Way Back Wednesday - In The Aeroplane Over The Sea

Wow, the last day of July is here.

And because it's a Wednesday, I'm sharing an "oldie but a goodie" with you today.  Today's Way Back Wednesday song is the title track from Neutral Milk Hotel's brilliant (which really isn't a strong enough word to describe it but it'll do for now) 1998 album"In The Aeroplane Over The Sea"

I have long ago lost count of how many times I've listened to this album over the years.  Let's just say it's somewhere between many and LOTS.  It never surprises me when I hear folks refer to it as one of the greatest albums of all time because, quite frankly, it is.

Today I'm sharing a lovely live version, from 2014, of "In The Aeroplane Over The Sea" and I hope you enjoy it.  Quite frankly, there are not enough songs featuring the saw around these days.

Happy hump day lovelies xo

And one day we will die
And our ashes will fly from the aeroplane over the sea
But for now we are young
Let us lay in the sun
And count every beautiful thing we can see
Love to be
In the arms of all I'm keeping here with me

Because It's Tuesday - week of July 30

When I was a kid, Saturday Night Fever was a big hit movie.  What seemed to be bigger than the movie though, was the soundtrack.  You couldn't go anywhere without hearing one of the songs from it. I'm not just talking about the Bee Gees hits (and they were massive hits), the whole thing seemed to be just oozing out big hit songs.

Probably, the biggest song from that soundtrack was Stayin' Alive.  Apparently, when they teach folks how to do CPR, you're supposed to do 100 compressions per minute, which, apparently, is the number of beats per minute in Stayin' Alive so, if you need to, you can use that song in your head as a guide!

Because it's Tuesday, well you know what I do... today's cover is Lizzo's version of the classic Bee Gees disco smash.  Her cover was featured on the soundtrack for the movie, "Happy Death Day 2u."  I have not seen this movie, nor will I likely ever watch it.  I think it's some kind of sci-fi slasher pic and those are not usually the kinds of themes I enjoy in a movie.

I do, however love Lizzo and while her cover of "Stayin' Alive" is very close to the original, I dig it all the same. She's just fabulous and I enjoyed this, so much.  I'd rather hear her voice than the Bee Gees any day!!

Not Guilty Just Pleasure - Do The Trick

It's Friday.  It's Summer.  It's just about as beautiful day (from a weather perspective anyway) that you're likely to see at this time of the year.

As it's a beautiful summer day, I'm going to share a song with you all by a band I have spent a lot of time listening to this week.  My "not guilty just pleasure" pick this week is
"Do the trick" by Dr. Dog (from their 2012 album Be The Void).  This is one of those songs which, when I heard it for the first time, I just loved.  It's catchy and fun, the video is ridiculously awesome (and if you like Star Wars, well, you'll probably enjoy it whether or not you care about the song) and I just love the line, "long since run out of wick."  The song has a simply melody and lots of "oohs" and several "aaah" which I always enjoy.  Also, for your information, I'm a gigantic fan of hand claps in songs but that's not really relevant at the moment.

Give it a listen.  If you like it, Dr. Dog have a lot of other really good stuff you might like as well.  Happy Friday kittens xo

I burnt the candle on every side

Long since run out of wick

Will you be my flame tonight?

Will you do the trick?

Cancon Thursday - They Don't Call Them Chihuahua's Anymore

If you were like me, you probably spent a good chunk of the summer of 1993 listening to "Sport Fishin': The Lure of the Bait, The Luck of the Hook" by Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet. If not, I'd love to know what you were listening to that summer!

Surf music is fun to listen to at any time of the year but it's particularly wonderful when you hear it in the summer, or at least when the weather is warm.  Today, because it's Cancon Thursday, I'm sharing "They Don't Call Them Chihuahua's Anymore" with you lovely readers.

I'm sharing it for a few reasons:  surf music, summertime, Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet are AWESOME, Chihuahua in the video. 

Miss Bella

I just spent the better part of a week spending almost every spare moment I had with a Chihuahua, Miss Bella.  She likes this video, she also likes to burrow under the blankets of your bed no matter the temperature.  She also likes to be as close to you as is possible.  If she has to climb up on top of you to accomplish this, she will do that.  Bella is tiny but she is mighty and she will be both adorable and annoying in equal measure to accomplish her mission.  Her mom has returned from an out of province trip and Bella is readjusting to life in a different part of the house, with different blankets to burrow under and (probably) less surf music to listen to. 

Hope you enjoy this at least just 1/10th of how much I do.  If you do, you'll find that you're enjoying it A LOT.

Way Back Wednesday - Something So Strong

For today's way back Wednesday song, I'm sharing something by the wonderful Crowded House!

