Challenges
30-Day Song Challenge: Day 16
A song that is a classic favorite…
I could be here all day with this but, these classics have staying power. I LOVE these three pieces.
I was very fortunate to see The Who in concert but, Keith Moon was long gone by then. I had just reached my 12th birthday when he passed.
“Don’t cry, don’t raise your eye, it’s only teenage wasteland…”
“Let’s get together before we get much older…”
I’ve never seen The Eagles live but, from some videos, particularly the early years, they pretty much stay true to their studio recordings instead of trying to re-write history on stage. I detest recorded live music or live video…unless I am there at the concert. I also detest musicians screwing up their own songs. If you recorded a song a certain way and I fall in love with it, I expect you to sing it to me the same way on stage. That is what I paid for.
This is an excellent live video though the ending is a little different. All this is missing is the guitarron mexicano. RIP Glenn Frey.
“Hopeless romantics, here we go again…”
This is one of those songs that you really need to listen to with headphones. The analog tracks they laid down back then…music swirled from ear to ear or, speaker to speaker on a stereo system. I haven’t heard a digitally created song sound like this.
“I’ve been this way ten years to the day…”
30-Day Song Challenge: Day 15
A song you like that is a cover by another artist…
This will be interesting.
First up, Angel of the Morning. Written by Chip Taylor (uncle to Angelina Jolie), this song has been covered by many. It was originally recorded by Evie Sands in 1967 and it got airplay but, the label went bankrupt and distribution halted. After that, it was a feeding frenzy spanning 45 years, culminating in the very last version by Rita Wilson (Mrs. Tom Hanks).
The two most popular versions, both released in February, 13 years apart, are also mine. I still have both 45s.
Merrilee Rush & The Turnabouts 1968
Juice Newton 1981
Next, One Tin Soldier. An anti-war song written by Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter, it was originally recorded by the Canadian group The Original Caste in 1969 and did very well on the Canadian charts. Skeeter Davis’ version in 1972 also did well in Canada.
Though there are other versions of this song, one of which was done by Cher, my favorite is, of course, Jinx Dawson’s version, recorded for the movie Billy Jack.
And, last, Get It On. Originally written & recorded by the British group T. Rex in 1971, it was re-titled Bang A Gong (Get It On) by The Power Station in 1985. Sorry, T. Rex fans. I like this one better.
Late Add…
I found another one that I really, really like. Originally done by Simon & Garfunkel, this version is SO much better. From the soundtrack of Less Than Zero, The Bangles really rock it.
30-Day Song Challenge: Day 14
A song you’d love to be played at your wedding…
I’ve already had two weddings. I don’t need another one. Sheesh. Both of my weddings were outdoors and music was limited, if present at all. It was just not something I thought much about. That being expressed, I will, instead, offer you some other people’s’ weddings that I thought would be cool to attend/be part of…’cause there are NO weddings in my future.
The Best Daddy/Daughter Dance
He’s no Patrick Swayze and she’s no Jennifer Grey but, damn if they don’t get close.
30-Day Song Challenge: Day 13
A song you like from the 70s…
I’m pretty much covering the 70s with this and two other posts. So much good music…so hard to choose. I have covered 1973, 1976, 1977 & 1978. For this post, and naturally I can’t choose just one, I give you 1972, 1974, 1975 & 1979.
I would provide you with the link to Song Facts but, they have this incorrectly listed in 1971. This made it to #2 in September of 1972…and is one of the most mis-heard songs. My dad loved this song and I can remember it playing on the radio in his 1972 Dodge Charger…a black one.
Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress
I remember playing this 45 on my little, portable record player.
Angie Baby
I remember lying on the floor and listening to this on my parent’s stereo cabinet. Remember those big, wooden things with Queen Anne feet and brass fixtures? It had a great sound and you could stack a lot of albums in it.
Someone Saved My Life Tonight
I would provide you with a link to all the songs released in 1979 but, for some reason, this song, the album it came from and the artist are nowhere to be found on Song Facts. It peaked at #28 on October 27. I remember getting this 45. And, yes, that is Stevie Nicks in the background.
