Tuesday Tunes 186: What?

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If you were with me last week you will know that I started a mini-series based on the Five Ws and H – the questions every journalist is taught to ask. Well, those that work for the more reputable media, anyway. I started last week with Who? and this week it is the turn of the second question in the sequence, so here is a selection of What? songs for you. Some of them have been played here before, either in Tuesday Tunes or in other posts, but I think they are well worth hearing again.

I’m starting with one of those revisits, as it is such a great tune to open with:

Levellers are an English folk-rock band formed in Brighton in 1988. They took their name from a 17th century political movement which supported universal suffrage, equality before the law, and religious freedom – pretty left wing stuff for those times. They were among the most popular indie bands in Britain in the early 1990s, and twice headlined at the Glastonbury Festival, in 1992 and then in 1994, where they performed on The Pyramid Stage to a then record crowd of 300,000 people. The band have enjoyed a lot of chart success in the UK and in parts of Europe, but have never cracked markets further afield. I guess they may be too ‘English’ in nature? What A Beautiful Day was a track on their fifth album, Mouth To Mouth, which was released in August 1997 and peaked at #5 in the UK Albums chart, achieving Gold Disc status in the process. It was the lead single for the album, and got to #13 here, continuing a remarkable run of eight hit singles which made the top twenty without ever getting into the top ten. I loved the band and had all of their albums, which were great company in the days when I had the long commuting drive around the North Circular Road in London. They continue to record and tour to this day – their most recent album, Together All The Way, came out last year.

Today’s next tune is another making a welcome return:

What Is Life was originally released on George Harrison’s superb triple album, All Things Must Pass. It was produced by Phil Spector, and there are elements of his ‘wall of sound’ in the recording. That video was released much later – in 2002 – and features Emma Rubinowitz and Esteban Hernandez, from the San Francisco Ballet. I think it’s lovely. It was created following the 30th anniversary remastered release of the album, which I bought on CD despite already having the original vinyl version: it was well-worn! On its 1970 release the album reached #1 in both the UK and the US, as well as in Australia, Canada, The Netherlands, Norway, Spain and Sweden. This song wasn’t released as a single in the UK, having already been the B-side to My Sweet Lord, but it was released elsewhere, and made #10 in the US. This is still my favourite post-Beatles album by any of the Fab Four.

Talking of favourites, how about one from one of my all time favourite bands:

What Is And What Should Never Be was a track on Led Zeppelin II, which was released in October 1969 and got to #1 in both the UK and the US, as well as in several other countries. It sold more than 12m copies in the US, and a further 1.2m in the UK, in addition to further sales worldwide – that’s what you call a hit album! The band refused to release singles in the UK, but didn’t enjoy as much control in other markets: this track was never a single anywhere, though.

A bit of a change in style for this next tune:

Ian Dury had a policy at the time of not including his single releases on his albums, so What A Waste was a non-album single until it started appearing on compilations, and later on a re-release of the album from that time, Do It Yourself. It came out in April 1978 and peaked at #9 in the UK, giving him his first chart hit here, though it wasn’t a hit anywhere else. I’ve always enjoyed his quirky style and clever lyrics, and he was a very good actor, too.

Today’s final song is one which I played as part of my tribute to this lady when she died last year. She has two songs which begin with What, and it was a difficult choice for today. I’ve decided to go with what I think may be marginally the less obvious one, as it gives us a rousing finale:

Tina Turner released What You Get Is What You See on her sixth solo album, Break Every Rule, in September 1986: the album reached #4 in the US and #2 in the UK, going Platinum in both countries. The song was the third single taken from it, in February 1987, peaking at #13 in the US and #30 in the UK. Tina herself was on record as saying that this was her favourite song from the album, and I think I agree with her. She certainly seems to be enjoying making the video.

That’s all for this week: a selection I have enjoyed making, with five songs coming it at a combined total of more than 21 minutes. I’ll see you again soon, so until then stay well and enjoy however you spend Valentine’s Day (tomorrow, guys, if you haven’t bought anything yet!).

Here’s a little reminder 😊

 

46 thoughts on “Tuesday Tunes 186: What?”

  2. Pingback: February | Take It Easy

  4. “What Is Life”! What can I say other than it’s my favorite George song (which is something I say after every George song I just finished listening to). Not a slam against anyone, but there’s just something about his music that reaches me on a level not a lot of other music does. Now back to listen to the other songs…

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  5. Thank you for offering such a wonderful mix of music today. As much as I enjoyed the music of the Levellers and Ian Dury, I can’t help but feel there’s no comparison to the genius of George Harrison, Robert Plant, Jimmy Page and Tina. Of course there’s no question I know the older songs better and have a connection with them. As soon as I clicked on Harrison, my shoulders dropped and I felt my whole self relaxing.

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  6. As you probably guessed, I had never heard of the Levellers or Ian Drury tunes. I like the former much more. I don’t recall the Tina Turner song, but it’s my favorite this week. I can hardly watch the Zeppelin video without getting dizzy with all of the quick movements.

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    • No surprise that you didn’t know those two, and I’m pleased you liked the Levellers. Judging by responses so far that one of Tina’s isn’t well known, which is a little surprising to me, but as I had the album and played it a lot I guess I was more familiar with it. Sorry about Led Zep – I’ll have a word with them 🤣

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  11. A terrific list! The only other one that came to mind was from the album “(What’s The Story?) Morning Glory” by Oasis – then discovered the song itself is just called “Morning Glory!” So what’s the story there?!?!

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  13. Clive, as always a terrific selection of songs and enjoyed this format of the post. I never knew about the history of the word Levellers – thank you for my lesson today! Also, how have I missed this Tina Turner song – a great song, fun video and this energetic ’80s vibe is just what I need to brighten a rainy afternoon!😀

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    • Thank you, Annika. I’m pleased you liked them and the mini history lesson! That isn’t one of Tina’s biggest hits, and I’m glad I chose it in preference to the more obvious one of hers. And I’m happy that she has brightened your afternoon 😊

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