A - Available: Yes
A - Age: 36
A - Annoyance: perfectly able bodied people who park in handicapped spaces
B - Best Friends: Stacey (since God was a boy) and Fazie (about as long)*
B - Bad Habit: procrastinating
B - Birthday: October 25
* Please note: this isn't to say I don't have OTHER people who are just as near and dear to me. I just picked these two because I've been friends with them for quite a long time.
C - Crush: Had them before
C - Car: '97 Taurus
C - Cats: Can't have -- family member w/allergies :(
D - Dead Pets Name: Skipper, Skippy, Frosty, Huffy
D - Desk Top Picture: "Billy & the Boingers"
D - Dogs: none
E - Easiest person to talk to: way too many people
E - Eggs: Can't eat 'em
E - Email: lifeline
F - Favorite color: Blue
F - Food: I love most of it
F - Foreign Slang: oooh ... ahh.... The future Senator will neither confirm nor deny that she, in fact, does know and/or use phrases which could be considered slang in a non-English language. Next question...
G - Gummy Bears or Worms: Bears, I guess
G - God: Tell me all your thoughts on.....
G - Good Times: Dyno-MITE!
H - Hair Color: red(dish)
H - Height: 5'6
H - Happy: Happy Joy Joy
I - Ice Cream: Breyers' Butter Pecan
I - In school?: not for ages
I - Introverted or Extroverted?: More "introspective"
J - Jewelry: Yes! Love it!
J - Job: Accounting
J - Jokes: There was a priest, a rabbi, and a girdle salesman....
K - Kids: jury is still out
K - Karate: like I could
K - Kung fu: Fighting
L - Longest Car Ride: From home to Biloxi Mississippi
L - Longest relationship: over 5 years
L - Last phone call: Bank of America (!)
M - Milk Flavor: flavor??
M - Mothers Name: Nancy Elizabeth
M - Movie Last Watched: Blues Brothers
N - Number of Siblings: One
N - Northern or Southern: Southern by birth AND the grace of God, thankyewverymuch!
N - Name: N. Annette
O - One Phobia: I don't like spiders and snakes
O - Open or Closed?: Open
O - Orgasm: Godiva chocolate
P - Parents, are they married or divorced: Married.
P - Part of your jerking: say whaaa?
P - Part of your personality you like best: My incredibly warped sense of humor
Q - Quote: Too many to list
Q - Question for the next person?: Who put the bomp in the bomp-bomp-bomp-bomp-bomp?
Q - Quick or Slow?: both
R - Reality TV Show: American Idol
R - Right or Left: right-handed, left-politics
R - Right now: Hey it's your tomorrow
S - Song Last Heard: Wall of Sleep - The Smithereens
S - Season: Fall
S - Sport: Are you ready for some FOOTBALL? A Saturday, Sunday and Monday night partay!
T - Time you woke up: 6:00 AM
T - Time Now: 10:20 PM
T - Time for bed: 11pm ish
U - Unknown Fact about me: I'm a mystery girl - plenty of unknowns there.
U - Unicorns: Cute when I was 13.
U - You are: the sun, you are the rain.
V - Vegetable you hate: Most of 'em! Any kind of "greens" (GAAAAK!)
V - Vegetable you love: Carrots
V - Voice: speaking - medium and low; singing -- loud and low
W- Worst Habits: messy
W- Where are you going to travel next?: Hot-lanta!
W - Where were you born?: Upstate South Carolina
X - X-Rays: Dental
X - XXX: not a Vin Diesel fan
X - Xylophone: I prefer the marimba
Y - Year you were born: 1969
Y - Year it is now: 2006
Y - Yellow: Submarine
Z - Zoo Animal: monkey!
Z- Zodiac: Scorpio (classic one, at that!)
Z - Zoolander: not my thing
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Sunday, April 23, 2006
80s One-Hit Wonders, P-Z
"Pac Man Fever" by Buckner and Garcia -- oh yeah. 7th grade. We were all Pac-Man nuts then.
"Pass the Dutchie" by Musical Youth -- ya know, this one didn't receive tons of airplay around here. But it's sort of been branded into the national 80s consciousness -- much like "I Melt With You" by Modern English (and where the hell is THAT song on this list, huh?).
"Perfect Way" by Scritti Politti -- great song! I loved it. Still do.
"Pilot of the Airwaves" by Charlie Dore -- I don't remember this one. But I have heard it since then (for a while I was hooked on a Canadian online station). It's okay.
"The Politics of Dancing" by Re-Flex -- great dance song.
"The Promise" by When in Rome -- one of my favorite one-hit-wonder-of-the-80s songs. Love, love, love it.
"Pump up the Volume" by M/A/R/R/S -- At first, I hated this song. It grew on me. A lot.
"Puttin' on the Ritz" by Taco -- Oh my God. Summer '83. Memories of playing in Granny B's backyard with Gigi (who came up to visit her grandparents, who were also neighbors), Natasha and Ansley (Granny B's great-grandchildren). Gigi and I were more babysitting than anything else, but it was all fun. And we listened to this over and over -- Ansley always wanted to sing the "super-duper" part.
"Radioactive" by The Firm -- oh yeah.... a fabulous song. But they also had another good one, "Satisfaction Guaranteed." I can still name all four members of The Firm.
"The Rain" by Oran "Juice" Jones -- heh heh heh. I loved this song. There was also an answer song, where some female singer answered his "charges" -- "$3700 lynx coat? Sucka, that ain't even a $37 rabbit coat!" Great, great song.
"Rapper's Delight" by Sugarhill Gang -- another of the few rap songs I enjoy. Sixth grade recess where we made up silly dances to this, and "Whip It" and a few other songs.
"Relax" by Frankie Goes to Hollywood -- I had a big oversized white tee with "Frankie Say: Relax" on it. I did. I loved the song, and I suppose I always will.
"Respect Yourself" by Bruce Willis -- well, he'll never make me forget the Staples Singers!!!
"Right on Track" by Breakfast Club -- I remember this one. It's okay....
"Rock On" by Michael Damian -- puh. leeze. David Essex has the only version that matters.
"Romeo's Tune" by Steve Forbert -- one of my very very very very very favorites. Love, love, love, love, love this song. LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! I could listen to it over and over. And do.
"Round and Round" by Ratt -- okay, technically, chart-wise they might have been "one-hit" but HELLO? "Lay It Down" with Chucko the Clown in the video? At the little boy's birthday party? And didn't they also have "Way Cool Junior" in '89 or '90? Okay, rant over -- I loved this song. There. I said it.
"Rumors" by Timex Social Club -- damn fine dance tune.
"Rush Hour" by Jane Wiedlin -- I could take it or leave it. I liked the Go-Go's stuff better.
"Sausalito Summernights" by Diesel -- another FABULOUS one from the "WAU" collection. When I first heard the WAU collection, I kind of remembered it but couldn't say for sure. It's a great song, though!
"Seven Year Ache" by Rosanne Cash -- really good! A great artist who's still putting things out. Not commercial enough for modern CHR radio and too artsy for Nashville. Dang, that's a shame, because Black Cadillac is a CD worth listening to.
"Shake You Down" by Gregory Abbott -- oh yeah. oh yeah. Great B&G song.
"She's Like the Wind" by Patrick Swayze featuring Wendy Fraser -- I liked this one. Still do. Still makes me a little sad to hear it sometimes.
"She Blinded Me with Science" by Thomas Dolby -- okay, another one I take umbrage with. Yes, he had a huge hit with this, but he also had "Hyperactive" which is a durn fine song as well. Anyhow, good heaven, Mr. Komoto, this one's BEAUTIFUL!
"So Alive" by Love and Rockets -- Didn't they also do "No New Tale to Tell"? I remember that one from MTV. Anyhow, great song. Still love it.
"Somebody's Knockin'" by Terri Gibbs -- oh yeah. I remember this one. 6th grade.
"Stand by Me" by Mickey Gilley -- BLECH!!!!!!!!! If I'm gonna rank the Looziana piano-playing cousins, The Killer is far and away #1. Mickey is a poor 2nd. Brother Jimmy is an even-more-distant 3rd. (If you didn't know, those are Jerry Lee Lewis, Mickey Gilley, and Jimmy Swaggart). Hate this version.
"Sugar Don't Bite" by Sam Harris -- Sam Harris. The much-hyped first winner for male vocalist ever on Star Search. Sam Harris. Whose "Sugar Don't Bite" stunk up the airwaves and didn't get any further than 39th. Wonder whatever happened to him? (PS: I just found out, apparently, he's a star of the musical stage. Go read his Wiki article. It's a completely glowing review..... )
"Surrender to Me" by Robin Zander (with Ann Wilson) -- great song from Tequila Sunrise. Robin Zander. In his day, man, was he cute (Tom Petersson, now HE was hot). Anyway......
"Sweet Baby" by Stanley Clarke and George Duke -- another great song from my late elementary school days. Hard to imagine, but I covered part of elementary school, all of high school, and part of college all during the 80s. Geez. Anyway, I liked this song. Nice and sweet. They don't write 'em like that anymore.......
"Swing the Mood" by Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers -- now THAT's the one I was thinking of when I was talking about "Hooked On Swing"
"Tainted Love" by Soft Cell -- I used to like this one. I still do, a smidgen, but it's SOOOOOOO dang overdone for 80s weeks and 80s weekends, and BLECH! they took a good song and overkilled it.
"Take Your Time (Do It Right), Part 1" by The S.O.S. Band -- GREAT dance tune!
"Talk It Over" by Grayson Hugh -- first time I heard this, I had to do a double-take: "He said WHAT?" Hmm. Maybe Grayson Hugh had a good point.
"Tarzan Boy" by Baltimora -- yep. I recall this one. It got a decent amount of airplay -- for once, not overdone or underdone. Probably why I do like this one.
"Tender Love" by Force M.D.'s -- oh wow. I remember this one pretty well. Slow dance in the gym. Don't even remember who danced with me. Guess it wasn't that important.
"Theme From Greatest American Hero (Believe It or Not)" by Joey Scarbury -- another one from Spring '81 and Mr. Rice's scienzzzzzzzzzzzz clazzzzzzzzzz. It was rather unoffensive. I can take or leave it.
"There's No Stoppin' Us" by Ollie and Jerry -- brrrrrreak. Brrrrreak dancing. Oh man. Can't believe I remember that. Good song, though.
"They Don't Know" by Tracey Ullman -- I really enjoyed this song. And when her show came on Fox a few years later, I actually remembered who she was. Some folks didn't remember the song.
"Tired of Toein' the Line" by Rocky Burnette -- good memories of Summer '80. I can't remember if it was Em or Tee who had the 45 of this. I liked it.
"Tomorrow People" by Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers -- ehhhhhh. I could frankly care less for it. Somehow, and I still know not how, I ended up with a copy of their cassette (sans case). I didn't buy it, so I have no idea how I got it. Apparently, no one missed it enough to claim it either. Well.
"Too Shy" by Kajagoogoo -- now this was a good song. Okay, so I have very fond memories of music from about 1983-1986.
"Tuff Enuff" by The Fabulous Thunderbirds -- I will always associate this song with Al Bundy. Big fan of Jimmie Vaughn though.... and his album with Stevie Ray, shortly before SRV left us for good....
"Turning Japanese" by The Vapors -- another one that's been branded into the national 80s consciousness. I honestly don't remember much airplay for this one around here.
"Turn up the Radio" by Autograph -- now this one got TONS of airplay. A local rumor was that one of our local boys was in the band. Welllllll, Mark *had* a band called Autograff, but it was not these guys. There was also the rumor that they were Russian.
"Two Occasions" by The Deele -- another good B&G, slow-dancing song. Why do I keep seeing my high school gym whenever I think of these songs (and countless dances in the gym? Homecoming Dance. Christmas Dance. Spring Dance. Luau back-to-school Dance.).
"Video Killed the Radio Star" by The Buggles -- again, really from the late 70s, but SOOOO part of the 80s as it was the first video ever played on MTV. You know, I miss the old MTV from 1981-88 or so. Back when they played videos.
"Wake Up (Next to You)" by Graham Parker and The Shot -- I *do* remember this one. Saw the video on "Night Tracks" if memory serves. Nice song.
"We're Not Gonna Take It" by Twisted Sister -- ah! Smells like Teen Angst. Smells like Teen Rebellion. Smells like yesterday's dinner.
"What About Me" by Moving Pictures -- From the Annals of Self-Pity, Volume 1. Still listen to it whenever it comes on, but I can't believe how utterly childish and whiny it sounds.
"What Are We Doin' In Love" by Dottie West (and Kenny Rogers) -- okay, I again take umbrage. Hello -- down in the 70s section, she's listed for "Every Time Two Fools Collide" -- so are we saying "one hit wonder" of each decade?? Anyhow, I liked this song. But I always liked Dottie West's music. When I was very young, apparently I was very fond of her song "Country Sunshine" (or so my folks tell me).
"What I Am" by Edie Brickell and New Bohemians -- I hated this song. I really did. We had a jokester in the fraternity who referred to himself or herself as The Gray Ghost. Everyone got "Gray Ghosted" at least once. The Gray Ghost left a message on our white board one day: "Attention Everyone: Edie Brickell was found dead today -- she'd been choked in shallow water. Her epitaph will read as follows: She wasn't aware of too many things. She knew what she knew, if you know what I mean." That just slew me!
Another reason I wasn't too fond of this song: during Spirit Week, each organization was asked to take part in the banner contest. That year, the theme was music. We had a KICK-ASS banner with "Back in the High Life" -- great picture of a Cougar going for a winning layup. It was fabulously detailed. We came in 2nd. Sigma Nu -- a 2nd tier frat at that time, just coming off double secret probation -- won with "Edie Growell and the New Paw-hemians." Even other frats were like, "Dude, the A Phi O's got cheated!!!!" I can't like this song. But I do love her "Good Times" from '94 (with a killer video that was included as part of the Windows 95 upgrade, along with Weezer's "Buddy Holly").
