Can Con Thursday - I'm Moving On

As most folks I know would like to see the truckers convoy exit Ottawa quickly, I'm sharing a song today that I hope will inspire them.

For Cancon Thursday, I'm sharing a classic Hank Snow song, "I'm Moving On." Written by Snow in 1949 and recorded in 1950, it spent 21 weeks in the number one position on the Billboard Country Singles chart. Growing up in the 1970's, we heard a lot of Hank Snow on the radio. My parents were fans and my brother and I eventually became fans too. I really love this television performance of "I'm Moving On" from 1967. 

Hope you enjoy it (and that the freedumb convoy folks get the hint - they have long since worn out their welcome)!! 

That big eight-wheeler rollin' down the track
Means your true-lovin' daddy ain't comin' back
'Cause I'm movin' on, I'll soon be gone
You were flyin' too high for my little old sky so I'm movin' on 

Way Back Wednesday - Wouldn't it Be Nice

Pet Songs has been a favourite record of mine for a really long time. For Way Back Wednesday today, I'm sharing a tune from that classic 1966 Beach Boys album.

A couple of years ago, Bill shared this clip with me and each time I re-watch it, I love it more. In 2016, to celebrate 50 years since the release of Pet Sounds, Brian Wilson, Al Jardine and Al's son Matt, recorded this version of "Wouldn't It Be Nice."

Take a look if you have a few minutes because the clip intros by Al and Brian at the beginning are lovely and seriously, Matt does a fantastic job on this!

Happy Hump Day kiddos, stay safe xo

Happy times together we've been spending

I wish that every kiss was never ending

Oh, wouldn't it be nice?

Because It's Tuesday - week of February 15

The Super Bowl and Valentine's Day are both over for another year, it was kind of nice to get them both out of the way at once for a change.  If these things bring you joy, I'm happy for you. A happy distraction is a wonderful thing these days. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of either, nor am I keen to watch the news recently, it makes me both angry and sad at the same time (I'm looking at you #freedumbconvoy people).

As today is Tuesday, I've decided to ignore all of the things that make me feel sad/mad and share a cover song with you.

Today's cover is by the Launderettes, it's their version of "Nobody But Me."

Written and originally recorded by the Isley Brothers in 1962, Nobody but Me has been covered by SO many bands, including Doug and the Slugs, the Residents and The Human Beinz (this song made the Human Beinz into one-hit wonders when it went to number 8 on the Billboard pop singles chart in 1968). 

I think that a lot folks will also remember hearing the song on an episode of the US version of the Office.

Anyway, I love this version by the Launderettes. It was recorded for their 2002 album, Shaken and Disturbed.

Enjoy it kids and remember, kindness is magic!!

No-no, no, no, no, no-no-no, no, no-no, no, no-no

Na-no, no, na-no, no-no, na-no, no-no, no, no-no, no

Way Back Wednesday - Bad 'n' Ruin

I spent most of the work day today in my office on campus. After two years of remote working, I finally went in to pack up my personal stuff and get the office supplies and stuff organized. It was dirty work, after all, everything has been sitting since March 2020. Lots of dust and also lots of mouse poop - gross. Our space is going to be repurposed into meeting and swing space. Almost no one on our team (of about 140 people) will be returning to work in our space full time. 

Most folks will be working between 60 to 100% remotely. I'm going to continue to work 100% remote an feel very lucky to be able to continue to do so. Packing things up felt strange. It's the first time in almost 30 years that I don't have a space to call my own on the Queen's campus. Also, I now have 2 bankers boxes and two IKEA bags full of stuff to find a new home for but that shouldn't be too hard. Just need to get organized.

As today is Way Back Wednesday, I'm sharing an oldie but a goodie, by the Faces, Bad 'n' Ruin. It was released in 1971 on their Long Player, long player. Enjoy yourself. I'm going to go wash my hands again (I think this will be about 8th time since I got home).

Happy Hump Day kiddos, what's left of it anyway!! xo

And I'll be down on Cannon street

Passport in my hand

Should you not recognize me, I've heavily made-up my eyes

Mama, you won't recognize me now

Brother, you won't recognize me now, oh lordy

Sister, you won't recognize me now

Mother, you won't recognize me now

Because It's Tuesday - week of February 1

Hey everyone. 

Still keeping warm? Hopefully you're not stuck in a snowbank or nursing a bruised knee from slipping on the ice. I don't have any hard feelings against cold weather. I'm actually a fan of wooly socks and cozy sweaters but ice, under the snow (now in it's 3rd week) is no fun at all.

What is fun though, is listening to good music. I love to do that and it's extra fun when a beloved classic song is covered by someone you're a fan of AND they do an awesome job of it.

Because it's Tuesday, I'm sharing a cover with you. Today's song was written by Gene Pitney and originally recorded by the incredible Roy Orbison in 1960. Gene Pitney and Ricky Nelson also recorded it but my favourite cover is by Fountains of Wayne. Whichever version you prefer, they'll all get your toe to tapping. I promise. Enjoy!!

Hope you have a good day and can find something to make you smile today xo

Today's teardrops are tomorrow's rainbows

And tomorrow's rainbows we will share me and you

So dry your eyes, little girl, dry your eyes,

And we're gonna see skies of blue

Isolate Friday - Tiny Pieces

How are you doing?

