SOMETHING OLD
Johnny “Guitar” Watson - Lovin’ You
1973
Johnny “Guitar” Watson - Lovin’ You
1973
You may know Minnie Riperton’s angelic Lovin’ You from the following year, but do you know this completely different song from Johnny Watson?
This tune is full of funk, impressive vocalizations, gorgeous harmonies, and minor keys that you feel in your stomach.
It begins with funky-backed spoken-word intro dedicated to his lady. In comes his grateful first verse, which precedes the very catchy chorus.
At 1:25, though, is the first time we hear the refrain that makes this song something special: You’re all there is and then some. This time it comes around, it shifts the song with its distinct descending minor sound. It really grabs your attention, but when it returns at 2:27, it’s sung in a major key! It sounds a bit less intense and spooky. Oh... but just you wait, because what immediately follows is the most haunting part of all.
I could describe this song ad nauseam, but let’s be real: just go and listen to it.
SOMETHING NEW
Jenna Pascale - Radio
October 10th, 2025
Jenna Pascale - Radio
October 10th, 2025
I discovered Jenna Pascale when she performed as the live cellist for Dan English as openers for Daryl Johns this past April. As a cellist myself, I was super drawn to her performance and what she added to the music in that live capacity. She’s also a part of KatzPascale, a brilliant cello & sax duo.
Radio, however, shows off her blossoming solo career and her indie pop sensibilities.
It’s an undeniably catchy song about the radio playing the one song that reminds you of the person you’re away from. Its fun, danceable energy fights somewhat sad lyrics about drinking too much, crying, and being a fool for her lost lover, finally revealing at the end that she wishes the radio would play “literally any other song.”
I’m super excited to see what else is in store for her!
SOMETHING BORROWED
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - Laid (James)
2015
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - Laid (James)
2015
James’ Laid was a massive hit in 1993, and likely needs no introduction. Slightly sexually explicit and gender-bending lyrics with erratic attitude, a blood-pumping drum roll intro, and wild & free vocals made it a college radio standard; encapsulating youth in the 90s.
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart (amazing band name) took the song in their own direction in 2015. It’s not wildly different from the original, but singer Peggy Wang vocally makes it her own.
My absolute favorite part of their rendition is around 1:52, when Wang asks, when are you coming home?
Something about the way she sings “home” makes the hairs on my arm stick up. Elongated vocals become echoes and almost seem to enter varying dimensions of my ear canal.
It’s a cover that retains the energy and spirit of the original with slight enhancements, and one I really enjoy.
SOMETHING... BLOODY
HALLOWEEN-INSPIRED THEMES ALL OCTOBER
Andrew Bird - Blood
2005 / 2025
HALLOWEEN-INSPIRED THEMES ALL OCTOBER
Andrew Bird - Blood
2005 / 2025
Andrew Bird & the Mysterious Production of Eggs is Andrew Bird’s third album, from 2005. Pitchfork included it in their 200 Best Albums of the 2000s list.
For its twentieth anniversary this year, Bird introduced Blood, an unreleased track from the album. It really makes you wonder what other gems he never put out.
I truly adore this song. I hear influences of the 60s like The Velvet Underground and The Doors, along with some sounds I may vaguely compare to klezmer music, and a whole lot of dark musical tones throughout that make it a perfect feature one week before Halloween.
The more the song progresses, the more his violin starts to really shine, in atypical and eerie ways. The lyrics narrate a story about a woman who’s got blood in her eyes for you. Tons of ominous imagery to accompany that successfully spooky sound.