185-181: We Could All Use a Little Change

185. "Ma-Ma-Ma Belle" by Electric Light Orchestra [iTunes? Yes]
I never understood why this song wasn't a hit. It's one of the best rock songs by ELO. The song jumps right on you with that great opening guitar riff, and it doesn't let go. Of course, I don't really know what the song is about. As much as I love Jeff Lynne and his musical talent, lyrics were not exactly his strong suit. (Compare the memorable ELO lyrics and memorable Billy Joel lyrics and there really isn't any comparison. Sorry, Jeff.)

Still, this song should have been ELO's first big hit. (I blame the "exposed belly-button album cover.") (Not a good idea.)

Ma-Ma-Ma Belle-E-Button

184. "Under Pressure" by Queen and David Bowie {#29; 11/81}[iTunes? Yes]

All right, stop. Collaborate and listen. This is an excellent song. And it was made even more memorable when Vanilla Ice decided to rip it off. 

But, even without Chilli Vanilli's thievery, what you have here is two of our best dramatic singers, Freddie Mercury and David Bowie, trying to out-dramatacize each other. How could that not be great?

(Bonus points for the finger-snap fade-out.)

183. "Hold Me Now" by The Thompson Twins {#3; 2/84} [iTunes? Yes]

The Thompson Twins always make me think of Mike Meyers' Linda Richman character. "Talk amongst yourselves. I'll give you a topic: The Thompson Twins were neither Thompsons nor twins. Discuss." (Ah, Mike Meyers was a funny, funny man.) (And then he wasn't.)

One of the reasons I like "Hold Me Now" so much is that it is one of my favorite songs for me to break out my Patrick Stewart voice and recite the lyrics as if they were poetry. (Yes, that's right, when I'm alone in my truck I like to pretend I'm Patrick Stewart, and I recite the lyrics of songs as if I were doing a dramatic reading.) (Does this make me weird? No. But it is one of the many manifestations of my oddity.)

"Hold me now. Warm my heart."

(For the record, besides "Hold Me Now," some of the best songs to Patrick Stewart-ize are by Foreigner. "I Want To Know What Love Is," "Juke Box Hero," and "Urgent," in particular.)

182. "All Star" by Smashmouth {#4; 5/99} [iTunes? Yes]

"Somebody once asked could I spare some change for gas. I need to get myself away from this place. I said, 'Yeah, what a concept. I could use a little fuel myself, and we could all use a little change."

I'm not sure why I like this song so much. There are many contributing factors: A) The lyrics are clever-ish; B) It's certainly sing-along-able; 3) I like the imagery of the finger and the thumb in the shape of an "L" on my forehead; and D) I like the name "Smashmouth."

181. "Easy Lover" by Phil Collins and Phillipp Bailey {#2; 11/84} [iTunes? Yes]

"Ladies and Gentlemen, let me introduce one of the finest preachers in the state of New York: Reverend Bailey!"

This is most definitely a "Wheelhouse" song. Ah, November of 1984! My freshman year at BYU. This was when Phil Collins was reaching the apex of his power. He could do no wrong! Earlier in the year, "Against All Odds" was a #1 smash! The very successful self-titled "Genesis" album (featuring "That's All" et al.) was a recent success! The use of "In the Air Tonight" had just made Miami Vice (and Phil himself) incredibly cool! The "No Jacket Required" album was about to launch, with its numerous #1 and Top Ten hits! (You know, the album with the close-up picture of his face on the cover.) And in about a year and a half, the album "Invisible Touch" would land Genesis five songs in the Top 4 of the Billboard charts!

Yes, Phil Collins could do no wrong!

And then he made the movie Buster. And it was all downhill from there.


COMING UP NEXT: Sitting Cross-Legged On the Floor