Tag: songs

What is this a list of?

  1. The Beach Boys
  2. Neil Young
  3. Led Zeppelin
  4. Queen
  5. The Who
  6. Jimi Hendrix
  7. Chuck Berry
  8. The Doors
  9. Bob Marley
  10. Curtis Mayfield

Best live acts? Most influential performers? Best albums of all time? Most-played songs on Cathy’s iPod?

No, no, no, and no. It’s actually Top Ten Who Never Won a Grammy, courtesy of 411 Music.

This is my favorite quote in the list:

This is another situation where you can’t really find a good reason as to why the group has yet to receive this award; they were popular commercially and critically for not just a brief time but for a long while, and you would think that at some point, one year, in one random category, people could have thought that The Who of all bands did the best job. But that apparently wasn’t the case. Because, as we all should realize by now, these people are morons.

Nevertheless, I do plan to record and watch this year’s Grammy’s. At least they had enough sense to nominate and invite Arcade Fire… And with three nominations, they even have a serious shot at winning one.

The Wilderness Downtown

OK, this was cool.

My current favorite band (at least in subcategory: Best years are not decades behind them), Arcade Fire, has this interactive video on their website for the great song, “We Used to Wait”.

You enter the street address of one of your childhood homes and images from that place get integrated into the video. I was skeptical that the fairly obscure Timmins street where my parents live would be included, but about four characters in, it came up as an option.

The multi-window resulting video was really neat, especially on the big monitor I have at home.

Requires the Google Chrome browser.

Then you can try out your the address of your choice at http://www.thewildernessdowntown.com/

What is a normal dinner party?

Though I like to cook and have a reasonable fondness for the company of others, I don’t host dinner parties that often. This is because I can’t seem to just have “normal” ones. Actually, I’m not even sure what a normal one is, but I think it means basically cooking something you normally do, only a little more of it, adding a dessert and a couple nice bottles of wine, and inviting a few other people over to help you eat it.

I always seem to go bigger and more complicated. Perhaps it’s true that everyone needs a challenge once in a while, and this is one I set up for myself. So, for my most recent dinner party, the idea was trying to “harmonize the food and wine for each course to a particular soundtrack, based on mood.” Which indeed was a wee bit of a challenge.

Selecting the moods

How many courses, and which mood would each have? At the start, the only thing that seemed obvious was that the start [snacks] needed to exciting and energizing, while dessert was by nature romantic. Retrospectively only, I realized that what I did from there was segue gradually down from that starting mood to the ending one. So exciting gave way to merely happy [appetizers], then to engaged/interested [main course], and onto refreshed (which I’m still not convinced is actually a mood) [palette cleanser], and finally to the relaxed romantic.

Playlist assembly

Again, the starts and ends were quite easy. Exciting and energizing = dance music to me, and I already had a large Dance playlist. I could afford to get pretty picky with that, knocking out the slower numbers and the ones I didn’t like as much, and still being left with a good 7 hours of thumpa thumpa. And I similarly had a good start on the romantic already, which just required a little removal of some racier items, and the addition of some more love songs.

But happy was tough. Apparently I’m not that big a fan of the upbeat pop tune. I was really having to comb through to find enough to last a sufficient amount of time.

For engaged I looked for songs that were of moderate mellowness and featured smart lyrics. I am much more of a fan of this type of music, it appears, so this was easier to put together. A lot of women artists feaured here—Alanis, Tori, Sarah… even a little Madonna.

And refreshing? I decided that was electronica… Not sure why. As I have only about 12 electronica songs, it was easy to gather them, and that was long enough for the palette cleanser course.

Food and wine

Jean was a big help in getting this part settled. I really didn’t want to do fiddly little appetizer things, because I hate making that kind of stuff, but I was failing to see how I could possibly make soup or salad “fun”. He’s the one who suggested that a two-tone soup, which we’d once had at a restaurant, could be kind of fun, especially with chow mein noodles. So that’s what I went with, adapting a carrot and parsnip recipe that was meant to have everything combined, but instead cooking it in two parts.

Similarly, it was his point that salmon seemed too dull to be the only main course protein on offer, leading to the idea of offering duck as well. Which of course meant we had to serve Pinot Noir, the intellectual wine—as we learned at the KW Symphony’s food and wine concert. And that concert is also where I got the Julia Child chocolate recipe that I thought I would be a suitable dessert.

