Song of the Day: Sanford and Son (“The Streetbeater”) [YouTube link], composed by the great Quincy Jones, first appeared on the artist’s album, “You’ve Got it Bad Girl“. It features some really fine musicians: keyboardist George Duke, saxophonists Phil Woods and Ernie Watts, and harmonica player Tommy Morgan. It is most famous, however, for its use as the theme song to “Sanford and Son“, the NBC sitcom that ran from 1972 to 1976. Check out the opening credits as well as an extended version [YouTube links]. As the Autumnal Equinox approaches in the wee hours of tomorrow morning, this Eighth Annual Summer Music Festival (TV Edition)—celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Emmy Awards (postponed to January 15, 2024)—concludes!
Song of the Day #2073
Song of the Day: Better Call Saul (“Address Unknown”), words and music by Carmen Lombardo, Dedette Lee Hill, and Johnny Mark, was recorded by The Ink Spots and went to #1 in 1939. But it experienced a resurgence when it was heard in the opening sequence of the series premiere (“Uno“) of “Better Call Saul“, which first aired on February 8, 2015. The show, which stars Bob Odenkirk as Saul Goodman (aka Jimmy McGill, aka Gene Takovic), was developed by Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould. It is a triumphant spinoff of the critically acclaimed series, “Breaking Bad“. The Emmy Awards were scheduled for tonight (and it’s the 75th anniversary of those awards that is being celebrated in this year’s Eighth Annual Summer Music Festival). But the ceremony has been postponed to January 15, 2024, due to the Writers Guild of America and SAG/AFTRA strike. “Better Call Saul” has received several Emmy nominations, including Best Drama, Lead Actor (Odenkirk), Supporting Actress (Rhea Seehorn) and two for Writing (Gordon Smith and Peter Gould). In its history, the show has garnered 53 Primetime Emmy and Creative Arts Emmy nominations and has only won 2 technical awards in the latter category. Whatever the results, this show and its predecessor remain among the finest achievements in television history, in my view. And to Roderick Tracy Long again: I promised I’d include this song at a future date! Check out the original recording and its appearance in the 2015 debut BCS episode [YouTube link].
#911NeverForget / Song of the Day #2072
Song of the Day: Rescue Me (“C’mon C’mon”), words and music by Jason Stollsteimer, from The Von Bondies, is the theme song to this FX TV series that ran from 2004-2011. The show, starring Denis Leary, centered on the personal and professional struggles of New York City firefighters, many of whom were suffering from 9/11 PTSD. It served as an homage to those brave souls who rescued thousands of people at the World Trade Center on this date in 2001. Check out the opening credits and the full version of this garage rock television theme [YouTube links]. #911NeverForget.
(Photo taken by Chris Matthew Sciabarra, from the Staten Island Ferry, May 12, 2001)
Celebrating the Life of Guitarist Jack Wilkins
This past Wednesday, September 6, a lovely tribute to the musical legacy of the late guitarist Jack Wilkins (3 June 1944 – 5 May 2023) took place at Saint Peter’s Church in Manhattan. It has been posted on YouTube. Back in May, I reflected on Jack’s life and work. My brother, guitarist Carl Barry, who was a dear friend of Jack’s, performed at the celebration (check out that performance here).
Song of the Day #2071
Song of the Day: Dawson’s Creek (“I Don’t Want to Wait”), composed by Paula Cole, first appeared on the artist’s 1996 album, “The Fire“. It was a hit across pop, adult alternative, and adult contemporary platforms long before it was picked up as the opening theme to this WB series, which ran from 1998 to 2003. The series starred James Van Der Beek, Katie Holmes, Michelle Williams, and Joshua Jackson. Check out the original music video and its use in the opening credits to the show [YouTube links].
Song of the Day #2070
Song of the Day: Only Murders in the Building (“Look for the Light”), words and music by Sara Bareilles, Benj Pasek, and Justin Paul, is featured in Season 3, Episode 3 (“Grab Your Hankies”) of this show, which first streamed on August 15, 2023. This Hulu series began its run in August 2021; it has an incredible cast of characters, with a wonderful trio—portrayed by Martin Short, Steve Martin, and Selena Gomez—leading the seasonal investigations. I’ve enjoyed the show not only for its blend of hilarious inside jokes and touching poignancy, but also for its familiar New York settings. There are still four more episodes left to the newest season and we still don’t know Whodunit! Check out Meryl Streep and Ashley Park, who perform this lovely song in episode 3. OMITB has a nice title theme as well, composed by Sidhartha Khosla [YouTube link].
Song of the Day #2069
Song of the Day: The NBC Mystery Movie (“Main Theme”) [YouTube link], composed by the legendary Henry Mancini, opened this anthology television movie series, which ran from 1971 to 1977. Mancini had such an enormous impact on film music, but his brilliance came to the small screen as well, in shows as varied as “Peter Gunn“, “Newhart“, and “Remington Steele” [YouTube links].
Song of the Day #2068
Song of the Day: Stranger Things (“Main Theme”) [YouTube link], composed by Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein of the electronic band, Survive, opens this show, which began its Netflix run in 2016. The music is an homage to the synth-heavy 1980s scores of John Carpenter, Tangerine Dream, and Vangelis. The series is one of my favorites and I’m looking forward to its final season. Check out the extended mix as well [YouTube link].
Song of the Day #2067
Song of the Day: March on Washington (“Oh, Freedom”) is a post-Civil War African American spiritual. It was first recorded in 1931 as “Sweet Freedom” by the E. R. Nance Family, and was later recorded by Odetta as part of the “Spiritual Trilogy” for her 1956 “Ballads and Blues” album. In 1958, a 17-year old Joan Baez recorded it as well [YouTube link]. Sixty years ago, on this date, Baez officially opened the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom with this song. That massive gathering, famous for Martin Luther King Jr.’s legendary “I Have a Dream” speech, was not carried in its entirety on television. But Baez courageously added the lyric “No More Jim Crow” to her live rendition, a moral denunciation of systemic segregationist policies. Check out the 1931 E. R. Nance Family original, Odetta’s rendition, and Baez’s rendition from the March [YouTube links].
Song of the Day #2066
Song of the Day: The Price is Right (“Main Theme”) [YouTube link], composed by Edd Kalehoff, opened this show, which debuted in 1972 on CBS. The show was a reboot of a 1956 game show, hosted by Bill Cullen, which was first shown on NBC and then, ABC. This incarnation has aired over 9,000 episodes. Its long-running catchphrase, “Come on down!“, is part of the American vernacular. It was hosted until 2007 by Bob Barker, before being helmed by Drew Carey. I remember Barker when he hosted “Truth or Consequences” but he’d go on to host this show for 35 years. Today, Barker died at the age of 99. He’ll be long remembered not just as a legendary game show host, but for throwing punches with Adam Sandler in “Happy Gilmore” (1996) [YouTube link]. Check out one of Bob’s entrances on “The Price is Right” [YouTube link]. RIP, Bob Barker.
