Monday, May 20

Music Monday: Reader Appreciation Week

by Scott Lydon 3 days ago

Happy Music Monday! You know, without every person who reads, comments, shares or visits our TurntableFM room, we wouldn't be here. That's why today we wanna say thank you. Yes, to you, loyal reader. We don't deserve a nice person like you. You're out of our league.

Fitz & The Tantrums - Out Of My League

In some alternate world where radio was still super-important, this would be the smash hit we'd hear a million times from now until September. And every time it came on, we'd think of you. How did we rate such a great person like you on our itty bitty blog?

Today's your special day with Music Monday. See you after the jump for our continuing salute… to you.

Monday, May 13

Music Monday: Songs About God

by Scott Lydon 10 days ago

Happy Music Monday! Today, Scott's chosen a topic many don't associate with popular music: songs about God. After all, there are as many different ways to worship as there are people, so why can't some rock stars get in on it too? Here's a classic to start us off:

George Harrison - My Sweet Lord

George had a reputation as the nicest Beatle, so it was pretty naturally he'd fall into religion. And, truthfully, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness has met with some controversy over the years. But the idea behind this simple love song is as pure as any Sunday hymn, and much prettier than many. Ultimately, this is just one guy using his gifts to thank his God for everything He has done. You might not agree with the specifics, but you can certainly understand the reasoning.

We've got four more after the jump, and last week's Spotify playlist as well. Then we want YOU to add some tunes! Please remember, we're happy to see songs about all faiths represented in the comments, but we don't want anyone acting like a jerk. It's about sharing great music together, not scoring theology points. Okay? Okay. See you inside…

Monday, May 06

Music Monday: Fun-kay

by Scott Lydon 17 days ago

Happy Music Monday! It's getting warm out, people are wearing less, and that's a good excuse to start havin' fun. We're gonna get funky today, and we invite you to join us.

Gap Band - Early In The Morning

The music is top notch, but even if it wasn't, you'd still have a good reason to love The Gap Band. What reason, you ask? THOSE HATS. Also of note is how The Gap Band made their song so impervious that even cover versions will remain substantially funky.

It's only gettin' funkier from here. See you after the jump.

Monday, April 29

Music Monday: RIP George Jones

by Scott Lydon 24 days ago

Happy Music Monday! On Friday, the great George Jones went off to join the great band in the sky. Today we're paying tribute to a man who lived like a rock star and sang like- well, nobody'd mistake him for an angel, so we'll just say a hero. We'll start with his first Number One hit, an ode to moonshine.

George Jones - White Lightning

George Jones manages to capture the fun of cooking up illegal liquor. Never mind that it might make you go blind or die. It's fun to take risks! And, truthfully, it's impossible to hear this song and not feel the same way. Say what you will about Snoop Dogg's love of marijuana, but it's no less illegal than George Jones' moonshine. Although Snoop probably can't play the guitar this well.

A former Marine who was born in Texas singing about breaking a Federal law. It just doesn't get more American than that. See you after the jump for more.

Monday, April 22

Music Monday: Directional Songs

by Scott Lydon a month ago

Happy Music Monday! Do you know which way you're facing now? Well, that's the start point on our wonderful journey through the maze of music. Close your eyes. Take a deep breath. Get settled. And then do what the music says. If nothing else, you'll get some exercise as you move around the room. Okay, now, get ready… three, two, one… we're off!

The Beatles - I'm Down

Down has been the primary direction for music for a long, long time. Rappers get down, dancers get down, some rock stars get down and then also get dirty, and even Swan Lake has some down under the wings of the main characters. And don't even get me started on the blues. Why is down so important? Maybe it's because, without down, there's no place from which to grow.

Get the idea? More directionals coming up, just after the jump.

Monday, April 15

Music Monday: Names That Don't Belong In Rock

by Scott Lydon a month ago

Happy Music Monday! Today Scott's lost his mind and gathered a bunch of people you've probably never heard of because they have names that don't sound like rock stars. Yeah, we know. He's just been under a lot of pressure lately, okay? Anyway, take a look, maybe you'll have a few ideas of your own...

Grayson Hugh - Talk It Over

The late '80s were sort of like rock's midlife crisis. All the new stuff was in electronic music and hip hop wasn't yet mainstream, but all the classic bands were either broken up or sucking. That context should explain why a guy who dressed like a Guardian Angel could stick two backup singers in suitcases and score a minor hit, all with a name like "Grayson." To be fair, he's not a bad singer, but the moment he was up against a guy named Ice T, poor Grayson had no chance.

See you after the jump for what might end up being our least-read Music Monday of all time. Wish us luck!

Monday, April 08

Music Monday: Call Me

by Scott Lydon 2 months ago

Happy Music Monday! So here's a funny story: last week Scott had already pre-planned a Music Monday all about phone call songs, and only then did he discover that April 3rd was the 40th anniversary of the cell phone! Nice coincidence, right? So please consider this mix a tribute to the device that changed the world. We'll hand you the receiver and let you hear this first song…

Go West - Call Me

That bright burst at the beginning is a perfect start to a song about a telephone, right? And Go West was never going to be a game changer, especially not with that seizure dance goin' on, but wasn't this was the perfect song for zipping around Vice City? It's meaningless metaphor-filled synth pop with a simple message. I wish you were here, give me a call.

If you can't find your way inside, give us a call and we'll help you out. See you after the jump?

Monday, April 01

Music Monday: Fooled You

by Scott Lydon 2 months ago

Happy Music Monday! It's April 1st, and if you don't know what day this is, you're in biiiiig trouble. But if you do, great! You've guessed what our theme is this week! We'll let Scott get started with his first foolish choice:

Led Zeppelin - Fool In The Rain

A lovely song from an often-underrated Zep album, this fool is one of those guys who fell in love with the wrong woman. But if it wasn't for loving and losing, where would songs like this come from?

We get more foolish inside, after the jump. See you fools there...

Monday, March 25

Music Monday: Commercial Jingles

by Scott Lydon 2 months ago

Happy Music Monday! Today we're selling out. That's right, it's all about the commercials today. Scott's chased down five songs that are forever entwined with the products for which they were shilling. Hey, if it pays the bills, who are we to judge? As long as they keep it entertaining, everybody's happy. And this first video's a perfect example...

Shaggy - Boombastic

How do you turn a song into a masterpiece? Claymation! This Levi's ad told a whole action movie worth of story in roughly a minute, all while selling jeans AND reminding people to go buy Shaggy's record. Talk about running the table.

Four more and the usual fun after the jump!

Monday, March 18

Music Monday: The Impending Equinox

by Scott Lydon 2 months ago

Happy Music Monday! As you may or may not know, this week we arrive at the Vernal Equinox, which means the long, long, long winter is finally, officially over. So in the brief window between jackets and shorts, we get to celebrate Spring! Scott's mix this week is a nice look at songs to get us in the mood for open windows and sunny afternoons. We'll start with a woman who was made for spring… the great Blossom Dearie!

Blossom Dearie - Might As Well Be Spring

This tiny-voiced jazz singer just bubbles out French over the piano, and in a way that makes you feel the flowers peeping up through the city snow. If you're a Francophobe, you can also check out a different Spring song in English but there's just something about the one I posted.

After the jump, four more songs to get you ready for the sunny weather up ahead. See you there...