I met Mike in 1998, so today I'm going to ruin, I mean perform, a song by one of his favorite groups :-)
Back 2 Good comes from Matchbox Twenty's debut, originally released in 1996. The path to success was a bit rocky, but by 1998 when Back 2 Good hit the radio (#24) the album was selling well, eventually being certified 12 times platinum (over 12 million sold).
Why do I like it? It's not my favorite Matchbox Twenty/Rob Thomas song, but it's ballad-ish and the lyrics are really good.
About my version - This wasn't so much of a disaster as I had expected. I do lose control of the song sometime in the middle but wrestle it into submission by the end. I'm not extremely familiar with this one, but with some more exposure to the original, I would actually do this for karaoke. 7 out of 10.
Tomorrow - I'm gonna party like it's 1999, but I can't sing that Prince song because it came out in 1982.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Birthday Countdown 1997
All Cried Out was actually on my list for 1985 - the original version by Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam - but I saved the song for this year, when the R &B groups Allure & 112 covered it. The cover was actually a bigger hit than the original (#4 compared to #8) but I would guess many have forgotten it.
Why Do I Like It - It's an 80's classic, covered by Mariah Carey's girl group... duh! In Allure's version, Mariah can be heard doing many of the background vocals.
Why Do I Like It - It's an 80's classic, covered by Mariah Carey's girl group... duh! In Allure's version, Mariah can be heard doing many of the background vocals.
About my version - I forgot that this was a duet so it got a bit confusing when there were two parts to sing at once, as I am not able to do that! But I did a combo of each of them and it's good enough for me (low standards). I don't think I'd do this again, but I don't hate it. 6 out of 10.
Tomorrow - Some really good options, but nothing definite yet. Suggest away!
I Hate August 1985
Fair ends and then
It's the first day back
Everything else is different, so maybe I am too
But through the morning I wonder
Who will be the first
Homeroom, lockers, schedules, books
So many new places and faces
The golden rule says do unto others
So I ignore you
Hoping to be ignored too
Who will be the first
Walking down the hall
Seeking a safe place
And then
Fag
Fruitcake
Fairy
Why do they all start with "F"
So it's more of the same
The only fresh part of this start
Is that I can close off my heart
But I can hear what you say
And I know what you mean
I know I am strange
and that I move generously
and speak with an accent that you can't quite place
but
I am a real person
not a science project to dissect and discard
I act like someday I will be happy
When you get the payback for all you've said to me
because in every life
even yours
some rain must fall
But really I'm just sad
Because of the lessons that school has taught me
it's Do unto others before they do unto you
that stands above them all
Monday, August 29, 2011
Birthday Countdown 1996
I've been looking forward to singing Time To Say Goodbye since day 1 of this countdown. It's a song I've always liked but, due to the Italian lyrics being somewhat complex, have never tried to sing. Of course I've sung along but that's a different story.
This was a huge hit for Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli worldwide. It still plays multiple times a day at the fountain show at Bellagio in Vegas, where I have boo-hooed more than once because of the spectacle and the song.
Why do I like it? I'm a big fan of the classical crossover genre, and also of Sarah Brightman.
About my version - Wow, that's a lot of Italians words! I get maybe 50% right, and there's a lot of icky notes. BUT - This reminds me of being a music major in college. For those that don't know, at the beginning of the term, you and your voice teacher go through bunches of songs looking for the right set to perform for juries (like finals) at the end of the term. Those first run-throughs are often little more than hot messes, but you know when something has potential. I feel like this song has potential for me to sing much better, with some practice and dialect work. In this early version, I'll give it a 4 out of 10, simply because I feel like there's a long way to go!
Tomorrow - Tell me what you want, what you really really want.............No, actually tell me in the comments!
This was a huge hit for Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli worldwide. It still plays multiple times a day at the fountain show at Bellagio in Vegas, where I have boo-hooed more than once because of the spectacle and the song.
Why do I like it? I'm a big fan of the classical crossover genre, and also of Sarah Brightman.
About my version - Wow, that's a lot of Italians words! I get maybe 50% right, and there's a lot of icky notes. BUT - This reminds me of being a music major in college. For those that don't know, at the beginning of the term, you and your voice teacher go through bunches of songs looking for the right set to perform for juries (like finals) at the end of the term. Those first run-throughs are often little more than hot messes, but you know when something has potential. I feel like this song has potential for me to sing much better, with some practice and dialect work. In this early version, I'll give it a 4 out of 10, simply because I feel like there's a long way to go!
Tomorrow - Tell me what you want, what you really really want.............No, actually tell me in the comments!
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Birthday Countdown 1995
So many great songs from this year - so there's two videos today - each featuring a guest cat!
No More I Love You's was the first single from the second Annie Lennox solo album. I personally think it's one of her finest songs and the video is amazing. To Love You more by Celine Dion is a great song as well, if somewhat more commercial, and features a great violin solo.
