This month’s list consists of fourteen songs that clock at about two minutes or less…nuggets of ear-delicious goodness ranging from TV and theme park themes to monologues to mellow album closers. Enjoy!

57.5 BARS by Call Florence Pow
I’d like to nominate this song as the theme song for this month’s playlist theme. I found this song years ago. I don’t remember how I found about these guys, but it’s most self-explantory 1:41 of power pop you’ll ever find. The lyrics are about as straight-forward as you can get and on top of it all, you get a crazy Latin bridge in the middle. Nifty!

CBS’s GREAT MOMENTS theme
The network jingle is an art that’s woefully lost. These songs made you feel that all the shows on network’s lineup and their stars were part of one big happy family. They also helped to ingrain that network’s tagline in your head be it “Still the One!” or “Let’s All Be There!” The 80s were the pinnacle of these mini-masterpieces and ebullient rah-rahs calling you to watch the Big Three. One of my favorites is this 1982 jingle for CBS’s fall lineup. It made you excited that new episodes of The Jeffersons and Magnum P.I. were on the way and then-new hits like Newhart were about to premiere!

NEW HORIZONS theme
In December, I included one of the wonderful songs from EPCOT Center’s original lineup of attractions from 1982. These songs while cheesy exuded an optimism that was quite typical of the 80s Reagan view of the future. This followup in 1983 for the much-missed EPCOT attraction “Horizons” is no different. Sweeping strings, a children’s choir, and hopeful lyrics made you think, “Hey, who cares about the recession and impending nuclear war? The 21st century is gonna be a-ok!

THE GOLDEN GIRLS theme
Upon hearing the first few notes of this song, anybody who grew up in the 80s will think of Saturday nights and America’s favorite horny old grandmas. This is one of the most recognizable theme songs of that era and is one song that pretty much any gay man can sing for you note-for-note. Most people probably don’t know that this song had a previous life as a single for Andrew “Lonely Boy” Gold in the 70s. It’s worth tracking the down the original with its extra verses and rarely-heard bridge. RIP, Bea and Estelle!

CARTIER by Elton John
Clocking in at less than a minute, this is one of Elton John’s shortest songs. He did this one on a whim as a tribute to one of his favorite stores…Cartier. This “commercial” for the world-renowned French jeweler was a B-side for his 1980 single “Sartorial Eloquence.” Look up the a capella version of in Youtube and you can find an a performance of the song that Elton did on Tom Snyder’s old “Tomorrow” show.

LIKE A VIRGIN by Bai Ling
One of my favorite short-lived reality shows was VH1’s “But Can They Sing?” This featured celebrities like Antonio Sabato Jr. and Morgan Fairchild singing in an “American Idol”-style singing competition. On top of all this, it was hosted by Ahmet Zappa. Needless to say, I was hooked from the first bum note. This performance from the premiere episode was from one of my favorite contestants on the show…Bai Ling. She tackles Madonna’s “Like a Virgin.” As with most singing competition shows, it’s a truncated version of the original, but boy…it will stick with you…for a long, long time. Wing has nothing on Bai Ling!

WHAT WOULD BRIAN BOITANO DO? by the cast of South Park
Speaking of Wing, here’s a number from one of my all-time favorite movies: “South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut.” The movie was a near-perfect parody of Disney animated musicals. Here’s the crazy thing…as hilarious as the movie was, the music was REALLY good as it stood on its own and is as good and sometimes better than many of Disney’s music classics. Marc Shaiman (who also composed the music for the wonderful “Hairspray” musical) and Trey Parker wrote this ode to the legendary figure skater who we learn is much more than just an Olympic medalist.

THANK YOU FOR MAKING ME FEEL BETTER by Linus of Hollywood
Now, I’m not a beer drinker…I hate the taste of the stuff…but this is one of the most heartfelt love songs to the drink. It’s also probably the best use of beer bottles in a pop song…EVER.

