5 Songs We Can't Stop Listening to is a collection of our newest favorite songs. And Every week we ask an artist that we love to tell us about the music they love.
Listen to the whole thing in the player below.
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1. Broken Social Scene picks “On My Own” by Patti LaBelle feat. Michael McDonald
We always like to start off the week by asking one artist that we love to tell us about a song that they love.
The band Broken Social Scene was formed in Toronto, Canada in 1999. They’ve released many albums and have had almost 30 members come in and out of their band. Brendan Canning has been there through it all. Their new album is “Hug of Thunder” and I’m here with Brendan Canning of Broken Social Scene.
Justin Barney: Alright Brendan what is one song that you can’t stop listening to?
Brendan Canning: Lately it’s been “On My Own” by Patti Labelle with Michael McDonald.
Justin Barney: Why that?
Brendan Canning: I was in my neighbors basement and he had a crate of records and he had a Patti Labelle record and I was like “oh yeah I remember that song.” I came home and put it on and it just gets so epic by the end.
We had a post-show bowling match in St. Louis with Frightened Rabbit and the DJ was playing mostly up tempo stuff and I was like, “Hey man do you have Michael McDonald, Patti Labelle?” and he was like “Yeah, I’ll play that for you.” So that came on while we were bowling.
It’s funny; you mention that song to some people and immediately they just start singing it. I realized there are some people out there who really like that tune.
- “On My Own” was released in 1986 on her album, “Winner in You.”
- Listen if you like: mid-80’s R&B ballads, Michael McDonald, Kenny Loggins
2. Darlingside – “Eschaton”
Eschaton reminds me a lot of the indie music that came out in the early to mid oughts. Music like Sufjan Stevens, Milwaukee’s Maritime, and just kind of the warm soft indie rock of that era which is the time that I kind of “came into” music. And I think memory and nostalgia are a lot of what drives us to like anything, especially music.
So this song is warm and pleasant and nice. There is something about it that seems fitting for light flurries of snow as well.
- Listen if you like: Sufjan Stevens, Maritime, mid-oughts indie rock
3. Luna picks “S-S-S-Single Bed” by Fox
The band Luna has been described by Rolling Stone as, “the best band you’ve never heard of.” They formed in 1991, they have a handful of studio albums including their latest “Sentimental Education.” I’m here with Dean Wareham lead singer of Luna.
Justin Barney: Dean, what is one song that you can’t stop listening to?
Dean Wareham: Lately this song called “S-S-S-Single Bed” Which was a song from my childhood. The band was Fox and it’s from 1976. I lived in Sydney, Australia and it was a #1 hit there. It was a big hit in England too, but not at all in the United States. I remember seeing the videos and there was this sexy lady singing the song, her name was Noosha and she has a lisp so it’s one of those songs with a lisp in it.
Justin Barney: I love that. It’s like this imperfect thing but it really makes the song.
Dean Wareham: Well this one should’ve been a hit worldwide. It’s great and it’s infectious.
4. Jorja Smith - “On My Mind”
Justin Barney: From the music desk at 88Nine Radio Milwaukee, I’m Justin Barney.
Tarik Moody: And I’m Tarik Moody.
Justin Barney: This is “5 Songs We Can’t Stop Listening To” and I’m here with Tarik a.k.a. “The Architect.” Tarik, what are you listening to.
Tarik Moody: I’ve been listening to it forever since I saw her live at Afropunk in August. It’s Jorja Smith and the song is “On My Mind.” Every song she’s done has been amazing but this reminds me of early U.K. garage and two-step, and when I saw her preform that live, the crowd was bouncing up and down and singing. I rarely dance at shows and she got me hopping around.
She just recently won the Brits Critic’s Choice Award which is equivalent to the premium Grammy Award. Makes it even sweeter with people who’ve won it in the past like Adele, and Sam Smith.
Justin Barney: So she’s going to be the echelon with those two?
Tarik Moody: Yeah she’s only like 20 years old and she was working at Starbucks when she wrote those songs. She’s also coming to Chicago in May.
- Listen if you like: Rhythm Lab, Cautious Clay, FKA-Twigs
5. The Weakerthans - “The Reasons”
We are to the point in the year where we’re making list. The Top 10 albums of 2017. One of my favorite parts of the year. And I will make one, but this year I’m making two lists. And I encourage you to do the same.
One list will be your standard Best of 2017 list. All albums that came out in the past calendar year. But the second list will be the Best Albums That You Discovered in 2017.
That mid-70’s album of Nigerian synth rock? On the list! Because regardless of when an album was actually released, the minute you discover it is the moment it is released, in your mind.
So I’m making two lists this year and I hope you do the same.
This album by The Weakerthans came out in 2003. But I discovered it because lead singer, John K. Sampson, opened for Craig Finn at the Cactus Club and I fell in love with him. When I finished his solo work I worked backward to his band The Weakerthans formed in Winnipeg Canada in the late 90’s. I love this song because it has this line, “ I know, you might roll your eyes at this, but I’m so glad that you exist.”
He’s aware that what he is saying is corny and sentimental, but he says it anyway.
- “The Reasons” was released in 2003 on The Weakerthans’ album, “Reconstruction Site.”
- Listen if you like: The Hold Steady, The Mountain Goats, John K. Sampson