Music is the Doctor makes a surprise return to tackle the issue at the heart of the EU Referendum vote tomorrow. I avoided songs like 'LEAVE my Kitten Alone' (Elvis Costello and others) so as not to upset the cat lovers! I also avoided 'LEAVING makes the Rain Fall' by Roy Orbison because that could be considered negative campaigning!
I also made a decision not to use 'STAY Where You Are' by The Olympics (an old Doo Wop song if you are interested) because The Olympics is a sporting event that takes place on a different day and we should never confuse Sports and Politics!
And with great purpose I avoided like the black plague using 'Making Your Mind Up' by Bucks Fizz because...well, Bucks Fizz are just not cool!
I should make it clear from the start that none of the songs used in the playlist are either in favour for an Exit nor are they supportive of Remaining. I just thought it would be fun to bring some songs together that might inspire you to go out tomorrow and vote (I have done so already as I use a Postal Vote).
On the Playlist
Should I Stay or Should I Go? - The Clash
Don't LeaveMe This Way - The Communards
Stay - Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs
LeavingHere - Motörhead
Everybody Leaves in the End - The Temper Trap
I Will Stay - We Are The Fallen
Stay Together - Suede
Leave or Stay - The Cars
Leave in Silence - Depeche Mode
Stay Inside - The Cigarettes
Please Stay - Elvis Costello
Leaving Babylon - Bad Brains
Move On In and Stay - Ray Price
Leave the Capitol - The Fall
The In Crowd - Cheap Trick
Take It or LeaveIt - Madness
Let's Stay Together - Al Green
Safe European Home - Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros
This will be the last Music is the Doctor in the series for the time being. I may post the odd one here and there in future days. The main reason for doing so is merely because whilst people seem to visit the page whenever I post it so few people actually seem to be pressing play on the The Playlist. It's a little discouraging as almost two or three hours goes into thinking about the music that goes into each playlist and the fact that they are obviously not being played is very clear as I'm able to see the numbers!
This will be the 47th Playlist. If you have taken the time to watch then a big thank you for your time. I hope you have enjoyed some fine tunes and some of the themes we have looked at since beginning back in May last year.
This is the Playlist
On The Playlist
Let's Submerge - X-Ray Spex
Originally the B-side to their single 'Identity'.
Germ Free Adolescent - The Mongrel Jews
A rather interesting take on what was a single for X-Ray Spex and the title to their Debut album.
20th Century Boy - Siouxsie and the Banshees
B-Side to The Staircase (Mystery) single and a fine cover of Marc Bolan's tune.
Get It On - T-Rex
The man himself performing one of his big hits. Footage is from 1971!
Fox on The Run - Sweet
One of many hits from one of the great glam bands of the 1970's.
Ballroom Blitz - Motördamn
A cross between Motörhead and The Damned. The song did appear on the B-side of two singles one by Motörhead ('Over The Top') and the other The Damned ('I Just Can't Be Happy Today').
Coz I Luv You - The Wonder Stuff
The Stuffies have actually done a couple of covers of their Black Country Brethren Slade.
Gudbuy T'Jane - Slade
Slade did wonders for the education system clearly adding to the problems for kids and their spelling!
Ever Fallen In Love - Thursday
I must admit I hadn't actually heard this one before putting this together. There have been a fair few versions of this Buzzcocks classic but I must admit that I find this one to be quite appealing.
Moving Away From The Pulsebeat (Live) - Buzzcocks
One of my absolute favourite tracks by Buzzcocks and it always sounds even more immense live.
Brickfield Nights - Plastic Tears
Don't know an awful lot about Plastic Tears at all. I have a feeling they might hail from Finland. Anyway, they released this cover of The Boys classic Brickfield Nights as a single back in January this year and it's pretty tidy.
1976 - The Boys
The song that gave them the title to their long awaited album Punk Rock Menopause. It's always a joy to hear that they are still getting out on the road from time to time. Still one of my favourite bands stretching way back to 1977!
