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!

Rock You Like a Hurricane

This is a classic 80s rock song that certainly can sweep you away like a storm with its amazing guitar lines, thunderous drums placed perfectly against the lyric line, and powerhouse vocals.  I absolutely love the instrumentals on this tune, and I have to say that I could understand the lyrics for the chorus pretty clearly.  "Here I am---rock you like a hurricane."  Simple enough I'd say.  It's, once again, about love and someone who is there and ready to rock this girl's world.  Yup.  Plain and straightforward in meaning.  We know that the term "rock" has been used many times as a metaphor for, well, romantic concepts.  Anyway, I had no idea what the rest of the lyrics were until recently, and they are kind of intense.  Lots of animal references, and that's alright.  I kind of like living in the dark on this one, so I will go back to hearing them in my mind kind of jumbled.

One thing that I thought was AMAZING was the collaboration of the Scorpions and the Berlin Philharmonic.  Now, that is my cup of tea.  The brass intro in that version followed by the strings cranking along with 16th notes really gives it drive and momentum.  Excellent!  It's definitely time for more of these rock/orchestral pairings, although I do think we've seen this evolution with "unplugged" versions and many other performances with an extended instrumental ensemble.  I am all for this trend.  Bravo to the Scorpions and the Berlin Phil for their amazing performance.  I've included the original video along with the Berlin Phil video for you to enjoy!  Rock on!