The Spinners--It's a Shame

I saw the movie The Holiday again recently, and one of the main characters had this song as his cell phone ringtone. I grew up with this music and hearing the song again brought me right back to that time. It's a great song by a great group--The Spinners. They don't make music like this anymore. Enjoy.......

Will Smith - Men In Black (Video Version)

Fun movie and fun video! One of the best ever movie songs.......

Like I've written about so many times before, there are always connections between things, whether it's songs, books, films, or a combination of them. 

Patrice Rushen - Forget Me Nots (Official Video)

Another trip down memory lane, and another favorite! Will Smith made the song his own in the film Men in Black.....

Heather Nova - Aquamarine

And another one from the same compilation. Easy listening.....

Aquamarine 

Aquamarine

All that glitters lies beneath

Deep blue,

Shallow green

I won't let it go

Aquamarine

You're my sexy little daydream

Deep blue,

Shallow green

I don't make it sound

Now there's a dream

Aquamarine

Send it up into the gulf stream

Deep blue,

shallow green

I won't let it go

Now there's a dream

Now there's a dream

Aquamarine

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Alexander David Puttnam / Christopher John Mellor / Heather Allison Frith

Aquamarine lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

Goloka - Give Me Loving

Another really good song from the Ibiza Summer Chillout Classics from 2009. 

SLEEP by Amanaska

One of the many good songs on a collection of chillout classics from a compilation called Ibiza Summer Chillout Classics from 2009. 

Listening to the songs on this album relaxes me and puts me in a good mood......What else can you ask for in these troubled times? 

Sleep

A sign drawn in the sand

And a touch of a stranger's hand

I wonder what it means

Time spinning round and round in this space

Then it's gone without a trace

I wonder where it goes

Deep in the night when I hear no sound

I feel my heartbeat slowing down

My mind's released and free to wander

As I sleep

The past buried deep inside my head

All the words that have gone unsaid

I just want to let them go

Life on a distant star

Or a boat to where the wild things are

I just want to let it flow

Deep in the night when I hear no sound

I feel my heartbeat slowing down

My mind's released and free to wander

As I sleep

If you're quiet you'll hear the sound

Bits of the world as it spins around

We feel lost and we feel found

When we sleep

When we sleep

Sleep

Two worlds colliding in my head

I watch you as you sleep

Two worlds colliding in my head

Two worlds colliding in my head

Two worlds

Colliding in my head

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Simon Lewis

Sleep lyrics © Sentric Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Out In The Country by Three Dog Night

Out in the Country by Three Dog Night is one of my favorite songs of all time. When I was in high school and learning how to make short movies to music for my English class (we had a very progressive teacher who was years ahead of MTV), I chose this song to make a movie to, starring my sister. The idea was that she was a teenager in an ugly city who dreamed of being out in the country. It was a real learning experience, planning the movie, shooting it, editing it, and presenting the final version. I loved the experience, and every time I hear this song, I think of that time in my life. 

Lyrics

Whenever I need to leave it all behind

Or feel the need to get away-ay-ay

I find a quiet place, far from the human race

Out in the country

Before the breathin' air is gone

Before the sun is just a bright spot in the night-time

Out where the rivers like to run

I stand alone and take back somethin' worth rememberin'

Whenever I feel them closing in on me

Or need a bit of room to move

When life becomes too fast, I find relief at last

Out in the country

Before the breathin' air is gone

Before the sun is just a bright spot in the night-time

Out where the rivers like to run

I stand alone and take back somethin' worth rememberin'

Before the breathin' air is gone

Before the sun is just a bright spot in the night-time

Out where the rivers like to run

I stand alone and take back somethin' worth rememberin'

Before the breathin' air is gone

Before the sun is just a bright spot in the night-time

Out where the rivers like to run

I stand alone and take back somethin' worth rememberin'

Before the breathin' air is gone

Before the sun is just a bright spot in the night-time

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Paul H. Williams / Roger S. Nichols

