When Bradley's down, he turns to music... aka... this is what I do several times a week...

I’m in a weird mood tonight. I was watching the live “Little Mermaid” thing on ABC but they’re just showing the movie and having people sing the songs. It’s weird to flip back and forth between animated and one voice to live and a different voice. Plus, it turns out, I don’t really remember “The Little Mermaid” very much at all so I got bored. But, it’s been a weird week for me in total. I’m itching to have as many shows as possible lined up so I can A) give myself something to look forward to, B) have a release for some pent up anger/sadness and, of course, C) make some money. But, I have a brief lull so I’m stuck with myself for a bit, which is never a good thing. The Boss wrote about it in his book if you want to get into that fear of self even more but I’m going for a pick me up. So, now I’m in the mood for some music. Let’s see what we got this week…

1) The B-52’s - “Private Idaho”

Man, did a lot of great bands come from Athens. And these guys and gals are definitely one of my favorite. I love their energy, their vision for this band, their uniqueness, and, of course, their tunes. They just look like they’re having so much fucking fun all the time. I want to have that much fun on stage sometime. I think I need to get weirder and more… I don’t know what. But, I can tell you I’ve had plenty of one man dance parties to the B-52’s over the years, which, I think is a trend likely to continue. This isn’t my favorite of their tunes but I do love the video and I just saw a commercial for french fries which got me thinking of Idaho. So, that’s probably how we ended up here to begin our musical journey. 

2) Talking Heads - “Take Me to the River” 

I can never get enough of “Stop Making Sense,” the big suit and Mr. Byrne and co. This is another thing that always brings a smile to my face. As does THIS VIDEO OF BRIANNE DOING THE BIG SUIT (at around 3:30 in the video) which is the moment I realized I’m a terrible/awesome influence on people. But Mr. Byrne is unabashedly one of the most creative, wondrous, thoughtful and thought-provoking artists we have. I can’t tell you how often I cue up “More Songs About Buildings and Food” on the turntable. It always takes me to a different world for those 40 or so minutes. That’s what I always look for in a record. The earliest examples of that happening for me was with Meatloaf’s “Bat Out of Hell” and Metallica’s “Black” album. As I’ve mentioned many times before, the greatest example of this, however, is the moment the needle touched down on “Born to Run” which I had accidentally put side B on first so the first tune that came majestically blasting out of the speakers on my grandma’s old console record player was “Born to Run” itself. Which, (cue Rob Lowe voice) literally changed my entire life. It’s my “hold your fire, there's no life forms aboard” kickoff to the whole Star Wars adventure moment. If you don’t know what that means, WATCH THIS AND LEARN.

3) Vanessa Carlton - “White Houses”

Stupid fucking YouTube ads. I don’t give a shit about Grammerly (though I’m sure many of you are shouting at me to be more succinct, less rambly, less erratic, less using of commas to string thoughts together with utter disregard to tenants of good writing…). This song strangely takes me back to a time in my life I’d rather not think about but somehow feels comforting at the same time. I guess that’s what music is for: making us feel OK about ourselves. These lyrics just hit the right notes for my soul:

Stay up too late, and I'm too thin
We promise each other it's til the end
Now we're spinning empty bottles
It's the five of us
With pretty eyed boys girls die to trust
I can't resist the day
No, I can't resist the day

Jenny screams out and it's no pose
Cause when she dances she goes and goes
And beer through the nose on an inside joke
And I'm so excited, I haven't spoken
And she's so pretty, and she's so sure
Maybe I'm more clever than a girl like her
The summer's all in bloom
The summer is ending soon

It's alright and it's nice not to be so alone
But I hold on to your secrets in white houses

There’s something so familiar and warm/fuzzy feeling about Vanessa’s songs. I don’t know what it is and why I’m so drawn to it. But Christian James Hand (a fellow Asperger’s) also stated his love for this tune on his amazing podcast “Man vs. Radio” at one point so maybe there’s something there too. I also generally prefer female singers to male as it just sounds more “right” to me. I don’t know why that is either. But, anyways…

4) Lisa Loeb - “Stay (I Missed You)”

This was fucking 25 years ago… How old does that make you feel? But, somehow this came out the same years as this…

5) All-4-One - “I Swear”

