Some things I've posted.
In the past this Blog has been: My Monday (Music I know and love) Traditional Tuesday (Classical/Serious music) What's New Wednesday (No older than 5 years) Throwback Thursday (1960-1985) Freedom Friday (Blog comment suggestions when available) Sometimes Saturday (anything goes ) Earliest posts are Thanksgiving/Meditations
This song was released in 1978 but I didn't become acquainted with it until the late 1980's when Tone Lōcquoted it in their Wild Thing song that my now husband's college suite mate played continuously.
She saw the look in his eyes, 'n' she knew better
He wanted her tonight, ah, and it was now or never
He made her feel so sad
Oh, whoa, whoa, Jamie's cryin'
Oh, whoa, whoa, Jamie's cryin'
Now Jamie wouldn't say, "All right", ah, she knew he'd forget her
'N' so they said goodnight, ah, oh, 'n' now he's gone forever
I've always respected Eminem. Usually I'm not a big fan of rap but his way of putting lyrics together and speaking from his heart amaze me to my core:
I'm friends with the monster that's under my bed
Get along with the voices inside of my head
You're trying to save me, stop holding your breath
And you think I'm crazy, yeah, you think I'm crazy
I wanted the fame, but not the cover of Newsweek
Oh, well, guess beggars can't be choosey
Wanted to receive attention for my music
Wanted to be left alone in public. Excuse me
For wanting my cake and eat it too, and wanting it both ways
Fame made me a balloon 'cause my ego inflated
When I blew; see, but it was confusing
'Cause all I wanted to do is be the Bruce Lee of loose leaf
Abused ink, used it as a tool when I blew steam (wooh!)
Hit the lottery, oh wee
But with what I gave up to get it was bittersweet
It was like winning a used mink
Ironic 'cause I think I'm getting so huge I need a shrink
I'm beginning to lose sleep: one sheep, two sheep
Going cuckoo and cooky as Kool Keith
But I'm actually weirder than you think
'Cause I'm
I'm friends with the monster that's under my bed
Get along with the voices inside of my head
You're trying to save me, stop holding your breath
And you think I'm crazy, yeah, you think I'm crazy
Well, that's nothing
Well, that's nothing
Now, I ain't much of a poet but I know somebody once told me
To seize the moment and don't squander it
'Cause you never know when it all could be over tomorrow
So I keep conjuring, sometimes I wonder where these thoughts spawn from
(Yeah, pondering'll do you wonders.
No wonder you're losing your mind the way it wanders.)
Yoda-loda-le-hee-hoo
I think it went wandering off down yonder
And stumbled on 'ta Jeff VanVonderen
'Cause I need an interventionist
To intervene between me and this monster
And save me from myself and all this conflict
'Cause the very thing that I love's killing me and I can't conquer it
My OCD's conking me in the head
Keep knocking, nobody's home, I'm sleepwalking
I'm just relaying what the voice in my head's saying
Don't shoot the messenger, I'm just friends with the
I'm friends with the monster that's under my bed
Get along with the voices inside of my head
You're trying to save me, stop holding your breath
And you think I'm crazy, yeah, you think I'm crazy
Well, that's nothing
Well, that's nothing
Call me crazy but I have this vision
One day that I'd walk amongst you a regular civilian
But until then drums get killed and I'm coming straight at
MC's, blood get spilled and I'll
Take you back to the days that I'd get on a Dre track
Give every kid who got played that
Pumped up feeling and shit to say back
To the kids who played him
I ain't here to save the fucking children
But if one kid out of a hundred million
Who are going through a struggle feels it and then relates that's great
It's payback, Russell Wilson falling way back
In the draft, turn nothing into something, still can make that
Straw into gold chump, I will spin Rumpelstiltskin in a haystack
Maybe I need a straightjacket, face facts
I am nuts for real, but I'm okay with that
It's nothing, I'm still friends with the
I'm friends with the monster that's under my bed
Get along with the voices inside of my head
You're trying to save me, stop holding your breath
And you think I'm crazy, yeah, you think I'm crazy
[2x]
Well, that's nothI'm friends with the monster that's under my bed
Get along with the voices inside of my head
You're trying to save me, stop holding your breath
And you think I'm crazy, yeah, you think I'm crazy
I wanted the fame, but not the cover of Newsweek
Oh, well, guess beggars can't be choosey
Wanted to receive attention for my music
Wanted to be left alone in public. Excuse me
For wanting my cake and eat it too, and wanting it both ways
Fame made me a balloon 'cause my ego inflated
When I blew; see, but it was confusing
'Cause all I wanted to do is be the Bruce Lee of loose leaf
Abused ink, used it as a tool when I blew steam (wooh!)
