Listen To Adam Levine’s Great “L” Song Along With Keira Knightley!

Time for another installment of “Music A – Z”, and this letter has some classic songs and new favorites!

I was faced with a ton of great options when I tackled “Songs with an “L”, because there are so many timeless classics – but here are some to consider, beginning with one of today’s most successful Artists!

10 – “Lost Stars” by Adam Levine

Adam Levine fronts the band Maroon 5, and acts as well – like here, when he gives a terrific performance and does a gorgeous rendition of this song from the movie “Begin Again”, which he stars in with Mark Ruffalo and Keira Knightly…

“God, tell us the reason youth is wasted on the young
It’s hunting season and the lambs are on the run
Searching for meaning
But are we all lost stars, trying to light up the dark?”

Here is the Maroon 5 frontman singing the Oscar-nominated “Lost Stars” in the film:

“Begin Again” was one of the best films of 2014 – absolutely terrific – and Keira sings a version of the same song in the film as well, as well as many more terrific songs – it’s a killer soundtrack – you can see the trailer here:

Here is another “L” song – and it’s from a movie as well, but the combo of film and Artist is not what you would expect…

9 – “Late For The Sky” by Jackson Browne

This classic song from the mid-70’s is actually seen in a clip on TV in the brilliant film “Taxi Driver!”

That’s right, “Taxi Driver” Travis Bickle is watching American Bandstand on TV as Browne’s brilliant, haunting song is played – and it makes complete sense, as these haunting lyrics could be speaking directly to the psychotic “Taxi Driver” Bickle:

“How long have I been sleeping
How long have I been drifting alone through the night
How long have I been running for that morning flight
Through the whispered promises and the changing light
Of the bed where we both lie
Late for the sky”

Here is Jackson Browne performing the song on a TV show in the 70’s:

Jackson Browne has had an incredible career, and still releases great new music – and I shared this live performance when I saw him last year, the upbeat fun “Somebody’s Baby”:

He was terrific in concert – and if you want more, click here to see a new video that talks about “Winslow Arizona” from his latest album – since he co-wrote The Eagles hit “Take It Easy”:

Jackson Browne certainly has a 70’s folk rock sound in the clip – in the 80’s, music sounded much different, thanks in part to this band:

8 – “Love My Way” by The Psychedelic Furs

This song was released in 1982 and to me, accurately captures the sound of that decade… 

“Love my way, it’s a new road
I follow where my mind goes
So swallow all your tears my love
And put on your new face
You can never win or lose
If you don’t run the race”

Here is the original music video:

Of course, the album was produced by the legendary Todd Rundgren, who aside from having his own brilliant musical career, produced albums from Meatloaf, Daryl Hall & John Oates, XTC and Patti Smith among many others…here is a look at his producing career:

Todd also performed with his band Utopia, and one of their concert set pieces may have inspired the next “L” band on the list:

Yes, the legendary Spinal Tap make the “L” list – and why not? They were stars of one of the greatest comedies of all time – and they bring with them a great “L” song!

7 – “(Listen To The) Flower People” by Spinal Tap

Yes, “England’s Loudest Band” started as a “hippie pop” group, and “This Is Spinal Tap” is a hilarious “mockumentary” that begins with the band’s early years:

“Listen to what the flower people say
Ah
Listen, it’s getting louder every day
Listen, it’s like a bolt out of the blue
Ah
Listen, it could be calling now for you.”

Here is the clip from the movie where the band perform this “flower power” hit from the late 60’s:

Later, the band tries a more progressive sound, but their new stage set malfunctions. That’s right, one of their “eggs” wouldn’t open!

As I mentioned, Todd Rundgren’s band Utopia used similar set pieces, and the “Tap” eggs may have been inspired by that early set piece fiasco – read all about it here – and see the worst album covers era of all time thanks to “The Tap” here:

Next up, a terrific hit from arguably America’s greatest rock band:

6 – “Livin’ On The Edge” by Aerosmith

This 1993 lyrics are still relevant today:

“There’s something wrong with the world today
I don’t know what it is
Something’s wrong with our eyes
We’re seeing things in a different way
And God knows it ain’t his
It sure ain’t no surprise, yeah

Living on the edge
Living on the edge
Living on the edge
Living on the edge”

Tyler’s unique and powerful voice is on display here:

Sadly, the band just announced their retirement from live performing, as a vocal injury to the lead Singer’s vocal cords has not healed properly…so put on their music and celebrate their incredible career.

