What the Riff?!?

• 1974 - July: Beach Boys “Endless Summer”

  By the mid-70's the Beach Boys appeared to be a band that had been left behind.  Sales had been only moderate for their previous albums, and the band was struggling to determine their direction musically.  In the summer of 1973 the movie "American Graffiti" featured several Beach Boys songs, creating nostalgia for the earlier surfing music.Between the revived interest sparked by "American Graffiti" and the success of the Beatles "Red" and "Blue" compilation albums, the Beach Boys released a collection of hits from their early 60's catalogue called Endless Summer.  This featured songs from their Capitol Records days, 1962-1965.  It was a near-instant success reaching the top of the charts in the United States four months after its release, and becoming their second number 1 album on the US charts.  After the success of Endless Summer, the Beach Boys would reposition themselves as an oldies act, continuing in this vein for many years.  Brian Wilson would pen one further Beach Boys studio album in 1977 which would meet with meager sales.  Afterwards the band would focus on their classics until seeing a resurgence in the late 80's generated from another popular film, Tom Cruise's "Cocktail" Wayne brings us this surfin' themed compilation for this week's podcast. Catch A WaveA true surfing song, this tune is about being on a surfboard, waiting for the right wave to come along.  This song was originally released on the 1963 album "Surfer Girl," and a rewritten version was recorded by Jan and Dean as "Sidewalk Surfin."Little Deuce CoupeThis track is about a 1932-vintage Ford model 18 hot rod used in drag racing on the streets of California.  "American Graffiti" had featured the deuce coupe prominently, along with the Beach Boys song.  The lyrics were written by local radio DJ Roger Christian.Shut DownAnother song about drag racing, "shut down" means you are about to beat the person in the race.  The phrase "tach it up" may have lost some meaning in the era of automatic transmission, but the tachometer would run high for a drag race.  The song is told from the perspective of the driver of a 1963 Corvette Sting Ray in a race against a 1962 Dodge Dart.Fun, Fun, FunThe inspiration for this song was a story the Beach Boys heard during a radio interview.  The station owner described his daughter "borrowing" his 1963 Thunderbird to go to a drive-in hamburger shop.  The opening riffs were inspired by Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode."   ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:Uptown Saturday Night by Dobie Gray (from the motion picture “Uptown Saturday Night”)Sidney Poitier starred in and directed this action comedy which co-starred Bill Cosby, Harry Belafonte, Richard Pryor, and Flip Wilson. STAFF PICKS:The Joker by the Steve Miller BandLynch leads off the staff picks with a well known song from Steve Miller.  The names in the first line reference several of Miller's previous songs, as well as the made-up word "pompatus."  It barely cracked the top 40 in the US, hitting 40 on the Billboard Hot 100.  Miller borrowed some lyrics from the song "Lovey Dovey" when he talks about wanting to "shake your tree."The Air that I Breathe by the HolliesRob brings us a slow burning but iconic ballad that the Hollies covered.  The original was from Albert Hammond, and previously covered by Phil Everly.  The Hollies version was the most successful, going to number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100.  Alan Parsons was the engineer on this song.Hollywood Swinging by Kool & the GangBruce's staff pick is the first number 1 R&B Single from Kool & the Gang.  It was a crossover hit as well, going to number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100.  Rick Westfield is the keyboardist for it and sings lead.  The song is a true story of the keyboardist wanting to become "a bad piano-playing man" with the group. Rock and Roll Heaven by The Righteous BrothersWayne's features an ode to the rock stars who had died at an early age. This song is another example of a song that was covered, and did better than the original.  Climax performed this song in 1973 but did not chart, while the Righteous Brothers took it to the top 10 in the United States.  Lyric would be added in the years to come as more rock stars passed. INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:Chameleon by Herbie HancockThis jazz funk instrumental track closes out the podcast for the week.  Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?” NOTE: To adjust the loudness of the music or voices, you may adjust the balance on your device. VOICES are stronger in the LEFT channel, and MUSIC is stronger on the RIGHT channel.Please follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/whattheriffpodcast/, and message or email us with what you'd like to hear, what you think of the show, and any rock-worthy memes we can share.Of course we'd love for you to rate the show in your podcast platform!**NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.

