I hope I can explain this right. I'm thinking about those songs which, for any artist, may seem unusal or uncharacteristic in their song repertoire. Songs written by the artist(s) but don't seem to fit what may be percieved of that artist's style or maybe the song is of their style but still unusual.

A possible example of don't fit their style- Paul McCartney's "Sally G". Nice country ballad that seems out-of-place and forgotten among Paul's songs.

A possible example of song that's of their style but still unusual- Van Morrison's gorgeous and bizarre "Linden Arden Stole the Highlights". I can't even imagine another voice beside Morrison's attempting this song.

These are two tracks that popped in my head. Fleetwood Mac's (pre-Buckingham/Nicks) otherworldly haunting "Hypnotized" is another example.

I'm sure there are many more. What examples come to mind for you?

I think it's an awesome topic, Buddy, but in my current (read: constant) alcohol-induced haze, I'm having a tough time spitting out (duck, just in case) some good examples. I could say "Fitter, Happier" by Radiohead and "Revolution 9" by the Beatles, but in reality and the context of their entire catalogue, I don't think they qualify. I could say 95% of Yo La Tengo's recent legit albums, where they were all mellow and middle-aged sounding, but they've always had beautiful mellow songs, but these newer ones "just seem" more toothless. They're evolving, but when you listen to the album they made with Chris Stamey in 2004, they sound like their old selves.

I'm gonna cut this short. I'll be interested to see what turns up, and I plan on coming back soon. (Tough, guys; get used to it )

The first song that comes to mind is Led Zeppelin's "Hot Dog." While I've tried to learn to accept this song, every time I listen to In Through the Out Door, I find myself getting annoyed with this song. What were they thinking?

Another song that initially seemd wrong was Metallica's "The Unforgiven." The band's sound changed in a big way, and it seemed there was no turning back, for better or for worse.

I'm gonna mention "Everybody Come Down" and "Girls of Valour" from the Delgados last album, Universal Audio. Never before did they do anything as poppy and damn-near twee as this. Mostly they did dark, orchestral pop. Both songs are very good, though. It'll be interesting to see what paths Emma Pollock and Alun Woodward take with their solo releases. I think Pollock's is set to come out later this year on 4AD.

The Beatles- "Maxwell's Silver Hammer'
Every other Beatles song is good. This one is, well...

I thought Tommy Keene's "If You're Getting Married Tonight" a great departure from the norm. A slight country feel with his usual heartfelt lyrics but very effectively short and to the point.

Aimee Mann's "Mr. Harris". Gorgeous, bittersweet age difference love song that felt out of place on the Whatever album, though it's my favorite song of hers.

One long time favorite in this category is from Elton John's overlooked classic Tumbleweed Connection album. Many great songs on this country-rock record but for me nothing beats the talk-sing vocals-and-piano of "Talking Old Soldiers". It's an unusal reflective piece and I thought it was a really heartfelt track.

I always thought "There's A World" off of Neil Young's Harvest sounded really awkward and out of place. In fact I don't even think i like the song, it's so over dramatic and broadway-esque. Come to think of it, "A Man Needs A Maid" sounds awkward for the same reason. I've only ever felt mediocrely about Neil Young, but those two songs just don't sound diffrent enough than the rest of the album to throw me off.

How about "Tiny Cities Made of Ashes" by Modest Mouse? I like the song and everything, but it seems well out of place with most of their discography, especially on The Moon and Antarctica.

Another strange one is "Mosquito Song" from Queens of the Stone Age's Songs for the Deaf. Their catalogue is relatively heavy and distorted, then on the last track of this album we get huge drums crahses, a violin and mandolin filled breakdown, and weird lyrics about mosquitos eating you alive. Huh?

quote:

Originally posted by superabound:
The Beatles- "Maxwell's Silver Hammer'
Every other Beatles song is good. This one is, well...

Agreed. Worst. Beatles. Song. EVER.

There's a song called Ones on the new Islands album which doesn't fit in at all. I can't figure out why it's included. Drives me bonkers. I love every other track so much.

Also, Pulk/Pull Revolving Doors off of Amnesiac can really irritate me at times, although not as much as Fitter Happier as noted by the above poster.

There's so many more, but I just can't think of any at the moment. Great thread.

Beatles - Run For Your Life is pretty uncharacteristic for them. I know it's supposed to be ironic, but it seems so out of character for them to be threatening to kill their girlfriends for infidelity.

Also, the Tool song with the lyrics 'Who are you to wave your finger...' The moment I heard it, I knew it was going to be the first radio single.

Well, the Beatles were doing a "Stones song". Plus basically, the singer (Lennon) was the one "born with a jealous mind".
Is "Lady Jane" an uncharacteristic Stones song?

Great topic! I have a couple in mind: "Elvis Presley & America" by U2-It's actually one of my favorite U2 songs but it is so uncharacteristically muddy and incomprehensible. It's sounds a little like Bono has lost his marbles. Also, pretty much the entire David Bowie disc "Never Let Me Down" is odd. I get the feeling that he wanted to copy Iggy Pop's sound on "Blah, Blah, Blah", but where it works for Iggy it doesn't quite work for him.

Nice topic indeed,

I'd say Morning Bell Amnesiac by Radiohead is definately uncharacteristic. It still sticks out on Amnesiac whenever I listen to it and, in my opinion, makes me think of Morning Bell from Kid A which is far more superior

I'll mention an obvious one since no-one else has so far. Supermassive Black Hole by Muse...totally different. It was a great single though.

I suppose Skip Divided off The Eraser..it is really bizarre and does not fit in with the rest of the album.

I chose modern ones because I haven't really paid attention to older bands. Sorry for that

quote:

Originally posted by spankbot:
Great topic! I have a couple in mind: "Elvis Presley & America" by U2-It's actually one of my favorite U2 songs but it is so uncharacteristically muddy and incomprehensible. It's sounds a little like Bono has lost his marbles.

From what I understand, the song is just the backing track to "A Sort of Homecoming", slowed down with Bono improvising lyrics over it. Think they'd try something like that these days?