“Violet”
by Hole
from the album Live Through This
1994
Buy the album on Amazon
I never got too into Hole, but I remember there used to be a commercial for a contest for some beer where you could win tickets to see Hole live, and they would show a clip of them playing this song in concert. I saw the commercial so many times that I got totally hooked on this song. It’s got that great loudquietloud thing going on.
“Total Eclipse of the Heart”
by Bonnie Tyler
from the album Faster Than the Speed of the Night
1983
Buy the on Amazon
I think i’ve resisted this long enough. Yes, it’s completely a karaoke cliché. Yes, it is totally overdone. Yes, it always has the potential to be completely epic.
Continue reading Karaoke Tuesday: “Total Eclipse of the Heart”
“Under the Milky Way”
The Church
from the album Starfish
1988
Buy the album on Amazon
I’ve never quite nailed this song to my satisfaction but it’s had a firm position in my karaoke song list for a few years. As to when it made its first appearance, it was almost assuredly a drunken addition one evening at a NYC basement karaoke bar. But the song weaseled its way into my heart a long time before that.
“Killing in the Name”
by Rage Against the Machine
from the album Rage Against the Machine
1992
Buy the album on Amazon
Obviously pretty much every RATM song is a power song in every sense. It’s probably why I can’t claim to be a huge fan – I didn’t get into them until I was old enough to need to take them in smaller doses. I own 2 or 3 of their albums and could only name 2 or 3 of their songs. This one is pretty much the king of the hill.
Continue reading June Power Songs: “Killing in the Name”
“Earth Rocker”
by Clutch
from the album Earth Rocker
2013
Buy the album on Amazon
Power. This song has it in spades.
“Earth Rocker” starts with a slow build, just simple bass line and a ride cymbal, but even then you can tell it’s about to pummel you over the head with something. It’s not until a couple of verses in that you understand the message – quit being a whiney shit Lance and do something worthwhile.
“Banditos”
by The Refreshments
from the album Fizzy Fuzzy Big & Buzzy
1996
Buy the album on Amazon
I’ve mentioned this song to a few people and no one I’ve come across remembers it, which is a shame because it’s such a fun tune. I thought it would be relegated to my list of songs I really want to sing, but will never be able to find ever, until we stumbled across it (and “Jane Says“) at weird little sports bar in Austin.
“Kokomo”
by The Beach Boys
from the album Cocktail (Soundtrack)
1988
Buy the album on Amazon
To finish off May Summer Songs, yes, another Beach Boys song, and again, that’s probably too easy for this month’s theme. But what can I say? I loved this movie. Tom Cruise doing all sorts of awesome tricks with liquor bottles, the gorgeous (especially to my 15? year old self) Elisabeth Shue, “the guy from FX” (probably how I thought of Bryan Brown at the time) – this was one of the good ones. I don’t think I’ve seen it as an adult, so no idea if it still holds up.
“Glycerine”
by Bush
from the album Sixteen Stone
1994
Buy the album on Amazon
I feel like Bush has gotten a lot of flack, but this album hit at a time where I got really into them (plus I admit, I had a man crush on Gavin Rossdale). I think I stopped listening to them after their second album, but still love Sixteen Stone (actually, looking at the tracklist, I realize I’m way overdue in revisiting it), and I saw them once in Atlanta with either Pearl Jam or No Doubt.
“Give It Away”
by the Red Hot Chili Peppers
from the album Blood Sugar Sex Magik
1991
Buy the album on Amazon
This song sweats, that’s all there is to it. Even before Stéphane Sednaouie‘s gorgeous video confirmed it, the song had that dessert sun feeling to it. It’s just stanky and funky. I’ve performed this at karaoke a few times and it’s an exhausting song to sing. The structure is relentless and punishing – there’s never a chance to catch your breath. If you put it in the car and crank it and you’ll be excited for whatever adventure you’re driving towards, guaranteed. It’s totally a summer party anthem. Speaking of, this song brings to mind a very specific summer memory.
“Alone”
by Heart
from the album Bad Animals
1987
Buy the album on Amazon
There are songs that make me wish I were a female, just so i could sing them. There are songs that aren’t duets but I convince someone to make it into one. And there are songs that seem like a good idea and then go horribly, horribly wrong. This one checks all three boxes.