10 Great Songs By The Polaris Nominees

Wow almost a whole month since i've done this. Well, it's the 21st night of September, a very musical night, so i'd better do a blog post up in here. The Polaris Music Prize is a yearly award given to the best Canadian album of the last 12 months based on artistic merit. Popularity and sales do not factor into this award and it is decided by a jury made of music writers, bloggers and journalists. The winner gets a cool $50,000. Each of the nominees get cash prizes as well, so let's run down the nominees and see who's in there

1. "Archie, Marry Me" Alvvays

(Pronounced Always) The Toronto based Alvvays released their debut self-titled album in July 2014. This dreamy indie pop group met in high school and started playing music together. After touring with some high profile acts such as Peter, Bjorn and John and The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart, they began work on a full length EP. The result got them nominated for a Polaris.

2. "Six Degrees" - Badbadnotgood & Ghostface Killah feat. Danny Brown

Sour Soul is a collaborative album between Toronto based trio Badbadnotgood and legendary Wu-Tang member and rapper Ghostface Killah. BBNG have 3 previous studio albums under their belt and are known for their instrumental hip-hop and improvisational jazz stylings.

3. "Miniskirt" - Braids

BRAIDS got their start in Calgary, Alberta, but have recently found a home in Montreal's blossoming music scene. Known for their experimental music and almost art-like approach to record making, Deep In The Iris, the album for which they are nominated, has been called their most immediate and most accessible. The album has garnered universally positive reviews.

4. "Sing Our Own Song" - Buffy Sainte-Marie

At 74 years old, Buffy Sainte-Marie is the oldest and most accomplished of all the nominees. Known as much for her music as she is for her activism and work in education, she has been a very vocal supporter of the rights of Indigenous People and heavily involved in Native American issues.  Her oldest album goes back to 1964 and her 2015 album Power In The Blood has been nominated.

5. "Can't Do Without You" - Caribou

One of my personal favourites (and the album i'm pulling for) is Dundas, Ontario's Dan Snaith, better known by his stage name Caribou. Our Love the fourth album released under the Caribou moniker and it has been praised for it's "austere arrangements and unrelenting focus". "Can't Do Without You" was the first single released in July, 2014"

6. "Energy" - Drake

Of course coming in at #6 is Drake, who single-handily changed Toronto's nickname from T.Dot to the Six. If You're Reading This It's Too Late was the Raptor's global ambassador Drake's latest album. Love him or hate him, you gotta admit he's got the world looking directly at Canada. Whether it's our city, our sports teams or our music the recent spike in interest in our country has to be in some part attributed to Drake

7. "Pink City" - Jennifer Castle

This is the title-track from Toronto based Jennifer Castle's latest album. It is her fourth album and the first to be shortlist nominated for the Polaris Music Prize

8. "Brill Bruisers" - The New Pornographers

Here's another album that's on many people's ballot going into the award show tonight. The New Pornographers are veterans on the Canadian Music scene and have enjoyed a lucrative and successful existence even without mainstream aide.

9. "How Could You Babe" - Tobias Tesso Jr.

Tobias Tesso Jr. released his debut album Goon in March and it has been shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize. Quite a prestige for the 30 year old out of North Vancouver, BC. The album has been praised for it's vintage feel in both the songs and the recording process.

10. "Continental Shelf" - Viet Cong

The debut album from Calgary's Viet Cong is only 7 songs long and I don't have a damn problem with that at all. Too many albums, especially debut ones, are torpedoed because the artist is trying to do too much and the songs end up suffering. The talent and ideals get stretched too thing and the audience is typically left with one good song and 14 filler tracks. Start small. Make a few songs the best they can be. Show us what you're capable of and we'll keep coming back.

Some cool songs and artists in there! The Gala is on tonight and the announcement of who wins the 50 Gs should probably come down the wire around 10pm!!  Check it out and check out the above artists. Some of the best that Canada has to offer!!!

