Peggy Gilbert 1905-2007

Some old, some new, more Earworms for you. At least one is borrowed and the air is blue because ITunes  just deleted my carefully crafted playlists. Good job I write them down. Ha!! Thanks as ever to our gracious contributors, without whom (etc. etc.) Please keep them coming to earworm@tincanland.com, thank’ee.

Cake – Mahna, Mahna – tincanman: A quirky, good-humoured band playing the ultimate earworm. I win.

Gene Autry- Deep in the Heart of Texas – pairubu: One of my favourite films is Pee Wee’s Big Adventure and this song features in a scene set in Texas. Guaranteed thigh-slapper, (for me at least)!

Etta James – Something’s Got A Hold On Me – williamsbach: Etta James is in the car CD player at the moment, rediscovered during a move.  Turns out both Sandra and I are fans.  Her ’62 Billboard R&B no 4  is amazingly fresh to the worms in our ears.  Stylistically straight outta church with the Amen Corner on overtime, it’s a love song most upbeat, typical of Ms James’ mix-it-up tendencies and summing up the musical changes happening at the time.  Don’t tell S, but it’s top of my wedding playlist.

Be You – Irma Thomas & Dr John – glasshalfempty: A while back Betty Harris went down well with those of you in the wiggly-things-in-the-ears fraternity. So here’s another great N’Awlins songstress, Irma Thomas, ‘The Soul Queen’.  She deserves a wider audience, after only one chart hit in a 50 year career. It was hard to pick just one track to offer. Here she is with Dr. John imploring her man to just ‘Be You’.

Sore – Nancy Bird – barbryn: A year’s supply of ‘Spill points to anyone who can guess what year this was made and what country it comes from.

Manhattan Transfer – On A Little Street In Singapore – ali:  OK, so you can’t beat Glenn Miller. But this reminds me of “waltzing” in the snow with my friend Nicky, outside the Student Union, in unsuitable footwear. Those were the days …

image credit: liubomirt / 123RF Stock Photo

Thirteenth of May – unlucky for some – but not for us, I hope. The following worm cast has no particular theme, other than that the tunes all seemed to fit together somehow. “Themelessly”, you might say, if you had a lisp. See what you think – fingers firmly crossed.

Sailing Day – Bump of Chicken – Sakura: I am a big fan of Japanese indie band Bump of Chicken.  This is one of my favourites by them.  The song is about taking risks and being adventurous. I really like the positive feel and message of it.

The Dharma Bums – Cruel Acres – Rich James: The Bums were a Portland band during the late eighties/early nineties, tipped to be the first alternative band to really break into the mainstream. They didn’t – Nirvana did, and the rest is history. So their heartfelt paens and poignant pop songs about youthful longing were lost and forgotten. This is my favourite song from their debut record. Shimmering guitars and gutsy singing.  And lousy sound quality.

The Men They Couldn’t Hang – The Colours – bishbosh: “And to the masters, we are the rabble, we are the swinish multitude, but we can rearrange the colours of the red and the white and the blue…” Yes, it’s crude and a tad Les Mizzish, but it’s a right rousing tune. And these days, we should all constantly be yelling something similar at Cameron, Osborne and co, shouldn’t we? (And props to the likes of Mitch who are!)

Wild One – Jerry Lee Lewis – RockingMitch: The Killer covering the only rock & roll ‘classic’ to come out of Australia (Johnny O’Keefe). Later re-done by Iggy Pop.

The Bluebells – Cath – BeltwayBandit: Best known for the very catchy “Young at Heart”, there were some other great Celtic influenced pop songs in their canon, and I’ve always rather liked this one. Helpful if you are ever trying to work out how many words rhyme with “Cath”.

Coolio – Gangsta’s Paradise  – Abahachi: One of the very small number of singles that I have ever bought, as I loved this song (and not just because of Michelle Pfeiffer in the video) but found the hair too annoying to contemplate a more extensive engagement with his music…

Image credit: objowl / 123RF Stock Photo

It’s all a bit esoteric in Earwormland, even the pot-head pixies get a mention. Feel free to embrace your inner hippy (Joyce Grenfell voice:  “Tinny dear, DON’T do that”).  All contributions welcome – please send them to earworm@tincanland.com.  Meanwhile, enjoy the bank holiday!

Eleventh Dream Day – Orange Moon – Chris 7572: At heart, it’s a no-nonsense rocker with bog-standard drums. But there’s plenty of other stuff going to elevate it above the commonplace, imho.

Fleet Foxes – Blue Ridge Mountains –  ToffeeBoy: Not, you’ll be delighted to hear, a cover version of the Laurel & Hardy standard, this is a lovely composition and just one of about half a dozen standout tracks from the Fleet Foxes’ eponymous debut album.  What more can I say; it’s harmoniously heavenly…

Frou Frou – Breathe In – Abahachi: For me, this number (from the duo’s only album, in 2002) is the definition of an earworm: not the greatest song ever written or recorded, but a chorus that gets stuck in the head for days at a time.

Lianne Hall – Abandon Ship – GHE: ”This delicate song insists on the truth coming out, as it worms it’s way into our affections. Lianne Hall is a struggling musician based in Brighton, who gigs and records only very occasionally. May even have given up altogether. But has left us this memento of her talent.”

The North Sea Scrolls – Enoch Powell Space Poet - Tatanka Yotanka: Luke Haines, Cathal Coughlan and Andrew Mueller’s performance piece from Autumn 2012. Don’t go round singing the super catchy refrain, it seems weird out of context, and so will you.

The Youngbloods – Darkness, Darkness - Fintan: Gorgeous hook & lyrics that chill.  Major earworm requirements fulfilled I say.

