The Twist (South Carolina Musicians) #MusicMovesMe #AtoZChallenge

It's Monday and it's time for music.

Who are the Music Moves Me bloggers? We are bloggers who blog about music each Sunday or 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 host is Xmas Dolly, and our co-hosts are Cathy from Curious as a Cathy, joined by the knowledgeable Stacy of Stacy Uncorked and Yours Truly.

Why not join our music loving folks?  It's so easy. All you have to do is join the linky above with a music post that contains at least one music video.  No music video? Your post may be removed, or may be labeled *NO MUSIC*.   

Today our theme is "You Pick".  Because this is T day in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge, why don't I pick some musicians born in South Carolina and find songs that begin with "T"?

Chubby Checker was born Ernest Evans in Spring Gully, South Carolina on October 3, 1941.  His big hit fits right in with this Them:  The Twist.  "The Twist" was a cover of a Hank Ballard song. With his group, The Midnighters, they recorded the song in 1958.  It charted for them, and for Chubby Checker in both 1960 and 1962.

James Brown, The Godfather of Soul, was born in Barnwell, South Carolina on May 3, 1933.  The song I've chosen is called "Think".

And, just because, I will include this song, although it doesn't begin with T, because I love it.  Here is "Living In America".

Darius Rucker was born in Charleston, South Carolina, on May 13, 1966.  He formed the group "Hootie and the Blowfish"while at the University of South Carolina.  This talented musician ended up switching genres and becoming a country star, so I had to decide if the song I featured would be rock or country.  I chose one of his country songs, "True Believers", because the lyrics and video are so beautiful.

The Marshall Tucker Band was not ever fronted by pianist Marshall Tucker, who died earlier this year at the age of 99.  The band itself is from Spartanburg, South Carolina, and Mr. Tucker was from South Carolina also,  so it qualifies for this post.  Here is "Travelin' Man", a song with a blues vibe.

John Phillips of the Mamas and the Papas was born in Parris Island, South Carolina.  I'm choosing a cover of "The 'In' Crowd" for their song.

One last artist for today: Eartha Kitt was born in North, South Carolina on January 17, 1927.  One of her best known songs is "Santa Baby" from 1953.  This may be a bit of a cheat, but the year after Santa Baby was released (1953), a sequel (yes, a sequel!) called (This Year's) Santa Baby was released.  It's perfect for this "T" theme, although it was not a follow up hit for Ms. Kitt.  

And that's a wrap!

Join me again next Monday for another episode of #MusicMovesMe.

"T" day in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge.  My theme:  My theme:  Exploring South Carolina and the Eastern United States.

Everybody must Sing in the Rain with November Tears #MusicMovesMe

It's Sunday, and, this week it's time to join up with other music bloggers for #MusicMovesMe.

I'm choosing to blog on Sunday this week so I can devote Monday to a Blogging from A to Z Challenge "J" post.  I hope you'll join me again tomorrow.

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 hopefully will join us this week.  Her co-hosts are: Stacy of Stacy Uncorked, Cathy from Curious as a Cathy, and me. Each month we have a guest post and this month we again welcome DrillerAA of Driller's Place.

His theme:  "They say April Showers bring May Flowers, so make it rain, people! Be creative about where your source of moisture comes from."

I'll try.

Why don't we start with a song filmed in a fake rain shower, Hollywood style, with an iconic dance scene.  Here's Gene Kelly and "Singin' in the Rain".

Let's move from a Hollywood set to....prison?  This is a doo-wop group called The Prisonaires, and yes, they were all prisoners in the Tennessee prison system.  Here's one of their songs, from 1953, "Just Walking in the Rain".  They became so popular they performed for the Governor of Tennessee in his mansion on several occasions.  

"It's Raining Men" is still another theory about the origins of rain.

Rain can come at any season, even in November.  This song is actually about a man grieving over a woman he loved, a woman who committed suicide.  So call the source of moisture the tears of a heartbroken man.  Here's Guns N'Roses with "November Rain".  Long, but well worth the listen.

One more.  This is a classic from 1966 when some stations would not even play this song due to a certain lyric.  Apart from that, there's a story that, when Bob Dylan was recording this song, a woman and a girl sought shelter from the rain in the studio.  Dylan asked their ages , which were 12 and 35.  Hence the title "Rainy Day Women #12 and #35".  And no, I am not putting this in to celebrate what happened in New York State recently when a certain law that was signed, because I'm not into that particular scene.  I just happen to think this song is cool.

