Friday, Friday, Friday!!!

Happy Valentine's Day everybody. But in Oregon today is also the day that we became a state Feb 14th, 1859. All bow in honor of the birth of our glorious state. Our state flower is the Oregon Grape. Our state bird is the Western Meadowlark and our state motto is "Alis Volat propiis"  which in English means "She Flies With Her Own Wings". I think that is pretty right on for my beloved state.

Now that all of the formalities are out of the way lets get back to talking about me and what I like okay.

Child of Nature - The Beatles

You will get very few Beatles songs from me and this is an unreleased demo that was written by Lennon. It is fine I suppose but I am just not a big Beatles fan. I am sorry but they just do not work for me. If I need anything I need an emotional connection and this band eludes me. 

I Remember California - REM

It seems that my music player remembers California rather then Oregon. Oh well, I think Oregon is better. That said I really do like this song. REM rarely disappoints me.   

I think Valentine's is a funny day. I am never really sure how I am supposed to feel. Am I supposed to feel sad if I am not in the midst of a relationship? Because I am not feeling sad. I am feeling pretty good about that stuff right now and I suspect that were I dating I would be feeling much the same. The truth is that I am in the midst of lots of relationships with several very beautiful woman and I love them all. They may not be aware that I love them though. :)

Stayin' Alive - Bee Gees

This is a little more disco than I like my Bee Gees to be but this is a great song and such a catchy tune. So easy to bob your head and tap your feet to. Try it you like doing a little dancing in your office space. 

I mean, don't get me wrong. I like candy and hearts and that kind of stuff and I am as prone to the emotional outburst as the next guy if not more so and this is a day that is geared for such a thing. But I am just as likely to do something extravagant and emotional and dramatic on any other day of the year as well. That is just who I am. I am wired that way. But I am also not trying to make light of the fact that for some singletons, for want of a better word, this is a hard day. It just has not particularly been for me. It has never been that big of an issue for me if I am single or not. I just love people all the time. I can't help it. That is what I am about free love and hugs for all. YAAAAAAY!!

Chasing The Rainbow -  America

I can't say I am thrilled by what the ol random machine is giving me today. It is just not feeling like a day for America. It isn't that I dislike their music I just have to be in the right mood for it and today does not feel like that kind of day. 

Let us see, is there anything else going on that I can get myself worked up about?

Frank's Wild Years - Tom Waits

Nothing says Valentine's like a little Tom Waits. Now we are talking. Well done Tom, you beautiful, beautiful, freak. 

It looks like that is going to be it for me today. Be nice to each other. We are all taking the same journey and it is hard for all of us. Remember these words and live by them "FREE LOVE AND HUGS FOR ALL"

Keep on dancing folks. 

Thundering Thursday

Are you ready to rock?

Hello Goodbye - The Beatles

I have to admit that I am not a big fan of the Beatles. There is denying the impact that they had on music in general and I am well aware of that as well as their individual and group talents. But I just have never really gotten into their music. I don't enjoy it. I don't think that it makes me a bad person. I hope not anyway. This is a pretty song though.

Disenchanted - My Chemical Romance

This is one of those totally emo and theatrical bands that owes the world to Freddie Mercury and Queen but I do not mind that. Their music works for me. It affects me on an emotional level and I am nut sure the reason but when I listen to it I feel like I should be wearing eyeliner and being all angsty but sadly those days are behind me. In my head though there is a part of me that is that 14 yr old adolescent who is feeling the power of this music and using it as a tool to really express myself at school.

Nobody's Home - Avril Lavigne

I like Avril. I really do. There is just something about her music that I enjoy. I like her sense of humor and her pop culture knowledge when you watch her videos. I like that she is unafraid to sing about emotional things and painful things. The style of music that she tends to operate in is not always my favorite style but I do like it now and then and I like what she does within the limits of her musical ability.

Malverde - Red Fang

Hard to go wrong with the pounding metal of Red Fang. They are one of the best music acts to come out of Portland in the last few years if not ever. I really did them. But I know that not everyone is into metal and I am not into some of the newer metal bands that is for sure. But these guys I really like.

Dog On Wheels - Belle and Sebastian

Some more Belle and Sebastian for you. I hope you enjoy the mellowness. This one has some nice horn and guitar work as well.

Circle The Drain - Katy Perry

I really like this song. It wasn't a big hit for her and doesn't sound like her usual stuff so that is why it probably wasn't a big hit. But I think it is a good one and I think it is a about an old boyfriend of hers but I will not say his name. Give it a listen.

More Music (The Beatles) Friday

Well I knew that it would come to this at some point. This is a band that I have one album of and it isn't even a real album it is just a greatest hits compilation. I think it is actually all of their number 1 songs. I know this will probably be a stance that most of you disagree with but I just do not care for the Beatles. I know lots of people really like them but I am not a fan. I really believe that both The Who and Led Zepplin are better bands from that era and yes the Beatles sold tons and tons of music but record sales do not really matter to me. I like lots of things regardless of their popularity with the unwashed masses. *sniff*

Hipster cat says "I'm with you Lance"!!

Thanks Hipster Cat.

So the album is called 1 and it is by the Beatles so here are a few songs.

"Penny Lane" is one of their songs.



This is another song it is called "Paperback Writer"



This one isn't on the album 1 but it is probably the only Beatles song I like "Helter Skelter"



There you go and please when you are flaming me for this. Be kind. :)

April 4th Today in Music Monday History

I discovered some interesting tidbits about music and today in history. On April 4th in 1956 Elvis Presley played the first of two nights in San Diego at the San Diego Arena. The local police chief issued a statement saying that if Elvis returned and performed the same way he would be arrested for disorderly conduct. I find it a little humorous and kind of disturbing that compared to what is going on in concerts today Elvis seems so tame and harmless.



1964, The Beatles hold the top five spots on the US singles chart. 5: 'Please Please Me" 4: 'I Want To Hold Your Hand' 3: 'Roll Over Beethoven' 2: 'Love Me Do' 1: 'Can't Buy Me Love" as well as nine other singles on the chart. I have never really gotten into the Beatles. I just do not enjoy them. I am sure that makes me a bad person.



1970, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young are No.1 on the US album chart with 'Deja Vu'. Which is one of my favorite albums of all time and one that I can listen to almost anytime and I always enjoy it. This is my favorite song of this album.



1981, Styx is No. 1 on the US Album Chart with 'Paradise Theater'. This is another band that I have always enjoyed. I will admit that at times that enjoyment is ironic but I think that most of the time I just really enjoy their sound. This is a sweet little number about the scourge of the 80's. COCAINE!!! We just do not hear much about it anymore.



1991, Mariah Carey has the top spot on the US Album charts with the self named album. I almost hate to do this to you but you do not have to watch it. There are types of music that it is really hard for me to say something good about. This is one of those types.



2001, The No. 1 spot is held by Shaggy with the album titled 'Hotshot'. I had no idea that this was the number 1 album at the time and it has an interesting cover of the song 'Angel of the Morning' by Juice Newton



This is the original. I think I prefer her version better. I am just enough of a fancy lad to admit it without that bothering me.



2011, The top spot on the US Album Chart is held by someone that I frankly have never heard of. Her name is Adele and I believe the album is called '21'. I had not realized that I was so out of touch with the hot jams. But I have to say that after listening to the first single off of the album. The song is called 'Rolling in the Deep'. I think I really dig it. The lady has some serious pipes and I like the drumming and the backing vocals in the song as well. She also does not look like the typical pop singer and I like that as well.



That is your Music Monday for today this April 4th. I hope you enjoyed our look back at the charts and enjoyed listening and viewing some of the videos. As always please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section.