David Allan Coe - "You Never Even Called Me By My Name"

David Allan Coe (born September 6, 1939) is an American singer and songwriter.  His biggest hits were "Mona Lisa Lost Her Smile", "The Ride", "You Never Even Called Me by My Name", "She Used to Love Me a Lot", and "Longhaired Redneck". His most popular songs are the number-one hits "Would You Lay With Me (In a Field of Stone)" and "Take This Job and Shove It". The latter inspired the movie of the same name.

"You Never Even Called Me by My Name" is a song written by Steve Goodman and John Prine. Prine requested to be uncredited on the song, as he thought it was a "goofy, novelty song" and didn't want to "offend the country music community". Goodman released the song on his eponymous 1971 debut album Steve Goodman to little acclaim. It was more famously covered by country music singer David Allan Coe on his 1975 album Once Upon a Rhyme. It was the third single release of Coe's career and his first Top Ten hit, reaching a peak of number eight on the Billboard country singles charts. The song, over five minutes long, is known for its humorous self-description as "the perfect country and western song."

Coe's musical style derives from blues, rock, and country music traditions. His vocal style is described as a 'throaty baritone'. His lyrical content is often humorous or comedic, with William Ruhlmann describing him as a 'near-parody of a country singer'. Stephen Thomas Erlewine describes Coe as 'a great, unashamed country singer, singing the purest honky-tonk and hardest country of his era […] he may not be the most original outlaw, but there is none more outlaw than him'.

Coe's lyrics frequently include references to alcohol and drug use, and are often boisterous and cocky. Coe's debut album Penitentiary Blues was described as 'voodoo blues' and 'redneck music' by Allmusic's Thom Jurek. It focused on themes such as working for the first time, blood tests from veins used to inject heroin, prison time, hoodoo imagery, and death. The album's influences included Charlie Rich, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bo Diddley, Lightnin' Hopkins, and Tony Joe White. Coe later explained to Kristofer Engelhardt of Review: 'I didn't really care for some of the country music until people like Kris Kristofferson and some of those people started writing songs. They had a little more to say than just, 'Oh baby I miss you', or whatever. I don't do anything halfway. Once I got into country music, I went back and researched it, and learned everything there was to know about it. I could do impersonations of Roy Acuff, Ernest Tubb, Hank Snow, Marty Robbins, just about anybody. I knew just about all there was to know about country music.'

Coe's first country album, The Mysterious Rhinestone Cowboy, has been described as alt-country, 'pre-punk' and 'a hillbilly version of Marc Bolan's glitz and glitter'. Credited influences on the album include Merle Haggard. In his early career, Coe was known for his unpredictable live performances, in which he would ride a Harley-Davidson motorcycle onto the stage and curse at his audience. Coe has also performed in a rhinestone suit and a mask which resembled that of the Lone Ranger, calling himself the 'Mysterious Rhinestone Cowboy'.

The album Rebel Meets Rebel featured a song, "Cherokee Cry", which criticizes the United States government's treatment of Native Americans. When asked why he did not write more political songs, Coe replied, 'I live in my own world, not thee world. I just write songs about what affects me in everyday life. At one point I wrote a song that was sort of a protest about when they were talking about drafting women into the military. It was about my son making it past the draft, but my daughter didn't. And I've done Farm Aid.'

In his review of Coe's 1987 album A Matter of Life...and Death, Allmusic's Thom Jurek wrote, 'Coe may have had some hits, but it is records like this that make one wonder if there was not a conspiracy to marginalize him and make him fail. Coe is a brilliant songwriter well into the 21st century, and deserves to be lauded along with the likes of [Willie] Nelson and [Waylon] Jennings and Kristofferson and Newbury – and even Cash.'

So today, with little chuckle, I choose David Allan Coe’s “You Never Even Called Me By My Name” as my, call me whatever you want, let go, I won’t wait for the phone to ring, song for a, see ya never, no thank you, it is neither my responsibility nor my desire, Tuesday.

Noah Cyrus - "July"

Noah Cyrus, the Solange to Miley’s Beyonce, is having her own moment in the spotlight. She’s been known to have powerhouse vocals (some say better than her sisters) for years, and now in the last three years she’s been finding out just how powerful her voice is.

I can not say that I’ve ever been a huge fan of the Cyrus family. From Billy Rae all the way down, but I have to admit Miley’s had some bangers, and Noah seems to be on a truly stellar trajectory.

This song just hit me right in the feels. I’m surprised it took me so long to hear it.

So today, with a letter in my hands and an envelope on the floor, I choose Noah Cyrus’ “July” as my, make your own magic, winning isn’t about getting there first, find your own way to fly, song for a, listen to that little voice, one small heart can set the world on fire, remember your passion, Friday.

Madeline Khan - "(I'm Not) Getting Married Today"

When two geniuses get together, magic happens.

"Getting Married Today" is a patter song from the musical Company (1970) with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. It is sung by the manic Amy, as the thought of marriage sends her into a panic on the day of her wedding. It is often misreferred to as "Not Getting Married Today".

With 68 words sung in a total of 11 seconds, "Getting Married Today" was notable for being the most difficult musical song with the fastest verse in history, until "Guns and Ships" from the 2015 musical Hamilton eclipsed this record, with 19 words in 3 seconds.

