Pick a playlist. Hit Random. And Chat music SbS 07.10.25 Newsletter 34

Music Question: 13 songs at random. I didn’t know what was coming. Next: My weekly new music radio show. Week 1001. Musical thoughts: Happy 50 to Jack White. Him Playing the National Anthem on guitar

🎵 Welcome to "Random Playlist Roulette" – The Musical Experiment Where Chaos Reigns! 🎵  

I am a flow guy. I like to pick what you hear and when you hear it. If you listen to NEXT (any of the 1,001 shows) you might pick up on this. Yes, I’m a flow guy.

You ever get that nervous-excited feeling when you’re trying something new? Yeah…that’s me right now. But then again, as David Bowie famously said: I don’t know where I’m going, but I promise it won’t be boring. So let’s embrace the glorious mess of beginning. Here goes nothing…and everything. Taking a deep breath and hitting go anyway.

I’m going to hit shuffle on a playlist and let fate decide our auditory destiny. Sometimes, you strike gold—a perfect song for the moment. Other times? Well… you get polka at a funeral.  

That’s the beauty (and occasional horror) of true randomness. No algorithms, no mood-based curation—just pure, unfiltered musical chaos. In this experiment, we’re hitting shuffle and talking about whatever pops up. No matter how gloriously mismatched. Trainwrecks? Absolutely. Surprise bangers? Hopefully. Moments where we ask: Why is THIS playing now? Guaranteed.  

I’ll probably do a few songs. Maybe 13. Since that’s my favorite number. I like to have music playing in the background (softly) while I work. I have a bunch of “work” playlists titled “Monday Morning Music Mix”. On this one I have 1,041 songs or 67 hours and 47 minutes of music. So…there really could be anything that comes up next. 

This is the playlist. If you want to do this on your own. 

This is an experiment in surrender. I’m handing the aux cord to the universe. Letting fate pick the tracks. Staying in the moment—no complaining, no wishing for a "better/different" song.  

So no take-backs. No regrets. Just raw, unfiltered randomness. 

Let’s see what the music gods have in store. First track in 3… 2… 1… GO! 🎲🔥

The Rolling Stones – She’s So Cold   

Great start. I’ll take it. Frostbite-funk. Sure let’s go with that.

A sleazy, swaggering rocker with Mick Jagger. a bluesy strut about a woman who’s ‘cool to the touch but burnt to the bone,’ proving even rock gods get frostbite. Romantic rejection into a badge of honor?

I think this track was recorded in Paris.

Ronnie Wood’s slinky guitar groove. Charlie Watts’ drumming is deceptively simple - just a tight groove. Per usual.

And at the 2:59 mark - When he casually torpedoes the myth of eternal hotness - Wait till you’re old and no one cares. It’s not just a cheap shot. It’s the sound of society’s cruelest bargain snapping shut. The same system that prizes beauty discarding it without ceremony. Last season’s trends. Suddenly, the bop becomes a brutal meditation on worth, time, and who gets to define either. Yes, Karma’s-backhanded-compliment. Now it’s a diss track and a philosophy lecture in one.

Also makes me think thematically about Material Issue’s “Valerie Loves Me”.

That would be cool if that popped up next. Basically this is me giving myself an excuse to talk about MI. You should listen to more Material Issue. OK…what’s next?

The Three O’Clock – "I Go Wild"   

Oh OK. It’s power pop - like Material Issue. Destiny!

I’m not sure who or how I was introduced to this band. I just want to say thank you to that person.

Paisley Underground darlings The Three O’Clock delivered this jangly, psychedelic earworm with helium-high vocals and punchy drums.

The guitar tone? Pure Rickenbacker 12-string jangle. Drenched in reverb. .

Quercio once said: We wanted to sound like The Beatles if they’d been raised on LA sunshine and cheap wine. Mission accomplished. 

A jangle-pop gem that sparkles with the urgency of a teenager scribbling love letters in detention—equal parts nervous energy and paisley-clad swagger.

3 Words: Jangle-core-bliss.

Love the fade of the guitar which adds to my excitement about what song will be next…

Paramore – "Running Out of Time"  

Whoa…did not see this one coming. I’m not the biggest Paramore fan AND this song gets me chair dancing every bloody time. I dig the frenetic post-punk throwback. I’m a sucker for jagged guitar.

That punchy guitar riff and hyperpop-adjacent bounce make procrastination sound like the most exhilarating disaster.

The lyrics crack me up.  Love the backing vocals - very playful. Williams has admitted the lyrics are about her chronic lateness: I’m always running out of time, but at least I make it sound cool.

