Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Song Stuck In My Head This Week - 24th May '11 - Bob Dylan - Hurricane

This week's blog was always planned to be posted today regardless of recent delays in my blogging. The simple reason for the choice of today's date is this, it's Bob Dylan's 70th birthday and to celebrate I want to blog about a song that is often in my head and is my favourite Dylan song, 'Hurricane'.

'Hurricane' was written in response to the case of the boxer Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter who was jailed along with John Artis in 1966 for allegedly committing a triple murder. The case was riddle with faulty evidence, questionable eyewitness testimony and appeared to be highly racially motivated.

Over the following years Carter continued to maintain his innocence and, after meeting Carter, Dylan with co-writer Jacques Levy wrote the song 'Hurricane' and released it both as a single as well as putting the track on the 1975 album 'Desire' in order to raise the profile of the injustice of the case.

Dylan then organised concerts in both Madison Square Garden in New York and the Houston Auditorium in Houston, Texas, in order to raise money to help Rubin Carter appeal his conviction (though the latter didn't raise any money after expenses had been paid, the Madison Square Garden show did raise $100,000).

At the re-trial in 1976, Rubin Carter's sentence was reduced but it took until 1985 for the conviction to finally be overturned when Federal Judge H. Lee Sarokin ruled that Carter had not received a fair trial and that his conviction was, in effect, based on racism.

For me, what makes this song so great is that you are drawn into the story being told in the lyrics. They are so descriptive that you can almost picture the story playing out in your mind like a movie. This is an intentional style of writing on the part of Dylan and co-writer Levy, but it truly works to full effect as it captures the imagination so strongly. It also leaves me, at least, with a strong sense of passion for justice to be done which is a feeling not all of Dylan's 'protest songs' leave me with - though this could just be a generational thing.

If you've never heard this song then I highly recommend you give it a listen and I'll catch you all next week!!


Happy Birthday Mr Zimmerman!!

Bob Dylan - Hurricane

Pistols shots ring out in the barroom night
Enter Patty Valentine from the upper hall
She sees the bartender in a pool of blood
Cries out "My God they killed them all"
Here comes the story of the Hurricane
The man the authorities came to blame
For something that he never done
Put him in a prison cell but one time he could-a been
The champion of the world.

Three bodies lying there does Patty see
And another man named Bello moving around mysteriously
"I didn't do it" he says and he throws up his hands
"I was only robbing the register I hope you understand
I saw them leaving" he says and he stops
"One of us had better call up the cops"
And so Patty calls the cops
And they arrive on the scene with their red lights flashing
In the hot New Jersey night.

Meanwhile far away in another part of town
Rubin Carter and a couple of friends are driving around
Number one contender for the middleweight crown
Had no idea what kinda shit was about to go down
When a cop pulled him over to the side of the road
Just like the time before and the time before that
In Patterson that's just the way things go
If you're black you might as well not shown up on the street
'Less you wanna draw the heat.

Alfred Bello had a partner and he had a rap for the corps
Him and Arthur Dexter Bradley were just out prowling around
He said "I saw two men running out they looked like middleweights
They jumped into a white car with out-of-state plates"
And Miss Patty Valentine just nodded her head
Cop said "Wait a minute boys this one's not dead"
So they took him to the infirmary
And though this man could hardly see
They told him that he could identify the guilty men.

Four in the morning and they haul Rubin in
Take him to the hospital and they bring him upstairs
The wounded man looks up through his one dying eye
Says "Wha'd you bring him in here for ? He ain't the guy !"
Yes here comes the story of the Hurricane
The man the authorities came to blame
For something that he never done
Put in a prison cell but one time he could-a been
The champion of the world.

Four months later the ghettos are in flame
Rubin's in South America fighting for his name
While Arthur Dexter Bradley's still in the robbery game
And the cops are putting the screws to him looking for somebody to blame
"Remember that murder that happened in a bar ?"
"Remember you said you saw the getaway car?"
"You think you'd like to play ball with the law ?"
"Think it might-a been that fighter you saw running that night ?"
"Don't forget that you are white".

Arthur Dexter Bradley said "I'm really not sure"
Cops said "A boy like you could use a break
We got you for the motel job and we're talking to your friend Bello
Now you don't wanta have to go back to jail be a nice fellow
You'll be doing society a favor
That sonofabitch is brave and getting braver
We want to put his ass in stir
We want to pin this triple murder on him
He ain't no Gentleman Jim".

Rubin could take a man out with just one punch
But he never did like to talk about it all that much
It's my work he'd say and I do it for pay
And when it's over I'd just as soon go on my way
Up to some paradise
Where the trout streams flow and the air is nice
And ride a horse along a trail
But then they took him to the jailhouse
Where they try to turn a man into a mouse.

All of Rubin's cards were marked in advance
The trial was a pig-circus he never had a chance
The judge made Rubin's witnesses drunkards from the slums
To the white folks who watched he was a revolutionary bum
And to the black folks he was just a crazy nigger
No one doubted that he pulled the trigger
And though they could not produce the gun
The DA said he was the one who did the deed
And the all-white jury agreed.

Rubin Carter was falsely tried
The crime was murder 'one' guess who testified
Bello and Bradley and they both baldly lied
And the newspapers they all went along for the ride
How can the life of such a man
Be in the palm of some fool's hand ?
To see him obviously framed
Couldn't help but make me feel ashamed to live in a land
Where justice is a game.

Now all the criminals in their coats and their ties
Are free to drink martinis and watch the sun rise
While Rubin sits like Buddha in a ten-foot cell
An innocent man in a living hell
That's the story of the Hurricane
But it won't be over till they clear his name
And give him back the time he's done
Put him in a prison cell but one time he could-a been
The champion of the world.

Friday, May 20, 2011

Song Stuck In My Head This Week - 20th May '11 - Elvis Presley - Guitar Man

Exceptionally late, even by my standards, but I spent most of the week trying to find out where last week's blog went!!

There isn't much that people don't know about the man who was born into a regular family on 8th January 1935 and ended up being one of the biggest stars of all time. One thing you certainly don't know is that 'Guitar Man' is my favourite of all the songs he ever recorded.

Originally written and recorded by Jerry Reed in 1967, it was a minor hit for him as well as Elvis when he recorded his version of it shortly afterward. It was only a bigger hit for Elvis when it was re-mixed and re-released in 1981.

'Guitar Man' was also the opening song of Elvis's much renowned '68 Comeback Special, a wise choice in my opinion as the song is so irresistibly catchy that you can't help but be drawn in by it.

It's that catchy quality that makes it my favourite of all his songs. It's up-tempo, fun and I feel it shows Elvis at his natural best.

Hope you all enjoy it and I’ll catch you all in a day or two when I get back on track with these blogs!!!

Elvis Presley - Guitar Man

Well, I quit my job down at the car wash,
Left my mama a goodbye note,
By sundown I'd left Kingston,
With my guitar under my coat,
I hitchhiked all the way down to Memphis,
Got a room at the YMCA,
For the next three weeks I went huntin' them nights,
Just lookin' for a place to play,
Well, I thought my pickin' would set 'em on fire,
But nobody wanted to hire a guitar man.

