Music
This Week’s Heavy Rotation #16
“I never did get what I wanted, now I get what I need”
Note: Each week I take a look back at my playlists and share songs that were either played the most, got stuck in my head, or just stood out. Many are new to me, but there are old faves mixed in as well.
In my 20’s I (mis)spent a lot of time — and student loan money — out on the open road. My little Honda took me though Tehachapi Pass, across Big Sky country, and down the Natchez Trace.
Next week, my sons’ club soccer seasons start up again. Both are on travel teams, and I’ll be back at it, bombing all over Wisconsin. This time we’ll be in a Subaru wagon that may or may not be up for the task. All part of the adventure, I guess?
These trips might look a lot different — I actually have to be at specific places at specific times, for starters — but that heady feeling of heading out of the city never really goes away. And I guarantee there’ll still be music.
So with that, here are my Top 5 of the last 7 days:
John Hiatt- Slow Turning
I think everyone should take a road trip at some point in their lives. The recipe for a successful journey:
- Throw your map out the window.
- Stick to Blue Highways whenever possible
- Listen to AM radio for a good portion of the trip (this is where the “real” America can be found), and work in some John Hiatt wherever possible.
- Optional: When your friend swears he knows a shortcut through the Dakotas that winds up adding several hours to the trip, take it in stride — that’s also part of the adventure.
My road trips used to involve a pack of Parliaments on the dash, a Case Logic CD holder on the front seat, and no maps. The world was wide open.
These days the cigarettes are long gone, an aux cord replaced the CD binder, and my car is full of soccer cleats and Subway wrappers.
But John’s still there wailin’ away, sounding better than ever.
Liz Phair- Divorce Song
I’m going back through old episodes of the Song Exploder podcast, and one of my favorites dissects this song. If you have room in your content diet, it’s definitely worth a listen.
100 lifetimes ago, I worked in a record store. The manager wouldn’t let us play Exile in Guyville, and instead tried to helpfully suggest…Shawn Colvin.
In hindsight, it wasn’t the worst choice. At the time, it seemed kinda awful? She just wasn’t writing stuff like this:
And the license said you had to stick around until I was dead But if you’re tired of looking at my face, I guess I already am But you’ve never been a waste of my time It’s never been a drag So take a deep breath and count back from ten And maybe you’ll be alright
The Fortunes- Here Comes That Rainy Day Feeling Again
Every spring is marked by the blooming of flowers. In the upper Midwest, the return of roofing crews is also a reliable marker. My neighborhood is again awash with the sound of nail guns and workers shouting to one another. The people directly behind me are doing a full tear down, and I’ve caught myself watching the deliberate workflow of the roofers. It’s high-pitched, so they’ve been working fast, but with intention. Like worker ants, chipping away, I watch as they add flashing, nail down tar paper, then shingles, then repeat.
I was also there as they were just starting to make real progress when Mother Nature decided they needed a break. As the clouds raced in, I watched the Lead throw up his arms. My windows were closed, but I’m pretty sure he yelled out some exasperated F-bombs.
For the record, this song has zero to do with literal rain (or roofing, for that matter). It’s just what popped into my head.
Digital Underground-Doowhutchyalike
With Shock G’s passing this past week, how could this not make the list? I don’t know how big they were nationally before “Humpty Dance” hit, but out west, they had a fervent following. The Bay Area never really gets the credit it deserves as an incubator for innovative hip hop. And Shock G never really gets his due for being the genius he was. Digital Underground was right on time and ahead of their time all at once. Burger King bathrooms will never be the same.
Guided By Voices-Goldstar For Robot Boy
It’s a long list, but I think this might be my favorite GBV song. I’m also continually amazed at how Mitch Mitchell can smoke nonstop. If having a roadie put a lit cigarette in your mouth while playing isn’t peak rock n roll, I don’t know what is.
What’s on your list this week? Let me know in the comments! As always, thanks for being here, and having me as part of the community.
If you’re new here, start by taking a look at the fantastic work of Steven Hale Terry Barr Noah Levy Jessica Lee McMillan Rob Janicke If Ever You’re Listening S.W. Lauden Kathryn Dillon David Acaster MDSHall Keith R. Higgons, and then keep going!
In case you missed last week’s list: