The Original First World Problems

Song of the Day:

Fred Neil – That’s the Bag I’m In

“I burned my fingers on the coffee pot,  Toast was cold and the orange juice was hot,”  Fred Neil complains in this mostly tongue-in-cheek list of problems that are ruining his day/life.  The tune is saved from sounding whiny by a slightly funky groove, a playful sense of humor and the bluesy world weariness in Neil’s voice.  Best known as a songwriter (he wrote Everybody’s Talkin’, a big hit for Harry Nilsson and, many covered his song The Dolphins), Neil is actually an engaging and soulful performer, especially for a folky and his albums are definitely worth checking out.  That’s the Bag I’m In from Fred’s eponymous 1966 album is a fine entry point to his oeuvre and, it’s a good song to sing along to if you are having a bad day – which we hope you are not.  Either way, enjoy.