Well, I nearly 'bout starved to death down in Memphis,
I run outta money and luck,
So I bought me a ride down to Macon, Georgia,
On a overloaded poultry truck,
I thumbed on down to Panama City,
Started pickin' out some o' them all night bars,
Hopin' I could make myself a dollar,
Makin' music on my guitar,
I got the same old story at them all night piers,
There ain't no room around here for a guitar man

So I slept in the hobo jungles,
Roamed a thousand miles off track,
Till I found myself in Mobile Alabama,
At a club they call Big Jack's,
A little four-piece band was jammin',
So I took my guitar and I sat in,
I showed 'em what a band would sound like,
With a swingin' little guitar man.
Show 'em, son

If you ever take a trip down to the ocean,
Find yourself down around Mobile,
Make it on out to a club called Jack's,
If you got a little time to kill,
Just follow that crowd of people,
You'll wind up out on his dance floor,
Diggin' the finest little five-piece group,
Up and down the Gulf of Mexico,
Guess who's leadin' that five-piece band,
Well, wouldn't ya know, it's that swingin' little guitar man.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Song Stuck In My Head This Week - 11th May '11 - Kristeen Young - Fantastic Failure

There was a brilliant blog here about Kristeen Young. It was posted up properly and everything. It seems, however, to have disappeared/been eaten by the net/something more untoward and I can't for the life of me begin to recreate it or do it justice.

Therefore all I ask is that you check out the amazing video for the amazing song 'Fantastic Failure' and buy the 'V The Volcanic' EP on iTunes.

I thank you.

Kristeen Young - Fantastic Failure

I think that when you die, you might die
Without ever having been alive.
The things you choose to do, you do choose
'Cause you know that you'll get safely through.
Come and join with me. I am Egypt and you are Rome.
Now, let's go procreate. I'll create
And you'll get the credit: you're the pro.

Fantastic failure.
Fantastic failure.
Fantastic failure's more fantastic than mere success can ever be.

We'll be gods, not kings, 'cause our dreams
Will be supernatural offspring.
We'll strike the hands of time. Unconfined,
Our decisions do not hear it's chime.
Tho it may be dark, don't alarm. It's where freedom's from.
My breasts heave with sound. Hips are round.
Such women, they say, are the sun.

Fantastic failure.
Fantastic failure.
Fantastic failure's more fantastic than mere success can ever be.

Yes you'll break your heart. But, in the, end all heart's break.
So, live your life.

And if they stake and claim all we've made:
What we won't let go they cannot take.
If they outnumber us, their fight must
Be weak to need so much back up.
If they climb our tower, still the power will lie herein.
You have got the sword, and I've the asp,
And death will be proud to take us in.

Fantastic.
Fantastic failure.
Fantastic failure.
Fantastic failure's more fantastic than mere success can ever be.

Fantastic fail.
Fantastic fail.
Fantastic fail.
Fail.
Fail.

Saturday, April 30, 2011

Song Stuck In My Head This Week - 30th April '11 - Fleetwood Mac - Need Your Love So Bad

The last few weeks have been some of the best of my life. I've met someone wonderful and I'm very much in love. It's a wonderful feeling. This song just makes me feel so romantic, and is also an amazing song.

Most people when they think of Fleetwood Mac tend to think of the era from the mid-70's onward when Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham and John and Christie McVie joined up with Mick Fleetwood and released massively popular albums like 'Rumours'. However, many seem to forget the amazing stuff produced by Fleetwood Mac in the early years when legendary guitarist Peter Green was in the band.

Peter Green is one of the greatest guitarists of all time as well as being a great singer and songwriter. The band's fourth single release, the Green penned 'Black Magic Woman which later became a huge hit for Santana, was their first to hit the UK Top 40 singles chart. The follow up to this was the cover of the 1955 single by Little Willie John, 'Need Your Love So Bad'.

What makes the Fleetwood Mac version so good for me is how Peter Green oozes emotion out of not only his vocal performance but also his guitar playing. The combination is just magical.

I hope this song brings out the love and romance in you as it does in me and that you enjoy it!! Catch you all next week!!

Fleetwood Mac - Need Your Love So Bad

Need someone's hand to lead me through the night
I need someone's arms to hold and squeeze me tight
Now, when the night begins, whoa, I'm at an end
Because I need your love so bad

I need some lips to feel next to mine
Need someone to stand up - to stand up and tell me when I'm lyin'
And when the lights are low - and it's time to go
That's when I need your love so bad

So why don't you give it up, baby and bring it home to me
or write it on a piece of paper, woman - so it can be read to me
Tell me that you love me - and stop drivin' me mad
whoa, because I - I need your love so bad

Need a soft voice - just to talk to me at night
Don't want you to worry, baby
I know we can make everything alright
Listen to my plea, baby, come on bring it to me
'Cause I need - your love so bad
Baby, I need, I need - woman, I need your love so bad

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Song Stuck In My Head This Week - 27th April '11 - Dionne Bromfield - Yeah Right

Goddaughter and protege of singer Amy Winehouse, Dionne Bromfield relesed her first album in 2009 at the tender age of 13. With a gorgeous voice it showed what she could be capable of in the future.

Two years on and she's just about to release her second album, 'Good For The Soul', and the lead single 'Yeah Right' recently came out and I can't stop singing it.

It's just so catchy and really has suited the summery weather we've had lately. How it's not been a bigger hit I do not know. That said it's left me impatient for the June release of the album.

I really love it and I hope you all do too!! Catch you next week!!

Dionne Bromfield - Yeah Right

Yo what up Dionne it's Diggy
I got erm caught up in the studio doing some things
So I'm erm a hit you later

Maybe you caught the train just like you said you did
Maybe it broke down but you didn't give up
Maybe you got pinned down by all the weight of gifts
That you were bringing me to show your love
Maybe you got lost on the way back to my house
Maybe you called and I was on the phone
Maybe you thought if you were late I'd throw you out
Maybe you think I like being on my own

Yeah right
Yeah right
I mean honestly
You lied to me like I'm not there
Yeah right
Yeah right
You must be mad you lied so bad
Just listen to yourself
Yeah right
Yeah right
You'll lose my love
If you keep it up
Yeah right Mmm

Maybe you got messed up by someone in your past
Maybe you give me what they gave to you
Maybe it all makes sense of why you run so fast
Acting like this is some police interview
Maybe you're waiting for my birthday to arrive
And then you're gonna tell me everything

Yeah right
Yeah right
I mean honestly
You lied to me like I'm not there
Yeah right
Yeah right
You must be mad you lied so bad
Just listen to yourself
Yeah right
Yeah right
You'll lose my love
If you keep it up
Yeah right Mmm


Girl I ain't trying to go there with you
But you full of drama - you motion picture
And I ain't really gettin' why you insecure
You're trippin' over this like I lied before
I never lied before, oh it's that paranoia
Look at all I gave you - didn't I spoil ya?
If I got it you got it don't I support ya?
You blind you can't see I sis it all for ya adored ya?
So now you're fancy huh...ha
But don't forget it made you fancy ma...ha!
But for you look what all I've done
Now I'm throwin' up the deuces minus a finger one. Dig?

Yeah right
Yeah right
I mean honestly
You lied to me like I'm not there
Yeah right
Yeah right
You must be mad you lied so bad
Just listen to yourself
Yeah right
Yeah right
You'll lose my love
If you keep it up
Yeah right Mmm

Yeah right
Yeah right
I mean honestly
You lied to me like I'm not there
Yeah right
Yeah right
You must be mad you lied so bad
Just listen to yourself
Yeah right
Yeah right
You'll lose my love
If you keep it up
Yeah right Mmm


Sunday, April 17, 2011

Song Stuck In My Head This Week - 17th April '11 - Sam Cooke - Twistin' The Night Away

Sam Cooke, the King Of Soul, only lived a short life but produced some classic soul records that have stood the test of time. With his mainstream success only lasting for three years before his death in 1964, he still managed to release a series of great songs such as 'Chain Gang', 'A Change Is Gonna Come', 'Wonderful World', 'You Send Me' and this week's song 'Twistin' The Night Away'.

'Twistin' The Night Away' is such a fun track reflecting the popular dance craze of the time, The Twist. Even today you can't help but dance to the song as it's so catchy that it's hard to stay still. This catchiness is probably what made it such a big hit on both sides of the Atlantic.

