1) It's Christmas tomorrow
2) The baby woke me up at 5:30 and wishfully I hoped he would go back to sleep, but alas he didn't.
Merry Christmas everybody.
This is the best video I could find. There is no singing.
Mary's Lullaby
Here is your Christmas song. I think my subconscious picked this song for two reasons.
1) It's Christmas tomorrow
2) The baby woke me up at 5:30 and wishfully I hoped he would go back to sleep, but alas he didn't.
Merry Christmas everybody.
This is the best video I could find. There is no singing.
1) It's Christmas tomorrow
2) The baby woke me up at 5:30 and wishfully I hoped he would go back to sleep, but alas he didn't.
Merry Christmas everybody.
This is the best video I could find. There is no singing.
Strong Black Vine
Today's is extremely random. This is a Tori Amos song. I am a Tori Amos fan, but there are some songs of hers that I just don't care for all that much. One problem with some Tori Amos albums, in my opinion, is a lack of editing. She is an insanely talented writer- so much so that she is hearing new music all the time. As such an artist, she is able to submit hundreds of songs for new albums.
What I'm getting at, is that she has too many tracks on her albums. A normal album has 10-12 tracks. Most of Tori Amos' albums are close to twenty tracks or more. To some hard-core fans, I'm sure this is something appreciated. I'm afraid that for me, it's too much of a good thing.
Something else you may not know about Tori Amos... before she was the piano playing songstress that we know her to be, she was in a failed rock band called Y Kant Tori Read.
This band didn't get any attention. But as a talented writer, Amos was able to secure a recording contract which included 6 albums, I believe. She traded in her big hair and leather pants for a piano and was able to have the much deserved success she's had.
At heart, I think Amos is a rocker, or wishes she were. Today's song is one of those songs where she rocks a little more than casual listeners may have heard. I don't hate it, but I don't love it.
As far as what this song's about.... I didn't dig too much into it. My interpretation is the "Strong Black Vine" is a whip which is forcing others to believe in something like religion or politics by force. I don't claim to know much, but this interpretation is good enough for me, since I'm pretty much over the song to begin with.
What I'm getting at, is that she has too many tracks on her albums. A normal album has 10-12 tracks. Most of Tori Amos' albums are close to twenty tracks or more. To some hard-core fans, I'm sure this is something appreciated. I'm afraid that for me, it's too much of a good thing.
Something else you may not know about Tori Amos... before she was the piano playing songstress that we know her to be, she was in a failed rock band called Y Kant Tori Read.
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This band didn't get any attention. But as a talented writer, Amos was able to secure a recording contract which included 6 albums, I believe. She traded in her big hair and leather pants for a piano and was able to have the much deserved success she's had.
At heart, I think Amos is a rocker, or wishes she were. Today's song is one of those songs where she rocks a little more than casual listeners may have heard. I don't hate it, but I don't love it.
As far as what this song's about.... I didn't dig too much into it. My interpretation is the "Strong Black Vine" is a whip which is forcing others to believe in something like religion or politics by force. I don't claim to know much, but this interpretation is good enough for me, since I'm pretty much over the song to begin with.
Effington
I'll spare you the trouble of me trying to be funny or clever today and just share the song.
This is from Ben Folds. The song is about a city called Effington.
If you're easily offended, you may want to mute from about 25 seconds to 35 seconds. There are no "swear words"- but it's alluded.
I love the energy of the song- and I love how he uses two cities to represent two varying sides to a personality that I'm sure we can all relate to.
This is from Ben Folds. The song is about a city called Effington.
If you're easily offended, you may want to mute from about 25 seconds to 35 seconds. There are no "swear words"- but it's alluded.
I love the energy of the song- and I love how he uses two cities to represent two varying sides to a personality that I'm sure we can all relate to.
Turn on Your Radio
TWO FOR ONE TUESDEE!!!
Can't get enough of the songs stuck in my head?!?!?!? Well here are two very contrasting songs to share.
And since we're sharing, I'll over share. My adorable little 5 year old has a urinary tract infection. So she woke me up in the night to go potty. Hoo boy, I love parenthood. Anyway, this is the song that was playing in my head while I was helping her, from my beloved Harry Nilsson. This song is called "Turn on Your Radio."
I can't get enough of Harry Nilsson. Every song is good. EVERY SONG.
OK- so after the middle of the night shenanigans, I went back to sleep. I woke up with a very different song in my head. This one is a Christmas song (yes I caved and finally had one in my head) but it's likely one you've never heard. It's called "My Gift My Offering." The video I'm posting was on YouTube. I know this song because my wife sang it in church on Sunday. I wish the video I'm posting was with her voice, but I'm giving you what I can. My wife is the best singer I know.
Merry Christmas to everyone! May your urinary tract infections go away soon, and may Two for one Song Tuesdee (this is how my dad says Tuesday) carry on in your hearts!
Can't get enough of the songs stuck in my head?!?!?!? Well here are two very contrasting songs to share.
And since we're sharing, I'll over share. My adorable little 5 year old has a urinary tract infection. So she woke me up in the night to go potty. Hoo boy, I love parenthood. Anyway, this is the song that was playing in my head while I was helping her, from my beloved Harry Nilsson. This song is called "Turn on Your Radio."
I can't get enough of Harry Nilsson. Every song is good. EVERY SONG.
OK- so after the middle of the night shenanigans, I went back to sleep. I woke up with a very different song in my head. This one is a Christmas song (yes I caved and finally had one in my head) but it's likely one you've never heard. It's called "My Gift My Offering." The video I'm posting was on YouTube. I know this song because my wife sang it in church on Sunday. I wish the video I'm posting was with her voice, but I'm giving you what I can. My wife is the best singer I know.
Merry Christmas to everyone! May your urinary tract infections go away soon, and may Two for one Song Tuesdee (this is how my dad says Tuesday) carry on in your hearts!
Whip It
Hi Everybody! I'm excited to share a song with you that I know you know. It was most certainly playing in my head this morning, and like the crack of a whip, I jumped out of bed ready to face the day ahead.
Interesting facts about this song:
Devo raised 15,000$ of their own money to fund this music video.
The video's concept was derived from a man who owned a dude ranch in Arizona. Apparently his wife had special clothing she held together with Velcro. The husband would give the illusion that he could whip her clothes off.
Also, did you know that the lead singer/writer of Devo is Mark Mothersbaugh? You may not know who he is, he's scored several kids television shows, and also writes the quirky music in many Wes Anderson movies. For people with young kids like me, you may recognize him as well as this man from "Yo Gabba Gabba"
I'm kind of all over the place here, but I thought I would mention something else.
I have a bone to pick with my old choir teacher, Miss Webb. Many many years ago she accused this song of being musically simple and obnoxious. She's even performed the song in front of our class to prove her point. Does anyone remember this?
Well, Miss Webb, I like the song anyway! If I could go back in time, I would stand up, with my fists in the air and defend this song. So what if it only has 5 chords, is quite repetitive, makes little sense lyrically, makes you wonder how it was ever a hit, and gets stuck in your head to the annoying point?
I downloaded this Devo album from 1980 today. I'm anxious to dissect it- even though I know the music is mostly just nonsensical, silly and far from musically complex. But you've got to have some guilty pleasures in life right?
Interesting facts about this song:
Devo raised 15,000$ of their own money to fund this music video.
The video's concept was derived from a man who owned a dude ranch in Arizona. Apparently his wife had special clothing she held together with Velcro. The husband would give the illusion that he could whip her clothes off.
Also, did you know that the lead singer/writer of Devo is Mark Mothersbaugh? You may not know who he is, he's scored several kids television shows, and also writes the quirky music in many Wes Anderson movies. For people with young kids like me, you may recognize him as well as this man from "Yo Gabba Gabba"
I'm kind of all over the place here, but I thought I would mention something else.
I have a bone to pick with my old choir teacher, Miss Webb. Many many years ago she accused this song of being musically simple and obnoxious. She's even performed the song in front of our class to prove her point. Does anyone remember this?
