Renzie's Early Education in Funk and Cool

I was born in 1973. Which makes me 35 years old this November. Mom would make outrageous claims that I was jamming out to old albums of The Osmonds when I was a kid. But as far as I can remember, it was this one particular song that had the most impact on me when I was 3 or 4- Stevie Wonder's "Superstition".

I watched me a lot of Sesame Street when I was young. In fact, I could even recite some of the lines of the sketches and songs as they were really burned into the back of my skull somehow. I remember The Pointer Sisters. And James Taylor on the show. And Lena Horne. Paul Simon. Smokey Robinson. Even the late Madeline Khan.

But what really stood out was "Superstition". It had an elaborate setup of instruments and musicians, and kids jammin' out on the balcony, and of course, Mr. Stevie Wonder himself. Man, I funked out to Stevie Wonder when I was 3. After doing a bit of research, here's some stuff I discovered about that particular version of "Superstition".

• This performance was recorded live on the set of Sesame Street- right in front of Mr. Hooper's store- in 1972. But check this out: everything was done in one take, and done live.
• The lead guitar player? That's a teenaged Ray Parker Jr., man. "A Woman Needs Love"? "You Can't Change That"? The theme from "Ghostbusters" the movie? Yeah, that's him alright.
• The rest of Stevie's crew: that's Anthony Jackson on bass (some people say it's Scott Edwards, though)- the same guy who gave you the funky bassline on The O Jay's "For The Love of Money", and you also have Ollie Brown on drums, Trevor Laurence on sax and Steve Madaio on trumpet.

How can you not jam out to this one? Here it is, ladies and gentlemen for your enjoyment:

Much thanks to the boys over at Ryan's Smashing Life Music Weblog for posting this funky-ass video on YouTube. And here's another Stevie Wonder classic on Sesame Street: check this post out from my personal TV blog, Too Much TV | Renzie on TV.

Wanna get more Sesame Street vids and clips? There's a whole lot of em posted all over YouTube, but you may want to check out the official Sesame Street Channel on YouTube here.

Hope you enjoyed this post, ladies and gentlemen.

Cheers!

Tori Amos Live At Montreux CD and DVD Out Now

Huge news for all you Tori Amos fans out there!

Tori Amos had just released a live CD and DVD titled Tori Amos Live At Montreux. The performances took place just a year apart from each other in July 1991 and July 1992 at the Montreux Jazz Festival. The CD and DVD include Tori’s original music as well as a lot of great cover songs. Check out the track listings below.

Also check out this video of Tori Amos performing "Thank You" at the 1991 Montreaux Jazz Festival. Enjoy!

Here's the official Press Release for the new Tori Amos CD/DVD:

Tori Amos descended on the scene in the early ‘90s brimming with newfound creativity, intelligence, sensitivity and an exacting literary bearing. Celebrated by critics and the public alike, that first spotlight was a heady time in the young singer/songwriter’s career. On September 30, 2008, Eagle Rock Entertainment, through its wholly-owned Eagle Eye Media subsidiary, will release Tori Amos Live At Montreux 1991/1992 on both CD (16 songs) and DVD (90 minutes, 19 songs) simultaneously sold separately. It is a rare glimpse into that initial breathy rush of a great artist’s ascendancy.

The ’91 gig came only months before her Little Earthquakes debut had catapulted her into an instant icon, the ’92 appearance shortly thereafter. The progression in both performance and audience receptivity is appreciable. Material includes most of her stellar debut but also tracks from her indie EPs and some notable covers (Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love” and “Thank You” as well as Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit”).

Tori Amos’ stark confessional style immediately garnered millions of young fans searching for some semblance of self in an all too imperfect world. Tori’s melodic sense, coupled with her unerring eye for the human foibles of a generation twice removed from the ‘60s sensibilities of her influences, made for a uniquely special art. There was no, and is no, precedent for such a talent. Tori’s obliquely personal oeuvre digs down deep into such dramatic lyrical topics as sexuality, religion and personal tragedy. She touches that universal chord. It’s small wonder she became a major voice right from the outset of her career.

