#OnRepeat – Page 3

#OnRepeat: Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons “Sherry”

October 14, 2017 No Comments

This week, I’ve had Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons’ “Sherry” #OnRepeat. Even though the song is considered in the Rock genre, it grooves ridiculously well.

Frankie Valli is a singer from Newark, New Jersey known for being the lead singer of the American Pop Rock band, the Four Seasons. The group (originally known as The Four Lovers) were internationally successful in the 1960s and 1970s and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. Some of their most well-known songs are “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Walk Like A Man,” “Rag Doll,” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You.”

“Sherry” was written by Bob Gaudio in 1968, and was the group’s first number one hit. The song is written from the view point of a guy who wants to go out with a girl, but she has to ask permission from her parents. Even though the song is somewhat dated (people don’t really ask nor care about whether or not their parents are comfortable with them dating any longer), the subtle desperation found in the lyrics is clearly shown in Frankie Valli’s croon-like wailing voice. His voice reminds me a lot of the Beach Boys, who were pretty popular around this same time and too-wop singers from the 1950s. This, combined with the rhythm arrangement for the song makes for a grooving pop song that easily gets stuck in your head.

Listen below:

Do you guys have any songs or groups you can’t stop listening to? Leave a comment below!

#OnRepeat, Music, Pop, Rock

#OnRepeat: Rupert Holmes’ “Escape (The Piña Colada Song)”

October 6, 2017 No Comments

This week, I’ve had Rupert Holmes’ “Escape (The Piña Colada Song)” #OnRepeat. Not only is the melody catchy, but every time I hear this song, I find myself wanting a piña colada drink (interestingly enough, I heard he doesn’t like that type of cocktail, but it was the first drink that popped up in his mind when he was writing the song).

Rupert Holmes (born David Goldstein) is a singer-songwriter, playwright, and author originally from England, who moved at a young age to Nanuet, New York. He gained recognition from his playing and songwriting with the bands, The CuffLinks and The Buoys, later collaborating with singers like Barbara Streisand and Judy Collins. He earned several Tony Awards for his 1985 musical, Drood, creating a television series in the 1990s, and even publishing several books. Some of his most well-known songs are “Timothy,” “Him,” “Answering Machine,” and “You Got It All.”

“Escape (The Piña Colada Song)” was written and recorded by Rupert Holmes for his album, Partners in Crime in 1979. The lyrics talk about a man who is bored with his marriage and reads a newspaper ad to meet a woman who likes piña coladas. The song has an interesting twist at the end: the man meets the mysterious woman at a bar only to find out it was his current partner. The song’s lyrics, set in story form, are sung in a “sing-songy” style. This approach works to Holmes’ advantage since the melody and arrangement cause the listener to remember not only the melody, but the words as well. Holmes’ voice, which is a mixture of Elton John and The Beach Boys, brings a light-hearted feel to the already pop-like song. Listen below:

Are there any songs or singers you can’t stop listening to? Leave a comment below!

#OnRepeat, Movies, Music, Pop

#OnRepeat: Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On”

September 23, 2017 No Comments

This week, I’ve had “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion #OnRepeat. I know, I know, but I watched Titanic this week and it’s such a great song.

Celine Dion is a singer from Quebec, Canada who started as a teen pop star recording albums in French with her manager, and later husband, René Angélil. She gained international success and recognition as pop artist with the release of her first album in English, titled Unison, in 1990. Dion’s virtuosic three-octave range and her commanding stage presence have earned her five Grammy Awards, recognition as the best selling Canadian Artist, and caused her show to at the Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas to be the most successful residency show of all time. Some of her most well-known songs are “Because You Loved Me,” “The Prayer,” “That’s the Way It Is,” and “Tell Him.”

“My Heart Will Go On” was a song whose music was written by James Horner and lyrics were written by Will Jennings in 1997 for the film, Titanic. The lyrics are written from a retrospective point of view: a person who looks back on a point in their life where they were deeply in love with someone, but realized they had to move on, despite their feelings. Interestingly, Celine Dion didn’t want to record this song at first since she had just finished recording another film score for Beauty and the Beast. I am so glad she was convinced otherwise. The song perfectly displays her unique use of vocal technique and lyrical interpretation that would become the iconic “Pop Diva Sound.” Her vocal range, skill in terms of projection and her interpretation of the words has made “My Heart Will Go On” one of the most popular songs of the 1990s. Although many now might roll their eyes when hearing this song (only because it was played almost everywhere you went the year the movie was released), there is no doubt that this song is a Celine Dion classic, becoming synonymous with not only the movie, Titanic, but with Celine Dion herself.

Take a listen below:

What do you think? Are there any other Celine Dion songs you can’t stop listening to?

#OnRepeat, Movies, Music, Pop

#OnRepeat: Meryl Streep’s version of ABBA’s “Slipping Through My Fingers”

September 15, 2017 No Comments

This week, I’ve had Meryl Streep’s version of ABBA’s “Slipping Through My Fingers” #OnRepeat. ABBA, for me, has always been one of those groups that is a mix of guilty pleasure and a source of musical inspiration; and this song is no exception.

ABBA is a Pop group from Stockholm, Sweden that formed in the early 1970s, who were one of the most successful Pop bands in history, being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010. There was resurgence in popularity of their music when their music was adapted to the 1999 internationally successful musical, Mama Mia!, and the release of the theatrical version of the musical by the same name.

The song, “Slipping Through My Fingers” is sung from the point of view of a parent who is watching their child grow up, reflecting on the child’s growth and wishing time would slow down. Meryl Streep ( who can apparently sing like a 80s Pop star) brings so much depth and grace to the performance of this song,simultaneuosly capturing the melancholic, vulnerable feeling conveyed in the lyrics. The lyrics are poignant and bittersweet, the lullaby-like melody innocent and simple like a child. Adding the performance powerhouse that is Meryl to this mix of emotion and music makes me have a lump in my throat every time I hear this version.

Take a listen below:

Are there any other ABBA songs that you like? Leave a comment below!

#OnRepeat, Movies, Music, Pop

#OnRepeat: Elton John’s “I’m Still Standing”

September 9, 2017 No Comments

This week, I’ve had Elton John’s “I’m Still Standing” #OnRepeat. I’ve written about Elton John before, but this song has always been a favorite standard of mine. I recently came across it in the movie, Sing, where a gorilla named Johnny plays the piano and sings this song on stage.

For those who haven’t read my previous post about Elton John, he is a singer, pianist, and composer from London, England who has sold millions of albums internationally an whose music is still relevant to this day. For more about Elton John and my post about his song, “Without Question,” click on this link:

http://www.singingtillimblueintheface.com

“I’m Still Standing” was written by Elton John for his 1983 album, Too Low For Zero. The lyrics are written from the point of view of a person who is “still standing” even though their lover treated them poorly. The lyrics can somewhat dark, but you almost wouldn’t notice the message because of the upbeat tempo and arrangement of the song. “I’m Still Standing” is an iconic Elton John song–catchy with a great melody and witty lyric writing. Try listening to this song a couple of times without it getting stuck in you head.

Listen below:

Are there any other Elton John songs you like? Leave a comment below!

#OnRepeat, Country, Music, Pop, Rock

#OnRepeat: Nirvana’s “Where Did You Sleep Last Night”

September 2, 2017 No Comments

This week, I’ve had Nirvana’s “Where Did You Sleep Last Night” #OnRepeat. I was actually reminded of this song while watching the Marvel superhero show, The Defenders, on Netflix this past week during one of the last episodes.

The band, Nirvana, is a Grunge-Alternative Rock band from Aberdeen, Washington that was formed by guitarist, Kurt Cobain, and bassist, Krist Novoselic, in the late 1980s. Although the band had a short run (disbanding after Cobain’s death in 1994), they sold over 20 million records and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014. Some of their most well-known songs are “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” “In Bloom,” and “Love Buzz.”

“Where Did You Sleep Last Night (In The Pines)” is a traditional Folk song that was made popular by the Folk and Blues musician, Leadbelly, during the 1940s. The meaning behind the lyrics has been disputed for some time (and varies depending on the version and musician performing it), but the overall themes have to do with love, death, and loneliness. Kurt Cobain earned a lot of recognition for his acoustic interpretation of this song during Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged performance in 1993. Cobain’s raspy, higher-pitched rock-style voice captures the desperation, grit, and bleak loneliness that is painted in the lyrics of the song. Nirvana’s darker take on “Where Did You Sleep Last Night” introduced the song to a new generation of fans that still listen to and discuss the musical implications of this version more than a decade later.

Take a listen below:

Below is Leadbelly’s version of “Where Did You Sleep Last Night” for reference:

What do you think of Nirvana’s version? Is it a proper continuation of this song’s legacy?

#OnRepeat, Country, Music, Pop, Rock

#OnRepeat: Cat Stevens’ “Father and Son”

August 25, 2017 No Comments

This week, I’ve had Cat Stevens’ “Father and Son” #OnRepeat. Since I’m a huge fan of music from the 1960s and 1970s , this singer and song were bound to end up one of these posts eventually.

Cat Stevens (born Steven Demetre Georgiou, now Yusuf Islam) is a singer, songwriter, and guitar player from the Marylebone area of London, England. Several of his albums have topped the international billboard charts for weeks at a time and he was inducted into the the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014. His music is a blend of Folk, Country, Pop, Rock, and later in his career, Islamic music influences. Some of his most well-known songs are “Moonshadow,” “Peace Train,” “The First Cut is the Deepest,” and “Wild World.”

