Of course, this got me thinking of my own childhood, of Saturday afternoons watching Big Daddy, Giant Haystacks, Mick McManus, Mark “Rollerball” Rocco and Kendo Nagasaki on TV... easy! Easy! Easy! EASY!!!
I mentioned these to my Mum, who added one perfect detail I'd never heard before. "Me and your dad went to watch the wrestling when we were on our honeymoon in Skegness." So a love of wrestling has been in our family from the early 1950s... through the 80s... and into the present day. A glorious tag team through time.
We closed Monday's collection of Superman songs with a track by Cinerama. Comic book fan David Gedge also used the name of the most bizarre Superman foe as the title of his other band's second album: Bizarro by The Wedding Present. Sadly, he never wrote a song about Bizarro... but these guys did...
Klark Kent was an alias for Stewart Copeland of The Police, recording a song that Sting didn't want for the day job. John says, "Stewart Copeland’s debut album Klark Kent was a belter."
Clark Kent works for a newspaper called The Daily Planet. On Saturday we featured a song by the title by Arthur Lee & Love. Here's another one...
Weird coincidence department: all the bands I could find who wrote a song about Lois Lane (along with Sunday's Franz Ferdinand) began with the letter F.
But Lois wasn't Clark's first love though. That title would go to...
And he even had a fling with a mermaid once. Her name? Lori Lemaris. Can you spot a pattern here?
Not everybody with the initials LL loves Superman though. Let's not forget his arch enemy, Lex Luthor, a man who's jealousy of Superman might yet be explained that nobody has ever written a decent pop song in his honour...
That was the best I could come up with, with the wrong spelling... and he's not even a doctor! No wonder he's such a bitter, twisted sociopath...
Luthor isn't Superman's only foe. We mentioned Bizarro earlier, and Braniac earlier in the week. Then there's the Kryptonian supervillain memorably played by Terence Stamp in Superman 2, General Zod...
Here's one I originally ran on the old blog, ten years (or so) ago. As very few people remember the old blog, I don't mind re-using posts from it every now and then... although whenever I do, I inevitably end up wondering what I would add to the list if I were to compile it again today. Hence 'Volume 1' above, giving me the option of doing a Volume 2 soon.
From Sam Spade and Philip Marlowe to Morse, Addison & Hayes, Monk and Sherlock, I've always loved detective stories. Here are ten tributes in song...
Armchair detective, what you surmising? A fountain of knowledge in times of crisis Opinions like arseholes on days like today; everyone's got one You'd best say it quick while it's fresh in your mind, say it before it's forgotten Just 'cos you shout loudest don't mean that you're right
I'd been hired to track down a lead on why Robert Palmer was still considered uncool when he left us so many great songs like this one. File that one under 'Unsolved'.
Been a Private Detective for Seventeen Months Don't do it for money, just do it for love Like last night when my client got over excited When his wife had an orgy and he wasn't invited We sat in the car taking pictures and smoking My client just sat there eating mini cheddars and hoping His wife was thinking of him every time she kisses someone else's lips She's thinking of him, and in her mind's eye those groping eyes are his And in her mind's eye those peeping hands are his And in her mind's eye every ounce of flesh, that gets inside her dress, is his...
Superman Revenge Squad win points for writing the only song I can think of that namechecks Mini Cheddars.
And what have you got at the end of the day? What have you got to take away? A bottle of whiskey and a new set of lies Blinds on the window and a pain behind the eyes
One of those GnR stroppy songs where Axl gets all sweary and slags off his critics and anyone who ever let their dog crap on his lawn. But not half as good as Get In The Ring. I like the end though.
I
should be against adding artificial vinyl crackle to a song recorded in
2008, but this just sounds so old, nasty and dirrrrty, I can see why they did it.
Even The Fonz must be afraid of what lies beyond Even Steven Seagal must wake up in a cold sweat sometimes Pondering the nature of time... How it only seems to disappear One day you're born And the next you're hearing voices from the corner of the old folks home Was that a burglar? Or something much more sinister? Like the ghost of someone you used to know? Maybe an ex-husband or wife, I dunno But what they're saying is there's no room for you up there in heaven You did those ouija boards when you where young And you brought one or two records by Iron Maiden
A superb gunslinging western showdown between Smackwater Jack and Big Jim The Chief (not to mention Carole King and her lyrical partner Gerry Goffin), possibly my favourite song from Tapestry... I love a good story.
You can't talk to a man With a shotgun in his hand
Possibly not about a shogun, though it does have both in the title.Wonderful early Costello song though with some amazing piano playing from Steve Nieve.
On your marks, man, ready, set Let's get loaded and forget
Roy C gets marched up the aisle by an angry father when "the baby makes three". Later covered by Rod Stewart, who no doubt has been threatened with similar reprisals once or twice in his life.