Hit the lottery, oh wee
But with what I gave up to get it was bittersweet
It was like winning a used mink
Ironic 'cause I think I'm getting so huge I need a shrink
I'm beginning to lose sleep: one sheep, two sheep
Going cuckoo and cooky as Kool Keith
But I'm actually weirder than you think
'Cause I'm
I'm friends with the monster that's under my bed
Get along with the voices inside of my head
You're trying to save me, stop holding your breath
And you think I'm crazy, yeah, you think I'm crazy
Well, that's nothing
Well, that's nothing
Now, I ain't much of a poet but I know somebody once told me
To seize the moment and don't squander it
'Cause you never know when it all could be over tomorrow
So I keep conjuring, sometimes I wonder where these thoughts spawn from
(Yeah, pondering'll do you wonders.
No wonder you're losing your mind the way it wanders.)
Yoda-loda-le-hee-hoo
I think it went wandering off down yonder
And stumbled on 'ta Jeff VanVonderen
'Cause I need an interventionist
To intervene between me and this monster
And save me from myself and all this conflict
'Cause the very thing that I love's killing me and I can't conquer it
My OCD's conking me in the head
Keep knocking, nobody's home, I'm sleepwalking
I'm just relaying what the voice in my head's saying
Don't shoot the messenger, I'm just friends with the
I'm friends with the monster that's under my bed
Get along with the voices inside of my head
You're trying to save me, stop holding your breath
And you think I'm crazy, yeah, you think I'm crazy
Well, that's nothing
Well, that's nothing
Call me crazy but I have this vision
One day that I'd walk amongst you a regular civilian
But until then drums get killed and I'm coming straight at
MC's, blood get spilled and I'll
Take you back to the days that I'd get on a Dre track
Give every kid who got played that
Pumped up feeling and shit to say back
To the kids who played him
I ain't here to save the fucking children
But if one kid out of a hundred million
Who are going through a struggle feels it and then relates that's great
It's payback, Russell Wilson falling way back
In the draft, turn nothing into something, still can make that
Straw into gold chump, I will spin Rumpelstiltskin in a haystack
Maybe I need a straightjacket, face facts
I am nuts for real, but I'm okay with that
It's nothing, I'm still friends with the
I'm friends with the monster that's under my bed
Get along with the voices inside of my head
You're trying to save me, stop holding your breath
And you think I'm crazy, yeah, you think I'm crazy
Spring was never waiting for us, girl
It ran one step ahead
As we followed in the dance
Between the parted pages and were pressed
In love's hot, fevered iron
Like a striped pair of pants
MacArthur's Park is melting in the dark
All the sweet green icing flowing down
Someone left the cake out in the rain
I don't think that I can take it
'Cause it took so long to bake it
And I'll never have that recipe again
Oh, no
I recall the yellow cotton dress
Foaming like a wave
On the ground around your knees
The birds, like tender babies in your hands
And the old men playing checkers
By the trees
MacArthur's Park is melting in the dark
All the sweet green icing flowing down
Someone left the cake out in the rain
I don't think that I can take it
'Cause it took so long to bake it
And I'll never have the recipe again
Oh, no
There will be another song for me
For I will sing it
There will be another dream for me
Someone will bring it
I will drink the wine while it is warm
And never let you catch me looking at the sun
And after all the loves of my life
After all the loves of my life
You'll still be the one
I will take my life into my hands
And I will use it
I will win the worship in their eyes
And I will lose it
I will have the things that I desire
And my passion flow like rivers through the sky
And after all the loves of my life
Oh, after all the loves of my life
I'll be thinking of you
And wondering why
MacArthur's Park is melting in the dark
All the sweet green icing flowing down
Someone left the cake out in the rain
I don't think that I can take it
'Cause it took so long to bake it
And I'll never have that recipe again
Oh, no
Oh, no
I'll post this a little early so I can have Blog-cation for Christmas.
