Well, I am long, long overdue for a post here at Becky's World. I took a bit of a hiatus over the holidays and will try to get back into the swing of daily posts. Meanwhile, since we all made it to 2013, I thought it would be the perfect chance to talk about one of my favorite Def Leppard tunes, "Armageddon It." Yes, it is a play on words (Are you gettin' it? Yes, Armageddon it). Pretty cool, and with this awesomely guitar-saturated rock anthem, "Armageddon It" is the perfect phrase to have fun with in this tune. In fact, it seems pretty clear as to what the song references (in terms of "gettin' it), so why not take charge of the opportunity to play around with words? If you read the lyrics, it seems to be an overture to someone who seems all fired up and ready but then hesitates to "trigger the gun." So, nothing left to do at this point but cut to the chase:
Gimme all of your lovin', ev'ry little bit Gimme all that you got, ev'ry bit of it Ev'ry bit of your lovin', oh, c'mon live a bit Never want it to stop
Pretty '80s looking jacks here
Makes perfect sense to me! And you just have to love a song that uses the term "lovin'." Yeah, only in rock lyrics can one be so creative. I mean, I don't think that would be realistic in casual conversation... So, it's great to hear it in this tune. I must admit that I never realized that "jumpin' jack" was part of the lyrics, though. Kind of reminds me of playing jacks back in the '80s. Anyway, I hope you'll enjoy this tune and video as much as I do. Gotta love the big bear slippers on Joe Elliott at the end of the video, too. I think I may have bought those for my dad or brother back in the day. I'm definitely gettin' every bit of the nostalgia from this video... Thank you, Def Leppard -- rock on!
I wasn't sure what to write about this evening, so I started browsing through some tunes from 1980. Have to say that I wasn't too excited about any one of them in particular tonight. In fact, I think I found some of them to be a little on the cheesy side. It's no fault to the singers, though, because even someone like Diana Ross can get stuck with a tune that is just downright silly. Sometimes, it just happens...
Anyway, somehow I came across Joan Jett's "Bad Reputation," which was written just one year later in 1981. Now, this is a classic tune that just about sums it up for me. Yeah, I don't give a d@mn 'bout my reputation either, so this is perfect! I'm just a clarinet player and not anywhere near as rockingly awesome as Joan Jett, but this message is probably shared by more than you'd think. I noticed recently that Miley Cyrus covered this tune, and I even saw a video of her performing with Joan Jett. Poor Joan. No offense to anyone's creativity or artistic freedom, but Miley Cyrus? Come on. All I can think about is bubble gum and popcorn. I just don't see Miley coming anywhere close to the renegade spirit of Joan Jett. Teenaged rebellion just isn't the same, and I don't think Miley's hairdos or tattoos really are all that shockingly rebellious. Anyway, back to Joan Jett. SHE ROCKS! Yup -- that about says it all. The song was inspired by her search for a record company and the advice given to her by her producer Kenny Laguna. She wasn't going to change for anyone, regardless of how many companies wouldn't sign her because of her "bad reputation." Yeah -- right on, Joan. I hear you loud and clear. That message is so meaningful today -- and probably shared by even more than it was in 1981. Let's face it, there is so much nonsense in the world today, and so many people talking about what is politically correct or not. Sometimes, you just have to say, "I don't give a d@mn" about what people think. "A girl can do what she wants to do, and that's what I'm gonna do!" You can, too -- just turn this tune on and crank it up!
Finishing up with the series of concert videos here. Pat Benatar was actually the second act to go on for the concert with Loverboy and Journey. There was quite a long intermission to change the stage set after Loverboy and before Pat Benatar, yet oddly enough, she did not have an elaborate stage set at all. Nope -- just Pat and her husband Neil Giraldo (on guitar) as the main focus. When she came out on stage, it was quite thrilling. Such a tiny lady with a huge voice -- and so much mystique and rock and roll power! I remember seeing an interview with her, and the interviewer asked, "So how can we be as cool as you?" She said, "it's all in the pointing," and proceeded to demonstrate her famous awesomely cool pointing technique. I believe she said that it "makes you look tough." Works for me! I'm going to practice that now. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy these videos. I am so glad I saw her -- finally!
