Milton “Gummo” Marx….
Most bands of any staying power have a string of well-known songs whether top 10 hits or concert staples…. What are your top 5 deep cuts? For the Beatles example… not “I Wanna Hold Your Hand” or “Eleanor Rigby”, but that unknown — relatively speaking (it is The Beatles after all) song or “album cut” that is under appreciated or perhaps unknown generally.
Mine — at least at this moment and in no particular order….
“Wire” by U2 — The Unforgettable Fire
“Razor” by Foo Fighters on In Your Honor
“If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It)” by AC/DC on Highway to Hell
“Wreck of the Old 97″ Johnny Cash from Johnny Cash: Live at San Quentin
“Everybody Wants Some” Van Halen Women and Children First
The list might change as soon as I hit “Submit”, but this is mine so far…. Enjoy!
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Ahhhhh, a favorite subject of mine (thankee, Floyd). I’ll even jump off from your last one, same album…
“In a Simple Rhyme” – Van Halen
“Knock ‘em Dead Kid” – Motley Crue
“Dolphin” – Prince
“Salt of the Earth” – Stones
“Gimme a Bullet” – AC/DC
“Salt Of The Earth”. Great choice Eric. Pulled that one right out of the memory hole. That is one of my favorite Stone’s tune, the other being “Heartbreaker”.
Joan Baez does an interesting version of it too.
A fascinating topic. I’ve often thought about this. Does this occur because as one becomes more familiar with a band one “understands” their music better, and learns to appreciate the band’s more esoteric offerings? Or is it because one becomes a little tired of the stuff that gets constant rotation and looks to hear the band’s “sound” on “new” stuff?
I think there’s something to that Rufus. Also — radio and A&R people often pick the singles or “radio friendly” which doesn’t necessarily translate to “best”. I like the song Tea in the Sahara off The Police’s Synchronicity…. No way that’s a radio song. Some bands… like Steely Dan are not accessible in a Britney Spears kinda way (and that is a GOOD thing) and will rarely appeal to the masses.
I’m with you, Rufus! A lot of times, I’ll play a favorite song to death, then discover another cut from the same album, which then becomes my new favorite song. Don’t ask my why I’m this way; it seems to be the way I work.
Magnus Caseus Formatis,
Very much the same way I work. You’d be amazed at some of my favorite songs, and most stem back to the ancient days of albums, when one was forced to listen to all the tracks. No other way to explain my love of Joe Walsh’s “Theme from Boat Wierdos,” or Todd Rundgren’s “Viking Song.”
What makes this tough for me is the topic implies “mega band,” and I’m not much of a fan of mega bands like Van Halen, or The Rolling Stones. So, here’s my list:
Steely Dan – there is so much I can list here. They have so many great songs that never get any airplay. If I had to pick one, and only one to see them do live I guess it’d be, “Pearl of the Quarter.”
Z.Z. Topp – Lots of gems on their albums that never get airplay. If forced to pick one I’d go with, “Fool for your Stockings.”
Herbie Hancock – I’d love to see him do “Riot” live. That one’s not too obscure, but it gets a lot less airtime than some of his other stuff; “Maiden Voyage,” “Dolphin Dance,” “Cantaloupe Island,” “Watermelon Man.”
The Police – “Behind my Camel.”
The Doors – “Soft Parade,” or “The Changeling.”
Like that Doors call with “The Changeling,” on my short list of greatest album opening cuts.
To answer your questions, it’s a combination for me. I was fortunately brought up around a lot of albums, which I digested as much as possible, back to front, sides A and B (when, to my father’s chagrin, I wasn’t breaking needles). Gave me an appreciation for the little nuggets the radio didn’t play. Cleveland’s WMMS also had late night DJs who would mine albums for songs the day-time jocks ignore. Then I had my Casey Kasem’s America’s Top 40 and MTV phase from about 1981-1986, primarily following the hits and little more. Then DJing college radio brought me back to the WMMS days, free-forming as much as possible. Had to play the hits when club jocking in the early/mid-90s, but still had fun sneaking in the odd track from time to time.
And, yes, “Tea in the Sahara” is a damn fine song, right up there with “Any Other Day.”
Ty Cobb by Soundgarden (head-bangin’ awesomeness)
Alabama Song by The Doors
5. The Georgia Satellites – Another Chance
4. Talking Heads – Mr. Jones
3. Lynyrd Skynyrd – Things Goin’ On
2. Jethro Tull – For Michael Collins, Jeffrey, and Me
1. Steely Dan – Midnight Cruiser
+JMJ+
It’s even harder for me because I don’t listen to many bands and readily acknowledge that my taste in music is somewhat embarrassing. =P
Yet what immediately came to mind was:
“Nice” Duran Duran (Astronaut)
There she goes again with the Duran Duran….;)
+JMJ+
I was actually restraining myself, Mr. Sideous. I really have two Duran Duran answers.
Well quit holding back, please. There’s other DD fans here. OK, probably just me and you, but still…
-Mike!,
I still can’t get over the shock that you also really like “Mr. Jones.” That is a great, great tune! “He’s got ventilated slacks!”
I forgot to mention “Haircut 100.” The only two songs of theirs that get any play are “Favourite Shirts,” and “Love Plus One,” yet they have some other, very good stuff. (They’re actually kind of “Duran-Duran-y,” Enbrethiliel. I’d probably pick “Fantastic Day,” and “Snow Girl” as two worth a listen.
(Their Pelican West CD wins the award for gayest cover art of any album or CD in my collection.)
+JMJ+
You mean the Talking Heads, Rufus? (Or are they just Talking Heads, without the “The”?)
Oh, and I have a deep cut for Britney Spears, too, but I’m not going to embarrass myself further by sharing it. =P
I’ll go along with the Duran Duran, Enbrethilliel. I love ’80s pop. Britney, not so much.
+JMJ+
I’ve thought of another one!
“He Thought of Cars” by Blur (The Great Escape)
I think Enbrethiliel is really Jamie Gertz.
My Old School by Steely Dan
Regatta De Blanc by the Police
Tip of my Tongue by The Tubes
Fire on High by ELO
Dangerous Type by The Cars
I like your Cars mind, Outlaw. That one and “You’re All I’ve Got Tonight” my faves. Can’t remember the band, but there was a decent cover of it in The Craft. Before I get any shit for seeing (and really liking) that movie, it’s got Faruiza Balk, queen of the crazy hot goth chicks.
I have not heard of any of the songs in these comments, 97 is a gem, though I prefer the old Sun version from JC.
I’ll add that “Orphan of the Road” is one of my favorite Johnny Cash deep cuts.
Sorry Outlaw. I heard “My Old School” today on the local classic rock radio station. That’s not a deep cut.
But at least I have head of more of these songs.
That’s fine, if you say so.
+JMJ+
Mr. Sideous,
I have just googled Jamie Gertz.
I’m, uh, flattered (?!?) . . .
+JMJ+
By the way, Mr. Sideous, thank you for giving me my first blurb on my second blog. =)
http://shreddedcheddar.blogspot.com
If you scroll down, you’ll see your name in the sidebar.
Some old favorites:
Stones: Sway
Yes: I See You (Byrds cover)
Beatles: Martha My Dear
Doors: Not to Touch the Earth
Jefferson Airplane: Good Shepherd