Longview - Green Day

Artist: Green Day
Song: Longview
Year: 1994
Album: Dookie

The long career of Green Day really took off with this song. After years of trying to find success, they hit the big time with "Longview". This was the first in a string of hits for Green Day that really hasn't let up yet.

Believe it or not, the song is about masturbation. It wasn't obvious during my first few listens in 1994, but looking at the lyrics (and knowing the lyrics by heart) reveal the true story. It's a song about boredom and what a person will do when bored.

After this video debuted on MTV (when they actually played videos and not reality shows), Green Day would be everywhere in 1994. You couldn't turn on the radio without hearing a Green Day song. You couldn't turn on the TV without seeing a video or a live performance.

This is one of the many reasons that the summer of 1994 will remain one of my favorite summers. The only thing that seemed to go wrong was that I missed Green Day performing at Lollapalooza by one day. I got to see them in 1995, so it was OK.

Lyrics:
Sit around and watch the tube, but nothing's on
Change the channels for an hour or two
Twiddle my thumbs just for a bit
I'm sick of all the same old shit
In a house with unlocked doors
And I'm fucking lazy

Bite my lip and close my eyes
Take me away to paradise
I'm so damn bored I'm going blind
And I smell like shit

Peel me off this velcro seat and get me moving
I sure as hell can't do it by myself
I'm feeling like a dog in heat
Barred indoors from the summer street
I locked the door to my own cell
And I lost the key

Bite my lip and close my eyes
Take me away to paradise
I'm so damn bored I'm going blind
And I smell like shit

I got no motivation
Where is my motivation?
No time for the motivation
Smoking my inspiration

Sit around and watch the phone, but no one's calling
Call me pathetic, call me what you will
My mother says to get a job
But she don't like the one she's got
When masturbation's lost it's fun
You're fucking breaking

Bite my lip and close my eyes
Take me away to paradise
I'm so damn bored
I'm going blind
And loneliness has to suffice
Bite my lip and close my eyes
I was slipping away to paradise
Some say,"Quit or I'll go blind."
But it's just a myth

Space Dog - Tori Amos

Artist: Tori Amos
Song: Space Dog
Year: 1994
Album: Under The Pink

Apparently, this song was inspired by Tori seeing a young teenager in Chicago, by a 7-11, on a flight from New Mexico to Chicago. It may sound strange, but that's Tori Amos in a nutshell. I wouldn't have it any other way. The faerie energy that she gives off fed her early work, in a good, odd way.

Under The Pink was the first album that I picked up of Tori's. I was instantly hooked. Then, near the end of the record, came this strange surreal song. It always stuck out like a sore thumb to me. It stuck out in a pleasant way. It was like Tori was trying something different and tacked it onto the album as a secret.

One of my female friends loved this song to death in the mid nineties. She fell in love with the "pissing in the river" line. She thought it was so absurd. I often wonder if she feels the same way about that today. I'll have to remember to ask her about it sometime.

This is the only song on the album that feels like it wasn't completely driven by the piano. That is an oddity for Tori at this stage in her career, but it was a precursor to her upcoming work. I've always enjoyed the juxtaposition of this song with the rest of the album. It fits perfectly with Tori's whimsical moods.

Lyrics:
Way to go Mr.Microphone
Show us all what you don't know
Centuries, secret societies
He's our commander still
Space dog

So sure we were onto something
Your feet are finally on the ground he said
So sure we were onto something
Your feet are just on the ground girl

Rain and snow our engine's down
Been receiving your eager call
There's Colonel Dirtyfishy dishcloth
He'll distract her good don't worry so

And to the one you thought was on your side
She can't understand, she truly believes the lie

Lemon Pie he's coming through
Our commander still Space dog

Deck the halls I'm young again, I'm new again
Racing turtles the grapefruit is winning
Seems I keep getting this story twisted
So where's Neil when you need him
Deck the halls it's you again it's you again s
Somewhere someone must know the ending
Is she still pissing in the river now
Heard she'd gone moved into a trailer park

So sure we were onto something
Your feet are finally on the ground he said
So sure we were onto something
Your feet are just on the ground girl

(So sure those girls are in the Navy
Those bombs our friends can't even hurt you now and
You hold these tears
'Cause they're still on your side
Don't hear the dogs barking
Don't say you know we've gone
Andromeda stood with those girls
before the hair in pairs it just got nasty
and now those girls are gone)

Asking For It - Hole

Artist: Hole
Song: Asking For It
Year: 1994
Album: Live Through This

Timing is everything in the music business. This was an album that was blessed and cursed by the timing of the release. Live Through This was released just a few days after Courtney's husband, Kurt Cobain, was found dead on their property. It was a period that should have been wonderful for Courtney, but the whole process was surreal.

