The music I selected for airplay on this day 25 years ago:
1. (I'm A) Road Runner-Steppenwolf
2. Can I Get A Witness-Marvin Gaye
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3. Catch Me-Betty Boo
(The vocals float effectively over a beat that doesn't leave one's mind easily.)
4. Feeling Warm-Eagles Prey
5. Pulling Mussels (From The Shell)-Squeeze
(Not every song makes you pay attention from the first note, as this one
does. A strong melody, memorable hook, and great keyboard solo are why
this has gotten airplay since the '80s.)
6. Hard Sun-Indio (*)
7. Tuff Skins-Big Wheel
(I never hear this band anywhere these days, and that's a shame, considering their well-written lyrics and all-in performances on the "Slowtown" CD. Highlights include "Lied," "Storm," and "Down The Line.")
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8. You Move Me Like A Slug-The Boorays
(This was always a fun tune to play on KCOU, and it was a pleasure to
hear The Boorays perform this live. The
propulsive drums-and-bass intro draws me right into the tune. It's easy
to find yourself drumming or singing along without realizing it.)
9. Pickup Truck-The Boorays
(Relatable lyrics about taking a leap of faith.)
10. Different Colored Letters-Sleepyhead
11. The Way Up-Suddenly, Tammy!
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12. Golden Blunders-The Posies
(I think most people feel this way once they graduate from college, at least initially.)
13. Stroke It, Noel-Big Star
14. Rust-Antenna
(Still a strong tune for driving, and a lyrical reminder to not just give up.)
15. Heavy Metal Tears-The Pursuit Of Happiness
(This chord sequence almost can't help but make a listener sing along involuntarily.)
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16. Thoko-Juluka
(I was glad to be reminded of this upbeat melody that I wish I'd played more often. The vocals, guitar, keyboards, and drums coalesce appealingly.)
17. DissinForDollars-Bernie Worrell
18. Nobody Told Me-M-Base Collective
19. Housecall-Shabba Ranks with Maxi Priest
20. Swim-Madder Rose
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21. Be My Baby-Mini Skirt Mob
(Committed vocals and energetic instrumental backing make this a strong cover of the tune The Ronettes made famous.)
22. I Don't Know-Screamin' Jay Hawkins
23. Anarchy In The U.K.-Sex Pistols (*)
24. If I Lose-Ditch Witch (*)
(The Ditch Witch tune to which I've listened most; its propulsive guitar part is infectious, and the tune has one of the best intros and racing-to-the-end instrumental closings I've ever heard in an indie rock tune.)
25. King Of The Hill-The Minutemen (*)
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26. Stockholm-New Fast Automatic Daffodils
27. 57 Waltz-Velocity Girl
(Big Wheel's "Lied" segues well after this whirling guitar line.)
28. Pickin' Flowers For-Best Kissers In The World
29. Outside This Bar-American Music Club (*)
30. If I Had A Hammer-American Music Club
31. The Happy Song-The Box Tops
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32. All Day Afternoon-Judybats
33. Camera Camera-The Teardrop Explodes
34. It's Not Unusual-New Duncan Imperials
(An inspired cover of the Tom Jones tune.)
35. Blue Bossa-Lou Donaldson
(I felt like hearing some simmering saxophone playing, even if I had to wedge it into the set.)
36. Gone-Pond (*)
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37. Have Enough-Mercy Rule
(*) indicates a listener's request.
--- indicates a station break between songs.