Well, Miss Webb, I like the song anyway! If I could go back in time, I would stand up, with my fists in the air and defend this song. So what if it only has 5 chords, is quite repetitive, makes little sense lyrically, makes you wonder how it was ever a hit, and gets stuck in your head to the annoying point?
I downloaded this Devo album from 1980 today. I'm anxious to dissect it- even though I know the music is mostly just nonsensical, silly and far from musically complex. But you've got to have some guilty pleasures in life right?
If You Leave
The 80's are playing again this morning. YAY!
Who knew that the band playing this morning in my head was called OMD (Orchestral Manoeuvers in the Dark.) Here is the song, I'm sure you already know it.
Who knew that the band playing this morning in my head was called OMD (Orchestral Manoeuvers in the Dark.) Here is the song, I'm sure you already know it.
This here band is what they call a British 80's Synth Pop Band.
There weren't very many of these in the 80's, just like there isn't much sarcasm in anything I say here.
Enjoy having this song stuck in your head. It's one that doesn't seem to have left me all day today.
GUEST BLOG POST
Today I get to share with you a post from my friend, Micah McOwen, who wanted to be a guest writer. No, not a GHOST writer, a GUEST writer. Unfortunately my life isn't interesting enough to warrant a Ghost Writer, but I'm working up to that.
Regardless, you're in for a treat, because he's very funny and his post is hilarious.
Hello, fellow cashsongstuckites. Brady is not the only nerd on the internet, nor is he the only one with songs stuck in their heads. However, while Brady enjoys a smorgasbord of delightful tunes that enliven his lurping out of bed each morning, not all of us are so fortunate. I, for one, have been plagued for some 6 or 7 years by one solitary song forever stuck in my head.
Being home-schooled, mormon, and nerdy, my pre-tween exposure to music was essentially restricted to the following: (1) Moody Blues: Live at Red Rocks, (2) Billy Joel: An Innocent Man, (3) Original Broadway Cast AND Original Film Soundtrack: Jesus Christ, Superstar, and (4) these records. Eventually, musicals dominated the charts. When I got my first CD player for Christmas, the Aladdin soundtrack that appropriately accompanied it was the single solitary CD I owned for several months. As soon as I could save up $0.01, I joined BMG and used my penny to buy 47 more musical soundtracks. I also wore out the VHS with routine Sunday viewings of Hello, Dolly!, Fiddler on the Roof and Sound of Music, when I wasn't watching The Neverending Story and 3-2-1 Contact. I knew my G's from my S's, and I even knew and loved this musical, despite "Bye-Yum Pum Pum" never achieving mass market appeal. Point is, I know my musicals about as well as any straight non-theater-major out there.
Or at least I thought I did, before I met my wife. She was not only a girl, she was a girl who loved musical theater AND was studying musical theater AND had sisters who also loved musical theater. So very quickly I learned there were even more musicals out there for my totally non-gay enjoyment. Including, unfortunately, one starring this guy and a girl who sounds a little too much like a Judy Garland record sped up too fast.
That's right, there's this musical called Burt Reynolds Kidnaps Girls For Thriving Sex Slave Trade In The Yukon: The BarnRaising SquareDance Avalanche Edition, although for some reason my wife keeps calling it Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. It has many memorable tunes, including this song, the title of which is the perfect thing to exclaim in response to virtually anything anyone ever says to you, and this one, which makes us all wish we'd paid a lot more attention in shul and/or seminary.
Anyway, there is one song in particular called "Goin' Courtin'." It's a simple little tune. Way too simple.
And way too memorable. So simple and memorable in fact that it has become my own personal Pachelbel's canon in D. I hear it in everything. Worse, I have a penchant for subconscious whistling, and as a result of my unwitting masterpieces Concerto for Gangly Whistler in F# Major Pain in the Ass and Variations on Courtin' in A Little Bit Louder Now, I have now driven my wife to loathe her erstwhile favorite musical. Not to mention, those who constantly humm, sing, whistle, mumble, ratatatat-with-hands the song "Goin' Courtin'" are not exactly destined for success in the fistfighting/legal world in which I work, despite what this misleading film would try and have you believe. Really, I'm afraid I'm doomed to have this little song stuck in my head forever.
I share, Brady and dear readers, not to garner your sympathy but for your aid. I would appreciate it if you would tweet me @micahjbm and offer suggestions of songs that are more catchy in the hopes I can take Milly's feminyne advice, move on and start catchin' rabbits on the run again instead of endlessly playing this insipid song on repeat in my head.
Bye-um-pum-pum bye bye.
Micah
@micahjbm
Regardless, you're in for a treat, because he's very funny and his post is hilarious.
Hello, fellow cashsongstuckites. Brady is not the only nerd on the internet, nor is he the only one with songs stuck in their heads. However, while Brady enjoys a smorgasbord of delightful tunes that enliven his lurping out of bed each morning, not all of us are so fortunate. I, for one, have been plagued for some 6 or 7 years by one solitary song forever stuck in my head.
Being home-schooled, mormon, and nerdy, my pre-tween exposure to music was essentially restricted to the following: (1) Moody Blues: Live at Red Rocks, (2) Billy Joel: An Innocent Man, (3) Original Broadway Cast AND Original Film Soundtrack: Jesus Christ, Superstar, and (4) these records. Eventually, musicals dominated the charts. When I got my first CD player for Christmas, the Aladdin soundtrack that appropriately accompanied it was the single solitary CD I owned for several months. As soon as I could save up $0.01, I joined BMG and used my penny to buy 47 more musical soundtracks. I also wore out the VHS with routine Sunday viewings of Hello, Dolly!, Fiddler on the Roof and Sound of Music, when I wasn't watching The Neverending Story and 3-2-1 Contact. I knew my G's from my S's, and I even knew and loved this musical, despite "Bye-Yum Pum Pum" never achieving mass market appeal. Point is, I know my musicals about as well as any straight non-theater-major out there.
Or at least I thought I did, before I met my wife. She was not only a girl, she was a girl who loved musical theater AND was studying musical theater AND had sisters who also loved musical theater. So very quickly I learned there were even more musicals out there for my totally non-gay enjoyment. Including, unfortunately, one starring this guy and a girl who sounds a little too much like a Judy Garland record sped up too fast.
That's right, there's this musical called Burt Reynolds Kidnaps Girls For Thriving Sex Slave Trade In The Yukon: The BarnRaising SquareDance Avalanche Edition, although for some reason my wife keeps calling it Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. It has many memorable tunes, including this song, the title of which is the perfect thing to exclaim in response to virtually anything anyone ever says to you, and this one, which makes us all wish we'd paid a lot more attention in shul and/or seminary.
Anyway, there is one song in particular called "Goin' Courtin'." It's a simple little tune. Way too simple.
And way too memorable. So simple and memorable in fact that it has become my own personal Pachelbel's canon in D. I hear it in everything. Worse, I have a penchant for subconscious whistling, and as a result of my unwitting masterpieces Concerto for Gangly Whistler in F# Major Pain in the Ass and Variations on Courtin' in A Little Bit Louder Now, I have now driven my wife to loathe her erstwhile favorite musical. Not to mention, those who constantly humm, sing, whistle, mumble, ratatatat-with-hands the song "Goin' Courtin'" are not exactly destined for success in the fistfighting/legal world in which I work, despite what this misleading film would try and have you believe. Really, I'm afraid I'm doomed to have this little song stuck in my head forever.
I share, Brady and dear readers, not to garner your sympathy but for your aid. I would appreciate it if you would tweet me @micahjbm and offer suggestions of songs that are more catchy in the hopes I can take Milly's feminyne advice, move on and start catchin' rabbits on the run again instead of endlessly playing this insipid song on repeat in my head.
Bye-um-pum-pum bye bye.
Micah
@micahjbm
On A Quite Night
I don't have much time today, so I won't be as knee-slappingly entertaining as you're used to. Boo Hoo.
The other day, I had a song called "Windy" stuck in my head. I bought the album this song was from for 5 bucks on iTunes. Guess what? The album is really good. It's called "Insight Out" for those who care (nobody probably.)