LAMAZE by Harry Nilsson
The prettiest song ever written about giving labor. This nearly-lost song was included as a bonus track in the re-release of Nilsson’s classic “Nilsson Schmilsson.” While many know Nilsson for his stirring covers of “Without You” and “Everybody’s Talkin’”, a lot of people didn’t realize he had quite the sense of humor. I propose we send this song to natural birth coaches everywhere!

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE? by William Shatner
On the other side of the spectrum is this monologue by William Shatner. When I first bought his Ben Folds-produced album “Has Been,” I was expecting a goofy novelty album but what I instead found were some interesting musical pieces with very insightful lyrics read by the former T.J. Hooker. This one is probably one of the most personal pieces on the album recounting his reaction when he found his wife Nerine dead at the bottom of their pool. Very eerie and chilling…

YOUR MOST VALUABLE POSSESSION by Ben Folds Five
This piece was from Ben Folds Five’s final album “The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner.” The album found them getting into prog-rock territory and expanding beyond the raucous piano-bass-drums feel of their debut. This track doesn’t feature any vocals from Ben Folds but instead centers around a rambling answer machine message that Ben’s dad left. To this day, I still have no idea what the hell it’s about…

JUNK by Paul McCartney
A wistful song from Paul McCartney’s first solo album. Beautiful in its simplicity and doesn’t overstay its welcome…an often overlooked gem in the Macca canon.

THE WHOLE WORLD AND YOU by Tally Hall
The newest song on this list…Tally Hall was featured prominently in my best of ‘08 list and this shows the band’s diversity as they throw a bit of Dixieland jazz into the mix. Keyboardist Andrew Horowitz takes over the lead vocals in this song which was recently featured in an ad campaign for Crayola. A good pick-me-up of a tune that reminds all of us that “there’s no one better than you!”

SOUVENIR by Billy Joel
Gonna close this out with a song that Billy Joel used to use as his final encore song for years…This was the final track on his sophomore Columbia release, “Streetlife Serenader.” While the album is one of his most uneven, this short coda to the collection of songs is one its highlights. His live performances of this song would be almost always be capped off by his very helpful reminder to his audiences: “Don’t take any shit from anybody!” I concur, Billy…unless it’s from me with my oddball song selections for my Selective Service playlists!

Download: Call Florence Pow, “5.75 Bars” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: CBS’s Great Moments theme (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: New Horizons theme (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: The Golden Girls theme (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Elton John, “Cartier” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Bai Ling, “Like A Virgin” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: The Cast of South Park, “What Would Brian Boitano Do?” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Linus of Hollywood, “Thank You For Making Me Feel Better” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Harry Nilsson, “Lamaze” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: William Shatner, “What Have You Done?” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Ben Folds Five, “Your Most Valuable Possession” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Paul McCartney, “Junk” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Tally Hall, “The Whole World And You” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Billy Joel, “Souvenir” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

ZIP file of all songs will be posted tomorrow!

As I compiled my list for this month, I couldn’t help but think of my first exposure to the wacky tobaccy…it was at the Rolling Stones’ Voodoo Lounge concert then-Joe Robbie Stadium in 1994. I smelled something that wasn’t quite cigarette smoke…I forget who I was with at the time (Sam - were you with me at this one? Or was it your brother? [Sam: it was my brother])….but one of the friends who was next time pointed out that it was pot smoke. That distinctive smell wouldn’t be the last time I’d encounter it. And with that minor delving into reefer madness, I present to you…my list of songs to which I dare you to “just say no…”

BORN STONED by The Push Kings
This song came off of The Push Kings’ last album, “Feel No Fade.” Who were The Push Kings? One of the best power-pop groups from the late 90s. The members were all from Harvard…one of them lived a couple of floors down from me in my building. Their music had twinges of The Beatles (it didn’t hurt that one of the lead singers sounded a LOT like Paul McCartney), ELO, and Wings. This song was a Cheap Trick-esque homage to getting high and being stoned…new territory lyric-wise for the band…probably an attempt to get away from the glossier pop that comprised much of their first two albums. Alas, it was be their swan song…

WHITE LADY WHITE POWDER by Elton John
This is a deep cut from one of Elton’s many comeback albums in the 80s…1980’s “21 at 33″ to be exact. Bernie Taupin weaves a story about a love triangle between a man, his woman, and disco dust…something that Elton had dabbled in quite a bit (in more ways than one)…especially during the early 80s. It was never released as a single here in the U.S., but an attempt was made in the UK…but to little success due to the song’s subject matter.

