Finally Friday - Love For Sale

I often have difficulty sleeping. I have no trouble falling asleep, but it's a challenge for me to stay asleep. Typically this happens a few times a week. This week, it's been going on every night, and I'm worn out. Bone tired and quite brain-dead are the feelings of the day today.

Hopefully, it will stop soon, and I'll get some much-needed rest. It feels like as the month winds down, I'm winding down too, like a clock or something. I know I'm not making sense; I guess that's the point. I'm pooped.

I'm pretty relieved that it's Finally Friday. Today's Finally Friday song is one I heard last night, for the first time in a good long while, and it instantly perked me up and made me feel just a bit less sleepy. "Love for Sale" by Talking Heads was released on their 1986 album, "True Stories." 

Due to my exhaustion, I'll not say much more than I really do love this song. I hope you like it too. Also, if you're looking for a fun movie to watch this weekend, check out "True Stories." You won't be disappointed, I promise.

Happy weekend kiddos xo

So leave the driving to us

And it's the real thing

And you're rolling

In the blender

With me

Can Con Thursday - Alcohol and Pills

 

What feels like a lifetime ago now, we had a restaurant. It was only open for a year, but it was a good year. Opening a restaurant with your own money is a challenging thing to do, but I was always glad that we tried it. 

There are certain records that I will forever associate with our restaurant (Ida's Kitchen). Mornings would always start with Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here" (there was something haunting about hearing the record's opening in a dark basement). Eventually, as the day moved along, we'd get to Fred Eaglesmith's "Lipstick, Lies and Gasoline" album. Whenever I listen to it, I think about Ida's; I suspect I always will.

Today, for Can Con Thursday, I'm sharing "Alcohol and Pills" from that 1997 record. Fred makes the point that, no matter what your life looks like to folks on the outside, you never know what's going on inside of a person. Some of us struggle with addiction, and some love those who struggle with it. I don't know anyone who hasn't been touched in some way by it. You can hear the compassion in Fred's voice as he sings so I imagine his life has been touched by it too. It's a moving song, and I hope you give it a listen.

Sometimes, somebody just doesn't wake up one day

Sometimes, it's a heart attack, sometimes they just don't say

But they pulled poor old Hank Williams out of a Cadillac Coupe de Ville

He ended up on alcohol and pills

Way Back Wednesday - I've Got a Tiger By The Tail

Are you tired of me sharing songs from my Country and Western childhood yet? Well, too bad for you. Here we go again with another tune from back in the day.

For Way Back Wednesday, I'm sharing a song by Buck Owens and the Buckaroos. "I've Got A Tiger By The Tail" was released in December 1964. Written by Buck with Harlan Howard, the idea for the song came when he spoted an Esso gas station sign (their slogan at that time was "Put a tiger in your tank..."). The rest, as they say, is history.

The song became the sixth number one hit for Buck Owens and the Buckaroos. When I was growing up in the 70's, it was still popular and I remember singing along with the radio whenever I heard it.

The other day, someone on the vintage Kingston Facebook group, shared a photo of the old Wilmott Dairy (located at the old traffic circle, now Bath and Westdale). Seeing the photo brought back memories of my favourite ice cream flavour, Tiger Tail. Once in a while, we'd go to Wilmott's but my dad would take us over to the Mack Street Dairy more often. I always had Tiger Tail ice cream cone, whichever place we ended up at. 

I hope you enjoy this version of the Buck Owens classic. This clip appears to be from the early 1990's and I'm guessing it's Austin City Limits. I could be wrong so, if you know the origins of this performance, please let me know.

Have a good hump day kiddos xo

Well, every night you drag me where the bright lights are found

There ain't no way to slow you down

I'm as 'bout as helpless as a leaf in a gale

And it looks like I've got a tiger by the tail

Because It's Tuesday - week of March 28

As I usually do on Tuesdays, I'm sharing a cover of a song I love with you.

This particular song was originally released by The Beatles.  It appeared on 1965's Rubber Soul and was primarily written by John Lennon. The version I'm sharing with you now was recorded by the legendary Johnny Cash for his American IV: The Man Comes Around album, which was released in 2002.

It's a beautiful song, and in recent years, I've found it impossible to listen to it without welling up. I'm doing that right now, which is why I'll keep this brief.

