It’s been a little while since I’ve highlighted the Rolling Stones.
Tag Archives: The Rolling Stones
Creeps, Deviants and Psychopaths
So its that time of year – Halloween. Traditionally its has been associated with ghosts, vampires, and monsters. Spooky fun. But in the US, especially in the last 50 years, the holiday has also become associated with slasher flicks, serial killers, and other psychopaths – blame John Carpenter’s classic movie Halloween. Or maybe not – maybe this is just my excuse to do a blog on some of my favorite songs about creeps and deviants. I’m sure there’s a whole subgenre of these songs that I’m not aware of – my picks are by artists that you’ve probably heard of and that I’ve always liked. And one is probably the creepiest song I have ever heard. So without further adieu:
More Than I Can Do- Steve Earle
From his come back album of sorts, I Feel Alright, this uptempo song seems at first to just be about a guy’s unrequited love for someone – but as it continues it definitely moves into stalker territory. “You left me just when I needed you
So l ain’t even close to through with you.” Definitely Creepy.
I Feel So Good – Richard Thompson
From Rumor and Sigh, this song is definitely not an endorsement for the ability to reform juvenile delinquents. Again, a pretty uptempo melody but there’s no denying where things are going right from the start: “I feel so good I’m going to Break somebody’s heart tonight I feel so good I’m going to Take someone apart tonight.’ And it goes from there. Definitely Deviant.
Excitable Boy – Warren Zevon
From the album of the same name, this darkly humorous little ditty from the incomparable Warren Zevon starts weird and moves straight to deviant/psychopathic. Zevon’s tongue in cheek lyrics – “He’s just an excitable boy” also perhaps are a dark commentary on society’s penchant for making excuses? Also love the sax solo.
Midnight Rambler – The Rolling Stones
From Let It Bleed, this classic song from the Stones is pure psychopathy and evil. It was written in part about Albert De Salvo, aka the Boston Strangler, who murdered 13 women in the early 60’s Boston area. Keith Richards has called it a blue opera, or a blues in 4 parts, even though the chord sequence isn’t a blues one.
And the finale, the song that always creeps me out just listening to it –
What’s He Building in There – Tom Waits.
From the album Mule Variations. Not really a song, as much as a spoken word performance with a montage of assorted random background sounds. Is it about a misunderstood freak? A deviant, or something darker? That’s the beauty of it – you can only wonder. If you listen to any of these songs, listen to this one – even in the middle of the day, it’ll freak you out.
Ok I have to go turn on every light in the house right now – til later…… oh, and Happy Halloween!
Sources: Wikipedia, Genius Lyrics, SongFacts
Song of the Day 8/13/18 Rolling Stones “ Gimme Shelter “
Its Monday, and it’s raining in PA so this song feels right.
Today in Music History July 26
1943 So You Say Its Your Birthday!: Mick Jagger, lead singer of The Rolling Stones. The man, the entertainer, the legend, the rock god.
1975 Van McCoy and the Soul City go to No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘The Hustle’, one of several massive disco hits during this time period
1986, Peter Gabriel goes to No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Sledgehammer’,. off his massively successful album So. Almost as well known is the video for the song, which is the most played music video in the history of MTV.
Today in Music History July 23
1969, ‘Honky Tonk Women’ by The Rolling Stones, with its instantly recognizable cowbell opening, goes to No.1 on the UK singles chart.
1994, Frank Zappa has an asteroid orbiting between Mars and Jupiter named in his honor by the International Astronomical Union. Asteroid 3834 was renamed ‘Zappafrank’. Zappa had died in December of 1993.
2011, Amy Winehouse, English singer and songwriter, is found dead in her north London home of alcohol poisoning; her 2006 album Back to Black won 5 Grammy awards
Sources: This Day in Music.com; Wikipedia
Today in Music History July 22
1965 Mick Jagger, Brian Jones and Bill Wyman of The Rolling Stones were fined £5 each in a London court after being found guilty of ‘insulting behaviour’ at a British gas station. The three had all urinated against a wall after the station attendant had refused them the use of the facilities. More at Rolling Stone.com
1967 The Doors perform ‘The Crystal Ship’ and ‘Light My Fire’ on American Bandstand. Cultures clash….
1977 Tony Orlando announces his retirement from music on stage in Massachusetts, shocking the audience and his group Dawn. Two months later he is back at work, although he never was as popular again. Music fans rejoice.
Today in Music History July 18
1953, Elvis Presley, still a truck driver at the time, records his first songs for a vanity disc for his Mom. The disc costs $3.98 and includes two songs, “My Happiness” and “That’s When Your Heartaches Begin.”
1964, The Rolling Stones make their first appearance on the US music charts with their cover of the Buddy Holly hit “Not Fade Away.”
1966, Bobby Fuller, whose band The Bobby Fuller Four achieved fame with the song “I Fought the Law” was found dead in his car in Los Angeles of gasoline asphyxiation at the age of 23. His death was labeled a suicide, although numerous other theories have been put forward over the years. “I Fought the Law” regained fame in the 1970s when the Clash covered it.
1973 Bruce Springsteen began a four night stand at New York City’s Max’s Kansas City. The opening band was a new reggae artist making their first tour of North America – Bob Marley and the Wailers! (Not that is a concert for the ages!)
Mike and Paul's Music Blog 