By ParaMhor
“It's a liminal thing, humming, And I'm always interested in liminal things.” – Max Richter
“You hum it, son, I’ll play it.” – PG Tips tea TV advert
Johnny Cash wrote I Walk The Line in 1956. It was his first big chart hit, establishing the Man in Black persona. The rhythm inspired by the backwards playback of guitar runs on his tape recorder, he said: “Ppeople ask me why I always hum whenever I sing this song. It's to get my pitch.” Thanks to Uncleben for this one.
Every picture tells a story. Here, before the flummery , a reminder of Rod Stewart’s great voice, from his best record. A brilliant cover of the Temptations (I Know) I’m Losing You, with the Faces in all but name. AltraEgo put this one up.
Nicko offered up Moanin’ Blues by John Lee Hooker. First recorded in 1958, or even 1950. Like much of his life and career, dates are fluid. In any case, a wonderfully evocative song, with hums alongside the moans.
Based on a Hooker rhythm, ZZ Top released La Grange in 1973. That song is now 51 years old. Referring to the Chicken Ranch (inspiration for The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas), the riff is everything. Thanks to Isabelle Forshaw.
Their first single, De La Soul released Plug Tunin’ back in 1988, heralding the Daisy Age. Lots of humming, offering a mellower vibe than what was going on elsewhere that year. Thanks again to Nicko for this.
Another song where I had to check, and check again, that it wasn’t already zedded. The peerless voice of Teddy Prendergast leads Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes in a disco classic that begins with gentle humming. Don’t Leave Me This Way is a fantastic song, nominated by our own Isabelle Forshaw.
Giacomo Puccini’s sublime Coro a Bocca Chiusa (humming chorus). Originally designed as a bridge, or interlude, between acts, it took on a life of its own and is now acknowledged as one of his greatest tunes. Thanks to Loud Atlas for putting this up.
Margo Guryan was a new name to me. Led a fascinating life and, for someone who said "I couldn't damn sing!" wrote and performed some lovely stuff, which was covered by Astrud Gilberto, Cass Elliot and Glen Campbell among others. Here’s the aptly named The Hum. The indefatigable Fred Erickson shouted this one, for which many thanks.
Thurston Harris will be forever remembered for Little Bitty Pretty One. A staple of coming of age films and a cracking single to boot. Check out that humming. Thanks again to Loud Atlas for a wonderful reminder.
Next up, I really can’t walk past a Teenage Fanclub nomination. One of those sharp, savvy bands who should have been massive, but were overcome by the dumb britpop idea (and no comment on it’s possible resurrection). A marvellous song, which leaves the hums until well into the middle, thanks to happyclapper for Mellow Doubt.
From one of his earlier records, thanks again to Fred Erickson for putting up the divine Richard Hawley. A warm blanket of humanity (with that edgy rocker thing). From his first album, here’s Lonely Nights.
Billie Eilish’s first record was on endless repeat in Para Mansions a few years ago. I know a lot of those songs through osmosis. Thie one always stuck with me, so thanks to Vikingchild for reminding me of what a good song When The Party’s Over is.
Et enfin, from the fondly remembered I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue comedy quiz show, Humphrey Lyttelton recounted a meeting between two musical legends, Van Morrison and Colin Sell:
Van the man!
Sell the piano!
Almost Independence Day is the final song on Saint Dominic’s Preview. Plenty of humming early doors and a lovely end to the A-list. Thanks yet again to Fred Erickson.
Thanks all for your contributions. Niche topic which I enjoyed very much. Hope the lists reflect what was put up.
The A-hum A-List Playlist:
Johnny Cash – I Walk The Line (Uncleben)
Rod Stewart – (I know) I’m Losing You (Altra Ego)
John Lee Hooker – Moanin’ Blues (Nicko)
ZZ Top – La Grange (Isabelle Forshaw)
De La Soul – Plug Tunin’ (Nicko)
Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes – Don’t Leave Me This Way (Isabelle Forshaw)
Giacomo Puccini – Coro a Bocca Chiusa (humming chorus) (Loud Atlas)
Margo Guryan – The Hum (Fred Erickson)
Thurston Harris – Little Bitty Pretty One (Loud Atlas)
Teenage Fanclub – Mellow Doubt (happyclapper)
Richard Hawley – Lonely Nights (Fred Erickson)
Billie Eilish – When The Party’s Over (Vikingchild)
Van Morrison – Almost Independence Day (Fred Erickson)
The Bombilating B-List Playlist:
Simon and Garfunkel – America (Altra Ego)
Skott – Overcome (Fred Erickson)
Roy Ayers – Hummin’ (pejepeine)
The Four Tops – Darling, I Hum Our Song (Untergunther)
Cream – I Feel Free (Altra Ego)
Modern English – I Melt With You (Vikingchild)
Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros – The Minstrel Boy (tincanman)
The Folk Implosion – Natural One (happyclapper)
Wendy Waldman – Lee’s Travelling Song (Fred Erickson)
Moby – Everloving (Altra Ego)
James Last – Abend Wird Es Wieder Ade Nun Zur / Guten Nacht Der Mond ist Aufgegangen (ajostu)
Connie Boswell – Hummin’ to Myself (Nicko)
Carla Bley – ,,, And It’s Again (Banazir Galbasi)
Guru’s Wildcard Picks:
I was aching for someone to nominate this one:
Dionne Warwick - Trains and Boats and Planes
The Beach Boys – You Still Believe In Me
The Beatles – I Will
Aside from the wonderful spoken bass, plenty of humming here:
These playlists were inspired by readers' song nominations in response to last week's topic: The whirring mind: songs featuring humming. The next topic will launch on Thursday after 1pm UK time.
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