Cat's in the Cradle- Yusef Islam (nee Cat Stevens)
This one's for the guys. A tale writ across time, of a man so involved in his career that he ignores his son's pleas to hang out, always putting off their time together, always assuring that "we'll have a good time then." Lamentably, and ironically, the son becomes just like his dad when he grows up, blowing off his father in favor of more selfish pursuits. Circle of life, eh?
Landslide- Fleetwood Mac (and others)
Written near the end of her tumultuous love affair with bandmate Lindsey Buckingham, Stevie Nicks writes of symbolically being buried under emotion. The real gutpunches come when with lyrics like "I've built my life around you." Two successful covers have been made, one stripping the instruments and vocals right down to the wire (Smashing Pumpkins) and another ramping those instruments and vocals right up into a sort-of Appalachian symphony (Dixie Chicks). All versions are potent, and best enjoyed after a break-up or just when the world seems a little too sunny and pure.
'97- Alkaline Trio
Does Sir Simon bring up the Trio too often? You're goddamned right he does! Adolescent angst is Sir Simon's bread and butter, and no one does it better than the fine people at Skiba, Andriano, and Grant. Showing you just how long the boys from sour home Chicago have been at it, the title of the track namechecks a year that culminated over a decade ago. The song will resonate with everyone who hears it. Who amongst us hasn't felt the urge to run into the open, raise fists towards the sky, and condemn the universe for treating us the way it has, with the simple assertion: "I don't deserve this." While the universe may not feel obligation towards Sr. Skiba for the inconvenience he's been put through, the catharsis of railing against the unstoppable must have helped him move on.
Note: Sir Simon doesn't cry. He sometimes has stuff in his eyes, so shut up and stop looking at him.
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