Friday, December 18, 2009

I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) - The Proclaimers

Sometimes regarded as an incredibly goofy song, I have always thought it would be a fun one to have playing in the background while being proposed to.

When I wake up, well I know i'm gonna be,
I'm gonna be the man who wakes up next you
When I go out, yeah I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who goes along with you
If I get drunk, well I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who gets drunk next to you
And if I haver up, Yeah I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who's havering to you

But I would walk 500 miles
And I would walk 500 more
Just to be the man who walks a thousand miles
To fall down at your door

The Proclaimers' hit "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" was released in the UK in 1989, and in the United States in 1993. The song reached #11 in the UK and #1 in Australia in 1989, and then #3 in the US 5 years later. The music video for this song features the four-eyed band members, who also happen to be twins from Scotland.

Enjoy the music video here and see just how goofy the singers are - and make sure to listen to all the goofy lyrics!


Wednesday, December 16, 2009

You Got It (The Right Stuff) - New Kids On The Block

Yes, the New Kids On The Block came back recently as, well, older men on the block - however they were still awesome in concert!

The Boys from Boston's song "You Got It (The Right Stuff)" was released in 1988 as the second single off their debut album Hangin' Tough. The song peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 Charts and was included in VH1s list of the 100 Greatest Songs of the 80s.

When I was 6 years old, I first learned on New Kids On The Block, and they have stuck with me ever since. This song is one of my favorites, and one that I still know all the words to.


Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Under Pressure - Freddie Mercury and David Bowie

Much better than Lil Wayne and Kevin Rudolph.

Better than Tim Mcgraw and Faith Hill

And maybe better than Billy Joel and Elton John. Maybe.

When Freddie Mercury of Queen and David Bowie collaborated on 1981's "Under Pressure" it was the joining of the 2 most distinguishable voices of all time.

Featured on Queen's album Hot Space, "Under Pressure" earned the top spot on the UK charts, and was also named as song #31 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of the 1980s.

Even though "Under Pressure" was a joint effort from Queen and David Bowie, Queen were the only performers to incorporate it regularly into their live shows. Bowie did not perform the song before a live audience until after Freddie Mercury's passing, and has since performed the song at almost every concert, with his bass player taking Mercury's part.

The opening bass line is one of the most recognized in the world - unless you let Vanilla Ice mess up your music awesomeness with "Ice Ice Baby"

Below is a video so you can hear Freddie and David singing together, as well as the video of David Bowie and Annie Lennox singing "Under Pressure" at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert in 1992. Feel the power behind the song and fall in love.




Sunday, December 6, 2009

Piano Man - Billy Joel

"It's a pretty good crowd for a Saturday
And the manager gives me a smile
'Cause he knows that it's me they've been comin' to see
To forget about their life for a while
And the piano, it sounds like a carnivore
And the microphone smells like a beer
And they sit at the bar and put bread in my jar
And say, "Man, what are you doin' here?""

Here's the thing - I love Billy Joel more than I love most of my friends. There. I said it. Now it's out in the open.

Billy Joel is a freakin' genius, and his first major hit "Piano Man" launched him to stardom, earning him the nickname Piano Man and ensuring this song is one of his staples at every concert and on many albums.

Released in November 1973, "Piano Man" is a first-person observance of a bar piano player, telling the stories of the regulars in his bar. Listening to the song, you learn about Davy "who's still in the navy" and the old man "makin' love to his tonic and gin". Billy Joel acknowledged that each character in this song is based on a real person - either a friend of his, or a stranger in a bar that he saw all too often.

Because this song is immensely popular and widely recognized, it is obviously a karaoke classic. It it also one of the first songs I learned with I was a small kid riding around in my dad's old beat-up car listening to classic rock.


Friday, December 4, 2009

Livin' On A Prayer - Bon Jovi


The famous story of Tommy and Gina - struggling to make ends meet, and still working at their relationship to keep it going - is a fantastic story behind the killer beats and amazing guitar playing of Bon Jovi's song "Livin' On A Prayer"

The second single by the incredibly popular band, "Livin' On A Prayer" almost didn't make it on Bon Jovi's "Slippery When Wet". Imaging if it hadn't - what a sad world it would be.

Named by VH1 as the #1 Rock Song of the 80's, "Livin' On A Prayer" has rocked the faces of millions of people since its debut in 1987.

Alyssa, be sure to crank this song up the next time you hear it, belt out the lyrics, and become a part of one of the greatest songs of all time.

Watch the Video on YouTube, and be sure to turn up the speakers :)

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

The Purple Rain Soundtrack


This is THE BEST soundtrack of all time.

