Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Those who are easily outraged are easily manipulated.

Every one of the “Roberts Six” lied to get on the court.

Just because you believe it, that does not make it true.

“In this country American means white. everybody else has to hyphenate.”

🎶 Those boots were made for mockin’ 🎵

Accountability, motherfuckers.

Fight for a just cause, love your fellow man, live a good life.

He really is that stupid.

Humiliatingly small and eclipsed by the derision of millions.

It’s the corruption, stupid.

I desperately hope that, yet again, i am wrong.

GOP baffled that ‘we don’t care if you die’ is not a winning slogan.

I’m more christian than these people and i’m an atheist.

They think we are photo bombing their nice little lives.

America is going up in flames. The NYTimes fawns over MAGA celebrities. No longer a real newspaper.

If you don’t believe freedom is for everybody, then the thing you love isn’t freedom, it is privilege.

Of course you can have champagne before noon. That’s why orange juice was invented.

“woke” is the new caravan.

Their shamelessness is their super power.

The party of Reagan has become the party of Putin.

Keep the Immigrants and deport the fascists!

Come on, man.

Stand up, dammit!

Reality always lies in wait for … Democrats.

You are here: Home / Open Threads / Late Night Open Thread

Late Night Open Thread

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In a weird bit of serendipity, I woke up this morning with Whole Lotta Love as my earworm, so it was kind of odd to check the front page and see Doug Milhous J using Zep lyrics as titles.

Here is the current earworm:

Was there a better rock vocalist than Freddie Mercury and Chris Cornell in the last thirty years?

Also, latest song in my pet serenade repertoire: Rosie’s Barking, sung to the tune of Janie’s Crying. Was talking to friends and we mentioned how awesome Rosie has become compare to how wretched she was the first year, and she really has become a complete sweetie. There no longer is a #1 dog (Lily) and a #2 dog (Rosie), it’s now more like #1 and #1.50. I still know which one I will put on the life raft with me if I can only fit one.

Wait? What? You don’t run these scenarios through your head? I know the order of everyone I am saving, and some of you just didn’t make the list.

Reader Interactions

119Comments

  1. 1.

    Crusty Dem

    Was there a better rock vocalist than Freddie Mercury and Chris Cornell in the last thirty years?

    No..SATSQ

  2. 2.

    chicodude

    For many years I had a mental list of people that I would take out if I got some sort of incurable cancer.

    Then I got cancer, but apparently it was curable, cause I’m still here 11 years later. And I don’t have that list in my head anymore.

  3. 3.

    Big R

    I honestly don’t know which cat I would save first. Probably the scaredy cat, because the proud princess would be more likely to find her own way out, while he’s likely to hide under the bed.

  4. 4.

    muddy

    After a naughty day, my dogs did something amazing tonight. I had to interrupt my supper to go outdoors and talk to a neighbor. Left the plate of sausages on the side table next to my chair. I was gone out of the house for 10 minutes. No one molested the sausages! Sawyer was sitting next to them with his face averted and drooling/whining. They have been taught not to steal, but I never thought it would cover me leaving the house entirely. Good dogs. I gave them some of the sausage, that seemed fair.

  5. 5.

    Alison

    I only have the one cat, so as long as my parents are able to get themselves out, I don’t have to make any Sophie’s Choices.

    Well, there are my mom’s parakeets, but…she can take them. I’ll have my hands full with the cat and as many books as I can stuff in a Chico bag.

  7. 7.

    bnut

    In terms of rock Freddie is the standard at this point. Cornell is good. I might put Plant in front of him, Axl Rose is high up there. Any one who says Steve Perry must burn, Journey isn’t rock.

  8. 8.

    Ted & Hellen

    Oh John Cole, you are just the BEST.

    You’ve a heart of gold and everything you do shines bright as the noon day sun.

  9. 9.

    YellowJournalism

    That’s a fun game to play with congress, except you just imagine tossing them all overboard and watch them feed each other to the sharks as you sit back with a glass of wine.

  10. 10.

    Cacti

    @bnut:

    Cornell is good.

    By far the best of the Plant imitators, and I don’t mean that in a backhanded way. RP had the most imitated vocal sound of any rock front man.

  11. 11.

    guachi

    I was always partial to youtube.com/watch?v=JyVj8AeeVpg “With You There to Help Me” by Jethro Tull. My college roommate and I (early ’90s) would listen to this while studying.

    I think he’s harmonizing with himself, but it sounds nice.

    It is, however, outside of the 30 year range mentioned by Mr. Cole, so really it’s just an excuse to link a song I like.

  14. 14.

    Ash Can

    I would expect that a non-paying and often vexatious hobby such as this blog would be among the first of the kindling to go if the shit were ever to truly hit the fan and fly at random.

  15. 15.

    SatanicPanic

    Purely on the merits of his singing, no one beats Freddie Mercury. But if we’re talking about all-around frontman ability, Axl Rose was the best in the last 30 years. It’s not even a contest. You could make a solid case for Axl being best ever. In terms of all-around frontmen, Freddie’s not that high on my list.

  16. 16.

    Comrade Mary

    So Chris Cornell is your singer #1.50? Hmmph!

    Please make some room on the life raft and post this above the fold.

  17. 17.

    ruemara

    I woke up somewhere around 6 this morning after 4 hours of sleep because I was freezing. had to get a spare blanket and then I dreamed?/thought?/dozed? that I was a burrito and that to stay warm, all I needed was a job where I could have heat lamps aimed at all my limbs and one for the head. But it would require a very odd suite for walking around. Now I’m running a broadcast that has been on 1 item for 3 hours straight nearly. And I’m cold and falling asleep.I really hope this meeting ends soon. I just want to g to sleep and be warm. maybe even eat food or something. but sleep. I hate being cold. and sleepy.

  18. 18.

    NotMax

    Was there a better rock vocalist than Freddie Mercury and Chris Cornell in the last thirty years?

    Chuck Berry
    Stevie Nicks
    Michael Jackson
    Harry Nilsson
    Stevie Wonder

    To name just a scant few.

  19. 19.

    Anne Laurie

    Terry Prachett has a character (in Maskerade) who establishes his worth & virture by answering the “If your house was on fire, what would you carry out first?” question by saying “The fire.”

    Not his beloved, elderly, very competent mother? “No, because my mother would rather walk out on her own!”

  20. 20.

    Suffern ACE is a Basset Hound

    Did Bill Kellher really write that only Ken Starr can save us?

  23. 23.

    Buffalo Rude

    Mercury, yes. Cornell, while very good in his own right, is quite a ways down the list from the late great Freddie, IMHFO.

    And let’s not forget the fella that all but pioneered the swaggering front-man schtick the likes of Plant, Mercury, Rose et al worked to great success: Jim Dandy from Black Oak Arkansas.

  24. 24.

    trollhattan

    @NotMax:

    I have to tip the scales to Harry Nilsson if I compare him against Freddy; a once-in-a-lifetime voice. As far as rock and roll singers go, I’ll vote Chrissie Hynde.

    p.s. Today’s Google doodle is a heartwrencher, in a good way.

  27. 27.

    soonergrunt (mobile)

    I was sitting on my couch, surrounded by all of our boxes of junk that we need to unpack and find homes for, and reading Balloon-juice and drinking a nice merlot, when our dog Melody jumped up into my lap. She’s had a rough time of it lately with the move and the tornado, and spending the night alone in a new place right after the tornado, and she’s a little clingy.
    well, I was petting her, and thinking about the last few days with closing, and preparations for my son’s graduation, and moving, and the tornado and the boy being out of my sight, and the drive through the zone, and how I let you guys worry needlessly, and today we stood up a call center for Veterans and their families and we pulled that out of our asses, and it’s a nightmare to do anything right now, and I’m a self centered prick for thinking about my issues when so many people have lost so much, and I started crying.
    And then I just couldn’t stop. And for the last twenty minutes I just sat here holding my dog and shaking and crying.
    I needed it. I needed so badly to just feel sad and elated and angry and hopeful and everything else without the burden of being responsible for anything for a few minutes.
    You guys mean a lot to me, and I am so honored that you let me be a part, however small of this community, and I just wanted you to know that.

  28. 28.

    Suzanne

    I knew that Rosie would worm her stubborn way into your heart. She’s just like you, which is why it took a while.