“Father and Son” was written and recorded by Cat Stevens for his 1970 album, Tea for the Tillerman. The song tells about a conversation between a father and a son, the misunderstandings that arise between older and younger generations, and the need to come to terms with personal life decisions. Stevens uses the lower part of his register for the words spoken by the father and the higher part of his register to represent the son speaking. Stevens’ lyric writing is simple, but poignant, and though there is not much use of vibrato in his voice, Stevens’ portrayal of the message brings out a bittersweet depth and desperation in this song that causes you to pause and listen. And maybe even potentially cry when no one is looking.

Take a listen below:

Are there any bands or singers that you can’t stop listening to? Leave a comment below!

#OnRepeat, Music, Pop, Rock

#OnRepeat: The Beach Boys’ “Wouldn’t It Be Nice”

August 17, 2017 No Comments

This week, I’ve had The Beach Boy’s “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” #OnRepeat. This song has been a favorite of mine for awhile, but I’ve been playing it a lot lately because of the weather and the upbeat nature of the song.

The Beach Boys are a rock group from Hawthorne, California that formed in 1961. Their use of vocal harmony, different musical arrangement techniques, and surf and beach lyrics made them an influential and popular band during the 1960s and 70s. Their music is a blend of 1950s-style Rock’N’Roll, Pop, Jazz, and Psychedelic music, creating a unique sound that was surprisingly more complex than much of the rock music that was being created at the time. Some of the most well-known songs are “Good Vibrations,” “California Girls,” “I Get Around,” and “Don’t Worry Baby.”

“Wouldn’t It Be Nice” was written and recorded in 1966 for the album, Pet Sounds, using Classical music influences and instruments that weren’t typically associated with American Pop music, like the accordion. The lyrics describe a young couple who want to be together, but can’t because of their age. Even though the words evoke feelings of lament and longing, the music is bright and upbeat; and the singers’ vocal harmonies and catchy melody make this song easy to get stuck in your head.

Take a listen below:

Is there a singer or group that you can’t stop listening to? Leave a comment below!

#OnRepeat, Music

#OnRepeat: Vaud and the Villains’ ” Eyes on the Prize”

August 11, 2017 No Comments

This week, I’ve had Vaud and the Villains’ “Eyes on the Prize” #OnRepeat. I saw this band live in San Diego several weeks ago and I haven’t been able to stop listening to their music ever since.

Vaud and the Villains is a 20-piece, New Orleans-style big band based in Los Angeles, California. Their music and performance style is a mixture of Cabaret, and theater, blending New Orleans Jazz, Gospel, Blues, R&B, Country, and Rock music. The band is lead by actor, Andy Comeau, and his wife, Dawn Lewis, who are known by their stage names Vaud Overstreet and Peaches Mahoney. Their live shows are high energy, with a lot of tongue-in-cheek humor, vintage-style outfits, and seductive dancing.

“Eyes on the Prize” is a folk song that became popular during the United States Civil Rights Movement in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s, and is based on a traditional Gospel song. Vaud and the Villains bring a type of slinky-like, playfulness to this song that Bruce Springsteen could not, but at the same time, mirrors the grit and charisma Springsteen brought in his performance. This is truly one of the few bands that you have to see perform live–video and recording don’t do this band justice. Take a listen below.

Do you know any bands who are great live performers? Leave a comment below!

#OnRepeat, Movies, Music

#OnRepeat: Lana Del Rey’s “Once Upon a Dream from Disney’s Maleficent”

August 4, 2017 No Comments

This week, I’ve had Lana Del Rey’s “Once Upon a Dream” #OnRepeat. I just recently came across this recording and can’t get enough of Lana’s haunting interpretation of this Disney classic.

Lana Del Rey (born Elizabeth Woolridge Grant)is a model, singer, and songwriter from New York state who got her start performing in underground night clubs in New York City. Her music blends Pop, Psychedelic Rock, Hip-Hop, Indie Rock, Country, and Electronic music. Some of her most well-known songs are “Video Games,” “Ride,” “Young and Beautiful,” and “I Can Fly.”

“Once Upon a Dream” is a song written in 1959 for the animated Disney movie, Sleeping Beauty, used during the scene in the film where Princess Aurora and Prince Phillip dance together for the first time. Lana Del Rey’s version of this song was released for the 2014 Disney film, Maleficent, a re-telling of the Sleeping Beauty story from a different perspective. Del Rey’s use of the lower part of her range, her full, raspy timbre, and the use of piano and radio effects definitely give this version of “Once Upon a Dream” a darker feel. The waltz-like feel is still apparent in this arrangement, adding to the song’s eccentric, yet lullaby-like quality.

Take a listen below:

Do you have any cover songs you can’t stop listening to? Leave a comment below!

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