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.
I know that you probably don’t care, but I got an “A” in my online class. That’s a load off my mind because for a while I seriously thought I would get a big fat “F.”
So now that I’ve completed it, I must say that I might do another online class. It was frustrating, yes, but it’s over in no time, and if I can keep pulling of “A’s,” then it’s worth the time. I might do a statistics class… just get rid of some pre req’s…
The most important thing I learned from the online class was how to trust people again. We had these group papers that required me to put my grade into people I’ve never met… it was tough to do at first, but in the end everybody did alright and I’m now juuuuust a bit more trusting. That’s a good thing, isn’t it?
I wonder how trusting my buddy Obama is now? I wonder who he trusts and if he feels that anyone who is nice to him is after something? That’s gotta be a tough position to be in… which is why I don’t think I’ll run for Prez of the States anytime soon. One thing I DO know about Obama is that he trusts me to get This Week’s Top 5 Most Played Songs From Swap’s iTunes up every week. So this one’s for you, Obi-Bama Kenobi…
Leaving On A Jet Plane – John Denver
I have no idea how it came to be that John Denver‘s “Leaving On A Jet Plane” became my most played song this week. I don’t actually remember listening to it, but numbers don’t lie (unless they do). My only guess on this is that I must have played this song right before falling asleep and it just went on repeat for hours. I mean, that’s the only explanation on why it was played 53 times.
That’s about 3.5 hours. Wow.
“Leaving on a Jet Plane” is a GREAT song, though… so there’s really nothing wrong with it being #1… I just wish I could remember how this came to be.
Denver wrote the song in 1967 and can be found on his debut album, Rhymes and Reasons. It’s been covered by countless artists including Frank Sinatra. I’ve never heard his version, but I bet it’s a toe-tapper.
According to Songfacts.com, “Denver wrote this in 1967 during a layover at Washington airport, ‘Not so much from feeling that way for someone, but from the longing of having someone to love’ (quote from 1000 UK #1 Hits by Jon Kutner and Spencer Leigh).” I always find it interesting where songs are written. I mean, are these songs REALLY written at these locations or are the artists just trying to sound cool?
For example, did Bono REALLY write “Silver and Gold” in a hotel room in NYC? I guess we’ll never know.
I know that I DID write one of my more famous songs, “Stairway to Heaven,” while sitting on a washer while it was being pushed down a hill in Claremont, CA. Yeah, my friends and I used to do Washer-Dryer races. It was cool.
You didn’t know that I wrote “Stairway to Heaven?” A lot of people don’t know that… just like they don’t know that I’m Batman.
Your Dig-It Download:
Download: Leaving On A Jet Plane
You Really Got Me (Live @ SF’s Winterland, 2/19/77) – The Kinks
I’ve had this bootleg by The Kinks for quite a while now, but I didn’t really take a listen to it until this last week… which is a shame because it’s friggin’ good. The sound quality is not the greatest, but it definitely gave me the feeling of 1977 (whatever that means).
“You Really Got Me” was their third single and first big hit back in 1964, hitting #1 in the UK and #7 here in the states. Because of the chord structure, the song has been credited to inventing the heavy metal genre… that’s a pretty huge compliment. “You Really Got Me” lands at #82 on Rolling Stone magazine’s 500 Greatest Songs Of All Time list, beating out songs like “You DON’T Really Got Me” and “You Kind of Got Me” as recorded by artists like The Blue Eulbs, and The Eulb Blues.
“You Really Got Me” can be found on their debut album, and has remained one of their most popular songs.
I played this live performance from Winterland 13 times.
Your Dig-It Download:
Download: You Really Got Me (Live @ SF’s Winterland, 2/19/77)
All Day and All of the Night (Live @ SF’s Winterland, 2/19/77) – The Kinks
If you took a listen to “You Really Got Me”, you’ll notice that the song cuts off at the end. If you were wondering “What happened?” then you’ve come to the right place. Those wiley Kinks segued it into another huge hit of theirs, “All Day and All of the Night.”… so wiley!
“All Day and All of the Night” was released as a stand alone single in 1964 and hit #2 and #7 in the UK and USA, respectively. The chords sound a LOT like “You Really Got Me,” but who cares because it friggin’ rocks.