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• 1990 - July: Pink Floyd "A Momentary Lapse of Reason"

  Folks, we're stretching a bit on this one.  Lynch noticed that Roger Waters performed "The Wall" at the Berlin wall in this month, and used that as an excuse to feature A Momentary Lapse of Reason, which was the latest studio album by Pink Floyd. Since that originally came out in 1987, we're asking you to squint a bit to see it's relevance to the summer of 1990.  That being said...A Momentary Lapse of Reason is the first Pink Floyd album released after bassist and primary songwriter Roger Waters left the band.  Waters had expected that Pink Floyd would simply disband, and was surprised when David Gilmour and Nick Mason decided to continue without him.  Acrimony and lawsuits appeared, but in the end a Water-less Pink Floyd continued on.Unlike many prior Pink Floyd albums, this one is not playing off a single concept.  Instead, it is a more traditional collection of songs.  Gilmour presented the album as a return to earlier Pink Floyd material, which was perhaps a reaction to common critiques of their previous album "The Final Cut" as a Roger Waters solo effort masquerading as a Pink Floyd album.  There are a number of well-known session musicians that participated in the making of this album.The album was a commercial success, debuting at number 3 on both the US and UK albums charts.  The US tour was the most successful of the year, selling out almost every venue it played in the States.  Roger Water's lawsuits would be overcome, and a settlement was reached between Waters and the band by the end of 1987.Lynch brings us this Pink Floyd reboot album for today's podcast and we’re joined by guest host Julie Doran joins us on this episode. On the Turning AwayThis power ballad was co-written by Gilmour and British experimental composer Anthony Moore.  It is an anti-war song, one of the more political Pink Floyd songs written since the departure of Waters. It begins with a solemn Gilmour vocal supported by understated keyboards, then builds to an almost orchestral conclusion.  Learning to FlyA surprisingly upbeat song for the group, the inspiration for this first single is David Gilmour's experience learning to fly airplanes.  At the time he would do practice flights in the mornings and work in the studio in the afternoons.  It is also a metaphor for the band coming back together after splitting with Roger Waters.One SlipThe fourth US single discusses the long-term consequences of a one-night stand, and contains the lyrics that would become the title to the album as a whole.  Gilmour co-wrote this song with Roxy Music guitarist Phil Manzanera.  Fans of bassist Tony Levin may recognize his work on a Chapman Stick in the instrumentation for this track.  ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:Real Wild Child by Iggy Pop (from the motion picture “Problem Child”)This dark comedy starring John Ritter follows the trials of Ben Healy Jr. as he adopts a less-than-model child from a questionable adoption agency.   STAFF PICKS:Stop by Jane's AddictionWayne leads off the staff picks with a college radio hit off the "Ritual De Lo Habitual" album.  Lead singer Perry Farrell warns about apathy towards environmental disaster, telling people to turn off the smokestacks.  "And the water will run, come a day, the water will run, no man will stand for things he had done."Brave New World by Michael PennRob brings us a jangly deeper cut with a song with rapid fire lyrics off Penn's "March" album.  The song reflects confusion in where the singer is going, perhaps making a commentary on society as it heads into a "brave new world."  "This may not be my best day, but this ain't no golden age.  You looked pretty on the freeway.  Let's drive into the brave new world."Give It Up by Hothouse FlowersBruce features a s song from an Irish group off their second album, "Home."  This song that went to number 2 on the US Modern Rock chart is summed up in the lyrics, "Well, this song's inspired by a good man and his tune doing good for others, sing 'Amazing Grace' for you." Rub You the Right Way by Johnny GillJulie's staff pick is an upbeat hip hop song, and Gill's first single after he left New Edition earlier in the year.  Despite the lyrics, Gill was the son of a minister and got his start in gospel music.  He signed with Motown as a teenager.  Gill had become very accustomed to performing live, and had a difficult time switching to studio work.  Blue Sky Mine by Midnight OilLynch closes out the staff picks with the first single off Midnight Oil's seventh studio album.  The inspiration for the song was the experience of workers in the Wittenoom asbestos mines in western Australia, where they contracted a variety of asbestos-related diseases.  The "blue" in the title refers to "blue asbestos," a form of the mineral considered most hazardous. INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:Erotic Nightmares by Steve VaiGuitar virtuoso Steve Vai carries us out of this week's podcast. Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?” NOTE: To adjust the loudness of the music or voices, you may adjust the balance on your device. VOICES are stronger in the LEFT channel, and MUSIC is stronger on the RIGHT channel.Please follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/whattheriffpodcast/, and message or email us with what you'd like to hear, what you think of the show, and any rock-worthy memes we can share.Of course we'd love for you to rate the show in your podcast platform!**NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.

