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.

Only so much space II

Due to the limited number of characters permitted in a playlist's song title column, Vince Guaraldi's "Cast Your Fate To The Wind" became "Cast Your Fate To The Win" on one radio stations's website recently.

The loss of one letter changes the song title's implied attitude considerably.  To me, "Cast Your Fate To Win" suggests, "Be prepared to cope with the loss of anonymity if you win the lottery." 

Online radio sampler highlights CCCV

Thursday morning highlights:

KDVS (Davis, CA)

• How It Started-Holly Palmer (Interesting, spacey vocal wizardry and a solemn piano backdrop.)
• Jardim-The Echocentrics (A captivating echo obscures the vocals against a turbulent beat.) 

KONA (Kailua-Kona, HI)

• King's Serenade-Keola Beamer (This pleasant guitar instrumental could segue with Nashville Mandolin Ensemble's "Frangenti" or Ken Bonfield's "The Passing.") 

KOTO (Telluride, CO)

• Rainy Day-America (The melancholy feel of this early vocals-and-acoustic-guitar America track would make it flow well into Bernie Leadon's "Glass Off.")

KRTU (San Antonio, TX)

• Sugar-Stanley Turrentine (Ron Carter's cool walking bass line underscores this expansive groove.  Freddie Hubbard has ample room to soar on trumpet, George Benson has plenty of space to stretch out on guitar, and Turrentine has 10 minutes to do the same on tenor sax.)

WMST (Mount Sterling, KY)

• Perfidia-Linda Ronstadt (What listener of taste could resist this emotive, skillfully played and sung middle-of-the-night bolero?)

WZLY (Wellesley, MA)

• Lagoon-Dora Jar (An admirably frank way of being at peace with knowing that no one understands you completely.)

An atypical standout XVI

When I think of the classic Beatles album, "Rubber Soul," I usually think first of my three favorite songs from it that fall right in a row--"I'm Looking Through You," "In My Life," and "Wait."  In recent years, however, I've gained more of an appreciation for "What Goes On."  While Lennon & McCartney compositions were the group's default setting, "What Goes On" is a Lennon, McCartney & Starr-composed tune with Ringo Starr singing lead.  Starr's influence gives the tune a lighthearted bounce despite the lyrics accusing a woman of telling lies.  My favorite part of the song is during the last chorus, however, when Paul McCartney underscores the lyrics assertively on the bass, making me want to have that portion on a loop.  I nearly always turn that final chorus up and think, "That's how you finish strong--and walk the line of being assertive without being aggressive."

Once cutting edge, now common

When it was released in 1980, Pat Benatar's "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" impressed me by sounding both catchy and edgy for its time.  It amuses me now to think that back then, it was relatively edgy and would only be heard regularly on St. Louis's two album rock stations, KSHE and KWK.

A few mornings ago, "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" was played on three stations here, including one generally described as a hot adult contemporary station.

These days, so-called adult contemporary stations have room in their playlists for Pat Benatar, Prince, and even certain Aerosmith ballads.  That would have been unthinkable in the '80s.  Hearing "...Best Shot" so frequently decades later is a reminder that what was once edgy eventually becomes mainstream.

Context? CDXLVII

A radio announcer who accidentally gave the wrong time and said it was May instead of July admitted that he was in "a different temporal space today."

That's a classy, honest way of saying, "I goofed." 

Once a DJ, always a DJ? III

When most people see that the current temperature is 77 degrees, they probably think, "It's feeling kind of warm."  When I see a temperature of 77, however, I immediately think or sometimes say, "The first voice in St. Louis, 77 WEW."

That slogan I used to say on the air is still a strangely entrenched habit with me 30 years later.  I don't know if I expect the station's former studio to appear or a Nat King Cole song to start playing when the slogan comes to mind, but 77 will always be associated with that radio station for me.

FM dial scan highlights CCCVIII

Five recommended tunes heard this morning:

WSIE 88.7 FM

• Sooner Or Later-Nyah Grace (Easy-on-the-ears vocals and instrumentation suitable for late nights--and equally at home in a smooth jazz or R&B playlist.)
• Summer Cruise-Dee Brown (A sunny, uptempo smooth jazz guitar groove with saxophone enhancement.)

