Friday, October 18, 2024

Le Fine Settimana Essay Question: Special "Oh Right — Like Music is the Universal Language" Edition

Greetings from sunny Florence, Italy, where as you know a certain Shady Dame and I are enjoying a much needed vacation.

And so without further ado -- hey, we've got sights to see -- this leads us to the weekend's business.

To wit:

...and your favorite post-Elvis rock/pop/soul/folk song either referencing a country other than the USA or with lyrics wholly or partly in a language other than English is...???

And in case you're wondering, my nominee -- for obvious reasons -- is this glorious ditty by Oates. (Okay, technically Hall &, but apparently they're not speaking anymore).

Whatever John and Darryl's problems, power pop doesnt come any more insinuating, in my humble opinion. Or should I say "a mio modesto parere"?

In any case -- what would YOUR choices be?

And have a great weekend, everybody!!! Dispatches from the land that brought us Verdi and Frankie Valli resume on Monday, or as unexpected events dictate!

25 comments:

Allan Rosenberg said...

Foreign Girls - Floor Models
Funky Western Civilization - Tonio K (with vocals by Joan of Arc!

Captain Al

Edward said...

Big in Japan - Tom Waits
Anarchy in the UK - The Sex Pistols
Back in the USSR - The Beatles
Oliver's Army - Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Discovering Japan - Graham Parker & The Rumour
I Think We're Alone Now (in Japanese) - Lene Lovich
Denise, Denise (in French) - Blondie
Mickey (in Spanish) - Blondie
Heroes (in German) - David Bowie
Space Oddity (in Italian) - David Bowie

Unknown said...

Oops-- Mickey is, of course, Toni Basil

Anonymous said...

Sie Liebt Dich Beatles
Australia Kinks

Cleveland Jeff

paulinca said...

Lo Siento Mi Vida - Linda Ronstadt
Mexico - James Taylor
just a couple...

paulinca

Anonymous said...

Amsterdam - Crowded House
Bright Future in Sales - FoW

Dave in Atlanta

mistah charley, sb, ma, phd, jsps said...

Volare - Domenico Modugno, Dean Martin, Bobby Rydell

another song in Italian, by English expats in Italy, the Rokes - "Che Colpa Abbiamo Noi" - roughly "it's not our fault" - new lyrics to Cheryl's Going Home [Bob Lind - although I encountered it on the first studio album by the Blues Project]

Anonymous said...

Turning Japanese - the Vapors

mistah charley, sb, ma, phd, jsps said...

also Beatles "komm gib mir deine Hand"

mistah charley, sb, ma, phd, jsps said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Plastic Bertrand- Ca Plane Pour Mo

Bob in IL

Sharon E. Cathcart said...

David Bowie's "Helden" (the German version of "Heroes"

Sharon E. Cathcart said...

And one more ... Emilio Pericoli's beautiful "Al Di La."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwq461GHZGs

Anonymous said...

Peter Gabriel released two albums in German.
Schock Den Affen is one of the singles.

- Paul in DK

steve simels said...

I never heard that one — sounds scary.😎

Gummo said...

Here you go - a favorite of my parents - Connie Francis Sings Jewish Favorites!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVmUGNEcN2Q

M_Sharp said...

“It’s A Long Way Back To Germany” - Ramones
“Today Your Love, Tomorrow the World” - Ramones
“In France” - Frank Zappa w/Johnny “Guitar” Watson on vocals
“England Swings” - Roger Miller
“London Homesick Blues” - Gary P. Nunn, Jerry Jeff Walker
“The Galway Girl” - Steve Earle
“Adios Mexico” - The Texas Tornados
“Blame Canada” - Shiela Broflovsky
“Vietnam” - Jimmy Cliff
“Brazil” - Jeff Muldaur
“Sun City” - Artists United Against Apartheid
“Il Ribelle” - Alex Chilton
“Jerry Lewis In France” - Ben Vaughn

pete said...

Michelle

Jimbo said...

"Mirabelle" Tommy Lorente French as you can get and 12-string Rick all over it. Check out the solo at about 1:50.

Anonymous said...

Jamaica Say You Will by Jackson Brown
Jamaica Jerk-Off by Elton John
Bongo Bong by Manu Chao
( Congo)
China Girl by David Bowie
rs

steve simels said...

Love Tommy, but don’t know that one. Thanks for the tip.

Tinpot said...

Les Rita Mitsouko - Marcia Baïla
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zWlnzFXcKY

Don't miss this! Amazing song/performers/video.

Tinpot said...

PS: Steve; be ready to fall in love. Again.

steve simels said...

I will be checking it out toot sweet — thanks!!!

Robert Albiston said...

Keep on rockin’ captain!