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The Rolling Stones, Paint it, Black
For part 94 of my fast concluding countdown, I have the Rolling Stones, “Paint it, Black,” from their 1966 LP Aftermath. First things first, the odd placement of the comma in the song’s title was added by the Rolling Stones record label Decca. Why? I have no idea. Second, although Richards and Jagger wrote the…
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Ween, Even If You Don't
Part 93 of my youtube countdown keeps the party going with Ween’s stunning 2000 single “Even if You Don’t” from their fantastic White Pepper album. The music video was directed by two geniuses who were enormously influenced by Ween’s music, that being South Park and Book of Mormon creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone. “Even…
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The Doors, Break On Through (To The Other Side)
Part 92 of my youtube countdown tears you into another dimension with the Doors, “Break On Through (To the Other Side).” This is one of the greatest psychedelic pop singles you’ll ever hear. It’s got an iconic pulsing keyboard bass intro played by the genius Ray Manzarek, propulsive drumming by John Densmore, stunning pickless riffs…
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Joy Division, Love Will Tear Us Apart
The final countdown is underway with part 91! It’s the immortal Joy Division’s “Love Will Tear Us Apart,” one of the greatest singles of all time. Joy Division were pioneers of the flashy dark kind of rock and roll known as post punk, a genre known for its angular introverted style. The band was fronted…
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Islands, Rough Gem
Part 90 of my countdown blasts forward with one of my favorite group, Islands, and there video “Rough Gem.” From their debut record Return to the Sea, “Rough Gem” is a beautiful kaleidoscopic indie pop song that swirls, spirals, and cyclones all over your ears. It’s a gorgeous cacophony of genius modern pop. I’m not…
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Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder, Ebony and Ivory
Welcome to part 89 of my legendary youtube countdown. Countdown to what? I have no idea, but lets hope the world finds peace along the way. One way to help this planet on that quest are the musical stylings of Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder singing “Ebony and Ivory” from Paul’s 1982 LP Tug of…
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Bob Marley, Could You Be Loved (Rare Studio Take)
Welcome to part 88 of my youtube countdown! Today I have a beautifully rare studio take of Bob Marley singing his 1980 masterpiece, “Could You Be Loved,” from Uprising. This is probably my favorite Bob Marley song for those keeping score at home. It has everything I love in a Marley song; that driving irresistible…
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Michael Jackson, Leave Me Alone
Soul week comes to a close with part 87 of my ever expanding youtube countdown. Today, I have my favorite Michael Jackson cut of all time, “Leave Me Alone,” from Bad. Released in 1987, “Leave Me Alone” was actually left off the American version of Bad, but was later added as a bonus track. This,…
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James Brown, Get Up Offa That Thing, Dancing Lessons
Part 86 kicks your ass. It’s soul week at williesimpson.com, and I got the Godfather of Soul, James Brown, in two incredible clips. The first is a dancing lesson not meant for beginners. It’s James in full 70s flair, just announcing steps and performing them with utter mastery. I don’t know who this tape is…
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Marvin Gaye, Sexual Healing, 1983 Grammys
Part 85 my soul people, back with more Marvin Gaye like I promised. This time, its a special performance of “Sexual Healing,” sung live at the 1983 Grammys. This was Marvin’s last worldwide smash hit, eventually peaking at #3 on the Billboard 100 after dominating the R&B charts. There is a lot of tragedy and…