With those main items selected, the rest just had to be built up around it. And we were so well stocked in wine at this point, selecting those proved pretty easy, and required no special trips to the LCBO. Everything was already in our wine cupboard.

Inviting guests

Oh yeah, the people! On the first date we proposed, very few could actually attend. So we were pretty surprised when, on the second day we suggested, everyone could go! But that’s a good problem to have, since we wouldn’t have invited them if we didn’t want to see them. So we were eight guests, plus Jean and me. Inventory revealed we actually did have enough chairs and dishes—as long as we weren’t too fussy about everything matching—and a little creativity allowed everyone to sit at the same table, albeit covered with three different, small table cloths.

Everyone was willing and able to bring something, and that also helped round out the menu and assuage concerns that someone would go hungry. And on the day, all were really great about helping with music changing, wine opening, and dish delivery and removal. I could definitely see why I wanted to spend time with these people.

So how did it go?

Generally good, I think? Jean and I had fun. Everyone else claimed they did too. I felt most items I made turned out well, and certainly everything brought was delicious. Definitely the most challenging part was the final preparation of the main courses, where we had to cook duck, beans, salmon in sequence in the oven (cause each needed a different temperature) while also preparing the sweet potatoes and reheating the magret, but we mostly managed that. (We probably would have done a little better had we not already had a couple glasses of wine by then, but hey, it was a party, and we didn’t have to drive.)

After that, everything was actually pretty easy to serve, as it was all ready, so then we could largely relax and just enjoy the company and conversation.

As I had typed up the menu for the whole evening, I’ll copy that in here now. Thereby making this the longest post ever!

Continue reading “What is a normal dinner party?” →

Soundtrack to Valentine’s Day

Billboard Magazine has compiled a list of the 50 sexiest songs of all time. It’s Billboard, so the criteria is sales—the more of those, the higher the position in their chart. And which songs qualify to be counted? Apparently, those who subject matter is sex (even with oneself, as “She Bop” makes the list). So the results are kind of bizarre, unless your idea of great romantic evening is listening to Olivia Newton’s John “Physical” (number 1!), Anita Ward’s “Ring My Bell” (number 17), or Def Leppard’s “Pour Some Sugar on Me” (number 37). Topped off with “She Bop”, I guess (number 49).

We aren’t doing too much for Valentine’s Day this year—just dinner at home, probably with some nicer wine, and a dessert featuring chocolate. But if we can tear ourselves away from the Olympics for a bit, we may put on some “mood” music. Which would not include any of the above songs (or other entries like “Smack That”, or “Sledgehammer”, or “Afternoon Delight”), but might—iPod shuffle willing—include the following (links to YouTube videos of song, where available):

1. I Need You Tonight – INXS

Featuring an intensely erotic vocal performance by Michael Hutchens, possibly the sexiest rock star ever, only highlighted by his charismatic video performance.

“So slide over here / And give me a moment”

2. A Case of You – Diana Krall

Her Bourbon-soaked voice ideally suits this classic, poetic Joni Mitchell song. Blew me away completely the first time I heard her do this (on her husband’s show).

“And I could drink a case of you / And still be on my feet”

3. Save the Last Dance for Me – Ben E. King

An oldie but a goodie, with another sensuous vocal performance. (Background story is apparently that Ben E King was wheelchair-bound and could not dance with his wife himself.) Doesn’t hurt that it was used as the prom dance soundtrack for Justin and Brian on Queer as Folk.

“But don’t forget who’s talking you home / And in whose arms you’re going be”

4. Without Your Love – Roger Daltrey

I do find Roger Daltrey’s husky-to-sweet-and-back-again voice kind of sexy (big surprise, I know), but The Who sure isn’t one for uncomplicated songs of love. Or lust. So it’s kind of refreshing to hear that voice wrapped around one (as I’d probably find it too mooshy if sung by anyone else).

“I could forget my home / Be like a rolling stone / But what would it mean, without your love?”

5. Temple – Jane Siberry

Known mostly for quirky tunes like “Mimi on the Beach” and “Everything Reminds Me of My Dog”, Siberry is probably one of the last artists you’d think of coming up with something so sensual. But from the opening, whispered “gimmes”… wow.

