Blondie, Madonna, and Gaga

This weekend I spent quite a bit of time watching Blondie videos and listening to interviews with Debbie Harry.  I have to say that I was pretty shocked by the number of interviewers and reporters who compared her to Lady Gaga -- and actually had the guts to mention that to her.  No offense to anyone, but come on.  Blondie and Lady Gaga?  I am SURE that Debbie Harry must have had some influence on Lady Gaga, but is it really fair to compare them?  I often read about comparisons between Madonna and Lady Gaga -- and that seems more logical to me.  I'm still pondering the Blondie/Gaga connection.  Okay, both Debby Harry and Gaga were NYC natives, right?  They both started out sort of "underground" on the dance circuit, right?  Uh, wrong.  Blondie as a group seemed to be very anti-establishment and counter-culture, although punk was a "counter culture culture" in and of itself.  I actually found some videos of Debbie Harry when she was in her twenties, and she was singing '60s folk kind of stuff.  This made me think of Pat Benatar, who went through all kinds of genres with her band, and so did Debbie Harry.  So, it's fair enough to compare Debbie Harry and Pat Benatar, I think. 

Meanwhile, I guess there's more of a connection between Madonna and Gaga.  Madonna started as a dancer and was pretty broke when she moved from Michigan to NYC.  Her early hits were very "dancy," and so were Gaga's.  Remember "Holiday?"  How about "Just Dance?"  Okay, so the former was Madonna and the latter Gaga.  I think Madonna really paved the way for Gaga.  Madonna seemed really intrigued by commercialism and marketing, and I think Gaga does as well.  I don't think Debbie Harry cared one iota.  Both Madonna and Gaga like the "shock factor," too.  When Gaga first came out, I was pretty engaged by the quality of her music and her musicianship.  She seemed so incredibly talented for such a young woman.  I think it's getting a bit creepy now, and I may have lost touch with her message and direction.  Meanwhile, Madonna was always pretty straightforward.  She liked to shock people.  She loved to throw religious images into the mix just to cause a ruckus.  She also really liked to push her sexuality in everyone's face for shock value.  Hey, no problem.  At least it wasn't creepy.  Seems pretty mild in retrospect.  So, I thought it would be fun and nostalgic to share one of he big shockers, "Justify My Love."  It was written by Lenny Kravitz and basically features an awesomely provocative and "dirty" drum track underscoring Madonna whispering about sexual stuff.  It was extremely controversial back in the day (1990, just at the dawn of the new decade).  It has sort of R-rated images.  Yeah -- but the video is very artsy.  Not really creepy at all.  Just very Madonna.  I think Gaga's last equivalent was "Bad Romance," so I threw that in, too.  I absolutely love the hairless cat -- and the message of the tune.  So, enjoy these two -- I think they are light years closer than Gaga and Blondie (in fact, that comparison is a non-issue in my mind).

We Will Miss You, Donna

I'm still a bit in shock over the news of Donna Summer's death today.  I can say with 100 percent truth and certainty, that she was the first woman I recall hearing on the radio in the late '70s.  I was just a little girl, but I was in love with her music.  Used to dance around in my room and sing all her songs in front of the mirror.  As I got older, I listened to more of her music.  I was completely obsessed for a while, actually.  There are so many great songs that she sang --through the 70s and 80s...and beyond.  I remember hearing her version of "O Holy Night" just this past December when I was shopping, and it was breathtaking.  As for her disco tunes, well, they were all amazing.  Anyone remember "Thank God It's Friday?"  Donna Summer sang, "Last Dance" in that movie.  She certainly raised some eyebrows with "Love to Love You Baby," but I give her props for that.  This was long before Madonna and Lady Gaga.  Donna Summer had a voice that was truly like gold.  We will miss you, Donna.  Rest in peace and fill the heavens with your glorious voice.