Which seems like it was a hundred fucking years ago at this point. Middle school slow dances, anyone? Which is weird because this song was already 5 or 6 years old then but apparently Wisconsin is a bit behind the times in a lot of ways. It’s weird, I clicked on this song as a joke but had to listen to it in its’ entirety. It still grooves. Those guys could sing the skin off an apple, if that was a saying that I didn’t just make up right now. But, it’s true, I think. Strange memory just came back to me though. My sister bought this cassette and was kind enough to make me a copy and it became my after-dinner-chores listening music for months. I’d pop my Walkman on and vacuum, dry dishes, etc. while these guys sang that skin off that apple. It’s weird to remember going up and down the stairs with a Dirt Devil while singing along to “I Swear” probably annoying the shit out of everyone else not living in that world for those 4 minutes… Ah, good times…

6) George Michael - “Freedom”

OK, so full disclosure, I wasn’t actually thinking of this song as much as I was thinking ABOUT THIS. Shit is fucking ridiculous and brings a great big smile to my face, which I could use right now. Anna Faris fucking kills in the next scene too. Maybe I’ll watch “Keanu” later. Yeah, that sounds like a good idea, but for now, we go a couple more tunes to play.

(As a sidenote, poor YouTube has no fucking clue how to recommend songs/videos for me anymore. I’ve been too random over the years and my brain already doesn’t work linearly to begin with. Thank you Asperger’s! But, this is the same problem with Spotify and Netflix. Though Netflix is mainly confused by how fucking polar opposite my wife and I’s watching patterns are. I don’t know how to set up an alternate profile or whatever so Netflix always gives us the recommendations no one wants since it can’t figure it out.)

7) Sam Cooke - “Another Saturday Night”

Fucking Grammerly. Go the fuck away. Goddammit! YouTube, you suck… OK, sorry. I goddamn love this man’s voice. I could listen to him sing forever. Such a talented man. Heard he was a big asshole but who isn’t who is this talented? I am definitely putting this on the set once I get a band back together (which is soon, hopefully). Just a great singalong tune that’s so brilliant in its simplicity.

8) Chumbawamba - “Tubthumping”

You can’t not have a smile on your face when this song is on. Well, at least I can’t. I know many people find it annoying as hell but I fucking love it. “Pissing the night away” as a refrain type thing? Amazing. It’s pure fun and just makes me want to crush a beer and do some shots like I’m fucking 22 again. This is one of the songs that remind me of the good times, maybe not the better times, but definitely the good times. Good times… Which brings me to the greatest drinking song in the history of mankind (which makes it the greatest drinking song of all-time unless some other animal throughout history somehow learned how to make alcohol which seems unlikely so I’m going with greatest drinking song of all-time…)…

9) Dexys Midnight Runners “Come On Eileen”

Goddammit Grammerly! I’m never using you ever you music interrupting piece of shit! AHHHHHH!

But, this is in my top 10 songs of all-time which, I know, seems strange but it’s true. Is it “Bold as Love” or “Born to Run?” No, but it’s definitely in the next tier for me. It instantly takes me to a happy place that I never want to leave. Tell me singing along with a roomful of strangers while pounding the bar or your table during that breakdown isn’t the most fun you’ve had in a while… It absolutely is when it happens. If I ever own a bar, I’d play this song at midnight every night and it would be required of everyone to sing along and pound the bar and have that experience so they can pass it along to their friends. I miss New York…

(dictated but not read) 

Dexys Midnight Runners... Glorious...

What do we need? MUSIC! When do we need it? NOW!

So fuck it, let's play some fucking music...

I know things are getting fucking strange out there but we always have our trusted friend Music.  Here's some songs that always put a smile on my face.

Bradley Wik and the Charlatans - "Some Girls (Still Love Rock N' Roll)"

I can't believe I haven't fucking announced that I've sneak-peak-released the first song from my upcoming album "In My Youth, I'm Getting Old..."  I'm so excited to put this album out.  I've been working on it, and fixing the multitude of problems, for A FUCKING LONG TIME.  But, it's finally fit for human consumption and I couldn't be prouder.  The stories, the Rock N' Roll and the band are all so much better after playing hundreds of shows together.  It's so fucking cliche but we truly are operating greater than the sum of our parts on this album.

