Captain Swing
Michelle Shocked · 1989
78 min · 27 tracks · folk rock
Eclectic folk rock blends sharp social commentary with playful melodies and a touch of mischief.
Top tracks — play these first
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God Is a Real Estate Developer — This track opens the album with a biting critique of capitalism and urban development, setting the tone for Shocked's socio-political themes throughout.
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Cement Lament — Combining poignant lyrics with an infectious melody, this song explores the struggles of urban life, highlighting Shocked's skillful storytelling.
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Streetcorner Ambassador — This track stands out for its vivid imagery and narrative depth, showcasing Shocked's ability to convey complex emotions through relatable scenarios.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- quick bursts of social commentary
- playful storytelling with sharp wit
- acoustic warmth for casual listening
- live recordings capturing spontaneity
- short tracks for easy engagement
Maybe skip if you
- seeking long immersive experiences
- prefer polished studio productions
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1989, Captain Swing was Michelle Shocked's third studio album, following her breakthrough hit Short Sharp Shocked. At this point, she was solidifying her reputation as a socially conscious artist who combined storytelling with musical experimentation, exploring themes of community and critique within the American landscape.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Mary Chapin Carpenter· Nina Nastasia· Dar Williams
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 God Is a Real Estate Developer 3:12
- 2 On the Greener Side 2:55
- 3 Silent Ways 2:41
- 4 Sleep Keeps Me Awake 2:45
- 5 Cement Lament 3:06
- 6 (Don’t You Mess Around With) My Little Sister 2:39
- 7 Looks Like Mona Lisa 2:34
- 8 Too Little Too Late 2:12
- 9 Streetcorner Ambassador 3:29
- 10 Must Be Luff 2:41
- 11 Russian Roulette 3:40
- 12 Must Be Luff (acoustic demo) 2:55
- 13 Sleep Keeps Me Awake (acoustic demo) 3:10
- 14 Cement Lament (acoustic demo) 3:10
- 15 Silent Ways (acoustic demo) 2:13
- 16 Streetcorner Ambassador (acoustic demo) 2:22
- 17 Early Morning Saturday (acoustic demo) 3:06
- 18 God Is a Real Estate Developer (acoustic demo) 3:11
- 19 Too Little Too Late (acoustic demo) 1:49
- 20 Hepcat (acoustic demo) 2:58
- 21 Barefootin’ (live) 6:06
- 22 Garden Salad Diplomacy (live) 0:44
- 23 Poll Tax Song (live) 3:32
- 24 The Titanic 3:46
- 25 Old Paint 2:38
- 26 Worth the Weight (live) 2:23
- 27 Fairy Tales (live) 2:27
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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