The 200 Best Songs of the 1960s, part 5 of 10
Deep Dives
Explore related topics with these Wikipedia articles, rewritten for enjoyable reading:
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Carter Family
1 min read
The article discusses Maybelle Carter as potentially the most influential guitarist in American music history and credits The Carter Family with originating most elements of country music. Understanding their profound impact on American folk and country music would enrich the reader's appreciation of this claim.
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Frank Zappa
15 min read
The article references 'Let's Make the Water Turn Black' by The Mothers of Invention and notes that Zappa decoded its mysterious lyrics. Zappa's unique approach to rock, avant-garde composition, and cultural commentary would provide valuable context for understanding why his fans are 'a breed apart.'
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The Impressions
14 min read
The article discusses Curtis Mayfield and The Impressions' politically charged music, referencing both 'We're a Winner' and 'Keep On Pushing.' Understanding the group's role in the civil rights movement and their influence on soul music would illuminate the 'political subtext' the author admits to missing.
One per artist. Click those links to hear some good tunes. We’re getting to the really good stuff! FIGHT ME!
(If you find anything I say entertaining or enlightening, please check out the books I write, such as this collection of twenty alternate history scenarios, this new crime thriller novel, or this postmodern Pynchonean filth about NYC in 2003—a historical novel! Plus many more!)
120 Let’s Make the Water Turn Black by The Mothers of Invention (1968)
Zappa fans are a breed apart, and I can’t usually pick up what they’re laying down. There are a few exceptions, though, such as this irresistible little song about the strange pastimes of two young brothers. Apparently some killjoy (named Frank Zappa!) went ahead and decoded all the mysterious lyrics, but I prefer a little mystery here: In my mind, Kenny and his buddies are literally taking water and adding various disgusting household items to it until, you know, it turns black.
I guess the part about burning poots is pretty unambiguous and clear.
119 Trail to Mexico by Peter LaFarge (1963)
A genuine rodeo rider and folk singer, Peter LaFarge died young but left behind a legacy…perhaps mostly of songs he wrote (many of which, including “Ira Hayes,” his friend Johnny Cash later covered) but also of songs he recorded, like this great bitter cowboy ballad. In the great stoic cowboy tradition, LaFarge sounds equanimous despite his hardships, climaxing in a faithless love.
Well, damn your gold and the bullets too!
God pity a woman who can’t prove true.
I’m heading back where the bullets fly,
And stay on the trail till the day I die.
Maybe I’m bad at reading people’s tones (empirically true), but LaFarge makes the experience sound so light-hearted and pleasant. Sign me up!
118 The Shoop Shoop Song by Betty Everett (1964)
I don’t know how had the idea of naming the song after the background nonsense syllables and not for the chorus hook, but it’s a genius move. The shooping is the best part of an already great song! The whole song is so up-tempo that it kind of rattles my nerves, but it really ratchets up in the…is that the bridge? It happens twice…are there two bridges? Well anyway, Betty Everett may as well be defusing a bomb the way I’m on the edge of my seat. I
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