Quit Your Life - Implossion
Not totally sure where these two hail from, I'm going to say Mexico (I think I may be correct!). Anyway, I have to say I was very impressed with this cover of a great MxPx tune.
Stay on Your Feet - MxPx
There's something about MxPx that just make me smile whenever I play their music. It always has the ability to lift the spirit and with such great lyrics like the ones in this song it's no wonder.
London Calling - The London Community Gospel Choir
The video on this is a bit deceptive because it says it's with Mick Jones and I thought that's gotta be an interesting watch, but Mick only gives a short introduction and talks a little about how and why the song was written. The rest is left up to the LCGC and it's really quite fascinating to hear the famous Clash song done like that!
Clampdown (Live at Lewisham Odeon) - The Clash
Taken from the London Calling album and a gig that was not far down the road from where I grew up in London. I never went to that one myself. Have no idea why!
Do Anything You Wanna Do - Michael Monroe
Could easily have gone with the great cover by Die Toten Hosen as well but I like old Michael, he's still got a bit of the punk spirit about him. A real gem when released in 1977 by Eddie and the Hot Rods.
The Beginning of the End - Eddie and the Hot Rods
Quite easily my favourite track on Life on the Line album (which funny enough also featured Do Anything You Wanna Do).
Roadhouse Blues (Live in Glasgow 1976) - Status Quo
This might seem out of step with the rest of the music that has gone before but hey it's nice to throw a spanner in the works from time to time. I absolutely love this, their live album in 1976 is in my opinion one of the best live albums ever. This Doors classic was originally released on Quo's Piledriver album.
When The Music's Over - The Doors
It seems fitting to end this Music is the Doctor series with a song that contains the lyric "when the music's over, put out the light!"
This week's Music is the Doctor takes back to a time when we were a whole lot younger than we are now... It's music built around the theme of Teenage life,being a Kid and an Adolescent, with all its complicated issues. It's music you just have to play loud, sing a long with, dance, go crazy or if you are an old bloke like me just casually nod your head in time and shuffle the old feet.
The Playlist
On The Playlist
The Kids Are Alright - Eddie and the Hot Rods.
Teenage Kicks - The Undertones.
Kids and Heroes - Bouncing Souls.
The Kid With The Replaceable Head - Richard Hell & The Void-Oids.
Teenage - UK Subs.
Just Another Teenage Anthem - New Hearts.
My Generation - The Who.
Teenage Head - Flamin' Groovies.
Bits of Kids - Stiff Little Fingers.
Give Youth A Chance - Ruts.
Youth Youth Youth - Generation X.
Today's Kids - The Last Words.
Last Year's Youth - Menace.
Bored Teenagers - The Adverts.
16 Again - Buzzcocks.
Germ Free Adolescents - X-Ray Spex.
All The Young Punks (New Boots and Contracts) - The Clash.
So, this week's Music is the Doctor is a little bit different in that pretty much all of it is new (there might be an odd song here and there like the Bob Mould vid or the Good Charlotte vid that are playing old stuff but they are from shows performed this year). Most of the tracks are from albums that are either due out this coming month or are out already within the past two months at least.
You will notice that there's a lot of "alternative" (for want of a better word) sounds included in the playlist. Some of the artists are not ones that I listen to on a regular basis, rather it was a case that I liked the particular song that was chosen. Some of the bands represented I know nothing about at all. It's very diverse as well going from the craziness of Disturbed covering Simon and Garfunkel to Willie Nelson covering George Gershwin!
Anyway, hope that you might find some little pearl amid the noise that makes you want to dance, mosh in your bedroom or rush out to buy the albums these songs represent.