    I definitely have a Kitteh and The Other Kitteh. Found out today that I am allergic to cats and dogs. Oh well. That’s what Zyrtec is for.

  30. 30.

    Violet

    So glad Rosie has turned out to be such a good dog. I remember when you were talking about finding her another home. You did a good job of helping her adjust and feel safe.

  32. 32.

    Kris Collins

    @NotMax: The category is ROCK singer not “popular singer of the last 40 years.” I agree that your choices are all great, with the exception of Stevie Nicks, her voice is like chalk on a blackboard to me, but none of them are “rock” singers. In that category, Robert Plant pretty much is the gold standard as far as I’m concerned, but for sheer vocal beauty and versatility, nobody tops Freddy. I really don’t know anything about that Soundgarten guy, might be great, I’m just not into the band. And Axl Rose? Are you kidding me????

  34. 34.

    Violet

    @soonergrunt (mobile): Sounds like a good release of all the held in emotions from the last few days. You’ve been through a lot. You’re important to us. Thanks for letting us into your world.

  36. 36.

    trollhattan

    @soonergrunt (mobile):

    Breathe, brother, breathe. You’ve stared directly at death and that comes at a cost. And you made us proud with what you were able to do afterwards. Me, I’d have been a tub of tofu. Lucky for us all we have our two- and four-legged critters to help us get back on track; what we can’t control is when that’s going to happen.

  38. 38.

    Kris Collins

    But I do agree that of all the singers mentioned, Harry Nilsson had the most astonishing, gorgeous, once in a generation or two voices. I have all his albums. But he wasn’t a rock singer, he was unique. When he tried to be a “rock” singer, screwing around with John Lennon, he blew out his vocal cords and ruined his voice. (Look it up, true story.)

  39. 39.

    Opie_jeanne

    @soonergrunt (mobile):
    We’re lucky to have you here. I look forward to reading your essays when they appear and have never been disappointed.

    It’s just all catching up with you now, which is better than being overwhelmed during the event.

    Take care.

  41. 41.

    eemom

    Was there a better rock vocalist than Freddie Mercury and Chris Cornell in the last thirty years?

    With all due respect, most esteemed Cole, I hate that needless contest type shit. Mercury was an awesome vocalist; so were many, many others…..what purpose is served by arguing over who was the “best” or who was “better” than who? Why can’t they ALL be enjoyed and celebrated?

  42. 42.

    The prophet Nostradumbass

    @eemom: have you ever seen the Rolling Stone lists of the “Best 500 [whatever]” they occasionally produce? They’re designed to start arguments. Trolling, to be blunt.

    ETA: btw, the reading glasses do make things a lot better when I’m wearing the contacts.

  43. 43.

    Suzanne

    My snide comment about Chad Kroeger being the best got eaten. Even FYWP hates Nickelback.

    What about Ann and Nancy Wilson, Art Garfunkel, and Meat Loaf?

  45. 45.

    ? Martin

    @soonergrunt (mobile): Dude, don’t feel bad about us worrying. You had real shit to take care of.

    Give our best to everyone there. California totally wants to see tornado shelters in all of your schools by the way. Just send us the bill.

  46. 46.

    p.a.

    @trollhattan: At age, 11, maybe 12 I asked for Son of Schmillson for Xmas. Loved the song ‘Spaceman’. Also the only song on the album I had heard. Xmas morning throw it on the RCA, not loud, but it was a small house. ‘You’re Breaking my Heart’ (you can find it in YouTube) came on “You’re breaking my heart, you’re tearing it apart, so fuck you…”. The old man, from the bedroom (as I made a desperate dive for the volume) “What the hell is that!!”

  47. 47.

    Anne Laurie

    @soonergrunt (mobile): Glad you’re finding the occasional respite.

    It’s a lot to deal with, all at once. That’s why Murphy, the Trickster God, gave us dogs — and internet communities — to help us cope.

  48. 48.

    superfly

    Was there a better rock vocalist than Freddie Mercury and Chris Cornell in the last thirty years?

    Um, yeah, Fred Durst… duh.

  49. 49.

    SRW1

    I know the order of everyone I am saving, and some of you just didn’t make the list.