Well, somehow time has escaped me again, and I am ashamed that it has been a month since I went to see Journey, Loverboy, and Pat Benatar in Manchester, NH. I took several short videos with my Blackberry but had trouble uploading them directly from my computer -- so I added them to my YouTube channel. I know they aren't the clearest or the best quality, but I think they certainly capture the excitement and general essence of the concert. I can't tell you how blown away I was when Journey took the stage. They basically exploded onto the stage with "Anyway You Want It." I honestly felt like I was going to pop out of my seat - which I did! I stood for their whole set, just mesmerized in a Journey trance. The new lead singer is so full of energy, and the veteran band members are nothing short of amazing. I hope you enjoy the videos!
So -- it has again been much too long since my last post. I apologize and have something special to post now! Last night, I went to hear Journey, Pat Benatar, and Loverboy. I have about 8 videos total, so here is the one of Loverboy's "Turn Me Loose." I thought I had recorded "Working for the Weekend," but it didn't record. Oh well. It was really my first try at recording anything in length with the Blackberry. It was a GREAT show. Go see them if you can!
This Night Ranger tune from 1983 is undoubtedly one of THE absolute best '80s anthems. I can't believe I haven't already posted about it, but there's no time like the present -- especially since it's late at night and the song is by Night Ranger ;) Anyway, this song was written by the band's drummer, Kelly Keagy, about his younger sister. She was 10 years younger, and so he wrote about how she was growing up so fast -- just like the lyrics say. Yeah, I can understand this since I have two siblings who are much younger. So, this particular tune is poignant and sweet, or maybe bittersweet. It's hard to watch your little sister or brother grow up, but hey, what better way to express yourself than in song, right? This song has such a beautiful piano intro, and the vocals are strong and clear. As we get further along toward the chorus, the guitar comes in with a kind of "motoring" pulse accompanied by the drums, and then bam! "You're motoring...what's your price for flight...in finding Mister Right...you'll be alright tonight." I have to say, that is right on. It gets everyone up and rocking, but I have to say that this part of the song was kind of ruined for me with "Boogie Nights." You know the scene I'm talking about? The drugged up crazy dude playing air guitar and singing to this? Well, I am going to listen to this song over and over and push that image further and further away!
The video for this tune is also nicely produced and goes well with the song's lyrics. I always wonder, though, why is it that high school always looks so much cooler on film? Whether it's a movie, television show, or music video, I tell you -- high school in those arenas looks so much more exciting and glamorous than mine ever was. Oh well. I guess if I really use my imagination, I can think of my high school days in slow motion or some other cinematic way to make it better. Well, no motoring for me when I was that age. I took the bus and spent my nights at home playing clarinet -- oh, and listening to '80s music :)
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.
Okay, I realize I am delinquent again in my blogging. Bad, bad Becky... I have no excuse. In fact, I blog for my company every week -- four blogs in fact. I think that's why I get so pooped out by the time I get home. What's funny is that I started that part of my job because of this blog, so... I better get back to this!
Anyway, I have wanted to write about Survivor's "The Search is Over" for quite some time. It is truly a beautiful song, and the more I listen to it, the more I like it. I thought the lead singer had written it, but it turns out that Jim Peterik did. I didn't know much about Jim, so I did a bit of research. Of course, I came across his Facebook page and several photos with Mindi Abair, which made me very jealous. I am a single reed player, too, but I will probably never have the chance to hob-nob with rock royalty like she does now. Alas, I will get over my jealousy. There's still time. Ann Wilson plays flute, and I work for a flute company, so...
Anyway, back to the song. Can you believe that for the longest time, I had the wrong lyrics in my head? Yeah, amazing, I know. Just kidding. I think by now we all know that this often times happens to me. In this tune, I always thought at the chorus Jamison sang, "I was living for Audrey...." I thought, "Well, who's Audrey?" Then, I realized it was, "I was living for a dream..." A ha! The search was over for the lyrics! Now it all made sense. The song is about a man who is searching for love just about all over the place when it really was in front of him the whole time. Yup, he had a very good female friend whose love and devotion he took for granted so to say. He really considered her to be "just a friend" and not a "girlfriend." Finally, he realized she was "the one," and the search was over! Just like that! And, even to this very moment in time, I find myself correcting another lyric. Yup -- "taking on the world...that was just my style." I always thought the lyric was "taking our love away...that was just my style." Wow. Living for Audrey and taking our love away? Sheesh. I'm glad I listened to this a few more bazillion times. I hope, at least, that I have listened to it more times than the man in the song searched for love...