The bridge’s syncopated breakdown? Pure Gang of Four, no? Pop-punk sheen. 

Hayley Williams’ vocals ricochet between playful panic and self-aware charm, like sprinting through life with untied shoelaces. (too cute? too bad it’s staying)

For when your ADHD is a vibe - not a crisis. 

The Monkees – "Our Own World"  

Well fuck yeah. Fake band my ass. A trippy - Moog-heavy deep cut written by Peter Tork. A bit of a trainwreck. Maybe. And all's forgiven. Let’s groove! Love Davey Jone’s backing.

And I'm sure you know why we got the name - David Bowie - yes it was because of him.

OK who did the guitar solo at 1:48?  (I had to find out. Session legend Louis Shelton on guitar)

I’m in. I’m waxing poetic. A psychedelic daydream wrapped in sunshine pop. Like stumbling into a Technicolor cartoon where even the basslines grin. Kaleidoscope-pop. Proof that prefab bands could still bottle magic—just add reverb. Too much?

Mickey Dolenz later joked: We didn’t know what we were doing, but it sure sounded groovy.

Mondo Cozmo – "Tonight Tonight" 

OH MAN. I’ve never seen him live and I have tickets. I can’t wait.

This is a fist-pumping, gravelly-voiced anthem that sounds like Springsteen if he traded his Jersey boardwalk for a neon-lit dive bar. It’s the kind of song that makes you want to hug strangers, chug a cheap beer, and believe in second chances—all before the last chorus hits. Let’s call it: Hope-in-a-bottle.

Perfect for nights when you’re THIS close to redemption—or at least a good story. With the added bonus of a cool hand clap. I love those hand claps.

Ostrander said: I wanted it to sound like a drunken choir singing on a street corner at 3 AM. Nailed it.  

Jellyfish – "Baby’s Coming Back"   

YES! Guaranteed to cure bad moods since 1990.

Remember when I said you should listen to more Material Issue…you definitely need to listen to more Jellyfish. Power-pop perfection!!! A Technicolor power-pop explosion—like if Queen and the Beatles had a glitter-covered love child raised on Broadway show tunes.

Drummer Andy Sturmer sang lead while playing drums - a feat of coordination. Sturmer said: We wanted every song to sound like a lost AM radio hit.  

Every harmony, handclap, and harpsichord flourish is pure, unapologetic joy bottled in three minutes of perfection. Or should we call it “Retro-futuristic-ear-candy.” Or a “Smile-inducing-symphony.”

Wait—that carnival-esque organ break at 2:00 (is it a calliope? A drunken carousel?). Whatever it is, it’s gloriously unhinged—like a circus clown doing ballet in a hurricane. Whimsy? Absolutely. Controlled chaos? Even better. Yes, we’re all just nodding along like we understand. Lean into the madness.

Tight finish.  

David Gilmour – "Murder"   

OK definitely a trainwreck. A dark, brooding tune coming out of Jellyish. And holy balls I Can't wait for the guitar solo! Actually solos think. 2 if I remember. Love the bass at 1:20. With that mellow drumming and the organ.

And I know this is where the guitar will start to kick in. Ready…1:48 AIR GUITAR time baby! 

I love the way David can go from soulful and gentle to thunderous!!!

2:52 - Gilmour’s signature sustain-drenched solo. Chris Bro happy Boy. And let’s finish this motherfucker out with whammy bars…and great fade as David plays us off into the sunset.

His guitar doesn’t just weep. It testifies. Twisting blues into something darker and more divine. It’s the sound of a man proving you don’t need lyrics when your Stratocaster can whisper, scream, and haunt all in one solo. Slow-burn-sorcery. And Guitar-as-ghost-story.

Quite sure this is written (or semi based) about Lennon. He wanted it vague (universal) so he changed the gun to a knife.

Tears for Fears – "Pale Shelter"   

Oh hell yeah. I like this. A lot. A melancholic synth-pop gem. A precursor to the "Big ‘80s" drum sound.

Roland Orzabal later admitted: We were miserable young men making miserable young music.

Hell, growing up with Tears for Fears wasn’t just pop music - it was therapy with a drum machine. Congrats, we all got emotionally fluent years before our therapists did. Let’s call them: Synth-shrink sessions. 

And Jellyfish opened for them in 1993. I love it when a plan comes together (call back) 

This is a masterclass in 80s melancholia. All shimmering synths and wounded vulnerability. A rain-streaked window at a midnight diner in song form. Roland Orzabal’s voice cracks just right, turning existential dread into something you can dance to. It’s Sorrow-with-a-groove. Perfect for dramatic staring-into-the-distance moments.

