Sonic Sunday: Homonyms

Below are 10 sets of musical homonyms: the titles are spelled the same but the songs have different sounds and meanings.

"After Hours"
The Velvet Underground
We Are Scientists

I've never been a huge Velvet Underground fan, but this is one of a handful of songs that I really like. It's just so darn cute, due in large part to Maureen Tucker's almost childlike vocals. On the other hand, I've always liked We Are Scientists, but this song doesn't really do it for me. It's not that I dislike it; I just don't like it as much as some of their lesser-known others. I do appreciate the '80s vibe though, which can be heard throughout Brain Thrust Mastery.

"Beautiful Loser"
Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band
Suede

Each of these songs is my favorite from both artists. I know that a lot of Suede fans write off their last album A New Morning, but I quite like it. I like a lot of Suede's older "Britpop era" songs, too, but I was always put off by Brett Anderson's affected whiny voice, which is pretty much gone on that final record.

"Grace"
Jeff Buckley
Supergrass

Don't ask me to pick which of these I like better. I can't.

"Head First"
The Babys
Goldfrapp

I know he has this reputation for doing cheesy, soft adult-contempo-rock, but I've always had a soft spot for ex-Babys lead singer John Waite. He's got a great voice. And since I have a soft spot for the ultra cheesy Xanadu, it's no surprise that I love this Goldfrapp ballad from her new Xantastic album, which has secured a spot on my Best of 2010 list.

"Heartless"
Heart
Kanye West

One of my favorite Heart songs paired with a song by one of my least favorite people in the world. But despite wanting to kick Kanye in the balls every time I see him, I can't deny this is one catchy song.

"Invincible"
Pat Benatar
Muse
Sure, critics will say the Muse song is better. And it is a good one. But Pat's tune was the theme song from The Legend of Billie Jean. And that counts for everything. Fair is fair! Give those kids back their scooters!

"Landslide"
Fleetwood Mac
Unbunny

Everyone probably knows by now that I love Stevie Nicks. However, I've never sung the praises of Unbunny. And that's because I didn't know they existed until a few months ago, even though they've apparently been around since the mid-'90s. I still don't know anything about them except that I really like this song. But I've been on a '90s music kick lately, re-discovering bands that had previously slipped by me (Teenage Fanclub, The Posies, Jellyfish, etc.), so maybe I'll feel inspired to dig deeper into Unbunny's catalog.

"No Way"
Pearl Jam
Lady Gaga

Two of my favorite artists; two of my favorite songs by each. The one thing both tracks have in common is that neither one really gets much attention. Despite its position in one of the traditional "single spots" (track #3) on Yield, the Stone Gossard-penned PJ song often gets overlooked in favor great Eddie tunes like "Given to Fly," "Wishlist" and "Do The Evolution." As for Gaga's song, it was left off The Fame Monster, so a lot of people don't know it exists.

"Shattered"
Rolling Stones
Remy Zero

The Stones' song has always been my favorite of theirs. From what little I know of Remy Zero, they're kind of wimpy, but I've always loved this song ever since I heard it in Suicide Kings.

"Surrender"
Cheap Trick
U2

The Cheap Trick tune is power pop at its finest. And the U2 song reminds us all of the great band they once were...before Bono lost his mind.


Enjoy the tunes...and don't forget to enter this month's caption contest!