There is something about the dog days of summer, that time of lassitude, torpor, and ennui, that brings to mind that briefest of musical episodes, the story song. We featured a bunch of them on Bubble Wrap this week, dated as hell but still entertaining. “Ode to Billie Joe” was especially poignant, but there’s still something to be said for Jeannie C. Riley’s gumption on “Harper Valley P.T.A.” and full-on Southern Gothic of “The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia.” We played a bunch, unapologetically, as a history lesson.
In the category of new tunes, Our favorite was The Suffers “Take Me To The Good Times.” If you liked Bruce Hornsby back in the day, you’ll like his new one, “My Resolve,” too.
Story songs and songs about stories….read on for the full playlist.
July 22, 2020
Stories In Song
Space Ghost – What Day Is It?
New Lost City Ramblers – The Baltimore Fire
Incorporated Thang Band – Storyteller
The Suffers – Take Me To The Good Times
Madonna – Express Yourself
India Jordan – For You
I, Ludicrous – Preposterous Tales
Lynda Barry – I Remember Mike
Bobbie Gentry – Ode To Billie Joe
Vicki Lawrence – The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia
Cher – Gypsies, Tramps, and Thieves
Jeannie C. Riley – Harper Valley P.T.A.
Johnny Cash – A Boy Named Sue (live at San Quentin)
Sir Mix A Lot – One Time’s Got No Case (Bass Mix)
Salt n Pepa – Break of Dawn
The Band – Acadian Driftwood
Don McLean – American Pie
Donald Fagen – New Frontier
Pete Seeger – The Thresher
Bruce Hornsby – My Resolve