Songs Named After Cities, Part 2 - "L.A., L.A." (Translator, 1983)

 

Rich here to follow up on my previous post about songs named after cities. We've recalled "Kansas City," "Chicago," "New York, New York," and even "Seattle," and we've featured Lonnie Mack's fabulous instrumental version of "Memphis." 

 

Now, Los Angeles has had a number of songs written about it over the years, and it seems to bring out a bit of oddball and quirky observations, such as Randy Newman's video of "I Love L.A." But my favorite Los Angeles-themed song may be by the criminally underknown new wave guitar band Translator, who occasionally swerve off into white boy rap territory to comment on their love of "L.A., L.A."

TRANSLATOR - "L.A., L.A." 

HUEY "PIANO" SMITH & THE CLOWNS - "Don't You Just Know It" (1960)

 

What a title!

"Havin' Fun With Huey "Piano" Smith And The Clowns." 

What the Hell could be more fun than that in 1960? This infectious song spread like the plague, and made it all the way to #9 on The Billboard Charts, and #4 on The R&B Charts that year, and deservedly so!

It was a musical circus, and one of the best 'call & response' songs ever.

HUEY "PIANO" SMITH & THE CLOWNS - "Don't You Just Know It" 

EDGAR "JONES" JONES - "Gettin' A Little Help... From... "The JoNeSeS"

 

Edgar Jones was the lead singer and bass player in The Stairs when he was going by the name Edgar Summertyme, and after The Stairs broke up in 1994, he formed other bands like The Isrites, and The Big Kids, before coming up with Edgar Jones And The Joneses.

A lot of Edgar's music is very eclectic. It's also very good, and deserves a lot more than eight views in five years like this song. That's just shameful!

I think you'll agree.

EDGAR "JONES" JONES & THE JONESES - "She Don't Know Me"

THE STAIRS - "Mexican R'n'B" (1992)

The Stairs were the best 1960's band of 1992 in my humble opinion, and their CD titled "Mexican R'n'B" proves it.

Coming across like a rockin' mixture of The Stones, The Chocolate Watch Band, and The Music Machine, this is nearly a perfect album, and here's a sample song for the eternities. 

THE STAIRS - "Mary Joanna" 

THE 13TH FLOOR ELEVATORS - "Reverberation" (1966)

 

Anybody who knows anything about the history of Rock & Roll would probably agree that The 13th Floor Elevators should be in The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, that is, everybody except the bozos running the show in that institution.

This self-titled album put out in 1966 was groundbreaking, and full of cool songs.

Here's just one of many! 

THE 13TH FLOOR ELEVATORS - "Reverberation" 

HARRY NILSSON - "You're Breakin' My Heart" (1972)

 

Just in case you ever wondered how we got to where we are today, just consider this 1972 album by Nilsson titled "Son Of Schmilsson," and it might explain a few things.

Harry didn't screw around, and just laid it all on the line. 

The fact that Harry Nilsson has never ever been considered to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame just shows you what a bullshit organization it really is. 

Ridiculous!
Harry knew how to come right out and say it. 

This ain't one for the kiddies, but I'm sure they've heard it all before, just not in this context!  

Nillson - "You're Breakin' My Heart" 

BACK SEAT ROMEOS - "Zero Ambition" (1980)

 

Back Seat Romeos was a short lived UK band who were originally called The Classics, but had to change their name when they made this record because there was already another band called The Classics.

I find it interesting that almost everything I've read about this band they were called Backseat Romeos, when it's clear by this 45 sleeve that their name was Back Seat Romeos. 

Discogs has them listed as Back Seat Romeos too.

 

 

I had to include this picture of the In The Trunk Romeos.

Guitarist and vocalist John Clay on the website Bored Teenagers UK also refers to the band as Backseat Romeos.

 I guess it doesn't matter because either way, this is a perfect example of classic 1980's music!

BACKSEAT ROMEOS - "Zero Ambition"