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Through the decades: A 1960s playlist with Jana and Erin

by Jana 8 Comments

This month, Erin and I are paying tribute to the music of the 1960s. The era of JFK, MLK, Vietnam, Woodstock, the Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act, the beginning of the War on Poverty and a whole bunch of other landmark events for America. Also, music. So much music.

It was quite difficult for me (Jana) to pick a handful of songs from this decade but Erin had a slew of them which I’m sure is telling but I’m not sure what it tells other than while I’m tuned in (hahaha for my bad pun) to history, the music of the decade isn’t high on my list. But I did pull a few to compliment Erin’s and so without further rambling, here’s our picks from the beginning of the decade to the end. Chronological order FTW!  But there might be a couple of missing years. Specifically, 65. And OMG, was it difficult to pick a just few from 64. Choices are hard, y’all.the-1960s-a-playlist-by-jana-and-erin

Have a listen to all the songs below! Also, please let us know what some of your favorite 60s songs are!

Please Mr. Postman–The Marvelettes

Runaround Sue–Dion (Jana’s fun fact: This is one of my favorite songs. Maybe ever)

Crying–Roy Orbison

Twist and Shout–The Isley Brothers

Surfin’ USA–The Beach Boys (anyone else ONLY think of Teen Wolf when they hear this song? No? Just me?–Jana)

Louie Louie–The Kingsmen (why shouldn’t Animal House be fully represented here? Also the 80s movie Coupe de Ville. Anyone else know what I’m talking about?–Jana)

Baby I Need Your Lovin’–The Four Tops

Can’t Buy Me Love–The Beatles (HOLY HELL DO THE 80s MOVIES REFERENCES NEED TO STOP!!!–Jana)

Leader of the Pack–The Shangri-Las

God Only Knows–The Beach Boys

Paint it Black–The Rolling Stones

Light My Fire–The Doors

Brown Eyed Girl–Van Morrison (THE anthem for every brown eyed girl on the planet)

Think–Aretha Franklin

Born to Be Wild–Steppenwolf

Fortunate Son–Credence Clearwater Revival

I Want You Back–Jackson 5 (For a fun dance to this song, watch..well, save yourself the whole movie and just see if you can find the scene from Clerks 2)

Come Together–The Beatles

Ramble On–Led Zeppelin

 

Through the Years, 1950s style: A Jana and Erin playlist

by Jana 8 Comments

This entry is part 7 of 8 in the series Playlists

 

Last Thursday of the month means it’s time for another playlist with Jana  and Erin – a playlist with a twist.  Not “The” Twist because that song was released in the ’60s, so that doesn’t make the cut.  Yet.
The 1950s. A time for poodle skirts, sock hops, and soda fountains. Also McCarthyism, the Cold War, and Jim Crow but that’s the part that sucked so we’re not going to talk about that today. Nope. Instead, we’re going to talk about one of the fun parts of the 1950s–the music!
I (Jana) love 50s music. It melts my dark, hard rock loving heart. It’s fun and catchy and not at all like anything we have now. When I need a pick-me-up, I’ll put on one of my 50s Spotify playlists. It makes me happy. Probably has to do with childhood memories of listening to the music at bar mitzvahs or with my grandparents. But who knows? I just like it. #noshame Hope you guys like some of the songs, too!
This is also the beginning of our through the decades playlist series (think of this as the Time Life version of our playlist series. Anyone else remember the Time Life CD collections? No? Just me?) and thanks to Erin for indulging me in this decade first. 
Songs from “The Day the Music Died” artists:  Sadly, all three of the following artists died in a plane crash in Iowa in February 1959.

Come On, Let’s Go by Ritchie Valens (1958):  This video clip is fun, even if the person who uploaded it misspelled the artist’s name.


Chantilly Lace by The Big Bopper (1958): “Hellllooooo baaaaaby!”