Giving in to the Monkey

So, this evening I was listening to an '80s weekend program on the local rock/pop station and heard "Monkey" by George Michael.  I have to say that I have not heard this song in YEARS....  I think the last time I heard it, I was in middle school--probably on the bus, too.  So, I had this immediate middle school flashback.  You see, back in the day, we had no idea what this song was about, because we were just kids.  I was probably 13 years old.  Kind of scary.  Makes me wonder how many 13-year-olds are out there listening to Lady Gaga and memorizing every word--yet having no idea what her songs are about.

Don't look now...

So, I think I figured out this "Monkey" tune.  I never realized what a good song it was!  Lyrics were perfect, and although it is pretty much 100% synthesized as far as the "instrumental" tracks, it is pretty good.  Very upbeat and catchy.  To me, it's about George being in a relationship with someone who keeps going back to an ex-lover, or "monkey."  That is what it sounds like to me.  The expression, "monkey on your back" refers to any sort of burden that keeps you back--or something that keeps haunting you so to say.  Something you can't get away from.  I read some people's interpretations, and the seem to think the "monkey" is an addiction of some sort (like drugs or alcohol).  That could certainly be the case.  "Monkey on your back," can refer to being addicted to something.  I guess we'll never know, but that is okay.  Whatever your interpretation, I think it would probably fit just perfectly.  The video is pretty straightforward--not a staged scene or mini "story."  Nope.  Just George Michael singing and dancing on stage at an arena only the way he could.  Really pretty engaging, I have to say.  No matter what his orientation, he really had us captivated back in the day, and he still seems to have that effect...  There is just something so cool, so "tongue-in-cheek" about his songs.  "Well I'd write your heart a lettah....but I think you know me bettah..."  Okay, so its "letter" and "better," but it sounds so suave when he sings it--I wrote it the way I hear it.  Hope you enjoy this tune--and don't give in to the monkey!

Words

Once again, I am a bit behind with posts after being away for the holiday weekend.  I was driving back from my week at home this afternoon when the song "Words" by Missing Persons came on the radio.  I have to say that I absolutely loved this group in the 80s, and my favorite song of theirs was "Destination Unknown."  If it is unknown to you, check it out!  I thought the lead singer of Missing Persons (Dale Bozzio) was just so cool - her hair, her makeup, her unique outfits.  I think I heard an interview or perhaps read one back in the 80s where she mentioned that she made her original outfits out of everyday items like newspapers, saran wrap, and plastic because she did not have the finances for anything more extravagant.  Well, whatever the case, the outfits were cool.  I noticed that someone on YouTube compared her with Lady Gaga, and I would agree that there is definitely a similarity.  I think Dale didn't really try as hard as Lady Gaga to be different - it just seemed to be the way back in 1981.  I also really like that the other band members are wearing makeup.  Remember those days?  When guys would wear eyeliner?  I certainly do.  When I was in high school, and The Cure was all the rage, it seemed perfectly normal.

Anyway, I think this song is fairly self-explanatory, although I do think it is pretty crafty as well.  "What are words for - when no when listens anymore?"  Yeah, I can relate to that sentiment.  I guess if no one listens, we must choose our words carefully and spend our time perfecting our hair and crazy outfits.  Just kidding.  That is actually what my perfect world would be like - few words and lots of envelop-pushing looks.  Meanwhile, I used to really like Dale's voice when I was younger, but as I was driving this afternoon, I wondered what this song would sound like with Debbie Harry on lead vocals.  I think that would be spectacular.  Ms. Harry - if you are out there, give it some thought.

The video for this tune is very, very basic and truly characteristic of the day.  It has that kind of simplistic, futuristic, space-age vibe.  The synthesizer adds a very interesting "other wordly" timbre throughout, and the guitar and drums are pretty straightforward.  Guitar has some nice lines in the tune that match well with the full "soundscape" of the song.  Nice, unique sound that seems fresh and vibrant even 30 years later (well, at least in my opinion).  Hope you agree and enjoy this 80s treasure!