I was thinking "why sixteen?" Well, "seventeen" is not euphonic, and "fifteen" would be pushing the creepiness envelope. The funny thing is, I was 16 when Ringo's cover came out, so it didn't even occur to me it was creepy. It sounded like perfectly reasonable, if wishful, thinking! (The sixteen-year old girls in our high school were only interested in the seniors).
I chose 16 also because it tied into my last one which was number six. Regarding the creepiness factor, I decided to base it largely on the age of the "character" singing the song. If it was told from the POV of a teenager than it's perfectly fine. But if it's Gene Simmons or Iggy Pop (at any age, but in this case, in their 30s) than nope.
I didn't mention this in the piece, but my wife's great-cousins are the Sherman Brothers, who wrote "You're Sixteen" (and hundreds of Disney classics). I met Richard Sherman at my wife's cousin's wedding about 10 years ago. He had the worst hairpiece imaginable.
This was so great. As you probably know, I can't get enough of Sam Cooke. He represents everything a male singer should aspire to be.
I didn't realise there were so many other great tracks with the word sixteen. I've always loved Sixteen Tons and I remember getting ahead of myself when I mentioned it during your "Six" instalment a couple of months ago 🤣
It was you!😄 Actually, I did remember you were one of the Sixteen suggestors! And, yes, Sam Cooke was one of the greats. So many iconic vocalists of that era, many who didn't live to see 30. Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, Donnie Hathaway. Probably more I can't recall.
Busted! I've been patiently waiting my turn. Where's my prize?
Yes, that era was not fooling around with these male singers. Sam and Donny both died at age 33, but still, way too young. Otis definitely didn't make it to 30. Another singer I tend to include in that category is Marvin Gaye, who died at 44.
A great batch of tracks Steve! Not sure I ever heard the Chuck Berry song or knew the story of The Beach Boys stealing it.
Love that Sam Cooke track, haven’t listened to it in a long time, it’s gorgeous.
I’ve never heard the KISS song but the creep factor is definitely high!
I’d totally forgotten the No Doubt song! That would’ve been one of most played albums of 1995 but I probably haven’t listened to it in its entirety for at least a couple decades.
Loved the tracks by Le Tigre and The Heavy, both bands I’d never heard before.
I’d normally have a track or two to suggest for the bonus playlist but this week I got nothing.
I have an inkling of the creepy song you’re planning to cover for your next earworm. If it’s the track I’m thinking of it’s super creepy. I’ve always loved the song, particularly for the chorus. Only in recent years did I actually really hear the opening lyrics and watching the video, it’s extremely creepy!!
Ha, thanks, Mark! Glad to have turned you on to Le Tigre and The Heavy. Both are worth exploring more. I like Le Tigre more than Bikini Kill (Hanna's iconic Riot Grrrl band).
I'm impressed if you have the creepy song for the next earworm guessed correctly. You are probably right, as the video is the creepiest part of the whole thing! It's infamous, and I'll be sharing that video for sure.
You are correct that I should have mentioned Merle Travis as the original author. I'll have to play "Dark as a Dungeon" as I'm not familiar with it, at least by title. Sounds like TEF liked Travis' songs quite a bit!
From the linked article, "Ford and Travis knew each other from the recording of Ford’s first album, on which Travis played the guitar. As support for his friend and a general love for the song, Ernie performed [Sixteen Tons] on his daily NBC television show, resulting in a huge amount of fan mail focused on this song."
I really like Kathy's slowed down, more emotional version of Dark as a Dungeon. I wasn't familiar with the song, so it was my first time with both. I also had never known about The Ford Show so that was cool to see. I subscribed to the TEF YouTube channel. His show was daily? That's wild. I miss the days of variety shows. Maybe they will make a comeback.
Huh, I hadn't realized that Tennessee Ernie Ford also covered "Dark As a Dungeon" -- a nice version and a very different performance energy than 16 tons. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqYoKS6FvHQ
Loving this list. And yes, the problem with writing about high school girls is that you get older and they stay the same age (can you place the quote?).
This is song #5 in the list....unless you are mentioning your favorite, not suggesting a bonus song....don't wanna accuse you of not reading 1/3 of the way through. 😂
Ernie Ford was born and raised in Tennessee, so, like many blues singers (e.g. Mississippi John Hurt), he used it as a reference point for people so they would know where he hailed from.
IGGY!
Wow! What a list. Thanks for filling up my Monday morning playlist!
#17-Sixteen Forever by the Dictators.
Nice! That one didn’t appear on any of my searches. Adding it now.
I was thinking "why sixteen?" Well, "seventeen" is not euphonic, and "fifteen" would be pushing the creepiness envelope. The funny thing is, I was 16 when Ringo's cover came out, so it didn't even occur to me it was creepy. It sounded like perfectly reasonable, if wishful, thinking! (The sixteen-year old girls in our high school were only interested in the seniors).
I chose 16 also because it tied into my last one which was number six. Regarding the creepiness factor, I decided to base it largely on the age of the "character" singing the song. If it was told from the POV of a teenager than it's perfectly fine. But if it's Gene Simmons or Iggy Pop (at any age, but in this case, in their 30s) than nope.
