May 2025
Set List
1. Happy Birthday
2. Taps
3. Memories
4. Driven to Tears
5. Flamenco Sketches
6. Lovely Day
7. Beautiful Morning
8. Night Flower
9. RPM
10. Walk Like an Egyptian
Saturday, May 31, 2025
Friday, May 30, 2025
April Showers - May Flowers - That's the Way of the World
That's the Way of the World
6th album
Released in March 1975
Genres considered - Soul, Funk, Progressive Soul, Pop
No. 1 on Billboard 200 & Billboard Top Soul Albums
2 American Music Award Nominations
1 Rock Music Award
Inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame (2004)
Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
No. 486 in 2012
No. 420 in 2020
"Shining Star" -
No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100
No. 1 on Billboard Hot Soul Singles
Grammy Award - Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals
Review Scores -
AllMusic - 4.5/5 Stars
Variety - Favorable review
Village Voice - B+
Boston Globe - Favorable review
Rolling Stone - Mixed review
Vibe - Favorable review
LA Weekly - Favorable review
Chicago Tribune - Favorable review
BBC - Favorable review
Track List -
Side One -
1. Shining Star
2. That's the Way of the World
3. Happy Feelin'
4. All About Love
Side Two -
5. Yearnin' Learin'
6. Reasons
7. Africano
8. See the Light
Certified 3x Platinum in the U.S.
In this conclusion to the April Showers - May Flowers series on Set List, Earth, Wind & Fire knows how to clear spring rain and shine on spring bloom for a fresh start. As it goes, play it Earth, Wind & Fire!
Thursday, May 29, 2025
Set List Special - "Living in America"
Released in 1985
No. 4 on Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Top 40 in January 1986
No. 5 on UK Singles Chart
"Living in America" was James Brown's last Top 40 on U.S. pop charts
"Living in America"
Grammy nomination - Best R&B Song
Grammy win - Best Male R&B Vocal Performance
Certified Silver in the UK
May Day - Gravity
53rd album
Released in September 1986
Genre - Funk
Review Scores -
AllMusic - 3/5 Stars
Record Mirror - 4/5 Stars
The Rolling Stone Album Guide - 3.5/5 Stars
Track List -
1. Gravity
2. Let's Get Personal
3. How Do You Stop
4. Turn Me Loose, I'm Dr. Feelgood
5. Living in America
6. Goliath
7. Repeat the Beat (Faith)
8. Return to Me
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
Set List - Call The Police Finale
Set List Anniversary
Synchronicity
5th & Final album
Released in June 1983
Genres considered - New Wave, Post-Punk, Pop Rock
Hit singles -
"Every Breath You Take"
"King of Pain"
"Wrapped Around Your Finger"
"Synchronicity II"
5 Grammy Nominations ... 3 Grammy Awards
Upon album release and after the Synchronicity Tour, The Police were so popular that they were considered "the biggest band in the world."
No. 1 on UK Albums Chart & Billboard 200
Over 8 million copies sold in the U.S. alone
No. 17 on Rolling Stone's 100 Best Albums of the Eighties
Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
No. 455 (2003)
No. 448 (2012)
No. 159 (2020)
No. 50 on VH1's 100 Greatest Albums of Rock & Roll (2001)
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame "The Definitive 200"
No. 119 (2007)
Synchronicity was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2009.
As of 2023, the album is preserved in the National Recording Registry.
Review Scores -
AllMusic - 4.5/5 Stars
The Baltimore Sun - 5/5 Stars
Chicago Tribune - 2.5/ Stars
Mojo - 3/5 Stars
Q - 4/5 Stars
Rolling Stone - 4.5/Stars
The Rolling Stone Album Guide - 4/5 Stars
Smash Hits - 4/4 Stars
The Village Voice - B+
Track List -
Side One -
1. Synchronicity I
2. Walking in Your Footsteps
3. O My God
4. Mother
5. Miss Gradenko
6. Synchronicity II
Side Two -
1. Every Breath You Take
2. King of Pain
3. Wrapped Around Your Finger
4. Tea in the Sahara
The Police
Sting - Vocals, Bass Guitar
Andy Summers - Guitar
Stewart Copeland - Drums
Certified Gold in Brazil, Germany, Hong Kong, & the Netherlands
Certified Platinum in Canada, France, Italy, New Zealand, & the UK
Certified 8x Platinum in the U.S.