"Wild Wild West" by The Escape Club -- great song! And sure beat the hell outta Kool Moe D's "Wild Wild West'!
"Welcome to the Boomtown" by David and David -- this one got some play on MTV, but not on radio around here.
"When I'm with You" by Sheriff -- The lead singer of Sheriff was taken to a local hospital shortly after the recording of this song. It took a team of 18 doctors and other assorted medical personnel to remove the vise-grip from his genital regions. When asked why it was there in the first place, he squeaked out, "How else was I supposed to hit that high note?" By the way, I hate this song.
"When the Heart Rules the Mind" by GTR -- I liked this one. My friend LMM and I were at Girls' State that year, and the night before, we'd gone to Columbia to stay with her sister and brother-in-law. We watched MTV all morning before our ride came to get us, and I taped this song off there. I still like it.
"Where Are You Now?" by Jimmy Harnen w/ Synch -- blech.
"Whirly Girl" by Oxo -- another "WAU" classic. And I sort of remembered it from earlier, but I have it now.
"Whisper to a Scream (Birds Fly)" by Icicle Works -- I liked this one.
"White Horse" by Laid Back -- Eurosynthpop at its finest.
"Who'll Be The Fool Tonight" by Larsen/Feiten Band -- another WAU great!!
"Without Your Love" by Roger Daltrey -- now, this one is on WAU, but I honestly didn't remember it. I was far more familiar with his effort from '85 called "After the Fire" (which got a lot of play on MTV). Great song, it was. "WYL" is good too!
"Yes, I'm Ready" by Teri DeSario (w/KC) -- passable cover. I can take or leave it.
"You Could Take My Heart Away" by Silver Condor -- another GREAT GREAT one from the WAU files. I didn't remember this one at all. Apparently, it didn't get played here. But I have fallen head-over-heels for this song. Great, great, great song!
"You're a Friend of Mine" by Clarence Clemons (with Jackson Browne) -- another one I can take or leave. It's good, but not fabulous. Ya know.
That's it for now!
"Pass the Dutchie" by Musical Youth -- ya know, this one didn't receive tons of airplay around here. But it's sort of been branded into the national 80s consciousness -- much like "I Melt With You" by Modern English (and where the hell is THAT song on this list, huh?).
"Perfect Way" by Scritti Politti -- great song! I loved it. Still do.
"Pilot of the Airwaves" by Charlie Dore -- I don't remember this one. But I have heard it since then (for a while I was hooked on a Canadian online station). It's okay.
"The Politics of Dancing" by Re-Flex -- great dance song.
"The Promise" by When in Rome -- one of my favorite one-hit-wonder-of-the-80s songs. Love, love, love it.
"Pump up the Volume" by M/A/R/R/S -- At first, I hated this song. It grew on me. A lot.
"Puttin' on the Ritz" by Taco -- Oh my God. Summer '83. Memories of playing in Granny B's backyard with Gigi (who came up to visit her grandparents, who were also neighbors), Natasha and Ansley (Granny B's great-grandchildren). Gigi and I were more babysitting than anything else, but it was all fun. And we listened to this over and over -- Ansley always wanted to sing the "super-duper" part.
"Radioactive" by The Firm -- oh yeah.... a fabulous song. But they also had another good one, "Satisfaction Guaranteed." I can still name all four members of The Firm.
"The Rain" by Oran "Juice" Jones -- heh heh heh. I loved this song. There was also an answer song, where some female singer answered his "charges" -- "$3700 lynx coat? Sucka, that ain't even a $37 rabbit coat!" Great, great song.
"Rapper's Delight" by Sugarhill Gang -- another of the few rap songs I enjoy. Sixth grade recess where we made up silly dances to this, and "Whip It" and a few other songs.
"Relax" by Frankie Goes to Hollywood -- I had a big oversized white tee with "Frankie Say: Relax" on it. I did. I loved the song, and I suppose I always will.
"Respect Yourself" by Bruce Willis -- well, he'll never make me forget the Staples Singers!!!
"Right on Track" by Breakfast Club -- I remember this one. It's okay....
"Rock On" by Michael Damian -- puh. leeze. David Essex has the only version that matters.
"Romeo's Tune" by Steve Forbert -- one of my very very very very very favorites. Love, love, love, love, love this song. LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! I could listen to it over and over. And do.
"Round and Round" by Ratt -- okay, technically, chart-wise they might have been "one-hit" but HELLO? "Lay It Down" with Chucko the Clown in the video? At the little boy's birthday party? And didn't they also have "Way Cool Junior" in '89 or '90? Okay, rant over -- I loved this song. There. I said it.
"Rumors" by Timex Social Club -- damn fine dance tune.
"Rush Hour" by Jane Wiedlin -- I could take it or leave it. I liked the Go-Go's stuff better.
"Sausalito Summernights" by Diesel -- another FABULOUS one from the "WAU" collection. When I first heard the WAU collection, I kind of remembered it but couldn't say for sure. It's a great song, though!
"Seven Year Ache" by Rosanne Cash -- really good! A great artist who's still putting things out. Not commercial enough for modern CHR radio and too artsy for Nashville. Dang, that's a shame, because Black Cadillac is a CD worth listening to.
"Shake You Down" by Gregory Abbott -- oh yeah. oh yeah. Great B&G song.
"She's Like the Wind" by Patrick Swayze featuring Wendy Fraser -- I liked this one. Still do. Still makes me a little sad to hear it sometimes.
"She Blinded Me with Science" by Thomas Dolby -- okay, another one I take umbrage with. Yes, he had a huge hit with this, but he also had "Hyperactive" which is a durn fine song as well. Anyhow, good heaven, Mr. Komoto, this one's BEAUTIFUL!
"So Alive" by Love and Rockets -- Didn't they also do "No New Tale to Tell"? I remember that one from MTV. Anyhow, great song. Still love it.
"Somebody's Knockin'" by Terri Gibbs -- oh yeah. I remember this one. 6th grade.
"Stand by Me" by Mickey Gilley -- BLECH!!!!!!!!! If I'm gonna rank the Looziana piano-playing cousins, The Killer is far and away #1. Mickey is a poor 2nd. Brother Jimmy is an even-more-distant 3rd. (If you didn't know, those are Jerry Lee Lewis, Mickey Gilley, and Jimmy Swaggart). Hate this version.
"Sugar Don't Bite" by Sam Harris -- Sam Harris. The much-hyped first winner for male vocalist ever on Star Search. Sam Harris. Whose "Sugar Don't Bite" stunk up the airwaves and didn't get any further than 39th. Wonder whatever happened to him? (PS: I just found out, apparently, he's a star of the musical stage. Go read his Wiki article. It's a completely glowing review..... )
"Surrender to Me" by Robin Zander (with Ann Wilson) -- great song from Tequila Sunrise. Robin Zander. In his day, man, was he cute (Tom Petersson, now HE was hot). Anyway......
"Sweet Baby" by Stanley Clarke and George Duke -- another great song from my late elementary school days. Hard to imagine, but I covered part of elementary school, all of high school, and part of college all during the 80s. Geez. Anyway, I liked this song. Nice and sweet. They don't write 'em like that anymore.......
"Swing the Mood" by Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers -- now THAT's the one I was thinking of when I was talking about "Hooked On Swing"
"Tainted Love" by Soft Cell -- I used to like this one. I still do, a smidgen, but it's SOOOOOOO dang overdone for 80s weeks and 80s weekends, and BLECH! they took a good song and overkilled it.
"Take Your Time (Do It Right), Part 1" by The S.O.S. Band -- GREAT dance tune!
"Talk It Over" by Grayson Hugh -- first time I heard this, I had to do a double-take: "He said WHAT?" Hmm. Maybe Grayson Hugh had a good point.
"Tarzan Boy" by Baltimora -- yep. I recall this one. It got a decent amount of airplay -- for once, not overdone or underdone. Probably why I do like this one.
"Tender Love" by Force M.D.'s -- oh wow. I remember this one pretty well. Slow dance in the gym. Don't even remember who danced with me. Guess it wasn't that important.
"Theme From Greatest American Hero (Believe It or Not)" by Joey Scarbury -- another one from Spring '81 and Mr. Rice's scienzzzzzzzzzzzz clazzzzzzzzzz. It was rather unoffensive. I can take or leave it.
"There's No Stoppin' Us" by Ollie and Jerry -- brrrrrreak. Brrrrreak dancing. Oh man. Can't believe I remember that. Good song, though.
"They Don't Know" by Tracey Ullman -- I really enjoyed this song. And when her show came on Fox a few years later, I actually remembered who she was. Some folks didn't remember the song.
"Tired of Toein' the Line" by Rocky Burnette -- good memories of Summer '80. I can't remember if it was Em or Tee who had the 45 of this. I liked it.
"Tomorrow People" by Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers -- ehhhhhh. I could frankly care less for it. Somehow, and I still know not how, I ended up with a copy of their cassette (sans case). I didn't buy it, so I have no idea how I got it. Apparently, no one missed it enough to claim it either. Well.
"Too Shy" by Kajagoogoo -- now this was a good song. Okay, so I have very fond memories of music from about 1983-1986.
"Tuff Enuff" by The Fabulous Thunderbirds -- I will always associate this song with Al Bundy. Big fan of Jimmie Vaughn though.... and his album with Stevie Ray, shortly before SRV left us for good....
"Turning Japanese" by The Vapors -- another one that's been branded into the national 80s consciousness. I honestly don't remember much airplay for this one around here.
"Turn up the Radio" by Autograph -- now this one got TONS of airplay. A local rumor was that one of our local boys was in the band. Welllllll, Mark *had* a band called Autograff, but it was not these guys. There was also the rumor that they were Russian.
"Two Occasions" by The Deele -- another good B&G, slow-dancing song. Why do I keep seeing my high school gym whenever I think of these songs (and countless dances in the gym? Homecoming Dance. Christmas Dance. Spring Dance. Luau back-to-school Dance.).
"Video Killed the Radio Star" by The Buggles -- again, really from the late 70s, but SOOOO part of the 80s as it was the first video ever played on MTV. You know, I miss the old MTV from 1981-88 or so. Back when they played videos.
"Wake Up (Next to You)" by Graham Parker and The Shot -- I *do* remember this one. Saw the video on "Night Tracks" if memory serves. Nice song.
"We're Not Gonna Take It" by Twisted Sister -- ah! Smells like Teen Angst. Smells like Teen Rebellion. Smells like yesterday's dinner.
"What About Me" by Moving Pictures -- From the Annals of Self-Pity, Volume 1. Still listen to it whenever it comes on, but I can't believe how utterly childish and whiny it sounds.
"What Are We Doin' In Love" by Dottie West (and Kenny Rogers) -- okay, I again take umbrage. Hello -- down in the 70s section, she's listed for "Every Time Two Fools Collide" -- so are we saying "one hit wonder" of each decade?? Anyhow, I liked this song. But I always liked Dottie West's music. When I was very young, apparently I was very fond of her song "Country Sunshine" (or so my folks tell me).
"What I Am" by Edie Brickell and New Bohemians -- I hated this song. I really did. We had a jokester in the fraternity who referred to himself or herself as The Gray Ghost. Everyone got "Gray Ghosted" at least once. The Gray Ghost left a message on our white board one day: "Attention Everyone: Edie Brickell was found dead today -- she'd been choked in shallow water. Her epitaph will read as follows: She wasn't aware of too many things. She knew what she knew, if you know what I mean." That just slew me!
Another reason I wasn't too fond of this song: during Spirit Week, each organization was asked to take part in the banner contest. That year, the theme was music. We had a KICK-ASS banner with "Back in the High Life" -- great picture of a Cougar going for a winning layup. It was fabulously detailed. We came in 2nd. Sigma Nu -- a 2nd tier frat at that time, just coming off double secret probation -- won with "Edie Growell and the New Paw-hemians." Even other frats were like, "Dude, the A Phi O's got cheated!!!!" I can't like this song. But I do love her "Good Times" from '94 (with a killer video that was included as part of the Windows 95 upgrade, along with Weezer's "Buddy Holly").
"Wild Wild West" by The Escape Club -- great song! And sure beat the hell outta Kool Moe D's "Wild Wild West'!
"Welcome to the Boomtown" by David and David -- this one got some play on MTV, but not on radio around here.
"When I'm with You" by Sheriff -- The lead singer of Sheriff was taken to a local hospital shortly after the recording of this song. It took a team of 18 doctors and other assorted medical personnel to remove the vise-grip from his genital regions. When asked why it was there in the first place, he squeaked out, "How else was I supposed to hit that high note?" By the way, I hate this song.
"When the Heart Rules the Mind" by GTR -- I liked this one. My friend LMM and I were at Girls' State that year, and the night before, we'd gone to Columbia to stay with her sister and brother-in-law. We watched MTV all morning before our ride came to get us, and I taped this song off there. I still like it.
"Where Are You Now?" by Jimmy Harnen w/ Synch -- blech.
"Whirly Girl" by Oxo -- another "WAU" classic. And I sort of remembered it from earlier, but I have it now.
"Whisper to a Scream (Birds Fly)" by Icicle Works -- I liked this one.
"White Horse" by Laid Back -- Eurosynthpop at its finest.
"Who'll Be The Fool Tonight" by Larsen/Feiten Band -- another WAU great!!
"Without Your Love" by Roger Daltrey -- now, this one is on WAU, but I honestly didn't remember it. I was far more familiar with his effort from '85 called "After the Fire" (which got a lot of play on MTV). Great song, it was. "WYL" is good too!
"Yes, I'm Ready" by Teri DeSario (w/KC) -- passable cover. I can take or leave it.
"You Could Take My Heart Away" by Silver Condor -- another GREAT GREAT one from the WAU files. I didn't remember this one at all. Apparently, it didn't get played here. But I have fallen head-over-heels for this song. Great, great, great song!
