One More (?) Go Around: A Hundred Songs I Absolutely Must Have With Me on 1/48/50

#357) "Hang Fire" by The Rolling Stones - Released in 1981, at the tail end of what might be considered the Stones' hey day, this is among the first songs I remember jamming out to, that is, jumping around my bedroom (or down in the living room if nobody was home), air-guitaring like nobody's business. I was both lead guitarist and singer in this imaginary band, electrified as much by the "doo doop doo-doo doo doop..." as anything. Still love it, still feel impelled to get the old band together in my mind when I listen to it, still think it's one of the Stones' best.

But what never occurred to me is what I read about the song as I prepared to write this post. According to Wikipedia anyway, "Hang Fire" is about the decline of the British economy throughout the 70s and the inability of politicians to do anything about it. Scanning the lyrics, that seems obvious now, but as often as I've jammed out to this song over the years, I never once made a connection between the lyrics and anything specific, at least nothing having to do with Britain...that is, until just now.  Maybe I was too distracted by the "doo doop doo-doo doo doop..."

And really, can you blame me?  ;-)

"You know marrying money is a full time job / I don't need the aggravation, I'm a lazy slob..."

#358) "Out of Tears" by The Rolling Stones - By 1994, the Rolling Stones had taken their place in the pantheon of rock legends. While that's doubtless a venerable spot to be, the place any artist would one day like to get to, it means you're not cool or current anymore.  It means styles and predilections have changed, the world has, collectively, passed you by, and while you might truly be great, "legendary", you are no longer what the kids are dancing to, and no matter how enthusiastically you try to spin it, that simply cannot feel like anything other than a downgrade.

I would imagine...

Since the early 80s, which for my money is when their "current" status started to wane, the Stones have never really had a comeback, but they've never really gone away either. "Strolling Bones" they may have become (such fate awaits us all), but the fact is, they are still strolling, still touring and packing in audiences. And the truth is, their music never gets stale. The phrase "moves like Jagger" can refer to more than just his behavior on stage...it can also refer to the sheer durability of the band's music, the fact that it should still interest new generations, in some measure (that I've observed) more so than the Beatles.

Known for their rock anthems, The Stones have never been slouches when it comes to writing ballads..."Angie", "Wild Horses"....both are suitable precursors to the drafty, lonesome resignation that colors "Out of Tears", a song that like the other two, engages a certain emotional nihilism in the face of the end, but also (befitting the fact that this song was released in 1994, not 1965...or 1973) a certain maturity.  Whatever that end may be, whatever the situation, such is all that's left when the dust settles: an inability to weep anymore being the only thing offering hope of moving on.   

Really a gorgeous song...and a gorgeous ending.

"I can drift, I can dream, 'til I float off your screen..."

Yet ANOTHER Top 100 (or so) Songs I Absolutely Must Have With Me on 1/48/50

#251) "Miss You" by The Rolling Stones - I think when artists today sing about "moves like Jagger...", and all that that implies, they're referring to 1978's "Miss You". Quintessential Stones, I'd say, emblematic of the hedonistic Seventies too...and all that that implies.

Really, is there a more durably slick and sexy jam than this?

"I've been walking Central Park, singing after dark, people think I'm crazy..."

#252) "Just a Girl" by No Doubt - Even if this song weren't, for my money, the best example of what made No Doubt great, even if this song's lyrics weren't kind of important for young girls to take a moment to actually listen to, Gwen Stefani is still the hottest female artist to ever step onto a stage, so...yeah, she'll be coming along on 1/48/50.

Er, you know what I mean...;-)



"Take this pink ribbon off my eyes, I'm exposed, and it's no big surprise..."

AS SUMMER WINDS DOWN: Songs That Will Definitely NOT Be Coming Along on 1/48/50

Music, like all things creative, is very subjective. I know the list of "road songs" I've been cobbling together for almost three years now is not the last word. I know everyone would have a vastly different group of songs to place on something so ceremonial as a road trip mix.  I like to think I have fairly eclectic taste, fed by an open mind. If something moves me, it moves me. I don't generally get bogged down in image or genre.  But there are some songs I simply cannot get on board with.  

Sometimes they try too hard. 

Sometimes they don't try hard enough. 

Sometimes they don't make any sense...or make too much sense (which usually leads back to trying too hard...)

Sometimes they're just boring..."different ways of yawning", as my brother has said.  And boring me is really the only way I can be offended.

Sometimes it's a song from a band or an artist I otherwise dig. Sometimes this one left turn into a musically bad neighborhood is an aberration.

But sometimes a certain song is so horrible, so insulting to its genre, the artist performing it, and the LISTENER, it makes my skin crawl, even pissing me off a little, if I'm stuck listening to it long enough. 

Sometimes there's not really anything wrong with the song, it just reminds me of a time in my life I don't wish to remember.  Music hath charms, good and bad.

Here are a few of the musical lemons that will not be coming along for the ride on 1/48/50.  I won't comment beyond the listing.  Readers can take them for what they will, not take them at all, decide I don't know what I'm talking about (if they haven't already), or cry out 'Hallelujah!'.  ;-)


❌  "Love Stinks" by The J. Geils Band

❌  "You Can't Always Get What You Want" by The Rolling Stones

❌  "Jet Airliner" by The Steve Miller Band