Welcome back! What is the first thing that came to mind when you heard this song playing? For me it's driving down Highway 101 along the coast of California with all the windows down and watching the ocean as I go by. Oh those were the days. Every time I drive to Southern California or home from I love to drive down the 101, it's beautiful, historic and relaxing and this song is always played.
Hotel California is the title song from the Eagles' album of the same name and was released as a single in early 1977. It is one of the best-known songs of the rock and roll era. Writing credits for the song are shared by Don Henley, Glenn Frey and Don Felder. And in 1978 a Grammy was won for record of the year, unfortunately the band did not show up to accept the award, as Don Henley did not believe in contests.
There are MANY interpretations of this song so I'm not going to go into everyone's thoughts, but I did find this from Wikipedia (and I must say it answers some of my own questions I've had for years). The song's lyrics describe the title establishment as a luxury resort where "you can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave." On the surface, the song tells the tale of a weary traveler who becomes trapped in a nightmarish hotel that at first appeared inviting and tempting. The song is generally understood to be an allegory about hedonism and self-destruction in the Southern California music industry of the late 1970s; Don Henley called it "our interpretation of the high life in Los Angeles" and later reiterated "it's basically a song about the dark underbelly of the American dream and about excess in America, which is something we knew a lot about."
The term "colitas" in the first stanza of the song is a desert flower, also known as Antelope sage or Colita de Rata. Both Don Henley and Don Felder have repeatedly and publicly stated that Colitas are "heady desert flowers."
The use of the word "steely" in the lyric (referring to knives) was a playful nod to band Steely Dan, who had included the lyric "Turn up the Eagles, the neighbors are listening" in their song Everything You Did, according to Glenn Frey's liner notes for The Very Best of the Eagles.
Some fun facts about Hotel California...
*The Hotel California album is #37 on the Rolling Stone list of the 500 Greatest Albums of all time. According to the magazine, Don Henley said that the band was in pursuit of a note perfect song. The Eagles spent 8 months in the studio polishing take after take after take. Henley also said, "We just locked ourselves in. We had a refrigerator, a ping pong table, roller skates and a couple cots. We would go in and stay for 2 or 3 days at a time."
*Glenn Frey compares this song to an episode of The Twilight Zone, where it jumps from one scene to the next and doesn't necessarily make sense.
*The hotel on the album cover is the Beverly Hills Hotel, known as the Pink Palace. It is often frequented by Hollywood stars. I'm not sure of this info, as there are several other thoughts as to where the hotel really is. Some even say it is a psychiatric hospital near Los Angeles.
While there is SO much more out there about this song and many stupid thoughts that I will not give credit to here, I will say that Hotel California has been a song I have listened to since I was 4 years old and all of my children know the words, word for word. I am sure that my grandchildren and great grandchildren will also sing this song as much as we do.
So as we prepare to depart for our next camping adventure along the California Coast, I am positive that this song will be played at top volume while my feet are hanging out of the open window and all of us will be singing along... Welcome to the hotel California Such a lovely place Such a lovely face Plenty of room at the hotel California Any time of year, you can find it here
Hey all! Happy Monday! Welcome back and I so hope you enjoy the song for the week. I recently discovered this song while watching the movie, Into The Wild. The soundtrack for the movie was performed by Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam, a band who is high on my list of favorites. While this song has also become a favorite of mine, I was surprised to learn more about the original singer and songwriter.
Hard Sun was written by Gordon Peterson and released on his only album "Big Harvest" in 1989. Instead of using his name above the album title he used "Indio", Peterson felt uncomfortable using his name because so many talented people were involved in recording Big Harvest. Talent which included David Rhodes, Larry Klein and his wife Joni Mitchell, Brenda Russell and sometime Robbie Robertson guitarist Bill Dillon. Peterson was dropped from the label A&M Records for unknown reasons and has hardly been heard from again. He has been touted as a songwriting genius.
The song Hard Sun deals metaphorically with mankind's lack of spirituality and disregard for the environment, seen through a man and women's relationship, as mentioned by Peterson. While the song nor album ever made the charts, it has finally become a hit thanks to the movie, Into The Wild and of course to Eddie Vedder.
