Song of the Day: 'I've Got a Feeling' by Ivy

Was heartened to see that a couple of video tributes have popped up on YouTube for Adam Schlesinger, the gifted songwriter and musician who tragically succumbed to Covid-19 last year. (The EP and five albums his band Ivy put out between 1994 and 2011 rank high in my heart.) THIS tribute features a long list of friends and colleagues, including Stephen Colbert, for whom he composed "A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!," Rachel Bloom, with whom he wrote 150 songs for "Crazy Ex Girlfriend," Letters to Cleo singer Kay Hanley, who provided the vocals for the "Josie and the Pussycats" film songs written by Adam and others, his proteges Fever High and Kathy Griffin, for whom he wrote the adorable "I'll Say It." And THIS one that went up last week features lots of studio footage and extensive interviews with Andy Chase and Dominique Durand, his bandmates from Ivy, who provide today's song of the day. I've got a feeling we won't be blessed with someone with the talent of Adam Schlesinger anytime soon.

Song of the Day: 'That Thing You Do!' by the Wonders

UPDATE: Very sad to learn that Adam died today at 52. :-(

Read that Adam Schlesinger -- best known for his work with Fountains and Wayne and (my favorite) Ivy -- was in dire condition thanks to the coronavirus. Turns out it's not quite as grim as first reported -- he's NOT in a medically induced coma -- but he is on a ventilator fighting for his life. Thinking of how much great music he's given us, such as this classic he wrote for the 1996 film of the same name starring Tom Hanks, who was the first celebrity to be diagnosed with the dangerous virus.

I had the chance to meet Adam at a gig for Fever High -- the Bananarama-esque group he plays with now -- a few years ago and he's what you'd call a mensch, happy to chat with a fan and even share a little gossip. When I asked if there would be another Ivy album, he said that Dominique Durand had discovered that Andy Chase -- his married-with-children bandmates -- was sleeping with their nanny so ... probably not! Here's wishing him a full and speedy recovery. 

Update from his Fountains of Wayne bandmate Chris Collingwood.

Song of the Day: 'I'll Say It' by Kathy Griffin

Despite the alleged "artist," this is one of the most adorable songs ever. With its '60s girl-group vibe -- the straight 4/4 beat is also reminiscent of the Beach Boys' "You're So Good to Me" -- it made perfect sense when I realized it was written by Adam Schlesinger (of Ivy and Fountains of Wayne fame) who similarly wrote the retro-perfect "That Thing You Do" for the Tom Hanks film of the same name. Incidentally, I gave "Kathy" a second chance this week -- when she had Jane Fonda and Sharon Osbourne rather than "her civilians" on -- and it was a lot of fun. Next week is the season finale (huh?), so I'll say it: Let's hope it comes back ... in its new format next year.