The Best of R. Stevie Moore

Submitted by callanyvegetable on Tue, 09/22/2009 - 20:06
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  3. R. Stevie Moore is an obscure pop music genius from New Jersey. He is perhaps the pioneer of DIY music, having produced and distributed his releases from his own home since the mid-70's. His music has that lo-fi sound years ahead of its time. His work shows appreciation of Residents, XTC, Sparks, and nearly all facets of pop/rock. At his best, he predicts all kinds of indie rock, and in his eccentric charm and wit, he carries on the tradition of Frank Zappa. Moore has hundreds of releases through the years and several compilations of his work exist. He is still going strong. This list keeps track of his very best songs (updated as I go through his very rewarding catalogue).


  5. Save R. Stevie! RSM had a tough year. He's broke and homeless, and was forced to move back to Nashville. He's trying to raise funds for a new album. Please pledge what you can here!


  7. Another Recent Interview with Volume, Yale's music magazine.


  9. Video Interview with the man! Interesting stuff. The lo-fi sound of his music was purely circumstantial; he does not understand consciously going for that sound!


  11. Scaruffi Review of Phonography (reissue of the month on his site!)


  13. Phonography, recorded between 1974 and 1976, runs the gamut from an instrumental synthesized vaudeville theme (Melbourne), several spoken-word fragments (including 30 seconds of Moore pissing and telling the story of his life), a piano rag sung in a childish voice (Goodbye Piano), a drunk distorted extended piece (Moons), and assorted satires of the Sixties that transcend the imitation of the Byrds and of Merseybeat bands (California Rhythm, I Want You In My Life) and that sometimes approach the verve of the Kinks and the Who (She Don't Know What to do With Herself, I Wish I Could Sing).


  15. A few samples from Phonography: here, there, and everywhere! Listen to the whole album here


  17. Current Picks


  19. Why Am I Here? (2003) -- proves you can write great songs from simple foundations. video link
  20. Colliding Circles (1985) -- just a great pop song, like it, love, live it. video link
  21. Showing Shadows (1975) -- Floydian lo-fi, with a comforting delicateness. video link


  23. Most Timeless and Perfect


  25. Goodbye Piano (1975) -- seamless fusion of Beatles and Residents. Bizarre but emotional. Simply amazing. video link
  26. Don't Let Me Go To The Dogs (1977) -- Sweet! Zappa, Beach Boys, odd electronics. Lovely. video link
  27. Part of the Problem (1978) -- perfect new wave; exceedingly well-written; I prefer the original version audio link
  28. Chantilly Lace (1980) -- Ramones-inspired, invigorating cover of The Big Bopper; very infectious and the video is a treat. video link
  29. Delicate Tension (1978) -- spellbinding instrumental that predicts lots of indie rock of the subsequent decades. audio link
  30. I Hope That You Remember (1979) -- Syd Barrett meets Alex Chilton meets David Bowie; the song has a soul! video link
  31. Play Myself Some Music (1986) -- dreamy 80's pop that would make Brian Wilson proud. video link
  32. I Wanna Hit You (1977) -- as AMG put it, the best song Big Star never wrote; the subtle synth touch and atmosphere is great. video link
  33. Debbie (1978) -- enchanting chord progression to this mock ballad. video link
  34. Hours of Delight (1987) -- such a poignant beautiful ditty video link


  36. Honorable Mentions


  38. Why Should I Love You? (1987) -- catchiest pop/rock I've heard in years. NOTE THIS SONG WAS ACTUALLY FIRST RECORDED IN 1974! video link


  40. I Like To Stay Home (1986) -- propulsive, keyboard-led Kinks pop; great use of synth drum; funny video. video link


  42. I Wish I Could Sing (1976) -- this might make top 10, excellent power pop. video link


  44. Irony (1977) -- first-class 60's pop/rock, humble and human lyrics, quirky solo, sooooo good. video link


  46. Too Old (To Fall In Love) (1978) -- wonder where Beck got his sound from? one of his coolest/hippest songs. video link


  48. You And Me (1975) -- Somewhat glam rock inspired, the chord progression is wonderful, a great love song. audio link


  50. Cool Daddio (1978) -- more great punk rock as if sung by Kevin Ayers, with great lyrics, effortlessly fun and cool. video link