Not Fade Away by Buddy Holly (1957): Jana is a big fan of this bespectacled musician’s songs.  He appears in our playlists from time to time. (Jana’s note: I’m pretty sure this is at least his 3rd mention)

Songs from piano men:

Tutti Frutti by Little Richard (1955): 

Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On by Jerry Lee Lewis (1957):  Let’s forget about that whole marrying his teenage cousin part of the story. (Jana’s note: Did anyone else see Great Balls of Fire? Wasn’t Dennis Quaid pretty great in that?)

Songs by brothers:

Shout by The Isley Brothers (1959):  The dance scene in Animal House with John Belushi in a toga is one of those iconic cinematic scenes where the perfect song was picked for a movie.  But, that’s not this video clip because that was Otis Day and the Knights covering The Isley Brothers.


Bye Bye Love by The Everly Brothers (1957):  fun fact~the daughter of one of these guys is named Erin Everly and that’s who inspired Axl Rose to write the lyrics for Sweet Child of Mine. (Jana’s note: I did not know that)



Songs that make you want to dance (besides the ones already mentioned):

Shake, Rattle, and Roll by Bill Haley and the Comets (1954):

At the Hop by Danny & the Juniors (1957)

   

Johnny B. Goode by Chuck Berry:  Since we forgot about Jerry Lee Lewis marrying his cousin, let’s forget that Chuck Berry allegedly had cameras installed in the women’s toilets filming them while using the restroom at a restaurant he owned… (Jana’s note: I did not know this either. But seriously, what the actual fuck?)

Love Me Tender by Elvis Presley (1956):  For that slow dance…

Songs that were introduced to me (Erin) by my grandfather:


Your Cheatin’ Heart by Hank Williams (1953):

It’s Only Make Believe by Conway Twitty (1958):  Sometime, in the ’70s, my (Erin’s) grandparents and extended family went to a Conway Twitty show, and Dolly Parton was the opening act.  My uncle bought me nachos, and I was sitting on his lap eating them.  Then, I puked all over his boots while Conway Twitty was playing.  Awww sweet memories.

Folsom Prison Blues by Johnny Cash (1955):  Johnny sings “I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die.”  Johnny was gansta before gangsta rappers.

But, what’s great, is songs like these have lasted SIXTY years.  Think about that.  What songs recorded this decade do you think will last as long as these?  What artists will the bloggers of 2076 be sharing?

 

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Yes, I love Rush: An explanation

by Jana 16 Comments

One of the most common questions I’m asked (only when it comes up in conversation. People don’t run around asking me this question out of nowhere because that would be fucking weird) is Rush is your favorite band?! WHY?!

And yes, it’s true (well, Rush and Shinedown. But this post is about the former). They have been for more years than I care to admit. I’ve seen them 4 times, own in some form a good bulk of their catalog, and maybe flipped out (also voted) when they were elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I won’t pretend that they’re for everyone and yes, Geddy Lee’s voice can be grating at times even for the most die hard of Rush fans, but I love them.

I realize this doesn’t answer why. I’m getting to that in a sec.

It’s amazing to me that of all the bands and musicians in the world, Rush is the one that needs an explanation because to me, it’s a no brainer. They just fucking kick ass and when I’m their age, I want to be just as cool and kicking just as much as I did when I was in my 20s. Like they are.

So, to answer the question:

The musicianship. Music to me is what art in the form of paintings or photographs are to others. It elicits all the feels and when you’re listening to a quality musician, it makes it that much more deep. Rush is filled with 3 stellar musicians and their talent is such that they are the only band to whose instrumentals I can listen. Plus, Neil Peart live is something of a religious experience.

The lyrics. They are one of the few rock bands who do not, nor have they not, written about your typical sex, drugs, and rock and roll. Now, I don’t mind this stuff. Some great, fun songs are about that stuff. But there’s an element to Rush’s lyrics that makes their music…more interesting to listen to. Because you’re not hearing the same things. They write about historical shit and hard subjects and epic adventures and sometimes, you need a dictionary to understand what they’re saying. The vocabulary is musical at times, too. I like that.

They’re private. Well, subtle is more like it. They’ve never had a scandal or a sex tape or an overdose and they’ve had the same band members for roughly forever. They also have some personal stories that will shock, inspire, make you cry…all that stuff (ex., Geddy Lee’s parents are Holocaust survivors). Yet they’re not all up in your face about it. They just quietly go about making music and being generally awesome.

