Dragula - Rob Zombie

Artist: Rob Zombie
Song: Dragula
Year: 1998
Album: Hellbilly Deluxe

This was a favorite to play when I would DJ at a vampire LARP. Anything with references to horror or goth were particularly popular. I can remember spinning this song almost every night that I worked. It was a huge hit when the club opened up and continued to be a favorite, until my last night there.

The video is a bit disjointed, but it looks fun. The band members seem to be having a wonderful time acting out horror fantasies and dressing in costumes. "Dragula" is a fun little song that gets a lot of play around Halloween.

The title is actually from the Munsters television show. "Dragula" was the family car. There are shots of a car similar to the family car in the video itself. That just makes the whole spectacle a bit more fun. You can see a flair for Rob Zombie's directing in each of his videos. He would hone that skill to make the leap to a successful movie director.

I'll play this song and many other on Halloween night to frighten the kids who come to the door. Usually, they aren't very frightened and they end up rocking out a little on the porch.

Lyrics:
(Spoken)Superstition, now add Jealousy.

Dead, I am the one Exterminating son
Slipping through the trees strangling the breeze
Dead I am the sky, watching angels cry
While they slowly turn, conquering the worm

Dig through the ditches
And burn through the witches
I slam in the back of my
Dragula!

Dig through the ditches
And Burn through the witches
I slam in the back of my
Dragula!

Dead I am the pool, spreading from the fool
Weak and what you need, nowhere as you bleed
Dead I am the rat, feast upon the cat
Tender is the fur, dying as you purr

Dig through the ditches
And burn through the witches
I slam in the back of my
Dragula!

Dig through the ditches
And burn through the witches
I slam in the back of my
Dragula!

Do it baby, Do it baby
Do it baby, Do it baby
Burn like an animal

Dead I am the life, dig into the skin
Knuckle crack the bone, 21 to win
Dead I am the dog, hound of hell you cry
Devil on your back, I can never die

Dig through the ditches
And burn through the witches
I slam in the back of my
Dragula!

Dig through the ditches
And burn through the witches
I slam in the back of my
Dragula!

Do it baby, Do it baby
Do it baby, Do it baby
Burn like an animal

Dig through the ditches
And burn through the witches
I slam in the back of my
Dragula!

Dig through the ditches
And burn through the witches
I slam in the back of my
Dragula!

Dig through the ditches
And burn through the witches
I slam in the back of my
Dragula!

Night Moves - Bob Seger

Artist: Bob Seger
Song: Night Moves
Year: 1976
Album: Night Moves

Ah, classic rock. It invites us into the lives of the average teenager. Scared, lonely and confused. Particularly about the opposite sex. This song is about a first time, a first love and generally all "first" things in the area of romance as a teenager.

Bob Seger has stated that this was based on his own experiences growing up. I tend to believe that. There is something genuine about the lyrics of "Night Moves" that lends a certain credence to the song. It paints a lovely picture of teenage angst and confusion in the sixties.

The tale is told with such grace, that you tend to forget that the song is about kids fooling around. Apparently, Bob Seger came out of a showing of the film American Graffiti inspired to write about his own teenage life. Thank you George Lucas for inspiring something other than a million Star Wars rip-offs.

Bob has a unique way of telling a story. He pulls you in with small details. They may seem meaningless at first, but when put together, it presents a rich tapestry of information, painting a Bob Seger classic.

Lyrics:
I was a little too tall could have used a few pounds
tight pants points hardly renown
she was a black-haired beauty with big dark eyes
points of her own settin way up high
way up firm and high

out past the cornfields where the woods got heavy
out in the backseat of my sixty chevy
workin on mysteries without any clues
workin on our night moves
tryin to make some frontpage drive-in news
workin on the night moves

in the summertime
mmm in the sweet summertime

we weren't in love, oh no far from it
we weren't searchin for some pie-in-the-sky summit
we were just young and restless and bored
livin by the sword
and we'd steal away every chance we could
to the backroom, to the alley, or the trusty woods
I used her, she used me, but neither one cared
we were gettin our share
workin on our night moves
tryin to lose the awkward teenage blues
workin on our night moves

mmm and it was summertime
mmm sweet summertime summertime

ohhh
wonderin
felt the lightning yeah
and we waited on on the thunder
waited on the thunder

