Three Really Fun Songs About Radio DJs… (And Three Others That Will Break Your Heart)

I remember noticing early on: just how pious of a man my father was.

Every time he’d get excited or animated about something, he would start to pray.

“Well, he always says, “JesusMaryAndJoseph.” He says it a lot.“

Somehow, I took the heat for this.

Of the 38,000 times that I heard Dad invoke the three protagonists of the Nativity story, the one that I remember best happened one Saturday when we were riding around in the car.

I think I was about 11 or 12. On this particular trip, he had relented and allowed me to be in control of the radio.

And in a reality-show-worthy reveal, I made a life-defining declaration: “Dad? I’ve decided what I want to be.”

Now, at this point in my long and storied life, I was far beyond the “I’m gonna be a cowboy/astronaut/scientist/professional chimpanzee trainer…” phases. Little hoodied-me over in the passenger seat was ready for a serious and impactful career:

I told Dad that I was going to be a Radio Station Disc Jockey.

And he started praying. There was even a rare, bonus “MotheraGod” tossed in for emphasis. He was not happy. For maybe the first time ever, he demanded to know the name of my school guidance counselor.

But looking back, I can’t say that I blame him. He just wanted me to have a good life. And being a radio DJ can make for a hard one.

You move from town to town, and depending on which way the winds of fate (and ratings) are blowing, you can get fired at the drop of a Men Without Hats record.

Before you even hit 40, you are statistically very likely to find yourself on the bricks, looking for a new job. Much sooner than if you were, say, a professional chimpanzee trainer.

In spite of these practical drawbacks, it sure seems like a fun way to make living. And it should come to no surprise to anyone that …

• … if you’re on the air playing a record…
• … that’s talking about a person who does the exact thing you’re doing right now…
• … it’s likely going to be of interest to you.

That’s why I think that the following DJ-centric recordings brought delight, and perhaps in some cases, comfort to the folks whose job it was to talk ’em up, and hit the post. And then run a chewing gum commercial.

Anyway, I think I just heard my father intoning from the heavens: Duly noted, Pop. Enough of the pre-ramble. I’ll get to it:

Can you all guess who we’re staring out with?

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“Clap For The Wolfman” – The Guess Who

This is a bit of a weird one. Although, to give it its due: it‘s one of exactly two pop songs ever to contain the word “pompatus.” So there’s that.

Burton Cummings and The Guess Who had an ongoing little jam thing that they called “Clap For Napoleon.” “Napoleon” did not refer to the diminutive former emperor of France, as you might expect. It was instead, for some reason, a nod to a fictional trucker’s CB radio handle.

The band was scheduled to perform live-to-tape on American TV, on Burt Sugarman‘s (The) Midnight Special. A program that featured as its announcer, a fellow named Robert Smith:

The Guess Who loved The Wolfman, and re-worked the “Napoleon” lyrics to celebrate the DJ. He was invited to be on the record, and perform it on TV. Wolfman Jack’s job on the song was to add various odd, little non-sequiturs between each stanza. If it all sounds a bit off, it was. But also fun, in its own harmless and quirky way, as it inexplicably clapped it’s way to Number 6 on the Hot 100.

One thing to know about The Midnight Special – sorry – make that Burt Sugarman‘s (The) Midnight Special: From a performance standpoint, it was the real deal. I can’t ever remember seeing anybody lip sync. The playing and singing was live, and it was a lot of fun to watch people get on stage in front of a studio audience with real instruments, and deliver as close to a recorded performance as possible.

In this particular case, it appears that Wolfman Jack skipped the sound check:

In the spirit of fairness to the Wolfman, I’ll take a hit. Here’s the set-up to my profoundly sophomoric joke from back in high school about this record. You’re going to love hating it:

What was the public health clinic doctor’s diagnosis for the disc jockey?

I know. Gross. Gina Fannatucci was not even remotely amused, either. So much for my pompatus of love.

We promised you “fun” and “sad.” Here’s some sad:

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“Rex Bob Lowenstein” – Mark Germino And The Sluggers

You may not know this singer songwriter, but his work is very well respected in Nashville.

He might be considered more of a regional artist, and had good success writing and co-writing songs like “Broken Man’s Lament,” and “Lean on Jesus (Before He Leans on You).” His works have been recorded by Emmy Lou Harris and Kenny Chesney.