With thousands upon thousands of albums about falling in and/or out of love (the fuckin' easy part), here's an album about the rest of us. These songs are about you. These songs are about your hometown. These songs are about your friends, those you love, your lost lost loves, your hopes and regrets, your memorable nights, your forgotten dreams, your faith, your fears, your faults, your triumphs, your defeats, your will to be the best you can be, those dark nights you thought would never end, but mostly, they're about life, your life. And my life. I know you because I know myself. Guided by love, hope, faith and fear. All beautiful in our own fucked up ways. We celebrate a life full of jaggedness because that's where all the good shit is...
The press blurb:

Your ears are ringing as you pour yourselves out of the bar and into the street, still laughing.  The moon is bright in the night sky and the way it mixes with the streetlights makes you see each other in a way you’ve missed for the last few years.  In that moment, all the hard times fade away.  When she smiles, it makes you smile.  She grabs your hand as you think to yourself, “Some Girls Still Love Rock N’ Roll…”

Darwin Deez - "Radar Detector"

In another life (my NYC version), I was friends with this brilliant man.  We both would share the Sidewalk Cafe stage at various times, sometimes on the same night.  I loved his quirky, but fucking unbelievably catchy tunes.  He walked onstage and just fucking had "It."  He was a man amongst boys when he took over that room.  He knew what he was doing and how he wanted to do it.  He had us all mesmerized, every single time.  I was surprised when, years later, after he had achieved some fame, he still remembered me and gave me a great big hug when he saw me at Portland's Holocene.  While I was busy trying to be the second coming of Bob Dylan, he was busy making amazing music that was uniquely his own.  New York was a strange but amazing time.  But, Bravo sir on all the success!  You deserve it!

The B-52's - "Private Idaho"

What would a list of "fun" songs (not Fun. songs, God those guys are the fucking worst, still) be without some B-52's.  With a long list of crowd pleasers, I picked the one I return the most to.  It's fun and silly and catchy as hell.  Just what I need to chase the demons away...

Billy Joel - "The Longest Time"

This is one of the songs that reminds me of how much I can't sing.  Sure, I can do a great Rock N' Roll vocal but this is another level.  William goes back in time to remind us of why he is a national treasure.  I've almost worn out my vinyl copy of this album, but am ready to replace it should it fail me.  I cannot live without "The Longest Time," "Uptown Girl" or "An Innocent Man," nor should anyone.  The video is a little weird but don't let it distract you from one of the best pop songs of all-time.

Martha Reeves and the Vandellas - "Jimmy Mack"

I've had a strange obsession with Martha for a long time.  When it comes to singers, there's something intangible that attracts me to certain voices.  I just fall in love with them and they just feel "right."  Obviously, Otis is the #1 example of that but Martha is high on that list.  I just love her voice, her energy, just her in general.  I was also lucky enough to see her live and in-person at Jimmy Mak's here in Portland.  She had previously played with drummer Mel Brown (Motown/R&B staple back in the day and current Portland Jazz staple) in the sixties and the amount of personality between them was boiling over and off the stage.  It was an incredible show which included my personal highlight of Martha acknowledging that my girlfriend had the funkiest of chickens.  A truly memorable night and why "Jimmy Mack" always brings a huge smile to my face.

Talking Heads - "Artists Only"

This is a song that I, once a week, sing over and over in my head.  Why once a week?  Well, that is how often I clean my apartment.  And yes, for the hour and a half it takes, the only thing I can think is:  "I'm cleaning.  I'm cleaning again."  That and how much I love the big suit from "Stop Making Sense."  Brianne Kathleen and I actually paid a little homage during our dance breaks whilst recording her album.  Check out THIS VIDEO at 3:35 through to see how we get down.

Michael Jackson - "The Way You Make Me Feel"

Just... Fucking c'mon.  I can't tell you how many times, as a child, I re-enacted this music video in my living room.  Well, my mom could probably tell you but, needless to say, it's a fucking lot.  I never got the girl at the end, but I'll be damned if I didn't try my hardest.  Probably just didn't dance well enough...

Paul Simon - "You Can Call Me Al"

If the greatest music video of all time can't cheer you up, than nothing can...