The 9th P&J Singles Poll!

i know you got soul

I'm torturing myself by listening to "Don't Let's Start." I didn't even know that was They Might Be Giants, but I guess I'm not surprised. I'm not even sure why that song bugs me so much. It is admitedly catchy.

I went with X, whose "Fourth of July" song I just pulled off the shelf (along with Shooter Jennings's "4th of July" song) and played last night after looking toward Manhattan and watching the fireworks. Usually I play them in the morning, but the stupid holiday had to land on a fucking WEDNESDAY this year, and everybody has to go back to work the next day (i.e., this morning), which makes no sense, so we didn't know about any barbecues on rooftops and had to make do with a half-assed one in a Queens Irish bar where bald guys with Ecko T-shirts were putting songs by Limeys (who lost the war) like the Jam and the Specials and Madness (most of which sounded good anyway) on the jukebox. It was fun; just didn't seem very Independence Day-like.

Second place: probably M/A/R/R/S. Third: Les Rita Mitsouko, which scored only as a video. Fourth: Levert, maybe? Alexander O'Neal? Suzanne Vega?? (Or maybe Eric B and Rakim is better than all of those.)

(Oops, I didn't see "Bring The Noise" til now! Okay, probably I should voted for that. But lotsa other people will, so nobody's feelings should be hurt.)

Way overrated: Most of the rest of the list, starting with Los Lobos's useless "La Bamba" cover.

Song I remember liking, and once owning the 45 of, but not sure if I still do; haven't heard it in years, and I'd like to: "Skeletons" by Stevie Wonder.

Horrible: "Got My Mind Set On You" by George Harrison.

Not useless at all: Bangles' Simon & Garfunkel cover.

More or less useless: The Replacements' Alex Chilton non-cover.

Probably less horrible than it deserves to be (i.e., vaguely pretty at least but still way blander than their supporters will ever admit): "Don't Dream It's Over" by Crowded House.

Who cares: Both U2 songs, though at least one of them inspired a decent cover by the Pet Shop Boys.

everybody has to go back to work the next day (i.e., this morning), which makes no sense

It's messed up. Also, I was off on Tuesday, so I have absolutely no idea what day it is. I know in a certain sense, but my inner calendar is all messed up.

(Oops, who cares about all THREE U2 songs, I should have said.)

Not half as smart as it thinks it is: "Dear God" by XTC.

Band that the Pazz & Jop electorate was smart to acknowledge as a singles rather than albums band: Grateful Dead (who never placed an album, right?).

Not as good as the Queensryche, Night Ranger, or Belle Stars songs of (more or less) the same name: "Sign 0' the Times" by Prince.

"Don't Dream It's Over" has aged better than lots of these entries. Still, I went with Alexander O'Neal's "Fake" over "Hazy Shade of Winter" (their greatest performance?) and "Fourth of July."

M.I.A.: the Pet Shop Boys' "It's A Sin."

Three U2 songs, three Prince, two R.E.M.s, two George Michaels, two Springsteen--I wonder if that's some kind of singles list record? ("Most hegemonic singles poll ever"?)

For me, it's between "U Got the Look" and "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man," two of Prince's greatest songs, for sure (and maybe the only two songs from that album I play with any sort of regularity). Some other good things up there ("Tunnel of Love," "It's the End of the World...," PE, both George Michaels, M/A/R/R/S, Levert, et al.), but nah--nothing matches those two Prince tracks for me. The Crowded House song is fine, though I still prefer my friend Dave's idea for a remix: tossing in some "hey now!"s from Hank Kingsley.

This was the year btw with Marcus's great Pia Zadora comment, which I just quoted on my facebook, which I can't access here to repost... maybe later.

"Fourth of July" -- which I listened to yesterday actually -- is one of the great lost singles IMO.

sort of astonishing how mainstream/aor rock oriented this list is/ maybe the P&J demographic was more conservative/less indie then?

