Classic Rock And Pop Music Blog

Month: September 2021

Let’s Go CRAZY – “Crazy” Songs (with bonus ANIMALS) Songs

Prince and the Revolution started a 2 week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with Let’s Go Crazy” on this day in 1984, his second US No.1 (his first being “Little Red Corvette” in 1983). 

His song lends the title to today’s playlist, chock full of CRAZY songs!  Where else would you hear Patsy Cline alongside Ozzy Osbourne, or Van Morrison and Gnarls Barkley (aka CeeLo Green), and finishing up with some kind of country crazy???  Here at listentothemusicblog.com, that’s where!  This playlist is so much fun, I’m certain you’ll go crazy for it!  And the hidden gem of the playlist is “Beautiful Crazy” by Luke Combs – such a great song, though “My Kind Of Crazy” by Brantley Gilbert and “Gone Crazy” by Alan Jackson are close runners up.  Crazy good songs!

On this day in 1967, at the Abbey Road Studio in London, The Beatles mixed the song “I Am The Walrus”.  If you’ve ever wondered about its crazy lyrics, John Lennon penned them when learning that a teacher at his old primary school was having his students analyze the lyrics of Beatles songs.  So he added some lines and verses with nonsense words:

I am he as you are he as you are me
And we are all together
See how they run like pigs from a gun
See how they fly
I’m crying

Sitting on a corn flake
Waiting for the van to come
Corporation T-shirt, stupid bloody Tuesday
Man you’ve been a naughty boy
You let your face grow long

I am the egg man
They are the egg men
I am the walrus
Goo goo g’joob

Mister City policeman sitting
Pretty little policemen in a row
See how they fly like Lucy in the sky, see how they run
I’m crying, I’m crying
I’m crying, I’m crying

Yellow matter custard
Dripping from a dead dog’s eye
Crabalocker fishwife, pornographic priestess
Boy, you’ve been a naughty girl, you let your knickers down

I am the egg man
They are the egg men
I am the walrus
Goo goo g’joob

Sitting in an English garden
Waiting for the sun
If the sun don’t come you get a tan
From standing in the English rain

I am the egg man (now good sir)
They are the egg men (a poor man, made tame to fortune’s blows)
I am the walrus
Goo goo g’joob, goo goo goo g’joob (good pity)

Expert, texpert choking smokers
Don’t you think the joker laughs at you (ho ho ho, hee hee hee, hah hah hah)
See how they smile like pigs in a sty, see how they snide
I’m crying

Semolina Pilchard
Climbing up the Eiffel tower
Elementary penguin singing Hare Krishna
Man, you should have seen them kicking Edgar Allen Poe

I am the egg man
They are the egg men
I am the walrus
Goo goo g’joob, goo goo goo g’joob
Goo goo g’joob, goo goo goo g’joob, goo
Joob, joob, jooba
Jooba, jooba, jooba
Joob, jooba
Joob, jooba

Umpa, umpa, stick it up your jumper (jooba, jooba)
Umpa, umpa, stick it up your jumper
Everybody’s got one (umpa, umpa)
Everybody’s got one (stick it up your jumper)
Everybody’s got one (umpa, umpa)
Everybody’s got one (stick it up your jumper)
Everybody’s got one (umpa, umpa)
Everybody’s got one (stick it up your jumper)
Everybody’s got one (umpa, umpa)
Everybody’s got one (stick it up your jumper)
Everybody’s got one (umpa, umpa)
Everybody’s got one (stick it up your jumper)
Everybody’s got one (umpa, umpa)

Slave
Thou hast slain me
Villain, take my purse
If I ever
Bury my body
The letters which though find’st about me
To Edmund Earl of Gloucester
Seek him out upon the British Party
O untimely death
I know thee well
A serviceable villain, as duteous to the vices of thy mistress 
As badness would desire
What, is is he dead?
Sit you down, Father, rest you

Also on this day in 1956, Bill Haley had 5 songs in the UK Top 30, including “Rock Around The Clock,”, “Rockin’ Through The Rye,” “Saints Rock n’ Roll,” “Razzle Dazzle,” and “See You Later Alligator.”  Fortuitous that “See You Later Alligator” and “I Am The Walrus” both appear in this day in rock, as they both appear in my “ANIMALS” theme playlist, full of songs, well, about animals.  Sounds hokey, but some great songs, with such greats as “Baracuda,” “Bat Out Of Hell,” “Free Bird,” “Crocodile Rock,” “Black Dog,” “When Doves Cry” (Prince again!), “Peace Frog,” “Wild Horses,” “Rock Lobster,” “Octopus’s Garden” (The Beatles again!), “White “Rabbit,” “Eye Of The Tiger,” “Werewolves Of London.” 

