Walk on Water?

I was inspired to look at more music from the late '80s after I wrote my last post, so I did a bit of browsing.  Looked at songs from 1987 and 1988 and came across this Eddie Money classic.  I'm not sure what it is about his songs, but I really like all of them.  His voice is kind of raspy, but I think that is what makes him distinctive.  He also had this kind of rock and roll, working man look.  Not too edgy, just a guy who looks like someone you'd know--someone you'd go to sports games with or something.  I like the whole jeans and blazer look.  Still works for folks today!  It is cool, chic, stylish, and relaxed.  Nothing crazy or pretentious.  I love that his whole band is wearing jeans in the video--or at least I think they are.  The keyboard player and guitar player next to him look like they are both wearing black jeans.  Yup, I remember those.

Anyway.....The video is interesting.  Gotta love "Night Tracks," too.  Does anyone else remember that show?  I used to watch it religiously on my little 13 inch television.  As for this video, I just love watching the band perform and sing together--- "na na, na-na, na, na-na-na-na..."  Perfect!  The harmony is really refreshing, and I admit that I could just sit and watch videos of bands performing all day.  But, alas, there is another character in the video.  It is a woman--a scorned woman.  She is angry with someone--someone we never see.  But, it is pretty clear from the lyrics.  A man is singing to a woman who feels cheated, hurt, and upset.  He screwed up a few times--it's alright.  Does he have to walk on water?  Find some way to prove?  If he could walk on water, would she believe in him?  His love is so true....  Well, maybe he does.  The woman in the video is pretty upset.  Not sure why she is always in a swimsuit.  Guess it has to do with the whole water thing.  I'm not a fan of the skirted, ruffly swimsuit, but that was very '80s.  I'm surely not a fan of the white shorts in the video that kind of look like a diaper.  Not certain what's going on there.  She just is yelling and angry through most of the video, which is sad in my opinion.  They should have just let the cameras roll on the band.  Yup, that would be perfect.  Lyrics, bah--you don't have to follow them for the video, really.  It's alright...  Just show the band :)

Who's Got Two Tickets to Paradise?

Well, I think clearly the answer to the title of this post is Eddie Money for sure.  I heard this song tonight while I was listening to "Nights with Alice Cooper."  I have to say that everytime I hear this song, I have to smile.  If someone ever told me they had two tickets to paradise, I would pack my bags and leave tonight :) I don't know why this song makes me laugh, but you know what?  It is one awesome song.  I guess it depends on your interpretation.  Some people may find the lyrics and title to be sort of, well, "cheesy," but in all honesty, I think the lyrics are cool and creative.  Definitely has the sense of going on a trip and being swept away when we all know what it's about.   According to Wikipedia, it was inspired by Eddie Money's girlfriend, whose parents wanted her to marry a doctor or lawyer--but definitely not a musician.  He wanted to take her away--sweep her off her feet (and probably get her away from her parents before they made her marry someone else).  Whatever the case, the song has some excellent guitar playing and a real "drive" that kind of makes you want to get up and go.  I know I am ready to pack my bags.

There is no official video for this song--probably because it was released as a single in 1978.  So, I cheat a bit once again.  There are plenty of videos on YouTube of Eddie Money performing this live, so I thought I would throw one in.  This one is a vintage live performance from 1978, and the audio is really quite amazing.  I did contemplate posting a recent video of Eddie performing this live, but the vintage one is really a gem.  Helps us remember him from back in the day, and it really captures the essence of the song.  Eddie has changed a bit since 1978, but that's okay--he's always going to have those two tickets to paradise...

Take Me Home Tonight

On my drive home the other day, I heard Eddie Money's "Two Tickets to Paradise."  I considered writing about that song today, because it certainly is rocking and makes me smile every time I hear it.  What could be better than two tickets to paradise?  I'm not exactly sure, but I can say that Eddie's "Take Me Home Tonight" is my all-time favorite of his songs.  As a song, without the video, it is a champion - a die-hard, rock classic.  The song opens with a steady drumbeat sounding very much (in my opinion) like a heartbeat.  We also hear a sort of mysterious, enticing synthesizer line, which is then joined by guitar.  Eddie's deep and subdued vocals build in intensity as he approaches the chorus - which basically explodes with power guitar chords of the most solid chord progression in Western music.  Take a look at the lyrics, too.  I could only really understand the word "hunger" in the first verse for the longest time.  I think I could hear something about "it isn't safe to walk the city streets alone," but I always wondered what he said right before the chorus.  Alas, I discovered it is "let's find the key and turn this engine on."  EXCELLENT!  That is pretty awesome, I must say.

The video is what I remember the most about this song.  When it came out, it was so cool and intriguing with the whole black and white thing going on.  Eddie's wearing shades, singing a dark stadium.  We see a woman in the shadows - kind of petite with long hair, dancing mysteriously.  She even smokes a cigarette and puts it out in the carpet with her foot.  Why?  Because she can.  She is quiet yet powerful.  We want to see the mystery woman revealed.  Low and behold, it is Ronnie Spector.  We hear "just like Ronnie sang" answered by Ms. Spector with "be my little baby."  What an excellent sonic juxtaposition.  It's kind of a fusion of time periods and musical styles.  Her voice is amazing and really ads a spark to the song. 

I can't help but laugh a bit about the saxophone, though.  It seems to be suspended somehow on the ladder in the beginning of the video.  Eddie picks it up and does some "sax syncing" (kind of like lip syncing) when the sax solo comes in.  Not exactly convincing, but hey - it's a big sax solo!  He takes that saxophone, "plays" it, lets it suspend on the neck strap as he sings, and then triumphantly raises it high above his head like a rock trophy.  Now that is "totally awesome."  Rock on, Mr. Money!!!!   Cheesy or not, whenever a wind instrument gets the limelight in a rock video, I couldn't be happier.  I also enjoy the percussion in this piece.  Listen carefully and you will hear tambourine and I think maybe some castinets (can't quite tell) around 2:23.  All in all, this is a terrific song and a truly well-conceptualized video.  Enjoy!