"You're a Friend of Mine" by Clarence Clemons (with Jackson Browne) -- another one I can take or leave. It's good, but not fabulous. Ya know.
That's it for now!
80s One-Hit Wonders, I-O
"I.G.Y. (International Geophysical Year)" by Donald Fagen -- you may remember this one better from the first lines of its refrain: What a beautiful world this will be, what a glorious time to be free! "The Nightfly" is one of my very favorite CD's. This is one of my very favorite songs. Howard Jones did a remake of it, and it pains me to listen to it, because I am so enamored of Fagen's version. And the video for "New Frontier" was pretty damn cool in its day. Have I mentioned how much I love this song?
"I've Never Been to Me" by Charlene -- Please. Slit my wrists so I never have to hear her lousy tale again.
"I Believe in You" by Don Williams -- fabulous country artist. Awesome music. I like this song. I never realized it crossed over. I like his "Some Broken Hearts Never Mend" better.....
"I Couldn't Say No" by Robert Ellis Orrall with Carlene Carter -- also on the "WAU" collection. I didn't remember it. I like it though! Now, to be fair, Robert Ellis Orrall and Carlene Carter both went on to have songs on the country charts. I loved his "Boom! It Was Over" and her "Every Little Thing."
"I Do What I Do" by John Taylor -- from 9-1/2 Weeks. I liked Andy Taylor's "Take It Easy" (from American Anthem) much better. (And why isn't THAT song on Wiki's list???) But John was muuuuuucccch easier on the eyes than Andy. That was for sure!!!
"I Don't Mind At All" by Bourgeois Tagg -- a completely fabulous song. Fond memories of my first semester in college. It got a lot of airplay in Charleston, but apparently not back home, because my brother has no memory of this song at all. And I do mind that. Very Beatle-esque harmonies and just an all-around great song.
"I Know There's Something Going On" by Frida -- oh yeah. I remember this one pretty well. Also saw the video on "Night Tracks." I have this one as well.
"I Loved 'Em Every One" by T.G. Sheppard -- GAAAAAG!!!!! I can't believe THIS one crossed over to be a hit? Was America just so worn down by the confusion of the late 70s and early 80s to have enjoyed this song?
"I Wanna Be a Cowboy" by Boys Don't Cry -- heh heh heh. Fond memories of Summer '86. Girls' State, Columbia SC. Leigh Anne Satterfield: "I wanna be your Commissioner of Agriculture. And you can be my constituency!"
"I'm Happy That Love Has Found You" by Jimmy Hall -- another from the "WAU" vault. Great song!
"Iko Iko" by Belle Stars -- from The Big Easy. Great song! Good movie!
"In a Big Country" by Big Country -- awesome song!
"In My House" by Mary Jane Girls -- oh yeah. I remember this one.
"Into the Night" by Benny Mardones --- GAAAAAG! Again, was America so desperate for ... whatever ... in 1980 that we actually put this dreck on the charts? AND again in '89? I mean, this is a horrid song? If the parents of the 16-year-old had been smart, they'd have had ol' Benny put away for stalking and statutory something!!!
"Invisible" by Alison Moyet -- I remember the video from MTV, but it didn't get much airplay on our radio.
"Is It You" by Lee Ritenour -- I really enjoyed this one. Spring '81. Mr. Rice's science class was so dang boring that I took to reading the little leaflet that WQOK-AM put out each week -- their Top 30. This was on their leaflet for quite a while.
"It Takes Two" by Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock -- I'm not a fan of rap, but I do love this!!
"It's Now or Never" by John Schneider -- Bo Duke does Elvis. Now, my brother loves John Schneider's music. What can I say? I tried......
"Just Got Lucky" by JoBoxers -- I remember this from "Night Tracks" and it was on the "WAU" collection as well. Great bouncy song!
"Just the Two of Us" by Grover Washington, Jr. (with Bill Withers) -- fabulous song. Completely fabulous. I loved it then, I love it now. I even love Dr. Evil's version.
"Keep Your Hands to Yourself" by The Georgia Satellites -- heh heh heh heh heh. Oh yeah. Great memories of singing this song in school.
"Key Largo" by Bertie Higgins -- I liked this song. Really. Seriously.
"Kiss Him Goodbye" by The Nylons -- this single ...er, single-handledly ... is responsible for the revival of singing this to your defeated opponents after a sports loss.
"Let's Go All the Way" by Sly Fox -- pop, pop, zimi-nimi. Lots of fun and raised eyebrows with this one. And fond memories of the Lost Weekend at Stephanie's house. Possums and BK fries. Giggles and typewriters, and erasers and pencils. Oh yeah.....
"Let It Whip" by The Dazz Band -- love this song. Great for dancing. I just hate that a few short years ago, it was used in a Tampax commercial.
"Let the Music Play" by Shannon -- another great dance song!
"Lookin' for Love" by Johnny Lee -- wookin' pa nub!!!! (BTW, I wasn't crazy about this song).
"Love Changes (Everything)" by Climie Fisher -- great tune!
"Love Theme from St. Elmo's Fire" by David Foster -- LOVE the instrumental. A few years later, a version with lyrics appeared, and was my brother's high school class's goodbye song for their last assembly. BLECH!!!!!!
"Love You Like I Never Loved Before" by John O'Banion -- another "WAU" tune -- and a great one to boot!
"Major Tom (Coming Home)" by Peter Schilling -- oh yeah. This one was a classic. I knew there was a connection to "Space Oddity." The other thing I remember is sitting in homeroom one morning, and the bus was leaving for Vocational School -- and some of the guys leaving for VS were walking down the hallway singing, "Earth below us, drifting, falling..." These guys were NOT new-wave fans -- they were more into Bocephus and country. So we all knew when they were doing it, that it was a huge joke. I still like the song.
"Mama Used to Say" by Junior -- another classic from the "WAU" vault! I don't recall it being played much here, so I've learned it from this collection.
"Mary's Prayer" by Danny Wilson -- love this song!!!!!
"Miami Vice Theme" by Jan Hammer -- oh yeah.
"Mickey" by Toni Basil -- if this song would go away, it'd really really make my day, GO! MICKEY! GO! Mickey....
"Modern Day Delilah" by Van Stephenson -- a forgotten classic. Got a good bit of airplay here. Van Stephenson went on to play in the country group Blackhawk (and I loved their music) along with Henry Paul of the Outlaws and some other guy. But "Modern Day Delilah" was just an awesome song.
"More Than Just the Two of Us" by Sneaker -- another "WAU" gem!
"Motortown" by Kane Gang -- a fandamntabulous song! So very reminiscent of Steely Dan. Could have easily fit on Fagen's "Nightfly" and fit perfectly. Of course, I have it.....
"My Ever Changing Moods" by The Style Council -- I loved this song. I remember a little of the video from "Night Tracks" (we didn't get MTV until late '84 on our cable system). I was SOOOO disappointed when it didn't chart higher.
"The Never Ending Story" by Limahl -- I remember it well, but it wasn't a favorite of mine. Probably because it was connected to a kiddie movie.
"New Romance (It's a Mystery)" by Spider -- another from the "WAU" vault, and one which I didn't know until I heard it there first. A good one!
"Nightbird" by (Stevie Nicks with) Sandy Stewart -- now, I always remember this being a Stevie Nicks song, primarily, instead of a Sandy Stewart song. That's why its inclusion here is bizarre!
"Nobody" by Sylvia -- yep. Memories of 8th grade Home Arts class, and a couple of folks singing this one a good bit while working in the kitchen or hunched over those infernal sewing machines. Funny thing about us as kids: we were not quite "city kids" and not entirely "country kids" so we had pretty eclectic tastes in music. We were as likely to listen to Duran Duran as we were to Midnight Star as we were to Alabama. Well-rounded, we were.
"Object of My Desire" by Starpoint -- I remember this one. All over the airwaves for a while.
"On the Loose" by Saga -- oh my God! One of my favorites from that time. Does anyone remember "Nick Rocks"??? (6 pm every day on Nickolodeon) .... yep, this one got played a good bit.
"Operator" by Midnight Star -- Midnight Star! I didn't realize this was their only charting hit, because I sure as hell remember "Freak-A-Zoid" (A computerized voice saying, "Freakazoids ... robots ... please .. report .. to the .. dance ... floor!") and "No Parking on the Dance Floor" (big heaving sigh) Thank you, WHYZ, for some fond memories.
More to come......
"I've Never Been to Me" by Charlene -- Please. Slit my wrists so I never have to hear her lousy tale again.
"I Believe in You" by Don Williams -- fabulous country artist. Awesome music. I like this song. I never realized it crossed over. I like his "Some Broken Hearts Never Mend" better.....
"I Couldn't Say No" by Robert Ellis Orrall with Carlene Carter -- also on the "WAU" collection. I didn't remember it. I like it though! Now, to be fair, Robert Ellis Orrall and Carlene Carter both went on to have songs on the country charts. I loved his "Boom! It Was Over" and her "Every Little Thing."
"I Do What I Do" by John Taylor -- from 9-1/2 Weeks. I liked Andy Taylor's "Take It Easy" (from American Anthem) much better. (And why isn't THAT song on Wiki's list???) But John was muuuuuucccch easier on the eyes than Andy. That was for sure!!!
"I Don't Mind At All" by Bourgeois Tagg -- a completely fabulous song. Fond memories of my first semester in college. It got a lot of airplay in Charleston, but apparently not back home, because my brother has no memory of this song at all. And I do mind that. Very Beatle-esque harmonies and just an all-around great song.
"I Know There's Something Going On" by Frida -- oh yeah. I remember this one pretty well. Also saw the video on "Night Tracks." I have this one as well.
"I Loved 'Em Every One" by T.G. Sheppard -- GAAAAAG!!!!! I can't believe THIS one crossed over to be a hit? Was America just so worn down by the confusion of the late 70s and early 80s to have enjoyed this song?
"I Wanna Be a Cowboy" by Boys Don't Cry -- heh heh heh. Fond memories of Summer '86. Girls' State, Columbia SC. Leigh Anne Satterfield: "I wanna be your Commissioner of Agriculture. And you can be my constituency!"
"I'm Happy That Love Has Found You" by Jimmy Hall -- another from the "WAU" vault. Great song!
"Iko Iko" by Belle Stars -- from The Big Easy. Great song! Good movie!
"In a Big Country" by Big Country -- awesome song!
"In My House" by Mary Jane Girls -- oh yeah. I remember this one.
"Into the Night" by Benny Mardones --- GAAAAAG! Again, was America so desperate for ... whatever ... in 1980 that we actually put this dreck on the charts? AND again in '89? I mean, this is a horrid song? If the parents of the 16-year-old had been smart, they'd have had ol' Benny put away for stalking and statutory something!!!
"Invisible" by Alison Moyet -- I remember the video from MTV, but it didn't get much airplay on our radio.
"Is It You" by Lee Ritenour -- I really enjoyed this one. Spring '81. Mr. Rice's science class was so dang boring that I took to reading the little leaflet that WQOK-AM put out each week -- their Top 30. This was on their leaflet for quite a while.
"It Takes Two" by Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock -- I'm not a fan of rap, but I do love this!!
"It's Now or Never" by John Schneider -- Bo Duke does Elvis. Now, my brother loves John Schneider's music. What can I say? I tried......
"Just Got Lucky" by JoBoxers -- I remember this from "Night Tracks" and it was on the "WAU" collection as well. Great bouncy song!
"Just the Two of Us" by Grover Washington, Jr. (with Bill Withers) -- fabulous song. Completely fabulous. I loved it then, I love it now. I even love Dr. Evil's version.
"Keep Your Hands to Yourself" by The Georgia Satellites -- heh heh heh heh heh. Oh yeah. Great memories of singing this song in school.
"Key Largo" by Bertie Higgins -- I liked this song. Really. Seriously.
"Kiss Him Goodbye" by The Nylons -- this single ...er, single-handledly ... is responsible for the revival of singing this to your defeated opponents after a sports loss.
"Let's Go All the Way" by Sly Fox -- pop, pop, zimi-nimi. Lots of fun and raised eyebrows with this one. And fond memories of the Lost Weekend at Stephanie's house. Possums and BK fries. Giggles and typewriters, and erasers and pencils. Oh yeah.....
"Let It Whip" by The Dazz Band -- love this song. Great for dancing. I just hate that a few short years ago, it was used in a Tampax commercial.
"Let the Music Play" by Shannon -- another great dance song!
"Lookin' for Love" by Johnny Lee -- wookin' pa nub!!!! (BTW, I wasn't crazy about this song).
"Love Changes (Everything)" by Climie Fisher -- great tune!
"Love Theme from St. Elmo's Fire" by David Foster -- LOVE the instrumental. A few years later, a version with lyrics appeared, and was my brother's high school class's goodbye song for their last assembly. BLECH!!!!!!
"Love You Like I Never Loved Before" by John O'Banion -- another "WAU" tune -- and a great one to boot!
"Major Tom (Coming Home)" by Peter Schilling -- oh yeah. This one was a classic. I knew there was a connection to "Space Oddity." The other thing I remember is sitting in homeroom one morning, and the bus was leaving for Vocational School -- and some of the guys leaving for VS were walking down the hallway singing, "Earth below us, drifting, falling..." These guys were NOT new-wave fans -- they were more into Bocephus and country. So we all knew when they were doing it, that it was a huge joke. I still like the song.
"Mama Used to Say" by Junior -- another classic from the "WAU" vault! I don't recall it being played much here, so I've learned it from this collection.
"Mary's Prayer" by Danny Wilson -- love this song!!!!!
"Miami Vice Theme" by Jan Hammer -- oh yeah.
"Mickey" by Toni Basil -- if this song would go away, it'd really really make my day, GO! MICKEY! GO! Mickey....
