The Meters - Cissy Strut

I Got The News - Steely Dan

Jethro Tull: Farm on the Freeway

Boston - Amanda & Chicago - Make Me Smile

I had two songs on the brain this morning. Here they are in the order they came in.

The Band - The Weight

Blue Oyster Cult - Joan Crawford

Nat King Cole - Caroling, Caroling (Christmas Bells Are Ringing)

Auld Lang Syne

This song came to mind this morning. Since it wasn't connected to any particular artist, I thought I'd share a few interpretations.





Couldn't embed this one, so go check it out on YouTube.

Jimmy Fallon, Mariah Carey & The Roots - All I Want For Christmas Is You

The Commodores - Lady (You Bring Me Up)

Chicago - Questions 67 & 68

Magic Pie - A Life's Work

Aimee Mann - I'll Be Home for Christmas

'Til the End - Toto

Toto - Till The End by jpdc11

I love Toto. I am an unapologetic Toto fan. I love this song. But this video? Wow. It's almost so bad it's good. The 80's just drip off of it like syrup from a pancake. The black flamenco outfit (especially the hat) that Joseph Williams is wearing is spectacularly bad. Also love the ruffles that David Paich and Steve Lukather are rockin'. (Oh, how they must laugh and groan at that now) And...to top it all off...it stars a pre-singing career Paula Abdul as the dancing hussy. This video is just...amazing. I may cry.

Meat Loaf - I Would Do Anything For Love

Eric Clapton - Lay down Sally

Led Zeppelin - The Song Remains The Same

Anchorman - Afternoon Delight

I heard this clip on a podcast a couple of weeks ago and I guess it stuck w/ me.

The Budos Band - Black Venom

The Tubes - Amnesia

Heart - What About Love

Louis Prima - Just a Gigolo/I Ain't Got Nobody

I'm cheating today. The first song in my head was a worship song from my church days. I don't want to post that as it brings up bad memories. So, I'm going w/ the second song which is a classic and one of my fave performances of all time. One day I am going to do this song at karaoke.

Boots Randolph - Yakety Sax

I was talking with someone about British sitcoms the other night and Benny Hill came up. None of us understood why the show as popular as it was mainly him running around in fast motion chasing a girl in a bikini to this song. So, it's no wonder that it stuck in my subconscious and surfaced this morning. I was even able to come up with the name of the artist, Boots Randolph, because my parents had a couple of his albums. Why they had a couple of his albums, I'll never know. They had some strange stuff. I suspect they were members of the Columbia Record Club, forgot to choose a couple of times and just got stuck with what was sent to them.

Flight of the Conchords - Bowie's In Space

Christine McVie - Got A Hold On Me

I couldn't help but notice similarities between this song and Hall & Oates "You Make My Dreams Come True." It's just how my brain works.

Hey You - Bachman-Turner Overdrive

Frank Sinatra - Jingle Bells.

Phil Collins - Take Me Home

Frank Zappa/Terry Bozzio - Punky's Whips

Audioslave - Original Fire

I've Written a Letter to Daddy - Baby Jane Hudson

I watched Whatever Happened to Baby Jane for the first time the other day. Weird and creepy. And, of course, the song got stuck in my head. Perhaps if I get it out here, it'll go away. I hope so.

Blue Oyster Cult - ETI

The Replacements - Alex Chilton

38 Special - Rockin' Into the Night

Burnin' For You - Blue Oyster Cult

Michael Mcdonald - I Keep Forgetting

Fleetwood Mac - Monday Morning

Kansas - Loner

The Tubes - Wild Women Of Wongo

Kansas - No One Together

Loverboy - When It's Over

Van Morrison & Cliff Richard - Whenever God Shines His Light

Frank Marino & Mahogany Rush - Learned My Lesson Well

Liquid Tension Experiment - Paradigm Shift

Frank Zappa - The Torture Never Stops

KISS - Getaway

I am reading Peter Criss's biography "Makeup to Breakup" so I'm fairly certain why this song was on my brain. He sings this song and mentioned it in the chapter I was reading last night. The book is...how shall I say...not well-written. He refers to himself in the book as the "illiterate" one in KISS. I suppose he wanted the book to sound like it's his voice. Well, it does...and it's pretty bad. I'm enjoying the KISS anecdotes but that's about it.

The Beatles - A Day In The Life

Also in my head this morning was "Uncle Salty" by Aerosmith and "The Tell-Tale Heart" by Alan Parson Project.

Madonna - Papa Don't Preach

New England stuck around from yesterday but made room for Madonna to stop by and announce her unwanted pregnancy. Wha? How does my brain do it?
It's a mystery.

New England - Don't Ever Wanna Lose Ya

I've been racking my brain for years trying to remember this group and this song in particular. I had the album when I was a teenager and liked it but couldn't remember it. I finally came across it on Spotify while looking for obscure rock bands of the 70s. Boom! There it was! I had remembered the album cover so when it popped up, I recognized it. So glad to have found it...but now this song is stuck in my head. It's a good song but it was on constant loop in my brain last night. Every time I woke up, it was there. I hope I can get it out of my system so that some other song can fight it's way to the top for tomorrow morning.
We'll see...

Firefall - Just Remember I Love You

This is a repeat from September.

The Allman Brothers Band - Midnight Rider

Original Song

Woke up w/ an original song in my head. The tune is gone but the lyrics were, "After the questions, before the goodbyes." Every once in while, I do wake up with an original in my head. I have no way to notate them so they disappear. I've probably written a couple of hits in my day.

Moody Blues - Question

Seals & Croft - Get Closer + Ides of March - Vehicle

This song was in a dream. In it, me and bunch of friends from Pensacola are in a bar/restaurant. This song comes on (jukebox?) and we all lip sync/perform to one another. When the song ends, everyone in the bar applauds. After that, I'm standing near the stairs w/ someone and we're discussing the song "Vehicle" by Ides of March. The song is playing in the background. A rough-looking woman approaches and starts to show me something on an iPhone. It ended there.



I also woke up at one point last night with this song in my head. Yikes!

Chicago - Love Me Tomorrow

Cats - Skimbleshanks the Railway Cat

This one came out of a dream. In the dream I was talking w/ people at church. Some of the people were from the church I grew up in but the building was not familiar. The conversation hinged around tearing down the building known as Rousseau Hall. In reality, the hall is named after the late Rev. Jeff Rousseau, the pastor that married my parents and was around when I was a kid. He is greatly beloved in that community. In the dream, he is still alive and upset that his namesake building is being torn down. After he leaves the room, the conversation turns to the retirement community he lives in. One of the people in the dream then refers to a joke they heard on "30 Rock" about old people loving the musical "Cats." I think it had something to do with the old folks nicknaming workers in the retirement community after the cats. Then I woke up and Skimbleshanks was in my head. Strange.

