Song of the Day: 'Stars on 45' by Stars on 45

It was so nice having drinks last week with my former Times colleague and fellow late '60s-born baby Jesse Fox Mayshark, who totally got my Stars on 45 reference on the first try! 

Old-timers will remember that it hit number one in 1981, interrupting Kim Carnes's nine weeks on top of the Billboard Hot 100 for one week. The whole thing seems rather ridiculous now -- disco/Archies/Beatles -- but perhaps the recent assassination of John Lennon set the stage for this most bizarre medley that my brother Bill and I couldn't get enough of while riding back and forth to the La Casita tennis center in our old neighborhood. 

Song of the Day: 'Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds' by Aimee Mann

Order HERE.

Fitting that one of the first albums I ever fell in love with was released in the weeks before my birth, 50 years ago this time of year. Also fitting that I couldn't find the Beatles version of this classic song to share with you today because it turned out the cassette of "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" I picked up at Green Acres drugstore in Warren, Mich., was in fact "not by the original artists," back when that was a thing. (When I finally was old enough to afford the real thing I remember having a tough time getting used to the Beatles versions!) Happy birthday, Sgt. Pepper!

Song of the Day: 'We Can Work It Out' by Stevie Wonder

Last night I had my first Lyft driver in D.C. who played good music. Is it really that hard to have a melody and lyrics, even without sublimely covering the Beatles?

Songs of the Day: 'God Only Knows' by the Beach Boys vs. 'Here, There and Everywhere' by the Beatles

"God Only Knows" is arguably the best pop song ever written, so it's not surprising that one of the greatest writers of pop songs, Sir Paul McCartney, would be inspired to write a song after hearing it. One might say he outdid his unstable American rival, but it's a very close call. Listen to them back to back and let me know what you think!

vs.

Song of the Day: 'Sexy Sadie' by Paul Weller

Final cover from "The White Album" this week -- with so many good ones to choose from, I might need to do another five. P.S. Paul Weller just announced upcoming U.S. tour date and wouldn't you know it, he's playing (fucking) Terminal 5. 

Song of the Day: 'Blackbird' by Sarah McLachlan

More "White Album" fun: I knew the "I Am Sam" had a brilliant cover of "Two of Us" by Aimee Mann and Michael Penn, but wasn't aware that the whole album was Beatles songs. Was gonna use Carly Simon's version of "Blackbird" until I was pointed to this one instead, performed by a woman I'm still not entirely sure who she is. (Add PJ Harvey, Tori Amos, Shawn Colvin, Paula Cole, etc. to the list -- I missed the whole Lilith Fair era dating a Colombian!)

I Am Sam (Music from and Inspired By the Motion Picture) - Various Artists

Song of the Day: 'Dear Prudence' by Siouxsie and the Banshees

Another classic from "The White Album": I remember my brother bringing home the import 12-inch single of this back in '83 -- and how tickled I was when I found out John Lennon had written if for Mia Farrow's sister, which references her time studying Transcendental Meditation in Rishikesh with the Beatles in early 1968.

Song of the Day: 'Helter Skelter' by Pat Benatar

Got my wish last week and finally added "The White Album" to my growing Beatles collection. Didn't realize so many of its songs were ones my favorite bands have covered over the years, including "Happiness Is a Warm Gun" (the Breeders on 1990's "Pod") and this one, from Pat's third album. I'll be sharing four other faves in my first Song of the Day theme week. Have a favorite? Write me HERE.

Song of the Day: 'I'm Only Sleeping' by the Beatles

A favorite from "Revolver" -- or "Yesterday and Today" for you old-school Americans -- which is one of seven Beatles albums I own. ("Help!," "Rubber Soul," "Revolver," "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band," "Magical Mystery Tour," "Abbey Road" and "Number Ones.") I briefly called the Beatles my favorite group in the late '70s -- probably after seeing the Bee Gees and Peter Frampton remake of "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" and getting a "Beatles" cassette at the Green Acres drugstore on Chicago Road in Warren. It turned out the bargain bin recording wasn't by "the original artist"(!), but the songs were so good I loved 'em just the same, After going on a post-Fleetwood Mac Beatles bender this past weekend, I asked a friend with a big record collection if he could send me Zip files of "Let It Be" and "The White Album" -- the two I'm most interested in learning more about (but not paying for) -- and he says he might, but assures me I have the best already. Thoughts?

Song of the Day: 'Girl' by the Beatles

Hipsters were singing in this in Westville late last night, which didn't take away from how much I love this and the whole "Rubber Soul" album;

Song of the Day: 'Happiness Is a Warm Gun' by the Beatles

Lesser-known song by John Lennon from the band's so-called "White Album" that featured this gem of a lyric:

The man in the crowd with the multi-colored mirrors on his hobnail boots 

Lying with his eyes, while his hands are busy working overtime ...