"Modern Day Delilah" by Van Stephenson -- a forgotten classic. Got a good bit of airplay here. Van Stephenson went on to play in the country group Blackhawk (and I loved their music) along with Henry Paul of the Outlaws and some other guy. But "Modern Day Delilah" was just an awesome song.
"More Than Just the Two of Us" by Sneaker -- another "WAU" gem!
"Motortown" by Kane Gang -- a fandamntabulous song! So very reminiscent of Steely Dan. Could have easily fit on Fagen's "Nightfly" and fit perfectly. Of course, I have it.....
"My Ever Changing Moods" by The Style Council -- I loved this song. I remember a little of the video from "Night Tracks" (we didn't get MTV until late '84 on our cable system). I was SOOOO disappointed when it didn't chart higher.
"The Never Ending Story" by Limahl -- I remember it well, but it wasn't a favorite of mine. Probably because it was connected to a kiddie movie.
"New Romance (It's a Mystery)" by Spider -- another from the "WAU" vault, and one which I didn't know until I heard it there first. A good one!
"Nightbird" by (Stevie Nicks with) Sandy Stewart -- now, I always remember this being a Stevie Nicks song, primarily, instead of a Sandy Stewart song. That's why its inclusion here is bizarre!
"Nobody" by Sylvia -- yep. Memories of 8th grade Home Arts class, and a couple of folks singing this one a good bit while working in the kitchen or hunched over those infernal sewing machines. Funny thing about us as kids: we were not quite "city kids" and not entirely "country kids" so we had pretty eclectic tastes in music. We were as likely to listen to Duran Duran as we were to Midnight Star as we were to Alabama. Well-rounded, we were.
"Object of My Desire" by Starpoint -- I remember this one. All over the airwaves for a while.
"On the Loose" by Saga -- oh my God! One of my favorites from that time. Does anyone remember "Nick Rocks"??? (6 pm every day on Nickolodeon) .... yep, this one got played a good bit.
"Operator" by Midnight Star -- Midnight Star! I didn't realize this was their only charting hit, because I sure as hell remember "Freak-A-Zoid" (A computerized voice saying, "Freakazoids ... robots ... please .. report .. to the .. dance ... floor!") and "No Parking on the Dance Floor" (big heaving sigh) Thank you, WHYZ, for some fond memories.
More to come......
Ya knew it was coming: 80's One Hit Wonders (part 1)
This one is most definitely going to be broken up over 3 or more posts. This covers A-H. Again, from Wikipedia's list.
"10-9-8" by Face To Face -- I vaguely remember this one from MTV. I remember the final line of the chorus: "Isn't it funny -- I never get to 1..."
"19" by Paul Hardcastle -- uh, what about "Rainforest"? Maybe it didn't hit the Top 100. Anyhow. This song helped inspire me as I wrote my term paper for US History about music and the Vietnam War.
"99 Luftballons" by Nena -- fond memories. Never learned exactly what they were saying in German, but I figured the English translation was fairly faithful.
"All I Need" by Jack Wagner -- oh man! Boy, do I remember this one. Brings back memories of WBCY out of Charlotte when I would go over and visit my cousins in Rock Hill.
"And I'm Telling You (I'm Not Going)" by Jennifer Holliday -- vaguely remember. It didn't get much airplay on the stations I listened to.
"Angel Eyes" by Jeff Healey Band -- at first listen, I thought it was a lost Allmans song. I loved it until someone I knew in college said that it was his and his girl's song. I instantly disliked it (of course, I hated her, so....)
"As We Lay" by Shirley Murdock -- again, didn't get much airplay but I do remember it very vaguely.
"Axel F" by Harold Faltermeyer -- I tried SOOOO hard to learn this one on my keyboard.
"Baby Come to Me" by Patti Austin (with James Ingram) -- awesome song.
"Baby, I Lied" by Deborah Allen -- she was a country artist who had this one crossover hit.
"Baby Love" by Regina -- now this one I liked. Vaguely reminiscent of Madonna. And it was a treat to hear it on an aircheck from a Little Rock station featuring Craig O'Neill (thanks, Tal!)
"The Ballad of Jayne" by L.A. Guns -- never heard it, personally. But I did know who LA Guns were, thanks to my metalhead brother.
"Beat's So Lonely" by Charlie Sexton -- got way more airplay on MTV than on my local station.
"Beds Are Burning" by Midnight Oil -- yep. And I have their "Blue Sky Mine" CD. Why? Because my brother and his girlfriend were dissing them after a Saturday Night Live appearance. I took up for them, because I appreciate the fact that they are politically active on issues that matter to Australians. I got the CD for Christmas. Actually, it's not a bad one. I don't spin it often, but......
"Boys Night Out" by Timothy B. Schmit -- I remember this one. I liked it. Of course, any of the Eagles could have sung me the phone book and I would love it.
"Call Me" by Skyy -- I do remember this one, from listening on WHYZ-AM (a damn good R&B station that sadly went away). And from singalongs on the bus with some other folks from either chorus class or biology. Hell if I remember.
"Call to the Heart" by Giuffria -- oh my God. I do remember this one. I don't even know what to say about it. It's cheezariffic.
"Can't Shake Loose" by Agnetha Faltskog -- I remember it VERY vaguely from a play on TBS' "Night Tracks." Didn't get much airplay here.
"The Captain of Her Heart" by Double -- oh man. A very very good song that I just adored. I have a copy and I swear, my brother plays it non-stop. It's enough to make me scream, but I love the song.
"Chariots of Fire — Titles" by Vangelis -- great song. Never saw the film.
"Come on Eileen" by Dexys Midnight Runners -- too-ri-ay.
"Cry" by Godley & Creme -- one HELL of an awesome video. WAAAAAY ahead of its time, with morphing and other things. Good song, too.
"Curly Shuffle" by Jump 'n' the Saddle Band -- love it. I am one of the few females around (apparently) who is an unabashed Stooges fan.
"Da'Butt" by E.U. -- ain't nothing wrong..... (one of my favorite non-disco dance tunes)
"Der Kommissar" by After the Fire -- I liked it a lot.
"Desert Moon" by Dennis DeYoung -- I remember the video very well. I remember it being very sad too. I loved this song. My friend Tee did too. I hate that it wasn't more of a hit than it was.
"Digging Your Scene" by The Blow Monkeys -- you gotta love a band that calls itself The Blow Monkeys. I love the song too.
"Don't Close Your Eyes" by Kix -- spare me. Please. Stab my eyes out.
"Don't Disturb This Groove" by The System --- ohhhhhhhh yeah.
"Don't Give It Up" by Robbie Patton -- thank you, Tal, a hundred times over for your "What About Us?" collections that you gave me. This is one of the gems on there.
"Don't Leave Me This Way" by The Communards (lead singer Jimmy Somerville previously fronted Bronski Beat) -- okay, they mention this lame-o remake (give me Thelma Houston's ANY day), but don't mention "Smalltown Boy" by Bronski Beat? Hello?
"Don't Let Him Know" by Prism -- I like this one. Another from the "WAU" collection. Good song!
"Don't Stop the Music" by Yarbrough and Peoples -- Now, I knew about this one before Tal put it on CD for me. Good dance song!
"Don't Worry Be Happy" by Bobby McFerrin -- I loathe this song. Hate is not a strong enough word. GAAAK! Someone in college was like, "Well, that's just the island philosophy. Relax because there's nothing you can do to change it." Very Zen-like..... Great, but I still hate the song.
"Double Dutch Bus" by Frankie Smith -- I heard this the other morning for the first time in ages. Holy moly!
"Easy Lover" by Philip Bailey -- I hate Phil Collins, but I love this song. Again, anyone associated with Earth Wind & Fire is an instant great in my book.
"Edge of a Broken Heart" by Vixen -- chick metal at its most grating.
"Everybody Dance" by Ta Mara and The Seen -- oh yeah! I have this song, and I still love it.
"Everybody's Got to Learn Sometime" by The Korgis -- another one from the "WAU" files. I didn't know this one, but I do now.
"Fantasy" by Aldo Nova -- MAN! Was this one in heavy rotation on "Night Tracks" -- I still have it.
"Far From Over" by Frank Stallone -- the theme from "STARRCADE" (a wrestling event). Don't ask. But yes, Frankie, you really were "far from over"......
"Fascinated" by Company B -- awesome! awesome!
"Feel It Again" by Honeymoon Suite -- don't know this one, but I know (and have) their "New Girl Now" which got a little rotation on Rock 101 (back in the day when they were a DAMN good station).
"Friends" by Eric B. and Rakim (with Jody Watley) -- and all this time, I thought it was HER song where they guested.
"Friends and Lovers" by Gloria Loring and Carl Anderson -- Shane & Kim's song on "Days of Our Lives" ..... oh my God, the summer days I spent gazing at the screen hooked on those storylines.
"The Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades" by Timbuk 3 -- FABULOUS!!!!! It came out in either my junior or senior year of school. Little cynics that we were, we hopped right onto this song.
"Funkytown" by Pseudo Echo (cover of Lipps Inc.'s song) -- not.
"Funkytown" by Lipps Inc. -- the REAL deal, and a damn fine dance tune. I think of roller skating whenever I hear this song (and "Another One Bites the Dust" and "Xanadu" and quite a few others).
"Genius of Love" by Tom Tom Club -- one good thing you can say for KIA Cars: they revived my interest in this song!
"A Girl in Trouble (Is a Temporary Thing)" by Romeo Void -- I remember this one, if only for the raised eyebrows among my friends at the song title.
"Girls with Guns" by Tommy Shaw -- that's MontgomerynativeTommyShaw, right?
"Giving It up for Your Love" by Delbert McClinton -- YES!!!!!!!! A great song by a great artist. Any man who can teach the harp to John Lennon is a hero in my book.
"Goin' Down" by Greg Guidry -- I heard this one again for the first time in forever last spring on an internet radio feed. Would love to have it again.
"Grandma Got Run over By a Reindeer" by Elmo and Patsy -- spare me. Please. Wish the reindeer had run over this song instead.
"Heart and Soul" by T'Pau -- I still like Beavis & Butthead's commentary on this video (and I do like the song): "huh huh huh, Call now, $1.99 a minute. huh huh huh. Come to Butthead!"
"Heaven Help Me" by Deon Estus (with George Michael) -- mehhhh. blehhhh.
"Honestly" by Stryper -- now that is not true. They also had "Calling On You" from the same album.
"Hooked on Classics" by Louis Clark conducting the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra -- loved it. I enjoyed trying to figure out where the songs came from.
"Hooked on Swing" by Larry Elgart and His Manhattan Swing Orchestra -- I think I remember this one. But maybe I'm confusing it with something by Jive Bunny and the Mixmasters.
More to come........ (cue Doc Sevrinsen)
"10-9-8" by Face To Face -- I vaguely remember this one from MTV. I remember the final line of the chorus: "Isn't it funny -- I never get to 1..."
"19" by Paul Hardcastle -- uh, what about "Rainforest"? Maybe it didn't hit the Top 100. Anyhow. This song helped inspire me as I wrote my term paper for US History about music and the Vietnam War.
"99 Luftballons" by Nena -- fond memories. Never learned exactly what they were saying in German, but I figured the English translation was fairly faithful.
"All I Need" by Jack Wagner -- oh man! Boy, do I remember this one. Brings back memories of WBCY out of Charlotte when I would go over and visit my cousins in Rock Hill.
"And I'm Telling You (I'm Not Going)" by Jennifer Holliday -- vaguely remember. It didn't get much airplay on the stations I listened to.
"Angel Eyes" by Jeff Healey Band -- at first listen, I thought it was a lost Allmans song. I loved it until someone I knew in college said that it was his and his girl's song. I instantly disliked it (of course, I hated her, so....)
"As We Lay" by Shirley Murdock -- again, didn't get much airplay but I do remember it very vaguely.
"Axel F" by Harold Faltermeyer -- I tried SOOOO hard to learn this one on my keyboard.
"Baby Come to Me" by Patti Austin (with James Ingram) -- awesome song.
"Baby, I Lied" by Deborah Allen -- she was a country artist who had this one crossover hit.
"Baby Love" by Regina -- now this one I liked. Vaguely reminiscent of Madonna. And it was a treat to hear it on an aircheck from a Little Rock station featuring Craig O'Neill (thanks, Tal!)
"The Ballad of Jayne" by L.A. Guns -- never heard it, personally. But I did know who LA Guns were, thanks to my metalhead brother.
"Beat's So Lonely" by Charlie Sexton -- got way more airplay on MTV than on my local station.
"Beds Are Burning" by Midnight Oil -- yep. And I have their "Blue Sky Mine" CD. Why? Because my brother and his girlfriend were dissing them after a Saturday Night Live appearance. I took up for them, because I appreciate the fact that they are politically active on issues that matter to Australians. I got the CD for Christmas. Actually, it's not a bad one. I don't spin it often, but......
"Boys Night Out" by Timothy B. Schmit -- I remember this one. I liked it. Of course, any of the Eagles could have sung me the phone book and I would love it.
"Call Me" by Skyy -- I do remember this one, from listening on WHYZ-AM (a damn good R&B station that sadly went away). And from singalongs on the bus with some other folks from either chorus class or biology. Hell if I remember.
"Call to the Heart" by Giuffria -- oh my God. I do remember this one. I don't even know what to say about it. It's cheezariffic.
"Can't Shake Loose" by Agnetha Faltskog -- I remember it VERY vaguely from a play on TBS' "Night Tracks." Didn't get much airplay here.
"The Captain of Her Heart" by Double -- oh man. A very very good song that I just adored. I have a copy and I swear, my brother plays it non-stop. It's enough to make me scream, but I love the song.
"Chariots of Fire — Titles" by Vangelis -- great song. Never saw the film.
"Come on Eileen" by Dexys Midnight Runners -- too-ri-ay.
