Just One Person . . . A Muppet Tribute

A week and a half (or so) ago was the anniversary of Jim Henson's death. There was a very moving remembrance posted over at Edge of the American West at that time, and I highly recommend you go look at it . . . and bring a hanky.

To have grown up in the late 60s, 70s and 80s, was to be touched by this man's humor and genius. Those of us of a certain generation will always hold his work close to our hearts. I know I do.

The songs I've embedded here are some of my favorites. The first one I sang in choir in elementary school, I think, or was it one of the early Doogie Howser MS/HS years? Whatever . . . I love them all . . .

Tuesday Random Twenty - Post Graduation Edition

Thanks so much to everyone who responded with congratulations for Mr. Random’s graduation. It was a very happy and proud day for the Random Family (if a bit soggy due to soaking rain off and on during the whole day.) It’s been a hard road.

I’m feeling rather melancholy after the graduation and the Random Mother-in-Law coming and going, so rather than bore you all with my current angst, I’m going to do that reliable blog standby – the list of Random Twenty Songs I’m listening to at the moment!

In the Palm of Your Hand – Alison Krauss
Everybody Hurts – R.E.M.
Every Day You’ve Been Away – Bebel Gilberto
Shooting Stars – Mosquitos
Spider – They Might Be Giants
Paper Bag – Fiona Apple
No Business – Bonnie Raitt
River – Mary Chapin Carpenter
Mood Indigo – Duke Ellington
Get Rhythm – Johnny Cash
Passion – Gipsy Kings
Take the A Train – Duke Ellington
Syracuse – Pink Martini
Stand – R.E.M.
Orchestral Suite #3 in D: 1. Ouverture – J.S. Bach
Everyday I Write the Book – Elvis Costello and the Attractions
Sitting Still – R.E.M.
A Foggy Day – Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong
Is That Love – Squeeze
Bitch – Meredith Brooks

Looking at the list, the music was firmly in “mellow” for a while and then started to ramp up a bit. Freaky, huh? How did it know that was just what I needed?

Is anyone listening to anything interesting these days that you’d want to recommend? You’ve seen some of my taste in music . . .

Random Music Answers - Finally!

Thanks for waiting, everyone!

I am so glad that so many of you visited and left comments – Welcome! I do believe that this was my most responded to post EVER. I’ve highlighted the ones that were guessed correctly in bold.

As I said earlier, I have a lot of cover versions so if you guessed Fred Astaire for “Cheek to Cheek,” I think that’s close enough . . .

Before I go on, I just want to highlight my favorite local folks:

• Eddie From Ohio is a local band that’s been together and touring for more than 16 years. They got their start doing regular gigs at the long-gone-but-much-missed dive bar in Arlington, Bad Habits. I’ve seen them live several times at venues as large as Wolf Trap and as cozy as the Birchmere. They are a very fun, folky group that deserves to have a wider audience. An archive of some of their shows can be found here: http://www.archive.org/details/EddieFromOhio. Robbie Schaefer is part of that band, and has a solo career doing children’s music (and other music too) and a weekly kid’s radio show on XM.

• I am also a huge Mary Chapin Carpenter fan. I’ve seen her at Wolf Trap a number of times, mostly from the lawn. She’s from around here too.

So without further ado . . . the answers!

1. I got the heebies, I got the heebie jeebies – Hebbie Jeebies, The Puppini Sisters
2. River full of stones when there is no rain – River, Mary Chapin Carpenter
3. I can’t forget the night I met you - You Call it Madness, Diana Krall
4. Papa come quick, Jody’s gone to the city - Papa Come Quick, (Jody and Chico), Bonnie Raitt
5. Looking out on the morning rain – Feel Like a Natural Woman, Carole King
6. I went out walking through streets paved with gold – The Wanderer, Johnny Cash and U2
7. Heaven . . . I’m in heaven – Cheek to Cheek, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong
8. Whatcha gonna do with all that junk? – My Humps, Fergie/Black Eyed Peas
9. No, I would not give you false hope – Mother and Child Reunion, Paul Simon
10. The charter bus ride is getting to me – Porter’s Tale, Eddie From Ohio
11. T’was just a garden in the rain – Garden in the Rain, Diana Krall
12. I’m undecided about you again – O’ Sailor, Fiona Apple
13. Call out the instigators because there’s something in the air – Something in the Air, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
14. Oh yeah I tell you something I think you’ll understand – I Want to Hold Your Hand, The Beatles
15. You’re older than you’ve ever been and now you’re even older – Older, They Might Be Giants
16. When we were young we pledged allegiance every morning of our lives – Stones in the Road, Mary Chapin Carpenter
17. Same old place, same old city – Oh, Atlanta, Allison Krauss
18. My life has been a tapestry of rich and royal hue – Tapestry, Carole King
19. This old house has been boarded up – This Old House, Robbie Schaefer
20. I can hardly bear the sight of lipstick on the cigarettes here in the ashtray – Good Year for the Roses, Elvis Costello and the Attractions
21. This shirt is old and faded, all the colors washed away – This Shirt, Mary Chapin Carpenter
22. I don’t want you, but I hate to lose you – Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, Ella Fitzgerald
23. How glad the many millions of Jonathans and Williams would be . . . to capture me – I’ve Got a Crush on You, Sarah Vaughn
24. Nothing’s impossible, I have found – Pick Yourself Up, Anita O’Day
25. Got my work clothes on for love, sweat and dirt – Grand Central Station, Mary Chapin Carpenter

