Top tracks — play these first
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(What’s So Funny ’bout) Peace, Love and Understanding? Start here — This track epitomizes Lowe's ability to blend humor with poignant social commentary, making it a timeless anthem of reflection and resilience.
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Cruel to Be Kind — A quintessential example of Lowe's knack for catchy hooks and clever lyrics, this song highlights the bittersweet nature of love and relationships.
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I Knew the Bride (When She Used to Rock ’n’ Roll) — This energetic track showcases Lowe's storytelling prowess while marrying rockabilly influences with a modern twist on nostalgia.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- witty narratives for thoughtful moments
- dynamic collection for varied moods
- short tracks for quick enjoyment
- melodic tunes for sing-alongs
- playful energy during gatherings
Maybe skip if you
- seeking cohesive long-form pieces
- prefer heavy, intense listening
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Starting Point — This compilation offers a comprehensive overview of Lowe's career for new listeners.
- Themes
- British charm· bittersweet love stories· social commentary anthems
- Career context
- Released in 2009, this compilation captures Nick Lowe's evolution as a songwriter over four decades, following his notable work in the late 1970s and early 1980s. By this time, Lowe had transitioned from a punk-rock producer to a respected solo artist known for his intelligent and melodic songwriting.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Elvis Costello· Graham Parker· Joe Jackson
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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(What’s So Funny ’bout) Peace, Love and Understanding?
The lyrics shift from questioning societal values to expressing hope for change.
This transition from critique to optimism underscores Lowe's unique ability to balance cynicism with an enduring sense of possibility.
Tracklist
Disc 1
- 1 (What’s So Funny ’bout) Peace, Love and Understanding? Start here 3:34
- 2 So It Goes 2:33
- 3 Heart of the City 2:08
- 4 Endless Sleep 4:09
- 5 Marie Provost 2:48
- 6 I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass 3:14
- 7 Cracking Up 2:58
- 8 American Squirm 2:31
- 9 Cruel to Be Kind 3:29
- 10 Without Love 2:29
- 11 You Make Me 1:49
- 12 When I Write the Book 3:17
- 13 Play That Fast Thing (One More Time) 4:13
- 14 Burning 2:03
- 15 Heart 3:42
- 16 Raining Raining 2:47
- 17 Ragin’ Eyes 2:41
- 18 Mess Around With Love 3:06
- 19 Wish You Were Here 3:15
- 20 L.A.F.S. 3:32
- 21 Half a Boy and Half a Man 2:55
- 22 The Gee and the Rick and the Three Card Trick 4:21
- 23 The Rose of England 3:26
- 24 I Knew the Bride (When She Used to Rock ’n’ Roll) 4:26
- 25 Wishing Well 3:00
Disc 2
- 1 Lovers Jamboree 3:37
- 2 Shting-Shtang 3:22
- 3 All Men Are Liars 3:24
- 4 What’s Shakin’ on the Hill 4:01
- 5 Don’t Think About Her When You’re Trying to Drive (demo) 3:00
- 6 Fool Who Knows 3:47
- 7 Soulful Wind 3:02
- 8 The Beast in Me 2:30
- 9 I Live on a Battlefield 3:25
- 10 Shelly My Love 3:15
- 11 You Inspire Me 3:10
- 12 Lonesome Reverie 2:53
- 13 Faithless Lover 2:47
- 14 What Lack of Love Has Done 2:49
- 15 Man That I’ve Become 2:54
- 16 Lately I’ve Let Things Slide 3:06
- 17 Homewrecker 3:09
- 18 Has She Got a Friend? 2:39
- 19 Let’s Stay in and Make Love 3:50
- 20 Indian Queens 3:45
- 21 I Trained Her to Love Me 3:00
- 22 People Change 2:54
- 23 Long Limbed Girl 2:54
- 24 Hope for Us All 3:41
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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