The most represented animal?  Not surprisingly dogs, with 13 songs in some shape or form dedicated to our canine companions.  Songs are alphabetical by animal, for ease of finding your favorites in such a long list.  I did include some children’s songs, such as “The Bare Necessities,” “Baby Beluga,” and “The Itsy Bitsy Spider,” but the beautiful part about digital music is if they’re not quite your thing, you can skip songs and advance to the next great song.  Though I think they lighten up the playlist and make it a bit more fun.  A true menagerie of songs.

Comments are not only welcomed but encouraged.  Let’s dialogue about great music.

I hope that this music and my blog truly serve as a “revival: a new presentation of something old,” a springboard to return to the music of your youth, or perhaps to find artists you want to discover anew.  Rediscover the passion of music in your life.

Live in the moment

Enjoy the moment

Love the moment

Listen to the MUSIC!

Oh! You PRETTY Thing / Oh Pretty WOMAN / Redneck WOMAN – “Pretty” & “Woman” Songs

In honor of Roy Orbison 60 years ago on this day, in 1961, starting his 3 week run at number 1 on the US singles chart with “Oh Pretty Woman,” I thought I’d share three word themed playlists:  “Oh! You PRETTY Things,” “I Got a WOMAN,” and it’s country counterpart “Redneck WOMAN.”  Also I couldn’t miss the opportunity for the movie reference:

Rumor has it that “Oh Pretty Woman” was inspired by Orbison’s wife.  Upon interrupting Orbison’s conversation to announce that she was going shopping, he asked if she had enough cash.  Whereupon his co-writer responded “A pretty woman never needs any money.” 

Pretty woman, walking down the street
Pretty woman, the kind I’d like to meet
Pretty woman, I don’t believe you
You’re not the truth
No one could look as good as you

Pretty woman, won’t you pardon me?
Pretty woman, I couldn’t help but see
Pretty woman, you look lovely as can be
Are you lonely just like me?

The song appears in the “Pretty” playlist, though also included is the equally great “Oh Pretty Woman” cover by Van Halen.  I don’t often include 2 versions of the same song in a playlist, but sometimes they are so good that I can’t decide which I prefer and include them both.  I do have a few playlists that I will eventually share that are fully dedicated to cover songs that are just as good, if not surpassing their original version.

Though these playlists are short, they are front end loaded with some great classic rock and pop songs. And it was news to me that David Bowie’s classic “Oh! You Pretty Things”, which provides the title for my playlist, is things in the plural, Things, not Thing.  The “Pretty” playlist includes some great country tracks as well, whereas the “Woman” Playlist separates out rock and pop from country, thus the 2 separate lists.

The rock and pop “Woman” playlist:

Also, born on this day in 1925, that’s 94 years ago, kinda crazy, was Marty Robbins, US Country singer most known for his 1960 No.1 Single “El Paso.”  His song “Devil Woman” appears in the country ‘Woman’ playlist “Redneck WOMAN.”  Though obviously not part of these playlists, this video provides such a wonderful glimpse of cowboy country western music I had to share it:

and the country “Woman” playlist:

I hope that this music and my blog truly serve as a “revival: a new presentation of something old,” a springboard to return to the music of your youth, or perhaps to find artists you want to discover anew.  Rediscover the passion of music in your life.

Live in the moment

Enjoy the moment

Love the moment

Listen to the MUSIC!

ROCK On – “Rock” Songs

So in my second blog post, I’m sharing another word themed playlist.  In this day in music history, September 24, 1957, Elvis Presley released “Jailhouse Rock” which went on to become his ninth number one single, and stayed on the billboard charts for nineteen weeks.  The film clip from the movie with Elvis singing the title song is considered by many to be the first rock video:

So my word theme playlists are fun, as they pull in songs from various eras that share a common theme, a unifying word, in this case “Rock,” today commemorating the anniversary of Elvis’ song.  Interestingly, Spotify’s algorithms to provide suggested songs as you create a playlist have not figured out this method of creating a list.  They typically will try to match genres, eras, sounds, or similar artists, but even in my long word themed playlists of 100 or more songs, Spotify has not suggest a song containing the word of my theme.  I guess I’m running under their radar screen.

