By DiscoMonster
I used to love putting on an album, lying down between the speakers and getting lost in the music. I liked album versions of songs because they would expand the horizon of the single, add nuance and enhance or alter the theme or message. Album versions revealed more playful and authentic aspects of an artist, their ambitions and hopes unencumbered by the need to make an immediate impact on the listeners in radio land.
The songs I’ve chosen to represent album versions come from quite a narrow period in the history of pop music. Apologies for that but I enjoy their pop sensibility and the unexpected depth I found in them and many other songs I heard this week. I especially enjoyed blocking out the world and letting the imagination in the musical arrangements unfold. It felt nostalgic.
Draw the curtains. Let the music play.
The Expansive Album A-List Playlist:
Curtis Mayfield - (Don't Worry) If There Is a Hell Below, We’re All Going to Go
The Doors – Light My Fire
Malo – Suavecito
Santana – Black Magic Woman
David Bowie – Heroes
Buffalo Springfield – Bluebird
Redbone – Come and Get Your Love
Funkadelic – Cosmic Slop
Isaac Hayes – The Look of Love
Dexys Midnight Runners – This Is What She’s Like
The Stranglers - La Folie
Japan – Nightporter
Bonus B-List:
(These songs also follow in the playlist above)
The Cure - Close to Me
Pet Shop Boys - Integral
The Human League - Being Boiled
Saint Etienne - Like A Motorway
Wamdue Project - King of My Castle
Brothers Johnson - Strawberry Letter 23
War - Slippin' into Darkness
The Chambers Brothers - Time Has Come Today
Blue Oyster Cult - Don't Fear the Reaper
Frankie Goes to Hollywood - Welcome to the Pleasuredome
Full Spotify List:
Guru’s Wildcard Pick:
The Crusaders - Street Life
I like the way the album makes clear the sadness, rootlessness and despair in the theme both lyrically and through the musical passages. In contrast, the single version makes street life seem exciting.
These playlists were inspired by readers' song nominations in response to last week's topic: Prime cuts? Where album tracks are better than singles versions. The next topic will launch on Thursday after 1pm UK time.
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