"Cry" by Godley & Creme -- one HELL of an awesome video. WAAAAAY ahead of its time, with morphing and other things. Good song, too.
"Curly Shuffle" by Jump 'n' the Saddle Band -- love it. I am one of the few females around (apparently) who is an unabashed Stooges fan.
"Da'Butt" by E.U. -- ain't nothing wrong..... (one of my favorite non-disco dance tunes)
"Der Kommissar" by After the Fire -- I liked it a lot.
"Desert Moon" by Dennis DeYoung -- I remember the video very well. I remember it being very sad too. I loved this song. My friend Tee did too. I hate that it wasn't more of a hit than it was.
"Digging Your Scene" by The Blow Monkeys -- you gotta love a band that calls itself The Blow Monkeys. I love the song too.
"Don't Close Your Eyes" by Kix -- spare me. Please. Stab my eyes out.
"Don't Disturb This Groove" by The System --- ohhhhhhhh yeah.
"Don't Give It Up" by Robbie Patton -- thank you, Tal, a hundred times over for your "What About Us?" collections that you gave me. This is one of the gems on there.
"Don't Leave Me This Way" by The Communards (lead singer Jimmy Somerville previously fronted Bronski Beat) -- okay, they mention this lame-o remake (give me Thelma Houston's ANY day), but don't mention "Smalltown Boy" by Bronski Beat? Hello?
"Don't Let Him Know" by Prism -- I like this one. Another from the "WAU" collection. Good song!
"Don't Stop the Music" by Yarbrough and Peoples -- Now, I knew about this one before Tal put it on CD for me. Good dance song!
"Don't Worry Be Happy" by Bobby McFerrin -- I loathe this song. Hate is not a strong enough word. GAAAK! Someone in college was like, "Well, that's just the island philosophy. Relax because there's nothing you can do to change it." Very Zen-like..... Great, but I still hate the song.
"Double Dutch Bus" by Frankie Smith -- I heard this the other morning for the first time in ages. Holy moly!
"Easy Lover" by Philip Bailey -- I hate Phil Collins, but I love this song. Again, anyone associated with Earth Wind & Fire is an instant great in my book.
"Edge of a Broken Heart" by Vixen -- chick metal at its most grating.
"Everybody Dance" by Ta Mara and The Seen -- oh yeah! I have this song, and I still love it.
"Everybody's Got to Learn Sometime" by The Korgis -- another one from the "WAU" files. I didn't know this one, but I do now.
"Fantasy" by Aldo Nova -- MAN! Was this one in heavy rotation on "Night Tracks" -- I still have it.
"Far From Over" by Frank Stallone -- the theme from "STARRCADE" (a wrestling event). Don't ask. But yes, Frankie, you really were "far from over"......
"Fascinated" by Company B -- awesome! awesome!
"Feel It Again" by Honeymoon Suite -- don't know this one, but I know (and have) their "New Girl Now" which got a little rotation on Rock 101 (back in the day when they were a DAMN good station).
"Friends" by Eric B. and Rakim (with Jody Watley) -- and all this time, I thought it was HER song where they guested.
"Friends and Lovers" by Gloria Loring and Carl Anderson -- Shane & Kim's song on "Days of Our Lives" ..... oh my God, the summer days I spent gazing at the screen hooked on those storylines.
"The Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades" by Timbuk 3 -- FABULOUS!!!!! It came out in either my junior or senior year of school. Little cynics that we were, we hopped right onto this song.
"Funkytown" by Pseudo Echo (cover of Lipps Inc.'s song) -- not.
"Funkytown" by Lipps Inc. -- the REAL deal, and a damn fine dance tune. I think of roller skating whenever I hear this song (and "Another One Bites the Dust" and "Xanadu" and quite a few others).
"Genius of Love" by Tom Tom Club -- one good thing you can say for KIA Cars: they revived my interest in this song!
"A Girl in Trouble (Is a Temporary Thing)" by Romeo Void -- I remember this one, if only for the raised eyebrows among my friends at the song title.
"Girls with Guns" by Tommy Shaw -- that's MontgomerynativeTommyShaw, right?
"Giving It up for Your Love" by Delbert McClinton -- YES!!!!!!!! A great song by a great artist. Any man who can teach the harp to John Lennon is a hero in my book.
"Goin' Down" by Greg Guidry -- I heard this one again for the first time in forever last spring on an internet radio feed. Would love to have it again.
"Grandma Got Run over By a Reindeer" by Elmo and Patsy -- spare me. Please. Wish the reindeer had run over this song instead.
"Heart and Soul" by T'Pau -- I still like Beavis & Butthead's commentary on this video (and I do like the song): "huh huh huh, Call now, $1.99 a minute. huh huh huh. Come to Butthead!"
"Heaven Help Me" by Deon Estus (with George Michael) -- mehhhh. blehhhh.
"Honestly" by Stryper -- now that is not true. They also had "Calling On You" from the same album.
"Hooked on Classics" by Louis Clark conducting the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra -- loved it. I enjoyed trying to figure out where the songs came from.
"Hooked on Swing" by Larry Elgart and His Manhattan Swing Orchestra -- I think I remember this one. But maybe I'm confusing it with something by Jive Bunny and the Mixmasters.
More to come........ (cue Doc Sevrinsen)
Monday, April 17, 2006
Well, it's happened.
At last, I am old and set in my ways. At least, musically speaking......
I have very strange (I prefer eclectic) tastes in music. I recently signed up for an online, legal downloading site. I got 100 free songs as a trial when I bought my MP3 player. Let's just say that I had no trouble at all downloading my 100 in that month trial.
I've also made a fascinating discovery about myself. For downloading, my tastes have run to about 3 categories: classic rock/pop (when I can find it), world music (and for my purposes, I'll include classic Cold-War era "exotica"), and classic country/alt-country/Americana.
I cannot tell you how many of those latter songs I have downloaded: tributes to Cash, Willie live, stuff straight off Austin City Limits or some from the Live at Billy Bob's series. And I am loving every last one of 'em. Right now, for example, I'm listening to a track off Dressed in Black (a tribute to Johnny Cash) -- Mandy Barnett and Chuck Mead doing "Jackson" (one of my faves). Mandy Barnett has an incredible voice -- and she hit Nashville about the same time that Leann Rimes was everyone's darling. Well, Leann might have gotten to sing "Blue" (intended for Patsy Cline) but Mandy Barnett had wayyyyyy more Patsy in her voice ... even got to play her in a musical about her life. Unfortunately, as things tend to go in Nashville, she didn't get the recognition she and her voice very richly deserved.
I also got a lot of those classic (and neoclassic) performers who can't buy space on the country airwaves anymore: Willie Nelson, Asleep at the Wheel, even my beloved Dwight Yoakam! Radney Foster, Robert Earl Keen, and others. And PLENTY of the original Sun sessions from Cash and Carl Perkins. Dadgum good stuff!
And when I found it -- I knew I had to have one of everyone's FAVORITE "Lord-I'm-soooooo-drunk-let's-all-sing-together" song. NO! Not Bocephus' "Family Tradition" (although that is a dear favorite) -- the other one: David Allan Coe's "You Never Even Called Me By My Name." On a side note: It's amazing what copious amounts of alcohol and a late hour will do to college-educated people -- it doesn't matter if you're a pre-law major with a 4.0 or barely hanging on in Underwater Basket Weaving. If you are on a Southern campus at a kegger, sooner or later you will sing one of those at the top of your lungs!
Anyhow, Top 40 over the years has meant even less to me than it did a few years back. To use a phrase coined by one of the dearest Queens, Viv .... I "hit the wall musically" quite a number of years ago. Thank God.
I have very strange (I prefer eclectic) tastes in music. I recently signed up for an online, legal downloading site. I got 100 free songs as a trial when I bought my MP3 player. Let's just say that I had no trouble at all downloading my 100 in that month trial.
I've also made a fascinating discovery about myself. For downloading, my tastes have run to about 3 categories: classic rock/pop (when I can find it), world music (and for my purposes, I'll include classic Cold-War era "exotica"), and classic country/alt-country/Americana.
I cannot tell you how many of those latter songs I have downloaded: tributes to Cash, Willie live, stuff straight off Austin City Limits or some from the Live at Billy Bob's series. And I am loving every last one of 'em. Right now, for example, I'm listening to a track off Dressed in Black (a tribute to Johnny Cash) -- Mandy Barnett and Chuck Mead doing "Jackson" (one of my faves). Mandy Barnett has an incredible voice -- and she hit Nashville about the same time that Leann Rimes was everyone's darling. Well, Leann might have gotten to sing "Blue" (intended for Patsy Cline) but Mandy Barnett had wayyyyyy more Patsy in her voice ... even got to play her in a musical about her life. Unfortunately, as things tend to go in Nashville, she didn't get the recognition she and her voice very richly deserved.
I also got a lot of those classic (and neoclassic) performers who can't buy space on the country airwaves anymore: Willie Nelson, Asleep at the Wheel, even my beloved Dwight Yoakam! Radney Foster, Robert Earl Keen, and others. And PLENTY of the original Sun sessions from Cash and Carl Perkins. Dadgum good stuff!
And when I found it -- I knew I had to have one of everyone's FAVORITE "Lord-I'm-soooooo-drunk-let's-all-sing-together" song. NO! Not Bocephus' "Family Tradition" (although that is a dear favorite) -- the other one: David Allan Coe's "You Never Even Called Me By My Name." On a side note: It's amazing what copious amounts of alcohol and a late hour will do to college-educated people -- it doesn't matter if you're a pre-law major with a 4.0 or barely hanging on in Underwater Basket Weaving. If you are on a Southern campus at a kegger, sooner or later you will sing one of those at the top of your lungs!
Anyhow, Top 40 over the years has meant even less to me than it did a few years back. To use a phrase coined by one of the dearest Queens, Viv .... I "hit the wall musically" quite a number of years ago. Thank God.
Sunday, April 16, 2006
70s One Hit Wonders, Part Deux
"Nadia's Theme (The Young And The Restless)" by Barry DeVorzon and Perry Botkin, Jr. -- God help us all.
"The Night Chicago Died" by Paper Lace -- another book recommendation (if you've never read it) is Dave Barry's Book of Bad Songs. In that, one of his readers mentions that the lyrics say that "Daddy was a cop on the East Side" ... and her response was "What? Daddy patrolled Lake Michigan?" I've never been able to listen to the song in the same way. Not that I was crazy about it before.....
"The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia" by Vicki Lawrence -- yep. I remember this one pretty well.
"One Tin Soldier (The Legend of Billy Jack)" by Coven -- You know where I learned this one? BIBLE SCHOOL. Yes, the annual Methodist-Presbyterian Bible School in town, and I learned this one there, along with "They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love." Apparently no one in town realized just how progressive the Methodists and Presbyterians were in the 70s.
"One Toke Over the Line" by Brewer and Shipley -- I love this song. When I was a kid, I honestly thought it was a semi-religious song. Well, he mentioned both Jesus and Mary. I later realized that he mighta THOUGHT he was having a religious experience. I think he forgot it was "puff-puff-GIVE! puff-puff-GIVE!"
"O-o-h Child" by The Five Stairsteps -- if I am having a lousy day, all I have to do is listen to this song, and I am better. I swear, it is the best pick-me-up song there is.
"Play that Funky Music" by Wild Cherry -- I will always love this song. Funny thing: at my 10 year reunion, they played all manner of 80s music, and not many people were on the dance floor. They put this song on, and the floor was packed.
"Playground in My Mind" by Clint Holmes -- oh my sweet Lord! The agony, the pain! Make it stop, make it stop!!!!
"Please Come to Boston" by Dave Loggins -- I happen to love this song. Another "Summer Memory Song" and one that I've always liked.
"Pop Muzik" by M -- not a bad song. My cousins and I had a long-running discussion about music one day at Granny's (no less!), and this song was mentioned a few times. I have no idea what we discussed or why, but I do remember this one being part of it.
"Popcorn" by Hot Butter -- brought to you by Orville Redenbacher.... :)
"Precious and Few" by Climax -- I wish that "precious and few" were the times they trotted this song outta mothballs.
"The Power of Gold" by (Dan Fogelberg and) Tim Weisberg (Fogelberg is not a one-hit wonder) -- I sort of remember when it first came out, and over the years as I have heard it on occasion, I have grown to like it. But then again, I like Fogelberg (there. I said it).
"Put Your Hand In The Hand" by Ocean -- I remember this one well. We sang it at church, too. And my mother says I used to love it when it came on the radio. I can still sing it.
"Rainbow Connection" by Kermit the Frog -- Sorry, Tal. I like this one. But then again, I've always had a thing for Kermy......
"The Rapper" by Jaggerz -- bleh. Moving on.
"Reflections of My Life" by Marmalade -- okay, it's sappy and drippy, and makes you want to climb to the top of a tower and threaten bodily harm to yourself. But I still find myself listening to it whenever it comes on. Has a Hollies-like sound to it.
"Ride Captain Ride" by The Blues Image -- Love it. Always have. Always will.
"Right Place Wrong Time" by Dr. John -- great artist, and good song!
"Ring My Bell" by Anita Ward -- another great dance song.
"Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo" by Rick Derringer -- another one that's been B2AC (burned to a crisp) on classic rock stations.
"Rock On" by David Essex -- well, I like it a whole lot more than the weasely 80s remake by Michael Damian!
"Rose Garden" by Lynn Anderson -- I beg YOUR pardon. Smarmy, snarky and silly.
"Satin Sheets" by Jeanne Pruett -- Lord, I figured this one had been around longer than the 70s. Another "money isn't everything" song. Snore.
"Seasons in the Sun" by Terry Jacks -- The worst song of the 70s. Had America partaken of the brown acid? Did they get aholt of some paraquat-laden Colombian? SHEEEESH! But there was a damn good parody in 1987 re the PTL scandal, set to this tune: "We had joy, we had fun / We had condos in the sun / And we won't go to hell / 'cause we gave to PTL!"