This playlist is packed with great “rock” songs over the years.  Though I did not include “rock” songs that are part of “rock & roll,” as I will address this combination in future playlists.  Included are such classics as David Essex “Rock On”, Stray Cats “Rock This Town,” The Clash “Rock The Casbah,” The Who “Long Live Rock,” Def Leppard “Rock of Ages,” and the list goes on.  I think you’ll find this a fun playlist to listen to.  When can you listen to a collection of songs that includes Bill Haley & His Comets and LMFAO? 

Though country music is not my area of expertise, I’ve also included a few country hits in this list.  While I know some rock and pop fans don’t enjoy country, I have included them in this list, and I think they add some variety, and are quality songs worthy of being on the list.  Other words on future lists scheduled for release will sometimes have country songs separated into their own list, if there are many, to give them their own attention.  And some of the best guitarists in the world are more and more being drawn to country bands.  Check out the Nashville scene sometime – a great town to enjoy great live music, often for free.  You won’t be disappointed.

https://www.visitmusiccity.com/explore-nashville/music

Also on this day in music in 1983, Billy Joel’s “Tell Her About It” went to No.1 on the US singles chart.  (he scored his first No.1 hit in 1980 with “It’s Still Rock & Roll To Me.”) 

One year later on this day, Culture Club landed their second UK No.1 single with “Karma Chameleon,” their first being “Do You Really Want To Hurt Me” in 1982.  Interestingly, “Karma Chameleon” was the best-selling single of the year in the UK in 1983.  Who would have guessed that?!? 

And on this day in 1988, Bobby McFerrin started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with “Don’t Worry Be Happy,” the first a-cappella record to ever be a No.1.  It was later featured in the movie “Cocktail.”  All of these songs are featured in various future planned playlists (from “Live to TELL,” to “Love HER Madly,” to “Come On Get HAPPY,” to “I Feel Good,” to “Animals.”  So many playlists, so little time!

And so on with the playlist, “ROCK On” – check it out/listen on Spotify:

I hope that this music and my blog truly serve as a “revival: a new presentation of something old,” a springboard to return to the music of your youth, or perhaps to find artists you want to discover anew.  Rediscover the passion of music in your life.

Live in the moment

Enjoy the moment

Love the moment

Listen to the MUSIC!

Listen To The Music – Songs that shaped Rock & Pop

So for my first blog post, I decided to tackle a task that seemed insurmountable:  to make a playlist of seminal songs that shaped the landscape of rock and pop music over the years, from rock’s origins to its evolution over the years.  I will admit it is very light on straying to other genres, including punk, rap, and grunge, and relies heavily on mainstream rock and pop, but that was the challenge set down.

The rules were simple:

  1. The song/artist should be something/someone that influenced and shaped the face of rock and pop music, something new, something inspiring, something that left its indelible stamp on rock and pop.
  2. The song does not have to be the best or most popular song from the artist, but most representative of the artist, or demonstrating its influencing style or sound.
  3. Only one song is allowed per artist or band, though if the artist were in multiple bands and recorded as a solo artist they may appear once for each group.
  4. There is no limit or quota to the number of artists allowed from any year or era.

Interestingly, when reviewing my artists and acts, a pattern appeared, that the early 70’s and the early 80’s were disproportionately represented.  It appears that the events of the late 60’s into early 70’s and then the early 80’s encouraged an explosion of great artists, bands and sounds.

I did not extend my reach into the 21st Century.  I must admit I don’t listen to new music nearly as much as classic rock, and thus did not want to try to include the songs and artists that influenced these decades.  Additionally, I will toss out my contention that most of the music of the 60’s to 80’s will be music that stands the test of time.  Many teens and young adults are not only rediscovering the music of their parents, they are doing so on vinyl.  Who would have guessed?

There were some bands that I had great difficulty in choosing a song, for instance Aerosmith.  Do you choose the energetic, “Walk This Way” which inspired the great cover by Run DMC, the rock anthem “Dream On”, or the power ballad “Sweet Emotion”?  Or for Steely Dan, “Reelin’ In The Years”, “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number”, “Hey Nineteen”, or even “Kid Charlemagne”, my favorite Steely Dan tune, off “The Royal Scam”, which many feel holds the ignominy of being one of the ugliest album covers of all time.

