Destroyer (featuring Fiver) - "Bologna"

When I woke up very early Sunday morning, August 24th, to get ready for my flight to Venice, the opening lines to Destroyer's "Bologna" were in my head:

There's an outside chance 
You'll never see me again 
You'll never see me again 

The lyrics, sung by musician Fiver, have a serene yet ominous quality to them. They feel like a warning, or a note left on the table as a farewell to someone. I don't know why they were bubbling around in my brain, but they had the air of an omen. Was it some kind of strange prophecy? Was it an inner monologue I didn't even know I was speaking? With its faintly nocturnal, noir-ish tone, "Bologna," off Destroyer's album Dan's Boogie from earlier in the year, always felt mysterious to me. But to have it lodged in my subconscious as I was getting up predawn to head off for two-and-a-half weeks, well, a long trip could have started off more promisingly.

During my time in Venice and Toronto, those lyrics would occasionally reappear unbidden. I never quite knew why. "Bologna" could be the story of a spy on the run, a bad man disappearing for good. It sounds like hiding out in Cuba from the authorities. It feels like the end of the road. But the way Fever sings those words, it also has an aura of seduction, of unknown adventure.

I'm home now after my trips. It was a very fun time. I'm glad to be back. Now I listen to "Bologna" and wonder what it all meant.

Nico - "These Days"

One of these days, I'll remember Jackson Browne wrote this song.

Chappell Roan - "Pink Pony Club" (Live at the Grammys)

Sometimes, you hear a song a bunch of times but it never fully connects. You know it's good, but it always feels like someone else's favorite, never yours. Then you hear it in the right context, and it finally clicks. Anyway, here's my go-to version of "Pink Pony Club." 

Das Racist - "You Oughta Know"

In honor of that new Billy Joel documentary, which I haven't seen yet, let's enjoy one of the best uses of a Joel sample in a hip-hop song. 

A Tribe Called Red (featuring Northern Voice) - "Sisters"

Last week, as part of Susan's days-long birthday celebration, we and some friends went to Jeffrey Gibson: the space in which to place me, which was a treat. As part of the exhibit, there was a video installation featuring this song. I've been listening to it for days.

George Harrison - "Beware of Darkness"

I first became aware of this song thanks to Concert for George, the 2003 concert film in tribute to George Harrison. His old pal Eric Clapton did a lovely version of "Beware of Darkness," which was one of the movie's highlights. The original is integral to a film coming out this weekend. I may have swooned.

supermodel* - "I used to live in england"

Geography's not that hard
Just look at a map
Sometimes Americans are dumb

Ozzy Osbourne - "No More Tears"

Growing up in the Midwest at the time I did, it was impossible not to be aware of Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne. I can't pretend Ozzy's work with his iconic band or as a solo artist was foundational for me. (Wasn't the whole point of Nirvana that it was an antidote to that sort of theatricality in hard rock?) But the orchestral bombast, killer riffs and suite-like sweep of "No More Tears" remains as cheesy/silly good as ever. Rest in peace to an artist who impacted so many lives. Also, this is worth remembering: 

If you’re looking for hope in the world, just remember that Jimmy Swaggart died a disgrace while Ozzy Osbourne died universally beloved.

— Ponsonby Britt (@hockeenight.bsky.social) Jul 23, 2025 at 6:35 PM

Lord Huron (featuring Kristen Stewart) - "Who Laughs Last"

After not loving Kristen Stewart's directorial debut or Love Lies Bleeding, it's very nice to report that she absolutely slays in this Lord Huron song. Video's cool, too.

Cerrone - "Supernature (Instrumental 'Climax' Edit)"

There are several versions of this 1977 disco track floating around. But I chose the one used in Gaspar Noe's Climax. (Thanks to Christine and the Queens for reminding me of it.)

The Tubs - "One More Day"

When I first heard the Tubs, I thought, "Wait, is this Bob Mould's new solo album?" Owen Williams does sound a little like the former Husker Du frontman, but the more I listened to Cotton Crown, the more this Welsh band started to establish its own personality. Any similarities to the college rock you loved in your younger years is, I'm sure, purely coincidental.

 

HAIM - "Relationships"

This song has been out for months, but it sounds so much better now that it's summer.

The Clash - "I'm So Bored With the U.S.A."

I hadn't heard this in a while. Brought a smile to my face.

The Beach Boys - "In My Room"

When Susan was a kid, she fell in love with "In My Room." She still loves it. In honor of Brian Wilson's passing, let's give it a listen.

The Folk Implosion - "Nothing Gonna Stop"

Let's just ride that groove for four minutes, OK?

Queens of the Stone Age - "You Think I Ain't Worth a Dollar, But I Feel Like a Millionaire"

In retrospect, this is the song Queens should have titled "Feel Good Hit of the Summer."

Eels - "Last Stop: This Town"

Are you missing the dearly bereft?

Anna von Hausswolff - “Stranger”

Every Cannes, I help put together a colleague's playlist of the memorable songs used in the festival's films. It's still early days, but so far this is the standout track, mostly because of how well it's used in the movie Sound of Falling.

OK Go - "Upside Down & Inside Out"

Off to Cannes I go. I hope my flights are smoother than this.

Fatboy Slim - "The Rockafeller Skank"

Ladies and gentlemen, the song that topped The Village Voice's Pazz & Jop critics poll in 1998.