Track Listings

1991 DVD TRACK LISTING

1. Silent All These Years
2. Precious Things
3. China
4. Crucify
5. Leather
6. Song For Eric
7. Upside Down
8. Happy Phantom
9. Winter
10. Thank You

1992 DVD TRACK LISTING

11. Little Earthquakes
12. Crucify
13. Silent All These Years
14. Precious Things
15. Happy Phantom
16. Whole Lotta Love/Thank You
17. Me And A Gun
18. Winter
19. Smells Like Teen Spirit

CD TRACK LISTING

1991 show:

1. Silent All These Years
2. Precious Things
3. China
4. Crucify
5. Leather
6. Song For Eric
7. Upside Down
8. Happy Phantom
9. Winter
10. Thank You

1992 show

11 Little Earthquakes
12) Precious Things
13) Whole Lotta Love/Thank You
14) Me And A Gun
15) Winter
16) Smells Like Teen Spirit

For more on Tori Amos, check out her entry here on Wikipedia, or her official website here. If you like, you can also visit Tori Amos on her MySpace and Facebook pages.

Cheers, everyone!

Last Song Syndrome: Iggy Pop and Kate Pierson - "Candy" (1991)

from the player of Renzie Baluyut

I remembered first hearing "Candy" over the radio back in my second year of college. Punk god Iggy Pop finally had a Top 40 hit- which actually sounded alright. But what made it better was that he had a B-52 singing along with him: Kate Pierson.

The B-52's were the trademark party band of the 1980's, with Kate being one of the lead singers, alongside Fred Schneider and Cindy Wilson. So having heard a more sensitive side of Kate Pierson on this particular collaboration was a serendipitous treat.

The song wasn't commercially available in the Philippines, so a fan like me really had no choice but to tune in and wait for "Candy" to be played every 4 hours or so.

Just over the weekend, I put together a 90's easy listening mix and pulled out some tracks I haven't quite heard in a while. So here we go, ladies and gentlemen. Enjoy!

Iggy Pop and Kate Pierson
"Candy" (1991)

Its a rainy afternoon in 1990
The big city... geez, it's been 20 years-
Candy- you were so fine...

Beautiful beautiful
Girl from the north
You burned my heart with a flickering torch
I had a dream that no one else could see
You gave me love for free

Candy, candy, candy I can't let you go
All my life you're haunting me, I loved you so
Candy, candy, candy I can't let you go
Life is crazy
Candy baby

Yeah, well it hurt me real bad when you left
Hey, I'm glad you got out, but...
But I miss you

I've had a hole in my heart for so long
I've learned to fake it and just smile along
Down on the street
Those men are all the same
I need a love
Not games
Not games

Candy, candy, candy I can't let you go
All my life you're haunting me
I loved you so
Candy, candy , candy I can't let you go
Life is crazy
I know, baby
Candy baby

Woh oh oh
Candy, candy, candy I can't let you go
All my life you're haunting me
I loved you so

Candy candy candy
Life is crazy
Candy baby

Candy baby,
Candy, candy

Special thanks to male70s for posting the vid up on YouTube. Check out Iggy Pop's wikipedia entry here, and his official website here. As for Kate Pierson, you can read up on her here, and check her out on the B-52's official website.

Can't get that song out of your head? Then check out more of Renzie's Last Song Syndrome Project, the only blog service dedicated to getting that persistent tune out of your system- by giving you lots more of it!

Cheers, everyone!

Last Song Syndrome: Care - "Whatever Possessed You" (1983)

Now I stand corrected. You know, all this time as a New Wave enthusiast and a radio professional in the Philippines, I've always referred to the duo of Ian Broudie and Paul Simpson as "The Care", when in fact it's really just "Care".

So Care it is. Not a great deal of listeners even know about Care. But if you're into the whole 80's Alternative/New Wave scene, then you've probably heard of them.

Their more famous songs? "Whatever Possessed You" would definitely be their defining sound with that awesome trademark guitar intro. Of course there's "Flaming Sword", "My Boyish Days" and "Chandeliers".

