100 Favorite Songs: 86-90

Organ-licious


86. “Tempted” by Squeeze (1981)

Blue-eyed soul!

I always try to find a live rendition of the song close to when the song was released. I feel like songs lose their immediacy the more times they've been played, you can see that especially in bands that have been touring for years. In other words, the best thing I could find is this music video:


I love when they break it down with different vocalists/octaves.


87. “Whiter Shade of Pale” by Procol Harem (1967)

Mmmm. Organ.


Ultimate goal in life: play this song on a church organ.


88. “One Headlight” by The Wallflowers (1997)

A good, solid rock song.


Jakob Dylan: totally a fox.


89. “Dreaming of You” by Selena (1995)

I've seen the movie Selena (1997) about a millions times which has contributed to my undying love of both Jennifer Lopez and this song. I just can't fight it.

Actual Selena footage starts at about 2:20:


This is the end of the movie...is you couldn't tell.


90. “The Bachelor and the Bride” by The Decemberists (2003)

This is a pretty creepy song, but deliciously so. And I love the bass line of this song. Also, more organ.


I would like to thank Decemberists fans for not being annoyingly loud.

Dear Indie Rock Bands

Stop making the girls sing so damn high. It's not in their range, and it makes your music sound like an 8th grade choir concert instead of awesome. Honestly, it ruins perfectly good songs. Check it:

"Chimbley Sweep" by the Decemberists (2003)

The incriminating singing happens about 2 minutes into the song. Every time, I cringe at the nasal highness of those notes. Couldn't you find someone else to sing the girl's part? Answer: yes. The song is narrated, so it doesn't matter who sings it, we'll get the message. Next time get someone competent, like the lead singer, to sing it.

The downside of Indie bands? You can't find good videos on YouTube. Please enjoy a "Teen Titans" interpretation.

"No Cars Go" by Arcade Fire (2007)

The singing starts at 1:10 seconds in. I mean, at least the girl's going for the notes, but is really necessary? Answer: no. It's obnoxious.

Film school project!

"Fools Gold" by The Middle East (2009)

This song's got a lot of great things going for it, but from :30-1:30 you have painfully high notes sung by the chick in the background. Did you really need that sung an octave up? Answer: no. But good use of the girl at the end. Those harmonies in her range really sound nice.

Another class project that was honestly my only option. Try not to cut yourself.