I *finally* found out the name of the song and artist that has been driving me crazy for about two years! I hear it at least once or twice every month on the “oldies” station, and trying to grab enough of the lyrics to Google proved maddening. I knew only the lyrics included phrases such as “please go away” and “come on” — hardly enough to track it down amidst the clutter of song lyrics. But today I had the bright idea to add “70s song” to the search, and viola: “Please Go All The Way” by The Raspberries! Which, to my surprise, featured Eric Carmen. And yeah - adding the word “all” to the phrase “please go away” not only helped my search, but it also changed the meaning of the song considerably.
note: song title changed, per Charles’ comment

Until I moved here a few years ago, I didn’t much care for country music of any kind. Sure, I went through a very brief spell in the late 80s of enjoying Dwight Yoakum and Steve Earle, but that was the extent of it. But shortly after arriving here, I heard a song called “Wolverton Mountain” on the radio, and something about it struck me. Since then, I’ve slowly been learning and enjoying what is termed “classic country,” although it also is called “western swing” or “honky-tonk” or some other term. I’ve also learned that there really was a Clifton Clowers, by the way. The best example of this type of music that I’ve found on the radio is the Saturday morning “Grassroots Gold” program on 104.9, KIK-FM. So I’ve been learning about Loretta Lynn, Bob Wills, and other such performers, and remain slightly baffled as to why this music has become so appealing to me.

All content on this website is © Copyright 2000-2010 - All Rights Reserved The content on this site may not be reused or republished. Website template powered by VooWeb.com Website Templates

The Cars - one of the best 70s/80s pop-rock-newwave bands - showed up on my radar twice yesterday. The first time was during my morning drive to work. I was listening to 92.9 FM, the “oldies” station, that routinely plays The Supremes, CCR, and other such classics. Surprise: I heard “You Might Think” by The Cars. Whoa…sure, it’s been 20+ years since that song was released, which arguably qualifies it as an “oldie,” but it’s also the most “modern” sounding tune I’ve ever heard played on such a station.
The second incident occurred in the evening, as I was listening one of the rock stations…the jock announced the NEW song by The New Cars. Huh? NEW CARS? WTF, mate? And the song, titled “But Not Tonight,” was pretty damn good (available on iTunes, BTW). Turns out that two former Cars members (Easton & Hawkes) have teamed up with Todd Rundgren (!) and two other folks to create The New Cars, and based on that one tune, I’m on board. The song was eerily similar to orginal Cars tunes, but definitely had a newer sound. Wow.

In my weaker moments…sometimes, not often…but there are times…when I think that Dean Martin is actually just as good Frank Sinatra. But that can’t be, because Frank Sinatra was the Greatest Entertainer of the 20th Century. But Dino…well, it’s hard to call him “second best.” Surely Frank is First Among Equals. But like I said…sometimes my brain seems to recognize that Dean…nah, that’s crazy talk, isn’t it?

Jake Silver, an otherwise intelligent young man, is suffering under the delusion that Lionel Richie is somehow more talented than Stevie Wonder. *baffled* Is there no hope for the youth of today?

NEEDED: Name The Song Title and/or Artist! It’s an 80s song that involves a small child reciting a list of things that he sees as he watches television. Possibly “new wave” or alternative. “Tell me what you see…” might be part of the chorus. Any ideas? UPDATE: Yukon Sam identified the song as “Hey Matthew” by Karel Fialka, released in 1988. I’d never heard it (or of it) until today. Pretty lame tune - check it out.

Surfing around Google Video using the search word “montana” and I came across this quirky, strangely sentimental video. It appears that the young lad is deeply in love with the young lady. It appears to have nothing to do with Montana, except that the phrase “Montana Place Productions” appears on the credits. What intrigued me, however, was the song that played. It’s very Brit-poppy, with some nifty horn stuff (but not overpowering) in the middle. After Googling some of the lyrics, I discovered that the song is called “Dirty Dream Number Two,” and it is by a band called “Belle & Sebastian.” Apparently Belle & Sebastian is pretty popular, although I’d never heard of such until this evening. Oddly compelling music. iTunes reveals that the song referenced above ranks as the band’s 80th most-popular. Give it a listen.

I went through a very brief period in the mid-to-late 80s during which I dabbled in listening to country music; got a little familiar with some of the stars of that time, such as Dwight Yoakum, The Judds, George Strait, and Tanya Tucker. Thankfully, I moved on and back to my regular favorites (new wave, American standards, etc) just as Garth Brooks was arriving on the scene. Whew…dodged that bullet. But since arriving here in Montana, I’ve begun to appreciate some of the C/W sound again…this time, I seem to be gravitating more towards the “classic country” stuff — older, twangier, etc. But while trying to hear some of those tunes on one of the country stations, I inevitably hear some of the more modern stuff, and what I’ve been hearing a lot of lately is Gretchen Wilson. (more…)

Damn damn damn. Wilson Pickett has died. Damn damn damn. UPDATE: Charles is able to put words to my thoughts, and agrees that “Funky Broadway” was Wilson Pickett at his best.

Just another “Top 100…” list, but this one is particularly offensive due to the large number of albums and bands that are pure & utter crap. What on earth is a “Radiohead,” fercryinoutloud? I had to scroll all the way down to #18 to find the first great album on the list. #32 and #41 are pretty damn good, too. (via MeFi)

Watching “Susan Slept Here” on TCM right now…good stuff. And speaking of Good Stuff, check out this small but wonderful list of Holiday Tunage…if there’s a better overall holiday mix, prove it.

Yes, yes, today is the annual celebration known as Festivus, but more important: playing right now on the Encore channel: “The Good, Bad, and Ugly,” as today marks the 39th anniversary of the release of what many consider to be the greatest Western movie ever made. Of note for me during this viewing: at about the seven-minute mark of “The Good, Bad, and Ugly,” there is some haunting “atmosphere” music (guitar) that is played as Angel Eyes enters the scene…and it sounds very much like the music that is playing when The Bride walks out of the chapel and sees Bill for the first time since the Incident. Is it the same music? I don’t know, but it’s Very Cool. UPDATE: watched the first 1/2 hour again, and now I’m sure that it’s the same piece of music. Good, good stuff.