The Playlist
On The Playlist
Opinion Overload - Simple Plan
The Sound of Silence - Disturbed
The Anthem (Live in Glasgow) - Good Charlotte
Kali Ma - Neck Deep
Cut Me Loose - Killswitch Engage
Taken - HACKTIVIST
Painkillers - Brian Fallon
Sweetness, Take Me Back - Cheap Meat
Figure Me Out - The Summer Set
Jet Black Heart - 5 Seconds of Summer
Miss Fortune (Acoustic NME Sessions) - The Coral
Break Into Your Heart - Iggy Pop
Holda You (I'm Psycho) - White Denim
Live in London Feb 2016 (Five Song Encore) - Bob Mould
This week's Music is the Doctor we are looking at Music that has been released over the years in the month of March, also there's a couple that will be released this month. Looking backwards and forwards then.
The Playlist
On the Playlist
All The Young Dudes - The Rebelles.
Sunday - Iggy Pop.
White Riot - The Clash.
Warhead - UK Subs.
Nobody's Scared - Subway Sect.
Valley of the Dolls - Generation X.
The Staircase (Mystery) - Siouxsie and the Banshees.
I Love Rock and Roll - Joan Jett and The Blackhearts.
Staring at the Rude Boys - Ruts.
Because the Night - Patti Smith Group.
I Might Be Lying - Eddie and the Hot Rods.
Dreams - The Cranberries.
I Will Follow - U2.
Offshore Banking Business - The Members.
Night Boat To Cairo - Madness.
Shellshock - New Order.
Just Like Gold - Aztec Camera.
We Gotta Get Out of This Place - Angelic Upstarts.
Thought this week on Music is the Doctor that we'd take a look at Europe seeing that it is all that's going to be on the minds of many of us here in the UK other the next few months. All the music on the playlist is gleaned from all over Europe, though some Countries might not be represented due to my lack of knowledge for some music from those Countries so apologies if your land is not represented.
On The Playlist Kiss - Age of Chance Far more interesting cover of Prince classic than Tom Jones' version. Far Far Away - The Wonder Stuff They did a whole series of songs giving ups to the music of the Black Country and this was actually the second Slade song they covered (Coz I Luv Uwas the other one). You Make My Heart Beat So Bad - Wynonna and The Big Noise This one is a new one just recently released and is a cover of a Buddy & Julie Miller song. No Surrender - Kevin Montgomery As I've probably posted Holly Williams' version of this a number of times I thought this time around it has to be Kevin M's superb version of Bruce's classic 80's tune. Royals - Youth in Revolt Done for the Punk Goes Pop series of albums I really do love this version of Lorde's first hit. Shine - Pillar Collective Soul's original is one of my favourite songs and so it was a bit of a surprise hearing Pillar do it for their Confessions album. Another Girl, Another Planet - Misty Miller This one fascinated me. I've heard a number of good covers over the years of this Only Ones classic but this acoustic rendition is just fabulous. Sweet Soul Music - The Jam Always loved it when Weller & Co went for a spot of Sixties Soul, a fairly faithful reading of the Arthur Conley classic. I'll Keep On Holding On - The Chords The old Marvelettes tune but taken from The Action's cover I'm sure. Real Wild Child - Buddy Holly Probably the most famous cover is Iggy Pop's version but here's a much earlier one by Buddy. Johnny O'Keefe was the first one to record it in 1958 and the song was called Wild One then. Jerry Allison of The Crickets also recorded and released it it in 1958 as did Jerry Lee Lewis (though his version never saw the light of day until 1974 I think). I Wanna Be Your Dog - Joan Jett and the Blackhearts One of the most famous songs by Iggy & The Stooges and covered by loads of people down through the years. I do like Joan's version though. Girls Talk - Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs You could pick any song from their three brilliant volumes of Under the Covers that would sit well. In a previous playlist we had Television's Marquee Moon, this time around it's Dave Edmund's little beauty Girl's Talk. Elvis Costello has covered this as well. I Want You - Fiona Apple (with Elvis Costello) Don't know if this can really be called a cover seeing that Elvis is actually involved with it but I'll bend the rules a bit to include it. Always loved Costello's original and here Fiona does a pretty interesting reading of it. We Got The Beat - The Coathangers I really enjoy The A.V. Club