  52. The Winner (1975) -- power-pop that feels more like folk rock, touching and beautiful; the right combo of happy and sad. video link


  54. Why Can't I Write a Hit? (1978) -- oh, the irony video link


  56. I've Begun to Fall in Love (1984) -- Real class in this ballad. video link


  58. You Love Me Do Something (1985) -- William Burroughs reference, sweet contrasts, and quite a good drummer man video link


  60. Compatibility Leaves (1978) -- new wave, sounds like feel good folk rock, with a bridge that echoes a Who song. audio link


  62. Copy Me (1984) -- he is such a genius video link


  64. Alecia (1985) -- I think Elston will dig this one. But, touchy subject matter aside, this is pop GOLD. His electric guitar playing vaguely reminds me of Wyatt/Canterbury. Listen for it. video link


  66. I Not Listening (1974) -- SERIOUSLY ahead of its time. video link


  68. Conflict of Interest (1980) -- basically poppy post-punk, nice bassline. video link


  70. The Holocaust Parade (1984) -- really must be heard/seen to be believed, almost devilishly brilliant chord changes and glorious synths. video link


  72. Schoolgirl -- perfect pop ditty with a strong McCartney influence. audio link


  74. Records (1977) -- dedicated to all music fans! video link


  76. Human Race (2000) -- oddly compelling skate punk, with faint hint of Frank Black. Moore is still good! video link


  78. Another Day Slips Away (2006) -- nostalgic song, with a strong Canterbury/Ayers accent. This is no rehash, another great song! video link


  80. Benefit of the Doubt (1976) -- apparently he swiped the bassline from a McCartney song, but I like this much better than most McCartney songs! The video is also amazing with a trick-or-treating theme. video link


  82. Back in Time (1986) -- we have all felt this way at some point, and man, is it resonant these days! video link


  84. Everything (1985) -- had this one in my head all day video link


  86. The Garbage State (1982) -- post-punk with an angry hardcore vocal. video link


  88. Everyone But Everyone (1987) -- Hip, ironic, groovable. video link


  90. Norman (1988) -- great song in what appears to be video only release, so do watch it! video link


  92. Sort of Way (1987) -- great video, great melodic hard rock riffage, with a Neil Young vibe (it's there!) video link


  94. One Moore Time (1979) -- I love this video and I love this man's sense of nostalgia/ sentimental/ emotional pop truth video link


  96. Sentimental Ties (2009) -- his latest, very nice Britpop sound! video link


  98. I Love All The Girls (1974) -- just more good stuff; guys will enjoy the video ;-) video link


  100. Little Man (1976) -- proggy power-pop, sci-fi sound, nice video, you will enjoy! video link


  102. I Need Your Love (1974) -- really nothing but a hook, but it's quite a hook! video link


  104. Women R Not Small Men (2008) -- KICK-ASS video for recent song. Song is great too, what else did you expect? video link


  106. You can view a bunch of Moore's videos on this generous YouTuber's page. Enjoy!
Elston09/23/2009

Great list. I like this guy. He's like a more sincere & original Elvis Costello (imo). And Kudos on the video clips! It's a great way to introduce people to someone's work.

callanyvegetable09/23/2009

I think I can see the Costello connection in songs like "Irony". But correction: He is a more since & original Costello (fact).

Those videos are amazing. In some ways, he predicted YouTube, since he is just playing to the camera in most of them.

Feel free to post your own favorites here in the comments section.

Elston10/04/2009

Sentimental Ties is a sweet tune. Pretty cool how it was a 3-way collaboration. I was thinking to myself, my god does Stevie ever sound youthful in this song. Love the vids by the way. My favourite is still prolly Chantilly Lace.

callanyvegetable10/04/2009

I just marvel at his ability to continue to write hits. There are plenty of aging rock gods who would kill to write something this good after 30+ years of recording! Another really good one he recently did is "Elephant Overdrive Avenue." Let me find the best version on YouTube and post it.

Chantilly Lace is killer -- it's everything Weird Al wishes he could be and more. That cover is probably better than the original!