VIRTUAL MIX TAPE: "13 Wonderful Will Songs, Vol. 19"

Yes, that’s right, it’s time for another installment of songs that I love and that I hope you’ll love, too. And if you don’t, well, it ain’t like this thing is behind the paywall, so what’d you pay for it, anyway?

In conclusion, listen or don’t, but if you do, I hope you dig it…and if you really dig it, consider upgrading to a paid subscription!

1. Dead Man Fall, “Bang Your Drum” (2014)

The first thing you may notice about this entry is that it doesn’t indicate the album from which the song was taken. That’s because it is, as far as I can tell, a single-only release. In fact, it would appear that they’ve only ever released singles, although at this point they’ve released 10 of them, which means that technically they do have an album’s worth if they ever want to compile them. Anyway, you should check out the band’s releases on their Bandcamp page, because they’re a great bunch of guys who’ve got some cracking tunes. This, however, will always be my favorite, as it feels like the best possible theme song for a freelance writer. I wanted to make sure to include their version, but beneath it is the version that also features vocals from Craig Ferguson, not to mention a plethora of lip-synching guest stars and bonus guitar from Steve Jones. It’s from the last episode of Craigyferg’s incarnation of The Late Late Show, and it brought all the feels for this longtime fan.

2. Adrian Belew, “Looking for a U.F.O.” (1990 - Young Lions)

The first song I ever heard by Adrian Belew was “Oh Daddy,” and as I wasn’t a father yet, I’ll be honest: I didn’t love it…at first. It grew on me over time, however, thanks predominantly to the fact that I listened to the entire album that spawned it (1989’s Mr. Music Head) and was won over by its charms. That said, I still prefer Belew’s follow-up album, Young Lions, even more, and this song is just way too bouncy to ignore.

3. Nick Heyward, “Rollerblade” (1995 - Tangled)

When I was in college, I picked up a cutout copy of Nick Heyward’s 1988 solo CD I Love You Avenue, and I fell in love with it immediately. As such, when he released his next album, 1993’s From Monday to Sunday, it was already an easy sell, but it turned out to be an even better LP than its predecessor, with Nick fully embracing his inner Beatle. I therefore saw it as nothing short of despicable when his American label opted out of releasing the follow-up album, Tangled. Thankfully, I was able to secure an import copy of the album, and it should go without saying that I loved it. This song, however, is actually best served by picking up the A Hard Day’s Nick EP, which—in addition to “Rollerblade”—includes three Beatles covers. I’ve embedded one below the “Rollerblade” video, but you can now find all three of them on the expanded version of Tangled.

4. Creed Bratton, “Spinnin’ N Reelin’” (2001 - The ‘80s)

I still find it a little mind-blowing that the character of Creed Bratton on The Office was played by an actor named Creed Bratton who was once a member of The Grass Roots, a credit which was also added to the resume of his Office character. Adding to the weirdness: there’s an episode of The Office which features Creed singing karaoke, and the song he’s singing is a track recorded by the actual Creed Bratton. But was it also recorded by the character? My mind is blown yet again.

5. Dave Edmunds, “Slipping Away” (1983 - Information)

You can usually track when a person first got MTV in their house by the songs that they most readily association with the channel. In my case, this Dave Edmunds track was in regular rotation, which is why I’ve always had a soft spot for it. Yeah, I know, it’s arguably not prime Edmunds because it’s got that Jeff Lynne production gloss all over it, but it was my gateway drug, so I’ve never had a problem with it.

6. Shampoo, “Dirty Old Love Song” (1994 - We Are Shampoo)

During the era when I was buying New Musical Express and Q Magazine whenever my paychecks allowed, I discovered this duo, who got a fair amount of UK press because… I don’t really know why. Because they were positioned as a pair of bratty punk-ish girls with an album of punk/dance/pop songs? I guess. Anyway, their song “Trouble” got some airplay, but I always found that annoying within about 30 seconds, whereas I loved this track because of its chorus, and I still do.