I didn't mention this in the piece, but my wife's great-cousins are the Sherman Brothers, who wrote "You're Sixteen" (and hundreds of Disney classics). I met Richard Sherman at my wife's cousin's wedding about 10 years ago. He had the worst hairpiece imaginable.
I do have to admit, Iggy's performance was great. He's just Iggy.
Hell yeah it’s great. I had a plethora of fantastic performances to choose from him, covering 30 years.
Sixteen Blue is my favorite on the list
This was so great. As you probably know, I can't get enough of Sam Cooke. He represents everything a male singer should aspire to be.
I didn't realise there were so many other great tracks with the word sixteen. I've always loved Sixteen Tons and I remember getting ahead of myself when I mentioned it during your "Six" instalment a couple of months ago 🤣
It was you!😄 Actually, I did remember you were one of the Sixteen suggestors! And, yes, Sam Cooke was one of the greats. So many iconic vocalists of that era, many who didn't live to see 30. Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, Donnie Hathaway. Probably more I can't recall.
Busted! I've been patiently waiting my turn. Where's my prize?
Yes, that era was not fooling around with these male singers. Sam and Donny both died at age 33, but still, way too young. Otis definitely didn't make it to 30. Another singer I tend to include in that category is Marvin Gaye, who died at 44.
A great batch of tracks Steve! Not sure I ever heard the Chuck Berry song or knew the story of The Beach Boys stealing it.
Love that Sam Cooke track, haven’t listened to it in a long time, it’s gorgeous.
I’ve never heard the KISS song but the creep factor is definitely high!
I’d totally forgotten the No Doubt song! That would’ve been one of most played albums of 1995 but I probably haven’t listened to it in its entirety for at least a couple decades.
Loved the tracks by Le Tigre and The Heavy, both bands I’d never heard before.
I’d normally have a track or two to suggest for the bonus playlist but this week I got nothing.
I have an inkling of the creepy song you’re planning to cover for your next earworm. If it’s the track I’m thinking of it’s super creepy. I’ve always loved the song, particularly for the chorus. Only in recent years did I actually really hear the opening lyrics and watching the video, it’s extremely creepy!!
Ha, thanks, Mark! Glad to have turned you on to Le Tigre and The Heavy. Both are worth exploring more. I like Le Tigre more than Bikini Kill (Hanna's iconic Riot Grrrl band).
I'm impressed if you have the creepy song for the next earworm guessed correctly. You are probably right, as the video is the creepiest part of the whole thing! It's infamous, and I'll be sharing that video for sure.
That is a great list. I love your write-ups for the Replacements and No Doubt songs.
My one note is that, for "Sixteen Tons" it's worth giving a nod to Merle Travis who wrote it (and also wrote "Dark as a Dungeon"). A nice write-up here (along with a bunch of different versions that I'd never heard): https://birthplaceofcountrymusic.org/sixteen-tons-merle-travis-tennessee-ernie-ford-beyond/
You are correct that I should have mentioned Merle Travis as the original author. I'll have to play "Dark as a Dungeon" as I'm not familiar with it, at least by title. Sounds like TEF liked Travis' songs quite a bit!
From the linked article, "Ford and Travis knew each other from the recording of Ford’s first album, on which Travis played the guitar. As support for his friend and a general love for the song, Ernie performed [Sixteen Tons] on his daily NBC television show, resulting in a huge amount of fan mail focused on this song."
Also, if you listen to TEF sing Dark as a Dungeon, I recommend also listening to Kathy Mattea's 2008 cover: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvFGKDYY8tA
I really like Kathy's slowed down, more emotional version of Dark as a Dungeon. I wasn't familiar with the song, so it was my first time with both. I also had never known about The Ford Show so that was cool to see. I subscribed to the TEF YouTube channel. His show was daily? That's wild. I miss the days of variety shows. Maybe they will make a comeback.
That's great. It is wild that he had a daily show.
I'm glad you liked Kathy's version, she's a good singer, and I agree that the song supports that emotional weight.
Huh, I hadn't realized that Tennessee Ernie Ford also covered "Dark As a Dungeon" -- a nice version and a very different performance energy than 16 tons. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqYoKS6FvHQ
Great list. I love the Jack White song most.
Loving this list. And yes, the problem with writing about high school girls is that you get older and they stay the same age (can you place the quote?).
All right, all right, all right.
Of course! It’s from your town, I believe! And instead of problem, Mr. McConaughey describes it as a benefit!
Perfecto! 😄😄😄😄
Low hanging fruit my friend
I am 16 going on 17 - Rodgers and Hammerstein “The Sound of Music”🎵
Let’s forget Rolph or Rolf is a nazi per the story
https://youtu.be/hwK_WOXjfc0?si=K0TGN1-d4h5HsTV4
This is song #5 in the list....unless you are mentioning your favorite, not suggesting a bonus song....don't wanna accuse you of not reading 1/3 of the way through. 😂
Who the heck calls out the actors /singers names as opposed to the composers?
But really I was just questioning why it’s only #5 on the list
It's listed mostly chronologically, not by order of favorites
I think you covered them all this time! My husband loves "Sweet Sixteen." I'm not sure what that says about him...
That you are perpetually youthful?
Maybe! Interestingly, we are sixteen years apart!
Ernie Ford was born and raised in Tennessee, so, like many blues singers (e.g. Mississippi John Hurt), he used it as a reference point for people so they would know where he hailed from.