Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye - Steam

Artist: Steam
Song: Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye
Year: 1969
Album: Steam

With the White Sox possibly going to the postseason today, I figured this would be the perfect song to showcase. This song was first used by Nancy Faust in the mid seventies, after fans kept requesting it. It was used after an opposing pitcher would exit the game and eventually was played after every home win in Comiskey Park.

I can remember being at Comiskey Park in the mid eighties, with some awful White Sox teams, and the crowd would sing along at the top of their lungs whenever this was played by Nancy. This started to catch on with other teams and soon this was part of the repertoire of most sporting events. Sadly, this isn't the case anymore. The older the song gets, the less that it's used in sporting events. It's still used by the White Sox though.

This could have became an obscure one hit wonder, if not for the popularity during sporting events. It seems hard to believe that this was recorded originally as filler. Mercury Records wanted a filler cut for a B side, but ended up liking the song so much that it ended up as its own single.

There wasn't even a band called Steam. It was a few studio musicians that wrote and recorded the throwaway single. The success of the single inspired a quickly thrown together band that recorded an album and toured. The band disbanded in 1970 and was on the way to trivia question land, until a few Chicago White Sox fans rescued it.

Lyrics:
Na na na na, na na na na, hey hey-ey, goodbye

He'll never love you, the way that I love you
'Cause if he did, no no, he wouldn't make you cry
He might be thrillin' baby but a-my love (my love, my love)
So dog-gone willin'
So kiss him (I wanna see you kiss him. Wanna see you kiss him)
Go on and kiss him goodbye, now

Na na na na, hey hey-ey, goodbye
Na na na na, na na na na, hey hey-ey, goodbye

Listen to me now

He's never near you to comfort and cheer you
When all those sad tears are fallin' baby from your eyes
He might be thrillin' baby but a-my love (my love, my love)
So dog-gone willin'
So kiss him (I wanna see you kiss him. I wanna see you kiss him)
Go on and kiss him goodbye, na-na na-na-na na na

Na na na na, hey hey-ey, goodbye

Hey hey-ey, goodbye
Na na na na, na na na na, hey hey-ey, goodbye
Na na na na, na na na na, hey hey-ey, goodbye
Na na na na, na na na na, hey hey-ey, goodbye

Hot For Teacher - Van Halen

Artist: Van Halen
Song: Hot For Teacher
Year: 1984
Album: 1984

Ahh, the days when MTV actually played videos and the bands made interesting promos for their songs. I miss those days... a lot. This was one of the most visual and entertaining videos from the 1984 album. It shows David Lee Roth's passion for game show hosting and precedes all the student/teacher scandals of the past decade by well over a decade.

Back in 1984, I guess the teacher and student fantasy was still an acceptable daydream. These days you can't be too careful with those kinds of thoughts. They will get you in all sorts of trouble. People are way too sensitive in this politically correct age of enlightenment. Which is another way of saying, people can't let things go anymore. There is more pressure on the students and the teachers to act upon these feelings because the pressure is everywhere else in their lives. It's OK to live in a fantasy world. The reality of these fantasies are usually nothing to write home about.

The first element that hooks you into the song is the drum track. It almost sounds like a kid's heart beating fast on that first day of school. Then the guitar comes in and takes it to a whole new level. Van Halen ruled the rock world in 1984 and this is the showcase for that statement.

These songs may have been lost to time if it hadn't been for the videos. The "Hot For Teacher" video was one of the best off of this album. It's a cross between a fantasy and Animal House. Then again, so were the Twisted Sister videos. I suppose that's why this type of video was popular back then and still gets a smile.

One aspect of the video that most people don't know would be the addition of Phil Hartman. He does the voice of Waldo in the video. I wouldn't have picked that out either. Now that I know Phil was the voice, it's unmistakable. I just wouldn't have thought to listen for his voice there.

This was the last great album before Van Halen imploded on itself and restructured. Sure, they had lots of success with Sammy Hagar after this, but it will never be the same. Once the initial magic is gone it's hard to recapture.

Lyrics:
Oh, wow, man, I said
Wait a second, man
What do you think the teacher's gonna look like this year?
Fuck man!

Uh!
Oh yeah!

T-T-teacher stop that screamin'
Teacher don't you see?
Don't wanna be no uptown fool
Maybe I should go to hell
But I am doing well
Teacher needs to see me after school

I think of all the education that I've missed
But then my homework was never quite like this!

Ow! Got it bad,
Got it bad,
Got it bad,
I'm hot for teacher!
I've got it bad, so bad
I'm hot for teacher!

Hey, I heard you missed us
We're back! (Hey!)
I brought my pencil
Give me something to write on, man!
Whoa

Uh!

Ooo-oo-ooo

I heard about your lessons
but lessons are so cold
I didn't know about this school
Little girl from Cherry Lawn
How can you be so bold?
How did you know that golden rule?

I think of all the education that I've missed
But then my homework was never quite like this!

Whoa! Got it bad,
Got it bad,
Got it bad,
I'm hot for teacher!
I've got it bad, so bad
I'm hot for teacher!

Whoa!

Oh man, I think the clock is slow
(What are you doin' this weekend?) I don't feel tardy
Class dismissed!
Ooh-yeah!

I've got it bad,
Got it bad,
Got it bad,
I'm hot for teacher!

Whoa!
Oh! Ooh, yes I'm hot
Wow!

Oh my God!
Woo!

Twelfth Street Rag - Louis Armstrong

Artist: Louis Armstrong
Song: Twelfth Street Rag
Year: 1927
Album: Various

This song was recorded by Louis Armstrong and his Hot Seven on May 11, 1927 in Chicago, Illinois. After that it gets hazy. This has been released on various compilations, but I can't seem to track down the original Louis Armstrong release. I know that it wasn't released right away and was filed away for some time. I'm just not quite sure as to how long it was shelved by Columbia Records.

This is a playful take of a song from 1915. This song would become famous when Louis Armstrong would tour with his All-Stars in the later years of his life. "Twelfth Street Rag" became a showcase for improvisation for the group.

I can remember this song from many cartoons that I watched growing up. I'm not sure as to which ones, but I certainly remember the tune. I originally picked this song up on a Hot Fives and Hot Sevens compilation. I wasn't even looking for a Louis Armstrong song. I was looking for a Louis Jordan song instead, but I didn't know the artist of the song I was looking for. So, I took a stab in the dark and came up with a compilation that this song was on. I've never regretted being wrong, in this case.

The YouTube video isn't much to look at, but it features the entire song. Sometimes it's not how you show it, it's what you show.

Lyrics:
None (instrumental)

The Metro - Berlin

Artist: Berlin
Song: The Metro
Year: 1982
Album: Pleasure Victim

I'll admit that I don't remember this song when it came out. I suppose that this song was buried by the success of "Take My Breath Away" from Top Gun. I'm sure that I had heard this in the eighties. I had MTV on in the background practically every day. In fact, I know that I would have heard it then. The thing is, I don't remember it.

What made me rediscover this song was a show on VH1 called Bands Reunite, or something like that. I used to watch that show every time that it came on. I found the dynamic of old wounds and new prospects to be interesting, especially surrounding older bands.

When Berlin reunited on the show, they played "The Metro" over and over again. There was even footage of the newly reunited band playing the song at their reunion show. From there, I was hooked on the song.

I'm not sure why this escaped me back in the eighties. I'm glad I rediscovered this little gem of a song. It's bouncy and poppy without being bubblegum. It's a great example of eighties music.

Lyrics:
I'm alone
sitting with my empty glass
my four walls
follow me through my past
I was on a Paris train
I emerged in London rain
and you were waiting there
swimming through apologies

I remember searching for the perfect words
I was hoping you might change your mind
I remember a soldier sleeping next to me
riding on the Metro

You wore white
smiling as you took my hand
so removed
we spoke of wintertime in France
minutes passed with shallow words
years have passed and still the hurt
I can see you now
smiling as I pulled away

I remember the letter wrinkled in my hand
"I'll love you always" filled my eyes
I remember a night we walked along the Seine
riding on the Metro

I remember a feeling coming over me
the soldier turned, then looked away
I remember hating you for loving me
riding on the Metro

Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd

Artist: Pink Floyd
Song: Wish You Were Here
Year: 1975
Album: Wish You Were Here

This song has a long history with me. It was one of the first Pink Floyd songs that I could recite verbatim. This was also the first song that I was successful at while singing karaoke. This was also the first Pink Floyd songs that my friend and I attempted to record ourselves. Most people who have heard it think we did a great job with it.

This was one of the first songs that I could hear more going on around the song than most people would take the time to recognize. The radio switching stations gently to start off the song gives it a unique feel. The muted beginning is a great teaser. When the chords of the guitar come strumming in, twice as loud, it seems jarring.

This all sets up the mood of the song perfectly. This laid back song is secretly anti-war, but reeks of alienation from everything. It fills your mind with contrasting images and bizarre concepts that fit perfectly with the big picture. Then, as mysteriously as the song arrived, it disappears into the wind.