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• 1967 - December: The Young Rascals "Groovin'"

  The Young Rascals were one of the early groups which would define the genre of "blue eyed soul."  For a period of two to three years, this group would generate hit after hit.  Their third album, Groovin', would close out the era in which they were known as “The Young Rascals,” because follow-up albums would see them using simply the name "The Rascals."  Felix Cavaliere was a classically trained pianist, and joined a band called the Starliters, where he met David Brigati and his younger brother Eddie.  Cavaliere convinced Eddie Brigati and guitarist Gene Cornish to leave the Starliters and form a band, recruiting jazz drummer Dino Danilli to flesh out the band.  They called themselves "Them" until they found out that a group out of the UK was already using that name (Van Morrison's band).  They settled on "The Young Rascals" when comedian Soupy Sales used them as his back-up band when he toured the college circuit in 1965.Much of this album is a collection of singles rather than a cohesive piece of music.  Eight of the eleven songs are either A-side or B-side single releases.The Rascals moved into a more psychedelic direction after this album, and they would be largely done by the early 70's.  They were early inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, receiving that honor in 1997.Bruce presents this soulful album for this week's podcast.Groovin'This signature song from the group almost didn't make it as a single.  Atlantic Records pushed back on this track because it was very different from the sound of their other songs, having a more Latin influence.  The inspiration for the lyrics was Cavaliere's girlfriend Adrienne Buccheri.  He only got to see her on Sundays because he was so occupied with the group, music, and touring on other days. You Better RunMany listeners who grew up in the 80's will be more familiar with Pat Benatar's cover of this song than the Young Rascals' original.  It was released a year before the album as a single, in May 1966.  The song has more of a garage band feel than other songs on the album.A Girl Like YouThis is the lead-off song for the album, and went to number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.  Upbeat, feel good, this is the opening song of new love.  It starts off subdued with piano and vocals, then builds into the horns and percussion.  If You KnewThis song was released as the B-side to the single "I've Been Lonely Too Long" from their previous album called Collections.  It is the only song on the album to be listed as written by all member of the band.  Most songs were written by Felix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati.  ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:Mrs. Robinson by Simon and Garfunkel (from the motion picture “The Graduate”) Dustin Hoffman's got his breakthrough role in this coming of age film.  STAFF PICKS:Green Tambourine by the Lemon PipersRob leads off the staff picks with the best known song from a short-lived Ohio band.  Unfortunately the success of this song would cause the record company to pigeonhole the group into doing more songs in the psychedelic genre.  The group was unenthusiastic about this direction, and would leave the label in 1969, dissolving shortly thereafter.Sunshine of Your Love by CreamLynch brings us a signature song from the original supergroup.  The song arose out of a bass riff that Jack Bruce created after seeing Jimi Hendrix for the first time.  Jack Bruce and Eric Clapton take turns with vocals while Ginger Baker utilizes a tribal beat on percussion.I Can See for Miles by The WhoWayne features the only single from the Who album “The Who Sell Out.“  Although it went to number 9 on the US charts, guitarist and writer Pete Townshend expected it to do much better.  The Who made use of the studio as an instrument on this heavier, psychedelic song, using techniques similar to the Beach Boys and the Beatles at the time.I Second That Emotion by Smokey Robinson & the MiraclesBruce closes out the staff picks with a song that originated from a trip Smokey Robinson and Al Cleveland took to a Detroit department store in search of a gift for Robinson's wife Claudette.  When Robinson told the salesman of a set of pearls, "I sure hope she likes them," Cleveland accidentally said "I second that emotion," rather than "I second that motion."  The two laughed about it and wrote this song which would go to number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1967.   INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:Hip Hug-Her by Booker T. & the M.G.'sWe close out with a funky instrumental which was on the charts at the time.   Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?” NOTE: To adjust the loudness of the music or voices, you may adjust the balance on your device. VOICES are stronger in the LEFT channel, and MUSIC is stronger on the RIGHT channel.Please follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/whattheriffpodcast/, and message or email us with what you'd like to hear, what you think of the show, and any rock-worthy memes we can share.Of course we'd love for you to rate the show in your podcast platform!**NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.