Here’s another timeless voice:

5 – “Lean On Me” by Bill Withers

This classic slice of 70’s soul is from Singer Bill Withers, and these lyrics are timeless:

Here is Withers performing his iconic hit:

Speaking of Icons, time for a recent anthem from New Jersey:

4 – “Land Of Hope And Dreams” by Bruce Springsteen

This 2012 song from his album “Wrecking Ball” is majestic: incredibly powerful lyrics like these:

“Well, big wheels roll through fields where sunlight streams
Meet me in a land of hope and dreams

Well, I will provide for you
And I’ll stand by your side
You’ll need a good companion now
For this part of the ride
Yeah, leave behind your sorrows
Let this day be the last
Well, tomorrow there’ll be sunshine
And all this darkness past

Well, big wheels roll through fields where sunlight streams
Oh, meet me in a land of hope and dreams

Well, this train carries saints and sinners
This train carries losers and winners
This train carries whores and gamblers
This train carries lost souls
I said, this train, dreams will not be thwarted
This train, faith will be rewarded
This train, hear the steel wheels singin’
This train, bells of freedom ringin'”

Here is the powerful video!

Springsteen has an incredible career, and my wife and I were lucky to see him performing songs and stories on Broadway:

His wife Patti Scialfa joined him at the end – what a show! He also created an album in the aftermath of 9/11 and it is also worth a listen – here’s a look:

Next up is an Artist who created some of the most memorable songs, and will always be known for these lyrics:

“I saw a Werewolf drinking a Pina Colada at Trader Vics…his hair was perfect!”

Warren Jevon wrote “Werewolves Of London” for his album “Excitable Boy” – which also included this “song with an L”:

3 – “Lawyers, Guns & Money” by Warren Zevon

Those are the song’s opening lyrics” I went home with a waitress, the way I always do. How was I to know she was with the Russians too?

Check out the song here:

I love the chorus:

“Send Lawyers, Guns & Money – the shit has hit the fan!”

I read the biography of this tortured singer, written by his daughter…see more of his brilliant music and sad life here:

Next is a band that had an incredible run of music – while living through personal breakups and more:

2 – “Landslide” By Fleetwood Mac

They were one of the best selling bands of all time, and “Landslide” is a hauntingly beautiful song written by Stevie Nicks…here are some lyrics:

“Well, I’ve been ‘fraid of changin’
‘Cause I’ve built my life around you
But time makes you bolder
Even children get older
And I’m gettin’ older, too
I’m gettin’ older, too

Ah, take my love, take it down
Oh, climb a mountain and turn around
And if you see my reflection in the snow covered hills
Well, the landslide will bring it down
And if you see my reflection in the snow covered hills
Well, the landslide will bring it down
Oh, the landslide will bring it down”

The 1975 album “Fleetwood Mac” is a gem, and took the band into the stratosphere with hits like “Rhianon”, “Over My Head” and “Say You Love Me”…here is “Landslide”:

Nicks said the song was written while wondering if her musical dreams would come true…it’s an incredible song – here’s a look at “songs in the key of F” that has another Mac classic!

I am closing with a terrifically catchy song by one of the biggest progressive rock songs of the 70’s…

1 – “Leave It” by YES

While they were a 70’s “prog rock” band, they transitioned into the 80’s with this song that blended a funky hook with acapella vocals at time!

In 1983, they released the massively successful album “90125” that included “Owner Of A Lonely Heart” and this gem:

The music video has the band members standing in a line and dressed in black business suits as their images go through video-created abstract effects. It was one of the first music videos to use computer effects! Eighteen different variations of the video were made (the first one, for instance, simply had the band upside-down, but motionless for the whole song!)

So there you go: ten “songs with an L”!

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Categories: 70's Music, Art, Classic Rock, Music, Obscure Music, Pop Culture, Talent/Celebrities

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