I hope you liked this song enough to add it to your music library and enough to come back next week to see what's playing.
Oh boy is this one of my favorite songs! Well my list of favorites is about 2.5 million but this one gets me smiling every time and gets my memory reversed to my younger days. Not only is this a fav of mine, but IT WILL get you motivated! We've got the song on video format this week...check out the hair, clothes and the low budget video production. Oh how I wish life was still that simple.
Kids in America
was written by Mary Wilde father of the performing artist Kim Wilde. The song was released in January 1981 and was an immediate hit, peaking at number two on the UK singles chart, and repeating that success all around the world. The following year it became a Top 30 hit in the US. In song doesn't make you want to put on your bobby socks with your white pumps I don't know what would! For a girl from England, she sure can sing about America, although I don't think she's ever been to East California...
Looking out a dirty old window Down below the cars in the City go rushing by I sit here alone And I wonder why
Friday night and everyones moving I can fell the heat But its shooting Heading down I search for the beat in this dirty town
Down town the young ones are going Down town the young ones are growing
Chorus :
Were the kids in America (x 2) Everybody live for the music-go-round
Bright lights the music gets faster Look boy, don't check on your watch Not another glance Im not leaving now, honey not a chance
Hot-shot, give me no problems Much later baby you'll be saying never mind You know life is cruel, life is never kind
Kind hearts don't make a new story Kind hearts don't grab any glory
Ch.
Come closer, honey thats better Got to get a brand new experience Feeling right Oh don't try to stop baby Hold me tight
Outside a new day is dawning Outside sububias sprawling everywhere I don't want to go baby New York to east California Theres a new wave coming I warn you
Ch.
Were the kids Were the kids Were the kids in America
In recent years Kim Wilde has released a new album
Never Say Never
which includes eight tracks plus five completely re-worked previous hits of hers and charted well in Belgium, France, Switzerland, Austria and Germany. She still holds the record for being the most-charted British solo female act of the 1980s. So get up, crimp your hair, pull out your best mini and dance baby! Because we are the Kids of America!!!
***NOTE*** You will notice this week that there is a new music player to your left. Now you can hit pause the next time you visit the site if you don't want to hear the song again! Cool site by the way for songs and playlists! Okay on to NMM...
I want to start this off by saying HAPPY FATHERS DAY to all the dads out there! Especially to my dad and my papa and of course to my wonderful husband. I know it's in a few days, but I wanted to make sure all the great dads know just how much they are appreciated. I also want to dedicate this post, mostly the song, to a friend who just found out he's going to have a son. A....you are going to be a great dad! This one's for you!!
Danny's Song was written by Kenny Loggins who first earned success with a group of songs recorded by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Loggins was recording his first solo album when he met Jim Messina, formerly of Poco and Buffalo Springfield, who was working as an independent contract record producer for Columbia Records at the time. Messina decided to produce Loggins debut album. By the time it was completed, Messina had contributed so much to the album, both instrumentally and vocally, that an accidental duo was born. Loggins and Messina released their first album; Kenny Loggins with Jim Messina Sittin' In in January 1972 in which Danny's Song was on.
Loggins began playing guitar and writing songs in the seventh grade and wrote Danny's Song while in high school for his brother, Dan Loggins who had just had a son, Colin. He also wrote House at Pooh Corner for his nephew as well. While Danny's Song never made the singles charts under Loggins and Messina, it did when released by Anne Murray. Anne Murray's version of Danny's Song became a chart hit in March 1973 reaching number 1 under Adult Contemporary, number 7 under Pop Singles and number 10 in the country charts.
And completely not related to the song, BUT a bit of INTERESTING info on Kenny...He married his second wife in a nudist ceremony. Alrighty then....
For me this song gives me goose bumps every time I hear it. The lyrics are beautiful...
People smile and tell me I'm the lucky one, And we've only just begun. Think I'm gonna have a son. He will be like she and me, as free as a dove, Conceived in love. Sun is gonna shine above.