Merry Christmas everyone, I hope you can spend sometime with the ones you love to celebrate!
Oooooooo
Merry Christmas Saint Nick
Christmas comes this time each year
Well way up north where the air gets cold
There's a tale about Christmas
That you've all been told
And a real famous cat all dressed up in red
And he spends all year workin' out on his sled
It's the little Saint Nick (little Saint Nick)
It's the little Saint Nick (little Saint Nick)
Just a little bobsled we call the old Saint Nick
But she'll walk a toboggan with a four speed stick
She's candy apple red with a ski for a wheel
And when Santa hits the gas man just watch her peel
It's the little Saint Nick (little Saint Nick)
It's the little Saint Nick (little Saint Nick)
Run run reindeer
Run run reindeer, whoaa
Run run reindeer
Run run reindeer (he don't miss no one)
And haulin' through the snow at a frightening speed
With a half a dozen deer with Rudy to lead
He's got to wear his goggles 'cause the snow really flies
And he's cruisin' every path with a little surprise
It's the little Saint Nick (little Saint Nick)
It's the little Saint Nick (little Saint Nick)
Oooooooo
Merry Christmas Saint Nick (Christmas comes this time each year)
Oooooooo
Merry Christmas Saint Nick (Christmas comes this time each year)
Oooooooo
Merry Christmas Saint Nick (Christmas comes this time each year)
As I posted last Tuesday my family used to attend a Messiah Sing-in that was held at the University of Virginia in Cabell Hall:
The audience seats in this photo along with some of the ones between the pillars above would be filled with members of the community who came to sing, we were seated by vocal part. The orchestra and organ would accompany from where you see the orchestra in this photo. When we performed certain solos the whole section of tenors (or whatever) would stand.
My first year attending I was stunned when I heard the amazing trumpet soloist in the very live acoustics of this historic performance space. I had never heard anything so beautiful. I would count it as my first aesthetic experience. My deep appreciation of live performances began.
Handel's Messiah is the first piece of serious music that I listened to as a child (it is the only classical piece that I am more familiar with than my son and husband). Every Thanksgiving my sisters would pull out the Messiah Album box, sung by the Mormon Tabernacle choir, along with all the other Christmas Albums we weren't allowed to listen to except during the Christmas season. Honestly it was by far my least favorite for a long time and I groaned at the sight of it. I didn't get it. As most great things do, it grew on me. My sisters and parents would sing along at certain parts as we busied ourselves around the house with holiday decorating, wrapping, and cooking. I have always deeply enjoyed singing, so it didn't take too long for me to start joining them. Some time during my high school years my family found out that there was a Messiah Sing-In at the University of Virginia in our home town, at the time, of Charlottesville. It was usually about a week before Christmas each year. We met one night and used copies of the music/libretto generously donated for the evening by local choirs.We were hosted by a wonderful organist and conductor who led us through the highlights of this great work. The first couple of years I sang in the huge alto section. Then after a couple of years at college, where I had become serious about flute, I bravely went down to join the one night existing orchestra. I miss those days so much, in fact whenever I think of it I get teary with the joy and awe of it all. Thank you Handel, Charles Jennens, Mormon Tabernacle Choir, my family, and the prophets of the Bible for listening to God's call and writing, performing, recording, and listening to such beauty.
I am posting the London Symphony Orchestra today as I love the sound of the ensemble:
I enjoy listening to my Kathy Mattea Christmas cd each December. It is pretty much the length of time it takes me to get to work.
