You’ve Always Gotta Come Up With New Hits

Don Lennon “My Routine” – Comedy is a topic very seldom explored in music, but Don Lennon managed to write several songs on the subject for his album Routine, ranging from an unironic song about Saturday Night Live to this gentle tune sung from the perspective of a small time stand up comedian earnestly attempting to understand and hone his craft. The lyrics are unassuming and matter of fact, written as though they were the answers to questions from an interview. It’s a lovely character study, capturing a particular blend of condifence and insecurity that is common among comedic performers without too much sentiment or overdramatization. (Click here to buy it from Don Lennon.)

Rihanna “S.O.S. (Rescue Me)” – Jacking a sample from Soft Cell’s cover of “Tainted Love” seems like an easy way to grab some attention for a crucial follow-up single, but it must have been a nightmare for the lawyers who had to sort out the royalties for this track, which no doubt has a list of songwriter credits half a mile long. It’s no “Tainted Love,” but “S.O.S.” is a charming bit of modern pop, strangely owing a lot more to contemporary UK hits by Rachel Stevens and Girls Aloud than the sort of dancehall/R&B hybrid pop that made Rihanna a minor star. (Click here for a Rihanna fansite.)