I woke last night to the sound of thunder
how far off i sat and wondered
started humming a song from nineteen sixty two
aint it funny how the night moves
when just dont seem to have as much to lose
strange how the night moves
with autumn closing in

mmm
night moves
mmmm
night moves
yeah
I remember
oh sure remember the night moves
aint it funny how you remember
aint it funny how you remember
I remember I remember I remember I remember
oooohh ohh ohh
and we were workin
workin and practicin
workin and practicin all of the night moves
night moves
ooooh I remember
yeah yeah I remember
lord I remember lord I remember

Shaman's Blues - The Doors

Artist: The Doors
Song: Shaman's Blues
Year: 1969
Album: The Soft Parade

This album has been a sore thumb in the history of the Doors. The Soft Parade breaks new exciting ground, but is a departure in the eyes of mant fans. When half the songs feature a horn section, there's something amiss. That doesn't stop this from being a great album though.

"Shaman's Blues" is one of the songs uneffected by the horn section. It's a gritty, straightforward piece of blues fluff that is catchy. It's easy to dismiss this song as another of Jim Morrison's psychobabble ramblings. I am a fan of Jim and his poetry, but let's face it, some of it was free association. I can put ten different things on paper, throw them into the air, and piece it back together with just as much gusto.

The ending of this song features different ramblings from studio outtakes tacked onto the song. It would be interesting to think that the word bridesmaid was in the actual written lyrics for the ending verse. Then again, it's not that far fetched to think that random word wouldn't have fallen out of Jim's mouth on a take.

I would categorize this as an early attempt at the blues that the band would perfect on the L.A. Woman album. There is wisdom in this piece, if you look hard enough. This song fits Jim's style to a tee. I'm very happy that this track didn't find a bunch of syrupy horns on it. That just makes it that much more powerful.

Lyrics:
There will never be
Another one like you
There will never be
Another one who can
Do the things you do, oh
Will you give another chance?
Will you try, little try?
Please stop and you remember
We were together, anyway, all right

And if you have a certain evenin'
You could lend to me
I'd give it all right back to you
A how it has to be with you
I know your moves and your mind
And your mind
And your mind
And your mind
And your mind
And your mind
And your mind

Will you stop and think and wonder?
Just what you'll see
Out on the train yard
Nursin' penitentiary
It's gone, I cry out long

Go head, brother

Did you stop it to consider?
How it will feel
Cold, grinded grizzly bear jaws
Hot on your heels

Do you often stop and whisper?
It's Saturday's shore
The whole world's a savior
Who could ever, ever, ever
Ever, ever, ever
Ask for more?

Do you remember?
Will you stop?
Will you stop?
The pain

And there will never be
Another one like you
There will never be
Another one who can
Do the things you do, oh

Will you give another chance?
Will you try, little try?
Please stop and you remember
We were together, anyway, all right

How you must of think and wondered
How I must feel
Out on the meadows
While you run the field
I'm alone for you
And I cry

The sweat, look at it
Optical promise
Heh, heh, heh
You'll be dead and in hell
Before I'm born
Sure thing
Brides maid
The only solution
Isn't it amazing?

Chinese Democracy - Guns N' Roses

Artist: Guns N' Roses
Song: Chinese Democracy
Year: 2008
Album: Chinese Democracy

Almost eighteen years after their last album of original material was released, the new Guns N' Roses album will finally see the light of day. Can almost two decades of buildup live up to the expectations? Well, no. Realistically, it can't. There is absolutely no way that this album will match or exceed the hype surrounding it.

So, let's remove the hype machine for a minute. What's left from the first single? A seriously kick butt rock song. It touches close on industrial and metal, while retaining the GNR flair. It's not the best song out there, but it's not bad. It reminds me of the heavier moments on Use Your Illusion.

My first impressions of the song made me think of the Smashing Pumpkins, but then the familiar Axl wail reared it's ugly head. It's nice to hear Axl use his lower range, like on some of the best album tracks on Appetite For Destruction. The music still reminds me of the heavier moments of Machina from the Smashing Pumpkins though.

Still, I will get a free can of Dr. Pepper out of this release. I foolishly prepaid for this album, years ago, at Musicland. I will never see that money again, but I will try to get it from the legal owner of the Musicland name, TransWorld Entertainment. Since the album will only be offered at Best Buy locations, I feel that I am entitled to a refund. I won't hold my breath over that.

