"Supercollider" and "The Butcher"
From the message from the band:
FYI... 'The Butcher' was recorded and mixed during 'The King of Limbs' sessions, but we couldn't make it work on the album; 'Supercollider' was started during those sessions and finished off in March of this year.
"Let Down" - Radiohead
Sorry for the mindfuck, but I cannot imagine having any music that I do not love, so I found a loophole. Or I made one. Whatever. Occupational hazard.
I invariably have to be sitting down to enjoy this song. Preferably with over-the-ear headphones (though these Skullcandy Holua earbuds with Comply Foam Tips that arrived today are damn fine as an in-ear option). Because at about plus-three minutes, I need to be able to close my eyes, sit back, press the headphones into my ears, sway my head and trip for the next two minutes.
Note: If there is a god or maker or creator or higher power or whatever, the evidence of the existence thereof occurs just before plus-four minutes.
"Chelsea Girls" - Nico
Some events in our lives are so memorable that we could not do the same justice with banalities such as words. So just enjoy the chanteuse.
"Heroin" - The Velvet Underground
Simply put, the most important song on the most influential album ever by the most influential band ever. Anyone who listens to rock music shoud take a moment and thank The Velvet Underground at least once a day (playing a version of "Heroin" is a great homage, if you are looking for ideas).
This song was one of the reasons The Velvet Underground and Nico suffered such poor commercial sales. May radio stations would not carry the album or play any songs therefrom because of the presence of "Heroin." I guess this was just too avant-garde and not tongue-in-cheek enough for 1967 (see, e.g., "Mr. Tambourine Man"). What a shame...
As soon as those first notes start playing, I am taken back to Spring 1991. I had heard some Lou Reed songs before ("Walk on the Wild Side" would make the FM airwaves occasionally), but I have never gotten into his work, whether solo or with The Velvets. Then, while I was home for Spring Break, one of my high school friends and I got high as fuck and went to see "The Doors." The Warhol Factory scene was just amazing, and this song was a huge part of it. I bought the soundtrack right after the film and listened to "Heroin" over and over again. Then I went out and started buying VU albums. I guess, much like the namesake, I was hooked after my first taste.
For me, this song is perfection. It starts so serenely. The lamentations of Lou Reed spoke for all of those who were beyond the peace, love and happiness movement sweeping the nation. You can almost taste the disenchanted ennui in his words. And then the song slowly builds with the guitar melody and harmony by Reed and Sterling Morrioson (RIP, Sterling) and--what's that?--John Cale's viola eerily in the background. And of course Maureen Tucker's steady, almost-hypnotic drumming in the background (cymbals not required). And after a brief quickening, the lyrics slow, only to start buiding again. And then the slowing and quickening again. And with each stanza, the music (and noise) build. And then at about 4:18, he utters the magic words: "Heroin, be the death of me / Heroin, it's my wife, and it's my life". And then it becomes a two minute cacophony with the viola taking prominence. Brilliant. Perfect.
This song is a seven-minute orgasm.
I have 24 Heroin tracks (heh heh) in my collection (always on the lookout for new ones), and, of those I have 16 or 17 different performances. I can honestly say I love each one of them (for varying reasons). Here are five for your consideration.
And I guess I just don't know.
The original:
Early demo (from the Peel Slowly and See boxed set):
From Rock N Roll Animal (almost Gothic, n'est pas?):
From the Between Thought and Expression boxed set (the trumpet is so different, and yet it works):
From the Live MCMXCIII renuion album (I fucking LOVE how the crowd erupts after two or three chords; they had been asking for it all night, and they finally get it):
"#9 Dream" - John Lennon
While I do not share Lennon's fascination with the number nine, I am fascinated by songs revolving around, recounting and interpreting dreams. Roger Waters' The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking is probably the best example of such a theme (he built an entire album around a single chord progression and a chain of dreams he had one night), but you will find other songs tackling the same subject matter. While "Watching the Wheels" and "Jealous Guy" are my favorite Lennon solo efforts, this single is certainly in the penultimate tier.
Don't forget to tune in tomorrow for the big climax (my favorite song). Then we will have a four more songs as part of the denoument to wrap up this meme.