KCLC 89.1 FM

• I Feel Hope Coming-Alabama Shakes (A lyrically sound wish for a fairer world, set to a relaxed dream pop backdrop.)
• Time Is A Bomb-Metric (An honest admission that a relationship is one-sided.)

KEZK 102.5 FM

• Dreams-The Cranberries (Dolores O'Riordan's lyrics and vocals from 1993 still hold up.  This is still a great song for driving, and it's one of the highlights of the CD, "Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?"  Also recommended: "Linger" and "Wanted.")

Context? CDXLVI

This morning, an interviewer on a news/talk radio station asked his guest, "So, the moon is hollow.  Have you given any more thought to that?"

Before switching stations, I thought, "That's a question I haven't heard anyone ask before.  It's the middle of the night, though, so why not ask that if you think your guest has a reasonably thought out answer?" 

A function of age LII

I was glad to hear KTRS play "W*O*L*D*" as bumper music this morning in memory of Harry Chapin.  Chapin passed away on this day 45 years ago, and it was refreshing to hear announcer Carl and listeners on the text line praise Chapin's insightful singer-songwriter abilities.  I wasn't surprised that Carl cited "Cat's In The Cradle," as it's Chapin's biggest hit and one of his best songs, but I was startled that he mentioned "Flowers Are Red" as a favorite song.  Lyrically, "Flowers Are Red" is a clever reminder not to be too rigid in one's thinking, so I was pleased to hear it referenced unexpectedly.

Now, let's also give "Sunday Morning Sunshine" and "Tangled Up Puppet" their due.

Context? CDXLV

Kudos to the reporter on the radio yesterday who follows a relative's advice to "never trust a man who says, 'Trust me.'"

The reporter's response when someone says that is correct, as well; whenever he hears that, he thinks, "What was my other option?"

Persistent earworm alert CDXLVI

You know it's a long, challenging month at work when the earworm in your mind paraphrases Emerson, Lake & Palmer's "Karn Evil 9" as "Welcome back, my friends, to the month that never ends..."

Summer is often our workplace's most difficult season, and July is typically the most difficult month.  I know it'll end eventually--but it doesn't feel that way, at the moment. 

A function of age LI

Tonight, I gave up on listening to an AM station when a loud hum on the radio blocked the station's frequency.

Yes, that happened, and yes, it's not a sentence many people under age 55 say these days. 

Persistent earworm alert CDXLV

This morning, I thought about how much work I'd done throughout the long, draining night and how long the rest of the week and month feel.  While contemplating this, the circus music opening of Three Dog Night's "The Show Must Go On" ran through my mind.

That goofy carnival-like theme is still there now.  I'm glad my mind, at least, feels subconsciously whimsical even when I don't.

Persistent earworm alert CDXLIV

Talk about having to be on my game this weekend.  Between Friday night and Sunday morning, I'm scheduled to work 22 hours in a 34-hour span.  Financially, this is a plus, and fortunately, the first big chunk of working hours is already over.  By Sunday morning, however, I expect I'll be delirious.  I've been keeping things in perspective, though, with a mental soundtrack of "People Make The World Go Round" by The Stylistics.

So far, this has been an effective tactic.  We'll see how I feel Sunday morning, however.

Separating the theme from the show

Many reviewers regard season six as the worst or one of the worst seasons of "Saturday Night Live."  While listening to the "Not Ready For Season 6" podcast recently, I thought, "The show wasn't great that season, but the theme song SNL used that season isn't bad.  It's sunny, bouncy, and saxophone-driven, setting the audience up for the comedy to follow."

It's a shame such a well-composed theme has to be tied to a season in which laughs were mostly few and far between.

Online radio sampler highlights CCCIV

Five standout selections heard today:

KUNV (Las Vegas, NV)

• Everything Is Fine-Nicole Henry (An easy, relaxed bounce supports Henry's strong vocals.  Rhythmically and lyrically, Al Jarreau's "We're In This Love Together" could segue with this.)

KWAX (Eugene, OR)

• Frederic Chopin: Mazurka in C minor, Op. 56, No. 3 (Emanuel Ax, piano) (This graceful, melancholy melody had me leaning in to ingest it.)

KXCI (Tucson, AZ)

• Follow Your Heart-The Paladins (With a guitar intro this intense, I don't doubt the conviction of the lyrics that follow it.)

