Separate Ways with Journey

I've heard Journey's "Separate Ways" a couple of times this week and thought it would be a great song to look at.  I read that it was written by Steve Perry and Jonathan Cain (Journey's keyboardist).  Two of the guitar players in the band were in the midst of very messy and difficult divorces, so Perry and Cain wrote this song to, well, I guess channel the pain and heartbreak into something creative and healing.  I'm not sure how they did it, because it really is heart wrenching if you listen to the lyrics.  It basically says, "Hey, we're done, but I will always love you."  I get the image of a man whose heart was broken and who goes through life still loving the woman who caused so much pain--ready to come to her aid at a moment's notice.  Kind of a lifelong pledge.  Difficult concept to grasp.  Could go for women, too, and that being said....well, okay, I think I understand now.

Nike Air Pegasus - 1983

Anyway, I read many comments from folks about the video being extremely cheesy.  I didn't think it was that bad, although it most certainly could have been better with a different concept.  I still think Eddie Money's "I Think I'm In Love" wins the prize for the cheesiest video of all time--although the song is great (but the goofy vampire theme is really awful).  So, back to Journey.  They are dancing and rockin' out to air instruments in the beginning of the video.  Ultimately, real instruments appear by the end of the video, but we see the drummer playing oil cans and come kind of cymbals made from metal dishes for a bit.  This part through me for a loop.  I watched the video a couple of times over, and I think it's okay.  It's not very tough or "rock n' roll," but isn't it fun to see a group like Journey scaled down a bit, just wearing jeans and causal stuff?  You can even see Steve Perry and the drummer wearing some really classic Nike sneakers.  That is alright in my book.  Long live 1983!!!!  I really think the scariest part of the video is the woman's horrible outfit and mohawk-esque hairdo.  Yikes.  White leather pumps?  White leather jacket with the collar turned up?  Bad--but the outfit pales in comparison to the hair.  Yeah, it was 1983.  In all seriousness, the song is amazing--very touching and heart wrenching but in a good way, fueled by awesome guitar solos and keyboard riffs.  I do hope you'll enjoy this tune, but if you must go----ohhhh------they wish you love.......

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!

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.

Second Chance

It's a nice quiet evening in Becky's World, so I thought "Second Chance" by 38 Special would be the perfect song for today.  It's another song that I heard on the radio during my recent trip home.  I've only heard this song a handful of times, mostly in the past few years on 80s internet radio.  I had absolutely no idea that this was a 38 Special tune.  It is so different from "Caught Up in You," which is my favorite from the group.  But, alas, "Second Chance" is a truly beautiful song.  It probably could be considered a ballad, although it is so sweet and delicate instrumentally.  When I think of ballads, I think of 80s "rock ballads," which usually have some really intense guitar lines and even more intensity in the vocals.  "Second Chance," however, is simply a musical gem.  I can't get over how controlled the vocals are, and the instrumentals blend and support the vocal line so beautifully.  We do hear a strong guitar line throughout the song, but it is strong in a subtle, controlled, focused way that makes me think about the classical music world.  A huge "bravo" to 38 Special on their performance of this song and their beautiful lyrics as well.  Essentially, if you listen to the lyrics, it is a tender request for a second chance - as we hear so clearly in the chorus.  It's funny - I never really paid much attention to the full lyrics until this very moment.  The lyrics tell the story of a man who, well, made a mistake.  He cheated on his beloved, and now he is asking for forgiveness and a chance to start over.  I think that makes perfect sense.  If there comes a time when he sings about a third or fourth chance, well, uh, I think that would be excessive.  But, this song is so tender and loving-- I do hope the singer was pardoned and granted his second chance.  He'll probably never falter again - because then he would have to write an even more beautiful song, and I'm not sure that would be possible...

Faithfully

So, once again I am long overdue for a post and way behind on things.  As mentioned earlier, I was out on the road for a week.  Long time to be gone from my computer!  As I was driving through the beautiful countryside going from gig to gig, I heard Journey's "Faithfully" on the radio.  I thought, "This is the perfect song for the road."  I listened to it again this morning and feel that it is probably one of the most perfect songs ever.  Listening to the beginning, I am blown away by how perfectly Steve Perry's beautiful voice is complimented by the piano line.  It is a perfectly matched ensemble of voice and piano - a perfect balance of melody and harmony.  I have heard so many performances of instrumentalists accompanied by piano, and none are a perfect as this opening.  The song progresses along with bits of added color by the guitar.  Drums come in with a few punctuations followed by a steady yet oh-so-subtle high hat to keep the rhythm in the third verse.  As I listen to the song again and again, I discover so many remarkable elements.  There are some really amazing solo guitar lines in this song, excellent balance and development of the vocal/instrumental combinations, and genuine, heart-felt lyrics.  It's not often that we hear "love affair" in rock lyrics, but Journey delivers that so beautifully.  "Being apart ain't easy on this love affair..."  Indeed.  Wow--I love this song.

The video is also pretty amazing.  Great glimpse once again into the styles of the decade.  If you watch it a couple of times, you'll notice all kinds of subtleties, including different seasons while they are on the road.  Nice to see a corded telephone gain, too.  I'm not quite sure I understand the mustache thing - but Steve Perry looks and sounds amazing with or without it.  Bravo, Mr. Perry!

When It's Love

It's getting pretty late, so I wanted to leave everyone with a nice, peaceful, calming song before signing off for the night.  Van Halen's "When It's Love" begins with a beautiful synthesized opening -- perhaps a bit unexpected for the group.  This song was written when Sammy Hagar joined as lead vocalist, which definitely put a new twist on the group's sound, look, and feel.  "When It's Love" quickly pulls into high gear after the instrumental opening, and Sammy's voice ignites the engine so to say.  Drums and guitar ad horsepower, and a full-fledged rock love song is created.  I am not sure if it falls into the category of ballad because it's tempo and style are definitely much more upbeat than a typical rock ballad.  As the song develops, the full band provides back-up vocals for the chorus, which repeats several times -- each time giving more momentum to the song.  How do you know when it's love?  How does it feel when it's love?  Well, Van Halen tells us that we'll know.  It is something that will last forever, something people feel together.  I think I would agree.  The beautiful synthesized instrumental section from the opening comes back in the end, with a bit of high hat, and voila!  We feel love.  Great song.  Always makes me smile.