Covers project that they do every year I think. They have a list of songs and invite bands in and they get to pick what to do, cross it off once done leaving a narrower choice for the next band. The Go-Go's debut single is another favourite of mine and this one by The Coathangers (who I've never heard of before) is nice and quirky. In A Big Country - Cheatahs Another from The A.V. Club, this time around it's Big Country. Again this band Cheatahs is unknown to me. Pretty in Pink - The National It's a bit twee but quite a charming rendition of The Psychedelic Furs hit. Sloop John B - Relient K Recorded for a special they did at Capitol Records Studio in conjunction with their Five Score and Seven Years Ago album. Many have recorded this Beach Boys song including Johnny Cash. Strength - Loki The Grump LTG recorded this originally on behalf of Love Hope Strength (Rock and Roll Cancer Charity founded by Mike Peters) and I'm trying to remember if it was a project to find the best cover of this song by The Alarm or whether the bands all did other Alarm songs also. I can always ask my friend Michele as she's the lead vocalist of Loki The Grump (named after her beloved Cat). Under My Wheels - Hanoi Rocks I heard Alice Cooper's original last week on the Radio and thought I'd share this one from Hanoi Rocks, filmed and recorded at The Marquee. Looking At You - The Damned Last but not least The Damned have always done some fascinating covers and this one, originally done by MC5, is one of my favourites. It was recorded for the Machine Gun Etiquette album in 1979. This particular version is taken from The Final Damnation concert from 1988 at The Town and Country Club, Kentish Town.
This week's Music is the Doctor is about The Place I Love, it could be a Country, a City, a Town, a Street, a Road, a Building, a Concert Venue, Home, a state of mind, you get the picture. Let's see where the music takes us. Some of them relate to things to do with me, others not so much. 18 Songs to get you thinking about The Place You Love.
On this day in history Buddy Holly, J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson and Richie Valens all died in a plane crash close to Clear Lake, Iowa.
They had just played Clear Lake as part of their Winter Dance Party Tour and were flying on to Minnesota for the next date. The date at the Surf Ballroom had not originally been a part of the schedule.
This week's Music is the Doctor we celebrate the music of Buddy Holly. The playlist features music from Buddy Holly and the Crickets alongside a number of cover versions by artists as wide ranging as The Head Cat, Dion, Nick Lowe, The Black Keys, Kevin Montgomery, Graham Nash, Blondie, MxPx, Stevie Nicks, The Lemonheads, Imelda May, Patti Smith, The Guana Batz, and Go Cat Go and crowned off with Don McLean's fitting tribute 'American Pie'.
All the songs on this week's Music is the Doctor were released on albums (though one is from an EP) during the month of January spanning five decades. The Playlist is loaded with great tunes because we know how to Keep the Customer Satisfied!
On the Playlist
Keep the Customer Satisfied - Simon & Garfunkel
Taken from the album Bridge Over Troubled Water. Released on this day in 1970. It was also on the B-Side of the single Bridge Over Troubled Water, also released on this day in 1970.
Pain in My Heart - Otis Redding
The title track to the debut album (released 1st January 1964) from one of the great Soul Legends. It was also released as his 5th Single back in 1963.
Goin' Back - The Byrds
From The Notorious Byrd Brothers album (released 3rd January 1968).
Take It As It Comes - The Doors
Taken from the Debut Elektra Records album The Doors (released 4th January 1967).
Growin' Up - Bruce Springsteen
This is a live version from the Working on a Dream Tour of one of the classic songs on Springsteen's Debut Greetings From Asbury Park NJ. A song that was covered by David Bowie (he also covered It's Hard to be a Saint in the City from the same album) The album was released 5th January 1973.
Accidents Will Happen - Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Taken from the 3rd album 'Armed Forces'. The first album to credit The Attractions. The album contained his biggest hit 'Oliver's Army' (reached #2 in the UK) and this one which only managed to make it to #28. Armed Forces was released 5th January 1979.
