My Top 1000 Songs #507: Between Planets

 [I've been writing up my Top 1000 songs on a daily basis--you can see them all in descending order by hitting the All My Favorite Songs tag.]

The Jesus And Mary Chain's initial lure was the sweet, sugary pop songs buried beneath sheets of distortion and feedback. Yet as they peeled back those sheets--and left behind a trademark aesthetic that would be copied by countless other bands--it turned out those little pop songs could stand on their own. One of my favorites was "Between Planets," from 1989's Automatic (their third LP, a surprisingly great pivot from their original sound). It's a propulsive, energetic little rocker, a few instantly catchy chords, still enough layers to keep it rousing even without the prior records' din. The lyrics retain the band's goth-ish darkness, yet it's impossible not to sing along. "Baby, you drive me crazy, don't come around here no more!"

Live 2007: