You're the One That I Want

Oh, man, I give up! 

Everyone knows today's song, and the more I do this the more I feel embarrased at the outcome.

Anyway, here's today's song- clap your hands and sing along. 




Where Adam Fell

It's a wonderful world we live in where an obscure little band can make recordings, post videos online and have potential exposure to such a large audience. 

Today's song is from a band called Baldwin Games.  In spite of this great music, I'm partial to the band because it's 3 brothers (and one sister-in-law) who happen to be my wife's cousins.  But you can download their music on iTunes, and I recommend downloading this song:



I've been couped up in a hotel in Sacramento for the last 2 days, and have one more day to go.  Wifey-poo and recovering baby are sleeping now.  So I propose 5 things to do in a hotel room quietly to not wake up wifey-poo or sick baby. 

1.  Sit there. 



2.  Get on the computer. 



3.  Pretend you're doing something else, like playing badminton. 



4.  Turn on the TV without sound



5.  Try going back to sleep. 



I've tried all 5 of these things and I'm still bored out of my wits!  What do I do? 

Under My Bed

I'm out of town in Sacramento for the time being.  Trying, more than anything to kill time.  We made the choice to have surgery done on my son today.  In order to rid off anxieties and to answer questions people have the best I can, I'm going to write about what our boy has been going through since his birth (as well as a song playing in my head this morning, since this is a music blog anyway!)

Megan had gestational diabetes during her pregnancy with Jude.  Pregnancies like this result in a larger baby.  Jude was born 2 1/2 weeks premature and was 9 pounds 12 ounces.  He was born on December 2nd, and the delivery didn't go as smoothly as planned, mainly because of his size and the fact that his head was turned the wrong way. 

What happened is that in order to turn Jude's head the right way during the delivery, the doctor used forceps to both turn his head and to guide him out.  Because of this, there was some nerve damage in his neck and as a consequence Jude has had little movement in his left arm. 

In most cases, the baby recovers on his own and learns to adapt to the nerve damage.  At first, Jude's arm was totally dead with no movement at all, but he made progress and was able to move his fingers a bit and elevate his arm a little.  We had hoped that this meant he would recover on his own and were given a six month window to wait for this to happen.  When it didn't happen, we chose to come see a specialist at the Shriners Children's Hospital in Sacramento. 

The surgery was this morning, and what they discovered is that of the 5 main nerves in Jude's neck, 3 were damaged.  Nerve 1 was severed but they could see both ends of the break.  Nerves 2 and 3 were also severed but they could only find one end of the nerve.  Nerves 4 and 5 were fine. 

What they did is incredible, and I will marvel even more if he recovers completely (there is a high recovery rate for this type of procedure.)  They took a good nerve from the back of his leg and used it to fuse the first nerve together.  Then they took what they could find of nerve 2 and 3 and connected it to nerve 1.  Forgive my simple terms, but this is how I understand it best.  Although what they did for the 2nd and 3rd nerves isn't ideal, they have been able to get them working right by matching them to other nerves. 

The hardest part is to come.  He is in a cast that elevates his arm in the air and will have to stay in that position for 4 weeks.  We cannot immerse him to bathe until the cast is off, sponge bath only.  It's not the incisions that will give him discomfort so much as the cast and I'm sure that this will be a challenge for a wiggly and active little boy. 



Recovery on average takes 6 months to a year.  This will slow down his ability to crawl and sit up as quickly as most babies do.  This is hard for me as a father, but I see the bigger picture and will be forced to be patient.  There is also a possibility that he will need more operations in the future- but that is all contingent upon how well his arm works from this surgery. 

We had the pleasure of meeting an 8 year old boy who had the same type of injury when he was born and were happy to know that his arm and hands were fully functional.  He can play baseball and the piano and looked healthy and happy.  Once Jude can do Jazz Hands, we will sleep well at night and will feel sure about his future!  (I have to say Ha Ha Ha here so nobody thinks I'm serious.) 

As of now, 2 hours after the surgery, he is doing great but he is very very sleepy.  We are just waiting for him to wake up so we can give him a drink. 

As far as music goes, even though I'm sure I lost everyone paragraphs ago, the song in my head today was by a singer-songwriter named Amy Kuney.  My sister (who introduced me to this music) has a whole bunch of good female artists like Amy Kuney if you're looking for some good suggestions.  The song is called "Under My Bed" and somewhat fittingly seems to be about innocent youth.  I'm terrible with lyrics and only looked at them briefly so maybe I'm missing something.  It's about sneaking out, and youthful mischief too, and some other stuff.  It's a good song.  Shut up Brady and play the clip.




