Favorite Todd Rundgren song

[SiouxJ]

either with or without Utopia. Or Nazz for that matter. I'm putting mostly hits in the poll so everyone can participate but I realize since we have an abundance of Todd fans (and you know who you are :hi: ) that the more famous songs aren't necessarily your favorites, so please add them in you post!

I voted for "Love of the Common Man" - my all time favorite and lucky for me it seems to be one of his too as he performs it at every show (at least he has at all the ones I've been to).

[mac56]

1. How could I ever pass up this poll?!

It's like trying to pick a favorite kid.

Okay, okay, I went with "I Saw The Light". I'm just a three-minute pop song guy, after all.

:loveya:

[SiouxJ]

27. Yes you are!

sorry, it took me so long to reply to you Mac, I got distracted with my obvious omission and then I had to do some business on the phone.

3 minute pop songs rule!

:loveya:

[CanuckAmok]

2. Onomatopea!

"...Everytime I see ya,
It gives me a feeling in my heart that I can't describe,
It's like a whiirr, clack, dingle, crack, ring, humm..."

and next would be "Change Myself"

[SiouxJ]

7. *snarf*

OOOOO, I was so tempted to put that on there - lol But I think only real Todd fans are on to it. I actually brought that song to my HS english class and played it for the class because the teacher had used the word in a vocabulary lesson.

[CanuckAmok]

47. Funny thing about Mr. Rundgren...

Often I'll hear something by another band I really like, and it turns out it's produced or mixed by Todd. It happens more often than not-- As much as I enjoy his original music, I think I prefer his production.

Examples:
XTC's BRILLIANT Skylarking album, and Some of the best Lords of the New Church stuff.


Also: I LOVE Deface the Music (I know he's playing on that one, I just forgot to mention it earlier).

[Ivory_Tower]

49. Have you heard "An Elpee's Worth of Productions"?

It's a compilation album of recordings produced by Todd. Very cool -- there were some tracks that I loved that I had no idea involved him. (I think one of them was "I'm An Adult Now" -- great track.)

Finally got to see him a few years ago on a Beatles tribute tour -- a band featuring Alan Parsons, Ann Wilson, John Entwistle and Todd Rundgren, playing each others' stuff in the first set, and then doing Beatles tunes in the second set. Kinda cool, actually.

Haven't picked a favorite yet. Too tough to choose.

On Edit: I have a soft spot for the album "A Capella"

[SiouxJ]

55. I saw him on that tour too

only no Ann Wilson and Entwistle had just died. They did a tribute to him in fact. Damn! Not fair! You got Ann Wilson! Though I shouldn't complain, I got Jack Bruce. Ew, and Christopher Cross. :-( No, I think you got the better line up.

"A Capella" is wonderful. I have "Elpee" too. I even have the album he produced for Shawn Cassidy. I used to buy everything he produced. Just love his sound.

[Ivory_Tower]

67. Not to gloat, but...

"Barracuda" kicked ass at that show -- that song fit Entwistle so well....still hard to believe he's gone. Jack Bruce would be cool to see, but Christopher Cross??? How did HE get in there?

And I had no idea Todd produced a Shawn Cassidy album. Can't say I'd go so far as to hunt that one down for my collection, but who knows, if Todd produced it, maybe it's not so bad...

[SiouxJ]

68. Well I have seen both

Ann Wilson (with Heart, at least 3 times) and the Who with Entwistle (once) so that's not too bad.

Actually it wasn't really that bad - the SC album. I think it was called "Wasp". He did a decent cover of something as I recall. I probably haven't listened to it in 20 years. I think Kasim played on it as well. Maybe Powell too.

[Skittles]

3. Hiroshima

no flames por favor

[SiouxJ]

28. Don't you ever fucking forget!

Yeah, I like that one too!

[Skittles]

36. I no longer have that album

but I remember I played it a LOT. :D

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

4. Can we still be friends!!! How could you forget that one???

[SiouxJ]

8. Oh shit! I fucked up!

It was supposed to be on there second. Brain fart.

