Late Night Music College Football Playoff Edition Part 199....."Miss Jackson If You're Nasty"
Sometimes, do you ever wonder why some people get all the respect in a song title, while others are just on simple first name basis? Tonight’s list explores those people who got the respect that others didn’t in the song title.
In order to be considered, the SONG TITLE must have had a salutation of Mr., Mrs., or Miss in it. Also receiving votes in this category were: “Please Mister Please” by Olivia Newton- John, “Mr. Moonlight” by the Beatles, and “No More Mr. Nice Guy” by Alice Cooper.
“Mrs. Robinson”- Simon and Garfunkel.- We start this list off with Simon and Garfunkel’s 1967 ode to teenage adultery that was famously featured in the Dustin Hoffman classic movie “The Graduate”. This single was also featured on the duo’s classic 1968 album Bookends where it not only shot to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, but it became the first rock song ever to win the Record of the Year at following year’s Grammy Awards. This song was included in “The Graduate” due to director Mike Nicholls’ obsession with the band, which led to him begging Columbia Records for several weeks to use the duo in his movie. Many fans accused Simon and Garfunkel of “selling out” after learning of this, but seriously, doesn’t everyone have a price? Two things in the song that are noticeable is the overt reference to the Beatles song “I Am The Walrus” and the Yankee fan Paul Simon referring to Yankee great Joe DiMaggio. According to Simon, this was originally going to be Mickey Mantle, but DiMaggio “just fit the syllables better”.
“Mr. Wendal”- Arrested Development. In 5th grade, you were cool if you had the Atlanta rap group Arrested Development CD 3 Years, 5 Months, & 2 Days in the Life Of.... This super catchy song written about the plight of homeless people in the United States became the band’s most well known song while shooting to #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the summer of 1992. This well known song with 2 other top ten singles on the band’s debut album helped them win 2 Grammys in 1993 included famously beating out Boyz II Men for Best New Artist. Unfortunately for Arrested diverse and afrocentric alternative sound to gangsta rap would fail to really catch on, as the band never again gained the popularity of their debut album despite their positive message and unique sound. The band continues to tour, with this song still being a crowd favorite.
“Please Mr. Postman”- The Marvelettes. In 1961, the all girl Motown group The Marvelettes mad music history by being the first Motown group to hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 when this title track from their debut album made them one of the best one hit wonders of all time. It was also one of the first all female recordings to ever reach #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. This classic song was also covered by the Beatles in 1963 on their album With The Beatles. I smell a bonus video.
“Mr. Blue Sky”- ELO. I freaking love Jeff Lynne and ELO! This super cool single was featured on the band’s 1977 album Out of the Blue and peaked at #35 on the Billboard Hot 100. With a Beatle-inspired sound, Jeff Lynne said he wrote this song while he was in Switzerland after the sun came out after 2 straight weeks of clouds and rain and he was blown away by the sun shining down on the Alps. After writing this song, he wrote the rest of the album in a matter of days. I would also go on to venture that this has to be the only song in the history of the Billboard chart that features someone playing a fire extinguisher. It’s the cowbell sound you hear.
“Mr. Roboto”- Styx. Yes! This ultimate “up yours” to censorship finally has an excuse to be on a list! In 1982, the original Styx lineup had an amazing swan song with their 1982 concept/rock opera album Kilroy Was Here. The album about music being censored by the government and people not being allowed to express themselves is brought to a boiling point in this song that helped us all learn a little bit of Japanese along the way. Dennis Deyoung was always so proud of this song and album, but it alienated a lot of classic Styx fans, and despite the album going platinum and this single peaking at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100, Styx would break up in 1983, only sporadically reuniting with other lineups. So, we can all honestly say that Kilroy was definitely here.
“Mr. Brightside”- The Killers. Las Vegas rock group the Killers made a splash with this debut single from their 2004 debut album Hot Fuss. This song about paranoia turning into an obsession is pretty spectacular and let us know from the beginning what this band was all about. This instant chemistry is shown with the writing and singing of guitarist Dave Keuning and the lead singer Brandon Flowers. This song would go on to be one of the most downloaded in the history of the United Kingdom and would peak at #10 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2004. This song has an unbelivable cover from Los Angeles band Run River North. You know it’s coming.