Today I had another song from the album stuck in my head. This is the second track on the album called "On a quite night." I'm digging this innocent and clean sounding music from the 60s.
The other day, I had a song called "Windy" stuck in my head. I bought the album this song was from for 5 bucks on iTunes. Guess what? The album is really good. It's called "Insight Out" for those who care (nobody probably.)
Today I had another song from the album stuck in my head. This is the second track on the album called "On a quite night." I'm digging this innocent and clean sounding music from the 60s.
I Want You (She's So Heavy)
The more I listen to today's song, the more it grows on me. It's an unusual song for the Beatles- it sounds bluesy in a way, and is almost eight minutes long.
This is from "Abbey Road" which is my favorite Beatles' album. I've said this before, but if you have never listened to "Abbey Road" start to finish, alone with no distractions, now is the time. It showcases the Beatles' talent more than any of their other albums, especially each individual member of the band.
Here's the song:
I grew up on The Beatles. So did my wife. That's why our two children are named after Beatles' songs: Lucy and Jude. We were speculating about having another child for about half a second before we talked ourselves back to our senses. I never say never, but I doubt we will have more kids. This is unfortunate because there are so many other Beatles' song names that we could have used.
If Megan and I were The Duggar family (that's the family on reality TV who has 20 kids, or whatever) this is what we would have named our other kids, after Beatles' songs, of course:
Eleanor Rigby Cash
Robert Douglas Cash (From Dr. Robert, my father-in-law, Doug, is a Doctor)
Julia Jolene Cash (Julia is Lennon's mother, Jolene is MY mother)
Rita Bella Cash (Bella, is "Lovely" in Italian)
Maggie Mae Cash
Anna Anna Cash (I have a sister-in-law, Anna, so heck, we'd give her the song, and the sister's name)
Lady Madonna Cash
Martha Letha Cash (Megan's grandma Letha)
Maxwell Nicholas Cash (after my Dad)
Michelle Corinne Cash (Megan likes the middle name, and it's French.)
Penny Lane Cash
Pam Polythene Cash
Rocky Guy Cash (after my Grandpa Guy)
Sadie Cash (with all these girls, we'll let this one keep Cash as a middle name)
and last but not least:
Mr. Kite Cash
This is from "Abbey Road" which is my favorite Beatles' album. I've said this before, but if you have never listened to "Abbey Road" start to finish, alone with no distractions, now is the time. It showcases the Beatles' talent more than any of their other albums, especially each individual member of the band.
Here's the song:
I grew up on The Beatles. So did my wife. That's why our two children are named after Beatles' songs: Lucy and Jude. We were speculating about having another child for about half a second before we talked ourselves back to our senses. I never say never, but I doubt we will have more kids. This is unfortunate because there are so many other Beatles' song names that we could have used.
If Megan and I were The Duggar family (that's the family on reality TV who has 20 kids, or whatever) this is what we would have named our other kids, after Beatles' songs, of course:
Eleanor Rigby Cash
Robert Douglas Cash (From Dr. Robert, my father-in-law, Doug, is a Doctor)
Julia Jolene Cash (Julia is Lennon's mother, Jolene is MY mother)
Rita Bella Cash (Bella, is "Lovely" in Italian)
Maggie Mae Cash
Anna Anna Cash (I have a sister-in-law, Anna, so heck, we'd give her the song, and the sister's name)
Lady Madonna Cash
Martha Letha Cash (Megan's grandma Letha)
Maxwell Nicholas Cash (after my Dad)
Michelle Corinne Cash (Megan likes the middle name, and it's French.)
Penny Lane Cash
Pam Polythene Cash
Rocky Guy Cash (after my Grandpa Guy)
Sadie Cash (with all these girls, we'll let this one keep Cash as a middle name)
and last but not least:
Mr. Kite Cash
Any Dream Will Do
Boy Howdy, I feel embarrassed to post today. Like it, or not, Musical Theater is part of my musical DNA.
My wife is currently the musical director for a production of "Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." Consequently, this music has been playing in our home, and so we get to share in the cheesiness together.
My wife is currently the musical director for a production of "Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." Consequently, this music has been playing in our home, and so we get to share in the cheesiness together.
Okay, now that we have that over with, we can move on.
I've shared a lot of cheesy music on this blog. To me, nothing is cheesier than Christmas music. I know, I'm a cynical Grinch/Scrooge, but I really think Christmas music is appropriate only on Christmas day which is defined at December 25th. But everyone else disagrees with me, and there is too much money in Christmas music, so it will continue to thrive.
To that end, I am making a goal to not be forced to write about Christmas music on this blog. As you know, I am honest about what music is playing in my head when I wake up (i.e. today's post) but come to think of it, I don't know what's worse, today's song or Christmas music.....
Falling Slowly
Somehow this song became part of my collection. It's from a movie I've never seen called "Once" and is performed by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova who also star in the film.
"Falling Slowly" won an Oscar, for Best Original Song in 2007. In my opinion, it's just as much of an honor to have your song featured on my blog since the Academy of Motion Pictures does such a lousy job of nominating songs for the award. Just look at a list of songs that have won an Oscar and you'll see what I mean.
Last year, they only nominated 2 mediocre songs for the award. I say they just get rid of the award, or try a little bit harder.
I will shut up now and show you the music video for this song, which was playing in my head this morning.
"Falling Slowly" won an Oscar, for Best Original Song in 2007. In my opinion, it's just as much of an honor to have your song featured on my blog since the Academy of Motion Pictures does such a lousy job of nominating songs for the award. Just look at a list of songs that have won an Oscar and you'll see what I mean.
Last year, they only nominated 2 mediocre songs for the award. I say they just get rid of the award, or try a little bit harder.
I will shut up now and show you the music video for this song, which was playing in my head this morning.
Windy
The anticipation is killing you, so I will just let you know what today's song is.
Who remembers this song? Although it was written in 1967 and performed by The Association, it seems like it still played on the radio from my childhood. I'm shocked that it was playing in my head this morning, but this is I why I have a blog, eh?
In an odd coincidence, what with the title of this song being called "Windy," exactly a year ago tomorrow, two very interesting things happened to our family.
The first was an enormous wind storm that passed through our city. This is strange for Utah. The winds started, by my memory, at about 2:00 A.M. on the 1st of December. I didn't go back to sleep as I ran from room to room trying to comfort scared kids and light candles. Our power shut on and off throughout the night. I knew that it was very windy, but didn't know the extent of the damage until the sun rose.
In another odd coincidence, I was searching for images of this wind storm online and found a video of some damage. The video happens to be filmed by my neighbor who lives 2 doors down. This is probably boring to most, but I'm gonna post the video anyway. If anything, maybe my great great grand kids will watch this some day if the world hasn't ended, or if they haven't disowned the family. I guess I'm saying you won't hurt my feelings if you don't watch this video.
Anyway, what I'm getting at, is that I have never been through anything like this in my life. In the morning, while the wind was still blowing, I drove around my neighborhood and it looked like a war zone. There were trees everywhere that had fallen, some onto cars, and some even into windows.
Further complicating things for my family was the fact that my dear wife was 9 months pregnant at the time! Not only was she pregnant, she was also very sick and to have no power in the cold winter brought some challenges for us on this day.
Miraculously, except for a glass door that I hated anyway (it shattered) there was no damage to our home, yard, trees, fences- anything. Everybody else I know in the community was not as lucky.
So, with the house in tact, I took pregnant wifey poo and the kids to a hotel, where there would be heat and warm water.
I'm proud of you if you're still with me.
So, long story short, the following day, December 2nd, our boy was born. He came with the wind, and his coming into the world, like the wind, was exciting and frightening. After nearly 10 days in the NICU, and a crippling shoulder injury, we brought our boy home on oxygen. It was a rough few weeks, but ultimately he pulled through and is a perfect as a kid could be.
Happy Birthday, Jude. It's been an amazing, and exhausting year, and I look forward to many more.
Who remembers this song? Although it was written in 1967 and performed by The Association, it seems like it still played on the radio from my childhood. I'm shocked that it was playing in my head this morning, but this is I why I have a blog, eh?
