Essentials: The Top Ten 10,000 Maniacs Songs

The 10,000 Maniacs from Jamestown, New York, formed in 1981. They have a catalogue of alternative indie American rock, and with the band still on the back burner, there is possibly more to come. The Maniacs have produced nine studio and five live albums. Their most successful period was between 1987 and 1993, cumulating in an appearance on MTV’s Unplugged series, which became one of their biggest-selling albums, spending 45 weeks on the Billboard Charts, peaking at number 13 and certified triple platinum in 1997.

They were initially formed by members of a band called Still Life, which was made up of Robert Buck (guitar and vocals), Dennis Drew (keyboards), Steven Gustafson (bass) and Buck’s ex-wife Terri Newhouse (vocals). Gustafson invited Natalie Merchant to sing and, along with John Lombardo, who occasionally played with Still Life, eventually joined permanently.

Merchant was 17 when she agreed to join the band. With her writing talents, the band had its most creative time. In January 1993, the band was invited to perform at the MTV inaugural ball to celebrate Bill Clinton’s first term in the White House. It was hosted by comedian Dennis Miller, who introduced the band as “Chelsea’s favourite Band.” They shared the stage with Don Henley, En Vogue, and Boyz II Men. Merchant left the group in 1994 to pursue a solo career. The band’s then-label, Elektra, signed her, and dropped the Maniacs.

Mary Ramsey took over vocal duties from Merchant in 1995. She had previously worked with guitarist John Lombardo in a duo called John and Mary, recording two albums before both became members of the 10,000 Maniacs. On 27 January 1997, the band was invited to perform at Bill Clinton’s inauguration ball. Many personnel changes ensued, and in 2000, Buck died of liver failure. When asked if she would ever rejoin the 10,000 maniacs a couple of years later, Merchant declared that she couldn’t see it happening without Buck.

Ramsey and the band have continued producing music, delving into English folk and continue to play live.

Number 10: ‘Eat For Two’  from “Blind Man’s Zoo” (1989)

An idyllic pregnancy becomes a traumatic one as Merchant explores the fate of a young mother on 1989’s “Blind Man’s Zoo” album. There is quality to the string arrangement, which almost lurches the song from one line to the other. Merchant sings, “Dream child in my head is a nightmare born in a borrowed bed / Now I know lightning strikes again.” Merchant wrote the lyrics, but rather than passing moral judgment about youth pregnancy, she created a character and wanted people to consider and make their own conclusions. The lines “Well, the egg man fell off his shelf / All the good King’s men with all their help / Struggled ‘til the end for a shell they couldn’t mend” are worth the entrance fee on their own.

Number 9: ‘More Than This’ from “Love Among the Ruins” (1997)

Mary Ramsey gives an excellent vocal performance with a cover version of the Roxy Music track. Initially, this wasn’t going to be on the album or even recorded, but the record company, Geffen, insisted that the band include a cover version as part of the set. In their early career, the band grew tired of playing cover songs, so, ironically, this was a moderate hit. A beefed-up electronic sound backs the track, giving it a dance feel. The accompanying video showed all the instruments being played by electronic versions of hands and other mechanical machines. Draw your own conclusions regarding this decision.

Number 8: ‘Because the Night’ from “MTV Unplugged” (1993)

It was written by Bruce Springsteen and Patti Smith and recorded by both. This MTV unplugged version reached number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the highest chart position of any version. The band’s take on the song was slower, with the piano at the forefront, and the Merchant’s delivery was perfect. Springsteen had struggled with the lyrics until Smith helped complete the song. The Maniacs’ version was Merchant’s swansong before leaving the band.

Number 7: ‘Trouble Me’ from “Blind Man’s Zoo” (1989)

“Blind Man’s Zoo” was released in 1989. ‘Trouble Me’ was the first single from the album, written for Merchant’s father, who was ill at the time. Merchant’s simple call to share the burden plays out throughout the song, which beats a chopping guitar rhythm over a piano accompaniment. Gospel singer Jevetta Steele provides backing vocals for the “Trouble  Me / Speak to Me /Let Me” infill at the start of each section.