Formed in 1983, Care never released an album, only singles really- until 1997 (way after the band broke up) with the "Diamonds and Emeralds" compilation CD. And yes, I remember grabbing my own copy from CD Warehouse.

Here's a classic New Wave track I was able to catch on YouTube, courtesy of parkhill62. Check out this old video of "Whatever Possessed You". Enjoy!

Care
"Whatever Possessed You" (1984)

Goodbye my love
Heaven has been wronged
Now our young bent arms don't seem quite so strong
November and all the frost bites
Deep as the snow flowers plowed
This bed is colder than blood or bone

Never knock on my door- whatever possessed you, oh
Somewhere there's an emptiness
Hold me, tie me, I wouldn't dream of it

Beware my love
This tongue is a dying flame
My lies may fall like an acid rain
Maybe the sleet was in silently above the roads
You loving angel, you're skin and bones

Never knock on my door- whatever possessed you, oh
Somewhere there's an emptiness
Hold me, tie me, I wouldn't dream of it

November and all the frost bites... deeper than the snow flowers plowed
This bed is colder than blood or bone

Never knock on my door- whatever possessed you, oh
Somewhere there's an emptiness
Hold me, tie me, I wouldn't dream of it

Check out Care's very own entry on Wikipedia, and the respective official websites of Ian Broudie and Paul Simpson.

Can't get that song out of your head? Then check out more of Renzie's Last Song Syndrome Project, the only blog service dedicated to getting that persistent tune out of your system- by giving you lots more of it!

Cheers, everyone!

Chicks In Music: Shirley Manson of Garbage

by Renzie Baluyut

Shirley Manson, where the heck have you been all this time?

You probably remember Shirley Manson best as frontwoman for 90's rock group (one of the best 90's acts, in my opinion) Garbage. That's her below with Steve Marker, Duke Erikson and Butch Vig, taken on the set of the video for "Only Happy When It Rains" in 1995.

I'm a huge Garbage fan myself. Since the band exploded into the music scene in the mid-90's, they've come out with five albums: their self-titled debut in '95, Version 2.0 in '98, beautifulgarbage in 2001, Bleed Like Me in 2005 and finally a compilation Absolute Garbage just last year.

Here's one of my absolute favorite Garbage songs: Steve, Duke and Butch were all music producers and had already been working on some songs, but wanted a female vocalist. They caught Shirley Manson performing for Angelfish (her pre-Garbage band), and asked her to come audition.

She did, but hadn't quite nailed it the first time. She auditioned once again though, after Angelfish disbanded. And the vocals for that very same audition made it to the final cut of "Stupid Girl".

So here's Shirley Manson and the dudes of Garbage with the song that made the band famous virtually overnight. Enjoy!

Garbage "Stupid Girl" (1995)

"Stupid Girl" made use of a drum sample from one of The Clash's more radio-friendly tunes that made a hit in 1984 , "Train in Vain". The entire video was shot in just four hours in a warehouse they got for the production. Inspired by the opening sequence of the 1995 movie Se7en, Director Samuel Bayer cut the footage into pieces, soaked it in his bath, then deliberately added thumbprints and abrasions onto them before putting it back together by hand.

In May 2008, Shirley Manson joined the cast of The Sarah Connor Chronicles as a regular, and having seen the first three episodes of the second season, well, let's just say that you know there's definitely a Terminator-on-Terminator smackdown sometime in the near future.

Right now though, we know Shirley's working on a solo album, though no word yet when her album is going to be released.

What I'm Listening To From Shirley Manson Now

The second season of Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles premiered on TV some two weeks ago, picking up from where the first season left off. Without spoiling anything, you have Cameron (the Terminator character played by geek favorite Summer Glau) restoring herself and making her way to the Connor household in the opening scene, to the unmistakable sound of Shirley Manson's vocals- her version of The Grateful Dead's "Samson & Delilah"

A lot of the old Garbage songs are still on my mp3 player, most of which are from the first two albums, including "Milk", "Only Happy When It Rains", "The Trick is to Keep Breathing", "When I Grow Up" and "I Think I'm Paranoid".