Live Through This was an oddly appropriate choice of album title. Everything on the album was under strict analysis because of the suicide of her husband. There are still some who believe that she had her husband murdered. They say that you can hear clues in the songs. All I hear is Kurt Cobain's influence, especially in "Asking For It".

There was wide speculation that Kurt wrote most of the album. While that's never been proven one way or the other, there have been tapes leaked that prove Kurt had a bigger role than previously thought. There is a version of "Asking For It" out there featuring Kurt and Courtney singing and playing together. When you hear this, it's apparent that Kurt was the main influence on this album.

Complicating things more, is the career trajectory of Hole. Hole was on top of the world in the mid nineties. A top album with great songs and the whole world watching. Courtney instead decided to focus on acting and drugs. She let the band slip away. By the follow up album, people were not as interested. The so called queen of grunge missed the grunge era. Was she asking for it? Maybe so.

Lyrics:
Every time that I sell myself to you
I feel a little bit cheaper than I need to
I will tear the petals off of you
Rose red, I will make you tell the truth

Was she asking for it?
Was she asking nice?
Did she ask you for it?
Did she ask you twice?

Every time that I stare into the sun
Angel dust and my dress just comes undone
Every time that I stare into the sun
Be a model or just look like one
Wild eye rot gut do me in
Do you think you can make me do it again?

Was she asking for it?
Was she asking nice?
Did she ask you for it?
Did she ask you twice?

If you live through this with me
I swear that I would die for you
And if you live through this with me
I swear that I would die for you

Was she asking for it?
Was she asking nice?
Did she ask you for it?
Did she ask you twice?

Was she asking for it?
Was she asking nice?
If she was asking for it
Did she ask you twice?

Chopsticks - Liz Phair

Artist: Liz Phair
Song: Chopsticks
Year: 1994
Album: Whip-Smart

In Chicago, Liz Phair was the indie queen. She was the critical darling and underdog to champion for. Her songs were a confessional before that sort of thing was popular. She is also her own worst enemy.

Just when things were getting ready to explode for her in the career department, Liz gets a serious bout of stage fright. It became so bad that she ended up doing virtually no publicity performances for the album. Her career, that was so promising, became stale and old news.

Despite mainstream press, the album was great. Despite Liz's phobias, the album was a success too. I was hungry for more of Liz Phair, but her releases got stranger and further spread out. Soon, she was releasing an album about her experiences as a mother. It was good, but not what we were quite expecting.

To pick this song as the opener did two things. It gave a nice throwback to her first album and it prepared the listener for the eye opening listening pleasure that was awaiting them. Liz wasn't trying to shock anyone with this song of confession. She almost seems bored or sedated throughout the song. It is meant to be a peek into her everyday, mundane life.

Lyrics:
I met him at a party and he told me how to drive him home
He said he liked to do it backwards and I said that's just fine with me
That way we can fuck and watch TV

It was 4 am and the light was grey like it always is in paperbacks

He asked if I liked playing jacks
I told him that I was good to sixes but all hell brook loose after that

I told him that I knew Julia Roberts when I was 12 at summer camp
We didn't say anything after that

I dropped him off and drove on home
'Cause secretly I'm timid

Suffocate Me - Angelfish

Artist: Angelfish
Song: Suffocate Me
Year: 1994
Album: Angelfish

The world of music is funny. If it wasn't for this video, the band Garbage would not exist as we know it. Because this video caught the eye of a producer, Shirley Manson was asked to join Garbage.

Angelfish broke up because of Shirley Manson's departure, and Shirley went on to great success with Garbage. The rest of Angelfish stayed together and eventually formed Isa and the Filthy Tongues, which released an album in 2006. I often wonder if Angelfish would have taken off if Shirley had stayed.

I can remember watching this video on 120 Minutes. It may be the exact same airing that Butch Vig's producer friend was watching. The two bands sound radically different. Maybe that's a good thing. Although, Garbage has been known to sneak this song into some of their sets.

Chalk this one to being buried in the oddities of rock. The song has an L7 quality to it. The only thing that makes it an Angelfish track would be the vocal stylings of Shirley Manson. Donita Sparks had an unmistakable voice and Shirley Manson definitely does not have that voice.

