Perk up your eardrums, it’s time to spin some music videos on this lovely Sunday!
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Cars Are Cars by Paul Simon (From the album, “Hearts and Bones.”)
I thought for this edition of the MBIP Sunday Record Party, I’d pick songs about cars. I thought I’d stay away from the obvious, see: Beatles, “Baby You Can Drive My Car”, anything by The Cars and of course, this.
This song was recorded for Paul Simon’s sixth solo album, but it was originally supposed to be a new Simon and Garfunkel album. They started recording together after their successful Central Park Concert but tensions ran high in the studo, Garfunkel stomped out and Paul Simon wiped out his vocals and released the album as a solo record.
“Cars Are Cars” features the co-founder of the band, Chic, Nile Rodgers on guitar.
Ridin’ In My Car by NRBQ (From the album, “All Hopped Up.”)
This is one of my favorite NRBQ songs of all time. It was written by NRBQ guitarist and singer, “Big” Al Anderson and was featured on the 1977 album, All Hopped Up. One thing I love about this album is that it closes with NRBQ’s version of “Bonanza.”
You Can’t Catch Me by Chuck Berry (From the album, “Rock, Rock, Rock!”)
“Rock, Rock, Rock!” was a black and white movie that came out in 1956. The plot revolves around a young girl trying to get her dad to buy her a strapless gown for the prom. The girl was played by Tuesday Weld who was just 13-years-old at the time. The movie also featured DJ Alan Freed and rock and roll acts including, The Flamingos, The Moonglows, LaVern Baker and Chuck Berry performing this ode to a brand new car.
John Lennon was sued by Chuck Berry’s publlshing company in the early ‘70’s for copyright infringement regarding The Beatles song, “Come Together.” The suit was settled out of court and Lennon ended up recording a cover version of this song on his 1975 album, Rock ’n’ Roll as part of the settlement.
Mercedes Benz by Janis Joplin (From the album, Pearl”)
This song was recorded in one take on October 1st, 1970. The song evolved from a poem by Michael McClure that Janis Joplin and artist/poet Bobby Neuworth worked into a full-fledged song. Three days after Joplin recorded the song, she died of a heroin overdose making this the last recorded song in her short life.
Automobile by John Prine (From the album, “Pink Cadillac.)
Pink Cadillac was released in 1979 and John Prine recorded it in Memphis at legendary producer Sam Phillips’ recording studio. Phillips’ sons, Knox and Jerry Phillips produced the album with their dad taking the helm on two of the tracks on the album. The goal was to record a more of a rockabilly sound for Prine and it was a departure from the more folk-sounding songs on previous records.
The rockabilly sound really comes out in “Automobile,” which is just one of five songs that Prine wrote for the album. The other five on the LP are covers including, “Baby Let’s Play House,” which Sam Phillips originally produced for Elvis Presley on his Sun Records label in 1955.
From A Buick 6 by Gary U.S. Bonds (From the album, “Dedication.)
This is a great version of one of my favorite Bob Dylan songs. It’s produced by Gary U.S. Bonds along with Bruce Springsteen and Steven Van Zandt. Springsteen’s E Street band supply the backing with the Big Man himself, Clarence Clemons on sax. It’s from the album, “Dedication” that came out in 1981 and was part of a plan that Springsteen and Van Zandt had to revive this one-hit wonder’s career. It didn’t necessarily put Bonds back in rock ‘n’ roll orbit, but it is a great album.
Further reading: MBIP Sunday Record Party: July 6th, 2014, June 22nd and June 15th, 2014 Edition.
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