If you haven't seen Purple Rain yet, you obviously haven't been watching VH1 on a regular basis - it is regularly featured as a Movie That Rocks and played at all hours of the night.

But trust me, the best thing about the movie is the music.

The Twin Cities' own Prince (ne Prince Rogers Nelson) rocked 1984 (the year Yours Truly was born) with the soundtrack to Purple Rain, which include some of his greatest hits to date. These hits are still popular on the radio, and bring about some kill reactions when played live. Hits from the soundtrack include:
  • Let's Go Crazy
  • When Doves Cry
  • I Would Die 4 U
  • Purple Rain
Named by Entertainment Weekly's 1000th issue in 2008 as the #1 Best Album of the Last 25 years, the Purple Rain soundtrack has also received a lot of other great recognition including Best Soundtrack of All Time (Vanity Fair) and Greatest Album of the 1980s (Tempo).

Plus, Prince is incredibly sexy.

Go get this album, or one of Prince's greatest hits albums, and experience how cool music was the year I was born.

Monday, November 30, 2009

Free Bird - Lynyrd Skynyrd

"If I leave here tomorrow
Would you still remember me?
For I must be traveling on, now
'Cause there's too many places I've gotta see.
But if I stayed here with you, girl
Things just couldn't be the same
'Cause I'm as free as a bird now
And this bird you cannot change."

"Free Bird" by Lynyrd Skynyrd is one of those kick-ass rock songs that everyone loves. The song brings up so many different memories for me from so many different experiences, or even when it's been used in movies. I love this song.

Released in late 1974 - following the release of their Southern rock anthem "Sweet Home Alabama" - "Free Bird" peaked at #19 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was also later given the #3 spot on Guitar World's 100 Greatest Guitar Solos.

Other recognitions for this powerful song include:
Perhaps when you get a bit older and you realize how awesome it is to drive around with your friends in your cars late at night, you can blast this song on your radio. But until then, enjoy the clip below. And be amazed.



Saturday, November 28, 2009

Take It Easy - The Eagles

Alyssa, I remember singing this song when I was in elementary school. I knew all words well before I could buy my own CDs and to this day, it is still one of my favorite songs by one of the best bands in rock and roll.

"Take It Easy" by The Eagles was written by Glenn Frey (of The Eagles) and his neighbor and song-writer Jackson Browne (who's songs will also appear on this blog soon). Recorded by The Eagles, it was their first single and opening track on their debut album, this song is so beloved by the audience that it has made it on to all of The Eagles' compilation CDs. "Take It Easy" was even named by The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as one of the 500 songs that shaped rock and roll.

Also, it needs to be said - The Eagles are a fucking amazing band. There. I said it.

So please listen to this song, love it as much as I do, and begin to appreciate just how amazing The Eagles are.


Thursday, November 26, 2009

Margaritaville - Jimmy Buffett

"But there's booze in the blender
And soon it will render
That frozen concoction that helps me hang on"

Yes, Alyssa, I know you'e heard this song before. But I want to make sure you appreciate just how fantastic this song actually is.

"Margaritaville" is the iconic song for anyone who just wants to sit back, relax, and enjoy an adult beverage. This is known as Jimmy Buffett's ultimate song, and to this day, he still performs with enthusiasm and vigor. When released in 1977, the song topped the Adult Contemporary charts and is Buffett's largest selling single of all time.

Jimmy Buffett is a marketing genius, having themed restaurants all over the country, CDs, books, DVDs, beer and the Dolphins Stadium. Oh yeah, and his concerts sell out in record time and are enjoyed by people in high school all the way yo to their 60s and 70s.

Here is Buffett singing the song live - check out the people enjoying themselves during the concert too - it's a hell of a time!


Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Like a Virgin - Madonna

Yup, Madonna is still around, and is still a fantastic artist, singer, dancer and performer. But my favorite music by her was all in the 80s and 90s (pretty much everything off of The Immaculate Collection).

Before Madonna discovered Kabbalah and became British, she was one of the most scandalous artists the world had ever seen. With music videos showing her having sex with guys on top of roofs, and the lyrics to this song I am featuring here, Madonna was thought to be a horrible influence on young women.

"Like a Virgin" was released in November of 1984 (right after I was born) and has since become one of Madonna's signature songs. The song was also honored by Rolling Stone and MTV, which named it the #4 greatest pop song of all time.

The song's base line is quite similar to Michael Jackson's "Billie King" and the song also paralells a bit of Foreigner's "Feels Like The First Time" (Notice a pattern of awesome songs begetting awesome songs? This is not a coincidence).