"Shaving Cream" by Benny Bell -- loved this novelty song. Kiss-FM (back in the 80s) was a Top 40 station, and were known for having a bit of a raucous morning show (hey, it wasn't Stern, but for this area....). "Shaving Cream," "Peter the Meter Reader," "Telephone Man," and Kip Adotta's "Wet Dream" were among the classics they played. God, I miss them.
"Smiling Faces Sometimes" by The Undisputed Truth -- great soul song, and true words.
"Smoke From a Distant Fire" by Sanford/Townsend Band -- one of my very favorite songs from the 70s. Awesome, awesome, awesome!
"Spirit in the Sky" by Norman Greenbaum -- the ultimate one-hit wonder from the 70s. The guy dropped off the face of the earth and was found running a goat farm in California ... or something like that. Hey, he was true to his ideals, when many of the hippies got corporate jobs once they hit 30. I give the guy credit.
"Stumblin' In" by Suzi Quatro and Chris Norman -- oh my!!! Fond summer memories of this one. Suzi had just finished her stint as Leather Tuscadero. I still love this song. Dadgum shame that she didn't get as much exposure here in the US as she got in the UK and Europe. She's practically a rock goddess there.
"Sunshine" by Jonathan Edwards -- love this song. I remember as a kid being a little shocked by the line "I'll be damned if he'll run mine...." Then again, you gotta remember, I was raised Pentecostal. I was lucky that my folks didn't make me turn the station whenever the song played. Funny ... now that I think about it, they never said boo about the word. Hmm.
"Teddy Bear" by Red Sovine -- oh God. Another poor dying child communicates via the CB song. Red Sovine, king of trucker music.
"Telephone Man" by Meri Wilson -- singing "hey lolly lolly, hey lolly lolly!" (see "Shaving Cream," above).
"Third Rate Romance" by The Amazing Rhythm Aces -- I love this song. I loved Sammy Kershaw's cover in the 90s. Great song!
"Tighter, Tighter" by Alive and Kicking -- if I'm not mistaken, produced by Tommy James. Good song!
"Timothy" by Buoys -- a song about cannibalism (maybe...) hits the Top 40. Written by Rupert Holmes, who also brought us a song about some tropical drink.
"Tubular Bells" by Mike Oldfield -- I still get chills to hear this song.....
"Turn The Beat Around" by Vicki Sue Robinson -- an awesome dance tune!
"Undercover Angel" by Alan O'Day -- Not a bad song. I remember there being a bit of controversy in the late 80s from fundy preachers who claimed that the song promoted homosexuality.... see, if all angels are of the male persuasion, and Mr. O'Day made love to one, then...... Idjits!
"Vehicle" by The Ides of March -- awesome rockin' tune!
"Venus" by Shocking Blue -- ehhhhhhh. I can take or leave this one. I got very accustomed to the Bananarama version. Either way, the song itself helped me tremendously in the summer of '86. It set the mood for my study of mythology as part of my AP Summer Reading List.
"Video Killed the Radio Star" by The Buggles -- HA! This one ISN'T from the 80s. But it does have the distinction of being MTV's first video played in 1981. Of course, that was back when MTV actually PLAYED videos. When was the last time they did that for 24 hours?!?!?!
"The Wedding Song (There Is Love)" by Paul Stookey -- GAAAAAAG! I hate this song. I'm so glad that at the weddings I've sung in, NO ONE has asked me to do this one. Thank you, Lord, for small miracles.
"Welcome Back" by John Sebastian -- didn't they do a TV show about this song? ;)
"What You Won't Do for Love" by Bobby Caldwell -- now THIS is a fine, fine song, and I never tire of hearing it. When I was 8, I went to bed early with a horrible headache (probably a migraine, but I didn't know it then). Light bothered me, but sound did not. My mother let me go to sleep on their bed, and turned on the radio. There was a soft blue light (from the display) that emanated the room, and this song was on. Thoughts of my headache immediately vanished in the wonder of how that room was transformed. I learned then the power that music had to create a mood ... and I still adore that song! So thank you, Bobby Caldwell, wherever you are.
"The White Knight" by Cledus Maggard and the Citizen's Band -- oh my GOD!!!! I had this one on 45, and I played it over and over and over, along with "Convoy" (and why wasn't THAT one listed on Wiki's list!?). Ah, the CB craze......
"Wildflower" by Skylark -- yuck. Just yuck.
"Woman to Woman" by Shirley Brown -- hmm. Didn't Barbara Mandrell remake this one too? So much for being country when country wasn't cool.......
"Yellow River" by Christie -- written by I.P. Daily.
"You Light Up My Life" by Debby Boone -- Okay, TIED with "Seasons in the Sun" for worst dreck ever. GAAAAAAAG!!!!!!!
"The Night Chicago Died" by Paper Lace -- another book recommendation (if you've never read it) is Dave Barry's Book of Bad Songs. In that, one of his readers mentions that the lyrics say that "Daddy was a cop on the East Side" ... and her response was "What? Daddy patrolled Lake Michigan?" I've never been able to listen to the song in the same way. Not that I was crazy about it before.....
"The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia" by Vicki Lawrence -- yep. I remember this one pretty well.
"One Tin Soldier (The Legend of Billy Jack)" by Coven -- You know where I learned this one? BIBLE SCHOOL. Yes, the annual Methodist-Presbyterian Bible School in town, and I learned this one there, along with "They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love." Apparently no one in town realized just how progressive the Methodists and Presbyterians were in the 70s.
"One Toke Over the Line" by Brewer and Shipley -- I love this song. When I was a kid, I honestly thought it was a semi-religious song. Well, he mentioned both Jesus and Mary. I later realized that he mighta THOUGHT he was having a religious experience. I think he forgot it was "puff-puff-GIVE! puff-puff-GIVE!"
"O-o-h Child" by The Five Stairsteps -- if I am having a lousy day, all I have to do is listen to this song, and I am better. I swear, it is the best pick-me-up song there is.
"Play that Funky Music" by Wild Cherry -- I will always love this song. Funny thing: at my 10 year reunion, they played all manner of 80s music, and not many people were on the dance floor. They put this song on, and the floor was packed.
"Playground in My Mind" by Clint Holmes -- oh my sweet Lord! The agony, the pain! Make it stop, make it stop!!!!
"Please Come to Boston" by Dave Loggins -- I happen to love this song. Another "Summer Memory Song" and one that I've always liked.
"Pop Muzik" by M -- not a bad song. My cousins and I had a long-running discussion about music one day at Granny's (no less!), and this song was mentioned a few times. I have no idea what we discussed or why, but I do remember this one being part of it.
"Popcorn" by Hot Butter -- brought to you by Orville Redenbacher.... :)
"Precious and Few" by Climax -- I wish that "precious and few" were the times they trotted this song outta mothballs.
"The Power of Gold" by (Dan Fogelberg and) Tim Weisberg (Fogelberg is not a one-hit wonder) -- I sort of remember when it first came out, and over the years as I have heard it on occasion, I have grown to like it. But then again, I like Fogelberg (there. I said it).
"Put Your Hand In The Hand" by Ocean -- I remember this one well. We sang it at church, too. And my mother says I used to love it when it came on the radio. I can still sing it.
"Rainbow Connection" by Kermit the Frog -- Sorry, Tal. I like this one. But then again, I've always had a thing for Kermy......
"The Rapper" by Jaggerz -- bleh. Moving on.
"Reflections of My Life" by Marmalade -- okay, it's sappy and drippy, and makes you want to climb to the top of a tower and threaten bodily harm to yourself. But I still find myself listening to it whenever it comes on. Has a Hollies-like sound to it.
"Ride Captain Ride" by The Blues Image -- Love it. Always have. Always will.
"Right Place Wrong Time" by Dr. John -- great artist, and good song!
"Ring My Bell" by Anita Ward -- another great dance song.
"Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo" by Rick Derringer -- another one that's been B2AC (burned to a crisp) on classic rock stations.
"Rock On" by David Essex -- well, I like it a whole lot more than the weasely 80s remake by Michael Damian!
"Rose Garden" by Lynn Anderson -- I beg YOUR pardon. Smarmy, snarky and silly.
"Satin Sheets" by Jeanne Pruett -- Lord, I figured this one had been around longer than the 70s. Another "money isn't everything" song. Snore.
"Seasons in the Sun" by Terry Jacks -- The worst song of the 70s. Had America partaken of the brown acid? Did they get aholt of some paraquat-laden Colombian? SHEEEESH! But there was a damn good parody in 1987 re the PTL scandal, set to this tune: "We had joy, we had fun / We had condos in the sun / And we won't go to hell / 'cause we gave to PTL!"
"Shaving Cream" by Benny Bell -- loved this novelty song. Kiss-FM (back in the 80s) was a Top 40 station, and were known for having a bit of a raucous morning show (hey, it wasn't Stern, but for this area....). "Shaving Cream," "Peter the Meter Reader," "Telephone Man," and Kip Adotta's "Wet Dream" were among the classics they played. God, I miss them.
"Smiling Faces Sometimes" by The Undisputed Truth -- great soul song, and true words.
"Smoke From a Distant Fire" by Sanford/Townsend Band -- one of my very favorite songs from the 70s. Awesome, awesome, awesome!
"Spirit in the Sky" by Norman Greenbaum -- the ultimate one-hit wonder from the 70s. The guy dropped off the face of the earth and was found running a goat farm in California ... or something like that. Hey, he was true to his ideals, when many of the hippies got corporate jobs once they hit 30. I give the guy credit.
"Stumblin' In" by Suzi Quatro and Chris Norman -- oh my!!! Fond summer memories of this one. Suzi had just finished her stint as Leather Tuscadero. I still love this song. Dadgum shame that she didn't get as much exposure here in the US as she got in the UK and Europe. She's practically a rock goddess there.
"Sunshine" by Jonathan Edwards -- love this song. I remember as a kid being a little shocked by the line "I'll be damned if he'll run mine...." Then again, you gotta remember, I was raised Pentecostal. I was lucky that my folks didn't make me turn the station whenever the song played. Funny ... now that I think about it, they never said boo about the word. Hmm.
"Teddy Bear" by Red Sovine -- oh God. Another poor dying child communicates via the CB song. Red Sovine, king of trucker music.
"Telephone Man" by Meri Wilson -- singing "hey lolly lolly, hey lolly lolly!" (see "Shaving Cream," above).
"Third Rate Romance" by The Amazing Rhythm Aces -- I love this song. I loved Sammy Kershaw's cover in the 90s. Great song!
"Tighter, Tighter" by Alive and Kicking -- if I'm not mistaken, produced by Tommy James. Good song!
"Timothy" by Buoys -- a song about cannibalism (maybe...) hits the Top 40. Written by Rupert Holmes, who also brought us a song about some tropical drink.
"Tubular Bells" by Mike Oldfield -- I still get chills to hear this song.....
"Turn The Beat Around" by Vicki Sue Robinson -- an awesome dance tune!
"Undercover Angel" by Alan O'Day -- Not a bad song. I remember there being a bit of controversy in the late 80s from fundy preachers who claimed that the song promoted homosexuality.... see, if all angels are of the male persuasion, and Mr. O'Day made love to one, then...... Idjits!
"Vehicle" by The Ides of March -- awesome rockin' tune!
"Venus" by Shocking Blue -- ehhhhhhh. I can take or leave this one. I got very accustomed to the Bananarama version. Either way, the song itself helped me tremendously in the summer of '86. It set the mood for my study of mythology as part of my AP Summer Reading List.
"Video Killed the Radio Star" by The Buggles -- HA! This one ISN'T from the 80s. But it does have the distinction of being MTV's first video played in 1981. Of course, that was back when MTV actually PLAYED videos. When was the last time they did that for 24 hours?!?!?!
"The Wedding Song (There Is Love)" by Paul Stookey -- GAAAAAAG! I hate this song. I'm so glad that at the weddings I've sung in, NO ONE has asked me to do this one. Thank you, Lord, for small miracles.
"Welcome Back" by John Sebastian -- didn't they do a TV show about this song? ;)
"What You Won't Do for Love" by Bobby Caldwell -- now THIS is a fine, fine song, and I never tire of hearing it. When I was 8, I went to bed early with a horrible headache (probably a migraine, but I didn't know it then). Light bothered me, but sound did not. My mother let me go to sleep on their bed, and turned on the radio. There was a soft blue light (from the display) that emanated the room, and this song was on. Thoughts of my headache immediately vanished in the wonder of how that room was transformed. I learned then the power that music had to create a mood ... and I still adore that song! So thank you, Bobby Caldwell, wherever you are.
"The White Knight" by Cledus Maggard and the Citizen's Band -- oh my GOD!!!! I had this one on 45, and I played it over and over and over, along with "Convoy" (and why wasn't THAT one listed on Wiki's list!?). Ah, the CB craze......
"Wildflower" by Skylark -- yuck. Just yuck.
"Woman to Woman" by Shirley Brown -- hmm. Didn't Barbara Mandrell remake this one too? So much for being country when country wasn't cool.......
"Yellow River" by Christie -- written by I.P. Daily.
"You Light Up My Life" by Debby Boone -- Okay, TIED with "Seasons in the Sun" for worst dreck ever. GAAAAAAAG!!!!!!!
One Hit Wonders of the 70s
While I came of age in the 80s, I have a deep fondness for 70s music. 80s music is when specific songs were attached to specific memories. 70s music ... well, a little less so. It reminds me of a sweet, sunny childhood -- and a few special moments.
Much thanks and praise to Wikipedia for a great list (see the link for the whole list). Some of the songs, well I admit that I had no clue about either the song or the artist.... so I truncated it to discuss the ones I know.
Here goes......
"Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now" by McFadden & Whitehead -- great song!