Out in the Country lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Easy To Be Hard--Three Dog Night

With all of the insanity and inhumanity in the world now, I just had to listen to Three Dog Night's version of Easy To Be Hard, the song from the 1967 rock musical Hair. Why oh why did we grow up with music like this, music that touched our hearts and souls, music that wasn't just about money, bling, greed, revenge and violence? How could it have happened that the 1960s and 70s were such idealistic times? We know now that they weren't always so, but the songs reflected the ideals, hopes and dreams of the songwriters. They wrote about what they knew, experienced and loved--relationships, love, growing up, living in society, and making their way through life. I miss this approach to life. It's all so aggressive and in your face now. 

Lyrics

How can people be so heartless?

How can people be so cruel?

Easy to be hard

Easy to be cold

How can people have no feelings

How can they ignore their friends

Easy to be proud

Easy to say no

Especially people who care about strangers

Who say care about evil and social injustice

Do you only care about the bleeding crowd

How about a needy friend

I need a friend

How can people be so heartless?

You know I'm hung up on you

Easy to give in

Easy to hold back

Especially people who care about strangers

Who care about evil and social injustice

Do you only care about the bleeding crowd

How about a needy friend?

We all need a friend

How can people be so heartless?

How can people be so cruel?

Easy to be proud

Easy to say no

You know it's e-

Easy to say no

Easy to say no

Easy to be proud

I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know

I know it is

Easy to say no

Easy to say no

It's easy

It's easy

Easy to say no, no, no

It's easy, it's easy, it's easy, it's easy

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Gerome Ragni / James Rado / Galt Mac Dermot

Easy to Be Hard lyrics © Emi U Catalog Inc., Channel H Productions

Tears For Fears - Sowing The Seeds Of Love

Another favorite that inspires me everytime I hear it. Enjoy!

Tears For Fears - Shout (Official Music Video)

I call this the primal scream song. At least that's how it was for me when I first heard it in 1984. There was so much turmoil in my life at that time. I would often just drive around the area where I grew up and if this song came on the car radio, I'd turn up the volume and just sing at the top of my lungs. 

Tears for Fears remains one of my all-time favorite bands. There are so many catchy riffs in their songs that draw you in and never let go. Even now, forty years later, I'm still hooked on their songs. Next one up (in the next post) is Sowing the Seeds of Love, another favorite. 

Rush - Tom Sawyer

Just had to hear some Rush......What a great band. This song from 1981 brings back some really good driving memories. They don't make music like this anymore. And when you read the lyrics, you just know we need more Tom Sawyers in the world today. 

Lyrics

A modern-day warrior
Mean, mean stride
Today's Tom Sawyer
Mean, mean pride

Though his mind is not for rent
Don't put him down as arrogant
His reserve, a quiet defense
Riding out the day's events
The river

What you say about his company
Is what you say about society
Catch the mist, catch the myth
Catch the mystery, catch the drift

The world is, the world is
Love and life are deep
Maybe as his skies are wide
Today's Tom Sawyer, he gets high on you
And the space he invades, he gets by on you

No, his mind is not for rent
To any god or government
Always hopeful, yet discontent
He knows changes aren't permanent
But change is

And what you say about his company
Is what you say about society
Catch the witness, catch the wit
Catch the spirit, catch the spit

The world is, the world is
Love and life are deep
Maybe as his eyes are wide

Exit the warrior
Today's Tom Sawyer
He gets high on you
And the energy you trade
He gets right on to
The friction of the day

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Alexandar Zivojinovich / Geddy Lee Weinrib / Neil Elwood Peart / Paul Phillip Woods

Tom Sawyer lyrics © Anthem Entertainment

Oh Christmas tree

At Christmastime, we usually buy 'edelgran' (noble fir in English) trees, and this year, the tree is an exceptionally healthy one. It's still drinking about a liter of water each day. So we'll keep the tree up until it stops drinking water. I can't picture Christmas without a tree; I know some younger people who don't put up a tree, mostly because they travel home to family during the holidays and there's no one to give the tree water. But if that were the case for me, I'd put up an artificial tree instead. When I was single and living on my own in New Jersey, I did just that. Like my mother, I love pretty much everything about the Christmas season.

