This next song has been bouncing around the back of my head since I was a kid, but I learned only yesterday that it’s not Roger Miller. It sure sounds like the guy who wrote and performed country-leaning novelty hits including “Dang Me” and King of the Road” … but it’s actually one-hit wonder Leroy Pullins from Berea, Ky. His full name was Carl Leroy Pullins, but I think we can all agree that “Leroy” is funnier than “Carl.”
Mike Read, a veteran radio DJ and TV host in the UK, has a weekly “programme” called “The Heritage Chart Show.” Not living in the UK, I’ve only every seen clips of the show on YouTube, but basically, Read interviews bands from the ‘70s and ‘80s who are still making music today and plays their music videos. Here’s a clip with Limahl, the lead singer of Kajagoogoo (“Too Shy”) who also had a solo hit with “The NeverEnding Story.” (In case you ever wondered, “Limahl” is an anagram of Christopher Hamill’s original last name.)
John Valenti’s “Anything You Want” only made it to #37 on the Billboard charts in 1976, so you’re forgiven if you don’t remember it. That said, give a listen and tell me you wouldn’t believe it’s Stevie Wonder vocals over a generic disco stomp. The biggest giveaway is the guitar solo instead of a synth or clavinet.
As a teenager, I wasn’t sure if I should listen to Lou Reed – or his band, The Velvet Underground. I wasn’t sure whether I could handle the drone of “Venus in Furs” or fuzzy, buzzy epic “Sister Ray.” Of course, the tunes that once intimidated me now seem almost quaint or folky in spots. They’re still songs about junkies and BDSM, but everything eventually becomes the music of your mom and dad’s generation.
Despite his rep, Lou Reed also made some very poppy music in his career. This is stuff that’s not going to show up on any of his greatest hits collections – and there are 17 of them according to Wikipedia. “The Original Wrapper” is off Reed’s 1986 album “Mistrial,” which I owned on cassette and most likely bought at the long-gone Streetside Records in Columbia, MO. I’m not sure if Lou is genuinely trying to musically stretch here or if he’s just half-heartedly jumping on the rap train – probably both. Continue reading