3 min read

Center Of The Universe #32: 123, A to Z

Can you figure out the secret commonality between almost all of these songs? If you do, you get an "A"!
Center Of The Universe #32: 123, A to Z
You might need paper for this!
Spotify playlist (updated weekly, but the YouTube links below remain)

Giant Sand, “Center Of The Universe”
Labradford, “Soft Return”
Dandy Warhols, “(Tony This Song Is Called) Lou Weed”
Yazoo, “Nobody’s Diary”

Welcome to the Center Of The Universe! After our theme song is Kranky ambient icons Labradford, with a song from their debut that could be Jesus & Mary Chain. Then a song from the Dandy Warhols’ debut album that couldn’t be Lou Reed, because he’d never name a song “Lou Weed.” I bought the 12” of “Nobody’s Diary” for a buck unheard at a campus book fair, back when I was a big Dandy Warhols fan in the ‘90s. I was so not ready for it emotionally.

Sade, “I Will Be Your Friend”
Taking Back Sunday, “Miami”
Coco Hames, “I Do Love You”
Owen Pallett, “Infernal Fantasy”

Sade, sounding like she’d be a good friend to have in 1984. Taking Back Sunday, sounding like they’ve never ever ever had a good friend ever, in 2006. Coco Hames, declaring love with clear, plainspoken sweetness, in 2017. Owen Pallett, watching his lover’s father’s house burn, “hallucinating as we try to make each other come,” in 2014.

The "Sweet '69" video makes the '90s look cooler than it was. I think MTV played this twice, Sunday after midnight.

Jennifer Vanilla, “Jennifer Pastoral”
Craig Mack, “Get Down”
Babes In Toyland, “Sweet ’69”
3Ds, “Outer Space”

Somebody Pitchfork reviewed in the last few years, and then three songs from the ‘90s you might not have heard since the ‘90s, if ever! Not my only vibe, but one of them.

Zapp, “Doo Wa Ditty (Blow That Thing)”
Katrina & The Waves, “Do You Want Crying”
Faith No More, “Midlife Crisis”
Cake, “Rock & Roll Lifestyle”

The secret theme of this playlist is not Less Famous Jams From Bands That The Ignorant Might Think Were One-Hit Wonders, but that does describe block above.

The "Do You Want Crying" video doesn't make the '80s look that cool.

The Walkmen, “Little House Of Savages”
Millie Jackson, “Hold The Line - Live”
One Direction, “Kiss You”
Oasis, “Columbia”

Fair or not, I never forgave the Walkmen for not being Jonathan Fire*Eater, though this was the rare song where they sounded close enough to pass. I love Millie Jackson, whether or not she’s not covering Toto. Then we’ve got two cute British bands whose names start with the letter O. Assuming you don't put One Direction under 1. Which you might. Hint.

Isaiah Rashad, “True Story (feat. Jay Rock & Jay Worthy)"
Diamanda Galas & John Paul Jones, “Skotoseme”
Eagles, “Try And Love Again”

An Isaiah Rashad song featuring Jay & Jay, followed by a Diamanda Galas song featuring JPJ! What?! But seriously, you have to give it up for John Paul Jones hooking up with Diamanda Galas while Jimmy Page dallied with David Coverdale until Robert Plant called him back. RIP Randy Meisner, whose spotlight number on Hotel California shouldn’t be a relative deep cut.

I can't remember if the "Wiggle It" video would have seemed risque when it came out. Probably? Zooming in that close on thongs was novel once.

Aaliyah “Got To Give It Up”
2 In A Room, “Wiggle It”
Naeem, “Woo Woo Woo (feat. Amanda Blank & Micah James)”

While One In A Million is rightly noted as a breakthrough moment for Timbaland & Missy Elliott, they had nothing to do with this fantastic Marvin Gaye cover and Slick Rick feature on it. I was weirdly shocked to discover that “Wiggle It” only has about 2 million plays on Spotify. Was it less of a deal than I remembered? Did it only recently make the site? That’s admittedly more spins than this nasty, nasty track from the artist formerly known as Spank Rock has, but “Woo Woo Woo" deserves more appreciation as well. Did you figure out the secret connection between all the tracks? If not, don’t sweat it. Sweat the music! As it grooves! And as we leave the Center Of The Universe. Thanks for your time!