Ain't Misbehavin' - Leon Redbone

Artist: Leon Redbone
Song: Ain't Misbehavin' (I'm Saving My Love For You)
Year: 1975
Album: On The Track

Performances so authentic that you can actually hear the surface noise of an old 78. That's what Rolling Stone said about Leon Redbone, anyway. I can believe it. I'm at the right age to have heard the last of the 78s play in homes. My original record player even had a setting for them. I own one 78 set, which is buried away in a record cabinet.

I imagine myself somewhere down south, in the mid 1920s, when I listen to most Leaon Redbone songs. The man himself is a mystery. There is nothing verified about his past. He dresses like is was a century ago. He's been accused of being Andy Kaufman and Frank Zappa. Seeing as though they are both deceased and Leon is still performing, I think those rumors can be put to rest.

I remember watching Leon on Saturday Night Live. I think that is when most of the world discovered this unique gem of an artist. It seemed so out of the ordinary, yet so right. I think that the musical landscape was searching for the next fad. For awhile, it latched itself onto Leon Redbone.

Even if you have no idea who I'm talking about, you know the look and the voice. Leon sang the theme song to the Mr. Belevedere and Harry & The Hendersons television shows. Both were based on previous movies, but that's for another discussion. He also was featured in a very successful Budweiser commercial.

Lyrics:
No one to talk to ....all by myself
No one to walk with.....I'm happy on the shelf
Ain't misbehavin'......savin' my love for you

I know for certain......the one I love
I'm through with flirtin'......it's just you that I've been thinkin' of
Ain't misbehavin'.......savin' my love for you

Like Jack Horner.....in that ole corner
Don't go nowhere.....what do I care?
Your kisses are worth waitin' for......believe me

I don't stay out late.......no where to go
I'm home about eight......just me and my radio
Ain't misbehavin'.......savin' my love for you

Like Jack Horner.....in that ole corner
Don't go nowhere.....what do I care?
Your kisses are worth waitin' for......believe me

I don't stay out late.......no where to go
I'm home about eight......just me and my radio
Ain't misbehavin'.......savin' my love for you

Ain't misbehavin'......I'm savin' my love for you

Welcome To My Nightmare - Alice Cooper

Artist: Alice Cooper
Song: Welcome To My Nightmare
Year: 1975
Album: Welcome To My Nightmare

Horror theatrics are nothing new in rock music. Marilyn Manson is doing well in that niche today. There were horror elements in stage acts before Alice Cooper and there were horror elements after. None would match the perfect storm that is Alice Cooper.

This would become Alice Cooper's signature album. Even though "Only Women Bleed" would be the successful single off of the album, the title track is what made the album. There were television specials and appearances, plus a concert film. "Welcome To My Nightmare" was always a centerpiece.

This song and this album cemented Alice Cooper as the the King of Shock Rock for decades. The only jarring thing about this song was that Alice Cooper would perform it almost anywhere. It's cool to see this performed on the Muppet Show, but also kind of odd.

Lyrics:
Welcome to my nightmare, I think you're gonna like it, I think you're gonna feel you belong.
A nocturnal vacation, unnecessary sedation, you want to feel at home 'cause you belong.
Welcome to my nightmare whoa, ho, ho, ho...

Welcome to my breakdown.
I hope I didn't scare you.
That's just the way we are when we come down.
We sweat and laugh and scream here.
'Cause life is just a dream here.
You know inside you feel right at home, here.
Yeah, Welcome to my nightmare yeah, hey, hey, hey...

Welcome to my nightmare!
I think you're gonna like it!
I think you're gonna feel you belong!
We sweat and laugh and scream here!
'Cause life is just a dream here!
You know inside you feel right at home, here!

Welcome to my nightmare hoo, hoo, woo, hoo...
Welcome to my breakdown...

Yeah!

Daughter - Pearl Jam

Artist: Pearl Jam
Song: Daughter
Year: 1993
Album: Vs.

This is the first song in a series of songs that would test the true fans of Pearl Jam. I know many people who stopped listening to Pearl Jam because of "Daughter". Each album would alienate more of the fan base until only the diehards were left.