Why do I like them? Annie and Celine are both fabulous singers. To Love You More is the kind of orchestral pop that I'm drawn to, and No More I Love You's is so lyrically odd and has a great melody.
About my versions - I did To Love You More first, choosing to do the cut version as the original is very long with lengthy instrumental sections. My big kitty came in at the end just in time for a cuddle. That song was so short that I did No More I Love You's as a bonus. My little kitty was less willing to appear in this one but did enjoy looking at the camera at the end. I'm pretty pleased with these recordings, even with some bad notes and missed lyrics, and would enjoy doing them again. I give them each 7 out of 10.
No More I Love You's was the first single from the second Annie Lennox solo album. I personally think it's one of her finest songs and the video is amazing. To Love You more by Celine Dion is a great song as well, if somewhat more commercial, and features a great violin solo.
Why do I like them? Annie and Celine are both fabulous singers. To Love You More is the kind of orchestral pop that I'm drawn to, and No More I Love You's is so lyrically odd and has a great melody.
About my versions - I did To Love You More first, choosing to do the cut version as the original is very long with lengthy instrumental sections. My big kitty came in at the end just in time for a cuddle. That song was so short that I did No More I Love You's as a bonus. My little kitty was less willing to appear in this one but did enjoy looking at the camera at the end. I'm pretty pleased with these recordings, even with some bad notes and missed lyrics, and would enjoy doing them again. I give them each 7 out of 10.
Tomorrow - I've been waiting to sing this one!
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Birthday Countdown 1994
Today's song comes at the request of my sister and sister-in-law, so you have them to blame!
Come To My Window won the Grammy for Best Female Rock Performance, but only reached #25 on the Hot 100 chart. I'm The Only One was a much bigger hit, reaching #8.
Why do I like it? Melissa Etheridge has a distinctive voice, which is something I look for. It's also a great song with one of the best bridges I've heard. The bridge section in musical terms is the middle section, that is musically and lyrically unlike the previous verses or chorus - in this song, it's the section starting with "I don't care what they think".
About my version - Boy, this is a low one! I can't say I'll sing this again with transposing it up about half an octave. But all in all this isn't the worst thing I've done. I do get lost after the bridge (perhaps I jumped off of it) but I wander in eventually. 6.5, maybe 6.8 of 10.
Tomorrow - So many choices - perhaps another double posting day!
Come To My Window won the Grammy for Best Female Rock Performance, but only reached #25 on the Hot 100 chart. I'm The Only One was a much bigger hit, reaching #8.
Why do I like it? Melissa Etheridge has a distinctive voice, which is something I look for. It's also a great song with one of the best bridges I've heard. The bridge section in musical terms is the middle section, that is musically and lyrically unlike the previous verses or chorus - in this song, it's the section starting with "I don't care what they think".
About my version - Boy, this is a low one! I can't say I'll sing this again with transposing it up about half an octave. But all in all this isn't the worst thing I've done. I do get lost after the bridge (perhaps I jumped off of it) but I wander in eventually. 6.5, maybe 6.8 of 10.
Tomorrow - So many choices - perhaps another double posting day!
Friday, August 26, 2011
Birthday Countdown 1993
Ok, so I broke a rule of this countdown - I'm repeating an artist twice! I will justify it by saying that the first Whitney Houston song I did was from her own CD, while this one is from the Bodyguard soundtrack, so it's different. Don't you sass me! I actually had another song picked out but the only backing track I could find was so hideous that I refused to use it. It was like a tango version or something - very bizarre. Soooo...
I Have Nothing was a big hit, although not as big as I Will Always Love You. Luckily for all involved, I had sung that one before at a random karaoke night some place. I recall that it was a disaster, so this is a marginally better choice anyway.
Why do I like it? It's Whitney at her prime. By this time, she has stated that she was deep into her drug of choice (but not crack, as it is whack) , but it hadn't started to detract from her voice just yet. The's also more maturity than some of her earlier recordings.
About my version - It's the shortened competition cut version, so rejoice! I know I did. I'm particularly raspy this morning (is it allergy season already?), so this was a struggle. It's not dreadful, but it's far from perfect. I don't think I would sing this again unless large sums of money were involved. 5.8 of 10
Tomorrow - I could use some suggestions for 1994. I have 3 choices and they all suck LOL
I Have Nothing was a big hit, although not as big as I Will Always Love You. Luckily for all involved, I had sung that one before at a random karaoke night some place. I recall that it was a disaster, so this is a marginally better choice anyway.
Why do I like it? It's Whitney at her prime. By this time, she has stated that she was deep into her drug of choice (but not crack, as it is whack) , but it hadn't started to detract from her voice just yet. The's also more maturity than some of her earlier recordings.
About my version - It's the shortened competition cut version, so rejoice! I know I did. I'm particularly raspy this morning (is it allergy season already?), so this was a struggle. It's not dreadful, but it's far from perfect. I don't think I would sing this again unless large sums of money were involved. 5.8 of 10
Tomorrow - I could use some suggestions for 1994. I have 3 choices and they all suck LOL
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