So, I hope you enjoy your Sunday.  Join me again next Monday (am I confusing you?) for the next episode of "Music Moves Me".

 

Rain on Us? #MusicMovesMe

 

It's Monday.  It's time for Music!

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!  First, there is XmasDolly,   Her co-conductors are:  Cathy from Curious as a Cathy, Stacy of Stacy Uncorked   and, finally, me.  

We would love to have you join us, if you love music.  We have themes every other week and they alternate with "You Pick" (except December, when it's holiday music all the time.) Any genre welome but: This is a music blog only - please post at least one You Tube or Vimeo video so we can dance with you.  No music, no dance!   

Each month we have a guest conductor. This great month of November our guest conductor is Songbird from Songbird's Crazy World.  

Songbird's theme for today is: "You Pick"

As I blog this, we are moving into a period of possibly heavy rain.  Which gave me an idea....

Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande and "Rain On Me".  I have to admit, I am not the biggest fan of pop music videos but this one is an exception.

OK, it's "reign" and not "rain", but I don't care.  The Who and their 1973 song "Love, Reign O'er Me".

From 1963, The Cascades and "Rhythm of the Rain".  Pitter patter, pitter patter...

Creedence Clearwater Revival and "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" was a favorite of mine when it came out in 1971.  Actually, the album (which we owned) was from 1970 but who cares.

The next two songs, I've had on my blog before, but I see nothing wrong with reruns.

The Cowsills and The Rain, The Park, and Other Things.

I'm ending with a natural, Guns 'N Roses and "November Rain", because Nothing Lasts Forever, and because it's raining and it's - well, November.

And that's a wrap!

Join me and other members of Music Moves Me each Monday, same time, same place!

 

Neighbors and Sons - #MusicMovesMe

 It's Monday.  It's time to get colorful with 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 in on the fun.  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 there must be at least one music video. 

Every month we have an honorary co-hostess.  For the month of September it's Cathy from Curious As a Cathy.

Today, she has picked the theme of "for National Neighbors or Sons Day, song titles/lyrics about neighbors or sons".

Well, then.   How about three of each?

I don't know if I would like the Rolling Stones as neighbors, but here is a song from 1981:  Neighbours.

This song by Creedence Clearwater Revival may be a stretch, but it talks about neighbors, and is about door to door salespeople.  Yeah, back when people weren't afraid of going door to door. 

Jimmy Buffet and his Bank of Bad Habits is such a fun song, especially its description of the Seven Deadly Sins and your neighbors - not exactly the Seven Deadly Sins of the Bible.   For example: "do not eat thy neighbor's wife's popcorn...."  There's an 8th deadly sin, too:  PIZZA.

Now for sons.

The first song I think of when I think of sons is another CCR song - Fortunate Son.  Have a feeling I won't be the only one who posts this classic.

 Kansas was the last live concert of a "name group" I saw (in August of 2019) so this one is a natural.  Carry on Wayward Son - Kansas

Son of a Preacher Man - Dusty Springfield.

I am ending with this song.  I hesitated because this song is played, sometimes, at the funeral of a child.  But it is such a beautiful song and it isn't just for sons or sad occasions.  

 

Billy Joel and "Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)".

And you know what I say at the end:  it's a wrap.

See you again next week, same time, same place!

The Colors of School #MusicMovesMe

It's Monday.  It's time to get colorful with 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 there must be at least one music video. 

Every month we have an honorary co-hostess.  For the month of September it's Cathy from Curious As a Cathy.

Today, she has picked the theme of "For National Coloring Day, song titles/lyrics about art in general - or, use your high school colors to build your theme around."

My junior high (what they called middle school "back then") and high school colors both had gold in them. My high school had green where my junior high used blue.  So, why not use all three?

 

But first, a video with amazing cartoon art that tells the story of a song: a-ha and Take on Me. 

If you have the time, here's a video on the making of that video.  If not, let's move on to some Green.

Al Green, that is.  Or, better yet, Reverend Al Green.  Here, though, is a secular song from 1973.  This is a cover of "Unchained Melody" with a wonderful gospel-music type beginning.