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Duran Duran - "Girls on Film," "Hungry Like The Wolf" & More | 2022 Indu...
Set List Anniversary
Duran Duran Inspired
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Strong
Monday, May 26, 2025
Sunday, May 25, 2025
Saturday, May 24, 2025
When Irish Eyes Are Smiling - Rory Gallagher
May Emerald
Emerald Ireland
William Rory Gallagher
March 2, 1948 - June 14, 1995
"Ireland's first rock star"
Genres considered - Blues Rock, Hard Rock
Guitarist of the Year by Melody Maker (1972)
No. 42 on Gibson.com's Top 50 Guitarists of All Time (2010)
No. 57 on Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time
Rory Gallagher has performed over 2,000 concerts worldwide & has over 30 million record sales worldwide.
Rory Gallagher has influenced such musicians as Brian May (of Queen), Slash, The Edge, Alex Lifeson (of Rush), Vivian Campbell (of Def Leppard) and others.
Discography - 14 solo albums including 3 live albums
The history of Rory Gallagher's career is extensive and uniquely played out. I considered his debut solo album and final studio album for any noted singles but both were black and white (as in no highlighted links). Tributes honoring Gallagher are admirable. I have just one question to ask - Is Rory "the greatest guitarist you've never heard of"? (Cite Wikipedia)
In conclusion, I turn to you - the reader and passerby - to answer the question and put in your two cents. In your words, bring Rory Gallagher to life on Set List.
Friday, May 23, 2025
April Showers - May Flowers - Seven and the Ragged Tiger
Seven and the Ragged Tiger
3rd album
Released in November 1983
Last album to feature the original Duran Duran lineup until Astronaut (2004)
Genres considered - Synth-Pop, Dance
Title reference -
"Seven" - 5 band members & 2 managers
"Ragged Tiger" - success
Poor reviews but commercial success
Duran Duran's first and only No. 1 album in the UK
No. 8 in the U.S.
Review Scores -
AllMusic - 4/5 Stars
Classic Pop - 3/5 Stars
The Daily Telegraph - 3/5 Stars
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music - 2/5 Stars
Q - 3/5 Stars
Rolling Stone - 3/5 Stars
The Rolling Stone Album Guide - 3.5/5 Stars
Spin Alternative Record Guide - 6/10
Track List -
Side A -
1. The Reflex
2. New Moon on Monday
3. (I'm Looking for) Cracks in the Pavemen
4. I Take the Dice
5. Of Crime and Passion
Side B -
1. Union of the Snake
2. Shadows on Your Side
3. Tiger Tiger
4. The Seventh Stranger
Duran Duran
Simon Le Bon - Lead Vocals
Nick Rhodes - Keyboards
Andy Taylor - Guitar
John Taylor - Bass
Roger Taylor - Drums
Certified Gold in Finland, the Netherlands, & Switzerland
Certified Platinum in New Zealand & the UK
Certified 2x Platinum in the U.S.
Certified 3x Platinum in Canada
Nick Rhodes once said that when "Tiger Tiger" is on a concert set list, the song is like a "beautiful flower in the middle of the set." He spoke with passion. Simon Le Bon spoke with passion about the album. Fans spoke with passion...and although critical reception was poor, commercial response was powerful. May flowers.
Thursday, May 22, 2025
May Day - Breakfast in America
6th album
Released in March 1979
Genres considered - Progressive Pop, Art Rock, Soft Rock
Three Billboard Hot 100 hits -
"The Logical Song" (No. 6)
"Goodbye Stranger" (No. 15)
"Take the Long Way Home" (No. 10)
2 Grammy Awards ... 2 Grammy Nominations
Supertramp's best-selling album
Over 4 million copies sold in the U.S.