Somehow time has escaped me again, and it has been two weeks since my last post. Yikes. Well, at least I can say that this evening I have found a timeless '80s rock anthem to remedy my bad sense of time as of late. "Rock of Ages"was released by Def Leppard in 1983 and has always been one of my favorites. "I'm burnin', burnin', I got the fever -- I know for sure, there ain't no cure." Indeed! Rock on, Def Leppard! I have to say that that is my favorite line from the whole song. The video for this is also pretty interesting and is full of all kinds of religious and mythological symbols. Yup, we've got monks, a reverse time-lapse broken chalice of wine, a sword in a stone, and well, I think Joan of Ark (I can't really tell). It's all cool and very fun, although Joe Elliott wrote retrospectively that he found the video to be rather silly. I disagree. Well, maybe it is kind of silly, but it still rocks.
OWWW -- or owl?
The video ads quite a bit to the song, too, especially when you watch the whole band chanting the chorus. I'm also completely jealous of the lead guitarist's ability to lip sync along with his guitar solo. Now, that is something that is just not possible with wind instruments. Anyway, I really do enjoy this video, and there's a whole lot of hub-ub out there about the introductory four words. I think the words really are gibberish, so I won't debate, dissect, or split hairs about what is going on with that intro. Sometimes, you just need some nonsensical line to keep people guessing. But, I do wonder it Joe Elliott is really singing "owwwww" in the beginning or "owl" -- especially since the image of an owl appears right before this exclamation. Hmm.... Now that is something I will ponder...
I had to make sure to put "Stevie Nicks" after the title of this song, because there is another song with the same title which was released around the same time by the group Nu Shooz. Stevie's song was released in 1985 just four weeks before the Nu Shooz tune (in 1986). In fact, I hate to say it, but the Nu Shooz song comes to mind when I hear the title. I happened to find the Stevie Nicks song on YouTube courtesy of YouTube's shuffle o' suggested videos based on my browsing. I couldn't believe that I had forgotten about this song. I think I may have heard it once before in 1985 -- maybe twice. It was definitely familiar, although I don't recall it being in heavy rotation on MTV.
So, if you do not know this song -- check it out. It is electrifying. In fact, I would consider it "Stevie Nicks plugged in" -- as opposed to "unplugged." It is pretty heavy on the synthesizers and drum machines, but it still seems to work for her. I wonder how it would sound in an acoustic performance with lots of percussion and just a guitar and keyboard. I know that's not really truly acoustic, but it would be interesting. Stevie has such a powerful voice, and it doesn't get lost here, but I think it would be great to hear it leading the instrumentals. In this version, her voice is truly electric -- powerful and exciting, as if it was amplified by some magic electricity. The synthesizers added to her vocals make the song burst with energy. Meanwhile, the lyrics are very classic for Ms. Nicks. She sings about a man she can't wait to see. She's sitting there thinking about him -- talking to him in her dreams. The tempo of the song coupled with the lyrics makes the listener feel just as full of anticipation as the singer. I think my favorite part is when she sings, "she wonders how many more hours her heart will feel broken." It's interesting, because the song is so upbeat -- that lyric just kind of sneaks in. Anyway, check out this tune -- not much more I can say other than WOW. If you like "Stand Back," this video is like that times 10. In fact, I think she may have on the same dress that she wore in the "Stand Back" video. So, stand back and get ready to be blown away by the electrical fire of Stevie Nicks in this tune!