I wrote this post really fast, so I'm sorry if there are spelling or grammatical errors or if nothing makes sence.  I also need to thank everyone for the outpouring of support we've received in regard to Jude's surgery today.  We love him so much, and this has not been easy.  My parents and in-laws are watching the other kids.  We've been fed now 3 times by a dear aunt of mine and an old friend from my childhood who caught wind that we'd be in town.  A friend put us up at a nice hotel for a huge discounted rate.  Thousands of good thoughts and prayers have been sent in our behalf.  My employer has encouraged me through this and provided coverage at my job as well as paid leave... and I'm sure there's much more I'm forgetting. 

We truly are blessed, especially to be in a country where this type of surgery is possible.  It's been a long day, and more is to come- but how can you not feel like so much more good than bad is happening in your life on a day like today?  

Freedom '90

The more I do this, the more I believe that most songs that play in my head are from my childhood.  Try as I might to write about cool new music that everyone will hopefully like, I can't escape the songs haunting me from my youth. 

Today's song is from George Michael and his 1990 album "Listen Without Prejudice." 



We all long for freedom.  Freedom to do as we please.  Freedom from debt.  Freedom to practice our religion.  Freedom to have a really big gun.  Freedom from the demons of our past.  Freedom from our ex lovers and spouses.  For my wife it's freedom from her current spouse.  And anyone reading this (mom) would like freedom from this site.  I will give you the freedom you desire once my mind is free from music playing in it ALL THE TIME. 

Cato as a Pun

Have you ever heard of the band "of Montreal?"  Well open your ears and listen:



What can you possibly say about this song?  Cato was a statesman in ancient Rome whose family was well known and renowned.  If you listen to the lyrics, it would seem this is about a friendship that is conflicted. 

If I had to guess, the Cato referenced in the title is Cato the Younger, who actively opposed Julius Caeser.  I'm pretty dumb, so I'm probably wrong.  Whatever deep meaning this song is far too deep and eccentric (drugs) and profound (drugs) for me to possibly ever be able to interpret (drugs.) 

This is the only album by of Montreal that I own.  I've done some research online (I'm so scholastic) and according to some, this album's central theme has to do with of Montreal's lead singer Kevin Barnes and his transformation into his alter ego Georgie Fruit. 






Whether we're listening to Mr. Barnes, or Mr Fruit's music- it sounds great! 






If I had an alter-ego, his name would be Ralph Williams.








If Peyton had an alter-ego, his name would be The Pajama Hero





If Zoe had an alter-ego, it would be the Wizard of Zo. 



 And Lucy's alter-ego is called Zebra Girl.  You know, because when you put a black and white dress on and make goofy faces, it automatically makes you a zebra. 

















Tarzan Boy

Have you head this song before?  Hearing these songs in my head in the mornings forces me to look up  the songs and learn more about them so that I can inform you.

This song is from 1985, and the band is called Baltimora.


It's actually an Italian band that was fronted by an Irish singer.  What a fitting tribute to Tarzan, synthesizers, bad visual effects and a man in lipstick.

So now you know.

American Pie

I feel like this is my least authentic post.  I set my alarm last night, although I don't use the alarm often.  Since I'm suce a spazz, I always wake up at 6 in the morning, whether I've gotten enough sleep or not. 

Today was an exception, I didn't wake up on my own, the alarm woke me with this song playing- and therefore was the song stuck in my head:


This song is over 40 years old.  I just looked online, and Don McLean is still releasing albums and has probably 20 under his belt.

I asked my sister-in-law what I should write about to make this post entertaining, and this was her suggestion:  Just post a picture of Jude, because he's so stinking cute and that will be good enough. 



I have to agree with her about the kid being stinking cute.  The poor little guy is due to have surgery in 2 weeks.  We can only hope that he does well with this surgery and the nerve damage happened when he was born will be repaired.  Regardless of what happens, I'm certain that his dashing good looks will get him far in life. 

Secret Heart

TWO FOR ONE TUESDAY!

When your son wakes up at 1:00 A.M. vomiting, naturally this is the song that would come to your head:
"SECRET HEART" by Feist

I just found out that this song is a cover.  The original was written by Ron Sexsmith.  Here it is.  I'm curious which version you like better.  Here's the original:



I really do like this song.  I just thought it was strange that it was playing in my head while my son was barfing his brains out.  One day they will be teaching college courses to try to explain the madness that is my mind.  


For anyone who cares I have an extra copy (accidentally burned 2) of the latest compilation of songs I've been writing about.  I just listened to it in the car and it sounds pretty good. 



Whoever asks for it first, I'll give it to, you can email (cashbrady@gmail.com) or comment below, first come first serve.  I will send it to you, no matter where you are in the world. 

I'll post a comment below once I have a taker. 

My son is fine for anyone concerned.  You can thank him for inspiring today's post if you see him.  Let's hope he doesn't get food poisoning again any time soon.   

