Sorry for the radio silence. With the release of Asher Austin’s Riverwood Sessions and my EP, The Bare, we’ve been busy here in the Batcave and I frankly didn’t want to wear out our welcome in your inbox.
Like many, I am thoroughly flummoxed by the current state of the political landscape here in the US and have decided to dedicate this post to expressing my disillusionment in a way words don’t seem to. So without any further delay, here is July’s playlist for your listening pleasure.
Stuck In The Middle With You by Stealers Wheel
“Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right, here I am…”
See image above.
Where Have All The Average People Gone by Roger Miller
Roger Miller is one of the most underrated singer/songwriters out there in my opinion. A lot of people think his body of work begins and ends with his brilliant absurdist work like “You Can’t Roller Skate In A Buffalo Herd”. Those people miss out on the incredible depth and sincerity in some of his other work like “Husbands and Wives” and this song. It’s nostalgia for a time when people weren’t so dead set on being polarized and divided. It’s a timely message if there ever was one.
They Don’t Care About Us by Michael Jackson
People say a lot of things on the campaign trail. But talk is cheap and those verbal promises are usually worth the paper they’re written on. Just remember the anger in the vocal delivery on this song next time you think a politician is going to help solve your problems out of the kindness of their hearts.
If Your Gonna Be Dumb, You Gotta Be Tough by Roger Alan Wade
Like John Wayne apparently never really said, “Life is hard. It’s even harder when you’re stupid.” Stay woke.
You Can’t Always Get What You Want by the Rolling Stones
I never thought I would get the chance to see the Rolling Stones live. Then tickets fell in my lap last summer to see them in Nashville thanks to a good friend. It was everything I thought it would be and more. It was my brother’s first real concert experience and I warned him as we left that they would all be downhill from there. One of the highlights was definitely hearing this song performed with the choir from my alma mater singing the opening.
This song is on this playlist because we currently have two of the least popular presidential candidates ever duking it out for the highest office in the land. But as I write this and listen to the song again, maybe it’s message of compromise is something we need to hear, even if it is laced with a healthy dose cynicism.
Ball of Confusion (That’s What The World is Today) by the Temptations
I feel like this one is pretty self explanatory. Obvious winner for the most appropriate bassline in history.
“And the band plays on.”
Where Is The Love by the Black Eyed Peas
Before will.he.is revealed to the world the profound depths of his corniness, this song put the Black Eyed Peas on the map. I’m going to chalk the smooth, lush sounds on this track up to the Justin Timberlake feature. Regardless, the message of the song holds up. Plus, it was the perfect soundtrack to those Foundation for a Better Life commercials about the kid returning the lady’s purse.
Machine Gun by Jimi Hendrix
Have you ever wondered what it sounds like when a man becomes one with his musical instrument? Listen to this song and try to remember that the guitar playing and singing are happening at the same time due to electrical signals issuing from the same brain. It blows my mind every single time.
Just add in the primal lyrics and desperation in the singing and you start to get a soldier’s eye view of war. Regardless of one’s view on any particular war, there’s nothing more important than remembering the human costs of military conflict.
Whitey On The Moon by Gil Scott-Heron
Just a little comic relief and a quick meditation on priorities.
For What It’s Worth by Buffalo Springfield
Because of Forrest Gump, I subconsciously think of the Vietnam War every time I hear this song even though that wasn’t what it was written about. Still, there’s always something happening somewhere and clarity is in short supply.
Also, Neil Young has no time for your nonsense.
What’s Going On by Marvin Gaye
Most of the songs on this month’s playlist are here because the lyrics have something important to say. None more so than this song. Releasing this concept album was a risky move artistically and career-wise but Marvin had his finger on the pulse of a public sentiment that was bubbling right below the surface. It continues to resonate so deeply for a reason.
911 Is A Joke by Public Enemy
Apart from being featured in a great series of ads for Reno 911, this song and the fact it was released 26 years ago shows there’s nothing new under the sun. Not that it makes it right.
I Can’t Write Left Handed by John Legend and the Roots
This song, originally written and performed by the great Bill Withers, was featured on Wake Up!, the politically minded concept album released by John Legend and the Roots in 2010. I don’t think it resonated as well as they had hoped for a few reasons. Mainly because it was a collection of serviceable to even decent covers with only one original song. While I think the current generation of popular musicians could stand to be more in touch with their roots (pardon the pun), I think they need to go further in developing their own distinctive voices and messages.
Except for Macklemore. He can just stop whenever.
Make America Great Again by Dave Fenley
This is a joke right?
Blowin’ In The Wind by Bob Dylan
Do you remember what I mentioned earlier about a distinctive voice and message? This song is a perfect example of what I’m talking about. Sometimes a “message” is about asking questions and making people think more than giving some sort of an answer. It’s easy to cast Dylan as being intentionally oblique and difficult to understand (which he has been at times in his career) but the questions this song asks boil down to how we define ourselves as a society and as the individuals living in it. Self-expression without self-examination and reflection means nothing and that’s why this song has been recorded over and over again through the years.
Stay tuned for another impending playlist with a bit more vibe. Until then keep your hands to yourself and your eyes turned to Heaven.
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