Pop Quiz: Chris Isaak

Pop Quiz: Chris Isaak

Aidin Vaziri | He may be famous for cavorting on the beach with a near- naked supermodel in the video for his hit "Wicked Game," but as the new "Best of Chris Isaak" CD/DVD package proves, there's a lot more to the pompadour-sporting Bay Area rocker than saucy broken-heart ballads. Made up of 14 remastered hits, three new songs and an acoustic rendition of "Forever Blue," plus a DVD that includes 18 music videos, the set showcases both Isaak's classic songwriting and his handsome silhouette. But anyone who remembers the sublime comedic talent displayed on Showtime's "The Chris Isaak Show" will know to skip straight to the commentary.


Chris Isaak
Q: Did you realize you liked the color blue so much?
A: Why, is blue mentioned in a lot of the song titles?
Q: "Blue Spanish Sky." "Blue Hotel." "Forever Blue." Do you want me to go on?
A: You know, one time I read that the most popular word in Elvis' song titles was "blue."
Q: Well, it is easy to rhyme it with stuff.
Q: You wrote "Blue Hotel" about a friend who committed suicide. Does it still mean the same to you now?
A: Yeah. One time, someone asked the Everly Brothers, "While you're singing onstage what do you think of?" They said, "Hitting the notes." There's some of that. When you're up there, you actually have to hit the notes and play it in time and everything. But I don't think you forget what the songs are about.
Q: Is that why your pants shrink two sizes every time you sing "Wicked Game"?