Way Back Wednesday - Whatever Gets You Thru The Night

How is everyone doing today?

The busy stuff I was experiencing last week is still going on this week. To give myself a little break and do something fun, I decided to make a new post today rather than recycle an archival post (which I did yesterday). 

We're at the midway point of the working week and as you know, on Wednesday, I share an older song with you.

This week's Way Back Wednesday song is "Whatever Gets You Thru The Night" by John Lennon. It was released as a single back in 1974 (on Apple Records). You can find it on his Walls and Bridges album (which was also released in 1974). If the harmony vocals and piano on this track sound familiar, they should - Elton John sings and plays on the song.

The video is super cute. It was originally created in 1991 with illustrations from "The John Lennon Sketchbook."

I had no idea until I looked it up but this was the only number one US single during his lifetime (it made it to number two on the Canadian charts). It's a super fun, catchy song and I'm sure if you give it a listen, you'll be dancing around your house in no time!

Happy Hump Day kids xo

Hold me, darlin', come on, listen to me

I won't do you no harm

Trust me, darlin', come on, listen to me

Come on, listen to me, come on, listen, listen

Finally Friday - The Ballad of High Noon

Hey kids!

Happy Friday to you. Looks like we've almost made it to the finish line of the working week again. I hope you've arrived relatively unscathed. 

For those of you who observe them, I hope you had an enjoyable Bicycle Day (which marks the anniversary of Albert Hofmann's first LSD trip - not to be confused with World Bicycle Day, which is celebrated on June 3) and a lovely 4/20. What a week for celebrations!

Monday, April 24, is my dad's birthday. This will be the first year we mark the day without him. I'll be getting together with my family this weekend. You can bet there will be lots of laughs, stories, and probably some tears (mostly from me, a giant crybaby). We had such a wonderful time last year celebrating dad's 80th birthday. It's still shocking to me that he's gone and won't be tucking into a big piece of cake on Monday. 

My Finally Friday song choice today is by the legendary Tex Ritter. My dad was a fan of his, and my mom, well, not so much. I found this clip from an August 1970 episode of the Dick Cavett show. By the time this aired, Mr. Ritter was in his 60s, but boy, his voice was still amazing. "The Ballad of High Noon" was released in 1952, the theme song to the movie "High Noon." It won the Oscar for best song that year and Tex Ritter performed it at the ceremony. Others have recorded the song, but I think of him when I hear that famous opening line, "Do not forsake me, oh my darlin', on this our wedding day."

I hope you enjoy it. Also, if you're still lucky to have your dad around (and your dad is one of the good guys like mine), hug him or call him and tell him that you love him. I'd give just about anything to be able to do that again. xo

Do not forsake me, oh my darlin'

You made that promise when we wed

Do not forsake me, oh my darlin'

Although you're grievin', I can't be leavin'

Until I shoot Frank Miller dead

Can Con Thursday - The Cheapest Key

Today, April 20, is the birthday of my lovely grandfather, Lawrence Shanks. We lost him back in 1985 while my brother and I were still in high school. He lived with our family for the last few years of his life and I'll always be grateful for that extra time that we got to spend with him. I don't know if we realized at the time, what a gift it was to have him in our lives every day. I recognize it now and am thinking about him today. Happy Birthday, Grandpa!

My life is a little bit crazy right now, so this is the week's first post. On Tuesday, I felt particularly stressed and anxious, and I couldn't decide what to listen to.  I felt a bit like Goldilocks, some playlists were too bouncy, and others were too quiet. Finally, I realized what was "just right" for my state of mind and spent the entire workday listening to Kathleen Edwards.

Thank goodness for Kathleen Edwards! Her music soothed me on Tuesday. It did not, however, massage the giant knot out of my neck and shoulders, but it made my brain feel better than it had in a few days.

So, today, for Can Con Thursday, I'm going to share "The Cheapest Key." You can find it on her 2008 album, Asking For Flowers. 