Lyrics:
Suffocate me with kisses baby
Suffocate me with burning love
Suffocate me put your chains around me
Suffocate me, I'm a thirsty dog
Suffocate me with conversation
Suffocate me with unsaid words
Suffocate me with indecision
Suffocate me with who comes first
I love you, you're so religious
I get a thrill when the curtain calls
I feel like a roman candle
Do your stuff while the empire falls
Falls
Suffocate me
I love you
I love you
I love you
I love you
You know I do
Suffocate me
Suffocate me
Suffocate me
Suffocate me (kisses baby)
Suffocate me (burning love)
Suffocate me (kisses baby)
Suffocate me (burning love)
Suffocate me (kisses baby)
Suffocate me (burning love)
Suffocate me (kisses baby)
Suffocate me (burning love)
Suffocate me

Old Timer - that dog.

Artist: that dog.
Song: Old Timer
Year: 1994
Album: that dog.

Don't worry Anne Waronker. All that touring paid off. I saw that dog. open up for the Foo Fighters on March 29, 1996 in Chicago. I was captivated enough by your set that I sought out all of the group's music. I thought the harmonies and Petra's violin mixed with punk was an awesome mixture.

"Old Timer" had me mesmerized when I saw it live. The rest of the set was fantastic. The whole reason that I bought the ticket was to see Dave Grohl perform, but I came away with so much more. I became a fan of that dog. and the Amps that night. I had a predisposition to like the Amps because of Kim Deal. Seeing that dog. was the highlight of that concert.

The crowd seemed to be into it as well. I guess that most of the audience didn't go out and run to the record store the next day. Maybe they did, but I'm guessing not. I was thrilled to see a new album in 1997. Then I was filled with sorrow when I heard about the band's dissolvement.

Is it too much to ask for a that dog. reunion? I would pay to see that! I won't hold my breath, but I can sleep better at night knowing that I got to see that dog. in concert when I had the chance. Thanks for the great music!

Lyrics:
Hey old timer, can I ask you a question
While you're standing at the buffet?
Is this your first or second helping?
Why'd you come here anyway?

Hey old timer, why ya drinkin' the wine at Shakeys?
Hey old timer, I can tell your feet get achey.

Was it the food or the special that got you?
Did you cut your coupons in the Sunday Times?
You got your chili, don't forget your cornbread.
I can tell you come here all the time.

Did your friends say they couldn't make it?
Did you come here all alone?
Two-for-one's a stretch, you'll have to fake it.
Maybe we can share, I'm on my own.

Hey old timer, why ya drinkin' the wine at Shakeys?
Hey old timer, I can tell your feet get achey.
Hey old timer. Hey old timer. Hey old timer.
Hey old timer.

Lightning Crashes - Live

Artist: Live
Song: Lightning Crashes
Year: 1994
Album: Throwing Copper

There's always been something special about this song. I think that it's in the buildup. The song starts out very simple and soft and gradually grows from there until the song is full blast screaming in your ear. Then, as the song ends, it abruptly falls back to the beginning vibe.

The climbing is so gradual that you don't realize that the song is rising towards a crescendo and ultimate climax. Ed Kowalczyk's voice is superb in this song. It strikes just the right balance. It certainly isn't weak and it doesn't belt out until tomorrow, like say Michael Bolton. The singer, not the office worker.

Although this was released in 1994, my memories of it are from 1995. It seemed to be all over the radio in early 1995. The first time I heard this song on the radio, I nearly stopped the car and pulled over. I could not believe that Live could do a song like this. It seemed so passionate and relevant.

The song's subject matter is unusual for a pop song, but you never know what's going to be popular. If you did, you'd see more careers that top the charts for more than a decade. The birth of a child and the death of a mother is a very serious and poignant subject for a song. I think that the lyrics give the song the extra power that it needs to pull this off.

I liked Live's other songs, but this song struck me with the right chord and possibly at the perfect moment. It captures a mood and a feeling that both optimistic and sad. I'm not saying that this would be the perfect song to play at a bittersweet occasion, but it might be better suited for the car ride home.

Lyrics:
lightning crashes, an old mother cries
her placenta falls to the floor
the angel opens her eyes
the confusion sets in
before the doctor can even close the door

lightning crashes, an old mother dies
her tensions fall to the floor
the angel closes her eyes
the confusion that was hers
belongs now to the baby down the hall

oh i can feel it coming back again
like a rolling thunder chasing the wind
forces pulling from the center of the earth i guess
i can feel it
i can feel it

lightning crashes a new mother cries
this moment she's been waiting for
the angel opens her eyes
pale blue coloured eyes
presents the circle
puts the glory out too high, high

oh i feel it coming back again
like a rolling thunder chasing the wind
forces moving from the center of the earth i guess
i can feel it
i can feel it

ooooh i
oooooh i
oooh i

i can feel it coming back again
like a rolling thunder chasing the wind
forces moving from the center of the earth i guess
i can feel it

i can feel it coming back again
like a rolling thunder chasing the wind
forces pulling from the center of the earth i guess
i can feel it

i can feel it coming back again
like a rolling thunder chasing the wind
forces pulling from the center of the earth i guess
i can feel it
i can feel it
i can feel it

Fantastic Voyage - Coolio

Artist: Coolio
Song: Fantastic Voyage
Year: 1994
Album: It Takes A Thief

This song always takes me back to the summer of 1994. I had just graduated high school and I spent most days just hanging out with my friends and contemplating my next move.