ALL THE COCAINE IN THE WORLD by The Webb Brothers
This hymn-like ode to cocaine is the prettiest song ever you’ll ever hear composed about the drug. The Webb Brothers (Jimmy “MacArthur Park” Webb’s sons) recorded this short, but sweet ditty deddicated to devil’s dandruff. (Yay, alliteration!)

MIRACLE MEDICINE by Jason Falkner
Time to move into the addictive world of prescription drugs here thanks to Jason Falkner, one of the best singer-songwriters that most people have never heard of. Falkner was in Jellyfish and The Grays, but really blossomed once he went solo. This is a track from his 1996 solo debut “Author Unkown.” Probably the only song in history that name checks nembutal, demerol, and codeine in the same line!

WANDERLUST by Paul McCartney
Not all is fun in games in the world of drugs as evidenced in this Paul McCartney about a drug bust. I believe (correct me if I’m wrong, Rudi) that this song was inspired by a drug bust that almost occurred when Wings was recording the “London Town” album on Paul’s yacht (called Wanderlust). It’s certainly the most regal and classy recounting of getting busted…not quite the same as “Bad Boys.”

DON’T BOGART ME (aka “DON’T BOGART THAT JOINT”) by Robert Bradley
L.A. readers of this blog will probably recognize this song as the tune that closes the Friday morning broadcast of “The Kevin and Bean Show” on KROQ-FM. I think the title says it all…bottom line…don’t hog your weed! This recording was taken from a live performance of the song by Robert Bradley on Kevin and Bean’s show.

EVERYBODY TODAY IS TURNING ON by Bea Arthur and Rock Hudson
This number is from the musical “I Love My Wife” and comes courtesy of a clip from “The Beatrice Arthur Special” that has made the rounds on the Internet. Bea Arthur and Rock Hudson sing together on this clever tune about 70s drug slang. Rock Hudson singing about poppers/amyl nitrate?!? (Insert joke here) And R.I.P. Bea, you’ll be sorely missed…

PLOP, PLOP, FIZZ, FIZZ by Speedy
To close things out, here’s a little reminder about what drug to soothe the indigestion that may have been caused by listening to my list. Oh what a relief it is!

Download: The Push Kings, “Born Stoned” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Elton John, “White Lady White Powder” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: The Webb Brothers, “All The Cocaine In The World” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Jason Falkner, “Miracle Medicine” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Paul McCartney, “Wanderlust” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Robert Bradley, “Don’t Bogart Me (aka “Don’t Bogart That Joint”)” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Bea Arthur and Rock Hudson, Everybody Today Is Turning On” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Speedy, “Plop, Plop, Fizz, Fizz” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download a handy ZIP of all of the songs:

Download: Rated Rx (ZIP)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Okay, I didn’t pick this months selections. But as folks have told me when I mentioned this month’s topic to them, this is “definitely a theme chosen by a guy.”

Yup, there’s testosterone all over this theme, and I’ve tried to find truly angry stuff in my collection.

And there isn’t much, at first glance. But I knuckled down and found these for your perusal. And yes, there’s one angry chick in the mix (a word of warning: said track is extremely explicit - you’ve been warned).

