From 1999(!), please enjoy Blondie, featuring the incomparable you know who up front, and their power pop/New Wave comeback hit "Maria."
I must confess, I'd pretty much forgotten this one, and on rehearing it, I can't get over how great everything about it is, starting with those percussive guitars and the propulsive drumming of the reliably inspirational Clem Burke. As for La Harry, her vocal here is utterly fab -- tonally beautiful, sexy without breaking a sweat, and with an impressive dynamic range (I actually think her voice is stronger and richer on this than on any of Blondie's better known early hits). I should also add that I love the video itself, particularly the very funny ending, in which Debbie catches a speeding bullet between her fingers like some impossible Bowery rock diva version of Superman.
Have I mentioned that I think the whole thing is just fucking great?
But now to business. To wit:
...and your favorite post-Beatles(!) song featuring a girl's name in the title is...?
Discuss.
Oh, and let me reitirate -- when I say post-Beatles, I mean post-Beatles. None of those 50s song dames need apply, thank you very much.
And have a great weekend, everybody!
Easy! “Sweet Geraldine” by the Weasels. Steve Simels on lead guitar.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteTops probably, a tie:
ReplyDeleteSheena is a Punk Rocker - the Ramones
Sweet Jane - Velvet Underground (just barely post-Beatles, I think)
Recent, good, fun:
Angelica - Wet Leg
In the mix:
Ah! Leah! - Donnie Iris
Two in one:
Margaret vs. Pauline - Neko Case
And, well, the Replacements did a cover post-Beatles (does that count?) and it’s probably my fave Disney tune:
Cruella de Vil
1. Richard Thompson - Valerie
ReplyDelete2. Van Morrison - Natalia
3. Bruce Springsteen - Rosalita
- Paul in DK
Love Natalia good one!
DeleteRosalita - Springsteen
ReplyDeleteJanie’s Got a Gun - Aerosmith
Angie -Stones
Bertha - Dead
Stacy’s Mom - Fountains of Wayne
Alison - Elvis Costello
My Sharona - Knack
Help Me, Rhonda - Beach Boys
Gah. "Maria" was over 20 years ago? I'm old...
ReplyDelete1 -- My Sharona -- The Knack
2 -- Sara Smile -- Hall & Oates
3 -- Denise -- Fountains of Wayne
4 -- Romeo & Juliet -- Dire Straits
These come to mind immeidately
Don't think I ever heard that Blondie song before - very nice. Classic Blondie sound.
ReplyDeleteAs to the subject of this post, most of the ones I know have been covered, but:
Amy - Pure Prairie League
Romeo Had Juliette - Lou Reed
I Love You Suzanne - Lou again
Candy - Iggy Pop
Maggie may - rod Stewart. Lola- kinks. Eileen - Kieth richards
ReplyDeleteIris - Goo Goo Dolls
ReplyDeleteBilly Jean - Michael Jackson
Roxanne - Police
Brandy - Looking Glass
Beth - Kiss
Peg - Steely Dan
marginAlt
Caroline Goodbye - Colin Blunstone
ReplyDeleteJenny - Tommy Tutone
Izabella - Jimi Hendrix
Jeanette - English Beat
Amelia - Joni Mitchell
ReplyDeleteLayla - Derek and the Dominos
ReplyDeleteCandy's Room - Springsteen
Bernadette - Four Tops
Martha, My Dear - Beatles
Julia - Beatles
Ruby Tuesday - Stones
Carrie Ann - Hollies
Josie - Steely Dan
Hows About...
ReplyDeleteSweet Caroline
Brandy
LSD
Cmon Eileen
Rhianon
Caroline No
Saving the best for last...since Stacy could be a girls name...
Stacies Mom ;-
rob
Part of this is for Steve
ReplyDeleteWarren Zevon - Carmelita...
Well I pwned my Smith Corona... :-)
And fot those willing to take a deep dive -
Google "David Mallet" -The Ballad of St. Anns Reel
Thank you, I hope that I passed your audition
rob
I'm not playing this game anymore until my no-prize shows up in the mail.
ReplyDeleteBut if I WERE playing, my answer would begin "Jesus died for somebody's sins but not mine..."
"Mary Anne" by Marshall Crenshaw.
ReplyDeleteAlso, "Karen" by Shoes.
ReplyDeleteGeez, I come in this late and nobody's mentioned the Monkees' Valleri?
ReplyDeleteRichard Thompson has several, but my favorites are probably Jennie, Sibella, and Bathsheba Smiles.
ReplyDeleteAimee Mann - Susan and Goodbye Caroline
Chris Whitley - Aerial (pretty clear from the lyrics this is a girl’s name despite the odd spelling)
Kate Bush - Joanni and Mrs. Bartolozzi, both from her marvelous Aerial release
The Smithereens - Elaine, Maria Elena
Steve Winwood - Valerie
Jimi Hendrix - The Wind Cries Mary
Paul Butterfield Blues Band - Mary, Mary (written by Mike Nesmith and later performed by the Monkees)
The Blasters - Marie Marie
The Who — Maryanne With the Shaky Hands
ReplyDeleteDelia - Peter Spencer
ReplyDeleteSteve, Why are you limiting songs to just the Beatles era and later?
Captain Al
I'm late, but here's some for the pot...
ReplyDeleteSuzanne - Leonard Cohen
Jeane - The Smiths or Billy Bragg
Absolutely Sweet Marie - Bob Dylan
Julie's Benn Working on the Drug Squad - The Clash
Mrs Rita - Gin Blossoms
Jolie, Jolie - Graham & The Rumour
Gail Loves Me - Jonathan Richman
Carrie Anne - The Hollies
Maureen - Nick Lowe and his Cowboy Outfit
Loreli - The Pogues
Ruby's Arms - Tome Waits
Finally got around to watching/listening to the Blonde video. The song and video are both great, nice posting!
ReplyDeleteIt's as good as “Sweet Geraldine” by the Weasels!
Captain Al
Can I get an “Amen!”?
ReplyDeleteMarcella Beach Boys
ReplyDeleteDamn Steve - you and I were on the same page.
ReplyDeleteI made my contributions and later thought...Maryanne...
2 posts were enough, but you deserve the "Obscure" Award
rob
ps - Sellout Album ?
Amen!
ReplyDeleteOl' Captain Al