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 note to remind you of the Mystery Download of the Day… you’ll find the banner for it right at the top of this page… I have no idea what the download is, as it changes every day, so click the banner to grab the download and find out for yourself!
Now on with the show… This Week’s Top 5 Most Played Songs From Swap’s iTunes…
Hurt Like Mine – The Black Keys
I gotta be honest – the only reason I first took a listen to The Black Keys is that I’m always interested in bands that call themselves “The Black (something).” I realize how ridiculous that sounds, but let’s face it: “The Black (something)” bands are usually pretty good. There’s The Black Crowes, The Black Eyed Peas, Black Sabbath…
So how could I resist a band called The Black Keys?
“Hurt Like Mine” is off The Black Keys‘ second album, Thickfreakness. Most of the album was apparently recorded in the basement of Patrick Carney, the band’s drummer. Pretty cool.
I just dig this band… and this song, as it ended up in my top spot this week.
Your Dig-It Download:
Download: Hurt Like Mine (The Black Keys)
Buy The Black Keys on Amazon
Buy The Black Keys on iTunes
Lonesome Blues – Shooter Jennings
Shooter Jennings is the son of one of the most famous country singers ever, Waylon Jennings. “Lonesome Blues” is off of his debut album, Put the “O” Back in Country. I must admit that I bought this album without even realizing Shooter’s family lineage. I just thought the title of the album was cool.
It’s a great album and I’m glad I picked it up! Being completely unfamiliar with Waylon Jennings (aside from his work with The Dukes of Hazzard), I wasn’t able to compare Shooter to his father… which is probably a good thing.
Anyhow, if you dig on the more rock side of country, you’ll enjoy his debut album. He has since released two more records, but it’s his first record that I dig the mostest.
Just a bit of trivia: Shooter got his name after urinating on a nurse shortly after his birth. I wonder what his name would have been if he had pooped on her.
“Lonesome Blues” was the second most played song this week and feels so good to listen to… I hope you enjoy it!
Your Dig-It Download:
Download:
Buy Shooter Jennings on Amazon
Buy Shooter Jennings on iTunes
Heaven, Heartache, and the Power of Love – Trisha Yearwood
I’m afraid I don’t know much about Trisha Yearwood. What I do know is that she’s married to Garth Brooks (which ain’t too bad).
She’s had great success as a country singer with eleven albums certified either gold or platinum, and she’s the first female country singer to sell more than a million units of her debut album.
Her album, Heaven, Heartache, and the Power of Love, was released in 2007 and is just a fantastic album. I first heard the title track to the album on the radio while driving and enjoyed it so much I had to pick up the rest of the album. This track certainly kicks arse… so much arse that it ended up as the third most played song this week.
I got to see Trisha play an acoustic set in Nashville last year… she put on a fantastic performance… and to top things off, I got to walk BEHIND her. Not bad, huh?
Your Dig-It Download:
Download: Heaven, Heartache, and the Power of Love (Trisha Yearwood)
Buy Trisha Yearwood on Amazon
Buy Trisha Yearwood on iTunes
Indifference – Ben Harper
I first came across Ben Harper through his album Fight For Your Mind. The first track, “Oppression,” took me by storm, and I was hooked ever since. He’s a wonderful songwriter and musician… LOVE his work with the Blind Boys of Alabama. Check out the Higher Ground record to see what I mean.
Cool trivia about Harper… he was born in Claremont, CA… just about 10 minutes from where I grew up in Upland, CA!!!!
Anyhow, I’ve been listening to his rendition of Pearl Jam‘s song, “Indifference” quite a bit, which landed it at number four on the list this week. Harper’s voice sounds so cool in this acoustic performance.
