St. Louis Music Blog

(Welcome to Lost in the Supermarket, an occasional blog recurring feature in which we discuss unexpected songs we've heard in unexpected places. This doesn't just have to be your local Schucks or Dierbergs, either; any weird pairing you've heard is fair game for the feature. Email the scenario to me, with the phrase Lost in the Supermarket in the subject heading, and you just might see it here.)

Date(s):  Monday, February 16 and Saturday, February 21

Where:  Walgreens, McKnight Road at Delmar Boulevard, University City

What:  The Kinks, "A Well Respected Man"

Why is this weird?  Well, how often does one hear the same song on two successive trips to the same pharmacy - especially a song one likes?  "A Well Respected Man" was one of the Kinks' bigger American hits, topping out at #13 on the Billboard charts, but it's hardly obvious comfort music for Walgreens shoppers.  The first time, on a quest for half-price Valentine's Day candy, was pleasant enough; I've been digging into the Kinks' catalog via the Picture Book box set lately, and actually found myself humming it in line.  But five days later, the same song came on while I was waiting at the photo counter - at about the same time of day, no less.  Certainly adds a fresh perspective to Ray Davies' lyrical portrait of a man whose "world is built round punctuality."

(Welcome to Lost in the Supermarket, an occasional blog recurring feature in which we discuss unexpected songs we've heard in unexpected places. This doesn't just have to be your local Schucks or Dierbergs, either; any weird pairing you've heard is fair game for the feature. Email the scenario to me, with the phrase Lost in the Supermarket in the subject heading, and you just might see it here.)

Where: Marshall's Megastore, St. Louis Mills Mall

When: Thursday, April 9

I've had a long fascination with the bargains found within Marshall's, and this new-to-me store at the Mills Mall didn't disappoint. For just $99 each, I could buy a full suit of armor to put in my living room, to stand guard over my CDs and dust bunnies. I discovered these gems as the mellow sounds of the Shins' "Australia" wafted over the speakers, an odd choice for a store which generally favors the mom-friendly tones of Matchbox 20 (which came next). The clothing selections in the store were sadly lacking, probably because it's between seasons, but the knights in semi-dull armor were nevertheless a beacon of commercialized hope.   

(Welcome to Lost in the Supermarket, an occasional blog recurring feature in which we discuss unexpected songs we've heard in unexpected places. This doesn't just have to be your local Schucks or Dierbergs, either; any weird pairing you've heard is fair game for the feature. Email the scenario to me, with the phrase Lost in the Supermarket in the subject heading, and you just might see it here.)

Where: Sports Authority, Brentwood

When: 4:30 p.m. Monday, February 23

What: Jimmy Eat World,'s "Always Be," followed by a boy-band tune I didn't know and then the one-two punch of Lindsay Lohan's "Over" and "Bailamos" by Enrique Iglesias

Why Is This Weird? One of my new year's resolutions is to start working out -- i.e., swimming -- again. Back in the day, I was in fantastic shape, because I swam three or four time a week without fail. Now, well, though the cushion in my tush kept me warm this winter, I miss my muscles. So! Off to Sports Authority to buy a bathing suit. Hearing Jimmy Eat World's sweet pop put a spring in my step as I pushed past racks and racks of running clothes toward the back. The song after "Always Be" was some random boy-band tune, which I thought was an odd segue, but whatever.

And then Lindsay Lohan's over-the-top tune "Over" came on. Now, despite Lohan's star power, the album this came from (Speak) didn't exactly set the world ablaze. So hearing it all casual-like among rows and rows of spandex and sports bras was a bit surreal. And then the sweet, sweet dulcet Spanish techno of "Bailamos" began, and suddenly I flashed back nearly a decade to the shitty college-dorm-room parties I attended. I don't think I've heard this song since then, when this song, the Backstreet Boys and a bunch of cheesy Europop and '90s hip-hop were the soundtrack to every cheap-vodka screwdriver I consumed, like a good little underage drinker. (Hi, mom and dad!) Reality sunk in, however, as I realized that both swimsuits I tried on didn't exactly fit. Time to reacquaint myself with salad. "Bailamos" video after the jump.