JZ

10 More Songs With Great Music Videos

The golden age of music videos is behind us, no doubt. Still there are some decent ones being made by modern artists, audiences just need to go out and find them. Sadly television channels dedicated to showcasing new videos are a thing of the past, and the ones that get highly promoted are for a handful of pop artists whose videos rarely exhibit creativity. So let's look back, forward and all around and take a gander at these 10 Great Music Videos

1. Green Day - "Walking Contradiction"

Perhaps my favourite Green Day album was Insomniac, the oft-overlooked follow up to Dookie. The first single, "Walking Contradiction" had a great video. Simple premise, the band is walking through the streets and are completely oblivious to the chaos they're causing all around them. The expressions on the guys' faces really puts this one over the top for me.

2. Matthew Good Band - "Strange Days"


Matthew Good has always provided interesting and entertaining videos along with his songs. "Apparitions" off of Underdogs comes to mind, but i'm going with "Strange Days" off of Beautiful Midnight. Tells a story with great pacing and hopefully by the end it awakens something in you. Great song too.

3. Hayden - "Hazards Of Sitting Beneath Palm Trees"

Because this video was filmed in Ontario's beautiful cottage country, Hayden jokingly changed the name of this song on it's card to "Hazards Of Sitting Beneath Pine Trees". This is the kind of video that I would like to make, if I ever made videos. Showcasing this naturally astounding country of ours with cinematography and colours.

4. DJ Format - "We Know Something You Don't You" feat. Jurassic 5

Not really much more I need to explain about this one beyond, guys in animal costumes rapping and break dancing. Check out that bear though!

5. Stabbing Westward - "Shame"

Stabbing Westward are a band that never got the full amount of accolades that I feel they deserved. Solid rock group with a variety of musical influences. Fore runners in the techno/rock movement of the late 90's early 2000's. This is a fun video that plays with the 4th wall and you can tell the band had some fun with it too.

6. New Found Glory - "My Friends Over You"

In a recent conversation about songs with good videos with my friends I brought up this one. When I was asked what makes it a good video however, I had a tough time communicating it. You just have to watch it. I get the vibe that they just wanted to put a bunch of stuff in the video that was funny or cool to them. You can tell they had a great time doing it.

7. Lights - "Second Go"

Another simple premise, but executed perfectly and masterfully tied in with the song. Videos don't need to correspond with the song's lyrics or content, but it helps when the energy the song gives off is matched by the visuals. And Lights sure is a comely lass of virtue true ain't she?

8. Metallica - "The Memory Remains"

Metallica were never known for their revolutionary videos, in fact they didn't even make music videos until their fourth album. The video for "The Memory Remains" seems like the director had this idea he always wanted to try but needed the perfect song for it. It's a visual ride full of optical trickery and special effects. I bet it took the guys a few weeks to recover from it.

9. The Bravery - "Honest Mistake"

A few bands have done the Rube Goldberg machine music videos, OK Go comes to mind, and honestly any of them could have been included on this list. The concept is cool, but how these guys pull them off so cleverly is something I can't wrap my head around. The Bravery had the Rube Goldberg treatment for their "Honest Mistake" video and I like the minimalist colourized approach too. Nice touch.

10. Queens Of The Stone Age - "Go With The Flow"

This is perhaps one of my all time favourite videos. The digitized backgrounds and objects. The contrasted colours and characters. The not-so-subtle sexual innuendo. And just the general fast-paced feel of the video that compliments the song perfectly. It's a great one

Thanks again for reading!!

JZ

10 Great Songs With Times As Titles

Time...what a tricky fucker. Time zones, daylight savings time, nick of time, out of time. Let's face it time runs our daily lives. Watches, clocks and phones always beeping at us, reminding us of where we need to be and when. Well it is right now and i'm right here. I'm gonna share with you 10 Great Songs That Deal With Times.

1. MAdE - "Half An Hour"

MAdE (yes, it's stylized as such) were a Canadian band from Toronto that formed in the early 90's. They gained a substantial following doing the club circuit in Toronto and had a record deal with Universal which saw their major label debut Bedazzler released in 1997. Not much else has been heard from their camp since then, but rumours are abound that a revival is in the works

2. Mudmen - "5 O'Clock"

Before Sandy and Robby Campbell decided to form a band they worked with bricklayers and mixed mortar, cement and mud for a living. When it became time to name their Celtic-inspired rock group, the term Mudmen seemed appropriate.