"Afternoon Delight" by Starland Vocal Band -- I don't know what to say, except that I can only admit that I do know all the words to it. Yea, verily, I even have it on CD (thanks to the Starsky & Hutch soundtrack).
"All Right Now" by Free -- I can take it or leave it. I hear it most often these days on radio ads for Tweeter.
"Angel In Your Arms" by Hot -- a good song! I liked this one as a kid (didn't really know the meaning of the lyrics)....
"Beach Baby" by The First Class -- oh my! When my friend Tee moved in next door, this was one of the first songs we played on her record player after she set up her bedroom. A sweet memory....
"Because The Night" by Patti Smith Group -- raw Springsteen. I kind of prefer the Natalie Merchant cover, but that's just me.
"Black Betty" by Ram Jam -- still a classic!
"Born to Be Alive" by Patrick Hernandez -- has a good beat and you can dance to it.
"Brother Louie" by Stories -- a very daring story for its day.
"Chevy Van" by Sammy Johns -- no specific memories attached, but it makes me think of summer, and playing out in my yard. For some strange reason, I also have an image of butterflies when I think of this song ... don't know why. Guess I'll call songs like that "Summer Memory Songs"
"The City Of New Orleans" by Arlo Guthrie -- I didn't appreciate the song back then, but I have grown to love this song.
"Cruel to be Kind" by Nick Lowe -- I think this was 5th grade. I just remember Darran G. talking about how he didn't like the song. I did, so I kept my mouth shut. I also remember wondering what "cruel to be kind" meant. I found out many years (and tears) later.
"Dancing in the Moonlight" by King Harvest -- another one I love to death. And also part of my "Summer Memory Songs" collection.
"Day By Day" by Godspell -- I definitely don't remember first run of Godspell songs, but picked up on them later in life. This is one of the ones I love most ... primarily, because I pray the same thing.
"Disco Duck (Part 1)" by Rick Dees and His Cast of Idiots -- no comment.
"Don't Ever Wanna Lose Ya" by New England -- I do not remember this one on first go-round, and was intro'd to this song by my friend Talmadge. It was very good.
"Don't Give Up on Us" by David Soul -- I do own this on CD (a 1977 collection). I thought it was cheesy then, and still think so, but in a cool-cheesy kind of way.
"Do You Wanna Make Love?" by Peter McCann -- I remember this one. If my grandmother had heard it, she'd have gone apoplectic (if Dr. Hook gave her fits). These days, they'd have to sing: "Do you wanna make love / If so, I need your sexual history / and the results of your tests / to ensure you don't have an STD....."
"Dueling Banjos" by Eric Weissberg and Steve Mandell -- toothless inbred kids eating applesauce through a straw.
"Easy Loving" by Freddie Hart -- I don't remember the song. I do remember some cheesy commercial in the 80s for a greatest hits collection by Freddie. I didn't know who he was, but I didn't like him. He seemed sleazy and smarmy.
"Emotion" by Samantha Sang -- another song in the Great Gibb Machine.
"The Entertainer" by Marvin Hamlisch -- for some reason, I always think of this song and all my friends who took piano lessons learning to play this song.
"Falling" by LeBlanc and Carr -- I remember this song, and I liked it. But I can claim youthful naivete, can't I?
"Feelings" by Morris Albert -- GAAAAAAKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!! Hated it then, hate it even more now.
"A Fifth of Beethoven" by Walter Murphy and The Big Apple Band -- I didn't mind this one then. I can only do penance now.
"Fool (If You Think It's Over)" by Chris Rea -- I liked this one a lot. I found it again a few years back, put it on CD ... but the CD messed up during recording. I also deleted the file. Damn.
"Fooled Around and Fell in Love" by Elvin Bishop -- love, love, love it.
"Get Used To It" by Roger Voudouris -- I have this one on CD, on a collection. I had completely forgotten about it until I played the CD. A nice song.
"Gonna Fly Now (Theme from "Rocky")" by Bill Conti -- GAG! x infinity
"Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues" by Danny O'Keefe -- I do remember this one.
"Got To Be Real" by Cheryl Lynn -- an excellent dance song (signed, Unabashed Disco Fan). And one of the three best things about the Gong Show (the other two being the Unknown Comic and Gene, Gene, the Dancing Machine).
"Happy Days" by Pratt and McClain -- back when TV theme songs could hit Top 40.
"Heaven Knows" by Brooklyn Dreams (with Donna Summer, who is not a one-hit wonder) -- now I loved this one. I thought it was a good song.
"Heaven On The 7th Floor" by Paul Nicholas -- wow! Another good dance one I'd forgotten.
"Help Me Make It Through The Night" by Sammi Smith -- a country classic, written by Kris Kristofferson. And my favorite parody is Pinkard & Bowden's "Help Me Make It Through the Yard"!
"Here Comes the Sun" by Richie Havens -- I don't remember when it first came out. I do remember seeing it on MTV's "Closet Classics" (Damn! THAT was a good show!) .... and thinking, "WHAAAA? That's a George Harrison song!" I do enjoy Richie Haven's version.
"Hey There Lonely Girl" by Eddie Holman -- an awesome falsetto song!
"Hocus Pocus" by Focus -- ooohohohohohohohohohohoh, badabop, ho ho! (my impression of a yodel in cyberspace)
"Hold Your Head Up" by Argent -- I hate this song. I change the station every time it comes on. Horrid. Horrid. Horrid.
"Hot Child in the City" by Nick Gilder -- guilty pleasure song. Yeah, even as a kid, I knew it was not just some innocent song. Granny would have also gone apoplectic over this one too....
"Hot Rod Lincoln" by Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen -- great novelty song. Love it. Our Lady of Blessed Acceleration, pray for us!
"How Long" by Ace -- great song with a good vocal by journeyman singer Paul Carrack.
"The Hustle" by Van McCoy and the Soul City Symphony -- tuna hotdog!
"I Can Help" by Billy Swan -- not one of my favorites, but I don't turn it off either.
"I Love" by Tom T. Hall -- awwwww!!!! Everyone say it now: awwww!!!!
"I Love the Nightlife (Disco 'Round)" by Alicia Bridges -- oh mah God, I love this one. And I remember the disco scene from Love at First Bite (come to think of it, that was a pretty cool movie when I was a kid. Cheesy now, but.....)
"I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing (in Perfect Harmony)" by Hillside Singers -- Thank you, Double-Q, for your great parody: "I'd like to buy the world a Choke, and end its misery."
"I'd Love to Change the World" by Ten Years After -- great song! I love it, and it's on one of my random 70s compilations, right before "Never Been to Spain" (so by the end of both songs, I'm in a total rockin' mood). Love, love this song.
"I'm Easy" by Keith Carradine -- kind of one of those "Summer Memory Songs" mentioned earlier. Just reminds me of playing outside in nice summer days. And I do have this one somewhere.
"I'm Not Lisa" by Jessi Colter -- I remember not liking this one as a kid. I thought it was kind of silly. As an adult, my understanding of the song changed, and so did my opinion. Jessi was a tougher woman than many realized, and God bless her for all she did for Waylon.
"(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want to Be Right" by Barbara Mandrell -- uh, HELLO????? Luther Ingram did it first. And did it right.
"In the Summertime" by Mungo Jerry -- I used to like this one when I was a kid. Then one day I listened to the lyrics. I have disliked the song ever since. Love the beat and the melody, but hate the words.
"Indiana Wants Me" by R. Dean Taylor -- vaguely remember, and in my opinion, Indiana is foolish. Take him, please.
"Jim Dandy" by Black Oak Arkansas -- what I remember about Black Oak Arkansas was that one Sunday, Jimmy Swaggart claimed that a guitarist for them came to one of his revivals and got saved (coulda happened). And that he didn't know what the Hades his son Donnie meant when he said that the BOA guitarist was there ("and I thought, 'There's a town somewhere with an official guitarist'?") ---BWAAAAH! As for the song, mehhhhh. I can leave it.
"Joy" by Apollo 100 -- "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" should never be messed with. Period.
"Jungle Fever" by Chakachas -- bow-chicka-bom-bom music.....
"Just When I Needed You Most" by Randy Vanwarmer -- I liked this one when it came out. There's a teeeeeeeensy part of me that still does. But it's kind of drecky and cloying and annoying and makes me want to take him to Cher in 1988 who will smack him and say, "SNAP OUT OF IT!"
"The King Is Gone" by Ronnie McDowell -- sweet God in heaven. Another *(&#@^ing "Elvis is dead" song. If you ever have the opportunity to read "50 Worst Albums and 50 Worst Singles" ... well, in between is a whole "Elvis tribute" section that will leave you in tears and gasping for breath (because it's so damn funny!)
"King Tut" by Steve Martin (and the Toot Uncommons (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band), which is not a one-hit wonder) -- born in Arizona, moved to Babylonia, King Tut!
"Knock On Wood" by Amii Stewart -- I've listened to the Eddie Floyd original, and ... well, I like this version better. Let's say I'm more familiar with this one. Hell of a good dance song.
"Kung Fu Fighting" by Carl Douglas -- somehow, Hong Kong Phooey comes to mind when I think of this song.
"The Last Farewell" by Roger Whittaker -- a master of easy listening, and a can't-beat ballad. Okay, I grew to like this one a lot because we sang it in choir in high school. I still remember some of the words.
"Lay a Little Lovin' On Me" by Robin McNamara -- I remember the chorus, and again, one of those "Summer Memory Songs"
"Life Is a Rock (But the Radio Rolled Me)" by Reunion -- now THIS is a great one!
"Livin' It Up (Friday Night)" by Bell and James -- 70s? I seem to remember this one from the early 80s. Oh well.
"Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)" by Edison Lighthouse -- meehhhhhh. Can take or leave.
"Love Is In the Air" by John Paul Young -- I liked this one.
"Lovin' You" by Minnie Riperton -- say what you will: Minnie Riperton had a hellacious vocal range. Take THAT, Mariah! It's a shame she died so young.
"Magic" by Pilot -- Summer Memory Song #(what are we up to now?). Rather inoffensive.
"Magnet and Steel" by Walter Egan -- I love this one!
"Makin' It" by David Naughton -- wouldn't you like to be a sitcom star and make a record of your theme song, too?
"Making Our Dreams Come True" by Cyndi Grecco -- TV Themes abound....
"Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" by Cannonball Adderley -- now, I think of this one as a 60s song. Go figure. Anyhow, Queen Latifah did an awesome remake on her "Dana Owens Project" CD. Love the song.
"Mississippi Queen" by Mountain -- ROCK ON!!!!
"Montego Bay" by Bobby Bloom -- Summer Memory Song #(last one plus one).
"Mr. Big Stuff" by Jean Knight -- Mr. Big Stuff messed with her toot-toot.
"Music Box Dancer" by Frank Mills -- I loved it then. I have grown up since then.
"My Maria" by B.W. Stevenson -- I loved this one. Still do. And as much as I do love Brooks & Dunn, they shoulda left a good memory alone.
Much thanks and praise to Wikipedia for a great list (see the link for the whole list). Some of the songs, well I admit that I had no clue about either the song or the artist.... so I truncated it to discuss the ones I know.
Here goes......
"Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now" by McFadden & Whitehead -- great song!
"Afternoon Delight" by Starland Vocal Band -- I don't know what to say, except that I can only admit that I do know all the words to it. Yea, verily, I even have it on CD (thanks to the Starsky & Hutch soundtrack).
"All Right Now" by Free -- I can take it or leave it. I hear it most often these days on radio ads for Tweeter.
"Angel In Your Arms" by Hot -- a good song! I liked this one as a kid (didn't really know the meaning of the lyrics)....
"Beach Baby" by The First Class -- oh my! When my friend Tee moved in next door, this was one of the first songs we played on her record player after she set up her bedroom. A sweet memory....
"Because The Night" by Patti Smith Group -- raw Springsteen. I kind of prefer the Natalie Merchant cover, but that's just me.
"Black Betty" by Ram Jam -- still a classic!
"Born to Be Alive" by Patrick Hernandez -- has a good beat and you can dance to it.
"Brother Louie" by Stories -- a very daring story for its day.
"Chevy Van" by Sammy Johns -- no specific memories attached, but it makes me think of summer, and playing out in my yard. For some strange reason, I also have an image of butterflies when I think of this song ... don't know why. Guess I'll call songs like that "Summer Memory Songs"
"The City Of New Orleans" by Arlo Guthrie -- I didn't appreciate the song back then, but I have grown to love this song.
"Cruel to be Kind" by Nick Lowe -- I think this was 5th grade. I just remember Darran G. talking about how he didn't like the song. I did, so I kept my mouth shut. I also remember wondering what "cruel to be kind" meant. I found out many years (and tears) later.
"Dancing in the Moonlight" by King Harvest -- another one I love to death. And also part of my "Summer Memory Songs" collection.
"Day By Day" by Godspell -- I definitely don't remember first run of Godspell songs, but picked up on them later in life. This is one of the ones I love most ... primarily, because I pray the same thing.
"Disco Duck (Part 1)" by Rick Dees and His Cast of Idiots -- no comment.
"Don't Ever Wanna Lose Ya" by New England -- I do not remember this one on first go-round, and was intro'd to this song by my friend Talmadge. It was very good.
"Don't Give Up on Us" by David Soul -- I do own this on CD (a 1977 collection). I thought it was cheesy then, and still think so, but in a cool-cheesy kind of way.
"Do You Wanna Make Love?" by Peter McCann -- I remember this one. If my grandmother had heard it, she'd have gone apoplectic (if Dr. Hook gave her fits). These days, they'd have to sing: "Do you wanna make love / If so, I need your sexual history / and the results of your tests / to ensure you don't have an STD....."
"Dueling Banjos" by Eric Weissberg and Steve Mandell -- toothless inbred kids eating applesauce through a straw.
"Easy Loving" by Freddie Hart -- I don't remember the song. I do remember some cheesy commercial in the 80s for a greatest hits collection by Freddie. I didn't know who he was, but I didn't like him. He seemed sleazy and smarmy.