This was fun! I'll have to do this again sometime soon.

Name Those Random Lyrics!

This is a fun meme that’s making the rounds and I just felt like trying it. It was that kind of day. The rules are:

Step 1: Put your MP3 player or whatever on random.
Step 2: Post the first line from the first 25 songs that play, no matter how embarrassing the song.
Step 3: Post and let everyone you know guess what song and artist the lines come from.
Step 4: Strike through when someone gets them right
Step 5: Looking them up on Google or any other search engine is CHEATING.

This is going to be interesting, since some songs I listen to have been covered a billion times, and some songs are fairly obscure. Also, I was working off the lyrics as I actually heard them, so there might be some slight discrepancies, but nothing too bad. Do try to guess! In fact, you don't have to guess them all at once, just ones you recognize will suffice.

I’ll post the answers in a couple of days . . .

1. I got the heebies, I got the heebie jeebies
2. River full of stones when there is no rain
3. I can’t forget the night I met you
4. Papa come quick, Jody’s gone to the city
5. Looking out on the morning rain
6. I went out walking through streets paved with gold
7. Heaven . . . I’m in heaven
8. Whatcha gonna do with all that junk?
9. No, I would not give you false hope
10. The charter bus ride is getting to me
11. T’was just a garden in the rain
12. I’m undecided about you again
13. Call out the instigators because there’s something in the air
14. Oh yeah I tell you something I think you’ll understand
15. You’re older than you’ve ever been and now you’re even older
16. When we were young we pledged allegiance every morning of our lives
17. Same old place, same old city
18. My life has been a tapestry of rich and royal hue
19. This old house has been boarded up
20. I can hardly bear the sight of lipstick on the cigarettes here in the ashtray
21. This shirt is old and faded, all the colors washed away
22. I don’t want you, but I hate to lose you
23. How glad the many millions of Jonathans and Williams would be . . . to capture me
24. Nothing’s impossible, I have found
25. Got my work clothes on for love, sweat and dirt

But My Words Like Silent Raindrops Fell

I’ve been feeling kind of blah this week, so there is not much to report.

This song has been in my head all day. It fits my mood. Thing is, it’s a beautiful song – I utterly adore Simon and Garfunkel – so there are worse things that could be hanging around my brain. I can imagine the delicate guitar strumming and then the first set of lyrics coming in: “Hello darkness, my old friend . . .”

There are some songs that are just plain peaceful and put one in a mellower, if melancholy, place. This is one of them for me . . .

The Sound of Silence
P. Simon (1964)

Hello darkness, my old friend
I've come to talk with you again
Because a vision softly creeping
Left its seeds while I was sleeping
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sound of silence

In restless dreams I walked alone
Narrow streets of cobblestone
'Neath the halo of a street lamp
I turn my collar to the cold and damp
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light
That split the night
And touched the sound of silence

And in the naked light I saw
Ten thousand people maybe more
People talking without speaking
People hearing without listening
People writing songs that voices never shared
No one dared
Disturb the sound of silence

"Fools," said I, "you do not know
Silence like a cancer grows
Hear my words that I might teach you
Take my arms that I might reach you"
But my words like silent raindrops fell
And echoed in the wells of silence

And the people bowed and prayed
To the neon god they made
And the sign flashed out its warning
In the words that it was forming
And the sign said "The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls
And tenement halls
And whispered in the sound of silence

Random Sunday Afternoon Tree Trimming Music

In the CD player right now, on “shuffle,” the following Christmas albums are on to try to get me into some sort of Holiday mood:

Charlotte Church – Dream a Dream

The Cambridge Singers directed by John Rutter – Christmas Star: Carols for the Christmas Season

Harry Connick, Jr. – Harry for the Holidays

Vince Guaraldi Trio – A Charlie Brown Christmas

Diana Krall – Christmas Songs

Friday Random Song in my Head

This is a song that my Mom said she used to use to quiet me to sleep when I was a baby. It was the only one that would work, she says.

