“Surfin’ U.S.A.”
by Pennywise (originally by The Beach Boys)
from the album M.O.M.: Music for Our Mother Ocean Vol. 1
1996 Buy the album on Amazon
So I completely blew it this week with no Karaoke Tuesday entry. There have been a few times in the past where Lance or I or both of us have been a little late, but this week I just totally dropped the ball. Normally at worst I might do it Wednesday and cheat by backdating the entry, but it just feels wrong to do that when it’s already Friday night. So you win this week, Lance. And apologies to all of our loyal fans (which is also just Lance).
“Smooth Sailing”
by Queens of the Stone Age
from the album …Like Clockwork
2013 Buy the album on Amazon
I once described this song to a friend as a throbbing erection. It’s all about potential. Something’s about to explode.
For my final song in QOTSA week and my latest Power Song selection, I’m choosing “Smooth Sailing.” Really all you need to know about this track you can pull from the lyrics and the video.
“Never Say Never”
by Queens of the Stone Age (originally by Romeo Void)
from the album Rated R (Deluxe Edition)
2010 Buy the album on Amazon
Yep, it’s a QOTSA week here on MNP, especially if Chris doesn’t get off his ass and post. That’s right motherfucker. Called you out. What are you gonna do?
Sorry, QOTSA does that too me… get’s me in a fighting, fucking or drinking mood. Sometimes all three. I didn’t discover this song until a few months ago. I picked up the reissue of Rated R like any good QOTSA fan would, but I never really gave it a good spin. Like most of my musical discoveries, this song came into my life via shuffle. Quickly followed by pounding the back button two times so I could hear it again. Continue reading Cover Friday: “Never Say Never”→
“Make It Wit Chu”
by Queens of the Stone Age
from the album Era Vulgaris 2007 Buy the album on Amazon
“Who is your favorite band?”
It’s almost an impossible question to answer and completely unfair to ask, because the response can change based on genre, mood, the weather, what you’re eating, etc. For years I would say the Smashing Pumpkins were my favorite. And while Gish is still in my top ten list of all time and Siamese Dream is up there too (we’ll get into my issues with Mellon Collie at some point), I wouldn’t consider them a favorite anymore. The Pixies occupy a spot in the favorite list that’ll probably never fade, unless they keep releasing albums (tarnishing the memory of the original releases). King’s X – the Texas, metal power-trio – will always have a soft spot in my heart. Are these my favorite bands? Yes and no. Yes on some kind of honorary list, but is their current output what’s fueling my fire. No. I think the better question to ask is
“Who is the best band in the world, right now?”
The best band in the world right now is Queens of the Stone Age. The albums are chock full of wonderful and bizarre songs. Nothing quite sounds the same, but you can always tell it’s them. And for a long time I’ve wanted to perform a QOTSA song at karaoke, but the Ginger Elvis‘ range is just so huge that most of my favorites are beyond reach, not to mention unavailable in the book. But I think I might be able to pull off this gem. Maybe.
“Hobo Humpin’ Slobo Babe”
by Whale
from the album We Care
1995 By the album on Amazon
I have no idea where I first heard this, probably either on a CMJ CD sampler, or a Video Music Monthly VHS magazine, but I just know I was hooked. It’s one of those songs that just rocks so hard from the very first note. Continue reading June Power Songs: “Hobo Humpin’ Slobo Babe”→
“Back in Black”
by Living Colour (originally by AC/DC)
from the album Collideøscope
2003 Buy the album on Amazon
It’s hard to improve upon the AC/DC classic which was that band’s stake in the ground, telling the world know they weren’t going anyway following the death of original lead singer, Bon Scott. When Living Colour decided to include on their first album in over a decade, it took on some new significance.
“Physical”
by Nine Inch Nails (originally by Adam and the Ants)
from the album Broken
1992 Buy the album on Amazon
I still clearly remember buying Broken when it first came out. My friend Keegan and I went to our favorite indie record store in Littleton the day it came out to pick it up. This was when CDs were still coming in the ridiculously wasteful double-length cardboard sleeves (Broken may have been one of the sleeves I opened up and hung on my wall). I remember opening it in the car and having the little mini CD fall out, which we thought was so cool, and there was the additional (in our minds) coolness factor later when it became known that the mini CD was a limited item. A few years back when I sold all my CDs, that was one of the few that I had hesitations about getting rid of.
“True”
by Spandau Ballet
from the albumTrue
1983 Buy the album on Amazon
A quintessential classic 80’s song. There are songs that fit that description in all the wrong ways. This is not one of them. Unless you just have never heard it before, as soon as those breathy sighs start, I don’t think there’s a person who doesn’t love this song. It’s pure class (just look at the singer in the video!) and romance. Continue reading Karaoke Tuesday: “True”→
“Girlfriend”
by Matthew Sweet
from the albumGirlfriend
1991 Buy the album on Amazon
“Girlfriend” is unskippable. If it comes up on shuffle, I’ll always stop whatever search I was on and listen. The entire album is an amazing collection of songs. It’s both timeless and very specifically early 90s.
I remember sitting at home on Sunday nights watching 120 Minutes and desperately hoping Dave Kendall would hint that this song was coming up after the break. The video featured clips from the film Space Adventure Cobra and it was just the perfect choice for the song. And who didn’t want that silver-haired, blue jumpsuited vixen as his girlfriend? Continue reading Karaoke Tuesday: “Girlfriend”→
“A Quick One While He’s Away”
by My Morning Jacket w/Eddie Vedder (originally by The Who)
from the film Immagine in Cornice
2006 Buy the DVD on Amazon
Even if you’re not the world’s biggest The Who fan (I’m not), chances are that you’ve heard the original version of this song during the payback scene from the film Rushmore. The mini-opera runs about nine minutes and is kind of all over the place. I wouldn’t necessarily called it a fun-filled song (although *spoilers* there’s a happy ending), but there’s something about the way My Morning Jacket and Eddie Vedder bring this song to life that is just so joyful.