“You call that rough? Well it’s not… rough enough”

6. I’m in Love with My Car – Queen

I know, I know. This one is weird. It’s a completely un-sarcastic song about a guy so taken with his car, he doesn’t want or need a girl. (Or a boy.) But with its driving 6/8 beat and the sheer passion behind Roger Taylor’s singing, it’s just, somehow, very hot. (Much hotter than Queen’s actual songs about sex, like “Get Down, Make Love” or “Body Language” or — God forbid — “Fat Bottomed Girls”.) I don’t think cars are sexy, but this song makes me understand that other people do. They really do.

“When I’m holding your wheel / All I feel is your gear / When my hand’s on your greasegun / Oh, it’s like a disease, son”

————–

That’s enough for now. I’ll be in my bunk.

Join the majority

Like two-thirds of Canadians (!), apparently, I tuned into the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics last night. And I even watched it live, and nearly to the bitter end.

They really did a fine job, I thought. I liked the special effects re-creation of the ocean, and the fields, and the mountains (even if it perpetuates the myth that we’re “outdoorsy” country people, when most of us live in cities). And I liked the slam poet, reminiscent of the old “Joe Canadian” ads, but with more eloquence and no beer. (Even though it claimed an environmentalism we don’t deserve. But the rest felt right.) The fiddling medley was lively fun. And man, does this country have a great set of women singers, or what? Nikki Yanovsky, Sarah McLachlan, Joni Mitchell, Measha Brueggergosman, and most especially, KD Lang, actually outdoing her Juno performance of “Hallelujah”.

I liked that the final torch run wasn’t just Gretzky. I liked all the French. And it was appropriate that the tragic death of luger Nodar Kumaritashvili was recognized, and recognized again.

I have some sympathy with Olympic protestors. The IOC is really the most appalling organization. But the athletes… they’re mostly inspiring. They always win me in over in the end.

Finally, live TV meant not fast-forwarding the commercials, and the somewhat dubious sponsors involved. It made this 22 Minutes bit even more hilarious the second time around:

The Shuffler

Spent some time today reading this thread in Salon –

Inspired by The Onion’s Random Rules feature. Select “Shuffle Songs” from your iPod’s main menu and tell us the first five songs that it plays. No cheating, no skipping embarrassing songs you’d rather not tell us you have on your iPod, and feel free to give some commentary on the songs themselves or how you feel the five songs do or do not work in conjunction with one another.

Considering it was mostly just a very random list of songs, it was fairly interesting. I wasn’t too surprised at the number of people with songs I’d never heard by cool new bands I’d never heard of, because the list of cool new bands I’ve never heard of is just so very long. But I was surprised at the number of people with only classical musical on their iPod. At least, there were only classical pieces amongst their five songs.

Anyway, of course I had to try this. Not that I hadn’t shuffled all songs many times before, but this was the first time for this purpose. Here is what I got:

1. The Kinks – Property

OK, so one of my favorite Kinks songs ever. That’s a good start.

2. I’m a Believer – Smashmouth (from Shrek)

I don’t even know where I got this song from. I like it, though. Not too different from the Monkees’ original.

3. Layla – Eric Clapton (from Live Aid)

I extracted this from the DVD. It’s a lively version.

4. It’s Gonna Be a Beautiful Night (Live) – Prince

Ooh, iPod bringing in the funk!

5. Flash! U96 (from Queen Dance Traxx)

Oh, I love Queen Dance Traxx! Though I bet the vast majority of Queen fans find it completely appalling. But I love dance versions of Queen songs. This one is basically a dance remix of Flash!, with Freddie and band’s original vocals retained.

(I stopped the pod then, but it was heading into the Classical, with some Schubert.)

Nothing too embarrassing, though if I’m not embarrassed by Queen Dance Traxx, perhaps I’m not embarrassed by much…

Things I might blog about if I had more time

  • The perilous nature of cover versions of songs. (That topic’s been simmering for some time.)
  • Going to Indiana for the wedding of someone I’ve known for decades, but haven’t actually met in person before.
  • The peculiar “war of articles” about global warming going on at the “Green Team” posting board at work.
  • One year of Who DVDs.

Maybe next week? Tonight I have a wedding present to wrap!

Videos that don’t need more publicity from me

This was originally written in 2009, but from 2024 vantage point, two of the videos mentioned and linked to are no longer available…

  • From College Humor.com, Web Side Story, mocking web trends as famous bits of West Side Story are re-created.
  • “Addiction” dance by Kayla and Kupono from So You Think You Dance.

