Where did the summer go? It seems like just yesterday June was rolling in and thoughts of cookouts and summer concerts under the stars were on the horizon, now it’s football season and some chilly night ahead. Well let’s try to extend the summer for just a few more moments and let us tell you what we were listening to during those remnants of the dog days of summer.
Thunderstruck – AC/DC
With the NFL season beginning next week, my mind has wandered to songs that pump me up for the home opener. Thunderstruck is one of those songs. A vintage AC/DC rocker designed to “pump you up”. Go Browns!! – Pritch
Garden Party – Ricky Nelson
Here’s one from a lifetime ago! America was raised on Ozzie and Harriet! Rick Nelson had 27 top 20 songs in his career with two number 1’s! This song made it to sixth on the Billboard Top 100 and was his last hit. New Years this year marks 40 years since his plane went down. – Dom
A Song For You – Leon Russell
Leon will always be on my playlist, as a songwriter and as an artist, to me one of the best. I remember hearing this song for the first time and thinking to myself, “Man I hope I don’t regret leaving someone like that”. Well decades have passed since listening that first time and regrets are a youthful right of passage but this song still hits hard. – Bear
Protection – Colin James
He covers the Lucinda Williams track “Protection” on his new album “Chasing The Sun”. This version is so cool, Lucinda herself had to join in on the recording. “Lucinda is such a revered songwriter, such a legend,” James raves. “But she’s so nice. And hearing our voices together on tape was such a pleasure.” – Cornel
Talk Talk – The Music Machine
This band started playing at a bowling alley in Los Angeles and in 1966 it was a song that seemed to hint at what the upcoming punk generation would sound like. An acquired taste but very innovative for its time. – Mike O
The Last DJ – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
This catchy tune details the end of free form radio and the takeover of radio stations by corporates who had no clue how to run them (see WMMS and many others). Certainly made it more difficult for new bands to “catch a break”. Although there are now many ways to get songs out to the public, hearing that song on the radio and getting the album is such a great memory. – Pritch
Wonderwall – Oasis
With their feud behind them, Oasis has announced a 2025 Reunion Tour after a 15-year hiatus.
Nothing has been announced for stateside, it’s a UK/Ireland Tour at this point. – Dom
Who Do You Love – The Woolies
I don’t want to stereotype but if the shoe fits… Classic Michigan rock and roll is usually served loud, real loud, and the Woolies out of Lansing could make your ears bleed. Even so, this song was a favorite dance track for garage bands across the country. – Mike O
Blues In My DNA – Ronnie Baker Brooks
“Blues In My DNA” is the title-track from Ronnie Baker Brooks’ newest release. When you’re the son of legendary bluesman Lonnie Brooks, the DNA just drips like honey from this fiery guitar track. – Cornel
Girls Talk – Linda Ronstadt
I love Linda Ronstadt’s voice. What a talented lady (how many can sing rock/pop and transition to opera). This cover of the Elvis Costello number is upbeat and showcases that voice as she sings about those little behind the back words/things girls say/do. – Pritch
Under The Bridge – Red Hot Chili Peppers
This one went Platinum and helped to springboard their careers. Written during a dark time in Anthony Kiedis’s life its lyrics were influenced by his heroin and cocaine addiction days. – Dom
Get Me To The World On Time – Electric Prunes
One of the great band names to make your parents scratch their heads back in 1967, the Prunes followed up “I Had Too Much to Dream” with this song that showcased early psychedelia. With a long list of former band members behind them, the band continued to tour into the 2000s. – Mike O
Long Distance Call – Little Feat
Yes! Little Feat finally give us an all-blues album. The result is “Sam’s Place”. Check out the cover of the Muddy Waters classic “Long Distance Call”. Guest vocalist Bonnie Raitt joins the Feat’s Sam Clayton. This one is making Muddy smile in blues heaven! – Cornel
Into The Mystic –Van Morrison
An absolutely beautiful song that whenever I hear seems to take me to another astral plane. Nothing else needs to be said about it. – Bear
Greenlight – Pitbull ft. Flo Rida, LunchMoney Lewis
This one is for all of You that saw him at Blossom Music this past Thursday cuz I know you didn’t get enough! He sure does know how to make party music! – Dom
Open Up Your Door – Richard & the Young Lions
The band had a good front man and a catchy song, but couldn’t recapture the magic the magic from their biggest hit. They still had a cult following right up to their reunion shows in the 2000s. Check out the documentary, Out of Our Dens: The Richard and the Young Lions Story – Mike O
Tough Mother – Shemekia Copeland
Shemekia Copeland IS the greatest blues singer on the planet! I admit it, I love everything this gal puts out for us to hear…But the new single “Tough Mother”, is Shemekia taking it up to an even higher perch as this era’s Queen of Blues. – Cornel
Peace Of Mind –Peter Wolf
Most of you know him as the Woofa Goofa wild man of the J. Geils Band but if you want to hear a beautiful song about growing older and trying to find yourself, don’t look any further. Peter just gives it his all, not like he’s singing words on a paper but singing from deep inside himself. – Bear
Hey Little Girl – The Syndicate of Sound
One hit wonders, but quite a song to hang your hat on. Again, just a hint of psychedelia, though artists from Dwight Yoakam to the Dead Boys have put their own unique spin on the song. – Mike O