There was a moment when I considered making this Number One. I do love me some classic Billy Idol. And you can't beat the bit in the video where he's singing with a tea towel on his head. Plus, without Billy, we probably would never have had Spike, my favourite character from Buffy The Vampire Slayer. Also interesting to see Dexys, Tracey Ullman and the cast of Flash Gordon among the wedding guests. Billy certainly had some interesting friends. Then the bride starts wrecking her lovely red MFI kitchen with her bad dancing and Billy drives a motorbike through a stained glass window. Videos were so much more interesting in the 80s. (Bonus "sad old man" comment for this week.)
Hey, little sister - SHOTGUN!
1. Jr. Walker & the All-Stars - Shotgun
Classic Motown, with a cool Hammond organ and Walker's amazing sax playing. Doesn't get much better than this.
You may be surprised to learn that this is not the only song about Peter Thornley in this Top Ten.
I don't often steal an entire song's lyrics... but these are worth repeating.
I caught myself crying in the mirror
I was pathetic, I
was the angriest dog in the world, I was Kendo Nagaski looking back
over a lifetime just spent sweating in the ring, in a mask, and feeling
ashamed.
I put your postcard on the side
And it makes me happy that you're not happy – it makes me smile
Was
in your top eight friends on myspace for half a week, but Thursday
night I'd disappeared, but you made me feel special for a while.
I guess everything leads to loneliness And Weatherspoons meals are cheaper when there's two We're gonna gather all the lonely people, let them enjoy the two-for-one Then go back to being strangers when they're through And maybe one or two won't be strangers anymore
And it makes me happy that you're not happy – it makes me smile
Art Brut have just released a two-disc best of compilation. Great - like I don't have little enough money as it is. (Unprofessional Wrestling isn't on it, by the way.)
Am I un H A P P why?
Does a new born baby cry?
Did Little Red Riding wear a hood?
Did the three bears shit in the woods?
Was Humpty Dumpty fat?
Does the Pope wear a funny hat?
Is wrestling fixed?
This year is the 40th anniversary of Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J., the debut album by the one artist whose music has meant more to me throughout my life than any other (sorry, Moz). While I still don't feel able to compile a Top Ten Springsteen Songs... maybe I never will... here's the closest I can get to a tribute. Ten songs that mention The Boss...
Only just discovered Ezio in the course of compiling this Top Ten. They're from Cambridge. You wouldn't know it...
I'll never be the boss just lower management I guess I've never had a Thunderbird A beat up Volvo is less absurd I'd do anything to impress you I'd do anything to caress you I grew up in a town called Whittlesey I've never been to New Jersey I don't know too much about you But your friend said you like Bruce Springsteen
Jessie's Girl coveter Rick Springfield finds himself confused for his more famous (half-)namesake. A witty song about not being as famous as that other guy.
Another New Jersey act, unkindly dubbed by some critics a "Springsteen tribute band", and tracks like this, baby, they were born to back up that argument. "No surrender, my Bobby Jean" the GA sing, amid lyrics that sound like Bruce's songbook chopped up and reassembled Bowie-style. But, as I've said before, if you're gonna wear your influences on your sleeve... these cufflinks are 24 carat gold.
Ben Parker released one album as Nosferatu D2 (with his brother Jamie) prior to taking on the solo mantle of Superman Revenge Squad. This song, a tirade against Ben's hometown of Croydon, was written around a loop of the guitar from Springsteen's 'My Hometown' before Ben ditched that in favour of a somewhat more aggressive backing track.
Throw away your autographs Of people you don't care about Andy Peters, Andy Crane They're all the same, they're all the same
It was obvious the second I first heard Video Games that Lana was a Springsteen groupie. And like Titus Andronicus before her, she too is Born To Die.
Play house, put my favorite record on
Get down, get your crystal method on
You were, like, dark tan driving round the city
Flirting with the girls like you're so pretty
"Springsteen is the king, don't you think?" I was, like, "hell, yeah, that guy can sing."
There are few bigger Bruce fans than Frank Turner. Frank just gets it...
I was walking home to my house through the snow from the station When Springsteen came clear in my headphones with a pertinent question Oh, is love really real and can any of us hope for redemption? Or are we all merely biding our time down to lonely conclusions?
In which the Bran Vanners pay tribute with a Born To Run rap. God, that really shouldn't work. And yet...
Sliup - Ummm - Crack
Goes the backscreen door
She wanted to go for coffee
But I sleep an hour more
See Mary dancing across the porch
She put her rolled up Ziggys in her rock and roll jersey
Jersey, she was born to run
She was the spirit of midnight
She was blinded by the light
She was holed up in jungleland
Straight up
The rock and roll big boss
Turnpike down by the river of desire
Just off Thunder Road
Where you catch her in the Tenth Avenue
Freeze out
She was lost in a flood
Mary, Queen of Arkansas
Dreaming of a Cadillac ranch with a hungry heart
But most of all she was born in the USA
Asbury Park, New Jersey
Inner state babe
To be exact she was her own rock and roll video
Rolls Royce, low riding
Speed climbing, driving by the sea
Making mad love on other people's private property
While being on the run from the local law for unpaid parking tickets!
