Center Of The Universe #11
Giant Sand, “Center Of The Universe”
Welcome to the Center Of The Universe, a fantasy radio show from a guy who did it for real in college (plus some years of post-collegiate ennui) and misses it. I’m going to stop writing these bits as back-announcements. While that’s the way to do it on air, it’s less rewarding a conceit in text if someone’s kind enough to listen to your playlist, let alone read your annotations. So after the theme song we’ll hear Johnny Cash trying to crack up prison inmates in the middle of a coal mining ballad, Big Dipper’s biggest charting “hit” from 1990 - a song I’d never have known if I didn’t scour Billboard chart books - and a song from the one Told Slant album I know. Gotta rectify that!
Johnny Cash, “Dark As the Dungeon - Live At Folsom Prison”
Big Dipper, “Love Barge”
Told Slant, “Flashlight On”
Coming up, a very logical trio: The last song on Scratch Acid’s last EP. A beloved Taylor Swift single that failed to make either the standard track listing for 1989 or the Top 40. A lovely little ditty from Paul Westerberg’s last solo album, which turns 19 in September. Any time you like, Paul. Any time you like.
Scratch Acid, “Flying Houses”
Taylor Swift, “New Romantics”
Paul Westerberg, “Lookin Up In Heaven”
We’re gonna keep on conflictedly rockin’ in the free world with a BIG CREEDENCE HIT, Loudon Wainwright showing sympathy for the cuckold on 1975’s Unrequited, Courtney Love sounding like she was once married to Axl instead of Kurt on the longest song from her now underrated 2004 album America’s Sweetheart, and Van Hunt, also from 2004, celebrating being “Down Here In Hell With You.” Did you know American Idol judge Randy Jackson was his manager at the time? Dude recognized fire! Hot! Fire!
Creedence Clearwater Revival, “Up Around The Bend”
Loudon Wainwright III, “Kick In The Head”
Courtney Love, “Sunset Strip”
Van Hunt, “Down Here In Hell With You”
Writing front-announcements is awkward! So is starting a set with the climax of Weezer’s 1994 debut, but we’re doing it anyway. Following that is infinitely less conflicted machismo from Big Daddy Kane and Jani Lane. If you’re a fan of Arthur Lee and Love you seriously need to trip on the lyrics to Warrant's “32 Pennies,” as in “32 pennies in a Ragu jar is all I’ve got to my name/ but I love her and she loves me/ to the pennies its all the same.” Tell me that shit couldn’t be on Da Capo. After that, Hoboken’s Bongos will classy things up a notch with a 1982 b-side.
Weezer, “Only In Dreams”
Big Daddy Kane, “I Get The Job Done”
Warrant, “32 Pennies”
The Bongos, “Certain Harbours”
I love me some Norman Whitfield productions, so you know I love me some Undisputed Truth, an R&B combo whose back covers feature Norman’s name all over the place and their individual names nowhere. “What It Is?” cracked the Top 100 and R&B top 40 back in 1972. Burning Spear six years later with the title track of the album Social Living if your copy doesn’t call it Marcus’ Children. Stevie Nicks in 1985, singing a song by one of the guys who wrote John Waite’s “Missing You.” Not only did singer-songwriter Stevie not write this one, she only didn't give up on the vocal after Jims Iovine and Keltner insisted and provided considerable moral support. And I’m glad they did! Fugazi’s “Epic Problem” is not about Stevie Nicks trying to finish “Talk To Me,” I don’t think. And I know Ian MacKaye is saying “accessory” not “Blame Sister Ray!” even if that’s what I hear. Dig that drum break at 2:10. Dig that thing!
The Undisputed Truth, “What It Is?”
Burning Spear, “Social Living”
Stevie Nicks, “Talk To Me”
Fugazi, “Epic Problem”
Ever wanted to hear a 14 year old Donny Osmond lay down his mack game on a song written by older brothers Alan, Merrill and Wayne? Cuz I - and the excellent 1972 album Phase III (I’d argue it’s more consistent than Crazy Horses!) - got you covered. Blossom Dearie glad to be paired up and not to be dealing with anybody’s mack game on her 1958 album Once Upon A Summertime. Talk Talk slipping out of the pop charts with the second single from 1986’s The Colour Of Spring, reportedly inspired by modal jazz and Jean-Paul Sartre. Then we’ve got Stevie Wonder making a big comeback at 15, more than two years after “Fingertips - pt 2” had him looking like a one-hit wonder. This one was inspired by touring with the Rolling Stones and wanting a track like “Satisfaction.” Canny kid.
The Osmonds, “Business”
Blossom Dearie, “We’re Together”
Talk Talk, “Living In Another World”
Stevie Wonder, “Uptight (Everything’s Alright)”
It’s queasy synth-pop time! BEAK> with the title track of their 2020 EP, The Presets from their self-titled 2005 debut. A very weird, very short ballad from the Latin Playboys’ self-titled 1994 debut and then we’ll depart the Center Of The Universe with a song from the new Kali Uchis album. That’s right, I’m another critic type in 2023 typing out the words Kali Uchis. Don’t mention it and thanks for your time!
BEAK>, “Life Goes On”
The Presets, “Kitty In The Middle”
Latin Playboys, “If”
Kali Uchis, “Moral Conscience”