The Friday Five: January 13, 2012
Friday Five : ‘frī-(,)dā,-dē ‘fīv : On the sixth day of every week, I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes, then share the first five tracks and thought for each track. Sometimes there is a playlist involved, occasionally we’ll have a guest, but most of the time it’s just me. The rest is up to you, our friends and readers! Fire up your media player of choice and share the first five random track of your shuffle in the comments.
The Five:
“Nothin’ Comes Close” by Journey (from Arrival, 2001)
“Nothin’ Comes Close” is a perfectly serviceable bit of AOR that just seemed completely out of place in 2001. I always liked Augeri’s voice, though. He sounded like Perry enough when he had to, but had enough of his own identity that he didn’t seem like a puppet on the end of Schon’s hand.
“Someday I’ll Be Saturday Night” by Bon Jovi (from Cross Road, 1994)
Oh, it’s going to be like that, huh? I can’t say I care much for this tune. I recall thinking it was pandering when it was initially released.
“God” by The Smashing Pumpkins (from The Aeroplane Flies High (disc 3: Zero), 1996)
I’m beginning to question what I ever saw in The Smashing Pumpkins.
“Remember” by Bryan Adams (from Anthology, 2005)
I’m not going to lie: I kind of dig this song. This is Adams before he started growling his way through every damn song. He definitely has a knack for writing a hook that sinks right in.
“Outshined” by Soundgarden (from A-Sides, 1997)
One of the handful of Soundgarden tracks I actually like. You know what my favorite part is? The pre-chorus with Matt Cameron’s background vocal!
What’s on your shuffle today?
The Friday Five: December 11, 2009
Friday Five : ˈfrī-(ˌ)dā,-dē ˈfīv : On the sixth day of every week I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes and share my five and drop a little knowledge and insight for each track. Sometimes there is a playlist involved, sometimes there isn’t. Sometimes we have guest, but most of the time it’s just me. The rest is up to you, our friends and readers! Fire up your media player of choice and share the first five random track of your shuffle in the comments.
The Five:
Ani DiFranco – “Hide and Seek” (from Living in Clip, 1997)
Steve Perry – “If Only for the Moment, Girl” (mp3) (from Street Talk, 1984)
The Smashing Pumpkins – “Cherub Rock” (from Siamese Dream, 1993)
Joe Jackson – “Tiger Rag” (from Tucker: The Man and His Dream, 1988)
John Mayer – “Perfectly Lonely” (mp3) (from Battle Studies, 2009)
It’s still Friday, right? What are you listening to this evening?
The Friday Five: April 10, 2009
For those who have not joined in the Friday Five here is all you need to know; each Friday I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes and share my five and drop a little knowledge and insight for each track. Sometimes there is a playlist involved, sometimes there isn’t. Sometimes we have guest, but most of the time it’s just me.
The rest is up to you, our friends and readers! Fire up your media player of choice and share the first five random track of your shuffle in the comments. The more the merrier!
The Five:
“Oh Sherrie” (mp3) by Steve Perry (from Street Talk)
Perry’s first foray away from Journey ended up sounding more or less like, well, a Journey record (albeit with less Neal Schon). I fondly recall this tune being absolutely everywhere the summer of 1984.
“Workin’ for a Livin'” by Huey Lewis & The News (from Time Flies… The Best of Huey Lewis & The News)
Between “Takin’ Care of Business” and “Workin’ for the Weekend” this completes the perfect trifecta of “Workin’ Man” songs that for some reason always remind me of 80’s Michael Keaton.
“U Don’t Have to Call” by Usher (from 8701)
Between 8701 and Confessions Usher Raymond cemented himself as the go-to Pop/R&B guy. Sure, he may not have Musiq‘s or Raphael Saadiq‘s soul or Brian McKnight‘s velvety voice, but the ladies love him and he can dance his ass off.
“The Humpty Dance” by Digital Underground (from Sex Packets)
Ya’ll know this… time to do the Humpty Dance!!
“Ask the Lonely” by Journey (from Greatest Hits)
Apparently iTunes is in the mood to hear Mr. Perry’s voice. I’ll abide…
What’s shuffling up on your player today?