WKYN (Mount Sterling, KY)

• Seven Year Ache-Rosanne Cash (Cash has always been adept at crafting cross-categorical tunes that fit just as easily in the singer-songwriter genre.  "Seven Year Ache" chronicles someone's inability to grapple with a relationship that's falling apart.  The synthesizer part has 1981 stamped all over it, appealingly.)

WSCA (Portsmouth, NH)

• Swingin' At Newport (Live)-Count Basie (Basie sets the template with a "Choo Choo Ch' Boogie"-style rhythm on the piano, and his band maintains its swing for eight minutes.  I'm glad that in 2026, there's a place on the air where you can still hear a vinyl recording of this.)

Segue suggestion XVIII

For a smooth jazz station seeking two compatibly bouncy tunes, I recommend pairing Kenny G's "The Shuffle" with Tom Grant's "Eye Of The Hurricane."  I played "The Shuffle" many times on KNJZ, but surprisingly, I have yet to hear "...Hurricane" on any station or stream.  This pairing offers a graceful way of gliding from an upbeat saxophone instrumental into rhythmically compatible vocals.

Retro FM dial scan highlights VI: 7/7/97

During my FM dial scan 29 years ago, one radio station after another was testing the Emergency Broadcast System.  Despite encountering that repetitive tone on station after station, I still managed to hear some music along the way.  Among the highlights:

WSIE 88.7 FM

• Poinciana-Gary Burton (This is a pleasant, expansive take on this standard, with Fred Hersch's piano playing and Burton's vibraphone stylings maintaining a mellow mood.) 

KCFV 89.5 FM

• Down By The Water-PJ Harvey (This of-its-time earworm's whispered refrain, "Big fish, little fish, swimming in the water...," still creeps me out decades later.)

WFUN 95.5 FM

• On The Wings Of Love-Jeffrey Osborne (Considering how radio-friendly this well-sung 1982 staple ballad of dedication shows is, I was surprised to learn that it wasn't a bigger hit.) 

KFAV 99.9 FM

• How Was I To Know?-John Michael Montgomery (Jann Arden's "Insensitive" could segue with this.)

KEZK 102.5 FM

• Someone Saved My Life Tonight-Elton John (This holds up, in my opinion, as one of John's best hits.  The piano underscoring, vocals, and lyrics check all the boxes that need to be checked.)

A function of age L

"Now, there's a tape I haven't played in a while," I thought recently.  "I should get out the Walkman and listen to it."

I looked upward after thinking that, half-expecting a neon sign to start flashing above me that said, "FOSSIL ALERT!  55 YEARS OLD!" 

Well...I'm fine with being a 55-year-old fossil.  The Walkman still works, and I got to hear my cassette.

Context? CDXLIV

This afternoon, the host of a pet advice radio show tactfully tried to discourage people from buying costumes for their pets.  He said it's best to save your money instead of spending it on something your dog will just tear apart.

I would add, "...and something that will compromise your dog's dignity."  In my view, pets aren't meant to wear bonnets, ties, vests, or any other human clothing.  They're pets, not dolls. 

A minimal frills 4th

It was refreshing to watch the Boston Pops Orchestra's July 4, 1978 concert this morning.  As I watched, I kept thinking, "In 1978, the powers that be didn't feel the need to have a celebrity host or pop stars singing with the orchestra.  The Boston Pops just put on an enjoyable light Classical concert with an off-screen announcer, and the audience responded enthusiastically."  Offenbach's "Overture to Orpheus In Hades," Copland's 'Hoedown' from "Rodeo," and "Pop Goes The Weasel," among other selections, received particularly boisterous cheers.  About the only musical concession the orchestra made to then-recent times was performing Walter Murphy's "A Fifth Of Beethoven."  Conductor Arthur Fiedler was restrained, as well, only introducing pieces occasionally and keeping his remarks brief.

Current conductor Keith Lockhart has done a fine job for decades with the annual July 4 concerts, and Craig Ferguson and Lockhart's 2009 impromptu "lords of the dance" commercial break interlude during the orchestra's performance of "Shipping Up To Boston" is the most amusing thing I've seen during any Boston Pops performance.

It's also nice, however, to remember a time when people just appreciated a full concert for the music itself and the fireworks--and that was enough.