For as long as we've lived in our apartment, the Christmas tree always has been a holiday fixture in the dining room area, which also has a sitting area with a comfy couch. When it gets dark out and the tree's lights are on, I like to stretch out on the couch and just look at the tree. It's peaceful, calming, and meditative. Sometimes I turn on the flameless candle on the table near the couch, and the combination of both is very soothing. Puts me right to sleep. One of the nicest things I know of is waking up after a short nap to see the tree standing there, with its lights and decorations. A constant in a world of inconstants. A reminder that all is right with the world if we choose to look at it that way. Of course, I'm not naive, I know the world is drowning in problems. But I can't focus just on them. Before Christmas, I was rather despondent due to the lack of peace and all of the problems in the world. But when I traveled to Dresden and met my friend there, I got back some of my Christmas spirit. When I get a bit depressed or sad, I try to remember what it was like when I was younger and going through troubled times. I had faith that life would change, and it did. I hold out the same hope for the world, because I don't know how much worse it can get. 

Many people before me have had the same thoughts about their Christmas trees. I'm including the lyrics to Oh Christmas Tree, a traditional carol (written by German organist and composer Ernst Anschütz who called the song Oh Tannenbaum which means Oh Fir Tree) that we sang as children. You can read more about it on Wikipedia. I still love hearing the song now. 

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree,
How lovely are your branches!
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree,
How lovely are your branches!
Not only green in summer’s heat,
But also winter’s snow and sleet.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
How lovely are your branches!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree,
Of all the trees most lovely;
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree,
Of all the trees most lovely.
Each year you bring to us delight
With brightly shining Christmas light!
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree,
Of all the trees most lovely.

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree,
We learn from all your beauty;
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree,
We learn from all your beauty.
Your bright green leaves with festive cheer,
Give hope and strength throughout the year.
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree,
We learn from all your beauty.

-------------------------------------

Rare Earth - I Just Want to Celebrate

The previous post made me think of this song from 1971 by Rare Earth--I Just Want to Celebrate. I'm including the lyrics as I always do. Enjoy. 

I Just Want to Celebrate

One, two, three, four

I just want to celebrate another day of livin'

I just want to celebrate another day of life

I put my faith in the people

But the people let me down

So, I turned the other way

And I carry on, anyhow

That's why I'm telling you

I just want to celebrate, yeah, yeah

Another day of living, yeah

I just want to celebrate another day of life

Had my hand on the dollar bill

And the dollar bill flew away

But the sun is shining down on me

And it's here to stay

That's why I'm telling you

I just want to celebrate, yeah, yeah

Another day of living, yeah

I just want to celebrate another day of livin'

I just want to celebrate another day of life

Don't let it all get you down, no, no

Don't let it turn you around

And around and around and around and around

Well, I can't be bothered with sorrow

And I can't be bothered with hate, no, no

I'm using up the time but feeling fine, every day

That's why I'm telling you I just want to celebrate

Oh, yeah

I just want to celebrate another day

Oh, I just want to celebrate another day of livin'

I just want to celebrate another day of life

Don't let it all get you down, no, no

Don't let it turn you around

And around and around and around and around

Round, round, round

Round, round, round, round, round

Don't go round

I just want to celebrate

I just want to celebrate

I just want to celebrate

Said I just want to celebrate (celebrate)

I just want to celebrate (I want to celebrate)

I just want to celebrate (I got to celebrate)

I just want to celebrate

I just want to celebrate

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Dino Fekaris / Nick Zesses

Silent Night - Mannheim Steamroller (Official Music Video - 1984)

My brother Ray, who passed away almost nine years ago, introduced me to Mannheim Steamroller back in the 1980s. My sister recently reminded me that he really liked this song. It's a beautiful and touching rendition of Silent Night. I can't listen to it without tearing up. 