3. Matchbox Twenty - "3am"

Got some alliteration happening here it seems. Florida band Matchbox Twenty (for some reason they changed it to the spelled out version of 20) made a tempest-like splash on the music scene when their album Yourself Or Someone Like You was released in 1996. Spawning 4 major hits, out of which "3am" got the most attention. Rob Thomas and the boys are still active today, but have yet to recapture the appeal that their first album came with.

4. Our Lady Peace - "4AM"

Our Lady Peace's second album Clumsy was a monumental achievement for the group. The maturation of lyrics and songwriting is evident on all songs. The vocals and drums are on full display on Clumsy, both elements would be jarring on any other recording but OLP found a way to use them in a way that compliment the songs perfectly. It can be argued that this song's title is not a reference to the time of day, but rather singer Raine Maida's father Anthony (For Anthony Maida) but it's left open to interpretation.

5. Chicago - "25 Or 6 To 4"

Before a huge shift in style and content in the 80's Chicago was one of the more innovative rock groups of the 60's and 70's. Using big band ideals and multiple vocalists and musicians in their songs made Chicago stand out in the crowd and grow a worldwide fanbase. Sadly group turmoil and the death of their guitar player in the late 70's saw a change in the band's dynamics and they would focus on more commercially appealing music and power ballads. The title of "25 or 6 to 4" is often debated but the usual and simplest explanation is that it was written at 3:35 or 3:36 am, hence "25 or 6 to 4"

6. Iron Maiden - "2 Minutes To Midnight"

One of Iron Maiden's biggest hits and most well known songs is "2 Minutes To Midnight". Bruce Dickinson said it was written about the Doomsday Clock that was often referenced during the Cold War and the threat of a nuclear attack. It touches on humanities dual fear and fascination with such an event

7. Michael Franti & Spearhead - "11:59" feat. Sonna Rele

Michael Franti and his group Spearhead are an American hip-hop group known for fusing their music with elements of ska, punk, rock and most notably reggae. Franti himself is a large advocate for peace and outspoken about many social justice issues. He explains that this song is about enjoying every second we have on Earth and to use the time we do have to fight for what we believe in.

8. Incubus - "11am"

Perhaps my favourite album by Incubus is Morning View released back in 2001. The album was written in a beach-side house that the band had rented and many of the songs have a slower, easy-going vibe to them, such as "11am". There are some moments of all out heavy aggression but for the most part it's a great album to put on while you're lying in a hammock or just staring up at the stars on a warm summer night.

9. K'naan - "Take A Minute"

I like that we're on this vibe of peaceful, chill out and socially conscious songs. I guess alot of those songs have time frame themes because this world can't go on forever unless we all learn to coexist and love one another. K'naan is a Somali Canadian poet, rapper and songwriter, who is probably known best for his song "Wavin' Flag" which was used as a theme song during the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

10. Fallout Boy - "7 Minutes In Heaven (Atavan Halen)"

Let's end with a more upbeat song. A good one to be used as an alarm to go off every morning, ripping you from a peaceful dream. I haven't really understood nor enjoyed anything Fallout Boy has done since their 2005 album From Under The Cork Tree, but that album and 2003's Take This To Your Grave has many memorable moments and great pop-punk, dare i say, emo tracks. Sadly I just feel since then they've been riding the success and intrigue of "Sugar, We're Going Down" and haven't been coming up with anything groundbreaking or interesting since.

Hopefully i'll have TIME to update more often.
Get me some requests for lists and i'll have some more inspiration for 'em!

JZ

10 Great Songs With Sirens In Them

POLICIA!! Ever been cruising through town with the radio turned up? Enjoying a sunny day, with some shades on and hearing some new tunes? Then all of a sudden the sound of a police siren comes wailing out of nowhere. A quick glance at your spedometer and then around to your mirrors. Nothing. After surviving that mini heart-attack you realize that some sick bastard included the sound of a police siren in their song! Here's 10 of them that are guilty of that infracture

1.  Sloan - "Money City Maniacs"

This was most of the country's first exposure to Sloan, Canada's fab four. It comes off the 1998 album Navy Blues the follow-up to their brilliant 1996 album One Chord To Another. I don't think many drivers would be fooled by the sirens at the beginning of this song, as they tend to be more old-timey than modern. PS I don't know why in the christ I can't find the actual video here. Someone needs to get on uploading that