Community Radio St. Louis highlights XI

Seven of the best songs I've heard today:

Sweet Inspiration

• The Ballad Of El Goodo-Big Star (Since first playing this on KCOU in the early '90s, I've always liked these lyrics about staying true to yourself.)
• Everyday Singing-Tift Merritt (This June release's lyrics illustrate how not everyone's efforts to make life fairer or better for others are acknowledged sufficiently.)
• When The Saints Go Marching In-Jimmy Smith (Many renditions of this treat the melody as a joyous free-for-all.  Smith's version, however, conveys the impression, "Let's not rush this; we'll get there in good time."  I'd expect no less when Smith is playing the organ.) 

Beyon' Cray

• Ponteio-Astrud Gilberto with Stanley Turrentine (I've glad crstl.fm played this, as it was a good reminder for me to pull out this CD and listen to it again.  These are appealing uptempo vocals, keyboard, and saxophone rhythms, with the immediately identifiable harmonica playing of Toots Thielemans.)
• Spiral-The Crusaders (This is one of many examples of why The Crusaders are my favorite jazz instrumentalists.  Every instrument contributes mightily to this jam, and Larry Carlton's blistering guitar playing is prominent.  Even after hearing this ensemble's stellar '70s releases for decades, I still want to hear them just as often today.  Also recommended: "Keep That Same Old Feeling.")

Dangerous Curves

• Golden-Jill Scott (These lyrics about making the most of one's freedom are empowering--and appropriate for Independence Day.)
• The Hump-Patrice Rushen (This strong 1977 funk groove acknowledges that life comes with obstacles--but resilience and this soundtrack should make overcoming them a bit easier.)

Online radio sampler highlights CCCIII

Today's standout tunes:

KHEN (Salida, CO)

• 8000 Days-West Texas Exiles (I was on the fence about this track initially, but its chorus and fit-for-a-road-trip feel won me over.)

KKJZ (Long Beach, CA)

• Maintenance Phase-Audrey Ochoa (There's considerable pep in this trombone-led combo-with-a-big-band-feel March release. Speaking of a big band feel...)  
• Moon River-Alexis Cole (...This cover has an appealingly assured swing in its vocals and instrumentation.) 

KRNN (Juneau, AK)

• Meeting Is Over-Moira Smiley (I can easily imagine Sarah Jarosz covering this.)

WNJR (Washington, PA)

• My Sunshine-The Rosie Varela Project (This guitar-heavy indie rock track with compelling vocals builds tension effectively. "Mont Blanc Massif" by We Met In Paris would sound right before this.)

WOMR (Provincetown, MA)

• We The People-Ben Sidran (A nice jazzy reminder of our common humanity.)
• Funky Fanfare-Keith Mansfield (It has to be gratifying to play a horn part or the piano on this track, knowing that you're part of a melody with a cool late '60s strut.)

WOOL (Bellows Falls, VT)

• American Tune-Allen Toussaint (Sadly, the lyrics of this excellent Paul Simon tune are disturbingly appropriate now.  There can't be too many sincerely sung covers of it, as far as I'm concerned. The piano adds appealing gravitas to this rendition.) 

WYXR (Memphis, TN)

• Banana Juice-The Mar-Keys (A hip-for-its-time, i.e. 1965, instrumental.)

Unlikely grocery store background music II

I know I'm not the only person who has heard "Trouble Me" by 10,000 Maniacs.  There's a good chance, however, that I was the only one singing along softly with it as it played over a grocery store's speakers today.

I'd add "Trouble Me" to the list of songs I've heard in grocery stores that I wasn't expecting.  Jesse Colin Young's "Song For Juli," "Since You Asked" by Judy Collins, and Fleetwood Mac's "Sunny Side Of Heaven" have been some of the other biggest surprises.

I'd like to think that whoever programmed "Trouble Me" is a gentle soul.  You'd have to be to choose a softly sung, sensitively written non-hit track with lyrics about helping people in need while you're still relatively young and strong.  "Trouble Me" was the first song I heard by 10,000 Maniacs, and back in 1989, I thought, "If this is typical of Natalie Merchant and company's efforts, this group must have a respectable following among introverts and kind people."

I'd never have guessed that I'd hear "Trouble Me" 37 years later while grocery shopping, but apparently, at least one other kind soul in the world hears what I hear in it.