Count your Blessings (Instead of Sheep) from the film White Christmas

The 1954 film White Christmas is a sweet and sentimental film to be sure, one that's worth watching. I had seen it many years ago but didn't remember it. We watched it the other night and I really enjoyed it. It will join my list of Christmas films to watch each year. The song Count Your Blessings (Instead of Sheep) was written for the film by Irving Berlin, who wrote the songs for the film. Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney sing this beautiful song. I'm including the lyrics here:

Count Your Blessings (Instead of Sheep) 

When I'm worried and I can't sleep

I count my blessings instead of sheep

And I fall asleep counting my blessings

When my bankroll is getting small

I think of when I had none at all

And I fall asleep counting my blessings

I think about a nursery and I picture curly heads

And one by one I count them as they slumber in their beds

If you're worried and you can't sleep

Just count your blessings instead of sheep

And you'll fall asleep counting your blessings

If you're worried and you can't sleep

Just count your blessings instead of sheep

And you'll fall asleep counting your blessings

Seven Devils--Florence + The Machine

Another song that I heard for the first time tonight. Interesting lyrics, not what you'd automatically think they were about according to the songwriter(s), who has spoken about them online. I really like the imagery. 

Lyrics

Holy water cannot help you now

Thousand armies couldn't keep me out

I don't want your money

I don't want your crown

See, I've come to burn your kingdom down

Holy water cannot help you now

See, I've come to burn your kingdom down

And no rivers and no lakes can put the fire out

I'm gonna raise the stakes

I'm gonna smoke you out

Seven devils all around me

Seven devils in my house

See, they were there when I woke up this morning

I'll be dead before the day is done

Seven devils all around you

Seven devils in your house

See, I was dead when I woke up this morning

I'll be dead before the day is done

Before the day is done

And now all your love will be exorcised

And we will find you saying it's to be better now

And it's an even sum

It's a melody

It's a battle cry

It's a symphony

Seven devils all around me

Seven devils in my house

See, they were there when I woke up this morning

I'll be dead before the day is done

Seven devils all around you

Seven devils in your house

See, I was dead when I woke up this morning

I'll be dead before the day is done

Before the day is done

Before the day is done

Before the day is done

They can keep me out

'Til I tear the walls

'Til I save your heart

And to take your soul

And what has been done

Cannot be undone

In the evil's heart

In the evil's soul

Seven devils all around you

Seven devils in your house

See, I was dead when I woke up this morning

I'll be dead before the day is done

Before the day is done

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Paul Epworth / Florence Welch

Seven Devils lyrics © Florence And The Machine Ltd., Emi Music Publishing Ltd

Band of Horses - Casual Party

I like the song, which I heard for the first time tonight, and the video is perfect for a Halloween party. 

It's A Long Way There (Remastered 2022) by the Little River Band

We heard this song recently and I thought maybe it was a CSNY song mostly due to the wonderful harmony and guitar work, but it's not. It was released in 1976 by the Australian band Little River Band. 

It's A Long Way There

Hey, everybody, yeah, don't you feel that there's something

People on their own are getting nowhere

I'm on the road to see

If anything is anywhere or waiting, just for me

Every night I walk around the city

Seems like I'll never know

That feeling of being together when I go

And it's a long way there

It's a long way to where I'm going

And it's a long way there

It's a long way to where I'm going

Hey, everybody, don't you feel that there's something

But you know in a moment it is gone

I live for the day when I can hear people saying

That they know and they care for everyone

But I feel like I've been here for the whole of my life

Never knowing home

It's a long way, it's a long, long, long way there

I'm gonna keep on tryin', I'm gonna keep on tryin', yeah

I'm gonna keep on tryin', keep on tryin'

