Power Ballads #MusicMovesMe

It's Monday and we all know what that means.  Boys and girls, it's time to turn away from your cares and enjoy some music!

Who are the Music Moves Me bloggers? We are bloggers who blog about music each Monday and if you have music to share with us, you are most welcome to join! (Music Posts Only-meaning at least one music video, please!)   Our head hostess is Cathy from Curious as a Cathy,  and she is joined by the knowledgeable Stacy of Stacy Uncorked and the world famous (not) me.  Our founder, Xmas Dolly, has stepped back from blogging for now, and would appreciate your good thoughts as she works through some health issues.

We'd love more music lovers to join our fun group.  All you have to do is join the linky above with a music post that contains at least one music video (there must be a music video or your post will be subject to removal or labeling "No Music").  Easy peasy!

Each month, except December, we have a guest host. For the month of May, our guest host is John Holton of "The Sound of One Hand Typing".

For today, John is choosing the theme "You Pick".

I'm picking some power ballads today.  So, dim the lights and get your cigarette lighters and/or cell phones ready.  But first, what is a power ballad, anyway?

You know it when you hear it.  It starts out slow, then suddenly, you are soaring in the stratosphere, grabbing onto the lyrics for dear life as you hope the song will never end.

Although the 80's may have been the golden age for power ballads, not all my selections are from the 80's.  In fact, my first selection is going to be quite recent.  Ukraine won Eurovision on Saturday night with this song by the Kalush Orchestra.  It's not a power ballad in the traditional sense but I want to honor Ukraine and its people today.

The song:  Stefania.

This brings up an interesting question.  Normally, the winner of the current Eurovision hosts it the following year, meaning that Ukraine would host in 2023.  But what if Ukraine is unable to?  

Current speculation is, the host country would be either Poland or (the second place entry) United Kingdom.  Let us hope, however, that Ukraine will be in a position to host.

And now, power ballads.

First off, Boston and their "Amanda" from 1986.  Fun personal facts:  this is the last album I ever bought from a Woolworths (remember them?) and the last brand-new vinyl album I ever purchased.

From 1984, Foreigner and "I Want to Know What Love Is".

Let's turn to a 1989 song that is a tribute to Elvis Presley.  Alannah Miles and "Black Velvet". 

The Scorpions and their 1990 hit "Winds of Change".  This song once helped me through a bad time in our history (9/11) so it has a lot of personal meaning for me.  If only we could live like brothers...

Now, two more power ballads from the 90's.

Metallica and their 1991 "Nothing Else Matters".  

Last, but not least, I ask "hush now, don't you cry..."

Queensryche and their 1991 hit "Silent Lucidity" 

And that's an exhausted wrap!

Join me again, same time, same place, next week for another episode of Music Moves Me.

 

Global Big Day and Eurovision

What a big day this is for music lovers and birders!  I'll have to divide this post into two parts so you can read whichever section moves you!

BIRDS

Today is Global Big Day,  when birders from all over the world try to count as many species as they can over a 24 hour period. "More than 51,000 people from 192 countries submitted 134,000 checklists with eBird" in 2021. (eBird is an app for recording bird sightings, and helps with bird ID and bird education).

Both heard and sighted birds count, and if you don't know what you heard or saw, there are general categories for those.  Researchers use these checklists for various purposes, and it is important you don't omit anything. What you didn't see or hear can be as important as what you did know confidently enough to identify.

So...we tried to listen and hear on an exercise walk and pay some attention to our feeder.  At least it's a beautiful day, It's 81F (27.2C) out there right now and after I finish this post, I'm going to get outside and experience more of the beauty of spring.

From earlier this week, Binghamton, New York

EUROVISION

Today (at 3pm Eastern Daylight Time) the finals of Eurovision will begin.

Last year, I found out about Eurovision for the first time and blogged about it. When I told my spouse I was blogging about Eurovision, he responded "What's Eurovision?"  I have a feeling more people know this year than last, but in case this is new to you:

Eurovision is an annual contest which originated in the aftermath of World War II, when Europe was struggling to recover from the horrors of World War II.  The idea was for various European countries to cooperate with each other "through cross-border TV broadcasts". The contest started in 1956, based on an Italian music festival,  with seven countries participating, and has expanded into the largest world music event there is.

Until last year, I had no idea that the singers Celene Dion and the group ABBA, among others got their start from Eurovision.  I was aware that Riverdance had its start as the "interval" act in 1994. (An interval act performs after the last act in the final during the tallying of the votes, and some of these acts have won their own brand of fame. Additionally, I learned a new word, too, because "intervals" are what we Americans call "intermission" in an event.)

Our country tried its own version of Eurovision this year called the American Song Contest.  I should be blogging about that contest in the next week or two.

This will be broadcast live on the streaming service Peacock and hopefully, with my free account, I'll be able to access it.

Here's a taste of Eurovision for you. 

Riverdance, the 1994 interval act that introduced the word to this wonderful dance act and Michael Flatley.

Norway and its entry "Give That Wolf a Banana" as performed by Subwoolfer. 

Wanting more flowers?  Join me tomorrow for Garden Bloggers Bloom Day.

Hungry for more music? Join me Monday for another episode of Music Moves Me.

The American Eurovision

Welcome to March, the month of changes, blustery winds, and the hope of spring for us in the North.

It's the time when spring starts its "march" towards the northeast United States.  It's the time of strong winds and the "March goes in like a lion, and out like a lamb" rhyme that the weather in New York State laughs at.

And it's a time for music - March 21 to May 9, 2022, specifically.

Finally, the United States is getting its version of the Eurovision Song Contest that has captivated so much of Europe since 1956.   It's called the American Song Contest and it will be broadcast starting March 21. Its final will slightly overlap with Eurovision, which is held each May.