Over 3 million copies sold in France
Over 18 million copies sold worldwide by the 1990s
Over 20 million copies sold by 2010
Supertramp's most popular album
No. 1 on Billboard Pop Albums Chart
No. 1 on Billboard 200
No. 1 in Norway, Austria, West Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Canada, Australia, & France
Review Scores -
AllMusic - 4.5/5 Stars
Encyclopedia of Popular Music - 4/5 Stars
The Great Rock Discography - 7/10
Mojo - 4/5 Stars
Record Collector - 3/5 Stars
The Rolling Stone Album Guide - 3/5 Stars
Smash Hits - 8/10
Uncut - 3/5 Stars
Track List -
Side One -
1. Gone Hollywood
2. The Logical Song
3. Goodbye Stranger
4. Breakfast in America
5. Oh Darling
Side Two -
6. Take the Long Way Home
7. Lord Is It Mine
8. Just Another Nervous Wreck
9. Casual Conversations
10. Child of Vision
Supertramp
Rick Davies - Vocals, Keyboards
Roger Hodgson - Vocals, Keyboards, Guitars
John Helliwell - Woodwinds, Backing Vocals
Bob Seibenberg - Drums
Dougie Thomson - Bass
Certified Gold in Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Greece, Israel, Norway, & Switzerland
Certified 2x Gold in Portugal
Certified Platinum in France, Germany, Italy (1979 sales), Italy (sales since 2009), the Netherlands, New Zealand, & the UK
Certified 4x Platinum in the U.S.
Certified Diamond in Canada
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Set List - Call The Police - Walking on the Moon
Set List Anniversary
Reggatta de Blanc
2nd album
Released in October 1979
Translation - "White Reggae"
Genres considered - New Wave, Reggae Rock, Post Punk
No. 1 on UK Albums Chart
Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
No. 369 in 2003
No. 372 in 2012
No. 1 singles from the album -
"Message in a Bottle" & "Walking on the Moon"
Review Scores -
AllMusic - 3/5 Stars
Chicago Tribune - 2.5/4 Stars
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music - 4/5 Stars
The Great Rock Discography - 7/10
MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide - 4/5 Stars
The Rolling Stone Album Guide - 4/5 Stars
Spin Alternative Record Guide - 7/10
Uncut - 5/5 Stars
Track List -
Side One -
1. Message in a Bottle
2. Reggatta de Blanc
3. It's Alright for You
4. Bring On the Night
5. Deathwish
Side Two -
6. Walking on the Moon
7. On Any Other Day
8. The Bed's Too Big Without You
9. Contact
10. Does Everyone Stare
11. No Time This Time
The Police
Sting - Vocals, Bass Guitar
Andy Summers - Guitar
Stewart Copeland - Drums
Certified Gold in Belgium, Germany, & Italy
Certified Silver in the UK (2003 release)
Certified Platinum in Australia, Canada, France, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the UK (1979 release), the U.S.
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Monday, May 19, 2025
Sunday, May 18, 2025
New 2010 Kia Soul Hamster Commercial - Music Fort Knox by GoldFish
Set List Anniversary
Pop Culture Then
Saturday, May 17, 2025
When Irish Eyes Are Smiling - Thin Lizzy
May Emerald
Emerald Ireland
Thin Lizzy
Rock band formed in Dublin, Ireland in 1963
Original Members -
Phil Lynott (Bass guitar, Lead vocal, Main songwriter)
Brian Downey (Drums)
Eric Bell (Guitar)
Eric Wrixon (Organist)
Genres considered - Hard Rock, Blues Rock, Heavy Metal, Folk Rock
In 1974, Thin Lizzy became known for "twin lead guitar style" - two lead guitars. This style influenced such bands as Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, and Def Leppard. Guns N' Roses was influenced, especially Axl Rose who was a fan.