Last one, though, still exists—and even still seems kind of relevant, as we’re still facing issues of mistreatment by airlines (ask people in wheelchairs). The ability for an individual to actually get a corporation based on a viral video… I guess can still happen, but sure feels harder now that most of the key media for doing so are owned by giant, evil corporations. Anyway. This is what I’d written at the time.

And finally, United Breaks Guitars. My God, this guy has been everywhere since this went viral—CNN’s The Situation Room, CBS Morning Show, CTV National News, Q with Jian Ghomeshi… And more.

One thing not always noted is that Dave Carroll is originally from Timmins (just like Shania). As he recounts in the song, his guitar was tossed around and damaged by United Airways staff, who did nothing to compensate him. So this is his revenge. His goal was to reach over a million views in a year. He’s achieved that in less than a week.

Also, the video is pretty funny, and it’s a catchy little tune as well.

Stupid, immoral, or just weird?

So I’m pleased with myself because I’ve figured out how to record music as it plays on my computer.

Now, I’d be more pleased if I could have figured out how to configure Windows to do this, for free, as is supposed to be possible. But after the simple instructions failed, and then I tried more complicated instructions that also failed, and eventually ended up in the Windows Registry and it was 1:00 in the morning and I still wasn’t recording…

I realized this was insane. So before I blew up the computer, I bought some inexpensive software to do this. Very simple; works great. Anything I play on the computer, I can now convert to MP3 (and other formats).

I wanted this for things like:

  • Ann Wilson and Roger Daltrey singing “Kashmir”, accompanied by a symphony. Awesome.
  • Queen live in 1977, as posted at Wolfgang’s Vault
  • Even the elusive “Dancing at the Feet of the Moon” by Parachute Club

This, my husband informed me, makes me a thief. Even though I pointed out that none of these things seem to be available for sale. He said that the artists should still paid for their work, and I said, well, I’m sure they were paid for their original work and now their stuff is sitting on the Internet for free listening and what difference does it make if I listen on my computer or my iPod? (And actually the argument went on much longer and grew progressively ridiculous, so I’ll spare you.)

But it did make me think that, however I get my music now—and I use many means—someone seems to thinks it’s either stupid, or immoral, or just plain weird.

You buy music? [stupid]

Most commonly expressed by those under 30, who like to point out that everything is available for free on the Internet. I don’t know how immoral it is to never pay for music, but it’s at least kind of tacky.

You buy music from iTunes? [stupid]

Boy, do some people have issues with iTunes! That it’s too expensive, that everything is DRM, that it chains you to your iPod. But expensive is relative, the DRM thing is now history, and as for chaining you to your iPod; well, I’ve never figured that was so hard to get around. For example, I can just play whatever is in iTunes on my computer, and make an MP3 copy of it using my handy new software! Voila, no more ties to Apple.

You still buy CDs? [weird. and possibly stupid]

Amazement that I still acquire some music little plastic disks, which clutter up your life. Especially since the first thing you do is convert it for the iPod anyway.

Now, I used to say all those CDs were my iTunes backup; but now I’ve started backing up my library to DVD.

Or, that I liked the packaging—but I don’t really refer to the CD case, within its tiny print and sad little cover picture, all that often. But I still buy CDs because of:

  • Price (since I often get them used).
  • Better sound quality. Compressing things for your iPod means dropping notes from your songs. I’m no audiophile, but CDs do sound richer.
  • Convenience—at least in my car, where the CD player is better integrated than the iPod.

As for clutter, my neatly organized CDs, all stashed away in cabinets in alphabetical order by artist, then by release date, are really the least of my problems there. But it brings me to…

You still buy albums? [weird]

This is, as opposed to just songs. Of course, it’s wonderful to now be able to just get songs so easily, but yes, I still get albums too. Because…

  • Classic albums like Dark Side of the Moon and Who Sell Out, which have a whole thematic that builds, can only be experienced by listening to the entire album. In order.
  • Some artists are so great in concert, I just assume I’ll like the whole album too. With a band like Swing, I was completely right—with both their albums. Which I’ve since bought more of, to give to other people.
  • Soundtracks, which may not count, since they are just a random collection of songs. Though something like the Trainspotting or Shortbus soundtracks have an overarching sound to them that make them a great playlist in themselves.
  • Reliable artists like Ray Davies, Alanis Morissette (Flavors of Entanglement is great), Bob Geldof… They put out a new album, I’m probably going to get it.