Did you get through the week relatively unscathed?

These January days are tough. The days feel weird when  you're spending them alone for the most part. Last January, I was in Summerland with Bill and the month seemed really good. This year, due to the omicron outbreak before the holidays, we're each at home alone. As much as it's tough for us to be apart, I acknowledge we're really lucky. So far, we've managed to remain healthy throughout the pandemic; we both have the good luck to be able to work from home and we're also fortunate enough to live in our own homes. Neither of us has to worry about being too close to folks at work or in common spaces in an apartment building. We both realize how privileged we are so I don't like to complain about the isolation.

Instead, I'm going to share a song for Isolation Friday. I've loved this song for a long, long time and it's one of those tunes that almost always shows up on any playlist I'm making for myself. I'll not say a bunch about it other than I'm sharing "Tiny Pieces" by Bash and Pop. Bash and Pop were Tommy Stinson's first post-Replacements project and this record was released almost 30 years ago (gah!), in 1993. The album, Friday Night Is Killing Me, is solidly excellent and well worth a listen if you've never heard it.

Hope you all stay safe and warm this weekend. While it's really important for us to be kind each other, particularly now, it's also a good idea to be kind to yourself. xo

Off of my tongue and through my pen

The ink flows steadily in red

Did you think to much

Lose too much

Did you go a little far

I couldn't help myself to you

More different than we knew

And every word I thought I should have said

Was choking me

Cancon Thursday - Myriad Harbour

Last year (2021), The New Pornographers were finally able to do their anniversary tour. Originally scheduled for 2020 (and postponed for obvious reasons), they were planning to do two nights in a handful of cities. One one night, they would play "Mass Romantic" (celebrating 20 years since it was released) and on the other night, they would play "Twin Cinema" (celebrating 15 years since it was released). Both albums would be played in their entirety in the first half of each respective show and the second half would be a collection of songs from their other albums.

Fortunately, they arranged for one of the Vancouver shows (from the Vogue Theatre) to be livestreamed. As soon as I heard that, I snapped up a ticket, it was going to be a "Mass Romantic" show - yay! For the Vancouver shows, Dan Bejar would be joining them - I was really looking forward to that!!

Most of the streaming events I have watched during the pandemic have been great. Every once in a while though, the sound isn't very good or the video is crappy. I was actually worrying a bit that this might happen again, spoiling the experience for me. I needn't have worried!! The platform they were using was terrific and the whole show was fantastic. I danced around my house while watching, so much fun.  I was almost beside myself with glee when I heard the opening for "Myriad Harbour" (today's Cancon Thursday tune). From the 2007 album, Challengers, Myriad Harbour is one of my favourite NP songs. I thought I would share it with you today. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Stay safe and warm kiddos, in January, the sun shines brightest on the coldest days. Don't be fooled!! xo

I walked into the local record store

and asked for an American music anthology

It sounds fun

They tore my skirt, then

Stuck it on the walls at PS 1

Way Back Wednesday - Poison Ivy

Over the weekend, I actually left my house and did a couple of errands. For the first time since Christmas, I was able to visit with my folks. It was quite a day!

While I was out driving around, today's song came on the radio. Instantly, I was taping my hand on the steering wheel and singing along. What a great tune, I had almost forgotten about it. Lucky for you, I remembered it and am sharing it with you.

Today's Way Back Wednesday tune is "Poison Ivy" by The Coasters. Written by Leiber and Stoller, Poison Ivy was recorded by The Coasters in 1959. It did really well on the R&B charts at the time and is probably the catchy-ist song I've ever heard about STI's!!  

Happy Hump Day friends!! xo

You're gonna need an ocean of calamine lotion

You'll be scratchin' like a hound

The minute you start to mess around

Because It's Tuesday - week of January 25

Happy New Year!

Yeah, I do know that January is almost over and it's probably not proper etiquette to be still saying that but I'm doing it anyway. After all, it's my first post of the year. It's actually the first post I've done in a good long time. I wish I could say that I had a really juicy, exciting story to explain my lack of writing but I don't. Let's blame covid-induced apathy. Sound okay?

I realized over the weekend that I missed sharing music here. Many folks are in a omicron / January funk and I know that I'm in one. Fortunately, it's almost the end of the month, February will soon arrive and after that, spring. Eventually things will feel better, I know this.

Okay, so, because it's Tuesday, I'm sharing a cover today. I'm not going to say too much about it beyond, the original is an amazing song and this cover kicks ass. 

Today's song is "Rock and Roll Girl," written by Paul Collins and originally recorded by The Beat (not to be confused with the English Beat) in 1979, on their self-titled debut album. The Muffs covered it in 1992 as part of the "Tannis Roots Presents - Freedom of Choice - Yesterday's New Wave Hits as Performed by Today's Stars" compilation. You can find it on their 2000 compilation album, Hamburger as well.

Enjoy yourselves kiddos. Stay safe, keep warm and take 2 minutes and 18 seconds listen to today's song to enjoy a little dance party!! xo

I pick up the phone and get a dial tone

I call up the number but nobody is home

But I saw it on my tv

They said there's someone for me

I wish she would answer and give me her name