Best Speak-Singing Songs, RIP Mark Lanegan & Opinions on Spoon
Whether it’s a stylistic choice or born out of necessity, sometimes great songs aren’t sung, they’re spoken. This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot share some of their favorite tracks featuring speak-singing vocals. Plus, they hear selections from the production staff, review the new album from Spoon, and bid farewell to Mark Lanegan.
Spoon have grown into one of the most consistent rock bands around. Their tenth album, Lucifer On The Sofa cements that status.
Best Speak-Singing Songs
Jim and Greg, along with the Sound Opinions production staff, share favorite tracks where the main vocals are spoken rather than sung.
Jim
Peggy Lee, "Is That All There Is?"
Lou Reed, "Coney Island Baby"
Blur, "Parklife"
R.E.M., "Belong"
Talking Heads, "Once In A Lifetime"
Greg
Barry White, "Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Babe"
Grace Jones, "Private Life"
The Fall, "Totally Wired"
Art Brut, "Formed a Band"
Billie Eilish, "Bad Guy"
Production Staff
Sol: Movements, "The Grey"
Alex: Devo, "Whip It"
Mary: Prince, "Let’s Go Crazy"
Andrew: Pavement, "Fame Throwa"
Obit: Mark Lanegan
Mark Lanegan first made his mark with the alternative rock-adjacent band Screaming Trees in the early 1990s. He went on to put out many quality solo albums and collaborations with other thoughtful artists. One collaboration that resulted in three albums was with Isobel Campbell of Belle and Sebastian. That project recorded a session for Sound Opinions in 2011 and we hear a track from it. Lanegan died February 22 at age 57.
Spoon, "Lucifer On The Sofa," Lucifer On The Sofa, Matador, 2022
Spoon, "On the Radio," Lucifer On The Sofa, Matador, 2022
Spoon, "Feels Alright," Lucifer On The Sofa, Matador, 2022
Spoon, "Astral Jacket," Lucifer On The Sofa, Matador, 2022
Spoon, "Held," Lucifer On The Sofa, Matador, 2022
Peggy Lee, "Is That All There Is?," Is That All There Is?, Capitol, 1969
Barry White, "Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe," Can't Get Enough, 20th Century, 1974
Movements, "The Grey," Feel Something, FEARLESS, 2017
Devo, "Whip It," Freedom of Choice, Warner, 1980
Lou Reed, "Coney Island Baby," Coney Island Baby, RCA, 1975
Grace Jones, "Private Life," Warm Leatherette, Island, 1980
Blur, "Parklife," Parklife, Food, 1994
The Fall, "Totally Wired," Totally Wired (Single), Rough Trade, 1980
Prince, "Let's Go Crazy," Purple Rain, Warner Bros, 1984
Pavement, "Fame Throwa," Slanted and Enchanted, Matador, 1992
REM, "Belong," Out of Time, Warner Bros, 1991
Art Brut, "Formed a Band," Bang Bang Rock & Roll, Downtown, 2005
Talking Heads, "Once In a Lifetime," Remain in Light, Sire, 1980
Billie Eilish, "Bad Guy," When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?, Darkroom, 2019
Screaming Trees, "Nearly Lost You," Sweet Oblivion, Epic, 1992
The Gutter Twins, "Idle Hands," Saturnalia, Sub Pop , 2008
Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan, "Ramblin' Man (Live On Sound Opinions in 2011)," Ballad of the Broken Seas, V2, 2006
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