I still have Peter Ustinov’s great performance as Nero in Quo Vadis on my mind. I have the Insult Comedian’s attack on the world economy on my mind as well. I don’t feel like indulging in any tariff talk today, so let’s do something different.
Thus far at First Draft, the dozens have been a Sunday thing. That was not the case when I posted them at my eponymous solo blog. The dozens weren’t tied to a specific day there, so why not try that here?
I give you a baker’s dozen of 12 songs with burning in the title: followed by some burnin’ lagniappe. Is that cheating on the dozens format? Hell, yes. What’s a little cheating among friends?
Anything is better than writing about the Kaiser of Chaos and Reich Chancellor Musk today. Their stupidity is burning me out, man.
The songs are arranged in chronological order and range from 1966 to 2011. That’s 45 years of burning songs
We begin with a venerable hymn as recorded by Ella Fitzgerald. I may be an atheist, but I dig gospel music, especially if I don’t have to lurch to church to hear it.
Speaking of church music, here’s a gospel blues song of uncertain origin tarted up by Hot Tuna.
What’s a burning songs dozen without a hunka, hunka Elvis Presley?
I’m burning to hear some jazz. It doesn’t get better than Count Basie and Oscar Peterson.
Have I told you lately how much I love Oscar Peterson?
Roxy Music’s 1975 album Siren is one of my all-time favorite records. It helped me get through some tough times. I’m no longer up to burning the candle at both ends but I still dig this song.
Burning Rope is an underrated Genesis song from their first Hackett-less albums:
Here’s the song that transformed Talking Heads from a cult band into rock stars.
Let’s get political with the great Australian band, Midnight Oil; known to their fans as The Oils.
Zachary Richard is one of my favorite Louisiana artists. I’ve been burning to share this tune for quite some time. Get ready for the Zach attack, y’all.
Holy relevant 33 year old song, Batman:
Let’s cross the bridge to the 21st Century with Los Lobos.
One more bridge song for the road:
I don’t usually drop Gs whilst writing but I’m burnin’ to give you some lagniappe. All the songs come from the 1970’s.
We begin with Bob Marley & The Wailers with Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer.
Don’t reenact this in your hometown. It’s what Team MAGA wants.
Speaking of biblical references, I give you America’s favorite funksters:
Repeat after me: I love me some Paul Rodgers.
Dolly Parton. Say no more.
That’s all, folks. Writing this made me feel better. I hope reading it did the same for you.