154: Breathe Deep the Gathering Gloom

154. "Nights In White Satin" by The Moody Blues {Strangely, it only went to #103 when first released in 1968. It was then re-released and went to #2 in 1972.} [iTunes? Yes]

Let's get one thing straight from the get-go here. The version of "Nights In White Satin" that is at #154 on the HondoJoe Top 200 most definitely includes the recited poem (known as "Late Lament") on the end of it.

Yes, the "Nights In White Satin" part of the song is very good, with its "letters I've written, never meaning to send," and its "just what the truth is, I can't say anymore." But, without "Late Lament" added to it, it wouldn't have a chance of making the Top 200. (It would just be another nice "Four Star" song from its era, like The Association's "Cherish" or "Incense and Peppermints" by the Strawberry Alarm Clock.)

No, it's the pretentious, stuffy, (very) British poetry that puts this song on the list! I had a tough time choosing a title for this post. I finally chose "Breathe Deep the Gathering Gloom," mostly because it puts me in mind of a really odiferous fart. (Yes, I am that juvenile.) But, I also strongly considered "Cold-Hearted Orb That Rules the Night," because I'm all for anything that increases our usage of the word "orb." And, I thought about "Senior Citizens Wish They Were Young," just because, well, duh.

Of course, I'm also a fan of the orchestral arrangement on this song. (You can't tell me it didn't have an influence on Jeff Lynne and his ELO cohorts.) And, last but not least, there's that use of the gong to end the song. It's like a wise man once said: "You've gotta like a song if it ends with a gong." (I'm wise, right?)

COMING UP NEXT: Wait for it.

155: Don't Say That Later Will Be Better

155. "Stuck In a Moment and You Can't Get Out of It" by U2 {#52; 9/01} [iTunes? Yes]
I like this song a lot. I really do. I like it so much that when I sat down to figure out the HondoJoe Top 200 songs, I listed this one at #155.

On the other hand, you know how I'm always mentioning songs that just missed out on making the Top 200? Well, if I had it to do over again, this would be one of the songs I would ouster to make room for some of those other songs.

Don't get me wrong, I do really like this song. Just not more than "Mr. Roboto," or "It's Still Rock and Roll To Me," or a large number of other songs that didn't quite make this list. Oops.

(I hope the guys from U2 aren't offended by this. I mean, I wouldn't want to offend Bono, The Edge, Slash, and/or ummm Ringo? John Deacon? Andrew Ridgely? No, wait, it's Michael Clayton, isn't it?)

COMING UP NEXT: Of gloom and orbs.

156: Can't Afford the Rhyme

156. Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl) by Haircut 100 [iTunes? Yes.]
I hear this song and I want to dance in a conga line. I've only danced in a conga line twice in my adult life, at the first two They Might Be Giants concerts I went to. (Both times to the song "No One Knows My Plan.") But, when I hear this song I yearn to conga again.

Also, when I hear this song I think of Ed Grimley, Jr. There is one little section of music in this song, which is repeated often, that brings to mind Ed Grimley, Jr. doing his little happy dance.

Excellent dancing, I must say.

And, now that I think of that, I'm reminded of Snoopy doing his "happy dance."

Happy dance!

Any song that brings to mind so much happy dancing should be in the Top 200, I must say.

(I didn't realize just how nonsensical the lyrics to this song were until I looked them up. And, looking at band leader Nick Heyward, I'm thinking he maybe should have kept trying until at least Haircut 142.)

Haircut 129

COMING UP NEXT: No, not Sonny. No, not Chaz. Something from the other Bono.

157: Anyone?...Anyone?

157. "Anyone For Tennis" by Men At Work [iTunes? Surprisingly, not that I could find.]

Ah, Men At Work! They started off with two exceptional albums, and it looked like they were going to be musical juggernauts. And then, nothing. Well, not nothing. But, nothing noteworthy after those first two albums. It's too bad, because for a time there it looked like they could be Australia's answer to U2 (if U2 had ever asked Australia a question about bands with lots of promise.)

Of course, this song isn't from either of those first two stellar albums. This song was the "B" side to the single of "Who Can It Be Now?" It might also be etched in your memory as a song that the drill team did a routine to back in the day. I was really surprised that I couldn't find it on iTunes. I would have thought there would be some kind of Men At Work compilation or retrospective that would have gobbled up a great song like this. Instead, you'll have to settle for this YouTube clip: "Anyone For Tennis" by Men At Work. (Thank goodness for YouTube!)

COMING UP NEXT: Apparently, the first 99 weren't good enough.