The Who - My Generation

En Vogue - Free Your Mind

Blondie - Heart Of Glass

The Tubes - Talk To Ya Later

This is a repeat to the list. I've been surprised that there haven't been more. Also, the opening guitar riff reminds me of the "catch as can" part of "Little Guitars" by Van Halen.

Giant - Innocent Days

Huey Lewis & the News - Heart of Rock & Roll and Trevor Ravin - Eyes of Love

Two for one this morning. I had hoped for a Halloween appropriate song but that didn't happen. SIGH.

Scorpions - Rock You Like a Hurricane

For all you East Coasters.

Blondie - One Way or Another

Blue Oyster Cult - Sole Survivor

Supertramp - Logical Song

Dolly Parton & Family - In The Pines

A friend of mine posted this video on YouTube the other day and that must be the reason this song was on my brain this morning.

Toto - I'll Supply the Love Live

The Choir - Clouds

George Harrison - Got My Mind Set On You

The Choir - Sad Face

The Choir - Chase the Kangaroo

We saw these guys in concert last night. I hadn't seen them live since 1996. They sound just as good as ever.

Hogan's Heroes Theme

Weird? I know. I don't even like the show.

Level 42 - Take Care of Yourself Live.

Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody

Blue Oyster Cult - Vengeance (The Pact)

It wasn't until recently that I discovered that BOC's Fire of Unknown Origin album was supposed to be the soundtrack for the animated film Heavy Metal. For the life of me, I can't figure why the powers-that-be would scratch this and go with a soundtrack of various tunes from different bands. I'm sure the answer boils down to money. BOC's album is so perfect...in general and for the film.
Now I want to watch Heavy Metal!

Christopher Cross - I Really Don't Know Anymore

Since my Collagemonaut buddies introduced me to the concept of Yacht Rock, we've been overdosing on Michael McDonald, Steely Dan and Christopher Cross. It really is the smoothest music in the world. It's actually the perfect music for sitting on a beach.

Maybe This Time - Kristin Chenowith ft. Lea Michele

This is the best video I could find for this song. I tried finding one of Ms. Chenowith singing it in concert but they were all terrible quality. We were lucky enough to see Kristin Chenowith in concert a few months back (for next to nothing) and it was a great show. She can really sing and she can sing anything...any style of music...and she did.
Not quite certain why this song would be on my brain but we've learned that my brain in the mornings is a random, weird thing.

Toto - Rosanna

Toto is one of my favorite bands. I'm surprised they haven't popped up on this blog before now. Of course, being my favorite band hasn't skewed results as of yet. My faves are the Beatles, Toto, King's X, Porcupine Tree, the 77's, and quite a few others...and almost none of them has shown up. It has nothing to do with popularity.

Styx - Suite Madame Blue

Best Of My Love - The Emotions

There have been surprisingly few repeats on AM/FM since it's inception. I thought there'd be more. This one surprises even me in that I haven't heard this song since the last time it was included on the blog. Ah, the workings of a random brain. So strange and wonderful.

Meat Loaf - Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth

Commodores - Easy

Have you ever heard a song that you've heard 1000 times but, at that moment, it's as fresh as the first time you heard it? That happened to me yesterday with this song. I was running errands and it came on the radio. First, it hit me that I hadn't heard the song in ages. Then, the cool smoothness of the song settled over me and I started singing along. It was a fleeting moment, over once the song ended, but it was a good moment. An easy moment...easy like Sunday morning.

Alice Cooper & the Muppets - School's Out

This one also came to me in a dream...sort of. In the dream I was the lead singer in a rock band and we performed an "Alice Cooper" song but it wasn't "School's Out." I really think it was something my brain made up as an Alice Cooper-esque song. Perhaps it was like "School's Out." I don't know. I don't remember. All I know is when I woke up, "School's Out" was on my brain.
Meanwhile, in the dream I was being a jerk. Basically acting out as the lead singer. The rest of the band were mad at me. Hey, isn't that what a lead singer should be like? Besides, I killed on stage. I was great!

Thelma Houston Don't Leave Me This Way

I woke up several times this morning so I had different songs at different times. The others were David Bowie's "Jean Genie" and KISS's "Two-Timer."

Hawaii Five-O - The Ventures

Again, this song figured in a dream. I remember people performing in some kind of musical competition and they were playing the melody line of the song on different types of weird musical instruments. At one point in the dream a woman plays a giant bumblebee.
My parents had this album when I was growing up. Since most of their collection was country, this one stood out and I listened to it quite a bit. Also, the cover didn't hurt.

Heat Wave - Marilyn Monroe

This song was in a dream I had last night. I don't recall the dream but it had to do with snow happening at an odd time of year. Someone in the dream started singing the song.
I've been having some weird dreams of late. I never remember them once I wake up but I have a sense that they were super-strange. Not sure what's causing these wild dreams but it's really cutting into my sleep. I'm still a bit jet-lagged and not feeling my best after our vacation so it's not a good combination.

Atlantic Starr - Always

The only explanation I have for this one is that, during the 80s, I sang this duet at countless weddings. I saw my duet partner this past weekend in Pensacola so I'm guessing this must be why it's on my brain. Beyond that, I got nothing. This song is so cheeseball it should be on a cracker.

Fun - We Are Young ft. Janelle Monáe

Please don't mistake me posting this song as a clue that I'm hip. I'm not. I heard this song on the PA at Display and Costume yesterday and I guess it stuck. I don't really like the song. It's catchy for sure but so are many children's songs.

Thin Lizzy - Showdown

Florida Trip Catch Up

Spent a week in my hometown of Pensacola, FL but had no internet access so here are my morning tunes for the week...
9/24/12

9/25/12
NO SONG.
9/26/12

9/27/12

9/28/12
Mozart Ringtone from my wife's phone. I think it's from "Marriage of Figaro" but I'm not certain.
9/29/12

9/30/12
This one came about after a night out with friends. The band we were listening to played this song and my friend Jason went nuts.

10/1/12

I've Seen All Good People - Yes

Spent last night hanging out w/ friends in front of a backyard fire. It was great. When I arrived, they were listening to a live album of Yes so I guess it stuck.
I leave for FL tomorrow so this blog will be dark for a week. I'll catch up when I get back.

Saga - Wind Him Up

Photograph - Ringo Starr

SAGA - On The Loose

I found this album at St. Vinnie's Thrift Store so the Collagemonauts and I listened to it last night during Tim's 35th birthday hangout session. Great album and great time w/ friends!

Devil Woman - Cliff Richard

The Fixx - Red Skies

Strange that this song would be on my brain this morning. As I was walking into work, I noticed that the sun was rising as a bright crimson ball. I've never seen it like that before.

Nat Shilkret & the Victor Orch - Hail Hail The Gang's All Here

This is a weird song to wake up to. I have no idea where this came from.

