Memory Lane Music

Past Tunes » Behind the Songs George Michael — “Father Figure”: Desire, Restraint and a Slow Burn Listening first Put this record on before you read further, if you can. The best way into any Past Tunes story is through the sound itself: the opening seconds, the voice as it enters, and the way the … Read more

Image credit: CC0 1.0 — CMDavid Some records announce themselves loudly. Others, like “Fernando”: A Ballad of Memory and War, work more quietly, and that is part of their staying power. Listening to ABBA here, you hear a performer who is not trying to impress you with range or volume alone, but with judgement: knowing … Read more

Past Tunes » Behind the Songs George Michael — “Freedom” (Wham!): A Farewell That Was Also a Declaration Listening first Put this record on before you read further, if you can. The best way into any Past Tunes story is through the sound itself: the opening seconds, the voice as it enters, and the way … Read more

Image credit: CC0 1.0 — Eric Nopanen Some records announce themselves loudly. Others, like “Easy Lover”: Two Voices, One Rush, work more quietly, and that is part of their staying power. Listening to Phil Collins here, you hear a performer who is not trying to impress you with range or volume alone, but with judgement: … Read more

Past Tunes » Behind the Songs Eagles — “One of These Nights” “One of These Nights” is the title track of the album that made the Eagles superstars, and it has a darker, more rhythmic pulse than their early work. Released in 1975, and associated with One of These Nights, it belongs to the heart … Read more

Image credit: CC0 1.0 – Photo: Anthony DELANOIX, via Wikimedia Commons (Unsplash) James Taylor – Shower the People The song Shower the People, from the 1976 album In the Pocket, released as a single in 1976, is a record that rewards close listening. In the work of James Taylor, it sits at a point where … Read more

Past Tunes » Behind the Songs Eagles — “Lyin’ Eyes” “Lyin’ Eyes” is a small novel in six minutes: a young woman, an older wealthy husband, and a lover across town. Released in 1975, and associated with One of These Nights, it belongs to the heart of the Past Tunes period, 1970 to 1989, when … Read more

Past Tunes » Behind the Songs Eagles — Desperado (1973): The Album That Made Them Storytellers Desperado is a concept album about outlaws, and it is the record where the Eagles stopped sounding like a promising new band and started sounding like storytellers. Released in 1973, and associated with Desperado, it belongs to the heart … Read more

Past Tunes » Behind the Songs Eagles — “Take It Easy” “Take It Easy” was the Eagles’ first single, and it still sounds like an introduction: relaxed, melodic and instantly memorable. Released in 1972, and associated with Eagles, it belongs to the heart of the Past Tunes period, 1970 to 1989, when this artist was … Read more

Past Tunes » Behind the Songs Donna Summer — “Hot Stuff” “Hot Stuff” is the rock edge of Bad Girls, a song that lets Donna Summer sing with grit over a driving guitar riff. Released in 1979, and associated with Bad Girls, it belongs to the heart of the Past Tunes period, 1970 to 1989, … Read more