Image credit: ndul / 123RF Stock Photo

Here we are again, the weeks go by so quickly. Here is a little reggae and some R&B to get you off your posterior and doing whatever you do. As always, thanks to all contributors, and keep those tasty worms coming to earworm@tincanland.com.

Joya Landis – Kansas City – Wilemena: Many many covers of the classic chirpy Leiber & Stoller song. This is one that seems to fall under the radar and it really shouldn’t.

Howard Tate – Either Side Of The Same Town – May 1366: Every time I hear this, it’s an earworm for another couple of weeks. It’s unabridged pain, there’s church dripping off the piano keys and it’s an original great enough to turn Elvis Costello into a tribute act.

Tapper Zukie and Brethren – Broad Back Skank – severin: Trojan compilations are wonderful things aren’t they? This one keeps popping up on the Ipod. Bliss.

The Tamlins – Baltimore – Albahooky: Here’s the Tamlins’ version of Randy Newman’s ‘Baltimore’ with what sounds suspiciously like Sly & Robbie on the riddim.

Marvin Gaye – Praise – magicman: From his supposedly tune-free crack cocaine period – this multi-layered uplifting piece of joy dates from 1981 and was written on Hawaii while Marvin was off his chump.  Or not.

Somebody’s Brother – Rhythm Of Life – DsD: Ali’s request for more worms, and a conversation with SOWC about the Sunderland accent happened within 12hrs of each other. Here’s some Mackem dub reggae. Please excuse the wobbly/hissy sound: this is from a 25y.o. cassette tape, itself copied from a knackered 4-track recording of a Leeds pub gig.

Image credit: qifi / 123RF Stock Photo

“In the Spring a fuller crimson comes upon the robin’s breast;
In the Spring the wanton lapwing gets himself another crest;
In the Spring a livelier iris changes on the burnish’d dove;
In the Spring a young man’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love.”

And all that stuff. More lovely mellowness for you; thanks to all and keep them coming to earworm@tincanland.com. Big soppy hugs all round, methinks. Goosebumply!

Rokia Traoré- Aimer – Nilpferd:  I was introduced to this by a recent GU feature on Malian music and instantly fell in love with Traoré’s expressive voice and innovative music, which blends traditional n’goni with acoustic and electric guitars.

Sleep Song – Graham Nash – Fintan:  Fancy a love song?  Here’s one pure & simple.

Sheila Chandra – “Lagan Love / Nada Brahma” – Zalamanda:  She may once have been “Ever So Lonely”, but a voice like that – accompanied here only with a drone – calls for attention regardless of cultural association.

Kirsty MacColl – Dancing In Limbo – Chris 7572:   “She sleeps like a woman when he wakes like a man.” Kirsty’s beautifully-layered voices capture the sadness of a relationship that isn’t working yet continues anyway. I wonder where I put that T-shirt?

Serafina Steer – Disco Compilation – Barbryn:   The third album from this classically trained harpist from Peckham, produced by Jarvis Cocker, is shaping up to be one of the oddest and best records of the year – as this unlikely piece of disco-folk attests.

Colin L. Orchestra – Told Ya (Live on WNYU) – Panthersan:  The last time Mr. L. graced this parish it was as one half of The USA Is A Monster, dividing ‘Spill opinion with “Grey Owl”. This is a world away from that, but just as hypnotically addictive for me. I listened to this song nearly every day for about a month!

Image credit: jager / 123RF Stock Photo

Well, after last week’s aural assault we’re a little more soulful today. “Dry Martini, Madam? Daiquiri? Sex on the Beach? ” “Nah, pint of Leeds Pale please,  shaken, not stirred – and a packet of cheese and onion on a stick.”  Many thanks to all contributors for a totally fantastic slither of earworms to the bank. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, contributions welcome at earworm@tincanland.com. Groove on down, people.

The Honeycone – Girls It Ain’t Easy – May1366: Stand By Your Man gets on board the Soul Train. You may or may not know this but I can guarantee that you don’t have enough of The Honeycone in your life. I don’t. No-one does. The government should bloody sort it out.

Fuoco Nel Fuoco – Eros Ramazzotti – debbym: Eros Ramazzotti is a superstar in Italy, but his nasal singing voice always makes me think of Squidward from the Spongebob cartoons. TheBoyWonder sang one of his songs with his school choir on his Chicago exchange visit (surprise youtube vid thanks to host family!) and now I can’t get it out of my head. (Vid is great, proud mum-ness fully justified: Ed)

Dennis Brown – Love Has Found Its Way – DaddyPig: GoneForeign posted a lovely piece of rocksteady on Webcore’s birthday playlist, and this sprang to mind. Well, I was wondering if spring would be arriving in Britain any time soon… This did trouble the fringes of the UK chart back in 1982, it deserved to do better.

Marlena Shaw- California Soul – nilpferd: A great, funky big band arrangement, combined with Marlena Shaw’s slightly dry and pitch perfect delivery, make this cover version like a sound you hear that lingers in your ear, but you can’t forget….

Ronnie Spector – Don’t Worry Baby – bishbosh: Tinny’s St Etienne Beach Boys cover reminded me of this, my favourite version of one of their songs. According to the blurb on my copy of the promo CD (an EP of covers released on Creation in the late 90s), this song was written for her by Brian Wilson.

Claude Vasori – Drugpop – Beltway: Would you ever believe that few could groove quite like 1970′s French library music composers? Well, after hearing this funky bit of psychedelic-pop-jazz, you’ll be a believer, that insistent little honking sax riff will play on your eardrum like a mosquito.