2. Sweet - "Blockbuster!"

We're going even more old-timey with this siren, but it gets a bit of a pass since the song is from 1973.  Sweet (or The Sweet depending on what side of the ocean you're on) were one of Britain's biggest glam rock groups of the 70's and 80's. They are probably more well known for their songs "Ballroom Blitz" and "Fox On The Run"

3. Tune-Yards - "Gangsta"

Though they usually stylize their name as the tUnE-yArDs, i'll look past that nonsense and focus on their music, which is quite original and refreshing. "Gangsta" not only starts with a feint siren, but some of the vocals mimic sirens throughout the song as well. The Tune-Yards is a musical project of Merrill Garbus, a Smith College graduate from New England.

4. Coheed & Cambria - "Number City"

Modern day prog-rockers and conceptualizers Coheed & Cambria have announced that they will be releasing a new album later this year. Fans are a little divided on the matter as they have decided to take a break from their Amory Wars narrative that the rest of their catalog was submersed in. As long as the songs are good and can listened to, i'm fine with them changing up the subject matter. "Number City" was a song off their last album, listen for the sirens during the quiet part near the middle.

5. Dickies - "My Pop The Cop"

Stop giggling! The Dickies were pioneers of the American Punk scene in the late 70's. Some would even say they engineered the whole pop-punk wave that would become popular by bands like Blink 182, NOFX, New Found Glory and Sum 41. Many of those bands cite The Dickies as influences too.

6. Erykah Badu - "Danger"

"Danger" comes off Badu's 2003 album Worldwide Underground. It serves as a sequel to one of earlier songs "Otherside Of The Game" in fact it uses samples from that song. Wondering what Badu is up to these days? She is reportedly working on a new album due for a release later this year. She has also been doing some modeling for fashion designer Tom Ford and was the face of Givenchy's 2014 Spring Collection

7. KO - "Capable"

That's pronounced "coe" not K-O and he's a hip-hop artist with folky vibes from Toronto. This song is from his 2009 album Let's Blaze, but his last release was in 2012. No word on whether he has another release pending or what he's up to these days. Chill song though.

8. Danny Michel - "Feather, Fur & Fin"

Plenty of Canadian content on this go around. Michel is a singer/songwriter/producer and even filmmaker from Kitchener, Ontario. "Feather, Fur & Fin" is a great song that uses many different sound samples released in 2008. It's Earth friendly message got it used on Playlist For The Planet by the David Suzuki Foundation and Michel even landed a spot on Suzuki's Last Blue Dot tour

9. The Clash - "White Riot"

Perhaps the most famous song with sirens at the beginning "White Riot" was one of the Clash's best known crowd pleaser before Combat Rock came along and ruined everything. This was true punk anger and anarchy in the UK.

10. Black Sabbath - "War Pigs"

The subtle, almost ambiguous siren heard near the beginning of the song has the hallmark of an air-raid siren that would blare to warn of an imminent attack. Black Sabbath said they wrote 'War Pigs" after hearing stories while playing a show at a US Airforce Base and after playing in a grim and desolate location in Zurich, Germany.

Thanks for reading and keep your wits about you whilst driving!!

JZ

10 Great Songs About Aliens and UFOs

Guys I saw a flippin' UFO on my way to T-Dot this passed weekend. It was awesome. Not saying 100% for sure it was an alien spacecraft, but I mean, c'mon. 10 Great Songs About Aliens and UFOs.

1. "Alien" - Pennywise

Along with "Bro Hymn" i'd say "Alien" is Pennywise's most well known song. It hit #36 on the charts after all, not a common feat for a punk band. Not sure this song is actually about extraterrestrials, the lyrics make it sound more like they are talking about treating people who act and look differently poorly. Like they're aliens.

2. "Through The Never" - Metallica

This one comes off Metallica's monster self-titled album released in 1991. "Through The Never" was like the 12th single released off of it or something, it's nuts. Again this song never specifically mentions aliens, but it does deal with wondering about what is beyond our comprehension of the galaxy around us. Through The Never was also the name of Metallica's recent live concert/action thriller movie released in 2013.

