Early in the Morning, I'm Callin' YouTube Vol. XII

Even after all these years, it's still mind boggling that a song sung by Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Ray Charles, Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder and Smokey Robinson, among others, could be so bad. But "We Are the World" is overshadowed by bad lyrics, tacky production and the presence of Huey Lewis, Steve Perry and Kenny Loggins, who are only some of the terrible artists that were there on January 28, 1985. A noble cause (and one that brought in millions for famine relief in Africa), but it's still a horrific song.

It's always entertaining when my Unkie Ken sends me a YouTube video because I know it's going to be something I've never heard before, like Freddie Bell and the Bellboy's "Giddy Up a Ding Dong."

Why can't Tom Waits just tour again?

There's something very entertaining about watching Louis Armstrong and Johnny Cash talk about Jimmie Rodgers, and eventually break into a performance of "Blue Yodel, No. 9." Two men who have nothing in common have everything in common here.

Last week, residents of Chicago were lucky to have five straight nights of Wilco in which they performed their entire catalog. What I would have given to be able to go to those shows, but instead, I'm left scrapping for mp3s and watching YouTube videos, like this one of "Kamera."

From one of the Wilco shows:

Early in the Morning, I'm Callin' YouTube: Johnny and Neil Edition

Johnny Cash singing "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" to a bunch of soldiers in Civil War-era clothes is an interesting sight--and one that sounds really good too. The camp value of Johnny and the soldiers singing the chorus together is off the charts.

Until last night, I had no idea that Johnny did a cover version of "Heart of Gold" because I don't own his album Unearthed. Less surprising is that it's actually quite good--including the guitar playing of John Frusciante from the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Johnny Cash on Seasame Street singing "Nasty Dan" to Oscar the Grouch is just gold.

Many of the finest musical performances on YouTube are by Neil Young, circa 1971, with "Old Man" and "Heart of Gold" leading the way.

My favorite Neil Young song? "Powderfinger," and although this video doesn't sync up perfectly, it still packs a punch that few other songs do.

Lastly, here's Neil singing "The Needle and the Damage Done" on The Johnny Cash Show.




Such great artists.

Five Best..."16" Songs

#5. "Too Drunk To Fuck" by Dead Kennedy's

Went to a party
I danced all night
I drank 16 beers
And I started up a fight

#4. "Jockey Full of Bourbon" by Tom Waits

Sixteen men on a deadman's chest
And I've been drinking from a broken cup
Two pairs of pants and a mohair vest
I'm full of bourbon, I can't stand up

#3. "The E Street Shuffle" by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band

Now those E Street brats in twilight dual flashlight phantoms in full star
Stream down fire trails of silver nights with blonde girls pledged sweet sixteen

#2. "Sixteen Shells from a Thirty-Ought Six" by Tom Waits

I'm gonna whittle you into kindlin'
Black Crow 16 shells from a thirty-ought-six
Whittle you into kindlin'
Black Crow 16 shells from a thirty-ought-six

#1. "Sixteen Tons" by Johnny Cash

You haul Sixteen Tons, whadaya get?
Another older and deeper in debt
Saint Peter don't you call me cause I can't go
I owe my soul to the company store

Five Best...Songs About Rowing

#5. “Rowboat” by Johnny Cash

Rowboat
Row me to the shore
She don't want to be my friend no more
She dug a hole in the bottom of my soul
She don't want to be my friend no more

#4. “Only Skin” by Joanna Newsom

rowing along, among the reeds, among the rushes
I heard your song, before my heart had time to hush it!

#3. “Bring ‘Em On In” by Van Morrison

Row-in boats a-cross the water
Pick them up baby, row them on
Bring 'em on in, bring 'em on home

#2. “Misery is the River of the World” by Tom Waits

Misery's the river of the world
Misery's the river of the world
Everybody row! Everybody row!
Everybody row! Everybody row!

#1. “It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue” by Bob Dylan

All your seasick sailors, they are rowing home
All your reindeer armies are all going home
The lover who just walked out your door
Has taken all his blankets from the floor

Early in the Morning, I'm Callin' YouTube, Vol. II

-By now, most people have seen this video of Kermit T. Frog acting out the Johnny Cash version of the Nine Inch Nail's song, "Hurt." But it's worth posting for all those haven't seen it.

-Giles from Buffy the Vampire Slayer does the best version of "Free Bird."

-A very awkard clip of Bob Dylan at a Chabad telethon in 1989.

-One of the best scenes from this season's Office.

-A live cut of the great Richard Thompson singing "Wall of Death."