Big brothers have a lot to answer for

Hope everyone has enjoyed some sunshine at the weekend. Now we’re rocking out again; hope it gets your week off to a good start. If not, send something more to your taste to earworm@tincanland.com. Thanks to Amy for playlist instructions! And yes, I know there are two from DsD, but I chose them by sound and not by contributor. So there.

Van Halen – Ice Cream Man (John Brim cover) – tincanman: What a dangerous combination – one of those classic double entendres from an old blues guy (Brim was an Elmore peer) and David Lee Roth at his playful best. Is it just me or is it hot in here?

The Family Stand – Shades Of Blue – DarceysDad: Remember their Hip-hop/RnB hit Ghetto Heaven? Well this AIN’T it!!!

Twilight Singers – Teenage Wristband – DarceysDad: It takes a lot to make an overweight, balding, world-weary, middle-aged parent feel like a carefree, lithe, indestructible 19-y.o. again. This blast from Greg Dulli & friends can do it for me EVERY time.

Aerosmith – Sweet Emotion – bethnoir: Isn’t it an irresistible slice of sunny rock? Whatever their crimes in later years, this can’t be beat to my ears and that chorus gets stuck in my head for days.

T-Rex – Jewel – severin: They were on the cusp. Not Tyrannosaurus Rex any more but not yet the glam rock stars of Top of the Pops. I think this was my favourite moment of all.

Suki Suki Switch- Urikomi no Jidai – pairubu: A somewhat obscure Japanese post-punk outfit who never recorded a “proper” album, just a series of flexi-singles. This is a short blast of exciting electronic racket. The title means something like “Era of the sales promotion”!

All Fools’ Day

By way of a surprise, Earworms goes temporarily Pop this week … only to be restored to its normal state of eclecticisim by Hanne Hukkelberg, courtesy of Severin. Hope you are having some holiday fun, and watch out for the banana skins. Oooops!

The Walker Brothers – Saturday’s Child – Beltway Bandit: One of the earliest examples of Scott Walker’s songwriting, and it’s a million miles from the heavy doom laden , Brel inspired orchestral stuff of legend or his jagged later experimental work – it’s pure catchy pop, little more than a thin rip off of “River Deep, Mountain High”, but that’s not a bad thing, it’s still pretty exhilarating and as with most records of the period sounds incredible played at high volume through a good HiFi.

Saint Etienne – Wouldn’t It Be Nice (Beach Boys cover) – tincanman: The multiple changes of style are offputting. But when it swings into techno while retaining the finger-snapping catchiness, it becomes earwormy.

Shonen Knife – Cycling is Fun – Beth Noir: You know what, it would be very fun to cycle with these girls, I am quite sure, naive and all the better for it.

Nozomi Sasaki- Papepipu papipepu papepipupo – Pairubu: Fun J-pop number. Bouncy and silly (like me!). “Don’t touch me”

Arrested Development – Mr. Wendal – Zalamanda: Philosphical, mellow and catchy. It’s hip-hop, Jim, but not as we know it. (Well, being open-minded and well versed in a variety of musical genres, we, of course, are quite aware that hip hop is not all shouty blokes wearing goldie-looking chains and boasting about their gansta activity; but this is still atypical.) It was a top ten hit back in ’92, but I haven’t heard it much since then. Until it popped into my head, apropos of nothing…

Hanne Hukkelberg – Ticking Bomb – Severin: I was late catching on to Hanne Hukkelberg but I’m glad that I did. Is it because she reminds me of both of Nico and Bjork? Or because she’s so very much her own self? This is one I can’t get out of my head.

As always, send your stray worms to earworm@tincanland.com

Eggcentricityness

Well, it’s nearly that time of year, so happy Easter holidays to you all … though right now, it looks more like Christmas outside my window, with 10 inches of snow and icicles hanging off the gutters. I am thinking longingly of Spring, so here is some suitably wistful music to eggcite you.  Or not, as the case may be.

Corinne Bailey Rae – I’d Do It All Again – Daddypig: She wrote it after a bad argument with her husband, Jason Rae, but was to record it after his death in 2008.  It’s a passionate song that builds, and I think her voice suits it perfectly – strong enough to carry the emotion, delicate enough to convey it.

Ed Harcourt – The Man That Time Forgot – Beth Noir: I know, I’m a miserable old soul, I like the mournful ballad above all else, but this, from Ed’s new album makes me remember dusty rehearsal rooms from when I was a child and  also makes me want to give him a hug and play it again.

Hanni El Khatib – Heartbreak Hotel (Elvis cover) – tincanman:  This is a rising star from L.A., and one reason – as per this Waitsy/Eitzelly take on an always earworming Elvis classic – is he has no musical fear.

Popol Vuh - Blätter aus dem Buch der Kühnheit – Beltway Bandit:  So a few days back I found myself re-watching Werner Herzog’s “Herz aus Glas”, and Popol Vuh’s expansive, meditative soundtrack has been echoing round my mind ever since, and I’m rather glad it has, it’s perfect for drifting into a calming, lucid state, which has kept me sane in a stressed workplace!

Salif Keita – Bobo – bishbosh: I think this is one of the most beautiful, moving, intelligently written songs I’ve ever heard. The bits where both the melody and the lyrics slip into something reassuringly comprehensible to Western ears get me every time: “Ça fait du bien d’être amoureux, aimé, heureux…”

Micah P. Hinson And The Gospel Of Progress – The Day Texas Sank To The Bottom Of The Sea – DsD: I know, I know: the artist/title is so long there’ll be no room left for blurb, but if you can squeeze this in, I’d be grateful - Oxymoron alert: here’s a wonderfully uplifting downer of a song to lose yourself in. Take your time, you’ve got over eight minutes.