I was lucky enough to see this song performed live in 1994, during the last tour of Pink Floyd. It will be an experience that I will never forget. I am glad that I got to see some form of Pink Floyd before the members started to die off. This would be the closest I would get to see the classic lineup of Pink Floyd. I enjoyed every minute of it.

Lyrics:
So, so you think you can tell Heaven from Hell,
blue skies from pain.
Can you tell a green field from a cold steel rail?
A smile from a veil?
Do you think you can tell?
And did they get you to trade your heroes for ghosts?
Hot ashes for trees?
Hot air for a cool breeze?
Cold comfort for change?
And did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage?
How I wish, how I wish you were here.
We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl, year after year,
Running over the same old ground.
What have we found? The same old fears.
Wish you were here.

I Can't Take It No More - John Fogerty

Artist: John Fogerty
Song: I Can't Take It No More
Year: 2007
Album: Revival

It seems that lately, more and more artists are aligning themselves against the Bush administration. That's pretty par for the course for newer artists and artists with a long history of protesting. Something is usually wrong when artists who have been quiet in recent years start coming out of the woodwork with new protest songs. John Fogerty is one of these artists.

While never backing down from a fight, Fogerty has been part of the silent majority the last few decades. He has always alluded to things in his songwriting, but the past few years have brought out a more blunt approach to his songwriting style. This is the new type of protest song from the old guard.

There is no mistaking who Fogerty is talking about in this song. Gone are the clever analogies and clouded lyrics. In the wake of those missing elements, come newer, bolder statements. There is no holding back about feelings, while clever throwbacks remind us of his peak period with Creedence Clearwater Revival.

The song itself is a short, punky burst of classic rock with an attitude and a message. Plus, it's catchy enough to get stuck in your brain for the rest of the day.

Lyrics:
I can't take it no more
I can't take it no more
I'm sick and tired of your dirty little war
I can't take it no more

You know you lied about the casualties
You know you lied about the WMD's
You know you lied about the detainees
All over this world

Stop talking about staying the course
You keep a-beating that old dead horse
You know you lied about how we went to war
I can't take it no more

I can't take it
I can't take it

I bet you never saw the old school yard
I bet you never saw the national guard
Your daddy wrote a check and there you are
Another fortunate son

I can't take it no more
I can't take it no more
I'm sick and tired of your dirty little war
I can't take it no more

At Last - Etta James

Artist: Etta James
Song: At Last
Year: 1961
Album: At Last!

This song is one of the most romantic ballads of all time. It is overplayed nowadays, but there was a time where it was more of a rarity. It's hard to believe that this was only recorded in 1960 and released in 1961. It sounds like something that would be considered a bit retro in 1961. Although, Ray Charles used some of the same type of string arrangements in his music of the early sixties.

"At Last" always puts a smile on my face. It's one of those songs that instantly brings you back to your first dance. I've never heard this at any school dance that I've ever been to, but the feeling is there in the song.

Etta James has such a powerful, yet understated voice on this song. It strikes the right balance of raw emotion and timidness. This may be a song that I would consider, at some point, during my wedding reception next year. It may be overplayed today, but it is still an undeniable classic.

Lyrics:
At last, my love has come along
My lonely days are over
And life is like a song
Oh, yeah, at last
The skies above are blue
My heart was wrapped up in clovers
The night I looked at you
I found a dream that I could speak to
A dream that I can call my own
I found a thrill to rest my cheek to
A thrill that I have never known
Oh, yeah when you smile, you smile
Oh, and then the spell was cast
And here we are in heaven
For you are mine
At last

25 Minutes To Go - Johnny Cash

Artist: Johnny Cash
Song: 25 Minutes To Go
Year: 1965
Album: Sings The Ballads Of The True West

I may have passed this song over if Pearl Jam did not cover it in concert. I tracked down the original and thought it was a great Johnny Cash type of song. It's about despair, defiance and jail. Three elements to a classic Johnny Cash song.

I like the odd structure of the song. It doesn't really have verses or a chorus. It feels more like a sing-songy countdown, which I guess it would be considered that. If one wanted to really push it, I suppose it could be construed as a one line verse and a one line chorus, alternating.

This is the kind of song that I love hearing because there aren't many songs like this around anymore. Most songs are either the standard verse/chorus/verse structure or very free form, to the point of being airy and disjointing.

Johnny Cash had such a great voice for storytelling. It really shows in his voice and in the descriptive lyrics. I can honestly say that there aren't too many of his songs that I don't like. I even found myself singing the spiritual song from his guest appearance on Columbo. That's still one of my favorite episodes of that television show.

Lyrics:
Well they're building a gallows outside my cell I've got 25 minutes to go
And the whole town's waitin' just to hear me yell I've got 24 minutes to go
Well they gave me some beans for my last meal I've got 23 minutes to go
But nobody asked me how I feel I've got 22 minutes to go
Well I sent for the governor and the whole dern bunch with 21 minutes to go
And I sent for the mayor but he's out to lunch I've got 20 more minutes to go
Then the sheriff said boy I gonna watch you die got 19 minutes to go
So I laughed in his face and I spit in his eye got 18 minutes to go
Now hear comes the preacher for to save my soul with 13 minutes to go
And he's talking bout' burnin' but I'm so cold I've 12 more minutes to go
Now they're testin' the trap and it chills my spine 11 more minutes to go
And the trap and the rope aw they work just fine got 10 more minutes to go
Well I'm waitin' on the pardon that'll set me free with 9 more minutes to go
But this is for real so forget about me got 8 more minutes to go
With my feet on the trap and my head on the noose got 5 more minutes to go
Won't somebody come and cut me loose with 4 more minutes to go
I can see the mountains I can see the skies with 3 more minutes to go
And it's to dern pretty for a man that don't wanna die 2 more minutes to go
I can see the buzzards I can hear the crows 1 more minute to go
And now I'm swingin' and here I go-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o!

Parasite - KISS

Artist: KISS
Song: Parasite
Year: 1974
Album: Hotter Than Hell

My first introduction to KISS was through MTV. I saw their videos and liked their music enough to want to pick up an album or two. My mom wasn't too keen on KISS because of the nasty rumors of the seventies. I won't rehash them here, but most of the rumors had to do with Satan.

Ironically, now my mom watches Gene Simmons' reality show. I guess it goes to show you that time really does heal everything.

The first KISS album I picked up was Hotter Than Hell. I believe that I picked it up at the local grocery store for five bucks. It was money well spent. This is still one of my favorite albums from KISS. I can listen to every song and sing along with all of them. There are no clunkers on this album, though it is a very underrated album.

KISS was still trying to break through to the mainstream at this point. I think that this album (their second) is better than their debut. It's hard to believe that they were both released in 1974. Although KISS seems to be fine with just releasing compilation albums right now, there was a time when their music was vibrant and important.

Lyrics:
She'll always be there trying to grab a hold
She thought she knew me, but she didn't know
That I was sad and wanted her to go

Parasite lady
Parasite eyes
Parasite lady
No need to cry

I didn't wanna have to get away
I told her things I didn't want to say
I need her and I hope she'll understand

Parasite lady
Parasite eyes
Parasite lady
No need to cry

Letter To Me - Brad Paisley

Artist: Brad Paisley
Song: Letter To Me
Year: 2007
Album: 5th Gear

I always wondered what it would be like if my future self could offer advice to the present me. I could avoid some of the pitfalls that have plagued me throughout my life. I suppose that it would be an unfair advantage.

It would probably turn out to be like the South Park episode of My Future Self N' Me. Somehow, I think that might turn out to be catastrophic. Hmmm... just like on South Park.

I would probably say basically the same things in my letter that Brad Paisley wrote to himself, in the song. The truth is, things aren't as bad as they seem at any given moment. Things could always be worse. Things will always get better, at some point. The bad thing is that you have to go through life to gain that experience. No amount of advice could ingrain that into anyone's head.

If I could write a letter to my past self, I'd tell myself to run fast, in the opposite direction, when I met this one girl. Other than that one person, I have no big regrets. I can boil down all of my misfortune to meeting that one girl. If only I could.

