TOM PETTY & THE HEARTBREAKERS - A WOMAN IN LOVE (IT’S NOT ME)

Released: June 29, 1981

Charted:  US: #79 

"A Woman in Love (It's Not Me)" is a song by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, released in June 1981 as the second single from their album “Hard Promises”. Despite its moderate chart success the song is notable for its musical contrasts, blending gently melancholic R&B verses with a sudden shift into hard rock. Tom Petty's storytelling prowess shines through, adding a cinematic quality to the song's narrative. The song was co-written by Tom Petty and Mike Campbell. Their partnership dates back to Petty's time in Mudcrutch, where Campbell was recommended by drummer Randall Marsh to play rhythm guitar. 

Donald "Duck" Dunn, a renowned session musician for Stax Records, played bass on this. His impressive résumé includes collaborations with artists such as Booker T. & the M.G.'s, The Blues Brothers, Muddy Waters, Neil Young, Eric Clapton, and many others. He's perhaps best known for his work with Stevie Nicks and Tom Petty on "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around."

During the recording sessions for the album “Hard Promises”, there was anticipation of a visit from John Lennon, which unfortunately never occurred due to his tragic assassination. In homage to Lennon, the inscription "We love you, JL" was included on the master copy of the album and later on every vinyl record. This heartfelt tribute can be found in the blank ring between the grooves and the label on vinyl records.

The music video was directed by Jim Lenahan, who managed the band's lighting during tours. Shot in black and white, the video features the band performing in a warehouse, with smoke and sunbeams adding to the artistic atmosphere. Two years later, The Police released their own black and white video for "Every Breath You Take," also shot in the same location and with the same cinematographer, Daniel Pearl. 

 

TOM PETTY & THE HEARTBREAKERS - DON’T DO ME LIKE THAT

Released: November 5, 1979

Charted:  US: #10 

"Don't Do Me Like That" is a song written by Tom Petty and performed by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Released in November 1979 as the lead single from the album "Damn the Torpedoes", it soared to number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking the band's sole Top 10 hit. The single also reached number 3 in Canada. Regardless of receiving airplay by Capital Radio in the UK during the summer of 1980, the track didn't crack the Top 75 chart there.

"Don't Do Me Like That" was born from Tom Petty's experiences after relocating with his first band, Mudcrutch, from Florida to Los Angeles in 1974. In the song, Petty pleads with a girl not to leave him, drawing from the pain of witnessing a friend's recent heartbreak. While it's not considered one of Petty's deeper compositions, Creem magazine labeled it a "throwaway romp." Nonetheless, the song resonated with audiences, becoming one of Petty's most beloved tracks.

Tom Petty initially contemplated giving "Don't Do Me Like That" to The J. Geils Band, feeling it aligned with their musical style, especially since his band had previously toured with them. The J. Geils Band declined the offer, citing their ongoing album mixing process. Encouraged by producer Jimmy Iovine, Petty and the Heartbreakers decided to record the song themselves. The decision paid off, as the track soared to number 10 on the Hot 100, marking the band's first Top 10 hit.

Billboard lauded "Don't Do Me Like That" for its "strong lyrical hook" supported by dynamic rock instrumentation and an "urgent" vocal delivery. Cash Box described it as bouncing along with a steady beat, engaging hook, and lively production, while Record World praised its irresistible hook.

ROLLING STONES - MIDNIGHT RAMBLER

Publicada: 5 de desembre de 1969

Àlbum: Let it Bleed

"Midnight Rambler" és una cançó que es troba a l'àlbum de 1969 "Let It Bleed". Keith Richards l'ha descrita com la cançó per excel·lència de Jagger-Richards, referint-se a ella com "una òpera blues" i afirmant al documental del 2012 Crossfire Hurricane que "ningú més podria haver escrit aquesta cançó".

Mick Jagger va reflexionar sobre la inspiració de "Midnight Rambler", assenyalant que ell i Keith Richards la van coescriure durant unes vacances a Positano, Itàlia. Malgrat els voltants assolellats, el duo va compondre una cançó fosca, amb canvis de ritme, mentre Jagger tocava l'harmonica en cafès locals i Richards l'acompanyava amb la guitarra.