Midnight Wind
30-Day Song Challenge: Day 12
A song from your preteen years…
I’m going to take a leap of faith, here and assume this means the tween years, a term that wasn’t around in the 1970s. And, since it doesn’t say ‘childhood’, I will stay in the 10, 11 & 12 year range. I will select one song from each year.
It was tough choosing. There was a lot of good stuff but, this will have to be my favorite from that year. This video was created by Rob Chismar and he posted it on Facebook (with a public setting) about seven years ago…The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald:
More good stuff but, I picked this one:
Isn’t It Time
This choice was by far the hardest. 1978 was a great year for music but, this one-hit-wonder is my choice:
Driver’s Seat
30-Day Song Challenge: Day 11
A song you never get tired of…
THIS is going to be difficult because there are so many. I will go with this one.
Save Me
30-Day Song Challenge: Day Ten
A song that makes you sad…
I honestly don’t see how Amy Lee gets thru this song without losing it. I can’t even listen to it without crying.
30-Day Song Challenge: Day Nine
A song that makes you happy…
Oh, the joy that comes from this piece. And, after the snowstorm that we just got slammed with, this is a perfect reminder of warmer days.
“Carry me on the waves to the lands I’ve never seen…
Orinoco Flow
321 Quote Challenge: Creative Writing
I have been tagged by Kristian for a quote challenge. Here are the rules, passed down from Rory:
[1] Thank the Selector (Thanks, Kristian!)
[2] Post two quotes for the dedicated “Topic of the Day” (there is no deadline, actually)
[3] Select three bloggers to take part
[4] Re-blog responses
Alrighty, then…two quotes regarding creative writing:
“I think you have to learn for yourself how to write. I’m slightly mystified by creative writing courses, God love them, because I can’t understand how you can explain a process that I find so baffling.” ~ Kate Atkinson
“I seem most instinctively to believe in the human value of creative writing, whether in the form of verse or fiction, as a mode of truth-telling, self-expression and homage to the twin miracles of creation and consciousness.” ~ John Updike
My three bloggers:
*Sigh* I got nothing. Everyone I follow is involved in one challenge or another, already. Oh, well…
30-Day Song Challenge: Day Eight
A song about drugs or alcohol…
From the 1981 Paradise Theatre album, I give you Snowblind by Styx. If anyone followed Styx and their concept-album-oriented story telling, Paradise Theatre is where the dystopian thugs broke up the concert (as recalled by Kilroy in prison). This was also the same time that bands were being accused of having Satanic messages backmasked into the recordings. James Young (JY), in live concerts, always makes sure that everyone knows that Snowblind is anti-cocaine…not pro-Satan.
30-Day Song Challenge: Day Seven
A song to drive to…
This is definitely a song to drive to. Back when I had my 5-speed manual, 1985 Toyota Celica Coupe and, then, my 5-speed manual, 1991 Eagle Talon with the racing stripe and dual, overhead cam (both cars coveted for street racing and drifting these days), this song always made me drive fast(er).
“I’ve been drivin’ all night, my hand’s wet on the wheel…
It’s half past four and I’m shifting gears…”
30-Day Song Challenge: Six Day Bundle
Fellow blogger Britchy at Bitchin’ In The Kitchen challenged all of her readers to join in. I could not resist this fun as I am a music nut. That being expressed, I sit on day six so, this first post is a catch-up. Tomorrow, I will join the normal festivities for day seven.
So, without further ado…here we go.
Day One
A song with color in the title.
Oh, my, my, my…this immediately popped into my head. This was released in 1983…my junior year of high school.
Little Red Corvette
Day Two
A song with a number in the title.
Black Lab appeared on the Alternative Rock scene in 1997 with their début album release Your Body Above Me. This song is particularly haunting to me and I could listen to Paul Durham sing all day long.
Ten Million Years
Day Three
A song that reminds you of summer.
Dear Lord…the summer of 1984, the year I graduated. Myrtle Beach, alcohol & Prince. This was released ahead of the album Purple Rain‘s release and the movie of the same name. Have mercy… As a side note, Wendy in the background playing guitar in stockings and high-top tennis shoes is just bad ass.