We're looking for The King
The new Messiah
We're following the star
Shining brighter
Old man won't you help us if you can
He shook his head
But he pointed his hand
There's a new kid in town
And he's lying in a manger down the road
There's a new kid in town
But he's just another baby I suppose
Heaven knows
There's a new kid in town
Here in Bethlehem
I see you've traveled far
Bearing treasures
You say these gifts are for
The new Kings pleasures
Well I've heard
That a King might come
But up 'til now there hasn't been one
There's a new kid in town
And he's lying in a manger down the road
There's a new kid in town
But he's just another baby I suppose
Heaven knows
There's a new kid in town
Here in Bethlehem
There's a new kid in town
And he's lying in a manger down the road
There's a new kid in town
But he's just another baby I suppose
Heaven knows
There's a new kid in town
Here in Bethlehem
This song is about taking a risk in a relationship, because it's Christmas. This isn't a theme I generally connect with Christmas and yet it is also a prominent one in a favorite Holiday movie of mine, Love Actually. God sending his son, coming himself as fully God, fully Man was His way of going for broke. The biggest risk/non-risk of all time. Is Kelly Clarkson talking about the Messiah being wrapped in red? No she isn't. Never the less, God did wrap himself in our sin. We celebrate this time of year, as we remember how His earthly mom and dad knocked on doors, going for broke, and found no rooms until they finally set Baby Jesus in a lowly manger.
Here is Dean Martin singing a beloved song. It's actually freezing fogging outside today and so I need to hit the road to work a bit earlier than usual.
One of my ensemble assignments was as one of four crows to perform this song along with Scarecrow in the Charlottesville High School production of the The Wiz the spring of my senior year, 1986. This was the first Theater production done by the High School in the newly built Performing Arts Center (community/school funded). In our production we 4 crows did a little dancing and the back-up singing.
I sang a verse of this song as a solo in 3rd grade school chorus. I have a fond memory of drying dishes with my Dad as we practiced singing the song together, he already knew all the words.
I'm spending Thursday through Saturday with my mom flying to and from SF to see my sister and her husband. We hope spend time chatting, walking on the beach, eating out, playing with Scruffy, and watching her sister-in-law perform Wagner (see earlier Tuesday posts).
I'm having so much fun working with great people on Annie Get Your Gun and will share more on that tomorrow. To stay within the rules of T-back Th I'm posting a song from another musical that is a favorite of mine from the late 1970's.
Counterpoint is always exciting and this song is a wonderful example.
The gal playing Annie from my school can, as my Dad used to say, "really belt it out."
There are so many great songs from this musical, I actually like all of them!
This video has a different take using cowboys, my school's 'kids' are HS students so they sing the cowboy parts.
Cyndi Lauper is often remembered, and rightly so, for Girls Just Want to Have Fun. I always loved this song too. A wonderful message of supportive vulnerability. My sisters have always supported me and my true colors, I couldn't be more thankful to be on this journey of life with them.
You with the sad eyes
Don't be discouraged
Oh I realize
Its hard to take courage
In a world full of people
You can lose sight of it all
And the darkness inside you
Can make you feel so small
But I see your true colors
Shining through
I see your true colors
And that's why I love you
So don't be afraid to let them show
Your true colors
True colors are beautiful
Like a rainbow
Show me a smile then
Don't be unhappy, can't remember
When I last saw you laughing
If this world makes you crazy
And you've taken all you can bear
You call me up
Because you know I'll be there
And I'll see your true colors
Shining through
I see your true colors
And that's why I love you
So don't be afraid to let them show
Your true colors
True colors are beautiful
Like a rainbow
If this world makes you crazy
And you've taken all you can bear
You call me up
Because you know I'll be there
And I'll see your true colors
Shining through
I see your true colors
And that's why I love you
So don't be afraid to let them show
Your true colors
True colors
True colors
Shining through
I see your true colors
And that's why I love you
So don't be afraid to let them show
Your true colors
True colors are beautiful
Like a rainbow
My mom arranged for us to visit my sister and her husband's family Thanksgiving weekend. We will be attending the performance of my brother-in-law's sister Frances who is part of an opera company with the above title slated for this month. As is typical, it takes about 10 minutes to get the gist of the plot that will take the musicians about 5 hours to perform. Here is a link with a simple version: https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Die_Meistersinger_von_N%C3%BCrnberg
I am posting a video of the opera, I plan to listen to it throughout the next few days.
This mellow tune and minimal accompaniment paired with these powerful yet simply stated lyrics stills my soul. An author I greatly admire (Brene Brown) relates parts of her childhood to the lyrics "how to shoot at someone who outdrew you" in her book Rising Strong, she encourages us to learn how to safely be vulnerable.
The first time I remember hearing this song was in the movie Shrek, thus my video choice:
My parents met in Chicago around this time of year in 1956. I love picturing them falling in love as they explored this big city together far from their homes in rural VA and NY.
This video feeds on my addiction to musical collaboration, enjoy!
Here's another example of being glad I can google lyrics.
Enjoy these lyrics, video, hairstyles, and fashion with awe.
Welcome to your life; there's no turning back
Even while we sleep we will find
You acting on your best behavior
Turn your back on mother nature
Ev'rybody wants to rule the world
It's my own desire, it's my own remorse
Help me to decide. Help me make the most
Of freedom and of pleasure
Nothing ever lasts forever
Everybody wants to rule the world
There's a room where the light won't find you
Holding hands while the walls come tumbling down
When they do, I'll be right behind you
So glad we've almost made it
So sad they had to fade it
Ev'rybody wants to rule the world
I can't stand this indecision
Married with a lack of vision
Everybody wants to rule the world
Say that you'll never, never, never, need it
One headline, why believe it?
Everybody wants to rule the world
(sorry this video fades out here....)
All for freedom and for pleasure
Nothing ever lasts forever
Everybody wants to rule the world
Very minimal, very somber, and regretful The song is missing someone who is not connecting anymore. The first time I listened to this song I focused on the lyrics not knowing the meaning behind it. Music captures emotion so thoroughly.
This post is a continuation of last Tuesday (10/20/15)
Movement II: Romance (through 4:20)
Opening with horn followed by orchestra imitation.
Beautiful slow and lyrical melody the horn is well written for and played throughout.
Movement III: Rondo (4:25-8:40, the final movement of the piece)
A Rondo is a form that with and A theme that continues to return while other themes are added throughout. A typical pattern is ABACADA. Coda means ending and often builds off of the main theme in a grand way. Mozart used a lot of imitation throughout this movement. As is typical in a concerto the two groups (horn vs. orchestra) play against each other. I love Rondo's and, not surprisingly, this movement is my favorite.
Form:
A (horn) A (orchestra)
B horn and orchestra back and forth)
A returns 5:42
C 5:58
A 6:35
D 6:50
Cadenza 7:33
A 7:36
Coda
I'm really looking forward to seeing/hearing this entire concerto live next month as played by my horn teacher Dr. Liz Dunning and the NW Orchestra.
My horn teacher is preparing this full concerto to perform with the NW Orchestra on November 15th. She suggested I listen to two horn players: Dennis Brain and Radek Baborák. Today as I listened and watched Radek I was amazed at how he also conducted the ensemble. My teacher warned me that he takes some liberties outside of the Classical Era for the cadenza. I am not one to know or care about such protocols and I rather enjoyed his virtuoso approach. A true master of the instrument and one that plays with such joy is a pleasure to behold. Look for further movements in upcoming Tuesday posts.
Great news came to me that the School Board where I've been working the last month approved me as a full time teacher. I couldn't be happier or more thankful! This is the perfect song for the occasion, complete with brass and saxophones.
As a kid my husband's strategy for figuring out lyrics was to go to Harmony Hut and hope the album included the lyrics on the back. In the summer of 1982 I corrected my sister after I caught her mistakenly (and with gusto!) singing,"all over me, all over me" with the chorus of today's song. We've been laughing about it ever since. I admit I'm not an album connoisseur, this week I listened to Fleetwood Mac's green Greatest Hits CD and enjoyed each track.