7. The Outfield, “Since You’ve Been Gone” (1987 - Bangin’)

When The Outfield released their Play Deep album, it stood out to me because it seemed as though every song could’ve been released as a single…and quite a few of them were. Their second album was still a great listen, but it definitely didn’t contain as many tracks that made you immediately think, “This is perfect pop radio fare!” This track was the only top-40 hit from the album, but it only hit #31 before beginning its descent. That’s a shame: it’s a great paean to loneliness in the wake of a breakup.

8. The Caulfields, “Alex Again” (1995 - Whirligig)

Some voices grab you from the moment you hear them, and such was the case for me with John Faye. Now, I’ll grant you, I think at least part of the reason that he got me was because he sounds (at least to me) like an American version of Joe Jackson, but whatever the reason, this song from his band The Caulfields—along with the single, “Devil’s Diary”—made me an instant fan. For some reason, I can’t find the studio version of “Alex Again” on YouTube, however, but I did find this live version recorded three years ago, and it’s amazing how well John can still deliver on this track. In closing, check out his new book, The Yin and the Yang of It All: Rock ‘n’ Roll Memories from the Cusp as Told by a Mixed-Up, Mixed-Race Kid. I haven’t picked up a copy yet because, well, I’m a freelance writer with a 17-year-old daughter in her senior year of high school, so just about anything I buy these days is used. But it’s definitely on my to-read list, and I’m confident that it should be on yours as well!

9. Frosted, “Dis-Integrated” (1996 - Cold)

I remember how excited I was when I heard that Jane Wiedlin had put together a new punk-pop band called Frosted, and when I heard their debut album, I was not disappointed. Regrettably, the record didn’t do much commercially upon its release, which may be why it’s now generally credited to Jane Wiedlin’s Frosted, but however it’s credited, it’s definitely Wiedlin fronting the band and kicking ass.

10. Suggs, “Alright” (1995 - The Lone Ranger: Expanded)

Obligatory cover song! It took a few decades for Madness frontman Suggs to get around to releasing his debut solo album, and when he did, he actually included a couple of covers on it, including versions of The Beatles’ “I’m Only Sleeping” and Simon & Garfunkel’s “Cecilia,” but hearing him tackle a Supergrass song as one of his B-sides was pure bliss. You can now find it on the expanded version of this album, so you don’t need to spend time seeking it out like I did.

11. Chris Squire, “Run with the Fox” (1975 / 1981 - Fish Out of Water: Expanded & Remastered)

First of all, let me just clarify that I do know that this song did not come out in 1975, and I also know that it therefore did not originally appear on Fish Out of the Water, but for some reason it’s been added as a bonus track to that album despite the fact that it didn’t come out until six years later. For my part, I first heard it 10 years after that, when it was included on the 1991 box set YesYears, despite the fact that it wasn’t actually recorded by Yes. It’s officially credited to Chris Squire and Alan White, and it was apparently something that the twosome put together when it became clear that a planned collaboration with Jimmy Page—tentatively called XYZ—wasn’t coming to pass. It wasn’t long after that, of course, that the 90125 lineup of Yes came into being, and the rest is history. Still, this was a great off-one single.

12. Big Kid, “Time in a Day” (2003 - You Must Be Kidding)

In the 20 years that’ve passed since I first heard Big Kid, I can no longer remember if I first heard them on an International Pop Overthrow compilation or on their own debut album. Hell, it also could’ve been on a mix disc that someone made for me. (I used to be part of a trading tree that led to a lot of great discoveries.) However I discovered them, I just know that I heard this incredibly Jellyfish-y song and fell in love instantly.

13. Elton John, “Since God Invented Girls” (1988 - Reg Strikes Back)

For better or worse, this was the first Elton John studio album that I ever owned, a purchase that was inspired by my love of “I Don’t Wanna Go On with You Like That,” and it’s now strange to think that I heard the second part of “Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters” before ever hearing the first part. But I digress. This album closer remains one of my all-time favorite Elton songs, as it’s an homage to one of my other favorite singer-songwriters, but it’s also because he chosen to pay tribute to Brian Wilson with the help of backing vocals by Carl Wilson and Bruce Johnston. It still makes me swoon.