Even today, I still think it is a beautiful and comforting song, especially with Art Garfunkel’s voice . . .

Here’s a little history of the song.

Paul Simon was right: you CAN tell that the third verse was tacked on later. I still love all the verses equally though, and agree that the song probably did need a third verse. It’s also interesting to see the names of everyone who has covered the song – that sounds like a future project, to collect all of the different cover versions of the song!

Bridge Over Troubled Water

Simon and Garfunkel (1970)

When you´re weary, feeling small

When tears are in your eyes, I'll dry them all...all...

I´m on your side, oh, when times get rough

And friends just can´t be found

Like a bridge over troubled water

I will lay me down

Like a bridge over troubled water

I will lay me down

When you´re down and out

When you´re on the street

When evening falls so hard

I will comfort you (ooh)

I´ll take your part, oh, when darkness comes

And pain is all around

Like a bridge over troubled water

I will lay me down

Like a bridge over troubled water

I will lay me down

(brief instrumental interlude)

Sail on silver girl

Sail on by

Your time has come to shine

All your dreams are on their way

See how they shine

Oh, if you need a friend

I´m sailing right behind

Like a bridge over troubled water

I will ease your mind

Like a bridge over troubled water

I will ease your mind

Friday Random Song in My Head

Today’s Random Song in My Head is Suzanne Vega’s Marlene on the Wall.

I never really paid attention to the words of the song until now, seeing them written down. The song seems to be discussing an abusive relationship, which I hadn't noticed before. However, I think the song does end on an upbeat note, in that the woman is alone but she is realizing that she doesn't have to be a victim anymore . . .

If you’ve never heard it before, I definitely think you should seek it out and give it a listen. Also, when I think of the picture in the song, this is the image that comes to mind - Marlene Dietrich looking so self-confident . . .

Marlene on the Wall
Words and Music by Suzanne Vega

Even if I am in love with you
All this to say, what's it to you
Observe the blood, the rose tattoo
Of the fingerprints on me from you

Other evidence has shown
That you and I are still alone
We skirt around the danger zone
And don't talk about it later

{Refrain}
Marlene watches from the wall
Her mocking smile says it all
As she records the rise and fall
Of every soldier passing
But the only soldier now is me
I'm fighting things I cannot see
I think it's called my destiny
That I am changing
Marlene on the wall

Well, I walk to your house in the afternoon
By the butcher shop with the sawdust strewn
"Don't give away the goods too soon"
Is what she might have told me

And I tried so hard to resist
When you held me in your handsome fist
And reminded me of the night we kissed
And of why I should be leaving

{Refrain}

{Repeat first, second and fourth verses}

{As refrain}
Marlene watches from the wall
Her mocking smile says it all
As she records the rise and fall
Of every man who's been here
But the only one here now is me
I'm fighting things I cannot see
I think it's called my destiny
That I am changing, changing, changing, changing, changing

{Refrain}

Friday Random Song(s) in My Head

Today’s songs in my head come from The Smithereens – one of my fave rock bands from New Jersey. They were really big in the late 80’s/early 90’s – I remember their videos from MTV’s 120 Minutes – but I lost track of them after the mid-90’s as other shiny bands came into my view. They actually sound kind of grunge-y, but not quite. They are still around and have an album coming out this summer, so if they come to your town, come out and show these Jersey boys some love!

Actually, the song in my head this week is “Behind the Wall of Sleep.” I’ve had a bit of insomnia, so it did seem appropriate that this song would run through my head at 3 AM.

I include “Only a Memory” because I believe that was the more famous song back in the day . . .

Looking at the lyrics, they weren't the cheeriest of songs . . . but if you ever get a chance to listen to them, they are rather moving . . .

Behind the Wall of Sleep

She had hair like Jeannie Shipton back in 1965
She had legs that never ended
I was halfway paralyzed.
She was tall and cool and pretty and she dressed as black as coal
If she asked me to I'd murder, I would gladly lose my soul.

Now I lie in bed and think of her
Sometimes I even weep,
Then I dream of her behind the wall of sleep.

Well she held a bass guitar and she was playing in a band
And she stood just like Bill Wyman
Now I am her biggest fan.
Now I know i'm one of many who would like to be your friend
And I've got to find a way to let you know I'm not like them.

Now I lie in bed and think of her
Sometimes I even weep,
Then I dream of her behind the wall of sleep.