They’re different. They don’t sound like anyone else. Ever. It’s a nice change.

Good god, are they weird. And so are most of their fans. Yet so am I. It’s a perfect fit.

They’re funny. Even if it’s subtle. If you don’t believe me, watch the little movie short they did in response to/as part of the movie I Love You, Man.

I found this excerpt from Rob Sheffield’s book Turn Around Bright Eyes: The Rituals of Love and Karaoke (which I either DNF or didn’t read. One of those for sure) about Rush. It’s a pretty interesting read. Explains a lot and written by someone more talented than I. Read it here if you’re curious and/or have time. (This one from CNN, written around their R&R HOF induction is good, too)

Nothing I’ve said is different from what any Rush fan would say when questioned about the band. I think one thing that separates me from most other Rush fans (besides the fact that I’m woman. We’re few and far between. The last time I saw them, Geddy Lee actually made a comment that he saw 4 women in the audience and it was a record. See? FUNNY!) is that I can recognize, understand, and appreciate all the contempt towards them. I truly do understand why people don’t like them and I’d be lying if I said that there are some songs that I just cannot listen to either.

But I don’t pay attention to those.

And I won’t try to convert you to a fan.

Do you have a band or an artist or an author you love but most people don’t understand why?

 

 

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Concert favorites: A Jana and Erin playlist

by Jana 8 Comments

This entry is part 8 of 8 in the series Playlists

 

