Tag Archives: you

My iPod #464: George Harrison – Got My Mind Set on You

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So one day whilst flicking through the countless music channels on TV, I stumbled across the video for “Got My Mind Set on You” on VH1. The camera shot makes a close up on the artist singing and playing the guitar in an old chair, and the first question I asked myself was “Is that George Harrison?” He sounded like him, and though with a few wrinkles and grown out hair he looked a bit like him too. I don’t know why I questioned it so much. Actually, it’s because it was the first time I’d seen a video of his on television. I do know why. Indeed it was George Harrison who was singing the song, but it’s clearly a stunt double doing the flips and crazy dance moves during the solo.

After taking a few years out of music to pursue other interests during the early 80s, “Got My Mind Set on You” was the first single from Harrison’s album Cloud Nine released in 1987. The track is a cover and was originally written by Rudy Clark and recorded by James Ray in 1962, but George – with the help of Jeff Lynee of ELO – makes the song feel like it’s his own laying a great vocal take in the midst of massive-sounding drums, that iconic slide-guitar, and a dominant presence of saxophones.

Just a note, I listen to the extended version of the song that was released as a bonus track on the 2004 reissue of the album. The song is the same. The instrumental breaks are just a bit longer.

My iPod #359: Weezer – Falling for You

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It’s good to hear that people are liking Weezer’s new album. Or at least they feel like it’s the best the band has done in many years. But we all know that Weezer were so much better. There are those that completely disregard Weezer’s work after “Pinkerton“, that’s how offended they’ve been. I am not one of those people. Though I have to agree that the band’s second album is the last jaw-dropping thing the band have done.

“Falling for You” has many amazing moments in itself. Too many to describe. Anything I could say has already been written, and it’s a much better read. Have fun with it. In general, there are goosebumps-a-plenty when listening to it.

It is in this track, after eight songs where the narrator has no idea why he’s so shitty when it comes to relationships, that an actual relationship finally begins – only for it to end in the next and last track.

My iPod #341: Goldhawks – Everytime I See You Cry

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Have you heard of Goldhawks? If so, I congratulate you. If not, I don’t blame you. I don’t think there is a large amount of people out there who do. Their debut album “Trick of Light” was released in 2010. Did you hear anything about this from the television? I certainly didn’t. I was watching The Jonathan Ross show when a sample of a song of theirs was used alongside a compilation of Andre Agassi playing tennis. “Everytime I See You Cry” was not that song. But if it wasn’t for that I definitely would not be typing this, or have any knowledge of this band whatsoever. The album doesn’t even have a Wikipedia article, so I can’t link it to you. They do have a channel on YouTube though.

What do Goldhawks sound like? A bit like an indie rock version of U2 with a singer who sounds like Gaz Coombes from Supergrass. You interested? I’m glad. I would also say that their music is actually represented well by the album cover. Why I feel their music is best to be played when strolling in the city during night time with lots of bright lights is probably depicted all in that one beautiful picture.

“Everytime I See You Cry” greatly sets off the mood, being the opening track on “Trick of Light”. Though it’s about feeling guilty about having to leave a partner for work (in this case, I’ll say it’s about touring or something), the ‘get ready’ refrain and rocking music is very encouraging and inspiriting.

Goldhawks may not become very popular. But I’ve got to get the word out somehow. We can all listen together.

My iPod #296: Stevie Wonder – Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing

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Time for a bit o’ sooooul. Weren’t expecting that were you? The D section has been very rock-oriented so far it has to be said, but it is not as if I just added this song yesterday to try and add some ‘variety’. Admittedly I have known “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing” for less time than the majority of the other tracks on here. I listened to its album some time last year when I was on a ‘quest’ to listen to the best albums ever. This is a very fine song though, so I had to add it. And it deserves to have a post.

“Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing” is the penultimate track on Stevie Wonder’s 1973 album “Innversions“. It has a Latin vibe to it, started off by the stomping piano and exotic percussion which occur throughout, and comically referenced by Wonder’s mock-Spanish dialogue for the first forty seconds. After those forty seconds though, it’s serious business. Wonder delivers an outstanding vocal performance becoming more passionate with each chorus and key change, rising octaves until he eventually starts belting the song title from the top of his lungs.

Essentially it’s a song about being positive. If you didn’t get that from the title. It is a classic.

My iPod #285: Franz Ferdinand – Do You Want To

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After a year and a bit of waiting, “Do You Want To” was Franz Ferdinand’s ‘we’re back’ single in 2005, their first one from their then upcoming second album “You Could Have It So Much Better” with Franz Ferdinand. The band went on to shorten the name.

I remember the first time I watched the “Do You Want To” video well. And the second time…. and the third. And so on. That’s because (after, again, premiering the day before on Channel 4) it was repeated every hour on MTV2. The band pretend to be drunk, or just act really stupidly, at a casual gathering. It seemed that they were pleased that everybody’s favourite Scottish band had returned, after what seemed like a long, long… long year and a bit. It was very hard to hear the same thing over and over without getting a bit sick of it; fortunately it isn’t an annoying track.

The anticipation towards a night out is the subject of many songs. Take this one, for example. That is what “Do You Want To” is about too. But in this case, Alex has his eyes on someone that he wants to take out for a night in the town. That someone is the listener… and we are very lucky to be chosen. With the infectious “doo doo doos” and the memorable chorus, it’s very hard to refuse Alex’s offer.