Got your number from a friend of mine who lives in your home town.
Called you up to have a drink,
Your roommate said you weren't around.
Now I know I'm one of many who would like to be your friend
And I've just got to find a way to let you know I'm not like them.

Now I lie in bed and think of her
Sometimes I even weep,
Then I dream of her behind the wall of sleep.
Behind the wall of sleep.
Behind the wall of sleep.
Behind the wall of sleep.


Only a Memory

my mind is filled with thoughts of you
i think about the days up to
i search the room but you're not there
your perfume lingers everywhere
but it's

(chorus)
only a memory
of what our love was going to be
only a memory
broken bits of you and me
only a memory
only a memory

in a world of pain i have no fear
you'd fade away and disappear
and no i have to learn the game
where no one wins or takes the blame
but it's

only a memory
of what our love was going to be
only a memory
now that we are history
only a memory
only a memory
but it's

(chorus)

why should it matter if i cry
i sit around and wonder why
now i feel much too weak to live
i've got nothing left to give
but it's

(chorus)

only a memory
(fade)

Friday Random Song in My Head

Birdhouse in Your Soul
Music and Lyrics by They Might Be Giants

I'm your only friend
I'm not your only friend
But I'm a little glowing friend
But really I'm not actually your friend
But I am

Blue canary in the outlet by the light switch
Who watches over you
Make a little birdhouse in your soul
Not to put too fine a point on it
Say I'm the only bee in your bonnet
Make a little birdhouse in your soul

I have a secret to tell
From my electrical well
It's a simple message and I'm leaving out the whistles and bells
So the room must listen to me
Filibuster vigilantly
My name is blue canary one note spelled l-i-t-e
My story's infinite
Like the Longines Symphonette it doesn't rest

Blue canary in the outlet by the light switch
Who watches over you
Make a little birdhouse in your soul
Not to put too fine a point on it
Say I'm the only bee in your bonnet
Make a little birdhouse in your soul

I'm your only friend
I'm not your only friend
But I'm a little glowing friend
But really I'm not actually your friend
But I am

There's a picture opposite me
Of my primitive ancestry
Which stood on rocky shores and kept the beaches shipwreck free
Though I respect that a lot
I'd be fired if that were my job
After killing Jason off and countless screaming Argonauts
Bluebird of friendliness
Like guardian angels it's always near

Blue canary in the outlet by the light switch
Who watches over you
Make a little birdhouse in your soul
Not to put too fine a point on it
Say I'm the only bee in your bonnet
Make a little birdhouse in your soul

(and while you're at it
Keep the nightlight on inside the
Birdhouse in your soul)

Not to put too fine a point on it
Say I'm the only bee in your bonnet
Make a little birdhouse in your soul

Blue canary in the outlet by the light switch (and while you're at it)
Who watches over you (keep the nightlight on inside the)
Make a little birdhouse in your soul (birdhouse in your soul)

Not to put too fine a point on it
Say I'm the only bee in your bonnet
Make a little birdhouse in your soul

Blue canary in the outlet by the light switch (and while you're at it)
Who watches over you (keep the nightlight on inside the)
Make a little birdhouse in your soul (birdhouse in your soul)

Not to put too fine a point on it
Say I'm the only bee in your bonnet
Make a little birdhouse in your soul

This week’s random song is by They Might Be Giants, of whom I became a huge fan when I was in college. I kind of lost track of their albums since . . . say, 1993 . . . but they are still pretty prolific and still very cool. If you think you’ve never heard of them, you may know them by their theme song from “Malcolm in the Middle” – Boss of Me.

Well, anyway – I’ve had “Birdhouse in Your Soul” in my head for days and thought I would share. I don’t know how to link to the mp3, but I’m sure a search can find it – it’s really catchy, and the lyrics make more sense once you hear how they are properly phrased.

Rock on, everybody . . .

Random Song in my Head

Cocktails For Two
Words & Music by Arthur Johnston & Sam Coslow
Recorded by Spike Jones and His City Slickers

In some secluded rendezvous
That overlooks the avenue
With someone sharing a delightful chat
Of this and that and cocktails for two.

As we enjoy a cigarette
To some exquisite chansonette
Two hands are sure to slyly meet beneath
A sur-vi-ette with cocktails for two.

Bridge:

My head may go reel - ing,
But my heart will be o-be-dient
With intoxicating kisses for the prin-ci-pal in-gre-dient.

Most any afternoon at five
We'll be so glad to be alive
Then maybe fortune will complete her plan
That all began with cocktails for two.