    Sorry, John, but given your self-confessed levels of dexterity that comes as a relieve. I’ll take my chances with the one-legged,salty old sea dog.

  52. 52.

    trollhattan

    @p.a.:

    LOL!!

    “But dad, listen to this really nice “Remember Christmas” song. Are we cool, dad? Is Santa still coming?”

  53. 53.

    trollhattan

    @piratedan:

    Badfinger certainly one of the best pop groups ever. We’ll never know what might have been.

    There was a time I didn’t think any musician I liked would hit thirty.

  54. 54.

    heckblazer

    I’m sure we can all agree that Freddie Mercury is the best Zoroastrian rock singer from Zanzibar.

  55. 55.

    piratedan

    @trollhattan: well I have to admit, he was one of the few singer/songwriters who could make me cry with either a lyric or a melody. But as always, music is a ymmv kind of thing and I couldn’t think of anyone more diametrically opposed to Freddy Mercury than Pete. Not to say that I didn’t like Queen, hell I loved them, just a different flavor if you take my meaning.

  56. 56.

    bnut

    @soonergrunt (mobile): Best of wishes brother.
    @Kris Collins:

    And Axl Rose? Are you kidding me????

    No, we are not kidding you. Axl, despite his peculiar persona could belt like few ever will. Appetite for Destruction is probably the greatest debut album of all time, and his voice carried it.

  59. 59.

    Alison

    @Mike E: Friend of mine will be traveling there for a few days for work and is looking for a recommendation for a good BBQ place. Now, I’ve been told there is serious rivalry between the eastern and western parts of the state over this, but I’m not looking to incite any wars :P Just wondering if anyone has a favorite spot in WS…

  60. 60.

    eemom

    And Axl Rose? Are you kidding me????

    Listen to Patience, and don’t melt.

    G’wan….I dare ya. I doubledog dare ya.

  61. 61.

    bnut

    @Yatsuno: No doubt that Eddie kills. But what is the biggest vocal song that PJ ever did? Black? Better Man? I don’t find his range or ability to hold a long note that amazing. I think he’s an amazing singer and songwriter, but to put him up there as a great I think is a stretch.

  62. 62.

    Mike E

    @Alison: I hear Little Richard’s and Bib’s are good. W-S is a city of the arts with lots of excellent ambassadors who will be glad to steer your friend in the right direction!

  65. 65.

    Burnspbesq

    The last 30 years, you say? Back to 1983?

    Ok.

    Peter Case, Phil Alvin, John Doe, David Hidalgo, Cesar Rosas, Marshall Crenshaw, Chris Stamey, Peter Holsapple, Pat DiNizio, John Hiatt, Don Henley, Richie Furay, Lou Reed, Garland Jeffreys, Ben Harper, Aaron Neville, Cyril Neville, Charles Neville, Bruce Hornsby, Bob Weir, Craig Fuller, Benjamin Gibbard, Jeff Tweedy, Michael Stipe, Jason Isbell, Stevie Ray Vaughan, John Mayer, A.C. Newman, M. Ward …

    Give me five minutes and I’ll come up with 20 more.

  66. 66.

    Burnspbesq

    Bob Mould, Paul Westerberg, Prince, Gary Louris, Mark Olson, Dave Pirner, Gary Clark Jr., Dave Grohl, Eddie Vedder, Liz Phair, Exene Cervenka, Neko Case, Corin Tucker, Kathleen Edwards, Natalie Maines, Alison Moyet, Annie Lennox.

    I may not be done yet.

  67. 67.

    piratedan

    @Burnspbesq: ty for that list Burnsie…

    hell you didn’t even get to Elvis Costello, Glenn Tillbrook, Ian MacCulloch, Tom Cochrane, Graham Parker, Joe Jackson, Dave Edmunds, or Sting yet :-)

  68. 68.

    Yatsuno

    @bnut: He was really part of a wave along with Nirvana that turned 90s music on its ear. He is certainly to be recognised for that fact. I’m not really labeling him as a great per se, just noting that his voice is a nice resonant baritone. And I respect singers who realise their vocal range and its limitations.

  70. 70.

    NotMax

    @Kris Collins (#32)

    The category is ROCK singer not “popular singer of the last 40 years.”