Contestants will come from all 50 U.S. States, the District of Columbia (where our Capitol is), and five territories (Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and American Samoa).

If you are not familiar with the Eurovision Song Contest, here's some of its music.  And here's a little history.

All songs in the American Song Contest must be original.

Sadly, I had not heard of Eurovision until last year, and there are many Americans who have never heard of it, either.  I watched most of the finals on Peacock.

One of the co-hosts of the American Song Contest, Kelly Clarkson, was an early winner of American Idol, and recently gave the interview above.

Clarkson and her band previously covered a song called Arcade, which won the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest.  

I first found out about the American Song Contest last year, researching one of my 2021 posts about the Eurovision Song Contest.  At that time I wondered if it could help our country reunite.  We are so divided along political lines and along what I would call pandemic related lines.  Now, another year has passed and we need something to unite us more than ever. 

Can anything unite us?  Can a music contest?

Will you watch?

Eurovision Song Contest #MusicMovesMe

It's Monday, and guess what?  It is time for music with the Music Moves Me bloggers!

Who are the #MusicMovesMe bloggers? We are bloggers who blog about music each Monday and if you have music to share with us, you are most welcome to join! (Music Posts Only , please!)   First, there is XmasDolly, who has a brand new blogging home. Her co-hosts are: Stacy of Stacy Uncorked, Cathy from Curious as a Cathy, and me. Each month we have a guest conductor. This month we again welcome John from The Sound of One Hand Typing.  Thank you for the great themes you gave us this past May, John!

John's theme for today is:  "Songs from the Eurovision song contest to celebrate its 65th anniversary".

When I told my spouse I was blogging today about Eurovision, he responded "What's Eurovision?"  It inspired me to write this post.

I suspect many Americans would have the same reaction, which is a shame.  My Saturday post above gave a brief introduction to the competition, which held its finals on Saturday.  I watched it on Peacock and it was interesting.  I have to admit, though, that I don't understand the voting process. I understand the 50% judges/50% public process, but why would a first place vote by the judges be called a "12"?

The winner was a punk rock group from Italy, Måneskin.  I loved their song, but I realize it wasn't representative of the majority of entries this year.  I like this musical style, though, and am posting their official music video for the contest.

The building where the contest was held was a COVID-19 emergency hospital last year - I marvel at how far we have come.

This year's contest is over, but let's see some highlights from past Eurovision contests. 

ABBA became famous through Eurovision and their 1974 win.  Here is their performance of their hit "Waterloo" at the 1974 Eurovision, which was actually the second year they competed.

Céline Dion competed in 1988 for Switzerland (you don't have to be a native of the country you compete on behalf of.)  She won with the song "Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi.Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi" and also rose to fame.

This song may sound familiar.  From 1976, Brotherhood of Man - Save Your Kisses for Me.

 Måns Zelmerlöw’s Heroes (representing Sweden) - the winning song of the 2015 Eurovision.

and this, better known as Volare  from 1958 - Domenico Modugno - Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu (Volare)

Finally, I wanted to show you perhaps the most successful interval act of Eurovision - 1974, where Riverdance introduced themselves to the world.  (An interval act performs while the votes for the winner are tallied, and have become as well anticipated as the music acts themselves.  I somehow missed this year's interval act because I just couldn't sit through four hours of television.

Like the idea of Eurovision?  Well, next year we are going to have our own version in the States - the American Song Contest. But it isn't our entire continent, it's just the United States.  So I'm just curious - would you watch an American Song Contest?

And that's a wrap!

Join me next Monday, same time, same place, for another episode of Music Moves Me.

The World's Largest Song Contest

Today (at 3pm Eastern Daylight Time) the finals of Eurovision will begin.

On Monday, when I join the bloggers of #MusicMovesMe, a weekly music meme, our theme for the week is "65th anniversary Eurovision".

When I told my spouse I was blogging today and Monday about Eurovision, he responded "What's Eurovision?"

 Basically, Eurovision is an annual contest which originated in the aftermath of World War II, when Europe was struggling to recover from the horrors of World War II.  The idea was for various European countries to cooperate with each other "through cross-border TV broadcasts". The contest started in 1956, based on an Italian music festival,  with seven countries participating, and has expanded into quite an undertaking.

In fact, it's now the most watched song contest in the world.  Sadly, in 2020 it was cancelled due to COVID-19.  Apparently, a number of the participants have tested positive during this year's contest, which is being held in Rotterdam. 

Last year, Netflex showed a Will Farrell movie called "Eurovision Song Contest - The Story of Fire Saga" about an Icelandic duo who is chosen as Iceland's entry in Eurovision.  I don't have Netflix, but I read the reviews on You Tube, many of which pointed out it did not mock the contest, or its participants.  But it did introduce a lot of pandemic Netflix listeners to Eurovision.

I've never seen Eurovision. Although I did know it existed, I'm only learning about it now, as I prepare my Monday post ahead of times. 

I had no idea that the singers Celene Dion and the group ABBA, among others got their start from Eurovision.  I was aware that Riverdance had its start as the "interval" act in 1994. (An interval act performs after the last act in the final during the tallying of the votes, and some of these acts have won their own brand of fame.)

The Forbes article I linked to above mentioned that the United States will be holding its own version of Eurovision next year, called the American Song Contest.  That should be interesting.

I'll leave you with this interval act from 2016 called Love, Love, Peace, Peace, which is a gentle satire of what it takes to succeed at Eurovision.

Have any of my readers watched Eurovision? (In the United States the finals will be streamed, starting at 3pm, on Peacock, which I don't have, either.)