A very late suggestion, but what the hell. It's a pair of pairs with a twist. The books are Nelson Algren, A Walk on the Wild Side (1956) and Hubert Selby Jr, Last Exit to Brooklyn (1963). The Gene Pitney song that everyone knows as 'Last Exit to Brooklyn' is 'Last Chance to Turn Around' on the label, but everyone knows it from the wailing first line of the chorus. It has nothing to do with the book: it celebrates getting away from an unfaithful lover, where the book is all about entrapment within relationships (and work). Algren's 'Walk on the Wild Side' concerns low-rent criminality in 1930s New Orleans, nothing like the Lou Reed song. However, Selby's 'Last Exit to Brooklyn' is set among the drugs and drag queens of 1960s New York, as of course is Lou Reed's 1972 classic. Sort of cris-cross pollination.
I listened to those a few years ago driving to Melbourne, then there is the episodes on Harper Valley PTA (are there 3 of them?) which are related in a way.
There's a Happy Mondays song called Russell, the lyrics of which are just Shaun Ryder singing the back cover blurb of a book by a TV astrologer called Russell Grant.
“Lights going out and a kick in the balls” has to be the most vivid lyric ever written. Anyone who grew up amidst the mindless violence of the 70s and 80s can immediately relate.
Montgomery Clift by the Clash is an honourable mention for the list: “Nembutal numbs it all, but I prefer alcohol.”
Paul Kelly - So Much Water So Close to Home . Inspired by Raymond Carver's short story of the same name
and turned into the movie, Jindabyne with a PK soundtrack. Also featured as one of the stories in Altman's classic, Short Cuts
A very late suggestion, but what the hell. It's a pair of pairs with a twist. The books are Nelson Algren, A Walk on the Wild Side (1956) and Hubert Selby Jr, Last Exit to Brooklyn (1963). The Gene Pitney song that everyone knows as 'Last Exit to Brooklyn' is 'Last Chance to Turn Around' on the label, but everyone knows it from the wailing first line of the chorus. It has nothing to do with the book: it celebrates getting away from an unfaithful lover, where the book is all about entrapment within relationships (and work). Algren's 'Walk on the Wild Side' concerns low-rent criminality in 1930s New Orleans, nothing like the Lou Reed song. However, Selby's 'Last Exit to Brooklyn' is set among the drugs and drag queens of 1960s New York, as of course is Lou Reed's 1972 classic. Sort of cris-cross pollination.
The Cruel Sea and The Velvet Underground spring to mind. Just needed to pop those names in to de-Elton the place. Apologies PL.
Scorn Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting and you will have to fight me.
It's his ONLY good track.
Imagine if it was sung by someone great.
Re Bobby Gentry, there is a great episode of the Cocaine and Rhinestones podcast about here and that song: https://cocaineandrhinestones.com/bobbie-gentry-exit-stage-left
I listened to those a few years ago driving to Melbourne, then there is the episodes on Harper Valley PTA (are there 3 of them?) which are related in a way.
Yep, all great. I went the deep dive with Season 2 as well which was all George Jones
Kate Bush - Wuthering Heights.
And for the inverse;
Pretty In Pink - Psychedelic Furs
Outstanding.
There's a Happy Mondays song called Russell, the lyrics of which are just Shaun Ryder singing the back cover blurb of a book by a TV astrologer called Russell Grant.
“Lights going out and a kick in the balls” has to be the most vivid lyric ever written. Anyone who grew up amidst the mindless violence of the 70s and 80s can immediately relate.
Montgomery Clift by the Clash is an honourable mention for the list: “Nembutal numbs it all, but I prefer alcohol.”
Oops, just remembered the Clash song was called “The Right Profile”.