Is She Really Going Out With Him? - Joe Jackson
Released the same day as Armed Forces in 1979 as part of Jackson's Debut album for A&M, Look Sharp! It only made it to #40 in the UK but #20 in the US. The single Is She Really Going Out With Him? was a #13 hit in the UK and #21 in the US.
Paranoid - Black Sabbath
Paranoid album had been out in the UK since October 1970 but was delayed for American release until 7th January 1971. It was #1 album in the UK and surprisingly made it to #12 in the US without much radio airplay. The single was huge in the UK reaching #4.
Creep - The Pretenders
The cover of the only decent song by Radiohead appeared on the Pirate Radio Box Set that was released 9th January 2006.
Suzy is a Headbanger - Ramones
From their 2nd album Leave Home that was released 10th January 1977 on Sire Records.
Get It While You Can - Janis Joplin
Was on the 2nd and final Solo album Pearl by Janis Joplin that was released after her death. The album was released 11th January 1971.
I Can't Quit You Baby - Led Zeppelin
From the self titled debut album that was released on 12th January 1969. The Willie Dixon song is one of my favourite Blues tunes.
Sound and Vision - David Bowie
One of the two singles plucked from the 1977 Low (14th January release) album that was recorded in Berlin with Brian Eno.
Stargazer - Siouxsie and the Banshees
From the final Banshees album The Rapture, released 17th January 1995.
A Soft Place To Land - Kathleen Edwards
Taken from Voyageur, released 17th January 2012.
The Wheel - Roseanne Cash
Title track from her 19th January 1993 album release.
Miss Amanda Jones - Rolling Stones
From their fifth album Between the Buttons (released 20th January 1967).
Silence - Slick Shoes
From the Debut Slick Shoes EP released 21st January 1997.
Ghost Towns Along The Highway - John Mellencamp
Released 23rd January 2007 on Universal Republic, Freedom's Road was Mellencamp's 19th Studio Album.
Night of the Cadillacs - Generation X
Album number two from Generation X, Valley of the Dolls was released on this day in 1979. King Rocker was the big hit (#11) from the album that was produced by Ian Hunter.
We kick off the Third Music is the Doctor of 2016 with the sad news of the passing of Dale Griffin (Drummer of Mott the Hoople and Music Producer), Glenn Frey (Songwriter and Vocalist for the Eagles and Solo artist as well) and also one not known to many Rob McAllister of Long Island, New York who fronted Punk band Iron Chic. Add to that the death of David Bowie and it's already been a pretty sad month for losses in the music community.
The Playlist includes tracks from each of them and also a couple of recent Bowie tributes and one for Lemmy Kilmister.
The rest is some tunes that were released in January between 1977 and 1985.
On The Playlist
All The Way From Memphis - Mott the Hoople.
Time Keeps On Slipping Into the (Cosmic) Future - Iron Chic.
The second Music of the Doctor Series of 2016 (some odd reason I forgot to call the last one by #1...that's why this one is called #1!) and it's a special one right off the bat. A Tribute to the Music of David Bowie who so sadly passed away on 10th January 2016.
I've tried to find so interesting performances of Bowie himself playing his songs and the songs of others (the version of The Pixies' 'Cactus' by Moby and Bowie for Jay Leno is so brilliant) and also of other artists performing the songs of The Thin White Duke. Some fascinating covers, and there's loads on You Tube.
On The Playlist
Rebel Rebel - David Bowie.
All The Young Dudes - Mott the Hoople.
The story goes that Mott the Hoople were about to break up due to a lack of commercial success and that Bowie met with bassist Peter Watts. He offered the band 'Suffragette City' (which they rejected - can you believe that?). He then apparently sat down in front of Ian Hunter and wrote 'All the Young Dudes', the rest as they say is history! They released it in 1972 and went on to hit #3 in the UK Singles Chart. Bowie's own version of the song, a demo for the Aladdin Sane album went unreleased until 1995.