My other "green" selection is Green Day with Holiday/Boulevard of Broken Dreams, perhaps my two favorite songs by them.  I know I had Boulevard of Broken Dreams on a Sunday post a couple of weeks ago.  Now my Monday readers will be subjected to enjoy this song as much as I do.

Let's turn to Gold.  

Gold - Spandau Ballet, from 1983.  Love them 80's.

Nostalgia time, next.

Goldfinger was a 1964 hit for Shirley Bassey.  I had the 45 record of this song, which was the theme to a James Bond movie, and I loved trying to hold that final note the way Shirley did.  But this is a slightly different version (she actually recorded two versions, the soundtrack and a single.)  Here is Dame (yes, Dame) Shirley Bassey performing the song at a tribute to one of the co-writers of the song, John Barry, in 2011.  And she can still hold that note!

Blue:

From 1968, some more nostalgia: Crystal Blue Persuasion, sung by Tommy James and the Shondells. 

Finally, Paul Mauriet's 1968 instrumental hit Love Is Blue.  Oh for the days of instrumentals...

And that is a wrap.

Same time, same place, next Monday!

Memories and Commemorations #MusicMovesMe

 Once again, it's Monday.  It's time for music, 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 there must be at least one music video. 

It's the first Monday in September, and it's Labor Day, and guess who is our honorary co-hostess for the month of September?  None other than Cathy from Curious As a Cathy.

Today, she has picked the theme of "You Pick".  So anything goes, as long as it is related to music videos!

There are so many things to remember this week.  Labor Day.  September 11.  I don't quite know how to begin.  So much to pay tribute to.

At the end of this post there will be some pictures.  I hope you stick around for them.

I didn't know this, but Paul McCartney was sitting on a plane at a New York City airport and witnessed the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 in New York City, the Pentagon and a plane, Flight 93, which was taken down by its passengers before it could hit its target.   This is his recollection and his tribute:  "Freedom/Let It Be"

This song is written from the viewpoint of a young man whose father died from cancer several years before, but the song has become intertwined with remembering the 9/11 attacks.  Green Day and their 2005 "Wake Me Up When September Ends".

May those innocents who died that day, and the approximately 1,400 rescue workers who have perished from their work that day and the following weeks, be remembered always.

Heroes in the making, here is an article about children of firefighters who died on 9/11 or due to 9/11 illnesses, graduating from FDNY in 2019.

Today is also Labor Day here in the United States.  So let's blog some about working.

A classic from Sam Cooke:  Chain Gang, from 1960.  This song tells a story of a tragic time in our history, and the use of convict labor rented out to others.  Not all work is voluntary.

Working In a Coal Mine, covered by Devo in 1981.

And finally, a video that made me cry - maybe we all need a good cry this week.  This is a Japanese video telling the story of a woman (who is getting married) and how her mother taught her the piano as a child. After her mother dies, she sees her father (who doesn't know how to play) use the beloved piano as a shelf for knickknacks and junk.  In her grief, she walks out on her father - who then....(you'll have to watch the video.)

I promised you some photos.

Wall of Remembrance, MCU Park, Brooklyn, New York.  One of the firefighters this wall pays tribute to went to my high school.

More Wall of Remembrance.

9/11 Memorial in Westchester County, New York, taken September 11, 2019.

The 19th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks is Friday.  May we never forget.

Join me again next Monday, same time, same place.

The End of Summer #MusicMovesMe

Once again, it's Monday.  It's time for music, 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 there must be at least one music video.

 

So let's get started.

Each month, we have a guest co-host.  The guest co-host for August is Stacy from Stacy Uncorked, Her theme for today is "Songs About the end of Summer".

There are so many of these songs.  Where do I even start? I decided I would stick to songs (mainly) from the 1960's because that's when I was growing up.

How about a song about the end of summer and being separated from his summer love?  Here is Bryan Hyland and Sealed With a Kiss, a 1962 cover (never knew it was a cover!) of a song from 1960.  The video itself certainly isn't from 1962, with the go-go dancers in the background.

 

A Summer Song by Chad and Jeremy, from the summer of 1964.  This song has been covered by countless artists since then.

Johnny Rivers and Summer Rain, from 1967.

 

The year before, there was a hit, not about the end of summer, but about a young man worried that he might lose his love, while school was out, to a summer love.  From 1966, the Happenings and See You in September.

 

More recently, Summer's End by the Foo Fighters.

