The basic mechanics of programming a killer rockin' pop radio show require the same nuts and bolts one would use to slap together an ultimate mix tape. You want proper flow. You want dynamics. You want pizazz and verve, hits and obscurities, familiar favorites and the pleasant jolt of the unexpected. And you've gotta start with that perfect opening track.
Sometimes your opening track should be something new. Sometimes it should be something classic. This week on This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio, something from the house band seemed in order. The Kinks. It had to be The Kinks. And something else: it had to be The Kinks performing The Greatest Record Ever Made, "Waterloo Sunset."
An infinite number of songs can each be the greatest record ever made, as long as they take turns. To start this show off right, it was "Waterloo Sunset"'s turn. With that perfect opener, the rest of the playlist fell into place. New. Old. Killer. Essential mix tape accomplished. There is science to this magic, magic to this science. Understanding the mechanics sparks the alchemy we need. This is what rock 'n' roll radio sounded like on a Sunday night in Syracuse this week.
This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio with Dana & Carl airs Sunday nights from 9 to Midnight Eastern, on the air in Syracuse at SPARK! WSPJ 103.3 and 93.7 FM, and on the web at http://sparksyracuse.org/ You can read all about this show's long and weird history here: Boppin' The Whole Friggin' Planet (The History Of THIS IS ROCK 'N' ROLL RADIO). TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATIONS are always welcome.
The many fine This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio compilation albums are still available, each full of that rockin' pop sound you crave. A portion of all sales benefit our perpetually cash-strapped community radio project:
PS: SEND MONEY!!!! We need tech upgrades like Elvis needs boats. Spark Syracuse is supported by listeners like you. Tax-deductible donations are welcome at
http://sparksyracuse.org/support/You can follow Carl's daily blog Boppin' (Like The Hip Folks Do) at
https://carlcafarelli.blogspot.com/
Hey, Carl's writin' a book! The Greatest Record Ever Made! (Volume 1) will contain 165 essays about 165 songs, each one of 'em THE greatest record ever made. An infinite number of songs can each be the greatest record ever made, as long as they take turns. Updated initial information can be seen here, and you can see my weekly GREM! video rants in my Greatest Record Ever Made! YouTube playlist.
TIRnRR # 1065: 2/21/2021
TIRnRR FRESH SPINS! Tracks we think we ain't played before are listed in bold
THE RAMONES: Do You Remember Rock 'n' Roll Radio? (Rhino, End Of The Century)
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THE KINKS: Waterloo Sunset (Essential, Something Else)
THE BAY CITY ROLLERS: Saturday Night (Arista, The Definitive Collection)
THE ROMANTICS: When I Look In Your Eyes (Nemperor, The Romantics)
JUICE NEWTON: Queen Of Hearts (Capitol, Greatest Hits [And More])
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THE YACHTS: I Can't Stay Long (Cherry Red, Suffice To Say) SAM COOKE: Bring It On Home To Me (Abkco, Portrait Of A Legend)
JACKIE WILSON: I Just Can't Help It (SRI, The Legendary Jackie Wilson)
THE GOLD NEEDLES: If I Needed Someone (Jem, What's Tomorrow Ever Done For You?) THE BYRDS: The Bells Of Rhymney (Columbia, Mr. Tambourine Man)
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KEN SHARP: Hold Me, Touch Me (single) THE JAM: Beat Surrender (Polydor, Direction Reaction Creation)
KELLEY RYAN: The Church Of Laundry (single) GENE SIMMONS: See You Tonight (Mercury, KISS: Gene Simmons)
THE SAINTS: Demolition Girl (Amsterdamned, [I'm] Stranded)
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BLAINE CAMPBELL & THE CALIFORNIA SOUND: While You Sit At Home And Cry (single) THE BEACH BOYS: Don't Worry Baby (Capitol, Good Vibrations)
BOW WOW WOW: Louis Quatorze (Cherry Red, Your Box Set Pet) X-RAY SPEX: Germ Free Adolescents (Sanctuary, Germfree Adolescents)
JOAN ARMATRADING: Eating The Bear (A & M, Walk Under Ladders)
THE WHITE STRIPES: The Hardest Button To Button (Legacy, Greatest Hits)
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DR. FEELGOOD: Roxette (Rhino, I'm A Man)
CROSBY, STILLS & NASH: Marrakesh Express (Rhino, Greatest Hits)
LINDA RONSTADT: How Do I Make You (Rhino, Greatest Hits I & II)
HOLLY GOLIGHTLY: Sally Go Round The Roses (Damaged Goods, My First Holly Golightly Album) --
RICH CHAMBERS: I'm So Tired (single) THE MONKEES: You Just May Be The One (Rhino, Headquarters)
THE REPLACEMENTS: Left Of The Dial (Sire, Tim)
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THE PRETENDERS: Stop Your Sobbing (Sire, The Singles)
JOAN JETT & THE BLACKHEARTS: Eye To Eye (Blackheart, Pure And Simple)
SQUEEZE: Another Nail In My Heart (A & M, The Squeeze Story)
STEVIE WONDER: Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours (Motown, The Definitive Collection)
MATTHEW SWEET & SUSANNA HOFFS: You're My Favorite Waste Of Time (Shout Factory, Under The Covers Vol. 1)
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THE FLASHCUBES: You Got My Promise (Northside, Flashcubes Forever)
THE OHMS: Chain Letter (Northside, single)
THE RAMONES: Questioningly (Rhino, Road To Ruin)
JOHNNY THUNDERS & THE HEARTBREAKERS: Born To Lose (Jungle, L.A.M.F.)
JOSIE & THE PUSSYCATS: You've Come A Long Way Baby (Rhino Handmade, Stop, Look And Listen!)
THE MODERN LOVERS: Roadrunner (Castle, The Modern Lovers)
TRACEY ULLMAN: Breakaway (Rhino, You Broke My Heart In 17 Places)
LESLIE ODOM, JR: Good Times (Abkco, VA: One Night In Miami... OST)
XTC: Statue Of Liberty (Virgin, White Music)
THE GO-GO'S: La La Land (Beyond, God Bless The Go-Go's)
THE BEATLES: I'm Happy Just To Dance With You (Apple, A Hard Day's Night)
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