The Not-Pop Jukebox

I've been enjoying some nasty, old-school funk tonight, stretching back into the mid-1970s. That may or may not be why I haven't gotten around to posting all night; I'm not confirming either way. But I had to share Chicken Lickin' with you all, the song that, for me, earned Funk, Inc. their name. I know they had an awful lot of great music but it was this song that made me say, "Oh, yeah!" back in the day, as they say.

If you're a fan of funk (or saxophones) give this one a listen. If you aren't, then you had better hear it. You might change your mind. If you don't behave I'll make you listen to Ceasar Frazier's funky take on Hikky Burr. Aw, who am I kidding? I'll probably post it anyway.

Like much of the planet, I’d completely forgotten about Electric Light Orchestra’s Hold on Tight. When it popped up on my computer this morning I thought, “Oh, I haven’t heard this forever!” I bopped along, paying little attention until, suddenly, it was in French (at about 1:30, if you're curious).

I do believe I’ve mentioned here before my unseemly weakness for songs in French. I’m sure I don’t have to connect the dots for you all but I will anyway. Naturally, that one chorus vaulted Hold on Tight to song of the day status. And so, my dears, here it is. Happy Tuesday!

Really good lyrics cling to your brain for years, popping up in odd circumstances and entering your conversation. (Unfortunately, really good lyrics can’t carry a mediocre song but that’s a different post.) She’s Actual Size from They Might Be Giants makes my point for me.

Hubby and I regularly, if not often, include references to this song in our conversation. It’s impossible for us to discuss something seen in the mirror of a vehicle without pointing out that “it’s actual size but it seems much bigger to me”.

If you’re not familiar with TMBG, or only know their most recent releases, She’s Actual Size will introduce you to the wackiness that makes the duo so infectious. Not all of their left-field lyrical attempts are as successful but this one hit that intersection of weird and memorable that made it permanent resident of my brain.

Then again, if you’re not familiar with the TMBG of the 80s and 90s you may not have ever heard Istanbul (Not Constantinople) and there may be no hope for you. I’m joking, of course. There’s always hope for those who missed quirky hit songs a decade or three ago. It’s called The Not-Pop Jukebox.

When I get a new album, as I did from Gogol Bordello this week, I listen to the whole thing straight through immediately. Then, if I own more from the same artist, I listen to the whole shooting match on shuffle to see how the new stuff fits with the old. If it’s someone like They Might Be Giants or Taj Mahal I just pick two or three other representative albums from across their lengthy career.

This year’s “Trans-Continental Shuffle” marks my third “hard copy” purchase from Gogol Bordello so I spent some quality time listening to their work yesterday. I’m happy to report that this album fits beautifully with the songs on “Gypsy Punks” and “Super Taranta!”, continuing the sound you (may not) know so well. The wild energy continues, the defiant but hopeful theme remains, and their softer sound emerges on a few songs like Sun Is on My Side.

No one song stood out as “the best” to me on this one, because I like so many of them. I’m going to share Uma Menina because it’s stuck in my head right now, but the first two tracks would likely intrigue those of you new to Gogol Bordello just as well. I can't help but think you'll be wandering around singing, "She she she she she she she she she she she she told me."

I wandered about the world of music this evening looking for that perfect WTF song to bring you all on a Friday night. As I worked on some other virtual irons I have in the fire I listened to songs after song. Finally, I bumped right into Klaus Nomi. It took all of four seconds of this video before I knew I had the perfect song to make you all sit back and say, "What the..." You're welcome.