Looking For The Right “C” Note?
I am looking at songs and musical Artists one letter at a time, and today it’s all about the C’s…let’s get started with a classic trio who make this list because of the first person mentioned in the group:
Crosby, Stills & Nash!
This legendary group was also +Young once in awhile, but one of their later hits showcases the amazing harmonies of just CSN:
“Southern Cross”
This classic early 80’s album included a great song about sailing, love, and longing…
“Think about how many times I have fallen
Spirits are using me larger voices callin’
What Heaven brought you and me cannot be forgotten
(Around the world) I have been around the world
(Lookin’) Lookin’ for that woman girl
(Who knows she knows) Who knows love can endure
And you know it will…”
A terrific song with beautiful harmonies…here they are performing it live:
It’s from a great album called “Daylight Again” – see more music videos here, including their great hit “Wasted On The Way”:
From sailing to surfing – The Beach Boys weigh in with two classic “C” songs:
“California Girls” by The Beach Boys
Who doesn’t know these lyrics?
“Well East coast girls are hip
I really dig those styles they wear
And the Southern girls with the way they talk
They knock me out when I’m down there
The Mid-West farmer’s daughters really make you feel alright
And the Northern girls with the way they kiss
They keep their boyfriends warm at night
I wish they all could be California
I wish they all could be California
I wish they all could be California girls!”
Check out this vintage TV performance from 1965:
The Boys came back a year later with a hauntingly beautiful ballad:
“Caroline, No” by The Beach Boys
From the brilliant album Pet Sounds, Brian Wilson told his story of longing and loss:
“Where did your long hair go
Where is the girl I used to know
How could you lose that happy glow
Oh, Caroline no…”
Here is Brian performing it live in 2013:
Fifty years on, Brian Wilson is performing again live, and here is the last Beach Boys song he ever recorded, the haunting “Summer’s Gone”:
Now, time for some classic power pop from a band that always seemed to have “tongue in cheek”:
The Cars – “My Best Friend’s Girl”
The Cars were Ric Ocasek’s invention, and he wrote catchy pop hits with interesting lyrics.
We begin with their debut album, which launched them into stardom with their first power pop hit, “My Best Friend’s Girl” – ANOTHER song about longing and loss:
“When she’s dancing ‘neath the starry sky
Ooh, she’ll make you flip
(Here she comes again)
When she’s dancing ‘neath the starry sky
I kinda like the way she dips
She’s my best friend’s girl
She’s my best friend’s girl
But she used to be mine”
Here is a great live version from 1978:
There is always room on any list for a classic Beatles song – or in this case, a Beatles song that Paul wrote and gave to another band to record!
“Come And Get It!” by Badfinger / Paul McCartney!
When Apple signed Badfinger, Paul gave them a hit song – and when the Beatles Anthology was released, we got to hear that Paul recorded it exactly the way he wanted them to record it…he still performs it today – here is a great live version from 2011:
It was the theme song to a movie starring his bandmate Ringo Starr and Peter Sellers – check out the madness of “The Magic Christian” here:
Next up, a song inspired by one of the greatest anti-war film ever!
How can you have a list of “C” bands and not include these guys?
The Clash is one of my favorite bands, and while there are so many songs to choose from, such as “I’m So Bored With The USA”, “Train In Vain Stand By Me)”, “Rock The Casbah” and “Should I Stay Or Should I Go?”, I will go with a terrific song off of their sprawling, messy three-record masterpiece known as “Sandinista!”
In a nod to one of my favorite films of all time, “Apocalypse Now”, The Clash delivered a smooth, sultry take on Robert Duvall’s classic line from the film:
The Clash “Charlie Don’t Surf!”
“Charlie don’t surf and we think he should
Charlie don’t surf and you know that it ain’t no good
Charlie don’t surf for his hamburger Momma
Charlie’s gonna be a napalm star”
Here is the band performing the song live in 1982:
Next up, timeless music from one of the most popular bands of the 70’s:
Creedence Clearwater Revival
Lead singer/Songwriter John Fogerty still tours today, playing such timeless hits as “Proud Mary”, “Traveling’ Band” and “Down On The Corner”.
“Born On The Bayou” and “Bad Moon Rising” were both pure “swamp rock”, a southern vibe that felt very authentic – even though they were from San Francisco’s bay area!
Here is the band performing “Bad Moon Rising” on TV in the late 60’s:
“Proud Mary”, “Fortunate Son” and their 11-minute version of “Heard It Through The Grapevine” were also huge hits, but by the end of their run, they were world-weary, as evidenced by one of their last hits:
“Have You Ever Seen The Rain?”
The party boogie was long gone, replaced by a band that had written about the war in Vietnam, the student protest in the US, and other deeply political songs:
“Someone told me long ago
There’s a calm before the storm
I know it’s been comin’ for some time
When it’s over so they say
It’ll rain a sunny day
I know shinin’ down like water
I want to know
Have you ever seen the rain?
I want to know
Have you ever seen the rain
Comin’ down on a sunny day?”
Here is a live performance from 2011 by John Fogerty, his voice still terrific:
Finally, Parrotheads can rejoice that Jimmy Buffett wrote one of the greatest songs ever about food!
Cheeseburger In Paradise
A song that celebrates America’s greatest hand-held food!
Cheeseburger in paradise
Medium rare with mustard’d be nice
Heaven on Earth with an onion slice
I’m just a cheeseburger in paradise.
I like mine with lettuce and tomato
Heinz 57 and French fried potatoes
Big kosher pickle and a cold draught beer
Well, good god almighty, which way do I steer…
Jimmy Buffett has created a huge business out of his Margaritaville restaurants, because his songs are fun, upbeat and a good time – here he is with a classic live performance of “Cheeseburger In Paradise:
There you go, now I’m hungry! If you are hungry for more great music, how about this guy from the 80’s – and the “A” list?
Yes, “Antmusic” is just one great song from the letter “A” – here are more:
And if you love to surf, then you’ll love the music from the “B” list:
Timeless classics from The Beach Boys, The Beatles and Bowie of course – all right here:
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johnrieber 
All great songs for C! I will add one of my favorites from the Mamas and the Papas: California Dreaming, of course. 🙂
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That’s a terrific choice, Susanne – I will make sure they get on a list for sure!
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My own top choice for ‘C’ was from Elvis Costello. But I’m going to give another shout for the marvellous Rickie Lee Jones, with her ‘C’; song, ‘Chuck E’s in Love’.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Both are terrific choices Pete. I could do “Man Out Of Time” from Elvis, or “Everyday I Write The Book” which you may see soon!
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‘Every Day I Write The Book’ is one of my all-time favourites!
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