No doubt you've heard my sort refer to a song as a "title track." That is, the song is the same as the name of the album. Last week we marked National Title Track day and it occurred to me that as much time as I've spent in my life listening to music, talking about music, and thinking about music I've never attempted to generate a list of some of my favorite title tracks. This is just one man's opinion mind you. These are in no particular order. They just come to mind. The goal as always is to hopefully turn you onto something you might like.
Curtis Mayfield "Superfly" (1972)
I mean it's the title song of not only Mayfield's 1972 album, it's also the title song for the movie!
Motorhead "Ace Of Spades" (1980)
This song... really the entire album... explains the entire Motorhead ethos. "That's the way I like it baby/I don't want to live forever." There are few who could live the Motorhead life, but if you were wondering how to do it, it can be found on this song/album.
AC/DC "Highway To Hell" (1979)
With few exceptions AC/DC have always included a title track on their albums, and they're all pretty much corkers. It's tough to pick a favorite, but as a church youth group kid this one scared me the most so it must be the best.
The O'Jays "Back Stabbers" (1972)
Canton's own hit the top ten for the first time with this timeless classic. It sounds cinematic.... like it's about criminal masterminds or something, but no, it's actually just a song about a universal experience.
Prince "Sign O The Times" (1987)
There's nothing much I can add. Prince leads off an arresting double length journey with the beating heart of the album's conscience.
Iggy Pop "Lust For Life" (1977)
This song may have gotten lost had it not been for a cruise line licensing it for a TV commercial in the late 90s. My daughter Ana, clad in her Pampers, would pull herself up by the TV and shake her baby booty to it. I already knew it was a great song, but that sealed it!
Bob Dylan "The Times They Are A-Changin" (1964)
I looked it up.... the album came out in early '64, but Dylan cut this track on October 24, 1963... Less than a month later the president would be dead. Nothing was ever the same.
Al Green "Let's Stay Together" (1972)
The old cliche about "singing the phonebook" applies here. I adore Al Green's voice. Further, his arrangements are all so damn cool. So much going on, but always in service to the song. Brilliant! An American treasure who should be celebrated more.
Creedence Clearwater Revival "Green River" (1969)
It's no wonder this band imploded. They released three albums in 1969 alone. Green River was the second. The quality of their material never wavered, but eventually something had to give. By 72 they were gone.
Albert King "Born Under A Bad Sign" (1967)
I love how this song gets right down to business. Ten seconds in.... It didn't take even that long to recognize a classic here. King had been out of the recording studio for five years since his 1962 debut and in those days there was so much happening that five years seemed like 50 I'm sure.
Alice Cooper "School's Out" (1972)
I can't add anything here. After 50 plus years it remains universal. The album cover is also perfect.
Ike & Tina Turner "River Deep Mountain High" (1966)
The vocal melody is one of the greats. Tina Turner's delivery still gives me chills. Spare a thought for Tina as you imagine the recording session with her psychotic husband Ike next to her, and that maniac Phil Spector in the control room. The Aussie punk band The Saints did a cool cover of this.
The Who "My Generation" (1965)
How important was this song to 1965? They cut it and had it in stores two weeks later. It was like a news bulletin. Extra points for the secret message in the stutter. The Mods got it. Of course The Who exist in the form they do in 2024 when Roger is 80 and Pete is 79.
Neil Young "After The Gold Rush" (1970)
You could almost look at this song as the opposite book end to My Generation. The promise of the 1960s was fading to black in front of Neil's eyes. The arrangement is so brittle and spare. The right song doesn't need much after all. I saw him do this song alone on an old pump organ in 1992. One of the great moments of my music life.
Television "Marquee Moon" (1977)
Television were lumped in with the contemporaries in the burgeoning New York scene, but musically they had little in common with the bands they'd share bills with. That's not a knock on anyone mind you. Television had their own sound anchored by the dreamscape guitar interplay between Tom Verlaine and Richard Lloyd. If you haven't yet made time for TV do so. You will not be disappointed. And when you're finished move on to Verlaine's solo career. There's much to explore there as well!
The Beatles "Let It Be" 1970
Not much I can add at this point. A beautiful song.
Cheap Trick "Heaven Tonight" 1978
The band at perhaps their most Beatlesque. More going on here than meets the ear as well.
Blur "Parklife" 1994
I think of Blur and the Kinks the same way. Bands that embrace their Britishness. This song is certainly exhibit A.
The Kinks "Muswell Hillbilly" 1971
From 65 to 69 The Kinks, having run afoul of the AFTRA union, were prevented from touring America. Their albums for Reprise during this era were universally great, but sold poorly for the most part save for Lola vs Powerman. With a new deal at RCA their thoughts turned to America as never before on this 1971 album Muswell HIllbillies. This one is super twangy, but still very much The Kinks.
The Clash "London Calling" 1979
Not just a song. A manifesto. A statement of purpose. Even if they decided to give the album a different name, this essential double lp could not exist without this song.
Echo & The Bunnymen "Crocodiles" 1980
I considered "Ocean Rain," which is certainly a beautiful song from an amazing album. That said the 1980 debut album and it's jittery title song qualify as essential in my book. After hundreds of listens this record still blows me away.
Fountains Of Wayne "Utopia Parkway" (1999)
I've never lived in the region, but whenever I'm in New York or New Jersey my mind wanders to the world of Fountains of Wayne. The songs obviously are all tremendous, but the lyrics almost serve as a travel guide.
Fugazi "Repeater" 1990
It is with deep regret that I never saw this band. I'm sure there was a chance or two at least. It's one I cannot explain. Fortunately their records crackle with the kind of life you'd find at a show. Almost three and a half decades later the impact is hardly blunted.
Robyn Hitchock & The Egyptians "I Often Dream Of Trains" 1984
A beautiful song about just wanting to be whisked away. to " eternity, or Basingstoke or Reading." Such a simple. lovely song.
Lou Reed "The Blue Mask" 1982
This album is the sound of Reed's mind clearing as he sobered up. Some of the record is tranquil and some of it is frightening. The title song seems to be about S&M, but one could almost see it as a man looking in the mirror and hating what he sees. A crushing song.
Soundgarden "Superunknown" 1994
Yes the band explored some pretty melodies on songs like "Black Hole Sun," but this epic howler showcases all this monster band's strengths in one track. Brilliant. Beautiful. Brutal.
Ok well this could go on forever. Let me know some of your favorite title tracks. This I believe is a pretty solid foundation anyway. Happy listening!