The Antithesis of the Murder Ballad: The Swingin', Rump-Shakin' Rocker

I'm oft accused of being a woman of polemic extremes.  I tend to see the world in very black and white terms. I'm either swimming with the dregs at the bottom of the barrel of despair or sailing above the stratosphere on a wave of exhilaration.  I guess it's the only way to temper either emotion.  I would argue it's better to experience the apogee and nadir of emotions rather than meander aimlessly somewhere in between.  So, with that in mind, I would like to provide a counter-point playlist to the previous murder ballad set; a series of rollicking, driving, irresistibly dance-inducing tunes to make you forget about that melancholy, if only for those three and half minutes.  Think of it as a nice hot shower, after an icy walk through the blizzard of misery. Enjoy, fuckers!


Here is the song that happened to come on XM radio this afternoon, that sparked this whole idea.  You may be familiar with the TMBG cover of this tune. Thanks Georgie Boy.  And check out that cover; hipsters only wish they were that cool.

Georgie Fame- Yeh Yeh

Let's stay in the swingin' 60's vein and go surfin' with The Rivieras.

The Riverias- California Sun

 And here's a bit of a slower jam to sway those hips to, creeps.

The Okaysons- Girl Watcher

And one more hip 60's tune to nestle in that manly chest hair with "Double Shot of My Baby's Love."

The Swingin' Medallions- Double Shot of My Baby's Love

Let us now turn to the soulful side of the 60's with Archie Bell and the Drells,

Archie Bell and the Drells- I Just Can't Stop Dancing

Which brings us to the absolute, undisputed king of soul, the incomparable Otis Redding.  As much as he could belt out a soulful ballad, he could turn out a sweaty rocker.

Otis Redding- Shout Bamalama

Let's travel back a bit, to a freaky-good guitar player and just plain freak; Chuck Berry.

Chuck Berry-Maybellene

Let's take rock and roll back even further to its roots in the rolling jazz of New Orleans.

Fats Domino- I'm Gonna Be a Wheel Someday

And keeping it down there in the quarter...let's see those tits, ladies.

Professor Longhair- Go To The Mardi Gras

And because there is no greater music to dance to than zydeco, here's a bit of Buckwheat for yas.

Buckwheat Zydeco- Hot Tamale Baby

Let's go even further south with this sonic upper by Jimmy Cliff. I dare you not to dance.

Jimmy Cliff- Reggae Nights

Reggae makes for a nice transition into ska. Here is a tune we used to listen to ad nauseum back in high school.

Reel Big Fish- Sellout
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEKbFMvkLIc

And then there is the Mighty Mighty Bosstones.

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones- Rascal King
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NxMlG3M40k

Another Massachusetts' band; The Dropkick Murphy's with BRUCE!  Irish-American folk punk plus New Jersey's favorite son equals rock.

The Dropkick Murphy's- Rose Tattoo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRkkStu4__M

And a song for the season from everyone's pal, Julian Casablancas.  I don't care what yo Momma say, SNL sketches make for great rock songs.

Julian Casablancas- I Wish It Was Christmas Today

Then there is the honky-punk sounds of The Old 97's.

The Old 97's- Timebomb
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=is83WB7Ue1Y

There would be no honky-punk without the godfather of rockabilly; Roy Orbison.  Let this song take you away as it builds to the ultimate crescendo.  Feel free to do the jerk on the hood of a car while drinking a nice AMERICAN beer.

Roy Orbison- In Dreams

A little rhythm and blues from Bobby Charles.

Bobby Charles- I'll Even Turn Square For You

And a 70's revival of the genre, from the cult favorite, Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Meatloaf- Hot Patootie

And then there is The mother-effing Ramones.  The baddest, most kick-ass band there is. Not was, but is. The Ramones' attitude is their enduring legacy.  There is something wrong with you if you don't like this; if it doesn't make you want to move.  Seriously.  Get evaluated, asshat.

The Ramones- Teenage Lobotomy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzundJyMw60

In fact, do yourself a favor and buy every Ramones album ever made to rouse yourself out of that complacent stupor.  Open your eyes and fucking feel something.  It sure beats jerking off.