Right now though, I'm revisiting "Vow" and "Queer", two songs Garbage released right before they became famous.

Check out Shirley Manson here on her entry on Wikipedia, or you could go ahead and check out the official Garbage website here.

Cheers, everyone.

Chicks In Music is a regular feature on My Thoughts In Stereo. We pay tribute to the hottest ladies in the music industry- with updates, trivia, video clips and links to their websites and social media. Checking out your favorite females in rock, pop and R&B online has never been so gratifying- Chicks in Music!

Renzie's 100 Songs: 80's New Wave Trip

by Renzie Baluyut

So here I was tagging some photos for uploading, and I decided to bring me up a nice little 80's New Wave playlist. It was a lot of photos, and therefore, I needed quite a bit of New Wave to get things going.

New Wave music does have a great deal of significance to me. It was that time in high school when I decided to listen to something other than the usual Debbie Gibson, Rick Astley and Fra Lippo Lippi (who?). Pop radio was getting increasingly annoying at the time. So me and a few friends decided to, well, soak up on something else.

Years later, when I joined a radio station, I realized that New Wave as a music genre comes in all kinds of music styles. Then your American New Wave doesn't necessarily translate to what was considered New Wave in Europe, and for some strange reason, here in the Philippines, you have people lumping in overplayed pop songs with the New Wave genre.

The lines get blurry, but now I've differentiated 80's music into 3 sub-genres: 80's pop music (which has your usual FM radio fare), 80's rock music (which has your music from The Outfield, U2, Aerosmith, etc.), and then your 80's alternative, in which New Wave falls in (along with 80's Coffeehouse, but that's another post completely).

So anyway, here's a list of a hundred 80's New Wave songs you might want to cue up in your player as well. Enjoy!

1. 10,000 Maniacs - The Peace Train
2. 3 o'Clock - On Paper
3. The Adventures - Broken Land
4. The Alarm - Rain in the Summertime
5. Marc Almond - Say Hello Wave Goodbye
6. Alphaville - Forever Young
7. Altered Images - Happy Birthday
8. Aztec Camera - How Men Are
9. The B-52's - Legal Tender
10. B-Movie - Switch On, Switch Off
11. Bananarama - He Was Really Sayin' Something
12. Berlin - Like Flames
13. The Bible - Graceland
14. Big Audio Dynamite - E=MC2
15. Big Country - In a Big Country
16. Blue Nile - Stay
17. Blue Zoo - Love Moves In Strange Ways
18. The Bolshoi - Please
19. Book of Love - Book of Love
20. Edie Brickell & the New Bohemians - What I Am
21. Bronski Beat - Smalltown Boy
22. The Care - Whatever Possessed You
23. The Chameleons - Tears
24. China Crisis - Some People I Know To Lead Fantastic Lives
25. The Church - No Explanation
26. The Clash - Rock The Casbah
27. Lloyd Cole & the Commotions - Rich
28. The Colourfield - Thinking of You
29. Concrete Blonde - Joey
30. The Cure - Love Song
31. Depeche Mode - But Not Tonight
32. The Dream Academy - Life In a Northern Town
33. Echo & The Bunnymen - Bring on the Dancing Horses
34. Erasure - Chains of Love
35. Fiction Factory - Feels Like Heaven
36. Figures on a Beach - No Stars
37. The Fixx - Red Skies
38. Flesh for Lulu - Postcards from Paradise
39. A Flock of Seagulls - Transfer Affection
40. Friends Again - State of Art
41. Fun Boy Three - Our Lips are Sealed
42. Gang of Four - Damaged Goods
43. General Public - Tenderness
44. H2O - Blue Diamonds
45. Heaven 17 - Let Me Go
46. Howard Jones - Life in One Day
47. The Housemartins - Build
48. Icehouse - No Promises
49. Icicle Works - Birds Fly (Whisper To A Scream)
50. Billy Idol - Catch My Fall
51. Information Society - What's On Your Mind?
52. INXS - I Send a Message
53. Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart
54. King - Love and Pride
55. The Lotus Eaters - Palm of my Hand
56. Love & Rockets - So Alive
57. Men Without Hats - The Safety Dance
58. Midnight Oil - The Dead Heart
59. The Mighty Lemon Drops - Inside Out
60. Missing Persons - Words
61. Modern English - Ink and Paper
62. Nena - 99 Luftballons
63. New Order - The Perfect Kiss
64. Gary Numan - Cars
65. Orchestral Maneouvres in the Dark - Forever Live and Die
66. Oingo Boingo - We Close Our Eyes
67. The Pale Fountains - Thank You
68. Positive Noise - When Lightning Strikes
69. The Primitives - Crash
70. The Proclaimers - I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)
71. The Psychedelic Furs - Love My Way
72. The Railway Children - A Gentle Sound
73. REM - It's The End of the world (And I Feel Fine)
74. Real Life - Catch Me I'm Fallin'
75. Red Rockers - China
76. Seona Dancing - More To Lose
77. Shriekback - Nemesis
78. Siouxsie and the Banshees - Cities in Dust
79. Simple Minds - Alive and Kicking
80. The Sisters of Mercy - Walk Away
81. The Smiths - Ask
82. The Sound - Total Recall
83. So - Are You Sure?
84. Soft Cell - Kitchen Sink Drama
85. Strawberry Switchblade - Who Knows What Love Is?
86. The Style Council - My Everchanging Moods
87. The Sundays - Here's Where The Story Ends
88. Tears for Fears - The Way You Are
89. The The - This is the Day
90. The Thompson Twins - Hold Me Now
91. Tuesday Blue - Love Me Simple
92. Ultravox - All Stood Still
93. Midge Ure - Dear God
94. Suzanne Vega - Left of Center
95. The Violent Femmes - Blister in the Sun
96. White China - Smiles & Jokes
97. The Wild Swans - The Worst Year of My Life
98. X'mal Deutschland - Matador
99. XTC - Making Plans for Nigel
100. Vitamin Z - Burning Flame