 

Finally, I hesitated before posting this song - for about a second.  John Prine was someone I never heard of prior to his death from COVID-19.  He was an amazing songwriter.  Here, in his "Summer's End", he tackles the opioid epidemic from the viewpoint of a young girl who lost her mother and the girls' grandfather, who lost his daughter.

Summer will end soon enough.

That's a wrap. Thank you, Stacy, for being the guest co-host. See You In September, same time, same blog.

From The Autobahn to The Name Game #MusicMovesMe

It's Monday.  It's time for music, 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 there must be at least one music video.

So let's get started.

Each month, we have a guest co-host.  The guest co-host for August is Stacy from Stacy Uncorked, Her theme for today is "You Pick."

This one's going to be a little different.  I'm going to start with an earworm that took root in my ears this past week.

The Five Stairsteps and "O-o-h Child" 

The next couple of songs are memories of when my spouse was in military basic training years ago, and I lived with relatives (paying room and board) in another state for a couple of months.  There were a lot of good times, and, thanks to the musical tastes of a teenaged cousin, I discovered some new (to me) groups.

Kraftwerk  - Autobahn.  I ended up buying the album, and I will not post the full song, which is about 22 minutes long.  I will post, instead, the single from 1974.  This group is German, and the lyrics are in German.  They are about (drum roll): driving on the Autobahn. Speaking of misheard lyrics, the first stanza is not about fun on the autobahn, but Fahren (which means to drive) on the Autobahn, something my spouse has wanted to do for years  Guess it may be a while now before he can.

Speaking of electronic music, the other song comes from an album recorded by Larry Fast under the name Synergy.  I love every song on this album (which I owned in both vinyl and CD) but the one I will bring you today is one you may know because I've had it on my blog before. This song has been covered so many times, from the 1930's to the Ventures and beyond.  From 1975 (a cover of a song from 1936 by Richard Rogers written for a musical comedy On Your Toes):  Slaughter on Tenth Avenue. 

 

I first visited those relatives (who lived over a thousand miles from me) in 1968 and this is one of a couple of songs I associate with that trip:  Mason Williams and Classical Gas.

My next song is definitely not electronic, but is also a memory. In 1962, Joey Dee and the Starliters had a hit with "Peppermint Twist".  At the time, growing up in New York City, WMGM was one of the stations I listened to - until the late afternoon of February 28, 1962 when the station switched formats and also call letters, becoming (or going back in time, as you will) WHN.

 

Now, my final song is a song that, growing up around 1965, we all sang.  I never knew that Shirley Ellis (actual last name Elliston) was a school teacher, and would make up songs to teach.  And I never knew there was a "long version" of this song.  Enjoy, if you've never heard the long version before!   If this song doesn't get you to feeling good, you are really having a bad day.

And that's a wrap!

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

That Old Singing Moon #MusicMovesMe

It's Moonday...I mean Monday.  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?

You guessed it (I hope):  ME!

My theme for today is:  Songs mentioning the Moon, or about the Moon.  This is my way of celebrating the 51st anniversary of the July 20, 1969 moon landing.

Blue Moon is a 1961 classic by the doo-wop group The Marcels.  But what I didn't know is that this song was actually written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart in 1934.

Here's a recording of the song from December, 1934.  Since 1934, this song has been covered perhaps hundreds of times. 

Everyone's Gone to the Moon, a 1965 release by Jonathan King, was the song playing on WABC radio (which I was listening to) around 5:20 pm on November 9, 1965, just before the Great Blackout of 1965 hit the Northeast United States.  I can't help but remember the blackout when I hear this song.

I absolutely love this song: Man on the Moon - R.E.M.  I was never a huge Andy Kaufman fan, but this was one heck of a tribute.

The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, originally a Jimmy Webb song, has been covered several times.  I chose this version by Linda Ronstadt.  Linda's voice has been stilled by a rare condition called Progressive Supranuclear Palsy - in fact recently, a woman in my area of New York State died from this condition.   At this time there is no cure.

When many of us think of the Moon, we think of Pink Floyd's iconic album Dark Side of the Moon.  Although none of the songs on the album were named after the Moon, I will close with the ending of the album - Brain Damage/Eclipse and these words:
"There is no dark side of the moon, really.  As a matter of fact, it's all dark"


Yes, it's a lunar wrap.