Ickmusic’s Friday Five: July 4, 2008
Today is the Fourth of July, better known in the United States as Independence Day, commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain.
This also means many of you will be off today and enjoying time with your friends and families, but we here at Ickmusic are dedicated to ensuring our readers have their Friday Five fix. In spirit of the holiday I’ve cooked up this playlist to get some patriotic tunes going for the days activities.
Match ANY of the following conditions
NAME contains Independence
NAME contains U.S.A.
NAME contains America
NAME contains Fourth
NAME contains July
NAME contains Declaration
This pulled up a few more tracks than I suspected it might. I hit the shuffle and away we go!
For those of you reading this for the first time, here’s how it works… I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes and then show you my five with some words for each track.
Then it’s your turn!
Here are this week’s tracks:
1. Bruce Springsteen – Born in the U.S.A. (from Greatest Hits)
This song, along with “Glory Days”, is to me the epitome of summer songs. It stands beside Creedence Clearwater Revival‘s “Fortunate Son” and John Mellencamp‘s “Jack and Diane” as true American Standards. I could go on, but I’m just going to enjoy listening to the rest of the track.
2. Frank Zappa – Food Gathering in Post-Industrial America, 1992 (from The Yellow Shark)
As performed by Ensemble Modern, this is perhaps one of Frank’s most challenging works. I didn’t come to truly appreciate the depth of this record until much later in life. And in the spirit of the day there is something to be said of Frank’s ardent support of the First Amendment and the fight against censorship of any sort.
3. Jimmy Eat World – Bleed American (from Bleed American)
I actually purchased this record in its pre-9/11 configuration (my copy is titled Bleed American as opposed to the self-titled change) and had been a JEW fan for a few years prior. I still think this song is underrated and had it come out in a different time it would have been a huge single.
4. Ani DiFranco – Independence Day (from Little Plastic Castle)
I don’t think my love of the little folk singer has come up before. I’m a huge fan.
5. Weezer – Surf Wax America (from Weezer)
What a great send off into the holiday weekend! My 10 year old has recently discovered early Weezer (thanks to Guitar Hero) so I’ve been listening to the Blue Album and Pinkerton quite a bit lately.
So what’s not letting you go quietly into the night?
8 Comments
Skittles
1. “America (Extended Version)” by Prince & The Revolution from America 12″ single. One of my favorite Prince & The Revolution songs, this extended version clocks in at over 21 minutes. I read somewhere that depending on the version you listen to, you can hear the tape run out as the band jammed away on this.
2. “Sextown U.S.A.” by Sparks from Angst in My Pants. My love for Sparks grows every day.
3. “Declare Independence (Mark Stent Mix)” by Bjork from Declare Independence single. I have an on-again/off-again relationship with Bjork. I used to love her, then I lost interest. After Medulla came out, I started to love her again. This might be my favorite track from Volta, and I love all the remixes.
4. “America” by Neil Diamond from The Jazz Singer. Okay, I have an embarrassing story to tell about this song. My dad gave me this album on cassette when I was in 4th grade. And I made up a dance to this song, complete with my Get In Shape girl ribbon. You get a cookie if you know what the hell Get In Shape Girl is.
5. “The Greatest Man in America (live)” by Moxy Fruvous from The B Album. This is one of my favorite bands of all time. I miss them so. This is a really funny song about Rush Limbaugh, which is even funnier since these guys are Canadian.
KathyB
1. “Fourth of July, Asbury Park,” by Richard Shindell, from “Courier.” Obviously a cover of You Know Who. I love Richard Shindell, and I think his cover of “Born in the U.S.A.” (which didn’t come up on my list) is one of the greatest covers I’ve ever heard.
2. “American River” by Jonathan Elias, from “American River.” This was an iTunes Song of the Week sometime in 2004, and I actually really like it.
3. “Fourth of July, Asbury Park,” by the Hollies. What are the odds? I’m not sure I should even count this one, because on my CD of “The Hollies’ Greatest Hits,” it’s just called “Sandy,” and only the copy I added to my iTunes two hours ago has the full title.
4. “Thrice All American” by Neko Case and Her Boyfriends, from “Furnace Room Lullaby.” One of my favorite CDs of the decade so far. And I have a thing for songs in 3/4 time.