Lyrics:
It don't really matter
You'll find out for yourself
No, it don't really matter
I'm gonna leave this thing to somebody else

If they were missionaries
Real time visionaries
Sitting in a chinese stew
To view my disinfatuation

I know that I'm a classic case
Watch my disenchanted face
Blame it on the Falun Gong
They see the hand and you can't hold on now

Cause it would take a lot more hate than you
To stop the fascination
Even with an iron fist
All they've got to rule the nation
But all I got is precious time

It don't really matter
Guess I'll keep it to myself
No, it don't really matter
I guess you'll leave this thing to somebody else

Cause it would take a lot more time than you
Have got for masturbation
Even with your iron fist
All they've got to rule the nation
But all I got is precious time
All they've got to rule the nation
But all I got is precious time

It don't really matter
I guess you'll find out for yourself
No, it don't really matter
So you can hear it now from somebody else

You think you've got it all locked up inside
And if you beat 'em enough they'll die
It's like a walk in a park from a cell
And now you're keeping you're own kind in hell
And if you're Great Wall rocks blame your self
While they all reach out for your help
And we're out of time...

Rock With You - Michael Jackson

Artist: Michael Jackson
Song: Rock With You
Year: 1979
Album: Off The Wall

Forget all the personal stories about Michael Jackson. Is he a creepy guy? Sure. Does his behavior seem odd? You betcha! Over the past two decades, we have let that dominate our thoughts about Michael Jackson. After years of self boycott, I started to play the old solo stuff. It still sounded great.

If one can listen to the music itself and not pass judgement on the singer himself, the music is still catchy and enjoyable. I don't care if he ever puts out another worthwhile album of music. This early solo stuff will more than make up for whatever studio enhanced feces he can spread among the masses today.

I doubt if he will ever be as popular as he was in the eighties. "Rock With You" was one of the beginning steps in his breakout solo career as an adult. This vibe is even being captured by Justin Timberlake for some of his recent solo hits. The music is still good. It's just the singer that went bad. I really didn't mean that to be punny, but whatever.

Give the old stuff a second chance. It may surprise you. I sure never thought I'd have Michael Jackson on my iPod, but some of his earlier stuff was just so damn catchy, it's hard not to include it. I've wrestled over the thought of having his music included, but in the end the music itself won me over.

Lyrics:
Girl, close your eyes
Let that rhythm get into you
Don't try to fight it
There ain't nothin' that you can do
Relax your mind
Lay back and groove with mine
You got to feel that heat
And we can ride the boogie
Share that beat of love

I wanna rock with you (all night)
Dance you into day (sunlight)
I wanna rock with you (all night)
We're gonna rock the night away

Out on the floor
There ain't nobody there but us
Girl, when you dance
There's a magic that must be love
Just take it slow
'Cause we got so far to go
When you feel that heat
And we're gonna ride the boogie
Share that beat of love

I wanna rock with you (all night)
Dance you into day (sunlight)
I wanna rock with you (all night)
We're gonna rock the night away

And when the groove is dead and gone... yeah
You know that love survives
So we can rock forever, on

I wanna rock with you
I wanna groove with you

I wanna rock with you
I wanna groove with you

I wanna rock (all night) with you girl (sunlight)
Rock with you, rock with you (yeah) (all night)
Dance the night away

I wanna rock with you (yeah) (all night)
Rock you into day (sunlight)
I wanna rock with you (all night)
Rock the night away
Feel the heat feel the beat (all night)
Rock you into day (sunlight)
I wanna rock (all night) - rock the night away

Space Oddity - David Bowie

Artist: David Bowie
Song: Space Oddity
Year: 1969
Album: Space Oddity

David Bowie is nothing, if not an opportunist. This song was made to be released when the Apollo moon landing was happening. Pretty shrewd on ol' David Jones' part. If the song had tanked, it would have been largely forgotten and David would have a boatload of cash.

Instead, the song is still in heavy rotation on the radio and in movies. I'll bet you that anytime a tourist is in a space shuttle simulator, they are thinking of this song. I know I even think of this song when I'm waiting for takeoff in an airplane.

The song is crafted beautifully. It shouldn't work as a song, but it captures the right mood. I think that if the song was released today, it would be forgotten. Because it was done at the precise right time, it is an instant classic that continues to be ingrained in our consciousness.

