The Rules: I reset the play counters for all the songs currently on my iTunes. Then at the end of every week, I check to see what the top five most played songs are. Whatever happens to be in this top five are then presented in order here from most played to least. If I have posted a particular song in the past, then I will bypass that song and post the next in line. If one artist dominates the list, then I will write about that artist in lieu of a Top Five list.
Just a quick reminder before we delve into the list…
If you don’t know by now, TheFrontloader.com is holding our very first Contest Giveaway Contest. Click here to get all the details, or look for the Santa-Hat-Sherman banner around the site. The contest ends next week on the 17th, but don’t wait until the last minute to play!
Ok… let’s get on with This Week’s Top Five Most Played Songs From Swap’s iTunes!
Every now and then I get on a Black Crowes kick and I have to play all their songs in a row. I just set my iPod to “All songs” for the Crowes and let it go… well, seeing as I’ve not only got all their albums, but a BUNCH of bootlegs, you can imagine how long it’d take the iPod to get through the entire playlist.
I kept going back to this live performance of “Midnight From the Inside Out,” though. This was recorded on 10-31-05 and sounds GREAT. 2005 was the year when the Crowes got back together after a three-year hiatus. It was a very exciting time for Crowes fans, as most of what is considered the (close to) “ultimate” Crowes lineup was reassembled (minus original bassist Johnny Colt). This consisted of: Chris and Rich Robinson, Steve Gorman, Marc Ford, Eddie Harsch, and Sven Pipien.
Why is this the (close to) “ultimate” lineup? Because this group recorded the best Black Crowes albums, starting with The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion, then Amorica, and finishing with Three Snakes and a Charm.
Some would argue that their debut, Shake Your Moneymaker, should be included in that list… but in my opinion, the Crowes didn’t come into their own until Southern Harmony. Anyhow, this ensemble embarked on what would appear to be a never-ending-tour, as they are still out there, playing wonderful Crowes music… let’s hope this tour never ends.
Your Dig-It Download:
Download: Midnight From the Inside Out (live in Chicago, 10-31-05)
Buy The Black Crowes on Amazon
Buy The Black Crowes on iTunes
I have a friend in San Diego that runs sound for a music venue. He’s seen countless bands come through the joint, some good, some not so good… well, one of his favorite acts to work with is a hardrock band out of Maryland called Clutch. I’ve never had the opportunity to see this band live, but judging from their albums, I can definitely see how it would be one HELL of a good time.
Before I left for Nashville, my friend hands me Clutch’s eight release, 2004’s Blast Tyrant.
The song that made it on this week’s most played songs is “The Regulator,” a heavy, HEAVY, blues based rocker that shakes you to your very core. Singer Neil Fallon’s deep voice would scare the bejeezus out of kindergarteners…
I ended up playing this song eighteen times one night, thus landing it in the number two spot. My study breaks are always in need of some head-bangin’ tunage, and boy oh boy, “The Regulator” did NOT disappoint.
Your Dig-It Download:
Download: The Regulator
Buy Clutch on Amazon
Buy Clutch on iTunes
Ok, I’ll admit that “Dirty Diana” by Michael Jackson is a guilty pleasure of mine. I’ve always dug this song, and for good reason: Michael sounds AMAZING here.
He sounds so pissed here! You just wanna say, “Yeah, go on and tell her off, Michael!!!!” That note he hits at 2:39… I’d bust a gut hitting that. Hmmm… let me try it right now…
Yup. Gut officially busted.
“Dirty Diana” was the fifth and last number one off of Jackson’s album, Bad. Jackson’s the only artist to score five number ones off of the same album. The other songs that reached the top off of Bad were “Bad,” “The Way You Make Me Feel,” “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You,” and “Man in the Mirror.” Pretty frikkin’ incredible.
Billy Idol’s former guitarist, Steve Stevens, recorded the supersonic guitar parts here. I totally dig the solo at end of the song. I wonder how he did that siren-like sound? VERY cool. I think this solo was the reason why I kept playing the song over and over again… sixteen times to be exact.
According to Songfacts.com, “Dirty Diana” is another song about groupies/stalkers that plagued Jackson’s life. Can you name the other song that touched on this subject?
No, you don’t win anything for getting the correct answer this time. By the way, HAVE you played the Contest Giveaway Contest game yet? No?
GO PLAY NOW!!! (Uh… after you read this post)
Your Dig-It Download:
Download: Dirty Diana
Buy Michael Jackson on Amazon
Buy Michael Jackson on iTunes
The first three songs on this list are pretty rockin’ (yes, even Michael Jackson), and then Swap calms down.
I’ve featured Spyboy before, so it probably comes to no surprise that they’ll end up in this list again. You can read about the band here.
