Mystery Music Thread

We've occasionally offered Mystery Threads on This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio with Dana & Carl, challenging listeners to identify the specific thread linking a series of songs. This one was something that could only be identified by someone already familiar with us and our show.

THE RAMONES: Do You Remember Rock 'n' Roll Radio?
THE REZILLOS: Top Of The Pops
GENERATION X: Ready, Steady, Go
THE WHO: Pictures Of Lily
STATUS QUO: Pictures Of Matchstick Men
NERVOUS EATERS: Loretta
SWEET: Little Willy
THE BEACH BOYS: Do It Again
THE BYRDS: So You Want To Be A Rock 'n' Roll Star
THE REAL KIDS: All Kindsa Girls
THE MC5: Kick Out The Jams
STATUS QUO: Rockin' All Over The World
XTC: Making Plans For Nigel
PINK FLOYD: Arnold Layne
PEZBAND: Stop! Wait A Minute
CHEAP TRICK: Auf Wiedersehen
THE BAY CITY ROLLERS: Wouldn't You Like It
T. REX: 20th Century Boy
THE RASPBERRIES: Go All The Way
IGGY & THE STOOGES: Search And Destroy
SLADE: Gudbuy T' Jane
CHEAP TRICK: Hello There
THE BEATLES: Polythene Pam
THE DICTATORS: Who Will Save Rock 'n' Roll?
THE FLASHCUBES: Carl (You Da Man)

I think intrepid listener Pete Murray was the first to realize that the titles of all of these songs, in sequence, approximate the lyrics of the final song: "Carl (You Da Man)," The Flashcubes' tribute song to TIRnRR. Only things missing are the chorus, the line "The weekend stops HERE!" at the close of the bridge, and the name-check litany of some TIRnRR artists at the end of the song.

Do you remember rock 'n' roll radio?
Top Of The Pops, and Ready, Steady, Go?
We got pictures of Lily and matchstick men
Loretta and Little Willy do it again

chorus:
He's Carl
Hot Carl
He's a Cicero boy
That's in New York, not Illinois
Carl
Hot Carl
His friend Dana rocks
They're the kings of power pop

So you wanna be a rock 'n' roll star with all kindsa girls
Kick out the jams, rockin' all over the world
Making plans for Nigel and Arnold Layne
Stop! Wait a minute
Auf Wiedersehen

[chorus]

The weekend stops HERE!

Wouldn't you like it, 20th century boy?
Go all the way, search and destroy
Goodbye to Jane, hello there Polythene Pam
Who will save rock 'n' roll?
Carl, you da man!

[chorus]

20/20, Humble Pie,
Spongetones, Shoes, DC5,
Runaways, Cockeyed Ghost,
Screen Test, Jam, and The Most,
Fireking, Enuff Z'nuff,
New York Dolls, and The Scruffs
Outlets, Ohms, and Ramones
CARL!
--
Yeah, right. If your favorite group did a song about you, you wouldn't flip out at all. Not at all.

"Carl (You Da Man)" written by Paul Armstrong, recorded by The Flashcubes. The track appeared on the 2004 compilation This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio, Volume 1, which is available as a digital download from Futureman Records. It is also included on The Flashcubes' 40th anniversary set Flashcubes Forever. Want a copy of Flashcubes Forever? Rhetorical question, so order it awready: 

Send check or money order - payable to Gary Frenay - for $24.00 ($20 CD, $4.00 shipping and packaging) to:

Gary Frenay
243 Arlington Ave
Syracuse, NY 13207

Forever!

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Our new compilation CD This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio, Volume 4 is now available from Kool Kat Musik! 29 tracks of irresistible rockin' pop, starring Pop Co-Op, Ray Paul, Circe Link & Christian Nesmith, Vegas With Randolph Featuring Lannie Flowers, The Slapbacks, P. Hux, Irene Peña, Michael Oliver & the Sacred Band Featuring Dave Merritt, The Rubinoos, Stepford Knives, The Grip Weeds, Popdudes, Ronnie Dark, The Flashcubes,Chris von Sneidern, The Bottle Kids, 1.4.5., The Smithereens, Paul Collins' Beat, The Hit Squad, The Rulers, The Legal Matters, Maura & the Bright Lights, Lisa Mychols, and Mr. Encrypto & the Cyphers. You gotta have it, so order it here.