In an odd coincidence, what with the title of this song being called "Windy," exactly a year ago tomorrow, two very interesting things happened to our family.
The first was an enormous wind storm that passed through our city. This is strange for Utah. The winds started, by my memory, at about 2:00 A.M. on the 1st of December. I didn't go back to sleep as I ran from room to room trying to comfort scared kids and light candles. Our power shut on and off throughout the night. I knew that it was very windy, but didn't know the extent of the damage until the sun rose.
In another odd coincidence, I was searching for images of this wind storm online and found a video of some damage. The video happens to be filmed by my neighbor who lives 2 doors down. This is probably boring to most, but I'm gonna post the video anyway. If anything, maybe my great great grand kids will watch this some day if the world hasn't ended, or if they haven't disowned the family. I guess I'm saying you won't hurt my feelings if you don't watch this video.
Anyway, what I'm getting at, is that I have never been through anything like this in my life. In the morning, while the wind was still blowing, I drove around my neighborhood and it looked like a war zone. There were trees everywhere that had fallen, some onto cars, and some even into windows.
Further complicating things for my family was the fact that my dear wife was 9 months pregnant at the time! Not only was she pregnant, she was also very sick and to have no power in the cold winter brought some challenges for us on this day.
Miraculously, except for a glass door that I hated anyway (it shattered) there was no damage to our home, yard, trees, fences- anything. Everybody else I know in the community was not as lucky.
So, with the house in tact, I took pregnant wifey poo and the kids to a hotel, where there would be heat and warm water.
I'm proud of you if you're still with me.
So, long story short, the following day, December 2nd, our boy was born. He came with the wind, and his coming into the world, like the wind, was exciting and frightening. After nearly 10 days in the NICU, and a crippling shoulder injury, we brought our boy home on oxygen. It was a rough few weeks, but ultimately he pulled through and is a perfect as a kid could be.
Happy Birthday, Jude. It's been an amazing, and exhausting year, and I look forward to many more.
Frere Jacques
Last night was a strange night for me.
First of all, I fell asleep watching a documentary about beards, this was about 9:00. If I'm lucky, I'm usually asleep by midnight. I woke up at some point, knowing I had gone to sleep extremely early, and set my alarm clock for 5:30 A.M. with good intentions of waking up early to get some things done around the house.
I woke up many times in the night, and had funky dreams and found myself at that point between sleep and awake, where you almost feel like you're halucinating, but you're awake and rational enough to know that you're only half-dreaming. Does that make sense?
Anyway, at this point I could hear the beloved French nursury rhyme "Frere Jacques" playing in my head. But what's strange, is that I could hear Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder singing the song, if you can imagine that.
I don't do drugs. I promise.
Oh, and in spite of my intention to get up early, I slept in anyway. :\
First of all, I fell asleep watching a documentary about beards, this was about 9:00. If I'm lucky, I'm usually asleep by midnight. I woke up at some point, knowing I had gone to sleep extremely early, and set my alarm clock for 5:30 A.M. with good intentions of waking up early to get some things done around the house.
I woke up many times in the night, and had funky dreams and found myself at that point between sleep and awake, where you almost feel like you're halucinating, but you're awake and rational enough to know that you're only half-dreaming. Does that make sense?
Anyway, at this point I could hear the beloved French nursury rhyme "Frere Jacques" playing in my head. But what's strange, is that I could hear Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder singing the song, if you can imagine that.
I don't do drugs. I promise.
Oh, and in spite of my intention to get up early, I slept in anyway. :\
Bedshaped
This tune has been going through my head since Thanksgiving. Who knows why....
....and it was playing again today. Enjoy this creepy music video with a drunk, naked, claymation figure. I didn't know there was a music video for this song until today.
Still, a beautiful song. I do like this band a lot.
I went to the mall (ugh) today and there was Christmas music playing everywhere. I'm gonna see if I can make it through the entire Christmas season without seasonal music playing in my head that I'll have to blog about.
....and it was playing again today. Enjoy this creepy music video with a drunk, naked, claymation figure. I didn't know there was a music video for this song until today.
Still, a beautiful song. I do like this band a lot.
I went to the mall (ugh) today and there was Christmas music playing everywhere. I'm gonna see if I can make it through the entire Christmas season without seasonal music playing in my head that I'll have to blog about.
Why Does it Always Rain on Me
here's my new favorite band, Travis, and today's song:
I'll just tell a quick story, mostly that has to do with being rained on.
When I was 19 years old, I was called to be an LDS missionary in Rome, Italy. My first assignment was to the city of Potenza in southern Italy. After a nearly sleepless night, jetlagged and nervous, I boarded a bus at 5:00 A.M. alone for a 6 hour drive. My mission leaders talked to the bus driver and informed him that I didn't speak any Italian and that once we reached Potenza he was to let me know when I had arrived at my stop which was called "Santa Maria." They assured me that my new companion would be there waiting for me.
About an hour into my bus ride, I fell asleep, and slept the duration of the bus ride. I was awoken by the driver who (from what I understood) told me that it was time to exit the bus, as we had arrived in this mountainous city.
Exhausted, I carried my overweight suitcase with all my belongings off of the bus and looked around for my American companion. He was nowhere to be found..... so I waited.....
This was a busy part of town, and many people passed me. For anyone who has visited Italy, the people are very friendly. Everybody wanted to help me, but I couldn't understand them, and couldn't talk to them. All I could do is smile and say, "non parlo Italiano-" I don't speak Italian.
An hour passed, and I was beginning to wonder if I should walk, or do something to try to find my colleague. No, better wait it out.
Across the street I noticed a pay phone, and remembered that I had been equipped with a phone card and the phone number to my new apartment. I wandered to the other side of the street and tried to figure out how to work the pay phone. Of course, the nice people passing wanted to help me, but from what I gathered the phone was broken, and so I was stuck.
Right around this time, the sky darkened and rain started to fall. I went back to the original spot where I was left and waited some more. And waited, and waited, as the rain started to pour.
The incredibly nice Italians passing me offered me scarves, umbrellas, their coats as I stood in the cold wet on this October day, now 14 years ago. I politely declined, "no, grazie" feeling so helpless that I could never repay anybody's kindness.
After two hours, a car pulled up and I recognized the young man with a name badge who was to be my new companion in Potenza. He wondered why I had not stopped where I was supposed to meet him. Of course, it was all just a misunderstanding, a miscommunication between him and the mission office.
It's all very funny to me now, that this was my first experience alone in a foreign country. At the time though, like the singer of this song I probably wondered, just as he says in the song: "Why does it always rain on me? Is it because I lied when I was seventeen?" I confess, at 17 years old, I stole a tube of chap stick for a girl I liked from Mervyn's. Perhaps this is why I was punished that day?
I'll just tell a quick story, mostly that has to do with being rained on.
When I was 19 years old, I was called to be an LDS missionary in Rome, Italy. My first assignment was to the city of Potenza in southern Italy. After a nearly sleepless night, jetlagged and nervous, I boarded a bus at 5:00 A.M. alone for a 6 hour drive. My mission leaders talked to the bus driver and informed him that I didn't speak any Italian and that once we reached Potenza he was to let me know when I had arrived at my stop which was called "Santa Maria." They assured me that my new companion would be there waiting for me.
About an hour into my bus ride, I fell asleep, and slept the duration of the bus ride. I was awoken by the driver who (from what I understood) told me that it was time to exit the bus, as we had arrived in this mountainous city.
This was a busy part of town, and many people passed me. For anyone who has visited Italy, the people are very friendly. Everybody wanted to help me, but I couldn't understand them, and couldn't talk to them. All I could do is smile and say, "non parlo Italiano-" I don't speak Italian.
An hour passed, and I was beginning to wonder if I should walk, or do something to try to find my colleague. No, better wait it out.
Across the street I noticed a pay phone, and remembered that I had been equipped with a phone card and the phone number to my new apartment. I wandered to the other side of the street and tried to figure out how to work the pay phone. Of course, the nice people passing wanted to help me, but from what I gathered the phone was broken, and so I was stuck.
