I am back to writing my own playlists - and to be honest, I was having a hard time thinking of a topic. My Michael Jackson poll gave me an idea though - Dearly Departed: Songs by people who are no longer with us.
I tried to stick with those who died young - or at least didn't reach old age (died before they were 70+). I also picked songs based on the theme - not necessarily the big hit song by them.
1) Jeff Buckley (age 30) - Eternal Life
His death was strange - he drowned in a river while swimming with his boots and clothes on. His father, Tim Buckley, also died young of a heroin overdose at 28. So creepy, eh?
2) Joe Strummer (age 50) - Should I Stay or Should I Go (The Clash)
Age 50 is still too young. Joe Strummer contributed a lot to music - with The Clash and solo.
3) Janis Joplin (age 27) - Cry Baby
Obviously Janis was dead long before I was born, but her "Best of" album was part of my musical education growing up. She's part of what's known as "The 27 Club."
4) George Harrison (age 58) - When We Was Fab
I wasn't alive when John Lennon was shot, but I was alive when George Harrison died and I remember feeling like The Beatles were slipping away. I picked this song because it alludes to The Fab Four - they have been reduced by half.
5) Marvin Gaye (age 44, almost 45) - What's Going On
I picked this one because it's such a crazy story. Marvin Gaye's father shot and killed him!
6) Kurt Cobain (age 27) - Lake of Fire (Meat Puppets cover)
Conspiracy theories aside - grunge died with Kurt. I picked this song, even though it's a cover, because it's one of my favourites on the MTV Unplugged album, plus it fits with my theme. Kurt is also part of "The 27 Club."
7) Jim Morrison (age 27) - The End (The Doors)
Again, a member of "The 27 Club," died young of a drug overdose. I'll be 27 next year - thankfully I don't do drugs, nor am I a rock star. Phew.
8) Michael Jackson (age 50) - This is It
Oh Michael, just as you were about to embark on a massive 50 date farewell series of expensive shows, you died of some crazy overdose. The investigation is still going. What a waste of talent MJ.
9) Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes (age 30) - Waterfalls (TLC)
This one is for the 11-year-old version of myself who played CrazySexyCool on repeat for months. Left Eye was killed in a car crash.
10) Elliot Smith (age 34) - Miss Misery
I remember when this song was nominated for an Oscar for Good Will Hunting. I thought, 'hey, this is so cool, some random indie folk singer is playing at the Oscars.' Unfortunately he was up against that Celine Dion song from Titanic and didn't win. I was in university when I read he stabbed himself to death. Now that's a real tortured artist. Miss Misery has a whole different meaning to me now.
Sorry if this list was depressing. I guess what I can say about these untimely deaths is that at least these artists left us with great songs.
I know you already knew this since you read my music column, but The Clash is my favorite band of all time. When Joe Strummer died I was wrecked. I mean, "wouldn't come out of my room for three days" wrecked.
ReplyDeleteI'm 27 now and I eat a lot of junk food, but since I quit smoking I think that's my worst vice, so I'm all set.
The Clash were never huge favourite of mine. But I totally respect their place in music history - especially Joe Strummer.
ReplyDeleteI know a lot of my readers don't care for my playlists about old music, but this gave me an idea for next week.
"My Musical Education: An Adventure through my Parent's Vinyl Collection"
Congrats on quitting smoking. I think you're safe - no 27 Club for you :)
Before I leave this comment I need to state this for the record: I left a comment on your best of post but it didn't go through. I got frustrated and never returned. I apologize for my immaturity.
ReplyDeleteWith that said, I love the ideas you have for your playlists. They are always so original, ya know?
I do have to add one more that I wouldn't have thought of until you put Left Eye on there. But that would be Aaliyah. I know her death wasn't impactful, but I remember riding around in California when the news came on the radio. I legitimately got sad.
Everything else I don't really remember. I don't know why I wasn't watching the news when Cobain died, but I for some reason I missed out.
Anyways, great list; great choices.
K - I just wrote you a huge comment back Mr. O and it failed to work BUT because I admire and respect your readership - I will do my best to re-type it.
ReplyDelete1) You should try again on the "best of"
2) I have a Aaliyah cassette from 1994 - "Age Ain't Nothing But a Number." By the time she got popular I was over my R&B phase and was all about Weezer and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Her death was unremarkable to me, but I do remember thinking it was sad.
3) Cobain's death didn't hit me till I was older and wiser. I better understand what was happening in music during that era and why Nirvana and Kurt Cobain mattered to a lot of people.
4) Thanks for reading these - and I hope my topics don't bore you. I feel like I'm running out of themes.
Also Mr. O - Listen to "Tear Jerker" by RHCP - It's about Cobain after his death.
ReplyDeleteLake of Fire was probably the song that cinched my Nirvana love. The Unplugged album was the first Nirvana album I aquired and that song definitely got a lot of listening time.
ReplyDeleteI listened to The Last Goodbye by Jeff Buckley earlier today. Aside from Hallelujah I don't often listen to Jeff Buckley for some strange reason...but today I listened to the song all the way through and realized that I was definitely missing out.
elliott smith, I hadn't heard of him until he died so out of curiosity I downloaded Between the Bars and it's been one of my favorite songs since.
Silver: Believe it or not but my dad bought the Nirvana Unplugged album. Next week's list is going to be about my parent's vinyl collection, which might explain my musical upbringing.
ReplyDeleteYou should listen to the entire "Grace" album by Jeff Buckley. Such a unique and diverse voice. Such a loss.
I watched Good Will Hunting not long ago and I hadn't seen it in years. When it was over I thought, "Damn, that was such a good movie, and my god, this is still a good song." You should listen to "Miss Misery."
YES! I read about Tear Jerker in his book and loved that I knew just a little bit more about the song. That was great. I had always knew his name was mentioned in "Californication" but I didn't know he considered him a friend.
ReplyDeleteThey never bore me, that's crazy.
And thanks for making me look bad. I will make my way to the best of...
I know you're not a fan, but "Let Me In" by R.E.M. is also about Kurt's death.
ReplyDeleteI did not make you look bad! I just wanted you to not give up on commenting!