All these places had their moments

With lovers and friends, I still can recall

Some are dead and some are living

In my life, I've loved them all

Finally Friday - Falling Down The Stairs of Your Smile

I've had a heck of a week. I'm glad that it's finally coming to an end.

The other day, just as I was finishing up getting ready for work, I fell. I was in my bedroom, unsure if I tripped over something, but I ended up on the floor with a sore knee and a nasty-looking elbow. Later that day, I cut my finger (on the hand I landed on in the fall) while doing dishes. Definitely should have stayed in bed that day!!

Fortunately, except for some bruises, I'm okay. Thank goodness.

In honour of my less-than-graceful fall, I thought I'd share "Falling Down The Stairs of Your Smile" (it was a toss-up between this and "I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down" by Elvis Costello). The New Pornographers won because I love this video!! This song is on their 2019 record, "In the Morse Code of Brake Lights." ALSO - they have a new record (Continue as a Guest) coming out next week - I can't wait (I mean, I will obvs,, but you know what I mean, I'm excited about this new release).

So that's it for me for the week. I hope you have a lovely weekend and enjoy this great song!! xo

Yeah there's room at the top

Pretty cheap for the view

But the vertigo drop made the skyline askew

Made me trip on a step wasn't careful enough

Falling down the stairs of your love

Falling down the stairs of your love

Can Con Thursday - This House Is On Fire

I could make this a Finally Thursday post if I wanted to (well, actually, I could do that any day). I'm not going to do that, but technically today is my "Friday" as I've booked some time off from work this afternoon and tomorrow.

I'll keep with my regular theme today, though, Can Con Thursday. Today's Can Con tune is by Broken Social Scene, This House is on Fire. In early 2022, Broken Social Scene released "Old Dead Young: B-Sides & Rarities" - This House is on Fire was included in that compilation. According to the Arts & Crafts website, it is a "‘Forgiveness Rock Record’ outtake. Released on Globe & Mail’s Broadsheet Music project."

I'll keep this short as I'm only working a half day today. I like this song, it gets stuck in my head on the regular, and I hope you enjoy it too xo

This house is on fire

And it's creeping down the hall again

Rising up the walls where we cooked

Our catchment town

Way Back Wednesday - (We're Not) The Jet Set

I think I'm going to keep going with the songs from my country and western childhood. It's been a lot of fun revisiting these classic country songs over the past few weeks so I see no reason to stop now.

This week's Way Back Wednesday song was written by Bobby Braddock (he also wrote D-I-V-O-R-C-E, Golden Ring, and He Stopped Loving Her Today - to name just a few, what a talent!!). George Jones and Tammy Wynette released "(We're Not) The Jet Set" as a single in 1974. The song made it to number 15 on the Billboard country charts that year.

It looks like the performance I'm sharing with you today was recorded for an episode of Hee Haw (a very popular show in our house when I was a kid). 

Give it a listen and have a happy hump day kids xo

Our Bach and Tchaikovsky

Is Haggard and Husky

No we're not the jet set

We're the old Chevrolet set

But ain't we got love?

Because It's Tuesday - week of March 21

Happy Tuesday to you. I hope you are doing well on this second official day of spring 20023. Here in Kingston, we still have a lot of snow on the ground (although it is very slowly melting), and I've yet to see a robin (my mum has seen one in her yard just west of me), but the calendar tells me that it's spring again.

It's been a long, dark winter, and I'm ready to see green grass, leafy trees, and maybe some flowers here and there. I don't think that's asking a lot. If I'm patient, it'll happen; I know it will because it's inevitable. 

So, on Tuesdays, I share favourite covers of mine. Today I'm sharing a brilliant cover of an Everly Brother's song, Bowling Green. Written by Terry Slater and Jacqueline Erte, it was released by the Everly Brothers in 1967 (so it's as old as yours truly; Neko Case (and her Boyfriends) released her version in 1997. Both songs are fantastic. 

One time, many years ago, I made a quick trip to Bowling Green. I was visiting someone in Nashville, and we drove to Bowling Green one afternoon. It was nice to get out of Nashville for a bit, and we bought a bunch of lottery tickets when we got to Kentucky for fun (they were not legal to sell or buy in Tennessee back then - not sure if that's changed or not in the years since).  We didn't win anything, sadly.