[BurtWorm]

12. You can edit it!

I do that all the time. It helps me get the results I wanted. ;)

[BurtWorm]

5. "Can We Still Be Friends"

Why isn't that up there? Or is it? Do my eyes deceive me?

[SiouxJ]

10. Should I swap one out?

would anybody care?

[mac56]

14. Sure, go ahead.

nm

[BurtWorm]

15. You done good. Now I can vote.

[Ilsa]

6. i didn't know he did Bang a Drum...n/t

[blm]

9. Where's Can we Still be Friends?

Harrumph.

[SiouxJ]

13. Ok! Ok!

So I fucked up. I fixed it, now go vote :-)

[blm]

51. Why, thanks, good soul.

I'll even bump you.

[Richardo]

11. Hey I'm as culturally insensitive as the next guy - but ...

..."We Gotta Get You a Woman" has to have some of the most misogynistic lyrics this side of Eminem, even if it is about hookers. Talk about objectification:

Leroy, boy, is that you?
I thought your post-hangin’ days were through,
Sunk-in eyes and full of sighs,
Tell no lies, you get wise,
I tell you now we’re gonna pull you through,
There’s only one thing left that we can do.

We gotta get you a woman,
It’s like nothin’ else to make you feel sure you’re alive.
We gotta get you a woman,
We better get walkin’, we’re wastin’ time talkin’ now.

Leroy, boy, you’re my friend
You say how and I’ll say when
Come and meet me down the street
Take a seat, it’s my treat
You may not ever get this chance again
That empty feeling’s just about to end.

Talkin’ ’bout life and what it means to you,
It don’t mean nothin’ if it don’t run through
I got one thing to say, you know it’s true
You got to find some time to get this thing together.

Talkin’ ’bout things about that special one
They may be stupid but they sure are fun
I’ll give it to you while we’re on the run
Because we ain’t got time to get this thing together, ’cause we
Got to get together with a woman who has been around,
One who knows better than to let you down,
Let’s hope there’s still one left in this whole town,
And that she’ll take some time to get this thing together.

We gotta get you a woman
And when we’re through with you,
We’ll get me one too.

[SiouxJ]

16. I never took it that way

I always assumed (knowing how Todd thinks) he was referring to the "things" not women. The silly stupid "things." It never, ever entered my mind any other way.

[mac56]

19. Neither did I.

I agree - I thought "stupid but fun" referred to the "things" they would talk about, not the women.

[XNASA]

17. "It's time to take you home...............................................

I voted for the "The Last Ride". Whenever I think of the first few notes of the solo after Todd sings "It's time to take you home!", the hairs on the back of my neck literally stand up.

But, I have a few other faves like.........

"It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference"
"Cliche"
"The Verb (to Love)"
"I Think You Know"
"No. 1 Lowest Common Denominator"
"Don't You Ever Learn?"

I could go on, as you know, forever.

Incidentally, I'm getting involved with a band again. The band is new, but have already written about 15 or 20 songs. I sat down at the piano and was showing them my idea for this song they had written (it previously had no piano parts) and two of the guys went, "Wow. Those chords sound cool. You must listen to a lot of Todd Rundgren or something."

[SiouxJ]

29. Lol! I am always drawn to bands that have obvious Todd influence

I'm a sucker for rock piano so that's probably why I love Todd so much.

I love Cliche and The Verb (to Love) too. It seems odd to say that "Faithful" is my favorite Todd album because half of it is covers but it is the first album I ever heard of his so it has a special place in my heart. So many great songs on that one.

[XNASA]

34. The Todd song that sounds most like this new band so far is............

"Black and White" or "Black Mariah".

Lot's of big, dumb, distorted guitars. Real simple stuff. But everyone in the band is quite seasoned. Which is a lot more fun than trying to do complicated stuff with the minimum amount of talent.

I'm gonna put this new band's influences firmly in the Stooges, early Cheap Trick, Replacements vein. We plan on picking up the Midwestern Power Pop Torch and carrying it since nobody else seems to want to shoulder the burden.