Pictures on this blog entry courtesy of Wikipedia.

Wanna know what Renzie is listening to right now? Welcome to "Renzie's 100 Songs"- a special feature on "My Thoughts In Stereo" featuring a hundred songs currently playing on Renzie's digital music player- a little over 7 hours worth of great tuneage to set the mood for whatever it is you need to get done.

Share your list by emailing Renzie, or by posting a list of your own via a comment.

Cheers, everyone!

Last Song Syndrome: Paul Simon - "You Can Call Me Al" (1985)

Now here's some more happy music for you. Was listening to this song on my way to this fantastic beachfront property in Nasugbu, Batangas.

Anyway, I remembered having a challenge figuring out the words and lyrics to "You Can Call Me Al", way back in 1985- I was just about 11 or 12 back then, mind you :) But it's always been a fun song, with an equally fun video featuring Chevy Chase lip-syncing as Paul Simon.

Naturally, I had to post it here on this blog. Good times. Enjoy!


Paul Simon
"You Can Call Me Al" (1985)

A man walks down the street
He says, "Why am I soft in the middle now?
Why am I soft in the middle?
The rest of my life is so hard
I need a photo-opportunity
I want a shot at redemption
Don't want to end up a cartoon in a cartoon graveyard.
Bonedigger, bonedigger
Dogs in the moonlight
Far away my well-lit door
Mr. Beerbelly, Beerbelly
Get these mutts away from me
You know I don't find this stuff amusing anymore."

If you'll be my bodyguard
I can be your long lost pal
I can call you Betty
And Betty when you call me
You can call me Al

A man walks down the street
He says, "Why am I short of attention?
Got a short little span of attention
And -woh- my nights are so long
Where's my wife and family?
What if I die here?
Who'll be my role-model,
Now that my role-model is
Gone, gone?"
He ducked back down the alley
With some roly-poly little bat-faced girl
All along, along
There were incidents and accidents
There were hints and allegations

If you'll be my bodyguard
I can be your long lost pal
I can call you Betty
And Betty when you call me
You can call me Al
Call me Al

A man walks down the street
It's a street in a strange world
Maybe it's the Third World
Maybe it's his first time around
He doesn't speak the language
He holds no currency
He is a foreign man
He is surrounded by the sound, the sound
Cattle in the marketplace
Scatterlings and orphanages
He looks around, around
He sees angels in the architecture
Spinning in infinity
He says Amen! and Hallelujah!

