Note From My Cousin Alyssa

So, after trying to explain to a 12 year old that rap music - while good in it's own right - is just one kind of music to listen to, she decided to contribute a bit to this blog on which I am sharing some of my favorite Classic Rock music for her education.

Below is Alyssa's Note - Enjoy :)

Dear whoever goes on this website and looks at this,

I am the famous Alyssa, the reason this site is on the internet, well not entirely! My cousin Dana thought that I need to learn to like "old music" but i only listen to rap (it's the best... TRUST ME!) Anyways, when she told me that she made a website for me, I was soooooooo happy, but when I heard the name...Alyssa's Music Education, i knew it was going to be all old music i will never listen to EVER! But still I love Dana for making me this website, she rocks! Thanks for reading this and going on the website full of music I will never listen to lol jk Dana!!

PEACE OUT PEEPS!! @LY$$@

(thats alyssa in getto)

Oh Lordy........ *head shake*

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.

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!

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!

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.)

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!

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???

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.

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.

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!!!!!!