Celebrity Jukebox #70: The Reverend Jesse Jackson

In a world where so many prominent politicians are just plain EVIL... it's a shame when we lose one of the half-decent ones.

Here are some cool songs for the late Reverend...

Zapp - Jesse Jackson

Billy Young - Jesse Jackson For President

Leslie Isaiah Gaines – Jesse (Didn't Get No Justice) / The Jesse Jackson Blues

Don Patterson - Jesse Jackson

Grandmaster Flash & Melle Mel - Jesse

Of course, not everyone agreed with everything Jesse had to say...

Jesse you say common ground, does that include the PLO?
What about people right here right now who fought for you not so long ago?
The words that flow so freely falling dancing from your lips
I hope that you don't cheapen them with a racist slip, oh common ground
Is common ground a word or just a sound?
Common ground, remember those civil rights workers buried in the ground

Lou Reed - Good Evening, Mr. Waldheim

But I reckon even Lou would have preferred Jesse to more Ronald Raegan!

Would we take Jesse Jackson?
Hell, we'd take Michael Jackson!

Gil Scott-Heron - Re-Ron

I saved this one till last. Turns out Kris was one of Jesse Jackson's biggest fans... and that's good enough for me.

My Top Ten Higher Songs

I'm here to take you higher...


10. The Cardigans - Higher

Dreamy.

9. Primal Scream - Higher Than The Sun

I find it amusing that the top youtube comment for this song is one word: "Drugs."

8. The Unbelievable Truth - Higher Than Reason

 A song about the problems caused by building a shrine in your front room... from Thom's little brother.

7. Cats On Fire - Higher Grounds

I don't approve of the band name, but the Morrissey-esque lyrics made me a fan...

Stay there for the whole day if you must.
May the seagulls take you,
Well, I don't mind.
Stay there for the whole day, you're not getting paid anyway.
Were getting tired of your antics,
Well, so am I.

6. Sly & The Family Stone - I Want to Take You Higher

This. Is. Seriously. Funky.

5. Black Grape - Get Higher

In which Shaun Ryder has fun by getting Ronald Reagan to confess to Nancy's terrible drug habit.

4. Stevie Wonder - Higher Ground

Also covered by the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, but the less said about that the better.

3. Grandmaster Flash & Melle Mel - White Lines

Get higher, baby... and don't ever come down.

On second thoughts... don't do it, Zammo!

2. Steve Winwood - Higher Love

Despite the fact that this song begins with Steve banging a bunch of pan lids in his kitchen... it's still a classic.

Various misheard mondegreens exist for this record, including "Bake me a pie of love", "Baked beans on high or low" and, my personal favourite, "Bring me an iron lung".

1. Jackie Wilson - (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher & Higher

Now once, I was downhearted
Disappointment was my closest friend...





Those were my higher loves (or iron lungs)... but which one takes you higher?