Hard To Handle

It's Flashback Friday time!

Hard To Handle ... by the Black Crowes

It is hard to believe this song is over two decades old!  From the guitar riffs to the a capella chorus, this song rocks!  I remember the first time I heard this song and how it took me a few times to figure out the speed lyrics:
     Boys come along a dime by the dozen
     That ain't nothing but ten cent lovin'
     Hey little thing let me light your candle
     'Cause mama I'm sure hard to handle, now,
     Gets around

I still love singing along to that part of the song!  Today was "hard to handle" which was the inspiration for the song.  Good times are just around the bend though!  =)

...

Bizarre Love Triangle

It's Flashback Friday time again and that means it's time to revisit a song you've likely forgotten.

Bizarre Love Triangle ... by New Order

I guarantee that you remember this song.  I also guarantee that you either absolutely love it, or you cannot stand that kind of music.  I have never really met anyone that's just "okay" with that 80's techno-synthesizer sound.  My best buddy from high school, Craig, was just like me in that he LOVES this kind of music.  I have fond memories of driving around Rick's College (now BYU-Idaho) in Rexburg, with the t-tops off of the Trans Am and this song blaring on the radio.  I had this song (and other like it) on several casette tapes, which we played all the time whenever we went cruising for chicks.

We were sooooo cool!  Ha ha!

...

Every Now And Then

This song is both a Friday Flashback and a great Country music tune.  Of course Garth Brooks has come and gone (although I hear he has signed on to perform in Las Vegas for many years to come), but there was a time when he OWNED everything in country music AND gained quite a bit of popularity among Top 40 music fans ... in case you might have forgotten those days!

Every Now And Then ... by Garth Brooks

I could have easily done several "six-packs" of GB songs, but this song has always been one of my favorites of his many popular tunes.  I don't have any "regrets" at all about my wife or my love for her, but this song doesn't just have to be about romantic love.  When I listen to this tune I like to think about many different memories I have from times gone by.
"And when the song was over I said play it again" summarizes my measurement of GREAT music.  If it can take you back to a specific place or event to the extent that you want to hear it several times in a row to linger on those memories ... well then, that's a truly great song!

...

Everybody Wants To Rule The World

I would be breaking one of my main goals of this blog if I did not, in quick order, highlight some of my absolute favorite songs of ALL TIME.  This song is right near the top of that list (and has been at the top at different times over the years) ...

Everybody Wants To Rule The World

 ... by Tears For Fears

What is there to not like about this song?!  Unless you hated 80's music (in which case you will HATE this blog), there is nothing bad you can say about this song!  The guitar riffs (and solos) throughout, and strong, rhythmic drum beats keep the song moving and your toes tapping.  The electronic keyboard is used sparingly in the song, but keeps that 80's staple right in the thick of things.  And last but certainly not least, the message is honest, slightly critical of society-at-large, but also intimately personal (if you want it to be).

Love it, love it, love it!  :)

...

In The Air Tonight

It's Friday and that can only mean one thing:

it's time for a FLASHBACK song!

I cannot tell you the first time I heard Phil Collins' music, but I know exactly when I found personal meaning in today's song ... In The Air Tonight.  I won't go into the specifics, but this song ALWAYS brings back some very specific memories of one particular event that occurred in high school.

The song itself is just amazing!  If you know Phil Collins' history as a drummer, you gain even greater appreciation for the build up to the explosive drum solo almost at the very end of the song.  The voices echoing in the background, coupled with the screeching guitar riffs and slow synthesizer note changes add to the chilling, somber feel of the tune.  There is anger, frustration, and hurt in the words, but also a sense of impending finality to whatever situation is about to happen.

Even if your "night" isn't going to be filled with anger, this seems to be a great start to the weekend kind of song.

...

Jump!

Today's song is Jump by Van Halen.  This is in honor of the start of the 2012 East Stake Men's Basketball season, which began this evening at the Meadowland Stake Center.  I'm the APAD (Assistant Physical Activities Director) for the Stake, but the PAD moved on New Year's Day so I am running the whole shebang this season (at least until they call someone else).

Anyway, I absolutely love this song even though it has that cheesy 80's feel too it.  The heavy guitar riffs and use of synthesizer for the main hook of the song are probably my favorite parts, but I will admit the video is ... um ... an interesting piece of pop culture history.  :)

Enjoy!

...