I've never understood the critical worship for the replacements, then or now. ditto U2 and bruce. but better them than bon-jovi I suppose.

lots of dance & hip hop singles missing from the list non-shocker.

actually, i still like "Luka" too.

Also missing (rather shockingly, since it was their first Top 40 hit): New Order's "True Faith."

Other missing singles: Company B's "Fascinated," Expose's "Let Me Be The One," Herb Alpert and Janet Jackson's "Diamonds."

"Fascinated" might be single of the yr, but I bet five pazz & joppers, if that, even noticed.

How the hell did that Squeeze single get in there – its video?

that was their "comeback" after breaking up for a spell

turn of the 80s squeeze was big fave w/the rolling stone crowd and mainstream rockers in gneral. the safe face of new wave. at least in new york around 1982 squeeze sold out madison sq garden.

BTW, i think it's neat that Americans actually listen to 4th of July songs on the 4th of July! We don't really have that luxury in Canada (there are no July 1st songs, not to my knowledge anyway).

[July 1st being "Canada Day," for those not aware...]

We do?

flashback to an SCTV mock-commerical for cheapo album set: "Gordon Lightfoot Sings Every Song Ever Written" -- it's on there.

wtf @ they might be giants. they were quite entertaining as a live act then if you didn't mind the art-school vibe but a pop singles "band"??

and Squeeze's only two Top 40 hits are from this album!

I would have wanted Belinda Carlisle's "Heaven is a Place on Earth" on this list too.

We do?

Well, Chuck and Mark do, apparently. And I probably would, too.

Mark--I have that Lightfoot thing on mp3--absolutely hysterical. He does "Happy Birthday," "76 Trombones," etc., and it's all done in a mock k-tel style.

Went with "Bring The Noise" even though its power has diminished somewhat for me.

M.I.A.:

Big Stick: "Crack Attack" (Buy Our 1987)
Roxanne Shanté: “Have A Nice Day” (Cold Chillin' 1987)
Bon Jovi: "Livin' on a Prayer" (Mercury 1987)
Cover Girls: "Because of You" (Fever 1987)
Debbie Gibson: "Shake Your Love" (Atlantic 1987)
Chandra Simmons: "Never Gonna' Let You Go" (Fresh 1987)

And did I mention this one on the 1986 list:

Sa-Fire: "Don't Break My Heart" (Cutting 1986)

I'm not one to gripe about these lists but this one stinks like the clogged-up air conditioner the Mr. is fixing as I write this, i.e. vaguely sulfury, kinda like rotting Pepsi.

And not because the songs above are bad per se. I voted for Sign O' the Times on the album list but "Sign O' the Times" is not very singley. So unsingley, in fact, that I had to visit Xgau's site to make sure JNSOT didn't fuck up. Perhaps some 1960s types voted for it cuz it was all deep and political, man. In general, though, I just don't get Prince as a singles artist.

Same with the Dead (sooooo not a singles band no matter how much u love this one), Springsteen, freakin' Los Lobos, maybe even Vega, maybe even X, maybe even Wonder - it's an AOR invasion (for lack of a better term - I doubt AOR radio touched these songs...didn't Boston have an album out in 1987?).

And what's up with "La Bamba?" Did Los Lobos really reinvent this song? Bring some sort of cultural weight to it that wasn't previously audible? Why is it on this list (and so high)??

Given this very albumy/importanty singles list, I'm stunned that those U2 songs didn't place higher. You couldn't escape those fuckers in 1987. I can remember a high school party where teens were dancing to "Where the Streets Have No Name." They were kinda snotty, David Letterman-lovin' types too. And I must not have been dancing with them as I can recall simply watching. I must have been a bit sad too.

And then there's Crowded House, Fleetwood Mac, George freakin' Harrison, Squeeze, great but backward-looking tributes by The Bangles and The Replacements. Good or bad, they all have a bit of crust around the edges.

It wasn't even the best Fleetwood Mac single released that year (that woudl be "Little Lies" or "Seven Wonders").

I would vote for "La Bamba" were it an original song, but as it stands, I will go with "Don't Dream It's Over".

