Listen To Adam Levine’s Great “L” Song Along With Keira Knightley!
I was faced with a ton of great options when I tackled “songs or Artists with an “L”, because there are so many timeless classics – but here are some to consider, beginning with one of today’s most successful Artists!
“Lost Stars” by Adam Levine
Adam Levine fronts Maroon 5, hosts “The Voice” and acts as well – like here, when he gives a terrific performance and does a gorgeous rendition of this song from the movie “Begin Again”, which he stars in with Mark Ruffalo and Keira Knightly…
“God, tell us the reason youth is wasted on the young
It’s hunting season and the lambs are on the run
Searching for meaning
But are we all lost stars, trying to light up the dark?”
Here is the Maroon 5 frontman singing the Oscar-nominated “Lost Stars” in the film:
“Begin Again” was one of the best films of 2014 – absolutely terrific – and Keira sings a version of the same song in the film as well, as well as many more terrific songs – it’s a killer soundtrack – you can see the trailer here:
Here is another “L” song – and it’s from a movie as well, but the combo of movie and Artist is not what you would expect…
“Late For The Sky” by Jackson Browne
This classic song from the mid-70’s is actually seen in a clip on TV in the brilliant film “Taxi Driver!”
That’s right, Travis Bickle is watching American Bandstand on TV as Browne’
s brilliant, haunting song is played – and it makes complete sense, as these haunting lyrics could be speaking directly to the psychotic “Taxi Driver” Bickle:
“How long have I been sleeping
How long have I been drifting alone through the night
How long have I been running for that morning flight
Through the whispered promises and the changing light
Of the bed where we both lie
Late for the sky”
Here is Jackson Browne performing the song on a TV show in the 70’s:
Jackson Browne has had an incredible career, and still releases great new music – click here to see a new video that talks about “Winslow Arizona” from his latest album – since he co-wrote The Eagles hit “Take It Easy”:
https://johnrieber.com/2014/11/21/never-running-on-empty-brilliant-new-jackson-browne-music/
Jackson Browne certainly has a 70’s folk rock sound in the clip – in the 80’s, music sounded much different, thanks in part to this band:
“Love My Way” by The Psychedelic Furs
This song was released in 1982 and to me, accurately captures the sound of that decade…
“Love my way, it’s a new road
I follow where my mind goes
So swallow all your tears my love
And put on your new face
You can never win or lose
If you don’t run the race”
Here is the original music video:
Of course, the album was produced by the legendary Todd Rundgren, who aside from having his own brilliant musical career, produced albums from Meatloaf, Daryl Hall & John Oates, XTC and Patti Smith among many others…here is a look at his producing career:
https://johnrieber.com/2014/04/25/hall-oates-meatloaf-funk-todd-rundgrens-top-5-producing-efforts/
Todd also performed with his band Utopia, and one of their concert set pieces may have inspired the next “L” band on the list:
Yes, the legendary Spinal Tap make the “L” list – and why not? They were stars of one of the greatest comedies of all time – and they bring with them a great “L” song!
“(Listen To The) Flower People” by Spinal Tap
Yes, “England’s Loudest Band” started as a “hippie pop” group, and “This Is Spinal Tap” is a hilarious “mockumentary” that begins with the band’s early years:
“Listen to what the flower people say
Ah
Listen, it’s getting louder every day
Listen, it’s like a bolt out of the blue
Ah
Listen, it could be calling now for you.”
Here is the clip from the movie where the band perform this “flower power” hit from the late 60’s:
Later, the band tries a more progressive sound, but their new stage set malfunctions. That’s right, one of their “eggs” wouldn’t open!
As I mentioned, Todd Rundgren’s band Utopia used similar set pieces, and the “Tap” eggs may have been inspired by that early set piece fiasco – read all about it here:
Last but certainly not least, there has to be room on an “L” list for the greatest rock and roll band of all time:
“Hammer Of The Gods!”
Yes, Led Zeppelin of course, and I could have chosen a dozen songs to include: “Kashmir”, “Whole Lotta Love” – and don’t worry, you’ll see “Stairway To Heaven” on an upcoming list, so I had to include this iconic rock classic:
Led Zeppelin – “Immigrant Song”
It all begins with a chant like howl from Robert Plant, then right into these iconic lyrics:
“We come from the land of the ice and snow
From the midnight sun, where the hot springs flow
The hammer of the gods
W’ell drive our ships to new lands
To fight the horde, and sing and cry
Valhalla, I am coming!”
“Hammer Of The Gods” indeed!
Here’s a time capsule – when Led Zeppelin played the song live in 1970!
The greatest of all time – and all of their albums have been remastered with lots of rehearsal material – check it out here:
Let me know what “L” songs I missed!
