Way Back Wednesday - Is She Really Going Out With Him

It might be possible that "Pretty girls out walk'n with gorillas on my street" is one of the best opening lines of a song, ever.

I don't say that lightly, there are a lot of songs out there with great opening lines but there is just something about that one, I just love it. I just love this song.

Anyway, in honour of that great line, I'm sharing a great live version of Joe Jackson, performing his 1980 hit, "Is She Really Going Out With Him" for Way Back Wednesday this week. I have shared a few Joe Jackson songs over the past couple of years and I'll probably continue to do so because he's fantastic. He's both a super song-writer and a terrific performer. 

This version of "Is She Really Going Out With Him" is a live performance on a Dutch television show, Countdown. 

Happy hump day kiddos, hope you enjoy this xo

Look over there! (Where?)

Here comes Jeanie with her new boyfriend

They say that looks don't count for much

If so, there goes your proof

Because It's Tuesday - week of September 29

Happy Tuesday folks.

As it's Tuesday, I'm sharing a cover with you today. Today's cover is a song I've shared before. Back in 2017 I shared a version of today's song which was performed by The Sweptaways. 

Today, I'm sharing a much better known version of the Kirsty MacColl classic, "They Don't Know." Kirsty originally released the song in 1979.

Tracey Ullman had a reasonably sized hit with it when she recordedit back in 1983. Of course, the video for it is brilliant and it was released during the height of Much Music / MTV Craziness. I remember it being in high rotation on the Nation's Music Station at the time. Having Paul McCartney show up in a cute cameo made folks notice it I'm sure. I hope you enjoy this as much I do. It's a super song, it's catchy as hell and is so much fun.

Stay safe kiddos xo

I get a feeling when I look at you 

wherever you go now I want to be there too

They say we're crazy but I just don't care

And if they keep on talking

Still they get nowhere

CanCon Thursday - Your Daddy Don't Know

So it's turning into a bit of an eighties week around here.

For CanCon Thursday, I'm sharing a song today from the early 80's by "Toronto" (from their third studio  album, "Get it on Credit"). I almost shared this for "Way Back Wednesday" but changed my mind.

"Your Daddy Don't Know" was a big-ish hit in Canada and even managed to crack the US pop charts. It's probably their best known song and I love the way Holly Woods sings. I remember seeing Toronto in the early 80's here in Kingston, in the Memorial Centre (back when they still had concerts there). I would have been 14 or 15 at the time. We went to a lot of shows at the M Centre because it was probably one of the very few places for all ages (and general admission) shows.

Unlike "Our Lips Are Sealed," while I still enjoy this song, I think it sounds really dated. That's not entirely a bad thing, nostalgia is fun, in small doses.

Enjoy and stay safe, wash your hands, wear your mask xo

So shake it up

Turn it on

Shake it up

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Way Back Wednesday - Mexican Radio

So this week's Way Back Wednesday tune is another wonderful and iconic 80's gem. I don't often find myself wishing that I was in Tijuana or craving some barbecued iguana but, I recently heard today's song again after a long, long time and was reminded of how much I loved it.

Wall of Voodoo released "Mexican Radio" on their 1982 album, "Call of the West." This is probably their best known song as the video received a lot of attention on the music video shows and channels back in the days when they actually aired music videos. Wall of Voodoo definitely fall into the "new wave" category but they were a bit different. They had a sound which was definitely inspired by spaghetti westerns. Lead singer Stan Ridgway's lyrics were quirky and catchy. A great combination if you ask me.

I hope you enjoy this trip down memory lane. Stay safe folks, wash your hands and wear your masks, it's getting weird out there again xo

I hear the rhythms of the music

I buy the product and never use it

I hear the talking of the dj

Can't understand just what does he say?

Because It's Tuesday - week of September 21

Today is Tuesday and regular readers here know that I like to share cover tunes on Tuesdays.

The song I'm sharing today is sort of a cover but sort of isn't. Confused? Let me explain.

Today's song is "Our Lips Are Sealed" which was co-written by Jane Wiedlin (of the Go-Go's) and Terry Hall (of The Specials, Fun Boy Three, The Colourfield, etc...). In the Go-Go's documentary, Jane Wiedlin tells the story about how she met Terry Hall when they toured with the Specials. When she got back to America, he sent her the lyrics for "Our Lips Are Sealed" and she wrote the music. I'd say that was a fabulous collaboration - it's such a great song. It was first recorded for the Go-Go's 1981 album, Beauty and the Beat. The version I'm sharing today was recorded by Fun Boy Three in 1983. It was a hit for both bands and is a beautiful 80's gem that still seems fresh today, almost 40 years later.