Okay -- so! I am sure that everyone recognizes that line from Scandal's 1984 hit, "The Warrior." I loved that song back in the day, and it seems to never get old for me. But, alas, I didn't seem to remember the video very well. Considering it came out in 1984, well, that's about the time I started clarinet -- so I must have been busy practicing. Anyway, I had absolutely no idea what this song was about all these years. I could only remember "shootin' at the walls of heartaaaaaaaaaache.... bang, bang...I am the warrior." I seem to recall bits and pieces of the lyrics, "who's the hunter, who's the game" and something about breaking out of captivity. So, I looked at the lyrics this evening and discovered that it's about love -- and how love is kind of primal. It's primitive as Patty Smyth tells us. She sings, "Well isn't love -- primitive? A wild gift that you wanna give." Hey, I can understand that. In fact, yes, it's true. Love is primitive. It is surely a wild gift that you wanna give! Hasn't everyone felt this way at some point? So, it's a love song -- but not your typical heart-wrenching one or upbeat bauble like Janet Jackson's "When I Think of You." Nope, this is the real (raw) deal.
The video is something that I definitely did not remember. In fact, it creeped me out a bit at first. After watching for a while, I settled into the sort of musical theater feel and finally relaxed. It seems to have a "Cats" element to it. If you've ever seen that Broadway show, you'll know what I mean. Actually, it has the theatrics and dancing of many Broadway shows with all the slithering and stuff. But, it's fun, and the stage make-up and costumes are extraordinary for the day. Pretty cool I must say. Hope you enjoy this, and heart to heart you'll win -- if you surviiiiiiive.....
I am in big, big trouble here... Yeah, I know. I had been blogging just about everyday, and then it seemed as though I fell into a black hole. I apologize and agreeably put myself in the doghouse as my parents used to say. Couple of things have happened since my last post -- including a nice, much-needed vacation. In fact, as I was driving home for vacation, I heard "Talk to Me" by Stevie Nicks on the radio. I hadn't heard this song in ages, and I really enjoyed listening to it again. My favorite part is when she sings "you can set your secrets free, baby." Yeah, how cool is that? I can imagine someone holding a bird, maybe a dove, and just letting it go. Or, perhaps opening a window and letting those pesky old secrets out. Set them free, baby! I just think that has to be another one of the absolute coolest lyrics ever in the history of pop/rock music. I listened to the rest of the lyrics, and it's pretty clear what the song is about. I like the angle of having Stevie sing to a man, because he is the one with the secrets for a change. Seems like women are always the secret keepers. Anyway, the song paints the picture of a couple, and they are having an awkward time because of his secrets. Yeah, I think he's probably got another girlfriend that he's hiding, and it sounds like he may be doing this out of spite because he was hurt for some reason.
The video for this tune is also pretty neat. Can't remember seeing it much back in 1985 when it was released, but I guess it was up against a lot of competition. Cyndi Lauper, Madonna, etc... You can see the fashion influence of the time, because Stevie is wearing red lace gloves at one point in the video. I think it's terrific, and I love when she kind of "melts into a puddle." I am thinking she did some of her own choreography, although other parts also seem very typical of the day (like when Stevie is joined by four other dancers in that "V" type figure). And, alas, there is a saxophone solo in this tune. I hadn't noticed it until I watched the video again. No offense, saxes, but it was pretty nice when I was driving along and hadn't noticed that part... However, a good ol' sax solo was also pretty standard for the '80s. Come to find out the tune was written by Chas Sanford, who co-wrote John Waite's "Mising You." Lots of similarities, but I think Stevie really makes this her own. Kudos, Ms. Nicks!
Okay--I am long, long overdue for a post. I apologize. I had been thinking about Roxette's "Listen to Your Heart," and I was going to write about it. It seemed to fit nicely since it was released in 1989 and would have just squeezed in to the '80s before they were over. But, alas, my absolute favorite Roxette song is "Fading Like A Flower." I have to cheat here since the song was released in 1991, but it is just such an awesome song. Considering Roxette had some hits before this one, well, I think it's okay.