The Country Life

Anyone looking for a good new band, with good new music that you likely can't find anywhere else these days?  Well look no further than here at thesongsstuckinmyhead.blogspot.com! 

This is a group called The Silver Seas, and today's song is "The Country Life."



Don't have much else to say, except that these guys are good.  You're welcome.

-Brady

Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'

I'm back and so is MJ. 


Not only does MJ want to be "startin' somethin" with my subconscious, someone else is as well.  Her name is Meghann Kassing, and though I would deny it unless someone were doing a DNA test, she is my cousin. 

I'm a good natured person, and I have always been nice to her.  She has a blog, and this is what she wrote about me on her blog:

http://panhandlingwithclass.blogspot.com/2012/06/i-follow-my-cousins-blog.html

It's been a month since she posted this, and all I have to say is "sticks and stones" Meg. 


Since I'm nice, I will tell you only a few things about Meg, and hopefully you'll understand why she feels sorry for herself and therefore has to make fun of me to feel better about herself. 

1-  She is addicted to candy.  When she worked with me she constantly demanded that I replenish her candy supply and if I didn't she would cuss like a sailor. 

2-  She's obsessed with Justin Bieber.  Yeah, I know, a lot of people are obsessed with him, but Meg is obsessed with him the way Glenn Close was obsessed in "Fatal Attraction." 

3-  Her feet are freakishly big. 

4-    Check out this picture of her with her brothers circa 1989.  She still perms her hair and bangs and has a  bigger bow than that in her hair. 



5-  Remember that game, Mall Madness?  She still plays it.  Alone. 

6-  Remember that scene in "Saved by the Bell" when Jessie has a caffeine overdose:



This happened to Meg, only she was overdosing on Aspartame. 

I could go on and on, but I'm nice so I won't.  I only wanted to tell you a few things so that you feel as sorry for her as I do.  

Quello Che Voglio

What better way to celebrate an American holiday than to wake up with an Italian song in my head.  This is by Alex Britti, the title translated is "What I Want." 



Basically, what he's singing about is fighting his nature to be a womanizer, when really deep down he just wants to fall in love with someone. 

This may be what Alex Britti wants, but do you know what I want, especially on the day we celebrate America's independence? 

Real Italian gelato.  And real Italian food.  Oh, and peace on earth too.  Is that asking too much? 

I Heard Someone Crying

Today's song immediately started playing when I woke up at 5:30 when I heard "someone" crying.  That someone was our 7 month old baby- he was hungry AGAIN.  He is so selfish I swear! 

Here is the song, it's from the musical "Secret Garden."  It's been a long time since I've heard this music, but if I remember right this is a trio between a young girl, her uncle and a ghost who is her dead aunt. 




Since we're on the subject of crying, I have had enough of all your whining, so I will finally do another giveaway since nobody cares about me, my family, my songs or this site.  But everybody loves free stuff, woo woo! 

So here's what you need to do to win 1 of 3 AMAZING prizes:

First, tell me your favorite song of ALL TIME.  This is not easy I know, but I want just one song- if you let me know more than one you will be disqualified.  If "Boyfriend" by Justin Bieber is your favorite song, and you're too embarrassed to admit it so you make up a different song, you will be disqualified as well. 

Second, tell me what you think would be the most annoying song to have stuck in your head. 

Lastly, use the "paint" or whatever program you have on your computer to draw a picture inspired by either your favorite song, the most annoying song, or this blog.  Heck, just draw a picture because it's funny.  I will be posting some of the best original art on a future post.  It will be like visiting the Louvre. 

This time, my lovely wife Soprano Megan Phillips Cash will be the judge and she will be deciding who the 3 winners are.  She says she will be judging on "awesomeness" if that isn't vague enough for you. 

Oh yeah, I bet you want to know what the prizes are- here they are:

Prize #1-  The Best of the Songs Stuck in Brady's Head, Volume 3.  I bet a compilation has never been made that has both Wham! and Reggie and the Full Effect, well this one has it!




Prize #2-  A bag of Flamin' Hot Munchies and Cracked Pepper Spitz Brand Sunflower Seeds (YUM)



Prize #3-  The Red Album Weezer CD- or if you want to be risky (and to keep things interesting) you can trade the CD for whatever mystery item is in the Blue Easter Egg*






This time, email all your entries to cashbrady@gmail.com including your 2 responses and your original work of art.  I will email you back to let you know if you've won- we will choose a winner this coming Saturday.  Good luck, freeloaders.  

*If you make fun of my nubby thumb from the egg picture in any way shape or form, including original art work, you will be disqualified from this contest and all future thesongsstuckinmyhead.blogspot.com contests.  You will also owe me an apology and some Hi-Chew candy.