I've always enjoyed this song and hope you do too. Have a good day and let me know if you spot a robin this week xo

Kentucky sunshine makes the heart unfold

It warms the body

And I know it touches the soul

Bluegrass is fine

Kentucky owns my mind 

Finally Friday - Hollywood Forever

Am I the only one who felt like this week went on forever? I know it's not quite over yet, but the finish line is in sight, and I'm happy about that. I'll admit that I don't sleep much these days, so the weekends provide an opportunity to take a sneaky nap at least once. It's not the ideal situation. I know it won't last forever. Right now, though, weekend naps are the most decadent treat I can give myself.

Because it's finally Friday, I'm sharing a newish song (it was released in October 2022) that I've become quite fond of: Hollywood Forever by Havanna Winter. I first heard this when it was the "Coolest Song In The World" on Little Steven's Underground Garage recently. It really is a cool song. I wasn't familiar with Ms Winter until hearing this song. Apparently, she got her start on TikTok.

So, with that, I'm going to leave you with this video of Hollywood Forever. I hope you have a wonderful weekend after a bit of a mad week. Enjoy yourselves and stay safe, kiddos xo

Operator

There's a death on Mulholland Drive

I didn't kill him, he just ran into my knife

Oh my god, we need a stretcher.

Can Con Thursday - Come For A Ride

If any of you are reddit users who hang out at r/kingston, you'll see a lot of discussions in pretty much every thread, regardless of topic, about Coffee Way donuts. This video always reminds of Coffee Way because the donuts look a lot like the type they serve there.

I live not far from the place but rarely go over there. It's probably a good thing, too, because their donuts truly are delicious and addictive. 

For today's Can Con tune, I'm pulling out an oldie but a goodie, By Divine Right's "Come For A Ride" which was released in 1999 on their Bless This Mess album. It's an insanely (in a good way) catchy song, a totally wonderful earworm. The video is just ridiculously fun and super silly.

So, today, think about treating yourself to a fresh, local donut while enjoying Come For A Ride. Have a good Thursday kids xo

I saw the light, ya'll

Don't waste your time

I'm on your side, ya'll

Come for a ride

Way Back Wednesday - Before The Next Tear Drop Falls

This week's Way Back Wednesday song is another 1970s country classic. This time, I'm sharing "Before The Next Tear Drop Falls" by the incredible Freddy Fender (and hold for my Uncle Rodney's joke about Betty Bumper....). Seriously though, growing up in the 70s, Freddy Fender was a BIG DEAL in my house, and hearing this sweet and sad song always takes me back to that time. 

Written by Vivian Keith and Ben Peters in 1967, it was a massive hit for Freddy Fender (Number 1 in Canada, the US and Australia). It had been recorded by many other artists before Mr. Fender released it in 1975.

It's been a little over seven weeks since my dad died. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't struggling with that loss daily. I know that in time, it'll get easier; the good memories will make me smile and laugh, and I'll move past the trauma we experienced during those last 10 days of my dad's life. Until that happens, though, I just muddle along in the best way I can, accepting that some days will be spent feeling the weight of grief on my shoulders.  

Today, I will try to focus on those sunny childhood days and remember trying to sing along with the Spanish parts of today's song (and failing spectacularly) and try to smile.

Si te quiere de verdad

Y te da felicidad

Te deseo lo más bueno pa' los dos

Pero si te hace llorar

A mé me puedes hablar

Y estaré contigo cuando triste estás

Because It's Tuesday - week of March 14

Happy Pi Day, everyone (March 14 = 3.14). Not sure how you celebrate in your house, but there are many options to be had, including:

1. Reciting Pi to 314 places
2. Eating Pie (sweet or savoury)
3. Throwing Pies at each other
4. Misc. other pie-related activities (aka you do you)

Now, today is Tuesday, so I'm sharing a cover today. Our tune de jour (Kiss Like A Nun) was originally recorded by the UK punk band, The Boys for their eponymous 1977 album. I'd like you to listen to (and enjoy) an awesome version by The Smugglers. You'll see that the selection I've linked to is from their 1993 Tattoo Dave split 7" (with the mighty Victoria band, Bum). After you've listened to Kiss Like a Nun, you can listen to the rest of the 7" - the all-star jam performance of "Hang Fire" is excellent!

