Okay, I know I should be listening to more NPR and less Top 40 radio, but there you go.
I keep listening for the '08 version of the Song of the Summer. I'm not the only one--I came across this story on philly.com.
It lists 21 suggestions by music critic Dan Deluca, only some of which I've ever heard of (but, given my age, can be forgiven for).
Pickings are slim this year, as rare as hot-n-humid days have been here in northern Indiana. Being the kind of human who thrives in heat and humidity, that means it's been kind of frustrating summer so far; having no quintessential summer song makes the weather that much worse to bear.
Just looking at Dan's list, I immediately throw out any song I've never heard. So there goes half of them. I also throw out anything referencing "lollipops" (two songs), that reference being too crude for me. Also, anything by Jessica Simpson, for obvious reasons.
I'm leaning -- on this list -- to Coldplay's "Viva la Vida," despite I heard it first in a commercial (usually a killer).
But in my ear right now is Kid Rock's "All Summer Long," which is catchy, but I'm wondering if I should disqualify it for is derivative-ness amid blatant sampling of the overplayed if irresistible "Sweet Home Alabama."
And Madonna's (who's almost as old as me) "Give It 2 Me" -- might be in contention too.
But it's pretty sad that here it is the middle of July and I'm having to THINK about what the song of the summer is ... that song should just be in my head, over and over, like (oh God, please let me forget it) Billy Ray Cyrus's "Achy Breaky Heart."
"Achy Breaky" is no "Hey Ya," for sure. Where's a song like that this summer? Or where's the Carpenter's "Close to You"? The Police and "Every Breath You Take"? (Few can touch that one, granted.) Or even "Crazy" -- Gnarls Barkely?
I long for my all-time summer fav -- Rod Steward's "Maggie May"? (Irrevocably dating myself.) And even Madonna's new one can't touch her "Borderline" of 1984.
Pop music is not what it used to be. Actually, it probably never was what we think it used to be.
But I'm still waiting for that song that makes me think for a minute that I'm still sixteen, and it's okay to work on my tan, and that the summer lies full of possibilities before me.
How about you? What's your summer song?
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Monday, July 14, 2008
Friday, May 9, 2008
About my musical devices, James Taylor, and John Mayer
I added another musical device to my arsenal this week, a Creative Zen V. One gig.
Welcoming the Zen was my Creative MuVo Slim 256mg (which I mostly use for the FM radio), my Audiophase one gig, my Pionner INNO that is also an XM radio.
Hey, the Creative Zen was free just for upgrading my Napster + XM subscription for a year. Unlimited downloads for $14.99 a month? And a free mp3 player? Sign me up.
Okay, so I wrote a letter of complaint (actually, two letters) because I can't download for free to the INNO. That's really dumb, considering the XM/Napster partnership. Nor can I download for free to the Audiophase or the MuVo--seems they are "not compatible" with Napster.
And even the Zen--while most downloads are free, not all--some of the songs I tried to sync, Napster tried to charge me 99 cents for--no thanks, Napster. How about a little more truth in advertising in your promo emails?
Enough complaining. What caused me to start thinkin' about all this was the beauty of the little Zen V.
Smaller than a credit card, a half-inch thick, a color screen (you can also put photos on it), an intuitive interface--I like this little music player. And I loaded it up in less than half an hour with tons of music that I could get as part of my Napster subscription.
I'm not real picky about the audio quality of my music, being no audiophile, but the sound was great.
I sat on the sofa looking at the Zen V and thinking about the new iPod Nano my neighbor tween received for her 12th birthday. That is a beautiful little device too, thin and pink and able to hold hundreds of tunes. Does a 12-year-old have that many favorite songs?
Because I do, and sitting there the other night, I flashed back to the musical device I received when I was 12 or so--my first record player.
Black, with a clear top, no automatic stacker (our family stereo had that), two big black speakers. Not having a job, or much allowance left after buying books (bookworms are like that), my record collection was pretty limited--a few 45s (FORTY-FIVES! WHAT THE HECK WERE THOSE!), less than half-a-dozen albums. James Taylor, Gordon Lightfoot, Elton John. All of which I played, over and over again.
One Christmas I asked for the 45 of the Beatles's "Come Together." After I opened it, I ran up to my room to play it, only to find it skipped. My needle didn't seem heavy enough to stay in a straight light over the grooves. Being a problem-solving kind of girl, I took a penny and put it on top the needle. The record played perfectly, and I could sing along about Ole Flat-top to my heart's content.
