I can't let you go

I have to say, for a 19-year-old Sean Kingston sure does have a lot of hits. And I often hate to say it but I really enjoy his music. I mean how can I not get pumped up listening to "Beautiful Girl," hate to say it but the song is pretty flawless-and for his age, Kingston has a TON of hits. However his music isn't totally original (and that was actually to my modest surprise). As I drove through the streets of my fair suburb of Boston, the DJ announced he would be playing a small block of Led Zeppelin at the request of one of the listeners. Music ensued, it was a song I had never heard before, starting with a short DUB beat.

"Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh you don't have to go..." belted out Zep lead singer Robert Plant. I knew this from somewhere...oh yeah, "Me Love" by Sean Kingston. And I'll be honest I was a little surprised-I could see M.I.A. stealing a classic rock lick (see my earlier post about The Clash's "Straight To Hell") but Kingston? My favorite budding artist-blasphemy! To be honest once again I prefer the song sampled to the song that used it. "D'yer Mak'er" was released in 1973 on the album House Of The Holy.

What I love about the song is that it is such a major departure from the rest of their music. Yes, it does have those rockin' guitar licks and it does have the Zep sound, but it also has this Jamaican Dub flavor that you don't often hear on these rock tracks. It seems like a prelude to bands like The Police, The Clash, and even newer bands like No Doubt. Just another example of the music of yesteryear paving the way for the future. And on that note, enjoy the tracks.

"D'yer Mak'er" by Led Zeppelin from House Of The Holy (1973)

"Me Love" by Sean Kingston from Sean Kingston (2007)

-S

I like the way that you walk

For tonight I have a pretty old song. I just heard that it was used in Apocalypse Now which my brother just watched for his film class. The song is by Creedence Clearwater Revival, and the song is "Susie Q." I'm think I'm starting to head back to the roots of my musical taste. My dad started me off right I think on classic rock and great rock and roll guitar solos, with bands like The Beatles, Hendrix, and Led Zeppelin.

The song is totally amazing. It starts out with this little drum intro and one of the sexiest guitar hooks I have ever heard (that is the only way to describe it). I wouldn't say that the lyrics are amazing, but they get really catching-a great driving song if I have ever heard one. I have listened to a decent amount of CCR but I think this sounds more like a Doors song of the late 60's but they really make it theirs. What I didn't know about this song though is that it was originally done by Dale Hawkins in '57. It seems like a lot of the classic rock songs that I'm listening to these days aren't done by who I thought they were (see also: "Hound Dog" originally done by Big Mama Thorton). I can't say I like the original as much, but the cover version done by CCR is amazing. Enjoy!

"Susie Q" covered by Credence Clearwater Revival from Creedence Clearwater Revival (1968)

"Susie Q" by Dale Hawkins (1957)

-S