476. PRETENDERS, "Boots of Chinese Plastic"
Produced by Steve Bing and the Pretenders; written by Chrissie Hynde
2008 Did not make pop charts
477. TALKING HEADS, "Road to Nowhere"
Produced by Talking Heads; written by David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Jerry Harrison, and Tina Weymouth
1985 Did not make pop charts
Who says Asian philosophy has to be couched in Asian-derived music? Why not try your Buddhism deep-fried?
Chrissie Hynde performs what is definitely the coolest song ever written about reincarnation (not to mention the karmic implications of globalization) in a style that sounds as if the track was laid down in Sun Studios circa 1956. As in all her best songs, Hynde here is vulnerable and formidable all at once--which is why, to review, she is without question one of the four or five most breathtaking women in the world.
The Heads' track obviously starts out more stately, but it still ain't George Harrison. As usual with Heads songs, you can always depend on Frantz and Weymouth to keep the foundation of the track rolling and lively. Significantly, this is one of only two tracks on Little Creatures for which all four members of the band share songwriting credit. Here, Frantz and Weymouth earn their keep by nudging the Scottish-born Byrne to get in touch with his inner Rowdy Yates and turn the song into the liveliest cattle drive for inner peace ever attempted. And then he shrieks like a strung-out bald eagle on crank. Never has zen been this lively.
One theory of inner peace involves shutting oneself down and personal isolation, but these songs suggest two livelier, more social paths to enlightenment. And isn't it preferable for Anglo-Americans to cast their philosophical discoveries in their own vernacular rather than hearing them poach the music of other cultures? (Yes, Sting, I am calling you out.)
No comments:
Post a Comment