10 For... HOWARD JONES (Pt. 2)
Welcome to Ten For, a feature where I take a look at the discographies of artists who tend to be known in the mainstream for only a few songs (if that), offering up a collection of tracks that will either serve as the start of an education or a squabble, depending on how you feel about the artist’s catalog.
A few days ago, I offered up Pt. 1 of my look into the work of Howard Jones, and now it’s time for Pt. 2.
Missed Pt. 1? Check it out here.
Now give a listen to 10 songs that take you beyond Mr. Jones’s years on Elektra Records and into his career as an indie artist, featuring songs from 1998 to the present.
1. “Tomorrow Is Now” (1998 - People)
I loved this song from the first time I heard it, but what made me love it even more after the fact was that I discovered that it was co-written by Jane Wiedlin. I brought this up when I interviewed Howard for Bullz-Eye in 2010, and he described their collaboration as circumstantial.
“Jane I met on a songwriters’ retreat, so we got put together and really got on well,” said Howard. “I don’t really write with many people. It’s usually someone who really strikes me as someone I can get on with very well. It’s a rare thing to co-write. But it’s really good fun!”
2. “Someone You Need,” with Duncan Sheik (2000 - Perform.00)
Even though this appears on one of Howard’s albums, Duncan’s the one who takes lead vocals on the verses, leaving Howard to shine solely during the choruses. Actually, that’s not entire true: at a certain point, they come together to harmonize, and it’s glorious. This remains a very special song for my wife and I, since we first heard it right around the time we realized for sure that we were each other’s someone.
3. “Celebrate Our Love” (2005 - Revolution of the Heart)
4. “Revolution of the Heart” (2005 - Revolution of the Heart)
5. “Say It Like You Mean It” (2009 - Ordinary Heroes)
It’s probably worth mentioning that when I asked Howard during that interview to cite some of his favorite songs from this album, this was one of the tracks that came up. As it happens, it was already one of my favorites, too.
6. “Seize the Day” (2015 - Engage)
7. “The One to Love You,” with BT (2019 - Transform)
It always does my heart good to see an artist who first found fame in the ‘80s being embraced by a current artist, particularly when the results of their collaboration turn out to be as good as this one did.
8. “Beating Mr. Neg” (2019 - Transform)
9. “My One True Love” (2022 - Dialogue)
Just in case you were wondering if Howard is still making top-shelf music in the 2020s, this and the following track should serve as confirmation.
10. “Formed by the Stars” (2022 - Dialogue)
Looking for a playlist that contains all of these videos? I can do even better than that: here’s one that contains all of the videos from Pt. 1 and Pt. 2!
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFNc2JHGZc4-s3k2QpUjLpLhLBbpbNumt
And with that said, it’s time for the obligatory closing remarks…