Throwback Tracks -- June 15, 2017
David R. Smith
Happy Thursday to you, my friends. I hope you're all well and looking forward to another round of wonderful songs! I feel like because I have to write this once a week, that at a certain point, I'm just going to run out of things to say in my preamble and will just start leaving songs for you. But today I'm under slept, highly caffeinated and ready to do this, so I don't think that'll be today.
As we were 100% 90s music last week, I'm going to try to stray from that. Which could be problematic, because I just saw the Tool show last night and would like to listen to more of them. Although, we've learned that there's no Tool in Apple Music (which isn't overly surprising; Maynard sure likes to control things himself) but that won't stop me from putting more of his songs on TBT. But that's not going to happen today. Because he's 90s. And I promised no 90s today.
So here we go.
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.
Salt of the Earth - The Rolling Stones
I'm not sure I've ever heard this song on the radio. If I have, it's been extremely infrequent. And it's too bad. What a great song.
Off, what I would argue, is the best Rolling Stones album, this song is a nice tip of the hat to the hardworking men and women of the world. You can tell it's a Stones song, because Mick's voice is so distinctive, but it has such a cool bluesy feel that was so synonymous with Keith Richards, that it just sounds so good. And then you have the piano, and the backup singers too.
If I was a labourer, I would love songs like this. Just knowing you're noticed and appreciated goes a long way. Well done, Stones.
South City Midnight Lady - The Doobie Brothers
This song. This song is so nice, isn't it? The opening, sweet guitar riff. A simple slide up the neck. Makes for easy listening.
And then I really read the lyrics. Could this song actually be about prostitution? Maybe. I don't really know. There's not a lot out about this song. But it could allude to that. Personally, I like to think it's just about a woman the singer loves. He's dealing with something depressing, sees her and all is well. It's a much better concept, isn't it?
While not one of the more well-known Doobie Brothers songs (at least as far as radio hits go) I think it's one of their best ones. And since we were on a more mellow track this week, I figured this one was a good one to get in there.
Beginnings - Chicago
I really want to learn this song on guitar. Because it sounds like a lot of fun to play. But you really have to stretch your fingers and I'm just not that good
What a great love song, though, hey? Who says all love songs have to be slow ballads? I mean, Chicago also had that with Color My World, but this one has such a great tempo. I think what really helps it is the horns. You add horns to anything and it's essentially become a romantic* song.
*Note: This is the opinion of the author and not anybody else. I'm just mostly still reeling from the lack of sleep (and the fact that I just ate deep fried batter with a mountain of sugar is making my brain run a mile a minute. So...)
Fire and Rain - James Taylor
This song is so good. I mean; do I have to really say that every time? If I thought the song sucked, I probably wouldn't put it down here.
In any case, this one doesn't suck.
I have a soft spot for 60s folk type music. Carole King, Carly Simon, James Taylor. They're all so good. And this one, while likely his most famous song (or You've Got A Friend) is a reason why he's so popular. But it makes sense. How could you not listen to his stuff and just feel happy. Even if you were floating in space with ants and rippled chips around your head?
Guns, Guns, Guns - The Guess Who
I have a love-hate relationship with this band. When I was growing up, I got their greatest hits CD for my birthday. I played it a bunch. And I still do love them. But I feel like I must have gotten over saturated with them. A lot of those songs on that greatest hits CD are songs I don't really care about anymore. But this song, and Running Back to Saskatoon weren't on that CD, so I still appreciate it when I hear them.
And yet, I do have some issue with this song. The lyrics clearly indicate a vehement opposition to hunting. Which I could kind of see, but coming from a family of hunters, I don't necessarily know whether a total opposition to hunting is the way to go. But I'm certainly not going to get into that debate in this platform. I'm not trying to use this as a soapbox, merely as a way to get great songs to you. Besides, a person can like the sound of a song and not necessarily like the message in sends. I don't condone the hatred of law enforcement, but I still like the song Fuck Tha Police...
And this one is no different. Well. It is. Drastically. But you get what I'm saying.
The piano and the wah pedal at the top give it a great start. Sometimes I really like songs that take their sweet time getting to the lyrics. It makes it feel like you're more invested in the song by the time the lyrics get to it. It's a weird thing to consider, but this is the way my brain is working. At least today...
That's it this week. For the most part, a bit mellow, but still some incredible songs. And, as promised, I finally got the May Playlist figured out so you can now go listen to that. As well as all the other playlists:
Throwback Playlist for Dec 16/Jan 17
October 2016 Throwback Playlist,
September 2016 Throwback Playlist
-D (@davidronn)