Category Archives: pop music

So easy to love — for a while


My annoying neighbor Swamp Rabbit was addressing my tendency to be late with everything. “Yesterday was Valentine’s Day, Odd Man. Today is just another day.” I told him I was working yesterday and didn’t have time to think about love, … Continue reading

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Where have all the protest songs gone?


I was telling my neighbor Swamp Rabbit that Bruce Springsteen’s new song about the DHS murders in Minneapolis is heartfelt and timely. Too bad the melody is dreary, the vocal overwrought and the likelihood of the song changing the beliefs … Continue reading

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Fun in the sun at five above


It was 14 degrees above zero in Philly today and five above when the wind blew. “At least the sun is shining,” my neighbor Swamp Rabbit said as he watched me shovel the snow that had buried my ancient Honda. … Continue reading

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Songs for a cool Yule and beyond


I was putting together this year’s Christmas playlist with help from my neighbor Swamp Rabbit, who has strong opinions about holiday music. “No more ‘Jingle Bells!’” he shouted. “There are two thousand versions out there and they all suck.” He … Continue reading

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Giving thanks at the swamp


I couldn’t remember whose turn it was this year, so I went ahead and bought the turkey hoagies at Wawa while there was still time. When I got back my neighbor Swamp Rabbit was sitting on his porch, drinking whisky … Continue reading

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I do believe in spooks!


Swamp Rabbit was concerned about my mental health. He had decorated the front of his shack with jack-‘o-lanterns and plastic tombstones and so on, and he was wondering why my shack looked so dark and uninviting. “You need some skeletons … Continue reading

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An eco-friendly pope who spoke plainly (no blabbering)


The record will show that Pope Francis, who died at age 88 on the day before Earth Day, was as committed to saving the natural world as he was to saving souls. This is what he tweeted on last year’s … Continue reading

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No method, just madness


From Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now: Colonel Kurtz: “Are my methods unsound?” Captain Willard: I don’t see any method at all, sir.” I was listing for my neighbor Swamp Rabbit some of the steps Donald Trump took to undermine the law … Continue reading

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What is this thing called love?


My friend Swamp Rabbit took a look my Valentine’s Day playlist — almost the same list I used a few years ago — and began naming all the songs I should have included: “Little Walter’s ‘Just Your Fool,’ the Kinks’ … Continue reading

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12 songs for the new year


Swamp Rabbit was nonplussed. “What’s with the playlist, Odd Man? New Year’s was six days ago. And most of these songs ain’t even about New Year’s.” I told him that 2025 was still new, and that it took me a … Continue reading

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