originally published: 02/01/2022
This is an ongoing series here. We are interested in finding out from artists about the five songs that define their life. It's a different type of list than just of favorite songs. We're looking for songs that are deeply personal to the person, songs that motivate them or describe their life in some way. They may wind up being the person's favorite songs, but the interesting part is trying to narrow a list down to just five. It's harder to do than it sounds and it provides a good look into each person. Little King gives his list here.
If you would like to be considered for the series, please email us at: [email protected]
"This is subject to change every 30 seconds. Not a possibility to choose only 5 and die on that hill. Having said that..."
5. "Time Stand Still" by Rush - So, it's no secret that Rush has played a huge part in my life, not only as a musician but as philosophy on how to live well. My favorite Neil Peart quote is, "I wake up every day and say to myself, 'What's the most excellent thing I can do today?'"
This song came out in 1987, when I was 15. I had no concept of the passage of time other than the limited perspective most have at that age. But in retrospect, I think I always KNEW it was gonna be a fast ride. I live that way, and I even made a record called Time Extension at age 25 that was a concept about going back and righting wrongs from one's deathbed. So yeah... maybe more acutely aware than most.
Musically, this is "Rush-light" for sure. The late-80's are a defining era for Rush fans...you either lost interest because of the keyboards and production, or you bought into it and went with it. Eventually loved it as much as "Xanadu" or "La Villa Strangiato." That was and is me.
Also...love the bridge/solo section in 7. Continues to inform my own writing for sure!
4. "Nothing But Flowers" by The Talking Heads - This was from Naked, their very last album as a band. At this point, felt more like a solo album from David Byrne, but this song has Tina Wymouth crushing a bass solo at the beginning over a backdrop of Rainforest Beats. So so good.
But the sentiment of the lyrics makes this a Top 5 for me. "This was a discount store, now it's all covered in daisies." "If this is paradise, I wish I had a lawnmower." The idea of reversing the progressive suburban sprawl into places that I would probably quite literally consider to be paradise in favor of a "discount store" provides a voice to my vision. Thanks, Dave!
3. "Hallowed Be Thy Name" by Iron Maiden - The intro, the lyrics, the flawless vocals from a young Air Raid Siren, the ridiculously good soloing and drumming...the track has it all. I never take a huge break from Maiden, but I have gone maybe a couple years at a time without hearing this track. Every time I come back to it..."They CRUSHED it." Best album closer ever, maybe?
Number of the Beast (the album) was one of the first records I played over and over again...fortunately, the magic translated to my son as well. Picked up Vinyl NOTB at Amoeba in LA last month, and he was thrilled. "Heyyyyyyyya Yeahhhhh Yeah! Hallowed Be Thy Naaaaaaaame!"
2. "Living Like Hustlers" by Above The Law - For the uninitiated non-hip-hop fan, ATL was the spawn of Ruthless Records when Eazy E and Dre were all still cool and working in NWA together. They found ATLin Pomona and released the album of the same name. I was a young Hip Hop novice in like 1990 or '91when this came out, turned onto it by my boy Derek Hildy in Seattle. The rest, as they say, is history. I listen to this album monthly...love the whole record, but this song is the piece de resistance.
1. "My Old School" by Steely Dan - I love the Dan. I mean...they are my #2, I think. This song was chosen from among several songs on several albums...honorable mention to Aja, Royal Scam, etc.
"My Old School" has 2 of the greatest guitar solos ever, I believe by Skunk Baxter. The lyrics are hilarious and relatable, if somewhat ambiguous. With Donald Fagan, you can default to drugs, sex, or both in almost every song. What a seedy and perfectly weird world he creates with his stories! The horn breaks in the song, too...sublime.
Honorable mention to these bands who I left out and would probably cite an hour from now: Zep, Floyd, more Rush, Megadeth, The Beatles, Tupac, John Mellencamp ("Human Wheels" almost made this list), Midnight Oil, Grateful Dead, Snoop (Dog and Lion), Cube, and Infant Annihlator.
Photo by Julius Schlosburg
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