There's tremendous irony at work here: Paddy McAloon (of all people!) having a sly, if affectionate, dig at Bruce for being a lyrical romantic.
Brucie dreams life's a highway, too many roads bypass my way
Or they never begin. Innocence coming to grief
At the hands of life's stinking car thief, That's my concept of sin.
Does heaven wait all heavenly over the next horizon?
But look at us now, quit driving, Some things hurt more much more than cars and girls.
That said, Paddy can't help but conclude:
Brucie's thoughts - Pretty streamers
Guess this world needs its dreamers May they never wake up.
And the same goes for you, Paddy. 1. Eric Church - Springsteen
One of my favourite songs of last year. It's not so much a tribute to Bruce as a tribute to the kind of golden sunset nostalgia he used to reflect on songs like Glory Days and Bobby Jean.Good times...
When I think about you, I think about 17.
I think about my old Jeep.
I think about the stars in the sky.
Funny how a melody, sounds like a memory.
Like a soundtrack to a July, Saturday night....
I don't expect anybody else will have much of an opinion about this Top Ten... but it's my blog and I've got to keep my number one fan happy!
Let’s pretend, that we are friends Just like we were back in high
school. You can send me messages, that I’m sure that I can relate to Just like in high school. Every other week, you can call me. Call me on
the telephone. We can talk about our misadventures, and our
breakthroughs. Just like in high school.
See I’m older now, and I don’t
give a damn, if I ever talk to you again.
It seems that Paul believes blogs are full of self-opinionated blowhards constantly foisting their twaddlelicious opinions on other people. Well, I think that's JUST RUBBISH.
Wow, is Amanda Palmer really old enough to remember myspace? Is anybody...?
And you can't always want what you get, When you're looking for love, In a cafe on the internet. You want somewhere to hide, Where everyone can find you. You join hands with the world and say, 'I just want my space.'
I'm a loner alone with neuroses and hate Anger is a permanent character trait My letter bombs are primed and ready to send Would you like to add me as a friend? I'm a wound-up whiner with a fetish for guns I'm almost 50 and I live with my Mum I hope my nude picture doesn't offend Would you like to add me as a friend?
Add me. Add me My mother says she wished she'd never had me Add me. Add me Would you like to add me as a friend?
From the amazing new album by the former Gene frontman. (Have I mentioned this previously?) Get it here.
I bear the torch, I hold it high It burns aflame for those who tried But found the outside far too dim And soon realised Their life's online... just like mine
Good old Nigel Blackwell... he doesn't just get pissed off by life's little niggles - he writes top songs about them too.
Checkmate!
Dennis Bell of Torquay
Too late
With your N at E3
Good game, sir, do you want another bout?
Well, Dennis ain't replying cause he just signed out
Bad losers on Yahoo Chess!
Checkmate!
Dennis Bell of Torquay
Too late
With your Nxe3
Good game sir
Do you want another bout?
Well Dennis ain’t replying
‘cos he just signed out
Bad losers on Yahoo Chess
Checkmate!
Dennis Bell of Torquay
Too late
With your Nxe3
Good game sir
Do you want another bout?
Well Dennis ain’t replying
‘cos he just signed out
Bad losers on Yahoo Chess
Checkmate!
Dennis Bell of Torquay
Too late
With your Nxe3
Good game sir
Do you want another bout?
Well Dennis ain’t replying
‘cos he just signed out
Bad losers on Yahoo Chess
In which George from Seinfeld creates a whole new internet identity for himself... he is Brad Paisley. (And his dad is Bill Shatner - how cool is that?)
'Cause online I'm out in Hollywood
I'm 6 foot 5 and I look damn good
I drive a Maserati
I'm a black-belt in karate
And I love a good glass of wine
It turns girls on that I’m mysterious
I tell them I don't want nothing serious
'Cause even on a slow day
I could have a three way... chat with two women at one time
I’m so much cooler online
So much cooler online
Those were my favourite songs about the internet... but which ones get you logged on?
When Seth Lakeman goes off to sea, his woman promises to be faithful. When the Dear John letter arrives, he threatens a punishment most eerie...
I'll haunt you, haunt your bed
Tap the windows, you'll wake in dread
I pray that you love me instead
I'll haunt you, I'll haunt your bed
And I'll haunt you, sleep in fear!
Whisper secrets in your ear
A world away but I'll be near,
I'll haunt you.
From the pub to the grave I'll be haunted by you Yes, you, you're in my way
Seems as good a place as any to mention the long-awaited solo album by Martin Rossiter... if you haven't ordered your copy yet, find out more about it here.
Gene almost won their second Number One here on My Top Ten... and then I remembered this...