3. "Calling Occupants Of Interplanetary Craft" - Klaatu

OK here we go. This is one is definitely about aliens, heck this hippy-trippin' Canadian band even named themselves after a fictional one. Klaatu was the name of the alien in The Day The Earth Stood Still.

4. "Rosetta Stoned" - Tool

Maynard can write a song about anything, that's one of the reasons many people call themselves Tool fans. In one of his more bizarre moments we find "Rosetta Stoned" a peculiar, quick-paced track with ambiguous lyrics. Upon closer inspection it's a telling of an alien encounter and abduction told from the first person.

5."Starman" - David Bowie

I could really have put any song off of Bowie's classic 1972 album Ziggy Stardust & The Spiders From Mars. "Starman" is the song about a being from beyond the stars who would blow our mind if he came to see us. Imagine the day that aliens do finally make contact. How would you react? How would anyone?

6. "Mars Attacks!" - Misfits

Back in the late 90's Tim Burton was developing a movie based on the hyper-violent cult trading card series from the 60's of the same name. The Misfits being huge fans of the cards wrote a song based on the premise of Martians invading Earth and offered it to Burton to use in his movie. Ultimately Burton decided against using contemporary music on his soundtrack and declined. A blessing in disguise if you ask me, I'd hate for any Misfits song to be associated officially with that piece of shite movie.

7. "It Came Out Of The Sky" - Creedence Clearwater Revival

For a time there was a genuine UFO craze and sensation. Especially in the 50's and 60's when photographs and videos were difficult to legitimately discredit and therefore every Joe Blow would claim an alien close encounter for their 15 minutes of fame. CCR is singing a song about that very thing, where a hick named Jody tries to sell his piece of spacejunk for 17 Million dollars! Cool song though.

8. "Come Sail Away" - Styx

Perhaps the most well known and  highest charting song on this list about UFOs is Styx's swan song "Come Sail Away". It still receives heavy rotations on classic rock stations to this day. It's also probably Styx's best song period, because let's face it guys, "Mr. Roboto" is pure ass.

9. "Spaceman" - Bif Naked

Before she had a global following the 2001 release of her album Purge, Bif Naked was virtually unknown outside of her native Canada. "Spaceman" was her biggest hit up until then and it can be found her great album I Bificus, released in 1998.

10. "Hangar 18" - Megadeth

The title of this song is a direct reference to the hidden military base in Dayton, Ohio were the alien bodies were supposedly taken after the famed Roswell incident. Megadeth singer and head songwriter has strong political views and views about America's military, though he does try to keep his political life and music life separate. If you notice a similarity to some parts of this song and "The Call Of Ktulu" by Metallica it's because Mustaine was Metallica's original guitarist and had a hand in writing both songs. He is credited with writing "The Call Of Ktulu" but was kicked out of Metallica before Ride The Lighting was released. Cool song and video, "Hangar 18".

Do you believe? Keep watching the skies!!!

And so on...


JZ <----- Twitter business

10 Great Songs With Animals In The Title

Yup feeling basic today. Basically I haven't done a list in some time and felt like getting something resembling content out there. I like animals. I like turtles. Here are 10 Great Songs With Animals In The Title.

1. Sage Francis - "Sea Lion"

I'm very specific about the hip-hop I like. I like it smart, I like it catchy and I like it with lyrics not riddled with FUCK or BITCH as every other syllable. Sage Francis calls Rhode Island home and his album A Healthy Distrust is one of my favourite Hip-Hop albums.  The second track "Sea Lion" exemplifies perfectly the type of rap I enjoy

2. The Antlers - "Bear"

The Antlers are an indie-rock trio from Brooklyn who have earned themselves a large, devoted following since their start in 2006. Their third album Hospice, released in 2009, was a critically acclaimed triumph. Songs were emotional and haunting, lyrically moving with flashes of instrumental brilliance. The song "Bear" is an honest look at unplanned pregnancy. Simple, yet  terrifying.

3. Beach House - "Zebra"

"Dream House" is a term often used to describe the type of music played by Maryland duo Beach House. Their ethereal and air-light song "Zebra" definitely lives up to that label.