Madonna also made music history when she performed "Like a Virgin" at the MTV Video Music Awards wearing a white wedding dress, standing on top of a huge tiered wedding cake set, and essentially pleasuring herself while rolling around on the ground during the performance. This performance is still one of the most talked about musical numbers at a VMAs ever since. Yes, more intriguing that that whole Taylor Swift/Kanye West thing.

"I was beat, incomplete
I'd been had, I was sad and blue,
But you made me feel
Yeah you made me feel shiny and new
Like a virgin
Touched for the very first time
Like a virgin
With your heart beats
Next to mine."

Watch the amazingly outstanding music video on YouTube, and learn to appreciate and enjoy classic Madonna.


Sunday, November 22, 2009

Pour Some Sugar On Me - Def Leppard

This is The Song. The Song to make you sing loud. The Song to make you thrash your hair around on the dance floor.

"Love is like a bomb, baby, c'mon get it on
Livin' like a lover with a radar phone
Lookin' like a tramp, like a video vamp
Demolition woman, can I be your man?"

"Pour Some Sugar On Me" by British rock band Def Leppard quickly became an MTV classic after it's debut in 1988. Regarded as the band's signature song, "Pour Some Sugar On Me" kicked ass, took names, and reached #2 on the Billboard charts.

Oh yeah - and the drummer only has one arm. And he still rocks. Better than most.

This is one of my favorite songs of all time. Download it and fall in love.




Do you take sugar? One lump or two?

Friday, November 20, 2009

Feels Like the First Time - Foreigner

I think Alyssa is even too young to remember the Burger King commercials featuring music from this band, but let me tell you - Foreigner is outstanding.

Their songs all seem to have a very similar style, which can either make all of them rotten, or all of them awesome. Thankfully for this band, it was the latter.

Foreigner was formed in 1976, and has since sold over 50 million albums worldwide, thanks to the success of many of their hits, including "Cold as Ice", "Hot Blooded", "Dirty White Boy" and the song I am featuring here - "Feels Like The First Time".

"Feels Like The First Time" was on the band's debut album released in 1977, and reached #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 that year.

"I would climb any mountain
Sail across a stormy sea
If that's what it takes me baby
To show you how much you mean to me"

Oh yeah, and the band Daughtry did a cover of this song last year. So, i suppose that makes it col, right? Check out Foreigner's version though - it's way better.


Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Don't Fear the Reaper - Blue Oyster Cult

So, you're probably saying "Really Dana, a cult of oysters?" Yes. Yes.

Blue Oyster Cult got its start in the late 1960s in Long Island, New York, are still active in 2009, and have sold over 14 million albums worldwide. They are well known for hits such as "Godzilla", "Burnin' For You" and the song I have chosen to offer Alyssa here, "Don't Fear The Reaper".

"Don't Fear The Reaper" is the band's greatest hit to date, reaching #12 on the American charts in November 1976. This same year, Rolling Stone named it the year's best rock song.

This song has a lot of deep qualities, including the meaning of the song itself. Sometimes misinterpreted as a song about suicide, "Don't Fear The Reaper" is actually about being in love with someone forever; a love that transcends death and the physical existence of the two people in love.

This song was also famously parodied in the infamous "More Cowbell!" skit on Saturday Night Live in 2000, featuring Will Farrell and Christopher Walken. You can listen to the original version below, and try to catch a rerun of that SNL episode at least once in your life - it is amazing!





Monday, November 16, 2009

Hangman is Comin' Down From the Gallows

"The jig is up the news is out they've finally found me
The renegade who had it made retrieved for a bounty
Never more to go astray
This will be the end today of the wanted man"

"Renegade" by Styx is one of my favorite songs of all time. And an awesome ringtone on my phone.

Styx was formed in Chicago, and named after the River Styx of Greek mythology. (Dear Lord, I hope you at least have heard of that. Otherwise, what are your schools teaching you?) "Renegade" was released in 1978 off of Styx' Pieces of Eight album. It reached #16 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts that year.

There aren't many songs in the first person about an outlaw. And especially not about that outlaw trying to avoid the death penalty. However, this song really does have a fun beat to it, and the drums are so intense, they just carry you through the song.

Styx is still fantastic in concert, having seen then in 2007 and 2009 with my BFF Sara. Go ahead and download "Renegade" and imagine how awesome the song is in concert. And see a live version of the song below, played as a concert encore.



Also, according to Wikipedia, the new rollercoaster Renegade at Valleyfair is named after this song. (I think it is just a coincidence, but it would be awesome to have a roller coaster named after a Styx Song. No lie.)