Squeeze: "Hourglass" (Adrian Edmondson)

Right, so either "Ade Edmondson" is the corporate name for A&M(uk), or some of the selections were given over to celebs.

Probably less horrible than it deserves to be (i.e., vaguely pretty at least but still way blander than their supporters will ever admit): "Don't Dream It's Over" by Crowded House.

Chuck is right, but I still voted for it.

The ones w/directors at the end are just videos, not singles. (haha I like the idea of TMBG in the singles list just as a wtf of history)

Wasn't "If I Was Your Girlfriend" a single?

Voted "Bring the Noise."

What a weak year! Surely it's missing some fantastic stuff?

For me:
1. "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man"
2. "I Know You Got Soul"
3. "Don't Dream It's Over"
4. "Faith"
5. "Fake"
6. "Casanova"
7. "Luka"
8. "Hazy Shade of Winter"
9. "Pump Up the Volume"
10. "Bring the Noise"

Bring The Noise.

But 4th Of July would have been a contender if it was the demo version from the Beyond & Back anthology.

Is this the "Bring the Noise" version with Anthrax? If so, I'm voting for "It's the End of the World as We Know It."

Probably less horrible than it deserves to be (i.e., vaguely pretty at least but still way blander than their supporters will ever admit): "Don't Dream It's Over" by Crowded House.

I repped for the Crowded House album on the album poll thread, but I actually would be less likely to vote for this as a single. I think CH were more of an album band at heart - and "Don't Dream It's Over" sounds better to me as part of the first side sequence - though it still sounds great by itself when it comes on the radio. Also, I think "Something So Strong" was probably the best single from this album.

the safe face of new wave.

not just that, mark. they had an incredible run of singles early on.

Also - I really don't like the Jeff Lynne production on that album and think that single sounds really bland, but "Got My Mind Set on You" was totally goofy!

At least the keyboard part reinforces the goofiness. A way more goofed up cover of an even more ridiculous early rock and roll song is "I Really Love You" on Gone Troppo.

No this is the original Bring the Noise.

I'm going for M/A/R/R/S, but many other good songs here.

I'm voting M/A/R/R/S too - slightly above "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man".

"Bring the Noise" was and remains one of the most mindblowing first-time listens I've had, so there's my vote.

I wonder if I'm the only one who will vote for the majesty of "It's the End of the World as We Know It!!!"

Automatic thread bump. This poll is closing tomorrow.

We don't really have that luxury in Canada (there are no July 1st songs, not to my knowledge anyway).

True, but at least Rush's "Lakeside Park" references the 24th of May, Scott!

"Bring the Noise" by a mile (1.6 kilometres)

I assumed it was the Anthrax version!

Wait! The 24th of May is a Canadian holiday?!?!? What is it? I would love my birthday to fall on the same day as a holiday in my favorite country.

I assumed it was the Anthrax version!

That was 1991.

xpost

Yep! That's Victoria Day.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_Day

xgau's list...who are mr. x and mr. z?

Public Enemy: "Bring the Noise" (Def Jam)
Madonna: "Open Your Heart" (Sire)
R.E.M.: "It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" (I.R.S.)
Stevie Wonder: "Skeletons" (Motown)
Bon Jovi: "Livin' on a Prayer" (Mercury)
Roxanne Shanté: "Have A Nice Day" (Cold Chillin')
Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine: "Rhythm Is Gonna Get You" (Epic)
Kool Moe Dee: "Go See the Doctor" (Jive)
Michael Jackson: "The Way You Make Me Feel" (Epic)
Prince: "U Got the Look" (Paisley Park)
Just-Ice: "Going Way Back" (Fresh)
Spoonie Gee: "Take It Off" (Tuff City)
Suzanne Vega: "Luka" (A&M)
Duran Duran: "Notorious" (Capitol)
The Housemartins: "Caravan of Love"/"When I First Met Jesus" (Elektra)
The Isley Brothers: "Smooth Sailin' Tonight" (Warner Bros.)
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: "Jammin' Me" (MCA)
Big Stick: "Crack Attack" (Buy Our)
Earth, Wind & Fire: "System of Survival" (Columbia)
L.L. Cool J: "Jack the Ripper" (Def Jam)
Faith No More: "We Care a Lot" (Slash)
Depeche Mode: "Never Let Me Down Again" (Sire)
Sally Timms: "This House Is a House of Trouble" (T.I.M. import)
Men Without Hats: "Pop Goes the World" (MCA)
Mr. X and Mr. Z: "Mr. X and Mr. Z Drink Old Gold" (Urban Rock)