Madfly - Fuck the World

I saw this band back in '96 in Birmingham. They opened up for King's X. I bought their CD that night. I don't know what happened to them but I was hoping they would make it.
Update: I just found out that William Duvall (lead singer, guitar) went on to a group called Comes With the Fall and is now the lead singer for Alice in Chains. Crazy! When I saw them live, he came across as a mashup of Paul Stanley (KISS) and Prince. Glad to see his talent isn't going to waste.

Bad Company - Holy Water

Leo Sayer - The Show Must Go On

Same song, different day...but a different version of the same song. Check out an odd, clown-faced Leo Sayer singing this song which, BTW, he wrote. I didn't know that.

Blue Oyster Cult - Fire of Unknown Origin

Three Dog Night - The Show Must Go On

What's with the keyboard player and his weird outfit?

Bad Company - Runnin' With The Pack

Firefall - Just Remember I Love You

Platypus - Chimes

The Atchison, Topeka & the Santa Fe from "The Harvey Girls"/Choo Choo Ch'Boogie by Linda Ronstadt and Friends

I guess I had trains on the brain this morning. Both of these songs title lyrics were entertwined and rolling around in my mind this morning. It's weird. I'm familiar with both songs but haven't heard them lately. I'm not sure why they chose this morning to surface in my subconscious.

Led Zeppelin - Moby Dick

I only posted part 1. I used to love a good drum solo but nowadays I find them a bit tedious.

Scandal featuring Patty Smyth - Talk To Me

Level 42 - Mr. Pink

Playing Catch Up

Sarah and I went to the Oregon coast over the weekend and we had no internet so...I'm recording what I wrote down or tried to remember.
8/31/12: Donnie Iris - This Time It Must Be Love



9/1/12: The Commodores - Sail On



9/2/12: The Tubes - Talk to Ya Later



9/3/12: No Song

Woke up with no music in my head. Weird.

9/4/12: Can't Remember

Meant to record it earlier and forgot. Bummer. Maybe it'll come to me later.

Steely Dan - Don't Take Me Alive

My artist friends and I listened to "The Royal Scam" last night on vinyl so I knew this song would get stuck in my head. We even joked about it. It was meant to be.

Kerry Livgren - I'll Follow You

I had a bunch of songs swirling around in my head this morning...a lot of Kerry Livgren like "How Can You Live", "Ground Zero" and, the song that ultimately dominated, "I'll Follow You."
From what I understand, many of the songs on this album were meant for Kansas' Vinyl Confessions but, for whatever reason, were not used. Despite the use of a drum machine, this is a solid album. I had it on cassette. Cassette? What's that?

Paul Carrack - Don't Shed A Tear

Kerry Livgren - Children Of The Shadows

This song was on my brain when I woke up at 6am. I took some ibuprofen and went back to bed. Previous to that, I had a dream about a tribute to the Jacksons and the song that was used in the presentation was an acapella song that doesn't exist. I guess my brain wrote it. It does that sometimes. I can't remember how it goes now.
For those of you not familiar with Livgren, he was a part of the band Kansas. He broke from the group during the 80's and started recording primarily Christian music. This song is from one of his Prime Mover album.
When I woke up at 8am, there was a cacophony of songs in my head. The Huey Lewis song from yesterday plus "Buzz Buzz Buzz", "Kings and Queens" by Aerosmith and "Heat of the Moment" by Asia.
My brain wears me out.

Huey Lewis & The News - The Only One

Kiss- I Stole Your Love

David Bowie - Fashion

Weird morning. I actually woke up with no song in my head. I distinctly remember dreaming about a guy w/ a huge goiter-looking wound on his head asking me to baptize 2 people. My response was, "I'll think about it" then I woke up. I then thought, "There's no song in my head" which made me begin to force songs into my head. I thought of the past 2 mornings w/ "Rocket Man" and "Sound + Vision." The latter stuck in my head but sometime during my shower it shifted to "Fashion."
That's what it's like to be my brain in the morning. Scary, eh?

David Bowie - Sound and Vision

I was with 2 friends last night making art for an upcoming show. Craig has a record player in his studio and Tim brought some albums for us to listen to. One of them was David Bowie's "Low." So, naturally, the song in my head this morning was this gem.
I also ended up dreaming about hanging art shows all night. Man, am I tired.

Elton John - Rocketman

Them - Gloria

I almost forgot to post today's tune. Glad I remembered what it was.

Frederic Chopin - Minute Waltz

And...out of nowhere comes a classical selection from my weird, random brain. I am familiar with classical music. I went thru a phase some years back where I listened to a lot of it. Chopin is one of my favorites.
But of course, like most people my age, my seminal classical music knowledge comes from Looney Tunes. Please enjoy the following cartoon which includes the "Minute Waltz."

Joe Tex - I Gotcha & The Rascals - People Got to Be Free

Three songs this morning. Badge by Cream (which I've featured before), I Gotcha by Joe Tex and People Got to Be Free by the Rascals. Is there a connection? Probably not.

April Wine - 21st Century Schizoid Man

I know that this song was originally written and recorded by King Crimson but it was this version that was in my brain this morning. For all their greatness, King Crimson has never been one of my favorite prog bands. I enjoy pulling their stuff out and listening to it every once in a while but that's it for me. I can't explain why...that's just the way it is.

Heart - Hijinx

Marvin Gaye & Tammy Terrell - If I Could Build My Whole World Around You

I had a few songs rolling around in my brain this morning. Among them were "Tracks of My Tears" by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, "Come See About Me" by the Supremes and this peppy number by the fantastic duo of Marvin Gaye and Tammy Terrell. I really wonder how much farther they would have gone together if Tammy had not died. Marvin did go on to have much success but we all know what happened to him in the end. So much tragedy surrounding these two.
So, to keep from getting depressed...listen to this song. See what I did there? How I brought it back around? Genius.

KISS - Christine Sixteen

I used to be a huge KISS freak when I was a kid but I never liked this song. My wife wouldn't like it either. I learned the other day that Sarah doesn't like songs where the lead singer starts talking. I had some fun with her about it.
Meanwhile, I haven't been sleeping well lately. It's been a bit warm (we have no AC) and I am having some of the weirdest dreams ever. Here's hoping the heat and the dreams pass so I can get some sleep.
The Heat and the Dreams...good name for a band.

Kansas - Play the Game Tonight

You'd think Kansas, one of the greatest prog bands of the 70's, could put together a better video. But, in their defense, most videos were pretty lame back then. "Um...I know! Let's put the band on a giant chess board!"

Heatwave - The Groove Line

Heatwave has shown up on AM/FM before w/ "Boogie Nights." I always think it's Kool and the Gang when I wake up.
I also remember hearing the theme from "Hot in Cleveland" in my head last night but I'll spare you that cheerful earworm. I like the show but the theme will stay in your head all day...and that's not a good thing.

Tom Petty - I Need To Know & Little Feat - On the Way Down

Tom Petty happened when I woke up at 5 am. Then, when I woke up at 9 am it was Little Feat. Two for one this morning. Enjoy!