En aquesta cançó, Mick Jagger adopta la persona d'un assassí conegut com el "midnight rambler", que persegueix la seva víctima amb un aire de delit, similar als assassins en sèrie de la vida real. La inspiració de la cançó probablement es remunta al cas de l'Estrangulador de Boston, on tretze dones van ser trobades mortes, moltes d'elles estrangulades amb mitges de niló lligades amb un llaç al voltant del coll, entre 1962 i 1964. Albert DeSalvo va confessar els assassinats el 1965, però la seva culpabilitat ha estat objecte de debat per manca de proves clares. Jagger insinua el cas a la lletra, cantant: "Well you heard about the Boston..." (Bé, has escaltat parlar del Boston...) abans de ser interromput per un cop instrumental.

"Midnight Rambler" ràpidament es va convertir en un element bàsic de les actuacions en viu dels Rolling Stones després de la seva estrena el 5 de juliol de 1969. La presència intensa a l'escenari de Mick Jagger sovint incloïa córrer i usar el cinturó com a accessoris durant les interpretacions de la cançó. Una versió notable del 1969, amb Mick Taylor a la guitarra principal, va ser enregistrada per a l'àlbum "Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out!". Les versions del 1975, amb Ronnie Wood a la guitarra després de la sortida de Taylor, estan entre les més llargues, algunes d'elles duren gairebé 15 minuts.

Les interpretacions en directe de "Midnight Rambler" durant la dècada de 1960 i 1970 van ser llegendaries. L’actuació de Jagger com a sinistre protagonista de la cançó, juntament amb la seva presència dinàmica a l'escenari, va crear una atmosfera glaçada que va captivar l'audiència. Els gestos dramàtics de Jagger, incloent-hi una flagelació al terra de manera esbojarrada, van augmentar la intensitat de la interpretació, sovint provocant crits de la multitud.

El director de llums de la banda, Chip Monck, va jugar un paper crucial en millorar la teatralitat d'aquestes interpretacions. Monck va dissenyar una estructura de llum personalitzada per a la gira dels Estats Units dels Stones el 1969, sent la primera vegada que un sistema d'il·luminació d'aquest tipus viatjava amb una banda de rock. Mentre Jagger encarnava el paper de l'assassí, les llums brillaven de color vermell sobre ell, accentuant l'atmosfera morbosa de la cançó i contribuint al seu efecte espectacular.

La cançó va reaparèixer en el repertori dels Stones el 1989 i ha continuat sent una favorita en els concerts des d'aleshores. Les interpretacions del 1995 i el 2003 apareixen en recopilacions de concerts com "Totally Stripped" i "Four Flicks", respectivament. Durant la gira "50 & Counting...", l'hoste especial Mick Taylor es va unir a la banda per a versions esteses de "Midnight Rambler," incloent actuacions memorables a l'O2 Arena de Londres i al Festival de Glastonbury del 2013.

ROLLING STONES - MIDNIGHT RAMBLER

Released: December 5, 1969

Album: Let it Bleed

"Midnight Rambler" is a song featured on the 1969 album “Let It Bleed”. Keith Richards has described it as the quintessential Jagger-Richards song, referring to it as "a blues opera" and stating in the 2012 documentary Crossfire Hurricane that "nobody else could have written that song."

Mick Jagger reflected on the inspiration of "Midnight Rambler," noting that he and Keith Richards co-wrote the song during a holiday in Positano, Italy. Despite the sunny surroundings, the duo crafted the dark song, complete with tempo changes, while Jagger played harmonica in local cafes and Richards accompanied on guitar.

In this song Mick Jagger adopts the persona of a killer known as the "midnight rambler," who stalks his victim with a sense of relish, akin to real-life serial killers. The song's inspiration likely stems from the case of the Boston Strangler, where thirteen women were found dead, many strangled with nylon stockings tied in a bow around their necks, from 1962-1964. Albert DeSalvo confessed to the murders in 1965, but his guilt has been debated due to a lack of clear evidence. Jagger hints at the case in the lyrics, singing, "Well you heard about the Boston..." before being interrupted by an instrumental stab.

"Midnight Rambler" quickly became a staple of The Rolling Stones' live performances after its debut on July 5, 1969. Mick Jagger's intense stage presence often included crawling around and using his belt as a prop during performances of the song. A notable rendition from 1969, featuring Mick Taylor on lead guitar, were captured for the album "Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out!”. Versions from 1975, with Ronnie Wood on guitar following Taylor's departure, are among the longest live renditions, some lasting almost 15 minutes.