You look so bold

You act so cool

So tell me why babe

When I'm kissing you

You kiss like a nun just like a nun

Finally Friday - Rapture

Whenever I hear the word rapture, I think of the opening of an episode of the HBO series, Six Feet Under. This particular episode begins showing a truck filled with sex dolls (which had been inflated with helium) which were being transported to an event space. The truck had an open top, and the dolls were secured with netting. At some point, in traffic, the netting becomes unhooked, and the dolls are released and float up into the sky. The midday sun shines brightly, and a woman in a neighbouring car thinks she sees people ascending into heaven. She attempts to join them and is hit by a car, dying instantly. It was one of the most memorable (and funny) scenes from any TV show I have ever seen.

So, for Finally Friday, and in honour of the official start of March Break around here, I decided to share a song that was on the charts in March 1981. In 1981 I was in 8th grade, and I spent a lot of time listening to the radio and buying records. My format of choice back then was the simple 45. More than likely, I spent a good chunk of my March break that year babysitting, earning the money I needed to buy more records.

If you haven't figured it out yet, today's song is Rapture by Blondie. It was the second (and final) single from their album Autoamerican (the other single was their version of "The Tide is High"). Apparently, it was the first song with rap vocals to make it to No. 1 on the charts in the US. It made it to No. 3 up here in Canada.

I hope everyone taking a March break next week has fun and stays safe if they are travelling. Slowly, the snow is starting to melt around here, and we've had just enough sunny weather this week to make it feel like spring might actually be just around the corner (fingers crossed!).

Enjoy the weekend, kiddos and watch out for floating sex dolls xo

'Cause the man from Mars is through with cars

He's eatin' bars, yeah wall to wall

Door to door, hall to hall

He's gonna eat 'em all

Rapture, be pure

Take a tour through the sewer

Don't strain your brain, paint a train

You'll be singin' in the rain

Said don't stop to punk rock

Can Con Thursday - Who Rescued Who

Grief is a weird thing. It's true that it can hit you like a wave sometimes. Usually, the deep sadness happens when you least expect it, sometimes, it lasts for just a moment, but it can also linger for hours or days.

I remember the first time I heard today's Can Con Thursday tune and how tears came to my eyes. I am overcome with tears every time I hear it, but I can't stop listening to it. Sometimes, you just need to feel the things buried deep inside you. This song always finds that place for me and helps me release a little bit of the sadness that I carry around with me.

Don't let my tears discourage you from listening to today's song, "Who Rescued Who" by the incredible Kathleen Edwards. This live performance was recorded earlier this year at "That Station" in Raleigh, North Carolina. 

Also, if you're interested, you can pick up a copy of Kathleen's Dogs and Alcohol EP on Bandcamp (just click here)

Take care, friends xo

Under the little catalpa tree

Is where I put you

With a rock that says your name

I had made for ya

And now my favorite thing to say

Is who rescued who? Who rescued who? Who rescued who?

Way Back Wednesday - What's Your Mama's Name Child

Revisiting the songs from the soundtrack of a free-range 1970's kid that I started a couple of weeks ago, today I'm sharing a classic Tanya Tucker song for Way Back Wednesday.

I didn't realize it at the time but Tanya Tucker wasn't much older than we were when her songs started to become big hits in the 70's. This song always caught my ear. At that time, I always loved songs that told a story (such as Carroll County Accident, Long Black Veil, Ode to Billie Joe, and pretty much anything by Red Sovine). "What's Your Mama's Name Child" tells the story of a man who is looking for a child he fathered when he was a young man in New Orleans. It's not a happy song, it's quite sad actually. Tanya's young voice is haunting when she sings it. 

Written by Dallas Frazier and Earl Montgomery, it was released in early 1973 by Tanya Tucker and made it to the top spot on US Hot Country Songs Chart. Apparently, Tammy Wynette also recorded a version which was not officially released until after she died.

I hope you enjoy it and that hearing it sends you down a rabbit hole in search of "story songs." 

Have a good hump day kiddos xo

Twenty some odd years ago a drunkard down in Memphis

Lost a month of life and labor to the county jail

Just because he asked a little green eyed girl a question

And offered her a nickel's worth of candy if she'd tell

Because It's Tuesday - week of March 7

Well, did you all survive the storm over the weekend? I could not believe how much snow we got around here on Friday night. I think that there was pretty close to 30 cm in my yard. It was so heavy too, perfect snow man snow, nightmare shoveling snow. Of course, yesterday, about half of it melted in the sunshine. March weather is the weirdest.

About a year ago, singer Michael Feinstein released "Gershwin Country." It's a collection of songs from the George and Ira Gershwin songbook performed as duets by Michael and folks like Lyle Lovett (Clap Yo' Hands), Dolly Parton (Love Is Here To Stay) and Alison Krauss (Someone To Watch Over Me).

