Don't Forget To Dance

Supertramp - Breakfast in America

This song is exactly why those damn Brits fought so hard to keep us.  Written by Roger Hodgson when he was a British teen dreaming of America, it stereotypes and exemplifies everything we’re proud of.  That’s right world, I AM rich enough to wake up to a sexy Californian lady serving me “kippers for breakfast” every morning.  I mean c’mon just listen to this poor guy when he compares his hag of a girlfriend to the infestation of sexy mama’s we have to deal with over here!

“Don’t you look at my girlfriend
She’s the only one I got
Not much of a girlfriend
Never seem to get a lot
Take a jumbo cross the water
Like to see America
See the girls in California
I’m hoping it’s going to come true
But there’s not a lot I can do” 

Violent Femmes - American Music

I run the risk of stepping on some toes posting such a BADASS song so soon.  I mean I know for sure that missmaggie’s gonna shake her fists in disgust, thinking “THAT’S MY JAM.”  Well missmaggie, you should be faster with your patriotism.  

Dr. Dog - The Rabbit, the Bat & the Reindeer

This week starts but another theme week here at dontforgettodance.com in which we celebrate all things American, and though I run the risk of making this a Dr. Dogcentric weekend I would still like to share with you a song from one of the most American of bands you can find these days. Recorded with iPhone technology just last night in Prospect Park, you can even pick up several DFTD contributors in the background.

Dog Bless America!

The Jackson 5 - “Never Can Say Goodbye”

In tribute to The King of Pop and the man that my mother says “didn’t forget to dance.”  We never can say goodbye. :’(   

The Lovely Feathers -  ”Gifted Donald”

I’ve been into The Lovely Feathers since I first discovered “Rod Stewart” a few years ago when making a playlist for our Saltiest contributor.  The jams on Hind Hind Legs are like a slap-start to your booty-shake and NOW they’re at it again!  

Fantasy Of The Lot has been a long time coming and, though (on the first couple listens) it doesn’t seem as solid as its predecessor, it has its gems.

Listen to the soft silliness of “Gifted Donald”’s verse, all the meanwhile preparing yourself for that 80’s synth pop-chorus, and remember one thing

Gifted Donald’s got the moves inside 

But he knows not to pretend.

You guys got the moves inside too…  You just gotta let ‘em out!

Family Portrait - Mega Secrets

I’m back!  Having just endured an office outbreak of Swine Flu and, therefore, being exiled to work from my Brooklyn apartment for three days , I’m glad to announce that I have looked that demon-pig-germ square in the eye and said “The Power of Christ compels you!”  And Christ did compel and of swiney symptoms I have shown none.  So in celebration of my inhuman immune system and my Holy and platonic union with the J-man, I present to you a song that promises to invoke a similar religious experience.

All I know about Family Portrait comes from their MySpace page: influences ranging from Elvis Costello and Brian Wilson to the religious philosophies of Abraham Joshua Heschel, and their sound is adequately described as “an underwater sound veseel of rhythm, blues, and community.”  I also hear a little Iggy Pop in there, but maybe that’s just me.

The Morning Benders - Morning Fog

I suppose if I had paid more attention to saltylips when she was telling me about this band she had heard playing in the lobby where she worked, then I would’ve been in the know about The Morning Benders a year ago.  Sadly, I DON’T pay all that close attention to the salty wisdom that flows from those lips so it took John Vanderslice “plugging” them at Plug Five for me to discover these pop-pearls.

“Morning Fog” is off their newest EP Grain of Salt and for me is a little reminiscent of The Kinks circa Lola Versus Powerman And The Moneygoround, Part One. It’s also interesting to note the EP’s name.  Grain of Salt?  saltylips? Coincidence … I think not.

Sound Team - No More Birthdays ( Phil Spector Folk ) // San Francisco Bay, Early Morning, 1849

Typically I don’t feel right piggy-backing on someone else’s post, but when your HR guru has decided to block all interesting content from percolating down through your lowly-non-management-work-computer rendering you a useless “I must do my job and not post to sweet blogs like www.dontforgettodance.com” robot, then you really have no choice.  

In any case, this post isn’t current…I mean it isn’t even a band that’s still together!  Still … as I cycled through my iTunes, I remembered how much I. LOVE. THIS. SONG. 

White Rabbits - “They Done Wrong / We Done Wrong”

A six piece band hailing from Brooklyn that happens to feature two guitarists, a bass player, a pianist, and not one but TWO drummers?!  Sign me up!  In fact, if you guys are looking for a third guitarist who dabbles in the ukulele, accordion, mandolin, AND banjo to sit in as lucky number seven, then I’m your man.  LET’S TAKE THIS SHIT TO THE NEXT LEVEL!!!

In the meantime, check out White Rabbits’ sophomore album It’s Frightening (set to be released this May).  Not only was it produced by Britt Daniels of Spoon, but did I mention that they have TWO DRUMMERS?!