I’m liking this idea. How do you feel? Wonder what’s next…

Bob Dylan – "Subterranean Homesick Blues"  

OK. Sure. 

Proto-rap Stream-of-consciousness. The ramble that inspired a million garage bands. I love this line (well quite a few of them actually) but I love the universal idea that we are a day late and a dollar short. Or at least I am: The man in the coon-skin cap in a big pen/Wants eleven dollar bills, you only got ten

The famous cue-card music video? Shot in an alley behind the Savoy Hotel in London. You don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows. It’s true. 

A rapid-fire word grenade disguised as a song. Part beat poetry Part social satire. All genius. It’s like someone fed a typewriter espresso and set it loose on the 60s. 3 Words: Jittery-jawed prophecy.

The pump don't work 'cause the vandals took the handles. Great ending as it carries us to the fade out.

Ready for double digits

Triumph – "Lay It on the Line"   

Wow. I haven’t listened to this one for a long long time. Let’s hear for Canadian rock trios. I listened to Triumph a lot in middle school. Some in HS. Then…not so much. 

Shred-heavy anthem. Harmonized guitar leads.

Wow at 2:17 he really is not happy. “Don’t waste my time!” sang with disdain.

A rare breed of rock anthem - equal parts fist-pumping bravado and secret softie. Think leather-clad teddy bear with a Marshall stack. That chorus doesn’t just hit - it hugs you with distortion and a wink. A stone-cold banger.

Emmett later joked: We were just three guys from Toronto trying to sound like we were playing Madison Square Garden.  

Harvey Danger – "Flagpole Sitta"  

Holy balls. What a song. What lyrics. Loaded with gems. Lines I nod along with constantly. CRANK this one!!! The jagged riff. Chris Bro Happy Boy. Man, the 90s were are brilliant time to be alive if you loved guitar music (although recently I hearing a lot 90s influenced bands. A lot)

At 0:36: I run it up the flagpole and see who salutes (But no one ever does). 

Man I feel this so deep. I run ideas up the proverbial flagpole and yet no one notices or cares. Right? Probably just me.

And at 0:55 this makes more sense in 2025 than in 1997:

Been around the world and found

That only stupid people are breeding

The cretins cloning and feeding

And I don't even own a TV

Hooks for days. Singer Sean Nelson said: We wanted it to sound like a nervous breakdown set to music.

Nirvana – "Love Buzz" 

Now THAT'S what I call a perfect pairing. If I were making a mixtape right now - This transition would be the moment I'd pause. Nod approvingly at myself. And whisper “Nailed it.” Full disclosure - I'm absolutely the kind of dork who talks to himself while making playlists. But when the musical chemistry is this good? Worth every bit of the dorkiness.

A Shocking Blue cover turned sludge-punk masterpiece. I’m just gonna be here rocking out in my chair. And yes it’s possible. That bass line. The secret weapon. 

Cobain later said: We didn’t know how to end it, so we just… stopped. 

And number 13…ready. This is it. Have you enjoyed this trip? I have. I’ll probably do this again. AND… 

Tom Petty – "Yer So Bad"  

We all need TP.

And we knew that a trainwreck was coming. Jarring to go from Love Buzz’s big finish to the 1, 2, 3, 4 of Tom. Oh well. I’ll take it. Took me until 3 to give up and into this “flow”.

A jangly Byrds-inspired gem. Mike Campbell’s chiming Rickenbacker. I dig the soft…ahhhs at 1:04. And the yelp/grunt at 1:48 before the guitar solo. Just simple brilliance.

Petty joked: It’s just a dumb little love song, but people seem to like it.

Me. I’m one of those. I like it. This song reminds me that there is no way I could survive out there in the world of dating (my head would be in the oven too). If I had to date in today's world? Absolute chaos. And not just because I’ve been married for 25 years. I am a dolt. Not sure a dolt could make it in the single world. Let's be honest - I'd be that tragically uncool guy who still thinks 'Netflix and chill' literally means watching documentaries. Some of us just weren't built for the dating jungle!

Kate - you’re so bad. You saved me. The best thing I’ve ever had. In a world gone mad. And I’m so lucky. And that’s bad (In the good way) you know in the way those crazy kids use bad. As in good. Thank you.

And Tom Petty is my answer. The Question? What’s the one person/band you never saw in concert that you wish you had…and don’t have the chance to see. 

Fuck it. One more. 

