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Pop Rock Nation

Author: Money Mike

  • Infatueighties: “You’re a Friend of Mine”

    So…remember I was doing a countdown of the 100 Greatest Songs of the Eighties? Well, funny thing. I accidentally deleted the playlist from my iTunes, and that’s the only place I had it. Yes, I’m stupid. So, instead of reconstructing the entire list, I’ve decided to forgo it and make Infatueighties a regular column spotlighting some of the best songs, albums and artists of my favorite decade of music. By the way, the #1 song was “Billie Jean”. Just in case you were wondering.

    Anyway, has anyone else been watching VH-1’s Greatest One Hit Wonders of the 80s show this week? I’ll admit, I’m a sucker for these kinds of lists, and seeing clips of these songs is giving me a serious nostalgia jones. Right at #100 was this little ditty, a duet that became the first and only solo hit from E Street Band Clarence Clemons.

    After the “Born in the U.S.A” tour had made its’ rounds, Clemons decided to step into the studio and see if some of that leftover Bruce magic could rub off on him, and for one great song, it did. While “You’re a Friend of Mine” is a little more lightweight (and significantly more cheery) than the average E-Street fare, the sax sound and the song’s bounce were enough to make even casual fans recognize it as a Bruce offshoot.

    Why do I like this song? Because I was 9 when it came out and still clung to romantic notions of what friendship was all about. Come to think of it, I still do. It’s a simple song of devotion between two men, and…OK, I’ll stop.

    Clemons never had another hit, but considering his other gig, I don’t think he minded too much. I also (somewhat embarrassingly) admit that this is the only song featuring Jackson Browne (except for “Doctor My Eyes”, which I only know because the Jackson 5 covered it…oh, and “Somebody’s Baby”) that I could recognize within 30 seconds of it coming on.

    And isn’t it nice that Daryl Hannah showed up to do background vocals and appear in the video?

  • Remembering Marvin

    marvinToday would have been Marvin Gaye’s 70th birthday.

    Yesterday marked 25 years since the soul legend’s murder at the hands of his own father.

    Although I was only 7, I distinctly remember sitting at home on April 1st, 1984, when the news came on the radio that Marvin had been killed. Up until that point, I only really knew “Sexual Healing”, and at the time I was more confused about why someone would kill their own son than I was lamenting the death of one of the greatest soul singers of our time.

    With a quarter-century’s perspective, obviously things have changed. While I still can’t fathom a father killing his own child, I’ve long since discovered Marvin’s music, from the anguished, socio-political “What’s Going On” to the bittersweet divorce drama “Here, My Dear” (my personal favorite-you guys should check out the 2-disc reissue of it that came out last year). I hate to resort to cliche, but damn if I wouldn’t sit down and listen to Marvin sing the phone book. The man was certainly one of the most consistent artists of the Seventies. Every album he released during that decade is a keeper, and although he lost a step in the Eighties, “In Our Lifetime” and “Midnight Love” are worthy additions to any R&B fans catalog.

    In addition, the man sang about sex more passionately than any singer before or since (with the possible exception of pre-Jehovah era Prince). Unlike singers like R. Kelly (who unjustly gets compared to Marvin when he doesn’t have a tenth of MArvin’s talent), he doesn’t make it sound crass or one-sided. You can tell from his delivery that it’s just as important for the other party (or parties, given that Marvin was kind of a freak) to be satisfied as it is for him to be satisfied.

    Listening to Marvin Gaye sing brings you back to a time when singers could articulate emotions. The man could do anguish, festive, contemplative, horny…no matter what he was feeling, it was expressed through his music. It’s another cliche, but they just don’t make ’em like that anymore.

    Anyway, I’ll leave you with video of the man singing our national anthem. If you haven’t heard this one before, be prepared to be blown away.

    Happy birthday, Marvin. Hope you’re relaxing (and freaking) in paradise.

  • First Look: Ciara & Justin’s “Love Sex Magic”

    Ciara’s “Fantasy Ride” is one of those albums that was SUPPOSED to come out ages ago, but her record company just hasn’t found a song that caught fire. Enter Justin Timberlake, and voila, not only does Ciara have another hit on her hands, but the album’s finally been given a firm May release date. The song’s called “Love Sex Magic”, and the video is below.

    A lot of folks hate on JT, but I’m not mad at the dude at all. Although he’s obviously not as talented as HE thinks he is, the fact of the matter is that he was behind one of the few 50 Cent songs I like (“Ayo Technology”), finally turned me around to appreciating T.I. (“Dead & Gone”), and was behind most of the good stuff on Madonna’s last album. Hell, I wouldn’t even be caught near a Ciara record if not for this song. While I still won’t buy the album, this is definitely worth the 99 cents (or $1.29 now that their prices are being raised) on iTunes.

    As for the video, well, damn. All I have to say is that if Ciara moves like that, she should be in the circus.