Broken Arrow

Well, it's pretty late here in Becky's World, but I wanted to make sure to write this evening.  I am trying to get back into the habit of writing daily.  So, I think I can just sneak in if I type pretty fast!

This weekend, I found an entertainment news page on the web that had excerpts from Rod Stewart's new book.  Unfortunately, I am not sure of the title, but it's his memoir.  In the article I read, there were several snippets of Rod discussing the women in his life, including his first and second wives.  The excerpts in his article ended with him meeting Rachel Hunter, who was his third wife.  He talked about all the women he romanced -- and how he just couldn't seem to stop, no matter how hard he tried or how much he loved his wives.  Well, I guess I can't say I feel badly for him, but if he was really that weak, I guess maybe...  Anyway, we know his discography is huge and spans several decades.  I thought it would be nice to look at "Broken Arrow," which was written by Robbie Robertson in 1987 and recorded by Stewart in 1991.  Low and behold, I found out yet again that I had the wrong lyrics in my head all these years.  I thought he sang, "Who else is gonna bring you, a broken arrow...who else is gonna bring you, a bottle of wine..."  Yeah, but the end of the second line is "who else is gonna bring you, a bottle of rain."  Well, now I am not sure what to think.  A bottle of rain?  Still sounds overall like a love song.  You know, typical scenario -- he's deeply in love with a woman, he wants to breathe when she breathes, he'll get to her if he has to crawl, he can't be held with these iron walls...  You get the point even with me taking bits and pieces of the lyrics and putting them together.  Since it's Robertson's song, it is definitely different in a poetic sense, but I think it matches Rod's persona and artistic style just perfectly.  Check out the video above -- you'll notice Rachel Hunter there.  So, maybe this all came together as he was falling for her (I've lost track).  Whatever the case, great song, nice video, and kudos to Mr. Stewart on this cover.  Nicely done.

Midnight Blue

So, it has been forever since my last post, and I apologize.  I moved this month and spent many nights stressing, but you know what?  It's alright, because I'm gonna paint it cherry red.  You're probably thinking "paint what?"  Well, I'm not sure, but I do know that I have those lyrics stuck in my head.  They're from "Midnight Blue" by Lou Gramm, which I am sure you've heard many times.  It is an awesome song, and he released it in 1987 on his first solo album.  For some reason, I've had this song playing through my mind for a long time.  I think it's a great tune to haunt your brain, because believe me, there are many others that I would not want invading my mental space.

I am going to paint everything cherry red!

I looked at the lyrics, and I'm not quite sure I follow.  Well, I guess Lou "used to follow," as he sings in the tune.  He sings about a guy who seems to be a bit of a rebel.  He is in love with a girl, but then at the end of the song, he sings that he will be "back again."  Someday--he'll be back again.  He sings, "I'm saving up my love."  Hmm... So, perhaps the guy has to go away for a spell, but since he says "someday" he'll be back again, it seems a bit undefined and open-ended.  Oh well.  I suppose it doesn't matter.  I just love this tune, especially the whole cherry red thing.  Oh, and there is the whole thing about going into the "midnight blue."  It has a sort of fun, rebellious, endless possibility mystique.  Guitar licks and Lou's voice really drive this one home in my opinion, so enjoy the midnight blue!

With or Without You

So, I was a bit inspired this evening by NAMM once again.  It's only been about two days since I returned from the convention, but I was completely thrilled one afternoon when I was there and saw Bono walk by our booth.  Yes!  Well, actually, no.  Come to find out, it was a really great Bono impersonator.  Oh well.  I should have known by the lack of an entourage.  Stevie Wonder walked by with an entourage, and that was the real deal.

So, I thought I would take a look at U2's "With or Without You."  This is one of my favorite U2 songs - and probably one of my favorite '80s songs in general.  Kind of seems timeless, though, and not very "80s."  I think we can attribute that to the masterful lyricism of Bono and the extreme vocal control he demonstrates throughout the song.  The entire band performs with just as much control, creating a really tightly-knit ensemble that kind of grips you a the listener from beginning to end.  It is like a well-cooked meal or a fine painting with a full color palette.  Hard to describe, but the progression and development of the song is amazing with its layers of instrumental parts building and its vocals intensifying with a careful crescendo.  It's no surprise that there are several instrumental versions of this on YouTube.  I chose two for this post: one by the Vitamin String Quartet and one by 2Cellos.  Both of these are beautiful.  Bono and U2 should be proud.  The have inspired so many of us.  Enjoy.