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#628: Queens of the Stone Age – In the Fade

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I believe it’s agreed amongst many a Queens of the Stone Age fan that ‘In the Fade’ is arguably the best track on Rated R. It’s one that the band have never been able to replicate in terms of style, mood or execution since its release almost 20 years ago, and I think that stands as a testimony to its uniqueness. Mark Lanegan sings it, not the first time as he appears on the album as he backs in both ‘Leg of Lamb’ and ‘Auto Pilot’. Coming after Nick Oliveri’s screeching on the previous track, Lanegan’s deep and gravelly vocals are like butter to the ears.

It takes a while for the song to kick in. There’s a lone buzzing tone that fades into some keyboard chords and an echoing sound that I can’t describe. Lanegan sings the first few lines and after an open hi-hat and cymbal crash the track gives way to a fantastic groove led by Oliveri’s tremendous bassline. There’s a perfect mellow feel the music captures without it being too lazy, it’s a definite head-nodder/toe-tapper so it’s a definie bonus when the harder guitars join in for the more forceful choruses.

Think I read somewhere that it’s about suffering from a hangover? It may also just be about having to leave someone and knowing that it’s what’s best for the both of them. I’m not sure I’ve never cared for its meaning that much, I’m just one of those people. When it comes down to it really, it’s just a brilliant song. Great guitar tones, bass grooves and vocal harmonies/melodies are on full display. And there’s a little reprise of ‘Feel Good Hit of the Summer’ at the end.

#627: Green Day – In the End

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Sorry for the wait for any of you eagerly anticipating a post from here. I was at Lovebox Festival on Friday and Saturday. Have been gradually recovering since. I’m almost there.

‘In the End’ is the third track in that four-short-song-suite (as only I like to refer to it) that appears towards the end of Green Day’s 1994 breakthrough album Dookie. Preceded by ‘Coming Clean‘ and ‘Emenius Sleepus‘, ‘In the End’ concerns Billie Joe Armstrong’s feelings when his mother started dating a man who he wasn’t very fond of, as you can see in the song’s lyrics. It seems that he’s disappointed by his mum’s choice in choosing this person as opposed to practically anyone else and tells her straight that if this new boyfriend lets her down, he hopes he won’t be there to pick up the pieces.

I never properly appreciated the song until it was playable on Green Day: Rock Band. Next year that game turns 10 years old and I would be surprised if anyone remembers it. I reckon it’s quite easy to play on the guitar as its mostly based on two power chords with a bit of variation during the choruses but Mike Dirnt and Tré Cool are bossing it on the rhythm section, particularly on the instrumental section that separates the second chorus from the final one. It’s not very long so there’s not much to say about it; it is thoroughly enjoyable nonetheless.

#626: Coldplay – In My Place

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At some point in time I completely forgot this song existed. I was seven when A Rush of Blood to the Head was released in the autumn of 2002 and I vividly remember the video for ‘The Scientist’ showing on TV. You couldn’t escape ‘Clocks‘ either, its opening was used in almost every advert. ‘In My Place’ was the lead single for the album, made available only two weeks before its eventual release, and I must have completely missed it.

Fast forward years later when I actually got the album (either for a birthday or Christmas) and I realised I hadn’t missed the song at all. I had heard it many times actually. I just didn’t know what the song was or who it was by. The question I hadn’t thought about asking had been answered. This is probably my favourite Coldplay song. It’s all in that guitar riff and the strings that play throughout. As soon as that introduction starts I feel all warm and cosy inside. There’s just a loose and freeing feel about the production that makes the track a very comfortable listen.

Chris Martin’s alright on here. He sings just fine. He doesn’t overdo it which is just what the song needs. When that chorus hits and he goes into that high ‘yeeeeeeah’ along with the rising guitar and cymbals it adds an extra layer of bliss. Never really liked the final verse though, if you could call it that, it doesn’t add much to the song’s substance and I always tend to skip it if I’m singing along to it…… but all in all the whole package is brilliant.

#625: The Beatles – In My Life

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John Lennon and Paul McCartney could never agree on who wrote the music to this particular song. ‘In My Life’ was originally released on Rubber Soul as the album’s eleventh track. Nearing 55 years on and the track along with many others is still one of the band’s most celebrated.

It could have ended up as something entirely different. Initially Lennon’s lyrics for the song were something of a long poem about his childhood, based on a bus route he would usually take in Liverpool. He thought those lyrics sucked and eventually changed the majority of them. Either Lennon or McCartney put those lyrics to music, it’s still undecided, and the rest is history. Oh, and their longtime producer George Martin played the piano solo. That solo was performed at a slower tempo on a lower octave, so when the tape was sped up it resulted in the music you know all too well.

It’s a lovely tune. This is the only moment on the album where things really slow down. You can take a breather, cry about some family members/friends who have passed away and then carry on as if nothing’s happened when the next song comes on. There’s something very sparse about this song that I’ve noticed. There’s no emphasis on the guitar except for George’s lead that plays the song’s riff. There is this rhythm guitar that strums along, but that and the bass blend together that it’s barely noticeable. They cause this sort of low melodic hum that goes along with the track. It’s all about the vocals and Ringo Starr’s percussion.

Lennon was 24 going on 25 when he wrote this. His words go well beyond that age. One of the most admirable and earnest things he ever did.

#624: Queens of the Stone Age – In My Head

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In My Head’ was the second song released as a single from Queens of the Stone Age’s fourth album Lullabies to Paralyze, released in 2005. This was one of, if not the, first songs I ever learned to play on guitar. I was ten, got an acoustic for Christmas 2005 and I think my sister was in her Queens phase then. I believe that’s the only reason I may have heard this track in the first place. The guitar riff during the verses is spicy. Very melodic and very easy to play. It’s a great tune.

The track was originally released as ‘In My Head…or Something’ on Volume 10 of the Desert Sessions series in 2003. Assumedly, Josh Homme saw a lot of potential in it to make it a proper Queens number. There’s not much difference between it and the final album version, just a bit slower in tempo, but it’s all quality. It’s a love song. You know those ones where the narrator’s missing their significant other whilst on tour or something along those lines. That’s this. Quite psychedelic in places though very straight-forward – verse/chorus/verse/chorus/solo/bridge/chorus repeats/end. Can’t go wrong.