4.  Fleetwood Mac - "Albatross"

Long before Christie McVie and Stevie Nicks. Hell even before Lindsay Buckingham were a part of Fleetwood Mac a man named Peter Green was the band's front man. Green was a revolutionary on the guitar, combining many different styles that seamed effortlessly from song to song. The 1968 B-side "Albatross" is seen as one of Green's crowning instrumental track. Unfortunately for the group Peter Green's addiction to hallucinogenic drugs eventually landed him in a psychiatric hospital being diagnosed with schizophrenia. Though he would, his career never fully recovered.

5. Damien Rice - "Elephant"

Ireland's Damien Rice made a comeback this passed year after an eight year hiatus following his 2006 album 9. The song "Elephant" was originally supposed to be titled "The Blower's Daughter Part 2" because of how similarly it is structured to the first Blower's Daughter which was Rice's breakthrough single off his first album O.

6. Wintersleep - "Orca"

Hailing from Canada's East coast, Wintersleep may have encountered an Orca or two in their time as a group since 2001. Though it wasn't until 2008 when they got properly recognized and won the Juno for Best New Group."Orca" appeared on their first independent release in 2003.

7. Wilco - "Hummingbird"

Perennial indie-rock band Wilco has enjoyed a very long and successful career without ever having a hit radio single or #1 record. Their loyal fans support them and they let their laid back brand of acoustic and folk inspired rock speak for itself. "Hummingbird" is off the 2004 album A Ghost Is Born

8. Stone Temple Pilots - "Army Ants"

Are insects considered animals? Ah sure, why the hell not? I love finding these lesser known songs by huge bands. Though the Stone Temple Pilots will never again be what they once were (thanks Scott) we'll always have these songs from yesterday to keep the memories alive. By the way the term "army ant" can be applied to over 200 species of ants!!! That's nuts.

9. One Self - "Bluebird"

This is a good cruising track. A jolting, yet smooth beat that you can roll around town to while looking out at the world from under the brim of your tight cap. One Self comes out of Milwaukee and is known for his high energy shows that often incorporate spoken word passages.

10. Smashing Pumpkins - "Tarantula"

This is another one of those bands, like STP, where the figurehead of the group seems to be doing everything they can to tarnish the legacy of the group and destroy anything good the band has left in them. In this case Billy Corgan has made some questionable choices when it comes to the Smashing Pumpkins since the release of Adore. From dating Courtney Love, to trying his hand at the Wrestling world, to releasing 44-song concept album that nobody asked for and so much more, many Pumpkins fans are just begging for Corgan to stop. At least one attempt at bringing back the Smashin Pumpkins was somewhat successful. The release of Zeitgeist in 2007 wasn't the worst thing in the world, it did give us the song "Tarantula" after all.

Thanks for reading!!

SUGGEST SOME IDEAS FOR ME!!!!

JZ

10 Great Musical Performances On The Late Show With David Letterman

I've been a fan of David Letterman for almost 20 years now and on May 20th he'll be signing off for the last time and retiring. I know as far as Late Night shows go his is probably the most niche and his humour is often difficult to comprehend, but that is probably one of the reasons why I gravitated towards him. Repeating his jokes, which I found hilarious, was often met with confused looks and immediate dismissals. His show wasn't only known for his humour but also his love of music. The Ed Sullivan theatre where The Late Show makes it's home was known for many famous performances over the years, and Letterman had carried on that tradition by having artists of all genres grace the stage. I'm throwing in some favourites of mine as well, not just the most meaningful ones. Here are 10 Great Musical Performances On The Late Show With David Letterman

1. TV On The Radio - "Wolf Like Me"

With the release of their 2006 album Return To Cookie Mountain TV On The Radio were still virtually unknown on the mainstream music scene. When they got asked to perform on The Late Show it seemed obvious that they knew they had to knock this one out of the park. What followed was a high energy performance of "Wolf Like Me" and you can tell at the end that David was certainly impressed. TVOTR has been on the show multiple times since.

2. Eddie Vedder - "Black"

Not really a musical performance as an impromptu moment. Dave's musical director Paul Schaffer goads him into humming a few bars of Pearl Jam's "Black" and then asks him if wants to see how it's really done. Enter Eddie Vedder who comes from the side stage door and delivers the song's climax line much to Dave's surprise, then he bolts. Pearl Jam has been on the show multiple times and Vedder has formed a friendship with Schaffer and Letterman over the years, Eddie Vedder will be the musical act on the 2nd last show on the 19th.

