Top 10: Songs about sugar
June 24th, 2008 by Wade Tatangelo in News
Appears U.S. Sugar, aka Big Sugar, has lost its sweet tooth, which could be a very good thing for the Florida environment, particularly the everglades. Then again, how exactly is Florida going to pay Big Sugar $1.75 billion? It’s doubtful anything but crocodile alligator(?) tears will be shed for this bloated behemoth but let’s give U.S. Sugar a playlist anyway. Because, well, I’ve just been waiting too long to unleash my favorite songs about sugar and think this might be the closest I’ll come to a news peg.
Top 10: Songs about sugar
1. “Sugar on My Tongue,” Talking Heads
One of my all-time fave Talking Heads songs. Other than Zeppelin, this is the band I most want to see reunite … and play “Sugar On My Tongue.”
2. “Brown Sugar,” The Rolling Stones
Terrific song but this killer riff/sordid lyric lost its sex/danger appeal — and No. 1 ranking — when it was used to sell kahlua … and Pepsi. Mick, Keef, is nothing sacred?
3. “Sugar, Sugar,” The Archies
Fake band, I know, cheesy, I know, but I love this song.
4. “I Want a Little Sugar in My Bowl,” Nina Simone
Allison Moorer does a fine cover of this song on her latest album.
5. “Sugar Baby,” Dock Boggs
One of numerous gems from the legendary Harry Smith anthology.
6. “Sugar Baby,” Bob Dylan
No one steals from the public domain quite as effectively as Dylan. Click here to read my rather amateurish review of Dylan’s Love and Theft (the album includes “Sugar Baby”), which dropped on 9/11, while I was in college, writing/editing for the USF Oracle and freelancing for Weekly Planet. Yes, I was taking a polite swipe at the proverbial feeding hand. To this day, my esteemed editor Eric Snider and I differ on the merits of Dylan’s past three albums.
7. “Sugar and Spice,” The Cryan Shame
Good lawd, I love vintage garage rock.
8. “Brown Sugar,” ZZ Top
Not a Stones cover.
9. “Blood Sugar Sex Magik,” Red Hot Chili Peppers
Ah, yes, the title track from one of my favorite CDs of junior high (and beyond).
10. “Falling Sugar,” The Palace Guard
Good lawd, I love vintage garage rock.
WHAT DID I MISS?
June 24th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
“Pour Some Sugar on Me” –Def Leppard
“A Spoonful of Sugar” –Julie Andrews
“Sugar Walls” –Sheena Easton
June 24th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
Heya, cool topic.
Don’t forget Sweeter Than Sugar – Joe
Sugar Blues – Ella Fitzgerald
June 25th, 2008 at 12:47 am
“No Sugar Tonight,” Guess Who
“Sugarhigh,” Coyote Shivers (Empire Records Soundtrack)
June 25th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
“Lips Like Sugar,” Echo & the Bunnymen
“Sweetest Thing,” U2
“Hit [Sweet & Low Mix],” The Sugarcubes
June 25th, 2008 at 10:21 pm
Wade, I would have been forced to come down to the CL offices and made you listen to Dylan’s version of Mr. Bojangles, if you added Pour Some Sugar On Me to the list.
June 26th, 2008 at 8:29 am
Hussey:
Thankfully we have this beast of a receptionist who defends me from the pitchfork-wielding mobs.
Someone played me Def Leppard’s debut album not too long ago and I surprised myself by digging it. But all the band’s MTV-era hits, including “Pour Some Sugar on Me,” and far too, well, saccharin for my taste.
Actually, I kinda like Dylan’s “Bojangles,” off the self-titled 1973 Dylan album of covers Columbia issued when the singer temporarily left the label. To the best of my knowledge, the record still hasn’t been released on CD.
http://www.bobdylan.com/moderntimes/albums/dylan.html
June 26th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
defending wade from the masses is not in my job description; its more of a “labor of love” sort-a thing.
June 26th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Thanks, pal.
June 27th, 2008 at 10:44 am
wade,
i added some reinforcing barricades to the front desk this morning to help keep the angry mobs at bay.
June 29th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
Thankfully we have this beast of a receptionist who defends me from the pitchfork-wielding mobs.
Pitchfork wielding or Pitchfork Media-reading mobs?
I always thought Def Leppard was really a pop band. Photograph is a pop gem. Let’s not talk about Mariah Carey’s version of Bringing On the Heartbreak.
To the best of my knowledge, the record still hasn’t been released on CD.
Wade, there is a reason for that. Most people hate the album.
June 29th, 2008 at 10:49 pm
“Pitchfork wielding or Pitchfork Media-reading mobs?”
the “Pitchfork Media-reading mobs” are to busy being snarky assholes to want to get wade. i should know as i’m one of them. if i could just get wade to like Pavement, then he could be one, too.
wade, the force is strong with you, come join me on the snark-side. search your feelings, can’t you feel your love for ‘crooked rain crooked rain’?