Songs of Eating Grass

People have chastised me for shamelessly dropping song references in my writing, but that's a big part of my protagonist's life. This playlist includes every song I could find mentioned in my manuscript, as well as some that I removed in revision. Special thanks to my friend, Warren Jardine, for putting together the YouTube playlist.

To listen to this eclectic list of mostly late 60s and early 70s pop songs, click here: Songs of the novel Eating Grass.

Playlist

“Touch Me,” written by Robbie Krieger, performed by the Doors, from the album The Soft Parade, 1968. [Dates shown are for release of singles.] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZaQyYgAGfQ
“When a Man Loves a Woman,” written by Calvin Lewis and Andrew Wright, performed by Percy Sledge, from the album When a Man Loves a Woman, 1966. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6meW-K-1e7Q
“Hanky Panky,” written by Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich, performed by Tommy James and the Shondells, from the album Hanky Panky, 1966. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsgKZb9jQ1s
“Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season),” words from the Book of Ecclesiastes, adapted by Pete Seeger, performed by the Byrds, from the album Turn! Turn! Turn!, 1965. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVOJla2vYx8
“I am the Walrus,” written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, performed by the Beatles, from the album Magical Mystery Tour, 1967. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YbArSRuAqM
“Light My Fire,” written by Jim Morrison, Robbie Krieger, John Densmore, and Ray Manzarek, performed by José Feliciano, from the album Feliciano!, 1968. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RtTWDv-yWM
“Star-Spangled Banner,” written by Francis Scott Key, performed by José Feliciano, 1968 World Series, Game 5, 1968. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-l-OKTYCvo
“To Sir With Love,” written by Don Black and Mark London, performed by Lulu, from the album Lulu Loves to Love Lulu, 1967. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUhJw6pyFUc
“Ode to Billy Joe,” written by Bobbie Gentry, performed by Bobbie Gentry, from the album Ode to Billy Joe, 1967. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_E3UIeZUCs
“It’s the Little Things,” Written by Sonny Bono, performed by Sonny and Cher, from the album The Best of Sonny and Chér, 1967. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aitdZL6GS58
“Brown Eyed Girl,” written by Van Morrison, performed by Van Morrison, from the album Blowin’ Your Mind, 1967. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfmkgQRmmeE
“She’d Rather Be with Me,” written by Garry Bonner and Alan Gordon, performed by the Turtles, from the album Happy Together, 1967. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdV8dsonyOo
“Wooly Bully,” written by Domingo "Sam" Samudio, performed by Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs, from the album Wooly Bully, 1967. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZJiGu6Gz8E
“The Letter,” written by Wayne Carson, performed by the Box Tops, from the album The Letter/Neon Rainbow, 1967. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQaUs5J2wdI
“Blue Side of Lonesome,” written by Leon Payne, performed by Jim Reeves, from the album Blue Side of Lonesome, 1966. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHBWm8C-GPU
“Something Stupid,” written by C. Carson Parks, performed by Nancy Sinatra & Frank Sinatra, from the Frank Sinatra album The World We Knew, 1967. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0f48fpoSEPU
“A Whiter Shade of Pale,” written by Gary Brooker, Keith Reid, and Matthew Fisher, performed by Procol Harum, from the album Procol Harum (U.S. edition), 1967. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mb3iPP-tHdA
“The Streets of Laredo,” traditional, performed by Marty Robbins, from the album More Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs, 1960. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L14UKBjC5Is
“Everybody's Somebody's Fool",” written by Jack Keller and Howard Greenfield, performed by Connie Francis, from the album The Very Best of Connie Francis 1959–1961, 1960. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECOthzFvUXY
“These Eyes,” written by Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings, performed by the Guess Who, from the album Wheatfield Soul, 1969. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARoqKjb3lWo
“Poison Ivy,” written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, performed by the Coasters, from the album The Coasters’ Greatest Hits, 1959. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRfRITVdz4k
“You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin',” written by Phil Spector, Barry Mann, and Cynthia Weil, performed by the Righteous Brothers, from the album You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling, 1965. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbg1gkWb0Wo
“Let’s Do It, Let’s Fall in Love” written by Cole Porter, performed by Ella Fitzgerald, from the album Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Cole Porter Songbook, 1956. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXYKGL6MgKM