Lyrics:
If I could write a letter to me
And send it back in time to myself at 17
First I'd prove it's me by saying look under your bed
There's a Skoal can and a Playboy no one else would know you hid
And then I'd say I know its tough
When you break up after seven months
And yeah I know you really liked her and it just don't seem fair
All I can say is pain like that is fast and it's rare

And oh you got so much going for you going right
But I know at 17 it's hard to see past Friday night
She wasn't right for you
And still you feel like there's a knife sticking out of your back
And you're wondering if you'll survive
You'll make it through this and you'll see
You're still around to write this letter to me

At the stop sign at Tomlinson and Eighth
Always stop completely don't just tap your brakes
And when you get a date with Bridgett make sure the tank is full
On second thought forget it that one turns out kinda cool
Each and every time you have a fight
Just assume you're wrong and dad is right
And you should really thank Mrs. Brinkman
She spent so much extra time
It's like she sees the diamond underneath
And she's polishing you 'til you shine

And oh you got so much going for you going right
But I know at 17 it's hard to see past Friday night
Tonight's the bonfire rally
But you're staying home instead because if you fail Algebra
Mom and dad will kill you dead
Trust me you'll squeak by and get a C
And you're still around to write this letter to me

You've got so much up ahead
You'll make new friends
You should see your kids and wife
And I'd end by saying have no fear
These are nowhere near the best years of your life

I guess I'll see you in the mirror
When you're a grown man
P.S. go hug Aunt Rita every chance you can

And oh you got so much going for you going right
But I know at 17 it's hard to see past Friday night
I wish you'd study Spanish
I wish you'd take a typing class
I wish you wouldn't worry, let it be
I'd say have a little faith and you'll see

If I could write a letter to me
To me

She's Got Balls - AC/DC

Artist: AC/DC
Song: She's Got Balls
Year: 1976
Album: High Voltage (U.S. album)

When my uncle first introduced me to AC/DC, he played T.N.T. He had recorded it off the radio. My task was to find the album that the song was on. That was my specialty. Before the computer was the primary source of information, I would scour through many different resources to find this sort of information out.

I tracked down the cassette for him and he was happy. Now, he could blast AC/DC in his car, on the way to his job at CTA. I tracked down most of his music collection for him. Everything from Black Sabbath to Aerosmith. As of yesterday, he's been gone for one year and five months. My uncle selfishly took his own life. That doesn't change the memories that we shared. All of them were happy. That's how I choose to remember him.

After I got his copy of the album, I had to buy it for myself. This cassette was in my car for the longest time. The U.S. version of the High Voltage album has to be one of my favorites from their catalogue. There really are no clunkers on this album.

"She's Got Balls" is one of the album tracks, but it stands up with anything else on the album. I think it could have been a single, if they really wanted to push it. This song is one of the two from the U.S. version that was on the original 1975 Australian release of High Voltage. The U.S. album, borrows the rest of the songs from their T.N.T. album. This is one of the reasons why my uncle had me track the song down for him. With all the different releases, it can get confusing for someone who doesn't look into that sort of stuff.

This song is about Bon Scott's wife. She complained that he never wrote anything about her in a song. By the time "She's Got Balls" was released, the marriage had ended.

Lyrics:
She's got style that woman
Makes me smile that woman
She's got spunk that woman
Funk that woman
She's got speed my babe
Got what I need my babe
She's got the ability
To make a man outta me

But most important of all
Let me tell you
My lady's got balls
She's got balls

She's got soul my lady
Likes to crawl my lady
All around the floor on her hands and knees
Oh because she likes to please me

But most important of all
Let me tell you
My lady's got balls
She's got balls

And she's got taste my lady
Pace my lady
Makes my heart race
With her pretty face
She's got balls my lady
Likes to crawl my lady
Hands and knees all around the floor
No one has to tell her what a fella is for

But most important of all
Let me tell you
My lady's got balls
She's got balls

Chicago - Frank Sinatra

Artist: Frank Sinatra
Song: Chicago
Year: 1958
Album: Come Fly With Me

I was born in Chicago, so I have a deep affection for most things associated with Chicago, especially songs. I would say the only thing that escapes my love of all things Chicago would be the Cubs. I just never got into the Cubs. It not from lack of trying. It's just that they never captured my heart the way the White Sox did, when I was younger.

This song is heavily associated with Chicago, although not as much as Sinatra's other Chicago song, "My Kind Of Town" is. Still, this song brings back older memories of when I was younger.

I can remember going into Chicago with my dad and seeing the sights. I went to work with him a few times and got to see a side of the city that many people don't see. He worked for ComEd, so I would see the back ways into some places. I would go down streets that others wouldn't necessarily think of taking, in favor of more well known streets.

Chicago is famous for its stopping and starting streets. Chances are, if it's not a main street, the road will suddenly stop. Maybe it will pick up a few blocks down, maybe a mile, maybe never.

Even around me, in the south suburbs, Central Ave. stops around 70th and picks up closer to Midway airport. In order to get through, you would normally have to go to either Cicero Ave., which runs by the airport, or Harlem Ave., which runs by Toyota Park, where the Chicago Fire soccer team plays.

One note about the song itself. Billy Sunday was a baseball player who turned into an evangelist. He preached against vices, such as alcohol.

Lyrics:
Chicago, Chicago, that toddlin' town
Chicago, Chicago, I will show you around - I love it
Bet your bottom dollar you'll lose the blues in Chicago
Chicago, the town that Billy Sunday couldn't shut down

On State Street, that great street, I just want to say
They do things they don't do on Broadway
They have the time, the time of their life
I saw a man, he danced with his wife
In Chicago, Chicago, my home town

Chicago, Chicago, that toddlin' town
Chicago, Chicago, I'll show you around - I love it
Bet your bottom dollar you'll lose the blues in Chicago
Chicago, the town that Billy Sunday could not shut down

On State Street, that great street, I just want to say
They do things that they never do on Broadway - hey
They have the time, the time of their life
I saw a man, and he danced with his wife
In Chicago, Chicago, Chicago, that's my home town

Traveling Riverside Blues - Led Zeppelin

Artist: Led Zeppelin
Song: Traveling Riverside Blues
Year: 1990
Album: Led Zeppelin Box Set

The Led Zeppelin box set was the absolute best gift I can remember receiving on Christmas day 1990. I was beginning an obsession with Led Zeppelin. I had purchased cassettes of Led Zeppelin IV and Houses Of The Holy during my last week of eighth grade, earlier in the year.

I'm not exactly sure how I caught the Led Zeppelin bug, but when I was hooked, I was hooked for life. I'm sure it had to do with a mixture of WCKG (a local classic rock station at the time), the bow playing of Jimmy Page, Christian television propaganda and the music.

I guess I should offer an explanation about the Christian television propaganda. I'm not a churchgoer. That's fine for people who are, but it's just not for me. There used to be a television show on the Christian stations about the evils of rock n' roll music. They would feature videos of mostly hard rock bands. The show would show this seemingly harmless clip and post the lyrics. Then they would show the same clip backwards and interpret what lyrics supposedly said.

I found the show absolutely hilarious. Led Zeppelin's song was "Stairway To Heaven" on the show. I always found it funny that the show used the live version of "Stairway To Heaven" to illustrate its point instead of the studio version.

Anyway, when I heard that Led Zeppelin was coming out with a box set, I immediately started saving money and also put the set on my wishlist. I didn't get it for my birthday, but Christmas turned out to be the jackpot.

I was waiting to hear the two new tracks. "Traveling Riverside Blues" was one and a mash-up of two of John Bonham's drum solo songs was the other. Unbeknownst to me at the time, "Traveling Riverside Blues" was a song by Robert Johnson. The King of the Delta Blues and the musician who supposedly sold his soul to the devil originally played this.

I played this over and over again. I think I wore out my cassette copy. Years later, I would purchase a used copy of the CD version of this set. This song has been a mainstay in my musical rotation ever since its release.

Lyrics:
Hey, that's right
Asked sweet mama, "Let me a-be your kid"
She said-a, "You might get hurt if'n a-you don't a-keep it hid"
Well, uh-huh, I know my baby if I see her in the dark
I said, I know my rider if I see her in the dark

Now, I'm goin' to Rosedale, take my rider by my side
Still barrelhouse 'cause it's on the riverside, yeah
I know my baby, lord, I said-a, beware, there's something wrong
I know my mama, lord, a brown-skin but she ain't no plum, ah-ha

See my baby, tell her, tell her, "Hurry home"
Had no lovin' since my baby geen bone (sic), yeah
See my baby, tell her, "Hurry on home"
I ain't had, no, my right mind since my rider's been gone

Hey, promises-a she's my rider
I wanna tell you, she's my rider
Blow your mind, she's my rider
She ain't but sixteen, but she's my rider

I'm goin' to Rosedale, take my rider by my side
Anybody argue with me, man, I'll keep them satisfied
Well, I see my baby, tell her, tell her the shape I'm in
Ain't had no lovin', lord, since you-know-when
Aww, yeah, my, my, my, my
Ah, why don't you come in my kitchen

My kindhearted baby, ya studies evil all the time
She's a kindhearted woman-a, studies evil all the time

Squeeze my lemon 'till the juice runs down my leg-a
Squeeze it so hard, I'll fall right outta bed
Will you squeeze my lemon 'till the juice runs down my leg
I wonder if you know what I'm talkin' about
Ah, well, the way that you squeeze it, girl-a
I swear, I'm gonna fall right outta bed

Aw, she's a good rider, hey-yeah
She's my kindhearted baby
I wanna take my rider by my side, yeah
I said, her front teeth are lined with gold
She got a mortgage on my body, got a lien on my soul
She's my brown-skinned sugar-plum
She makes me

My Ding-a-Ling - Chuck Berry

Artist: Chuck Berry
Song: My Ding-a-Ling
Year: 1972
Album: The London Chuck Berry Sessions

This is a song that was introduced to me by a childhood friend. We were sitting in his room playing records and he put this 45 on after the Led Zeppelin II LP.

