Song: The Joker (1973) Artist: Steve Miller Band Album: The Joker (Capitol) Steve Miller’s lyric on The Joker, 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 … Read more
Song: Eat It (1984) Artist: Weird Al Yankovich Label: Scotti Brothers Writers: Michael Jackson, Al Yankovic Just as Michael Jackson’s album Thriller and the mega-hit Beat It was reaching its height, propelled by MTV and the 1984 Grammy Award for Record of the Year as well as a vocal performance Grammy for Jackson, Weird Al … Read more
Song: American Girl (1976) Artist: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Album: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (Shelter) Writer: Tom Petty Although American Girl never charted in the U.S. the first time it was released in 1976, it has become one of the favorite Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers songs of all time. It is considered … Read more
Song: I Love Rock ‘n Roll (1982) Artist: Joan Jett & the Blackhearts Album: I Love Rock ‘n Roll (Boardwalk) Writers: Jake Hooker, Alan Merrill Joan Jett has had a storied career. Before she was the frontman of her own band, she was a part of the band The Runaways, famous for such songs as “Cherry … Read more
Song: Seven Nation Army (2003) Artist: The White Stripes Album: Elephant Labels: V2, XL, Third Man Writer: Jack White I read a curious line about the White Stripes song Seven Nation Army on American Songwriter: “There’s no disputing that the White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army” is better known for its iconic guitar line than its … Read more
Song: Babe I’m Gonna Leave You (1962) Artists: Joan Baez, Led Zeppelin Album: In Concert Writer: Anne Bredon When you hear Babe, I’m Gonna Leave You by Led Zeppelin, you may not realize that the song started out as a folk song. This in itself is not surprising since Led Zeppelin was heavily influenced by folk. Songs … Read more
Song: Every Breath You Take (1983) Artist: Police Album: Synchronicity (A&M) Writer: Gordon Summer (Sting) I cringe every time I hear someone covering The Police song (by Sting) Every Breath You Take or using it as part of another song. The reason this is so cringeworthy is that people use this song as if it … Read more