Monday, August 3, 2020

Islands #MusicMovesMe

It's Monday, and it's time for Music Moves Me!

Who are the members of Music Moves Me ?  We are bloggers who blog about music each Monday. If you have music to share with us, you are most welcome to join!  Just remember our simple rule:  you must include at least one You Tube or Vimeo video or your post may be subject to removal or labeling "NO MUSIC". You are welcome to write about music. too but we need that video!

So let's get started.

Each month, we have a guest co-host and guess who the guest co-host is this month?

Let's welcome Stacy from Stacy Uncorked, our guest co-host for August!  Her theme for today is "Songs About Islands or an Island theme."

Oh, islands.  There are really all kinds of islands.  In fact, I was born on an island - New York State's Long Island, which is the 10th largest island in the United States.  Yes, it's not the kind of island we think of, but it's an island!  And for that reason, I am going to start this off with:

Long Island's Billy Joel and his song about Billy the Kid, who was probably born on the island of Manhattan in New York City.  Two islands for the price of one!

A good, almost deserted, distant one (not too hot and lots of shade) sure would hit the spot.

Why don't we start the "kind of island many of us are thinking of" set with 1956's Harry Belafonte and Jamaica Farewell.  I have to note that the use of "gay" in this song mean, back when this song was written, "happy".

When I think of islands and the tropics, I immediately think of Jimmy Buffet.  Sure enough he has recorded a song called "Island".

This song reminded me (for some reason) of the Beach Boys and their many, many, hits. Which one should I pick?  How about "Wouldn't It Be Nice?" because...it would be nice.

But the one I was really after was "Kokomo".

I wasn't familiar with this Pink Floyd song, San Tropez, but I sure enjoyed it.

I tried hard not using Elton John's "Island Girl" and Dolly Parton/Kenny Roger's "Islands in the Stream", but I am losing the battle.  Here's one of them.  Guess which one.

And that's a musical wrap.  Happy rest of the summer to you, dear readers.

11 comments:

  1. Hey Alana,

    It's great sharing a tropical island with ya today. I think I'd rather enjoy such a setting in the middle of winter, instead of the summer, though. I know you would, too. Staten Island! Now, why didn't I think of that? Only a New Yorker would, right? "Jamaican Farewell" reminds me of the opening song of Dr. No. Do you remember three blind men one leading the other across the screen with the song that sounded like "Three Blind Mice" playing? I guess it's the style that makes me think of it more than anything. Great set of mewsic, my dear. Have a boogietastic week and be well!

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  2. I forgot about that Belafonte tune. Love the choices (Beach Boys, Jimmy B, Pink Floyd, Long Island Billy, and Kenny/Dolly)

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  3. Great playlist here. It's interesting how some words take on a new meaning for various reasons and fall out of favor in everyday use. Always love to hear the Beach Boys harmonies regardless of the theme and the iconic duet of Kenny & Dolly will always be a favorite. Have a blessed week.

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  4. Very interesting set! All the songs fit together, sort of. Which is the best way... So far you're the first person I've run across to use Kenny and Dolly...

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  5. I was also born on the Island of Long. Still live here. Surprise, I didn’t use any Billy Joel songs today.

    Love your playlist

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  6. I immediately thought of "I am a Rock" by Simon and Garfunkel. Of course, the island isn't a physical place, rather the singer himself. "I am an island... and an island never cries." An allusion to John Donne's "No man is an island..." the start of a line in a devotions. Oddly, that seems to have missed the notice of many who "decode" and "explain" song lyrics.

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  7. Super cool songs. Liked your set.

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  8. Jamaica Farewell is my favourite Harry Belafonte! When I was a little girl, that song was playing and I was crying and Mom picked me up and asked me what was wrong and I said, "He left his little girl in Kingsdandown!"
    And let's just face it, Beach Boys Kokomo is my favourite island song of all!

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  9. ...Belafonte and the Beach Boys have always been on my playlist. There is something about Billy Joel and Kenny Rogers that never attracted my, perhaps I should give them another try. Keep rocking in a free world while you can.

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  10. That's an oldie of Pink Floyd, it fits purrfectly for the Theme😸Always a great pawty with the Beach Boys too, let's swing it out now😸Pawkisses for a Happy Weekend🐾😽💞

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  11. HA! You are so right about the island you were born on... ;) Love all your song choices, Alana! Of course Jimmy Buffett and Beach Boys are my favorite. :)

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