Being younger, I thought the lyrics were risqué. As I got older, I found the lyrics juvenile and sad, especially in the light of Chuck Berry's legal troubles surrounding women.

Something about the song never escaped me though. I would find myself singing the song in my head at random moments. It's a catchy song that eventually won me over again.

I wouldn't say that it's the best song in the world, but it's better than I once thought. Who wouldn't like a song about a boy playing with two silver bells? It manages to successfully use the double entendre as a selling point. It's a harmless, fun song that little kids can snicker at and adults can let loose with.

My only beef with the song is that it stands as Chuck Berry's only number one single. Like I've said before, the public is fickle. The album version is over 11 minutes long but this single edit is parred down to around 4 minutes.

Lyrics:
(Spoken):
We got to do our alma mata, we must do our alma mata.

When I was a little bitty boy, my grandmother bought me a cute little toy
Silver bells hanging on a string, she told me it was my ding-a-ling-a-ling-oh

My ding-a-ling, my ding-a-ling
I want you to play with my ding-a-ling
My ding-a-ling, my ding-a-ling
I want you to play with my ding-a-ling

(Spoken):
Beautiful beautiful beautiful

Mmmm, and then mamma took me to grammar school, but I stopped off in the vestibule
Every time that bell would ring, you'd catch me playin' with my ding-a-ling-a-ling-oh

My ding-a-ling, my ding-a-ling
I want you to play with my ding-a-ling
My ding-a-ling, my ding-a-ling
I want you to play with my ding-a-ling

(Spoken):
Oh that is beautiful. You know what I heard. I heard 2 girls over here singin' in harmony. That's alright honey, this is a free country, live like you wanna live, baby. Yeah, ain't nobody gonna knock it darlin'. Uh-mmm. Yeah, freedom. Yessir, there's one guy right over here singin' "my" too, that's alright brother. Yessir, you got a right baby. Ain't nobody gonna bother you.

Once I was climbing the garden wall, I slipped and had a terrible fall
I fell so hard I heard bells ring, but held on to my ding-a-ling-a-ling-oh

My ding-a-ling, my ding-a-ling
I want you to play with my ding-a-ling
My ding-a-ling, my ding-a-ling
I want you to play with my ding-a-ling

(Spoken):
Mmm, you know that's future Parliament out there singin', oh yeah!

Mmm, once I was swimming 'cross Turtle Creek, man them snappers all around my feet
Sure was hard swimming 'cross that thing, with both hands holdin' my ding-a-ling-a-ling-oh

My ding-a-ling, my ding-a-ling
I want you to play with my ding-a-ling
My ding-a-ling, my ding-a-ling
I want you to play with my ding-a-ling

(Spoken):
That's so beautiful, I think it's a beautiful little song, really I do. And guess what,
everybody's still not singin'. There's a few right down front here that's not singin'.
We're gonna dedicate this verse to those who will not sing, yessir.

Mmm, this here song it ain't so sad, the cutest little song you ever had
Those of you who will not sing, ya must be playin' with yer own ding-a-ling-oh

My ding-a-ling, my ding-a-ling
I want you to play with my ding-a-ling
My ding-a-ling, my ding-a-ling
I want you to play with my ding-a-ling

Oh your ding-a-ling, your ding-a-ling
We saw you playin' with your ding-a-ling
My ding-a-ling, everybody sing
I want to play with my ding-a-ling

Everybody, my ding-a-ling, oh my ding-a-ling
I wanna play with my ding-a-ling

Fantastic Voyage - Coolio

Artist: Coolio
Song: Fantastic Voyage
Year: 1994
Album: It Takes A Thief

This song always takes me back to the summer of 1994. I had just graduated high school and I spent most days just hanging out with my friends and contemplating my next move.

This was a summer to remember. Most of the people I hung out with that summer are ones that I no longer speak to. I only have one friend that I still talk to that I was friends with before 1994. The other friend, I had met in 1994.

I speak to both frequently to this day. But I'll focus on another friend. I had met her in my senior year of high school. I remained friends with her, on and off, until 2000. 1994 was the year that we had our most stable part of the friendship.

I would hang out with her and a group of other friends. It reminds me of "That 70s Show", without the "circle" to bond around. I can remember wasting many days over at that house. I suppose that if I had to do it all over again, I would do most things differently. I probably wouldn't spend as much time as I did over there.

"Fantastic Voyage" always seemed to be playing, either on the radio or the tape player. I broke down and bought the CD at the end of the summer. I found a few more songs that I liked off of that album, but mostly I just like the one song.

As our friendship drifted further and further apart over the years, I still remember the good times that we all had just hanging out. Her house was the place where everybody dropped over. I'm not sure why that happened, it just worked out that way.

She developed into a burnout who sits in her room communicating over the CB radio. No job, no future, no life. All she has is the CB and her ailing mother. Any cash that she gets is thrown away on cigarettes, sweets and weed. It's a sad life, but I can remember when her whole life was in front of her. She took a lot of wrong turns, but we all do sometimes. She just doesn't know enough to climb out of that life.

Lyrics:
Come on y'all let's take a ride
don't you say shit just get inside
It's time to take your ass on another kind of trip
coz you can't have the hop if you don't have the hip
grab your gat with the extra clip and,
close your eyes and hit the switch
We're going to a place where everybody kick it
kick it, kick it, yeah... that's the ticket
ain't no bloodin', ain't no cripin'
ain't no punk-ass nigga's set trippin'
everybody's got a stack and it ain't no crack
and it really don't matter if you're white or black, I
wanna take you there like the Staple Singers
put something in the tank and I know that I can bring ya
If you can't take the heat get yo' ass out the kitchen
we're on a mission

Come along and ride on a fantasic voyage
slide slide slippity-slide
with switches on the block in a '65
Come along and ride on a fantasic voyage
slide slide who-ride
ain't no valley low enough for mountain high

I'm tryin' to find a place where I can live my life and
maybe eat some steak with my beans and rice, a
place where my kids can play outside
without livin' in fear of a drive-by
and even if I get away from them drive-by killers
I still got to worry about those snitch-ass niggas
I keep on searchingcand I keep on looking
but niggas are the same from Watts to Brooklyn
I try to keep my faith in my people
but sometimes my people be acting like they evil
you don't understand about runnin' with a gang
coz you don't gang bang, and
you don't have to stand on the corner and slang
coz you got your own thang
you can't help me if you can't help yourself

you better make a left

Come along and ride on a fantasic voyage
slide slide slippity-slide
I do what I do just to survive
Come along and ride on a fantasic voyage
slide slide who-ride
that's why I pack my .45

Life is a bitch and then you die
still tryin' to get a peace of the apple pie
every game ain't the same, coz the game still remains
don't it seem kinda strange, ain't a damn thing change
if you don't work then you don't eat
and only down-ass niggas can ride with me
hop-hop-hop your five quickly down the block
stay sucka-free and keep the busters off your jock
you gotta have hart son, if you wanna go,
watch this sweet chariot swing low
ain´t nobody cryin` ain´t nobody dyin
ain´t nobody worried, everybody ´s tryin
nothin' from nothin' leaves nothin'
if you wanna have something, you better start frontin'
what ya gonna do when the 5 roll by
you better be ready, so you can ride

Come along and ride on a fantasic voyage
slide slide slippity-slide
when you're living in a city it's do or die
Come along and ride on a fantasic voyage
slide slide who-ride
you better be ready when the 5 roll by
just roll along- that's what you do
just roll along- that's right
just roll along- that's what you do
just roll along- that's right
to the hood of funk, to the hood of funk,to the hood of funk
to the hood of funk, to the hood of funk, to the hood of funk

You See Me Crying - Aerosmith

Artist: Aerosmith
Song: You See Me Crying
Year: 1975
Album: Toys In The Attic

The first Aerosmith album that I ever bought was Toys In The Attic. I picked it out at random from a bunch of Aerosmith cassettes at K-Mart in 1988. I had slept over at my cousin's house and he had a compact disc of Aerosmith's Permanent Vacation. I listened to that and Def Leppard's Hysteria all weekend.

When I got home, I planned my trip to K-Mart to buy an Aerosmith cassette. I didn't get a CD player until 1991, so it was cassettes until then.

All I kept talking about was Aerosmith. My dad, overheard this and said, "Aerosmith? That's my music."

I had seen them on MTV for awhile, but I never really paid attention. I thought Steven Tyler's outfits were funny. He was in that big open shirt, layered, scarf phase. They were eye catching. It wasn't until that weekend sleepover, that everything just clicked.

