Here's the final batch of songs I've been enjoying in the last few months that didn't come from full-length purchases. Hope you've been enjoying this week's mp3 binge.
- Gram Parsons, "Return of the Grievous Angel" (from Grievous Angel, 1974)
His most well-known tune, I know. But it's undeniable. This Recording generously doled out a number of Parsons tunes a month or two back. - Moby Grape, "Ain't No Use" (from Moby Grape, 1967)
- Nouvelle Vague, "In a Manner of Speaking" (from Nouvelle Vague, 2004)
Got this one from another mix CD from Miriam, a fellow poster at Readerville. A terrific song that sounds older than it is. - Buzzcocks, "Why Can't I Touch It?" (from Singles Going Steady, 1979)
- Jens Lekman, "You Can Call Me Al" (live, 2008)
My brilliant wife and I saw Lekman play at the Troubador a few months ago and he closed with this cover. He explained that the chorus to the song always made him hate it, because it distracts from how wonderful the lyrics to the verses are. - The Who, "I'm a Boy" (from The Who: The Ultimate Collection, 1966)
Blogger Rodney Welch sent me this one via snail mail. The transgendered community has found its theme song!
"Why Can't I Touch It" may be my wife's favorite rock song ever. I can invariably bring her out of a funk or make her sway happily in a bar by putting it on. And we got to see Lambchop do an absolute rave-up version of it as an encore to a free show in Prospect Park a few years ago.
Posted by: Scraps | March 27, 2008 at 07:39 AM
It is a great song. I had one of those moments where I realized I'd never made the connection between really famous song and a really famous band. Like, wait a second, this is the Buzzcocks? I always thought I knew what the Buzzcocks sounded like... and apparently I didn't.
Posted by: scott pgwp | March 27, 2008 at 09:16 AM
I enjoy the Buzzcocks, though I often forget about them, and I love "Why Can't I Touch It?"
Also, with reference to the title Singles Going Steady, I've always loved that Don Caballero had a collection called Singles Breaking Up.
Posted by: Richard | March 27, 2008 at 11:29 AM