Aerosmith - Adam's Apple

Cream - Badge

More George Harrison creeping in. He and Eric Clapton wrote this song but it was recorded by Cream. I finally finished the Harrison documentary. While I found a bit disjointed, I still enjoyed it. It's a nice look into the life and career of George Harrison, the quiet Beatle. It's called "Living in the Material World" and it's directed by Martin Scorcese. Check it out.

George Harrison - Beware of Darkness

I'm still trying to finish up that George Harrison documentary. It's 3.5 hours long and I've been watching about a half hour a day but I didn't watch it at all over the weekend. Fascinating guy, that George.

The Dead Weather - Hustle and Cuss

I sabotaged myself by listening to this song right before bed. I prefer to wake up with a random song on the brain. Good song, though.
I spent more time yesterday looking for the swing-era song that was eluding me but to no avail. It doesn't help that the song has now left my brain. One day I'll hear it and have a spazz attack. People around me will hear me sputter, "THAT'S IT! WHAT'S THAT SONG?" If you witness this, I apologize in advance.

Swing Era Stumper

I'm stumped! I woke up with a swing era, big band song in my head and I can't find the title. It's one of the standards but I just can't locate it. I'm sure it will hit me at some point. Maybe today, maybe next week, maybe 2 months from now...but I'll figure it out.
Meanwhile, I had a crazy dream last night. I was in the lobby of a big church or auditorium w/ a bunch of friends and acquaintances. I am wearing a black suit. We hear a loud explosion and go to the front windows. In the sky is the steeple of a church flying up into the air like a rocket but then it begins to fall over towards us. We run but thin rods skewer some of the people around me including a female acquaintance who gets one right thru the chest. We run over and cut the ends off the front and back and assume she'll be okay. We then ascertain that the church across the street has exploded, sending it's steeple flying. I have my camera with me so I try to get over there and take pictures. The path to the church is like hiking a wilderness trail. I finally arrive and start taking pictures of the burning wreck of a church. I am confronted by another photographer who says I can't take pictures. He's afraid I'm working for a rival newspaper or magazine and that he won't get paid. I tell him off and continue to take pictures. Somewhere in there is the impression that I was to go hiking with friends but back out and that I was attending a church other than the one I usually attended. That's all I can remember.
Dreams are so weird.

English Beat - Save It For Later

She's a Rainbow - Rolling Stones

I'm not a Rolling Stone fan. As a matter of fact, if a RS song comes on the radio I will switch the station. Unfortunately, that didn't stop me from waking up with two Stone's songs in my head. "She's a Rainbow" and "Ruby Tuesday." The phrase, "She comes in colors" was in my head first so I'm going with that one.
I hate it when I wake up with a song I don't like in my head.

She's a Rainbow - Rolling Stones

I'm not a Rolling Stone fan. As a matter of fact, if a RS song comes on the radio I will switch the station. Unfortunately, that didn't stop me from waking up with two Stone's songs in my head. "She's a Rainbow" and "Ruby Tuesday." The phrase, "She comes in colors" was in my head first so I'm going with that one.
I hate it when I wake up with a song I don't like in my head.

Born On The Bayou - Creedence Clearwater Revival

Jim Croce - Time in a Bottle

Once again, timing is everything. This song comes at an appropriate time. The line, "There never seems to be enough time to do the things you want to do once you find them" is especially timely. At 50, time is slipping away from me at an alarming rate. I have so much more I'd like to accomplish in life but there are so many obstacles...not having enough time being one of them.
Jim, you were so right.

George Harrison - All Things Must Pass

Timing is everything. This song comes at a perfect time. We lost a friend to cancer this week so it's a good time to reflect on love, loss and the fleeting nature of life.
I started watching the new George Harrison documentary yesterday which is why this song is so fresh in my head. It's a phenomenal song. George Harrison was never a favorite Beatle of mine but I've come to appreciate him more and more as I get older. I identify with his quiet, contemplative spirit and his ability to deal w/ issues, worldly and personal, thru his art. At 50, I think George may now be my favorite Beatle and his songs have taken on fresh, new meaning for me as I pass into the autumn years of my life.
Rest in peace, Nathan.

Freddie's Dead - Fishbone

The original song is a classic by the great Curtis Mayfield but I woke up with this cover in my head this morning. And a crazy, wonderful cover it is. Gotta love Fishbone!

Foreigner - Heart Turns to Stone

Fleetwood Mac - Seven Wonders & Kansas - Windows

When I woke up at 6:30 am, this is the song that was on my mind. I went back to sleep. Then when I woke up at 8:00 am, it was this song. Welcome to my world.

Frank Stallone - Far From Over

I had a dream last night that I was in the recording studio (with Frank Stallone) helping record this song. WTF? Seriously, that seems pretty tame as dreams go but it's still tips the scale in random weirdness.

Juliana Hatfield - Simplicity Is Beautiful

Two songs were bouncing around together this morning. Funny that they are by the same artist. The second was "Cool Rock Boy" also by Juliana Hatfield. I couldn't find a sample to put on here.
Some mornings I wake up with several songs fighting for attention. Sometimes it's the same artist and sometimes it's several artists at once. It makes me wonder what their relationship is. Common rhythm, key, theme, what? I just don't know.

Suzanne - Journey

Don Henley - The End Of The Innocence

This song was played on the classic rock radio station the other day and I challenged it's status as "classic rock." It seems more pop than rock to me. I suppose they give Don Henley classic rock cred since he was in the Eagles. Personally, I wouldn't include this in a classic rock playlist. Pretty good song, though.

KISS - Got To Choose

It's about time KISS showed up. When I was a kid, I was a huge KISS fan. I had all their albums, posters all over my walls, etc. I was a bit crazy. People at church were praying for my eternal soul because I was worshiping at the altar of the Knights in Satan's Service. (I wish I knew who came up with that. It's brilliant and ridiculous all at the same time) Despite being such a fan, I have yet to see them in concert. A friend of mine posted on FB yesterday that his entire family was going that night. I asked, "When did a KISS concert become a family event?" It's funny how time changes perspective. 35 years ago I (and thousands of kids just like me) was condemned to Hell for liking these weird guys in makeup and now entire families are going to see the concerts. Well, KISS is what it is. 4 guys making tons of money by donning weird makeup and putting on a great show. It's basically the same as going to a Broadway show.

Kansas - Child of Innocence

I woke up from a dream with a cacophony of Kansas songs in my head. The guitar that opens this song was looping in my head w/ other songs trying to jump in and take over. This one prevailed. It's a great song by a great band.
Speaking of dreams, I rarely remember mine. Even if I wake up w/ one fresh in my mind, it's gone pretty quickly. I should start writing them down but, some of them are so disturbing, I'd rather not.
Oh, I just had a flash from last night's dream. All I can remember is that I was in seminary but the school looked more like my middle school than the actual seminary. I remember needing to take a math class to graduate, which is dumb because I took all that stuff before ever getting to seminary. That's all I remember.
Dreams are so weird.

