Category: Opinion

I’ve been listening ot a lot of Nirvana this week, after getting Bruce Pavitt’s ibook Experiencing Nirvana about Nirvana’s 1989 European tour. So, I thought I’d share my favorite Nirvana songs. BTW – I have this tshirt from back in the day but it doesn’t fit as well as it used to.

1. “Sappy“

Orginally released as a hidden track on the No Alternative compilation under the name “Verse Chorus Verse” the song is more properly known today as “Sappy.” This version was recorded during the In Utero sessions and features an excellent guitar solo from Kurt Cobain. Lots of Nirvana songs had female protagonists, including this one.

2. “You Know You’re Right“

The last song ever recorded by this great band is also one of their best. Finally released after much to-do in 2002, after previously only heard on bootlegs and during Hole’s Unplugged performance. Sadly, there would be no more songs for Nirvana.

3. “About a Girl“

A very melodic song from the band’s first album and the song that caused major labels to see the potential in the band. A sort of twisted love song.

4. “Smells Like Teen Spirit“

There’s a reason this song changed the music industry. I don’t like this song because it is trendy, but because it is actually a great song.

5. “Heart-Shaped Box“

Another quiet/loud heavy song with melodic underpinnings.

6. “In Bloom“

Great rolling bass line from Krist Novoselic and I also enjoy Dave Grohl’s drum fills. Easily the first or second best music video from the band.

7. “Come as You Are“

The first time I heard Nevermind was at a CD store where you could listen to the CDs before purchasing (CD Warehouse, oh how we miss you…). This was the third track on the CD and after about 30 seconds in I knew I had to puchase the CD. “No I don’t have a gun” lyrics are a little tough, though.

8. “Aneurysm“

Completely under-appreciated track from the group’s rarities compilation Incesticide. The song rocks hard and by my reading is an ode to heroin.

9. “Where Did You Sleep Last Night“

A Leadbelly classic that the group performed Unplugged. Maybe Cobain’s best vocal performance.

10. “All Apologies“

One of the hits from In Utero probably sounded better in the Unplugged version. Lyrics reflect Cobain’s tortured persona.

Honorable Mention: “School”, “Negative Creep”, “Mr. Moustache”, “Breed”, “Lithium”, “Stay Away”, “Something in the Way”, “Aero Zeppelin”, “Serve the Servants”, “Rape Me”, “Dumb”

As previously posted, I’m a huge fan of the breakout hit song “Somebody That I Used to Know” by Gotye and Kimbra. But awareness is not high among the masses so I thought this would be a good test of whether you are “hip to what the kids are listening to” these days. So, I posted this on my Twitter feed yesterday:

2012 hipness test: Have you heard “Somebody that I used to know” by Gotye?

So, smug me, I sat back and waited for the expected “who, what?” responses. Instead, I got this response from Jim MacLeod who is one of my 600 followers.

The real test is whether you’ve seen the Somebody cover video by “Walk off the Earth”, where 5 people play 1 guitar.

And do you know what? Jim is absolutely correct. This cover version is absolutely incredible!  Definitely go and buy this on iTunes today! Kudos to Wall off the Earth for a great version. Their YouTube channel has some other interesting covers and originals, too.

Today is Christmas so of course Christmas Music is in the air. Here’s my own list of favorite Christmas songs in chronological order. This list spans approximately forty years.  Thanks to my dad for exposing me to the first three on the list. Not sure if he would approve of the last item, though.

“Twas the Night Before Christmas” by Perry Como from Perry Como Sings Merry Christmas Music (1956)

This record was released in 1956, but the material was originally recorded in 1946, 1947, and 1953. This is a classic album from the fine crooner, and was my favorite Christmas record when I was a child. Later, my son Riley would play this album day after day when going to bed at night, even after the Christmas season.

“Sleigh Ride” by Johnny Mathis from Merry Christmas (1958)

Another classic Christmas album but my favorite track is “Sleigh Ride” which shows off the peppy but safe kind of music that Mathis was famous for. The clip below is from a few years later but is pretty close to the original track.

“Please Daddy Don’t Get Drunk This Christmas” by John Denver from Rocky Mountain Christmas (1975)

I’m not a big country fan but this song has a subversive element that is at once sad and still cheery for the holiday season. And, country fans, don’t blame me if the one country song on this list has something to do with someone being sad and drunk. It’s your genre, not mine.

“Jingle Bell Rock” by John Oates & Darryl Hall (single) (1983)

This one-off single was issued in 1983 at the height of the group’s popularity. There were two versions of the song (one on each side of the single) and two music videos were issued (though only the last part really differs). I prefer the John Oates version party because I think he doesn’t get enough credit but also because I do prefer his vocals for this song. The hilarious music video features members of the Hall & Oates band, including guitarist G.E. Smith of SNL fame playing the old woman.

“Christmas with the Devil” by Spinal Tap (single) (1984)

The single for the song was issued in 1984 along with the band’s appearance to sing the song on Saturday Night Live (though the episode aired in May, strangely). A newly recorded version was later issued on the group’s 1992 comeback album Break Like the Wind. There are pros and cons for each version, both of which are available on iTunes for your purchasing pleasure. Of course, the song plays up the group’s heavy metal stereotypes and is meant to be taken very very literally and very very seriously. This performance is from their 1992 tour.