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• 1988 - December: Poison "Open Up and Say...Ahh!"

  When it comes to hair metal of the mid to late 80's, no band discussion would be complete without bringing Poison into the mix.  The band consisted of front man Bret Michaels, guitarist C.C. DeVille, bassist Bobby Dall, and Rikki Rockett on drums.  Poison is a band out of Pennsylvania.  Originally named Paris when formed in 1980, the band drew a good following in local bars in Pennsylvania, but decided opportunities would be greater in Los Angeles.  The band moved there in 1983 and changed their name to Poison.  They attracted a lot of attention with their stage show, and saw surprising success with their debut album, "Look What the Cat Dragged In," released in 1986.However, Poison's most successful release would be their second studio album, Open Up and Say... Ah!, released in April 1988.  It would sport four hit singles, including their sole number 1 single "Every Rose Has Its Thorn."  The album itself would hit number 2 on the Billboard 200 chart.  It would also stir controversy with its cover, a picture of a demonic female with an extremely long tongue.  An alternate cover was designed to address concerns which showed only the eyes of the model.Poison would see further success in the late 80's and early 90's, though their popularity would wane as the grunge movement took over music in the 90's.  However, Poison has seen a resurgence of popularity as a "classic" band, and front man Bret Michaels has achieved success both as a celebrity personality and as a solo artist.Lynch brings us this glam rock album for today's podcast, and friend of the show Mike Fernandez joins us in Bruce's absence. Fallen AngelWhile the lyrics describe a young girl moving from Ohio to Los Angeles to try to make it as an actress, the song is really more autobiographical of the path the band took from Pennsylvania.  This second single from the album went to number 16 on the Hot 100.Nothin' But a Good Time"The first single from the album reached number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and is one of their best known songs.  It was built off a guitar riff by C.C. DeVille and a chorus penned by Michaels.  DeVille was largely selected for the band based on his cool riffs and party attitude.Your Mama Don't DancePoison take the 1972 Loggins and Messina song and makes it their own in this fourth single released from the album.  The song's lyrics highlighting the generation gap of the 50's and 60's between parents and their rebellious teenagers was a perfect fit for Poison's image.Every Rose Has Its ThornThis ballad is Poison's sole number 1 hit.  The inspiration for it came when Bret Michaels called his girlfriend from a laundromat and heard a male voice in the background.  He was crushed, but went back into the laundromat and wrote the song right then.  ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:Pump Up the Volume by MARRS (from the motion picture “My Stepmother Is an Alien”)This comedy starring Dan Aykroyd, Jon Lovitz, and Kim Bassinger may have been a flop, but the song was quite popular. STAFF PICKS:Mystify by INXSRob leads off the staff picks with the fifth and final single from the "Kick" album.  Backed by a honky tonk-style piano and prominent finger-snapping, the song starts with a bluesy riff followed by a more straightforward rock sound.  INXS originally was comprised of three Farriss brothers, but they were down to Andrew and Tim Farriss by this time.  I'm an Adult Now by Pursuit of HappinessWayne's staff pick is a hidden gem from Canada.  This humorous single alternates between spoken verses and a sung chorus that capture the worries that plague the singer as he deals with becoming an adult and embracing adult problems.  It peaked at number 6 on the alternative music charts.   Wild Wild West by Escape ClubMike brings us an English band with a song written by eight different people, including Stevie Wonder and Bootsy Collins.  This song has the distinction of being the only British band to have a number 1 hit in the US without charting in the UK.  "Headin' for the nineties, living in the wild, wild west."Where Is My Mind by PixiesLynch closes out with a signature song from the Pixies.  The inspiration for this grunge song began with an underwater diving experience, and the lyrics convey disconnection.  The Pixies were reintroduced to fans after this song appeared in "Fight Club." INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:Silhouette by Kenny G.Bruce sneaks a soft sax piece from Kenny G. onto the playlist to exit this week's podcast.   Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?” NOTE: To adjust the loudness of the music or voices, you may adjust the balance on your device. VOICES are stronger in the LEFT channel, and MUSIC is stronger on the RIGHT channel.Please follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/whattheriffpodcast/, and message or email us with what you'd like to hear, what you think of the show, and any rock-worthy memes we can share.Of course we'd love for you to rate the show in your podcast platform!**NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.