The video is from the same guy who made the Smurf animated video to Kenny Roger's Lucille. I think this video is a much better result.

Lyrics:
Ground Control to Major Tom
Ground Control to Major Tom
Take your protein pills and put your helmet on

Ground Control to Major Tom
Commencing countdown, engines on
Check ignition and may God's love be with you

Ten, Nine, Eight, Seven, Six, Five,
Four, Three, Two, One, Liftoff

This is Ground Control to Major Tom
You've really made the grade
And the papers want to know whose shirts you wear
Now it's time to leave the capsule if you dare

"This is Major Tom to Ground Control
I'm stepping through the door
And I'm floating in a most peculiar way
And the stars look very different today

For here
Am I sitting in a tin can
Far above the world
Planet Earth is blue
And there's nothing I can do

Though I'm past one hundred thousand miles
I'm feeling very still
And I think my spaceship knows which way to go
Tell me wife I love her very much she knows"

Ground Control to Major Tom
Your circuit's dead, there's something wrong
Can you hear me, Major Tom?
Can you hear me, Major Tom?
Can you hear me, Major Tom?
Can you....

"Here am I floating round my tin can
Far above the Moon
Planet Earth is blue
And there's nothing I can do."

Lucille - Kenny Rogers

Artist: Kenny Rogers
Song: Lucille
Year: 1976
Album: Kenny Rogers

We get some good old fashioned country today. Kenny Rogers has been a secret favorite of mine since I was very young. I used to watch his movie, Six Pack, on cable about three times a week. Or so it seemed at times. This is when the three major movie channels would have the same movie on at the same time. I would flip between the three and catch the same line, in succession. the movies were usually ten seconds apart in airing.

Well, the stations have gotten much better at not doing that. I haven't caught anything that bad since the mid eighties. Thankfully, there's much more crap to fill the movie stations. Now everything is different, but there's still nothing worth watching.

Lucille is one of the songs that my friend does at karaoke. It's not the absolute best, but I've heard a lot worse. I love the story element to the song. That's what makes a great country song, in my opinion. You need striking visuals to get lost in or else you will get depressed by the subject matter.

For absolutely no reason, this song has been set to Smurf animation.

Lyrics:
In a bar in Toledo across from the depot
On a bar stool she took off her ring
I thought I'd get closer so I walked on over
I sat down and asked her name
When the drinks finally hit her
She said I'm no quitter but I finally quit livin' on dreams
I'm hungry for laughter and here ever after
I'm after whatever the other life brings
In the mirror I saw him and I closely watched him
I thought how he looked out of place
He came to the woman who sat there be-side me
He had a strange look on his face
The big hands were calloused he looked like a mountain
For a minute I thought I was dead
But he started shaking his big heart was breaking
He turned to the woman and said
You picked a fine time to leave me Lucille
With four hungry children and a crop in the field
I've had some bad times lived through some sad times
But this time your hurting won't heal
You picked a fine time to leave me Lucille.

After he left us I ordered more whisky
I thought how she'd made him look small
From the lights of the bar room
To a rented hotel room
We walked without talking at all
She was a beauty but when she came to me
She must have thought I'd lost my mind
I couldn't hold her 'cos the words that told her
Kept coming back time after time
You picked a fine time to leave me Lucille
With four hungry children and a crop in the field
I've had some bad times lived through some sad times
But this time your hurting won't heal
You picked a fine time to leave me Lucille.

Cuntry Boner - Puscifer

Artist: Puscifer
Song: Cuntry Boner
Year: 2007
Album: Cuntry Boner

Still not feeling the greatest, but the list continues. This is a song that my late uncle would appreciate. It's comedy. It's country-ish. It's sort of offensive. It's catchy. It's a side project of Maynard from Tool.

Lyrics:
Maynard:
Fucked Dolly Parton
Fucked Loretta Lynn
Fucked Barbara Mandrell
And fucked all of her kin

I've fucked Minnie Pearl
I fucked Elvis Presley's little girl
I fucked the Judds

Paz: You fucked the Judds?
Maynard: Hell yeah!