1. “Run Like Hell” - Roger Waters (from The Wall: Live In Berlin 1990)
   This song is straightforward: a general, egging on his followers to get with the program or run for their own survival. I chose this version because Waters really pours himself into the verses, which were traditionally a two-vocalist setup with Pink Floyd (even the Gilmour-led Floyd had Dave singing this part with Guy Pratt, Waters’ replacement on bass).
2. “Angry” - Paul McCartney (from Press To Play)
   Yup - Paul is rip rarin’ mad in this song, which is a bit of a departure for him. Where his earlier songs of distress - “I’m Looking Through You” being the classic one - were a bit more obtuse, this one is direct: he’s angry at you and ready to take it to the ring.
3. “Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting” - Elton John (from Greatest Hits or Goodbye, Yellow Brick Road)
   The title says it all, really.
4. “I Will Not Go Quietly” - Don Henley (from The End Of The Innocence)
   Don Henley is known for being passionate about his causes (e.g. the preservation of Walden Pond and its surrounding woods), and this song clearly states that he will not stand down. Note the harmonies from the then-hot Axl Rose.
5. “Natalie’s Rap” - The Lonely Island (feat. Natalie Portman) (from Incredibad)
   This is the song I warned about. Originally aired on Saturday Night Live, the “interview” in this song is performed by former SNL cast member, Chris Parnell, while the rapping and singing are handled by Natalie Portman and Andy Samberg. It’s definitely not what you expect to hear from Ms. Portman (namely, that she’s a violent woman), and this version lacks the censors’ handiwork. Like I said: you’ve been warned.
6. “Run For Your Life” - Cowboy Junkies (from This Bird Has Flown: A 40th Anniversary Tribute To The Beatles’ Rubber Soul)
   One of John Lennon’s more misogynist and overtly disturbing songs, Cowboy Junkies slow it down, change the sexes of both protagonist and antagonist, and in the process make it a far more disturbing outing. You feel a bit creeped out by Margo Timmins’ vocals by the end.
7. “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace Love & Understanding” - Elvis Costello & The Attractions (from Armed Forces)
   This song is a response to the others: can’t we all just get along?

Download: “Run Like Hell” - Roger Waters (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: “Angry” - Paul McCartney (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: “Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting” - Elton John (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: “I Will Not Go Quietly” - Don Henley (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: “Natalie’s Rap” - The Lonely Island (feat. Natalie Portman) (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: “Run For Your Life” - Cowboy Junkies (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace Love & Understanding” - Elvis Costello & the Attractions (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

1982…It was the year of “E.T.,” Colecovision, and David Letterman’s first foray into late-night. It was also the year that I was a mere six-year-old growing up in suburban South Florida. My main concerns were convincing my mom to go to Chuck E. Cheese and getting my family to go up to the newly-opened EPCOT Center.

It was an interesting crossroads year music-wise. I would say that 1982 really was the beginning of the 80s for the pop and rock world. It saw a lot of artists from the 70s adapting to the new glossier sounds of the decade. Young up-and-comers from the “Me” decade were now trying to survive as more adult artists.

This year also found MTV and the music video starting to have a big impact on what hit big and what didn’t. This list was a VERY hard one to choose. Ultimately, what I’ve got is a mix of songs that were the best of the year as well as songs that really brought me back to a time when I’d sit in the back of the family station wagon listening to songs on my brand new Walkman.

1. Paul McCartney, “Take It Away”
   The year or two leading up to 1982 was very rough for Paul McCartney. Wings folded, he got busted for marijuana possession in Linda McCartney, his 1980 album “McCartney II” was a critical flop, and worst of all, his long-life friend and partner John Lennon was murdered.

   His 1982 album “Tug of War” was his first since Lennon died and as a result, was highly anticipated by the public. The George Martin-produced masterpiece would prove to be one of his best both from a commercial and critical standpoint.

   This single, “Take it Away,” was a Top 10 hit and one that is oft forgotten. It’s classic, but mature McCartney. I dare anybody to not walk away humming this song after hearing it. After listening to it, I highly recommend checking out the video for the song…a major MTV staple back in day featuring an appearance by actor John Hurt!

2. Elton John, “Empty Garden”
   Another 70s artist that reached a crossroads in 1982 was Elton John. Elton was a superstar in the early 70s but by the late 70s and early 80s his chart success was spotty at best. Singles-wise, he was making occasional splashes, but from an album standpoint, he had fallen from the consistent #1-reaching heights of his Captain Fantastic days.