Patty Smyth - Heartache Heard Round The World

This is one of those songs (and the album it's from "Never Enough") that I never get tired of. Patty Smyth is one of the few, great female rock and rollers. She started with the band Scandal and then put out a few solo albums. To my knowledge, this is the only decent one she did...but it's a winner. She quit rockin' and rollin', married John McEnroe (yes, that John McEnroe) and cranked out a bunch of kids.
My greatest memories of this album are from a trip to NYC. Patty is from NYC, so I always connected her to the city. During the trip, I saw an interview with her on TV. I just happened to have the album with me on tape w/ a Walkman (remember those). I wore that tape out on that trip. The music just made more sense hearing it in her city especially her cover of Tom Wait's "Downtown Train."
If you've never heard this album, listen to it immediately. I would say it's in my Top Ten or darn close.

Rage Against the Machine - Bullet in your head

Wow. What a song to wake up to. Wonder what kind of day this will be?

Fair Exchange - Kansas

Kansas is, perhaps, my favorite American prog band. I've been a fan since the 70's. I saw them in concert during the Vinyl Confessions tour back in '82 so I saw them do this song live. It was an amazing musical experience. This was their last decent album. Steve Walsh, the lead vocalist, had already left due to the band's (primarily Kerry Livgren and Dave Hope) move toward Christianity.
This was their last great album. 

Bee Gees - You Should Be Dancing

The Bee Gees have dominated this blog. Three entries since I started a couple months ago. I guess the remnants of the Travolta-themed art show I was a part of are hangin' on. So, enjoy this dance sequence w/ Mr. Travolta and, hopefully, the Bee Gees will take a sabbatical for a while.

Julie Miller - Dogtown

Shortest song ever on AM/FM. This song came to me in a dream. I can't remember anything about the dream, just that this song was in it.

The Partridge Family - I'm On My Way Back Home

I've been watching too much Partridge Family lately.

Public Image Limited - Seattle

Despite what Johnny says in this interview, I've always heard that the song is about the band's dislike for Seattle. I don't dislike Seattle. In fact, I really love it here...but...there are some things I don't like. Here's a list.

1) Cost of Living: It's super expensive here. Sarah and I could afford a house on what we make almost anywhere else in the country, but not in Seattle. Hate that.

2) City Life: Sometimes I enjoy it but I really get tired of the noise. Sarah and I talk of retiring to Whidbey Island and that sounds fine with me.

3) The Seattle Freeze: People here are friendly but they won't let you get close to them. That's the Freeze. We've lived here 7 years and it's been a struggle the entire time to make friends and keep them. We get weary of the process.

4) No Sense of Humor: For the most part, folks in Seattle don't have a good sense of humor. For the first year or two I was here I thought I had lost my touch. But, no...it's not me. I've confirmed this w/ others who have moved here. Seattlites take themselves way too seriously. It's sad but I never laugh anymore. I miss that.

5) Traffic: It's bad here. Getting from one place to another takes planning...especially if you want to arrive on time.

6) Long Winters: They do get a bit long and dreary but I do prefer it over the alternative which is scorching heat in the summer everywhere else.

That's all I can think of. Perhaps one day I'll share what I do like about Seattle. That list is much longer.

Stumped? Mystery Solved!

I have a song on my brain and I can't find it. I even used the software where you sing or hum into the mic and it didn't work. So frustrating. It's a 60s song with a surfer feel. The only lyrics I know are "Little one" then a keyboard riff..."little one" keyboard riff. The beginning of the song is a guitar riff with the keyboard echoing. So, if on that vague info you can help me with the answer...HELP! It's driving me crazy!


Finally heard it on the radio. Mystery solved! I had the riff right but the lyrics all wrong. No wonder I couldn't find it.

Little Feat - Dixie Chicken

This is one of my favorite songs by one of my favorite bands of all time. "Waiting for Columbus" is an amazing live album. It's a shame that Lowell George died back in '79. The band hasn't been the same since he passed.
Also running thru my head this morning was the line, "Mother, do you think they'll drop the bomb?" So, I'll throw in a little extra Floyd for ya this morning. Feat and Floyd. Good stuff for a Sunday morning.

Magic Pie - Freakshow

This band is a fairly recent discovery. Since I've started using Spotify, I've been able to listen to tons more new (to me) music. One of my fave genres of music is prog but it's hard to get hold of. You have to really search it out. Spotify has made it easier. I now have a huge playlist of new prog discoveries and Magic Pie is one of those. I've really enjoyed listening to their albums and look forward to more in the future.

Eagles - Peaceful Easy Feeling

Must be an Eagles kinda morning. Woke up with this song on my brain then, when I got in the jeep to drive to work, "Lyin' Eyes" was on the radio. It's funny how weird coincidences happen like that. Or...is it fate. Dum-dum-DUM!
Anyway, have a peaceful, easy day and I'm gonna try to do the same.

Michael McDonald - I Keep Forgettin'

I didn't get to listen to music yesterday. Spent the whole day at work so no studio time (where I usually listen to music). I prefer for a song to come out of the blue rather than having been influenced by what I listened to the previous day.
I've always loved Michael McDonald's voice. It's very distinct. I love hearing it in the background of old Steely Dan songs. (He was in that group before the Doobie Brothers) When he left the Doobie Bros, it was kinda sad at the time but looking back, I think it was good that the Doobie's were able to go back to their signature sound. The McDonald period is cool but the original Doobie sound is amazing.
McDonald was here in concert a few weeks ago w/ Boz Skaggs and Donald Fagan. I would love to have gone but money's tight right now. I would have loved to have seen these three work their musical magic.

Yes - Into The Lens

I sabotaged myself. Last night before bed, I was listening to Spotify and the last song that came on was "Daisy Jane" by America. I said to myself, "That's going to be the song in my head in the morning...and it was.
The second non-influenced song in my head was Yes. Many Yes fans don't like this album because Jon Anderson declined to be a part of it but I like it. It's got some good songs on it...and some guys trying to sound like Jon Anderson. To be fair, those guys were Geoff Downes (Buggles, Asia) and Trevor Horn (Buggles, Art of Noise).
Just to be fair, I'll post "Daisy Jane" as well. It's a great song but I just feel like I influenced my selection and I don't want to do that.

The Emotions - Best Of My Love

I woke up with a horn intro in my head. I thought it was "Best of My Love" but it's not. For the life of me, I can't place the song. I'll have to do some research when I get home from work. I can place most songs...but not today. I'll post it if I can come up with the answer.
It's funny how one song will lead to another in my head. I woke up with the horn arrangement and that lead me to "Best of My Love." That then transitioned into the horn part on Phil Collins' "It Don't Matter To Me" which then moved to another Collins song, "One More Night." This happens to me every morning.
It's exhausting being me.