"Emotion" by Samantha Sang -- another song in the Great Gibb Machine.
"The Entertainer" by Marvin Hamlisch -- for some reason, I always think of this song and all my friends who took piano lessons learning to play this song.
"Falling" by LeBlanc and Carr -- I remember this song, and I liked it. But I can claim youthful naivete, can't I?
"Feelings" by Morris Albert -- GAAAAAAKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!! Hated it then, hate it even more now.
"A Fifth of Beethoven" by Walter Murphy and The Big Apple Band -- I didn't mind this one then. I can only do penance now.
"Fool (If You Think It's Over)" by Chris Rea -- I liked this one a lot. I found it again a few years back, put it on CD ... but the CD messed up during recording. I also deleted the file. Damn.
"Fooled Around and Fell in Love" by Elvin Bishop -- love, love, love it.
"Get Used To It" by Roger Voudouris -- I have this one on CD, on a collection. I had completely forgotten about it until I played the CD. A nice song.
"Gonna Fly Now (Theme from "Rocky")" by Bill Conti -- GAG! x infinity
"Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues" by Danny O'Keefe -- I do remember this one.
"Got To Be Real" by Cheryl Lynn -- an excellent dance song (signed, Unabashed Disco Fan). And one of the three best things about the Gong Show (the other two being the Unknown Comic and Gene, Gene, the Dancing Machine).
"Happy Days" by Pratt and McClain -- back when TV theme songs could hit Top 40.
"Heaven Knows" by Brooklyn Dreams (with Donna Summer, who is not a one-hit wonder) -- now I loved this one. I thought it was a good song.
"Heaven On The 7th Floor" by Paul Nicholas -- wow! Another good dance one I'd forgotten.
"Help Me Make It Through The Night" by Sammi Smith -- a country classic, written by Kris Kristofferson. And my favorite parody is Pinkard & Bowden's "Help Me Make It Through the Yard"!
"Here Comes the Sun" by Richie Havens -- I don't remember when it first came out. I do remember seeing it on MTV's "Closet Classics" (Damn! THAT was a good show!) .... and thinking, "WHAAAA? That's a George Harrison song!" I do enjoy Richie Haven's version.
"Hey There Lonely Girl" by Eddie Holman -- an awesome falsetto song!
"Hocus Pocus" by Focus -- ooohohohohohohohohohohoh, badabop, ho ho! (my impression of a yodel in cyberspace)
"Hold Your Head Up" by Argent -- I hate this song. I change the station every time it comes on. Horrid. Horrid. Horrid.
"Hot Child in the City" by Nick Gilder -- guilty pleasure song. Yeah, even as a kid, I knew it was not just some innocent song. Granny would have also gone apoplectic over this one too....
"Hot Rod Lincoln" by Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen -- great novelty song. Love it. Our Lady of Blessed Acceleration, pray for us!
"How Long" by Ace -- great song with a good vocal by journeyman singer Paul Carrack.
"The Hustle" by Van McCoy and the Soul City Symphony -- tuna hotdog!
"I Can Help" by Billy Swan -- not one of my favorites, but I don't turn it off either.
"I Love" by Tom T. Hall -- awwwww!!!! Everyone say it now: awwww!!!!
"I Love the Nightlife (Disco 'Round)" by Alicia Bridges -- oh mah God, I love this one. And I remember the disco scene from Love at First Bite (come to think of it, that was a pretty cool movie when I was a kid. Cheesy now, but.....)
"I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing (in Perfect Harmony)" by Hillside Singers -- Thank you, Double-Q, for your great parody: "I'd like to buy the world a Choke, and end its misery."
"I'd Love to Change the World" by Ten Years After -- great song! I love it, and it's on one of my random 70s compilations, right before "Never Been to Spain" (so by the end of both songs, I'm in a total rockin' mood). Love, love this song.
"I'm Easy" by Keith Carradine -- kind of one of those "Summer Memory Songs" mentioned earlier. Just reminds me of playing outside in nice summer days. And I do have this one somewhere.
"I'm Not Lisa" by Jessi Colter -- I remember not liking this one as a kid. I thought it was kind of silly. As an adult, my understanding of the song changed, and so did my opinion. Jessi was a tougher woman than many realized, and God bless her for all she did for Waylon.
"(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want to Be Right" by Barbara Mandrell -- uh, HELLO????? Luther Ingram did it first. And did it right.
"In the Summertime" by Mungo Jerry -- I used to like this one when I was a kid. Then one day I listened to the lyrics. I have disliked the song ever since. Love the beat and the melody, but hate the words.
"Indiana Wants Me" by R. Dean Taylor -- vaguely remember, and in my opinion, Indiana is foolish. Take him, please.
"Jim Dandy" by Black Oak Arkansas -- what I remember about Black Oak Arkansas was that one Sunday, Jimmy Swaggart claimed that a guitarist for them came to one of his revivals and got saved (coulda happened). And that he didn't know what the Hades his son Donnie meant when he said that the BOA guitarist was there ("and I thought, 'There's a town somewhere with an official guitarist'?") ---BWAAAAH! As for the song, mehhhhh. I can leave it.
"Joy" by Apollo 100 -- "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" should never be messed with. Period.
"Jungle Fever" by Chakachas -- bow-chicka-bom-bom music.....
"Just When I Needed You Most" by Randy Vanwarmer -- I liked this one when it came out. There's a teeeeeeeensy part of me that still does. But it's kind of drecky and cloying and annoying and makes me want to take him to Cher in 1988 who will smack him and say, "SNAP OUT OF IT!"
"The King Is Gone" by Ronnie McDowell -- sweet God in heaven. Another *(&#@^ing "Elvis is dead" song. If you ever have the opportunity to read "50 Worst Albums and 50 Worst Singles" ... well, in between is a whole "Elvis tribute" section that will leave you in tears and gasping for breath (because it's so damn funny!)
"King Tut" by Steve Martin (and the Toot Uncommons (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band), which is not a one-hit wonder) -- born in Arizona, moved to Babylonia, King Tut!
"Knock On Wood" by Amii Stewart -- I've listened to the Eddie Floyd original, and ... well, I like this version better. Let's say I'm more familiar with this one. Hell of a good dance song.
"Kung Fu Fighting" by Carl Douglas -- somehow, Hong Kong Phooey comes to mind when I think of this song.
"The Last Farewell" by Roger Whittaker -- a master of easy listening, and a can't-beat ballad. Okay, I grew to like this one a lot because we sang it in choir in high school. I still remember some of the words.
"Lay a Little Lovin' On Me" by Robin McNamara -- I remember the chorus, and again, one of those "Summer Memory Songs"
"Life Is a Rock (But the Radio Rolled Me)" by Reunion -- now THIS is a great one!
"Livin' It Up (Friday Night)" by Bell and James -- 70s? I seem to remember this one from the early 80s. Oh well.
"Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)" by Edison Lighthouse -- meehhhhhh. Can take or leave.
"Love Is In the Air" by John Paul Young -- I liked this one.
"Lovin' You" by Minnie Riperton -- say what you will: Minnie Riperton had a hellacious vocal range. Take THAT, Mariah! It's a shame she died so young.
"Magic" by Pilot -- Summer Memory Song #(what are we up to now?). Rather inoffensive.
"Magnet and Steel" by Walter Egan -- I love this one!
"Makin' It" by David Naughton -- wouldn't you like to be a sitcom star and make a record of your theme song, too?
"Making Our Dreams Come True" by Cyndi Grecco -- TV Themes abound....
"Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" by Cannonball Adderley -- now, I think of this one as a 60s song. Go figure. Anyhow, Queen Latifah did an awesome remake on her "Dana Owens Project" CD. Love the song.
"Mississippi Queen" by Mountain -- ROCK ON!!!!
"Montego Bay" by Bobby Bloom -- Summer Memory Song #(last one plus one).
"Mr. Big Stuff" by Jean Knight -- Mr. Big Stuff messed with her toot-toot.
"Music Box Dancer" by Frank Mills -- I loved it then. I have grown up since then.
"My Maria" by B.W. Stevenson -- I loved this one. Still do. And as much as I do love Brooks & Dunn, they shoulda left a good memory alone.
Saturday, April 08, 2006
I changed genders and didn't even know it!!
WOW! No scars, no invasive surgeries, and no memories of the procedure whatsoever!!!! Or at least that's what this e-mail I got at work leads me to believe:
"Hello! My name is Yekaterina, I would like to get acquainted with you. I have decided to try to find my happiness and my only man through the Internet, because here in Russia I could not find the man with which I could create the family. The acquaintance through the Internet is for the first time for me. I have addressed in agency of the international acquaintances at us in city. Me have asked to fill there in the questionnaire. And after a while to me gave your e-mail address. And I write you my first letter. I hope, that to me have given your correct e-mail. The Internet is very badly familiar for me and I hope, that I was not mistaken. But if it is any silly mistake please forgive me. I hope you do not think of me poorly because I'm as a girl the first write to you to unfamiliar man and want will get acquainted with you. I tell you some words about me. I'm 27 years old. I live in Stavropol city, in the south of Russia. I have a higher education, I have finished the Stavropol State university, Economic faculty, the speciality: "Management of the organization". Now I work at the transport-building company by manager. I have never been married and I do not have any children. I want to have the family and children. The love, kindness, honesty and respect in relations with my man are on the first place for me, I appreciate a decency, a honesty, a kindness, a sincerity in people. To find the happiness I am ready to leave Russia and to move to live in other country. If you are interested in correspondence with me, please write to me on this e-mail: (address deleted)"
Not that there's anything wrong with that, but .... I'm not into girls.
But I did get a great laugh out of it! HEY!!!! Maybe Mr. X and Yekaterina could hook up and start their family -- she'd already have a daughter named (boy's name) and practice her mommy skills!
"Hello! My name is Yekaterina, I would like to get acquainted with you. I have decided to try to find my happiness and my only man through the Internet, because here in Russia I could not find the man with which I could create the family. The acquaintance through the Internet is for the first time for me. I have addressed in agency of the international acquaintances at us in city. Me have asked to fill there in the questionnaire. And after a while to me gave your e-mail address. And I write you my first letter. I hope, that to me have given your correct e-mail. The Internet is very badly familiar for me and I hope, that I was not mistaken. But if it is any silly mistake please forgive me. I hope you do not think of me poorly because I'm as a girl the first write to you to unfamiliar man and want will get acquainted with you. I tell you some words about me. I'm 27 years old. I live in Stavropol city, in the south of Russia. I have a higher education, I have finished the Stavropol State university, Economic faculty, the speciality: "Management of the organization". Now I work at the transport-building company by manager. I have never been married and I do not have any children. I want to have the family and children. The love, kindness, honesty and respect in relations with my man are on the first place for me, I appreciate a decency, a honesty, a kindness, a sincerity in people. To find the happiness I am ready to leave Russia and to move to live in other country. If you are interested in correspondence with me, please write to me on this e-mail: (address deleted)"
Not that there's anything wrong with that, but .... I'm not into girls.
But I did get a great laugh out of it! HEY!!!! Maybe Mr. X and Yekaterina could hook up and start their family -- she'd already have a daughter named (boy's name) and practice her mommy skills!
Saturday, April 01, 2006
Freak Off A Leash......
Okay, I have claimed a little portion of the MySpace phenomenon. One of the joys of the site is the amazing amount of e-mail I get from guys wanting to be my friend (and progressing further).
Now I am not one to denigrate internet-started relationships. In fact, two couples whom I both love dearly found each other via the Web, and they are tremendously happy with having found THE right people. But so far, my luck has been less than great. One, I'm incredibly picky, and two, the "online quizzes" (especially the one that's advertised so well on TV) are still far too simple for someone as complex as I am.
Anyhooooo...... tonight I open the MySpace mail to find this great invitation (NOT corrected for spelling and grammar but certain things deleted for the other person's sake):
"my name is (Mr. X) i'm 35yrs old single with no kids. more about me i'm 5'7ft tall 142lbs.I'm white i have brown eyes and brow hair.I was born in Germany (Humburg) but i grew up and was raised up in the US.My dad was german american while my mom was native of american.I have been staying in america for about 14years now...I'm business man work as building contractor..I have one dougther him name is (Child X)...I divorce with my ex-wife a year ago...If you like to chat this is my yahoo id (deleted)..Hope to here from you back. "
Okay: first, he's single with no kids. But then he's divorced with one child -- a "dougther" who has a very DISTINCT boy's name. Riiiiiiiiiiiiiight. What he is, plain and simple, is a fraud. I don't involve myself with frauds. Don Pardo, tell him what he's lost........
Now I am not one to denigrate internet-started relationships. In fact, two couples whom I both love dearly found each other via the Web, and they are tremendously happy with having found THE right people. But so far, my luck has been less than great. One, I'm incredibly picky, and two, the "online quizzes" (especially the one that's advertised so well on TV) are still far too simple for someone as complex as I am.
Anyhooooo...... tonight I open the MySpace mail to find this great invitation (NOT corrected for spelling and grammar but certain things deleted for the other person's sake):
"my name is (Mr. X) i'm 35yrs old single with no kids. more about me i'm 5'7ft tall 142lbs.I'm white i have brown eyes and brow hair.I was born in Germany (Humburg) but i grew up and was raised up in the US.My dad was german american while my mom was native of american.I have been staying in america for about 14years now...I'm business man work as building contractor..I have one dougther him name is (Child X)...I divorce with my ex-wife a year ago...If you like to chat this is my yahoo id (deleted)..Hope to here from you back. "
Okay: first, he's single with no kids. But then he's divorced with one child -- a "dougther" who has a very DISTINCT boy's name. Riiiiiiiiiiiiiight. What he is, plain and simple, is a fraud. I don't involve myself with frauds. Don Pardo, tell him what he's lost........
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