   Enter “Jump Up!,” his second album on the Geffen label. Its predecessor “The Fox” was a disappointment yielding no hit singles. Like “Tug of War,” this was the first album of material recorded by Elton since the death of friend John Lennon. The album was the first step for Elton’s 80s creative comeback. It was solid from top to bottom and its highlight was “Empty Garden,” his tribute to Lennon.

   I will go on record to say that THIS is the definitive John Lennon-tribute song. The lyrics are some of Bernie Taupin’s best, conveying sadness and anger unlike any other words he’s written. “Candle in the Wind” may be a wonderful ode to the tragic life of Marilyn Monroe, but “Empty Garden” trumps it with the sincere, personal loss and heartbreak in Elton’s melody and Bernie’s analogy of the Beatle to a fallen gardener. The single peaked at #13 in the U.S. and deserved much much more.

3. Duran Duran, “Hungry Like The Wolf”
   I loved MTV growing up…seriously…I was glued to MTV and Nickelodeon growing up. I even remember my mom letting me stay up late to watch the world premieres of the videos for Billy Joel’s “Tell Her About It” and Jackson Browne’s “Lawyers in Love.”

   One thing I remembered a LOT about MTV was Duran Duran…specifically the “Hungry Like the Wolf” video. I was mesmerized by it. Only later did I realize that my fascination with Duran Duran stemmed from the latent crush I had on pre-tubby Simon LeBon and pre-aged John Taylor!

   As I listen more and more to this song throughout the years, I’ve realized that the music video aside, it’s a damn good song…a unique mixture of dance and rock that would later be emulated decades later by The Killers and Franz Ferdinand. Oh…and I KILL with this song whenever I do it at karaoke.

4. Queen, “Dancer”
   Dance-rock was an area explored to greater heights by Queen in their controversial 1982 album “Hot Space.” The LP featured the rock band exploring some of the more dancier realms of music, an extension of their dabbling with disco in their 1980 hit “Another One Bites the Dust. ” Personally, I love this album, but for most, this experiment into more glitter-ball territory failed.

   One of my favorites from the album is “Dancer,” an awesome mix of rock over a disco-ey beat accented with a signature multi-layered Queen chorus belting out “dancer! dancer!” It’s like a gay-ed up version of Billy Squier’s “The Stroke!”

   It should have been a single and would have made a wonderful video! And dammit, there needs to be a karaoke version of it!

   Little known rumor… Word is that this album served as an inspiration for Michael Jackson’s album, “Thriller.”

5. Michael Jackson, “Someone In The Dark”
   Speaking of Michael Jackson, here is a song recorded around the time of “Thriller,” but for another mega-hit of the time…”E.T.” Now, this song was not on the classic movie’s soundtrack. It was a song that was written for the “E.T.” story album for which Jacko did the narration. “E.T.” and Jacko together at last…it’s like two great early 80s tastes in one!
6. Billy Joel, “Scandinavian Skies”
   After getting savaged by some critics for being lightweight on his 1980 album “Glass Houses,” Billy Joel veered into more serious territory with “The Nylon Curtain.” Those expecting the rockin’ free spirit of “You May Be Right” got a sobering surprise with this album. The subject matter was darker and more political. The production was more elaborate and Beatles-esque…it’s as if Joel was channeling the spirit of John Lennon.

   This album cut is clearly an attempt to go for a more late-60s Beatles sound. Swirling strings + cryptic lyrics = one of the most bizarre Billy Joel songs ever recorded. I have yet to figure what the hell this song is about!

7. ABBA, “Under Attack”
   Continuing in the Scandinavian realm of things is this song…one of ABBA’s last singles. This song can currently be found on the reissue of the fantastic album “The Visitors” but it made it’s first appearance in LP form on ABBA’s compilation “The First Ten Years.” The song was by no means intended to be a swan song for the Swedish supergroup. The plan was to continue after this greatest hits collection.

