Leave a Tender Moment Alone/Eye of the Needle

It's a quick two for one Sundee Fundee from blog headquarters here where you get to hear about two more songs wedged in my brain from last Sunday and today.

Last week the song was from master song-writer Billy Joel.  A lot of people make fun of him, especially his lyrics, which can be a little sappy, but you can't deny the man's talent.

The song I'm featuring is from hit 1983 album "An Innocent Man."  It's the penultimate track and is called 'Leave a Tender Moment Alone.'  I'd probably summarize the song as just a nervous dood wo's riddled with self-consciousness around his girl.  I can relate!

Here's the song y'alls.  I hope you like it, or that maybe it brings back a good memory- I was surprised that it was going through my head:

The next song, from just today... comes from the man I consider to be the more underrated songwriter on the planet.  The guy is a master lyricist and amazing at making melody-- it's Neil Hannon of The Divine Comedy-  The guy's amazing y'all.

Today's particular song is from THE AMAZING 2001 album "Regeneration"  It's track 6 and is called "Eye of the Needle"  The title, I believe comes from a reference in the bible, Matthew 19:24:

"Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God."

The narrator of the song is at church, puzzling to find a connection with God and struggling with those he sees at church who are wealthy.  "The cars in the churchyard are shiny and German"  It's a good song, but Hannon rarely fails in his music.

If anyone is out there (Hello?? Hello?) leave your thoughts about two great songs.

HUGS BRADY

I Like

I'm so happy to share it when on of my favorite groups, The Divine Comedy, finds its way into my head in the mornings.

Today's song comes from the band's 2010 album "Bang Goes the Knighthood"  I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS ALBUM- and the song I'm sharing today is the record's final track.  I was pleasantly surprised that there is a music video to go along with this song.  It's a delightful video about a man's admiration for his....doll.

It's a good one, watch!

Fun fact!  I once blogged about the opening track of this album, read about it here if you're bored.

Also, in general, if you look to the right side of any page of my blog you can see a list of artists/shows/musicals etc  who have been featured here.   Give it a look if you're curious about anybody's music that has magically found its way into my heads to be shared here for all the world to enjoy!

I love music and I love you.

Absent Friends

Huzzah, It's time to talk about The Divine Comedy again!

I love this band.  Really, it's just an Irish man named Neil Hannon who performs as The Divine Comedy.

When you have the kind of epidemic I have where you love music and songs constantly play in your head (I'm serious, next time you see me, just ask me what song is playing in my head, I'll tell you.  It's always something...) more often than not, you can't explain where the song came from.  Let's see if I can explain well how today's song found its way into my head.  

This morning's song is The Divine Comedy's "Absent Friends" which is the title (and opening) track from their 2004 album.  Last night I woke up in the night with horrible allergy fits.  It was about 4:30 that I decided that rather than keep my wife awake with my sniffles and sneezes (my throat was itchy too, it's the WORST!) I would head downstairs to turn the television on.

I looked through our collection of DVD's and chose the 1963 classic "The Great Escape."  I got about 5 minutes into it before falling back asleep.  Thank goodness!

I awoke about 3 hours later.  The movie was over and the title screen of the DVD was repeating with the uncanny score (by Elmer Bernstein) to this great film.

ANYWAY, I'm rambling, but immediately the lyric from the song "Absent Friends" came into my head which references THE GREAT ESCAPE:

Steve McQueen, jumped the first one clean
But the great escape he'd tried to make was not to be
Maybe next time, Steve.

OK, here's the song and he sings the lyric I've referenced right about 1 minute and 30 seconds:

I love this song.  I'm curious, if you feel like commenting how you feel about the song and in particular Neil Hannon's voice?  A few people I know who've heard music by The Divine Comedy have complained about the sound of his voice.  Is it distracting enough that you couldn't like the music?  I think it's a fantastic voice, maybe just not the kind one would be used to in popular music....

Also, take the time if you're really bored to reference all the characters Hannon talks about in this song:  Woodbine Willie, Jean Seberg, Steve McQueen, Laika the dog and Oscar Wilde.  Interesting song making a tribute to many interesting character.
 
OK, I've rambled enough today.  Good night magic internet land.

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

Down In The Street Below

Have a little taste of some baroque pop-  here is today's song. 

I'm a huge fan of Neil Hannon, AKA The Divine Comedy.  This man has been busting out great pop songs for over 20 years and hardly anyone (especially in the US) has ever heard of him.  His music is melodic, smart and would never appeal to the masses.   

As far as what this song's about, I couldn't tell you.  I'm terrible with lyrics.  Does anybody have any ideas?

Oh, and it's my wife's birthday, so if you see her give her high five.