270. Bruce Springsteen — “Streets of Philadelphia” — Another Boss song where you start off like “Well, that beat’s pretty repetitive and obvious” and then you get into the lyrics and a few minutes later you’re a puddle on the floor.
269. Chantal Kreviazuk — cover of John Denver’s “Leaving on a Jet Plane” — I like “Leave your cubicle chair spinning and a trail of dust behind as you blast out of town” songs, and this one doesn’t really work because I tend to travel by Jeep rather than jet plane. Still, I like it. Kreviazuk’s version was made for “Armageddon,” which is either the worst or best movie ever made, possibly both.
268. The Old 97s — “Buick City Complex” — A standout track off the band’s consistently catchy “Satellite Rides” album.
267. Weezer — “Hash Pipe” — I found myself a bit bored at a Weezer concert in Fargo, N.D., because they played a long string of slow stuff. Then Rivers Cuomo introduced the next song with “This one’s for my mom” before blasting into the hammering riff of “Hash Pipe.” The whole Fargodome went nuts, rightly so.
266. Weird Al Yankovic — “The Night Santa Went Crazy” — I admit it, I enjoy me a good Weird Al tune every now and then.
265. Semisonic — “Closing Time” — Before this song existed, a waitress or bouncer would just yell out “Closing time!” at the end of the night. How un-poetic. Playing this song is much classier.
264. Dan Bern — “Black Tornado” — The first musician friends I made on my first entertainment beat in the early Aughts, Fargo’s own Brooks West and Josh Harty, loved to rip through this song together. It was always a highlight of their shows.
263. The Jayhawks — “Smile” — “Smile when you’re down and out.” Good message, and the prettiness of the song doesn’t hurt, either.
262. Pete Yorn — “EZ” — Pete came out of nowhere to record 14 tracks of pure spun gold, “musicforthemorningafter” in 2001 (this track is the standout), and then tailed off on future albums. I’m not giving up on him, but I wonder if there are some artists who have one amazing work of art in them, and then they are spent.
261. The Smiths — “There is a Light that Never Goes Out” — Who else but Morrissey could sing about being creamed by a double-decker bus and make it sound so beautiful?
Comments
I’m going to comment on this list of 10 first and then work my way back. Two words, John: Weak Sauce. First off, the good. Streets of Philadelphia, Closing Time and Smile are solid choices, quite appropriate for the ranking. Well done. Liking 3 out of 10 actually isn’t bad. But, and that’s a big but, I kind of hate the rest
No. 269 — Blah, if a cover makes it, it has to be UB-40 (Fallin in love with you)/Johnny Cash (Hurt) good. This is not.
No. 268 — You obviously have a soft spot for this song, but this is top 300. Not worthy.
No. 267 — Hash Pipe? God I hope you have a shit load of Weezer songs left bc this doesn’t even make the top 15 of their greatest hits. My name is jonas, no one else, el scorcho, tired of sex, say it ain’t so, undone, buddy holly, in the garage, why bother are just a few that are better.
No. 266 — I love Weird Al actually. Good christmas song but other choices (unless they’ll be later included) — Eat it, Amish Paradise, Fat, Smells like Nirvana — would have been better suited for this list.
No. 264 — See No. 268
No. 262 — Indifferent on this one. Would I download it or remember it? No.
No. 261 — Overrated. Not a big fan.# Posted By Seth | 7/6/10 5:02 PM
So more like mild sauce that surprises by having a little extra bite every now and then. Indeed, I have a soft spot for some tracks because they invoke memories, and I make note of those. Like I said, I liked all 300 of these songs at some point. Would I go out of my way to listen to Hash Pipe now? No, but for about a week or so in 2001 I thought it was cool, and I have that concert memory of Weezer sucking but pulling out one awesome/ridiculous song.# Posted By John Hansen | 7/6/10 7:07 PM
yeah, mild sauce better sums it up. I do like diversity.# Posted By Seth | 7/6/10 7:31 PM
261. is G-R-E-A-T# Posted By chance | 7/8/10 3:40 PM
John, Rivers must have read your blog. I saw them in concert last night and they opened with Hash Pipe! When you saw them in Fargo was it with Pete Yorn?# Posted By Danielle | 7/10/10 8:12 PM
Yes, in 2001 I believe. And I was the only one in the Fargodome who went for Pete Yorn. I loved his first album and never really liked Weezer. It was the typical opening-act thing. He was fine but there was no crowd energy to help him out. I remember he came on stage and said “Hi, I’m Pete,” and that was it for his banter with the audience. Then Weezer was boring and I went and grabbed a seat way in the back. Then they broke into Hash Pipe about mid-set and the whole place exploded. That is weird that they open with it now. It should be saved for when they need to add energy to the show.# Posted By John Hansen | 7/10/10 10:13 PM
I dont think Weezer have ever really been known as a good live band so you only liking the one track isnt surprising. The bass player from Semisonic is in a different band now called The New Standards. They do this kind of jazz, swing thing but are really good. Two other former Mpls rockers are in the band, too. They do jazz covers of The Replacements and Britney Spears and other odd stuff. Dig the Old 97’s track. I have an interview set up with Rhett Miller for next week so I’m excited about that. He seems like a nice dude so should be fine. They have a four song covers ep out right now. There’s a real nice cover of REM’s Driver 8 on it.# Posted By Matt | 7/11/10 4:21 PM
That is awesome that you are interviewing Rhett. Are the Old 97s playing in Fargo again? I saw them in ’98 (I think) at the Fargodome when they opened for Matchbox 20. They were better than Matchbox 20, but I was the only one who noticed. You should ask Rhett why he puts “Question” on all of his records, and also mention that you played it when you asked your wife to marry you.# Posted By John Hansen | 7/12/10 2:17 AM
The Old 97’s are playing here next weekend. Talked to Rhett the other day and he’s a hell of a nice guy. I think I have a bit of a man crush on him now. I was trying not to be too fanboy so I didnt really ask him anything personal to me. He did mention he used to spend summers in Brainerd when he was a kid so that may be of interest to you# Posted By Matt | 7/17/10 12:05 AM
That’s cool that Rhett is a nice guy. I thought the Old 97s were from Texas. Had no idea about the Brainerd connection. When I lived in Brainerd someone told me that Linkin Park had a lake cabin up there, and I just prayed to God that my editors didn’t find out about that and make me try to write a story on it. Who is opening for Old 97s and where are they playing at?# Posted By John Hansen | 7/17/10 9:13 AM
Rhetts parents had friends in brainerd so they’d come visit in the summers. The show is at the venue. David wax is opening. Check out his band if you get a chance. Rhett handpicked him for the tour.# Posted By matt | 7/17/10 10:51 PM