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Don't Stop Me Now - Queen

Alyssa, you will learn that I have a big crush on the band Queen - specifically Freddie Mercury. He is my boyfriend. My dead, gay, rockstar boyfriend.

As you will (hopefully) learn, Freddie Mercury is also one of the greatest artists and composers to have ever lived. After his death in 1991 of AIDS, Queen continued to be successful, and has sold over 300 million albums to date.

The Queen song I am listing here is "Don't Stop Me Now". With a fun beat and addictive lyrics, this song can put any listener in a good mood. The lyrics also display a bit of cosmic imagery, as well as excitement for an upbeat number that rose to #9 on the UK charts.

"I'm burning through the sky yeah!
Two hundred degrees
That's why they call me Mister Fahrenheit
I'm travling at the speed of light
I wanna make a supersonic man out of you!"

So enjoy this song and all the fun you can have with it. And also enjoy it being used in 2004's Shaun of the Dead.


Friday, November 13, 2009

I've Had The Time Of My Life


I'm sure with the recent passing of Patrick Swayze, Alyssa had to have at least heard about the movie Dirty Dancing. Right? Right?

Oh. Em. Gee.

The Last Dance of the Season had to be a great song that brought the theme of the movie together, and share how important the time Baby spent with Johnny was. After being selected by the movie's choreographer, Johnny Castle took baby out of the corner and danced the last dance to "I've Had The Time Of My Life".

The song reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 list with the release of the movie. You can't hear this song without thinking of Dirty Dancing, and you can't watch the movie without singing along with Johnny and doing a little lip biting and head nodding at the end.

Relive the happy moment on YouTube, and Alyssa, download this song immediately!

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic

Before Sting was the solo act, he was in a fantastic band called The Police. With hits such as "Every Breath You Take", "Roxanne" and "Message in a Bottle" The Police rocked us all. Rolling Stone magazine named them number 70 on their list of the 100 Greatest Rock Bands of All Time.

"Every Little Thing She Does is Magic" was released by The Police in 1981, and peaked at number 3 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Singing the following lines, Sting just sounds so amazingly sexy; it's not wonder he enjoys the Tantric so much, huh?

"Every little thing she does is magic
Every thing she does just turns me on
Even though my life before was tragic
Now I know my love for her goes on"

Le sigh. I know quite a few women who would want this song written about them.

Will Alyssa be one of them???


Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Old Time Rock and Roll - Bob Seger

"Call me a relic, call me what you will
Say I'm old-fashioned, say I'm over the hill
Today's music ain't got the same soul
I like that old time rock 'n' roll"

I grew up listening to Bob Seger. I remember riding in my dad's old car and learning the lyrics to Seger's songs when I was 3 years old.

One of the best ones in "Old Time Rock and Roll" from 1978.

The moment the piano starts at the beginning of the song, you know the magic that is about to happen. However, the piano "false start" at the beginning of the track was actually a mistake made by the tape operator in the recording studio. Seger and his manager liked the "mistake" however, and it has now become one of the most well-known musical beginnings of all time.

Also one of my friend's favorite karaoke songs, "Old Time Rock and Roll" is a powerful rock song that puts all listeners in a great mood.

This song was also re-released in 1983 after being included in Risky Business where Tom Cruise dances in socks, a button-down shirt and tighty whities.


Tuesday, November 10, 2009

The Top Gun Soundtrack

Top Gun is one of those classic '80s movies that everyone has seen, and everyone loves. The music in the movie sets the tone for Maverick, Goose and Iceman to fly into the "Danger Zone".

Oh, yeah, "Danger Zone" by Kenny Loggins is fantastic. The beat of this song carries the viewer through the entire movie, and rocking out to this song on a road trip through Nebraska makes all the corn a hell of a lot more exciting. Also, any movie with Kenny Loggins on the soundtrack means it's a great movie ("Footloose" is upcoming).

Another HUGE hit from the Top Gun soundtrack is "Take My Breath Away" by Berlin. This was the biggest hit Berlin had, and a powerful ballad that still sends shivers down listeners' spines to this day. Not to be confused with Jessica Simpson's recent remake of the song which, by definition, blew.

And who can forget the scene in the bar where Maverick and Goose sing The Righteous Brothers' "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling". What a quality song that saw a revival when sung by Tom Cruise.




Alyssa - you must download the above mentioned songs and plan on watching Top Gun at some point in your life - maybe not when you're 12. You may appreciate the volleyball scene a bit more when you are older.

Monday, November 9, 2009

Dream On - Aerosmith

With recent news that Steven Tyler has quit the band Aerosmith, I thought this would be an appropriate post to get up right away.