To this day his music is still covered by musicians, the most recent examply being Colin Meloy from The Decemberists who released a solo EP of Sam Cooke covers.

I believe everyone should have a little Sam Cooke in their lives. I hope you all enjoy the song and I'll catch you all next week!!

Sam Cooke - Twistin' The Night Away

Let me tell you 'bout a place
Somewhere up a New York way
Where the people are so gay
Twistin' the night away...

Here they have a lot of fun
Puttin' trouble on the run
Man, you find the old and young
Twistin' the night away

They're twistin', twistin'
Everybody's feelin' great
They're twistin', twistin'
They're twistin' the night away

Here's a man in evenin' clothes
How he got here, I don't know, but
Man, you oughta see him go
Twistin' the night away...

He's dancin' with the chick in slacks
She's a movin' up and back
Oh man, there ain't nothin' like
Twistin' the night away

They're twistin', twistin'
Everybody's feelin' great
They're twistin', twistin'
They're twistin' the night away

Let's twist a while!
Lean up, lean back
Lean up, lean back
Watusi, now Fly, now Twist
They're twistin' the night away

Here's a fella in blue jeans
Dancin' with a older queen
Who's dolled up in a diamond rings and
Twistin' the night away...

Man, you oughta see her go
Twistin' to the rock and roll
Here you find the young and old
Twistin' the night away

They're twistin', twistin'
Man, everybody's feelin' great
They're twistin', twistin'
They're twistin' the night away

One more time

Lean up, lean back
Lean up, lean back
Watusi, now Fly, now Twist
They're twistin' the night away

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Song Stuck In My Head This Week - 13th April '11 - Def Leppard - Animal

Formed in 1977 Def leppard are one of the biggest rock bands of all time having sold over 65 million albums worldwide. Their peak years came between the mid 80's and mid 90's where they had worldwide hits with songs such as 'Pour Some Sugar On Me', 'Hysteria', 'Let's Get Rocked' and this week's song stuck in my head, 'Animal'.

'Animal' was the second single to be released from their 1987 album 'Hysteria' and became their first UK top ten single, peaking at number 6.

I totally blame my sister for this week's choice as she's been playing a lot of rock music from that era in the last few weeks which generally leads to me getting either songs by Van Halen or songs by Def Leppard stuck in my head.

For me 'Animal' tends to spring to mind (1) as it makes me think of Animal from The Muppets and (2) because it's such a great song.

I really love it and I hope you do! Catch you al next week!!

Def Leppard - Animal

A wild ride, over stony ground
Such a lust for life, the circus comes to town
We are the hungry ones, on a lightning raid
Just like a river runs, like a fire needs flame
I burn for you

I gotta feel it in my blood
Whoa-oh
I need your touch don't need your love
Whoa-oh
And I want, and I need, and I lust
Animal
And I want, and I need, and I lust
Animal

I cry wolf, given mouth to mouth
Like a movin' heartbeat in the witching hour
I'm runnin' with the wind, a shadow in the dust
And like the drivin' rain
Yeah, like the restless rust
I never sleep


I gotta feel it in my blood
Whoa-oh
I need your touch don't need your love
Whoa-oh
And I want, and I need, and I lust
Animal
And I want, and I need, and I lust
Animal

Huh!
Oh!
Cry wolf baby
Cry tough
Gonna hunt you like an, uh, uh, animal
Gonna take your love n' run

I gotta feel it in my blood
Whoa-oh
I need your touch don't need your love
Whoa-oh
And I want, and I need, and I lust
Animal
And I want, and I need, and I lust
Animal

And I want (And I want)
And I need (And I need)
And I lust (And I lust)
Animal (Animal)
And I want (Take me)
And I need (Tame me)
And I lust (Make me)
Animal (Your Animal)
And I want (Show me)
And I need (Stroke me)
And I lust
(Let me be your...)
Animal (Animal)
And I want (I want)
And I need (Ooh-ooh-ooh)
And I lust (Yeah Animal)
Animal
(Animal)
(Heh! heh!)

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Song Stuck In My Head This Week - 5th April '11 - Janis Joplin - Me & Bobby McGee

Born in Port Arthur, Texas in 1943, Janis Joplin was the eldest of three children but always, according to her mother, demanded more attention than the others. As a teen she was often seen as a misfit at school and was bullied for her appearance and different personality - "I was a misfit. I read, I painted, I didn't hate niggers." She ended up befriending a group of similar outcasts and one of her friends introduced her to blues artists such as Bessie Smith and Leadbelly. This inspired her to become a singer and she joined the local choir while also expanding on her knowledge of blues artists.

After graduating high school in 1960 Janis spent time at both Lamar State College of Technology in Beaumont, Texas and the University of Texas in Austin before dropping out and heading to San Francisco in 1963. During this first stint in San Francisco she made some of her earliest musical recordings, as well as acquiring a taste for psychedelics, amphetamines, heroin and heavy drinking and by early 1965 friends were so concerned about her emaciated state that they collected the money to send her back to Port Arthur for her own sake. Back home in Texas Janis didn't touch either drink or drugs, adopted a more modest appearance (even sporting a beehive hairdo) and enrolled in sociology major at Lamar State College. She did, however, continue her music aspirations and regularly commuted to Austin to perform solo shows.

In 1966 Texan promoter Chet Helms brought Janis back to San Francisco to join the band he was managing at the time, Big Brother & The Holding Company. For the first couple of months Janis managed to stay drug free but shortly after the band were signed to Mainstream Records and they moved into a house in Lagunitas, California with the Grateful Dead and she relapsed back into hard drug use.

In August '67 the band's debut album was released on Columbia shortly after the band made their breakthrough performance at the Monterey Pop Festival where Janis's singing had blown people away, including Cass Elliot from The Mama's & The Papa's who can be seen mouthing "Wow! That's really heavy!" during the bands performance in D.A. Pennebaker's documentary 'Monterey Pop'. This rise in popularity, however, saw them end their management contract with Chet Helms and sign up with renowned manager Albert Grossman.

This deal, and the increase in popularity, seemed to be the beginning of the end for Janis's time with Big Brother & The Holding Company. They started to tour beyond the confines of California and also made three appearances on the Dick Cavett Show where they were billed as 'Janis Joplin & Big Brother & The Holding Company' which lead to resentment from the other members of the band and also for people to start to mention to Janis that maybe she didn't really need the band after all.

Their second album, 'Cheap Thrills', was release in August of '68 and gave the band their breakthrough hit single 'Piece Of My Heart'. However, within four months of the album being release Janis left the band.

In early '69 Janis recorded the album 'I Got Dem Ol' Kozmic Blues Again Mama!' with her new backing band, The Kozmic Blues Band. During this time her heroin use had seriously escalated and she was allegedly doing $200 a day of heroin. Despite that and the slightly less favourable reviews than those for the 'Cheap Thrills' album it was still certified gold in the US and Janis and the band toured North America and Europe as well as appearing at the legendary Woodstock Festival, though it was only in the 25th Anniversary Directors Cut that any footage of her performing was included such was her drugged out and drunken state by the time she took to the stage. By the end of '69 The Kozmic Blues Band called it a day.

In '70 Janis formed the Full Tilt Boogie band and stated to her friends at the time that she finally had a band she felt totally comfortable with and that was hers. They spent the summer touring before returning to the studio in September to record what would be her biggest album, 'Pearl'.

Produced by Paul Rothchild, who also recorded many of the great albums by The Doors, Tim Buckley, Joni Mitchell and Neil Young to name but a few of the legends he worked with, not all of the tracks on the album were fully completed but were felt sufficient enough to warrant release after Janis's death on 3rd October. 'Buried Alive In The Blues', for example, was left as an instrumental as the vocals were due to be recorded on the day her body was found.

