With all due apologies to Lionel Richie and Mike Patton,
the song "Easy" will not be heard on today's post.
October 2013 marks the second anniversary of Blake's SHUFFLE SHAME so be sure head on over and check out his site and urge him to hit the shuffle button once again.
A couple of Sundays ago, HERC had rare occasion to be out on the road on a Sunday morning. These five songs soundtracked a portion of that excursion. The first four songs could justifiably be considered hymns of a sort, the perfect accompaniment for the day and time of the drive. The fifth song? That's just giddy goodtime gospel, that's what that is.
Man, this was THE JAM back in sixth grade. The band's seventh overall single (taken from an album released on 7/7/77!) and their second Top 10 on the Hot 100. As often as HERC remembers hearing it being played on the radio, he could have sworn it was #1 on the band's home turf of Chicago and WLS but surprisingly it only reached #3, according to WLS's weekly survey, and finished at #26 on their year-end countdown. "Come Sail Away" was later used to great effect on South Park, Freaks and Geeks, The Virgin Suicides and just this past week on The Goldbergs. HERC has so many fond memories tied to this song, it's gotta be SHUFFLE GOLD.
Manhunter soundtrack [1986]:
Often mistaken as U2 by those hearing it for the first time, this song is used at a crucial moment in the film, the very first to feature the character of Dr. Hannibal Lecter. The hypnotically droning rhythm, dramatic multi-octave vocals, stabbing guitars and shout it out chorus make for a highly-charged song that has held up remarkably well over three decades. After singer Gregory Markel left due to dem ol' artistic differences (later recording with Altered State), the rest of The Prime Movers tried to carry on but record label shenanigans effectively halted their recording career. Then they got the bright idea to record under a different name and the Elvis/reggae/Led Zeppelin hybrid Dread Zeppelin was born. In HERC's book, Dread Zeppelin is a SHUFFLE SHAME but we're talking The Prime Movers here and they are SHUFFLE GOLD +1.
No Line On The Horizon [2009]:
HERC has has been a U2 fan from the beginning, seeing them in concert three times during the 80s and buying just about every piece of vinyl and plastic they ever issued for the American market. But HERC was disappointed with How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb, HERC was ready to drop the band from his roster and walk on. The singles released from their next album did nothing to change his mind but he took a chance and checked the CD out from the public library and listened to it one night beneath the stars. The third track, "Moment Of Surrender" immediately stood out from the rest of the noise. It is a modern urban hymn, a brooding soundtrack to a late night drive and justaboutthiscloseto SHUFFLE GOLD but HERC is calling it SHUFFLE GOODNESS for now.
"Who's Behind The Door?" - Zebra, Zebra [1983]:
HERC knows people who thought this song was by Rush or even Led Zeppelin but he doesn't hear it. Like the first two songs above, "Who's Behind The Door?" is a dynamic song that starts off quiet and gets loud. Like Rush, Zebra is a trio. Like Zeppelin, they have the letter Z in their name. It's a good rockin' song, almost prog rock sounding but not quite. Kind of glad it popped up in shuffle mode because HERC honestly doesn't remember adding it. SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
It Means Everything [1997]:
A revved up, ska-ified version of the Eighties classic by Dexy's Midnight Runners that never fails to inspire a sing-along. The joyful energy is palpable as well as contagious. HERC should listen to this one more often. "Too-ra-loo-ra, too-ra-loo-rye, aye" SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
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