"We Just Couldn't Say Goodbye" is a relatively obscure Tin Pan Alley standard written by Harry M. Woods, a violent alcoholic who nevertheless wrote more popular and equally tender songs like "Try A Little Tenderness".
This week features the former song with versions by The Boswell Sisters, Annette Hanshaw, Frank Sinatra and Maria Muldaur.
"The Poor Side Of Town" was a number one hit for its co-writer Johnny Rivers in November 1966 and features back-up singing by The Blossoms, featuring Darlene Love.
This mix features his original version along with covers by The 5th Dimension, Al Wilson and Eels performing live.
One other song repeats this week: the 1973 Dixieland-jazz-esque pop hit "Last Time I Saw Him" by Diana Ross, with a cover by ill-fated country artist Dottie West.
The rest: a cover of Spiral Starecase's "I Love You More Today Than Yesterday" by Joe Bataan, the graceful "Arabian Lover" by Duke Ellington, the unhinged 50s rockabilly tune "Love Me" by Phantom, Nice & Smooth with some help from Gang Starr on the funky "Down The Line", the low-fi "Interesting Results" by Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti, Pete Townshend's dramatic "Give Blood", Bjork's sensual "Mouth's Cradle", the 1988 Queen-referencing "Anotha Ho" by JJ Fad, the backing track to Queen's blissful "You're My Best Friend", the early non-album track "Beef Stew" by Nicki Minaj, Jeannie C. Riley's cover of Gordon Lightfoot's "If You Could Read My Mind", the country-tinged "Sally G" by Paul McCartney & Wings, Francois Hardy's tender "Les Petits Garcons" and Wayne Cochran's version of the Tim Hardin standard "If I Were A Carpenter".
Poor Side Of Town The 5th Dimension
We Just Couldn't Say Goodbye Frank Sinatra
More Today Than Yesterday Joe Bataan
Last Time I Saw Him (single ver) Diana Ross
Love Me Phantom
Down The Line Nice & Smooth ft. Guru
Interesting Results Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti
Give Blood Pete Townshend
Mouth's Cradle Bjork
We Just Couldn't Say Goodbye The Boswell Sisters
Poor Side Of Town Al Wilson
Anotha Ho JJ Fad
You're My Best Friend (backing track) Queen
Beef Stew Nicki Minaj
If You Could Read My Mind Jeannie C. Riley
The Poor Side Of Town Johnny Rivers
Sally G Paul McCartney & Wings
Last Time I Saw Him Dottie West
We Just Couldn't Say Goodbye Maria Muldaur
Les Petit Gracons Francois Hardy
If I Were A Carpenter Wayne Cochran
Poor Side Of Town (live) Eels
We Just Couldn't Say Goodbye Annette Hanshaw
