Kerosene Kids

I waited all my life for just a little death …

“Kerosene,” Miranda Lambert
“Kerosene Hat,” Cracker
“Key of C,” Jim Noir
“Key to the Highway,” The Band
“Kick,” INXS
“Kickin’ My Heart Around,” The Black Crowes
“Kid,” Pretenders
“Kid A,” Radiohead
“Kid About It,” Elvis Costello & The Attractions
“Kid Fears,” Indigo Girls
“The Kids Are Alright,” Matthew Sweet & Susanna Hoffs
“The Kids Don’t Stand a Chance,” Vampire Weekend

Who’s missing from that list? Who’s missing from that list.

Heard “Closer to Fine” on the radio the other day and, just like that, I was back in 1988. Just about any song can sneak up on you and do that, but a bunch from that first Indigo Girls album can really work on you because you don’t just remember hearing them, you remember singing them. Whatever your life has been like, I hope that at some point it has allowed for you to be sitting around with some friends or friendly strangers and a couple of guitars and your best attempt at harmony on “Closer to Fine” or “Kid Fears” or the equivalent.

INXS briefly ruled the world with song after song from “Kick,” and they mostly stand up well after all this time. For a funhouse-mirror look back at that album, check out the “Record Club” covers Beck pulled together of those songs on YouTube. Here’s Anne Clark of St. Vincent sitting in on “Need You Tonight.”