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• 1971 - April: Rolling Stones “Sticky Fingers”

  Sticky Fingers is considered by many to be the greatest studio album the Rolling Stones ever created.  This ninth studio album represented a return to a more basic sound for the Stones after several albums with less conventional instrumentation.  It was also known for its cover artwork from Andy Warhol which featured a man in jeans with a working zipper.  The album won a Grammy for “Best Album Cover” for this innovative design.This was the first album that was released on their own label, Rolling Stones Records.  It was also the first album the group produced without Brian Jones, who had died two years earlier.  The members of the band were Charlie Watts on drums, Bill Wyman on bass, Mick Taylor on guitar, Keith Richards on guitar and backing vocals, and Mick Jagger on lead vocals and some guitar and percussion.  There were a number of session musicians and frequent collaborators involved in the album, including Bobby Keys on sax, and Billy Preston and Ian Stewart on keyboards.Sticky Fingers was the band's first album to reach number 1 on album charts in both the US and the UK.  It has since reached triple platinum status, and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999.    The album was also the first album to utilize the now-iconic “mouth”  for which the group would be known.Friend of the show Mike Fernandez joins us in Bruce's absence, while Rob brings us this amazing album from one of the giants of the rock world in this week's podcast. Wild HorsesThis softer song with a country bent was first released in 1970 by the Flying Burrito Brothers, and subsequently recorded by the Stones after originally thinking the demo wasn't worth recording.  It was originally recorded over a three-day period at Muscle Shoals Studio in Alabama in 1969.  The lyrics are about being on the road, and not being where you really want to be.Brown SugarThe opening track to the album was also the lead single, and reached the top of the charts in the US and Canada, while reaching number 2 on the UK singles chart.  The song sounds like a strong rocking one, but the lyrics discuss slavery and rape, a much more serious topic than most realized the lyrics covered.BitchThis track which leads off side two of the album was the B-side to the single “Brown Sugar.”  It has a strong brass section — the song originated in a jam, and features Bobby Keys on sax and Jim Price on trumpet.  The lyrics are describing love as a bitch but the title probably didn't help the band in its problems with women's groups.  Can't You Hear Me KnockingThis is the longest song on the album, clocking in at over seven minutes.  The central part of the song lasts for 2:43, with an extended jam following.  The entire track was captured in one take, and the band continued with the jam, thinking that the recording was complete.   ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:One Tin Soldier (from the motion picture “Billy Jack”)This counterculture song was a prominent part of the soundtrack to the action drama "Billy Jack" a part Navajo Green Beret and Vietnam War veteran defending his Freedom School students from angry townspeople. STAFF PICKS:Get It On by ChaseWayne starts out the staff picks with a high energy song from an artist known for his jazz trumpet.  Bill Chase brought together a band including three other trumpet players, a rock rhythm section, and front man Terry Richards on lead vocals.  This jazz fusion rock piece peaked at number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100.Let's Get It On by Marvin GayeLynch brings us a track that has taken on a life of its own as the ultimate romance song.  Backed by the Funk Brothers, it is the most successful song Gaye produced on Motown Records.  It reached number 1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and the US Hot Soul Singles chart.Love Her Madly by the DoorsMike features the first single from the album “L.A. Woman,” the sixth studio album from the Doors, and the final album with Jim Morrison before his untimely death.  Guitarist Robby Krieger wrote this song while experimenting with a 12-string guitar.  It Don't Come Easy by Ringo Starr Rob finishes the staff picks with a non-album single from the drummer of the recently-disbanded Beatles.  Fellow Beatle George Harrison produced the single and helped Starr write the song which peaked at number 4 on the US and UK singles charts. INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:Main Theme from the motion picture “The Summer of 42”We exit this week's podcast with the signature song from this Academy Award nominee and coming-of-age movie in the theaters in April 1971. Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?” NOTE: To adjust the loudness of the music or voices, you may adjust the balance on your device. VOICES are stronger in the LEFT channel, and MUSIC is stronger on the RIGHT channel.Please follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/whattheriffpodcast/, and message or email us with what you'd like to hear, what you think of the show, and any rock-worthy memes we can share.Of course we'd love for you to rate the show in your podcast platform!**NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.

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