The Sphynx and Mona Lisa; Lolita and Guernica, Read this Roxy Music List

I bemoan the thought that I’ll start every new post with, “It’s been too long since I wrote something,” but, in all honesty, I haven’t been inspired lately. There’s a chance you’re asking yourself, “But Jay, you’re a social media professional. How could you let yourself go like this?” If you’re actually asking yourself that, then, from the bottom of my heart, I apologize.

I should revise myself a bit, since I have been inspired the last few weeks. My latest gig requires me to read a great deal of environmental news. As a result, I found myself in a state of exaggerated pessimism. I knew humans were messing things up, but once you saturate yourself with exactly how we are messing up, you realize just how bad it is. For instance, if you start tossing all your trash, particularly plastic, in your bathtub for the next few months, you’ll get an idea of what we’re doing to the oceans. Naturally, I couldn’t go on this way. I had to develop, as they say (who the hell are they, anyway?), thicker skin and focus on the positives.

How am I staying positive? By focusing on productive things like permaculture (I’m taking an online course from a guy that looks like he ran around with David Crosby). I’m also retreating to the therapeutic powers of music, art, reading, etc. Yes, music makes everything better, unless you’re listening to Pitbull, then it makes everything much, much worse.

For the last year I’ve been returning to Roxy Music almost every other week. I guess you could say they’ve become the soundtrack to my L.A. experience.  There’s many convincing reasons to listen to them. For example, Bryan Ferry is one of the greatest rock lyricists of all time. He really is, I mean, who could write lyrics such as, “Inflatable doll, lover ungrateful. I blew up your body, but you blew my mind.” Also, Brian Eno got his start with this band, and he’s one of my idols.

Below you’ll find ten Roxy Music songs I really enjoy. Are they the best? Probably not, but they’re my favorites. Finally, their music has inspired me to write a short story called Canadian Club Love, which I’m hoping to share with you this fall. Let me know your favorites.

10. “Manifesto” Manifesto (1979)

“A crazy guy, he’d rather die than be tied down”

9. “The Main Thing” Avalon  (1982)

“When a good thing’s gone, you can really turn me on”

8. “India” Avalon (1982)

I picture myself on a large passenger jet flying early, my eyes red and swollen from sleeplessness, over an exotic landscape. Java, Indonesia perhaps (not India, that would be too obvious). The clouds reflect the sun in waves of orange sherbet…

7. “Three and Nine” Country Life (1974)

6. “Flesh and Blood” Flesh + Blood (1980)

“But she says, love me for my mind. In my time, I’m not that kind”

5. “Casanova” Country Life (1974)

“Casanova – Is that your name,
or do you live there?”

4.”Street Life” Stranded (1973)

3. “She Sells” Siren (1975)

2. “Mother of Pearl” Stranded (1973)

“You’re highbrow, holy
With lots of soul”

1. “Sentimental Fool”/”In Every Dream Home a Heartache” Siren (1975)/For Your Pleasure (1973)

“Dream Home Heartache” is about, I presume, a man in love with a blowup doll. It’s genius.

Listen to Todd Terje’s remix of Bryan Ferry’s “Alphaville” it will make you dance.