No comments on this amazing, funky number prompt me to throw my two cents into the mix. Stevie Wonder created the perfect protest song with this entry. To me it has always been a generic protest song in many ways but since this song was released in the Nixon era, I believe Stevie was singing to him. To this day, when I hear this song and sing along, I think of that $%#@! Nixon. Now read the lyrics again and think of our current president. “and we are sick and tired of hearing your song”. Great, timeless stuff. I think Stevie Wonder is the one of the top 10 most important songwriters of the last 50 years.

This song holds a very special place in my heart. I am a son of a preacher man and growing up hearing this song made me think that I too one day would be smooth enough to steal kisses from the object of my desire. Unfortunately, I have always been totally disarmed by women and certainly never acquired the moves needed to compete with Billy Ray mentioned in the song (probably just as well as I have been married for 28 years in a couple of days). I am not sure if I heard Dusty’s or Aretha’s version first but Aretha’s version is the one version I own and hear all the time. What a great vocal by Aretha as she seems to be totally disarmed by that wolf Billy Ray. Helpless in his power she seems more resigned to her emotions than what I remember from Dusty. Both renditions are wonderful.

This song is riveting view of life in the city, which I have always assumed to use New York City as the model. I think the lyrics can be taken literally for this song which I take to be presenting the dichotomy of the economic spectrum of those living in the city. That schism is emphasized by the juxtaposition of the musical styles switching from Kristy’s mellow vocal to the haunting rap segments. When Kristy sings, “it’s not too far”, I think she is speaking both to physical location and to the change economic status. This song’s guitar riffs and groove can rattle and shake into your brain and is a great example of how music be affecting at many levels.

This is such a lovely song and because of that, I ignored the lyrics for years. I originally believed this was written about a physical/romantic encounter, from a woman’s perspective. Like something you might read in a romance novel. However, after learning of Mr. Townshend’s inclinations to swing both ways (as it were), this song could also be written from a man’s perspective. In either case, it is a really fine tune. Why is it that there are so few comments regarding Pete’s songs here? The Who songs have plenty of people commenting. He is such a interesting songwriter; he deserves more discussion of his solo work

This song has such a wonderful vocal performance by Rickie. The song is again an example of the lyrics not really being all that important to total experience. I really don’t know what this song is about but I think this song uses references to vehicle repair or maintenance as a metaphor for fixing or acquiring a relationship. I am always amused by the line “trust the man with the star” because it refers to the old Texaco TV commercials.

Since no one has commented on this song, I will offer mine up to the group. I interpret this as a divorce song. The protagonist is reminiscing about what he did and didn’t like about his lost relationship. The line “somebody to trust” is so important to any lasting relationship. I am not a huge fan of the post-1970’s Steely Dan records (a bit too jazzy for my tastes) but this song is a real gem. The lyrics/vocals and musical groove presented in this song are perfectly paired. Who does this better than Beck and Fagan?

The meaning to this song is quite evident from the lyrics. There may be an allegorical meaning, talking about the music industry instead of a PI but that may be a stretch. This track is a real favorite of mine because of the really cool musical vibe it has. The ethereal atmosphere of this song sucks the listener into the story. Mark does have a way of creating an interesting story in many of his songs. This is another great song to test the Hi-Fi with. Listen for the breaking glass towards the end. To me it sounds like a wine glass shattering. I never heard/noticed this on my original vinyl copy but shows up nicely on CD. Crank this one up too!

This song brings back such powerful memories for me. Growing up in essentially an all black neighborhood in the 60’s, all my first crushes were on girls whose skin color was much different from my own. Back then, the pressure applied from peers, family and others towards a mixed race couple usually was too much to maintain the relationship and this idea is captured almost perfectly in the song lyrics. This song brings a mist to my eyes every time I hear and when it comes on, I just have to stop what I am doing and listen. Thanks Everclear! We have come a long way since 60’s but there is still a long, long way to go.

This song is an example of what I like to call a hidden treasure that can be buried in albums. These hidden treasures are what differentiate the ordinary from the extra-ordinary record. This is a favorite of mine from the Grave Dancers Union record too. I am not sure what is intended by the lyrics but I have interpreted it as the singer telling us of his strange decisions and the consequences which result. Again as previously noted, it could just be amusing nonsense.

What, no comments on this amazing song? I still hear this song popping out of my AM radio in 1965 and indelibly etching itself into my very core. This is as close to a perfect song as you can get from an the beginning of the era where the singer-songwriter was king; when there was actually a point of view in a song that could reach people’s ears. I am not sure what Paul is trying to say here but it has always had the meaning to me that he is warning the listener that silence/conformity is a dangerous path. This song and thus the message is timeless.