Aerosmith - Combination

This is Aerosmith's first time to crack the AM/PM list. I like their first 4-5 albums but after that...meh. I tried to find a live video to share but they all sounded terrible. Bad sound, bad vocals. So, enjoy this studio recording from their heyday.
Not much else to say this morning. I'm still trying to wake up. I've gotta go do my walk then come back to the studio and do some cleaning up. I finished some work for some deadlines and it's time to put the studio back into some semblance of order.
Enjoy your day!

Elvis - Promised Land

We watched "Men in Black" last night and this song plays during the scene when Tommy Lee Jones drives the car thru the tunnel.
I'm not a huge fan of Elvis' music but I am fascinated by his fame. I like to compare/contrast him w/ Jesus in my art. You can see a sample of this here. Gotta run. Delivering and picking up art in West Seattle today.

The Jacksons - We Can Change The World

I had a hard time getting up this morning. I woke up multiple times but went right back to sleep. Every time I woke up, I had a different song in my head but I can't remember what they were. This is the one I can remember.
I don't want to get overly pessimistic today but this song prompts me towards thinking about how I used to think I could change the world. Do all young people think they have the power to change things? I did. Unfortunately, that feeling was driven out of me by the realization that I couldn't. There were too many people with agendas and just enough power to keep me from doing what I thought was right. So, I stopped trying. Now, I quietly send forth my ideas thru my art. Perhaps I am changing the world a bit.
We have a magnet on our fridge by artist Ray Troll that says, "Artists and writers, alone in their chairs, changing the world one line at a time." That's me. Hours alone in my studio making art out of the weird ideas that burst out of my head, hoping that someone will see it and connect with it. It's what I'll be doing today, tomorrow and every day I can for the rest of my days. I'd better get to it.
See you tomorrow.

Deniece Williams - Lets Hear It for the Boy

The only reason I can think this song might be in my head is because I was considering titling one of my collages "Let's Hear It for the Boy" but I opted for "Excitable Boy" instead. I just had to use "boy" in the title. Wanna see the piece I'm talking about? Go here.

The Partridge Family - Love is All That I Ever Needed

I knew this was going to happen.
I was a huge fan of the Partridge Family when I was a kid. Watched the show, had the albums, etc. A few weeks ago I ran across Season 2 of the show on DVD for $6. Well, how can you pass that up? I bought it and have been making my way thru the episodes. Does it hold up? Yes and no. The humor holds up surprisingly well. The presence of Danny, the financial guru/resident smart ass never fails to keep things lively and the banter between him and Reuben Kincaid (the band's manager) is usually fun. What doesn't hold up as well are the songs. I have found myself fast-forwarding thru quite a few of them. However, there are quite a few gems in there. Despite the cheesy arrangements, there are some good songs in there. You could easily do some updating and have them sounding really great. I once had a discussion with a friend about music and the topic was, "There are no bad songs, only bad arrangements." True or not, many songs can be rescued w/ a fresh interpretation.
Back to the Partridge Family. A few years ago, Sarah and I saw "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" starring Patrick Cassidy. He's one of Shirley's sons. (David was her step-son) Right before the show, Sarah turns to me and says, "That lady looks like Shirley Jones." I looked and said, "That's because she is Shirley Jones." Yep. She sat about 2 rows in front of us. I'm hoping that I might run into Danny Bonaduce in town sometime. He works for a local radio station.
Anyhow, my geek is showing a little too much for comfort so I'll shutup now. Enjoy your day.

The Guess Who - No Time

While I'm not encouraged by this message, I do love me some Guess Who. I had the opportunity to see them in concert back in the early 2000's. Burton Cummings wasn't with them but the vocalist they had sounded very much like him. My wife has crossed paths with them, also. She worked a summer at a theater somewhere on the East Coast and they did a concert there. I think she said that one of the old guys flirted with her.
When the theme of time hit my brain this morning, I was also hit by the song "Tempus Fugit" by Yes. What other "time" songs can you think of? I'd love to hear from you.

Beach Boys - Surfin' USA

To be fair, the Scorpions' "Wind of Change" popped into my brain also but "Surfin' USA" was first. Thank goodness! I hate "Wind of Change." That whistling is annoying.
Speaking of whistling, Andy Griffith just passed away. I am a die hard TAGS (The Andy Griffith Show) fan. I have the first 5 seasons on DVD. (The color episodes don't exist to me) As tribute, I'm posting this video. I wish I had woken up to this. It would have been very fitting.
Goodbye, Andy.

David Bowie - Jean Genie

A bit of a conundrum this morning. I woke up with a guitar riff in my head. That's it. I thought (and still think) that it's the riff to an uptempo, sixties-era "Mannish Boy" cover but I can't think of the artist. I don't know enough info to find it. All I hear is the guitar riff which is similar to "Jean Genie". To be fair, as I was trying to figure out he song (while still lying in bed), Bowie popped into my head as well. So it's not a cheat, only a sort of substitution. If I can find the first song, I'll let you all know in a future post. It's going to drive me crazy until I figure it out or hear it.

If you can help me out, let me know in the comments. It may not be a "Mannish Boy" cover but it's the same riff only sped up. (About the same tempo as "Jean Genie") It's very stripped down and staccato, perhaps only guitar, bass and very minimal drums. And I think there's a harmonica in there doubling the guitar. That's all I've got. Help!

A Quick Word About Annoying Ads...

I pledge to never post a video with an ad before it. I won't do that to you fine folks. What that means, however, is that I won't be able to always use the version of a song that I might want to. For example, today I was going to use the classic "Faith" video w/ the jukebox. Well, it had an ad so I trolled around for something else. I just wanted to let you know that I'm going to keep AM/FM ad free as much as possible. They annoy me, too.

George Michael - Faith

Someone sang this song the other night at Karaoke Bingo. I'm fairly certain that's why it's popped into my brain this morning. Karaoke Bingo was fun. It's a very popular event that's put on at the Greenwood Senior Center every month. It's amazing how young the crowd is. Most were under 30 and the room was full. The host was Jeanne (who owns Mae's Cafe) and she was is a dirty bird. Right before I sang my karaoke selection (Magic Carpet Ride by Steppenwolf) she pinched me on the butt. We didn't win any of the Bingo games but it was a fun night anyway.
Allow me to speak to Karaoke for a moment. I love it! I wish I could go at least once a week. It's the only opportunity I have to sing anymore. Maybe one day I'll find a crew who wants to go with me on a regular basis. My 50th birthday was a Karaoke bash and it was so much fun! Why wait a full year to repeat a fun experience?

Giant - Lay It On The Line

This is the second Giant song to appear in the month of this blog's existence. Interesting but does it mean anything? I had a long talk with my friend Jeff yesterday. I mentioned the blog and he had (as always) some challenging questions. He asked, "How does the song affect your day?" For example, does a heavy metal song mean I'm angry or a mellow song mean I'm feeling serene. It's a good question but I don't really have an answer...yet. It's something I'll have to think about over the coming weeks. My theory is that sometimes it may be a result of how I was feeling the day before but I also believe that some of the songs are just random. I really think my brain is a jukebox set on shuffle and what comes up is by chance. Does anyone out there have any insight into this? I'd love to hear from you.

