Blogs are so passe and pretentious. Oh well, here's my blog about music that's stuck in my head when I wake up in the mornings along with adventures of the Cash family and wacky wacky crazy wacky shenanigans.
This song is called "Sad Eyes" and it's by Josh Rouse (probably the most underrated musician I follow) from his 2005 album NASHVILLE. This album is one of my favorites, likely in my top 10. I was happy to have Sad Eyes playing in my head today. The breakdown at about 3 minutes into this song gets me every time.
In the simplest way, the song is about somebody trying to cheer another person up. It's sweet, simple and just lovely. Have I mentioned I love this song?
Not much else to say folks. Thanks for reading/listening.
Where did you come from ?
Where did you go?
Where did you come from, Cotton Eye Joe?
For me, it takes me back to high school when I had energy to kick my legs high like the stereotype of a hillbilly drunk on moonshine. Do you know the song I'm talking about?
For those who don't know what I'm talking about, in 1994 a Swedish techno group, appropriately called Rednex had an international hit with a song called "Cotton Eye Joe.
Here it is, if you dare listen:
This song was a staple at High School dances. Hoo Boy did we kick our legs and dance to this song!
So, here's what's interesting about the song I woke up with in my head this morning. It's by incredibly underrated songwriter, Josh Rouse. The title: Cotton Eye Joe. The lyrics? The same as I posted earlier, but a totally different twist on the song, more mellow, more relaxing, more beautiful.
This song comes from Josh Rouse's 2010 album "El Turista." Many of this album's tracks are in Spanish. Rouse was based in Nashville during the peak of his career in the early 2000's, but he married a Spaniard and has been in Spain ever since (as far as I know, I don't follow him as well as I should.) This album is a sort of dedication to his time in Spain. It's a great album! I highly recommend it. Like, really highly. Like really really highly.
"Cotton Eye Joe" is the 8th track on the album and the song stuck in my head this morning:
The video I found is slightly different than the recording than the version on the album, so I guess you'll have to buy it to find out what it really sounds like. You won't regret it. Buy the whole album!
One last word about the song "Cotton Eye Joe." Before today, I thought the song had originated with Rednex, but in fact, I was wrong. Cotton-Eyed Joe is an old American folk song that dates back to before the American Civil War. Did you know that? I sure didn't!
I'm happy to share the music of Josh Rouse today. The song for today is "El Otro Lado." I don't want to sound condescending (that means talking down to someone) but El Otro Lado means "The Other Side" in Spanish and I knew that without even having to look it up.
Here is a fan video that actually looks pretty nice.
Josh Rouse has about 10 albums and I don't think you can go wrong on a single one. I can't think of a more articulate way to describe his music- it is calming and beautiful.
