An Undecorated Moniker

 Song 569: This week the playlist puts the spotlight on Judy by Elvis Presley, written by Teddy Redell, and you can find a YouTube video of it by clicking on the title. I had known 3 of the previous 4 Judy tunes quite well, and I think I also had some familiarity with the other one, but I will admit I just found out about Mr. Presley’s Judy jam a few weeks ago, when I first perused the list of top Judy songs. Still, a single listen convinced me that it deserved to appear on that list, and it had actually reached #78 on the Billboard Hot 100 back in September of 1967, shortly after my 16th birthday. Growing up, I knew almost nothing about Elvis - I think the only record of his I heard in those years was Hound Dog (Song 433), and it greatly surprised me during my HS era to learn that he had been the one who inspired the Beatles. A few years later, as my knowledge of the 1950s RnR pioneers expanded, so did my respect for Mr. Presley, and I added to my collection at least one of the compilation LPs he released during that stretch, plus, I clearly understood what a deep loss the rock world experienced on August 16, 1977. Back then, as in our current strange situation, I could have sympathized with someone saying don’t let our sweet love wither and die like flowers in the fall.

A Female With a Shinier Viewpoint

 Song 568: This week the playlist comes around to Jewel-Eyed Judy by Fleetwood Mac, written by Danny Kirwan, Mick Fleetwood and John McVie, and you can find a YouTube video of it by clicking on the title. This cut just became the fourth Judy tune in a row on this list. I had gotten to know a few FM rambles but I didn't become a major fan of the group until the Buckingham/Nicks duo joined. Shortly after that pair amplified my interest in the band, I gave their earlier recordings a closer review. I added a bunch of FM discs to my LP collection, at some point including their 1970 classic Kiln House, which soon got lots of spins on the turntable. This marks the third appearance of a KH gem on this list, following Tell Me All the Things You Do (Song 6) and Station Man (Song 64). Even in the current troubling pandemic situation, I can see in a dream thoughts so clear and jewels that gleam, including this track. Of course, some folks might have a tough time answering the question can you see where it is you're meant to be (?), but I would like to wish everyone well - where you lay your head tonight may the stars find your light.

An Extremely-angry Female

 Song 567: This week on the playlist you can hear Mad Mad Judy by Buzzcocks, written by Steve Diggle, and you can find a YouTube video of it by clicking on the title. I started this series of female-name-titled songs 3 weeks ago with a tune about a certain woman named Lucy, but the next 2 were both named Judy, and I decided to continue with that moniker, particularly after having discovered a list of top Judy songs which included this gem. It first came along in the late 1970s, and I don't recall whether or not it crossed my radar back then, but hearing it again, it did sound familiar. Even during the era of its release, when I was in my late twenties, if someone told me they had all the answers, I could not have taken that assertion seriously. It would have sounded even more ridiculous to hear there ain't nothing left in all the world except diversity, or there ain't nothing left in all the world except obscurity, but I can think of at least a few times in my life when it definitely DID feel like there ain't nothing left in all the world except insanity, with the current pandemic scenario being just the latest example. Under the present circumstances, it's not hard to imagine a mad mad girl who is mad at all the world because she wanted something she never got. Tell me about it  - I understand.

An Attractive Female With a Sad Viewpoint

 Song 566: This week on the playlist you’ll find Suite: Judy Blue Eyes by Crosby, Stills & Nash, written by Stephen Stills, and you can check out a YouTube video of it by clicking on the title. When this captivating portrait appeared a couple of years after the pair that I featured in the last two weeks (Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds and Judy in Disguise), I thought it might have a vague connection with them, although I soon found out that Stephen's primary inspiration came from his romance with Judy Collins. Being a big fan of the Byrds, I already had plenty of respect for David Crosby, and the impressive 3-part harmonies he had now crafted with a previous Buffalo Springfield member and a former Hollie would increase my veneration for him and his new partners. Having grown up playing violin in elementary, junior high and high school orchestras, I had learned a lot about classical music, including how the term suite defined a type of composition structure, and then Mr. Stills provided me with a modern example of how to apply that concept to contemporary song design. In light of the current question marks hanging in the air, I think we should not let the past remind us of what we are not now. We have seen that fear is the lock and laughter the key to so many hearts, and we still don’t know the answer when someone asks, “How can you catch the sparrow?"