Roadrunner: Joan Jett Going Faster Miles Per Hour
Joan Jett sings Roadrunner on the David Letterman show in 1987, switching out The Modern Lovers’ Massachusetts imagery for some New York-inspired lyrics.
In the 1980s, Tom Petty’s Music Videos Could Get a Little Weird
Many of Tom Petty’s music videos in the 1980s were imaginative, visually rich movies that were inspired by earlier literary works. Things get started in 1982 with You Got Lucky,…
Tom Petty: “There’s not a hint of metaphor in this thing”
One morning in 1987, someone set fire to Tom Petty’s house while Petty, his wife, child, and housekeeper were inside it. Everyone survived, but the entire house, except for his…
A Big Time Rider in the Rumble Seat
“I’d buy myself some stylish clothes but I sure hate to pay.” Hard to beat a yellow t-shirt and button shirt. Pennywise positive thinking from the back of the car…
Givin It Up For Your Love – Delbert McClinton
Self-abnegation with cowbell: Delbert McClinton, Live from Austin, 1989
Rock and Roll Christmas Songs
Here’s the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum’s list of 20 “essential” rock and roll holiday songs. The somewhat random list includes Brenda Lee (no, not that song),…