'Me & Bobby McGee' was written by Janis's friend and sometime lover Kris Kristofferson and had originally been recorded by country singer Roger Miller in 1969. The first time Kristofferson discovered Janis had recorded it during the sessions for 'Pearl' was the day after her death and, as well as the posthumous success of 'Pearl', Janis's recording of 'Me & Bobby McGee' went on to be her only number one single and became the second song to posthumously reach number 1 in the US (the first being '(Sittin' on) the Dock of the Bay' by Otis Redding).

Though it wasn't her song originally and she was not the only one to record it, Janis's version is seen to be the ultimate recording. The song has so much feistiness, passion, guts and emotion in it and I couldn't imagine it being any other way.

This week, for some reason, I've just really wanted to listen to it a lot and now I'm sharing it with you. I hope you all love it as much as I do & I'll catch you all next week!!

Janis Joplin - Me & Bobby McGee

Busted flat in Baton Rouge, waitin' for a train
And I's feeling near as faded as my jeans.
Bobby thumbed a diesel down just before it rained
And rode us all the way into New Orleans.

I pulled my harp on out of my dirty red bandanna
I's playing soft while Bobby sang the blues.
Windshield wipers slapping time, I was holding Bobby's hand in mine
We sang every song that driver knew.

Freedom is just another word for nothin' left to lose
Nothin', don't mean nothin' honey if it ain't free.
And feeling good was easy Lord, when he sang the blues
You know feeling good was good enough for me
Good enough for me and my Bobby McGee.

From the Ken-tucky coal mines to the California sun
Hey Bobby shared the secrets of my soul.
Through all kinds of weather, through everything that we done
Yeah Bobby baby kept me from the cold world.

One day up near Salinas, Lord I let him slip away
He's looking for that home and I hope he finds it.
But I'd trade all of my tomorrows for one single yesterday
To be holding Bobby's body next to mine.

Freedom is just another word for nothin' left to lose
Nothin', that's all that Bobby left me, yeah.
But feeling good was easy Lord, when he sang the blues
Hey, feeling good was good enough for me, hmm hmm
Good enough for me and my Bobby McGee.

La da da - la da da da - la da da - la la la da
La la la - la la da la da, Bobby McGee.

La - da la - da la da - la da da da da
La da la da la da, Bobby McGee

La da da - la da la - la da la - la da la
la da da la - la la la - la, hey now Bobby - lo na - Bobby McGee yeah.

Lo na lo na na lo na na - lo na na lo na na lo na na lo na na lo na na
Hey now Bobby, now my Bobby McGee, yeah.

Lord, Icalled him my lover, called him my man
I said I called him my lover just as fast's I can
C'mon, Where is Bobby now ? Where is Bobby McGee ? - yeah
Lordy Lordy Lordy Lordy Lordy Lordy Lordy Lord
Hey, hey, hey, Bobby McGee, Lord!

Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!

Whew!

Lordy Lordy Lordy Lordy Lordy Lordy Lordy Lord
Hey, hey, hey, Bobby McGee, yeah.

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Song Stuck In My Head This Week - 26th March '11 - Bronski Beat - Smalltown Boy

I don't have too many strong recollections of actually liking the music in the 80's as a child, but as an adult I'm starting to appreciate it more and more. One song I've been listening to a lot lately has been 'Smalltown Boy' by Bronski Beat.

Formed in 1983 by Jimmy Sommerville, Steve Bronski and Larry Steinbachek, though bands with an openly gay image - all three members were gay - was becoming the norm, Bronski Beat were one of the first bands to tackle gay issues.

Peaking at number 3 in the UK singles chart, the bands debut single 'Smalltown Boy' tells the story of a young man in 80's Britain struggling with both family and society rejection for being gay.

In England & Wales gay sex was illegal until 1967 when it was decriminalise and the age of consent was placed at 21. In 1994 that age limit was brought down to 18 but was only brought in line with the straight age of consent, 16, in 2000. In Scotland it was illegal until 1980 when the age of consent was placed at 21 until 2000 when they joined England & Wales in making it 16. In Northern Ireland is was illegal until 1982 when the limit was set at 21. This was reduced to 17 in 2001 and then finally brought down to 16 in 2008. All this shows just how oppressed gay people would have felt at the time and how slow we have been in giving them some semblance of equality, though there is still plenty more we have yet to do.

Aside from the politics this is a catchy and memorable song and, despite the original line-up splitting in 1985 with Jimmy going on to have success with The Communards and then as a solo artist, it hasn't lost a single bit of it's quality over the years and is a classic song. The video also brings back so many memories of how the UK looked when I was a kid.

Hope you all enjoy the song and I'll catch you all next week!

Bronski Beat - Smalltown Boy

You leave in the morning
With everything you own
In a little black case
Alone on a platform
The wind and the rain
On a sad and lonely face

Mother will never understand
Why you had to leave
But the answers you seek
Will never be found at home
The love that you need
Will never be found at home

Run away, turn away, run away, turn away, run away.
Run away, turn away, run away, turn away, run away.

Pushed around and kicked around
Always a lonely boy
You were the one
That they'd talk about around town
As they put you down

And as hard as they would try
They'd hurt to make you cry
But you never cried to them
Just to your soul
No you never cried to them
Just to your soul

Run away, turn away, run away, turn away, run away.
Run away, turn away, run away, turn away, run away.

Cry , boy, cry...

You leave in the morning
With everything you own
In a little black case
Alone on a platform
The wind and the rain
On a sad and lonely face

Run away, turn away, run away, turn away, run away.
Run away, turn away, run away, turn away, run away.


Sunday, March 20, 2011

Song Stuck In My Head This Week - 20th March '11 - Jedward - Lipstick

If anyone had told me, even a few weeks ago, I'd be blogging about Jedward I'd have laughed in their face but all that changed when I checked out the video for their Eurovision entry 'Lipstick' when it was put up on perezhilton.com. I was just curious to see how naff it was only to be confronted by what is a seriously good pop track.

For those of you reading this who are unfamiliar with the phenomenon of Jedward they are identical twins John and Edward Grimes who became popular when they appeared in 2009's UK series 'X-Factor'. With their big blonde quiff's and their slightly dodgy/comical performances, though they finished sixth in the show, they had developed a real cult following. In their penultimate week they performed a mash-up of Queen & David Bowie's 'Under Pressure' and Vanilla Ice's 'Ice Ice Baby' which, with a guest appearance on the track by Vanilla Ice, went on to be their first single and it reached number 2 in the UK singles chart.

Since then they have gone on to sign a three year album deal with Universal, performed a massive 75 date tour of Ireland which had originally just been a 27 date tour but was extended due to the extensive demand. They also performed a further 48 date tour of both the UK and Ireland. Despite dividing opinion with people either loving them or hating them they have certainly surpassed my expectations for how their careers would progress.

Last December it was announced that Jedward would be competing for the right to represent Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest. They beat off the national competition and will now go on to the semi-finals on May 12th to see if they make it through to the finals on 14th May. I really hope they make it through as the song is brilliant and I'd love to see how well they'd do in the main competition. If they make it through to the final I'm definitely voting for them!

Hope you all enjoy it and I'll catch you all next week!!

Jedward - Lipstick

You say you’re on it but you just don’t know
You’re spending money like you’re on death row
You must be mis-educated
By all the guys that you’ve dated
You think I’ll take the bait but I don’t think so

Ohhhh
Am I headed for a car crash?
Ohhhh
Just about to meet my match, she takes the
Ohhhh
I’m about to fall in head first
Sisters let me tell you how it works

HEY!

