last man standing

Last Man Standing: Songs That Reference Real-Life Newspapers Other Than The New York Times

Aug 112012

In what may be our shortest Last Man Standing contest ever, I present the following: Songs that reference real-life newspapers OTHER THAN The New York Times.

I’ve got “Letter to the New York Post” by Public Enemy, and that’s it. Oh, I thought of one more, but that’s for you to list.

Of course, I imagine days of discussion over whether it’s “I read the news today oh boy” or “I read the News today oh boy.”

As always, for those of you playing along from home, please limit yourself to one entry per post.

Last Man Standing Rock That Counts

Posted by machinery

Aug 022012

I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for the Beach Boy’s “When I grow up to be a man.” It’s sentimental and good-vibey at the same time. And I dig the drums on this. But my favorite part is how they include the counting up of the ages throughout … especially at the end. ” 22 .. 23 … 24 …

So as a Last Man Standing Challenge … what other great songs use this counting technique?

I’ll take this song and Bowie’s Space Oddity off the board to start.

Last Man Standing: Planet of the Apes

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Jul 282012

I’m a big fan of the original Planet of the Apes and other works of art that ponder humankind’s ape-like nature. Who among us will be last man standing as we cite rock ‘n roll songs that specifically compare humans to apes or other simian ancestors? As always, keep your entries to one song per comment.

I’ll start with The Kinks’ “Apeman.”

Last Man Standing: All Right!

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Jul 072012

I’ve long counted on rock ‘n roll’s ability to provide comfort, to make me feel all right. Think about how many songs there are that involve a lyrical hook around the idea of feeling all right. (Whoops, I just gave away an entry!) Two of my Top 5 favorite songs of the 20th century contain segments that drive home this phrase and feeling.

Think about it. Then—one entry at a time—submit rock ‘n roll songs that involve a lyrical hook involving repeated use of the phrase “all right” (or, “alright,” in the case of a song associated with logging onto Rock Town Hall’s home page—Damn, just gave away another entry!)

To be clear: the song must contain a key refrain, coda, or verse with repeated use of the phrase “all right.” I’m not looking for any old song that just happens to use the phrase one time.

I’ll kick things off with one of the 2 songs among my Top 5 ever that bring home this feeling: The Velvet Underground’s “Rock ‘n Roll.”

Last Man Standing: Fun With Jane

Posted by Slim Jade

Jun 262012

I was listening to Spiritualized’s epic “Hey Jane” and the lyric where he references “Sweet Jane on the radio.” For whatever reason, “Jane” is the most rock and roll of all girls. She, in her many guises and personae is the quintessential muse. Who the hell is this Jane chick?

Let’s let ‘er rip with any song title or lyric with Jane in it!

Running Low on Inspiration

Posted by northvancoveman

Jun 232012

Driving home tonight, I heard a song for perhaps the 10th or 12h time. I typed part of the lyrics into Google to find the title, and found out it was “Love You Like a Love Song,” by Selena Gomez.

This is a song I hear when my wife leaves the dance station on in my truck. I used to have a problem with this, kinda, but I don’t anymore. I think we are in a producer-driven golden age of dance music; I find many of the songs exciting and edgy.

“Love You Like a Love Song” isn’t one of these, but I did find something about the tune that caught my mind’s Rainman-like attention to patterns that sometimes manifest themselves in RTH posts.

It’s the lyrics. They’re mundane. But they are mundane in a way that has historical precedent in pop music. Take a look at the first two lines:

Every beautiful thought’s been already sung
And I guess right now here’s another one.

This is the sound of someone struggling to write a song, nay, write a HIT SONG. This is a very particular pattern in pop history. My mind leapt to dozens of songs that had this “guess it’s all been done but i need to write a song” genesis, that were then voiced that within the finished product.

I thought of a half-dozen right away. Most weren’t good, but some were very good.

Anyone?

Last Man Standing: Contact Info

Posted by cdm

Jun 162012

I’m looking for a phone number or address in the lyrics of a song. Double points for anyone who comes up with lyrics containing an email address.

The address must contain at least a street name and house number to be valid.

I’ll lead off with “634-5789,” by Wilson Pickett

As always, one entry per post please.

Older Entries Newer Entries