But everyone has a wide range of influences. So......this should be fun.

[SiouxJ]

40. Black and White

yet another great song off of "Faithful."

I'm sure it's gotta be a kick playing with people who know what they're doing. Working with pros always makes it so much more enjoyable. I was at the House of Blues in Vegas last month and the house band just kicked! A bunch of older guys that really knew their stuff. YOu could tell they were having a blast even though not a lot of people were paying attention. I was betting they were a bunch of retired studio musicans who got together to screw around with the blues. It was great watching them anticipate each other's moves etc. Very entertaining. They went well with my martini though as everyone knows, the food at the HOB sucks. But you don't go there for the food. ;-)

YOur band sounds right up my alley with those influences. I'd love to hear something when you get it all together.

[ProfessorGAC]

33. Good For You, XNASA

Glad to hear the bug has reinfected you.

The songwriting thing is a good story. Keep that one filed away.

The one i have that's similar is the time my drummer (John) was on the job (sales, so he spends lots of time in the car) listening to a jazz sampler CD. He hears a song and says to himself "Man, that sounds a lot like GAC!" He turns the jewel box over and it's Monk!

He called me that night and said "Now i know what you mean about being influenced like Monk. There's a lot of him in your playing."

So, i know how neat it is to have someone knowledgeable recognize your influences.
The Professor

[XNASA]

35. Yeah. Me too.

Only problem so far is that when I come home from rehearsing, I'm so stoked that I can't fall asleep.

Guess that's a good thing.

[catpower2000]

18. I'm fairly certain I've never heard a Todd Rundgren song nt

[mac56]

20. Oh, Cat!

I envy you for the first time you hear him.

[BurtWorm]

24. I'll bet you have and didn't know it was him.

How are you doing, by the way? Did you get my message of love in the Tell me thread?

[SiouxJ]

30. If you want I can send you some

I bet you'd recognize them in an instant. A lot of people know his songs but don't know who he is.

If you have a fast modem, let me know and I'll send you two that I bet you've heard.

[Rick Myers]

21. Since it's DU, how about "Just One Victory!!!!!!"

[XNASA]

25. "Eyes that have seen, will know what I mean"

"The time has come to take the bull by the horns
We've been so downhearted, we've been so forlorn
We get weak and we want to give in
But we still need each other if we want to win"

For years, this of course was Todd's show closer.
Pretty inspirational stuff.

Good choice.

[Rick Myers]

46. Janet also suggests

"Lizastrada" (the Utopita album?)

[last_texas_dem]

22. Voted for "I Saw the Light"...

...but "It Wouldn't Have Made a Difference" is right up there beside it, and I love numerous others as well.

[bmbmd]

23. I voted for "Hello, it's me"

When I saw him on Letterman last month, I felt eighteen again.

[regnaD kciN]

58. I especially liked the original, VERY slow version,,,

...he recorded as part of The Nazz back in '67 or '68.

[zekeson]

26. Emperor of the Highway?

I voted for Can we Still be Friends on the sheer beauty of the song. However, Emperor of the Highway actually changed the way I have purchased cars and driven for the last 20 years....

Emperor Of The Highway
I am the Emperor of the Highway
I wield the Universal Will
One might chance to overlook on my Divineness
Unless I'm sitting in the Imperial Poupe de Ville
I am the Emperor of the Highway
Strapped with foolish mortals such as these
I need never indicate my intentions
I can stop and go and turn just as I please
For I am the Emperor of the Highway

Hold!
Methinks that thou hast driven too far
I am the Royal Prince of Foreign Sports Cars
Better that I should drive a wheelchair or jog
Than to be blown off by a Regal Road Hog

I am the Emperor of the Highway
(Where did you ever get that gas sucking pig of a car?)
This time my friend, you are outclassed
(Any real man would drive a stick shift)
For my uncle is the Duke of the State Police
(Cut me off again and I will punch your lights out)
And he will place his Royal Boot upon your Ass
(This is my exit, we shall meet another day)

Don't forget who's Emperor of the Highway
For I am the Emperor of the Highway!

