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This is the very first song Todd Rundgren ever wrote -- back in 1968 when he was in a band called the Nazz, and was originally issued as a b-side to the band's debut single, "Open My Eyes." It didn't come out in this form until his 1972 solo double-album Something/Anything? (which is a stone classic from start to finish).
Can you imagine this as the FIRST SONG YOU EVER WROTE? It'd be all downhill from there, ha.
Funny to think of a ballad about the slow breakup of a relationship as being a song that instantly makes me feel better, but the melody is evergreen and the sentiment is relatable to pretty much everyone -- "I'd never want to make you change for me." You really want the WHOLE of someone (warts and all) to be the person who is YOUR person. Maybe that's why we're still spinning this more than fifty years after it first came out.
PS: the soul singing outro (off the cuff as it is, when it dissolves) may be the best part of the song.
Jul 9, 2025
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I have loved this song since the first time I heard it. I learned to play it on guitar literally sitting there with it on repeat trying out different fingerings until I got it right.
Allegedly, the lyrics for the song were taken from Valentine’s Day candy hearts. (This seems more like the initial idea vs. how it was actually created/executed). I feel like this song goes WAY beyond romance and into obsession territory -- Michael Stipe (singer) clearly wants to be everything to the object of his desire. "I want the finger with the ring." Perfect. There is a version with Thom Yorke (Radiohead) singing this with the R.E.M. "players" that is also superb: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKPg1rURPqo
Allegedly, the lyrics for the song were taken from Valentine’s Day candy hearts. (This seems more like the initial idea vs. how it was actually created/executed). I feel like this song goes WAY beyond romance and into obsession territory -- Michael Stipe (singer) clearly wants to be everything to the object of his desire. "I want the finger with the ring." Perfect. There is a version with Thom Yorke (Radiohead) singing this with the R.E.M. "players" that is also superb: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKPg1rURPqo
Jul 26, 2024
May 7, 2024
Apr 14, 2025
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The man responsible for dozens of Teenage Symphonies to God
"Sad songs about happy things" (the first time, as a kid, I can recall the sweet/sour combo of melodies that could make you cry attached to songs about endless, bottomless love)
I've long since lost track of how many weddings and funerals I've attended that have featured this song; suffice it to say, "a lot."
God only knows what we'd been without him 🙏🏻
Jun 11, 2025
May 22, 2025
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Hey tyler hopefully this doesn’t violate some PI.FYI golden rule
But after nearly two years of writing, editing and arguing, my book about the EP is coming out in May and can be preordered here:
https://hozacrecords.com/product/aifl/
The book is about the origins, history and cultural impact of the EP since these little objects first started coming out in the 50s. Over 50 of my music biz friends then helped me shape the list and review the top 200 ever released, according to us (ha). For those of you who are into this kind of geekery/snobbery, I can’t wait to hear what you think. A labor of love, as all books are! ❤️
https://hozacrecords.com/product/aifl/
The book is about the origins, history and cultural impact of the EP since these little objects first started coming out in the 50s. Over 50 of my music biz friends then helped me shape the list and review the top 200 ever released, according to us (ha). For those of you who are into this kind of geekery/snobbery, I can’t wait to hear what you think. A labor of love, as all books are! ❤️
Mar 27, 2024