Since it’s Stacy’s sister’s birthday tomorrow (Happy Birthday!), she thought it would be a good idea to do songs about brothers and sisters. I wasn’t really sure where to go with this, so I just picked songs with “brother” and/or “sister” in the title. Hope you like ’em!
| # | Song Artist |
Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | It’s Too Late, Brother Little Walter |
Probably not what Stacy was thinking, but still a great song by the king of the blues harmonica. Released as a single in 1956, but didn’t chart. |
| 2 | Me And Baby Brother War |
Interesting to read the comments on some of these. A lot of people dedicated this song to a younger brother who is sadly no longer with us. Reached #15 on the Hot 100 and #18 on the R&B chart in 1973, from their album Deliver The Word. |
| 3 | Brother Louie Hot Chocolate |
This story of interracial love was a big hit in the US for Stories in 1973, but the original, by Hot Chocolate, was released earlier that year in the UK, where it reached #7. This version features British bluesman Alexis Korner on one of the speaking parts and Cozy Powell (“Topsy (parts 1 and 2)”) on drums. |
| 4 | Brothers In Arms Dire Straits |
Title track from their 1984 album, it was written in 1982, the year of the Falklands War. In 2007, to commemorate the 25th anniversary of that war, they re-released the song for the benefit of the veterans of that war that were suffering from PTSD. Reached #16 in the UK, #10 in Ireland, #5 in New Zealand, and #1 in Poland. |
| 5 | We Are Family Sister Sledge |
In honor of the 1979 World Champion Pittsburgh Pirates, who used this as their theme song. From Sister Sledge’s 1979 album of the same name, the song reached #2 in the US and #1 in Canada. |
| 6 | Sister Mary Elephant Cheech & Chong |
Couldn’t resist this classic comedy bit by Cheech and Chong. People ask me if Catholic school was like this; I tell them “not always.” From their 1972 album Big Bambu, it was released as a single in late 1973 and eventually reached #24 in 1974. |
| 7 | Sister Moonshine Supertramp |
An album track from their 1975 album Crisis? What Crisis? It wasn’t released as a single. |
| 8 | I Wish I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate Muggsy Spanier |
A song that was written by Armand J. Piron and published in 1922, Muggsy Spanier was a cornet player and bandleader from Chicago and was a pioneer of Chicago-style jazz, which was part Dixieland, part swing. |
| 9 | Brother, Brother, Brother Isley Brothers |
Title track from their 1972 album, but not released as a single. Brothers singing about brothers… |
| 10 | Brother, Can You Spare A Dime? Bing Crosby |
Written by Yip Harburg and Jay Gorney, the melody is based on a Russian-Jewish lullaby. Both Bing and Rudy Vallee had hits with this song in 1932, at the height of the Great Depression. |
And that’s Monday’s Music Moves Me for August 17, 2020.
Monday’s Music Moves Me is sponsored by X-Mas Dolly, Cathy, Alana, and Stacy, so be sure and visit them, where you can also find the Linky for the other participants.
Some old favorites (Supertramp). Songs with real power here: Brother Louie, first time I’ve ever heard the original; I never realized the Stories were doing a cover. Brother in Arms: been a long time for that one and the sadness is always there. And, Brother Can You Spare a Dime. I’ve heard Rudy Vallee’s version before – Bing’s is so much more powerful in telling the story of this song, I think.
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I’d heard that Bing’s was particularly powerful. You can hear the shake in his voice, like he’s really down on his luck.Glad you enjoyed the set!
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Hi John – happy birthday to Stacey – and you’ve given us a thorough list … some I know, most I don’t – but I was interested to read your notes on each. Oh and I’ve just seen Mary’s comment – love that song … but all good – take care – Hilary
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That was one I figured that everyone would have chosen, so I left it off my list. Glad you enjoyed these!
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Pawsome playlist! We love Supertramp and we have a few in common 😉 😸Pawkisses for a wonderful day🐾😽💞
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Glad you enjoyed it!
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Sir, you have done an absolutely marvelous job finding all these great tunes for our lady Stacy! Oh my gosh, such wonderful selections and some songs that have totally slipped my mind. Brother Louie for one, and believe it or not my father taught me the song, “Brother can you spare a dime.”! Beautiful tune especially when you know the story behind it. So, wish I could shimmy like my Sister Kate… my mom tried that tune once… and she never tried it again… if ya know what I mean. hahahahaha Great job m y friend. Great job. Hope you had fun with this little ditty! Be safe…. be healthy! Have a great day!
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I read somewhere that Bing’s version of “Brother Can You Spare A Dime” was especially haunting and desperate-sounding. I like it, and like how he’s breaking character from the guy who’s cool and collected.
So your mother shimmied and threw her back out, eh? Something tells me she wasn’t the only one…
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Hey John, you have some really old ones in your set. BTW, “Brother Louie” wouldn’t play on your site. YouTube wanted me to go to their site to view it. “We Are Family” had me chair boogieing! Thanks for joining the 4M crew on the dance floor, my friend. Stay safe and be well.
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I don’t know why they do that… Glad you liked it, though!
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Omg Sister Mary Elephant …
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I couldn’t resist. First time I heard it, I almost passed out from laughing. My 8th grade teacher was like that…
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Excellent selection and I always liked “We Are Family” by Sister Sledge.
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That’s one of those songs where it’s easy to learn the words…
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Yeh, for sure! lol
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i always had a huge love for brothers in arms
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It’s a sad tune, but those are good sometimes.
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Great set.. Another one you could add – He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother.
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That was the first song I came up with and figured if it was that easy for me a lot of others would use it. But it is a killer song.
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