Song: Orange Crush (1988) Artist: R.E.M. Writers: Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Mike Mills, Michael Stipe Label: Warner Bros Orange Crush was the first released single off of R.E.M.’s sixth studio album, their first with Warner Bros. Although the album focused on the band’s political and environmental concerns, as well as its ambivalence with the record … Read more
Song: I’ve Never Been to Me Artist: Charlene (D’Angelo) Writer: Ron Miller, Kenneth Hirsch Label: Prodigal, Motown I’ve been to Georgia and California and anywhere I could run; took the hand of a preacher man And we made love in the sun; but I ran out of places and friendly faces because I had to … Read more
Song: Life Is a Highway (1992) Artist: Tom Cochrane Writer: Tom Chochrane Label: Capitol Life Is a Highway was given a big boost in 2006 by being featured in the Pixar animated movie Cars, that version was a cover performed by Rascal Flatts. The original, released by Tom Cochrane in 1992 was a no. 1 … Read more
Since Goodbye Yellow Brick Road by Elton John references The Wizard Of Oz, many interpret the song as referencing actress July Garland. The first thing to realize is that when you are interpreting the lyrics of an Elton John song, you are interpreting the lyrics of Bernie Taupin, so you have to think about what … Read more
John Lennon definitely did say ‘life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans. He said it in a song called Beautiful Boy from 1981, off his album Double Fantasy. The question is whether he originated the the saying, as is often claimed. Although Lennon is the originator of many famous quotes, he cannot … Read more
Steve Miller’s lyric on The Joker (1973), the pompatus of love, really stands out. I’ve already explained where he got that from. No, it was not original to him. Many people, including myself, also love the line from The Joker, “You’re the cutest thing I ever did see. I really love your peaches, wanna shake … Read more
Song: Got My Mind Set On You (1987) Artist: George Harrison Album: Cloud Nine Label: Dark Horse Writer: Rudy Clark George Harrison had a number one hit with Got My Mind Set on You in January of 1988. It was his last number one hit and the only one he didn’t write himself. The song … Read more