Because it's Tuesday (and I always share a cover on Tuesdays), I'm sharing a song from "Gershwin Country": I've Got A Crush On You, featuring one of my favourite singer songwriters, Rosanne Cash. Interesting tidbit, this tune was introduced almost 100 years ago, in 1930's "Strike Up The Band."

I first discovered Michael Feinstein in the late 1980's. I was in my early 20's and was delving into the songs of the Gershwin brothers for the first time. I found a copy of his "Pure Gershwin" album and fell down into a rabbit hole of early 20th century pop music. From there, I followed his career and picked up his records whenever he had a new release. I will also be thankful for him introducing me to "Rhode Island Is Famous For You" (New Jersey gives us glue...) and "Shall We Join The Ladies" (yes, do let's join the ladies and make one great big lady...") back in the day. 

I chose this track because of the beautiful vocals. I love how Michael and Rosanne sing together. It's super fun and gorgeous and basically wonderful. I think so anyway.

I hope you enjoy it. Happy Tuesday kittens xo

Could you coo?

Could you care for a cunning cottage we could share?

The world will pardon my mush

'Cause I have got a crush, my baby, on you

Finally Friday - Sleeping Is The Only Love

Like many of you, I really miss David Berman. Well, I didn't know him, but I miss hearing new music from him. His talent was gigantic. Thank goodness for everything he left us.
 

For today's Finally Friday song, I chose "Sleeping Is The Only Love," by Silver Jews. I don't have a particular reason for sharing it. I think it's beautiful. Really, it's just an awesome song I like and if you don't like it yet, you might after hearing it today. Hopefully that'll be the result anyway. You can find it on the equally excellent album Tanglewood Numbers (released on Drag City in 2005).

Have a good weekend kiddos xo

Later I'd come to find life was sweeter than Jewish wine

Give a box of candy or a foot massage - some people don't take the time

Can Con Thursday - Tonight Is A Wonderful Time To Fall In Love

The first concert I was allowed to go to without my parents was an April Wine show. Pretty typical for a Canadian kid in the early 1980s, I think. Arena rock in an actual arena.

They were playing at the Memorial Centre (which I can see from my front porch, some 40+ years later). It was a GA show, and I had won tickets, an LP and a t-shit in a contest on a local radio station (does anyone out there remember CKLC?). I was pretty excited, even though I remember my ears ringing for a few days afterwards. 

For Can Con Thursday, I'm sharing a classic April Wine song, "Tonight Is A Wonderful Time To Fall In Love." Recorded for the band's 1975 album, Stand Back, the song definitely has LOTS of cowbell! Apparently, Stand Back was the first album by a Canadian band to achieve platinum sales in Canada. This power ballad was a pretty big hit in Canada, and I'm sure that many Canucks of a certain age can remember all of the lyrics!

Love is such a sweet thing, oh yeah

It's easy when you realize

These moments are forever, oh yeah

It's magic and it's in her eyes

 

Way Back Wednesday - The Most Beautiful Girl

Happy Birthday to my beautiful nana, Evelyn Forbes. We lost her in 1997, and I still think about her every day. She was a wonderful, smart, kind, loving woman. As much as I miss her, I feel grateful to have many lovely memories of her and our family gatherings on Jasper Avenue in Smiths Falls. It's true when they say that no one is ever gone as long as we remember them. 

In addition to Nana's birthday, it's also Wednesday.  Today's Way Back Wednesday song is another country classic from my 1970s childhood: The Most Beautiful Girl by the silver fox himself, Charlie Rich. The song was a big hit for Mr. Rich. Written by Billy Sherrill, Norro Wilson, and Rory Bourke was No. 1 in 1973 on numerous charts in the States and here in Canada. 

Here's an interesting bit of trivia for you (which I found on Wikipedia): Tom Waits, who was an opening act for Rich in the 1970s, mentions him in the song "Putnam County" from his album Nighthawks at the Diner with the lyric: "The radio's spitting out Charlie Rich... He sure can sing, that son of a bitch."

Tom Waits was not wrong now, was he? I hope this brings back some fun memories for you. Happy hump days kiddos xo

I lost my head and I said some things

Now comes the heartaches that morning brings

I know I'm wrong, and I couldn't see

I let my world slip away from me