(Welcome to Lost in the Supermarket, an occasional blog recurring feature in which we discuss unexpected songs we've heard in unexpected places. This doesn't just have to be your local Schucks or Dierbergs, either; any weird pairing you've heard is fair game for the feature. Email the scenario to me, with the phrase Lost in the Supermarket in the subject heading, and you just might see it here.)

Submitted By: Jason Robinson

Date: Wednesday, February 18

Where: Burger King, Hampton

What: "Drop Dead Gorgeous" by '90s electro-rockers Republica, followed
shortly by a house classic, "Finally" by Cece Peniston

Why is this weird? Stuffing one's face with high-carb meat by-products is not a situation wherein one would expect to subjected to gay nightclub music circa 1996. Although those with a dirty mind can think of a few similarities (insert beefcake joke here), the introduction of
mid-tempo '90s pop/house to a burger establishment is oil to water. No mixing. Oh, and if you were ever curious about who dueted with spiky-headed Prodigy member Keith Flint on that band's cover of L7's "Fuel My Fire," that would be Republica lead singer Saffron (real name: Samantha Marie Sprackling). She also had the lead role in a two-year production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Starlight Express." Video of "Gorgeous" after the jump.

(Welcome to Lost in the Supermarket, an occasional blog recurring feature in which we discuss unexpected songs we've heard in unexpected places. This doesn't just have to be your local Schucks or Dierbergs, either; any weird pairing you've heard is fair game for the feature. Email the scenario to me, with the phrase Lost in the Supermarket in the subject heading, and you just might see it here.)

Where: Schnucks, Clayton Avenue, Brentwood

When: 8 p.m. Sunday, February 1

What: Chris Walla, "Our Plans, Collapsing"

Why is this weird? Considering it was Super Bowl Sunday -- the store was empty, but I really was craving veggies and hard-boiled eggs; the wine just fell into my cart, I swear -- this song was entirely appropriate. At least if you're a Phoenix Cardinals fan. Sorry, Kurt Warner, but this solo song from Death Cab for Cutie's guitarist fits your team's bill today.

(Welcome to Lost in the Supermarket, an occasional blog recurring feature in which we discuss unexpected songs we've heard in unexpected places. This doesn't just have to be your local Schucks or Dierbergs, either; any weird pairing you've heard is fair game for the feature. Email the scenario to me, with the phrase Lost in the Supermarket in the subject heading, and you just might see it here.)

Where: Temp job, Maryland Heights

What: She & Him, "Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?"

Why is this weird?  Times are tough lately. In that spirit, this week I began a temporary assignment deep within the office-park maze near Westport Plaza. They play background music throughout the building, which is usually ignorable (as, of course, is the intent).  Walking to the break room last Friday, however, I was surprised -- even shocked -- to hear Zooey Deschanel's cooing vocals among the usual smooth jazz and adult-contemporary selections.  It's not as if She & Him is remotely abrasive or obscure; there's no reason "Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?" shouldn't fit right into a programmed playlist for office drones.  But for a few minutes, I pondered (and perhaps invented) the implications. Here was a Pitchfork-approved song all about feeling neglected and alone, released on Merge Records, written and sung by a well-known actress, but here programmed for an audience of low-paid temporary employees. The cumulative effect was thus more knowing and ironic than if I'd just heard it at a supermarket or restaurant.  I'll be listening for more subliminal messages next week.

(Welcome to Lost in the Supermarket, an occasional blog recurring feature in which we discuss unexpected songs we've heard in unexpected places. This doesn't just have to be your local Schucks or Dierbergs, either; any weird pairing you've heard is fair game for the feature. Email the scenario to me, with the phrase Lost in the Supermarket in the subject heading, and you just might see it here.)

Date: Sunday, January 4
Where: Schnucks, Clayton Road
What: A tune by Bruce Hornsby, followed in short succession by Juliana Hatfield's "Shining On" and the Kooks' "Shine On."
Why is this weird? Mr. Hornsby's mom-jeans piano gems are prime grocery store fodder. But Hatfield's latest record, How to Walk Away, is full of melancholy, sophisticated pop gems. Production by Ivy's Andy Chase gives the album a lush, crushed-velvet feel, while appearances by the Psychedelic Furs' Richard Butler and Nada Surf's Matthew Caws add more rainy-day sighs. Plus, pairing her "Shining On" right before U.K. mod-rockers the Kooks' "Shine On" reveals that someone in Schnucks Music Progamming HQ has a sense of humor.