do some bands really just have one good song in them? That doesn’t make sense.

Recently I realized that at least a few of the one-hit wonders I’ve always assumed were original composition were in fact covers of old pop standards. Soft Cell’s ‘Tainted Love,’ for example, was first recorded as a B-side by Gloria Jones in 1965.

No wonder Soft Cell didn’t go on to greater things… they weren’t even responsible for the one hit they did have!

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Song of the Day #1,570: ‘Enjoy the Silence’ – Depeche Mode

The latest Facebook obsession spreading among my friends is SongPop, basically an Internet version of Name That Tune.

What makes the game fun is the wide range of categories from which it culls the songs. You can play rounds centered on ’90s Alternative,’ ‘Love Songs,’ ‘Metal,’ ’80s Hair Bands,’ ‘Melancholy Tunes’ (a personal favorite), ‘Today’s Hits,’ ‘Punk,’ ’60s Collection’ and dozens more.

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Song of the Day #1,569: ‘I Don’t Know How You’re Livin” – Lucinda Williams

The rise of iTunes and the MP3 as the cheapest and easiest way to purchase music led to an increase in bonus material paired with physical CDs.

It might be expanded liner notes, including artwork or photos not otherwise available. A DVD of live performances of the album’s songs. A dorm room-ready wall poster. That sort of thing.

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Song of the Day #1,568: ‘Let it Ride’ – Ryan Adams & The Cardinals

I have a select group of artists whom I feel guilty for not listening to more. People who make consistently good music that’s right up my alley yet somehow rarely make it into my regular rotation.

Ryan Adams is a perfect example.

He has released at least two albums (Gold and Heartbreaker) that I love start to finish — albums filled with powerful, beautiful songs. His collection of unreleased singles, Demolition, is similarly strong.

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Song of the Day #1,567: ‘Crazytown’ – Aimee Mann

A month ago, I focused on Aimee Mann as part of my genome project, declaring her the most melancholy of all the melancholy artists I love.

A couple of weeks later, she surprised me by releasing her poppiest, most upbeat album since her Til Tuesday days, or at least since 1995’s alt-pop I’m With Stupid.

Charmer is heavy on synths and heavier on hooks, a real triumph of pop songwriting and a great next step for Mann, who might have been accused of treading water had she released another album in the vein of her last few.

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