Last Thursday of the month means it’s time for another playlist with Jana  and Erin – a playlist with a twist.  Often, we try not to choose themes that you’ve seen time and time again.  This month we’ve decided to highlight significant songs from concerts we’ve attended AND that concert was monumental to us for one reason or another.
JANA:  1. “The Right Stuff” by NKOTB. New Kids and Tiffany was the first concert I ever went to. With my parents, sister, best friend at the time and we saw them at Westbury Music Fair. I was in 4th or 5th grade (roughly the same age as my daughter, incidentally, who just went to her first concert this past summer. We took her to see Weezer. So there’s that). And my love of live music begins.
ERIN:  2.  “You Give Love a Bad Name” by Bon Jovi.  I know.  It comes as no surprise that Bon Jovi makes an appearance on this list.  It was my first concert that I attended.  My mother took three 8th grade girls and one 7th grader to the Bon Jovi “Slippery When Wet” tour with Cinderella opening (who became another live favorite).  My love of Bon Jovi was cemented.
JANA:  3. “Big Talk” by Warrant. NKOTB was the first concert I ever attended; Warrant and Poison at Nassau Coliseum was the first concert I attended sans parents. Three of my friends and I went during the Cherry Pie tour and looking back, there were quite a lot of things that happened at that concert I didn’t quite understand. Now I do. Warrant was DIRTY.
ERIN:  4.  “King of Rock” by Run DMC – The summer after 8th grade, I went to visit my grandparents in rural East Texas.  A concert was coming to the Oil Palace in Tyler, Texas … a concert like this smaller Texas town had never seen – Run DMC with others (DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, Public Enemy, and more).  My aunt and uncle took me, they sat in the back while I bounced and danced in the crowd.  My uncle claimed that my blond ponytail was easy to spot.  I loved the blend of sounds (and still do) that Run DMC brings, and King of Rock is especially foreshadowing since they are now members of the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame.
JANA:  5. “Subdivisions” by Rush. This is my absolute favorite Rush song of all time. We might have used it in a post before but #idontcare. I saw Rush for the first time in 1991ish (mostly because Mr. Big was the opening act. Yes, I was that person but in my defense, I was 14) and despite being there for the opening act, I walked away a Rush fan. This was also the gateway concert for my love affair with outdoor concerts. Thank you, Jones Beach.
ERIN:  6.  “Crackerman” by Stone Temple Pilots.  My college roommate, Katy, dated a beautiful boy named Gregorio.  We piled into my white Honda Civic and drove from our university town to Houston for my first “live” experience with Stone Temple Pilots (1995ish).  It was an incredible show, even with Scott Weiland completely off his face.  Since his death from a deadly cocktail of drugs, this first STP is particularly poignant to me in my memories.
JANA:  7. “Tainted Angel” by Southgang. I saw these guys on New Year’s Eve. In a bar. In Atlanta. When I was 14 (14 was a big year, evidently). It was pretty fucking cool. (Also, I might or might not have thrown this in because of Erin’s love for Butch Walker. I’ll let you decide).
ERIN:  8.  “Best Thing You Never Had” by Butch Walker. No, this ain’t no Beyoncé song.  Jana mentioned my love for Butch, and my entry above talks about my friend, Katy…so, let me tell you about the time that Katy and I went to Vegas to “celebrate” her divorce.  The Wynn just opened, and we scored an amazing deal on a room.  We went to see the male dance revue, American Storm, and we had cocktails by the pool.  I told Katy that she needed to trust me – we were going to see Avril Lavigne at The Joint at the Hard Rock because there was this musician that was opening that I had to see…Mr. Butch Walker.  Seeing this song live is damn near close to a religious experience for me.  He’s touring right now.  Seriously.  If you like live music, do yourself a favor and go see him if he’s coming to a town near you.
JANA:  9. “Ain’t Going Down Till the Sun Comes Up” by Garth Brooks. I bought my husband, then-boyfriend, tickets to see Garth Brooks in Philly for his 20th birthday. Decidedly not a country music fan, I had a lot of trepidation going to the show. Turns out, I can be wrong. This still reigns as one of the best concerts I’ve ever attended. The man played for 3 hours WITH NO BREAK. It was incredible. Also at that concert, the guy selling “popcorn, peanuts, crack cocaine”.   (Note from Erin: While watching this video as I was putting together this post, I got goosebumps.  His energy is infectious.  Garth is the bomb.  No shame.)
ERIN:  10.  “Between Angels and Insects” by Papa Roach.  Another time that I told a friend to “just trust me” and go to a show with me was to see Papa Roach.  Their first full album was out, and “Last Resort” was a single getting play.  I had the album (well, cd, but I still call them albums), and I wanted to see them live.  I convinced my friend, Shawn, to go with me because he likes rock shows.  When we left the show, we looked like someone had hosed us down with a garden hose.  We were soaked with sweat.  I am not sure I’ve ever lost that many calories in one show.  I picked this song because it was the one that I remember most for the crowd losing.their.shit when it played.
JANA:  11. “Captain Jack” by Billy Joel. Returning the favor, the husband bought me tickets to see Billy Joel and Elton John. I had previously seen Billy during college but attending this concert was the fulfillment of a decade long dream. Dueling pianos at their finest.
ERIN:  12.  “Here Is Gone” by the Goo Goo Dolls.  My two frontmen loves are Jon Bon Jovi and Johnny Rzeznik.  In 2003, they made this girl’s dream come true by touring together.  And, the Goo Goo Dolls were touring to support my favorite album of theirs, Gutterflower.
JANA:  13. “Jesus of Suburbia” by Green Day. Perhaps the greatest song from American Idiot, and perhaps one of the most stellar shows I’ve attended. By the time we got to their concert at the Liacouras Center, we’d seen Green Day 3 times and this concert was about as close to perfection as you can get.
ERIN:  14.  I couldn’t decide what song/band I wanted to list next, and “Gone Away” by The Offspring came on, which instantly took me to a memory that I love, so there you have it.  One of my best gal pals moved to Italy.  I went to visit.  We went to see The Offspring in Milan.  It was an unforgettable experience to go to a concert surrounded by Italians all singing along in English with this SoCal pop punk band.

JANA:  15. “Absolutely Still” by Better Than Ezra. Laugh if you will, but I love these guys. And I loved, LOVED seeing them at Power Plant Live in Baltimore. FOR FREE, Y’ALL. Of course it was on the hottest day Baltimore has ever had and my sweet tea crush melted but still. Awesome. There’s something about going to see a once popular band but who wasn’t really that popular and who’s a little past their prime because you know all the fans are FANS. And they covered a Rush song.

