Top Ten Thursdays: Top Ten Songs About Food

By Wade Tatangelo Thu., Nov. 12 2009 at 2:15 PM

Categories: Top Ten Thursdays

Burly, bearded Zac Brown and his band play Sunset Cove Amphitheatre on Saturday. The highlight of the evening will likely be a beer-drenched, sing along performance of his fiddle-laced, pleasantly simple and patriotic country smash "Chicken Fried." It's a fun little ditty that got me thinking about all the really great songs inspired by food -- or with something edible in the title. Here's my highly subjective list.

1. "Potato Head Blues," Louis Armstrong

It's a magical, trailblazing work of beauty that never fails to move me in a positive way. Check this quote from Woody Allen's character in his 1979 masterpiece Manhattan: "Why is life worth living? It's a very good question. Um... Well, There are certain things I guess that make it worthwhile. Groucho Marx, to name one thing and Willie Mays and the second movement of the 'Jupiter Symphony.' Um, Louis Armstrong's recording of 'Potato Head Blues....'

Here it is. (It takes about 18 second before music -- the original 1927 recording -- kicks in.)

And because it's one of my favorite films of all time, here's the scene from Manhattan:

2. "Mother Popcorn," James Brown

JB's pioneering funk smash is an ode to the "Popcorn" dance he created. If this live performance -- from 1969 -- doesn't make you want to shake your ass, you should probably go see a doctor. Dig Maceo Parker's sizzling sax solo.

3. "Watermelon Man," Herbie Hancock

Hancock's jazz-funk gem from his classic 1973 album, Head Hunters, has been covered and sampled numerous times, but nothing beats the original. Well, maybe nothing except this killer clip featuring Hancock (and band) joined by the keyboardist's former boss, Miles Davis.

4. "Salt Peanuts," Dizzy Gillespie

This composition by trumpet titan Gillespie always improves my mood. One of the most important recordings of the bop era, it's an amazing work of art and a joy to hear.

5. "Jambalaya (On the Bayou)," Hank Williams Sr.

Another smile-inducing number, it makes me wish I at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival soaking up the myriad sounds and stuffing my face with Louisiana's finest cuisine.