Rapture

I've wanted to write about Blondie's "Rapture" for quite some time, and I finally bit the bullet.  I've been searching and reading high and low trying to figure this song out, and I think I've thrown in the towel.  A while ago, I read all kinds of interesting conversation about "finger popping" and "twenty-four hour shopping," -- as in the fact that those were not the lyrics that Debbie Harry actually sings.  If you listen closely, you can definitely hear something other than "popping."  I won't say what it is that people claim to hear, but I think I agree.  Plus, I looked up "finger popping" in some urban dictionaries, and well, it's pretty much what it sounds like.  However, I did hear another performance of the song with Debbie Harry and Eve on VH-1's "Divas Live" from 2004, and I swear it sounds like she says finger snapping or something completely different.  Maybe it is something different each time.

I actually never knew what the lyrics were to this song at all.  All I could understand was "raaaaaaaaaapture....."  Or at least that's how it sounded to me.  I also could hear "Fab 5 Freddy told me" something or other.  Please, do not get me wrong here.  I absolutely love Blondie and would honestly pass out if I ever met Debbie Harry in person.  I think the group was genius, and I actually don't mind that I can't understand the lyrics.  No problem at all.  The video has always scared me, though.  I really think it's the guy in the white tux dancing around expressionless with sunglasses.  It creeped me out.  But, it's okay.  Now that I am older, what strikes me the most about the song is actually the instrumental part.  Sounds like chimes in the beginning, but I am guessing it's a synthesizer.  Then, the bass guitar and rhythm guitar lines are just intermingled perfectly.  To me, I really hear the bass and the brass section most prominently.  I swear I hear saxes, too.  It's quite the intricate instrumental backing for this awesome tune.  Of course, Debbie Harry's voice can put you in a trance with it's sweet and ethereal quality on this song.  I was really surprised to see her singing with Eve on the VH-1 special -- but surprised in a good way.  Debbie Harry truly is a rock legend, and she can sing with whomever she pleases across all genres -- and it kicks a--!!!!!  What else can I say?  Not much!  Enjoy -- I've added the original video and the clip from the 2004 Divas Live.

Talk to Me

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!

Fading Like A Flower

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!

Come On Eileen

This has to be one of my all time favorite 80s songs without a doubt.  Didn't think I would ever get tired of listening to it, and well, I'm not!  Yup -- just listened to it again and watched the video.  When it came out in 1982, it was basically magical.  It put you into the crazy upbeat trance of hopping around, dancing a jig.  For young folks in the U.S. at the time, it was just such an amazing and different song.  Had a very catchy chorus, but I don't think I really understood any of the other lyrics.  I looked them up a few years ago just out of curiosity.  I think we all know the story.  The lead singer and Eileen were childhood friends, and he starts to notice her growing up and is drawn to her in a different way.  Now it's more of a girlfriend/boyfriend thing, and he's pretty much lusting after her.  With her in that dress, his thoughts verge on dirty.  Yeah, no big deal.   SO many people have written their thoughts on this song, but you know, it's just a good song!  I really enjoy the strings in it.  I mean, what other Top 40 song has banjo in it?  And, I never realized until tonight that the video opens with a woman playing violin -- although it's really more of a fiddle (same instrument, different technique).  Just captivating and very intriguing for us on this side of the Atlantic.  Thank goodness for MTV in this case -- it really helped bring "hands across the sea" and a sharing of cultures.  I also think it spawned a huge outbreak of fever for "overalls."  Yup, I had them.  I remember wearing them all through middle school because they were so cool.  Everyone in this band wears them.  I think Eileen is wearing them without a shirt underneath, which we would never be brave enough to do over here.  So, cheers to you, Eileen!  Thank you for inspiring this song -- whether or not you really exist.

And I Know... Animal

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!

Give It to Me Thriller

I was driving somewhere recently--can't remember where exactly.  But, as you know, I love to listen to the radio while I'm driving.  I heard "Give It To Me Baby" by Rick James, and I think it came on the radio a few times.  Must have been an 80s weekend or something.  Anyway, I hadn't heard this song much, and I certainly did not remember the AMAZING brass line in the background.  I was really blown away by the brass playing.  It is not easy, and these guys just rip those licks out of nowhere.  I'm still floored as I write.  Meanwhile, I had never seen the video, so I took a look and thought, YUCK.  Oh wow.  It has to be the most disgusting video I've ever seen.  It's not like it's really graphic.  I mean, it really isn't.  Just something about Rick James.  Yikes.  I know--he did have talent to a certain extent, but he just seemed so gross in this video.  I think it was his lips or something.  I honestly don't know, but I can say that this is one song that is TERRIFIC on the radio--and should probably have stayed there without the video.  Or, maybe they could have filmed it with him on stage--brass band tearing it up along with him.  Now that would be awesome.

When I did a bit of research on the song, I read a comment somewhere claiming "Thriller" was a "rip-off" of this song.  I thought, "huh?"  So, this evening, I was listening to "Give It To Me Baby" and definitely could hear the bassline, and "Thriller" DOES sound similar.  Oddly enough, the "Thriller" video has scared the daylights out of me since it was released--and I was just a little girl back then in 1983.  So, I thought it would be perfect to pair the two -- given the similar bassline and the fact that both videos creep me out.  I can't really decide which is scarier...  I've posted them, but I'd probably be scared to watch them.  You may be more brave.  Enjoy!

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!!!!