Your Earworms are always welcome at earworm@tincanland.com.

Right you ‘orrible lot. ‘Ear’s a bunch of slightly subversive worms for yer, so don’t play ‘em in front of the kiddies, alright? And the picture’s to remind you that time flies like an arrow, but fruit flies like a banana. So hustle them worms to earworm@tincanland.com – or else.

Deaf School – English Boys (with Guns) – Beltway Bandit: Deaf School were one of the key Liverpool bands of the 70′s, their first 2 albums featuring a potent blend of intelligent Art School Rock and cabaret tunes – and then for reasons that I’ve never really understood (probably record label pressure) their 3rd album moved into a totally different style, a sort of halfway house between punk and reclaimed golden era pop, though it didn’t sit very easily with everything else that was going on. This is a song from this later period – whilst it’s not especially clever (and is effectively a Clash pastiche), it is bonkers catchy.

Shamen – Ebeneezer Goode – tincanman: The “Eezer Goode, Eezer Goode” hooks you quickly and won’t let go until you’ve danced it out. The BBC wouldn’t play this in 1992 because it supposedly promoted casual drug use (E’s are good, E’s are good). It does, it should be noted, also caution that “he’s the kind of geezer who must never be abused.”

Big Hard Excellent Fish: Imperfect List – bishbosh: Flicking through my old 12″s, I came across this: a track I’d not thought of for a decade or two. Written by Pete Wylie, intoned by then-girlfriend Josie Jones (for some reason, I always thought it was Margi Clarke), recorded by Robin “Cocteau Twins” Guthrie, it manages to be furious, hilarious and poignant in turn (and sometimes all at once). 

Eat – “Mr and Mrs Smack”- Zalamanda: It’s about how silly heroin is, I think, but who really cares when the guitar swoops like that? Except, of course, heroin is, like, a really really bad thing. Obviously. They walk like crabs. Why is that? I’ve scarcely heard this song since the 90s but – like any true earworm – it was there, in my head.

NWA – Fuck The Police – tincanman: This is a famous (infamous?) song from the earlier days of rap that you’ve probably heard of but never listened to. It captures the anger of real people in a way that punk and folk did but hip hop never has because it tries to be too poetic (rap for white liberals, I call it).

Faithless – Tarantula – AliM: One of the unexpected benefits of divvying up the CD collection is that you listen to stuff you’d forgotten – here’s some excellent electronica from Faithless. Yes, I did say “excellent” and “electronica” in the same sentence. Help!

No earworms where harmed in the making of this post

Not that I’m advocating cruelty to earworms, but sometimes it’s good to get them out of your head. So if you have any you don’t want, please send them to a good home at earworm@tincanland.com, and they will be humanely recycled onto the ‘Spill. Meanwhile, let us know what you think of this lot:

John Hartford – Late Last Night When My Willie Came Home: It only looks prurient! Hartford devoted his career to learning Mississippi folklore and was a master of the fiddle, guitar and banjo - tincanman

Dan Mangan – Post-War Blues: About a year ago, the Arts & Crafts record label went through a phase of sending me (and probably most of the rest of you too!) a series of free samplers, all of which seemed to include this song. Far too good to be given away for free, if you ask me… but I’m not complaining! - bishbosh

Nickelback – This Is How You Remind Me: From the worst (?) really, really rich band ever, the chorus helped me through a breakup. In difficult situations I still play it in my head and it reminds me to focus on actions not words. - tincanman

Orange Lights – Life Is Still Beautiful: Some re-affirming sweetness for you. Maybe way too saccharine for some. - DarceysDad (You old softie – Ed.)

Dublin Drag Orchestra – Cold Cold Heart: Hank Williams goes classic – in drag!  -DebbyM

Who – Naked Eye: One of the songs that never made it on to the aborted Lifehouse project, it became a staple of their live act in the 1970s. It finally ended up on Odds and Sods, but really, I think, it should have been on Who’s Next. - CaroleBristol

Right then, a bit of a challenge for you this week. Six juicy worms, all you have to do is guess who sent them in. To narrow it down a bit, here are some likely suspects: tfd; tincanman; RichJames; DsD; RockinMitch; Alim; bluepeter; panthersan; debbym; Daddypig; GlassHalfEmpty; Sakura; bishbosh, CaroleBristol.

Thanks to one of my predecessors who put these worms together. Please feel free to insert a red herring or two.

The Safri Boys – Rahaye Rahaye: I have no idea who this is and know nothing of the band, but I love the energy in it.

D J Stephane – Expecting Lightness: Not sure how to justify it really – just a really sweet, laconic slice of electronic bliss. The voice seduces – the saxophone is lovely.

Efterklang – Between the Walls: I had the pleasure of seeing Efterklang live recently, and after the concert, this was the song that I found had wormed its way into my tape loop brain. Efterklang have a nice line in a little known variant of chamber pop – chamber electronica!

Laura Gibson – Milk Heavy, Pollen-Eyed: Quirky? Girly? One of my favourite albums of the year and I chose this track because of its title.

Lenka – Everything At Once: I am sliding down the slippery pole of misplaced nostalgia for a non-existent time when things were simple and tuneful and … damnably catchy.

Cult of Jester – One More Time: OK, I can’t find a blurb for this so this is Ali talking. Kind of electronica / metal, from Indiana, I think. Phew!

Greetings earwormers, on this wonderful Monday morning – of course it’s wonderful, it’s my birthday – “17 in Kilmarnock (never gonna be there again)” – thanks, Eddi. This week, we have five cover versions and some Herefordshire Americana. Thanks to all our contributors, and keep them wriggling to earworm@tincanland.