Right around this time, the sky darkened and rain started to fall. I went back to the original spot where I was left and waited some more. And waited, and waited, as the rain started to pour.
The incredibly nice Italians passing me offered me scarves, umbrellas, their coats as I stood in the cold wet on this October day, now 14 years ago. I politely declined, "no, grazie" feeling so helpless that I could never repay anybody's kindness.
After two hours, a car pulled up and I recognized the young man with a name badge who was to be my new companion in Potenza. He wondered why I had not stopped where I was supposed to meet him. Of course, it was all just a misunderstanding, a miscommunication between him and the mission office.
It's all very funny to me now, that this was my first experience alone in a foreign country. At the time though, like the singer of this song I probably wondered, just as he says in the song: "Why does it always rain on me? Is it because I lied when I was seventeen?" I confess, at 17 years old, I stole a tube of chap stick for a girl I liked from Mervyn's. Perhaps this is why I was punished that day?
Alec Eiffel
As you prepare to gorge yourself with food tomorrow (Happy Thanksgiving!) I'll leave you with a perfectly fitting song about Alexadre Gustave Eiffel, who is historically for having designed the Eiffel Tower. Nothing says "thanksgiving" quite like French Monuments.
I wasn't sure what today's song was, I had the melody in my head, hummed it to my brother and he recognized it as "Alec Eiffel" by The Pixies:
I wasn't sure what today's song was, I had the melody in my head, hummed it to my brother and he recognized it as "Alec Eiffel" by The Pixies:
Soldier
I'm sorry to anyone who was looking forward to some posts this weekend. The truth is, that music was playing in my head both Saturday and Sunday but it was music I had already shared here- so you can thank me for not being redundantly redundant.
IT'S TIME FOR A BLOG CONTEST!!!!
I've collected enough songs over the last few months for a compilation, which will include today's song from Ingrid Michaelson:
My family loves her music. My kids always sing along, and I'll admit to tapping my foot along to her catchy music.
FIRST, HERE ARE THE RULES- To enter the contest, simply comment on this post- and this is what I want to know: If you had to go the rest of your lift listening to one album only, what would it be? Greatest hits albums don't count, you must say an actual studio album. If you lie, and say something to sound cool, like Pink Floyd's "The Wall" when really you meant something by Abba or Barry Manilow, then you will be disqalified. If, for some odd reason you're unable to post comments because blogger is weird, then email me directly to cashbrady@gmail.com
SECOND, HERE ARE THE AMAZING ITEMS THE RANDOMLY SELECTED WINNER WILL RECEIVE (THERE IS ONLY ONE WINNER THIS TIME):
PRIZE NUMBER 1
A compilation Disc, "The Best of the Songs Stuck in Brady's Head, Volume 5" This is my oddest compilation yet, but I think it may be my favorite so far.
PRIZE NUMBER 2
A bag of Hi-Chew candies. The greatest candy there is.
PRIZE NUMBER 3
Your very own thesongsstuckinmyhead.blogspot.com T-shirt with original artwork of that one relative you have who has a mustache and drinks too much. Just in time for Thanksgiving, where said relative will drink too much at your Thanksgiving dinner. Wear it with pride.
Remember, if you enter the contest and I don't know who you are, be sure to leave and email or twitter name so that I can find you to tell you that you've won. I will ship prizes internationally too for anyone out of the US who dares to enter.
If you don't enter the contest, you are missing out, but if you want to do something kind, share this link so other free loaders can find out about the free stuff I'm giving away. There is a share button below.
CONTEST DRAWING WILL TAKE PLACE SATURDAY NOVEMBER 24TH AT 10:00 P.M. GOOD LUCK.
IT'S TIME FOR A BLOG CONTEST!!!!
I've collected enough songs over the last few months for a compilation, which will include today's song from Ingrid Michaelson:
My family loves her music. My kids always sing along, and I'll admit to tapping my foot along to her catchy music.
FIRST, HERE ARE THE RULES- To enter the contest, simply comment on this post- and this is what I want to know: If you had to go the rest of your lift listening to one album only, what would it be? Greatest hits albums don't count, you must say an actual studio album. If you lie, and say something to sound cool, like Pink Floyd's "The Wall" when really you meant something by Abba or Barry Manilow, then you will be disqalified. If, for some odd reason you're unable to post comments because blogger is weird, then email me directly to cashbrady@gmail.com
SECOND, HERE ARE THE AMAZING ITEMS THE RANDOMLY SELECTED WINNER WILL RECEIVE (THERE IS ONLY ONE WINNER THIS TIME):
PRIZE NUMBER 1
A compilation Disc, "The Best of the Songs Stuck in Brady's Head, Volume 5" This is my oddest compilation yet, but I think it may be my favorite so far.
PRIZE NUMBER 2
A bag of Hi-Chew candies. The greatest candy there is.
PRIZE NUMBER 3
Your very own thesongsstuckinmyhead.blogspot.com T-shirt with original artwork of that one relative you have who has a mustache and drinks too much. Just in time for Thanksgiving, where said relative will drink too much at your Thanksgiving dinner. Wear it with pride.
Remember, if you enter the contest and I don't know who you are, be sure to leave and email or twitter name so that I can find you to tell you that you've won. I will ship prizes internationally too for anyone out of the US who dares to enter.
If you don't enter the contest, you are missing out, but if you want to do something kind, share this link so other free loaders can find out about the free stuff I'm giving away. There is a share button below.
CONTEST DRAWING WILL TAKE PLACE SATURDAY NOVEMBER 24TH AT 10:00 P.M. GOOD LUCK.
Outtasite (Outta Mind)
This very catchy song by Wilco was playing in my head this morning.
Have you ever had a crush on somebody and they didn't like you back? That's what this song is about.
I'm about due for a blog contest. I have some really great prizes to give away guyz.
I have another contest coming up guyz. It's going to be really exciting.
seriously guyz.
Stay tuned....
Have you ever had a crush on somebody and they didn't like you back? That's what this song is about.
I'm about due for a blog contest. I have some really great prizes to give away guyz.
I have another contest coming up guyz. It's going to be really exciting.
seriously guyz.
Stay tuned....
Sweetums
I wonder if posting what I'm about to post makes my blog more interesting, or more obnoxious. Aside from being embarrassed, I also find the strange things playing in my head in the morning fascinating.
Today's song is from my childhood. At some point, whether we owned or rented the video cassette, I used to watch THE FROG PRINCE from the TALES FROM MUPPETLAND series.
I woud dare say it's been 25 years since I've seen this. I couldn't tell you the story line (other than familiar plot points from the traditional story) nor could I sing any of the songs from it. But there's one song that I've retained after all these years, and it happened to be playing in my head this morning.
This is sung by the hairy beast lovingly known as "Sweetums." In the world of Muppets, I've seen him usually as a friendly character. In this movie, he's a villain. At one point he tries to capture Kermit and The Frog Prince. This is the song he sings as he's trying to get them. I don't know that I would call it much of a "song" but there is a beat to it, and it was playing in my head regardless.
(In this clip, the actual song starts at about 2:10, there is a scene beforehand)
According to the official soundtrack, this song is just called SWEETUMS. Other sources I see call it YUMMY YUMMY TIME.
My mad subonscious thanks you for your time and attention.
Today's song is from my childhood. At some point, whether we owned or rented the video cassette, I used to watch THE FROG PRINCE from the TALES FROM MUPPETLAND series.
I woud dare say it's been 25 years since I've seen this. I couldn't tell you the story line (other than familiar plot points from the traditional story) nor could I sing any of the songs from it. But there's one song that I've retained after all these years, and it happened to be playing in my head this morning.
This is sung by the hairy beast lovingly known as "Sweetums." In the world of Muppets, I've seen him usually as a friendly character. In this movie, he's a villain. At one point he tries to capture Kermit and The Frog Prince. This is the song he sings as he's trying to get them. I don't know that I would call it much of a "song" but there is a beat to it, and it was playing in my head regardless.
