I seem to be settling into a pattern where I have one theme-free post per month. It works for me, I hope it works for you.

Winechuggers “Six Months In A Leaky Boat” (Split Enz)
It seems pretty harmless now, but the original version of this song was banned in England when it came out because it was thought to be about the Falklands War. Even if it was, the lyrics don’t make much sense so I’m not sure if it was supposed to be pro-war or anti-war.

I’ve also discovered that there are apparently many people out there who love the original song but absolutely hate Split Enz. I’m sort of indifferent to both. This is a downtempo version that loses the goofy vibe of the original while allowing you to really hear what gibberish the lyrics are.

Lou Reed “This Magic Moment” (Drifters)
This is from a Doc Pomus tribute CD that came out awhile back. I wasn’t very familiar with his work as a songwriter until I got this CD and realized that he was a hitmaking machine.

Shonen Knife “Daydream Believer” (Monkees)
I love Shonen Knife and really dig their take on “Top Of The World.” I’m posting this one because it’s probably a little less familiar to American audiences.

Blues Magoos “Heartbreak Hotel” (Elvis Presley)
If Elvis had lived, this is what chronic drug abuse might have done to him. Great solo on the vibes. From the last Blues Magoos album, “Never Going Back to Georgia.” This was the opening track, the rest of the record got even weirder.

Scala Choir “I Touch Myself” (Divinyls)
The new-wave ode to onanism gets the choral treatment. It makes me laugh every time I hear it.