A Case of You

One of the most perfect songs ever written about the beauty and the pain of love. Um, yeah.

Artist: Joni Mitchell
Year: 1971
Rating: Hot!

Note: was in my head right after "Waddaliacha." Strange combo platter.

Waddaliacha (sic)

Woke up with an ol' camp song yesterday.

Artist: Unknown
Year: Likewise
Rating: Warm

I'm Free (Heaven Helps the Man)

What does it mean that this song popped into my head in the precise moment between setting a French press abrew and resigning to do a load of dishes?

Heaven helps the man who fights his fear
Love's the only thing that keeps me here.

Could doing dishes be any more epic than that? And what does Kevin Bacon have to do with it?

Artist: Kenny Loggins
Year: 1984
Rating: Lukewarm

Crocodile Rock

Elton's outrageous outfits are really showcased well on the Muppet Show, no?

It's always weird and noteworthy for me to have a song in my head that calls out my own name. I've decided to create a new label for the phenomenon, even. There've been a couple over the course of the blog, but I suspect there will be more. I have one of those names, I guess.

Artist: Elton John
Year: 1972
Rating: Warm

Note: Also interesting - I'm turning 39 this week, and this song was released in the year of my birth! :)

Hooked on a Feeling

I-I-I, I'm hooked on a feelin'
High on believin' that you're in love with me

Despite the soulful delivery of this ecstatic love message, there is a tinge of insecurity: high on believing that you're in love with me. Is it the belief in this affection desired that becomes such a reckless addiction? This song haunted me this morning. Good thing it's so buoyant!

Artist: B.J. Thomas
Year: 1968
Rating: Luke Hot

Note: Please do read what Holly Hughes had to say about this gorgeous ditty when it came back 'round into her consciousness about a year ago. As always, her reflections are thorough and useful, as well as a breezy read. PS to Holly: I'm turning 39 this month. I remember the song from radio play when I was a kid in the 70s; had no idea Tarantino used it in the 90s. And thankfully have been spared from the "ooka-shacka" versions being burrowed into my brain.

Tumbalalaika

An old Russian-Yiddish folk tune that only came into my life a few months ago. My sister Jodi requested it for our family songbook at the annual retreat in Monterey this year. I didn't get to adding it this time, but this mournful/hopeful love song still resonates. See a translation here.

Artist: The Barry Sisters
Year: Unknown, c. 1920s-1930s; Barry Sisters version, c. 1940s.
Rating: Warm

After the Fire

Anyone remember this flash-in-the-pan single from Roger Daltrey's 1985 solo album Under A Raging Moon? This might be the most clichéd video ever filmed. At the same time, the heavy-handed refrain is choking me up. The heart grows older, but never ever learns.

What if it's true?

Artist: Roger Daltry (written by Pete Townhsend)
Year: 1985
Rating: Cold

Little Mouth

My, but Carrie Brownstein can lay down a guitar riff. Pant, pant.

Artist: Sleater-Kinney
Year: 1996
Rating: Luke Hot

Miracles

Wow! Haven't thought about this song in decades. And had no idea it was Jefferson Starship. I was thinking maybe Seals and Crofts...? Nevertheless, I'm so glad the '70s are lodged in my brain to the extent they are. It's a miracle, baby.

Artist: Jefferson Starship
Year: 1975
Rating: Warm

Popcorn

How many of you out there have ever come across this amazingly insidious little tune? I always thought it was a pure product of the early '80s; I had no idea it was a composition originally written on a Moog, going back to 1969! I came across the above version (the one in my head currently) when my friend Ramee introduced it, along with an infectiously awesome line dance, to our group at Jewish summer camp, probably in about 1982.

Here's the original by Gershon Kingsley:



Learn loads more about the song at the site dedicated to all things "Popcorn," Popcorn-Song.Com. Unfortunately, I can't find any info online about the choreography of the dance we learned in the '80s.

Artist (in my head): Hot Butter
Artist (original): Gershon Kingsley
Year: 1969, 1972
Rating: Luke Hot