I'm including a video with lyrics (of course), notice the first line admits, "can you understand me?"
I recently noticed this song title in one of those silly social media personality tests. I'm so thankful to have set aside certain days of the week to listen to music. Three cheers for Blogger!
This piece is a must in the flute repertoire and one that I included in my senior recital. It is unaccompanied and therefore memorization is expected. I have seen James Galway perform twice about 20 years apart. He is not only a master flutist he is also a passionate music educator who uses humor and story to engage all types of people in the audience.
I listened to this album over and over the summer of my 14th year and it never gets old. I especially like the play on words "house the people livin' in the street"
It's been a long day of figuring out flights home for my son who missed his early morning departure out of Pittsburgh. For a while we thought we were heading to an airport 4 hours away to pick him up at 10:30 pm. Thankfully we eventually found a flight that arrives at 9:14 pm at an airport less than 2 hours away.
I listened to the Best of War on my way to work Monday and realized that every track is pure musical genius. I love the lyrics, every hook, the vocals, and the instrumentation.
I wanted to post Livin' in the Red but came up short this morning on finding a worthy video.
Best Cowbell intro in history? (do any others exist?)
I wonderful tribute to JT's wife and grandparents:
Aren’t you somethin’ to admire
Cause your shine is somethin’ like a mirror
And I can’t help but notice
You reflect in this heart of mine
If you ever feel alone and
The glare makes me hard to find
Just know that I’m always
Parallel on the other side
Cause with your hand in my hand and a pocket full of soul
I can tell you there’s no place we couldn’t go
Just put your hand on the past
I’m here tryin’ to pull you through
You just gotta be strong
Cause I don’t wanna lose you now
I’m lookin’ right at the other half of me
The vacancy that sat in my heart
Is a space that now you hold
Show me how to fight for now
And I’ll tell you, baby, it was easy
Comin’ back into you once I figured it out
You were right here all along
It’s like you’re my mirror
My mirror staring back at me
I couldn’t get any bigger
With anyone else beside me
And now it’s clear as this promise
That we’re making
Two reflections into one
Cause it’s like you’re my mirror
My mirror staring back at me, staring back at me
Aren’t you somethin’, an original
Cause it doesn’t seem really as simple
And I can’t help but stare, cause
I see truth somewhere in your eyes
I can’t ever change without you
You reflect me, I love that about you
And if I could, I
Would look at us all the time
[Bridge]
[Chorus]
Yesterday is history
Tomorrow’s a mystery
I can see you lookin’ back at me
Keep your eyes on me
Baby, keep your eyes on me
[Chorus 2x]
You are, you are the love of my life
Baby, you’re the inspiration of this precious song
And I just wanna see your face light up since you put me on
So now I say goodbye to the old me, it’s already gone
And I can’t wait wait wait wait wait to get you home
Just to let you know, you are
[Chorus]
Girl you’re my reflection, all I see is you
My reflection, in everything I do
You’re my reflection and all I see is you
My reflection, in everything I do
My horn teacher excitedly shared about this piece at my lesson last week which led to me listening to it over the weekend. The piece is based on a portrait by Arnold Bocklin, both are dark in nature and appropriate for laying the mood as we head towards Halloween.
Here are some horn highlights:
Horn solo at 1:06 has wild leaps, I like the facial expressions this soloist uses. The smallest change in embouchure can drastically effect the pitch.