In the '70s, I was annoyed by skipping records. Today, I'm annoyed by DRM licenses that don't copy properly. If a penny and five minutes solved my problems in 1969, now it takes half-a-dozen emails sent over a week to solve a download/licensing problem problem.
I've read that real albums and record players are clinging to life, indeed staging a little renaissance among audiophiles.
Obviously, I'm not one of them. I've scratched too many records and still reeling from that Come-Together-need-a-penny experience.
I downloaded most of John Mayer's oeuvre onto the new Zen V. Napster of lots of his blues and live performances, and now they're all ready for me to listen to this afternoon in the cubicle. John's a couple decades younger than me, but music knows no age, right? I bet James Taylor listens, too. On an iPod.
How about you? What are you listening to?
Welcoming the Zen was my Creative MuVo Slim 256mg (which I mostly use for the FM radio), my Audiophase one gig, my Pionner INNO that is also an XM radio.
Hey, the Creative Zen was free just for upgrading my Napster + XM subscription for a year. Unlimited downloads for $14.99 a month? And a free mp3 player? Sign me up.
Okay, so I wrote a letter of complaint (actually, two letters) because I can't download for free to the INNO. That's really dumb, considering the XM/Napster partnership. Nor can I download for free to the Audiophase or the MuVo--seems they are "not compatible" with Napster.
And even the Zen--while most downloads are free, not all--some of the songs I tried to sync, Napster tried to charge me 99 cents for--no thanks, Napster. How about a little more truth in advertising in your promo emails?
Enough complaining. What caused me to start thinkin' about all this was the beauty of the little Zen V.
Smaller than a credit card, a half-inch thick, a color screen (you can also put photos on it), an intuitive interface--I like this little music player. And I loaded it up in less than half an hour with tons of music that I could get as part of my Napster subscription.
I'm not real picky about the audio quality of my music, being no audiophile, but the sound was great.
I sat on the sofa looking at the Zen V and thinking about the new iPod Nano my neighbor tween received for her 12th birthday. That is a beautiful little device too, thin and pink and able to hold hundreds of tunes. Does a 12-year-old have that many favorite songs?
Because I do, and sitting there the other night, I flashed back to the musical device I received when I was 12 or so--my first record player.
Black, with a clear top, no automatic stacker (our family stereo had that), two big black speakers. Not having a job, or much allowance left after buying books (bookworms are like that), my record collection was pretty limited--a few 45s (FORTY-FIVES! WHAT THE HECK WERE THOSE!), less than half-a-dozen albums. James Taylor, Gordon Lightfoot, Elton John. All of which I played, over and over again.
One Christmas I asked for the 45 of the Beatles's "Come Together." After I opened it, I ran up to my room to play it, only to find it skipped. My needle didn't seem heavy enough to stay in a straight light over the grooves. Being a problem-solving kind of girl, I took a penny and put it on top the needle. The record played perfectly, and I could sing along about Ole Flat-top to my heart's content.
In the '70s, I was annoyed by skipping records. Today, I'm annoyed by DRM licenses that don't copy properly. If a penny and five minutes solved my problems in 1969, now it takes half-a-dozen emails sent over a week to solve a download/licensing problem problem.
I've read that real albums and record players are clinging to life, indeed staging a little renaissance among audiophiles.
Obviously, I'm not one of them. I've scratched too many records and still reeling from that Come-Together-need-a-penny experience.
I downloaded most of John Mayer's oeuvre onto the new Zen V. Napster of lots of his blues and live performances, and now they're all ready for me to listen to this afternoon in the cubicle. John's a couple decades younger than me, but music knows no age, right? I bet James Taylor listens, too. On an iPod.
How about you? What are you listening to?
Thursday, April 3, 2008
About the voices in my head
New Napster lets me listen to about anything, so I put in my ear buds as tight as they'll go and crank the volume up even though I know I shouldn't and I may end up deaf as Pete Townsend, but right now who cares? It's been a long day and all I want to do is fill my head up with somebody else's smooth voice and somebody else's sweet song and something besides stuff that makes me frustrated or bored. When I turn the music up so loud it drowns out the TV that's on another basketball game and whatever it was Greg just said to me about the chicken and the furnace when it comes on and the phone that rings, I can't even hear the click of the keyboard, that's how loud it has to be to fill up my head and drown out the everyday voice that JUST WON'T SHUT UP. And this invention called new Napster, all legal and everything and I just have to click on whatever songs I want and they go in my playlist and they play and play. And sometimes I need to touch base with the past, so last night it was Cat Stevens and Elton and Doobie Brothers and Loggins and Messina. But really that is so yesterday's news and tonight I stay in this century and it's John Mayer's voice in my head, for there is some trueness there he shares with the others that knows no generation, and if the kids he's singing to in Waiting for the World to Change are not my demographic, well hell I don't care--I keep forgetting I'm so dang old anyway, that I'm closer to the generation that sang with now-departed John and the boys All We Need Is Love and sadly that has not worked out so well either. We are a Generation Failed. But no matter of things societal, I just feel like having young John's voice in my head singing Slow Dancing in a Crowded Room and Say and even Your Body Is a Wonderland, even when I know the reality of that statement. Not so much.