And more ways…

  • [immoral?] Extracting it from music DVDs—I have software for that, too. And I’m pretty sure it’s just another copy for personal use. I’m just thrilled that the mostly useless online help (“the filter pass setting sets the filter pass”) actually contained the one precise piece of information I needed to make the extracted songs stop “crackling”. Was driving me nuts.
  • [immoral?] Borrowing it from friends or family—Yet everyone seems to think this is just a nice thing to do, not immoral at all. Most will gladly make a copy for you.
  • [stupid?] Downloading it, not from a torrent, but from a “file sharing” location posted by someone on a Kinks mailing list. Which, I’m sure, is somewhat stupid. But I do have virus software, and all seems well since I did it, and it is a truly fantastic collections of Kinks songs. The Fan Box Set. Anyone want to borrow it? 🙂

Not over The Kinks

Magnet Magazine produced their list of the five most overrated, and underrated, songs in The Kinks canon. This inspired me to do something similar—well, maybe not that similar.

I mean, I have to agree with many comments on the article that declaring anything “overrated” in terms of The Kinks is a bit absurd, given their unfair residence in the shadow of that “holy trinity” of The Beatles, The Who, and The Rolling Stones. You can point out all you want that while the Beatles early songs were kind of lame (“Love Me Do”, “I Want to Hold Your Hand”), The Kinks’ were—and remain—pretty awesome (“You Really Got Me”, “All Day and All of the Night”). Or that Arthur—not Tommy—was actually the first rock opera. Or that The Kinks continued to develop musically throughout their 30-year career, while the Rolling Stones musical development seems to have died along with Brian Jones.

None of that matters. Those bands are just more popular, overall, than The Kinks, and nothing’s going change that. (And if Kinks fans are honest, they’re going to admit to liking having The Kinks as their own secret great band of the British invasion.)

Now, The Kinks did have some big hits (“You Really Got Me”, “Lola”, “Come Dancing”), but they’re all good songs, in my opinion, and none “overrated”. But none worth talking about any more, either.

But underrated… What does that really mean, with these guys? Songs people slagged unfairly? What would those be?

So, my list is not really overrated, nor underrated. It’s just Kinks songs that I really really like, that most people don’t know. These are ones that came to me off the top of my head, with no scouring through song lists. It’s about evenly divided between 60s/early 70s and 80/90s—the Kinks having somewhat lost me in their 70s concept album phase.

In no particular order…

1. Art Lover (Give the People What They Want, 1982)

The song that made me a Kinks fan. I saw The Kinks perform this on Saturday Night Live, and was instantly infatuated by Ray’s extremely flirtatious presentation. Only later did I realize it’s actually a song “either about a lonely Dad missing his daughter, or a really mellow pervert.” The uncomfortable ambiguity is very Kinks. (And I still find Ray terribly sexy in that clip.)

Live version of Art Lover—sadly, not the one from SNL

2. I’m Not Like Everybody Else (To the Bone, 1994)

While I also really enjoy the original 1965(?) version, sung by Dave, I think my favorite is the live 1994 version, sung by Ray, who introduces it thusly:

This song summarizes what The Kinks are all about. Because everybody expects us to do wonderful things, and we mess it all up, usually.

I like the slightly altered lyrics, and most especially, the delicious irony of a whole crowd of people gleefully singing in unison that they “aren’t like everybody else!”

The original, sung by Dave

3. Village Green Preservation Society (The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society, 1968)

I love this song beyond all reason, given that it’s on a subject I neither know nor particularly care about: preservation of British heritage. I think it’s the clever wordplay (“We are the Sherlock Holmes, the English-speaking vernacular / Help save Fu Manchu, Moriarty, and Dracula”), the gorgeous harmonies throughout, and the very pleasing key change near the end. (The version on To the Bone is also wonderful.)

The original and a live version (more interesting video, but not as good a version)

4. Days (single, 1969)

OK, this is cheating, because this was probably was a hit. But it’s too beautiful not to include.

It’s about a now-ended love affair. But instead of expressing self-pity, or anger, it expresses gratitude. Thank you. Thank you for ever being with me at all. Thank you for the days, those endless days you gave me.

