The Alternative Number Ones: Dishwalla’s “Counting Blue Cars”

In The Alternative Number Ones, I’m reviewing every #1 single in the history of the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks/Alternative Songs, starting with the moment that the chart launched in 1988. This column is a companion piece to The Number Ones. The column is now biweekly, alternating with The Number Ones on Mondays.

A humble request: Don't tell me all your thoughts on God. Don't tell me any of your thoughts on God. You probably have all kinds of thoughts on God. Most people do. In certain social situations, you may find yourself in the position where you want to tell me some or all of those thoughts. Don't. Restrain yourself. I don't want to hear those thoughts. I don't care.

The mysteries of the cosmos, the divine, existence itself — they have puzzled and troubled and excited human beings for eons, probably since before human beings became human beings. Every civilization has its own belief system, its own origin myth. Some of them are fascinating. I just don't want to hear you talking about any of them. Sorry. Nothing personal. I've just had some version of that conversation too many times. It makes me want to rip the skin off my face.