Sometimes when morning has broken I get up with the same songs floating around in my head, sans headphones, and I wonder how they stay there? Where do they hide all night, floating around with my dreams, singing to each other, James Taylor in a duet with Lenny Kravitz, and both Johns' voices is in there too, and I think hear Cat, old Yusef Islam himself, declaring once again it's the Year of the Cat, which is eversomuch more romantic than singing it's the Year of Yusef Islam. But oh baby, it's a wild world, and with this mix tape of the mind, maybe I've been dreaming with a broken heart--but I won't let it bring me down. From this vantage point, I can see for miles, and I won't get fooled again. I may need a little quiet, though, here inside the infinite now of head. Can't seem to learn that lesson. I'm not frustrated or bored, anymore, though. Worth a few decibels.
What's on your playlist?
Sometimes when morning has broken I get up with the same songs floating around in my head, sans headphones, and I wonder how they stay there? Where do they hide all night, floating around with my dreams, singing to each other, James Taylor in a duet with Lenny Kravitz, and both Johns' voices is in there too, and I think hear Cat, old Yusef Islam himself, declaring once again it's the Year of the Cat, which is eversomuch more romantic than singing it's the Year of Yusef Islam. But oh baby, it's a wild world, and with this mix tape of the mind, maybe I've been dreaming with a broken heart--but I won't let it bring me down. From this vantage point, I can see for miles, and I won't get fooled again. I may need a little quiet, though, here inside the infinite now of head. Can't seem to learn that lesson. I'm not frustrated or bored, anymore, though. Worth a few decibels.
What's on your playlist?
Thursday, September 6, 2007
About the tragedy of bad FM radio reception
Because from deep within the cube farm, I am desperate for distraction, yet destined for static.
Computers and small FM radios do not mix well in a small space. Out in the car, one can tune in over a dozen radio stations of various genres; here in the office, it's more like ... six. On a good day.
My meeting schedule runs kind of hot and cold; I might have a couple meetings or more every day for a week, and my radio state matters less; then, I might have a week with just one. These are the weeks that try women's headphones.
Because I need some distraction as I sit in a quiet office, staring at my computer screens (I have two) and waiting for something to happen.
(I should establish, I am sick of oldies. The '60s, '70s, '80s and '90s are so last century. And, my MP3 players is small, plus it's not working right.)
Here's my FM radio choices:
Very oldies station: Borders on Muzak. It's redeeming quality: news and weather on the half-hour.
Christian station: I flunk saintliness miserably, and listening makes me feel guilty.
Local high school station: Wildly disparate music list, from Lynard Skynard to P. Diddy. Often off the air entirely. Lame DJs.
Adult contemporary #1: W-aaaa-y too much dependence on '80s music. I. Just. Can't. Listen to "Walkin' On Sunshine" one more time. Just ride that wave away, Katrina.
Adult contemporary #2: Brags about their mix of music from '80s, '90s, and best of today. Their best of today is not bad, but when "Jack and Diane" fires up, it's time to station-surf (as if that does me any good). I mean, really, those two are probably going to their 25th high school reunion, and he's still got his hand down her pants!
NPR: The only "talk radio" I can listen to. Negatives: I am not fond of Diane Reihm and she is on for two hours in the morning. Also, sometimes the news can get depressing. However, still, my go-to station.
Full disclosure: I have XM radio in my car. I adore it. I want to marry it. I can hear lots of new music on it, AND it tells me what the name of the tune is, AND the artist!
Frustration: XM satellite signals do not travel through roofs or walls. So I can't bring it inside.
Filling up my MP3 with new stuff can get expensive. I've listened to it, and all my CDs, too many times. I even know my nature tapes by heart. Tweet, tweet, babbling brook.
Well, how about you? What's fillin' your ears?
Computers and small FM radios do not mix well in a small space. Out in the car, one can tune in over a dozen radio stations of various genres; here in the office, it's more like ... six. On a good day.
My meeting schedule runs kind of hot and cold; I might have a couple meetings or more every day for a week, and my radio state matters less; then, I might have a week with just one. These are the weeks that try women's headphones.
