The Afterword

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Songs about each other

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Partly inspired by Peter Doggett’s comment in the recent Word In Your Ear podcast – that you could create a sizeable compilation of songs CSN&Y and their coterie wrote about each other – I started to put together just such a compilation (playlist). However, in the end I decided to broaden it out to include other songs by artists about, er, other artists. Any other suggestions for songs warmly welcomed. This is a collaborative Spotify playlist so presumably anyone can add their contributions. A few notes where the reference isn’t obvious: ‘Willy’ by Joni Mitchell is about David Crosby (William is his middle name) ‘Pretty Girl Why’ by Buffalo Springfield is about Stephen Still’s first wife, singer songwriter Nancy Priddy. ‘You Can Close Your Eyes’ by James Taylor is about Joni Mitchell. ‘Empty Garden (Hey Johnny Johnny)’ by Elton John is a tribute to John Lennon. ‘Au Contraire’ by They Might Be Giants is about David Bowie.

Rod Temperton

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He may not score highly in the indie/folk/prog/electro stakes but no question that Rod Temperton is worthy of a passing note upon his passing. From Cleethorpes (fantastic – I have a vision of him explaining to Michael Jackson how everyone confuses Grimsby and Cleethorpes) he was keyboards and the songwriter behind Heatwave’s ‘massive hits’ Boogie Nights, Always and Forever and The Groove Line. This caught the attention of Quincy Jones, who asked him if he fancied writing some songs for a Motown ex-boy band member’s first solo lp… Off The Wall – Off The Wall, Rock With You, Burn this Disco Out Thriller – Thriller and 2 other songs Quincy Jones – The Dude, Razzamatazz, Back on the Block George Benson – Love x Love, Give Me The Night Donna Summer – Love Is In Control Brothers Johnson – Stomp Michael Macdonald – Sweet Freedom Michael Macdonald and James Ingram – Yah Mo B There

Not a bad greatest hits album. I’m guessing – as Thriller still sells 100,000 copies a year – he was never short of a bob or two again. I’m quite partial to a bit of pop funk disco from the Brothers….