Sound and Vision (Reimagined) - Beck.
TVC15 - David Bowie.
The Man Who Sold the World (Live MTV Unplugged) - Nirvana.
John, I'm Only Dancing (Promo) - David Bowie.
Space Oddity (Live) - Natalie Merchant.
Starman - David Bowie.
Ashes to Ashes - Warpaint.
I first heard them doing a version of this at Glastonbury for the BBC and thought it was smashing.
Rock 'n' Roll Suicide - Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars.
Across the Universe (The Beatles cover) - David Bowie.
Modern Love - Matchbox Twenty.
Diamond Dogs (Live 1996) - David Bowie.
Quicksand - Dinosaur Jnr.
Five Years (Live at iTunes Festival) - Ramona.
Golden Years (Soul Train) - David Bowie.
"Heroes" (Live) - The Coal Porters.
To demonstrate the breadth of Bowie's influence I added this one because there's probably nowhere else on earth you'd hear a version of the classic "Heroes" done in the style of Bluegrass!
Suffragette City - Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars.
Cactus (Live - The Pixies Cover) - David Bowie and Moby.
I'm Afraid of Americans (Live) - Nine Inch Nails.
Boys Keep Swinging (Live on The White Room) - David Bowie.
Changes - Butterfly Boucher and David Bowie.
This appears on one of the Shrek Movie Soundtracks. Bizzare but very wonderful.
White Light/White Heat (Velvet Underground Cover) - Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars.
China Girl (Live) - Iggy Pop.
Absolute Beginners (Live at BBC) - David Bowie.
Fame - Dr. Dre.
You Belong in Rock 'n' Roll (Promo) - Tin Machine.
I wasn't going to include any Tin Machine tracks as I'm not overly fussed by them but I have to confess to liking this one.
Dead Man Walking (Promo) - David Bowie.
Under Pressure (Live) - My Chemical Romance and The Used.
Arnold Layne (Live) David Bowie and David Gilmour.
Moonage Daydream - L.A. Guns.
Cracked Actor - Big Country.
Drive-In Saturday Night (Live) - Morrissey.
The Stars Are Out Tonight - David Bowie.
Like A Rolling Stone - Mick Ronson and David Bowie.
From Mick Ronson's Heaven and Hull album. I really love this, Ronson's guitar work gives the song a rabid edge the Dylan original lacks.
Lazarus - David Bowie.
The second release from Bowie's final album Blackstar and it contains what almost seems like his way of telling us that he was dying:
Look up here, I'm in heaven
I've got scars that can't be seen
I've got drama, can't be stolen
Everybody knows me now
The last Music is the Doctor of 2015 and it's time to recall some of the tunes that have been a little special for me and also a spotlight on those Musicians, Songwriters and Legends who have passed out of this world throughout the year.
On The Playlist
Boom Shaka Boom - Chris Spedding.
Nearest Thing To Hip - The Waterboys.
Tenth Avenue Freezeout (Tower Theater 31/12/75) - Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.
Blackbirds - Gretchen Peters.
Lord, If I Ever Needed Someone (ft. Mavis Staples) - Van Morrison.
High Blood Pressure - Boz Scaggs.
Down Down (Live at The Roundhouse) - Status Quo.
Lions of Charing Cross Road - The Blow Monkeys.
Shifting - Wire.
Wall of Grace - Graham Parker and the Rumour.
The Traveling Kind - Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell.
Pageant Material (Live at Farm Aid) - Kacey Musgraves.
Beatnik Walking - Richard Thompson.
Speed Trap Town - Jason Isbell.
Man Plans, God Laughs - Public Enemy.
Born To Play Guitar - Buddy Guy.
Glorious You - Frank Turner.
Take A Picture of This - Don Henley.
Shake It Off - Ryan Adams.
Jesus is the Rock that Keeps Me Rollin' (Live) - Darlene Love.
Tomorrow Seems So Far Away - Walter Trout.