3. Darlene Love - "Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)"

Darlene Love has performed "Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home) on Letterman's show every year since 1986 (except for 2007 when the Writer's Strike was going on). The performance would get bigger and bigger each year until finally in December 2014, nine days after Letterman announced his retirement, Love performed the song with Paul Schaffer's band and a choir and said she would never perform the song on any other TV show again.

4. The Heavy - "What Makes A Good Man"

English band The Heavy is another one of Dave's current favourite bands. When they first appeared on his show in 2010 and performed "How You Like Me Now?" Letterman was visibly astounded by their act. When they came back in 2012 to do "What Makes A Good Man" they stepped up their craft and Letterman allowed them to do an encore, a sure sing that he's gobbling up what you're laying down. He bestowed the same privelege on Hollywood group Vintage Trouble.

5.  Foo Fighters - "Everlong"

In early 2000 David underwent open heart surgery for a quintuple bypass. During recovery his show went on hiatus and eventually returned with friends playing "best of" clips and guest hosts filling in for him. Such guests included Bill Cosby, Elvis Costello, Jerry Seinfeld and Drew Barrymore. When Dave returned to the show on Feb 21 and among other guests (which included the Doctors and nurses who he credited with saving his life) he invited the Foo Fighters to perform. He announced them as "my favourite band, playing my favourite song". They did the show even though they had to cancel a few tour dates in South America to be there.

6.  Warren Zevon - "Roland The Headless Thompson Gunner"

Another one of Letterman's close friends throughout the years was Warren Zevon. Zevon has called Letterman the "best friend his music ever had" as he had supported Zevon through his early years. In 2002 Zevon was diagnosed with terminal, inoperable cancer and on October 30, 2002 Letterman invited Zevon on his show as his sole guest. He spoke openly about his illness and reflected on life. He performed several songs which included "Roland The Headless Thompson Gunner" at Letterman's request. It would be the last song he would play on the Late Show. When Zevon passed away in 2003, Letterman honoured him by replaying his performance of "Mutineer" from the same show.

7. Future Islands - "Seasons (Waiting On You)"

Future Islands gained a head of steam after appearing on The Late Show in 2014. Their music is more dream like and electronic and doesn't give itself to a grandoise performance. Or at least that's what people thought until mercurial front man Samuel Herring became an overnight sensation for his dancing and his stellar vocal performance of "Seasons (Waiting On You)". An impressed Letterman became an instant fan and invited them back earlier this year.

8. Paul McCartney - "Sing The Changes"

In July of 2009, Paul McCartney treated New Yorkers and Letterman's audience alike with a six song set performed from above the Marquee of the Ed Sullivan theatre. His song with The Fireman 'Sing The Changes' was the one that made the air, but other songs to the set included "Band On The Run", "Back In The USSR" and "Coming Up"

9. Odetta & The Boy's Choir Of Harlem - "This Little Light Of Mine"

September 11, 2001 was a day that changed much of the Western World and arguably the entire globe forever. New York City of course felt the effect of terror and atrocity more than anyone. After about a week's hiatus The Late Show returned to air with a strange and uncomfortable energy. Many weren't sure if they were ready to laugh again, but David took it upon himself to comfort and address a scared population with intelligence, humour and heartfelt honesty. If you have a few minutes watch his opening monologue from that first show back and it might change your opinion of him. His musical guest that night was soul singer and civil rights activist Odetta along with The Boys Choir Of Harlem with a heartwarming rendition of "This Little Light Of Mine"

10. Tom Waits - "Take One Last Look"

Another of David's favourite recurring guests is songwriting legend Tom Waits. Waits' first appearance on Dave's show was back in 1983. His performances were always special, unique and inspiring and his interviews a treasure. Just the other night Letterman welcomed his friend back to the show and Tom had a surprise for him. Tom Waits had written a song specifically for Dave called appropriately enough "Take One Last Look". Who could ask for a better send off as a music lover? One of the most important and original artists of all time writes you a song. Can't say much else about it. Just remarkable,

There will never be another one like Dave.

Thanks for all the laughs!

I hope you enjoyed my humble tribute.

-JZ