For October, the Mental Jukebox is dialing it way back to the eighties and going deep. Deep cuts have always been an important element of music listening to me because they’re often the songs that resonate with me most. Deep cuts are usually the ones that the true fans appreciate most. I like my singles and hits, but I love my deep cuts.

Natalie Merchant’s lyrics during the 10,000 Maniacs years are absolute treasures. An underrated songwriter, I never understood why they weren’t bigger. I’ve always preferred those albums – especially In My Tribe and Our Time In Eden – much more than Merchant’s solo work although those albums got all the attention. One of the greatest treasures of them all is the last track on In My Tribe: “Verdi Cries”.

Few songs capture beauty and heartache as well as “Verdi Cries”. The song is steeped in an overwhelming sense of isolation, with the only thing accompanying the man in 119 is the music. The tale told by Merchant is beautifully written and brought to life by the strings: cello, viola and double bass. Even in my high schools, I sensed Merchant tugging heartstrings on this one which, almost always, is the best way to sing a song.

“The man in 119 takes his tea all alone. Mornings we all rise to wireless Verdi cries.”