For others it was easy, such as “American Pie” for Don McLean.  Though not just a one hit wonder, with “Vincent” (“Starry starry night…”), a lamenting song about Vincent Van Gogh, receiving lots of air play, the inclusion of this song was warranted based on its status as a light rock anthem that has inspired much discussion and debate.  At 8 minutes and 42 seconds, it is the longest song to ever reach number 1 on the Billboard charts.  While the song mourns the 1959 plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper, and Ritchie Valens, it further chronicles the disillusionment of a generation of young people, and the marching forward of then next era of rock, with references to multiple artists, groups, social and political events.  College classes have even been taught on its lyrics.

Interestingly, on this day, September 20, in 1957, Buddy Holly released his hit “Peggy Sue.”  Also on this date, only 11 years later, in 1968, Led Zeppelin recorded in just 36 hours their first album, including the songs “Good Times Bad Times” and “Babe I’m Gonna Leave You”.  Talk about what a change a decade makes.  While Buddy Holly’s death may have heralded the end of early rock, the arrival of Led Zeppelin ushered in a new hard, loud, no holds barred sound that would capture the next few decades.  Rock would never be the same.

Also on September 20, 1 year later, in 1969, Blind Faith, with Eric Clapton (appearing in his many iterations – Cream, Blind Faith, Derek & The Dominos, and solo on this playlist), Steve Winwood (appearing on this list several times as well with Spencer Davis Group, Traffic, Blind Faith, and solo), and Ginger Baker (of Cream fame with Eric) had their only album, including the hit “Can’t Find My Way Home”, start a 2 week run at number 1 on the US charts.  You could argue should one artist in his or her various incarnations appear so many times on the playlist, but I believe that in each they made significant contributions.  So there they appear.

Also on this day:

In 1969 John Lennon announced he was leaving the Beatles.

In 1970 Jim Morrison of the Doors was acquitted of lewd and lascivious behavior but found guilty of publicly exposing himself.

In 1972 Paul and Linda McCartney were arrested for marijuana possession.

In 1975 David Bowie scored his first number 1 US single, “Fame” (not chosen for this playlist, but instead “Ziggy Stardust”), co-written by John Lennon, with John singing, with some techno alterations,  “fame, fame, fame” at the end of the song.

In 1976 AC/DC released “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap,” which has since sold over 6 million copies.

In 1997, Elton John started a 6-week run at number 1 on the UK singles chart with “Something About The Way You Look Tonight” and “Candle In The Wind ‘97”.  The song, re-written from the Marilyn Monroe tribute to honor Diana, Princess of Wales after her death in Paris, went on to become the biggest selling single of all time.  Who knew?

Back to the music included, these indisputable gems – to be clear, the songs I included in this playlist aren’t necessarily my favorites, but again those that had a profound influence of were so amazing they made you take notice.  As the list grew longer, I decided to cap it at 200, so there are actually some artists and songs that I cut from the list.  That does makes it a long and unwieldy playlist, but cutting it further seemed impossible.  So it’s best listened to when you have the time, such as a long road trip, or a backyard gathering, or in sessions.  Still, even with its length, I’m sure some of you will jump up and down about my lack of inclusion of some of your favorite bands and favorite songs.  And that’s the great part about music.  We all have our own tastes and opinions. 

Available along with the “Listen To The Music” playlist is also “Revival”, playing off the music revival theme in my intro of the blog, “a new presentation of something old.”  I hope that is what this adventure you are joining me on is for you, a revival, a springboard to return to the music of your youth, or perhaps to find artists you want to discover anew.  Rediscover the passion of music in your life.

Live in the moment

Enjoy the moment

Love the moment

Listen to the MUSIC!

Welcome to Listen To The Music Blog!

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The doctor is running late.  The road is gridlocked on your way to work.  Your flight has been delayed.  Frustrated? Probably.  Stressed?  Maybe.  Or perhaps you’re dreading the workout, the run, the long walk, chores around the house, or yard work?  Does it have to be this way?  That’s up to you.  

No, I’m not offering a way to make unanticipated, unwanted delays and waits disappear.  I’m offering something more powerful.  A way to make such delays and waits, usually unavoidable, or monotonous activities not only less frustrating, less maddening, less stressful, but perhaps even desired and hoped for.  Why?  Because you have something so worthwhile to fill such a void, something that you eagerly anticipate and look forward to, to learn to love to live in the moment, so that you appreciated the time such delays or activities afford you to partake of this ray of sunshine and joy in your life: MUSIC!  