"Drink Old Gold" is a parody record of "I Know You Got Soul." Good, fun obscurity.

I'm a huge, die-hard Joshua Tree hater, and remember with fondness Bobcat Goldthwait's '87 Bono impression, but "With or Without You" still gets me. It earns its bombast.

Not that I voted for it; "Bring the Noise" is like one of the greatest few minutes of anything ever.

the safe face of new wave.

not just that, mark. they had an incredible run of singles early on.

didn't mean to sound condescending there, I really like Squeeze up to and including Sweets From A Stranger. I meant "safe face of new wave" w/r/t NYC rock radio, WNEW played almost no punk/nw stuff in the early 80s save for Squeeze and the Pretenders. don't know how popular Squeeze was elsewhere in the US but the MSG gig blew my mind in 1982 this was when Elvis Costello & the Clash (who were also popular with the NY disco crowd & urban radio) played much smaller venues.

I wrote a feature on Squeeze's and Hourglass for RS where I went to England and interviewed Difford and Tillbrook. went w/them to a gig in east bumfuck anglia. good times! tho D&T were somewhat melancholy guys. spent a looong day drinking w/Glenn Tillbrook. don't think I even have a clip, this story's now lost to the ages.

Their "incredible run of singles" (and pretty good run of albums) didn't really last long after Argybargy, is my recollection. Though I guess "Tempted By The Fruit of Your Mother" was on East Side Story. But yeah, by Sweets For A Stranger, they were a safe and bland choice for sure. (And it's interesting that their two most fun and forward-looking LPs -- as in their first two, U.K. Squeeze and the great Cool For Cats, when they still had a certain oddball synth-dance-maybe-even-prog element and weren't yet pop purists -- got no significant attention from critics in the States, even though Cool For Cats at least was seemingly pretty darn visible on A&M. I'd just started buying new wave albums in early '79 and I bought a copy, so it couldn't have been hard to find out about or anything. But I don't remember seeing it on any 1979 top tens at all. (Or hearing it on the radio -- Except college radio, I guess.) (And maybe Sunday night new wave shows? Not really sure.)

Dave Marsh in the original red 1979 edition of the Rolling Stone Record Guide book, on Squeeze's first two (and least wimpy) albums (filed in book under "U.K. Squeeze"), which get one star apiece:

"Not to be confused with U.K., this group produces anonymous, pedestrian hard rock of the same vintage. By the end of 1978, this band was so defeated it changed its name simply to Squeeze."

anonymous, pedestrian hard rock of the same vintage

did he even listen? was there another Squeeze, maybe from Canada?

Not unless they had the exact same album titles and labels. (Though I have no idea if Marsh listened. The "hard rock" thing isn't completely bizarre when it comes to their first LP, at least, though -- I think I remember another review, maybe in Trouser Press, comparing it to Queen, by which I assume they meant circa Sheer Heart Attack or so.) (Maybe Sparks would've been closer, though. Unless I just think that because an album called Squeezing Out Sparks won the Pazz & Jop poll once.)

Guess it was Christgau, not Trouser Press:

U.K. Squeeze [A&M, 1978]
Musically, the instrumental is the only boring cut on the whole first side, but the record as a whole is a case study in excitingly adequate hard rock craftsmanship spoiled by trashy literature. When a band obviously influenced by Queen, Rock Scene, muscle mags, and boarding-school porn finishes off by advising their postpunk admirers to "get smart," it sounds like they want 'em to stop reading Hustler and start reading Oui. B

(I'm wondering if Bob added that word "postpunk" later, to cover himself. The word sure wasn't common in 1978, and I'm not sure Squeeze would have been considered postpunk then, even if it was. Can't find his '70s guide at the moment to check, though.)