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Kathleen, for keeping me sane this week. F is also my favourite letter xo

They say the start's always the hardest part

But like you know, baby, I'm all warmed up

Sometimes I wanna shout your name out loud

And let them in on what you're all about

Finally Friday - Pretty Good Guy

Finally, it's Friday. It's also Mark's birthday. He would have been 71 today. This year would have been a good one for him. Unlike many years when he was a kid, it's not falling on Passover, so he'd get to celebrate with a dessert he liked instead of a matzo birthday cake (he didn't care much for it).

Marking the day without him always feels sad and weird. By the time it gets to be the 8th time you do it, it should be easier, but it isn't. There will forever be a Mark-shaped hole in our lives. I miss him each day, and I know I'm not the only one who feels this way. Not a day goes by that I don't think about him, share a story about our life, or tell one of his favourite jokes. 

The way I'm feeling right now (which is a bit mushy and fragile),  if I say much more, I'll be crying too much to see the screen. That would be bad.

I'm sharing a song he loved and identified with in honour of his birthday. It's "Pretty Good Guy" by Fred Eaglesmith. I know that I shared a Fred song recently, but this one is special so I hope you'll indulge me. Mark loved this one. Normally, I just share a bit of a lyric from the song of the day, but I'm leaving the whole song here for you to read. If you substitute "fix your car" for "fix your computer" or "fix you a mind-blowing meal," you'll see that this really describes Mark.

Today, if you're inclined to do something in his memory, I'd suggest you have a nice breakfast (a good version of bacon, eggs, toast and coffee was always his favourite meal) and listen to some Fred.

Take care, kids, and hug the folks you love, frequently and often xo

There's a couple old people

That live across the road

So I keep the volume down

On my radio

And all the neighbours say

When I go by

He's a pretty good guy

Hey, I'm registered

In CPR

And if you asked me to

I could fix your car

It's just the way I am

I got a pretty good life

I'm a pretty good guy

Just one good man

All the good ones are gone

Hey, play it again

I like that song

There's a pretty good guy

Coming down the street

And you'd be surprised

He looks a lot like me

Since you've been gone

I've realized

That you were wrong

I'm a pretty good guy

Yeah, you were wrong

I'm a pretty good guy

Can Con Thursday - Mom Jeans // Mom Genes

Today's Can Con Thursday song is by Calgary's fabulous garage rockers, Miesha and The Spanks. 

What an awesome duo they are!!  It was not easy to pick just one song to share today. Originally, I was going to share "I Can't Wait." It's finally feeling like spring around here, and this song is a perfect warm weather song (actually, if it's cold where you are, dancing around your house to this one will warm up you up, too!). 

In the end, I changed my mind and am sharing "Mom Jeans // Mom Genes" instead. It's definitely an ear worm song but in a totally great way.

Not sure if you know this, but they have a brand new record coming out tomorrow (Friday, April 14). It's called "Unconditional Love in HiFi." I pre-ordered it on Bandcamp, and you can do that too (or just buy it on Friday at your favourite record store or from Mint Records). 

They'll also be hitting the road and will be in our area next month. Miesha and The Spanks will visit Kingston (well, Wolfe Island) on May 17 at the Wolfe Island Hotel and Ottawa on May 17 at House of Targ.

Give it a listen and have a good day kids xo

Mom genes for the babe who won’t sleep at night

Mom genes for the kid who wants to put up another fight

Mom genes for the mom times that we’ve lost

Mom jeans for the mom bod that I’ve got

Way Back Wednesday - Ever Fallen In Love

Today's Way Back Wednesday song is "Ever Fallen In Love (with someone you shouldn't have Fallen in love with)" by Buzzcocks.

Written by Pete Shelley, Ever Fallen in Love was released in 1978 and ranked as the Number 1 song of the year by NME. I have always loved this song, and let's face it, it's totally relatable. We've all fallen in love with someone we shouldn't have fallen in love with at some point in our lives. It's a universal message to all of us hapless sad sacks. Unrequited love truly sucks.