The Rolling Stones' performances of "Midnight Rambler" during the late '60s and '70s were legendary. Mick Jagger's portrayal of the song's sinister protagonist, coupled with his dynamic stage presence, created a chilling atmosphere that captivated audiences. Jagger's dramatic gestures, including spastically whipping the floor, added to the intensity of the performance, often eliciting screams from the crowd.

The band's lighting director, Chip Monck, played a crucial role in enhancing the theatricality of these performances. Monck designed a custom light rig for the Stones' 1969 US tour, marking the first time such a lighting system traveled with a rock band. As Jagger embodied the role of the killer, the lights would shine red on him, heightening the song's morbid atmosphere and contributing to its showstopping effect.

The song reemerged in The Stones' repertoire in 1989 and has remained a concert favorite ever since. Performances from 1995 and 2003 are featured in concert collections such as "Totally Stripped" and "Four Flicks," respectively. During the 50 & Counting... tour, special guest Mick Taylor joined the band for extended versions of "Midnight Rambler," including memorable performances at London's O2 Arena and the 2013 Glastonbury Festival.

PRODIGY - FIRESTARTER / BREATHE 

FIRESTARTER

Released: March 18, 1996

Charted:  UK: #1 (3 weeks) US: #30 

"Firestarter" was the debut single from the Prodigy’s album "The Fat of the Land." Co-written and produced by Liam Howlett, the track features vocals by Keith Flint. It became the group's first UK number-one single, holding the spot for three weeks, and achieved international success by also reaching the top of the charts in several countries including the Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, and Norway.

"Firestarter" marked the first time Keith Flint provided vocals for The Prodigy. Originally written by Liam Howlett as an instrumental, Flint expressed interest in adding vocals despite not showing previous enthusiasm for singing. Flint wrote the lyrics, which essentially describe him, as "flint" is a material used to start fires. Despite feeling his English wasn't strong, Flint's vocal delivery added a menacing quality to the track.

In an interview with Melody Maker, Keith Flint explained that the lyrics "I'm the Firestarter. Twisted firestarter," were the first he had written for the band. He clarified that the rave rock anthem wasn't about literally starting fires but rather about performing in front of large crowds and stirring them up into a frenzy. Flint expressed his desire to create memorable experiences for the audience, emphasizing the song's theme of stirring people up.

The songwriting credits include Kim Deal of the Breeders, as the looped wah-wah guitar riff was sampled from their track "S.O.S." The drums are sampled from a remix of Ten City's song "Devotion," and the "hey" sample is from "Close (to the Edit)" by Art of Noise. Additionally, then-members Anne Dudley, Trevor Horn, J. J. Jeczalik, Gary Langan, and Paul Morley also receive songwriting credits.

The video was filmed in a tube tunnel at the disused Aldwych station in London, featuring Keith Flint in an American flag T-shirt and a menacing Mohican haircut. The intense visuals drew criticism from the fire service, accusing it of encouraging arson, while tabloids slammed it for frightening young children.

BREATHE

Released: November 11, 1996

Charted:  UK: #1 (2 weeks)

"Breathe" by the Prodigy, released in November 1996, served as the second single from their third album, "The Fat of the Land" (1997). Notably, it incorporates a drum break from the song "Johnny the Fox Meets Jimmy the Weed" by Thin Lizzy. Additionally, the whiplashing sword sound effect is sampled from "Da Mystery of Chessboxin" by Wu-Tang Clan. Similar to "Firestarter," Jim Davies contributed guitar work to "Breathe." The single achieved widespread success, topping charts in various countries including the United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Norway, and Sweden.

"Breathe" stands out as the best-selling single of the band in the UK, with total sales reaching 709,000 copies, including an impressive 195,000 sold in its first week alone. Despite radio play being limited to evening shows, the song garnered widespread popularity. Notably, the Prodigy later recorded a new version of the track featuring vocals from Wu-Tang Clan's RZA. This updated rendition, known as the "Liam H And René LaVice Re-Amp," was produced by the band's own Liam Howlett in collaboration with Canadian producer René LaVice.

The music video was directed by English director Walter Stern and set in what appeared to be an abandoned, dilapidated apartment building. Throughout the video, the band members encounter a series of surreal and unsettling experiences, with Keith Flint and Maxim representing these phenomena, while Leeroy Thornhill and Liam Howlett are depicted as being caught in them. The video features various animals, including an alligator and crickets, which evoke different types of phobias. This visually striking and psychologically intense video earned the band two MTV Video Music Awards in 1997: Viewer's Choice and International Viewer's Choice Award for MTV Europe.