Farrelly Brothers // Electric Light Orchestra “Showdown” (1973); Smashmouth “Do It Again” (2000); Billy Stewart “Summertime” (1966)
Look, with a 2-minute graphic diarrhea scene, you either find it funny or you don’t. In other words, you probably either love Farrelly Brothers movies or hate them. Unimaginably gross, dreadfully inappropriate, off-puttingly dark, hopelessly juvenile? Check, check, check and check. Yes, I love them. I’d guess that the Farrelly’s are probably best known for...... Read More
Cliff Nobles & Co. “The Horse” (1968)
Time for another instrumental. A number of years back my friend Messiah threw himself an epic birthday party and hired an even more epic band to play it. I’ve never seen more musicians on one stage in my life – the horn section alone must’ve been a dozen guys – and a spectacular, extended version...... Read More
Cee Lo Green “Fuck You” (2010)
Revenge is, as they say, sweet. And yeah, I realize it’s also said that ‘living well is the best revenge’, but I don’t know, that seems like more of a long-term plan. Sometimes, as Otter aptly declared in Animal House, the situation just requires a really “futile and stupid gesture.” My best? In my twenties...... Read More
Booker T. & the M.G.’s “Green Onions” (1962)
Three minutes of simple perfection. Is Green Onions by Booker T. and the MG's simply the greatest rock instrumental ever?... Read More
Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes “I’ve Been Working Too Hard” (1991)
Behind Bruce & E Street, the #2 icon of NJ rock and roll? Southside Johnny & the Jukes, of course (and please don't give me poser Bon Jovi).... Read More
Wilson Pickett “Hey Jude”
With the improbable help of Duane Allman, Wilson Pickett recorded an astonishing cover of the Beatles' anthem "Hey Jude" just three months after its original release.... Read More