By Aaron Levy (CIVL Station Manager) – Email
Print Edition: January 29, 2014
CIVL Station Manager Aaron Levy has regrets, and so do all of these songwriters. This is a shuffle in honour of such truths.
Girls — “The Oh So Protective One”
Some Girls songs are full of unbridled, infectious joy, (“Summertime”) or otherwise guised depression purporting to be unbridled celebration (“Lust for Life”), and others, such as this, are full of solemn, individualistic sorrow. Musically, they’re a band for this age, with stories about our times and their difficulties.
Yeah Yeah Yeah’s — “Zero”
Karen O never sounded as cheeky as she does whilst instructing one to “get to know it in the dark.” Climbing the ladder, representing yourself as one who will achieve but not be deceived, nor allow yourself to be misled — all of these themes are common for the Triple Ys.
Taj Mahal — “Queen Bee”
An eclectic track of ebullient worship, Taj Mahal is well-known among his contemporaries, but most recognizable to those of us mainstreamers who can appreciate a feel-good love song in culturally diverse stylings, and don’t mind hearing a man old enough to be our grandfather sing about the deed.
The Rolling Stones — “Beast of Burden”
Neither Jagger nor Richards have thus far been put out of their misery. They’ve, at times, been out on the streets, and no doubt in the ‘60s and ‘70s been found with no shoes on their talented feet. They’re both rich enough, and you’d better believe they’re tough enough. Burdensome?
Janelle Monae — “Tight Rope”
You can’t get too high, or you’ll surely be low. You may not be surprised Big Boi is on this record, but who would’ve thought that, pre-Fun and their being young, that the artist formerly known as Puff Daddy and Bad Boy Records would’ve had a big hand in this recording.
