IFLTS: 'You're My Favorite Waste of Time,' Marshall Crenshaw

'You're My Favorite Waste of Time,' Marshall Crenshaw and the Handsome Ruthless and Stupid Band
From 2000's resissue of 'Marshall Crenshaw' (1982)

The cheeky name of this "group" is somewhat misleading since it was only Marshall Crenshaw himself who provided all of the instrumentation on 'You're My Favorite Waste of Time.' Recorded in 1979, the song was used as the B-side of his 1983 single 'Cynical Girl' -- it now appears on the 2000 reissue of Crenshaw's self-titled debut, one of the most brilliant power pop albums ever.

'You're My Favorite Waste of Time' has everything you want in a great Marshall Crenshaw tune: a catchy melodic hook, lovely harmonies, neat guitar playing and clever lyrics. It's a cool love song that's heartfelt without sounding saccharine. It's even a bit witty, too -- one line goes, "I don't care if being with you is meaningless and ridiculous."

In his commentary from the 2000 compilation, 'This Is Easy: The Best of Marshall Crenshaw,' the artist says that there have been cover versions of 'You're My Favorite Waste of Time.' However, the original "is the only one that features plastic maracas and a parade drum taken from an Elks Club in Pontiac, Michigan." That tune, and all the songs on the Marshall Crenshaw album, will get you hooked on repeated listenings.

What song do you freakin' love? Write our next IFLTS. Send it to us at spinnereditor@aim.com