Cracker – "I See the Light" 

Oh man. I say this all the time - the train part. “I see the light at the tunnel now (I See the Light). Someone please tell me it’s not a train (a train)” And honestly? That tracks. Story of my life—just when I think I see light at the end of the tunnel... turns out it's a freight train coming straight at me. Cheers to that, right? (slight laugh) Seriously though, let's grab a beer and swap disaster stories—I'll buy the first round.

A boozy, country-tinged rocker with David Lowery’s sardonic drawl. Lowery said: We were trying to sound like Exile-era Stones, but we ended up sounding like us.  

We're stopping but I would like to hear another Tunnel song.

I’d take Springsteen or Dire Straits but really I was thinking about this one

Final Thought: What did you think of this? Cool? Annoying? Somewhere in between. Comment. Or Don’t.

Alright, music lovers, we’ve got an incredible lineup for you today—some soulful jams, indie anthems, and a few surprises along the way. Ready for new music?

Warren Haynes (Featuring Derek Trucks) – These Changes. Two guitar titans unite for a masterclass in soulful blues-rock. Warren Haynes’ smoky vocals and Derek Trucks’ searing slide work make A hypnotic meditation on life’s twists and turns—listen for that soaring solo that feels like a sermon in six strings.

Jay Som (Featuring Jim Adkins) – Float. Melina Duterte (aka Jay Som) crafts a dreamy, introspective soundscape, while Jimmy Eat World’s Jim Adkins adds a touch of emo-era yearning with his guest vocals. A lush, reverb-drenched escape—like drifting through memories under a sunset.

Mt. Joy – Lucy. A song with a powerful backstory. The band wrote this as a tribute to a close friend facing an unimaginable challenge: multiple brain tumors. Using “Lucy” as a pseudonym to protect their friend's privacy, the track became an anthem of resilience and living fearlessly in the face of adversity. With its soaring melody and uplifting lyrics, the song transforms personal pain into universal inspiration, reminding us all to cherish every moment with the people we love.

If you love someone - hug them right now!

The Beths – No Joy. Kiwi power-pop at its finest—Elizabeth Stokes’ witty, self-deprecating lyrics clash brilliantly with the band’s bright, punchy guitars. An anthem for anyone who’s ever faked a smile while screaming inside.

The Lemonheads – Deep End. Evan Dando’s slacker charm shines in this crunchy, melodic gem. It captures that ’90s alt-rock magic—equal parts reckless abandon and hidden vulnerability.

Ben Folds and the National Symphony – The Luckiest (Live). Already one of Folds’ most tender love songs, this orchestral rendition elevates “The Luckiest” into something truly transcendent. The swelling strings and hushed audience make it feel like a private vow whispered in a grand concert hall.

G. Love & Special Sauce – Blackbird (Cover). Laid-back, blues-folk reinvention of The Beatles’ classic strips it down to raw essentials—his raspy delivery and sparse guitar picking make it feel like a campfire serenade under the stars.

Fruit Bats – Stuck In My Head Again. Eric D. Johnson’s warm, honeyed vocals wrap around this jangly indie-folk earworm like a cozy blanket. A love letter to the songs (and people) we can’t shake—no matter how hard we try.

Nick Drake – River Man (Take 1). A ghostly, alternate version of Drake’s “Five Leaves Left” masterpiece, this take feels even more intimate, with his fragile voice and intricate guitar work laid bare. “River Man” is a whispered conversation with the unknown—both haunting and comforting.

US Girls – Bookends. Meghan Remy blends ’70s soft-rock warmth with avant-garde production, creating a song that’s nostalgic yet unsettling. “Bookends” feels like flipping through a photo album where the smiles hide secrets.

Blankslate – Nov 16 (Paper Ducks). Moody and cinematic, this cut builds from a brooding verse into a cathartic, reverb-soaked chorus. “Nov 16” is the sound of a sleepless night turning into dawn—equal parts despair and quiet resolve.

Dropkick Murphys (Featuring The Scratch) – One Last Goodbye (Tribute to Shane). A raucous, whiskey-soaked homage to The Pogues’ Shane MacGowan, this Celtic-punk rager channels both grief and celebration. The Scratch’s furious fiddle and gang vocals make it a proper Irish wake in song form.  

There you have it—twelve tracks with stories, soul, and plenty of surprises. The music never stops! 🎶🔥 

Happy 50 to Jack White.

Thank you for reading/listening. 

Music is Life. Music is Magic. Live Music Is Good For Your Soul.

And remember if you love someone hug them right now.