Songs »Flower Duet from Lamke

by Léo Delibes (1883)

It would be difficult, I imagine, to explain to Léo Delibes what’s become of his Flower Duet, possibly the most beautiful piece of music ever written.

I would explain that it was just far too beautiful for the modern world to handle without being tempered by violence.

Honestly, can anyone listen to this and not envision some violent scene? Whether it’s Walken and Hopper in True Romance (which makes me wonder – is it as awesome as the teenage me thought? I’m remembering Gary Oldman as a rastafarian drug dealer and thinking, yes) or the latest shoot em up video game trailer, or it’s surely memorable inclusion in Garfield: Tale of Two Kitties?

Joking aside, this is the kind of music that makes your heart and soul soar.

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Posted on March 10, 2012

Songs »It’s A Big World

by Renee and Jeremy

I am not a fan, usually, of most children’s music. Having a child hasn’t made me any more accepting.

But, music geared towards kids doesn’t have to be grating – and really why should it? Van enjoys all sorts of songs, not just ones that are annoying.

Enter Renee and Jeremy and their lovely lullaby It’s a Big World.

The lyrics are simple and touching:

“It’s a big world, baby
And you’re little
For a Little While”

and the colorful animation, which we found on youtube (and totally mellows Van out) is charming.

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Posted on March 7, 2012

Songs,Style Icons: Male »Davy Jones. Daydream Believer

RIP

Davy Jones was the biggest heartthrob to come out of the Monkees (though I was always fond of Nesmith) with his charming goofiness.

I grew up with Monkee reruns and still, with no irony or embarrassment can call Daydream Believer a favorite song (and one that’s great for karaoke too).

Jones passed away today leaving behind a generation (or two) of ardent fans.

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Posted on February 29, 2012

Songs »Don’t Take It Personal (Just One of Dem Days)

by Monica (1995)

90’s radio R&B is one of my favorite genres and Monica’s Don’t Take It Personal (Just One of Dem Days) is one of the best examples.

I love that it feels like a teenage girl wrote the lyrics, its incredibly catchy and no one makes hit songs about their sensitive BFs getting all whiny anytime a lady needs her space.

Girl’s got to get cranky sometimes!

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Posted on February 22, 2012

Songs »I Didn’t Mean to Turn You On

by Robert Palmer (1985)

Addicted to Love (which is also awesome) may be Riptide‘s biggest hit but it’s I Didn’t Mean to Turn You On that’s been rattling around in my head.

It’s sultry, it’s mysterious, it’s Robert Palmer at his most well-dressed-man-surrounded-by-vacant-models-in-skin-tight-dresses best.

A lady named Cherelle also had success with the song with her Mary Jane Girls like cover and Mariah Carey covered it having, apparently, only known that 80’s girly dance version.

Palmer’s original is much more interesting.

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Posted on February 4, 2012

Songs »Very Special

by Debra Law (1981)

Debra Laws’ Very Special sounds like young girls’ smiles when they first fall in love . It’s a very nice thing.

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Posted on January 18, 2012

Songs »Ain’t Leaving Without You

by Jaheim (2009)

Synchronicity is a wondrous thing. Van’s obsessed with our clock radio, so decides he must play with it the very moment the R. Kelley-esque Ain’t Leaving Without You is on Hot 97.

I would have otherwise probably never heard it.

Jaheim, a Jersey native, presents here a passionate tale of a man in a club enraptured with a woman’s sexy body. Well worn territory for an r&b song? Perhaps. But I promise you’ll still enjoy it.

Jaheim, a Jersey native, presents here a passionate tale of a man in a club enraptured with a woman’s sexy body.  Well worn territory for an r&b song? Perhaps. But I promise you’ll still enjoy it.

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Posted on January 9, 2012

Songs »Best of 2011- Songs

Considering that two of the songs on my short list are novelties, it’s not a huge shock my favorite song this year has been a rap about fast food.

You’ll also find an incredibly lovely folk ballad from a glam rocker, a sexed up metal jam and a pretty forgotten dream pop love song.

