10. Prince

Thank you for Sign 'O' the Times and your art leading me to this great website that houses a terrific community of people.

9. Marshall Crenshaw

Thank you for your gorgeous pop melodies and reminding me of why I fell in love with music in the first place.

8. Mick Jagger

Thank you for your honesty, "Out of Tears", "Brand New Set of Rules", "Shine A Light", "Waiting on a Friend" and the lines "What's all that laughter on the 22nd floor? / It's just some friends of mine and they're bustin' down the door!".

7. Bob Dylan

Thank you for opening the door that would allow intellect into popular music. Thank you for "Highlands", "Things Have Changed", "Neighborhood Bully", "License to Kill" and this verse of "Tryin' to Get to Heaven":

Gonna sleep down in the parlor
And relive my dreams
I'll close my eyes and I wonder
If everything is as hollow as it seems
Some trains don't pull no gamblers
No midnight ramblers, like they did before
I been to Sugar Town, I shook the sugar down
Now I'm trying to get to heaven before they close the door

6. David Baerwald

Thank you for Baerwald on 'Triage' and "Good Times".

5. Paul Simon

Thank you for "Train in the Distance", "Outrageous", "Still Crazy After All These Years", "I Know What I Know" and all of the amazingly insightful interviews you've given over the past decade or so.

4. Lou Reed

Thank you for having the balls to tell it like it is and write some of the most literate pop music ever. Thank you especially for Magic and Loss, "Good Evening, Mr. Waldheim", Strawman", "Trade-in" and "Work".

3. Tom Waits

Thank you for "That Feel", "House Where Nobody Lives", "Dirt in the Ground", Blood Money, "Broken Bicycles" and your tremendous sense of humour.

2. Madonna

Thank you for your '90s/'00s songs and the inspiring I'm Going to Tell You a Secret.

1. Bruce Springsteen

Thank you for Human Touch and Lucky Town. Thank you for the interviews you gave in support of those records. Thank you for your inspiring live shows. Thank you for Tunnel of Love. Thank you for your honesty. Thank you for taking a stand. Thank you for a quarter-century journey that has led me to all sorts of epiphanies, as well as other art that has inspired even more epiphanies. Thank you for being you. "Stay hard, stay hungry, stay alive...if you can / And meet me in a dream of this hard land".

Moonbeam said:

NorthernLad said:

I just wish all of their albums were available on CD.

Moonbeam said:

I thought I'd played you their stuff long before the VH1 gig.

GangstaFam said:

Nope!

Moonbeam said:

Hmm. I wonder why not. They're awesome!

GangstaFam said:

I really was missing out!

No thanks for Marvin?

1) The Fall

Thank you for possessing the qualities I appreciate most in music: sarcasm, repetition, and ugliness.

2) Scott Walker

Thank you for using the phrase “stupid-ass” in a hit song, for "the sun ain't gonna shine anymore", which is one of the most perfect singles ever, and for having one of the weirdest careers in modern pop.

3) The Beatles

Thank you for setting the benchmark for artistic popular music.
4) Wire

Thank you for cataloguing all the major trends in British punk/post-punk on your near-perfect first three records.

5) Sarah McLachlan

Thank you for being the perfect storm of every musical quality I despise. Instead of having to list the things I dislike musically if anyone ever asks, I just have to say your name. I hate your simpering, quivering vocals, your wimpy new-agey lyrics, your rudderless, homogenous music, and that pinched look of sincerity you always wear in your videos. You are fingernails on a chalkboard personified.
[Edited 1/6/07 19:52pm]

damosuzuki said:

Don't you know I need you?

damosuzuki said:

Plus she looks like she's all fishy and clammy all the time.

damosuzuki said:

Ditto, man. Ditto.

Moonbeam said:

what? What? WHAT!!!?

GangstaFam said:

Scalia I do believe I've drowned you...

I can't believe people are offering criticisms in a thread devoted to somebody thanking some of their favorite artists. Good gracious, this place amuses me sometimes. So what if he left out a favorite of yours or added somebody you can't stand. It is, after all, his list.

Moonbeam said:

But just look at those tits! She's such a babe.

GangstaFam said:

It does have a disarming resemblance to her in the eyes- those dead fish eyes are a dead giveaway.

Moonbeam said:

I was thinking more along the lines of the water-resistant skin and the beluga lips.

TommyRoss said:

I'm not sure if you're talking about me, but I wasn't being critical. I was just asking a question out of curiosity. Discussion is good.

AlexdeParis said:

I haven't heard any of his albums.

Moonbeam said:

Debora e-mailed me!

When the re-issue of "Benefactor" came out a while back, I was reading the Romeo Void fansite and noticed there was a contact e-mail for Debora. I e-mailed her, and she responded! It was very cool. Text below:



Thanks Chris. I like a lot of the songs on that album also. S.O.S. is a particular favorite. I'll add you to my email list. Peace, Debora

original message:

Hi Debora,

I just wanted to say that I picked up the new issue of "Benefactor" that was released today, and I felt compelled to write when I saw you posted to the
romeovoid web site. "Benefactor" really does sound fantastic!! I have
always loved the "Never Say Never" 12 inch single, and it's so great to finally have songs like "Present Tense" and "Not Safe" in great quality CD.
I have often wondered why "Not Safe" in particular was left off the "Benefactor" album. Now, as a bonus track, it feels like it belongs.

"Benefactor" is simply a classic album. It has a wonderful raw feel to it.
So much energy and passion. "Shake the Hands Of Time" is a fantastic recording!!

Hopefully the reissue will result in attention for this record. It truly
deserves it. I have been waiting for the release eagerly ever since I first heard about it, and it does NOT disappoint.

Anyways. just wanted to pass along my kudos, and wanted to let you know
that I am enjoying "Benefactor". Romeo Void is a band that I admire a
great deal.

Take care,

- Chris

Moonbeam said:

Really? Let's Get It On, I Want You, and especially What's Going On are essential IMO. Then all those wonderful duets with Tammi, Diana, and the others...

NorthernLad said:

Moonbeam said:

Thank you for continually providing the soundtrack to grossing out my mom. Works like a charm!

Moonbeam said:

Thanks for going to that show with me Eens. I knew you'd love it.

Moonbeam said:

Moonbeam said:

And thanks for the X-Files cameo!

Moonbeam said:

Major falloff!

awesome post

what a beautiful list! And yes I agree mj's 'who is it' is wonderful!