Your Dig-It Download:
Download: Indifference (Ben Harper – live acoustic)
Buy Ben Harper on Amazon
Buy Ben Harper on iTunes
The Mountain – Levon Helm
Finishing off this week’s list is Levon Helm‘s “The Mountain”. Helm is best known for his work as the drummer and vocalist for The Band. His voice can be heard on such great songs as “The Weight”, “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down”, and “Up On Cripple Creek”. I’ve always dug his drumming… very laid back, but with an almost funky feel. His drum sound in The Band’s second album, The Band, is SO awesome… just a natural, boomy sound that lets your HEAR the wood of the drum kit.
Anyhow, Helm was diagnosed with throat cancer in the 1990′s. His voice was reduced to nothing more than a rasp, and for years he was not able to sing. It wasn’t until 2004 that he was able to battle back and regain his voice… and the world is sincerely better for that.
In October of 2007, he released a solo record Dirt Farmer. His voice isn’t quite as strong as it was before, but the record is still a testament to the strength of the human spirit. I love his voice and am so grateful for this new record.
“The Mountain” reminds me of his earlier work with The Band… and that ain’t a bad thing.
Your Dig-It Download:
Download: The Mountain (Levon Helm)
Buy Levon Helm on Amazon
Buy Levon Helm on iTunes
Now that you’ve read this and all other articles on TheFrontloader.com, zip on over to Blogness On the Edge of Town and check out their “Cover of the Week” post! This week’s cover is Bruce Springsteen‘s “I’m On Fire.”
Popularity: 2% [?]
AAEEAAA! I love this weeks list….I adore Ben Harper, and loved the Black Keys song too. Shooter was a little mellow for me today, but I liked it. And I don’t know much about Trisha Yearwood (except the stuff I’ve heard here actually), but I enjoyed the song you posted.
Incidentally, first the Indigo Girls, now Ben Harper covering Pearl Jam….I think you made Jackie a very happy girl this week. :)
Diverse list this week, Swap!
Very nice, thanks for the great half hour of music.
JTk
Trisha’s song “Let The Wind Chase You” is one of the most awesome songs ever. I highly recommend buying the CD.
Thanks as always for the great music.
Interesting group of songs here. I was surprised to find that I already had four of them downloaded perhaps from your previous myspace blogs…dunno? Thanks as always!
I forgot to tell you that Waylon Jennings is a must to add to your music. Waylon and Willie made some great music together and individually. Love them.
Thanks, Tommy! This week my favorite is “The Mountain”, I really like that one.
Good list this week! I really like The Black Keys, never had heard them before. The album artwork is a little bit scary!
I think I was at the show with Tricia Yearwood, that’s the one where you were doing the robot on the side of the stage, right? I know Ms. Yearwood was impressed! (and I make stuff up sometimes too) I was at the Opry the night that she was inducted (whatever that means, became a member I guess) she sang with Vince Gill. That was pretty!
Shooter Jennings is cool.
I think I just about have my digital music “in order” I’ll have to reset the counts and see how it goes! I did lose a bunch of my stuff, blaming my kids, I think they wiped it out when they synced their ipods. All the more justification for my very own laptop!!
It’s been a long week, happy it’s Friday!!
Great list this week.
I think Trisha Yearwood’s CD is the first country CD I ever bought…the one with “She’s in Love with the Boy” on it. Man, I loved that song (and “Like We Never Had a Broken Heart”)… I haven’t kept up with her much over the years, but listening to that song, I will say that she’s still got it.
Love the Ben Harper cover.
And I didn’t know a thing about The Black Keys until you wrote about them once…I like ‘em. They played our state fair this last year with The Black Crowes. I was out of town at the time so I didn’t get to go (plus it was about a gazillion and a half dollars for tickets), but wouldn’t that have been a cool show to see?
Gracias!
The Black Keys – anybody else get an instant Jimi Hendrix Experience vibe besides me?
Trisha Yearwood – remember her most clearly from the movie The Thing Called Love, but she makes me want to kick up my heels and grab me a country boy. I like that growly thing she does with her voice, kind of like Wynona can do, too.
I think you wrote about Levon Helm before – the story sounds familiar – and I liked The Band way back when. Knowing his backstory just makes the vocals more poignant.