   That being said, this single saw the group continuing to evolve their sound from an organic disco motif to a more synthesized Europop sound. The production was tight, the rhythm was punchy, and the melody had the weird sense of urgency and unbalancedness that made “The Visitors” such a delicious album. It really would have been interesting to have seen how ABBA would have sounded had the continued in this direction…but alas no…

8. Donald Fagen, “I.G.Y. (International Geophysical Year)”
   In 1980, Steely Dan released their last album “Aja.” The band’s lead singer Donald Fagen ventured into a solo career with his 1982 album, “The Nightfly” and this leadoff single was a nostalgic look at the future that carried on the jazzy sound of Steely Dan. It was an optimism that was peppered with a twinge of cynicism that came thanks to Fagen’s trademark voice.
9. “Universe of Energy”
   On the other side of the 80s-era future world, was a song that was heard in Future World…EPCOT’s Future World…many many times each day. This was the closing theme song for the theme park’s “Universe of Energy” pavilion, an Exxon-sponsored, solar-powered attraction that taught visitors about fossil fuels and why we should use oil…but still conserve energy in the process. It’s disco-rock set to earnest Reagan-era optimism. Woo-hoo!
10. Scott Baio and Erin Moran, “You Look At Me”
    And last but not least…a TV theme…this was the opening theme song to the “Happy Days” spinoff “Joanie Loves Chachi.” And honestly…I don’t think more really needs to be said here…just listen to the thing and you’ll know what I mean…

Download: Paul McCartney, “Take It Away” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Elton John, “Empty Garden” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Duran Duran, “Hungry Like The Wolf” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Queen, “Dancer” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Michael Jackson, “Someone In The Dark” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Billy Joel, “Scandinavian Skies” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: ABBA, “Under Attack” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Donald Fagen, “I.G.Y. (International Geophysical Year)” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: “Universe of Energy” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Scott Baio and Erin Moran, “You Look At Me” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

The Beatles are one of my all-time faves, and it’s well-known that they cut their teeth on the club circuit. In the UK and in Germany, the Fab Four were known as a potent (and often volatile) live act before they were signed to Parlophone Records. However, this energy carried on and evolved over the years, as the Fabs got older and their creative visions changed.

So roll up, roll up for the Fab-ulous Live Evolution of Mssrs. Lennon, McCartney, Harrison and Starkey.

