The Police, Walking on the Moon, Live

Posted in The Police, Youtube Favs on March 18th, 2012 by Willie

Sting wrote this song while he was drunk in Germany, seems fitting considering the free floating riffs and subject matter.  “Walking on the Moon,” is an unparallelled Police classic, and an example of genuine 80s psychedelia, a sort of rare excursion for 80s pop groups.  Actually the song was originally titled “Walking Round the Room,” which Sting thought was rightfully stupid.  The live performance below is tight and hard edged featuring Sting in one of the worst jackets in human history.  The rest of the band is decked out in normal person clothes, and its easy to imagine what Copeland and Summers must have been thinking concerning the ego level of Sting when their gazes met his visage.  Despite Sting’s violent affront to common fashion sense, the Police are legends, and you’ll have no problem digging this awesome document of their musical power.

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The Top Ten Most Played Songs on my iPod

Posted in Willie Simpson's Original Music on May 18th, 2011 by Willie

Did you know that when you plug your iPod into your computer, iTunes can arrange your iPod’s mp3s by plays, from most played to least? It’s pretty fascinating to see what you’ve been listening to exclusively, and how many thousands (yes thousands of times) you’ve clicked play on certain songs. Well, I’d thought it’d be interesting to share the top ten most played songs on my iPod in a new awesome mega post. So, without further ado, here is the list, starting with #10!

#10- The Police- Can’t Stand Losing You, 255 plays. My countdown kicks off with the Police’s catchy little reggae punk tune known as “Can’t Stand Losing You.”  From Outlandos d’Amour, this song isn’t skipped much for a bunch of reasons.  First, its supremely catchy, with its syncopated guitars, tight harmonies, and perfect drumming.  Second, Sting’s lyrics are so raw and real, that its one of the greatest breakup songs ever.  I’m just addicted to the way that chorus fades into oblivion.

#9-  The Beatles- Eleanor Rigby, 509 plays. Ahh, the Beatles, of course, you’ll be seeing a few songs by the fab four pepper my top ten I’m not ashamed to say. “Eleanor Rigby,” from Revolver, is just a brilliant song to play on a crowded depressed subway during rush hour.  The song swoops in with George Martin’s brilliant string arrangement, and you look around the train and see “all the lonely people,” wondering “where do they all belong.”  Then you wonder if you yourself is one of those lonely people who is gonna die alone while you are arranging your socks in your dingy apartment. Read more »

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The Police, So Lonely

Posted in The Police, Youtube Favs on April 11th, 2011 by Willie

Part 33 of my youtube favorites countdown continues with The Police’s excellent music video for “So Lonely.”  Released in 1978 from their brilliant Outlandos d’Amour album, “So Lonely” is an example of their classic punk/reggae hybrid formula.  Sting went so far to say that the chorus was ripped directly off of Bob Marley’s “No Woman No Cry.”  I don’t hear it.  I also can’t really hear the punk in this song so much.  I mean, I’m sure in 1978, this was probably considered punk, but come on, its pop, power pop, and there is nothing wrong with that.  In fact, I love the gasoline charged chorus, which is incredibly catchy and resonant.  Sting was such a genius writing songs about heartbreak, anger, and breakups.  Anyway, in the video, we have the Police on a Japanese subway, which is ALWAYS a great place to film a music video.  I think its really rad, and I think you will too.  Enjoy.

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