What they used to call Decoration Day was noted on Capital Radio last Monday (posted only now because I’ve been away). But there were two dozen songs about soldiers, war and repercussions of a military-based society.
We began by saluting Miles Davis, born that day in 1926, and had more birthdays later for early blues great Mamie Smith (1891), Al Jolson (1886), Levon Helm (1940), Mick Bronson (1946) and Peggy Lee (1920).
And hey, these rockers be getting old: Stevie Nicks turned 77; Verden Allen of Mott the Hoople, 81. But it was only Lauryn Hill’s 50th.
We played all of them for a widely eclectic show. Here’s a link to the whole show; the setlist follows:
Capital Radio. May 26, 2025. 1 – 4:30 p.m. www.cygnusradio.com
- “Capital Radio Two,” The Clash
- “So What,” Miles Davis
- “It Never Entered My Mind,” Miles Davis
- “Time After Time,” Miles Davis
- “Decoration Day,” Drive By Truckers
- “Decoration Day,” Sonny Boy Williamson II
- “Near the Memorials to Vietnam & Lincoln,” PJ Harvey
- “The Ballad of the Soldier’s Wife,” Marianne Faithfull
- “Soldier Jane,” Beck
- “Soldier Boy,” Elvis Presley
- “Soldier Boy,” Shirelles
- “Soldier Baby of Mine,” The Ronettes
- “Soldier of Love,” Arthur Alexander
- “Day After Tomorrow,” Tom Waits
- “Universal Soldier,” Donovan
- “Summer Soldier (Holler if Ya Hear Me),” Stewart Francke
- “Talking Soldier,” Woody Guthrie
- “Soldiers Who Want to Be Heroes,” The Specials
- “Broken Boy Soldier,” The Raconteurs
- “Black Mountain Rag (Soldier’s Joy) [live],” The Byrds
- “Shaking Hands (Soldier’s Joy),” Michelle Shocked with Uncle Tupelo
- “Soldier Child,” Wilco
- “Sam Stone,” John Prine
- “With God On Our Side,” Bob Dylan
- “Soldier in a Box,” Hot Hot Heat
- “I Ain’t Marching Anymore,” Phil Ochs
- “Some Mother’s Son,” The Kinks
- “Marching the Hate Machines (Into the Sun),” Thievery Corporation with the Flaming Lips
- “Crazy Blues,” Mamie Smith’s Jazz Hounds
- “Swanee,” Al Jolson 1920
- “Rag Mama Rag,” The Band
- “The Rumor,” The Band
- “A La Glory,” The Band
- “Stop Dragging’ My Heart Around,” Stevie Nicks and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
- “Oil,” Gorillaz with Stevie Nicks
- “Soft Ground,” Mott the Hoople
- “Nightmare,” Mott the Hoople
- “Ballad of Mott the Hoople (26th March 1972, Zürich),” Mott the Hoople
- “Once Bitten, Twice Shy,” Ian Hunter
- “The Width of a Circle,” David Bowie
- “Moonage Daydream,” David Bowie
- “Perfect Day,” Lou Reed
- “Ready or Not,” Fugees
- “Doo Wop (That Thing),” Lauryn Hill
- “It’s a Good Day,” Peggy Lee
- “I Go to Sleep,” Peggy Lee
- “Is That All There Is?” Peggy Lee
Capital Radio returns June 2 at 1 p.m. EDT on www.cygnusradio.com, where this and other recent shows are posted. The show can also be heard via the cygnusradio.com app, available free at iTunes or GooglePlay. Older shows are available at Substack.com/@rogercatlin.