Lipstick Sunset by John Hiatt

Lipstick Sunset is the fourth track on the Bring the Family album, released in 1987.  The album was Hiatt's first real commercial success and featured the best "house-band" ever; John Hiatt, Ry Cooder, Nick Lowe and Jim Keltner [later known as Little Village after recording their first, and only, album in 1992 - the band was not a great success].  The cover is wierd - a surreal family shot - and I think it was changed to the one below.

Lipstick Sunset is the perfect combination of Hiatt's voice and Cooder's slide guitar.  It is a simple song, a reflection on love, perhaps lost-love, perhaps  a song of regret.
There are four verses - three with words and one the guitar solo.
The lyrics are mournful, pointed and succinct; the slide guitar is soaring and, I think, more emotive than the words.
I'm not copying the words here - this song is one, complete package, one ride, one great emotional moment.

Seek it out.  Listen to this music.

I've heard this song live; by Little Village, by Hiatt himself.  It's good - but not as good as this.

Time for a wee break - when I get more ideas, more inspiration, I will post here again.

Passenger Seat by Death Cab for Cutie

Passenger Seat features  on the Death Cab for Cutie album Transatlanticism, their fourth album, released in October 2003.  It was written by the band's leader and singer Ben Gibbard.

To me, the song is a meditation.  Musically, it is based on a looping and haunting piano figure which cradles the vocal melody but never matches it.

The narrative is stated by either a lover, a loved one, or maybe a child, being driven home in the car and looking at the night stars.

I roll the window down 
And then begin to breathe in
The darkest country road
And the strong scent of evergreen
From the passenger seat as you are driving me home

Then looking upwards
I strain my eyes 
And try to tell the difference 
Between shooting stars and satellites
From the passenger seat as you are driving me home

"Do they collide?"
I ask and you smile
With my feet on the dash
The world doesn't matter

When you feel embarrassed then I'll be your pride
When you need directions then I'll be the guide
For all time
For all time

The song is about eternity and an eternal committment - "for all time" - between two people.
Musically it is simple and stunning.  I think it sounds unique [although my wife thinks it sounds like "Bridge over troubled waters";maybe not in melody but in mood and atmosphere].

It might be profound - but it doesn't try too hard.