Music's Got Me Feelin' So Free

Let’s see what The Shuffler came up with this week.

“One More Time,” Daft Punk
It seems like the right way to look forward to the weekend! The French duo enlist the aid of soul singer Romanthony on this track from 2001’s Discovery. The album is also incorporated into an anime film called Interstella 5555. Daft Punk’s live show would certainly make George Clinton proud.

“Country Boy,” Johnny Cash
A song about the good life: you know, hunting and fishing. But, I’m a city boy. What do I know? I just love how this song rollicks. I can get to that! Here's Johnny and Willy doing the song together. On a side note, Snoop Dogg wants to cover a Cash tune. He apparently feels some kind of “gangsta” kinship with The Man in Black. It makes a certain kind of sense. But what song? I could see him do an urban take on “The Ballad of Boot Hill.”

The way these next three songs work together is one of those amazing random moments.

“Sudden Stars,” Stereolab
Stereolab are one of my favorite headphone bands. They have just been so consistently good over the years.

“Walk Away Renee,” The Left Banke
This is one of the great songs of unrequited love. The Left Banke were an American pop quintet from the late 60’s known for its orchestral sensibility. This was their most popular song. You can trace a line from the Left Banke to an artist like Jens Lekman.

“Moral Kiosk,” R.E.M.
R.E.M. released a live album in October and are working on a new record, reportedly to be released next spring. On top of that, rumors had been swirling recently that Bill Berry was going to rejoin the band and tour with them in 2008. Alas, it is not to be. But we still have vintage R.E.M. to look back on. The quality of the video isn’t very good, but it reminds you that seeing them in a club beat seeing them in an arena.