    Sheesh.

    Rock singer, not singer with a rock band.

    Every one I named is a bona fide rock singer.

    (John Lennon named Nilsson as a favorite rock singer; that’s enough of an imprimatur for me.)

  71. 71.

    ? Martin

    @Yatsuno: Cole had it right by that measure. Chris Cornell really was much more influential in that transition out of hair metal toward grunge and other not-shitty things.

    Not sure why but I don’t much rank singers. I can appreciate really good singers, but mostly what gets my attention is really good group interactions in bands. I like a lot of depth and interest in what I listen to, so I’ll take really fantastic instrumentalists over distinctly good singers almost every time – provided they’re all working really well together. As a singer, Ms Martin is almost the opposite. She loves solo singers and really has to come around to the stuff I like.

  73. 73.

    The prophet Nostradumbass

    I am really starting to regret connecting with some of my Irish relatives on Facebook. I wish I could figure out a way to disengage from them without punting all of them, many of whom I actually like.

    It appears that, among the Protestant fringe in Northern Ireland, Moslems have replaced Catholics as the Great Satan.

  74. 74.

    Gozer

    Currently digging Daft Punk’s new album, The Stroke’s Comedown Machine, and Tame Impala’s Lonerism.

    [/Hipsterism]

  75. 75.

    ? Martin

    @The prophet Nostradumbass: Well, peace in Ireland should last eternal then. My Catholic Irish relatives have identified the same Great Satan. I’ve given those who were first responders at WTC a pass on that one, but none of the others – particularly those still in the old country.

  77. 77.

    ? Martin

    And not a shocking development, all of the for-profit insurers are opting out of California’s health care exchange and all of the not-for-profits are opting in.

    Pretty good sign that they set it up just right.

  78. 78.

    cbear

    @soonergrunt (mobile):

    Hang in there, brother.

    @Burnspbesq:

    All good.

    @bnut:

    Axl fucking Rose? You gots to be joking—an alley cat has more range—he’s a screamer, not a singer.

    Paul Rogers, Gregg Allman, Roger Daltrey, Bono, Steve Perry (4 octave range), Robert Plant, Ed Kowalczyk (Live), Nilsson, Peter Gabriel….

  80. 80.

    p.a.

    Did I miss, are we speaking strictly males? Janice, anyone? I kinda like Fiona Apple. Lucinda Williams and Allison Moorer qualify as r&r? The singer from Garbage.

  81. 81.

    Comrade Nimrod Humperdink

    Plant and Mercury were the whole package of voice and showmanship and presence, though in terms of getting an emotional response out of me Cobain (a screamer, but one of the best–a strung out fucked up version of Fogarty, another unmentioned great here) and Layne Staley in his brief prime top my list. Dirt and Jar of Flies were special albums, and his voice (harmomized with Cantrell’s and that dark guitar work) was a big reason why. The lead singer from Iron Maiden can belt it out with the best of them, if that’s your criteria. Better than Dio, in my opinion, though Dio comes closest to sounding like Mercury.

  82. 82.

    Comrade Nimrod Humperdink

    Oh, and raggedy emotional punch means a Janis Joplin mention, while I’m at it

  85. 85.

    NotMax

    To those bringing up Janis Joplin (emphasis added):

    Was there a better rock vocalist than Freddie Mercury and Chris Cornell in the last thirty years?

    She kind of falls outside that window of time, what with having died 42½ years ago.

  87. 87.

    Forked Tongue

    Let me turn that question around. Was there a rock vocalist more reliably certain to make me run screaming from the room than Freddie Mercury in the last 30 years?

  88. 88.

    Comrade Nimrod Humperdink

    @Forked Tongue: If Mercury made you do that, what would Diamond Dave have resulted in? Gawd, how bad is a sub-genre when Princess Roth is one of the best front men of the era?

  89. 89.

    Lavocat

    You have a Save List?

    Shit, nobody told me.

    I thought we were all supposed to have Hit Lists and leave it at that.

    Now you want me to SAVE people (or, at least, dogs)?

  90. 90.

