The Best Breakup Song Ever?

Wierd Al -- "One More Minute."


This one was late. apologies.
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We are back with a big post!

Back again kids...

The first song is a tribute to one of my favorite writers... Hunter S. Thompson. Insane, witty, counter-culture subversive, Hunter influenced many of the things I love today. Doonesbury, Transmetropolitan, Las Vegas... the list could go on and on. It was a few years ago today that he took his life. Many would say that he took the coward's way out. I'd like to think of it as the fact that he faced death and his exit on his own terms, not mewling and puking as Shakespeare would have us think.


The Kinks... Lola. We need a little Kink(s) today. See below.


INXS -- Don't Change. I heard an acoustic version of this the other night at 2BuckChuck. It was very well done, and something I suggest you expose yourself to. As an 80s song, it's almost as good as the next one on this list. Of course, if you have a thing for autoerotic asphyxiation, then this song may be for you.


The Smiths -- "Ask." Ok, there is nothing more pathetic than white kids dancing to The Smiths. One: The song is poppy, but perversely depressing. "The Bomb will bring us together?" Right.
Two: The Smiths music should not be danced to. Three: If you Dance and Lip-sync to this, you should be shot. I don't care if you think you look cool, I have a need to kick you in the boys. But as 80s songs go, this one is only eclipsed by "Girlfriend in a Coma."


Finally, Hall and Oates, "Rich Girl." Why? I had to win a bet. Also, for the line, "It's a bitch, girl."

Glad to be back!
-om

Apologies, Moving...

Don't want to 1/2-ass this, so I have to take a moving weekend. Will be back to the fun on Monday!

For all of you jonesing for a song, here's Queensryche.



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Don't Stop...

Queen!

Whatever you think about Queen, Freddy Mercury was awesome, heading a prolific group who ended up selling 300 million albums to date. In 1978, Queen released Jazz, a follow up to News of the World, another incredibly successful album.

Baba O'Riley

Sometimes, people remember the song by something in the lyrics. Sometimes, people are mistaken. This is one of those songs.

"Baba O'Riley," the song by The Who, is also known as "Teenage Wasteland." This was the first song off the album "Who's Next," released back out in1971. A Three-chord song (see the earlier post of "She," by Green Day), this tune is a favorite for angsty young persons the world over. Pretty good for a song that is nearing 40 years old.

Songs like this are great. One, it gives up-and-coming guitarists a chance to feel like a Rock and Roll God. Keyboard players are SOL, unfortunately, since the Keyboard riff is a bit of a pain, especially for a beginner. However, once mastered, you will never have to purchase your own drink at a bar with a piano.


Enjoy the Teenage Wasteland. There is enough of it out there.
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Pitiful...

Can remakes be better?

So, throughout his career, Weird Al has been the master of remakes and re-imaginings of works by popular artists. He has covered such luminaries as Nirvana, Weezer, U2, Eminem and Michael Jackson, to name a few. Many times, he works and releases tunes with the artists, but it's not always the case.

In 2006, Weird Al worked with James Blunt to release a version of Blunt's "You're Beautiful," titled "You're Pitiful." The track was killed at the record company's request, but not by the artist. Unfortunately, this was the first time such a thing had happened, so people didn't know what to do. The song immediately went online from Weird Al himself, earning no royalties, but granting him credit. It was downloaded over 4 million times, owning to the popularity of the original song and Al's fanbase.

So here's a song that has no album. Viva the Internet.


Enjoy your Tuesday!
-om

My Band

A Quick Hit, since I'm late:

Totally fun, but something from a while ago. D12's "My Band."

Mezzo Sopranos are Totally Hot

Well, they are. Especially the one who notably beat Madonna for first female artist with 4 top-ten songs from her debut album, She's so Unusual.

You guessed it, it was Cyndi Lauper, who beat Madonna by a week, in 1984. The song presented here is the 4th top ten off the album, which eventually went on to multi-platinum status. A lovely pop ballad, it starts off with a synthesized raindrop keyboard voice, and is engineered with the requisite keyboard, drum and backing male vocals. A pure 80s pop sound, including the synth-heavy bridge, the electronic flute being a nice touch.