International hits -
"Whiskey in the Jar"
"The Boys Are Back in Town"
Breakthrough album - Jailbreak (1976)
Point of intrigue - Jailbreak is Thin Lizzy's 6th album, well into the band's career. Jailbreak is the band's only certified album (Gold). Delayed financial and creative success?
Thin Lizzy has a complicated revolving door of members, from original to departure to return. Illness and death further impacted the lineup.
Thin Lizzy has a detailed history that is difficult and exhausting to play out here. Follow the Wikipedia link below to read more.
Although commercial success came late into the band's career, Thin Lizzy left influence and inspiration from the start. I am one generation removed from Thin Lizzy but I do like "The Boys Are Back in Town."
The Thin Lizzy Irish boys have a musical point.
Friday, May 16, 2025
April Showers - May Flowers - Rattle and Hum
Rattle and Hum
Live/Studio album
Released in October 1988
Genres considered - Blues, Rock, Folk Rock, Gospel
Collaborations with Bob Dylan, B.B. King, & New Voices of Freedom gospel choir (Harlem, New York based)
The live concert film received mixed reviews. The album was a commercial success - selling 14 million copies.
No. 1 on Billboard 200
No. 1 in the UK & Australia
"Desire"
No. 1 in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK
No. 3 on Billboard Hot 100
No. 1 on Billboard Main Rock
Review Scores (album) -
AllMusic - 3/5 Stars
Chicago Tribune - 3/4 Stars
Encyclopedia of Popular Music - 3/5 Stars
Entertainment Weekly - B
The Rolling Stone Album Guide - 4/5 Stars
Track List (album) -
1. Helter Skelter
2. Van Diemen's Land
3. Desire
4. Hawkmoon 269
5. All Along the Watchtower
6. I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
7. Freedom for My People
8. Silver and Gold
9. Pride (In the Name of Love)
10. Angel of Harlem
11. Love Rescue Me
12. When Love Comes to Town
13. Heartland
14. God Part II
15. The Star Spangled Banner
16. Bullet the Blue Sky
17. All I Want Is You
Track List - Film
U2 -
Bono - Vocals
The Edge - Guitar
Adam Clayton - Bass Guitar
Larry Mullen, Jr. - Drums
Album Certifications -
Gold in Argentina, Brazil, Denmark, Finland, Hong Kong, Norway, & Sweden
Platinum in France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, & Spain
2x Platinum in Switzerland
4x Platinum in the UK
5x Platinum in the U.S.
7x Platinum in Australia & Canada
Film Certifications -
2x Platinum in Germany
3x Platinum in the UK
In the spring season, April showers bring May flowers. On Set List, U2 shines on record and live.
Thursday, May 15, 2025
May Day - Once Upon a Time
7th album
Released in October 1985
Genres considered - Dance Rock, New Wave
No. 1 on UK charts
No. 10 on U.S. charts
"Alive and Kicking"
Released in September 1985
No. 7 on UK Singles Chart
No. 3 on Billboard Hot 100
No. 2 on Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks
Review Scores -
AllMusic - 4.5/5 Stars
Classic Rock - 4/5 Stars
Mojo - 3/5 Stars
Q - 3/5 Stars
Record Collector - 4/5 Stars
Record Mirror - 4/5
The Rolling Stone Album Guide - 3.5/5 Stars
Smash Hits - 7/10
Uncut - 6/10
The Village Voice - B-
Track List -
Side A -
1. Once Upon a Time
2. All the Things She Said
3. Ghost Dancing
4. Alive and Kicking
Side B -
5. Oh Jungleland
6. I Wish You Were Here
7. Sanctify Yourself
8. Come a Long Way
Simple Minds -
Jim Kerr - Vocals
Charlie Burchill - Electric Guitar
Michael MacNeil - Synthesizer & Electric Piano
John Giblin - Bass
Mel Gaynor - Drums
Certified Gold in France, Greece, Spain, Sweden, & the U.S.
Certified 2x Gold in Germany
Certified Platinum in Belgium, the Netherlands, New Zealand, & Norway
Certified 2x Platinum in Canada
Certified 3x Platinum in the UK
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