I hurried down to K-Mart the next day. I bought Toys In The Attic for two reasons. First, it was $5.88. The Permanent Vacation cassette was $9.99. Usually the newer releases were higher and they would come down in price later on. So my plan was to stock up on the older, cheaper releases and then I would get the new release later.

The second reason that I bought Toys In The Attic first was the cover. I stared at that cover for a few minutes, taking in all the little details. I loved album covers that had a bunch of little things going on. I would study them for hours.

A quick look at the list of songs sealed the deal. I had actually heard of two songs. I'm sure I would have picked Toys In The Attic regardless. Based on the cover, I couldn't go wrong. If I hated the music, at least I had something interesting to look at.

It turned out to be the best pick I could have made. Toys In The Attic remains one of my favorite albums from Aerosmith. Over time, I would find the deeper meanings of the songs on that album. One song that stood out from the album was the last song. "You See Me Crying" was the perfect closer to the album. It was a ballad, but I had never heard it before. Even my dad didn't know the song.

It's been one of my hidden gems ever since. Occasionally, I would slip it into mix tapes. It always got a positive response. I suppose that on an album with so many great songs, there will be a few that get lost in the shuffle.

Lyrics:
You see me crying, don't let it getcha down.
You see me crying, I'm back to the lost and found.

Honey whatcha done to your head?
Honey was it the words I said?
Honey whatcha done to your head?
Honey was it the words I said?

You see me crying, say your a ladies man.
You see me crying, I'm so hard to understand.

Honey whatcha done to your head?
Honey was the words that I said?
Honey whatcha done to your head?
Honey was the words that I said?

You see me crying, please say you'll stick around.
And I got to be your lover, hon, let me take you to town.
And I'll show you everything that I know.
And I'll never let you go...
Cause my love is like a merry-go-around...

Honey whatcha done to your head?
Honey was the words that I said?
Honey whatcha done to your head?
Honey was the words that I said?
Ahhh

You Know You're Right - Nirvana

Artist: Nirvana
Song: You Know You're Right
Year: 2002
Album: Nirvana

After all the legal troubles with the Nirvana catalogue, I was beginning to think that there was never going to be any further studio material released. It had been eight years since Kurt Cobain had passed away. The members of Nirvana and Courtney Love were bickering about how to release the material. Somehow, the music got out and I am better for it.

The timing could have been better. If this stuff was released a few years earlier, it would have been a much bigger deal. By 2002, the musical landscape had changed. Grunge was no longer king, it was classic rock. It still had a following, but nothing like its time in the mainstream.

The grunge era died a slow death with that shotgun blast. After April 8, 1994, the long and slow decline of grunge and that type of alternative music was apparent. All it takes is one key event to start the downfall of a trend. Kurt Cobain's death was the catalyst.

A few years later, the Smashing Pumpkins would turn almost electronica, angry frat boy rock would take over, and the heroes of the early nineties alternative scene were dropping like flies. The last gasp happened on April 5, 2002. Exactly eight years to the day of Kurt Cobain's estimated death, Alice In Chains singer Layne Staley died of an overdose of heroin and cocaine.

It's hard to predict how trends will play out. It's even harder to predict how long the public will embrace a certain type of music. The public is fickle when it comes to that. Where a person has a free mind to choose whatever suits them, the public moves in lightning quick movements that are both jarring and confusing.

"You Know You're Right" is a great example of a classic Nirvana song. If it were released at almost any other time, the song would have been a monster hit. Six months after the last remnants of the grunge movement were swept away forever is not the time to release a song of this caliber.

I heard this song on the radio for exactly one month. Then it disappeared into the ether of the airwaves, never to be heard from again. This song deserved better.

Lyrics:
I will never bother you
I will never promise to
I will never follow you
I will never bother you

never speak a word again
I will crawl away for good

I will move away from here
you wont be afraid of fear
no thought was put into this
I always knew it would come to this
things have never been so swell
I have never failed to fail

PAIN...
PAIN...
PAIN...
you know you're right...
you know your right...

I'm so warm and calm inside
I no longer have to hide
lets talk about someone else
steaming soup begins to melt
nothing really bothers her
she just wants to love herself
I will move away from here
you wont be afraid of fear
no thought was put into this
I always knew ot would come to this
things have never been so swell
I HAVE NEVER FAILED TO FAIL

PAIN...
PAIN...
PAIN...
PAIN...
PAIN...
you know you're right
you know you're right
you know you're right
you know you're right
you know you're right
you know you're right
you know you're right
you know you're right
you know you're right
you know you're right
you know you're right
you know you're right
you know you're right
you know you're right
you know you're right
you know you're right
you know you're right

PAIN...

Fuck The Pain Away - Peaches

Artist: Peaches
Song: Fuck The Pain Away
Year: 2002
Album: Teaches Of Peaches

Like I mentioned in the first post, I won't shy away from music because of some cursing. Even if that cursing is in the title too. It happens to be a pretty catchy song, but it is meant to be a parody of some of the stupid nonsensical songs that get played in the clubs.

Peaches was an elementary school teacher who turned to music. There are references to school, safe sex, Debbie Harry (of Blondie) and Chrissy Hynde (of The Pretenders) in this song. Even though the word fuck is in the title, there is a lot more going on in the song than just an excuse to sing about random sex.

The reason that this song is on my iPod, is because of the movie Lost In Translation. This song plays in the scene where Bob and Charlotte enter the strip club. This song reminds me of the culture shock that Bob encounters in his day to day life working in Japan.

Bob can't sleep because he can't adjust to the abrupt time change, so he is up every night. He befriends Charlotte, who is a bored and neglected, married woman, and they start soaking up the Japanese night scene.

The movie reminds me of how good an actor Bill Murray really is. He plays the character perfectly. The hint of forbidden love is in the air and never acted upon. It's really a great movie, if you give it a chance.

This song will always be the standout track of the movie. It's a shame that it wasn't included on the soundtrack.

Lyrics:
Suckin' on my titties like you wanted me,
Callin me, all the time like Blondie
Check out my Chrissy behind
It's fine all of the time
Like sex on the beaches,
What else is in the teaches of peaches? huh? what?

Suckin' on my titties like you wanted me,
Callin me, all the time like Blondie
Check out my Chrissy behind
It's fine all of the time
What else is in the teaches of peaches?
Like sex on the beaches. huh? what?

huh? right. what? uhh.
huh? what? right. uhh.
huh? what? right. uhh.
huh? what? right. uhh.

SIS IUD, stay in school coz it's the best.
IUD SIS, stay in school coz it's the best.
IUD SIS, stay in school coz it's the best.
IUD SIS, stay in school coz it's the best.

Suckin' on my titties like you wanted me,
Callin me, all the time like Blondie
Check out my Chrissy behind
It's fine all of the time.
What else is in the teaches of peaches?
Like sex on the beaches. huh? what?

Fuck the pain away. Fuck the pain away.
Fuck the pain away. Fuck the pain away.
Fuck the pain away. Fuck the pain away.
Fuck the pain away. Fuck the pain away.
Fuck the pain away. Fuck the pain away.
Fuck the pain away. Fuck the pain away.
Fuck the pain away. Fuck the pain away.
Fuck the pain away. Fuck the pain away.

huh? what? right. uhh. huh? what? right. uhh.
What else in the teaches of peaches, like sex on the beaches.
huh? what? right. uhh.

Fuck the pain away. Fuck the pain away.
Fuck the pain away. Fuck the pain away.
Fuck the pain away. Fuck the pain away.
Fuck the pain away. Fuck the pain away.

Whoever's In New England - Reba McEntire

Artist: Reba McEntire
Song: Whoever's In New England
Year: 1986
Album: Whoever's In New England

I have pretty eclectic tastes. I caught the country bug very late. I like it, but it's not my favorite genre of music. I prefer the older country. The ones that tell stories and actually have something to say. Don't get me wrong, I like some of the newer stuff too, but not as much as the stuff before the New Country started to infiltrate the airwaves.

I like storytellers like Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers and many others. Reba McEntire falls into that category. I can listen to almost anything that these artists put out. They are classic and often times thought provoking. These artists run circles around most of the newer country artists.

"Whoever's In New England" has that timeless storytelling quality. This was Reba's first number one album, if that's believable. This song also marks her first foray into music videos. There are plenty of examples of the video on YouTube, but all of them do not allow embedding of the video, so you will get a live rendition from an awards show.