The best part of the song is Cyndi's vocal track. She is truly impressive, and this song shows off her range marvelously. Particularly at the end, try to carry the note as long as she does. Always a fun exercise for those of you who want to test your diaphragm (because we all know that it's not just lung power reserve that can hold a note).

Hope you are having a great Sunday.
Cya next week,
-om

At Least it's Not Tiffany.

Ouch. I felt that I needed a laugh this morning. What better song than one of the most horrible songs from the 80s? Off the Debbie Gibson album Electric Blue, comes "We Could be Together." Truly a hallmark of bubblegum pop. Thankfully, it didn't get too popular, probably owing to the vacuum of babysitting money changing hands at that time.

The video has everything. Baaaad dancing. Sampled hand claps. I think I see Satan in the background. Everything a popular 80s song should be. To add insult to injury, Debbie Gibson went naked in Playboy 17 years after she should have (I mean, who cared in 2005?), and performed with the Circle Jerks at CBGB. Knowing that, I am totally saddened.

Be thankful that I just showed this song, for there is an acoustic "Campfire Mix" to this song, that has one of the most badly done endings in all of creation (the song ends totally flat on a badly sung, too-long held note). Also, the dude who would sing this at a campfire would have to be buried and killed next to said campfire. I'm just saying.


Enjoy your Saturday kids.
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Maddy's day

So for Double Friday, we are going to reside in the realm of pop music. Really current popular music. Sugary, happy, popular music.

The first song is by Mika, a British singer/songwriter, performing his #1UK hit "Grace Kelly." I must admit, I really enjoy the piano notes in this song. It is over the top with the classic chord progressions, breaking no real bounds... hence it's mass appeal. Truly, this song is sickeningly popular, having graced commercials, movie trailers and the hit show (really?), "The Hills." When My daughter was 6 months old and couldn't sleep, I would play this video for her and she would smile and drift off. It can't be all bad.

The next foray into the maelstrom is from the teen duo Aly & AJ, lip syncing their over engineered song "Potential Breakup Song." Why my daughter likes this song I don't know, she's only 2 years old. There seems to be something inherently wrong with that. In any case, this song is a perfect example of getting two somewhat cute individuals to sing, and form a song around their voices. Kinda ironic that this somewhat suggestive song is sung by very devout Christian girls. Disney has to love that.

So, put down the sugar boys and girls, here comes enough to make your teeth fall out.


Mika -- "Grace Kelly"


Aly and AJ -- "Potential Breakup Song"

Have a great Double Friday,
-om

Swing it Baby!

Vegas Lounge singers rock in a way no other lounge singers rock. They know they peddle in schmaltz, yet are above it all. To hear them is to watch someone enjoy the craft, get paid decently, and marvel in the fact that they aren't too full of themselves.

Richard Cheese (awesome name, just awesome) is one of the pinnacles of the bunch. He has released a plethora of albums, all covers (such is the task of the lounge singer), done up in his classic, yet original style. He holds no genre sacred, having hits from grunge, hip-hop, R&B and pop music thrown into his act, usually played to sold-out crowds. Today's song is no exception.

"Creep" was originally done by Radiohead. Dick did it up right. Can it swing? You decide.

Have a great time, you cats. Double Friday tomorrow, stay tuned!
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Hello?

Oh man, this needs a bit of spicing up. Maybe bump the needle a bit.

Every now and then there is a song that you hate. The video sucks, the melody is terrible, whatever, the song bites. Then someone goes ahead and remakes the song, and all of a sudden, it ain't that bad. "Twist-and-Shout," the Beatles. "The Girl is Mine," Richard Cheese. "The Locomotion," Kylie Minogue.

Salvaged from the depths of Bad Song Hell, we have Me First and the Gimme Gimme's version of "Hello," originally by Lionel Richie.