(Chorus) And even though we ain't got money, I'm so in love with you, honey, And everything will bring a chain of love. And in the morning, when I rise, You bring a tear of joy to my eyes And tell me everything is gonna be alright.
Seems as though, a month ago, I was Beta-Chi, Never got high. Oh, I was a sorry guy. And now, I smile and face the girl that shares my name. Now I'm through with the game. This boy will never be the same.
Chorus
Pisces, Virgo rising is a very good sign, Strong and kind, And the little boy is mine. Now I see a family where the once was none. Now we've just begun. Yeah, we're gonna fly to the sun.
Chorus
Love the girl who holds the world in a paper cup. Drink it up. Love her and she'll bring you luck. And if you find she helps your mind, better take her home. Don't you live alone. Try to earn what lovers own.
Chorus
Have a wonderful week. Have a wonderful Father's Day to all you dads out there! See you next week for a song that will take you back to your 80's big hair roots!
The final week of school, at least for us! I know there are some who are done already and others who have another week to go, but this weeks song should get you ready for SUMMER!!
...school is out and there's kinda a buzz....
This weeks song is by the ever handsome and oh so talented Will Smith. Will Smith born, Willard Christopher "Will" Smith, Jr. (born September 25, 1968) is an American actor and rapper. He is one of a small group of people who have enjoyed great success in music, television and motion pictures. Smith has been nominated for a Golden Globe, two Academy Awards, and has won multiple Grammys. Smith spent most of his young life in Philadelphia, with a diverse group of friends. In his own words, he "grew up in a Baptist household, went to a Catholic school, lived in a predominately Jewish neighborhood, and hung out with Muslim kids."
While Will Smith was always the class clown, he also turned out to be quite intelligent. He excelled in writing, as well as math and the sciences. Will earned his nick name, "the fresh prince" during high school as he was not only a class clown but talented in rapping as well.
Summertime was released on the album, Homebase in 1991, and quickly became the No. 1 Rap Single and was No. 4 Billboard Hot 100 hit. The song was about Smith and his partner, DJ Jazzy Jeff (Jeff Townes), growing up in Philadelphia and attending barbecues where the whole community showed up to see and be seen. The song is a masterpiece in it's own right.
If you need a song for the summer, this is it. Take it with you on the boat, camping trips or just when you're on your way to drop the kids off at a friends. As for me, it's again one of my all time favs! I'm off to go wax my car down and head to the beach for some fun...
See you next week...a father's day song not worth missing!
Welcome to the second installment of New Music Monday's! This week is extra special to me because the music for this week was all played on a special day in my life, my wedding. Tomorrow my husband and I will celebrate our 8th year of marriage, 8 years of pure bliss and love and of course music! I've got the shuffle on the player this week for you as there are several songs to enjoy.
When I thought of my wedding I always knew that music would play an intricate role during the day. I wanted the day to have a soundtrack that would be remembered by all who were there and most of all by Mike and I. We had a hard time finding a DJ who would be comfortable with letting us run the show, we did find a great guy who ended up having a "stellar night!" So with out further chat...here are the highlights of our wedding soundtrack with artist and song bio and why we chose that song for what part in our day.
As we entered our reception, one of our favorite singer/songwriters, Lenny Kraviz was belting out "I Belong To You". The song set the mood for the night and our guests immediately knew that the night was going to be fabulous! I was introduced to the sounds of Lenny in 1989 and was out the next day to buy his debut album, Let Love Rule. His funk/folk/reggae/rock/soul style is powerful and his lyrics tell stories of life, love and loss. The lyrics of this song speak of a love so much like Mike's and mine that when we first heard it on the 5 album, we knew this song was perfect.
You make me feel so divine Your soul and mind are entwined Before you I was blind
But since Ive opened my eyes And with you theres no disguise So I could open up my mind
I always loved you from the start But I could not figure out That I had to do it everyday
So I put away the fight Now Im gonna live my life Giving you the most in every way
*** Our first dance as husband and wife was to the song, Someone Like You by Mike's favorite artist Van Morrison. This song was actually the first dance we had as a couple and it has been "our song" ever since. Morrison's 1987 album, Poetic Champions Compose, was considered to be one of his highlights of the 1980s. The romantic ballad, "Someone Like You", from this album was featured in the soundtrack of several popular movies, including 1995's French Kiss and, in 2001, both Someone Like You and Bridget Jones's Diary.