“Yester-me, Yester-you, Yesterday,” written by Ron Miller and Bryan Wells, performed by Stevie Wonder, from the album Ma Cherie Amour, 1969. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2T3m9PWN6B8
“Bad Moon Rising,” written by John Fogerty, performed by Creedence Clearwater Revival, from the album Green River, 1969. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BmEGm-mraE
“Question,” written by Justin Hayward, performed by the Moody Blues, from the Album A Question of Balance, 1970. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NP9iOqdxS8c
“Go Away Little Girl,” written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King, performed by Steve Lawrence, from the album Winners!, 1962. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9l--WWFwMg
“First of May,” written by Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb, and Maurice Gibb, performed by the Bee Gees, from the album Odessa,1969. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvr2n9q8t3I
“What About Me?” written by Scott McKenzie, performed by Anne Murray, from the album, What About Me?, 1968. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obUg18YXpjM
“The Rain, the Park & Other Things,” written by Artie Kornfeld and Steve Duboff, performed by the Cowsills, from the album The Cowsills, 1967. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThmkXSiaK-c
“I Got You Babe,” written by Sonny Bono, performed by Sonny and Cher, from the album Look at Us, 1965. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKGjCPBSG38
“Honky Tonk Women,” written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, performed by the Rolling Stones, from the album Through the Past, Darkly (Big Hits Vol. 2), 1969. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61jfm219ArA
“Wouldn’t it Be Nice,” written Brian Wilson, Tony Asher, and Mike Love, performed by the Beach Boys, from the album Pet Sounds, 1966. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZBKFoeDKJo
“In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida,” written by Doug Ingle, performed by Iron Butterfly, from the album In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, 1968. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xv1k4Dug7_8 (Long version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCkHanF4v1w)
“What Kind of Fool Do You Think I Am?,” written by Ray Whitley, performed by Bill Deal & the Rhondels, from the album The Best of Bill Deal & the Rhondels, 1969. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9YGGGcBvno
“Angel of the Morning,” written by Chip Taylor, performed by Merrilee Rush and the Turnabouts, from the album Angel of the Morning, 1968. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fqeeBCtQhA
“This Girl is a Woman Now,” written by Victor Millrose and Alan Bernstein, performed by Gary Puckett and the Union Gap, from the album The New Gary Puckett and the Union Gap Album, 1969. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUVEzMnnPaA
“Spirit in the Sky,” written by Norman Greenbaum, performed by Norman Greenbaum, from the album Spirit in the Sky, 1969. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZQxH_8raCI (if you dare play it)
“Light My Fire,” written by Jim Morrison, Robbie Krieger, John Densmore, and Ray Manzarek, performed by the Doors, from the album The Doors!, 1967. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWs2NrmYzPE
“The Crystal Chandeliers,” written by Ted Harris, performed by Charley Pride, from the album The Country Way, 1965. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xl8h3UE2_t8
“Sugar on Sunday,” written by Tommy James and Mike Vale, performed by the Clique, from the album The Clique, 1969. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQVTVkmCAAQ
“I’ll Hold Out My Hand,” written by Chip Taylor and Al Gorgoni, performed by the Clique, from the album The Clique, 1969. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRV9q9XgDMk
“I’ve Been Everywhere,” written by Geoff Mack, performed by Hank Snow, from the album I’ve Been Everywhere, 1962. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jet7Ue743Do
“Ring of Fire,” written by June Carter and Merle Kilgore, performed by Johnny Cash, from the album Ring of Fire: The Best of Johnny Cash, 1963. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WaV2x8GXj0
“Stand by Your Man,” written by Tammy Wynette and Billy Sherrill, performed by Tammy Wynette, from the album Stand By Your Man, 1968. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AM-b8P1yj9w
“Suspicious Minds,” written by Mark James, performed by Elvis Presley, from the album From Memphis to Vegas, From Vegas to Memphis, 1969. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxOBOhRECoo (studio single version)
“Can’t Help Falling in Love,” written by George Weiss, Hugo Peretti, and Luigi Creatore, performed by Elvis Presley, from the albums Blue Hawaii and From Memphis to Vegas, From Vegas to Memphis, 1961. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGJTaP6anOU (single version)
“The Boxer,” written by Paul Simon, performed by Simon and Garfunkel, from the album Bridge Over Troubled Water, 1969. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3LFML_pxlY
