The fact that this song is about a real place; a music theatre in LA; from which Fiona Apple shouts out specific people doesn’t sit well with me. It’s one of her best two songs; Waltz, produced by Jon Brion, one of the names mentioned here, is the other; and it deserves a better, or at least more ambiguous, concept. Does Largo deserve such a wonderful theme? Probably not. Nonetheless Flannagan should be proud.
my rating : 5 of 5
2012
“Gonna be some sweet sounds,” the Commodores insist and they’re not lying. This song isn’t just sweet, it’s beautiful, especially when it comes to the vocal melodies. The only thing I dislike about it, in fact, is the concept. It’s limited to being a tribute to two specific dead singers; Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson; instead of the feel-good summer beach anthem the Caribbean vibes suggest.
my rating : 5 of 5
1985
With so many males pretending to be females, spotting what seems like a beautiful college girl in heavy makeup is cause for pause, especially when her lips are under a five-o’clock shadow. Scientific research suggests Mariah is, however, a real woman who, like most in the public spotlight, simply tries to fake perfection with cosmetics.
She’s naturally cute though with chipmunk cheeks that show dimples when she smiles. Her skin tone is light enough. Her body is basically flawless, at least on the outside. I’d like for her to sit on my face so I could study her inner anatomy. A taste test would be needed for chemical confirmation. Nothing sexual; strictly Science.
my rating : 5 of 5
2024
Joe Cocker is no Friend of The Beatles. He took their song, revamped it and outclassed them to the point where they may as well stop performing it and pretend it was for him all along. Cocker’s version is both a melodic and sonic improvement thanks to the musical liberties taken not only by him but producer Denny Cordell. The two transform what was once a simple ditty into a soulful rock anthem.
my rating : 5 of 5
1968
This song; easily one of Michael Jackson’s best; is simply majestic. Its orchestral highlights; there’s a string prelude and a cello break before the final chorus section; and Epic vibe make the concept of a man’s wife leaving him for “someone else” seem rather trivial in comparison.
It’s the end of the world for him though. “I am the damned, I am the dead, I am the agony inside the dying head,” he laments, “This is injustice; ‘woe unto thee’; I pray this punishment would have mercy on me.” Those are the poetic ramblings of a heartbroken man.
my rating : 5 of 5
1991
At just under two minutes long, this may be more of an album (mixtape) interlude than an actual song. Either way it serves as one of Erykah Badu’s best. I’ll Call U Back, the busy party prepper says to someone on the phone over a lush soundscape produced by Zach Witness. If there’s a flaw, it’s that the beeps go on a bit too long at the end.
my rating : 5 of 5
2015
This Southern Comfort Egg Nog isn’t just a major improvement over the original (Traditional) version, it also ranks among the best beverages I ever tasted. The infusion of Vanilla Spice consumed cold with a mouthful of graham crackers; forget the whiskey and “cinnamon stick”; makes for a drinking experience that is truly delectable.
my rating : 5 of 5
This isn’t just the best song from Paul Simon’s Capeman play and companion album, it’s one of the best he’s ever made. It’s sang mostly from the perspective of character (Saint) Lazarus; Simon also covers the roles of Sal and a “border patrol” officer while guest Sara Ramirez plays Wahzinak; and the vocals are wonderful.
That goes for both the melodies and the lyrics, apparently co-authored by poet Derek Walcott. “He can’t leave his fears behind; he recalls each fatal thrust,” one line goes in reference to Salvador Agron, who was convicted as a youth for killing two peers with a knife; “Screams carried by the wind; phantom figures in the dust.”
my rating : 5 of 5
1997
Singer Gwen Dickey doesn’t have a broken heart. She has an empty one. There’s “just a vacancy” in the place her Love used to Live. He, or she, apparently left her for another; “another home” that is.
The residential metaphors don’t sound as silly as they should over such a soulful groove. Subtle snares aren’t introduced until verse two. This is quiet storm music. Thank goodness for those gutters.
my rating : 5 of 5
1978
This song; about going to, and having fun at, a lavish nightclub; represents each member of Lucy Pearl at their best. That means Raphael Saadiq and Dawn Robinson, over one of Ali Shaheed Muhammad’s sleekest beats, have rarely, if ever, sounded better.
They both have nice singing voices, but it’s the melodies that sell it, especially during the verses. If not for Robinson’s background vocals during the chorus, they’d easily upstage it and throw everything off balance. Not that the drinks aren’t doing that already.
There are no red cups in this establishment. That’s Cristal or Dom Pérignon in those glasses. Everyone’s feeling a little tipsy and a little frisky as they shake their bodies; Robinson’s being one of the most attractive among them; on the packed Dance floor.
my rating : 5 of 5
2000
“They’re great,” Tony The Tiger says with a growl. It’s one of the few product slogans I actually agree with. Eating a bowl of Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes in cold milk is one of the sweetest experiences the cereal world has to offer.
If there’s a flaw, it’s that the flakes, which taste better crunchy, start to get soggy after coming in contact with the milk. The fix is to pour a small bowl, add milk, eat fast and repeat until your stomach and taste buds are at odds.
my rating : 5 of 5
This is the music playing as Pretty Woman Julia Roberts (Vivian) discovers Richard Gere (Edward) sitting asleep on the bed. She kisses him, which leads not just to sex but the metaphorical making of “love”. It’s a nice scene and a good movie. The song is even better.
It, a homestyle orchestral ballad composed by James Newton Howard, in fact deserves a more timeless presentation. The visuals of director Garry Marshall and cinematographer Charles Minsky will become dated, but this beautiful; forget Pretty; music will remain exquisite.
my rating : 5 of 5
1990