I don't know that I've shared one of their songs before now and seriously, it's a shame if I haven't.  Today's song, "Something so Strong" is from their 1986 self-titled debut album.  This video is quite silly but the song is great and timeless.  Like a practically perfect pop song usually is.  Apparently, it was the first song written by Neil Finn, specifically for Crowded House.

Back in the early 1990's, I had the great pleasure of seeing Crowded House here in Kingston.  They were touring with the legendary Richard Thompson (what a treat that was!!).  They were/are a fantastic live band and at that time, Paul Hester was still with us at that time and playing with the band.  I recall him running to the bathroom (wearing a mic) in the middle of the show, for comedic effect.  Everyone in the place (the place being the Jock Harty Arena on the Queen's University campus) laughed when he flushed the toilet!

I've always loved "Something so Strong."  It's another great summer song, it's bouncy and a bit of a hoot to sing along with and generally good fun.  Give it a listen and see if you can resist bopping around the house / office / wherever you find yourself today.

Also, if you're a fan (as I am) of Crowded House, you should note that "The Very Best of Crowded House" is finally available on vinyl (released earlier this month)!

Happy hump day kittens xo

Love can make you weep
Can make you run for cover
Roots that spread so deep
Bring life to frozen ground

Because It's Tuesday - week of July 23

When I was 12 or 13, I remember hearing today's song on the radio and really loving it almost immediately.  At that age, I knew absolutely nothing about the band.  Had no clue really that they had been around for a while and had a string of hits and were super popular.  To me, this was just a poppy R&B/rock song that I liked.  That song was "What A Fool Believes" by the Doobie Brothers.  It's 40 years later and I still enjoy that song.  Overall I'm not really a fan of the Doobie Brothers but I sure do like "What A Fool Believes."

Today's cover (and yes, because it's Tuesday I'm sharing a cover) is by Rubblebucket.  It was released on their 2013 EP "Save Charlie."  It's a bit funkier / dancier than the original but I like the little bits of disco flavour that are sprinkled throughout the song.

When I started looking into, I was a bit surprised by how many folks had covered "What A Fool Believes" over the years, Aretha Franklin, George Michael... even Carol Welsman.

I hope you enjoy this version, happy Tuesday kiddos xo

Not Guilty Just Pleasure - Stop

Boy this is late.

Well for me it's very late.  Ordinarily I do these posts in the morning.  Today, I was feeling unwell (awful enough to stay home from work) and I slept most of the day away.  The rest did me a world of good because I'm feeling quite a bit better tonight than I did last night and this morning so, thanks to you bed rest.

Spice Girls - Stop

Now, the song I'm going to share today is one which, not so very long ago, I would have categorized as a guilty pleasure.  I no longer feel guilty about cheesey stuff I might enjoy from time to time.  Instead, I'm embracing the cheese and will share some of it with you today.

For a reason I can not understand, the song "Stop" by the Spice Girls is one I've always enjoyed. Watching the video just now, I remembered being at a bar mitzvah in the early 2000's and it was played during the party.  A little girl, in her mum's lap, she was maybe 4 or 5, sat across from me at the table.  We both smiled at each other, sang along to the song and did all of the hand actions which the ladies did in the video.  It was cute, it was fun.  It is still cute and fun and on a steamy Friday, we could use a little fluffy piece of pop to start the weekend off with.

Enjoy xo

Stop right now, thank you very much
I need somebody with a human touch
Hey you, always on the run
Gotta slow it down baby, got have some fun

Cancon Thursday - Drag Us Down

Recently, I've been going through some old photos and miscellaneous stuff from the 1990's I have at home in my office. Some of the photos (which have been carefully placed in photo albums - I really need to start doing that again!!) are very sweet.  A large chunk of them are of shows I went to or things that happened with my radio station peeps.

Ryan Casper and Dave Inbred

Last night, I was looking for a particular photo to scan for a friend when I stumbled upon the photo you see here today.  It's a photo of Ryan Casper (wearing a very popular Inbreds shirt) and Dave Inbred (wearing a snazzy Caspers shirt).  I'm sure that folks still do this but back in the '90's, around here anywhere, if you were in a band, we made your band name into your name (it was less confusing that way when we were talking about musicians - you always quickly knew w
hich person you were discussing).  This particular photo was taken by moi, in May of 1994 on the night that the Caspers "released" their incredible cassette, "Gunther Goes to Keelerville."  They opened the show for Inspector Fuzz (my brother Patrick's band at the time, he also organized the show), The Evaporators and cub.  It was a great night.

