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1. Neko Case, “Thrice All American.” Neko’s love song to Tacoma — where my family lived for a year when I was about eight.  Can’t say that I ever loved the place the same way that Neko (or her singing persona) does.  My main memories are of being an awkward, gawky kid who was an unwilling teacher’s pet . . . and got picked on a helluva lot as a result.  Ah, sweet youth!
2. Marilyn Monroe, “Some Like It Hot.” Can I explain this track’s presence here quickly and simply?  Hmm.  Probably not.  Not high on my usual rotation these days, but it made sense at the time.
3. Pink, “Oh My God.” Probably one of the more NSFW tunes on my iPod.  At least in any workplace where sultry groans are considered to be inappropriate.
4. Aretha Franklin, “Rock Steady.” Let’s call this song exactly what it is (what it is, what it is, what it is) . . .
5. Slim Harpo, “Baby, Scratch My Back.” It seems that this week’s randomness seems intent on delivering up a wide variety of steamy tuneage . . .
6. Ernie, “Rubber Duckie.” . . . or maybe not.  This isn’t even remotely sexy.  Quick ‘n’ quirky, yes.  (And that’s actually the name of the self-made compilation that’s responsible for this bit of childhood ephemera on my iPod.)  But quite a shift in mood from Slim Harpo growling at his “baby” to come and scratch his back.  Though, now that I listen more closely, Ernie does seem awfully interested in scrubbing his little duckie’s back.
7. Rolf Harris, “The Good Ship Venus.” Harris is the same fellow who gave the world a hit version of “Tie Me Kangaroo Down.”  This is a bawdy old sea shanty that Harris actually manages to perform as a jolly, family-friendly sing-along. There are a few double entendres here that the kids in the audience undoubtedly don’t get.  There’s a version by Loudon Wainwright III (of “Dead Skunk” fame), however, that’s easily one of the filthiest tunes ever recorded.  Don’t ask how the skipper in that version gets circumsized.  Just don’t.
8. Sam Cooke, “Soothe Me.” Sometimes, there just aren’t enough O’s in smooooooth.
9. Spinners, “Mighty Love.” Another track courtesy of that massive and glorious Atlantic Rhythm and Blues 1947-1974 boxed set.  Mind you, by the time we get to the last disc (which is where this track comes from), the “rhythm and blues” label feels incredibly anachronistic.  But that’s a side issue for another day.
10. Howlin’ Wolf, “Evil.” One of the baddest badasses of the blues doin’ it to it.  A long way from “Rubber Duckie,” that’s for damned sure.

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