Sloth love Chunk

Because I came up with the idea for this month’s lists I got first dibs, so I chose the sin most in line with my priorities: sloth. I am, of course, the man who, at 32, still tries to sleep until noon on weekends and has remote controls for just about everything in my apartment, so it was fitting. It also jogged my memory in a couple of cases, so it was also lots of fun — hope you dig!

1. David Byrne, “Lazy”
   I first became familiar with this song via a remix. Scratch that, a remix of a remix: Fatboy Slim’s version of Xpress 2’s clubbed-up version that was a minor chart hit in 2002. This month’s theme had me seeking out the original, and boy am I glad: Byrne’s original is a longer but more nimble mix of strings, electric rhythms, and his deliciously quirky voice. In fact, I’d recommend anyone who digs “Lazy” to check out the rest of Grown Backwards — methinks Byrne’s solo oeuvre deserves a closer look.
2. Otis Redding, “(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay”
   You know, there’s probably a generation of kids raised in the 80’s who only know this as the first single by famed no-talent ass clown Michael Bolton. So sad.
3. The Flying Burrito Brothers, “Lazy Days”
   Nicked from Hot Burrito, Gram Parsons’ last album with country-rock pioneers The Flying Burrito Brothers, this tune is a fantastic example of what Parsons was all about, blending country, rock, and folk into something special.
4. Sex Pistols, “Seventeen”
   It’s the most energetic song about doing nothing you’ll ever hear.
5. Todd Rundgren, “Bang The Drum All Day”
   As I was thinking about the theme, the chorus of this song popped right into my head. Thank Google for helping me figure out who exactly was behind it. This song is one of those great tunes everybody is familiar with, but I’ll bet 9/10 people can’t name who the artist is. So now you (and I) know.
6. The Kinks, “Sunny Afternoon”
   This was the hardest song to track down. Anyone know why the bulk of the Kinks’ 60’s catalog is (a) out of print, (b) unavailable digitally, and (c) import-only? They’re not getting the props they deserve for their contribution to the British Invasion.
7. “Weird Al” Yankovic, “Couch Potato”
   The pop-culture references that give Al’s TV-centric take on Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” its zing are a bit dated, but it still never fails to give me a smile, partially because Eminem wasn’t a fan.

Download: David Byrne, “Lazy” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Otis Redding, “(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: The Flying Burrito Brothers, “Lazy Days” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Sex Pistols, “Seventeen” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Todd Rundgren, “Bang The Drum All Day” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: The Kinks, “Sunny Afternoon” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: “Weird Al” Yankovic, “Couch Potato” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)