The music is as solid as ever, but most fans want the same music repackaged a thousand times. Pearl Jam refused to pander to the masses and made music on their own terms. Dealing with social issues since their first album, Pearl Jam became less and less obtuse about it.

Ten dealt with the extreme punishments of children ("Why Go") and the effect that abuse has on them ("Jeremy"). When presented with a more straightforward storyline, and no video, "Daughter" went too far in some fans' opinions. Little did they know that Pearl Jam would be on a path to expose other dark underbellies of society in their following albums.

I can listen to Vs. all the way through much more than Ten. I think that these songs were not played as much as the ones on Ten. No videos helped this album in the long run. While it was very frustrating not having this album all over MTV in 1993, it was the best decision the band could have ever made. The songs have a strong interpretation made stronger by your own imagination.

Lyrics:
alone..
listless..
breakfast table in an otherwise empty room.
a young girl..
violens..
center of her own attention.
mother reads aloud, child
tries to understand it
tries to make her proud.

the shades go down
its in her head
painted room
can't deny theres something wrong.

don't call me daughter
not fit to
the picture kept will remind me
don't call me daughter
not fit to
the picture kept will remind me

don't call me

she holds the hand.. that holds her down
she will... rise above

don't call me daughter
not fit to
the picture kept will remind me
don't call me daughter
not fit to be
the picture kept will remind me

don't call me daughter
not fit to
the picture kept will remind me
don't call me daughter
not fit to be
the picture kept will remind me

don't call me

Smokestack Lightning - Howlin' Wolf

Artist: Howlin' Wolf
Song: Smokestack Lightning
Year: 1956
Album: Smokestack Lightning single

One of the earliest songs I remember hearing was "Smokestack Lightning". It seemed to have been born of ease and hardship. The song sounds so casual, but the lyrics sound so intense, like Howlin' Wolf was passing a kidney stone.

Many other artists must have thought this was an easy song to do, since it was covered by countless. Included in that are Muddy Waters, CCR, Soundgarden and the Yardbirds. I think I was familiar with all of those versions before I stumbled upon the original. CCR used the riff to form the song "Susie Q".

This song has been called the essence of the blues. I think that's a correct assumption. Many artists who dabble in the blues have been inspired by this song. It has the raw power of the blues to guide many a struggling artist to its beckon call.

The band that I'm in hasn't done a cover of this song, but I'm sure we will one of these days. We unwittingly have taken parts of it and distributed them into other cover songs. That's the trouble with a classic lick. It always creeps into other thing when you least expect it to.

Lyrics:
Lightnin'
Shinin', just like gold
Why don't ya hear me cryin'?
A-whoo-hooo, oooo
Whooo
Whoa-oh, tell me, baby,
What's the, matter with you?
Why don't ya hear me cryin'?
Whoo-hooo, whoo-hooo
Whooo
Whoa-oh, tell me, baby,
Where did ya, stay last night?
A-why don't ya hear me cryin'?
Whoo-hooo, whoo-hooo
Whooo
Whoa-oh, stop your train,
Let her, go for a ride
Why don't ya hear me cryin'?
Whoo-hooo, whoo-hooo
Whooo
Whoa-oh, fare ya well
Never see, a you no more
A-why don't ya hear me cryin'?
Oooo, whoo-hooo, whoo-hooo
Whooo
Whoa-oh, who been here baby since,
I-I been gone, a little, bitty boy?
Girl, be on
A-whoo-hooo, whoo-hooo
Whooo

Green Hell - The Misfits

Artist: The Misfits
Song: Green Hell
Year: 1983
Album: Earth A.D.

The classic punk rock band with horror overtones. It's easy to like the Misfits. They wrote many great short bursts of pure punk delight. I had heard of them through reading music magazines. I would always see their iconic skull for sale on shirts in the classified section of those magazines. I would make a list of what music shirts I would eventually obtain, when I had the money.

I had heard the music many times, but I never connected the music with the band. My first exposure to the Misfits was through Metallica, or so I thought. One of my cousins had actually played Misfits albums before I ever heard the Garage Days EP by Metallica.

"Green Hell" has always been a memorable song for me. I can remember thinking that this was real headbanging music, when I heard Metallica's version. I tried to decipher the lyrics, but found that it was next to impossible. It was only when I heard the original version that I first heard the lyrics more clearly.