Apologies if I’m slow to respond to comments, young’un is in and out of hospital at the mo so I’m dipping into the ‘Spill when I can.

Joel Frederiksen – Northern Sky
Normally I would run a mile from ‘crossover’ but these fellas’ voices are melted-chocolatey-gorgeous. Classical musicians covering The Holy Nick Drake? On an album interspersing Renaissance music with Nick Drake songs it works surprisingly well. – DebbyM

Eddi Reader – Never Going Back Again (Queen of Scots)
I’ve nominated this more than once on the mothership. I think it’s brilliant; Eddi relates her move south to England and manages to work in a Fleetwood Mac song both as subject and as part of the narrative. It sounds nice, too. – Zala

Jim Moray – Big Love
I am rather fond of the unexpected cover version. I’m also rather fond of slightly unconventional folk artistes. I think this covers both bases. – Zala

Kathryn Williams – In A Broken Dream
Elegantly spare cover of the 1972 Python Lee Jackson/Rod Stewart classic. I like the original, but I like this too. – Ali

Misers – I Got A Woman
The Misers and I are now big friends so, in case you like them too, here’s a country-tinged one from the new album that’s been going round in my head quite a lot lately. Can a Herefordshire boy sing Americana? You betcha. – tfd

Communards – Don’t Leave Me This Way (Harold Melvin cover)
Jimmy Somerville gets short shrift for his falsetto and to some this cover is a sacrilege, but you’re dancing and singing along aren’t you? – tincanman

Image courtesy of Pixomar/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Well, its all female vocal for you this week.  Sorry, Beth.

One of the good things about being worm-mother (vermater?) is that I would probably have dismissed this week (I’m not mad about female vocal either), but having listened to the tracks several times and tried to get a good playlist together, I can tell you there is some cracking music here. Enjoy!

Thanks to all, and remember to send your wormy contributions to earworm@tincanland.com.

Barbra Streisand – I Think It’s Gonna Rain Today
This is for those straight people who don’t understand the appeal of the Babs. It’s from her new album Release Me, and as always, she’s magical. (btw “tin can at my feet/think I’ll kick it down the street”… not a good idea) – tincanman

Esperanza Spalding – Radio Song
Can’t believe that I forgot this album was released in 2012, and so missed the opportunity to stuff the ballot boxes at the end of the year. This is fantastic in so many ways: the catchy tune, the vocals, the amazing bass, the heroic reclamation of the word “grooving” – Abahachi

Jazmine Sullivan – Good Enough
There’s so many offal “R&B” singers out there, but this one is the real biz. Like many an earworm, this is a great self-affirming anthem you can belt out when no one is around. – tincanman

Laing – Ich bin morgens immer müde
The surprise winner of Prof. Hachi’s beloved Bundesvision Song Contest… OK, it technically ‘only’ came second to a Big Name Act, but it’s been a massive hit. I defy you to keep all toes, fingers and hips motionless when this hits your ears. DebbyM

Love Psychedelico – Shadow Behind
This was the theme track to the really great and exciting detective series “Absolute Zero”  But it is also a typical Love Psychedelico track with a mixture of Japanese and English lyrics so actually no one understands it  ! ! !  But somehow I love the part where the singer (Kumi) sings “And I say to myself that I’m not afraid of love”  If only it was true ! ! ! – Sakura

Yanawaraba – Aoi Takara
Yanawaraba are two young ladies from Ishigaki Island, nearer to Taiwan than Tokyo. The influence of Okinawan music is plain to hear, one of them plays the traditional sanshin, in most of their stuff and particularly in this lovely song about ‘Blue treasure’. – Pairubu

Greetings, ear pickers! Not ‘arf! (Those of you who’ve never heard of Alan Freeman can skip that bit). Well, a fantastic bunch of worms this week, right up my street, so I hope you enjoy them too. And keep them coming to earworm@tincanland.com. Sorry if anyone has been waiting a while, I will try and keep up.

Puncture – Mucky Pup
A real old style worm here. This was played a lot in places like the Marquee and Vortex in 1977. The fine “Angela Rippon” ending was, I think, crucial in its popularity and shows an aspect of early punk that is often ignored by later commentators. It was damned “funny”. – Pairubu

Bobby Bland – Don’t Cry No More
I fell in love with Bobby’s voice after hearing his goose-bumply unequivocally best ever version of St James Infirmary. Here’s a sweet-soulful, grizzly-growlful, bouncy-blues boogie I often enjoy shuffling across the kitchen lino to, with Stan as dancing partner; it’s amazing what nifty footwork you can pull off, dodging a crazy mutt trying to bite yer feet. – wilemena

Dead Exs – All Over You
My favourite new band of 2012, the Dead Exs (http://thedeadexs.com ) know rock and roll needs to be kept unkempt. And muddy ( http://bit.ly/Wcnsod ), if possible. If Dan Auerbach wasn’t so busy telling other bands what to do, this is what the Black Keys might be. – tincanman

Swamp Cabbage – Jesus Tone
I’ve been doing a bit of a Carole this year and scarcely listened to any music (apart from at work). This was my summer earworm 2012 and made me think of DsD – debbym

Besnard Lakes – Devastation
Ambitious, sweeping epic music from the Montreal-based husband & wife indie rockers. No, no, no, not Arcade Fire: the OTHER Montreal-based etc., etc. The wife, Olga Goreas, is the one crunching out the powerchords, husband Jace Lasek is the one fond of Beach Boys-style harmonies. – DarceysDad

