Songs You May Have Missed #641

04 Jul 2019 Leave a comment

by Ed Cyphers in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: ,

Lily Allen: “Littlest Things” (2007)

Lily Allen can be sassy, bratty, clever and poignant–often all at the same time. “Littlest Things” is a look at how the ordinary moments and mundane memories can take on a rosy hue from the perspective of a relationship’s end:

Sometimes I find myself sittin’ back and reminiscing
Especially when I have to watch other people kissin’
And I remember when you started callin’ me your Mrs.
All the play fightin’, all the flirtatious disses
I’d tell you sad stories about my childhood
I don’t know why I trusted you but I knew that I could
We’d spend the whole weekend lying in our own dirt
I was just so happy in your boxers and your t-shirt

Dreams, dreams
Of when we had just started things
Dreams of you and me
It seems, it seems
That I can’t shake those memories
I wonder if you have the same dreams too.

The littlest things that take me there
I know it sounds lame but its so true
I know its not right, but it seems unfair
The things are reminding me of you
Sometimes I wish we could just pretend
Even if for only one weekend
So come on, tell me
Is this the end?

Drinkin’ tea in bed
Watching dvd’s
When I discovered all your dirty grotty magazines
You’d take me out shopping and all we’d buy is trainers
As if we ever needed anything to entertain us
The first time that you introduced me to your friends
And you could tell that I was nervous, so you held my hand
When I was feeling down, you made that face you do
No one in the world who could replace you

Dreams, dreams
Of when we had just started things
Dreams of me and you
It seems, it seems
That I can’t shake those memories
I wonder if you feel the same way too

The littlest things that take me there
I know it sounds lame but its so true
I know its not right, but it seems unfair
The things are reminding me of you
Sometimes I wish we could just pretend
Even if for only one weekend
So come on, tell me
Is this the end?

See also: https://edcyphers.com/2012/08/17/songs-you-may-have-missed-167/

See also: https://edcyphers.com/2013/11/28/songs-you-may-have-missed-505/

Songs You May Have Missed #640

01 Jul 2019 Leave a comment

by Ed Cyphers in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: ,

Angelique Kidjo: “Congoleo” (2004)

West African singer Angelique Kidjo mixes the influences on 2004’s “Congoleo”, an infectious Afro-Caribbean earworm which features balofon, a West African xylophone-type melodic percussion instrument.

The entire Oyaya! album is an infectious exploration of the cross pollination between Latin and African musical traditions.

Songs You May Have Missed #639

29 Jun 2019 Leave a comment

by Ed Cyphers in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: ,

Brendan Benson: “Cold Hands (Warm Heart)” (2005)

Hooks and melodies, the things that distinguish power pop, are the forte of Brendan Benson. If you like music with roots reaching back to the best pop of past decades, you’ll find Benson’s tunes instantly likeable.

See also: https://edcyphers.com/2013/12/21/songs-you-may-have-missed-507/

Songs You May Have Missed #638

18 May 2019 Leave a comment

by Ed Cyphers in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: ,

Blind Pilot: “Packed Powder” (2016)

Subdued, melancholic, and beautiful. From an album inspired by songwriter Israel Nebeker losing his father and ending a long-term relationship.

If there must be pain and loss in the world, at least it can sometimes beget transcendent work like this.

See also: https://edcyphers.com/2013/02/16/songs-you-may-have-missed-334/

See also: https://edcyphers.com/2013/01/12/songs-you-may-have-missed-291/

Songs You May Have Missed #637

11 May 2019 Leave a comment

by Ed Cyphers in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: ,

Tonic: “Lemon Parade” (1996)

If you’ve ever felt protective of a child or a lover, this might be your anthem.

If the sound of clean, textured guitars appeals to you (or indeed zestful 90’s rock distortion), the underrated Tonic is a band you should dig into deeper than their scant radio hits.

If you’re susceptible to earworms of any kind, listen at your own risk: I’ve woke with this one in my head for three successive mornings.

I wish I’d seen you as a little girl
Without your armor to fend off the world
I would have kept you underneath my wing
I would protect you from everything
Make way for the lemon parade
Make way for my girl
Make way for the lemon parade
Make way for my girl
Did the boys all tease you when they had the chance
Always left standing when it came time do dance
Did you hide behind your books girl
Did you find your secret friends
Always I’ll want you
Always ’till the end
Make way for the lemon parade
Make way for my girl
Make way for the lemon parade
Make way for my girl

Songs You May Have Missed #636

21 Apr 2019 Leave a comment

by Ed Cyphers in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: ,

Pet Shop Boys: “Home and Dry” (2002)

At the time of the Pet Shop Boys’ Release album’s uh…release in 2002, critics couldn’t agree whether it was the band’s death-throes or their brilliant reinvention they were hearing.

Time and continued artistic success (see their cracking 2009 Yes album for evidence) argue for the latter assessment.

Although this album saw the band move a bit from their typical electronic disco template to a more band-focused, guitar-infused pop sound (former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr appears on several songs) there’s a depth and maturity to the songwriting that marks the record as more than a mere staving off of stagnation. Yes, it’s a change. But it feels like growth, not desperation.

“Home and Dry” charted at #14 in the UK, where the band’s singles success extended well beyond the 80’s. Needless to say, it did not trouble the US charts.

See also: https://edcyphers.com/2012/03/19/recommended-albums-12/

Songs You May Have Missed #635

19 Apr 2019 Leave a comment

by Ed Cyphers in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: ,

Mariachi El Bronx: “Norteño Lights” (2011)

A bit of tasty Tejano from the punk band with a double major, The Bronx–otherwise known (when they don their sombreros) as Mariachi El Bronx.

Seriously, how fun are these guys?

See also: https://edcyphers.com/2015/01/16/songs-you-may-have-missed-519/

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