Lyrics:
You spend an awful lot of time in Massachutes
Seems Like every other week you've got a meeting waiting there
Business must be booming or could something else
Be moving in the air up there

You say that its important for our future
An executive on his way up has got to play the part
Each time duty calls you got to give it all
You've got with all your heart

When whoever's in New England is through with you
And Boston finds better things to do
You know its not too late 'cause you'll always have a place to come back to
When whoever's in New Englands through with you

I hear the winter time up north can last forever
And I've been told its beautiful to see this time of year
They say the snow can blind you till the world you left behind
Just disappears I hear

I've packed your bags and left them in the hallway
But before you leave again theres just one thing you outta know
When the icy winds blow through you remember that its me
Who feels the cold most of all

When whoever's in New England is through with you
And Boston finds better things to do
You know its not too late 'cause you'll always have a place to come back to
When whoever's in New Englands through with you

I'm Walkin' - Fats Domino

Artist: Fats Domino
Song: I'm Walkin'
Year: 1957
Album: Here Stands Fats Domino

When I first recall hearing this song, I was five. It was in my favorite movie, The Blues Brothers. It comes in the movie when Cab Calloway is speaking to the orphans. He tells them to put the word on the streets. Then this song comes in.

Even at five years old, my musical tastes were shaping. I absolutely loved anything that involved John Belushi, at that age. I would stay up for SNL, hoping to catch a glimpse of him. I didn't know that he was long gone from the cast at that point. Hey, I was only five.

I watched The Blues Brothers and Continental Divide over and over again. We had all three movie channels. Yes, this is going back some. There were only HBO, Cinemax and Showtime offered on cable at that time. I can remember one evening where The Blues Brothers was on each of the movie channels at the same time. They even started at the exact same time. I remember flipping to each channel and catching the line I had just heard on the previous channel.

Suffice to say, I had the movie memorized. I even knew when to drop the swear words when my parents were within earshot. My parents kept the news of John Belushi's passing from me. I can remember getting into an argument over who sang "Jailhouse Rock" first. Elvis or Joliet Jake. I was five. I was still learning.

"I'm Walkin'" always captured my imagination. I never knew who it was by. I eventually learned that the same guy who sang "Blueberry Hill" and "Ain't That A Shame" sang this song. When I found that out, I was surprised that I hadn't made the connection earlier.

I sought out all the music that was featured in that movie. I was disappointed that "Stand By Your Man" wasn't on the soundtrack. I was ecstatic when I found lost songs that were cut from the movie. The band was also supposed to sing "Sink The Bismark" in that country bunker.

In other posts I will share other musical discoveries from The Blues Brothers movie. For now, it's all about Fats Domino.

Lyrics:
I'm walkin', yes indeed
And I'm talkin'
'Bout you and me
I'm hopin'
That you come back to me
Um-hmm

I'm lonely
As I can be
I'm waiting
For your company
I'm hopin'
That you come back to me

What you gonna do
When the well runs dry?
You gonna run away and hide
I'm gonna run right by your side
For you pretty baby, I'll even die

I'm walkin', yes indeed
And I'm talkin'
'Bout you and me
I'm hopin'
That you come back to me

I'm walkin', yes indeed
And I'm talkin'
'Bout you and me
I'm hopin'
That you come back to me, hee-hee

I'm lonely
As I could be
I'm waiting
For your company
I'm hopin'
That you come back to me

What you gonna do
When the well run dry?
You gonna sit right down and cry
What you gonna do
When I say, 'Bye-bye?'
All you gonna do is dry your eye

I'm walkin', yes indeed
And I'm talkin'
'Bout you and me
I'm hopin'
That you come back to me.

Freedom - Paul McCartney

Artist: Paul McCartney
Song: Freedom
Year: 2001
Album: Driving Rain

It always struck me as funny, the way that Paul McCartney can capitalize on any event he chooses. He puts in enough schmaltz and good feelings to make the cheesiest songs enjoyable. Let's call it a talent.

On September 11, 2001, I got home from work about 4:30 AM. I had recently gotten all the parts that I needed for the computer I was building. I couldn't wait, so I started building it when I got home. I finished about 8:30 AM, after a few hours of making sure everything was connected right and worked. Then I went to bed.

I had to be up in a few hours to go to my college. That day was the day I was supposed to get my picture taken for the school ID card. So, I set my alarm for 10:30 AM and went to sleep. I could take a nap when I got back. My first class wasn't until 6 PM, so I was good.

I got up to my alarm and went downstairs to hop in the shower. My dad was up watching television. This was a bit odd. He only watched TV in the evenings and he never got up before noon. Then, I saw what everyone must have been looking at.

I watched in disbelief, as I realized what was happening. I don't remember sleeping too much after that. The next time I remember sleeping restfully, was around the time that George Harrison passed. I know I slept between those times, but I was watching the news so much and going to school and work, it doesn't seem like it.

I was impressed with how quickly Paul McCartney was able to convey simple words into a powerful directed emotion. I will remember that every time that I hear this song.

Lyrics:
This is my right
A right given by God
To live a free life
To live in freedom

Talkin' about freedom
I'm talkin' 'bout freedom
I will fight
For the right
To live in freedom

Anyone tries to take it away
They'll have to answer
'Cause this is my right

I'm talkin' about freedom
Talkin' 'bout freedom
I will fight
For the right
To live in freedom

I'm talkin' 'bout freedom
I'm talkin' 'bout freedom
I will fight
For the right
To live in freedom

Everybody talkin' 'bout freedom
We're talkin' 'bout freedom
We will fight
For the right
To live in freedom

I'm talkin' 'bout freedom
Talkin' 'bout freedom
I will fight
For the right
To live in freedom

I'm talkin' 'bout freedom
I'm talkin' 'bout freedom
We will fight
For the right
To live in freedom

The Murder Car - PIG

Artist: PIG
Song: The Murder Car
Year: 1998
Album: No One Gets Out Of Her Alive (Japan EP)

This is the first instrumental on this blog. PIG is a side project of Raymond Watts of KMFDM fame. While KMFDM is a little more mainstream, PIG ventures into darker territory.

"The Murder Car" is a beautiful instrumental. Its music keeps swelling until you think it can't go any higher. The music sweeps and glides all over the place. It brings a feeling of calmness and heightened awareness. You get the feeling of something wonderful and something wrong happening at the same time. This is really a piece of music that begs for a listen.

This song engulfs you and immerses your entire being in sound. It paints vivid imagery while it bathes you in tones of dread and glee. Simply, it's a song that will take you places if you let it.

I used to play this when I would DJ at a LARP club. For anyone who doesn't know what that is, it's Live Action Role Play. Basically, a big improv theater-like evening. This one was set in a night club, hence my role as the DJ. Then everyone else would play out a storyline about vampires.

I never really got into all that, but I loved playing music. I learned a lot about what works well together musically. This would be part of the intro music that I would play.

Lyrics:
None. (Instrumental)

Couldn't find a YouTube video for this one.

Silent All These Years - Tori Amos

Artist: Tori Amos
Song: Silent All These Years
Year: 1992
Album: Little Earthquakes

This song was my first exposure to Tori Amos. I saw the video for this song on MTV, when they used to actually play videos. I know, it's a shocker. I was entranced with this gorgeous redhead singing about garbage trucks and the shape of her lips. I was hooked.

I jotted down the Tori's name and never heard anything from her until 1994. MTV played this song as a "Buzz Clip" and quickly dropped it. I wanted to know more, but my resources were limited back then.

The stark white background with Tori climbing in and out of this box kept running through my mind until I found her again in 1994. Q101 played her song "God" and I liked the song. They started playing "Cornflake Girl" and I liked that song. Then they started playing "Past The Mission" because Trent Reznor did the backing vocals. I liked that song too.

So, I picked up her second solo album shortly before my high school graduation in 1994. Then I saw the picture of Tori. It was the same girl from the video from two years ago.

Since then, I became a Tori fan. I would pick up every piece of music she came out with. From albums to singles. But it all started with this one song.

Lyrics:
excuse me but
can i be you for a while
my DOG won't bite
if you sit real still
i got the anti-christ
in the kitchen
yellin' at me again
yeah i can hear that

been saved again
by the garbage truck
i got something to say
you know but NOTHING comes
yes i know what you think of me
you never shut up
yeah i can hear that

but what if i'm a mermaid
in these jeans of his
with her name still on it
hey but i don't care
cause sometimes i said
sometimes i hear my voice
and it's been
HERE silent all these years

so you found a girl
who thinks really deep thoughts
what's so amazing
about really deep thoughts
boy you best pray
that i bleed real soon
how's that thought for you

my scream got lost in a paper cup
you think there's a heaven
where some screams have gone
i got 25 bucks and a cracker
do you think it's enough
to get us there

but what if i'm a mermaid
in these jeans of his
with her name still on it
hey but i don't care
cause sometimes i said
sometimes i hear my voice and it's been
HERE silent all these

years go by will i still be waiting
for somebody else to understand
years go by if i'm stripped of my beauty
and the orange clouds raining in my head
years go by will i choke on my tears
till finally there is nothing left
one more casualty
you know we're to EASY easy easy

well i love the way we communicate
your eyes focus on my funny lip shape
let's hear what you think of me now
but baby don't look up
the sky is falling

your MOTHER shows up in a nasty dress
it's your turn now to stand where i stand
everybody lookin' at you
here take hold of my hand
yeah i can hear them

but what if i'm a mermaid
in these jeans of his with her name still on it
hey but i don't care
cause sometimes i said
sometimes i hear my voice
i hear my voice
i hear my voice
and it's been HERE silent all these years
i've been here silent all these years
silent all these
silent all these years

And I Love Her - The Beatles

Artist: The Beatles
Song: And I Love Her
Year: 1964
Album: A Hard Day's Night

The Beatles have always been a part of my life. I resisted for a long time though. After awhile, the songs were just so catchy that I couldn't help start liking them.