Why was the original so bad? First off, it was by Lionel Richie, the same dude who gave us "Dancin' on the Ceiling," Blender Magazines #20 of the 50 Worst Songs Ever poll. Worst Songs Ever, in a poll that included "Nothing Compares 2 U, Kokomo," and "We Built this City." The video included a blind ballerina that Lionel calls, sings Hello into the receiver, then hangs up on her. How lame is that? She's blind, have a heart. In 1984, songs/videos like this made me long for Big Brother.

Thank God for the Gimme Gimmes. Guitar, Drums, Bass, Harmonics. Harmonics? Listen to these guys rock (especially the harmonics at the end). Crank it up. 'Nuff said.


Heart pumping yet? Check out the rest of the songs on their 2004 album Take a Break. You'll be glad you did.
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Nobody's Perfect

Kinda wish I was a nobody today.

Today's post is by one of the venerable members of the Rat Pack, Dean Martin. An atypical singer, while he could not read music, was very prolific in his dissemination of songs throughout his career. A Vegas headliner, Dean would sing random-length sets, but would always gift the audience with the best-loved songs from his career.

The song, "You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Loves You," is one of Dean's hallmark tunes. A classic swing piece, Dino's voice commands the song in a way unparalleled by many singers today. There is little exposition needed for the song, but it was something that I wanted to hear today. Enjoy.


Hope to be better tomorrow,
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Yours.

You know, Saturday Night Live actually does spotlight some unheralded talent. Yes, they have had some hits and misses throughout the years for thier comedy, but the music spotlights have been somewhat consistent over time. The formula is pretty simple... two popular weeks of popular artists, then one week of an artist that may be up-and-coming or even a bit more alternative than the norm. Case in point: Popular this year -- Kanye West, Jonas Brothers, Coldplay, the Killers. Less than mainstream -- Fleet Foxes, Jason Mraz.

Jason Mraz was on this past Saturday, playing "I'm Yours" from his album We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things. Great title. Having been a fan of his for a bit, I must admit that I passed over the album for a few weeks, and never saw that he started to reach commercial appeal, which is awesome.

The song is a really nice, mellow tune, conicides with Mraz's style. I like to think of him as a "not annoying Jack Johnson." The song is a typical love song. Acoustic guitar, combined with an electric introduction brings us slowly into the melody. The lyrics come in with a background harmony, no other instruments are introduced until a quarter of the way in. Mraz brings in the vocal stylings at tiems with scat, with something of a jazz swing, which flows with the intruments, while being somewhat out of place with the melodic backdrop. Yeah, I didn't understand that either, until I listened to it again.

I'll stop talking now, take a listen.

They may have been hit and miss... but I would really be sad if SNL stopped what they were doing. Not the best show on TV, but they may have the best music.
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I May Offend People With This One

Again, with the Cartoon songs.

A lot of people were familiar with the fact that The Simpsons created an album, due to the very popular and well received song "Do the Bartman." It was at the height of their initial creative process, and had a few gems, one of which I shared with you previously. Fewer people are familiar with the album from one of their most disliked competitors (and some would say "blatant plagiarists," but that's another argument for another blog), The Family Guy.

Released in 2005, Family Guy, Live In Vegas was a well done album that could not be played on MTV or on any radio stations, due to the rather blue content of the lyrics. The album had such notables as Haylie Duff, Tony Award winners Patti LuPone, and Jason Alexander... who was just off his Cartoon stint as "Duckman." There were no videos made of the event (if there were, the DVD sales would have been through the roof), but the music is awash in classic Broadway styles, from vaudeville to Gershwin, leaving much to the listener's imagination.

The song featured here is aptly titled, "All Cartoons are F$%^ing D!$*s." Spell it out for yourselves. There are a few redeeming factors about the song; The lyrics are clever, touch on a few of the most beloved characters in cartoon history, and musically, the song is well put together. Honestly, a great thing would have been to put this to DVD, since it would have been something fun to watch.

So, have a little fun on this glorious Superbowl Sunday. Take the kids out of the room, unless you are a parent like myself. Then you can giggle when they sing this in front of the Grandparents. A mighty laugh.


-om