She’s got her lipstick on
Here I come, da da dum
She’s got her lipstick on
Hit and run, then I’m gone
Check my collar, collar, hey, hey, ey
Check my collar, collar, hey, hey, ey

Oooohh, Oooohh

You look at me and I got you in mind
I come on over see what I could find
No appetite for delusion
How can I win when I’m losin’
You’re saying yes when it is no, no, no, no

Ohhhh
Am I headed for a car crash?
Ohhhh
Just about to meet my match, she takes the
Ohhhh
I’m about to fall in head first
Sisters let me tell you how it works

She’s got her lipstick on
Here I come, da da dum
She’s got her lipstick on
Hit and run, then I’m gone
Check my collar, collar, hey, hey, ey
Check my collar, collar, hey, hey, ey

She’s got her lipstick on
Here I come, da da dum
She’s got her lipstick on
Hit and run, then I’m gone
Check my collar, collar, hey, hey, ey
Check my collar, collar, hey, hey, ey

It’s not that I don’t wanna play (play, play)
And then I didn’t look your way (way, way)
It’s not like every girl’s the same (same, same)
You gotta know just how to treat this miss
Or she will be dismissed

Heyyyyy

She’s got her lipstick on
Here I come, da da dum
She’s got her lipstick on
Hit and run, then I’m gone
Check my collar, collar, hey, hey, ey
Check my collar, collar, hey, hey, ey

She’s got her lipstick on
Here I come, da da dum
She’s got her lipstick on
Hit and run, then I’m gone
Check my collar, collar, hey, hey, ey
Check my collar, collar, hey, hey, ey

Here I come
Here I come
dum da dum da dum da dum
Here I come
Here I come
dum da dum da dum da dum

Hit and run
Hit and run
dum da dum da dum da dum

Then I’m gone
Then I’m gone
Gone, gone, gone, gone

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Song Stuck In My Head This Week - 12th March '11 - The Darkness - Friday Night

For the last week I have been awash with happiness and joy at the pending return of The Darkness. I'd always held out hope that the fuzzy & adorable drummer boy, the sexy stone god, the tache-bearing legend and the catsuit wearing genius would return, and it seems my faith in that hope was not in vain.

Now the wheels are in motion and the Darklings are regrouping in readiness for the return of the mothership it made me reflect on those happy, heady days of '03 & '04. From cooking my left shoulder to a crisp at Knebworth in '03 after losing my friends and the sunblock just so I could be near the front for The Darkness's support slot when I went to see Robbie Williams (I didn't mind where I was for his set after that!!). Seeing Justin 'flying' round the ceiling at Wembley Arena in '04. All the meet-ups with fellow Darklings. Getting dressed up and all OTT for a TV taping thing - I don't even remember what it was for now - which took place at the top of a very tall building near Earl's Court and standing on a balcony with other Darklings from all over the UK looking out at the view of London at night. So many happy times.

My favourite moment of all, however, has made the choice for this week's song so simple. In December of '03 I went to see The Darkness play at Brixton Academy. That night was the first time I had met up with fellow Darklings and so I was a bit shy and nervous at first but, before I knew it, I had been incorporated into the plans for 'Friday Night'.

The plan, admittedly, was quite simple. At the appropriate moments during the song items relating to the lyrics would be lobbed at the stage (thankfully they decided not to lob anything related to the line 'archery on Thursday' as it could've proved painful). So we were split into groups and given our specific 'props'. I was in the 'ping-pong' group while the other group were armed with playing cards (I think there was a group armed with shuttlecocks too but don't quote me on it!). It was so much fun feeling like part of a little 'gang' and, as we scattered ourselves around the venue and awaited our moment it left me feeling excited and full of joy. Now every time I hear the song it always reminds me of that fun night.

I look forward to what the future brings in this second coming of The Darkness and can only hope for more happy memories to come along with it.

Hope you all enjoy this weeks song and I'll catch you all next week!!

The Darkness - Friday Night

Hey you!
Do you remember me
I used to sit next to you at school
We indulged in all the extra-curricular activites
We weren't particularly cool

Monday cycling
Tuesday gymnastics
Dancing on a Friday night
I got Bridge Club on Wednesday
Archery on Thursday
Dancing on a Friday night

Hey you!
Could you ever fall for me
The way I fell for you
And do you dwell upon the thoughts that I occupy
Or do you give yourself things to do?

Monday rowing
Tuesday badminton
Dancing on a Friday night
I got ping pong on Wednesday
Needlework on Thursday
Dancing on a Friday night
With you, with you

Monday, Tuesday
Wednesday, Thursday
Dancing on a Friday night
Let the music smother me
Whole weekend recovery
Dancing on a Friday night

See the lady I adore
Dancing on the dancing floor
Dancing on a Friday night
God, the way she moves me
To write bad poetry
Dancing on a Friday night
With you.

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Song Stuck In My Head This Week - 5th March '11 - Gin Blossoms - Follow You Down

Formed in 1987 in Tempe, Arizona and taking their name from the caption of a photo of W.C. Fields, Gin Blossoms had a series of minor hit singles in the UK in the early to mid 90's. Last year I blogged about their first hit, 'Hey Jealousy' http://songstuckinmyheadthisweek.blogspot.com/2010/08/song-stuck-in-my-head-this-week-30th.html, and now this week it's the turn of their last hit 'Follow You Down'.

After the release of their second album 'New Miserable Experience' in 1992 the band suffered the loss of former songwriter and band member Doug Hopkins. The album was a success and so, after touring and promoting it, the band took their time to re-group and decide where to take things from there. There had always been the assumption that if Hopkins could conquer his alcohol problems he would return to the group. His suicide put an end to that notion and it took until 1996 for the band to come back with their third album 'Congratulations, I'm Sorry'.

'Follow You Down' was the lead single to be released from the album. Though the single 'Til I Hear If From You' was released the previous year (lifted from the soundtrack to the film 'Empire Records') it wasn't originally on the album and only appeared at a later date.

Reaching number 15 on the US Billboard 100 and number 30 on the UK top 40 Singles Chart, 'Follow You Down' was written just before the end of the recording of 'Congratulations, I'm Sorry' when band member Jesse Valenzuela came up with it one night. Not only was it a popular song but the following year, shortly before the band split up, it won an award from the American Society of Composers and Publishers as one of the most played songs in 1996 on US radio.

I've always liked the music produced by the Gin Blossoms and this song is no exception. Having had it come up on my lastfm player a couple of times it was already in my head but, to top it all off, a talented young man by the name of Chris Hepworth played it at the acoustic night I go to on Sunday nights which just reaffirmed it's position in this blog.

I hope you all enjoy is and check out more of their material. I'll catch you all next week!!

Gin Blossoms - Follow You Down

Did you see the sky
I think it means that we've been lost
Maybe one less time is all we need
I can't really help it if my tongue's all tied in knots
Jumping off a bridge, it's just the farthest that I've ever been

Anywhere you go, I'll follow you down
Anyplace but those I know by heart
Anywhere you go, I'll follow you down
I'll follow you down, but not that far

I know we're headed somewhere, I can see how far we've come
But still I can't remember anything
Let's not do the wrong thing and I'll swear it might be fun
It's a long way down when all the knots we've tied have come undone

Anywhere you go, I'll follow you down
Anyplace but those I know by heart
Anywhere you go, I'll follow you down
I'll follow you down, but not that far

How you gonna ever find your place
Running in an artificial pace
Are they gonna find us lying face down in the sand
So what the hell now, we've already been forever damned

Anywhere you go, I'll follow you down
Anyplace but those I know by heart
Anywhere you go, I'll follow you down
I'll follow you down, but not that far
Follow you down
Follow you down, but not that far
Follow you down

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Song Stuck In My Head This Week - 27th February '11 - My Lithium & Me/David Bowie - Lady Grinning Soul

it was a chilly autumnal night when, at the birthday party of a mutual friend, I first heard My Lithium & Me (a.k.a. Leah Kardos) first perform 'Lady Grinning Soul'. As our friend, like us, was a Bowie fan she had put together a set of her own take on Bowie songs and the haunting quality of her performance of 'Lady Grinning Soul' was just captivating.