Blanck Mass – Sundowner
Tangerine Dream de nos jours but with an undercurrent of darkness, used to striking effect in the Olympics opening ceremony. My earworms have been getting strangely positive feedback in recent months; this should polarise opinion more successfully. – Abahachi

Robert Wolf – Spirit of the Sky
If anyone’s expecting Norman Greenbaum…now for something completely different! I imagine the neighbourhood dogs pricking up their ears at the high-pitched tones in this.   – debbym

Dennis Quaid – Closer To You
From The Big Easy, a bit of a love-it or hate-it selection, probably. Me? I think it’s lovely; very romantic. But I’m waiting to discuss the vocal performance from an unexpected source with y’all.   - DsD

Lucinda Belle Orchestra – Daydream
Lucinda Belle plays the harp and sings and does some quirky cover versions (including Smells Like Teen Spirit) and writes her own songs and wears nice boots. She used to run the family launderette in Balham and has supported Rufus Wainwright and Katzenjammer. How could I not love her?   - Severin

Happy Mondays – Bob’s Yer Uncle
I was driving to work with my iPod on shuffle when this little beauty popped on, and damn it haven’t I been whistling that little flute riff all day and humming that honking bass sax noise, driving everyone around me mad – I hadn’t heard it for a while and I can’t believe I’d forgotten how good it is, yeah, it’s a bit dirty and grotty but what a noise! Perfect.   - BeltwayBandit

PH Electro – An Englishman In New York (Sting remix)
German DJ Paul Hutsch does some interesting adaptations; some are ill-advised but this is masterfully done. It preserves the essence of the original and removes the bits that irk anti-Sting people. (It’s about Quentin Crisp btw, not autobiographical)   – tincanman

Jimi Hendrix – Mannish Boy
Kickass Muddy Waters cover, completely tranforms the song.   - RipThisJoint

Welcome to new Wormherder Ali Munday, who starts next week and has already laid down a challenge: Send in your best worms and test her eccentricityness. [Is too a word!]

01 YUI – es.car ~ Sakura

YUI comes from a very modest single parent family and so of course there was no money for a car or driving lessons, so when she became successful, one of first the things she did was obtain her driving license and buy a car.  She was so happy, she wrote three songs about her car after that ! ! !  This one is about a trip in the car to the seaside and it is very carefree and cheerful  ! ! !  It is really popular at her live shows and there is even a special dance that the fans do to the track ! ! !  I always find myself singing it when  I am in the car ! ! !

02 Icona Pop – I Love It ~ bishbosh

Is there anything better than a couple of girls raucously yelling about how rubbish boys are? I don’t know that there is. Like Shampoo crossed with Republica crossed with Girls Aloud crossed with… oh, you get the idea. Now pogo, goddammit!

03 Minnie Riperton – Les Fleur ~ barbryn

My girls’ favourite song right now is “Up, Up and Away” by The Fifth Dimension, which I have as the opening track on a Big Chill compilation. We listen to it a lot. If I’m lucky we go on to track 2 (Lambchop’s wonderful “Up With People”), and then this classic. Best chorus ever?

04 Phoebe Snow – In My Girlish Days (Memphis Minnie cover) ~ tincanman

Languish in the groove of the highlight of a 2012 Maria Muldaur-led tribute album; few but Snow, who died in 2011 at age 60, could equal the legendary Minnie’s singing and the guitar players she married.

05 Spanky Wilson – Sunshine Of Your Love ~ wilemena

A Creamy classic gawn well funky.

06 Majornas 3dje Rote Med Tomas Von Brömssen – Flickorna I Göteborg ~ Pairubu

Stumbled across this by accident. Swedish Cajun ! Makes me smile every time. What more can you ask of a tune? The title translates as ‘The Girls In Gothenburg’.

As the close-down of the ‘Earworms wiv wilemena’ broadcast has already been announced, I’ll add to that by saying a huge Thanks to all you lovely listeners and contributors. Please send no cards or flowers, but donations to the Earworm Fund would be most welcome.

Best wishes to the next worm charmer.

Greetings Earwormlings,
Wilemena has decided Jan. 28 will be her last as Earworms host, which provides a timely opportunity to review the series and its future. Please murmer amongst yourselves below.

I’ll be Mum in the meantime, and fresh Earworms will pop up Feb 5. I am moving house and look forward to reading your ideas when I get back.

One change I propose is swapping release days with amylee’s 11 to 10 (or whatever it is called). Earworms is six songs chosen for catchiness while the 11 require many extra listens.

01 Alva Leigh – Ordinary Day ~ tincanman

A bright new star from Mississippi, Alva wrote this for her debut album after reading Fair and Tender Ladies, a Lee Smith novel structured as a biography told through a series of letters written by protagonist Ivy Rowe over the course of her life from shortly before World War I until the Vietnam era. http://alvaleigh.com/about/

02 Silvana Kane – Cardo o Ceniza ~ nilpferd

A sensual cover version of a Chabuca Granda love song. Introverted, hypnotic and mournful, but the torch song receives a glorious, Yo-La-Tengoesque lift during the light-filled third verse.

03 Al Wilson – The Snake ~ wilemena

Everything about this classic Northern soul anthem is just fabulous.

04 Siouxsie And The Banshees – The Killing Jar ~ bishbosh

I remember seeing the video for this, the follow-up single to “Peek-A-Boo”, on The Chart Show and loving it. I saved up my pocket money, bought the Peepshow album (on cassette, natch)… and was bitterly disappointed by the rather underpowered version thereon. Here is the more muscular-sounding (far superior) single version.

