Music on Only A Game 9/12/09

Love a song you heard on this week's show?  Hate it?  Each week Only A Game's Senior Producer Gary Waleik picks the music that's featured on the show.  Here's why he chose everything you heard this week:

Going Nowhere and Getting’ There Fast by Tanya Tucker (from NASCAR: Hotter Than Asphalt, Columbia, 1996)

 Gary's take: My fascination with this song goes beyond its obvious usefulness as a reflection of NASCAR’s economic concerns. I think this might be the only song with a title that includes a gerund (“Going”) and an elision (Gettin’). I think Tanya should be seein’, er, seeing someone who can help her with her issues.

I’m Only Sleeping by The Beatles (from Revolver, Apple Records, 1966)

 Gary's take: My fascination with this song goes beyond its obvious usefulness as a reflection of what happened to a drunken chess grandmaster who fell asleep during a recent match and lost to an opponent who wasn’t drunk or asleep. I mean…it’s The Beatles, for whom it’s been a pretty big week. I’m piling on.

Another Football Year by Betty Jean Robinson (from The Coach Collection, MCA Records, 1994)

 Gary's take: Betty jean delivers her annual dose of regret over the resumption of gridiron shenanigans. Do any of our listeners feel that way, too?

Sleep Walk by Santo and Johnny (from Billboard Pop Memories 1955-1959, Rhino Records, 1994)

Gary's take: This is from one of the relative few 1950’s compilations in my large collection of CD’s, because I…I…just don’t like most 1950’s music. There, I said it. Sorry. Still, it should be pointed out that Sleep Walk has a certain panache because it eschews the standard C-Am-F-G chord progression. This is as unorthodox as it got in the ’50’s.

Take Me Out to the Ballgame by Hula Monsters (from Diamond Cuts, Vol. 11, Hungry for Music, 2008)

 Gary's take: Take me out, yes…but read to me, too! Kudos to the Cyclones and to their fans for breaking the record for most readers during a game.

Caravan by Duke Ellington and His Orchestra (from American Legends: Duke Ellington, Laserlight, 1996)

 Gary's take: Get it? Sure you do…

 The Simpsons Main Title Theme by Alf Clausen (from The Simpsons: Songs in the Key of Springfield, Rhino Records, 1997)

Gary's take: I’ve never seen this program. Is it any good?