Because I need some distraction as I sit in a quiet office, staring at my computer screens (I have two) and waiting for something to happen.
(I should establish, I am sick of oldies. The '60s, '70s, '80s and '90s are so last century. And, my MP3 players is small, plus it's not working right.)
Here's my FM radio choices:
Very oldies station: Borders on Muzak. It's redeeming quality: news and weather on the half-hour.
Christian station: I flunk saintliness miserably, and listening makes me feel guilty.
Local high school station: Wildly disparate music list, from Lynard Skynard to P. Diddy. Often off the air entirely. Lame DJs.
Adult contemporary #1: W-aaaa-y too much dependence on '80s music. I. Just. Can't. Listen to "Walkin' On Sunshine" one more time. Just ride that wave away, Katrina.
Adult contemporary #2: Brags about their mix of music from '80s, '90s, and best of today. Their best of today is not bad, but when "Jack and Diane" fires up, it's time to station-surf (as if that does me any good). I mean, really, those two are probably going to their 25th high school reunion, and he's still got his hand down her pants!
NPR: The only "talk radio" I can listen to. Negatives: I am not fond of Diane Reihm and she is on for two hours in the morning. Also, sometimes the news can get depressing. However, still, my go-to station.
Full disclosure: I have XM radio in my car. I adore it. I want to marry it. I can hear lots of new music on it, AND it tells me what the name of the tune is, AND the artist!
Frustration: XM satellite signals do not travel through roofs or walls. So I can't bring it inside.
Filling up my MP3 with new stuff can get expensive. I've listened to it, and all my CDs, too many times. I even know my nature tapes by heart. Tweet, tweet, babbling brook.
Well, how about you? What's fillin' your ears?
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
About a song called Blue Moon
Blue Moon
You saw me standing alone
Without a dream in my heart
Without a love of my own
Blue Moon
You know just what I was there for
You heard me saying a prayer for
Someone I really could care for
And then there suddenly appeared before me
The only one my arms will hold
I heard somebody whisper please adore me
And when I looked to the Moon it turned to gold
Blue Moon
Now I'm no longer alone
Without a dream in my heart
Without a love of my own
I heard this song last night, performed by local Kim Durr, at the Community Band Concert, and can't get it out of my head. Which is not bad, because usually the songs I get stuck in my head are, like, "Sexy Back," or, maybe, "Beautiful Girl." Or some oldie we've mentioned at work.
As an added entertainment bonus, the dancing troupe of Caroline (age 3), and Taylor, (age 2, just today), performed.
The highlights of that impromptu performance were Taylor's signature move of relentless twirling, which always results in her getting dizzy and falling to the ground, only to jump up, undaunted, and twirl the other way; and Caroline's gracious recognition of the applause after each tune, with a little curtsy and bow.
Did you think the song Blue Moon was from the WWII era, as I did? Wrong. 1934. Interesting note: the melody went through three set of lyrics, over several years, before settling on the words above.
Anyway, in my head, I was left with a beautiful melody, romantic words, and the images of two graceful little girls dancing in a world all their own.
Well, what are you thinkin'? What song is playing in YOUR head?
You saw me standing alone
Without a dream in my heart
Without a love of my own
Blue Moon
You know just what I was there for
You heard me saying a prayer for
Someone I really could care for
And then there suddenly appeared before me
The only one my arms will hold
I heard somebody whisper please adore me
And when I looked to the Moon it turned to gold
Blue Moon
Now I'm no longer alone
Without a dream in my heart
Without a love of my own
I heard this song last night, performed by local Kim Durr, at the Community Band Concert, and can't get it out of my head. Which is not bad, because usually the songs I get stuck in my head are, like, "Sexy Back," or, maybe, "Beautiful Girl." Or some oldie we've mentioned at work.
As an added entertainment bonus, the dancing troupe of Caroline (age 3), and Taylor, (age 2, just today), performed.
The highlights of that impromptu performance were Taylor's signature move of relentless twirling, which always results in her getting dizzy and falling to the ground, only to jump up, undaunted, and twirl the other way; and Caroline's gracious recognition of the applause after each tune, with a little curtsy and bow.
Did you think the song Blue Moon was from the WWII era, as I did? Wrong. 1934. Interesting note: the melody went through three set of lyrics, over several years, before settling on the words above.
Anyway, in my head, I was left with a beautiful melody, romantic words, and the images of two graceful little girls dancing in a world all their own.
Well, what are you thinkin'? What song is playing in YOUR head?
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