Welcome, Fresh Princes (and Princesses), it's time to Boom Boom, Shake the Room Big Willie Style (did I mention my first name is William?).
Alternatively, you can get the answers to Saturday Snapshots straight from the Men In Black. Be careful though: they won't let you remember...
Hot competition just after 8.30 yesterday morning, though I think Lynchie clinched the win with his superior knowledge of Iron Maiden songs. Thank you all for playing, as always.
Despite not being a dance music fan, I always loved this one. George claimed to have identified the song (although he didn't name it) and also claimed to have never heard it. Which made me wonder if he spent the whole of 1997 underground.
2. Vegas wrap overhead.
Burritos come in wraps. If they're overhead, they might be flying.
To illustrate this feature, I always try to find a band with that week's number in their name. It's not always possible, and most weeks I end up choosing a band I've never heard of. This week, however, here's an artist I actually own a couple of records by, the delightful JJ72. Where are they now, eh?
1972 was the year of my birth and so I've already done a Top Ten 1972 Songs. Well done to new commenter MisterPrime (unless it's someone else using an alias) for correctly identifying the top song in that list.
A couple more 1972 suggestions did trickle in this week though...
I think it may have been Mr. C who suggested this...
...which you really need to click on because you'll never have heard anything like it before. Unless you have.
Rigid Digit returned with this week's token lyrical mention of Saturday Gigs by Mott The Hoople, which I'm happy to keep mentioning for the next three weeks as it's great. However, RD didn't stop then with his Hoople...
...which may well explain why he sings the way he does.
I paid fifteen million dollars, twelve hundred and seventy-two cents I paid one thousand, two hundred twenty-seven dollars and fifty-five cents To see my bulldog bite a rabbit And my hound dog's just sittin' on a barbed-wire fence
Some confusion there also as to how much Bob actually paid. Seems rather a lot, whatever it was.
(Personally though, I think that song's just a riff.)
Furry Boots City Boy, The Artist Formerly Known As Lynchie, offered this pleasant little number...
...further proof that American highways will continue to provide fodder for this series if all else fails.
Rigid Digit identified this week's runner-up, and I'd fully second his statement that, "there is so much more to this band than "Sit Down" - creators of consistently fine albums"...
Every Halloween, I like to post a horror-themed Top Ten. In recent years, I've done My Top Ten Frankenstein Songs, My Top Ten Vampire Songs, My Top Ten Haunted Songs and My Top Ten Zombie Songs (although for some reason, I didn't post that one at Halloween). I was going to do werewolves this year, but it turns out there's something much scarier out there at the moment... and I don't mean Donald Trump. Louise has even made us buy new curtains in case we glance out and see one of these stood in our garden. And so, as a special Halloween treat, I bring you My Top Ten Clown Songs. Let's be careful out there...
Special mention to the scariest clown you'll ever hear: Harpo's Rock 'n' Roll Clown. Now I wouldn't want to meet him on a dark night.
Second special mention to the weirdest threesome in rock history... Joni Mitchell, Tom Petty and... Billy Idol: Dancin' Clown.
Final special mention to Insane Clown Posse. They're supposed to be scary, but I think they're hilarious.
Other fine clowns who were in the running include Elvis Costello (three times, actually), Neil Diamond, Admiral Fallow, Toby Keith, The Cocteau Twins, Jimmy Webb, Brett Anderson, Grand National, Status Quo and Manfred Mann... obviously. Yes, I could have done a Top 20, but I don't do those anymore.
Let's set the pace, shall we? In case you think this Top Ten's gonna be full of big shoes, cars with their wheels falling off and custard pies in the face. Here's Paul Westerberg's switchblade-carrying clown, angry that rumours keep spreading all over town...
This is the world we live in now, Turin Brakes. I picked up two of your albums (and one by Counting Crows), at 'three for a quid' in the local charity shop the other week. That said, I liked them enough that I might pay full price for the next one.
Last clown, drinking in a bar that's about to be closed down A hero, I was in people's plans I was shaking their hands I got lost in the world, slow motion walking and diatribe talking As bad as things be, I'm a natural survivor
By the time you reach the end of this list, you'll realise there's not one happy clown in sight. No wonder they all end up turning bad...
He used to honk his horn and everyone would laugh He used to honk his horn She doesn't think he's very funny anymore Footprints in the sawdust leading to the edge of town Something bad happened to a clown
Great track from last year's "comeback" album, Everything Ever Written.
The typical code of conduct At the international clown hall of fame Not to smile until you've painted on your smile You go looking for laughter Yeah, you could be another poet like
John Crowe Ransom, Whitman or Hart Crane All those words you leave behind Will fit together in time Like a clown You'll do anything for fame Tell me did you ever meet another clown Who said I'll be around for you now?
Dave Davies' only real solo hit (though I have featured one of his other, less successful, solo singles here before) is a resigned shrug towards the circus-like life of a touring rock star, co-written with Ray.
One of my favourites from Ron, although the live acoustic Ron-cam recreation above isn't as good as the album version. Great lyrics though...
Everything is alright for against the backdrop of ordinary life
It's the easy laugh that gets you through
Your working day and the hogwash
Sad but true, he's a clown in broad daylight
One of the saddest songs ever written. Hence it's been recorded by everybody from Frank Sinatra to Grace Jones, Lou Rawls to Madonna. I'm particularly fond of Mark Kozelek's latest version (not the one on youtube), but Judy's is the definitive recording. The song was written by Stephen Sondheim for the musical A Little Night Music, and he claims it's not literally about circus clowns: just fools like us.
1. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - Tears of a Clown
And this is why Smokey Robinson is a god. Just listen to these lyrics: in a chirpy pop song, for Smokey's sake!
Just like Pagliacci did I try to keep my surface hid Smiling in the crowd I try But in a lonely room I cry The tears of a clown
The music was written by Stevie Wonder who couldn't come up with a decent lyric so took it to the Motown Christmas party and played it to Smokey in the hope he'd come up with something. He did.
Tears of a Clown is also one of the only pop songs to feature a bassoon. More on that here.
There are those who will tell you that The Beat's version is better, but they are men of a certain age (i.e. about 5-10 years older than me) and though it's a fine opinion I respect greatly... I must disagree.
OK, I realise this is a stretch, but I love the song and that's all it takes to get out my shoehorn.
Warning: do not google search what this song is about. It's by Peter Gabriel... just accept the story behind it will be more mental than anything you can imagine.
Can't believe I've published over 150 posts on this blog and this is the first time I've been able to include any Bruce Hornsby. Gorgeous stuff.
Running down by the lake shore,
She did love the sound of a summer storm,
Played on the lake like a Mandolin,
Now it's washing her away... once again....
1. Beta Band - Dry The Rain
"I will now sell five copies of The Three E.P.s by The Beta Band", says John Cusack in the film version of Nick Hornby's High Fidelity (which, you will not be surprised to discover, is one of my favourite movies). However, the pedant in me always wants to complain that the version he plays in the shop isn't the one on The Three E.P.s... it's been specially edited for the movie.