(In this clip, the actual song starts at about 2:10, there is a scene beforehand)
According to the official soundtrack, this song is just called SWEETUMS. Other sources I see call it YUMMY YUMMY TIME.
My mad subonscious thanks you for your time and attention.
Enter Sandman
I cannot believe this song was in my head this morning.
One thing I've been trying to do, is to buy the album of songs that I write about here. Soon I will own my first Metallica album. From what I've read, this song is from their best album. I have to admit, I'm kind of excited.
One thing I've been trying to do, is to buy the album of songs that I write about here. Soon I will own my first Metallica album. From what I've read, this song is from their best album. I have to admit, I'm kind of excited.
Heimdalsgate Like a Promethean Curse
Man, I love this music, and the more I listen to it the more fascinating I find it.
This is from of Montreal, and I'll just let you hear the song now:
He keeps singing about "chemicals" in the song. Some of the sites I've visited today indicate that he's referring to drugs, and others say he is talking about seratonin and other natural "chemicals" that your body produces. Based on what I hear in this song, and watching the music video, I'm gonna go with drugs.
Here's the trouble with drugs. I've never tried them, but I hear they are bad. Also, I'm a Mormon, so using them would go against my beliefs. But this doesn't mean that Mormons can't have a good time!
I tell you what, the combination of aspartame, caffeine and yellow number 7 in a Diet Mountain Dew can give you just the kind of Mormon buzz you need when you've had a stressful day.
And have you ever woken up with one of those early morning headaches, and you need a little something to get the edge off and get you going in the morning. We all know the Mormon drink of choice is Postum, but have you ever combined Postum with Pop Rocks? You'll be zippin' and jiving as you put your shoulder to the wheel with this morning boost.
And what to do if you're at a rave party doing some missionary work and you want to blend in without doing any of the illegal stuff? Those waxy sticks with kool-aid in the middle along with Extreme War Head candies should do the trick.
Lastly, for those special occasions, like weddings and anniversaries, there's the obvious choice: MARTINELLI'S!!! But if you're looking to have an extra special good time without having to go see the Bish, slip in a little bit of Ginseng and Coke Zero and the sparks will FLY!
Hot Knife (and Xuxa)
TWO FOR ONE TUESDAY!
This is arguably my most embarrassing post yet. So I'm gonna cheat and give you two songs, hopefully to counter the first.
That being said, today I woke up with a strange song from my childhood. Does anyone remember Xuxa? She was a Brazilian model and children's TV show host. She had a show on television in the early 90's. I don't remember much about it, but I do remember the annoying theme song. Here is a clip.
There was something about this show. I'll admit that I had a crush on her, but it seems like whenever it was on, even though I was rolling my eyes, I couldn't stop watching. I also remember that there were silly challenges the kids would play. When some kid won, Xuxa would shout "We have a WEEEENER" with her think Brazilian accent. It seems like my family always made fun of that. A special shout out as well to Xuxa's wardrobe. The 90's were an awful time for fashion indeed.
OK, so that was my morning song, but I did have another song that was playing in my head when I woke up at 3:00 A.M to make pee pee. It's from Fiona Apple's new album. Upon my first listen, this album was tough to swallow. I am a fan of Fiona Apple's music, have been for many years, and so I want to give it a fair shot. It's very strange musically, and very dark lyrically. The song I'm posting today is the final track and probably the one I would share with you if I were introducing this album to you. So, here's HOT KNIFE for you to enjoy.
Don't judge me.
This is arguably my most embarrassing post yet. So I'm gonna cheat and give you two songs, hopefully to counter the first.
That being said, today I woke up with a strange song from my childhood. Does anyone remember Xuxa? She was a Brazilian model and children's TV show host. She had a show on television in the early 90's. I don't remember much about it, but I do remember the annoying theme song. Here is a clip.
There was something about this show. I'll admit that I had a crush on her, but it seems like whenever it was on, even though I was rolling my eyes, I couldn't stop watching. I also remember that there were silly challenges the kids would play. When some kid won, Xuxa would shout "We have a WEEEENER" with her think Brazilian accent. It seems like my family always made fun of that. A special shout out as well to Xuxa's wardrobe. The 90's were an awful time for fashion indeed.
OK, so that was my morning song, but I did have another song that was playing in my head when I woke up at 3:00 A.M to make pee pee. It's from Fiona Apple's new album. Upon my first listen, this album was tough to swallow. I am a fan of Fiona Apple's music, have been for many years, and so I want to give it a fair shot. It's very strange musically, and very dark lyrically. The song I'm posting today is the final track and probably the one I would share with you if I were introducing this album to you. So, here's HOT KNIFE for you to enjoy.
Don't judge me.
Nothing Wrong
It would appear, based on the lyrics of this song, that Jimmy Eat World may have been punished for something they didn't do, maybe after getting dropped by a label, or losing radio play, or something. Who knows?
We have an election coming up and hopefully Baritt Obamney or Mick Rombama will win.
Like most people, I'm exhausted by this election and can't wait for it to be over. I wish there was a way for a moderate to be in office, or that there was some way that these two polarized political parties could be forced to compromise on difficult issues. Basically, I'm tired of feeling like America is so divided.
So, I guess I'm trying to tie in the title of this song, "Nothing Wrong," as a way to illustrate something that makes me crazy about politics. It's politicians general inability to admit when they've either done something wrong, or made a mistake or poor choice. Wouldn't it be refreshing to have some political figure who we could relate to as a flawed human being who is just trying to do the best he or she can? And really, look at these two men who are fighting to be the next American president. Is either one of them really the monster that each opposing side makes them out to be? I think these are both great guys, who work hard, love America, love their families, and honestly are tying to do the best they can.
If I had a choice, Mitt Romney and Barack Obama would run this country together and work together to make this an even better place than it already is. Of course, their pride and egos would never let this happen, and if something went wrong, the one would blame the other.
Wow, I think this is the most political thing I've ever said.
XFire
I'm feeling a little uninspired (as always, but more so than normal) but here is the song I heard this morning.
This is from a Super Group called The Bens, which is composed of Ben Folds, Ben Kweller, and Ben Lee. Each of these guys has great solo albums. They released a 4 track EP together in 2004 and this is the second track on the album.
This is from a Super Group called The Bens, which is composed of Ben Folds, Ben Kweller, and Ben Lee. Each of these guys has great solo albums. They released a 4 track EP together in 2004 and this is the second track on the album.
Love What You Do
Well, The Divine Comedy is back in my head this morning. I think this band is the best kept secret in music. Those who have really looked into this band seem to never turn back.
Today's song, LOVE WHAT YOU DO, is from the 2001 album, REGENERATION. This album is incredible, start to finish. You really should buy it or listen to it on Spotify. You won't regret it.
And, since Divine Comedy is talking about loving what you do, I should tell you that I love my job. So much in fact that for Halloween this year, I am dressed like one of the remote controls that my company manufactures.
My wife is amazing and threw this together, so I must give credit to her hard work and talent. Thanks, Megan! Happy Halloween to everyone else.
Brady
Today's song, LOVE WHAT YOU DO, is from the 2001 album, REGENERATION. This album is incredible, start to finish. You really should buy it or listen to it on Spotify. You won't regret it.
And, since Divine Comedy is talking about loving what you do, I should tell you that I love my job. So much in fact that for Halloween this year, I am dressed like one of the remote controls that my company manufactures.
My wife is amazing and threw this together, so I must give credit to her hard work and talent. Thanks, Megan! Happy Halloween to everyone else.
Brady
Runaway
Maroon 5 is a guilty pleasure band for me. Before you go judging me, hear me out:
I've been listening to this band for years, sort of. Before they were Maroon 5 they were a band called Kara's Flowers. They released an album, FOURTH WORLD, in 1997. This album has some great music on it and I've listened to it many times. I think Adam Levine is a great song writer, with a serious knack for catchy melodies. I'll play the song that was stuck in my head this morning and then give a few more thoughts.