[catmandu57]

31. The wheel from Another Live

Screamed myself hoarse trying to get him to play it at Arrowhead 76 or 77? who remembers.

[ProfessorGAC]

32. Couldn't Choose One

Sorry, Sioux. Here my top 10, though: (Most of which my band does)

Hello, It's Me
I Saw The Light
Caravan
Zen Machine
Out of Control
One World
Jealousy
Crybaby
Love Is The Answer
There Goes My Inspiration

The Professor

[SiouxJ]

37. Caravan!

Oh man I'm having flash backs! Great song!

Well I lost my kit and camel
Maybe I will die
Feel so lost and helpless and I think I'm gonna cry
It's a sand storm, nothing you can do
No one knows if it will last
No one knows if you will make it through

[ProfessorGAC]

38. Too Bad You Never Heard Our Version

I think you'd like it. Our drummer sang the lead, but we wove in echo voices and lots of harmonies, even more than the record.

I created a sandstorm sound during the bridge ("It's a sandstorm, taken by surprise, hide beneath . . ."). I've got an oboe playing a counterpoint line behind the vocals in the verses in a middle eastern scale. Gosh, i think i'm SOOOOOO clever.

It intentionally rocks harder at the end during the exchange of solos between me and guitar player. We did it as a big production number. Lighting was well worked out (we had 68 lights) with the smoke on the stage and everything.

Man i loved doing that song.
The Professor

[SiouxJ]

41. God, that sounds so cool!

just from your description. You ARE soooo clever but I already knew that. Gotta love a little smoke on the stage :-) .

[bbernardini]

39. This is the most impossible task EVER.

Todd is one of my top two favorite musicians/composers of all time (the other being Frank Zappa). I've always been partial to the songs from "2nd Wind", since it was my first Todd album. Actually, my favorite might be "Jesse", an unreleased song everybody on DU would love.

Anybody want to trade Todd/Utopia shows? :)

[SiouxJ]

44. I think I've heard "Jesse"

I think he performed it at a show I went to. It just sounds very familiar.

I've seen Todd many, many times so I'd love to "trade shows" but I've got to do at least SOME work in between my posting on DU so perhaps another time.

Thanks for playing! Always great to meet another Todd fan!

Oh and welcome to DU!

[Bossy Monkey]

42. There was also his "I'll play all the instruments" "Good Vibrations" cover

for honorable mention

[SiouxJ]

43. Believe it or not

that song is responsible for getting me into Todd. My dad actually bought "Faithful" for that cover. He thought it was better than the Beach Boys version. He couldn't relate to the rest of the album so years later when he was cleaning out his record collection, he found it and asked me if I wanted it (he had a habit of doing that, which I loved - lol). I just fell in love with it and started searching out everything I could get my hands on by my new "find." It was a little overwhelming finding out what a large catalog he had already amassed by 1980. The first thing I bought was "Adventures in Utopia" and then I backtracked from there until I had everything. That tour was the first time I saw them live too. Heh, better late than never.

[displacedvermoter]

45. I likes my Todd rocking heavy

So "Heavy Metal Kids" is a great favorite of mine. Also like his version of the Move's "Do Ya". "S.L.U.T." is another favorite. And "Couldn't I just Tell You" is one more I like. Just about everything on Something/Anything hits the spot. And the Live Utopia stuff, too!

[blondeatlast]

48. Todd is God (like); but of course God even outdid himse;f with

Maui and the Grand Canyon.

My vote is for, "Hello," but a damn tough choice.

[SiouxJ]

50. Kick for the evening crowd Todd fans

:kick:

[NashVegas]

52. "The Verb 'To Love' "

that and "Real Man," are my all time fave Todd tunes.

[Ivory_Tower]

53. So many....

for instance:

"Johnee Jingo"
"Something To Fall Back On"
"Freedom Fighters"
"Utopia Theme"
"The Ikon"
"Freak Parade"
"Change Myself"

and of course the ones you listed...
and so many more...