1. Combination Pizza Hut and Taco Bell

2. She Was Born to be My Unicorn

3. Joysticks Theme

4. Pimps Don’t Cry

5. Poison

6. California (All the Way)

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Posted on January 1, 2012

Songs »It’s Just Like Christmas

by Low (1999)

True, Low’s Just Like Christmas is far more Midwest-indie than my tastes tend to run – and I can vividly imagine it as the soundtrack to a precious, folksy Volkswagen commercial, but it’s undeniably, a sweet Christmas ditty.

Very nice to see new, catchy compositions for the Holiday are being written not just as an after thought to make money but artfully and with genuine heart.

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Posted on December 24, 2011

Songs »White Christmas

by Otis Redding and The Drifters

White Christmas is a great holiday classic, cheers to Irving Berlin! But it’s roots are in the old fashioned Bing Crosby era sound and while there’s nothing wrong with that, the song really takes on new dimensions with more interesting renditions.

My favorites are The Drifters who lend a toe tapping doo-wop sound, while the incomperable Otis Redding spins his heart broken soulful magic and suddenly White Christmas is the best song ever!

It’s one of the holiday’s most covered songs, so if you don’t agree with my favorites, you can likely find one that suits you (Rick Astley, NKOTB, or Kenny G, perhaps?)

 

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Posted on December 21, 2011

Songs »Ryu The Red Nosed Ninja

by Doctor Octoroc (2011)

I continue my week of great Christmas songs!

Eight bit cover songs seem to be the it thing lately but you won’t hear me complain about it!

Especially when artists are making once mediocre Christmas songs into listening awesomeness like Ryu the Red Nosed Ninja.

Apologies to Rudolf, but it’s just never been one of my favorites.
As a spacey, spooky video game like tune, though it’s transformed!

The entire album, 8 Bit Jesus, is available here.

A great way to support an artist directly while gaining some nerdy holiday listening cheer.

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Posted on December 20, 2011

Songs »I’d Like You for Christmas

by Julie London

I am really into the holidays this year, just ask anyone that drops by and finds Christmas classics playing in our apartment all day.

Van is a huge fan, but for those that aren’t I’m recommending Holiday songs anyone would love all week.

Starting with the sultry voiced Julie London and her lonely I’d Like You For Christmas. It’s underplayed and hasn’t been covered a million times which is refreshing.

Plus it will make you feel like a heartsick pin up girl, staring out her window on Christmas eve.

And since I’m in the generous spirit, below are a few of this sexy singers amazing album covers.

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Posted on December 19, 2011

Songs »Cha Cha Heels

20111213-121343.jpgby Eartha Kitt and Bronski Beat (1989)

When people post music videos on Facebook I tend to treat them with at most a passing glance.

It won’t take long to understand why, with Cha Cha Heels, things were different.

I might also note that the song was written for Divine, who sadly passed away before it could be recorded.

 

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Posted on December 13, 2011

Songs »Needles and Pins

by The Searchers (1964)

Been very into The Searchers’ catchy tune “Needles and Pins” lately.

Was surprised by all the covers I never knew existed: The Ramones, Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks?!

Also had no idea it was originally sung by Jackie Deshannon at a slower pace. All are worth checking out.

Not as much? The weird 1989instrumental “club remix”.

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Posted on November 8, 2011

Songs »Night of the Vampire

by Roky Erickson (1979)

I have the feeling that I am just scratching the surface of the work of cult icon Roky Erickson with this catchy tune.

Night of the Vampire will not only add a much needed shaking up to your normal Halloween party mix, but probably give you some pretty cool street cred as well (depending on the street).

Erickson’s life has been rife with tragedy (and the subject of a pretty depressing documentary called You’re Gonna Miss Me).

This song is fun, lumbering, campy, and though it was originally recorded in 1979, feels like the rocking-est parts of the very early 1990’s.

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Posted on October 29, 2011

Songs »Fooled Around and Fell in Love

By Elvin Bishop (1975)

It’s Elvin Bishop’s birthday. Must play Fooled Around and Fell in Love at least three times.

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Posted on October 21, 2011

Songs »Got a Hold on Me

By Christine McVie (1984)

Got a Hold on Me is often mistaken as a Fleetwood Mac song but it’s pure McVie.
Shunning the spotlight for the past many years, she left is this lovely adult contemporary love song behind before taking the high road to peaceful living.

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Posted on September 1, 2011