Show Notes
We're going punk with this week's episode, discussing The Dead Kennedy's "Riot". Don't get too angry and break anything while you wait for me and special guest, Matt Summers, to toss our molotov cocktails of conversation through your earbuds.
You can download "Riot" on iTunes, Amazon Music (free with Prime, though it's a live version, not the original studio cut), or Google Play.
No official video, but here's something to reflect the craziness of early 80's punk shows, even if you can't really hear the song.
And, of course, the lyrics: --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Riot" Rioting-the unbeatable high Adrenalin shoots your nerves to the sky Everyone knows this town is gonna blow And it's all gonna blow right now:.
Now you can smash all the windows that you want All you really need are some friends and a rock Throwing a brick never felt so damn good Smash more glass Scream with a laugh And wallow with the crowds Watch them kicking peoples' ass
But you get to the place Where the real slavedrivers live It's walled off by the riot squad Aiming guns right at your head So you turn right around And play right into their hands And set your own neighbourhood Burning to the ground instead
[Chorus] Riot-the unbeatable high Riot-shoots your nerves to the sky Riot-playing into their hands Tomorrow you're homeless Tonight it's a blast
Get your kicks in quick They're callin' the national guard Now could be your only chance To torch a police car
Climb the roof, kick the siren in And jump and yelp for joy Quickly-dive back in the crowd Slip away, now don't get caught
Let's loot the spiffy hi-fi store Grab as much as you can hold Pray your full arms don't fall off Here comes the owner with a gun
[Chorus]
The barricades spring up from nowhere Cops in helmets line the lines Shotguns prod into your bellies The trigger fingers want an excuse Now
The raging mob has lost its nerve There's more of us but who goes first No one dares to cross the line The cops know that they've won
It's all over but not quite The pigs have just begun to fight They club your heads, kick your teeth Police can riot all that they please
[Chorus]
Tomorrow you're homeless Tonight it's a blast
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So, listen, watch, read, and come back this Wednesday for our next episode.
More from They're Playing Our Song
Special guest, Diana Parry-Cruwys, finally gets another chance to pick a song of her very own with this week's "To Be Young (Is To Be Sad, Is To Be High) by alt-country, prolific rocker, Ryan Adams. Not the guy who sang "Summer of '69". We discuss how unlike My Bloody Valentine this song is, how hard it is to pick just one song when you write an album a year, how drugs are bad. Stay in school kids.
Even though she's been our special guest more than anyone else, poor Diana Parry-Cruwys has only gotten to pick one song all on her own. Well, we're making up for it by talking about Ryan Adams' "To Be Young (Is To Be Sad, Is To Be High)" this week. Diana then fell asleep before we could record and I forgot to post the preview blurb...so we're going to be a little late this week. Please don't think this reflect poorly on how much I appreciate my wife's taste in music.
A return visit from Jack Every to the TPOS studio gets us bringing the funk. Noise may be brought as well. Regardless, we spend a pleasant time talking about the amazing Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings' "I Learned the Hard Way". What makes this modern take on the Motown sound so cool? And does anybody know how to make a hang-up click on a cell phone? We're plumbing unknown genres this week, folks! Also, a rare TV recommendation unrelated to music but correlated with deliciousness.
Returning guest and math teacher extrordinaire, Jack Every, returns to ensure the unrepresented genre of Motown gets its due by talking with us about Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings "I Learned the Hard Way", a song I had never heard of before last week. Which is reason enough to listen in.
After comparing our local classic rock stations (RIP, radio), super-guest and music encyclopedia, Chris Hornbostel, and I get into the deep talk about The Rolling Stones' "Gimme Shelter". Buy why is it an amazing song? Not just because it captures the turmoil of the 60's, not just because it's a secretly scary song, not just because of Keith Richards blusey, jazzy guitar, not just because of Mick Jagger's excellent lyrics, not just because of Merry Clayton's virtuouso performance, not just because of Charlie Watts' perfect snare beats, but...well, listen to the episode to find out. Let's celebrate the end of the peace and love era together, shall we?