Friday, 8 March 2013

My Top Ten Songs About Last Night


What were you doing last night?

I was listening to these fine songs...


10. Todd Snider - Late Last Night

Try to keep it down, Todd was up kind of late last night.

9. Johnny Cash - Last Night I Had The Strangest Dream

Much as I like Simon & Garfunkel, their version comes off sounding slightly twee next to the Man In Black's majestic cover.

8. Green Day - Last Night On Earth

The kind of ballad they'd never have written before they started selling out stadiums. But even the punkiest of bands can't resist getting people to wave their lighters sometimes.

7. The Hold Steady - Chicago Seemed Tired Last Night
We mix our own mythologies, we push them out through PA systems
We dictate our doxologies and try to get sleeping kids to sit up and listen
And I'm not saying we could save you, but we could put you in a place where you could save yourself
If you don't get born again at least you'll get high as hell
Don't worry, I had to look up "doxologies" too.

6. Frank Sinatra - Last Night, When We Were Young

Quietly heartbreaking, as only Frank could do it.

5. Duke Special - Last Night I Nearly Died

...but it's OK. Duke woke up just in time.

4. Lead Belly - Where Did You Sleep Last Night?

Recorded in 1944. Covered by Kurt Cobain in the early 90s who called Lead Belly "my favourite performer".

Lead Belly died in 1949, before rock 'n' roll was even born. You wouldn't know it. 

3. The Strokes - Last Nite

They almost missed out. That's where poor spelling gets you, lads.

From their first album, still their best.

2. The Electric Prunes - I Had Too Much To Dream Last Night

A monumental slab of 60s psychedelia.

Trivia fact: Kenny 'Footloose' Loggins was a member of the Electric Prunes for a short time, though not when this record was recorded.

1. The Smiths - Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me

As I've said before, they can't always be Number One... but I'll be damned if there's a better song out there with "last night" in the title. 


Which one will you still be listening to tomorrow night?

11 comments:

  1. Again my childhood beckons with Last night a DJ saved my life http://youtu.be/GtfZbj4J71A

    And I had in mind Bob Seger Night Moves, which having re-read the lyrics confirms it all went on last night...

    Who knew there would be such an eclectic mix?

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  2. Last night a DJ saved my life. I can't believe you missed it out. Classic.

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    1. Sorry, both of you... but it was never a favourite.

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    2. Do do do dodo do do do do dodo do .....oh Rol, Rol, Rol you are too young!

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    3. Actually, I suspect I'm too old. My enjoyment of that song is tainted by all the awful dancey remakes.

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  3. Last Night A DJ Saved My Life... gosh darn it, beaten to it by everybody. OK. What about Gloria Gaynor "Last Night"?

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  4. Would you allow "Steven's Last Night in Town" or is the tense wrong?

    The Strokes would be my number one, but closely followed by Last Night by the Travelling Wilburys.

    Some others to consider though:
    I Flew Over Our House Last Night - Joe Henry
    Late Last Night - Split Enz
    Last Night when we were Young - Frank Sinatra

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    1. I did consider Steven's Last Night In Town but decided it didn't quite fit, despite being a great song.

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  5. scrap Frank, of course he was already on your list

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  6. I'm so glad you included Last night I dreamt that somebody loved me! I would personally also include Last night i said goodbye to a friend!

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