Our subject
for today is houses. Country houses, empty or silent houses, english
houses...The choice is yours. No more need to be said about them. Let's
go straight to the subject!1. Country House – Blur
(Damon Albarn)
The first single from The Great Escape of1995 rested in history as the stormy petrel as far as the break between Blur and Oasis is concerned. And as that album remains controversial, this specific track is still a big hit, one of only two british #1 for the band. There was also a videoclip. But I believe you'd better see that one yourselves.
2. A House Is Not A Motel – Love
(Arthur Lee)
A track out of the legendary Forever Changes of 1967, which begins with an acoustic instrumentation, to end up to an electric party until it fades out. Here, the great vision of Arthur Lee nd his company found for the first – and perhaps last – time its ideal impersonation.
3. This House Is Empty Now – Elvis Costello
(Burt Bacharach-Elvis Costello)
The co-operation between Elvis Costello and Burt Bacharach is one of those things that seem too good to be true. Perhaps Painted From Memory, which the two together made and released in 1998, lets many down, still it contains great songs, such as this one. Let along the fact that it brought Bacharach back to discography after 21 years.
4. English House – Fleet Foxes
(Robin Pecknold)
Fleet Foxes recorded tha material of the EP Sun Giant after their first album had been finished. They initially intended it to be sold only at their concerts but the huge fan demand led to its full release, even before the album itself. This song comes from it and is a representative sample of their style, with the flawless vocals and the acoustic guitars in the foreground.
5. Baby, Let’s Play House – Elvis Presley
(Arthur Gunter)
The King covered his somg in 1955, one year after its initial release by Arthur Gunter. It is the first Presley song to appear at an american chart and oe of the most well-known songs of his first era. Later, in 1965, John Lennon borrowed the phrase “I’d rather see you dead, little girl, than to be with another man” for his own Run For Your Life.
6. My Father’s House – Bruce Springsteen(Bruce Springsteen)
This slow song, as all the rest out of Nebraska (1982), was recorded by Springsteen in an acoustic version as a demo, intending to be instrumented later on. After all, the Boss decided to release them as they were, getting dithyrambic critics. The great American songwriter creates here amazing images, describing his return to his father's house. But he is not there anymore...
7. Silent House – Crowded House
(Neil Finn-Emily Robinson-Martie Maguire-Natalie Maines)
The return of the Crowded House took place with Time On Earth in 2007. Silent House is an especially dark and nostalgic song, with a gradual instrumentation and lyrics about absense.
8. House Of Cards – Radiohead
(Thom Yorke-Jonny Greenwood-Ed O’Brien-Colin Greenwood-Phil Selway)
In Rainbows (2007) created such a hype with the way it was released that at first only few realized what an amazing album it was. House Of Cards is a mid-tempo track, with cutting guitars, imposing effects and atmospheres and the airy, moody voice of Thom Yorke flying over everything. Their best project after Ok Computer (1997).
9. Burning Down The House – Talking Heads
(David Byrne-Chris Frantz-Tina Weymouth-Jerry Harrison)
Out of Speaking In Tongues (1983), the first commercially successful album by the Talking Heads. As a single, it marked their biggest hit in North America, reachin at #9 in USA and #8 in Canada. The track begun as jamming to end up at a more rafinated musical version, over which Byrne improvised with his voice.
10. Poor House – Traveling Wilburys
(George Harrison-Jeff Lynne-Tom Petty-Bob Dylan)
Traveling Wilburys were a supergroup comprised of George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison, Tom Petty and Bob Dylan. After their first, super successful album, Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1, came Orbison's sudden death. The rest of the group decided to release one more album, strangely entitled Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3, and dedicate it to the memory of their partner and friend. This really cheerful track is taken out of that album. So to end powrfully...
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