1. “Can’t Buy Me Love” - The Beatles (live at the Hollywood Bowl, 30 August 1965)
   Beatlemania in the U.S. started with concerts in New York and Washington, DC, but it came to a head with concerts at Shea Stadium and Hollywood Bowl. And this performance from 1965 captures some of that energy: the loud crowds, the Beatles in hyper mode, and the powerful punch of their early hits. The crowd noise on the recording would prove exceedingly difficult for George Martin to work with in assembling a live Beatles album - so much so that it took until 1977 for this recording to officially surface. And given that the raw, three-track recordings have surfaced on unofficial channels, it’s easy to see why no live recording of the Beatles was issued during their prime years. It’s a pity, because they knew how to rock, as well as how to work a crowd. While the songs popped on the studio recordings, they exploded on the stage.
2. “Get Back” - The Beatles (live on the roof of Apple Studios, 30 January 1969)
   This is the opening salvo of the infamous “Rooftop Show,” where The Beatles, along with Billy Preston on keyboards, decided to crawl out of the studio and “audition” some of their new material in front of a live audience - one that stood 40 feet below on the street, or in neighboring office buildings or cars on the roads. While this isn’t their strongest live performance (those days having been left behind over three years prior, if not longer), it shows that, as a band, they still had their potency, even if internal strife was tearing the band apart at the time.
3. “Imagine” - John Lennon (live at the Apollo Theater, New York City, 17 December 1971)
   John Lennon’s live performances were few and far between. His “Live Peace In Toronto” shows in 1969 occurred during the recording sessions for Abbey Road and Let It Be, and were thrown-together affairs. After the breakup of the Fabs, Lennon only performed in charity concerts. The concert where this acoustic guitar version of “Imagine” was performed was to raise awareness of the plight of John Sinclair, an anti-war activist who was serving a 10-year jail term for possession of marijuana. I love this version of “Imagine” because you can hear the audience’s response to the then-current hit song, as well as Lennon’s emotion behind the lyrics.
4. “Maybe I’m Amazed” - Paul McCartney & Wings (live as The Apollo, Glasgow, Scotland, 17 December 1979)
   This song first appeared on McCartney’s first solo album, the aptly-named McCartney. The studio version featured Paul on all of the instruments, and came across as a sincere, if workmanlike performance. When he played it on the Wings tours, however, the song became a majestic ballad, full of pomp, energy and life. This is from the same concert as “Coming Up,” which Mandel highlighted in his “One Night Only… Times Seven” posting earlier this month, and features the final lineup of Wings in one of its final live shows (they would play one more time on December 31st, as part of the “Rock For Kampuchea” shows in London).
5. “Photograph” - Ringo Starr & The All-Starr Band (live at the Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, CA, 3 September 1989)
   It’s hard to pick a Ringo Starr track that’s better live than it was in the studio. Not to slight Ringo, but he’s more of a showman in the “compère” sense: he knows how to work the crowd and give credit to the others in the band, but isn’t known for knockout live performances of his own work. But on his 1989 tour, he had something to prove. He was fresh out of rehab, having finally kicked a decades-long alcohol addiction, and had a band with a lot of talent (Billy Preston, Garth Hudson, Levon Helm, and Joe Walsh, to name a few). So this performance of “Photograph,” which was co-written with George Harrison, is a step above Ringo’s usual live offerings.
6. “All Those Years Ago” - George Harrison with Eric Clapton & Band (live in Japan, December 1991)
   As is the case with Ringo, it’s tough to find a great live cut from George Harrison. Like Lennon, his live shows are few and far between: other than a tour in 1974 (”Hari’s On Tour”) that blew out his voice by the fourth show, he mostly played one-off and charity gigs. One of these - the Concert for Bangla Desh - stands as a landmark of charity concerts: the first of its kind, and one of the most successful. But he mostly stuck to his gardening, until a lost bet with Eric Clapton had him on a short tour of Japan. And George did his best to keep his fans satisfied, as this live version of “All Those Years Ago” shows: while not the most peppy performance, George, Eric and band put a lot of work into the song, and it benefits from this effort.
7. “Get Back” - The Beatles (live on the roof of Apple Studios, 30 January 1969)
   To close things up, I include this, the third run-through of “Get Back” from the Apple Studios rooftop concert. This take is interrupted by the London Police, who are responding to a noise complaint by the studio’s neighbours (many think that this police action was actually brought on by The Beatles’ PR people as a way to “add a little edge” to what was turning into a very sad recording and filming process). So you hear the band get startled by the constables, your hear instruments drop out as the officers unplug the amps, and you hear Paul improvise new lyrics during the run-out (”You’ve been singing on the roofs again/And that’s no good/’Cos you know your mommy doesn’t like that/She gets angry/She gonna have you arrested!/Get back…”). And when all was said and done, John Lennon lets loose one of the classic lines of the Fab canon.

And I also offer this BONUS track:

• “Live And Let Die” - Paul McCartney & Wings (live in Seattle, WA, June 1976)
  I couldn’t leave this song out of a live Fabs retrospective, as it’s often one of the highlights of a live McCartney show. He tends to pull out all the stops on this: energetic performance from Paul and the band, lots of lights and lasers, and firworks that heat up whatever venue he plays. When I saw him perform this song at the Sam Boyd Silver Bowl in Las Vegas back in 1993, it was one of those “woah - wow!” moments. I decided on this performance from Wings Over America because it includes a live brass section, something that Macca should use again (not to dis on Wix, but synthesizers can’t beat real brass).

