The Decemberists Ready "Singles Series," "Conan" Appearance

Starting October 14th, the Decemberists will begin releasing their three-volume Always The Bridesmaid: A Singles Series. The first installment, available both digitally and on 10'' vinyl, will feature "O New England" and "Valerie Plame," an ode to the former CIA operative that was outed by Dick Cheney's Chief of Staff "Scooter" Libby. Additionally, the band will hit Late Night with Conan O'Brien the eve of Election Day and the other two volumes in the collection will be released on November 4th and December 2nd.

Always The Bridesmaid: A Singles Series:

Volume I. "Valerie Plame" / "O New England"
Release date: October 14, 2008

Volume II. "Days of Elaine" / "Days of Elaine (long)" and "I'm Sticking With You"
Release date: November 4, 2008

Volume III. "Record Year" / "Raincoat Song"
Release date: December 2, 2008

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Song Stories

“Help Me”

Joni Mitchell | 1974

Joni Mitchell wrote and recorded this song for her album Court and Spark, but she had to switch from her regular band to make the song sound exactly the way she wanted. "I had attempted to play my music with rock & roll players," she told Rolling Stone. "They’d laugh, 'Awww, isn't that cute? She's trying to teach us how to play.'" Mitchell switched to a jazz band, Tom Scott’s L.A. Express, and scored the biggest hit of her career in the process.

More Song Stories entries »

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