Initially a poet, Mark moved over to songwriting in the 1970s. And his “Rex Bob Lowenstein” shows that he is a true wordsmith at heart.

The song is excellent, and the true poetry of the lyrics alone are worth a read.

When writing this article yesterday, I got very excited about the idea of reaching out to ask Mark about his inspiration for this song. I was saddened to learn that he passed away just two weeks ago. Rest in peace, Mark. I’m sure that you can count on Rex Bob to play something nice for you.

On to something more familiar, from another singer songwriter who was no stranger to the Top 40 and hit records:

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“WOLD” – Harry Chapin

I remember when I used to hear this one on the radio, I would think, “I wonder if the DJs are sad when they play this song?“ As the record’s origins would suggest, this would be true for at least one of them.

The record was promoted by a DJ named Jim Connors at WMEX in Boston, and it became a huge hit. The two would became close friends.

After some early success, the song’s main character leaves his family to work at radio jobs in Tulsa and Boise, before getting the chance to work once again in his home city. As with most Harry Chapin songs, it does not end well.

A somewhat happier footnote to the “WOLD” story: Its tale of the hardscrabble radio life struck a chord with a young television producer named Hugh Wilson. The record inspired him to pitch a series idea to CBS. Who liked it. They greenlit the show.

And now, into the great wide Petty:

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“The Last DJ” – Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers

Tom Petty said that “The Last DJ” is “about a disc jockey in Jacksonville, Florida, who became so frustrated with his inability to play what he wants, that he moves to Mexico and gets his freedom back. The song is sung by a narrator who’s a fan of this D.J.”

Seems harmless enough.

And you own a bunch of radio stations. And you decide to be petty towards Petty. In that event, you ban the record from your air. Because that will show that mean old Tom that he shouldn’t bite that hand that ostensibly feeds him. And he will unwrite the song. And you, (and by “you,” I mean, “your inanimate corporation”) will be free from such wanton and unfair criticism.

In a newsflash that will surprise absolutely no one, Tom Petty could not have cared less.

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The Nightfly – Donald Fagen

Coming to you live from the foot of Mt. Belzoni, it’s 50% of Steely Dan.

And while technically true, that’s not to say that Donald Fagen didn’t shine with this solid 1982 effort from the album of the same name. A true aficionado of 1950s and 60s jazz, his tribute to the lonely and jaded DJ voice of the night features lyrics that are classic Fagen:

I’ve got plenty of java
And Chesterfield Kings
But I feel like crying
I wish I had a heart of ice
A heart like ice

You can almost smell the studio from here.

Novelist Arthur Phillips famously described “The Nightfly” as “a portrait of a late-night DJ in Baton Rouge, taking lunatic phone calls from listeners while silently battling his own loneliness and regret.”

I can’t do any better than that. I don’t even smoke, and I’m ready for a Chesterfield, as we listen to the story of “The Nightfly.”

OK. You have all been really patient. Time for a treat – because you just knew we’d end things up with…

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Pilot Of The Airwaves – Charlie Dore

I’m convinced that if I look up the word “delightful” in the dictionary, I’m going to see a picture of this record sleeve.

Many of us remember the feeling that middle-of-the night radio could bring. Charlie simultaneously captures the spirit and wistfulness of this intimacy, but amazingly: does so in an up-tempo way that works beautifully. There’s nothing actually sad about this song. I see it as a victory for both the DJ and listener.

Charlie caught the attention of Island Records maven Chris Blackwell, who signed her to contract that soon found her recording in Nashville.

On the surface, “Pilot Of The Airwaves” sounds like it’s a typical song about loneliness. But I think that it’s actually about an antidote for loneliness.

The singer has found that the voice on the radio is a relatable friend. And as any true friend would do: Charlie reciprocates the kindness. She notes that the DJ doesn’t have to play the songs she requests – she just hopes the DJ will do his best.

And then, there’s this:

Imagine a friend saying to you: “You might keep me up at night. But it’s OK. You’re worth it.”

That’s a nice thought to think, as I finish this up in the small hours of the morning. See if you agree: Here’s a 60fps remaster of “Pilot Of The Airwaves.”

Enjoy. Cause y’all seem like a friend to me.

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