By 1995, I had tracked down every Beatles album on CD. A few years earlier, I had obtained two records from my dad's collection. He doesn't really like Beatles music, so I think someone left them at his place when he was younger.

The American versions of Rubber Soul and Beatles '65 have stared at me since I was a kid. Now they are in my collection. In this age of digital tracks, I do still have all of my records.

When I was down on my luck, dating-wise, I was hooked up with a mutual friend's friend. Don't you love when that happens? We dated on and off for many years and still remain on speaking terms. Her mom was a huge Beatles fan. We would talk about the Beatles for hours on end, when her daughter was busy with other things.

One cold February night, I was in their backyard waiting. What exactly I was waiting for has been lost to the erasure of time. I do remember that she was always late, so I was probably waiting for her to come out.

I'm strange, I like the silence of a cold, winter night. The kind where it's crystal clear and the air is crisp. I can stand out there for hours, if it's not windy. I remember looking at the stars in the sky and admiring how bright they were. It's rare for the Chicago suburbs to get dark enough to where the stars brightly shine, but this was the perfect night for that.

While I was out in the cold, I started singing "And I Love Her" softly to myself. It was a perfect stolen moment.

Lyrics:
I give her all my love
That's all I do
And if you saw my love
You'd love her too
I love her

She gives me everything
And tenderly
The kiss my lover brings
She brings to me
And I love her

A love like ours
Could never die
As long as I
Have you near me

Bright are the stars that shine
Dark is the sky
I know this love of mine
Will never die
And I love her

Bright are the stars that shine
Dark is the sky
I know this love of mine
Will never die
And I love her

Kinda I Want To - Nine Inch Nails

Artist: Nine Inch Nails
Song: Kinda I Want To
Year: 1989
Album: Pretty Hate Machine

I discovered Nine Inch Nails in 1992. I had heard the buzz about this band that did everything in the studio, with only one person. It was supposed to be amazing. Then, I saw all the pink and blue shirts with NIN on them in my art classes.

I listened to some of the band's music through a few friends. I was hooked. I taped a copy from one of my friends and listened to that constantly. I didn't actually pick up a physical CD until 1994. I could tell you the exact day that I picked it up. April 8, 1994.

I was in Dallas, Texas that morning. I was ending a two week trip with my mom to see her parents. We got back into Chicago around 1PM. I got restless and when to the CD Exchange to scope out the used music. I bought the Pretty Hate Machine and headed home.

At 5:30, we watched the evening news. We normally didn't do that, but for some odd reason we did that day. That's when I became aware of Kurt Cobain's passing. I had been blissfully unaware of the events of that day. I had even spent a good half hour in a music store.

I got a good CD out of that day and another surprise that I'll reveal in another post.

It was almost like a torch was being passed that day. My interest in Nirvana as a band grew that day, but I had already signaled that I was ready for new interests with that CD purchase. It just goes to show that if you get something for free, and you like it, it will be a purchase in the future.

This song became one of my favorites from the album. It was rarely played and it had the raw, yet shy, feelings of a teenager. It fit perfectly with my upbeat and confused outlook on life at that age. It was something grown up and complex. Although it still reeked of inexperience and longing. Something teenagers are definitely used to feeling.

Lyrics:
i can't shake this feeling from my head
there's a devil sleeping in my bed
he's watching you from across the way
i cannot make this feeling go away

i know it's not the right thing
and i know it's not the good thing
but kinda i want to

i'm not sure of what i should do
when everything i'm thinking of is you
all of my excuses turn to lies
maybe god will cover up his eyes

i know it's not the right thing
and i know it's not the good thing
but kinda i want to
kinda i want to

maybe just for tonight
we can pretend it's alright
what's the price i pay
i don't care what they say
i want to
i want to (i'll take my chance tonight)

Sidewalking - The Jesus And Mary Chain

Artist: The Jesus & Mary Chain
Song: Sidewalking
Year: 1988
Album: Barbed Wire Kisses

Sometimes all it takes is the right environment to make a song a favorite. This song was alright. In the heyday of the early nineties alternative barrage, this was swept under the rug. It garnered a little attention when it was first released, and was buried by the more successful mainstream bands a few years later.

A local Chicago radio station (Q101), who started switching to alternative music in 1992, would play an occasional track from this band. I never heard this song though. This song escaped my detection until around 1994. I thought it was a Love & Rockets rip off, when I first heard it.

I was unimpressed and thought nothing more of the song until a decade later. When I was searching for songs to put on the iPod, I rediscovered the song and decided to throw it in the mix. I'll do that with newer music. New to me, at least.

I constantly put the iPod on shuffle. Anything can come up at any time. That's when I can really judge a song. It will come up unexpectedly, so I can get an honest reaction. This song came on when I was driving. It fit perfectly with the mood of the drive. Now, whenever it pops up, I drive a few extra blocks to make sure I finish the song.

Sometimes it takes years, but eventually, a good song will stick with me.

Lyrics:
Chilled to the bone and five miles to home
I'm messing in the dark and feeling all alone
I got ice in my fire got the heat in my wire
Inject a little heat i'm burning up the tires
Sidewalking
Sidewalking
Sidewalking
Sidewalking

Talking like i'm on and i'm the only one
I'm making like i'm done and staring like a gun
And i got to get a car
And i got to get a ride
Gotta get a car
Got jesus on my side
Sidewalking
Sidewalking
Sidewalking
Sidewalking

Messing in the dark and walking all alone
In the streets
Know just where i'm going
Sidewalking
Sidewalking

Chilled to the bone
Chilled to the bone
Hotwired heat all the way home

Moonlight Lovin' - Isaac Hayes

Artist: Isaac Hayes
Song: Moonlight Lovin' (Mènage á Trois)
Year: 1977
Album: New Horizons

In 1997, two things happened to bring this song to my collection. One event was finally getting on the Internet. I was able to find a wealth of information at my fingertips. I could stop my endless searching for obscure info and streamline my knowledge into handy little sections. Entire discographies could be found in mere seconds. It was amazing.

The second event was South Park. Isaac Hayes' portrayal of Chef was one of the top things I loved about the show. I still watch it to this day, even though Isaac has been off the show for a few years.

South Park made me look back into Isaac's past recordings. I found a bounty of great songs besides "Shaft". "Moonlight Lovin' (Mènage á Trois)" is probably my favorite Isaac Hayes song from the mid to late seventies. It's got a funky groove, a sensual feeling and the coolness of a mid seventies soul single.

Lyrics:
Open up your mind now
And let the restless winds blow
Now is the time man
Let your feelings show

Moonlight lovin'
The stars will never tell
Of the rendezvous of me and you and you
Moonlight lovin’
It’s not a wishing well
But all of your fantasies come true
Mènage á Trois, Mènage á Trois, Mènage á Trois

It’s time to discover
Love’s generosity
Uninhibited lover
Like one two three

Moonlight lovin’
Bringing fantasies
That were locked up in the closet of your mind
Moonlight lovin’
Mellow as a mountain stream
Exciting as a roller coaster ride

We’ll take a boat
To the isle of sensuality
We might get shipwrecked
That’s alright with me
I’ll sweat in the sea of love
Like a wave of desire
We won’t send an S.O.S.
We won’t even send a wire
We’ll be caught up in a whirlpool of ecstasy
Spinning on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on

Mènage á Trois

It’s a beautiful feeling
To be loved by two
The stars hit the ceiling
When it’s me and you and you

Moonlight lovin'
The stars will never tell
Of the rendezvous of me and you and you
Moonlight lovin’
It’s not a wishing well
But all of your fantasies come true
Mènage á Trois, Mènage á Trois, Mènage á Trois

Indians - Anthrax

Artist: Anthrax
Song: Indians
Year: 1987
Album: Among The Living

Back in the late eighties, I used to watch Headbanger's Ball on MTV every Saturday night. It was a plethora of videos that I couldn't see at any other time of the week. Classic clips from the seventies and the, then, current videos.

Whenever "Indians" would come on, I would get up and start the wardance, just like in the video. It was fun and surprisingly good exercise. Although, I really didn't think of it as exercise back then. I would hope for the back to back Indian themed videos. The other one was "Run To The Hills" by Iron Maiden.

As I got older, and started to decipher lyrics more, I gained a deep respect for bands that didn't try to dumb down to the audience. Anthrax was a band that filled their lyrics with social commentary and literary works. I always appreciate a band more, when they raise the intelligence bar a few levels without making it appear that way.