Roses beaten by the storm -- but still beautiful
So, back to the song. I can remember writing about this tune in college for a rhetorical criticism class. Not sure why, but it just spoke to me. I watched the video again this evening -- after not watching it since (probably) 1991. What a terrific song AND video! Yeah, this is perfect. The song itself has so many terrific elements. I love that the intro is a beautiful piano line that has a cadence marked with a kicking explosion of guitar and drums. Beautiful and explosive at the same time. And, oddly enough, even though the group is from Sweden, I never had trouble understanding the lyrics. I guess that shouldn't be an issue since there are plenty of American singers whose lyrics I can't understand. Anyway, my favorite line from the song is "to get your face right out of my mind." Yes! I will try, but I need a little time -- to get your face right out of my mind! That is probably the best ever in the history of lyrics. It just expresses what the singer is feeling so perfectly. Haven't we all felt that at some point? And fading like a flower... well, yes. I certainly have felt wilted from the pain of love. This song is so perfect. It's timeless. Just fits the bill even after 21 years. I can't believe it's been that long, because the video is so fresh and vivid -- fantastic video direction and imagery. This song will never be dated in my opinion. And it really is remarkable how perfectly everything works in the tune -- piano, guitar, drums, vocals, harmony. I admit that I get wrapped up in the music, but if you sit down and listen to the lyrics, they really are quite expressive. You could probably come up with a million different visual interpretations, but I still prefer Roxette's visual concept for the video. I think everyone can find something to enjoy with this song. Hope you do, too!
There are so many terrific Def Leppard songs out there that it's hard to choose a favorite. Seems like some people have chosen lists of favorites by the group, which I can completely understand. The top of my list would be "Photograph" without question. But, there are a couple of others that are just fun, intriguing, and always full of rock magic. "Animal" is a song that I don't think I've heard as many times as some of the others, like "Pour Some Sugar on Me" (which is funny, because that is actually my least favorite). Nevertheless, this one is a hidden gem. I think one thing it has in common with some of their other songs is that there is always a line that I can't quite understand. I always thought they were singing, "and I want...and I need...and I know...animal." But, alas, the mystery has been solved for me. It is actually, "and I want...and I need...and I LUST...animal." Makes perfect sense since the song is about animal-esque lust. Can't believe I missed that all these years. But, if you listen closely, it's really hard to hear the "t" when they sing "lust." I think they should really dig into the word when they sing. Let us all know it!
Anyway, the video is pretty interesting, too. It's a cool concept with the band at the circus. All kinds of interesting characters in there -- like the trapeze artist. I actually wanted to be a trapeze artist when I was little, because I admired the fact that they got to wear sparkly outfits and fly through the air. But, alas, I became a musician. It's kind of the same. I mean, we can fly through the air metaphorically--and sometimes even wear sparkly outfits. But, I digress. I also loved zebras when I was little because I thought they looked so cool with their stripes. Low and behold, there is a zebra in this video. So, I'm having all kinds of childhood flashbacks, which is weird given that the song is about lust. Oh well... Maybe the circus element is what conjures childhood memories. Whatever the case, this song is awesome. It's got sort of subdued, "undercurrent" vocals with the verses, which makes it really mysterious and enticing. Just a bit of complimentary guitar lines and drums add to the mystique. The chorus is full force and very animal. Awesome song. Hope you enjoy it!
So, it has been forever since my last post, and I apologize. I moved this month and spent many nights stressing, but you know what? It's alright, because I'm gonna paint it cherry red. You're probably thinking "paint what?" Well, I'm not sure, but I do know that I have those lyrics stuck in my head. They're from "Midnight Blue" by Lou Gramm, which I am sure you've heard many times. It is an awesome song, and he released it in 1987 on his first solo album. For some reason, I've had this song playing through my mind for a long time. I think it's a great tune to haunt your brain, because believe me, there are many others that I would not want invading my mental space.
I am going to paint everything cherry red!
I looked at the lyrics, and I'm not quite sure I follow. Well, I guess Lou "used to follow," as he sings in the tune. He sings about a guy who seems to be a bit of a rebel. He is in love with a girl, but then at the end of the song, he sings that he will be "back again." Someday--he'll be back again. He sings, "I'm saving up my love." Hmm... So, perhaps the guy has to go away for a spell, but since he says "someday" he'll be back again, it seems a bit undefined and open-ended. Oh well. I suppose it doesn't matter. I just love this tune, especially the whole cherry red thing. Oh, and there is the whole thing about going into the "midnight blue." It has a sort of fun, rebellious, endless possibility mystique. Guitar licks and Lou's voice really drive this one home in my opinion, so enjoy the midnight blue!
