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.