Throwback Tracks -- March 8, 2018
David R. Smith
This week we have a very random grab-bag of songs. One of them came by request, one of them came because I thought of the song yesterday while in class, and another one I heard while I was swimming today. All three I thought were good to put in here, all three are excellent songs and it just makes my life easier not having to wrack my brain trying to figure out what songs to pick. I like it when things like that work out. So with no further preamble, here's this week's Throwback Tracks!
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.
Bad Side Of The Moon - April Wine
Apparently it's been well over a year since we last had April Wine featured at Throwback Tracks. Evidently they last made an appearance (their only appearance) in December of 2016. So... they were due.
This song was the one that was a request. Shaun messaged me to say it had come up on his iTunes (or what have you) and that he got all into it. He then figured it had been too long since we showcased this terrific Canadian band on here. So we're fixing that today!
This is one of those bands that has more songs you like than you would think. Because the songs are great but it's usually one of those "I love this song, but don't know who the band is!" Well, my friend, there's a decent chance it's April Wine. I had the pleasure of working one of their concerts many years ago. It was awesome. These guys were super classy and played all the hits. I loved it.
Blaze of Glory - Bon Jovi
How the hell is it possible that in the years we've been doing this feature, that we haven't had any Bon Jovi?? That almost seems criminal.
Look, I know Bon Jovi might not be the most popular anymore, but there was a time when they were amazing. We got the album Crossroads - probably from Columbia House - and we listened to that album ad nauseam. There were so many terrific songs on it, that at some point will be featured here on Throwback Tracks. But this one is one of my favourites.
Written for the Young Guns II soundtrack, apparently this song was nominated for an Academy Award for best original song. (It lost to a song from Dick Tracy. Weird.) PLUS! It features Jeff Beck on guitar. This song is nothing short of awesome!
Renegades of Funk - Rage Against The Machine
I won't say I love Rage Against the Machine. I don't know enough of their stuff to claim that. But I do know they have a bunch of songs that I love. This one is no exception.
Generally their stuff is very politically driven and anti-establishement. This song.. I don't think it is? It's just talking about music and how one can be a musical renegade. I can get behind that.
This song is awesome. It's got a terrific rhythm, as well as that funky Tom Morello sound to it. There's something about the combination of Morello's guitar and the lyrical stylings of Zack de la Rocha that just make you amped up. It's hard not to listen to Rage and not, well, go into a rage.
Only Happy When It Rains - Garbage
So we go from generally upbeat, funky music, with some marginally happy themes to, well... this. Garbage wasn't exactly known for their happy themes or their happy songs. But they are very good at what they do. And that's making songs that can be less cheerful.
The title is Only Happy When It Rains. Is that not the most depressing thing you can think of? Life is generally unbearable unless it's bleak and dreary outside. I understand that it's a song, and that Shirley Manson was appealing to the kids of that generation. But man... the idea of only being happy when it rains makes me sad. Which... I guess was the point?
Notwithstanding; it's a great song!
Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover - Sophie B Hawkins
I always forget about this song!
Sophie B Hawkins was a name synonymous with 90s pop music. In the era of people like Lisa Loeb, Jewel and Natalie Imbruglia, there was a lot to be gained from being a 90s female pop star. I googled other Sophie B Hawkins singles and didn't recognize any of the titles. But that's not to say that I wouldn't know them, more just that sometimes you forget what a song is until you hear it. So I'll maybe investigate more of her stuff to see if I do, in fact remember her stuff.
This song is pretty self explanatory. Who the hell knows who it's about, but clearly Sophie wished she was somebody's lover. And really, if you were a man or woman, and somebody wrote you a song saying "Damn, I wish I was your lover," would you not be flattered? I know I would!
That's it, that's all! I hope you enjoyed this week's songs. I'm a pretty big fan of all these ones!
A couple housekeeping things;
1) I still haven't gotten to last month's list. Are you at all surprised? But here's the other playlists for you!
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
2) 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)