My 2024 Uproxx Music Critics Poll Ballot

  Once again I voted in the Uproxx Music Critic’s Poll. Close to 300 critics participated this year. 

Here’s the link to my 2024 ballot:

Tom Lane 2024 Uproxx Ballot

Not Inducted in the Songwriters Hall of Fame (2025 Inductees Updated)

Updated for 2025 Inductees

The 2025 Songwriters Hall Inductees have been announced: George Clitnon, Mike Love, Michael McDonald, Patrick Simmons & Tom Johnston (Doobie Brothers) in the Performers category. Ashley Gorley, Rodney Jerkins & Tony Macaulay in the Non-Performer category.

This is the first time since 2017 no women will be inducted in the performer/non-performer categories.

The Song Hall appears to be making an effort to induct deceased songwriters who received enough votes, but were denied induction by this ridiculous rule listed below:

"Deceased writers to be considered for posthumous induction were included in a special segment of the 2023 ballot. As the annual SHOF gala normally does not include inductions for songwriters after their death, the organization intends to continue hosting future posthumous inductions at unique venues and special events".

Apparently, the Hall likes their main ceremony in June to have a "celebratory mood", according to Billboard.  Too many great names are missing from the Hall who are no longer alive. Both Prince and Cindy Walker were inducted in separate ceremonies this way in 2024.  

Here's my list of songwriters not inducted as of 2025: 

Alicia Keys

B.B. King
Bert Berns

Beyonce
Billy Joe Shaver
Bo Diddley
Bob McDill
Bobby Womack
Bonnie Raitt

Bootsy Collins 
Boz Scaggs
Bryan Adams
Bryan Ferry
Carl Perkins

Chips Moman
Chrissie Hynde
Chuck Willis

Clash (Joe Strummer/Mick Jones)
Curly Putnam
Dallas Frazier
Dan Fogelberg
Dan Penn
David Gates
Dean Dillon
Debbie Harry/Chris Stein
Dion DiMucci
Donna Summer/Giorgio Moroder/Pete Bellotte

Dwight Yoakam

George Harrison
George Michael
Guy Clark
Harry Nilsson
Harry Wayne Casey

Heart
J.J. Cale
Janet Jackson
Jerry Chesnut
Jerry Fuller
Jimi Hendrix

Jimmy Buffett
Jimmy Cliff

Joe South
John Hiatt

John Legend
John D. Loudermilk
Kate Bush
Kenny Loggins

Kix Brooks/Ronnie Dunn
Led Zeppelin
Lefty Frizzell

Lindsey Buckingham/Stevie Nicks/Christine McVie

Lou Reed
Lucinda Williams
Luther Vandross
Madonna
Mark Knopfler
Mary J. Blige

Matraca Berg
Max D. Barnes

Mike Chapman/Nicky Chinn

Mike Stock/Matt Aitken/Pete Waterman
Muddy Waters
Neil Young
Nick Lowe
Outkast
Pam Sawyer
Paul Overstreet
Percy Mayfield
Pete Townshend
Peter Gabriel 
P.F. Sloan & Steve Barri
Phil Ochs

Pink
Randy Goodrum
Ric Ocasek
Richard Thompson
Robbie Robertson
Robert "Mutt" Lange
Rod Stewart
Rod Temperton
Rodney Crowell
Roger Miller
Roger Waters/David Gilmour
Rosanne Cash

Ryan Tedder
Rudy Toombs
Sandy Linzer/Denny Randell

Shania Twain
Shel Silverstein
Sheryl Crow
Sly Stone
Sonny Throckmorton
Spooner Oldham
Steve Earle
Steve Perry/Neal Schon/Jonathan Cain
Steve Winwood
Talking Heads

The Doors
Tim Hardin

Todd Rundgren
Tom Waits
Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart
Tony Joe White

Toots Hibbert
Townes Van Zandt
Tracy Chapman
U2
Vince Gill
Warren Zevon
Waylon Jennings
Whitey Shafer
William Bell

2025 Rock Hall Nominee Predictions

  There are no surefire first year eligibles, so the 2025 Nominee ballot should be filled with previous and first time nominees.  The Hall usually nominates between 15-17 acts a year. Although they  have gone as high as 19. Last year there were 15 nominees.  I'll go with 17 for 2025. 10/17 of these would be first time nominees. 