I’ve never heard anything like it. And not to be morbid, but… I want this played at my funeral. (“I bless the light, I bless the light that shines on you, believe me. And though you’re gone, you’re with me every single day, believe me.”)

The Kinks miming “Days” on Top of the Pops (guess it was a hit)

5. Shangri-la (Arthur or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire, 1969)

This one was on the Magnet Magazine list, and I have to agree. It’s the best song on an album with no weak tracks. It starts out in soft tones, as apparent homage to idyllic suburban living: “Now that you’ve found your paradise, this is your kingdom to command.” It then segues into an angrier, louder middle section, pointing out the multitude of ways that “life ain’t so happy in your little shangri-la”. When the initial verse returns, in the same tune but now retaining the angry horns, it now seems rather ominous: “You’ve reached your top and you just can’t get any higher.”

It’s nothing but brilliant.

The original and Ray playing it live–for the first time

6. Living on a Thin Line (Word of Mouth, 1984)

The Kinks have a lot of songs about British life and mores—gardening, drinking tea, china cups, and virginity. They have whole albums about it. But one of the very best of these is actually by Dave Davies, not Ray.

Now, Dave wrote this with the thought that Ray might sing it. It’s keyed for Ray’s lower vocal range. But Ray declined, and Dave does the honors, and does a fine job of it. It’s nicely produced, sort of epic-sounding, and had it ever been released as a single, who knows? (One of the many sore points between the brothers.)

Living on a Thin Line

7. Don’t Look Down (Phobia, 1993)

Phobia is the last full studio album from The Kinks and has a lot of strong tracks, notably the beautiful “Scattered” and the incendiary “Hatred” duet between the brothers. But I keep coming back to this simple track as a great example of Ray’s ability to so vividly paint a portrait of daily life. And of his optimism.

Walking down the street, he sees a man on the edge—literally. “Don’t look down.” More and more people join in. “And we all start to say: Don’t look down.” “Now the sun’s coming up—looks like he’s standing on a rainbow”…

Don’t Look Down

8. The Moneygoround (Lola vs Powerman and the Moneygoround, 1970)

The Lola album is also very strong, and includes the touching “Get Back in the Line” and Dave’s spiritual ode, “Strangers”. It also has a number of fun tunes (apart from “Lola”)—the fabulous “Top of the Pops” (“Life is so easy when your record’s hot”) and this one. Here is Ray taking what was actually a very painful experience (“Do they all deserve money for a song that they’ve never heard?”) and turning it into catchy romp (that you can totally dance to).

The Kinks video for Moneygoround

9. Property (State of Confusion, 1983)

Ah, the divorce song. Just a sad, beautiful song, observing how “all the little things, we thought we’d throw away / The useless souvenirs, bought on a holiday / We put them on a shelf, now they’re collecting dust / We never needed them / But they outlasted us.”

Property

10. Love Me Til the Sun Shines (Something Else by The Kinks, 1967)

Got to stop somewhere, so why not with this bit of horny ridiculousness by Dave from a classic 60s Kinks album. In a steady rock chug, Dave informs us that not only does his girlfriend not have to cook or clean for him, she doesn’t even have to laugh with him or hold his hand. Oh, and she can totally make out with his friends, and it’s fine if she borrows and wrecks his stuff.

Just as long as she still “loves” him til the sun shines.

Well, at least he has his priorities straight.

I don’t want to make excuses, but… I was 16 years old. I had the world at my feet. I had the world [laughs] at my… d***. — Dave Davies

Love Me Til the Sun Shines

Appendix: OK, couldn’t quite stop until I added these two…

11. Noise (B-side 1983)

A really obscure tune that only later showed on up on the CD version of State of Confusion as a bonus track. Yet it’s as good as anything else on the album. I love the soaring chorus—“All I hear is noise.”

Noise

12. Alcohol (Everybody’s in Showbiz, 1973)

This one is probably cheating as well, as it was a centerpiece of The Kinks’ stage act of the 1970s, Ray balancing a bottle of beer on his head. So not really obscure. The verses are in third person, telling us “the story of a sinner who used to be a winner.” Then the chorus switches into first person: “Oh demon alcohol / Sad memories I can’t recall”. I suppose I should be troubled by a song about alcoholism sounding so jaunty, not to mention the sexism of the “floozy” and the wife beating. But it’s just too fun to take seriously.

Alcohol, live (as it should be), 1977