05 The Death Set – Negative Thinking ~ Pairubu

Currently doing the rounds on an advert this raucous little ditty come courtesy of Australio-American noisemeisters. Sadly Guitarist Beau Velasco shuffled off this mortal coil in 2009 but the band continue in revamped form.

06 Slobberbone – Placemat Blues ~ Darcey’sDad

From the album ‘Everything You Thought Was Right Was Wrong Today’. A song I can’t call an afasarae, because I never actually get to nominate it: whatever the topic it always seems too much of a shoehorn. But what energy! And what an ACE tight horn section, no?

Yao Lee – Rose, Rose, I Love You ~ Severin

From the soundtrack of The Pillow Book, a Cantonese rendition of a love song which always makes me smile. When my nephew and niece were small they used to love dancing to this one.

Brockdorff Klang Labor – No No No! ~ Abahachi

A re-working of classic New Wave electro-pop, in German, with songs citing Guy Debord and Christa Wolf? A secret laboratory in Leipzig has been busy creating a new group to my exact specifications…

The Associates – Country Boy ~ bishbosh

I think it was tfd who accused me of liking odd stuff (clearly, I took this as a compliment). This is quite possibly the oddest song I can’t stop listening to. I can’t think of anything else like it – which strikes me as a crying shame. Billy Mackenzie sure was a one-off.

The Legendary Shack Shakers – South Electric Eyes ~ DarceysDad

Surely a candidate for the soundtrack album from the next speed-fuelled collaboration between Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez. Discomfiting, in a good way.

Juaneco Y Su Combo – La Cumbia Del Pacurro ~ SpottedRichard

Take one Amazonian of Peruvian/Chinese ancestry and his jazz combo, add a cumbia rhythm, some Egyptian influences in the horns, some parrot noises and you have a fab slice of vintage jungle latin funk.

Linda Lyndell – What A Man ~ Treefrogdemon

The only white woman singer on the Stax label, Linda left the biz after receiving threats from the KKK. And if that’s not enough to get you on her side, she has a terrific soul voice and grew up singing gospel in both white and black churches. Oh, and she’s from Gainesville, Florida.”

01 Gomez – Here Comes The Breeze ~ wilemena

I revisited this in RRSA Wind, after a long hiatus, and then it got stuck in my head. The song drifts pleasantly along at first for a bit and just as you’re thinking that’s all you’re getting, it cranks up a gear, kicking up a sexy little groove. It keeps on shifting up, and you find you’re on a bouncy thrill of a fairground ride. Then it stops. Awww! Can I have another go mister please?

02 Moonpools and Caterpillars – Hear ~ SweetHomeAlabama

Unwieldy name, unrelentingly catchy, caffeinated bouncy tune. (1995)

03 7 Horse – Low Fuel Drug Run ~ SpottedRichard

Nothing original here, but it’s fun.

04 Opa Dupa – Cpt. Due Inutili Parole ~ DebbyM

I don’t get to go on holiday for real, so I listen to foreign music and pretend. My Italian is non-existent, prego, but I believe the title’s something to do with useless words, which rather pleases me just now.

05 Marcia Griffiths – Childish Games (w Buju Banton) ~ Tincanman

In Jamaica they call it ragga – reggae made for the dance clubs – and it is a bit sultry so you might want to have a cool cloth handy. Whew, is it hot in here all of a sudden or is it just me?

06 The Mobiles- Drowning In Berlin ~ BethNoir

I have no idea whose idea it was to mix up the different bits of this song into one thing, but I’m glad they did. I love Anna Maria’s vocals, a little bit Lene Lovich, totally catchy, major earworm material for me.

Thanks to SpottedRichard for all her help in passing the worms over to my mucky paws.  Also a big Thank You to everyone who contributed worms to this playlist or has sent them in to the wormbank. Please send me your juiciest worms,  plus a line or two per song on how you got hooked to either earworm@tincanland.com or a wormhole near you. Thank you.

It’s a most wonderful time of the year for killer earwormy songs. In fact, all year we’ve been blessed with some wonderful tunes and introductions to new artists. A collective pat on the back is due, I think?

From me, thank you  to my predecessors Tin, Maki, bishbosh and Zalamanda, for their help and support - each of whom brought unique and special gifts and wonderful and imaginative playlists that I couldn’t hope to match. Special thanks to TinyTin for putting all the songs into the box, and everyone who sent in worms during the year and for this festive edition.

Earworms will be back on JANUARY 7TH with your new wormwrangler, wilemena, in the hot seat. I’ve enjoyed my tenure as the earworms curator for the last six months. It’s been fun, and I’d like to thank you all for your contributions and for tolerating my experiments.

Wishing each of you all the very best wishes of the season, a wonderful Christmas and a very happy and prosperous 2013.

SR x

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1. Public Image Limited – This is PIL

I love the defiance of this. My best comparison is Eddie Murphy’s.”Because I’m Gumby, dammit” Still got a question? We’re PIL, dammit. Google it.

2: Screaming Lord Sutch And The Savages – Don’t You Just Know It ~ RockingMitch

Richie Blackmore played lead on this cover of a Huey ‘Piano’ Smith track. One of Blackmore’s finest moments in my book.

3: Young Heart Attack – Mouthful Of Love ~ DarceysDad

Calling all frogs, calling all frogs – this is your ten-second warning to mute your speakers for the next 3m 40s or so. REALLY potty-mouthed metallic mayhem I-N-C-O-M-I-N-N-N-G-G-G-G-!-!-!

