Throwback Tracks -- March 22, 2018
David R. Smith
Holy smokes am I tired. Are my loyal readers at all surprised? There's less than a month left in the semester and I am running on fumes. I opened my show this week, so that's nice. Should take some of the stress off, I would think. But in the meantime, I'm still playing catchup. So while I'm still trying to honour my commitment, it gets trying sometimes!
Anyway this week because of the first song that I've got on the list, I've decided to go with a theme: Songs by bands named after places. Now, as recently as last week, I've used other bands named after places (Chicago) and less recently, I've also had Boston on this list. So I'm going to try and find different artists. Obviously there will be more Chicago and Boston to come, just not this son.
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.
Your Daddy Don't Know - Toronto
This song has been in my head for 3 days.
One of the shows we produced at Lunchbox last year was a show called Girl Crush. It was a cabaret style show featuring the phenomenal Sharron Mathews (who was also the creator.) The last song she featured in her show was this one. It got perpetually stuck in my head then and I've heard it a few times since on the radio.
But just last week, Lunchbox announced Sharron was coming back for a three day event and all of a sudden, that song just made its way right back into my head. So like most ear worms, I have decided to pass it along to you all.
Sorry not sorry.
Hair of the Dog - Nazareth
This song is ridiculous. For the longest time I thought it was AC/DC who sang this song. Obviously I was wrong about that. We've featured Nazareth on here a couple times now. I could have gone with Love Hurts but decided that this song was a good followup to Toronto.
I can honestly say it's not my favourite song but that's not to say I don't like it at all, it's just not one that really grabs me. However, Nazareth is a fine band and I felt like they should get some decent mention in a list with bands named after places. Am I wrong?
Take My Breath Away - Berlin
Top Gun is, without question, one of my favourite soundtracks. I loved it when I was growing up and while I don't listen to it on a regular basis anymore, I still love it when a song from the album comes on my iPod.
This song is one that is likely the most synonymous with Top Gun (save for maybe Highway to the Danger Zone?) but the funny thing is that it never happens when I think it would happen. (I always feel like it should happen at the saddest moment but it doesn't. It's weird.) Instead it happens at the kissing part. Which, I guess, makes sense; it definitely has more of a love feel, than sad feel - especially if you listen to the lyrics - but the tempo and the arrangement just make it sound so sad! But it's not. It really, really isn't. It's just lovely. And who doesn't love Top Gun?
Hold On - Kansas
Whoa! Great song!
I know the very basic Kansas songs, and beyond that, needed to investigate more of their catalogue. We've already featured Carry On My Wayward Son on TBT and today wasn't a Dust in the Wind sort of day. So I decided to go with a song of theirs I didn't know. At random I picked this one and was extremely content with my selection!
I absolutely love the use of stringed instruments at the beginning of this song. If this song had a hook at all, that's it. And then when the lyrics hit, you can tell it's a Kansas song. Their lead singer...
/Dave looks up the lead singer's name
...John Elefante has a very distinct voice. I can't say for sure that I would have been able to tell you that this was Kansas if I didn't already know, but I have a feeling I would. They just have a sound to them, and Elefante in particular. Looks I might need to do some more digging!
So the song just ended. I'm really, really glad I picked this one. I loved it!! Well done Kansas!
Tin Man - America
Well it turns out we've already featured my two favourite America songs on here, and I'm still not ready to use Horse With No Name on here because that's just too well known. So we're going with Tin Man.
Do you think every other USA band is jealous that America picked the name America? Do you think every other band thought "America would be a cool name, but it's almost too much, ya know?" and then these guys came out and every other band thought "DAMMIT!"? I hope that's the case.
But this band seem like the perfect band to have the name America. There needs to be a certain sound attached with that name. For instance, the Offspring wouldn't be the right fit for the name America. They're too... brash? America needs to be chill and accessible for all. And I feel like that's exactly what this band achieves.
Oh. This song is great too.
So I've resigned myself to not getting the February list up until the end of the month. I'm sure you guys are okay with that. I mean really, what were you expecting? But if you want the rest, here they are!
2018
January 2018 TBT Playlist (or the January 2018 Spotify)
2017
December 2017 TBT Playlist (or the December 2017 Spotify), November 2017 TBT Playlist (and the November 2017 Spotify), October 2017 TBT Playlist (and the October 2017 Spotify), September 2017 TBT Playlist (and the September 2017 Spotify), August 2017 TBT Playlist (and the August Spotify list), July 2017 TBT Playlist (and the July Spotify List), June 2017 TBT Playlist (and the June Spotify List), May 2017 TBT Playlist, April 2017 TBT Playlist, March 2017 TBT Playlist , February 2017 TBT Playlist
2016
Throwback Playlist for Dec 16/Jan 17, October 2016 Throwback Playlist, September 2016 Throwback Playlist, August 2016 Throwback Playlist, July 2016 Throwback Playlist, June 2016 Throwback Playlist, May 2016 Throwback Playlist, April 2016 Throwback Playlist
There's still room for requests if you want to get a particular song in the hip hop month of Throwback Tracks. I've already had 2 requests, so it's a legit thing! Leave a message, or hit me up on Twitter. Whatever!
-D (@davidronn)