Fortunately for humans, it's easily forgotten when the real thing comes along. That's been my experience anyway, as the kids used to say, "YMMV" (your mileage may vary). I have no idea what the kids say these days, but I'm in the last month of my 55th year, so I'm not expected to keep up.

No matter how old I get, Buzzcocks will always be cool. Enjoy this performance from Top of the Pops and have a good day, folks xo

I can't see much of a future

Unless we find out what's to blame, what a shame

And we won't be together much longer

Unless we realize that we are the same

 

Finally Friday - Go All The Way

While I get that Good Friday is a day of somber observance for many christians, when you're a big 'ole heathen like me, it's a holiday, so, Happy Friday to those of you who are enjoying a long weekend! As a kid, I always dreaded attending church on Good Friday. The place was always packed to the rafters, and there were some things happening that I wasn't a big fan of. When I was finally old enough to stop going, it felt good to me to miss it.

So, for your Finally Friday tune, I'm sharing "Go All The Way" by the Raspberries. I love me some Raspberries. When I was a little girl, and I'd hear their songs on the radio, I had not yet heard the term "power pop" but I knew that I loved their sound and was always drawn to bands of their ilk.

"Go All The Way" was released in July 1972 (and it really is a perfect summer song) and got to the number 5 position on the Canadian RPM Top Singles chart. The risque lyrics (she's pretty obviously begging for sex) the song was banned by the BBC. When you think about some of the stuff that has been played on the radio in the years since, it's hilarious.

I hope you have a lovely long weekend, however, you celebrate this time of the year. xo

Baby, please, go all the way

It feels so right (feels so right)

Being with you here tonight

Please, go all the way

Just hold me close (hold me close)

Don't ever let me go (don't let me go)

Way Back Wednesday - Retreat From The Sun

This week, I've decided to spare you of another song from my 1970's childhood. I may return to that playlist sometime but I decided to take a break for the moment.

For Way Back Wednesday, I'm sharing something that was released on April 8, 1997, almost 26 years ago (wow, how did that happen!?). Retreat From The Sun is the title track from that dog.'s third studio album. The band had formed in Los Angeles in 1992 and sadly broke up a few months after Retreat From The Sun was released. They did regroup in 2011 and their fourth studio album, Old LP was released in 2019. 

Back in the day, I never had a chance to that dog. perform but I did listen to them a lot. The mid 1990's seemed like a good time for female / female lead bands and I had them in pretty heavy rotation (along with folks like cub, Jale, Velocity Girl, The Muffs, The Softies, The Vinaigrettes, Plumtree and Coal to name just a handful).

I found this live version of Retreat From The Sun which was recorded just a couple of weeks after the record's release, on April 21, 1997 at the Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco. What a little gem! It's a terrific performance and I hope you enjoy it.

Happy hump day kids xo

you may run

like a bitch in heat

but it's fun

to sometimes try to retreat from the sun

cause it's awful lonely where i'm coming from

where i'm coming from

 

Because It's Tuesday - week of April 4

It's a short week around here (and hopefully around where you are too). I'm not feeling super chatty but wanted to make a post anyway. I'll keep this brief (I can almost hear you saying "yay").

Today's cover song (I always share a cover on Tuesdays) was written for the Righteous Brothers. The song never made it them because Frankie Valli first. He released it as a single in 1965. It was kind of a dud for him. The Walker Brothers released their version a year later, which was a huge hit.

The song of the day is "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore." It's been covered by many artists over the years. The version I'm sharing today was released in 2019 by The Explorers Club. You can pick up your very own copy it from their bandcamp page. It's their homage to the great Scott Walker.

I hope you give it a listen, I love their sound, and they did a terrific job with it.

Have a good Tuesday, kiddos xo

Emptiness is the place you're in

There's nothing to lose but no more to win

The sun ain't gonna shine anymore

The moon ain't gonna rise in the sky

The tears are always clouding your eyes

When you're without love

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

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

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

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

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

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

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