Neil Diamond - Song Sung Blue

Buck Owens and Ringo Starr - Act Naturally

Anyone who knows me is familiar with the fact that I'm not fond of country music. I have softened a bit in my old age but, for the most part, most country music leaves me cold. That doesn't mean that I'm not familiar with the genre. I grew up listening to a ton of it. My parents had albums by the likes of Loretta Lynn, Merle Haggard, Charlie Pride, Conway Twitty, Johnny Cash, Lynn Anderson, and Marty Robbins. As a youngster, my curiosity for music overwhelmed me and I listened to most of these, trying to glean something good out of it. When I was a kid, I accompanied my parents to Tammy Wynette and Jerry Reed concerts at the fair. (I enjoyed Jerry) My grandparents also had albums by Jimmy Dean, Tennessee Ernie Ford and Roger Miller. They also watched Hee-Haw. Since I stayed with them a lot, I also watched Hee-Haw. I'm sure I saw Buck Owens sing "Act Naturally" on the show.
Fast forward to years later when I had discovered the Beatles. Their version of this song is the one I hear in my head. So, when perusing YouTube for a version of the song to post, I was leaning towards the Beatles' version. Instead, I discovered this video and it seemed fitting to post it in honor of Buck, who wrote and originally performed the song, and Ringo, the voice I most predominantly hear singing the song.
Yee-haw!

Deep Purple Stormbringer

I never got into Deep Purple when I was a kid. Sure, I'd heard "Smoke on the Water" (the first song every budding guitar player learns) and "Hush" but I'd never gotten deep into the Deep. Lately I've been pulling up their stuff on Spotify and giving it a listen. Some of it's just meh for me but some of it's great like "Stormbringer." It's just a straight ahead, in your face rock song...the kind that makes you want to drive fast and bang your head.
I usually have more than one song bouncing around in my head in the morning and today was no exception. Also up there was "Train Kept a Rollin'" or "Honey Hush." They have similar (identical?) riffs so who knows which it was. Probably doesn't matter much. I won't post a video for that one. Do a search and you can watch any number of versions of either song.

Fantasy - Earth, Wind & Fire + Boogie Nights - Heatwave

I guess my brain was dancing this morning because both of these songs were moving around up there this morning. Earth, Wind and Fire has long been a favorite band of mine. Incredible musicians! When I started to look for the video for "Boogie Nights", I was looking for Kool and the Gang. I truly thought they did that song. I was wrong. It was Heatwave. Check out their groovy outfits. The 70's were amazing!

Whenever I Call You Friend - Kenny Loggins and Stevie Nicks

We're back in Seattle. It was so great to sleep in our own bed last night. This morning we slept in. After finally dragging our tired carcasses out of bed, we set about unpacking, doing laundry and just generally getting our lives back on track. This song came to me in a dream. In it, I'm in a big room...like a study hall...with a bunch of old friends. We start singing the song but someone comes over and tells us to stop. I'm not sure why because we were killing it! Dreams are weird.

The Rest of Iowa

Thursday morning: A solid rocker! Not sure where this came from other than from my love of rock!



Friday morning: Another rocker! I am a huge fan of Rage Against the Machine but I always wanted to hear what they would sound like if they ditched the rap and got a good singer. Well, my wish was granted when Chris Cornell from Soundgarden joined them to form Audioslave. They only lasted 3 albums but they threw down some solid, rockin' tunes.



Saturday morning: Love this song. Always have, always will. I'm a rocker but I also love classic R&B. Great stuff!



Sunday morning: The week in Iowa finally starts to seep into my brain. 3 nights during the week we played games with Sarah's parents. During the games, they would put on music which consisted of 4 CDs being played over and over again. We listened to Johnny Mathis, Tom Jones, some Latino-tinged light jazz and Barry Manilow. I pretended to protest but, truth was, I didn't mind. I grew up listening to Barry. I had a friend who played the piano and he had a Barry Manilow songbook so we used to perform those songs quite a bit. Barry puts on a good show and some of his songs are standards nowadays. I also like Tom Jones and, to a point, Johnny Mathis...but Barry won the day! It truly is a miracle! See you back in Seattle.

Iowa So Far...

So, we're in Iowa visiting Sarah's parents and internet connectivity is pretty much zip in their small town. I am at the Barnes and Noble in Iowa City and it is so good to be online. I guess I'm addicted to the internet. I can live with that. Here's the songs that invaded my waking brain so far this week.

Monday morning: You probably have the same question I do...where did this come from? I have no idea. Elton John's "Blue Eyes" also popped in for a visit. Ugh.

Tuesday morning: Love this song! Robin Trower is a monster guitarist. "Bridge of Sighs" is thrown in as a bonus...mainly because I couldn't find another version of "Day of the Eagle" that I could embed.

This morning it was this song and a snippet of "Come Monday" by Jimmy Buffet. As I hate Jimmy Buffet...I'll go with Carl Carlton. I'll post more when I get a chance. I might have to catch up when I get home but I'm writing them all down in a journal so...don't dismay. See you in Seattle!

Bee Gees - Nights On Broadway

Looks like I posted this song too soon. I couldn't get it out of my head this morning. Here's a different version so as not to bore you to death.
Got up at 5am to depart for Iowa. The shuttle will be here in a bit to take us to the airport. Unsure about wi-fi availability on the trip so you may not hear from me for a few days. Take comfort in the fact that I'll jump right back to it when I return. Also, feel free to share your "song-in-my-head" in the comments. It'd be fun to hear from you.
Catch you on the flip-flop.

A Whiter Shade Of Pale - Procol Harum

Well, this one was directly influenced by a television show. Sarah and I started watching "Boardwalk Empire" last night. The song is used in a funeral scene, although it's not the band's version but played on a church organ. I thought it was a strange choice since most of the music is from the setting of the 20's.
I'm hoping that the songs-from-the-day-before pattern will subside soon. I much prefer the mornings where I can't quite puzzle out where that particular song might have come from. I'll be on vacation starting tomorrow and I might not have access to wi-fi so I might not be able to post. I will, however, keep up with the songs and perhaps post them when I get back. Stay tuned.

Love You Inside Out - Bee Gees

This is day 4 of songs directly influenced by hearing them the day before. Sarah had her "Bee Gees Greatest Hits" CD in as we made our trip to West Seattle last night. I think this song stuck with me because I was making fun of the very Chinese sounding keyboard/vocal part that leads into the verse. I must admit that the Bee Gees have been on my brain a lot lately, what with Robin Gibb's death and me being asked to be part of a Travolta tribute art show in July. (Summer Lovin' @ Twilight Artist Collective...be there!) I've even gone back and listened to some of their late 60's music (which is very different from the disco stuff). Do yourself a favor and listen to "Every Christian Lion Hearted Man Will Show You." Very cool track.
As for me, my favorite Bee Gees song is "Nights on Broadway." It has a bit of a dark side to it.