Number 6: ‘Candy Everybody Wants’ from “Our Time in Eden” (1992)

The first entry in these ten essential tracks is from the 1992 album “Our Time In Eden”. The single was released in March 1993 as the Merchant era in the band was drawing to a close. It was a social comment song regarding giving people what they want: “If lust and hate is the candy / If blood and love taste so sweet / Then we give ‘em what they want.” Powerful, evocative, and still accurate today. The mainstream pop feel of the production belies the message, and the slick video for the track feels the same; however, look closely and listen deeply.

Number 5: ‘Can’t Ignore the Train’  from “The Wishing Chair” (1985)

In 1982, a new Friday evening music show, The Tube, was broadcast in the UK, showcasing bands playing live every week. A refreshing change from the mimed music delivery of the day. It was the place to start your weekend in the early eighties. In 1985, the show featured the 10,000 Maniacs. The stand-out song from their set was the brilliant “Can’t Ignore the Train” which was taken from the album “The Wishing Chair”. A swirling, effervescent Merchant, with a unique and mesmerising voice exploded onto the screen. It is a song of opportunity, longing, and the inability to ignore what might lie outside your born-too-small existence. No apologies for including The Tube performance here, it is still enthralling.

Number 4:  ‘What’s the Matter Here’ from “In My Tribe” (1987)

Suzanne Vega wrote and released the track ‘Luka’ back in 1986 on her album “Solitude Standing”. Merchant tackles the same subject of child abuse with ‘What’s the Matter Here’. Merchant writes from the perspective of someone seeing and knowing the beatings and abuse are happening but who is afraid to intervene or feels threatened. It’s a powerful social commentary, and along with artists such as Vega, it went a long way to highlight the issues happening right next door. “I have heard the excuses everybody uses, “He’s your kid. Do as you see fit” / But get this through that I don’t approve of what you did to your own flesh and blood.”

Number 3:  ‘Hey Jack Kerouac’ from “In My Tribe” (1987)

It celebrates Jack Kerouac and the “Beat Poet” movement. Merchant’s lyrics pick through a life that could have been much more. Kerouac died before he reached 50 but left behind a wealth of writing. The lyrics delve into the world where jealousy crept in amongst the hipsters and beat generation. Writing from Kerouac’s mother’s perception, Merchant sings, “Her little boy lost in our little world that hated / and that dared to drag him down, her little boy courageous.” The song explores the darker side with, “Hey Jack, now for the tricky part / when you were the brightest star, who were the shadows?” Merchant does give us some clues further on with Allen and Billy mentioned, William S Burroughs and Allen Ginsberg perhaps?

Merchant told a story in a music press interview when “In My Tribe” was released about a drunk fan singing along with the band at the top of his voice. Instead of “Hey Jack Kerouac, I think of your mother,” he replaced “think of” with “drink to.” Merchant said he probably got it right.

Number 2: ‘Verdi Cries’ from “In My Tribe” (1987)

Inspired by Merchant’s first trip to the Balearic Island of Mallorca when she was twenty years old. Staying at a hotel overlooking the beautiful Mediterranean Sea, an old German man next door used to play just one Giuseppe Verdi opera, the tragic Egyptian-inspired Aida, each day. The staff used to leave pastries outside his door, which he never ate, but Merchant and friends would take them to eat by the sea. “He will not touch their pastry / but every day they bring him more / Gold from the breakfast tray / I steal them all away / and then go and eat them by the shore.” It’s all there: an inspired novella wrapped in a beautiful piano wrapper. Merchant’s unique vocal is at the forefront, but “Holidays must end as you know.”

Number 1: ‘These Are The Days’ from “Playing Favorites Live in Jamestown” (2016)

This optimises everything that the 10,000 Maniacs are about. Released as the lead single from the album “Our Time in Eden”, it reached number 1 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Track chart in November 1992. Written by Merchant and Buck and produced by Paul Fox, it also appears on the MTV Unplugged album. The latest version is from the 2016 “Playing Favorites” live set. This was a homecoming for the band and was recorded at the Reg Lenna Centre for the Arts in Jamestown, New York. It features Mary Ramsey on vocals and sees the return of original founding member John Lombardo. It’s a celebration of all the band achieved,  driving guitar and soaring vocals with an almost church-like organ holding the melody in place. These are the days you’ll remember and return to again and again.