Best Speak-Singing Songs, RIP Mark Lanegan & Opinions on Spoon
Whether it’s a stylistic choice or born out of necessity, sometimes great songs aren’t sung, they’re spoken. This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot share some of their favorite tracks featuring speak-singing vocals. Plus, they hear selections from the production staff, review the new album from Spoon, and bid farewell to Mark Lanegan.
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Lucifer On The Sofa Spoon
Spoon have grown into one of the most consistent rock bands around. Their tenth album, Lucifer On The Sofa cements that status.
Best Speak-Singing Songs
Jim and Greg, along with the Sound Opinions production staff, share favorite tracks where the main vocals are spoken rather than sung.
Jim
- Peggy Lee, "Is That All There Is?"
- Lou Reed, "Coney Island Baby"
- Blur, "Parklife"
- R.E.M., "Belong"
- Talking Heads, "Once In A Lifetime"
Greg
- Barry White, "Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Babe"
- Grace Jones, "Private Life"
- The Fall, "Totally Wired"
- Art Brut, "Formed a Band"
- Billie Eilish, "Bad Guy"
Production Staff
- Sol: Movements, "The Grey"
- Alex: Devo, "Whip It"
- Mary: Prince, "Let’s Go Crazy"
- Andrew: Pavement, "Fame Throwa"
Obit: Mark Lanegan
Mark Lanegan first made his mark with the alternative rock-adjacent band Screaming Trees in the early 1990s. He went on to put out many quality solo albums and collaborations with other thoughtful artists. One collaboration that resulted in three albums was with Isobel Campbell of Belle and Sebastian. That project recorded a session for Sound Opinions in 2011 and we hear a track from it. Lanegan died February 22 at age 57.
Featured Songs:
- Wet Leg, "Chaise Longue," Chaise Longue (Single), Domino, 2022
- Spoon, "Lucifer On The Sofa," Lucifer On The Sofa, Matador, 2022
- Spoon, "On the Radio," Lucifer On The Sofa, Matador, 2022
- Spoon, "Feels Alright," Lucifer On The Sofa, Matador, 2022
- Spoon, "Astral Jacket," Lucifer On The Sofa, Matador, 2022
- Spoon, "Held," Lucifer On The Sofa, Matador, 2022
- Peggy Lee, "Is That All There Is?," Is That All There Is?, Capitol, 1969
- Barry White, "Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe," Can't Get Enough, 20th Century, 1974
- Movements, "The Grey," Feel Something, FEARLESS, 2017
- Devo, "Whip It," Freedom of Choice, Warner, 1980
- Lou Reed, "Coney Island Baby," Coney Island Baby, RCA, 1975
- Grace Jones, "Private Life," Warm Leatherette, Island, 1980
- Blur, "Parklife," Parklife, Food, 1994
- The Fall, "Totally Wired," Totally Wired (Single), Rough Trade, 1980
- Prince, "Let's Go Crazy," Purple Rain, Warner Bros, 1984
- Pavement, "Fame Throwa," Slanted and Enchanted, Matador, 1992
- REM, "Belong," Out of Time, Warner Bros, 1991
- Art Brut, "Formed a Band," Bang Bang Rock & Roll, Downtown, 2005
- Talking Heads, "Once In a Lifetime," Remain in Light, Sire, 1980
- Billie Eilish, "Bad Guy," When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?, Darkroom, 2019
- Screaming Trees, "Nearly Lost You," Sweet Oblivion, Epic, 1992
- The Gutter Twins, "Idle Hands," Saturnalia, Sub Pop , 2008
- Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan, "Ramblin' Man (Live On Sound Opinions in 2011)," Ballad of the Broken Seas, V2, 2006
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