[rasputin1952]

54. OH...I hate it when my memory is shot....

However: Nazz Nazz, (remember the red LP?) had a song that I believe was called: "A Beautiful Song".

It started with, "I started, to write you, a beautiful , beautiful, song; the kind that makes you go, sailing out the window".......


It was a longee, and there was some excellent piano work in it. I lent the only copy of that album I ever had to a friend, (she passed away from a massive brain hemmorage @ 33 yo). :cry:

Anyway, wish I could find that piece again...it was one of the most beautiful pieces I had ever heard, very calm, placid almost.

As an aside, the only other LP that I lent to this young lady, was "Greensleeves and Other English Themes". Besides Greensleeves being one of my favorites, the flip side had "Variations on a Theme", which was incredible, if I'm not mistaken; it took up all of Side 2.

Darn it SiouxJ......now I'm all misty eyed and filled with wanderlust!

Thanks for bringing back the memories! :loveya:

[SiouxJ]

56. Hey you!

long time no talk! Sorry about your friend. That's so sad.

I'm sure I have that album but not on CD. If I did I'd send you the song. I'm not set up yet to burn off my records. Something I've been meaning to do but have been procrastinating on.

Nice to know you're a Todd fan too!

Yeah, but I get the feeling you get "misty eyed and filled with wanderlust" a lot ;-) so you can't really blame me :-). It's one of the things I love about you sweetie :-)

:loveya: too!

[rasputin1952]

60. Thanks....

BTW, do you have that Nazz Nazz album? I tried years ogo to get a copy, but it was out of print for so long, no takers.

Wonder if there is some kind of music archive I can use this piece of machinery to get into......

Oh...how I loved yhat song.

Later! :bounce:

[SiouxJ]

62. Just found out Nazz is even on CD! Look here!

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000032B6/ref%3Dnosim/lksmsubsite-sub-mu-asin-20/102-5580891-0549742

I was not fortunate enough to have the original pressing of the Nazz albums, which I hear go for big bucks now. I got the Rhino re-releases back in the 80's I was late to discover Todd. Not until around 1980.

[rasputin1952]

65. Heh, I'm showing my age...

:hi:
The album came out in 1969, just as I went into the Army and of to a tour of SE Asia courtesy of the Gov't.

Anyway!......I have ordered the CD! (re-released on CD 1990).

Sure enough, it was song #11 on the list after a little research at the Amazon site. Title: Beautiful Song.

Thank you ever so much for the link. Unfortunately, you could only listen to 4 of the 11 selections via the net....but that's fine by me; I'll have my own copy soon. :loveya:

:hug: :yourock:

[SiouxJ]

69. Thanks!

and, I'm glad I could help!

:hug: :yourock: too!

[SiouxJ]

57. Damn, nobody else likes my song

:-(

But at least I found out we have even more Todd fans than I knew about!

[Section_43]

59. Thank you for this thread!

My wife and I used Utopia's "Mated" as our wedding song.

Todd is sadly overlooked. A true musical genius.

I voted for "Love is the Answer"

My favorite album is "Runt. The Ballad of Todd Rundgren"

He is currently doing a solo tour. Reports are good, sometimes he comes out before the show and takes requests for the set list.

Todd is Godd...yr damn right he is!

[SiouxJ]

63. That's so sweet

Yeah, he writes a good love song.

I'm still hoping he'll make it out my way.

You're welcome! And welcome to DU!

[mrbill]

61. wonder who ate the other half of uncle fred.

"i'm a human being now, but i used to be a pig, til they shortened up my nose and made they made me wear a wig. i'm afraid the things on piggy farm will never be the same since they picked for this job and stuck me with a name. it's a name, it's a name, who ever heard of a pig with a name like meridan leeward....."

brilliant 60's commentary.

[Touchdown]

64. Crybaby

:spank:

[Wickerman]

66. Where the hell is Lysistrata?

Aren't we a bunch of damn anti-war Dems with strong intelligent women?

A great song

[SiouxJ]

70. I know.

but there was only so much room :shrug:

Next time I promise ;-)