Download: “Can’t Buy Me Love” - The Beatles (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: “Get Back” - The Beatles (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: “Imagine” - John Lennon (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: “Maybe I’m Amazed” - Paul McCartney & Wings (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: “Photograph” - Ringo Starr & The All-Starr Band (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: “All Those Years Ago” - George Harrison with Eric Clapton & Band (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: “Get Back” - The Beatles (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: “Live And Let Die” - Paul McCartney (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

As a fan of studio recordings and techniques, it was a little difficult for me to find live recordings that surpassed their studio counterparts. But… I was able to find some. So behold… the (almost) string-less live faves by yours truly…

1. Paul McCartney and Wings, “Coming Up” (Live at Glasgow 1980)
   THE definitive example of a live recording outshining its studio counterpart. The original version of “Coming Up” on the “McCartney II” album was a thin-sounding, undercooked disco-rock melange of guitars, muted drums, and wheezy synths. Granted, “McCartney II” was intended to have the homespun feel that “McCartney,” but those synths just did NOT help out. This live version which helped bolster the song to one of McCartney’s last #1 appearances blows away the original version. Having a real backing band with a real horn section give the song the bounce and energy that it deserves. This recording is also notable for being one of the few recordings around of the final lineup of Wings.
2. Billy Joel, “She’s Got A Way” (Live at Carnegie Hall 1977)
   This is from the recent release of Billy’s 1977 Carnegie Hall concert that came as a bonus disc on “The Stranger - Deluxe Edition.” It was a tossup between this and “I’ve Loved These Days” from that same concert. This one edges out for its simple arrangement. Now…why this and not the live version from 1981’s “Songs in the Attic” compilation? Billy’s voice seems stronger here and there some nuances in his piano playing that give it the one-up on the “SitA” version. Also, if you listen closely, you can hear a subtle, but effect cello backing that’s not really present on any other version of the song.
3. Queen, “Radio Ga Ga” (Live Aid 1985)
   As a Queen fan, this was one of the milestone live performances that Queen did. It stands as one of the best performances during Live Aid. I mean, c’mon…getting a whole stadium to clap in unison at the right time during your chorus? Brilliance. Also, the energy kicks this one up a notch from the original 1984 version.
4. Ben Folds Five, “She Don’t Use Jelly” (Sessions at West 54th 1997)
   This Ben Folds cover of the Flaming Lips classic is from the very-missed PBS series “Sessions at West 54th.” A recorded version was done for the “Lounge-a-Palooza” CD, but this one wins out as a testament to how tight a band Ben Folds Five were. Ben, Robert Sledge, and Darren Jessee all complimented each other so well. This live version also achieves the lounge-y cocktail vibe that recorded version misses a bit of.
5. Ben Folds, “Not The Same” (Calvin Theater 2002)
   While not necessarily a replacement for the studio version, this live version of the “Rockin’ the Suburbs” track has a great almost hymnal-like to it. As any Ben Folds fan knows, during Ben’s solo tour, he’d often leave the backing vocals to the audience and often, the crowds would nail it as evidenced here. The “ah’s” are chill-inducing…hail to the church of Folds!
6. Scissor Sisters, “Might Tell You Tonight” (Live at the O2)
   While I loved the Scissor Sisters’ “Ta-Dah,” it had a bit too much polish and lacked the oomph and edge that had made me love the band in the first place. This performance of “Might Tell You Tonight” shows how some of the “Ta-Dah” tracks had that extra gust of energy when done live.
7. The Wonders, “That Thing You Do!” (Live at The Hollywood Television Showcase)
   What a wonder this was…The fact that they did this song after losing their bassist to…what? They’re not real? Oh…it’s still a kickass song!

Download: Paul McCartney and Wings, “Coming Up” (Live at Glasgow 1980 - mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Billy Joel, “She’s Got A Way” (Live at Carnegie Hall 1977 - mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Queen, “Radio Ga Ga” (Live Aid 1985 - mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Ben Folds Five, “She Don’t Use Jelly” (Sessions at West 54th 1997 - mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Ben Folds, “Not The Same” (Calvin Theater 2002 - mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Scissor Sisters, “Might Tell You Tonight” (Live at the O2 - mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: The Wonders, “That Thing You Do!” (Live at The Hollywood Television Showcase - mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)