Andy Timmons - Turn Away

Giant - Get Used To It

I heard this song yesterday so it's no surprise that it popped into my head this morning. I had my "Guitar Rock" playlist on Spotify set on shuffle so I was hearing all kinds of rockin' goodness.
Giant is a band that's not that well known by the masses. I knew about them because of my church background. Back in the dark ages, when it was evil to listen to secular rock and roll, this little Baptist boy was struggling to find something he could listen to. Gospel quartets and Sandi Patty were okay for the fogeys but not for this boy raised on 70's rock. One day I discovered a band called Whiteheart. I recognized immediately a band filled with guys who knew how to play, especially Dann Huff, the guitarist and sometimes vocalist. He left the band after 2 albums but later emerged in the band Giant with his brother David on drums. Giant was just a good, solid stadium rock band bolstered by the monstrous talents of Dann.
I wonder what Dann Huff is doing these days? I think he returned to doing session work (which is where he started). Wherever he is, Dann easily sits in my list of best rock guitarists and vocalists.
No matter what type of music you like, enjoy some today. I can't imagine life without it.

Survivor - Eye of the Tiger

The reason this song springs to mind is because it was featured in an episode of Eureka that we were watching last night. I had a feeling it would pop up this morning. You can't help but feel pumped up and motivated to get the job done when you hear this song.

Billy Joel - Scenes From An Italian Restaurant

Great song! That is all.

Astrud Gilberto - The Telephone Song

I know exactly why this little earworm is imbedded in my subconscious. I listen to a podcast called "Sound Opinions" and they use this little ditty to introduce the call-in portion of the show. I've never actually heard the whole song until this morning. It's fun.

Addendum:  As I was searching for "The Telephone Song" I came across "Call Me" as well. As I listened I felt like that might have been in my head this morning as well. Perhaps the two were mixed together. It's my brain...anything can happen. So enjoy a bonus tune.

The Guess Who - Share The Land

Foghat - Fool For The City

How appropriate. Foghat on Friday with "Fool for the City." Alliteration is always good. Well, after a couple of days of lame songs, here's a good, old rock and roller for ya. Foghat is one of my fave groups from the 70's.
As an added bonus, the second song that popped into my head this morning was Alice Cooper's "It's Hot Tonight." Another great rocker! Enjoy.

Sugar Ray - Fly

I was tempted to lie this morning.
After "Creature Comforts" yesterday, I wanted today's song to be incredible. It's not. Sorry, Sugar Ray fans but I don't like this song. Never have. I am perplexed as to why it was on my brain this morning.
So, ashamed of my brain's jukebox choice, I was going to lie and present another song. I was going to use "I Want To Tell You" by the Beatles because that's what my brain tried to shift to when I was attempting to get the Sugar Ray song out of my head. I finally realized that I had to be truthful.
A quick aside about Sugar Ray and his ilk. I was a youth minister back in '97 when this song came out so I heard it a lot. Most of the kids in my youth group liked music that I didn't care for. I had my fill of Smash Mouth, Blues Traveler, Sugar Ray, and (the worst of all) the Dave Matthews Band. I have been chastised for not liking DM. Oh, yes...I have suffered. And before you get all high and mighty on me (I'm talking to you, DM fans) I am willing to admit that his band is amazing and they have produced at least one or two songs I can listen to. ("Too Much") But, as a whole, there's only so much acoustic-driven, poorly sung Dave music that I can stand. Okay, I got that off my chest. I feel better.
Let's hope Friday brings us a better music choice.

Creature Comforts America Theme Song

Sorry, folks. My brain decided to sleep in today. I thought I'd be bringing you another interesting selection from the wide world of popular music.but instead we get a TV show theme song. To be fair, I was watching this show yesterday during my workout so I heard the theme a few times because I watched multiple episodes. As themes go, it's pretty dull. It was composed by Steve Earle who does nothing for me.
To save this post from being completely boring, let me talk about "Creature Comforts" for a minute. The show was created by Aardman (who also does Wallace & Gromit) for British television but before that it was a short film by Nick Park. The British show is stinkin' hilarious and the Christmas special is just fantastic! The American version is not as successful. (it only lasted 7 episodes on CBS) For me, the reason is clear. Where the Brits come off as eccentric and funny, the Americans just come off as stupid and shallow.
BTW, the theme starts around the 0:49 mark in the video. Let's hope my brain comes up with something a bit more interesting for tomorrow.

The Monkees - Pleasant Valley Sunday or Karla DeVito - We Are Not Alone

A conundrum this morning. Which song was on my brain first? I don't know. They were both in there, jumbled together like a mashup...if that's possible with these two songs. I must confess that I don't care for "We Are Not Alone" as a song. It works in the movie but I wouldn't choose to listen to it. Not sure why it surfaced in my brain on this particular morning. I must also confess that I didn't know it was by Karla DeVito whose work I enjoy on Meatloaf's Bat Out of Hell album. Strangely enough, DeVito is married to Robby Benson who, I learned via Wikipedia, co-wrote this song.
The Monkees...well...they require no explanation. Please enjoy this lip-syncing, crappy-fake-playing-of-the-instruments explosion of unadulterated fun. I'll bet the song gets stuck in your head and you might wake up with it in your brain tomorrow.

Level 42 - Love Games

I had a weird morning. I woke up multiple times w/ multiple songs in my head. Mostly stuff from the 80's like Nik Kershaw's "Cloak and Dagger" and "Love is Like a Rock" by Donnie Iris. But, I had to go with the first one that popped into my head and that was "Love Games." It started with the very distinct keyboard riff and then headed straight for the bass part. It's funny. I rarely hear lyrics in my head. Most of the time it's the various instrumental parts. I was told once by a musician friend that I could have been a composer. I can't disagree with that. I can't memorize lyrics to save my life but I can remember almost everything the instruments are doing. I just hear it in my head.
One more thing before I go. I just want to say that I am a huge fan of Level 42. I started listening to them in the 80's when they had the hit "Something About You." I grabbed up everything I could get my hands on. I love their jazz-infused pop sound and Mark King is a killer vocalist and bass player. I think this is the first song on AM/PM that reflects me being a big fan of a particular group. The other songs so far have been pretty random.
Until tomorrow...

Bon Jovi - You Give Love A Bad Name

Four Tops - Reach Out (I'll Be There) (1967) HD

The Police - Wrapped Around Your Finger

I'm not sure why Sting flew into my head this morning. I haven't listened to the Police in a while and this song isn't a particular favorite. I guess it just got wrapped around my brain.

Bring Him Home from Les Miserables

The reason this one was in my head is because I watched the trailer for the new "Les Mis" movie yesterday. By the end of this year we'll hear Hugh Jackman singing this song. I hope he knocks it out of the park.