Songs for the Super Bowl--NOT Taylor's Version

A salute to the two teams by The Beatles, Led Zep, Dylan, Arcade Fire, even Carmen McRae and the Shangri-Las and more--plus Fountains of Wayne!

Greg Mitchell is the author of more than a dozen books (see link) and now writer/director of three award-winning films aired via PBS, including “Atomic Cover-up” and “Memorial Day Massacre” which are still up at PBS.org. Before all that, he was a longtime editor of the legendary Crawdaddy. You can still subscribe to this newsletter for free.

This is about as close as I will get to the Super Bowl (again) tomorrow. My team is never in it and the halftime shows—well, let’s not go there. But just to get those who care in the mood for Super Sunday, here are a few apt tunes, many keyed to the two home towns.

But first, hearty thanks to all who responded to my “survey” on what you like most and least in this newsletter’s regular offerings. It was heartening to see so many choose option #5: keep the balance of music and politics and history (and my own photos) pretty much as is, although some had some good suggestions on adjustments. You can still “Vote” (and read the many comments) by going here.

KC Masterpiece: Of course, an all-time rock ‘n roll classic has the Super Bowl goin’ to Kansas City, here it comes. Here are the Beatles, 1964, live, with a scorching George solo. And this link allegedly captures the boys playing it earlier at the infamous Cavern. Lyrics have always been bendable for this song.

Of course, Wilbert Harrison had the first major hit with it in 1959 and here it is as a wonderful live-at-piano version that year. Priceless. Of course, written by Leiber-Stoller. Little Richard and Fats rocked his version. James Brown and Chuck Berry also did it. And then countless others, black and white.

This one may surprise you, a song also titled “Kansas City” but with lyrics by Mr. Bob Dylan, music added much later mainly by the M. Mumford.

And, chances are, you’ve never heard the Shangri-Las’ piano-driven “Train from Kansas City.” R.I.P. lead singer Mary Weis died just two weeks ago.

Big Bill Broonzy’s classic “KC Blues.”

Now, to the city by the Bay. Have to start with the Scott McKenzie’s 1967 classic, mainly for footage from the Monterey fest with Jimi, Janis, Brian Jones and other groovy cats. Possibly you’ve heard it 100 times but never seen the singer perform it.

Don’t miss this fine but rather obscure “reply” by Arcade Fire, “Cold Wind,” which declares: “If you're going to San Francisco /lay some flowers / on the Gravestone”

Try telling that to Eric Burdon & The Animals, here live with their final hit before Eric split, “San Franciscan Nights.”

Led Zep with their own directions if you’re for going to Frisco…

Dylan reminds us what “49ers” refers to, with his cover of oldie but goodie “Days of ‘49,” from his much-debated Self-Portrait album but, below, an alt-version much sharper without the overdubs.

Now, get jazzy, with the great Carmen McRae, “I’m Always Drunk in San Francisco.”

No drinking but a lively live version by Paul McCartney of the eternal “San Francisco Bay Blues.”

Or if that’s not enough, maybe you need to zen out a bit before the game with this Fountains of Wayne football classic….”All Kinds of Time.” I will therefore spare you the usual stadium rah-rah chants and cheers.

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