5. “American Tune” by Paul Simon, from”There Goes Rhymin’ Simon.” Can’t argue with this one.
Among the next five are “July, July!” by the Decemberists and “American Dreaming” by the Philadelphia Cast of “1600 Pennsylvania Ave.” And the Ani DiFranco and Neil Diamond songs mentioned earlier. But not Gershwin’s “An American in Paris,” although I have it in my iTunes.
Gavinsdad
Great Idea — I wish everyone would leave custom playlist like this. Here are mine.
America – Neil Diamond —– what a great storyteller. One of his best. This is a history lesson with a great melody.
America the Beautiful – Keb Mo —- Keb is a great blues man that can really arange tunes that put his stamp on the song. He has a great album with his young son and does a great version of Joni Mitchell’s Big Yellow Taxi.
Niel Young – America the Beautiful — this is from the Sept 01 special that is by far the finest DVD Music I own. If you dont have this go get it !!! This is every artist performing with passion. The Boss’ Ruins will make you cry like a baby let alone the Stevie Wonder Loves in Need of Love Today
Steve Miller – Living in the USA —- one of my favorite Steve Miller Band tunes.
And the final one !!!!! Can it get any better than this !!!!!
The Clash — Im so Bored with America !!!!!!!!
God Bless our Country and most of all the wonderful people that are giving it all for us in the service !!!!
ljhord
1. “American Woman” by The Guess Who from “The Best of The Guess Who”, 2006.
2. “Living In America” by James Brown from “Platinum & Gold Collection: The Best of James Brown”, 2004.
3. “Only In America” by Jay & The Americans from “Greatest Hits: Collectables”, 2003.
4. “Independence Day” by Ani DiFranco from “Little Plastic Castle”, 1998.
5. “American Tune” by Eva Cassidy from “American Tune”, 2002.
RobC
1. “Born In The U.S.A.” by Bruce Springsteen from “18 Tracks”. This version better suits the lyrics, but I’m glad he went with the version he did.
2. “American Made” by Jack Off Jill from “CMJ Magazine Volume 51”. I used to buy CMJ occasionally in the 90s, and some of the stuff was great. This is not one of those.
3. “American Music” by Violent Femmes from “Permanent Record: The Very Best of Violent Femmes”. Great song.
4. “American Pie” by Don McLean from “Rolling Stone Magazine presents Singers / Songwriters of the 70s”. I used to really love this song, but I guess I’ve just heard it a few too many times. Still a good song.
5. “4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)” by Bruce Springsteen from “The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle”. Great way to finish it off, my favourite of the 5 by far.
Happy 4th from a neighbour to the north! (In case you didn’t notice my funny spelling of favourite & neighbour!)
Tim
“4th. of July” by X- From the album “See How We Are”- I think the last album with Jon and Xene before their divorce.
whiteray
Well, it’s Saturday evening, and as my RealPlayer can only sort for one term at a time (as far as I know), I’ll sort for five words, one at a time:
“Precious Declaration” by Collective Soul from “Disciplined Breakdown,” 1997. More meat on these bones than I thought when I first tapped in to this album.
“When Morning Comes To America” by Danko/Fjeld/Andersen from “Danko/Fjeld/Andersen,” 1991. Danko is Rick Danko from The Band, Andersen is folkie Eric Andersen and Jonas Fjeld is a legend in his native Norway. This song, like the entire album, is a tour de force of roots music (some of those roots being Nordic, of course).
“Venice U.S.A.” by Van Morrison from “Wavelength,” 1978. A album track from one of Van’s less-known albums. Still cooks.
“Black Day in July” by Gordon Lightfoot from “Did She Mention My Name,” 1968. If I’m not mistaken, this is true folk music, written about race riots in Detroit.
“Independence Day” by Martina McBride from “The Way That I Am,” 1993. I think this was the song that put McBride on the map. Great song, great record!
Pete
A very late entry, but I’m back home from vacation and here goes…
1. “Independence Day” – the Boss
2. “American Music” – The Blasters
3. “Black in America” – Jesse Johnson
4. “American Girl” – Tom Petty (live @ Bonnaroo, 2006)
5. “Spiritual High (State of Independence), Part 2” – Moodswings, feat. Chrissie Hynde – perfection….
Sorry about the lack of commentary. I’m tired.