    JoeC

    @SatanicPanic: I have to disagree with you about Freddie Mercury as frontman. I wasn’t that huge a Queen fan, but when I saw them doing ‘Radio Gaga’ at LiveAid I had to get my jaw off the floor…

  91. 91.

    cleek

    Paul McCartney is the best rock vocalist, ever.

    the only complaint i’ll accept is that the Beatles were not “rock”, and to which i will reply “well, based on the song in that video, neither were Queen.”

    but, 30 years excludes Paul. So Freddie’s in. and so are:

    Ann Wilson (Heart)
    Paul Simon
    Rob Halford (Judas Priest)
    Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden)
    Brad Delp (Boston)
    Paul Rodgers (Bad Co)
    Steve Perry (Journey)
    Chrissy Hynde (Pretenders)
    Fiona Apple
    Sinead OConnor

  95. 95.

    marduk

    @bnut:

    No, we are not kidding you. Axl, despite his peculiar persona could belt like few ever will. Appetite for Destruction is probably the greatest debut album of all time, and his voice carried it.

    Just… no.
    It is bad.
    Axl is bad.
    And you should feel bad.

    Screeching sack of sick cats.

  97. 97.

    joe

    Bon Scott (AC/DC)
    Peter Wolf (J. Geils Band)
    Elvis Costello
    Roger Daltry
    Chino (Deftones)
    Chrissy Hynde
    Micheal Stipe
    Joey Ramone
    Joe Strummer
    Ronnie Van Zandt
    George Micheal
    Chris Difford (Squeeze)

  99. 99.

    schrodinger's cat

    Freddie is the best and you are my best friend is one of my favorites. I think of the all barriers he had to transcend to get where he was. Listening to him sing always makes me happy.

  101. 101.

    chopper

    Was there a better rock vocalist than Freddie Mercury and Chris Cornell in the last thirty years?

    yes. his name is mike patton.

  103. 103.

    gbear

    @piratedan: I’ll ditto on Pete Ham as one of the most talented singers and writers who never got his due.

    I was on kind of a Badfinger bender last winter and this spring I discovered Townes Van Zandt (we talked about him in yesterday’s Big Star thread). I realized that almost everyone that I’ve been listening to lately died far too young.

    I’d also like to mention that Chris Cornell’s ‘Scream’ was on a lot of peoples’ list as one of the very worst rock albums of 2009. It was a horrid album.

  104. 104.

    Mark

    Peter Wolf
    David Bowie
    Bryan Ferry

    and to quote the often quoted Mr. Bogg “Your favorite band sux”

  105. 105.

    chopper

    i’d say the top three rock singers of my lifetime in terms of straight-up talent and range are Brad Delp, Freddie Mercury and Mike Patton. but that’s my opinion.

  109. 109.

    Andree-Anne

    You did a wonderful job with Rosie. She now knows that she is safe, well-cared for, and loved.

    Kudos to you for saving her and providing her with a good environment for her to bloom into her sweet self. You are really a good soul.

  111. 111.

    Herbal Infusion Bagger

    @Comrade Nimrod Humperdink:

    Gawd, how bad is a sub-genre when Princess Roth is one of the best front men of the era?

    While I never particularly liked Van Halen, you gotta respect Roth for using the Brown M&M clause as a test for compliance with a contract rider.

  114. 114.

    Vanya

    “Was there a better rock vocalist than Freddie Mercury and Chris Cornell in the last thirty years?”

    That just seems like crazy talk, if you’re talking last thirty years. Mercury was great through about 1981, but that is more than 30 years ago. Everything Queen did after The Game was horrible.

  115. 115.

    Paul in KY

    Saw Soundgarden in Louisville about 3 weeks ago. Cornell was in fine form.

    Just sayin :-)

  116. 116.

    Paul in KY

    @NotMax: Saw Stevie Wonder perform for 2 1/2 hours at The Hangout last weekend.

    Can cross that one off my bucket list.

  118. 118.

    Paul in KY

    @? Martin: Saw The Yeah Yeah Yeahs at The Hangout last weekend. They played last on Hangout Stage before Stevie Wonder.

    Karen O is super badass. Must see band in person.

  119. 119.

    Sondra

    @Crusty Dem:
    What a voice! So lovely and pure. Very little emblishment. That the pitch of the guitar blends so beautifully with Freddie’s voice is still awesome.

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