Tutti horn just before 3:00 into english horn
Brass sounds including horn around 4:20
[so much building]
about 4:50 a nice horn 'yawn'
at 6:05 or so the horn responds to the woodwind calls, so mellow the perfect echo
around 9:10 more brass, including horn as things are building with tympani accenting the phrases
by 9:44 horns are ascending into a climax that lands on the flute and pizzacato strings and other high woodwinds
10:20 more horn yawns
at 10:55 the brass play a dark reverent chorale with string responding
the orchestra is working things out together
I spot on the video the horns and then I notice an arpeggio-ic line about 13:25
13:50ish we see trombones on the video and also hear horns with a bit of a fanfare featurette
just before 15:00 the horns help with the ascending of the orchestra offering some counter tension
17:40 horns enter after a quieter section (that was after a climatic moment) with a lovely horn filled chord, church organ like, continue-ing to build with entrances/exits somewhat like their Wolf persona in Peter and the Wolf
21:40 the horns lay down long foundational sounds
the final horn chord begin the final quiet sounds of the orchestra
In this video John Williams is conducting the Young Musicians Foundation Debut Orchestra. Mira Magrill narrates with enthusiasm the aesthetic experience she had as she performed on her flute under John Williams' baton.
I've always enjoyed this song. I have to admit I had no idea what they were saying until I looked up the lyrics this morning. Now I like it even more: Early in the evenin' just about supper time, Over by the courthouse they're starting to unwind. Four kids on the corner trying to bring you up. Willy picks a tune out and he blows it on the harp.
Down on the corner, out in the street Willy and the Poorboys are playin' Bring a nickel; tap your feet.
Rooster hits the washboard and people just got to smile, Blinky, thumps the gut bass and solos for a while. Poorboy twangs the rhythm out on his kalamazoo. Willy goes into a dance and doubles on kazoo.
Down on the corner, out in the street Willy and the Poorboys are playin' Bring a nickel; tap your feet.
Down on the corner, out in the street, Willy and the Poorboys are playin' Bring a nickel; tap your feet.
You don't need a penny just to hang around, But if you've got a nickel, won't you lay your money down? Over on the corner there's a happy noise. People come from all around to watch the magic boy.
Down on the corner, out in the street, Willy and the Poorboys are playin'; Bring a nickel; tap your feet.
Down on the corner, out in the street Willy and the Poorboys are playin' Bring a nickel; tap your feet.
Down on the corner, out in the street Willy and the Poorboys are playin' Bring a nickel; tap your feet.
Fun song! Andy Grammer is on Season 21 of DWTS so I thought I should check out one of his latest hits. My husband and I recently celebrated 25 years of marriage making this video extra special.
Perfection. I admire pianists and piano composers. The way a piano can provide both melody and accompaniment is remarkable. Smalin has beautifully animated this piece I particularly enjoyed the blue melody line.
This song is the best thing to turn to when you need to get pumped up. This video (the song starts at 1:30) is from the kick off of Oprah's 24th season, the lyrics are changed to fit the party.Watching the crowd dance together restores my faith in humanity and tearfully fills my heart with hope and joy. I am celebrating 47 years and kicking off my 48th year. Mazel tov!
This song was used in 1985 hit movie Back to the Future, Huey Lewis sang a lot of songs for movies during that time. I always love the use of wind instruments in popular music. The catchy lyrics are especially meaningful if you know the plot of the movie.
Tell me, doctor
Where are we going this time?
Is this the fifties?
Or nineteen ninety-nine?
All I wanted to do
Was play my guitar and sing
Take me away
I don't mind
You better promise me
I'll be back in time
Gotta get back in time
Don't bet your future
On one roll of the dice
Better remember
Lightning never strikes twice
Please don't drive at eighty-eight
Don't wanna be late again
Take me away
I don't mind
You better better promise me
I'll be back in time
Gotta get back in time
Gotta get back in time
Get me back in time
Gotta get back in time
Gotta get back in time
Get back, get back.
(Get back, Marty.)
Gotta get back in time
Gotta get back in time
Get back, get back.
I fell in love with Katy Perry when she sang this 2013 hit as part of her amazing Super Bowl half-time show this year.
I used to bite my tongue and hold my breath
Scared to rock the boat and make a mess
So I sat quietly, agree politely
I guess that I forgot I had a choice
I let you push me past the breaking point
I stood for nothing, so I fell for everything
You held me down, but I got up (HEY!)
Already brushing off the dust
You hear my voice, you hear that sound
Like thunder gonna shake the ground
You held me down, but I got up (HEY!)
