1. "Feel Good Inc" - Gorillaz
Though they got their start in the early 2000s, the animated group known as The Gorillaz really made their mark on the music tapestry with 2005's Demon Days. The kick off single "Feel Good Inc" features guest rap vocals provided by De La Soul and some maniacal laughing at the beginning of the track and throughout.
2. "Master Of Puppets" - Metallica
Perhaps Metallica's most well known song is off the 1986 album of the same name. "Master Of Puppets" is a thrash-metal onslaught delivered on an 8 minute plate and spattered with solos and melodies beyond comprehension. It's a staple in Metallica's live shows and is one of those songs that young guitarists quest to conquer. The song deals with drug addiction and the control that the disease has over some users. The down right Satanic laughing comes in at the very end of the track....though in live performances Hetfield starts the laughing much earlier.
3. "Temporarily Expandable" - Urban Dance Squad
Our next track comes to us from The Urban Dance Squad. Who? These guys were intended to only be a one-off band at a festival back in the 80's and stuck around due to attracting a curious fanbase. Their sound featured elements of hip-hop, funk, metal, reggae and ska. Precursors to bands like Fishbone and Red Hot Chili Peppers. "Temporarily Expandable" was of their 1996 album and features laughter as lyrics.
4. "The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite" - REM
One of my favourite 90's albums is REM's Automatic For The People. An oft forgotten track from the record is "The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite", a favourite of mine. I've always wondered why Michael Stipe laughs to himself during one of the later verses though. After some research I discovered it was a reference to Dr. Seuss, which Stipe had a dreadful time trying to pronounce separately from "Zeus". He couldn't get it right and his band mates couldn't keep it together either (due to either revelry or exhaustion), so they kept one of the laughing takes on the track.
5. "Crazy" - Gnarls Barkley
Gnarls Barkley was a hyped up pairing of Cee Lo Green and Dangermouse during the 2000's. They were a fresh sound which combined many elements from many different genres of music. "Crazy" their first single has the great line "Who do you think are? HA HA HA Bless your soul...do you really think you're in control?" Funky assed video as well.
6. "Runaway" - Janet Jackson
Why didn't Rob pick this one as part of his 90 songs of the 90's? Oh, probably because it's not an Alt-Rock song. THAT BETTER BE WHY ROB!!!! Lots of good little laughs and giggles near the end of this song.
7. "Liar" - Rollins Band
Henry Rollins got his start on the California punk scene and eventually became the face of Black Flag. After his departure from Black Flag, Rollins would form his own band.....called simply Rollins Band. Their biggest song, thanks in part to being featured on Beavis & Butthead is "Liar" from their 1994 album. Rollins kind of takes on 2 personas in this song...one a smooth talking womanizer and then the other the ugly bastard underneath all the womanizer's lies.
8. "No More I Love You's" - Annie Lennox
This song is actually a cover of a song from the 80's by a band called Lover Speaks. Lennox retooled it for her album Medusa. I truly seems as if Annie Lennox is losing her mind throughout this track, especially near the end when it fades into scattered, fanatical laughter. After watching this video you might think you're losing your mind as well
9. "If I Had $1,000,000" - Barenaked Ladies
It's funny how a band can have a name like the Barenaked Ladies a be so cherished and applauded throughout their career. Not that i'm a prude or anything, but if they had the same name, looked the same, same subject matter. but played Metal or Punk? Forget about it. Censors and parents everywhere would be protesting their concerts and there would be news reports on their misongynistic material perverting the minds of our youths. Alas, the Barenaked Ladies have won Junos, Grammys and countless other awards. They often feature real conversations in their songs and live performances which often provides some great candid laughter on the track.
10. "Situation" - Yazoo
We'll end with one of the more famous laughs in the music world. Though the band Yazoo might not be a household name, the laugh used in this track became one of the most sampled laughs in song. Used in versions of "Macarena" and "If This Is Love" by The Saturdays, among others. Yazoo featured an ex-member of Depeche Mode who was more interested in writing true pop music, they really onnly had one other hit called "Only You"
Thanks a bunch all!
Keep Laughing!!
and reading!!
Johnny Z
No comments:
Post a Comment