Ten Favorite Radio Reference Songs: Left of the Dial (#10)

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Along with favorite songs that have “radio” in the title I’m counting down favorites that have a significant reference to radio in the title or song plot (a few are more plot than title). Here’s the first song on that list. #10: Left of the Dial - Replacements Ah, the Replacements. What a schizophrenic band. Both times I saw them, they were sober. I had a bootleg of them, though, where they were so freaking fall-down drunk that they couldn’t finish one single song in a 90-minute set! It was sad. It’s probably what kept them from moving past “cult” status. Their early stuff was incredibly uneven, too. In fact, I seriously doubt there’s been a more accurate album title than their first EP: The Replacements Stink! Because, on that EP, they really did. It was an account of a young punk band finding their legs. To their credit, most bands wouldn’t let you hear them that way, but would rather wait until they were “polished.” Paul Westerberg is a great lyricist. He knows how to twist words, such as this song’s line about the female musician who’s “playin’ make-up, wearin’ guitar.” This song, about driving from Georgia (“sweet Georgia breezes, safe, cool, and warm”) to a northern area (“I headed up north”) while searching for college radio stations to listen to (they’re usually at the low-end frequency numbers on the FM dial, along with the public radio stations), has always been a favorite. I’m glad I saw them. I wish things had been different for them. Left of the Dial Written by Paul Westerberg Recorded by the Replacements From Tim, 1985 Didn’t mention your name: