Music
This Week’s Heavy Rotation #31
We can live in fear or act out of hope
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.
Below is my Top 5 of the last 7 days:
There is a very specific lane of music that one hears in hotel lobbies and restaurants. It’s almost a sub-genre of adult contemporary. Upbeat, but not out of control. Recent, but not last-week recent. Good enough to affect people’s mood, but anodyne enough that it doesn’t stop people from moving through to where they're going. It’s fun but safe.
I spent last week in just such a hotel with my family (Great views & service. Horrific parking) and found myself listening to a lot of what was playing as I passed through to the beach or while we ate.
It seems almost insulting to put certain bands in this box. Like it’s Muzak or something you’d “hear in your parent’s car.”
But to be clear, I’m not relegating anyone to a lesser category or trying to disparage them. It’s just that these are the sorts of songs I only hear when on the road.
At any rate, here are a few that stood out for me…
INXS- New Sensation
New Sensation was the 3rd single off of 1987’s Kick album. Hard to believe that this record will be turning 34 next month, but here we are.
Love baby love It’s written all over your face There’s nothing better we could do Than live forever Well that’s all we’ve got to do
Michael Hutchence left us way too soon, but he’ll live forever on tracks like this.
The Wallflowers- The Difference
it’s gotta be hard to be the son of Rock royalty, but Jakob Dylan has done well to live up to our (not a typo) expectations. Music fans can be an unforgiving lot, but the band does well to stay out of his dad’s (long) shadow. Similarly, this song holds its own, even in the shadow of “6th Avenue Heartache” and “One Headlight.”
Capital Cities- Safe And Sound
I can’t remember the last time I went on a trip and didn’t hear this. In a car on Portland’s Marquam bridge, Cancun, a hotel in Virginia, and every else in between. If there’s no Safe and Sound, is it even a vacation?
Matchbox Twenty- Bent
I’ve never really liked this band. Or Rob Thomas, for that matter. Everything they released just seemed kind of generic. But I’ll carve out an exception for this song. I think it’s fantastic. Shame I only hear it in hotels or when transiting airport terminals. I will also admit to reflexively singing along when I hear it.
Can you help me I’m bent I’m so scared that I’ll never Get put back together
You’re breaking me in And this is how we will end With you and me bent
Bonnie Raitt- Thing Called Love
There’s no room for sad songs in the hotel music canon, which is why you’ll hear this, but never “I Can't Make You Love Me.” John Hiatt may have sung it first, but this is just as good. It’s also interesting that the song was only 2 years old when she remade it.
6th man: James Gang-Asshton Park
Admittedly, a world away from the songs above. This was a gift from the algorithm Gods and sounded fantastic as we barrelled through North Carolina backroads. Long live Joe Walsh.
What are you listening to this week? Let me know in the comments! As always, thank you to everyone here. We’re building something fantastic (900+ members!), and it’s only getting better. That’s all down to each of you.
if it’s your first time here, be sure to check out the great work of Keith R. Higgons, Kathryn Dillon, Nia Simone McLeod, Alexander Briseño, David Acaster, Alex Markham, Paul Combs, Jessica Lee McMillan, Reuben Salsa, Terry Barr, Pierce McIntyre, and so so many more!
Some housekeeping:
*Fall will be here sooner than we think, but The Riff Summer Challenge is still going strong. Be sure to check it out! There’s still time to join in.
*Our next Album of the Month group discussion is coming up on 9/12. Make plans to join us! All the details are here.
*If you haven’t listened to The Riff’s podcast yet, grab it here. You can also follow the page and connect with me on Twitter.
*In case you missed last week’s list: