Nineties Revisited: Dogs Are the Best People

Original video located here. Accessed 22nd April 2016

Song title: Dogs Are the Best People

Artist: The Fauves

Year: 1996

Why I like this song:

The anthem for dog lovers everywhere.

Classics: Suffragette City

Original video located here. Accessed 26th August 2016

Song title: Suffragette City

Artist: David Bowie

Year: 1972

Why I like this song:

More explorations with David Bowie.

So Ziggy Stardust: The album that made him a superstar. That may be Bowie's defining moment - depending on who you ask - but I did find this song the pick of the bunch. Nutty lyrics and some superb instrumental parts make this the Starman at the top of his game. But, as it would become clear, it wasn't a place to stay....

Nineties Revisited: It's Too Slow

Original video located here. Accessed 18th August 2021

Song title: It's Too Slow

Artist: Hoodoo Gurus

Year: 1996

Why I like this song:

Say what you want about the eighties: for me, it will forever be a golden age for Australian music. And my favorite of this era were these guys. So you can imagine my surprise and delight to find that they were still going in 1996 (proving that this revelatory year had plenty of surprises).

Whilst In Blue Cave has some decent songs, I however opted for this as being the best of this period: A song that was relegated to B-side status. Which is a baffling decision to me. Why was this gem shunted into some corner where it was unable to reach a wider audience? It certainly leaves some of the songs that did make it to In Blue Cave for dead and shows that for a veteran band, there was still some gas in the tank.

Still, I have previously mentioned that i am sucker for a motivational anthem and this is indeed the case here. It has been helpful to have around in moments of self doubt, informing me that, in some cases, if things aren't working out then jt's best to get out of it and to hell with the repercussions.

Obituary: Purple Rain

Original video located here. Accessed 18th April 2016

Song title: Purple Rain

Artist: Prince

Year: 1984

Why I like this song:

R.I.P. Prince

Certainly it took me a while to come around to him but I'm glad I did. And honestly, I can't think of a greater epitaph. So here's to you Purple One.

Nineties Revisited: Novocaine for the Soul

Original video located here. Accessed 15th April 2016

Song title: Novocaine for the Soul

Artist: Eels

Year: 1996

Why I like this song:

I was a weird kid in high school. So Naturally, I would gravitate towards this band.
For me, Eels were, and still are, the ultimate outsider band: Their music gave the impression of being abrasive, cute and demented - often at the same time. And this song truly was a statement of intent.
Indeed, this is one band where one has to be an unhappy teenager to really latch onto. 

Nineties Revisited: Heartspark Dollarsign

Original video located here. Accessed 8th April 2016

Song title: Heartspark Dollarsign

Artist: Everclear

Year: 1996

Why I like this song:

Being a teen in the mid-nineties, Everclear seemed like the biggest act around: They had some spectacular songs and could draw in big crowds. So they made an impression on my teenaged mind - not bad for bad fronted by a guy in his early thirties...
Still credit to Art: he had the experience of a life lived and it came through in his songwriting. And props to him for tackling a lesser-traversed subject as interracial romance. And standing defiant against the forces that would dare split that romance apart. 

The Asian Connection: Soramami Cake

Original video located here. Accessed 4th February 2018

Song title: Soramami Cake

Artist: Oranges and Lemons

Year: 2002

Why I like this song:

As is often the case, this is a fun opening to an equally fun series, Azumanga Daioh.
And hey, when your opening theme has the line 'Goodbye Sadness' that is pretty much a mission statement.