There were many levels that you could enjoy Anthrax on. I always found the history lessons and book reviews a great hidden resource within the moshing music.

Lyrics:
We all see black and white
When it comes to someone else's fight
No one ever gets involved
Apathy can never solve

Forced out - Brave and Mighty
Stolen land - They can't fight it
Hold on - To pride and tradition
Even though they know how much
their lives are really missin'
We're dissin them...

On reservations
A hopeless situation

Cry for the Indians
Die for the Indians
Cry for the Indians
Cry, Cry, Cry for the Indians

Respect is something that you earn
Our indian brothers' getting burned
Original American
Turned into second class citizen

Forced out - Brave and Mighty
Stolen land - They can't fight it
Hold on - To pride and tradition
Even though they know how much
their lives are really missin'
We're dissin them...

On reservations
A hopeless situation

Cry for the Indians
Die for the Indians
Cry for the Indians
Cry, Cry, Cry for the Indians

Love the land and fellow man
Peace is what we strive to have
Some folks have none of this
Hatred and Prejudice

Forced out - Brave and Mighty
Stolen land - They can't fight it
Hold on - To pride and tradition
Even though they know how much
their lives are really missin'
We're dissin them...

On reservations
A hopeless situation
Cry for the Indians
Die for the Indians
Cry for the Indians
Cry, Cry, Cry for the Indians

WARDANCE!!!

Territory, It's just the body of the nation
The people that inhabit it
make it's configuration
Prejudice, Something we all can do without
Cause a flag of many colors is what
this land is all about!!!!

We all see black and white
When it comes to someone else's fight
No one ever gets involved, never
Apathy can never solve

Forced out - Brave and Mighty
Stolen land - They can't fight it
Hold on - To pride and tradition
Even though they know how much
their lives are really missin'
We're dissin them...

On reservations
A hopeless situation

Cry for the Indians
Die for the Indians
Cry for the Indians
Cry, Cry, Cry for the Indians

Worms - Beth Orton

Artist: Beth Orton
Song: Worms
Year: 2006
Album: Comfort Of Strangers

Would you believe that this song was recommended by a computer? A few years ago, I tried out a web site called Pandora. Basically, you type in your favorite artists and using mathematical equations, it finds artists that are in a similar vein.

I typed in Tori Amos and up popped Beth Orton. I listened to a few different songs and wound up liking them quite a bit. A lot of her songs are a little quirky, like Tori's songs.

"Worms" has a bouncy beat to it. A great deal of the time, I hear about an artist that I should check out because I like another artist. Most of the time, that artist stinks up the joint. I open my ears to all recommendations, but sometimes it feels like I'm a judge on American Idol when I do that.

I like music that's a little bit different. Quirky would be the perfect word to describe it. I generally don't care for music that is so quirky that it ceases to be music. This song is something that will keep me upbeat and in a good mood.

Lyrics:
worms don’t dance they haven’t got the balls
no matter how do you do
it’s just you do that’s all
you got what it takes to knock at my door
you wanna get all excited
never been here before

and now i’m your apple eating heathen
the original sin
well you ain’t got my faith
so best keep your belief
i had waited forever to love someone
i swear i heard you thank your god this time
for having me come along

chickens don’t fly but they have got the wings
no matter how hard they try
they bump into things
they’re all running around
like they’re heads on the ground
they got a wish bone where their backbone should’ve grown

and now i’m your apple eating heathen
any old rib stealing eve
well you don’t have my faith
so best keep your belief
i had waited forever to love someone
i swear i heard you thank your god that time
for having me come along

intimacy reduced to cruelty
had you believe like this was meant to be
and i look for the magic
but you got away with it
that’s all

Crazy - Gnarls Barkley

Artist: Gnarls Barkley
Song: Crazy
Year: 2006
Album: St. Elsewhere

I can remember listening to the car radio when I first heard this song. "Crazy" had been out for a little while and I remember hearing about it everywhere. I usually avoid things that are hyped up so much.

I was driving out to a friend's house for a night of trivia and movies. This song came on the radio and I couldn't help but being impressed. It sounds so simple, yet so effective. I was in an almost trance-like stare while driving. The beat of this song had it's power over me.

I'm a Rolling Stone subsciber, so I'm not completely out of the loop for current popular music. This took me by surprise. The last time that I had heard Cee-Lo, he was writing and producing other people's music and warming up to a solo career. When I had last heard from DJ Danger Mouse, he made one of the best mash-ups of the internet age with The Grey Album.

I was not ready for this to hit.

I couldn't get this song out of my head for weeks. Normally, that's a bad thing. Not so, in this case. It was so simple and catchy, but still somewhat complex, that I didn't mind it running through my head. Suffice to say, I'm lucky that I had taken that route many times before. I don't remember how I got out of the wooded area on Archer Ave. without swerving off the road. It was like tunnel vision. I don't know how I arrived to I-55, but I got there safely.

I love when a song grabs you like that. I just wish that it didn't happen when I was driving.

Lyrics:
I remember when
I remember, I remember when I lost my mind
There was something so pleasant about that place
Even your emotions have an echo in so much space

And when you’re out there, without care
Yeah I was out of touch
But it wasn’t because I didn’t know enough
I just knew too much

Does that make me crazy?
Does that make me crazy?
Does that make me crazy?
Possibly

And now that you are having the time of your life
Well think twice
That’s my only advice

Come on now, Who do you, Who do you, who do you,
Who do you think you are?
Ha Ha Ha, Bless your soul
You really think you’re in control?
Well…

I think you’re crazy
I think you’re crazy
I think you’re crazy
Just like me

My heroes are at the heart
To the life I wanna live
And all I remember, is thinking
I wanna be like them
Mmhmm
Ever since I was little,
Ever since I was little it looked like fun
And as no coincidence I’ve come
And I can die when I’m done

Maybe I’m crazy
Maybe you’re crazy
Maybe we’re crazy
Probably

Oooooooo

Long Road - Pearl Jam

Artist: Pearl Jam
Song: Long Road
Year: 1995
Album: B side of Merkinball single

I remember being anxious when this song came out. Pearl Jam just aborted most of it's touring plans because of Ticketmaster. They were going to alternate venues, usually in out of the way places. This made getting to a show difficult. Since there were so few dates (and sporadic at that), tickets sold out within minutes. I didn't see them until 1998.

I was hooked into the A side of the Merkinball single, which is "I Got Id". That was the radio song. At this point, Pearl Jam could release a single of cat screeches and random noises and it would go gold, but they left that type of experimenting to their deep album tracks.

This version of "Long Road" took me by surprise. Pearl Jam recorded it with Neil Young during the same sessions that produced Neil's Mirrorball album. This song gave a preview of what the next album would be like. It was soft and mellow and something you could either veg to or contemplate the meaning of life.

"Long Road" is beautifully crafted and is both downtrodden and optimistic at the same time. They have used this as a rotating set opener since 1995.

Lyrics:
And I wished for so long. Cannot stay.
All the precious moments. Cannot stay.
It's not like wings have fallen. Cannot stay.
But still something's missing. I cannot say, yeah.

Holding hands are daughters and sons.
And their faiths are falling down, down, down, down.
I have wished for so long.
How I wish for you today.

Will I walk the long road? (the long road) Cannot stay. (the long road)
There's no need to say goodbye. (to say goodbye)
All the friends and family.
All the memories going round, round, round, round.
I have wished for so long. How I wish for you today.

And the wind keeps roaring. And the sky keeps turning grey.
And the sun is set. The sun will rise another day.
I...
I have wished for so long. How I wish for you today.
I have wished for so long. How I wish for you today.

Will I walk the long road? We all walk the long road.
Will I walk the long road? We all walk the long road.
Will I walk the long road? Will I walk the long road?
We all walk the long road. Will I walk the long road?
We all walk the long road. Will I walk the long road?

My Life Is Full Of Songs

Ever since I can remember, there has been music in my life. I'm sure I even responded to music in the womb. Music has shaped the events of my life. It recreates certain moods of when I first heard a particular song. It presents me with memories, good and bad. It weaves the fabric of my existence.

Since I jumped on the iPod bandwagon a few years ago, I have added song after song to the mp3 player. As of this writing, there are over 4,000 different songs on my iPod. A few are different versions of the same song, either an alternate performance or a live version or a different artist rendering their interpretation. Besides those criteria, there are no repeating songs.

I hope to share with you, and myself, a little bit about the music in my life. One song at a time.

When I am able to, I will share lyrics and possibly a youtube performance of the song. I will try to think of why a song is important enough to be included in my playlist.

Just a warning. My tastes run very eclectic. Some songs may have naughty words in the lyrics or perhaps the title. I will not censor any of these words, but I will not celebrate them either.

Like I tell anyone who is stuck in a vehicle with me, if you don't like a song, chances are you'll like one of the next few. Thanks for joining me during the soundtrack of my life.