So, again I fall behind on my posts. I apologize. I'm been a bit frantic and off schedule with my upcoming move. Hopefully, everything will settle soon -- and I sure hope I have decent internet service in the new place. Anyway, I was driving this weekend and heard the song "High Enough" by Damn Yankees. Excellent song, and I hadn't heard it in a long time. So, I am glad it came on the radio. When it first came out, I thought they were singing "Can you take me higher...," but that is no surprise. As you know, my hearing is not the best, and hey, sometimes it's just hard to tell what people are singing. But, as I was listening this time, I was pretty sure it was "high enough" that they were singing. Looked it up, and bingo! Yes, that is what they are singing. Unfortunately, it was released in 1990, so it isn't technically an '80s song, but that is alright. Damn Yankees is made up of folks from Styx and Night Ranger--and Ted Nugent, so I think it's okay.
Meanwhile, I watched the video this evening, and I'm not sure I follow... So, there is this couple, and they are on the run from the law (I think they robbed a bank or stole money somehow). Toward the end of the video, there is this huge shoot-out with the cops and, well, Ted Nugent is out on the porch just rockin' out on his guitar solo while the bullets are flying. Not quite sure I understood, but I guess it's kind of like that scene in "Titanic" where the string players are just playing along while the ship is sinking. Actually, I think Ted is just playing as if to say "screw you" to the cops and the law. Bullets cannot stop him! I'm good with that. Anyway, the woman is caught by the cops, goes to jail, and then you see her with a rosary and a priest. Think he is reading her her last rights. Come to find out at the very end, it's Ted Nugent again. AHA! Perfect! He has another "ha!" kind of smirk, too. I looked at the lyrics and history behind the song, and it's actually about a couple falling in love--and how it can be scary, and one person can scare the other away. But, they ultimately come back to each other and can take each other high enough to fly them over yesterday. Pretty cool. I like it. Good message, good harmony, awesome guitar solo, and just a good tune altogether. Enjoy!
When you hear the song title "Is This Love," you probably think about Whitesnake, right? I know I do, and I looked at Whitesnake's song with the same title in a previous post. Meanwhile, I completely forgot about the song "Is This Love" by Survivor. It was written in 1987, and after I heard it again this evening, I remembered it. I didn't think it got much airplay back in the day, but it hit number #9 on the Billboard Hot 100. It's definitely a great song, and I'm not sure why it is less than a stellar memory in the Survivor discography. It has the unmistakable Survivor sound, with Jimi Jamison's distinctive vocals. It also has wonderful lyrics about a man who is obviously in love, but it seems that he is questioning himself or maybe even fighting it a bit. "Is this love that I'm feelin'? Is this love that's been keepin' me up all night?" Yup -- it's love. Love is at the door, making you toss and turn and lose sight of your clear thinking. That is what love does to us, and luckily, we have some terrific Survivor songs to express this! I'm a big Survivor fan and truly enjoy all their songs. Their songwriting is really first rate and maybe a bit underestimated today. Survivor's "Is This Love" is probably eclipsed by the Whitesnake "namesake" tune, but this song really is terrific. Signature Jamison vocals, awesome guitar solo, and an excellent modulation make this one a keeper in my book. Hope you enjoy it as well!
Hmm...so, I was reading about "The Stroke" by Billy Squire and was a bit surprised by the meaning behind the lyrics. Obviously, this song has many interpretations -- well, maybe not so many. The obvious is kind of, well, you know. People interpret this song to be about something that would seem obvious from the title. But, alas, I found out that he wrote it about the dirtiness of the record industry. That makes perfect sense to me. I can see how the music business could be corrupt. It's a business that I work in, so I can visualize the "deals" and sleaziness that Squire portrays through the lyrics. Although I don't work on the recording side of the business, I understand how that side could be extremely corrupt. We have seen what it does to artists once they become a commodity--a commercial product. Yup, one's artistry and integrity are often compromised. I think Squire captures "the deal" perfectly in this song. Now that I understand the meaning, it becomes quite apparent in the lyrics. The driving, edgy guitar line and drums really add to the overall feel of what Billy Squire is trying to portray. It's a pretty intense instrumental track, and again, it helps support the picture that is clearly painted by the vocals. Bravo. I give props to Mr. Squire for raging against the machine with this one.
