The foot-biting default option XXXIII

If I've learned one thing over the past several years, it's not to be late when feeding my cat, Collette.  If I wait too long, she'll sing, "If I scratch you and I bite you, I'm more than just a little justified."

I didn't realize that Collette had internalized her own meaning of the Kacey Musgraves song, "Justified," but my feet have suffered the brunt of her wrath.

Persistent earworm alert CDXLVII

A 1981 album title track I haven't thought about in decades has been on my mind for the past week.  The Allman Brothers Band's "Brothers Of The Road" obviously wasn't intended to be a hit.  As the album's leadoff track, it essentially conveys, "Listeners, this band has been through a lot over the years, but we're back with this new song and this new album.  We've had some challenges thrown our way, but we're not giving up."

That's a reasonable way to start an album, and it reminds me of the spirit Chicago exhibited in the song, "Alive Again." 

Online radio sampler highlights CCCVI

Standout tunes heard today on six radio stations that haven't been featured in Online radio sampler highlights posts before:

KALA (Davenport, IA)

• Butterfly Lullaby-Swing Out Sister (A chill instrumental reprise of "Butterfly," which I'm surprised isn't a smooth jazz radio staple.  Its encouraging lyrics and vocal hook should have guaranteed that.)
• Reaching Out-Kim Waters (This uptempo smooth jazz saxophone melody is fit for a brisk run--or possibly a stakeout.)

KNMC (Havre, MT)

• I Want You Back-Hoodoo Gurus (I played a bit of this band on KCOU in the early '90s, but I wish I'd thought to play this 1984 melodic power pop track.  It's worth learning to play guitar so one can master this song.)

KSCU (Santa Clara, CA)

• Quand Vas Tu Rentrer?-Melody's Echo Chamber (The vocals float compellingly over a hypnotic, festive-sounding keyboard hook.)

WJCT-HD4 (Jacksonville, FL)

• Pick Yourself Up-Oscar Peterson (Wow...I thought the Carolbeth True Trio zipped through "The Way You Look Tonight" at a breakneck pace.  This, hands down, is the fastest version I've ever heard of this standard.  Peterson zooms through it adroitly on the piano.)
• I've Got You Under My Skin-Charlie Parker Quintet (Parker carries the melody of this standard prominently on the saxophone.)

WSPJ (Syracuse, NY)

• Caught In A Dream-Alice Cooper (I haven't listened to Alice Cooper's music that often, so I forget sometimes that it goes beyond "School's Out."  This is pretty accessible, actually, and fit for a road trip playlist.  Rhythmically, it could segue with Lynyrd Skynyrd's "What's Your Name?")

WTTH (Atlantic City, NJ)

• Tell Me If You Still Care-The S.O.S. Band (This is how to stay on point when requesting a relationship status update.)
• Sir Duke-Stevie Wonder (Whose day doesn't "Sir Duke" brighten, considering its appreciation for how music appeals to our common humanity?)

Shameful, shameless, or neither?

In Sunday's SiriusXM highlights post, I considered writing this entry--just for a moment:

Happy Oldies 

• Play That Funky Music-Wild Cherry (Does this tune move me the way heartfelt lyrics about social justice do?  Is it thought-provoking and deeply contemplative?  If I could only hear one song for the rest of my life, would it be this one?  No, in all three cases.  For what it is, though, it's catchy--and that's all that's really required of it.)

I chose to leave it out.  This morning, however, I heard an AM talk station use KC & The Sunshine Band's "Boogie Shoes" as bumper music.  As I listened, I thought, "After hearing 'Boogie Shoes,' which I would never seek out, any shame I have about including 'Play That Funky Music' as a highlight has vanished."

So be it.  Not every song I recommend has to be cerebral.  Sometimes, an ear-catching hook is enough. 

Didn't seek this out, but...

To my surprise, an out-of-town radio station recently played "Don't Say You Don't Remember" by Beverly Bremers.  Upon hearing it, I thought, "That's interesting.  Aside from replays of 1972 'American Top 40' shows, I've never heard any radio station play that song.  Granted, I'm largely indifferent to the tune and wasn't clamoring to hear it, but since this station plays that, they must play other forgotten songs that appeal to me more."

That's one benefit of a station with an expansive playlist.  You won't love every song you hear, but if you listen long enough, you'll likely hear gems that have been largely lost to time. 

SiriusXM highlights CLXXVI

Sunday morning standouts:

1st Wave

• Middle Of The Road-The Pretenders (Starting a road trip or leaping into some other unpredictable adventure?  Let this be your leadoff track.) 

Acoustic Guitar Instrumentals

• Tree Circle-Isato Nakagawa (A bittersweet, contemplative melody.)

The Blend

• Shining Star-The Manhattans (I'm glad this 1980 hit still gets airplay today.  Lyrically, it's a thoughtful without being overblown way of saying, "I'm glad we're together."  Rhythmically, it's a comfortable midtempo groove.  Also recommended: "Crazy.") 

Carolina Shag Radio

• You Keep Telling Me Yes-Cannonball (Musically, this has a "How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You" feel, but lyrically, its outlook is much more tempered.)

The Coffee House

• Galileo-Indigo Girls (A well-written acknowledgment of delayed justice, with a strong chorus.)   

Deep Tracks Just Music

• 5D (Fifth Dimension)-The Byrds (Rhythmically, this segues well with Donovan's "Catch The Wind.")

Indie 1.0

• I Am A Scientist-Guided By Voices (What better way is there to find out who you really are than trying on different personalities?) 

Indie Sleep

• No One Noticed-The Marias (A quiet, subtle way of admitting that a relationship isn't meant to last.)
• Sonora-Hermanos Gutierrez (This short, downcast guitar interlude would work as a prelude to "Because It's There" by Michael Hedges.)

Lo-Fi Cafe

• Tropical-jjobenn (An aptly titled lighthearted instrumental.) 

Siriusly Sinatra

• A Nightingale Sang In Berkley Square-Nat King Cole (With Cole's elegant vocals and strings for added gravitas, how could there be a batter version of this tune?) 

Smokey's Soul Town

• Flowers-The Emotions (How was this inviting groove not a top 40 pop hit in 1976?) 

Dibs II

Feel like hearing an LP, 45, or CD in Watchcat Collette's assigned sector?  Watchcat and music coordinator Collette will play it for you--as long as it's a selection she also wants to hear:

Watchcat Collette, guarding the music library on February 20, 2026.