This was also my first exposure to Glenn Danzig. I would follow him through many other incarnations throughout the years. None were as satisfying and as joyful as the Misfits though. I'm certainly glad that he and Jerry Only settled their legal differences. I finally saw the Misfits on August 8, 1997, when they opened up for Megadeth. Yes, they played "Green Hell".

Lyrics:
Here in this place lies the genie of death,
touch it, see it, whoa!
Here in this place is the means to your end,
touch it, feel it, green hell

You did your best as someone could
I bet you never knew you woke it
And don't you run away from me
I bet you thought you really could in hell

Were gonna burn in
Hell, green hell
Like every hell but kind of green in
hell, green hell
Were gonna face the mess were in in
hell, green hell
Think I'd rather be up here in
hell, green hell
You know, I fuckin' shake apart in
hell, green hell
Gotta find a way that you will stay
green hell
Cannot forget about the heat in
hell, green hell
Hell is green, I need a flame
hell, green hell
Gonna burn in hell
Green Hell

You did your best as someone could
I bet you never knew you woke it
And don't you run away from me
I bet you thought you really could take it

Here in this place is the genie of death
touch it, see it whoa!
Here in this place is a war to your end
touch it, feel it green hell

You did your best as someone could
I bet you never knew you woke it
And don't you run away from me
I bet you thought you really could
You did your best as no one could
I bet you thought you really could
Were gonna burn in hell

Green Hell

Shake Your Blood - Probot

Artist: Probot
Song: Shake Your Blood
Year: 2004
Album: Probot

Showing his love for all things metal, Dave Grohl decided to work on a project that would feature most of his metal heroes collaborating with him. Some were able to work things out and play on the album. Some weren't. The results of what did happen were spectacular.

The biggest single on the album was "Shake Your Blood". It sounds like a Motorhead b-side. That's probably due to the fact that Lemmy from Motorhead sings on the song. The song has a toe-tapping, headbanging beat led by Dave Grohl on the drums and Lemmy's signature vocals.

The video is a spectacle in metal excess. Swooping camera angles and 66 girls from the adult website Suicide Girls make the video all about shaking the blood up. It can be a dizzying effect if not properly prepared.

I'm hoping that Dave Grohl puts out another Probot album eventually. The songs on the album rock. It may not be a huge seller, but there are the fans out there who will snap it up, as soon as it's released. "Shake Your Blood" was voted the number 2 metal video for the millennium by MTV2. That has to tell you something.

Lyrics:
Looking for relief in your miserable life
You need some rock and roll
And you better get it right
Got to roll them bones,
Do everything they say
If you're cool, you're the fool.
Make it work everyday.

Rock out, make it quick
My, my, my, let it rip
Rock out, feeling good.
Break your heart. Shake your blood.

Out upon the stage, crowd is going wild,
Love to see them women, babe
I ain't in denial.
Make you crazy too. Make you show it out.
Feeling good, get some wood
You should, You knew you could

Rock out, do it now
My, my, my, show me how
Rock out, make it good.
Break your heart. Shake your blood

Want to be a winner, want to be the man.
Want to drive yourself insane,
Join up with the band
Want to fall in love, want to make your mark
Want to get out in the storm, want to break
A thousand hearts

Rock out, strike it rich
My, my, my, it's a bitch
Rock out, I knew you could
Break your heart. Shake your blood

A Change Is Gonna Come - Sam Cooke

Artist: Sam Cooke
Song: A Change Is Gonna Come
Year: 1964
Album: Ain't That Good News

"A Change Is Gonna Come" was released as a single shortly after Sam Cooke's death. Sam never lived to see the success of this song, but he always believed in it. Sam's manager pushed for the song to be sung all throughout appearances in 1964. He sang a moving rendition of the song on the Tonight Show, but was trumped by the Beatles first appearance on Ed Sullivan two days later.

NBC ended up not saving the broadcast tape, as was the practice at the time. No known copy of this performance exists. This is the same reason that no video of Johnny Carson's first Tonight Show performance exists. Hopefully, a bootleg copy will come forward at some point. This is an important, but neglected performance.

