Song of the Day: 'Wicked Game' by Chris Isaak

One year away from Medicare eligibility, Chris Isaak reflects on his most famous song. First the record company wouldn't pay to make a video. Then David Lynch used the song and made one with clips of "Wild at Heart" in it. Then the label realized they were on to something and hired Herb Ritts -- only Chris Isaak thinks the video isn't as sexy as it could be because he's in it too much. (Straight people!) 

Take one

Take two

Song of the Day: 'Wicked Game' by Lana Del Ray and Chris Isaak

I'd heard about this pairing and was curious how it came about. 

And while I didn't exactly figure it out, I'm guessing it has something to do with the fact that she had previously covered the California crooner’s biggest hit  (news to me). I also couldn't figure out exactly when or why.

Enjoy! 

Song of the Day: 'Suspicion' by Terry Stafford

Another modestly successful '60s crooner I've only recently discovered. There's no question Chris Isaak was a fan growing up ...

Song of the Day: 'First Comes the Night' by Chris Isaak

Download now HERE.

Thanks to everyone who weighed in on my post about buying/listening/collecting music last week. In the end I decided to "do the right thing" and go ahead and continue buying the digital download of albums by artists I still care about rather than just streaming them. This crisis of conscience led to my buying Prefab Sprout's "Red/Crimson," "The Best of Limahl" (it has his re-recorded versions of the KajaGooGoo singles they released without him!), Aimee Mann's "Mental Illness," Paul Weller's "Saturns Pattern" and "A Kind Revolution" as well as Chris Isaak's most recent album the title track of which ranks up there with the best stuff the retro-crooner has ever done. I'm still listening to these albums -- for free -- via YouTube when I'm at work. But at least I "gave at the office," so to speak, at home.

Song of the Day: 'Forever Blue' by Chris Isaak

Although I'm a devoted fan -- even producing a rarities collection of his work -- I've yet to get Chris Isaak's latest album. Let me know if I'm missing out. Here's one from one of my faves ...

Song of the Day: 'San Francisco Days' by Chris Isaak

San Francisco days, San Francisco nights ...

Song of the Day: 'Suspicion of Love' by Chris Isaak

One of his best songs, buried on the "Married to the Mob" soundtrack, a film in which he even made a cameo as a killer clown!

Song of the Day: 'Breaking Apart' by Chris Isaak and Trisha Yearwood

  It's no big secret that I'm a little bit country and a little bit rock 'n' roll chick-band lover. So I guess it's not a big surprise that Chris Isaak's collaboration with Trisha Yearwood -- "Breaking Apart" -- frequently gets put on auto-repeat at Casa de Walsh. Can you fault me?

Music Box: Chris Isaak

Sometimes I forget what an insane Chris Isaak fan I am. But then every few years he puts out another great album -- this time it's "Mr. Lucky," which is delightful from beginning to end and contains three of his finest songs to date -- and it all comes rushing back to me. I'm bummed that his new talk show doesn't appear to be available on Time Warner Cable (I LOVED his Showtime series from a few years ago -- he's so cute and such a dork!). It's been a few years since Michael surprised me with tickets to see Chris in Atlantic City. I think I'm due for another show.

   

If you've stopped buying albums, do yourself a favor and at least download "Baby Baby," "Breaking Apart" (with Trisha Yearwood) and "I Lose My Heart." You'd be a fool not to get "Cheater's Town" and the reworked b-side, "Best I Ever Had," too, but who am I to tell you what to spend your money on?

 

 Oh, and I must say, "Undercover," the rarities/b-sides collection my friend Greg and I made a few years ago of his material, ranks as one of my all-time favorite music projects. See for yourself:

View all Music Box posts HERE.