This morning, while on my way to work, I had this song running through my brain – complete with all of the sound effects (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cocktails_for_Two) that normally accompany it.

OK, it was weird enough that I had this particular song running through my head today. But then I tried to remember why exactly I know this song – particularly the Spike Jones version of the song.

I seem to remember watching a TV show when I was younger (early 80’s?) where people would lip sync to various songs while singing or doing little dance routines or something. I can’t remember if someone was awarded a prize at the end, but I’m thinking it was something like that . . .

Ok, I remembered the name of the show: Puttin’ on the Hits. See, I’m not going bonkers? It DID exist!

http://www.tv.com/puttin-on-the-hits/show/7675/summary.html
http://www.retrojunk.com/details_tvshows/1293-puttin-on-the-hits/
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0346377/plotsummary

If you look, you’ll see that someone is thinking of bringing the show back. Ugh! Although it was rather fun, I admit, to watch when I was 14, I can’t imagine watching it now . . . it would probably be quite painful. However, there does seem to be an appetite for this sort of show now, so I wouldn’t be surprised if it got quite popular again . . .

That was pretty random for today, wasn't it?

A Horse with No Name

I have a embarrassing confession to make.

Until I read this today, I didn’t realize that the title to that America song was “Sister Golden Hair.” I’ve heard that song forever, but never really caught the actual title.

Do you all have songs that you didn’t know the real title to until much, much later?

Feelin' Groovy

Just wanted to highlight two really great musical posts today:

• One can be found in today’s Jefitoblog: the Chartburn post for this week highlights music and videos from, David Lee Roth, Marcy Playground, Nicolette Larson, and the Zombies. If you aren’t reading this series regularly, you totally should, if only for the memories and the snark value. Also, check out his Idiot’s Guides . . . I learn SO much from them . . .

• The other great post is Jason Hare’s weekly Chart Attack: This week features the top ten songs from the week of June 26, 1982. I remember those songs much too well, being the Top 40 junky that I (and my whole family, actually) was back then. Come for the Chart Attacks and stay for the weekly Adventures from the Mines of Mellow Gold. My favorite one so far featured Seals and Croft’s Summer Breeze. I like trying to sing it, but I know I maul it terribly . . . This also serves as a shout out to my good friend, J – Re-live your prom theme!

Other thoughts:

***Is it just me, or does Rhianna pronounce “Umbrella” really strangely in that new song of hers? By the way, I heard that song THREE TIMES yesterday afternoon in the space of two hours. That and the new Maroon 5 song, which totally sounds like it needs to be played at a roller rink. (Insert mental image of people grooving along to the songs while skating in circles and doing splits-like moves.) Once each when I got into the car to drive to the doctor’s office. Once each when I drove from the doctor’s office home. And then again, a half hour later, when I drove to pick up Mr. Random from work. Jeez, talk about heavy rotation . . .

***Whenever I think of the Marcy Playground song, “Sex and Candy,” I always only remember the words to the parody song that came out around the same time, having to do with the whole Bill and Monica thing. It was played often on WHFS that summer, and I think one of the DJ’s (Wes Johnson?) did the Bill Clinton voice that sang it.

Ok, I just typed out the words to the parody, but I don’t think I’ll put them up – suffice to say, they aren’t family friendly, but did fit the whole Ken Starr investigation vibe to a tee. How I long for the days when THAT was the biggest problem we had going on . . . good grief!

***Mr. Random recently downloaded a couple of Cake albums and they are rather growing on me. The lead singer has such an interesting voice – well, not really melodious, but it does stay with you. And I love the horns and the bass guitar (at least I think it’s the bass guitar . . .)

Just felt like sharing . . .

Tuesday Random Lunchtime Tunes

Today’s random song sampling:

Pick Yourself Up – Anita O’Day
No Pain, No Problem – Eddie From Ohio
Sisters – The Puppini Sisters
Satin Doll – Duke Ellington
Let Me – Sergio Mendes
Hey Eugene! – Pink Martini
Tango Suite: Allegro – Yo-Yo Ma
Doce de Coco – Yo-Yo Ma (different album)
A Mi Manera – Gipsy Kings
Brandenburg Concerto #2 in F: 3. Allegro Assai – J.S. Bach

Started off peppy, then went to mellow and stayed there. I really need more peppy music - the heat today is bringing me down, big time!

UPDATE: The little earbuds are hurting my ears - they hurt when I'm trying to take them out. Note to self: need to buy little felt things to put over the earbuds. Why wouldn't Apple have little felt things on their earbuds already installed? That's just being cheap . . . and people have to pay enough money for these things as it is? Things are never as simple as they seem . . .