Throwback Tracks -- May 11, 2017
David R. Smith
Lots of songs from the was-before today. And I don't mean before 2000s, because that's obvious.
Well… I guess technically I do mean that too, because they're all pre-2000s, but I mean from prior to my being born. But that's because they're really good songs, they've been stuck in my head for a week and I thought you needed to hear them. So enough of my preamble, just go click the links.
The Guys From do not hold the rights to any of these songs, it is more our hope to expose our readers to new (*cough*) and different retro music, or re-expose them to things they may have forgotten about.
At the top of each section, will be the song name, followed by the artists' name linked to their website (if possible...which is totally hit and miss with oldies), so you can fall down the rabbit hole, finding and supporting what you dig.
Love The One You're With - Stephen Stills
What a weird, weird message. I don't necessarily agree with it, to be honest. I mean; essentially you're pining for somebody who is, for all intents and purposes, unavailable to you for whatever reason. And, so if you can't be with said person, just go find somebody else and settle. Now, he does say to love the one you're with. He's not saying that you should be unhappy with the person you're with. You should love them and commit to them. So that part of the message is great. But it still seems like you're not exactly sending the right message, here Stevie...
That said; the song was written in 1970 (released in 1971) so it was coming off the heels of the summer of love. It does have a very hippy feel to it, so I can't judge him for writing it. And the guitar, the chorus, the entire song put together makes for a really happy, lighthearted, terrific song that I defy to you to listen to and still be in a bad mood.
Gauntlet thrown down, friends.
Mellow Yellow - Donovan
I don't even know what to tell you with this song. It's kind of weird. Okay; a lot weird. Donovan was (is, probably still) a weird guy. He wrote this song, he wrote Wear Your Love Like Heaven, which is an odd song, too (and was featured in a Simpsons episode so when I remount the "songs featured from the Simpsons" TBT, there's a chance it will make it in there.
Who the hell is Saffron, and why the hell is Donovan mad about her (him?) I don't get this song. What I do know is that I looooooovvved it when I was growing up. I sang it a lot. I don't know why - my parents didn't really listen to this music. I don't even know how I heard this song.
Maybe it was because of this weird commercial. Ahhh the 80s...
Seven Bridges Road - The Eagles
To me, this is one of the Eagles' greatest songs, yet very underrated. I don't know if there's a studio version of it anywhere, but this version (which is the only one I know) is one of my favourite songs ever.
I like country/bluegrassy type music and this song sort of fits in that realm. As did a lot of early Eagles stuff.
What I love most about this song is the a cappella part at the beginning with all the various voices creating a tremendous harmony. And then you get that guitar part coming in softly at first, and then adding a wonderful mix to the harmonies.
It's so, so, so simple. But man, for my money, I'm not sure it gets better than this from the Eagles.
Incidentally, here's a version of Keith Urban playing it with Sugarland, if that's your thing. I found it cool!
Touch of Grey - Grateful Dead
Much like Love The One You're With, I feel like this is the sort of song that makes it scientifically impossible to be in a bad mood when you're listening to it. I don't even know if that last sentence makes grammatical sense and you know what? I don't care. Because I'm listening to the Dead.
This song should be an anthem for anybody who's having a rough day.
Sorry that you feel that way
The only thing there is to say
Every silver lining has a touch of grey
:I I will get by :I
I will survive
How good is that? It's upbeat, it's got a wonderful message, the guitar solo is simple but effective. How can you hate the world when this song is playing? Sure; before it plays you can, and then again immediately after, but not during. I won't allow it.
It's not as hippyish as some of their early stuff (ie. American Beauty) but it's still got just a terrific Grateful Dead feel to it.
Shine - Collective Soul
I felt like I couldn't have all old-old music list this week. So I went with one of the quintessential groups from the 90s.
Collective Soul were responsible for many, many classic hits which I loved greatly as a child. Hell, their self-titled album had 4 that I can think of off the top of my head. This was not one of them. This song was from the album 7even Year Itch, which I never actually owned. Yet.
Despite the fact that I never owned this album, I absolutely adored this song (and, quite frankly, still do.) I have vivid memories of two buddies singing this song karaoke style at a high school party. It was likely one of the first times I had heard it, as I'm certain it was fairly new then, and it stuck with me forever. Now I'm gifting it to you!
That's it for this week's sojourn. I hope you enjoyed listening to what was essentially hippy music 101. I sure loved this week's songs. I'm in a terrific mood right now, you guys! If you too are in a good mood and want that mood to keep going, I'm sure there are many songs that can help that in all the playlists. Here they are:
Throwback Playlist for Dec 16/Jan 17
October 2016 Throwback Playlist,
September 2016 Throwback Playlist
Also, I've spent a lot of time writing TBT for nothing but rock and (good) pop songs. I have yet to stray anywhere but there. I have considered a punk month, and a rap month. Hell, I'd even do a country month if you wanted. But it seems like they have to be a full month of that because it would be hard to mesh, say, Pennywise with Garth Brooks.
The reason I'm telling you this is because if this is something that would interest you, fire me a message, either with songs, or genre suggestions and I'll gladly add them to one of these lists! You can find me at the usual.
-D (@davidronn)