Just checked my copy of the '70s book, xhuxk, and yeah he did indeed write "postpunk". Strange, I thought new wave was the common term in use at the time amongst US crits.

"Sigh o the Times" over "U Got the Look" AND "I Could Never Take the Place..."? Man, critics love Big Statements.

I'd vote "Pop Goes the World" if I could.

I'm wiping my eyes to make sure xgau put Duran Duran's "Notorious" on his list...

And I voted for "It's the End of the World" too, so you're not the only one Tim. It's actually one of the few "cassingles" I owned.

Yeah, isn't this the year when "cassingles" were introduced?

Gloria Estefan, "Notorious" (which is really late '86), and "Open Your Heart" would totally have made my list too.

Mark: have you ever seen/read the Squeeze interview book (http://www.amazon.com/Squeeze-Song-Chris-Difford/dp/1860746047)? the melancholy BURSTS off the pages! (it's a good read, actually--I'm not a big Squeeze fan myself but Diff/Til are very entertaining raconteurs on the whole.)

As for your lost clip, that RS complete DVD-ROM set comes out this fall.

Automatic thread bump. This poll's results are now in.

If you combine the Prince split-vote, I can live with that Top 5...

Crowded House in the top five! yes!

Who knows how many of those one- and two-star albums Marsh listened to? He thought the best-of Time of the Zombies was a reunion album. And I always got the impression that the handful of '79 releases scattered throughout the book were added just before press time, again prolly with little or no airing.

Oh, and the U.K. that U.K. Squeeze was "not to be confused with" was some prog thing, maybe with Bill Bruford and possibly other ex-Crimson members? I never heard it.

Just checked my copy of the '70s book, xhuxk, and yeah he did indeed write "postpunk".

Elsewhere in that book is a review of something-or-other that uses the phrase "politically correct" - certainly the earliest-ever(1978) usage of that term that I've personally come across.

Just sayin'...

post? punk -- that's really odd or prescient or extrordinarily jaded, since punk was just getting started in the US (outside NYC)in 1978.

Who knows how many of those one- and two-star albums Marsh listened to?

the subsequent edition (blue cover)is even worse on this score, chock-full of one and two sentence put-downs of third-string non-entities. it's interesting to look at now from a historical perspective, just marvel at the volume of releases and sheer inefficiency of the big record companies. by the late 70s and through the early 80s they were literally throwing shit at the walls and waiting to see what stuck.

Just checked my copy of the '70s book, xhuxk, and yeah he did indeed write "postpunk".

Elsewhere in that book is a review of something-or-other that uses the phrase "politically correct" - certainly the earliest-ever(1978) usage of that term that I've personally come across.

post? punk -- that's really odd or prescient or extrordinarily jaded, since punk was just getting started in the US (outside NYC)in 1978.

Yeah, but guess what I just realized? -- The reviews of 1978 albums in that book (for example) were not necessarily written in 1978. Bob took much of 1980 off work to put together the book (he talks about that in his '80 P&J essay I believe), and certainly he ammended his original Voice versions of some of those reviews, though I'm not sure how many. Which means "post-punk" and "politically correct" etc. could have been added then; the only way to check would be to track down the original hard-copy versions of the Consumer Guides, which I don't have. (Though I do have a big stack of original newsprint pages of the early '80s ones -- complete with highly entertaining Additional Consumer News -- in a binder in a storage bin somewhere. Yeah, I was obsessed.)

Fwiw, the second/blue edition of that Rolling Stone record guide uses the word "postpunk" several times, much to my surprise. (We talked about this on a thread about postpunk somewhere, which is when I paged through and found out.) Though the definition in the book doesn't always =, say, Simon Reynolds's.

said thread:

Does Postpunk even actually exist?