Since these two songs were back-to-back on the bootleg, I HAD to listen to them together, so I played “All Day and All of the Night” 13 times as well.
I always thought this was a smart move to do: to make two songs segue into each other on an album. Pink Floyd did this a LOT and it definitely paid off because every time they were played on the radio as one song, the band got paid twice in royalties. Pink Floyd’s “The Happiest Days of Our Lives” and “Another Brick in the Wall (part 2)” are usually played as one “song” on the radio, when they’re actually two separate tracks on the record. Just like Queen‘s “We Will Rock You”” and “We Are the Champions”, and Led Zeppelin‘s “Heartbreaker” and “Livin’ Lovin’ Maid.” You’ll rarely hear those songs played NOT back-to-back on the radio… those wiley English folk!
Anyhow, I should really post that bootleg by The Kinks… I’m sure you’ll all dig it.
Your Dig-It Download:
Download: All Day and All of the Night (Live @ SF’s Winterland, 2/19/77)
The Last Word – Ashley Cleveland
I feel kind of bad here… “The Last Word” by Ashley Cleveland is the last track of her God Don’t Never Change record, and it’s an instrumental. This means that you won’t get to hear Cleveland’s amazing voice… which is a shame… but that’s how it goes, I guess.
“The Last Word” is a BAD-ASS jam that features the beast (Hammond B3 organ).
The way the song fades in leads me to believe that it’s just a snippet of a long jam session the band had… I kind of wish the album featured more than just 2:24 of it, as I’m sure the rest sounded just as good. Man ALIVE it’s good!
Here’s a bit of interesting information that has absolutely no use whatsoever: the Hammond B3 organ is usually (not always) the only electrified instrument used in “unplugged” sessions. Isn’t that interesting?
If you like what you hear on “The Last Word,” you should definitely pick up some of Cleveland’s albums. She’s a great gospel singer (1996 Grammy award winner for Best Rock Gospel) and has a number of records under her belt. Her latest album, God Don’t Never Change, and is such a fitting way to end the record… there’s attitude, passion, power, and a rush of adrenaline… I highly recommend it!
I jammed out to “The Last Word” nine times this week. Bad-ASS!
Your Dig-It Download:
Download: The Last Word
Kiss – Scout Niblett
I really don’t know much about Scout Niblett except that her name is really Emma Louise Niblett and her social security number is 825-35-1903, she lives in Ohio at 534 Ohio Street, and she owns two dogs: Major and Payne. She frequents the local coffee shop every morning for her “cup of ambition” and her favorite website is TheFrontloader.com (as is yours). I don’t know THAT much about her… well, except that her last purchase at the local Krogers was some Scotch tape, some apples, and a box of bad cookies.
Nope… don’t have that much info on her.
Oh, she DID sing the #5 song on this week’s list… “Kiss” is off her 2007 record, This Fool Can Die Now, and it instantly grabbed my attention. “Kiss” is a duet between Niblett and who I can only assume is some guy (probably Bonnie “Prince” Billy)… it’s a gorgeous song that needs to be heard.
Oh, I also know these things about Niblett: she isn’t in my living room right now, and she did NOT plug up my toilet.
Stupid Bruce Springsteen. Dude just plugged it up and left without a word. Not even a “Thanks, Swap!” or “You’re gonna wanna burn that bathroom.” What a pal.
Your Dig-It Download:
Download: Kiss
Popularity: 1% [?]
I love, love, LOVE the Peter, Paul & Mary version of Leaving on a Jet Plane… Story: not too long after my parents were married, my dad had to ship off to the Phillipines for 18 months. It was 1969-1970ish. Well, the morning he had to leave, my mom woke up, and my dad had that song playing… and was standing outside the door. Awwww.
Anyway, every time I hear that song I think of that story…
I like the list this week! Really enjoyed “Kiss” :)
Thanks for the downloads!
When I hit play on “The Last Word” I get “Phenomena” by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Thank you for informing me of that! I don't know how that happened.. bizarre. It's been fixed… hope you dig it!
What a great way to remember that song…
I've always liked the PPM version of Leavin' as well – great story, El-Kappo!
I've always liked the PPM version of Leavin' as well – great story, El-Kappo!