ERIN:  16.  “Angel Eyes (I’ll Never Let You Go)” by Steelheart.  Talk about seeing bands a little past their prime……..I went to the inaugural Rocklahoma in 2007.  Glam bands, hair bands, hair metal, call them what you want.  My love for them will never die.  I was joined in a field smack in the middle of nowhere Oklahoma by others who still loved this music too.  We met people from different countries, different states, and different ages.  Many “big” names from this era were there (Poison, RATT, Quiet Riot, Twisted Sister, Vince Neil, Dokken, more) – but, when the lead singer of Steelheart belted out this song and still hit those notes, it is safe to say that the crowd was blown away. (Note from Jana: I am jealous as hell that Erin went to Rocklahoma)
JANA:  17. “Enemies” by Shinedown. Going all the way back to two weeks ago when I attended Carnival of Madness. I can’t even properly convey how I felt this concert in my bones. In my soul. Shinedown’s music speaks to me like no other band’s and to see them live…well, I can’t quite process it all yet, never mind write about it. AND. As if the concert wasn’t amazing enough, they opened up their set with Let’s Go Crazy. The real Prince version. Not a cover.
ERIN:  18.  “All out of Love” by Air Supply.  They started their career over 40 years ago playing in Sydney restaurants.  I saw them play at the Sydney Opera House.  Let me tell you, there is something to be said for any band that can stay together for 40 years (the duo claim they’ve never even had a fight) and can fill a room full of people who will sing all of their songs word for word back to them.


We left out plenty that we wanted to add, but this is no longer about us…tell us about your live music experience and a significant song from a monumental concert in your musical journey.

 

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True Colors: A Jana and Erin playlist

by Jana 6 Comments

Jana’s note: When Erin and I were deciding what theme to use for this month’s playlist, she metiomed that since both of us are struggling with our depression right now, maybe we should do something with that. Then I suggested that since depression makes you feel grey, why not do the opposite and use songs with color. I said it because it’s important to know that even if things seem bleak and dark, there’s still color and beauty to be found. And thanks again to Erin for putting the actual post together since I can’t seem to bring myself to do anything.

Last Thursday of the month means it’s time for another playlist with Jana  and Erin – a playlist with a twist.  Often, we try not to choose themes that you’ve seen time and time again.  This month, we thought we’d get colorful and share songs with a  “color” in the title.  Of course, we don’t just share any songs…we only share songs that we actually like.  So, you ain’t gonna find Coldplay’s “Yellow” on our list.  And, we know several of these songs are covers.  We just happen to prefer some of the cover versions.

The metallics:
Gold on the Ceiling by The Black Keys

Silver and Cold by AFI





Stay Gold by Butch Walker

The repeat offenders:

Brown Sugar by The Rolling Stones

Paint It Black by The Rolling Stones



Little Red Corvette by Prince

Purple Rain by Prince (if you have not watched this SuperBowl performance lately, do yourself a favor and watch it):



Black by Pearl Jam


Yellow Ledbetter by Pearl Jam

Black Hole Sun by Soundgarden

Fell on Black Days by Soundgarden

The pinks:

Pink Houses by John Mellencamp

Pink Cadillac by Bruce Springsteen

The reds, whites, and blues:



The Red by Chevelle

Red Barchetta by Rush

White Wedding by Billy Idol



Pretty Fly (for a White Guy) by The Offspring


Blue Monday by Orgy



Blue Morning, Blue Day by Foreigner

Behind Blue Eyes by Limp Bizkit (originally by The Who)

The blacks:



Welcome to the Black Parade by My Chemical Romance



Back in Black by AC/DC



Black Balloon by The Goo Goo Dolls



Supermassive Black Hole by Muse



The song that doesn’t fit in a category, but we like it, so it stays:

Amber by 311





We’ve included songs with a color in the title in previous playlists (I Saw Red by Warrant and Fade to Black by Metallica, to name a couple).  And, we know this is a long list.  If you are still with us, tell us…

What songs did we miss?

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