Alanis Morissette - 90's female Alt/Rock singers haven't been making it on the ballot.  But Alanis is still a big act from that era.  

B-52's - Surprisingly never nominated.  The long awaited documentary would be helpful.  But I'll take a chance they finally get a nomination.

Bad Company - Are there any classic rockers that can still get nominated? Paul Rodgers and company were just big enough in the 70's.  Plus Rodgers would be a favorite with many Hall inductees.  Never nominated. 

Billy Idol - His performance at last year's Rock Hall ceremony might help him get on the ballot for the first time.

 

Coldplay - Eligible last year.  Rumor is they were close to getting nominated. The Hall wants a big name that is still active and popular. 

Cyndi Lauper - Nominated two years ago but not last year. Should return to the ballot now that she's on her farewell tour. 

Diana Ross - What icon could come in after Cher?  Why not Diana Ross whose solo career was definitely distinct from her Supremes days.

Iron Maiden - At this point I wonder if all Metal acts will have to get in some other way (i.e. Musical Excellence).  Twice nominated before.

Lenny Kravitz - Nominated last year.  Feels like he was close.  Not sure he will be back two years in a row, but gonna predict it.

Luther Vandross - With a 2024 documentary, Vandross' name was very present in 2024.  I'd also like Barry White or Teddy Pendergrass to get a nomination too.  Never nominated.

Mariah Carey - Kind of a shock that she didn't get in last year.  I'm not comfortable predicting her with Diana Ross, but she's just too big a name to pass up.  

Melissa Etheridge - New nomcom member Sheryl Crow has said she wants Melissa inducted. Let’s see if she’s got persuasive powers to make it happen. Never nominated. 

OutKast -  A surprise every year when they aren’t nominated. Would be a solid FYN when it happens. Can’t discount De La Soul in this slot either. 

Queen Latifah - Trying to figure out the 2 rap nominees for this year was tough. But another female rap act? There are contenders, especially Salt-N-Pepa. 

Soundgarden - Only nominated twice before, the last in 2023. 

War - Nominated 3X previously, but the last was in 2015.  Trying to think who could come after Kool & The Gang.  This band had the hits and a diverse following thanks to their various genres they covered on record. 

White Stripes - A surprise to me that they weren't an FYN in 2023.  But they are due to be back on the ballot soon. 

Poll: December 1978 Songs

  December 1978, A year away from starting high school, but already an avid listener to American Top 40.  Plus R&B stations around my area.  

  For this latest poll, 38 songs were voted on.  You can hear the results at popradiogold.com

"I'm Every Woman", Chaka Khan : 1

"Le Freak", Chic : 2
"September", Earth, Wind & Fire : 3
"I Just Wanna Stop", Gino Vannelli : 4
"My Life", Billy Joel : 5
"(That's A) Strange Way (To Tell Me You Love Me)", Firefall : 6
"Too Much Heaven", Bee Gees : 7
"Y.M.C.A.", Village People : 8
"Hold The Line", Toto : 9
"Every 1's A Winner", Hot Chocolate : 10
"Lotta Love", Nicolette Larson : 11
"We've Got Tonite", Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band : 12
"(Our Love) Don't Throw It All Away", Andy Gibb : 13
"You Needed Me", Anne Murray : 14
"How Much I Feel", Ambrosia : 15
"You Don't Bring Me Flowers", Barbra (Streisand) & Neil (Diamond) : 16
"Straight On", Heart : 17
"MacArthur Park", Donna Summer : 18
"I Love The Nightlife (Disco 'Round)", Alicia Bridges : 19
"Sweet Life", Paul Davis : 20
"Hot Child In The City", Nick Gilder : 21
"Fat Bottomed Girls", Queen : 22
"Sharing The Night Together", Dr. Hook : 23
"Time Passages", Al Stewart : 24
"Double Vision", Foreigner : 25
"Instant Replay", Dan Hartman : 26
"Kiss You All Over", Exile : 27
"A Little More Love", Olivia Newton-John : 28
"Bicycle Race", Queen : 29
"Promises", Eric Clapton & His Band : 30
"Ooh Baby Baby", Linda Ronstadt : 31
"Please Come Home For Christmas", Eagles : 32
"Alive Again", Chicago : 33
"Ready To Take A Chance Again", Barry Manilow : 34
"How You Gonna See Me Now", Alice Cooper : 35
"Part-Time Love", Elton John : 36
"Change Of Heart", Eric Carmen : 37
"Don't Want To Live Without It", Pablo Cruise : 38

