Saxomophone

This week Lady Gaga released her third single from her upcoming album Born this Way. The song called Edge of Glory features a crazy (long) saxophone solo by Clarence Clemens of the E- Street band. I happen to really like this song, although I’m not sure why it needed a saxophone solo. The sax, while popular with Lisa Simpson, hasn’t been used frequently since the 80’s. But apparently in this song Lady Gaga is trying to make the sax have a comeback? This got me thinking about other artists who have used a saxophone in their songs. Below is a list of popular songs with sax solo’s in rated order:

1. Aretha Franklin: Respect: Did you all know that the Aretha song is actually a cover of an Otis Redding song? Mind blowing. Meanwhile one of the many reasons this song was more successful than good old Otis’ is the addition of saxophone legend King Curtis extraordinary talent. A
2. Bruce Springstein: Born to Run: Another song on this list featuring Clarence Clemens, this song accurately portrays how a sax should be played. It is fun, sparingly used, but always effective. A
3. Gerry Rafferty: Baker Street: Many of you who have attended a Jewish wedding have heard this crazy intro sax solo, as a possible entrance song for the bride and the groom onto the dance floor. In fact it may even have been used at my wedding. Regardless, the solo which is so bold in its tone and different than the rest of the song actually adds a random but delightful layer to this song. My rating: A-
4. Hall and Oates: Maneater: Surprise! Hall and Oates made it on yet another list of mine. I love those 80’s rockers; what can I say. This song is amazing. From the great lyrics “Whoa here she comes/watch out boy/she’ll chew you up/whoa here she comes/she’s a maneater,” to the crazy cheetahs/lions that are used to represent the maneater women in the video, and the cheesy but awesome guitar solo, this song is a hit for the ages. B+
5. Billy Joel: Just the Way You are: I love Billy Joel and I think he is an incredible piano virtuoso. But his addition of the sax in what would otherwise be a beautiful piano ballad is a bit too cheesy for me. Sorry Billy. B-
6. Katy Perry: Last Friday Night (TGIF): Another song trying to add a sax solo to add a new “fresh” twist to their song. However, in my humble opinion, I think the sax actually dates the song back like 10 years. Bad choice Katy. C
7. Madness: It Must Be Love: Aside from the music video cheese factor of filming the saxophonist playing in a pool, the saxophone solo in this song is so confusing! I actually think this song could probably have been a really cool mix of new-wave and reggae, but it verges on crazy with the addition of that sax. C-
8. Kenny G: Songbird: Of course my list HAD to include Kenny G who basically redefined the use of the saxophone. This song, most used in weddings is so beyond cheesy that it makes me cringe. D