"Getting Married Today" was conceived as "Sondheim’s psychotic notion of a patter song" to simulate the sensation of having a mental breakdown through verbal diarrhea and constantly changing the subject mid-sentence.

Madeline Gail Kahn (born Madeline Gail Wolfson; September 29, 1942 – December 3, 1999) was an American actress, comedian, voice actress, and singer, known for comedic roles in films directed by Peter Bogdanovich and Mel Brooks, including What's Up, Doc? (1972), Young Frankenstein (1974), High Anxiety (1977), History of the World, Part I (1981), and her Academy Award–nominated roles in Paper Moon (1973) and Blazing Saddles (1974).

Kahn made her Broadway debut in Leonard Sillman's New Faces of 1968, and received Tony Award nominations for the play In the Boom Boom Room in 1974 and for the original production of the musical On the Twentieth Century in 1978. She starred as Madeline Wayne on the short-lived sitcom Oh Madeline (1983–84) and won a Daytime Emmy Award in 1987 for an ABC Afterschool Special. She received a third Tony Award nomination for the revival of the play Born Yesterday in 1989, before winning the 1993 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for the comedy The Sisters Rosensweig. Her other film appearances included The Cheap Detective (1978), City Heat (1984), Clue (1985), and Nixon (1995).

So today, with a little laugh, I choose Madeline Khan’s version of Steven Sondheim’s “Getting Married Today” as my, not today Satan, step down, jump back, song for a, with so many road blocks why have the road, maybe tomorrow, or maybe next year, Thursday.

Days & Nights - "Letting Go"

I discovered this band on Tik Tok, as a duet from singer Heather Hoeft singing Noah Cyrus’ “July” found it’s way to my for you page. Her voice was clear and true and immediately pulled my folk/americana sensibilities.

Formed by a group of friends who met in music school, Days & Nights began as a vehicle for philanthropy but soon developed into a foremost creative project for six young musicians. While the six cover a diverse expanse of the music industry as individuals, Days & Nights continues to be the place where these close friends reunite to create music for the pure joy of it. Their influences stem primary from the genres of Americana/Folk and Jazz. The lineup first came together in 2016 when songwriter Luke Hoeft, multi-instrumentalist John Burton, and trumpeter Stephen Spink met as university music students and began having jam sessions. Singer Heather Hoeft, violinist Helena Bandy, and percussionist Ian Houston rounded out the roster, and Days & Nights spent the next three years performing around central Texas and self-producing various singles including "Letting Go" (2017) and "Coming Home" (2017). The group’s debut album "So Much To Say" was released in May of 2019, under the band’s original name, “Medicine Man”. The album release was followed by a southeast tour in June 2019. Days & Nights is currently working on their second studio album, set to release sometime in the summer of 2020.

So today, with a sweet little goodbye blowing on the breeze I choose, Days & Nights’ “Letting Go” as my, go on and fly, take your rusted wing and leap, let go of the chains you created, song for a, sunlight in your eyes, stardust in your hair, miracles coming to your pillow, Wednesday.

Johnny Cash - "Bridge Over Troubled Water (feat. Fiona Apple)"

Some days are a little harder than others, but with a little help, and a little grace, we make it over the bridge.

So today, with emotions running high, I choose Johnny Cash & Fiona Apple’s version of “Bridge Over Troubles Water” as my, help hurt out the door, shake off the sandman, loosen the noose, song for an, everything isn’t as dire as cyanide, laugh a little or you’ll cry, remember that razors cut both ways, Tuesday.

Ray Price - "For The Good Times"

Noble Ray Price (January 12, 1926 – December 16, 2013) was an American country music singer, songwriter, and guitarist. His wide-ranging baritone is regarded as among the best male voices of country music,[1] and his innovations, such as propelling the country beat from 2/4 to 4/4, known as the "Ray Price beat", helped make country music more popular. Some of his well-known recordings include "Release Me", "Crazy Arms", "Heartaches by the Number", "For the Good Times", "Night Life", and "You're the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me". He was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1996. He continued to record and tour into his 80s.

So today, with a wistful little smile, I choose Ray Price’s “For The Good Times” as my, go on and celebrate, grateful for the good times, little gems held close to my heart, song for a, new memories to be made, new adventures to find, It was better next year, Friday.

Patty Loveless - "How Can I Help You To Say Goodbye"

The only thing constant is change. It’s the thing that will keep our hearts youthful but also the thing that will give our hearts the most to grieve. Change is a beautiful thing, and when one chapter ends, a new one begins. Embrace it if you can.

So today, with change knocking on my door, I choose Patty Loveless’ “How Can I Help You To Say Goodbye” as my, let go, give grace, send love, song for a, the broken parts grow back stronger, the hurt tells you how much you loved, the next adventure will be even better, Thursday.

Tina Turner & Kygo - "What's Love Got To Do With It"

In the darkest days there is always a sliver of hope. Hold on to it like the lifeline it is. Keep dancing kids. Keep Hoping.

These to legends have come together to give a classic a face lift. Tina’s incredible hit gets the millennial treatment with some of Kygo’s iconic tropical house beats to create real mood.

So today, with a scoot in my step, I choose Tina Turner & Kygo’s “What’s Love Got To Do With It” as my, go on and dance, get your heart together, shake off the sads, song for a, sunshine slipping through, one lovely day, breathe - you’ll get through it, Friday.