For many thoughtful recording artists caught up in their merry-go-round careers, ricocheting between record deals, concerts, luxury hotels, late night talk shows, and profound social media posts, there is little time to pause for reflection.
In the Old School days, there were fewer distractions. For several artists, their career ups and downs became fodder for philosophy. Their good fortune, the reviews, the rush of fame, their next haircut. How did this all happen? How did I get here? Am I famous in other galaxies?
Regardless, for many of these cultural icons, rich, famous and otherwise, soul searches became songs. Their fans often clamored for meaning within those deep grooves.
Whether or not the artists ran deep, many felt the need to shout their plights out loud. Perhaps their enlightenment could help the lost-but always hopeful record buying public. Or at least provide a slamming B side.
That’s where we are in this episode. The meaning of life from the rarified mind of the rock star. And the commercial possibilities of said meanings. Professor Mikey here. I’m inspired. Let’s pause for some Reflections in a Gold Record!
A NEW DAY YESTERDAY Jethro Tull (1969)
ETERNITY SPIN Jimmy Spheeris (1975)
ALFIE Cher (1966)
LIVE AND LET LIVE Love (1967)
GRIM REAPER OF LOVE The Turtles (1967)
IN THE TIME OF OUR LIVES Iron Butterfly (1969)
YOU CAN’T JUDGE A BOOK BY LOOKING AT THE COVER Bo Diddley (1962)
BELOW THE FUNK Rick James (1981)
THEM CHANGES Buddy Miles (1970)
MY WAY Sid Vicious
PURE AND EASY Pete Townshend (1972)
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