You Know It's Dark When Atheists Start To Pray - Jesse Malin.
Walk Away - Michael Monroe.
Traveler - Chris Stapleton
The Fallen
Rest In Peace
Andrae Crouch - Gospel Singer January 8th.
Steve Strange - Visage February 12th.*
Andy Fraser - Drummer of Free 16th March.
Percy Sledge - Soul Singer 14th April.
Ben E. King - Soul Singer 30th April.
B.B.King - King of the Blues 14th May.*
Chris Squire - Bassist Yes 28th June.
Ernie Maresca - Songwriter (The Wanderer/ Donna the Prima Donna).
Rico Rodriguez - Trombonist 4th September.*
Bryn Merrick - Bassist The Damned 12th September.*
Carey Lander - Camera Obscura 11th October.
Steve McKay - Saxophone The Stooges 11th October.*
Allen Tousaint - New Orleans Legend 10th November. Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor - Drums Motörhead 11th November.*
P.F. Sloan - Songwriter (Eve of Destruction) 15th November.
Kelvin Knight - Drummer Delta 5 2nd December.*
Scott Weiland - Stone Temple Pilots/Velvbet Revolver 3rd December.
Gareth Mortimer - Racing Cars 17th December.
Steve Wright - The Easybeats 27th December.
Lemmy Kilmister - Motörhead Bassist and all round Legend 28th December.*
John "JB" Bradbury - Drummer The Specials 29th December.*
*track on The Playlist
Of course there were many more and to those now mentioned we offer our heartfelt thanks for their service to music over the years.
A Special Music is the Doctor today as the #33 spotlights the music of Joe Strummer and The Clash. The Playlist includes a number of Cover versions as well to show how vast the influence of Joe had upon other bands.
On The Playlist
Coma Girl - Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros.
White Riot - The Clash.
Somebody Got Murdered - Chelsea.
Johnny Appleseed - Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros.
Tommy Gun - The Clash.
Clampdown - Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.
Mondo Bongo - Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros.
Guns of Brixton - The Clash.
Clash City Rockers - Saves The Day.
Hitsville UK - Carbon Silicon.
Love Kills - Joe Strummer.
London Calling - Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros.
London's Burning - The Clash.
1977 - Edwyn Collins.
Hateful - The Clash.
I Fought The Law - The Clash.
Redemption Song - Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros.
Death or Glory - Jesse Malin.
Rock The Casbah - Los Mondo Bongo.
What's My Name? - Manic Street Preachers.
Minstrel Boy - Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros.
It seemed fitting to end the Playlist with some scenes from one of Joe's final ever gigs at Acton Hall in support of striking Firemen. (the final one would be 7 days later at the Liverpool Academy 22nd November 2002). Mick Jones was in the audience for the show and he jumped on stage and played on Bankrobber, White Riot and London's Burning.
Haven't posted for a few days, apologies if you've been stopping by to check out anything new. Thought I'd rectify that with a new Music is the Doctor post.
The 32nd Music is the Doctor Playlist turns its attention toward the Songwriter and in particular some of my favourite songwriters. It's a very eclectic mix of folk.
On the Playlist
Bruce Springsteen
So many brilliant songs down through the years and 'No Surrender' is just one of many that I could have posted. I love this acoustic version of the song.
Bob Dylan
Have to say whilst not a huge fan of everything that he's done I've always admired his ability to write some amazing tunes. 'Subterranean Homesick Blues' being just one of many.
Neil Young
Like with Mr Dylan I wouldn't say I was the biggest Neil Young fan but there's been enough songs of his over the years that I have loved (and still do). His 'Rust Never Sleeps' album is one of my absolute favourites and in particular 'Hey, Hey, My, My (Into the Blue and Into the Black)'. The version I've included is the live version from the Live Rust movie.
Buddy Holly
Actually this one, 'That'll Be The Day', is a co-write with Jerry Allison (and Norman Petty gets a credit though I'm fairly sure all he did was produce it!).