This was a summer to remember. Most of the people I hung out with that summer are ones that I no longer speak to. I only have one friend that I still talk to that I was friends with before 1994. The other friend, I had met in 1994.

I speak to both frequently to this day. But I'll focus on another friend. I had met her in my senior year of high school. I remained friends with her, on and off, until 2000. 1994 was the year that we had our most stable part of the friendship.

I would hang out with her and a group of other friends. It reminds me of "That 70s Show", without the "circle" to bond around. I can remember wasting many days over at that house. I suppose that if I had to do it all over again, I would do most things differently. I probably wouldn't spend as much time as I did over there.

"Fantastic Voyage" always seemed to be playing, either on the radio or the tape player. I broke down and bought the CD at the end of the summer. I found a few more songs that I liked off of that album, but mostly I just like the one song.

As our friendship drifted further and further apart over the years, I still remember the good times that we all had just hanging out. Her house was the place where everybody dropped over. I'm not sure why that happened, it just worked out that way.

She developed into a burnout who sits in her room communicating over the CB radio. No job, no future, no life. All she has is the CB and her ailing mother. Any cash that she gets is thrown away on cigarettes, sweets and weed. It's a sad life, but I can remember when her whole life was in front of her. She took a lot of wrong turns, but we all do sometimes. She just doesn't know enough to climb out of that life.

Lyrics:
Come on y'all let's take a ride
don't you say shit just get inside
It's time to take your ass on another kind of trip
coz you can't have the hop if you don't have the hip
grab your gat with the extra clip and,
close your eyes and hit the switch
We're going to a place where everybody kick it
kick it, kick it, yeah... that's the ticket
ain't no bloodin', ain't no cripin'
ain't no punk-ass nigga's set trippin'
everybody's got a stack and it ain't no crack
and it really don't matter if you're white or black, I
wanna take you there like the Staple Singers
put something in the tank and I know that I can bring ya
If you can't take the heat get yo' ass out the kitchen
we're on a mission

Come along and ride on a fantasic voyage
slide slide slippity-slide
with switches on the block in a '65
Come along and ride on a fantasic voyage
slide slide who-ride
ain't no valley low enough for mountain high

I'm tryin' to find a place where I can live my life and
maybe eat some steak with my beans and rice, a
place where my kids can play outside
without livin' in fear of a drive-by
and even if I get away from them drive-by killers
I still got to worry about those snitch-ass niggas
I keep on searchingcand I keep on looking
but niggas are the same from Watts to Brooklyn
I try to keep my faith in my people
but sometimes my people be acting like they evil
you don't understand about runnin' with a gang
coz you don't gang bang, and
you don't have to stand on the corner and slang
coz you got your own thang
you can't help me if you can't help yourself

you better make a left

Come along and ride on a fantasic voyage
slide slide slippity-slide
I do what I do just to survive
Come along and ride on a fantasic voyage
slide slide who-ride
that's why I pack my .45

Life is a bitch and then you die
still tryin' to get a peace of the apple pie
every game ain't the same, coz the game still remains
don't it seem kinda strange, ain't a damn thing change
if you don't work then you don't eat
and only down-ass niggas can ride with me
hop-hop-hop your five quickly down the block
stay sucka-free and keep the busters off your jock
you gotta have hart son, if you wanna go,
watch this sweet chariot swing low
ain´t nobody cryin` ain´t nobody dyin
ain´t nobody worried, everybody ´s tryin
nothin' from nothin' leaves nothin'
if you wanna have something, you better start frontin'
what ya gonna do when the 5 roll by
you better be ready, so you can ride

Come along and ride on a fantasic voyage
slide slide slippity-slide
when you're living in a city it's do or die
Come along and ride on a fantasic voyage
slide slide who-ride
you better be ready when the 5 roll by
just roll along- that's what you do
just roll along- that's right
just roll along- that's what you do
just roll along- that's right
to the hood of funk, to the hood of funk,to the hood of funk
to the hood of funk, to the hood of funk, to the hood of funk