This song became an important battle cry in the civil rights movement. It's a shame that Sam didn't live to see the impact that the song had on ordinary people. It is still a powerful song that inspires hope and unity.

After four decades worth of legal troubles, the song finally saw another release in 2003. It has been included on the remastered version of Ain't That Good News, as well as a greatest hits compilation. A version of this song has hit the charts in 2008, by Seal. He is just one in a long line of artists to pay tribute to the song by covering it.

Lyrics:
I was born by the river in a little tent
Oh and just like the river I've been running ever since
It's been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change is gonna come, oh yes it will

It's been too hard living, but I'm afraid to die
I don't know what's out there beyond the sky
It's been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change is gonna come, oh yes it will

I go to the movie
And I go down town
Somebody keep telling me don't hang around
It's been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change is gonna come, oh yes it will

Then I go to my brother
And I say brother help me please
But he winds up knockin' me
Back down on my knees

Oh, there were times when I thought I couldn't last for long
But now I think I'm able to carry on
It's been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change gone come, oh yes it will

Bu$hleaguer - Pearl Jam

Artist: Pearl Jam
Song: Bu$hleaguer
Year: 2002
Album: Riot Act

Hopefully, this will be the last day that this song will have any sort of relevancy. I don't often share political views. I am open minded to anything. I have no party affiliations. I take pride in the fact that I can freely choose the best person for the job, regardless of what party they call their own.

When Dubya was given the nomination in 2000 for the Republican party, I thought it was a joke. This man has failed at almost everything he has done regarding business. I thought I was justified in his first term, when nothing much was accomplished and Dubya spent a good chunk of time on vacation. That's why there are check and balances. So the right thing gets done.

Then in September 2001, fear took over the nation and up stepped Bush and his cronies to push unfathomable laws onto the United States. People in constant fear will do what they're told, for the most part. If anyone disagreed, well, they were dubbed unpatriotic. It was a perfect situation.

In the end, his presidency will be that of endless debate. He has done some good things, like giving billions of dollars to help out starving, diseased Africans. Plus, he inspired a whole new movement of anti-war songs. His handling of New Orleans and Osama Bin Laden and Iraq will outweigh any good that he actually did. I have had enough of this president. I am ready for change.

Lyrics:
How does he do it? How do they do it? Uncanny and immutable
This is such a happening tailpipe of a party
Like sugar, the guests are so refined

A confidence man, but why so beleaguered?
He's not a leader, he's a Texas leaguer
Swinging for the fence, got lucky with a strike
Drilling for fear makes the job simple
Born on third, thinks he got a triple

Blackout weaves its way through the cities
Blackout weaves its way through the cities
Blackout weaves its way

I remember when you sang
That song about today
Now it's tomorrow and
Everything has changed

A think tank of aloof multiplication
A nicotine wish and a Columbus decanter
Retrenchment and hoggishness
The aristocrat choir sings
"What's the ruckus?"
The haves have not a clue
The immenseness of suffering
And the odd negotiation, a rarity
With onion-skin plausibility of life
And a keyboard reaffirmation

Blackout weaves its way through the cities
Blackout weaves its way through the cities
Blackout weaves its way

I remember when you sang
That song about today
Now it's tomorrow and
Everything has changed.

To Washington - John Mellencamp

Artist: John Mellencamp
Song: To Washington
Year: 2003
Album: Trouble No More

2004 may have been the year for the modern protest song, but those artists that were ahead of the curve, released their songs in the years prior. John Mellencamp took a traditional song and added lyrics that spoke directly to a current situation. As you can imagine, this song sparked a lot of debate and controversy upon its release.

It's tacked onto the end of his 2003 album, almost as an afterthought. Instead of being a throwaway track, John wanted this to be the last bit of information that the listener heard. If he started off the album with this, many listeners might be put off. This way, the entire album would usually be heard before this song. It's a sneaky strategy, but an effective one.

This is one of the highlights on this album. Hailing from Indiana, John Mellencamp was thought to be among the majority of Hoosiers in his life and his politics. Those who were listening knew differently. Just because you work with the farmers, doesn't mean that you are automatically in one category. Nor does that mean that every farmer is in the same mind frame either. People are individuals and have usually proven that when pressed.

