26 July 2024 - Suzanne Vega - Solitude Standing

You know, I sometimes sit on drafts for a very long time, especially when they are unexpected.  

And the unexpected pieces of this, the fourth single and title song from her second album, are as follows:

1) Suzanne Vega, usually a solo songwriter, co-wrote this song with her backing band, who feature prominently in the video.

2) This song was her 2nd trip to the Billboard Hot 100 (her first being "Luka", of course).  The third single from Solitude Standing - you know, the one that preceded this one - "Tom's Diner" - in it's DNA remixed version, would go on to become her third.  

I bought Solitude Standing in 1987, on cassette - it came in a longbox, which was a type of packaging to prevent theft - and this song, which personifies solitude as a woman, was quickly one of my favorites.  

Somehow, when performed live, the song becomes a little angrier, sharper - more focused.  The cool, laid-back version jumps to life when there's a crowd.

Vega recorded a sparser version of the song in 2011 - she did a series of four albums called Close-Up - each labeled by volume.  This version is a live version of the one recorded on Close-Up Vol. 3.  

The Close-Up albums are really cool and interesting, by the way, and if you are a Suzanne Vega fan, you should seek them out.  

25 July 2024 - Maná - Lluvia Al Corazón

What?  We're ending our hiatus on an obscure Spanish-language song?

Yes.  Yes we are.  

You see, Maná has been around since the early 1980s (in 1981 as Sombrero Verde, adopting their later name in 1986) - and yet, this 2011 song, literally thirty years into their career as a band, was a breakthrough single for them in their home country of Mexico.  They had other singles, and a couple of other hits - and a ton of US Latin Chart hits - but this one - this launched them into the upper stratosphere of hitmaking.

But, this is a band that has won many awards, including four Grammys and eight Latin Grammys.  

It's a mournful and still an upbeat song.  And it doesn't matter that you don't speak Spanish.  Enjoy the emotion.

Of course they did a pandemic live version, 9 years after its release.  And of course it sounded just like the original.   Maná has been nothing if not consistent!

1 July 2024 - Charlotte Cardin - Passive Aggressive

Happy Canada Day for those who celebrate.  

Here's Canada's own Charlotte Cardin, with her 2020 hit that established her as a credible artist and a Canadian hitmaker - the first single from her album Phoenix.  The Montreal-born singer-songwriter, has been making waves in the music industry with her unique blend of pop, jazz, and electronic elements. Her track "Passive Aggressive" offers a raw and honest look at the complexities of modern relationships. 

The song deftly tackles a common yet often unaddressed issue in relationships. The song's lyrics paint a vivid picture of the frustration and confusion that arise when direct communication breaks down. Cardin's portrayal of passive-aggressive behavior is both relatable and uncomfortable, forcing listeners to confront their own experiences with this destructive communication style.

Charlotte Cardin's background as a French-Canadian artist adds an intriguing layer to her music. Growing up in bilingual Montreal likely influenced her ability to convey complex emotions through her songwriting. The city's rich musical heritage, blending North American and European influences, can be heard in the sophisticated pop sensibilities of "Passive Aggressive."

The production of "Passive Aggressive" is a masterclass in creating atmosphere through sound. The track opens with a sparse, almost eerie piano line that sets a tense mood from the outset. As the song progresses, layers of electronic elements and percussive beats are added, mirroring the building frustration in the lyrics.

Cardin's vocals are treated with a light touch of reverb, giving them an intimate yet slightly distant quality that perfectly captures the emotional state of someone dealing with passive-aggressive behavior. The chorus explodes with a fuller sound, representing the release of pent-up emotions.

One of the most interesting production choices is the use of distorted, chopped vocal samples in the background. These create a sense of internal dialogue or conflicting thoughts, adding depth to the song's exploration of communication issues.

You didn't expect such an in-depth analysis from this blog, did you?   Well, expect it now.

18 June 2024 - Mother Mother - Infinitesimal

Wikipedia would have you believe that Mother Mother are a Canadian indie rock band from British Columbia.

Mostly because they are.  But they're more than that.

They're one of the holdovers from #MapleLeafMarch 2023 that I could not even get to in 2024 OR 2025 because they were so full.  I mean, I did post "Hayloft" eariler this year, which pushed this song back FURTHER, but I've had this draft for years.

This song, from the 2012 album The Sticks, was released as a single in 2013. This particular tune was a top 20 alternative hit in Canada in 2013 - and I'm a little surprised it didn't go bigger. Bigger was in their future and their past.  

They are a band with some depth, for sure.  Here they are, performing the song in a stripped-down manner in Calgary in 2012. 

11 June 2024 - Carole Pope ft. Peaches - Lesbians in the Forest

Look, you're not supposed to take Carole Pope too seriously.  She's a comidienne, who makes humourous music. 

So, you can laugh at all the stereotypes that she wrote into this song.  From her 2014 album, Music for Lesbians, and co-written by TIm Welch (who plays a lot of the instruments) and Peaches, the song is quite the journey.  

But she's also a punk pioneer, being a founder of Rough Trade and other early punk acts.   She's a classic, through and through, and she's still making music.  She was also one of the first openly lesbian musicians - so when she goes to a forest, she is literally a lesbian in a forest - but also, she was unafraid, even from her early days.  

So, even though this song was a bit of a laugh, it's also a testament to Carole Pope's life.

Like everyone else during the pandemic, Carole did a live version of this video over Zoom, and yes, Peaches shows up here, in typical Peaches fashion.

7 June 2024 - Cœur de Pirate - Golden Baby

You thought we were doing a thing.  We told you we were doing a thing. 

So why this nice young lady with a œ in her name?

She came out at queer after the Pulse nightclub shooting in 2016. It's an excellent read, and I strongly recommend it.

This bright song is from her 2nd solo album, Blonde.  And it's fun.  And it was a big hit (in Belgium and France - where her music sells very well).

This live performance of the song from 2015 - in front of a largely English-speaking crowd - was well-recieved, and equally bright as the recording.  She started the performance very nervous (a lot of the material from that day was new and untested, and French), but this song was already well known and a favorite.

6 June 2024 - Wham! - I'm Your Man

I don't know why I love this song by Wham!  I always did - it always brings a smile to my face.  Is it a great song? NOPE.  Is it consistent with the rest of the Wham! catalogue? NOPE!  

It is, however, one of the last singles by Wham! before their 1986 breakup, hitting #1 in the UK and #3 in the States - and various chart topping worldwide.  It's a bright, fun single, an homage to Motown of sorts - the horns! the harmonies - written entirely by George Michael.

It strikes me as more of a George Michael solo song and less of a Wham! song, I suppose, although Andrew Ridgeley is clearly front and center in this video. 

Indeed, George Michael did go solo soon after this single's release - this was the last song they played as Wham! at Wembley Stadium, at their farewell show in 1986.   Terrible video exists and here it is.

However, in 1991, in Rio, at a a George Michael show, that is CLEARLY Andrew Ridgeley performing with him.  We're glad the split was not acrimonious - it was, in fact, quite amicable - and in fact, the two men remained great friends for life.