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.

Keep on Loving You

So, I heard this song today, and I never get tired of listening to it.  Oddly enough, I hadn't really paid attention to the lyrics very closely.  All I remember hearing is the chorus, and the part where he sings, "When I said that I love you, I meant that I love you forevuuuuuhr."  Okay, so that's just the way "forever" sounds to me when Kevin Cronin sings it with such awesome intensity.  Come to find out, he wrote this song when he found out that his wife was cheating on him.  I couldn't believe it.  I mean, who would cheat on him?  He's Kevin Cronin!!!!  Ugh, so sad.  Meanwhile, I took a look at the lyrics after learning that tidbit, and it all made sense.  I can't believe I never paid attention to the verses.  Wow.  He even compares her to a snake in the grass "all coiled up and hissing."  Ouch.  That burns.  Guess she really deserved it.  And "those men?"  Sounds like it was a habit.  Yikes.  Well, I guess it's a plus for the rest of us, because it inspired him to write this amazing tune.  She probably ripped his heart out and smashed it into a million pieces...which he picked up and wrote about in the lyrics.  Touché!  Very well-done, Mr. Cronin -- you win!!!!

Open Arms

I was thinking about what to write this evening and was at a standstill.  Did some searching, and for some reason, "Open Arms" by Journey came to mind.  If you haven't noticed, I absolutely LOVE Journey.  They are my favorite group--not only from the '80s, but from all time.  Steve Perry's voice is completely unmatched--it's pure, clear, beautiful, and powerful.  He is equally at home with ballads and hard rockin' tunes.  Even their "fun" songs long "Anyway You Want It" really showcase his vocal talents.  Anyway, "Open Arms" is a gorgeous ballad about a couple who "sailed on together" and "drifted apart"-- but then they found each other again.  I think the fact that they found each other again is what really makes it touching.  The opening piano line is beautiful, and when Steve Perry comes in, it is true simplistic vocal beauty.  Just his voice and piano.  You know how much work vocalists go through in school to get that voice/piano accompaniment perfect?  It's astounding, and some vocalists never really achieve that perfect musical union.  Clearly, we have it hear.  When the rest of the band comes in, the instrumentals are strong, firm, yet not overpowering.  I really love this song.  It is true beauty.  A real gem in the Journey discography that shines throughout time.

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!

Is This Love?

There are many songs out there from the '80s about love - no doubt about it.  Many of them ask us questions.  "Why Can't This Be Love?"  "Is ThisLove?"  The list goes on and on, but for this evening, I thought I would look at Whitsnake's "Is This Love?"  Great song from 1987, and it definitely takes me back to middle school.  It was such an awesome song back in the day, but I am sure people mostly remember it for the video.  Yes, Tawny Kitaen was in this video and the video for Whitesnake's "Here I Go Again."  "Here I Go Again" is also an excellent song and one of my favorites (very upbeat, up tempo, high octane for sure).  Anyway, Kitaen and Whitesnake frontman David Coverdale were a couple back in the '80s, so it is not surprising to see her featured in the video.  Guys are probably still drooling, so I give her credit.  David Coverdale may be overshadowed by her in the video, but I think he looks pretty good!  Gotta love that hair, but hey, he was a good-looking rockstar!  He could have any hairstyle he wanted.  He has also really aged quite gracefully -- just in case anyone was wondering.  (Throwing a pic out there for everyone to see).

David Coverdale

The song itself is pretty simple.  The lyrics tell the tale of a man who is obviously deeply in love and cannot stand to be apart from the woman in his life.  He can feel his love for her "growing stronger day by day," and he can't wait to see her again so he can hooooooold her in his arms.....  Wow.  This is pretty intense.  Definitely some intense images in the video, too, with a plot that makes you feel for David.  Seems like the relationship was a bit volatile.  Anyway, I do hope you enjoy the video and the song -- it's a nice, slow-paced ballad for a change, but it maintains the rock intensity of the decade with its vocals and guitar.  Very well done.

Heaven - Part II

I recently found out that Warrant's lead singer, Jani Lane, passed away last August.  I had no idea.  He was only 47 years old.  It's terribly sad for such a young life to be lost.  So, in honor of Jani, since someone on the web pointed out that there was no mention of this in the news, I thought I would post "Heaven."  It is one of my all-time favorite '80s songs, and it was written in 1989, so it just sneaks in to make the end of the decade.  The song itself has beautiful, thoughtful lyrics and powerful vocals.  Of course, it has the intensity, musically, of many power ballads from this time period.  If you watch the video, you will see many characteristic styles of the day - big, long, teased hair, lots of fringe on jackets, boots, pants with cut-outs, and....headbands.  I forgot about headbands.

Jani and the band really rock out in this video.  It's nice to see the close-ups shots of him in the video.  He definitely had charisma, and something special.  Something very endearing.  Rest in peace, Mr. Lane.  I hope you are making beautiful music in the heavens.  For the rest of us, as you said, "heaven isn't too far away...closer to it everyday."  Hope we all find the heavenly happiness you sang about here on earth.

Heaven

I was looking for something kind of quiet this morning, and after a bit of surfing the web, I found a couple of versions of Bryan Adams' "Heaven."  I think there was a dance version of this released in 2002, and it was cute.  But, the original song was definitely much different and memorable for its sensitive and beautiful lyrics.  The melody is simple, and the vocal line rather delicate.  Written in 1983 and released on Bryan's 1984 album, "Reckless," it is a beautiful '80s ballad.  I read that Bryan was influenced by Journey when writing "Heaven," particularly by Journey's "Faithfully."

So, it is much too early in the day for me to compare and contrast a beautiful rock ballad with a dance version, so luckily, I found the original video and an acoustic "unplugged" version.  I have to say that the acoustic version surprised me -- I never knew it was out there!  When I first saw the video, I didn't even recognize Bryan Adams (mostly because of his hairstyle).  He has a different look in this video.  I guess I am used to his white t-shirt and jeans look from the '80s.  Anyway, the acoustic version has some truly beautiful vocals and acoustic guitar.  About two minutes into the song, the rest of the ensemble joins in, and a whole new color palette is produced.  It's almost like turning the lights on.  I really enjoyed the performance and thought the recorder was a nice touch, too.  At least, I thought I heard a recorder, but at the end I saw a man playing what appeared to be a metal tube.  Hmm....I imagine it is an electronic wind instrument of some sort.  It definitely does the trick.  I will have to find out more about that.  Anyway, hope you enjoy these two versions of "Heaven."