Since then she has continued to do her own take on Bowie songs at various parties until she decided to turn these casual, fun performances into a project. The end result is My Lithium & Me's 'You Can't Hide The Beat', a set of six amazing Bowie covers that are free to download from the website http://youcanthidebeat.com/ as well as some fantastic videos for several of them, and I do encourage you to watch the wonderful video for this song, animated by the talented Izzy Foster.

The songs from this project have been on loop on my mp3 player this week as I soak in every single piece of these songs. From the subtle samples from other Bowie songs to the wonderful vocal harmonies the six tracks are just such a wonderful treat for the ears and everyone should give them a listen.

My only hope is that this is just the beginning for My Lithium & Me and that there will be more to come in the future, whether it is more Bowie or some original material, as it would be a shame not to hear more from this seriously talented young lady.

Hope you all enjoy this week's song and I'll catch you all next week!!

My Lithium & Me/David Bowie - Lady Grinning Soul

She'll come, she'll go. She'll lay belief on you
Skin sweet with musky oil
The lady from another grinning soul

Cologne she'll wear. Silver and Americard
She'll drive a beetle car
And beat you down at cool Canasta

And when the clothes are strewn don't be afraid of the room
Touch the fullness of her breast. Feel the love of her caress
She will be your living end

She'll come, she'll go. She'll lay belief on you
But she won't stake her life on you
How can life become her point of view

And when the clothes are strewn don't be afraid of the room
Touch the fullness of her breast. Feel the love of her caress

She will be your living end
She will be your living end
She will be your living end
She will be your living end
She will be your living end

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Song Stuck In My Head This Week - 19th February '11 - Nancy Sinatra - Sugar Town

For this song being in my head I have to place some of the blame on the gorgeous little head of actress Zooey Deschanel. If it wasn't for her singing it in the movie '(500) Days Of Summer' (an excellent film by the way) then I might well have never heard it. Also it would have meant that whenever I think of the film this song instantly pops into my head and, as I've been thinking about the film a lot this week, I've been thinking about the song. So it's all Zooey's fault!

Nancy Sinatra was born in 1940 and is the eldest child of the late, great singer Frank Sinatra. Despite her lineage, Nancy's career didn't automatically take off. Despite signing to Reprise Records in 1961 and releasing several singles they all failed to do particularly well and by 1965 Nancy was on the verge of being dropped. Then she began to work with Lee Hazlewood, a renowned producer, songwriter and arranger who had been making hit records for stars such as Duane Eddy for a decade by that point. Hazlewood changed Nancy's sound and singing style and, along with a Carnaby Street-esque make-over, she began to have hits, leading off in early 1966 with the anthemic 'These Boots Are Made For Walkin''. A flurry of hits soon followed including 'Sugar Town' which became her second single to sell over a million copies.

Nancy continued to make music, as well as work in both film and television, until the mid-70's when she slowed down to concentrate on being a wife and mother. Periodically since the early 80's she has made music and even appeared in Playboy magazine in 1995!

'Sugar Town', for me, is a great little song that I just haven't stopped singing to myself all week. It's such a happy little ditty that you have to smile when you hear it. And it's still all Zooey's fault!

Hope you all enjoy it and I'll catch you all next week!

Nancy Sinatra - Sugar Town

I got some troubles but they won't last
I'm gonna lay right down here in the grass
And pretty soon all my troubles will pass
'cause I'm in shoo-shoo-shoo, shoo-shoo-shoo
Shoo-shoo, shoo-shoo, shoo-shoo Sugar Town

I never had a dog that liked me some
Never had a friend or wanted one
So I just lay back and laugh at the sun
'cause I'm in shoo-shoo-shoo, shoo-shoo-shoo
Shoo-shoo, shoo-shoo, shoo-shoo Sugar Town

Yesterday it rained in Tennessee
I heard it also rained in Tallahassee
But not a drop fell on little old me
'cause I was in shoo-shoo-shoo, shoo-shoo-shoo
Shoo-shoo, shoo-shoo, shoo-shoo Sugar Town

If I had a million dollars or ten
I'd give to ya, world, and then
You'd go away and let me spend
My life in shoo-shoo-shoo, shoo-shoo-shoo
Shoo-shoo, shoo-shoo, shoo-shoo Sugar Town
la-la-la-la to end

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Song Stuck In My Head This Week - 12th February '11 - The Bangles - Going Down To Liverpool

Formed in December 1980 by Susanna Hoffs and sisters Vicki and Debbi Peterson, The Bangles went on to be one of the most successful girl groups of the 80s.

'Going Down To Liverpool' was the band's big breakthrough single. Written by Kimberley Rew and recorded by her band Katrina & The Waves, it was covered by The Bangles for their debut album 'All Over The Place' in 1984. With the help of its video featuring 'Star Trek' actor Leonard Nimoy as well as an opening slot on Cyndi Lauper's 'Fun' tour that year.

All of this helped them reach a wider audience as well as capturing the attention of Prince who went on to write their first massive mainstream hit 'Manic Monday'. That reached number two in the US and UK and was featured on their second album 'Different Light' which also contained their global number one smash 'Walk Like An Egyptian'.

Despite the huge success of the band, by 1988 tensions between the girls were at an all time high. Though the vocal duty was shared equally between the girls both the media and, to a degree, the record label were pushing Hoffs as the 'lead singer'. Shortly after the release in 1988 of their biggest selling single, 'Eternal Flame', the group disbanded.

After many years working on solo projects the girls got back together in 1999 to record a song for the soundtrack of 'Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me' and have worked together and toured ever since. This year will see them release a new album and, I hope, do an extensive tour to plug it as I would love to see them live.

In the meantime I'll leave you with footage of a live performance of 'Going Down To Liverpool' from 1984 which I hope you'll all enjoy and I'll catch you all next week!!

The Bangles - Going Down To Liverpool

Hey now
Where you going with that load of nothing in your hand
I said, hey now
All through this green and pleasant land.

I'm going down to Liverpool to do nothing
I'm going down to Liverpool to do nothing
I'm going down to Liverpool to do nothing
All the days of my life
All the days of my life

Hey there
Where you going with that UB40 in your hand
I said, hey there.
All through this green and pleasant land

I'm going down to Liverpool to do nothing
I'm going down to Liverpool to do nothing
I'm going down to Liverpool to do nothing
All the days of my life
All the days of my life.

Hey now
Where you going with that UB40 in your hand
I said hey now
All through this green and pleasant land

I'm going down to Liverpool to do nothing
I'm going down to Liverpool to do nothing
I'm going down to Liverpool to do nothing
All the days of my life
All the days of my life

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Song Stuck In My Head This Week - 5th February '11 - The Wonder Stuff - The Size Of A Cow

Released in March '91, 'The Size Of A Cow', was the first single by Stourbridge band The Wonder Stuff to hit the UK top 10. It really pushed them into the mainstream spotlight and, after a couple of further single releases, their third album 'Never Loved Elvis' was released that June and peaked at number three on the UK album chart.

For the next few years, until they split in '94, The Wonder Stuff were one of the biggest bands about releasing several more hit singles and their fourth album, 'Construction For The Modern Idiot', which got to number four on the UK album chart and was supported by a 78 date tour of Europe & the US.