Aerosmith - sometimes referred to as America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band - has been rocking the world for almost 40 years. The band has scored 21 Top 40 Hits since their debut album was released in 1973 and was named the best selling American rock band of all time.

The song chosen here for my cousin Alyssa is their first single "Dream On". Long before Steven Tyler's voice became the distinct sound it is now, he recorded this song, and it has always stood out as one of my favorites. VH1 also ranked "Dream On" #47 on their list of the 100 Greatest Rock Songs

So, Alyssa, travel back to when your mom was still in elementary school and enjoy "Dream On" like everyone else has.

And let's hope that Steven Tyler hasn't really quit - or that they reconcile again. We need them to keep rocking.


One of the Best Karaoke Songs of All Time

Alyssa, no matter what anyone tells you, the band Journey ROCKS!

And their most popular song has got to be "Don't Stop Believin'"

Being played everywhere from karaoke bars, sporting events and dance clubs, "Don't Stop Believin'" is amazing. The chorused piano introduction has been described as one of the best opening keyboard riffs of all time.

In 2006, VH1 ranked this song as the 11th greatest song of the 1980s, but no one needed VH1 to rank it for us to know that it is awesome.

Recently covered on the 2009 hit show Glee, "Don't Stop Believin'" has reached a few new listeners lately. But we can't forget where it came from...




Okay, and here you can hear the Glee version, because I really like that show too.


Saturday, November 7, 2009

You Know How The Beatles Use An E-A Like The Beatles?

I will just cry myself to sleep if I hear that Alyssa doesn't at least appreciate The Beatles.

There are people who love them, and a few people who don't but The Beatles is one of those bands that changed the way music was played in their day. Great rock beats from 3 attractive young men (and Ringo) made the girls scream.

In late 1962, The Beatles' first single "Love Me Do" was an instant hit in the UK and the States. Touring and recording extensively until their breakup in 1970, The Beatles produced enough hits to have sold more albums in the US than any other artist.

There will be many more Beatles songs appearing on this blog in upcoming weeks and months, but the one I am choosing here for Alyssa is their first single "Love Me Do". It started the world off on how awesome they are - hopefully it can do that same for her.



Or at least go out and play The Beatles: Rock Band. There should be some education in there, right?


Friday, November 6, 2009

Keep On Loving You

"And I meant every word I said. When I said that I love you I meant that I love you forever"

Reaching Number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in March 1981, "Keep On Loving You" is a fantastic power ballad performed by REO Speedwagon.

Fun Fact: According to Wikipedia, the music video for "Keep On Loving You" was the 17th video played on MTV's first day on the air. You know, back when MTV still played music videos.

REO Speedwagon still rocks in concert (after having seen them perform at the Minnesota State Fair in 2009), and the frontman is a pretty sexy old dude.

So listen to this song, love it, and enjoy how it gets stuck in your head for hours. It will rock your face off!




Thursday, November 5, 2009

You Make The Rockin' World Go 'Round


With killer beats and lyrics such as "Left alone with big fat Fanny, she was such a naughty nanny. Hey big woman, you made a bad boy out of me", "Fat-Bottomed Girls" by Queen is a great song for any occasion.

Yes, I'd even take this song at a wedding - it's that good!

But perhaps it's best left in a bar setting, on a road trip, or on your singing-in-the-shower playlist.

Alyssa - you most definitely want to listen to this song immediately


Bon Jovi Will Forever Rule

Playing a bit of catch up here, yesterday I posted the following song to Alyssa Facebook profile:

"I'll Be There For You" by Bon Jovi.

Arguably one of the best bands ever, and definitely one of the hottest front men in the world, Bon Jovi has rocked us all since the early '80's.

I chose this song as the first Bon Jovi song to share with Alyssa because it is highly unlikely that she knows it, and dammit, it's one of my favorites.

And who doesn't love Ashton Kutcher singing this song to Amanda Peet in the movie "A Lot Like Love"?




So, Alyssa, watch this clip, watch the movie, and for God's sake, download this song!


The Point of This Blog

Hey Everyone!

Welcome to Alyssa's Music Education.

It has come to my attention that my 12-year-old cousin Alyssa does not know what good music was "back in the day". And this is coming from a girl who admittedly listens to crappy music on a regular basis (yes, I choose to listen to Ashlee Simpson sometimes. Deal with it.)

So, each day, I will be sharing one song that I LOVE on this blog in the hopes that Alyssa will take my words to heart, put these songs on her iPod and learn how awesome music can be when it's not Lil Wayne. Or those guys who sing the Helen Keller song.

Feel free to share your favorite songs as well! The more music we get her to listen to, the better!!!!!!