1. "Merry Go Round"--The Replacements, Don't You Know Who I Think I Was: The Best of the Replacements (2006):
Released on the Mats' last studio album in 1990, All Shook Down, this song is solid. It is the only song from that album to make this Best Of collection, which makes sense. There are too many great songs from earlier albums. Coincidentally, the Replacements are about to play 3 reunion shows in the next few months. It will be interesting to see how it goes. Paul Westerberg and Tommy Stinson are the only original members who will be playing live. There are lots of better songs, but this one is still a solid Westerberg tune and definitely SHUFFLE GOLD!!
2. "You're All I Need to Get By"--Marvin Gaye, Every Great Motown Hit (1983):
This duet with Tammi Terrell is one of 17 songs on this greatest hits compilation. According to Wikipedia it is Gaye's most successful duet, having topped at number 7 on the billboard charts in 1968. Admittedly it is not a song that I know at all but it is a great song, and any Marvin Gaye hit is always SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
3. "Magazine Called Sunset"--Wilco, More Like the Moon EP (2003):
As mentioned before, I am not a huge Wilco fan. When Uncle Tupelo split, I leaned more towards Jay Farrar and Son Volt. However, I had the chance to see Wilco live on their Sky Blue Sky tour and was blown away. They were amazing live, thanks especially to Nels Cline and his amazing guitar playing. They played close to 30 songs, and this song was one of them. I tracked down most of their discography after that show. Though not a super fan, I am definitely a fan thanks to that live performance. SHUFFLE GOODNESS.
4. "Hollywood Freaks"--Beck, Midnite Vultures (1999):
This album came out when I was living overseas. When I finally got a hold of it, I was obsessed. I loved every song. It is still my favorite Beck album. I have always found his albums to be hit or miss. This particular song is not one of the best, but the whole album holds together really well for me. I'm not sure how well it will age. It is definitely a bit silly ("Tootie Fruitie, Automatic Bazooty"), but I dig it. SHUFFLE GOLD!!
5. "Freddie's Dead"--Curtis Mayfield, Get Down to the Funky Groove (1997):
This is a UK compilation with only 8 songs. I picked it up cheap somewhere around the time it came out. I knew some of Mayfield's other songs, such as "Pusherman" and "Superfly," (btw, this song is the opening track to the Super Fly soundtrack from 1972) but have to admit that I knew this song because of Fishbone. Their cover on Truth and Soul is awesome if you have not heard it. After their version, Mayfield's original is super mellow. I am a big Mayfield fan and this song is absolutely SHUFFLE GOLD!!