“Sloop John B,” traditional (arranged by Brian Wilson), performed by the Beach Boys, from the album Pet Sounds, 1965. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSAoEf1Ib58
“I’ll Never Fall in Love Again,” written by Jimmy Currie and Lonnie Donegan, performed by Tom Jones, from the album 13 Smash Hits, 1967. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qaZPikeMqE
“Pop a Top,” written by Nat Stuckley, performed by Jim Edward Brown, from the album Just Jim, 1967. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOlZgr9vwgY
“At Last,” written by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren, performed by Etta James, from the album At Last!, 1960. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-cbOl96RFM
“The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” adapted by Hugo Peretti, Luigi Creatore, George David Weiss, and Albert Stanton (later credited attribution: Solomon Linda, original “Mbube” writer*), performed by Robert John, single-only release, 1972. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7mDzwYcZiM
“Joy to the World,” written by Hoyt Axton, performed by Three Dog Night, from the album Naturally, 1971. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVcpKjXYa5c
“Mr. Bojangles,” written by Jerry Jeff Walker, performed by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, from the album Uncle Charlie & His Dog Teddy, 1970. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGJ5ikbe0GQ
“Don’t Pull Your Love,” written by Brian Potter and Dennis Lambert, performed by Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds, from the album Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds, 1971. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4X1ks2pKoo
“The Times They Are A-Changin’,” written by Bob Dylan, performed by Bob Dylan, from the album The Times They Are A-Changin’, 1965. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90WD_ats6eE
“Maggie May,” written by Martin Quittenton, performed by Rod Stewart, from the album Every Picture Tells a Story, 1971. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlFPDi1B-jM
“The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down,” written by Robbie Robertson, performed by Joan Baez, from the album Blessed Are ..., 1971. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wanJQC5KAfo
“Runaway,” written by Del Shannon and Max Crook, performed by Del Shannon, from the album Runaway with Del Shannon, 1961. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0S13mP_pfEc
“I’m Sorry,” written by Dub Allbritten and Ronnie Self, performed by Brenda Lee, from the album Brenda Lee, 1960. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-TkjEdB1kE
“Scenes from an Italian Restaurant,” written by Billy Joel, performed by Billy Joel, from the album The Stranger, 1977. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hxx8IWIvKg0
“My Girl,” written by Smokey Robinson and Ronald White, performed by the Temptations, from the album The Temptations Sing Smokey, 1964. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3KJ7d2qBoA
“Don’t Go Breaking my Heart,” written by Ann Orson (AKA Elton John) and Carte Blanche (AKA Bernie Taupin), performed by Elton John and Kiki Dee, single-only release, later included in the UK version of the CD Rock of the Westies as a bonus track, and in various Greatest Hits albums, 1976. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0qW9P-uYfM
“Against the Wind,” written by Bob Seger, performed by Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band, from the album Against the Wind, 1980. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBJRD1VkxmI
“Roses Are Red,” written by Al Byron and Paul Evans, performed by Bobby Vinton, from the album Roses Are Red, 1962. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rjPC7-JMUM
“Mull of Kintyre,” written by Paul McCartney and Denny Laine, performed by Paul McCartney and the 78th Highlanders (Halifax Citadel) Pipe Band at the Halifax Commons, July 11, 2009, from the album London Town (1993 reissue), 1977. https://youtu.be/r7LoXtTLWvM
“Born to Be Wild,” written by Mars Bonfire, performed by Steppenwolf, from the album Steppenwolf, 1968. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMbATaj7Il8
“Les Ditons de Chez-Nous,” par Wendell d’Eon et Philip d’Eon, performé par Philip et Wendell, de l’album Coureur de Bois, 2004. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRL6Mymky6M
“I’d Love to Change the World,” written by Alvin Lee, performed by Ten Years After, from the album A Space in Time, 1971. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEQNb17BSd0

* Of interest is the song “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” of which I featured the Robert John version but had to remove because it only came out in 1972, a year after my story ends, and I replaced it with “Joy to the World,” by Three Dog Night. But “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” has a richer history, having been adapted from “Mbube” (meaning “Lion”) by African Singer Solomon Linda, and with no credit given to Linda. A decades-long lawsuit finally settled the matter in favour of Linda’s heirs in a 2006 out-of-court settlement, more than 50 years after the original adaptation. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solomon_Linda.