Even though I admit to liking Maroon 5's songs, I will say that I like the music they did as Kara's Flowers much much much better. When they reformed the band, they sought out a more mainstream sound, and had more success because of it.
My real beef isn't so much about Maroon 5's sound. The music is good. What starts to bother me is that their music is too much about love, sex, breakups and relationships. There is so much more to sing about, and 4 albums later, Maroon 5 is starting to feel predictable.
As Kara's Flowers, they were writing songs about Oliver Twist, School Yard fights, and other interesting topics.
So, Adam Levine and Maroon 5 why don't you write about more diverse topics, there are plenty we can relate to besides love?
For example:
Relatives who drink too much
The migratory flight pattern of Canadian Geese
Or Corn Syrup
What this world needs is more songs about Corn Syrup, yo. If anyone reading this knows Adam Levine, will you pass this along to him and ask him pretty pretty please to write a song about corn syrup?
Thanks.
I've been listening to this band for years, sort of. Before they were Maroon 5 they were a band called Kara's Flowers. They released an album, FOURTH WORLD, in 1997. This album has some great music on it and I've listened to it many times. I think Adam Levine is a great song writer, with a serious knack for catchy melodies. I'll play the song that was stuck in my head this morning and then give a few more thoughts.
Even though I admit to liking Maroon 5's songs, I will say that I like the music they did as Kara's Flowers much much much better. When they reformed the band, they sought out a more mainstream sound, and had more success because of it.
My real beef isn't so much about Maroon 5's sound. The music is good. What starts to bother me is that their music is too much about love, sex, breakups and relationships. There is so much more to sing about, and 4 albums later, Maroon 5 is starting to feel predictable.
As Kara's Flowers, they were writing songs about Oliver Twist, School Yard fights, and other interesting topics.
So, Adam Levine and Maroon 5 why don't you write about more diverse topics, there are plenty we can relate to besides love?
For example:
Relatives who drink too much
The migratory flight pattern of Canadian Geese
Or Corn Syrup
What this world needs is more songs about Corn Syrup, yo. If anyone reading this knows Adam Levine, will you pass this along to him and ask him pretty pretty please to write a song about corn syrup?
Thanks.
How
Today's song is from Regina Spektor. I have to say first, that I don't think there's a better voice in popular music than hers. It has such a clear, and strong sound to it. I don't know much about anything, but I would venture to say that she probably could have had a classical voice if she had chosen it.
This song is beautiful and sad. There are lots of break up songs, I have many in my collection. Most have an angry feel to them. The singer in this song is truly in love, and is truly breaking. I've been lucky in life that I have never truly experienced deep heart break, I hope to never have to endure that sort of pain, nor do I wish it on anyone else.
There is an "old" feel to this song. Like it would fit in the 50's or 60's. I want to say it almost has a Motown feel to it, if it's possible for a Russian-American hipster like Regina Spektor to write this sort of thing.
I was chatting with a friend today who mentioned that she was collecting break-up songs. It seemed like a strange collection to keep, but like a bozo I didn't figure out that she and her husband had split and so she was listening to break-up music. It made me wonder, if most people find listening to music that rings true to a particular sad situation is therapeutic, or if they would rather not have the music remind them of why they're suffering. I've found that listening to sad music, even the kind I can relate to, helps me to suffer through my situation- almost like it gives me comfort to know that somebody else has felt that kind of pain.
Regardless, my heart aches for anybody who has suffered the loss of a loved one, whether sad music helps or not.
This song is beautiful and sad. There are lots of break up songs, I have many in my collection. Most have an angry feel to them. The singer in this song is truly in love, and is truly breaking. I've been lucky in life that I have never truly experienced deep heart break, I hope to never have to endure that sort of pain, nor do I wish it on anyone else.
There is an "old" feel to this song. Like it would fit in the 50's or 60's. I want to say it almost has a Motown feel to it, if it's possible for a Russian-American hipster like Regina Spektor to write this sort of thing.
I was chatting with a friend today who mentioned that she was collecting break-up songs. It seemed like a strange collection to keep, but like a bozo I didn't figure out that she and her husband had split and so she was listening to break-up music. It made me wonder, if most people find listening to music that rings true to a particular sad situation is therapeutic, or if they would rather not have the music remind them of why they're suffering. I've found that listening to sad music, even the kind I can relate to, helps me to suffer through my situation- almost like it gives me comfort to know that somebody else has felt that kind of pain.
Regardless, my heart aches for anybody who has suffered the loss of a loved one, whether sad music helps or not.
Shed
For some odd reason, this song has been playing a lot in my head and it was this morning too.
I inherited this album from my wife when we got married. This is from Macy Gray's "The Id," a follow up album to her massively successful "On How Life Is."
Here is the song, it's the final track on the album. For some unexplained reason, this song is really catchy to me.
Have you seen Macy Gray before? She is very very very tall. In fact, I just did a google search and it says that she is 6 foot tall.
Now you know. I am also 6 feet tall, but my voice is not raspy.
I inherited this album from my wife when we got married. This is from Macy Gray's "The Id," a follow up album to her massively successful "On How Life Is."
Here is the song, it's the final track on the album. For some unexplained reason, this song is really catchy to me.
Have you seen Macy Gray before? She is very very very tall. In fact, I just did a google search and it says that she is 6 foot tall.
Now you know. I am also 6 feet tall, but my voice is not raspy.
Be Prepared
As a kid, Disney was magical. I don't feel the same as an adult. There is a lyric I love by the British band, The Beautiful South: "The world is turning Disney, and there's nothing you can do."
Somewhere long ago, the magic of Disney died for me, but the parts I used to love and cherish are tattooed into my brain. Today's song is from "The Lion King." It's sung by villainous Scar and the hyenas as they plot to kill king Mufasa. No doubt, you are familiar with the tune:
How about those hyenas marching like Nazis? This is some serious stuff.
In a shameful effort to be funny, I'm going to tell you a story about the ONLY time I went to scout camp. The scout motto is Be Prepared and so is the title of this song. See how clever I am? If I had gotten a degree in writing, I would use the smart person term that has to do with transitioning a story from one subject to another.
I'm going to preface this story with the following: I am not an outdoorsy person. My idea of roughing it is cooking on a grill on my back porch.
In 1991, I was 12 years old. I had to leave my precious Nintendo against my will and head off to Camp Steiner in the Uintah mountains of Utah. Not only was I probably the newest scout, I was also the smallest. I was given a back pack 4 times the size of me filled with essentials to get me through the week. Everyone else happily marched along whistling the theme from The Andy Griffith Show while I struggled step by step to hike into camp.
At one point, I sat down to take a break. Nobody noticed and I was left behind. I found my way toward the camp and nervously asked around where my troop might be located and finally found them an hour later. Nobody had noticed I was gone. It was going to be a long week.
One of the first things we did, was what they call a swim check. Basically, you need to prove that you have the ability to swim well before they allow you to do activities on the lake, like canoeing and boating. It was the middle of the summer, but keep in mind that we were nearly 11,000 feet in elevation. The. Water. Was. Cold. As. Crap.
But we didn't know the water was cold. Nobody had warned us. So, with excitement, we jumped into the water to do the 4 lap swim check. Immediately, about half the swimmers exited the water. I remember, and I'm not exaggerating, my friend Rob was crying for his mom. I made it a lap and a half before requesting to leave the water. It would be impossible to put into words how cold this water was- it was unbearable. I remember looking at another friend, Paul, as he finished the final lap, that his lips had turned blue and his cheeks were purple. Later that day, a helicopter had to life flight one of the scout leaders out of camp from the hypothermia he was suffering from. This seems far fetched now, why would they allow scouts to swim in such cold water? But I tell you, I was there and I saw the helicopter take someone away. The hypothermia thing may have been a rumor- who knows.
Anyway.... I didn't pass the swim check, and sadly watched friends go off in canoes and boats while I was stuck at the camp. I was determined to try again, and the next day I proudly passed the cursed swim check.
In my life's accomplishments, I rank the following in what I'm most proud of.