I hope you enjoy the song and the video (I LOVE this video!!)...

Stay safe kittens xo

Can you see them?

See right through them

They have a shield

Nothing must be revealed

Cancon Thursday - Ha Ha Happiness

I could save this song for Isolation Friday but it's so good and so much fun that I wanted to share it with you today on Cancon Thursday.

Ha Ha Happiness is the latest release by the wonderful Krista Muir / Les Chouettes. Krista has been using her pandemic time to create beautiful masks and super cool music. To find out more about her music and her masks, please check out her website - https://www.kristamuir.com/

I hope you enjoy this super fun video as much as I do! xo

Way Back Wednesday - Being With You

Because It's Tuesday - week of September 15

It's already the middle of September but this morning, it really feels like fall. It's cool and crisp here in Kingston at the moment and I feel very grateful. That we have clear skies and clean air to breathe is a wonderful thing. For our friends and loved ones in the west, the air is not safe at all and the smoke can be seen everywhere. Folks can deny climate change all they want but they can't deny that the planet is on fire and it all feels pretty fucked up.

So, because it's Tuesday, I'm going to share a cover with you. Today's song was originally released in 1974 by the amazing Big Star. Hope you enjoy this fun version by the Bangles, from their 1986 album, "Different Light."

Stay safe kids, wear your mask and wash your hands, please xo

September girls, I don't know why

How can I deny what's inside

Even though I'll keep away

They we'll love all our days

December boy's got it bad

December boy's got it bad

Cancon Thursday - I Got You Babe

For today's Cancon Thursday song, I'm sharing "I Got You Babe" by Bahamas from the 2012 album, Barchords.

I'm keeping this short today. It's a busy day for me. I'm finally getting rid of my trusty old (2006) van and buying a new (2016) car. After work I'm picking it up and I'm pretty excited. This is the first time I'm buying a car on my own. Felt weird but good. I did a lot of research and think that I'm going to enjoy my new (to me), safer vehicle. Cleaning out the van last night felt strange because I found a bunch of things that I had no idea were even in there... tools, safety items, Mark's stuff. He was prepared for just about any car emergency we could have had. What a guy.

So, enjoy some Afie and have a good day (also, wear a mask!!) xo

Standing tall, I seemed to know it all

But the only thing I know is that

I've never known someone like you

I'm gonna figure out how it is

Way Back Wednesday - When Smokey Sings

 It's Wednesday already. As it's Way Back Wednesday, I'm going to share a little 80's gem with you today. ABC's "When Smokey Sings" from their 1987 album "Alphabet City."

This was a HUGE hit that summer. I remember listening to it a lot. That summer was memorable for me as I started my first real job after college and was getting my own apartment. Lots of exciting changes, so much fun.

Anyway, lots of exciting changes are happening now too, in that regard, I feel a little like I did back in 1987.  Very happy to be looking forward to good things. I know we're still in a pandemic but you can find joy in the places you least expect to.

So, enjoy Martin Fry's beautiful voice and have a bop around the house to "When Smokey Sings."
Happy hump day kittens xo

Elegance in eloquence for sale or rent or hire

Should I say yes, I match his best

Then I would be a liar

Symphonies soothe the rage

When lovers hearts catch fire

Because It's Tuesday - week of September 8

This week, because it's Tuesday, I'm sharing my favourite pop song of the summer, which just happens to be a cover.   

If you read my posts with any regularity, you'll know that for a couple of years now, I've had a pretty big girl crush on Ralph. The Toronto singer-songwriter released today's cover song back in July and it's just about the perfect summer song. One of those perfectly poppy songs you want to play when you're driving around with the volume on the stereo way UP and the car windows DOWN!

How this girl isn't a massive star already I'll never know. I just love every single one of her songs, each release gets better and better. She's got a great voice and I think she's fab!!

As always, Ralph has released a super cute video too.... I know that summer is technically over but we can hold onto it for a little while longer. I hope you enjoy this cover of  Jennifer Paige's 1998 hit "Crush" as much as I do!!