Playlist for 1/12

Luther: Never Too Much (2024 Doc)

Yasmin Williams - Acadia

Band Aid: The Making of the Original "Do They Know It's Christmas" (2024 Documentary)

Top Rhythm & Blues Artists Do The Greatest Country Songs - Various (King 1964)

Tennessee Ernie Ford - Country Hits..Feelin' Blue

Ray Price - Love Life

Red Alllen & Frank Wakefield - Bluegrass

Cody Jinks - Sings Lefty Frizzell

Ranking: Songs from Elvis Presley - Sun Sessions (1976)

  It took until March 1976, for RCA to finally package compile Elvis' Sun Sessions on one album.  But this collection first came out in the UK titled The Sun Collection.   At the time the US version was an epochal release.  Proving once and for all that Elvis was indeed one of the inventors of "Rock & Roll", as if anyone had forgotten by 1976.  All of these were recorded in 1954-55.  With Elvis on rhythm guitar, Scotty Moore on electric guitar and Bill Black on bass.  Two different drummers were used on 3 separate tracks, Jimmy Lott and Johnny Bernero.  With Sam Phillips producing, these tracks are still some of the most exciting Rock & Roll tracks released.  Rock, Pop, Blues, Country.  Elvis absorbed it all.  The only genre missing from these sessions is Gospel.  And that would come early on his RCA recordings. 

  One note: the original 1976 release had 16 songs.  RCA left off three tracks.  All of these were later compiled in 1987 and in other Elvis Sun collections years later.  I've put an (*) next to the three tracks that were missing from the Sun Sessions. 

1.  That's All Right

2.  Mystery Train

3.  Good Rockin' Tonight

4.  Blue Moon of Kentucky

5.  Baby, Let's Play House

6.  Blue Moon

7.  Milkcow Blues Boogie

8.  Trying To Get To You

9.  I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone

10. I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine

11. You're A Heartbreaker

12. I Forgot to Remember to Forget

13. Just Because

14. I Love You Because

15. I 'll Never Let You Go 

16. When It Rains, It Really Pours*

17. Harbor Lights*

18. I Love You Because (alternate take)

19. Tomorrow Night*

Latest Podcast Appearance (Rock In Retrospect)

  Once again I jumped on Nick Bambach's excellent podcast, Rock In Retrospect.  This time we discussed the recent Netflix documentary, Return of the King: The Fall and Rise of Elvis Presley.  Good Elvis doc.

Return of the King: Fall and Rise of Elvis Presley

Songs About Elvis Presley

Updated January 2025

There have been more songs written about Elvis Presley than any other performer.   No surprise since he's one of the most important musicians of all time. But doing research for this post, even I couldn't believe how many songs about Elvis have been released.  Im missing a lot of songs. I can't claim that all the ones  listed below are stellar.  A lot of tribute records can be pretty mawkish, no matter the subject.  But there's certainly many good ones and at the very least, interesting takes on Elvis' legacy.