Out of all the songs on the live Spyboy album, “Calling My Children Home” is a highlight for me. This a cappella performance is definitely a show stopper, as Emmylou Harris and the “Spyboy Choir” frikkin’ NAIL it. The subtle inflections, lifts and falls, and dynamics make me say “Wow” every time I hear it, and I can’t help but sing along.
I usually sing the harmony right underneath Harris’ lead vocal, but I tend to drift between that and the bass because bass is so cool to sing… and I’m cool.
“Calling My Children Home” also appears on Harris’ 1992 live album At the Ryman. She performs this song with a completely different group, but the results are just as magnificent. I can see why she continues to keep this tune in her repertoire, as it never ceases to impress.
I have to admit… it’s cool to rock out with drums, guitars, bass, keyboards, etc… but nothing compares to a cappella performances. The human voice is the most beautiful instrument.
Your Dig-It Download:
Download: Calling My Children Home (live)
Buy Emmylou Harris/Spyboy on Amazon
Buy Emmylou Harris on iTunes
I distinctly remember coming across Chris Stills’ debut album, 100 Year Thing, in a record store in my hometown of Upland, CA. I bought the album because, on the cover, he held this teeny-tiny guitar that looked like a toy. I thought to myself, “Dude, that’s a frikkin’ small guitar. Wonder what it sounds like?”
So I bought the album in hopes of hearing that guitar.
I have no idea if that guitar ended up on the record, but I didn’t care because of the strength of the songs. 100 Year Thing is a must for those of you that dig on the likes of Ryan Adams. Stills actually plays on a few of Adams’ albums, most notably on Gold.
If you’re thinking to yourself, “Stills… that name sounds familiar,” it should… Chris Stills is the son of Stephen Stills of Crosby, Stills and Nash. Pretty cool.
In 2005 he released his sophomore self-titled album, seven years after his debut. “When the Pain Dies Down” is one of my favorite tracks, and rounds out the Top Five this week with thirteen plays.
The mellowness of the song always gets me. And the piano. Piano is cool. Give me more piano.
Your Dig-It Download:
Download: When the Pain Dies Down
Buy Chris Stills on Amazon
Buy Chris Stills on iTunes
Now that you’re done with the Top Five list this week, go play the Contest Giveaway Contest game!!!! For those of you that are playing, how many are done yet? I hope you find it not only entertaining but challenging as well!!!! You’ve got five more days left!
GO GO GO GO GO!!!!!
Popularity: 3% [?]
Guilty pleasure music is great isn’t it? The stuff you almost listen to when no one is around because you are almost embarassed that you actually like that artist. Mine is Britney Spears. I don’t WANT to like her stuff, but I can’t help it. I hear it and then it sits in my head playing over and over again. I used to be embarassed by it, but have decided to just embrace it.
Great list BTW! Oh and I’m going to take a wild guess and go with Billy Jean being the other stalker song.
Swap,
Clutch have been on fire with the last three albums….Blast Tyrant, Robot Hive/Exodus, and From Beale Street to Oblivion are ESSENTIAL in my book!
Here is “10001110101″, my go-to tune from Clutch off the Robot Hive/Exodus album….I could play this sucker at least 18 times.
https://www.yousendit.com/download/TTZuV0p3cG9RYTkzZUE9PQ
Seriously, if you don’t have the other two albums I mentioned, get get get ‘em!
And btw, Clutch has a new live CD and DVD in stores that kicks major booty.
I’m definitely one of the guys that would throw “Moneymaker” on my Crowes list.
PS – Patty…I’m definitely a guilty Britney Spears fan too. Have the greatest hits on my Ipod..lol.
Great list! I love, love, LOVE a cappella performances. Like LOOOOOOVE (well, when they’re done well, that is…some can get kinda scary lol). Calling My Children Home is definitely NOT one of the scary ones! Beautiful.
And no better way to start the weekend than with a little Black Crowes!
Thanks.
Wow, the harmonies on Calling My Children Home are amazing! I think Emmylou Harris has to be one of the best vocal harmonizers (is that something?) ever. Her voice just seems to “fill in” and make whoever she’s singing with sound so good!
Billie Jean would be the other groupie/stalker inspired song, do I get another entry in the hat for the “Contest”?
Yup Billy Jean!
Did you get the new Spears album? I hear it’s actually really good.
Thank you for that Clutch song! I’ve gotta get more into this band… the Blast Tyrant album kick ass and I’m sure their other albums do as well.
I gotta admit… Spears’ song “Toxic” is a guitly pleasure of mine.
I love a cappella stuff as well. It’s the most beautiful thing to hear… aside from my own voice, that is.
LOL!!!! Good try!