When Doves Cry
Day Four
A song that reminds you of someone you’d rather forget.
I love this song but, the person that it reminds me of…I wish I could rip them out of my head.
Set Fire to the Rain
Day Five
A song that needs to be played loud.
Oh, yeah…also played extensively at the beach for graduation…the louder, the better. We wore out a cassette tape.
Fantasy
Day Six
A song that makes you want to dance.
Honestly, this one is hard…too many to choose from. I will go with…
Say It Right
Thanks, Kristian for rolling the ball to Britchy. ~Vic
Flashback Friday: 26 Questions+
Two months ago, on Friday, September 14, fellow blogger Bottomless Coffee 007 requested I answer the following 26 questions. I got busy and I forgot all about it (Sorry, Coffee). Here we go…
[1.] Who are you named after?
The first name is for the second longest reigning British Monarch. My second name came from my paternal-paternal great-grandmother…and my father misspelled it! My last name is English-Welsh.
[2.] Do you like your handwriting?
Sometimes.
[3.] What’s your favorite lunchmeat?
I don’t eat that stuff. I’ve watched it being made.
[4.] Longest relationship?
That depends…
♡ The longest is my dad.
♡ Friend? A girl I met in nursery school. Still friends after 49 years. Graduated HS together. My dad dated her mom when they were in HS, together. Oh, the parties and boyfriends…
♡ Significant other? My Vietnam vet. We met 26 years ago but, were otherwise ‘engaged’. We have been a permanently-attached-at-the-hip pair for 7 1/2 years.
[5.] Do you still have your tonsils?
Yep.
[6.] Would you bungee jump?
Never.
[7.] Do you untie your shoes when you take them off?
If they have laces, yes…most of the time. I have a tall pair of boots that have laces & a zipper. I just use the zipper. Lacing those things are a pain in the ass.
[8.] Favorite ice cream?
I don’t eat ice cream. I like Italian sorbeto or frozen coconut milk with chocolate & peanut butter.
[9.] What’s the first thing you notice about people?
Stature, demeanor and gait…then the clothes.
[10.] Football or baseball?
I loathe professional sports but, local, AAA/AA baseball is really fun to go to.
[11.] What color pants are you wearing?
Dark olive-green.
[12.] Last thing you ate?
Cereal.
[13.] If you are a crayon, what color are you?
Cornflower blue. That was always my favorite crayon in the big box.
[14.] Favorite smell?
Burning white sage.
[15.] Who is the last person you spoke to on the phone?
My buddy, Ray.
[16.] Hair color?
Very dark brown.
[17.] Eye Color?
Hazel.
[18.] Favorite food to eat?
Organic dark chocolate with mint.
[19.] Scary movie or happy ending?
I prefer science fiction, action, suspense or a thought-provoking drama.
[20.] Last movie you watched?
At a movie theatre, Darkest Hour. There is a reason why Gary Oldman won an Academy Award for Best Actor. He becomes Churchill. I have been following Oldman ever since Dracula.
[21.] Favorite holiday?
Halloween. BOO.
[22.] Beer or wine?
Between those two, wine. But, I’d rather have a Margarita with Anejo tequila or a Flying Grasshopper with aged, single-barrel rum.
[23.] Favorite day of the week?
They are all the same to me.
[24.] Three favorite bloggers you want to learn about?
I already know quite a bit about my three fave bloggers.
[25.] The additional info you didn’t know you wanted?
I drive a gun-metal gray 2008 Nissan Frontier 4 x 4 with suicide doors.
[26.] When’s the last time you got on the scale?
At my chiro’s office on Wednesday.
[Bonus Question (that’s more than 26…)] Who’s your favorite superhero?
That is tough. I have so many. I am a Marvel geek for sure. On the screen, I like what Chris Evans has done with Captain America and I like what Hugh Jackman did with Wolverine, even if he was a foot too tall. In the comics, Jean Grey (originally Marvel Girl, 1963)…all day, everyday.
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