One of my favourite memories from the annual summer holiday trip to Scotland to visit the relatives is of being in the back of the car with my younger sister as we were driving back down south from Scotland. 'The Size Of A Cow' was playing on Radio 1 and my sister and I were singing along in the back of the car. Part way through the song we had to drive through the Tyne Tunnel so my sister and I carried on singing and when we resumed radio contact on the other side we were still in time with the song. I remember at the time how cool we felt for being able to achieve that feat. Now whenever I hear the song it brings back that memory of those happy times of childhood and I can't help but smile.

In 2000 the band reformed and have, since then, recorded further material and toured in between band members - primarily singer Miles Hunt - doing solo work. The new stuff has been fantastic but nothing will again be quite like those magical days of the early days where it was all about the size of a cow.

Hope you all enjoy this week's song & I'll catch you all again next week!!

The Wonder Stuff - The Size Of A Cow

Don't you think it's funny that nothing's what it seems
When you're not looking forward?
Me, I'd like to think life is like a drink
And I'm hoping that it tastes like bourbon

You know that I've been drunk a thousand times
And these should be the best days of my life
Life, it's not what I thought it was

Damn blast, look at my past
I'm ripping up my feet over broken glass
I said, Oh wow, look at me now
I'm building up my problems to the size of a cow
The size of a cow

You know it would be strange to live life in a cage
And only believe the things you see that are written on thepage
How easy would it be home in time for tea
And stop feeling like a sailboat rocking on the sea

You know that it's been sunk a thousand times
And these should be the best days of my life
Life, it's not what I thought it was

Damn blast, look at my past
I'm ripping up my feet over broken glass
I said, Oh wow, look at me now
I'm building up my problems to the size of a cow
The size of a cow
The size of a cow

You know that I've been drunk a thousand times
And these should be the best days of my life

Damn blast, look at my past
I'm ripping up my feet over broken glass
I said, Oh wow, look at me now
I'm building up my problems to the size of a cow
The size of a cow

Damn blast, look at my past
I'm ripping up my feet over broken glass
I said, Oh wow, look at me now
I'm building up my problems to the size of a cow
The size of a cow
The size of a cow

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Song Stuck In My Head This Week - 29th January '11 - David Bowie - Reality

2003/2004 was, for me, almost entirely connected to one album. 'Reality' is the last album to date released by David Bowie. Not long before its release I had become a member of Bowie's site Bowienet and so, when the time came for the album release, I won a ticket to go to the album launch in London where Bowie performed the album in its entirity and broadcast it to cinemas worldwide. It was the first time I saw Bowie performing live and was a magical experience.

The album, obviously, became a firm favourite of mine from the offset due to the experience I associated with it and the title track in particular is so catchy that it often finds itself swirling round my head.

With it's hard, aggressive guitars and punchy delivery it just grabs you and drags you along for the ride. It shows, in my opinon, that Bowie always has what it takes and I hope that one day we might hear some more from the man. However if this track and the album it came from prove to be his final calling card then it's a hell of a way to leave it.

The video is from that memorable album launch performance. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do and I'll catch you all next week!!

David Bowie - Reality

Tragic youth was looking young and sexy
The tragic youth was wearing tattered black jeans
Bearing arms and flaunting all her mischief
The tragic youth was going down on me

And I swear
Woo hoo
Yes I swear

I built a wall of sound to separate us
And hid among the junk of wretched highs
I sped from Planet X to Planet Alpha
Struggling for reality

Ha ha ha ha
Woo hoo
Ha ha ha ha
Whoo hoo

Hey, now my sight is failing in this twilight
Da da da da da da da da da
Now my death is more than just a sad song
Da da da da da da da da da
And I swear
Woo hoo
Yes I swear
Woo hoo

I still don't remember how this happened
I still don't get the wherefores and the whys
I look for sense but I get next to nothing
Hey boy welcome to reality

Ha ha ha ha
Woo hoo

I've been right and I've been wrong
Now I'm back where I started from
Never looked over reality's shoulder

Ha ha ha ha
Huh ha ha ha
Woo hoo

Huh ha ha
Wooh
Woo hoo
Wooh

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Song Stuck In My Head This Week - 26th January '11 - Jessie J - Do It Like A Dude

Whether Jessie J proves to be as sassy and feirce through the rest of her album remains to be seen but certainly 'Do It like A Dude' is a brilliant in your face introduction to the 22-year-old from Redbridge.

Having already been named the Brit Critics Choice 2011 and the winner of Radio 1's 'Sound Of 2011' list, Jessie J has already made a name for herself in the business as a songwriter penning songs for artists such as Christina Aguilera, Alicia Keys and Justin Timberlake. Now breaking out on her own and currently riding high in the UK charts I feel that, if she keeps the style she's started with, she could quite easily make a name for herself in the US too.

'Do It Like A Dude' is such a catchy tune that you just can't help but get it stuck in your head. Originally penned for Rihanna, Jessie decided at the last minute to keep it for herself and I don't blame her. I'll be interested to see what she does next to keep our attention but as the next single features another one of my favourite current artists, B.o.B., I'm hoping it's a sign of good things to come.

Hope you all like this slice of British fierceness and I'll catch you all next week!!

Jessie J - Do It Like A Dude

Stomp stomp I've arrived
Drop the beat, nasty face
Why ya lookin' at me?
Flyin' flyin' flyin' flyin' through the sky
In my spaceship
I'm an alien tonight
Dirty dirty dirty dirty dirty dirty sucka
You think I can't get hurt like you, you motherfucker

I can do it like a brother
Do it like a dude
Grab my crotch, wear my hat low like you
Do it like a brother
Do it like a dude
Grab my crotch, grab my hair get low like you
We can do it like the man'dem, man'dem
We can do it like the man'dem
Sugar sugar sugar
We can do it like the man'dem, man'dem
We can do it like the man'dem
Sugar sugar sugar

Boom Boom, pour me a beer
No pretty drinks, I'm a guy out here
Rollin' rollin' rollin' rollin' money like a pimp
My B I T C H's on my dick like this
Dirty dirty dirty dirty dirty dirty sucka
You think I can't get hurt like you, you motherfucker

I can do it like a brother
Do it like a dude
Grab my crotch, wear my hat low like you
Do it like a brother
Do it like a dude
Grab my crotch, grab my hair get low like you
We can do it like the man'dem, man'dem
We can do it like the man'dem
Sugar sugar sugar
We can do it like the man'dem, man'dem
We can do it like the man'dem
Sugar sugar sugar

Boys, come say what you wanna
Boys, you need to lick my dollar
Boys, gettin' hot under the collar
Holla holla woah

Boys, come say what you wanna
Boys, you need to lick my dollar
Boys, gettin' hot under the collar
Holla holla woah

I can do it like a brother
Do it like a dude
Grab my crotch, wear my hat low like you
Do it like a brother
Do it like a dude
Grab my crotch, grab my hair get low like you

We can do it like a brother
Do it like a dude
Grab my crotch, wear my hat low like you
Do it like a brother
Do it like a dude
Grab my crotch, grab my hair get low like you
We can do it like the man'dem, man'dem
We can do it like the man'dem
Sugar sugar sugar
We can do it like the man'dem, man'dem
We can do it like the man'dem
Sugar sugar sugar

Do it, do it like a dude
Do it, do it low like you
Do it, do it like a dude

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Song Stuck In My Head This Week - 16th January '11 - Prince - Take Me With U

In the 80's there was 'the big three', Madonna, Michael Jackson & Prince. I never saw Michael Jackson live and I still don't know if that's something I should regret or not. I saw Madonna live in 2006 and was left with the feeling of having wished I'd seen her in the early 90's as I feel I missed her at her best. In 2007 when he was playing his 21 nights at the O2 Arena in London I saw Prince. Right from the opening number that night, '1999', I was blown away. So much so that the next day I promptly sourced a ticket for a second night as one night was not enough.