Rediscover the music of your past, or music that perhaps might be new to you, in a manner novel and new.  Collections of hits and hidden gems grouped in fun ways that make you eagerly anticipate every coming playlist and song.  You listen to collections of “word” based songs, genres, and themes as you’ve never heard before.  The inspiration for these playlists came from a TV commercial a decade or so ago, that played 3 or 4 songs based on a word.  I don’t even recall the word, but imagine “dream”, playing “All I Have To Do Is Dream” (Everly Brothers), “Dream A Little Dream” (Mel Torme) and “Dream On” (Aerosmith), and I thought, what about some of the other great dream songs they could have used in their montage, such as “Teenage Dream” (Katy Perry), “Dream Weaver” (Gary Wright), or “Dream Warriors” (Dokken), and many more… thus I started, back in iPod days, creating “word” playlists: dreams, crazy, life, moon, walk, and so many more (over 100 and counting already)

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So I have to offer a disclaimer:  my only formal musical training was in the form of in home organ, yes organ lessons as a kid in the ‘70s.  Yet I had the fortune to spend my formative years in the musical nirvana (Seattle grunge band notwithstanding) of the ‘70s and ‘80s, what has now come to be defined as the years of “classic rock”, with music of the 60s still permeating the airwaves during those days as well.  I had the fortune of having brothers, cousins, and friends with a great love of music as well, helping me broaden and expand my horizons musically.   I have owned over the years thousands of “albums”, in the form of cassettes (though never 8-tracks!), vinyl albums, CDs, and eventually digital purchases on iTunes.  And now with the advent of streaming music services, my access to music is endless. While I haven’t had the distinction of being to as many live concerts as some of my friends, I have been afforded the luxury of seeing some of my “heroes”, including Billy Joel, Elton John, Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, Carlos Santana, Led Zeppelin, Rush, Styx, Def Leppard, Tesla, Yes, Steely Dan, Dire Straits, Queen, The Who, The Beach Boys… much of it greatly supplemented by my attendance at Live Aid.

Live Aid was THE concert of the ‘80s.  Everyone who was anyone performed at this 16 hour concert, simulcast from Wembly Stadium in London, and JFK in Philadelphia, where I attended along with my two brothers and my uncle, who had been at Woodstock at the age of 16.  At just $35 a ticket, the concert was the deal of a lifetime.  Check out:

or purchase the DVD/video – you won’t be disappointed.  Some say Queen’s performance at Live Aid was the best gig ever.  Their set included “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Radio Ga Ga,” “Hammer to Fall,” “Crazy Little Thing Called Love,” and their finale “We Will Rock You/We Are The Champions:

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My hope in the journey we are about to embark upon, if you so choose, is not only to inspire a greater love and appreciation for classic rock and pop music, mostly of the 60s to 80s (with a little oldies, easy listening, country, grunge, metal, rap, and show tunes thrown in), but even more-so to inspire people to get back to listening to music, perhaps of their youth, or perhaps new to them, to love having the time to listen, to alleviate boredom, and perhaps even allow others to find joy in delays and waits, allowing for more time to enjoy amazing music, to not be able to wait for the next song, or the next playlist to be released.

You do not have to have the paid version of Spotify to listen to the music.  Spotify is available for free, though you do get ads with the free version, and playlists are shuffle played, so you do miss out on the time I spent trying to create a meaningful order to the music – my chance to play DJ.  While I think Spotify is a bargain for what you get, unlimited access to millions of songs with the ability to stream or download, I make no money from Spotify, and subscribing to their service is entirely up to you.  

Since I’ve moved to the South, I drive, even in 100 degree heat, with my sunroof open, windows down, and music up.  I not only don’t mind my commutes to work or the hospital, I actual enjoy and look forward to the drives, awaiting in anxious anticipation of giving a better listen to the amazing sounds that await me, no longer by turning from station to station, loading a tape or CD, or even searching through my iPod, but streaming seamlessly from my phone.  And if the traffic slows, I actually smile, as I know I will be able to listen to perhaps one more amazing song before arriving at my destination.  

Revival:    a new presentation of something old.  

also, classic southern rock song by the Allman Brothers:

Live in the moment.

Enjoy the moment.

Love the moment.

Listen to the MUSIC!

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