My cuntry boner, it won't go down

Maynard & Paz:
It won't go down, it won't go down
My cuntry boner won't go down
My boner, my boner, my boner won't go down
It won't go down, it won't go down
My cuntry boner, it won't go down
My cuntry boner, it won't go down

Paz:
I fucked Willie Nelson
I fucked him deep inside
I fucked Elvis Presley in the bathroom where he died
I fucked Dwight Yoakum

Maynard: Johnny Cash grabbed his ankles and he hollered when I poked him
Paz: I fucked the Judds!
Maynard: You fucked the Judds?

My cuntry boner, it won't go down

Group... sex (x3)
Our cuntry boners, they won't go down

Fucked Alabama
Fucked the Oak Ridge Boys
Fucked Randy Travis with a 12-inch plastic toy
I fucked the cast of Hee-Haw
I fucked Glen Campbell, fucked him on a see-saw

Kenny Rogers thought it crass
When I fucked his big white ass
I can't help it....

My cuntry boner, it won't go down

Sick As A Dog - Aerosmith

Artist: Aerosmith
Song: Sick As A Dog
Year: 1976
Album: Rocks

This will be a very short post. I am extremely under the weather with some bug that been going around. This is the most energy that I've had in over 24 hours. I thought the song was appropriate enough to post. I literally feel "Sick As A Dog" today.

Lyrics:
Please, I just got to talk to you
Please, a getcha your head out of the loo
Please, and we're a long, long way from home
Please, you'd turn a young man's face to stone

Sick as a dog, what's your story
Sick as a dog, a cat got your tongue
Sick as a dog, you'll be sorry
Sick as a dog, you're really ain't that young

Please, you were much to my surprise
Please, you're the lady in disguise
Please, you're the only a friend I got
Please, you'll be the last to see me rot

Sick as a dog, what's your story
Sick as a dog, uum cat got your tongue
Sick as a dog, you'll be sorry
Sick as a dog, 'cause ya really ain't that young

Please, it's a shame you're so refined
Please, you was the last thing on my mind
Please, don't be late to take it light
Please, you're gonna bay into the night

Sick as a dog, what's your story
Sick as a dog, uum cat got your tongue
Sick as a dog, you'll be sorry
Sick as a dog, 'cause you really ain't so young

Take it light
Take it light
Take it light
Take it light
Say goodnight
Take it light

'B' Movie Box Car Blues - The Blues Brothers

Artist: The Blues Brothers
Song: 'B' Movie Box Car Blues
Year: 1978
Album: Briefcase Full Of Blues

This is one of the albums that was always on when I was growing up. My dad had it playing. My godfather had it playing. Everywhere I went, this album was on. It should come as no shock though. In 1978, John Belushi had the number one television show, the number one movie and the number one album. He was everywhere.

This is what started my love affair with all things John Belushi. I've sat through dreck because he made an appearance. I've discovered hidden gems because he was somewhere in the cast. This may be where John Belushi had the most power. I know it was his finest moments on vinyl.

The lasting effect of John Belushi is still felt today. Dan Aykroyd's career owes a great deal to their friendship. Chris Farley owed a great debt to Belushi. John's own brother Jim, owes a lot to the path that was left. John left a mark on this world that can still be felt. His work has had a positive influence on my life, since I was a little kid.

This song showcases just how good the Blues Brothers Band can be. The original song was pretty standard stuff. The band took that simple song and stretched as much as possible out of it, while still retaining the original feel. I love how the ending becomes a fast paced number featuring a part for most of the members to go buck wild.

Lyrics:
Caught a ride into South Dakota
With two girls in a light blue Desoto
One's name was Jane, the other was plain
But they both had racing motors
Next I caught a ride with a gamblers wife
Lay down, she had a brand new Rambler
She parked on the other side of town
She laid the Rambler down
She said she could dig if I'd knew her

Doing my best to get back to you
Ain't nothing I'd rather do
Look for me Sunday, gonna be there honey
Something special just for you
Special just for you

Made a truck stop, toothpick and water
Got a ride from a fruit pickers daughter
Drove her through the night, let the fruit just right
Said All I could eat for a quarter

Next, hopped a train with a hobo woman
Said she's from Texas too
The way that she did, what she did, when she did what she did to me
made me think of you
Hey honey made me think of you

Doing my best to get back to you
Ain't nothing I'd rather do
Look for me Sunday, gonna be there honey
Something special just for you
Special just for you

Hey honey something special just for you