A while back, I started up a thing for reviewing and explaining songs that I felt would live an impression on the listener; whether it actually does or not, I dunno.

That thing got over 250 views, though, so what yeahh, man, I think it's time for the 2nd installment of this series

I'm only doing one song, though, since I'm tired and what not; hey, new episode tomorrow, needa sleep

So, yeahh. Here you go

"Left of the Dial" - The Replacements, 1985

Read about your band in some local page

Didn't mention your name, didn't mention your name

Sweet Georgia breezes, safe, cool and warm

I headed up north, you headed north

On and on and on and on

It's sad to move on

On and on and on and on

It's sad to move on

Weary voice that's laughin', on the radio once

We sounded drunk, never made it on

Passin' through and it's late, the station started to fade

Picked another one up in the very next state

On and on and on and on

It's sad to move on

On and on and on and on and...

Pretty girl keep growin' up, playin' make-up, wearin' guitar

Growin' old in a bar, ya grow old in a bar

Headed out to San Francisco, definitely not L.A.

Didn't mention your name, didn't mention your name

And if I don't see ya, in a long, long while

I'll try to find you

Left of the dial...

This song is easily one of the most beautifully written songs I've ever listened to, and the cheap and rusty, yet soft and melodic sound it has fits the meaning of this song PERFECTLY. It usually isn't too good a combo, honestly, and this song sounds like something I can gather up a few of the kids in my high school with some pawn shop amps and instruments and record in one take in my garage.

That's honestly what I find so endearing about it, though; "Left of the Dial" meant the radio-stations that didn't play commercial music, which was Madonna, Micheal Jackson, and Bon Jovi back in these days, and these guys are of a completely different style and sound of what would be considered "commercial" back in the mid-'80s by playing a more alternative rock style; keep in mind, this was the pre-grunge days of the mid-80s, so alternative rock was still a budding genre, and it was an especially difficult growth for these "Left of the Dial" bands like The Replacements, who are pioneers of an entire genre, almost; these guys (alongside R.E.M. and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, minus the later fame) bore the cross for the bands like Nirvana, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, and Collective Soul.

What makes it so endearing, though, is that it's telling a story just as much as it is singing about being "Left of the Dial"; I personally think it's about a girl, given the sort of flowery, Gin Blossoms-esque sound that Bob Stinson is playing with, something that would be used heavily in some of the later Alternative Rock bands like the aforementioned Gin Blossoms, who used that style in nearly every song they produced, but as well as bands like the Wallflowers and even Temple of the Dog, the one off Supergroup created in honor of the deceased vocalist of Mother Love Bone, Andrew Wood (and one of the best albums I ever listened to.)

Back on topic, though; the style of guitar Bob Stinson is playing in is used in love songs; given that the struggle these guys went through on their rise to fame, it'd be safe to assume that this wouldn't necessarily be a love song, and with lyrics like "read about your band in some local page, didn't mention your name, didn't mention your name" and "pretty girl keep growin' up, playin' make up, wearin' guitar" (intentionally put like that as to convey the sell out feel), that this is a bit of an angry love song as well as conveying the sound and attitude of the early pioneers of the alternative rock genre.

What really gets me, though, is that even though these lyrics are expressing anger at a singular person, the sound stays happy and flowery, yet still has a deep, emotional feel to it; the last lyrics seal the deal, though.

And if I don't see ya, in a long, long while

I'll try to find you

Left of the dial...

He still loves who she used to be, I believe. He might not love her at the time of which he wrote that song, but he still fondly remembers who she was before becoming engulfed with the power of having the potential to be famous.

More so, he predicts she WON'T become famous with the lyrics "growin' old in a bar, ya grow old in a bar." hinting the anger he's feeling at her.

Even though he's angry at her, though, he still desperately wants to regain the days they had together back when she was still true to herself...

...he wants the real her back, the girl that's "Left of the Dial"

His voice is ringing with sadness, yet the music behind him is happy, and that creates his own emotions he's feeling; he's mixed.

This song, though, creates an amazing and beautiful contrast of happiness and sadness; beautiful enough to be romantic in an odd sense.

God. I LOVE THIS SONG!!!!

Well, hope you enjoyed this

This is a damn good song, and I've been listening to it nonstop lately