Get ready 'cause I've had enough
I see it all, I see it now
[Chorus:]
I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire
'Cause I am a champion and you're gonna hear me roar
Louder, louder than a lion
'Cause I am a champion and you're gonna hear me roar
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
You're gonna hear me roar
Now I'm floating like a butterfly
Stinging like a bee I earned my stripes
I went from zero, to my own hero
You held me down, but I got up (HEY!)
Already brushing off the dust
You hear my voice, you hear that sound
Like thunder gonna shake the ground
You held me down, but I got up (HEY!)
Get ready 'cause I've had enough
I see it all, I see it now
[Chorus:]
I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire
'Cause I am a champion and you're gonna hear me roar
Louder, louder than a lion
'Cause I am a champion and you're gonna hear me roar
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
(You're gonna hear me roar)
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
(You'll hear me roar)
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
You're gonna hear me roar...
Ro-oar, ro-oar, ro-oar, ro-oar, ro-oar
I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire
'Cause I am a champion and you're gonna hear me roar
Louder, louder than a lion
'Cause I am a champion and you're gonna hear me roar
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
(You're gonna hear me roar)
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
(You'll hear me roar)
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
You're gonna hear me roar...
The first 4 and a half minutes of this video features a theme introduced by a solo oboe and then developed in the orchestra. I am so impressed with the soloist's ability to produce and maintain such wonderful sound. I once thought that playing the oboe was all about the embouchure, I have learned from my teacher that the sound is produced by a constant steady supportive stream of air.
My horn teacher loved that I brought my easy piano Burt Bacharach book to my lesson. In fact she assigned me this song along with the G major scale to prepare for my next lesson. She said the range was perfect and she challenged me to slur throughout the melodic passages. As I listened to this video this morning it was an unexpected surprise to realize there is horn used throughout this recording.
The high school where I'm working is starting to rehearse for Annie Get Your Gun. The play is very different from the movie but the overall tune still remains.
I first learned this song in high school when I heard my sister's friend sing and strum it on her guitar. My Dad, who taught himself to play guitar in his 60's, often sang this song as part of our family sing-a-longs. A couple years ago I found it in the book I use to teach middle school guitar and so I've been able to expose some of the next generation to this catchy tune and meaningful lyrics.
You, who are on the road must have a code that you can live by.
And so become yourself because the past is just a good bye.
Teach your children well, their father's hell did slowly go by,
And feed them on your dreams, the one they fix, the one you'll know by.
Don't you ever ask them why, if they told you, you would cry,
So just look at them and sigh and know they love you.
And you, of the tender years can't know the fears that your elders grew by,
And so please help them with your youth, they seek the truth before they can die.
Teach your parents well, their children's hell will slowly go by,
And feed them on your dreams, the one they fix,the one you'll know by.
Don't you ever ask them why, if they told you, you would cry,
So just look at them and sigh and know they love you.
After the low string into with high string response
I like to sing "this is the 3rd, this is the 3rd, this is the 3rd movement" to the tune started in the horns
This faster paced lively movement is enjoyable, I should listen to it more often
The strings hit the ascending line with such vigor and excitement
then trailing off with higher winds and solos into pizzicato
restatement of beginning Low string intro/high string response with different instrumentation and more pizzicato
restatement of the "this is the 3rd" in various solos
sustained strings------represented in blue, building of intensity
Movement 4
Brass enter with a promenade like entrance with full sound into a dance like theme, don't miss the squeaky piccolo
this next theme goes into what I call the ET (John Williams theme) just before the 6 minute mark
things seems to be wrapping up and accelerating around 6:36
but then they head back into the dance like figures with flute and then new darker tonality, low brass
stings call, brass response
all orchestra builds into sustained chord
then pizzicato into "this is the 3rd" theme to oboe sustained counter melody
adding bassoon
accelerating into restatement of the brass promenade/dance section with piccolo squeaks
into the ET theme
just before 12 minutes nice stricking and then woodwind solo, into coda section with piccolo trill and ascending shrills, bouncing into serious work with strings filling out melody then staccato section to end with one long tone