Billy Burnette - Today Is Elvis' Birthday

Bob Dylan - Went To See The Gypsy

Bobby Bare (as Bill Parsons) - All American Boy
Bruce Springsteen - Come On (Let's Go Tonight)
Bruce Springsteen - Johnny Bye Bye

Bryan Adams - Hey Elvis 

Carmella Rosella - Oh It Was Elvis

Chris Wall - Half Of What Killed Elvis
Confederate Railroad - Elvis and Andy

Danny Mirror - I Remember Elvis Presley

Dead Milkmen - Going to Graceland
Dire Straits - Calling Elvis

Dolly Parton & Ronnie McDowell - I Dreamed About Elvis
Elton John - Porch Swing in Tupelo

Fatboy - What Would Elvis Do?

Florence + The Machine - Morning Elvis

Frankie Allan - Just A Country Boy

George Jones - King Is Gone
George Michael - John and Elvis Are Dead

Gillian Welch - Elvis Presley Blues

Hayden Thompson - Boy from Tupelo

James Brown - Love Me Tender (A remake, but first 30 seconds JB talks about his love for Elvis)
Janis Martin - My Boy Elvis
J.D. Sumner - Elvis Has Left The Building
Jerry Reed - Tupelo Mississippi Flash

Jillian Cardarelli - If I Could Talk To Elvis
Jim Ford - Story of Elvis Presley

Jimmy Webb - Elvis and Me

John Fogerty - Big Train
John Hiatt - Riding With The King
John Hiatt - Tennessee Plates

Johnny Earle - Private Elvis
Kacey Musgraves - Velvet Elvis

Kate Bush - King of the Mountain
Kenny Chesney - Jesus and Elvis
Lalo Guerrero - Elvis Perez

Lana Del Rey - Elvis 

Lenny LeBlanc - Hound Dog Man

Link Davis - Trucker from Tennessee

Link Wray - It Was Elvis

Lisa Marie Presley - Lights Out

Marc Cohn - Walking In Memphis

Margo Price - Long Live The King

Merle Haggard - From Graceland to the Promised Land
Mojo Nixon - (619) 239-KING
Mojo Nixon - Elvis Is Everywhere
Neil Young - He Was The King

Nuns - Elvis Said
Odie Palmer - Letter to Elvis

Patty Loveless - I Try To Think About Elvis

Paul Simon - Graceland

Phil Lynott - King’s Call
Ray Stevens - Mama's In The Sky With Elvis

Richard Thompson - From Galway to Graceland 

Ronnie McDowell - The King Is Gone

Sonny Cole - I Dreamed I Was Elvis

Sonny Fisher - I Miss You Elvis
Stan Freberg - Heartbreak Hotel

Steve Forbert - House of Cards
Steve Goodman - Elvis Imitators

Stray Cats - Elvis On Velvet

T M Hanna - I Saw Elvis At The K-mart
Unknown (Jimmy Fields) - I Have Returned

U2 - Elvis Presley & America

Wall of Voodoo - Elvis Bought Dora A Cadillac

Wanda Jackson - I Wore Elvis' Ring
Warren Zevon - Jesus Mentioned
Warren Zevon - Porcelain Monkey

Weeklings - Little Elvis

Latest Podcast Appearance (Rock in Retrospect)

 I joined the Rock in Retrospect podcast to predict and discuss the 2025 Rock Hall nominees.  Yes, it's that time of the year again. 4 other folks joined me and host Nick Bambach.  

Rock In Retrospect 2025 Rock Hall Predictions

Playlist for 1/2

Elton John's Rocket Hour (Apple Radio Weekly Show)

Elton John: Never Too Late (2024 Doc)

Soulful. Christmas (Solar Sunrise Radio Show)

Here, There and Everywhere: Black America Sings the Beatles - Various (Ace)

Cosmic American Music: Motel California - Various (Numero Group)

Lou Donaldson - Blues Walk

McCoy Tyner & Joe Henderson - Forces of Nature

Roy Haynes - Out of the Afternoon

George Jones - Lost Nashville Sessions

Michael Kiwanuka - Small Changes

Father John Misty - Mahashmahashana