No amount of words can do justice to just how amazingly talented this guy is. Whether it be his ability to play piano/keyboard with such ease and beauty, his amazing style of delivering any genre of song with style and grace or the fact that he is simply, in my opinion, the greatest guitarist of his generation. Then on top of that you have his stunning charisma and an ability to work a room no matter how big. Even at the O2 where I was part of a 20,000 audience I felt that 'presence' as he can manage to do that.

Having released his first album 'For You' in 1978, just two years before I was born, Prince has been a constant presence in my life as I've grown up. 'Purple Rain' was released when I was 4 and some of the biggest hits of that year came from that album. One of the songs to be release from that album was 'Take Me With U'.

I've always found 'Take Me With U' to be a great song about those heady, lust-driven, early days of romance. He manages to capture that magic and intensity in such a simple way that it really demonstrates what a fantastic songwriter he is. I am always captivated by the quality of his music and I hope that one day I get to see him live again and, even more so, hear 'Take Me With U' live.

Hope you all enjoy it and I'll catch you all next week!!

Prince - Take Me With U

I can't disguise the pounding of my heart
It beats so strong
It's in your eyes what can I say
They turn me on

I don't care where we go
I don't care what we do
I don't care pretty baby
Just take me with u

Come on and touch the place in me
That's calling out your name
We want each other oh so much
Why must we play this game?

Don't care where we go
I don't care what we do
I don't care pretty baby
Just take me with u

I don't care if we spend the night at your mansion
I don't care if we spend the night on the town
All I want is 2 spend the night together
All I want is 2 spend the night in your arms

To be around u is so-oh right
You're sheer perfection (thank u)
Drive me crazy, drive me all night
Just don't break up the connection

I don't care where we go
I don't care what we do
I don't care pretty baby
Just take me with u

I don't care where we go
I don't care what we do
I don't care pretty baby
Just take me with u

Just take me with u
Oh won't u take me with u
Honey take me with u

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Song Stuck In My Head This Week - 09th January '11 - New Kids On The Block - Twisted

The great thing about New Kids On The Block and their fans is the amount of communication they want to share with us. The time they take to make it personal whether it be tweeting people directly, or privately (I've experienced both), or just by putting up photos on their twitter or facebook accounts that are personal -photos of them behind the scenes or even their families - just because they want us to feel a part of their lives. They are always quick to tell us, as if we needed reminding, that without us fans being there they'd not be enjoying their second crack at the music business.

Also the fans are always there for each other and, in the age of the internet and social media, fans around the world are getting to share experiences as well as cultivating new friendships.

Both aspects of this special 'relationship' pulled together this week to help a fan in serious need. Bobette is a 30-year-old fan in the US who had a liver transplant when she was three. Her parents were told she might live to seven if she was lucky but she's obviously defied the medics. However the drugs she's had to take to keep her liver functioning have destroyed her kidneys. She's in need of a kidney transplant from a living donor as it will have a longer life span than a kidney from someone who is deceased.

For various reasons none of her close friends or family were suitable matches so her best friend decided to write a blog and see if anyone in the big wide world would be willing to help Bobette. Both girls are New Kids On The Block fans and so she decided to post the link to her blog to the members of the band to see if they could help spread the word and Donnie Wahlberg did just that. Within a few hours Bobette had six people, all fellow New Kids fans, offering to be donors. They didn't know her personally but felt compelled to help her. This just shows how magic simply loving a band can be.

As for the song, 'Twisted' is my favourite song from their most recent album 'The Block' and this week it just kept popping up on my lastfm account and sticking in my head. Then, when looking for a video of it on youtube I came across the one which you'll find at the end of this blog where, when performing the song at Radio City last June, they mashed it up with the Eurythmics track 'Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)' which made it even more brilliant than it was already.

Hope you all enjoy it and I'll catch you all again next week!!

New Kids On The Block - Twisted

You wanna feel, I'll let you feel
Come over here
You heard what love can do to you

You know that cuts, scars, bruises hurt
So what
You like it
You like all the screws, tattoos, cool
That I can do
You're telling, you're telling me you're
A little bit twisted

Can feel ya heart
You want me to twist it
Twist it for ya
A little bit twisted
Tell me where does it hurt
Tell me where to kiss it'
Kiss it, kiss it, kiss it, kiss it
Where does it hurt
Tell me where to kiss it (kiss it)

How do you feel
I got you ill from all the love
I'll try not to kill ya
Get close enough

You know that cuts, scars, bruises hurt
So what
You like it
You like all the screws, tattoos, cool
That i can do
You're telling, you're telling me you're
A little bit twisted

Can feel ya heart
You want me to twist it
Twist it for ya
A little bit twisted
Tell me where does it hurt
Tell me where to kiss it'
Kiss it, kiss it, kiss it, kiss it
Where does it hurt
Tell me where to kiss it (kiss it)

You need a little more to get you where you want
I'll push you how you want it
Just tell me where to pull
You want it harder
Need it harder
Girl it's how you like it
Tell me what you been missing
You need me to come and twist it for you
I'll come and twist it for you
I'll even hit it for you
I'll hurt you if you like it
And then I'll twist it for you

Twist it for ya
Twist it for ya
Twist it for ya
Twist it for ya
Sadistic for ya
Twist it for ya

A little bit twisted
Can feel ya heart
You want me to twist it for ya
A little bit twisted
Tell me where does it hurt
Tell me where to kiss it'
Kiss it, kiss it, kiss it, kiss it
Where does it hurt
Tell me where to kiss it (kiss it)

Twist it for ya
Twist it for ya
Sadistic for ya
Twist it for ya
Twist it for ya
Sadistic for ya

Where does it hurt
Tell me where to kiss it

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Song Stuck In My Head This Week - 02nd January '11 - Nick Stephenson - Mine's A Simple Mind

Nick Stephenson is not only a wonderful human being and a dear friend, but he is also one of the most amazing singer/songwriters I have encountered in recent times.

Last month he finally released his long awaited debut album 'Dream Logic'. Chock full of beautiful and magical songs it is well worth everyone having a copy in their music collection.

In theory it is hard to pick which song to put up on here from the album. Opening track 'Better Than Any Drug' is a great song of the powers of true love. 'Mountain', my favourite on the album, is just such a beautiful song with lines I wish a guy would use on me some time as I'd fall for them instantly. The classic 'Poor Little Boy' which I blogged about last April (http://songstuckinmyheadthisweek.blogspot.com/2010/04/song-stuck-in-my-head-this-week-25th.html/). The tender 'Midnight Movements'. So many great songs, however the choice is made simpler by the fact that Nick doesn't have many videos of him and his music on YouTube, something I hope he rectifies in 2011. I also hope he starts posting lyrics online too so I don't have to keep hoping I've got them right!!

In the meantime you can always hear his songs on his MySpace page http://www.myspace.com/nickstephensonmusic/ and find out information about him either there or on his facebook page http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/group.php?gid=255649986329/

However I hope you enjoy this week's song and give the rest of his stuff a listen too!!

Nick Stephenson - Mine's A Simple Mind

Good memories
Debating friends
Isolation
The good times end
But inside is a knowing smile
Not needing to speak at all
If he knew how to change their minds he might go out
It's not easy to change the ones who'll put you down

Was hiding the best of moves
He hears the sounds but he's not in their shoes
And the brain works a simple spell
No pretentions or pointless tales
If he knew how to change their minds he might go out
It's not easy to change the ones who'll put you down
As fate works in a funny old way
It's a self-fulfilling prophecy
And who wants to take another crack at this one

Righteous children pinned to their chairs
Sad opinions
Lonely affairs
Vegetating
Barely alive
Happy living nine to five
I can't criticise
Or rationalise
For mine's a simple mind
I can't criticise
Or rationalise
For mine's a simple mind
Mine's a simple mind