Been away from home for such a long time

And got to know this town

But I don't seem to matter much to anyone who's around

Is there anybody around

Every night I walk around the city

Seems like I'll never know

The feeling of being together when I go

And it's a long way there

It's a long way to where I'm going

And it's a long way there

It's a long way to where I'm going

Everybody knows it's a long way there

Oh, everybody knows it's a long way there

Mmm, it's a long way

Driving around's kind of getting me down and I know, and I know

It's a long long way there

It's such a long long way, long way

Hey, everybody, yeah, don't you feel that there's something

Feel it, feel it

Hey, everybody, yeah, don't you feel that there's something

Elle King - Jersey Giant

I've heard this song a few times lately, and I really like it. Elle King has a really good voice, and the song has a nostalgic feel to it. Tyler Childers wrote it. Enjoy. 

Jersey Giant 

I remember all them summers
Playing 'til my fingers bled
You'd sing the songs and I'd sing with you
We'd get drunk and go to bed

Looking back at all them memories
Lord, I hate to sleep alone
But if you ever get the notion
That you need me, let me know

'Cause it's just two hours to get there, babe
I can make it back about an hour or so
Hold you close against my skin
I need a little warmth on a night so cold
Singing songs you used to sing
The one about the lady in the long black veil
Should have seen the warnings signs
But Lord, I love to hear you wail
High and lonesome, hard and strong
Even if it was a little out of tune
Hotter than socks on a jersey giant
Lord, I thought you hung the moon

Lord, I thought you hung the moon

I remember all them winters
Drinking Woodford 'til we drowned
We'd get wind about a party
Bundle up and go to town

Never worry 'bout the police
Never worried much at all
I miss those nights of reckless glory
And I'd come back if you'd just call

'Cause it's just two hours to get there, babe
I can make it back about an hour or so
Hold you close against my skin
I need a little warmth on a night so cold
Singing songs you used to sing
The one about the lady in the long black veil
Should have seen the warnings signs
But Lord, I love to hear you wail
High and lonesome, hard and strong
Even if it was a little out of tune
Hotter than socks on a jersey giant
Lord, I thought you hung the moon

I left town when we were over
'Cause it didn't feel the same
Every backroad had a memory
And every memory yelled your name

'Cause it's just two hours to get there, babe
I can make it back about an hour or so
Hold you close against my skin
I need a little warmth on a night so cold
Singing songs you used to sing
The one about the lady in the long black veil
Should have seen the warnings signs
But Lord, I love to hear you wail
High and lonesome, hard and strong
Even if it was a little out of tune
Hotter than socks on a jersey giant
Lord, I thought you hung the moon

Lord, I thought you hung the moon

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Tyler Childers

Jersey Giant lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc

Talk Talk - It's My Life (Official Video)

It's My Life

Funny how I find myself in love with you

If I could buy my reasoning I'd pay to lose

One half won't do

I've asked myself, how much do you

Commit yourself

It's my life, don't you forget

It's my life, it never ends (It never ends)

Funny how I blind myself, I never knew

If I was sometimes played upon, afraid to lose

I'd tell myself, what good you do

Convince myself

It's my life, don't you forget

It's my life, it never ends (It never ends)

I've asked myself, how much do you

Commit yourself?

It's my life, don't you forget

Caught in the crowd, it never ends

It's my life, don't you forget

Caught in the crowd, it never ends

It's my life, don't you forget

Caught in the crowd, it never ends

Songwriters: Mark David Hollis / Timothy Alan Friese-greene

It’s My Life lyrics © Hollis Songs Ltd.

Released 1984

-------------------------------------

I heard this song tonight when I was driving home. I loved it when it came out and I love it still. I also like the version that No Doubt did as well. But the original is the best. Haunting in its own way.