Roddy Frame
One of my favourite Scottish Songwriters, he's been writing brilliant songs since he was a young lad and this one, 'Killermont Street' was written for Aztec Camera's massive hit album 'Love'.
Natalie Merchant
Throughout her time with 10,000 Maniacs and of course her Solo Career Natalie has written some outstanding songs. 'Wonder' from her debut album 'Carnival' is one of her best and most popular songs.
Eric Church
One of the modern country superstars who has made a real impression on me over the years with some of his fine tunes. I love this live version of 'That's Damn Rock 'n' Roll'.
Buddy & Julie Miller Whilst individually Buddy and Julie write songs they also team up from time to time as a songwriting partnership and there are many beautiful songs that have stemmed from this including 'Wide River To Cross' which was included on Buddy's 'Universal United House of Prayer' album from 2004.
Elvis Costello Take your pick when it comes to the songs of Elvis Costello because there are so many that are just fantastic and could easily have been included here on the playlist. I've gone for a live version of 'Watching the Detectives' filmed in 1978.
Chris Difford & Glenn Tilbrook Some of the finest pop tunes between 1977 and to the present day have been performed by Squeeze and penned by Difford & Tilbrook. This tale of teenage pregnancy, 'Up the Junction' is by far one of their best collaborations. Tim "TV" Smith He wrote some of the best Punk tunes with The Adverts and has continued with a solo career to write songs that have something to say like 'Only One Flavour' that I've chosen for the Playlist. He is in my mind one of the most underrated British songwriters. Kirsty MacColl Kirsty is one person I could not leave off the list. She may not have had the massive hits that others had but she could write a brilliant song or two. I chose 'Freeworld' because I thought it showed off a side of her we don't often think of. This was on her second album 'Kite'.
Billy Bragg I always like how Mr Bragg is able to keep his songs relevant as this version 'Waiting For the Great Leap Forwards', performed on TheHenry Rollins Show testifies.
Paul Weller As the main songwriter for The Jam Weller cemented his reputation as one of best and whilst he rarely continued that with The Style Council it is as a solo artist that he has truly found such success and since 1992 he has been releasing album after album of mesmerizing tunes. I've chosen one that was from his debut solo album, 'Into Tomorrow' peformed live on Later with Jools Holland for BBC TV.
Dion DiMucci I've loved him since I was a kid and to this day I still love what he does. I've chosen one of his most brilliant tunes, 'King of the New York Streets' which appeared on his excellent 'Yo Frankie' album released in 1989, and was a co-write with his friend Bill Tuohy (who had been writing with Dion since the early 1970's).
Joe Strummer & Mick Jones As it's was the anniversary of the release of 'London Calling' album yesterday I thought I'd include one of my favourites from the album, 'Clampdown'. Version I chose is from US TV Show Fridays filmed in 1981 I think. So many epic songs of my teenage years that I scarcely know where to begin, so what better way than to include them on this list.
Jason Isbell His latest album, 'Something More Than Free' is absolutely stunning lyrically and Isbell seems to be getting better at his craft. The track I chose for the Playlist is a song from the latest album, 'Speed Trap Town'.
Dee Dee Ramone One of the chief songwriters for the Ramones and even after his departure he still penned songs for the band. 'Something To Believe In', which was released as a single and features on the 'Animal Boy' album is actually a co-write with producer Jean Beauvoir. It is probably my favourite of Dee Dee's songs followed closely by Poison Heart (which was another co-write with Daniel Rey).
Holly Williams It must be in the genes because Holly Williams continues the family tradition of writing vivid, picturesque songs. Here's the title track of her album 'The Highway' performed live a The Grand Ole Opry.
Mike Peters As one of the principal songwriters of The Alarm and then as a solo artist Mike Peters has written stacks of really great songs. For the Playlist I chose the song 'Down the Road' which was first released on 'Best of Mike Peters and The Alarm' back in 1998.
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