Van Morrison is a legend in music with such hits as Brown Eyed Girl, Domino, Into the Mystic, and Moondance to name just a few. Morrison's career, spanning some five decades, has influenced many popular musical artists. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993 and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2003. In 2000, Morrison ranked #25 on American cable music channel VH1's list of its 100 greatest artists of rock and roll, and in 2004, Rolling Stone Magazine ranked Van Morrison 42nd on their list of The Immortals: 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.
*** The song "Somebody's Baby" by Jackson Browne was played during the removal and toss of my garter! Ha that was so cool!!! That song has such meaning to me in my relationship with Mike, every time I hear it I am reminded how loved I am. My license plate is SMBDZBB as is my email. The plate was a gift the Christmas before we wed.
The song was written in 1982 and it was Browne's last top ten song, and his highest-charting song ever. The song was never on any of his albums but was on the soundtrack for Fast Times at Ridgemont High and was later released on his "best-of" compilation The Next Voice You Hear: The Best of Jackson Browne. Browne is one of my personal favorite song writers of all time, his music can be heard from the lips of Joan Baez, Tom Rush, The Eagles, Linda Ronstadt, the Byrds and Steve Noonan, among others. Browne's work has reputation for its compelling melodies, clear, honest, and insightful lyrics, and a flair for composition rarely seen in the world of rock and roll. He is often referred to as "a thinking man's rock star." While "Somebody's Baby" is one of his most popular songs credited to the Fast Times soundtrack, I am more drawn to his melodic voice in songs like "Late For The Sky", "These Day's", "Lives in the Balance" and the Eagles hit, "Take it Easy".
I could go on and on with other songs from our day, but we'd be here a long time and I'd also run out of future New Music Monday's! See you next week....
First off...our home is full of thoughts, prayers and much concern for all of those in China today and FL, OK, MO, GA and other states affected by the tornados. May God be with everyone. ********************************************
I've been thinking a lot of how much music helps me. I relax. I calm down. I smile. I just LOVE music. Then I started thinking it would be fun to bring that here, to the blog, so I'm gonna do "New Music Mondays" of course on Monday's, duh! I'll have the song on my player for the week and do a history of the song, artist and writer. I would love to hear what you think of the song, did it bring back memories, have you ever heard it, etc....
Here's the first installment.....
The song chosen for this weeks New Music Monday is Sir Duke by the ever wonderful Stevie Wonder. I chose this song for many reasons, one is it gets you, well at least me, out of my seat and just plain makes you feel good. The lyrics are so telling....
Music is a world within itself With a language we all understand With an equal opportunity For all to sing, dance and clap their hands But just because a record has a groove Don't make it in the groove But you can tell right away at letter A When the people start to move
They can feel it all over They can feel it all over people They can feel it all over They can feel it all over people
Music knows it is and always will Be one of the things that life just won't quit But here are some of music's pioneers That time will not allow us to forget For there's Basie, Miller, Satchmo And the king of all Sir Duke And with a voice like Ella's ringing out There's no way the band can lose
Sir Duke was composed by Stevie Wonder and released in 1976 on the album, Songs in the Key of Life and it was a tribute to one of the greatest, Duke Ellington. The song also counts other great music ledgends like Count Basie,Louis Armstron (Satchmo) and the beautiful Ella Fitzgerald all of whom created music that is still alive today in many artists such as Gwen Steffani, Justin Timberlake and Mariah Carey to name a few. Sir Duke made it to #1 on the Billboard charts in the United States in 1977 and was played at the 2004 Democratic National Convention after the Presidential nomination acceptance speech of John Kerry and John Edwards.
I hope you've gotten out of your seat and spun around the room! I really enjoied putting this together and am looking forward to next weeks song...stay tuned!
New Music Mondays
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