We Built This City

So, the other night I was listening to Pandora radio on my computer, and "We Built This City" came on.  It's not surprising since I listen to "80s Radio" on there 100 percent of the time.  I have to say that I believe my perspective has changed over the years, and I guess I hadn't noticed until I heard this song again.  It was a HUGE hit in the '80s, specifically in 1985 when it was released.  I remember thinking it was so cool because it had a radio announcer in it.  Turns out that was an MTV exec playing a radio announcer, but nevertheless, it was awesome.  The song seemed to be a rock anthem in many respects -- not really like a hard rock song that is so popular it becomes an anthem, but rather a song supporting rock music.  It's upbeat, and kind of a "hey, we're not going anywhere" type of song.

The lyrics are pretty interesting, and not really complicated or elaborate, but just very thorough for a rock tune.  I guess it's more of a pop tune.  Well, maybe it's best classified as "Top 40" for the day.  Anyway, I thought for years they were singing "My Coney plays the mamba..."  My Coney?  Like Coney Island?  I wasn't sure, and I certainly couldn't understand why those would be the lyrics, but that's what I thought!  Much later, I discovered simply from listening, that it was "Marconi plays the mamba...."  AHA!  Okay, that makes much more sense.  Marconi, father/inventor of the radio.  Yup.  Got it.  There are a couple of other lines I misheard, but that was the funniest.  I did hear "corporation games," though, which makes me say "right on!" especially since I can understand that now.  "Someone's always playing corporation games...who cares they're always changing corporation names."  I can certainly hear and relate to those lyrics very well today.

This tune does make me smile, and it is pretty "fun," but I've discovered "Somebody to Love" by listening to Nights with Alice Cooper.  I think I probably heard it a few times in my youth (I seem to remember my parents having that record), but now I can really appreciate it from a musical and lyrical standpoint.  I think it's a better representation of the root of Starship -- Jefferson Airplane.  I'm not sure of the whole evolution, but I do like this one so much more now.  So, I've included them both.  Hope you enjoy the retrospective.

Dirty Deeds Done With Sheep

Just found this on the Nights with Alice Cooper Facebook page.  It is hysterical.  Well done.

Just What I Needed

I'm going to cheat a bit here with "Just What I Needed" by the Cars.  The song was released in 1978, so it is shy of the '80s by just 2 years.  It has that distinctive Cars sound, though, and they were pretty popular in the '80s.  So, I think it's okay.  I've heard this song many times on "Nights with Alice Cooper," and it always cheers me up.  I hate to say it is "cheery" or "cheerful" because it is a rock song after all, but...  Well, it's just what I needed -- especially after a bad day.  This song should make everyone feel recharged and rejuvenated with its kickin' guitar lines and totally "new wave" keyboard licks.  Funny to think that I was kind of scared of the Cars when they came out with videos, but this song is a classic, and I am perfectly happy listening to it on the radio.

I had forgotten that a while back I read about the song being sampled in "Stacy's Mom" by Fountains of Wayne.  That song really cracks me up -- although it does have some enviable harmonies.  The video is hysterical and has bits of '80s pop culture -- namely the "fantasy scene" at the end which is reminiscent of "Fast Times at Ridgemont High."  If you have never seen that movie, check it out.  If you have -- go watch it again!  Kudos to Rachel Hunter, too, because she does look pretty amazing in this video.  To think she had all those kids with Rod Stewart and still looks great -- wow.  Okay, it's actually only two children.  Guess he just has tons with a few different ladies.  No problem -- he's Rod Stewart, so he can have as many kids as he likes in my opinion.  He's a winner with the ladies.  Anyway, I digress.  I hope you'll enjoy both of these songs.  I'm not sure exactly what all the lyrics in "Just What I Needed" mean -- especially in the chorus when they sing "I needed someone to bleed."  Yeah, I have no idea.  But I do like the line "you look so fancy I can tell."  Pretty awesome.  Gotta look fancy!  Enjoy!

Bringin' on the Heartbreak

So, once again I was listening to "Nights with Alice Cooper," and "Bringin' on the Heartbreak" by Def Leppard came on the show.  It's interesting--I've actually grown to enjoy Def Leppard's music more and more as I get older.  They were very popular when I was younger, and I knew this one teenaged friend who was completely obsessed with them.  Now I can see why.  They seem to have had the magic rock n' roll touch.  All of their songs were huge hits, and I can't seem to think of any I didn't like (well, except "Pour Some Sugar on Me," probably because it was really overplayed).  Anyway, the point is... this group rocks.  Plus, their lyrics are amazing.  Listen to the lyrics for "Bringin' on the Heartbreak"--they are ultra sensitive and poetic.  Really intriguing as well, and so vivid that you can essentially visualize a story line and video in your own mind as you listen.  The gentle guitar playing under the verses really brings out the lyrics, too.  Makes me want to cry from the very beginning: "Gypsy, sittin' lookin' pretty, a broken rose with laughin' eyes..."  If you can make it past there, you will really enjoy this song.

Not a broken rose...just a pretty one

Meanwhile, as I was doing some research on this song, I ran across the title with Mariah Carey's name.  I thought, "Oh no... say it ain't so.  Please...."  But, unfortunately, it is :( No offense to Ms. Carey, but, uh, well...no, not the right song for her to cover.  Yikes.  She has a lovely voice and a great range, but I think she sings her genre of pop and pop ballads well.  Just not right for this heavy rock ballad.  So, try to dodge those clips on YouTube and enjoy the one and only Def Leppard.  It is THE version to hear.  THE original.  THE best!

No One Like You

Indeed, there is no one like the Scorpions when it comes to an awesome rockin' ballad like "No One Like You."  This song really nips it in the bud.  If you listen to the lyrics, you will notice the most intense, urgent feeling that comes from someone who is madly in love...and the guitar just kicks it up a notch.  Kind of funny, actually, because the guitar line is quite delicate under the main verses--- but, when the chorus comes in, it is electrifying.  The lead singer's voice has a certain edge to it that really gives the song gusto and almost a bit of tension.  Very, very cool.  I heard this song a few times (once again) on "Nights with Alice Cooper" (thank you, sir, for playing such great tunes!).  Oddly enough, I have rarely heard it on the radio.  I usually hear "Rock You Like a Hurricane," which is also a good song, but...."No One Like You" wins the prize for the most amazing rock ballad in the history of songs--or perhaps the history of tunes covered by Becky's World blog posts. 

The video is pretty interesting...  The lead singer is in jail and on death row, or so it seems.  But, alas, in the end, it is only a dream.  I wonder what this song would be like with a different video--maybe something kind of mystical and supernatural.  I think that would make for an interesting effect.  Kind of a juxtaposition of fantasy and reality, heaven and earth, darkness and light.  Just a thought.  In the meantime, this song stands terrifically on its own, video or not.  So, ladies and gentlemen, start your radios, computers, iPods, or whatever else you have to enjoy this awesome classic tune!

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...