I can respect John Mellencamp for taking a stand and releasing a song that he felt passionately about. Even if it meant alienating some of his fan base. Some things are more important to an artist than popularity and sales. This is one of those polarizing cases.

Lyrics:
Eight years of peace and prosperity
Scandal in the White House
An election is what we need
From coast-to-coast to Washington

So America voted on a president
No one kept count
On how the election went
From Florida to Washington

Goddamn, said one side
And the other said the same
Both looked pretty guilty
But no one took the blame
From coast-to-coast to Washington

So a new man in the White House
With a familiar name
Said he had some fresh ideas
But it's worse now since he came
From Texas to Washington

And he wants to fight with many
And he says it's not for oil
He sent out the National Guard
To police the world
From Baghdad to Washington

What is the thought process
To take a humans life
What would be the reason
To think that this is right
From heaven to Washington
From Jesus Christ to Washington

Swamp Song - Tool

Artist: Tool
Song: Swamp Song
Year: 1993
Album: Undertow

When I worked at K-Mart for ten months, mostly in 1995, I made a few work friends. It was my first job in a store environment. I worked on the overnight stocking crew. We had the place to ourselves and most of us bonded over music.

One worker who had a lot of seniority, but was still under the supervisor, turned me on to a band called Tool. I had heard Tool before. I even owned the Undertow album. I had never heard anyone talk so passionately about the band before. I gave them another listen, this time with open ears. I was not disappointed.

I started to hear the songs for what they really were. Rich and complex. It really prepared me for the album that was to come out in 1996. One of the songs that grew on me during my open ear listening session was "Swamp Song". There was something about the voice and the music that lifted me in the air, while holding me down. The words sounded simple. Some words were crude, but there was an intelligence woven into the language that made me stand up and take notice.

I had failed to hear these subtle nuances before. The difference was like a tin can and a pair of headphones. Sure, you can hear out of both, but the headphones give the richer experience of the sounds. You can pick up the slightest variation. Everything sounds muddled in a tin can.

Lyrics:
My warning meant nothing
You're dancing in quicksand
Why don't you watch where you're wandering?
Why don't you watch where you're stumbling?
You're wading knee deep and going in
You're wading knee deep and going in

This bog is thick and
Easy to get lost in
'Cause you're a stupid
Belligerent fucker

This bog is thick and
Easy to get lost in
'Cause you're a dumb-ass
Belligerent fucker
I hope it sucks you down
Down
Down
Down

My warning meant nothing
You're dancing in quicksand
Why don't you watch where you're wandering?
Why don't you watch where you're stumbling?
You're wading knee deep and going in
And you may never come back again

This bog is thick and
Easy to get lost in
'Cause you're a stupid
Belligerent fucker

This bog is thick and
Easy to get lost in
'Cause you're a dumb-ass
Belligerent fucker
I hope it sucks you down

My warning meant nothing
You're dancing in quicksand
Why don't you watch where you're wandering?
Why don't you watch where you're stumbling?
You're wading knee deep and going in
And you may never come back again

This bog is thick and
Easy to get lost in
'Cause you're a stupid
Belligerent fucker

This bog is thick and
Easy to get lost in
'Cause you're a dumb-ass
Belligerent fucker

I hope it sucks
I hope it sucks
I hope it sucks you, fucker
I hope it sucks
I hope it sucks
I hope it sucks you down

Wandering, wandering
No one even invited you in
Still stumbling
Suffocate, suffocate
Why don't you get away?

Wandering around and wandering
No one even invited you in
You're still stumbling
Suffocate, suffocate
Why don't you get out while you can?

No one told you to come

My warning meant nothing
You're dancing in quicksand
Why don't you watch where you're wandering?
Why don't you watch where you're stumbling?
You're wading knee deep and going in
And you may never come back again

This bog is thick and
Easy to get lost in
'Cause you're a stupid
Belligerent fucker

This bog is thick and
Easy to get lost in
'Cause you're a dumb-ass
Belligerent fucker

I hope it sucks
I hope it sucks
I hope it sucks you, fucker
I hope it sucks
I hope it sucks
I hope it sucks you