By Billy Florio
Here are ten more songs to take up space on your 'must-have' list:
"Levitation"-The 13th Floor Elevators: Fans of the Nuggets collections are familiar with the 13th Floor Elevators' "You're Gonna Miss Me." "Levitation" is their best: a song that keeps on moving.
"Flower"- Liz Phair: Some don't understand why music aficionados were so shocked when Indie-goddess Phair went mainstream pop with "Why Can't I." Exile's "Flower" is a blast of Laurie Anderson conventions mixed with pure shock, all combined into what sounds like a church hymn; with lyrics discussing sexual acts in vivid detail.
"Bring It On Home To Me"-Sam Cooke and Lou Rawls: Before the recently departed Rawls became known for his legendary catalogue of songs, he did backup vocals for Cooke, most notably the call and response on this song. Just listen to the smooth soul pleading over that captivating piano line.
"X Offender"- Blondie: When The Best Of Blondie was released in 1981 "X Offender" was curiously absent. This is reason alone to buy Blondie's amazing first album. Originally titled "Sex Offender," until their record label forced them to change it, combines '60's girl-group pop with the organ-centric songs of Freddie Cannon and Frankie Ford.
"Go All The Way"-The Raspberries: Eric Carmen wrote this to try and convince his girlfriend to have sex with him. The catchiest song of 1972.
"Hello It's Me"- The Nazz: Many of you may think this is a typo. Rundgren's solo version of "Hello It's Me" is played every other day on classic rock stations, while his original version lays almost forgotten as the B-Side to The Nazz's only big hit "Open My Eyes."
"I Found A Love"-The Falcons: A Doo-Wop gem featuring the late Wilson Pickett on lead vocals. An amazing soul performance that most people forgot about till a few alternative music reviewers mentioned it in Pickett's recent obituary.
"Stiletto"-Billy Joel: Lyrically and musically, one of the piano man's greatest works. The stiletto not only represents the shoe the woman wears, but also, the knife she's using to rip his heart out.
"Do Anything You Wanna Do"-Eddie And The Hot Rods: The chords in this song sound slightly like the chorus to REM's "Radio Free Europe," but Eddie and The Hot Rods came first. Another song from the punk invasion that is too often forgotten.
"L.A. Woman"- The Doors: The Doors are one of the most important classic rock bands of the 60s and early 70s. One of their best songs though is the poetry put to music called "L.A. Woman." Is Morrison talking about a girl he knew, or the city itself? It could be both.