Having said all of that and referencing four terrific Canadian bands, you might think that I'd be sharing a song by one of the previous mentioned combos.  You would be wrong to think that.  Instead, I'm going to share "Drag Us Down" by the Inbreds, from their wonderful 1996 album, It's Sydney or the Bush. Finding that photo sent me down a rabbit hole of Inbreds songs this morning so there you go.

I hope you enjoy it.  The song is great and the video is a lot of fun - SO many inbreds!! Happy Thursday kiddos xo

Even if I said so (what a funny photo)

I think I'll have to cancel (look at what he's missing)

when here, it's so familiar (the sun is bright and yellow)

and I'd much prefer to stay at home

Way Back Wednesday - Crystal Blue Persuasion

For today's Way Back Wednesday song, I'm sharing a tune which was briefly (1 week) at the top of the charts in Canada during the summer of 1969.

I was a toddler when this song was released but as a child I recall hearing it on the radio a lot and I always associated it with summer (and not meth like some folks do).  It's a really steamy and hot day here (so far, it's only early at the moment) so I thought I'd share a classic summer song with you, "Crystal Blue Persuasion" by Tommy James and the Shondells.

When I went looking for some information about the song I was surprised (kinda) by how many movies and tv shows the song has been featured in.  The only one I really remembered (and it was sort of fitting given the subject matter) hearing it in was Breaking Bad.  It's kind of cool how a song which celebrated it's 50th birthday this year is still being enjoyed in all kinds of interesting places.

Hope you enjoy it... happy Hump Day kids xo

Because It's Tuesday - week of July 16

It's a rainy Tuesday morning here in Kingston.  I'm not complaining though, my brown lawn could use a bit of moisture right about now.

It's a bit hazy and my head is a bit foggy (cannot for the life of me tell if it's just allergies or if I'm getting a cold - summer colds are SO much fun!) so I'll keep this one short today.

As it's Tuesday, it's time to share a cover with you.  Coincidentally, on this particular Tuesday, I'm sharing a cover of a song by the early '80's Boston band, 'Til Tuesday.  Today's cover song was a gigantic hit when I was in high school.  It had a haunting video which dealt with domestic violence (as does the song). The theme of the song is timeless and if you listen to the original today, it still holds up.

I recently heard this rendition of "Voices Carry" by Futurebirds (from Athens, Georgia) and loved it.   I hope you love it too xo

I try so hard not to get upset
Because I know all the trouble I'll get
Oh, he tells me tears are something to hide
and something to fear-eh-eh
And I try so hard to keep it inside
so no one can hear

Not Guilty Just Pleasure - Katie Queen of Tennessee

Once again, it's almost the weekend.  I'm looking forward to the break if I'm being honest.  Normally, I'm not a working for the weekend kinda gal but this week has been rough and I'm sort of excited about the prospect of a nap on one of the weekend afternoons.  Sad but true!!

For my "not guilty just pleasure" song today, I'm sharing a song I really like by a band which no longer exists.  The Apache Relay were a folk-rock band from Nashville who called it quits back in 2015.   Fortunately, we can still enjoy the stuff that they left behind, including this song, from their self-titled 2014 album.  The video for "Katie Queen of Tennessee is pretty adorable."  I always love a one-take video!!

According to ye olde YouTube, "the video features 40 dancers ages 7-18 from the Nashville Dance Center and was filmed at Amy Grant and Vince Gill's family barn outside of Nashville. What appears to be a choreographed dance routine to 'Katie' is actually the dance troop performing a routine to a mash-up of 80s hair band hits. It just so happens to sync up."

I really hope you enjoy this.  Stay cool kids and Happy Friday!! xo

If only she would notice me
What can I do to make her see?
I would swim the ocean wide
From New Orleans, to Galilee

Cancon Thursday - Sweet City Woman

Summer weather is here, it's hot, hazy and humid.  Pretty typical stuff for this time of the year in this part of the world.

Days like the ones we have been having just recently make me (and maybe you too) feel super lazy.  Like, I can think of nothing better than to be floating on a lake somewhere.  Unfortunately, for me, that's not an option at the moment so I'll head off to work this morning and try not to be distracted too much by thoughts of floaties and freezies.

One thing I can do is make a list of summer songs.  As today is Thursday, I'm sharing a Canadian song and it's a pretty perfect summer tune.  I remember when I was a little kid, hearing this on the radio a lot (and from the record player at my nana's house) during summer visits to Smiths Falls.