Don't forget to wear your mask and wash your hands kittens xo

I see you blowin' me a kiss

It doesn't take a scientist

To understand what's going on, baby

If you see something in my eye

Let's not overanalyze

Don't go too deep with it, baby

Isolation Friday - Sandpaper

Happy Friday kids. The last Friday of the summer, which feels kind of weird. How was your pandemic summer? I spent a total of 4 weeks over the summer in quarantine due to travel between Ontario and BC. Quarantine is annoying but necessary and a small price to pay to get to spend some time with my lovely guy this summer. Even though I felt very safe traveling (by air) this summer, I knew that there was some risk involved. No one asked/told me to self-isolate after flying but I felt like it was the right thing to do.

As you know, I've been enjoying a lot of the quarantunes that have been released over the past few months. For Isolation Friday this week, I'm sharing an awesome tune by The Vicious Cycles, "Sandpaper." Listening to it, you'd never know that they weren't all together when it was recorded. 

Also, in case you didn't know, today is Bandcamp Friday so go check out The Vicious Cycles and spend some cash! Your favourite artists will receive all of the cash from the sale of their merch today so help 'em out and treat yourself to some new tunes. 

Even though Ontario is in Phase 3 and kids are heading back to school, many of us are still keeping things going as we did back in a Phase 1 or Phase 2. This song is SUPER relatable to most folks, no matter what the stage. Our lives have changed in weird ways and while I get that these changes are necessary, some of them still feel odd.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy "Sandpaper." It's a kick ass song and the video is mega-fun. Happy Labour Day weekend kids and remember, help keep that curve flat - wear your masks and wash your hands!! xo

Sandpaper, on top of my Knuckles

Empty cupboards and tight belt-buckles

Ain't nothin doin at the local grocer

I can't go out and you can't come over

Cancon Thursday - Damsel in Distress

Despite the fact that we couldn't get out to live shows this summer, there was a lot of new music released. I for one am very grateful for that... also, thank goodness for all of those streaming concerts. Summer could have been a huge musical bummer!

One of the great albums of the summer was the incredible "Unfollow The Rules" by Rufus Wainwright. Today, for Cancon Thurday, I'm sharing "Damsel in Distress." I hope you enjoy it and if you do, check out the rest of the album. It's fantastic. Another incredible album by the truly beautiful Rufus!!

This video for "Damsel in Distress" is truly beautiful. 

Happy Thursday kittens, please remember to wear your masks!! xo

Will you forever be wandering the wall

Looking for what you see?

Your father's face in a waterfall

Yes, I remember smiles

Yes, I remember wiles

Behind the Square of Sloan

Under the English moon within the Chelsea sky

Way Back Wednesday - My Love

This week is sailing by quickly so I'm going to keep this short.

As you know, on Wednesdays, I share an older song. Typically one that is 20 or 25 years old, or older. Today's Way Back Wednesday song is quite a bit older than that.  "My Love" was the first single from Wings' 1973 album, Red Rose Speedway. 

Recently, I gave a listen to a Wings greatest hit playlist I found and was pleasantly surprised by how happy these songs made me. Wings were all over the radio when I was a kid and while many of their songs were ear-worm inducers (I'm looking at you "Jet"!!), "My Love" is a sweet and moving tribute to a beautiful love. Also, no one ever wore mullets better than Wings!!

So yeah, I'll not say more than that. I hope you all enjoy it and are lucky enough to have (or have had) someone like the person Paul sings about in this tune, in your life. 

Stay safe and healthy xo

Don't ever ask me why

I never say goodbye to my love

It's understood

It's everywhere with my love

Because It's Tuesday - week of September 1

Happy September folks.

I would have never thought that I'd still be working from home when I left the office on March 16 but here I am... in my home office on September 1.

I'm sure for those of you who have kids heading back (possibly) to school, this already angst-ridden time we find ourselves in is feeling a bit more... just more yucky. 

As I mentioned last week, over the summer, we listened to a lot of music from the sixties and seventies. The Kinks were in sort of heavy-ish rotation so I thought that I'd share a cover of one of their songs today. This song is about finding a spot where you feel safe and just hanging out. Sort of appropriate for these times I think.

Today's cover song is "Waterloo Sunset" and I hope you enjoy this lovely live performance on BBC Radio 2 by First Aid Kit from 2014. 

stay safe kids xo

Millions of people swarming like flies 'round

Waterloo underground

But Terry and Julie cross over the river

Where they feel safe and sound

And they don't need no friends

As long as they gaze on

Waterloo Sunset

They are in paradise