“Mr. Tanner”- Harry Chapin. I always love when I have an excuse to include the Taxi man on these lists. This “story” from his 1973 album Short Stories was a fan favorite throughout his career as it told the story of a launderer from Dayton, Ohio who uses his gift of singing only to be let down. The most amazing thing about this song was the inclusion of “O Holy Night” sung in the background of the chorus by “Big John” Wallace. The funny thing is that while he was an amazing writer and artist, Harry Chapin never struck me as a great singer, but Wallace truly has an amazing voice. The inspiration for this song actually came from some newspaper critic articles Chapin saw in 1971 and 1972. According to Chapin, the “review” part of the song from the newspaper is the actual words he saw in those reviews.
“Ms. Jackson”- Outkast. This rap classic from the ATLiens themselves was featured on the 2000 critically acclaimed album Stankonia and went to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 while taking home the Grammy for Best Rap Performance. This ultimate breakup song is based on the experience Andre 3000 had with Erykah Badu’s mother after their breakup a few years before. This song also famously samples “Strawberry Letter 23” by the Brothers Johnson. Outkast was definitely an anomaly in the early 2000’s rap genre, as they really didn’t get into the gangsta side, but still stayed true to their roots in Atlanta and rapped about real life issues. I miss when rappers actually had talent.
“Ms. Jackson”- Panic! At The Disco featuring LOLO. From one Ms. Jackson to another. Las Vegas band Panic! At The Disco recorded this single as the lead to their 2013 album Too Weird To Love, Too Rare To Die!. This single would peak at #68 on the Billboard Hot 100, but not without first including this extremely entertaining video featuring Katrina Bowden from NBC’s “30 Rock”- in typical PATD style. Known for their interesting videos, the band didn’t let us down here. Lead singer Brendan Urie said that this song was about his playing lifestyle with women and the hurt he felt when the tables were turned on him. The coolest part of this song has to be the chorus though. Who else can pull off a reference to the smoking hot Janet Jackson more hilariously?
“Mr. and Mrs. Smith”- Megan Hilty and Will Chase from “Smash”. Man this song brings back memories! I loved this show! This song from the NBC Broadway inspired show “Smash” features Broadway performer Megan Hilty and Broadway veteran and star of ABC’s “Nashville” Will Chase. This great clip shows how the show’s Broadway production the show was centered around called “Bombshell” based on the life of Marilyn Monroe included her life in the private realm. This song features her singing to her husband Joe DiMaggio longing to have a normal life. This show was filled with great songs, and I have a feeling I am going to include another one here in a second.
“Mr. Jones”- The Counting Crows. What an amazing song! In 6th grade, you were only cool if you had this CD, August And Everything After. In 1993, the Counting Crows made a huge splash with this great album and this amazingly catchy song. This autobiographical song went to #2 on the Billboard Top 40 Mainstream Chart. The basis of this song, according to writer and lead singer Adam Duritz is about him and his friend Marty of his previous band, The Himalayans dreaming of being big stars. Interestingly enough, this song peaked on the chart the same week that Kurt Cobain killed himself. Duritz later wrote a song about this called “Catapult” that would appear on their next album. Bonus video?
“Me and Mrs. Jones”- Billy Paul. Philadelphia soul crooner Billy Paul made his one splash with stardom with his 1972 single from his album The 360 Degrees of Billy Paul with this ode to extramarital affairs that included his soulful voice on a jazz track. This single went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became easily Paul’s biggest hit of his career. Paul would later make legal history by successfully suing for unpaid royalties when his voice was used without permission in a commercial featuring Marion Jones promoting a Nike campaign for the upcoming Sydney Summer Olympics in 2000. This landmark case paved the way for other artists to collect unpaid royalties.
“Mr. Telephone Man”- New Edition. Seriously, why did Youtube delete this video? This 1984 bubble gum song from Boston Boy Band New Edition. This single from their self-titled album shot to #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was actually written by Ray Parker, Jr. of “Ghostbusters Theme Song” fame. New Edition was just so ahead of their time, and this song proves it, as there was not really another group that sounded similar to them at the time. This ode to teenage rejection remains a favorite of New Edition fans everywhere.
BONUS VIDEOS
“Please Mister Postman”- The Beatles.
“Catapult”- The Counting Crows.
“Let Me Be Your Star”- From “Smash”.
“Mr Brightside”- Run River North.
“Nasty Boys”- Janet Jackson. You knew it was coming.
Counting Crows
Simon and Garfunkel
Outkast
Panic! At The Disco
The Killers
posted by General 5A Pigott at 9:53 PM
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