My cancon pick today is "Sweet City Woman" by the Stampeders.  It was released in the spring of 1971 and spent 4 weeks at No. 1 that year.  It's one of those songs that you just want to sing along with even if you don't know the lyrics.  It's led by a banjo, it's a got a fun bassline and references macaroons.  What more can you ask for?  I hope you enjoy this as much as I do.  Let me know what your favourite Canadian summer song is and perhaps I'll share it here in a future post.

Happy Thursday kiddos xo

Like a country mornin', all snuggled in dew
Ah she's got a way to make a man feel shiny and new
And she sing in the evenin', oh familiar tunes
And she feeds me love and tenderness and macaroons

Way Back Wednesday - Perfect Way

Today's Way Back Wednesday song was released just a few days before I started my final year of high school.  To me, it's just about one of the most '80's (if something CAN be "most '80's") sounding songs around.

My oldie but a goodie pick for this week is Scritti Politti's "Perfect Way" from their 1985 album, Cupid & Psyche 85.   It was their second album and remains their most successful release to date.  Honestly, I haven't really paid much attention to what Green Gartside and company have been up to over the years (although I vaguely recall a new release in the late '90s)), it seems that they have been busy over the years keeping the Scritti Politti thing going.

"Perfect Way" is a synthesizer heavy pop song.  It's extremely catchy and fun to dance to... I was a bit surprised when Miles Davis covered it for his 1986 album, Tutu.  You may have heard it in "Hot Tub Time Machine" or, if you're old like me, you remember it from the '80's.

I thought I'd share it today because it's a hot day in the Limestone City (already) and I sort of felt like it would be more fun to drive around with this song playing loudly in my vehicle than it would be to go work (but don't worry, I'm going to work today).  I hope you enjoy it and, if you're off today, can blast it loudly while you head to the beach.

Happy hump day kiddos xo

Because It's Tuesday - week of July 9

Once again it's Tuesday which means that I'm sharing a cover with you today.  In the past, I've shared cover versions of hit songs by Burt Bacharach and Hal David.  I'm a big fan of Bacharach/David songs so it's not unusual that I like to collect covers.

Today's Bacharach/David cover is Jann Arden's take on "This Girl's In Love With You."  I like Jann Arden.  I think she's fucking hilarious.  I enjoyed her sitcom and think she has quite a nice voice.  I'm not a gigantic fan of hers but I do like a few of her songs and appreciate what she does.

She's released a couple of albums of covers.  Today's song is from her 2011 album, Uncover Me 2.  Hope you enjoy this.   Happy Tuesday kittens xo

Not Guilty Just Pleasure - Gravity

It's another steamy day here in South Eastern Ontario.  It really feels like summer finally so I'll not complain about the heat or humidity.

As luck would have it, Ralph (you know how much I love this girl!!) released a new song this week, just in time for summer.  It's a great song to dance around your deck / yard / kitchen to.  It's called Gravity and she's also got a really cute animated video out too (see below).

It's really a fantastic summer song!

So yeah, my not guilty just pleasure pick for this week is Ralph's "Gravity."  I hope you enjoy it as much I am.

Happy weekend lovelies xo

Didn't think I was ready for love again
Every time I fall I get my heart broken
But you then make me rethink everything
This feeling you created it's also complicated

Cancon Thursday - Spin Our Wheels

For some reason, this week, I've been listening to Sloan's 2014 album "Commonwealth" a lot.  The more I listen to it, the more it grows on me, it's a good thing for sure.

Sloan.  Those guys never disappoint.  It feels like I've loved them forever when it's only been since 1992.

Today is Thursday (duh!) so that means that I'm sharing a Canadian song with you.  Today's cancon tune is a Sloan song but it's not from Commonwealth.  Instead, I'm sharing "Spin Our Wheels" from their 2018 album, 12 (their 12th studio album).  I really like this particular version of it and hope you dig it too.  

Happy Thursdays kiddos xo

If I ever need you
You're right here
You can't imagine
How that feels

Way Back Wednesday - The One I Love

Happy July folks.

Did you enjoy the long weekend?

I spent Canada Day traveling. 

After a wonderful two week visit to British Columbia, I returned back to Ontario on Monday.  As I thought might happen, I took a break from posting last week.  My trip was really wonderful.  I had so much fun and felt rested and relaxed at the end of it.  Honestly, it was extremely difficult to return home and my brain still thinks I'm on BC time but I'm back to work, getting back into my normal routine again.

Part of that routine means that I'm posting here again.  As it's Wednesday, it's time for an oldie but a goodie.  My Way Back Wednesday tune this week is "the one I love" by REM from their 1987 album (how did 32 years pass so fast!?) Document.

Hope you enjoy it.  Stay cool if you can (it's already a muggy mess outside) xo

This one goes out to the one I love
This one goes out to the one I've left behind