A baker’s dozen of New Year’s songs, including three different “New Year’s Resolutions” and the Ramones’ unexpected salute to the new calendar (“2024 hours ago…”) began a holiday edition of Capital Radio. But then we had to make way to remember nearly 40 artists who died in the past year, from Tina Turner to Tommy Smothers, with Tom Verlaine, Jeff Beck, Burt Bacharach, Shane MacGowan and Sinéad O’Connor in between.
Some deserved more time, of course, and others were telescoped into single songs (Willie Huff and David Lindley both backing an early Leonard Cohen cut). But we found a way to remember Gary Wright, Ed Ames, David Crosby and Gordon Lightfoot as well.
From other realms of entertainment, Paul Reubens’ Pee-Wee Herman got a nod, as did Raquel Welch, who recorded a long-forgotten beach tune in a movie.
Here’s the link to the whole show; the setlist follows.
Capital Radio, Jan. 1, 2024 1 – 4:55 p.m., www.cygnusradio.com
- “Capital Radio One,” The Clash
- “New Year,” The Breeders
- “Happy New Year,” Lightnin’ Hopkins
- “After New Year’s Eve,” The Heartbeats
- “Here’s to the New Year,” Slade
- “I Wanna Be Sedated,” Ramones
- “New Found Year [live],” Neil Finn & Paul Kelly
- “What a Year for a New Year,” Dan Wilson
- “Happy New Year Blues,” Mary Harris
- “New Year’s Resolution,” Donovan
- “New Year’s Resolution,” Camera Obscura
- “New Year’s Resolution,” Otis Redding & Carla Thomas
- “My Dear Acquaintance (A Happy New Year),” Regina Spektor
- “New Year’s Day,” Charlie Robison
- “Bold Soul Sister,” Ike & Tina Turner
- ”River Deep- Mountain High,” Ike & Tina Turner
- “Soften the Blows,” Lisa Marie Presley
- “Money (That’s What I Want),” Barrett Strong
- “I Don’t Want to Cry,” Chuck Jackson
- “Steppin’ Out with My Baby [live],” Tony Bennett
- “Knowing When to Leave,” Burt Bacharach
- “God Give Me Strength,” Elvis Costello & Burt Bacharach
- “Once Were Brothers,” Robbie Robertson
- “Birdland,” Weather Report
- “We Like Birdland,” Huey “Piano” Smith & the Clowns
- “Forbidden Colors,” Ryuichi Sakamoto & David Sylvian
- “Rainy Night in Soho,” The Pogues
- “Haunted,” Shane MacGowan & the Popes with Sinéad O’Connor
- “The Last Day of Our Acquaintance,” Sinéad O’Connor
- “White Bird,” It’s a Beautiful Day
- “I’m On Fire,” Dwight Twilley
- “Prove It,” Television
- “‘Cause We’ve Ended as Lovers,” Jeff Beck
- “Life Goes On,” Carla Bley, Andy Sheppard and Steve Swallow
- “Moonlight in Vermont,” The Ahmad Jamal Trio
- “Deep Purple,” Nino Temple & April Stevens
- “Hey Paula,” Paul & Paula
- “Why Can’t We Be Friends,” Smash Mouth
- “It’s Your Thing,” The Isley Brothers
- “Take It to the Limit,” The Eagles
- “Go Now!” Moody Blues
- “The Girl from Ipanema,” Stan Getz featuring Austrud Gilberto
- “The Simple Story,” Feist with Jane Birkin
- “I’m Ready to Groove,” Raquel Welch
- “Mr. Big Stuff,” Jean Knight
- “Really Wanna Know You,” Gary Wright
- “So Long, Marianne,” Leonard Cohen
- “Sugar Man,” Rodriguez
- “Pee-Wee’s Playhouse,” original theme
- “What You Won’t Do for Love,” Bobby Caldwell
- “Almost Cut My Hair,” Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
- “Come Monday,” Jimmy Buffett
- “My Cup Runneth Over,” Ed Ames
- “Carefree Highway,” Gordon Lightfoot
- “My Old Man [live],” Smothers Brothers
Capital Radio returns Jan. 8, 2024 at 1 p.m. ET at www.cygnusradio.com, where this and past shows are archived. Also available on the cygnusradio.com app, available free at iTunes or ApplePlay.