Makin' Whoopee

Let us go back to the magic year of 1928 when sex was exploited in popular music.  Was there ever a time when sex wasn't exploited in music?

This morning I woke up to a song you've likely heard that has somehow endured over 80 years in popular culture.  Looking online I was able to count 50 different cover versions of this song before I got tired of looking.

Here's "Makin' Whoopee" and I chose to use Frank Sinatra's version of the song:

"Makin' Whoopee" is from the 1928 musical WHOOPEE! The musical itself is about a woman who is to marry a man she doesn't love, she abandons him at the wedding and wackiness ensues.  I give the musical 3 out of 4 stars even though I haven't seen it.  There is also a 1930 movie based on the musical.  Having this song stuck in my head this morning has made me curious- maybe I'll try to find the film.  I doubt there's a musical production where you can see this on the stage anywhere.

Back to the song itself, Gus Khan was the lyricist and Walter Donaldson wrote the music.  The tune is catchy and the lyrics are clever as it tells the story of a man who falls for a girl, makes whooppe, and finds himself stuck in a life surrounded by children and household chores.  Was the "whooppee" worth it?

For me it was.

Blue Danube

Today's melody comes from Strauss.  I wish I knew that when I woke up with this ear worm playing.  Then I would be like "hey guys I'm tote cultured and listen to Strauss and stuff."  But I'm afraid I had to ask my wife what the song was, and without hardly flinching she said "It's Blue Danube by Strauss."  My wife is tote amazing.

And you know the melody- it's a rather pleasant one to have playing in your head as you arise.

This waltz was composed in 1866 by Johann Strauss and is about the Danube River, the second longest river in Europe.  Did you know this?  I did not know this.  But, of course, my wife did.  She's the neatest.

Take time to listen to all eleven minutes of this piece.  It really is beautiful and relaxing and does a lot more than you would know based on the cameos this music receives in popular culture.  The one that sticks out in my mind is Wakko from "Animaniacs" belching along with the melody.

Yes, clips like these are the reasons I know this melody, not because I'm a music scholar.  Should I be ashamed of this, or is Animaniacs too awesome and so it's OK?

I hope I gave you a little culture today.  And I hope even more that you have a good week.

Bottle It Up

There's something about the piano that I just love- probably why it's my instrument of choice.  

Get an incredibly talented singer and writer behind the piano and I'm hooked.  

Today's song comes from Sara Bareilles.  I'm lucky to own her album because of my wife's good taste in music.  Sara Bareilles has managed to break through to the mainstream with her talent and catchy songs, one of which was stuck in my head this morning.  Here's "Bottle It Up" from Bareilles' first album LITTLE VOICE.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tf92q6Vrj2o

According to Bareilles herself in a clip I just watched, this song is about the sometimes tumultuous relationship with her record label.  She confidently sings that her music is good but that she is being held back by their expectations- yet she does what she does because she loves it and will keep on doing it.  

This is a common theme for musicians and it's crazy to me that record labels put songs like this onto the albums they produce.  Are they that daft that they would think the song is about something else?  Or are the artists clever enough to make the lyrics ambiguous enough to mask the truth from them?  "Bottle It Up" certainly could be interpreted to mean something else.  How very clever of you, Sara Bareilles.

Eight Days a Week

Today's song comes from a little group you may have heard of.  They are called "The Beatles"

This is "Eight Days a Week" from their 1964 album "Beatles For Sale"

Mathematically, eight days a week is impossible, but I haven't written off this song just yet.

Alright, I'm going to give away some music you guys!

Some lucky person will win four prizes and here they are.....

PRIZE#1-  "The Songs Stuck in Brady's Head, Volume 8"  

 This is the 8th compilation of music I've put together of songs I've blogged about here.  It's pretty good.  I'd give it maybe a four out of ten.

PRIZE#2-  "The Songs Stuck in Brady's Head, Musicals!"

Over the 2 and a half (yeesh!) years I've been doing this blog, I've assembled enough songs to fill a best of musicals disc.  This is the first time this has happened so it's a real treat for those who love showtunes!  Also, I'm just now noticing the huge zit on my forehead.

PRIZE#3-  A 25$ gift card to iTunes!  

This card will enable you to buy two and a half albums or about 25 songs.  (If you're ever thinking of buying me a gift, iTunes gift cards are my most favorite thing.  My birthday is March 22nd in case you don't know already)

PRIZE#4-  A Random CD from my dusty old case of compact discs!

This has been a hit in the past here and it's been a few years since we've dug into the ginormous case of CD's I used to lug around before I upgraded the beast for an iPod.  Here's how it works.... there are 280 discs in this case.  All you do is pick a number between one and two-hundred-eighty and whichever number you pick is the disc you win!  Can you find a diamond in the rough?  Only if luck is on your side.

So..... here's how my contests work:  To win, you have to either comment directly on this blog post, or comment on the link I'll share on my Facebook page-  The Songs Stuck in my Head.  In your comment, remember to pick a number between 1 and 280.  I will then draw a name and mail the prizes to you.

I hope to spread all kinds of joy to the world through the magic of music.

The winner will be announced.... oh I don't know.  Friday?  does Friday sound good?  OK, Friday it is-  The 15th of August.  Mark your calendar.

Cherry Pie

Yo.

Today's song is from 1990.  It's neat.  It's about pie, but it's loaded with innuendo.  Here's "Cherry Pie" from the heavy metal band, Warrant:

I did a little research on this anthem.  At the time, the group was ready to release an album but the studio came to them saying they needed a hit on the record and they didn't feel like there was one there yet.  Group leader, and singer, Jani Lane sat down and wrote "Cherry Pie" in 15 minutes.  Bam!  There was the hit.  And it was a hit and it was stuck in my head this morning.  

Heavy Metal isn't really my thing, but I do like cherry pie. 

Pointless fact- after filming this music video, Jani Lane married the model in the video.  Sadly, they divorced two years later.  Too much cherry pie can give you a tummy ache.  I'm just sayin'

Feeling uninspired tonight.  Look for a compilation and giveaway next post.

I love you all so tenderly.