4: The Steve Miller Band – Going Down To Mexico ~ Fintan

“53 Studebaker going for broke” ?  What’s that feel like? 4×4 A/C.  A suspension that takes 100 yards to even out between bumps.  80 feels like 150 mph.  And this song.  Steve & the boys drop the hammer straight off & don’t ease up.  Offered up specially for those only know The Joker.

5: Lia Ices – Little Marriage ~ HoshinoSakura

I sit in my balcony and listen to music as the sun goes down.  This is  my favourite “sun down”  track.

6: Tracey Browne – Kate Rusby ~ Zalamanda

A song about singing. And why not? It’s sort of about celebrity, too – but the gentle sort that the titular Kate Rusby and, indeed, Eddi Reader (who also features) enjoy. As might be imagined from the references, it’s mellow folky stuff, but very nicely done. Quite catchy, too.

A big Thank You to everyone who contributed worms to this playlist or has sent them in to the wormbank. Please send your juiciest worms plus a line or two per song on how you got hooked to either earworm@tincanland.com or a wormhole near you. Thank you.

1: Massive Attack (with Elizabeth Frazer) – Teardrop ~ Tincanman

What makes British music often rubbish or brilliant is that it celebrates eccentrics. For every Radiohead you have a Cocteau Twins. Elizabeth Fraser comes out of hiding this summer at Antony Hegarth’s Meltdown, which is three brilliant eccentricities in one. Here’s a fourth: and a fifth: Fraser with Massive Attack in a tribute to Jeff Buckley.

2: Monozid – Gleis 4 ~ BethNoir

They’re from Leipzig, I think it’s about rails or something, but it’s so bouncy I don’t really care very much, isn’t it fun?

3: Les Rythmes Digitales – Sometimes ~ bluepeter

In 1999 Stuart Price went by the name of Jacques Lu Cont and released the album “DarkDancer” under the guise of Les Rythmes Digitales. (Famous for the ’Dancing Citroens’ music ). This track features Nik Kershaw on guest vocals. Price has gone on to become a respected producer and has worked with Madonna, Killers, Kylie and Pet Shop Boys to name but a few.

4: Stereopony – Be Bop Be Bop ~ Sakura

Stereopony had a tough year last year.  They could not tour as the drummer was ill for most of the year, but this year has been great for them.  They had a great mini tour of the west USA and have been touring in Japan all this year and they released a great album. – More More More.  In this track from the album they seem very happy.  -  You and Me and Be Bop Be Bop  - what can they mean ? ? ?

5: The Who – Bucket T ~ Severin

My American friend Elisa reminded me of its existence, Treefrogdemon boxed the album so I could hear it again (whatever happened to that cassette tape?) and I have been playing it ever since. The Woo go surf crazy. Wonderful stuff. Cue John on trumpet.

6: Jose Feliciano – Adios Amore ~ RockingMitch

I was going through part of my vinyl collection and come upon Bruce Ruffin’s “Rain”. That reminded me I also had Feliciano’s version (which is great) and so I then went on to rediscover “Adios Amore” which always makes me reflective & melancholic.

A big Thank You to everyone who contributed worms to this playlist or has sent them in to the wormbank. Please send your juiciest worms plus a line or two per song on how you got hooked to either earworm@tincanland.com or a wormhole near you. Thank you.

1: Bruce Springsteen – Racing In The Streets (Acoustic Boot) ~ Tincanman

Springsteen’s Racing in the Streets is one of the saddest songs I know, and I’d argue his best. If he’d put the fiddle from this bootleg on the album version it’d be too painful to listen to. Bye bye career, sorry, all your fans have killed themselves.

2: Any Trouble – Playing Bogart ~ Treefrogdemon

Someone on the TP&TH Facebook page quoted the verse from this song that mentions TP, the other day. I love Any Trouble and I’ve known this song for years but I never noticed that…oops. This is the shorter, faster version.

3: The Pirates – Castin’ My Spell ~ RockingMitch

These were the 2nd set of Pirates and this was their first solo record in 1966. They took the song from a version by Johnny Otis and put a completely new spin on it. Originally, this and the A-side “My Babe” were to be recorded by Johnny, but they had laid down they backing track whilst he was away in the Midlands. Unfortunately, on his way back to London, he was involved in a fatal car smash, so Johnny Spence (aka Holliday) took over on the vocals. Mick Green’s guitar is superb, I think.

4: Punjabi MC (ft. Surinder Shinda) – Mirza ~ Chinny

I considered Mirza by Punjabi MC/Surinder Shinda for its bassline last week. Then decided it lacked a sufficiently pumping or memorable one. The song is an absolute belter, though. Its East-West mix is one of the sublimest I know. It’s just so damn epic and portentous! It’s like a really profound, Punjabi power ballad!

5: Hubert Von Goisen Und Der Original Alpinkatzen – Heast As Nit ~ Abahachi

“The young men have grown old, and the old ones have died…” A sad, beautiful song about the inexorable passage of time, albeit sung in an Austrian dialect and with added yodeling.

6: Death In Vegas – Amber ~ DarceysDad

I would call this hypnotic slab of electronic dub one of my all-time favourite songs to lose myself in, whether dancing to it (yes – me! Dancing!!) or lying in a darkened room chilling out.

Thanks for all the recent feedback and to those of you who are already sending your Holiday Earworm songs in.  I plan to post one playlist on Monday 17th December. If there are lots of submissions, I may schedule another. So let’s have ‘em if you’ve got them. I’ll post a cut-off date in a couple of weeks.

A big Thank You to everyone who contributed worms to this playlist or has sent them in to the wormbank. Please send your juiciest worms plus a line or two per song on how you got hooked to either earworm@tincanland.com or a wormhole near you. Thank you.