In this order:
1. Getting Married
2. Becoming a father.
3. Passing the swim check in arctic waters at camp Steiner.
4. Earning my bachelors degree.
5. Earning my Eagle Scout award.
With a certificate in hand (or stamp or whatever they did) I braved the waters in a canoe with some friends.
But this is where the worst part happened.....
We rowed our canoe out to the middle of the lake and suddenly it hit me. I was sick. Terribly sick. I needed to get to a bathroom as soon as possible. I told my friends and they rowed and rowed as fast as they could to get me to shore, while I lied down in the middle of the canoe and held my breath. It seemed like an eternity but we made it to shore.
I jumped off the boat and ran as fast as I could to the nearest port-a-potty. (This is heading where you think it is, reader, so feel free to stop if you don't want to hear what happened next.) Perhaps I should have walked, cause I didn't make it in time. I crapped my pants about 5 feet from the toilet.
Humiliated, I entered the port-a-potty to clean up. Soon, I heard voices nearby, and some scouts started pounding on the door, "who's in there?" I told them to go away, but when it rains it pours. There was a small hole in the plastic near the door and they started to poke a stick into the hole and poked at my legs while I was taking care of my issue.
Once poking at me had gotten boring, they all started looking at me, one by one through this "convenient" hole in the wall. What humiliation. Then, probably the worst part came yet, a familiar voice came from outside, "Brady Cash is that you?" I recognized who it was immediately. It was a boy I went to school with, named Jim, who happened to be a bully and a rival of mine. He laughed with his friends, and I sat alone praying they would go away. Luckily, they did and I did my best to clean up and be on my way.
I wandered back to the camp and shamefully approached my scout leader and asked where the shower was. I didn't tell him what had happened. The adults had warm showers and the scouts had to use the cold showers. I think he knew why I needed to shower, and kindly escorted me to the adults shower where there was warm water. At least one thing went right that day.
And now that I'm writing this story down for the first time in my life, having to relive what happened to me at scout camp, I see that really the whole thing is very sad.
So, we've had some good times today haven't we? We've laughed, we've cried, and hopefully we've all learned something about ourselves? Each following year when scout camp came up, I told my parents that they could not make me go.
So whether you're talking Disney, or Scouting, the phrase BE PREPARED will come up. And hopefully next time you're stuck on a canoe with a gurgle in your stomach, you'll be more prepared than I was on that fateful day in 1991.
Savior Redeemer of My Soul
This is the first religious song I've had in my head in the morning. I don't listen to religious music often, unless I'm at church or some other church related activity. I'll do my best to make this as entertaining as possible, as I struggle to express myself in a "churchy" manner. I want to feel embarrassed that this song was in my head, but honestly, I do like the song (you should hear my wife sing it!) and it came to me in a moment when I truly was feeling uneasy.
Have you ever had someone tell you details about a dream they had? Was it boring to listen to it? It's happened to me before, and I must be honest, I don't love hearing about others' dreams. It seems that experiencing a dream is one thing, and telling someone about it is not nearly as exciting.
So with that, I'm going to tell you details about a dream I had last night!
This dream is one part funny, and another part terrifying (or it felt that way at least.)
It started with a knock at the door of our house. I opened the door and there stood a severely handicapped boy. He could barely walk. He told me that he was there to have a voice lesson with my wife. This was strange because it wasn't time for her to teach, and this boy was somebody she didn't know.
I peered out the window and there was a limousine. Megan proceeded to teach this boy and I wandered outside to see who was in the limo. The limo drove off before I could see, but there was buzz in the neighborhood that Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors had been in the limousine. I wondered why he had been at our house and a neighbor informed me that he had taken pity on this handicapped boy who wanted to be a singer, caught word that my wife was a good voice teacher and had paid well to have Megan teach the boy.
I looked at my feet and water was filling the grass. By now Derrick Favors was gone, so I ran into a nearby house. The house was filling with water and I had to run to the highest point to escape.
(This all doesn't sound scary now reading over, but being a part of this dream was truly terrifying.)
The worst part was next, I was awakened by the scream of a child. I'm not certain if it was part of my dream, or one of my kids screaming, but it was an awful, blood chilling, and utterly terrifying sound, like someone was in real danger. It was 5:00 A.M. and I was so scared I could barely move. I thought about waking my wife, but was certain my imagination had gotten the better of me. Once I had mustered up the courage to get out of bed, I wandered slowly to each of my 4 kids' rooms to make sure they were safe.
I was so disoriented and frightened, that my imagination had gotten the better of me, and I kept thinking windows and doors were open, like someone had broken into our home to take one of my kids. I can't tell you the last time I felt this scared. I'd love to have a video recording of me, in the night, in a cold sweat, wandering about our house, when I am supposed to be the strong one, feeling so vulnerable and helpless.
This all sounds odd, but this experience for me last night was very real and as I sat there on the couch, I felt comforted to hear this song playing in my head. I sat down and read the lyrics to the song later today and it was reaffirmed to me why I choose to have religion in my life- to have something to turn to when I feel hopeless, alone and afraid.
Have you ever had someone tell you details about a dream they had? Was it boring to listen to it? It's happened to me before, and I must be honest, I don't love hearing about others' dreams. It seems that experiencing a dream is one thing, and telling someone about it is not nearly as exciting.
So with that, I'm going to tell you details about a dream I had last night!
This dream is one part funny, and another part terrifying (or it felt that way at least.)
It started with a knock at the door of our house. I opened the door and there stood a severely handicapped boy. He could barely walk. He told me that he was there to have a voice lesson with my wife. This was strange because it wasn't time for her to teach, and this boy was somebody she didn't know.
I peered out the window and there was a limousine. Megan proceeded to teach this boy and I wandered outside to see who was in the limo. The limo drove off before I could see, but there was buzz in the neighborhood that Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors had been in the limousine. I wondered why he had been at our house and a neighbor informed me that he had taken pity on this handicapped boy who wanted to be a singer, caught word that my wife was a good voice teacher and had paid well to have Megan teach the boy.
This was very generous of Mr. Favors, however, there was a problem. It was his coming unannounced while we were trying to do other things. I wandered over to Derrick Favors' home to thank him for his generosity and kindly ask him to forewarn us next time, and like an idiot, I accidentally got him mixed up with Miami Heat Forward Lebron James.
Derrick Favors took this all in stride, and we had a good laugh over my mistake.
(Then this is where the dream got dark)
Derrick Favors and I wandered outside his home and I heard a commotion. I looked in the distance and heard screaming. There was a raging river filled with people. The water was rolling out of control and the people had no way of escape. A man in the river looked at me and said "there's a flood, run" before being swept away and out of sight.
I looked at my feet and water was filling the grass. By now Derrick Favors was gone, so I ran into a nearby house. The house was filling with water and I had to run to the highest point to escape.
(This all doesn't sound scary now reading over, but being a part of this dream was truly terrifying.)
The worst part was next, I was awakened by the scream of a child. I'm not certain if it was part of my dream, or one of my kids screaming, but it was an awful, blood chilling, and utterly terrifying sound, like someone was in real danger. It was 5:00 A.M. and I was so scared I could barely move. I thought about waking my wife, but was certain my imagination had gotten the better of me. Once I had mustered up the courage to get out of bed, I wandered slowly to each of my 4 kids' rooms to make sure they were safe.
I was so disoriented and frightened, that my imagination had gotten the better of me, and I kept thinking windows and doors were open, like someone had broken into our home to take one of my kids. I can't tell you the last time I felt this scared. I'd love to have a video recording of me, in the night, in a cold sweat, wandering about our house, when I am supposed to be the strong one, feeling so vulnerable and helpless.
I checked all the kids rooms and they were all safe, and sound asleep. Relieved, I sat down on the couch in our family room, almost tempted to lie down and go to sleep there. I realized a song was playing in my head and so I'll share that song with you now.
This all sounds odd, but this experience for me last night was very real and as I sat there on the couch, I felt comforted to hear this song playing in my head. I sat down and read the lyrics to the song later today and it was reaffirmed to me why I choose to have religion in my life- to have something to turn to when I feel hopeless, alone and afraid.
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