If you'll be my bodyguard
I can be your long lost pal
I can call you Betty
And Betty when you call me
You can call me Al
Call me Al

Video of Paul Simon's "You Can Call Me Al" courtesy of curedude77 on YouTube. Check out Paul Simon's Wikipedia entry here.

Can't get that song out of your head? Then check out more of Renzie's Last Song Syndrome Project, the only blog service dedicated to getting that persistent tune out of your system- by giving you lots more of it!

Cheers, everyone!

Last Song Syndrome: Paramore - "CrushCrushCrush" (2007)

Man, I just gotta get this song outta my system. Been singing the chorus all day.

By far, my favorite Paramore song so far- "CrushCrushCrush" is the third single off the band's second album Riot! that came out last year.

My sister and I hit a karaoke place a few weeks back- I remember choosing this song, but to our disappointment (well, mostly mine) it didn't have any lyrics to go with it (just the regular music video, really). So I thought I'd get me my Paramore fix by putting up a Last Song Syndrome post right here.

Enjoy!

Paramore
"CrushCrushCrush" (2007)

I got a lot to say to you
Yeah, I got a lot to say
I noticed your eyes are always glued to me
Keeping them here
And it makes no sense at all

They taped over your mouth
Scribbled out the truth with their lies
Your little spies
They taped over your mouth
Scribbled out the truth with their lies
Your little spies

Crush
Crush
Crush
Crush, crush
(Two, three, four! )

Nothing compares to a quiet evening alone
Just the one, two, of us who's counting on
That never happens
I guess I'm dreaming again
Let's be more than, this

If you want to play it like a game
Well, come on, come on, let's play
Cause I'd rather waste my life pretending
Than have to forget you for one whole minute

They taped over your mouth
Scribbled out the truth with their lies
Your little spies
They taped over your mouth
Scribbled out the truth with their lies
Your little spies

Crush
Crush
Crush
Crush, crush
(Two, three, four! )

Nothing compares to a quiet evening alone
Just the one, two of us who's counting on
That never happens
I guess I'm dreaming again
Let's be more than this now

Rock and roll, baby
Don't you know that we're all alone now?
I need something to sing about
Rock and roll, hey (hey)
Don't you know, baby, we're all alone now?
I need something to sing about
Rock and roll, hey (hey)
Don't you know, baby, we're all alone now?
Give me something to sing about

Nothing compares to a quiet evening alone
Just the one, two of us who's counting on
That never happens
I guess I'm dreaming again
Let's be more than

No

Nothing compares to a quiet evening alone
Just the one, two of us who's counting on
That never happens
I guess I'm dreaming again
Let's be more than
More than this
Oh

Video posted on YouTube by McrAndGreenDayRok . Check out more of Paramore on their official website, or on their Wikipedia entry right here.

Can't get that song out of your head? Then check out more of Renzie's Last Song Syndrome Project, the only blog service dedicated to getting that persistent tune out of your system- by giving you lots more of it!

Cheers, everyone!

Renzie's 100 Songs: Retro Trip

One fine Tuesday afternoon, I find myself doing some cleaning at home, sorting out through some stuff and trying to figure which stuff I'm taking with me to Los Angeles, and which ones to get rid of.

I felt retro-ish today, so I cued up some oldies on my player. So here are a hundred songs you might actually like as well if you're into a variety of 60's and 70's stuff- though looking at the list now, it seems there are more 70's stuff on this playlist.

Enjoy!

1. 10CC - I'm Not In Love
2. ABBA - Take A Chance On Me
3. America - Sister Golden Hair
   
4. Argent - Hold Your Head Up
5. Bachman Turner Overdrive - Takin' Care of Business
6. The Bay City Rollers - Saturday Night
   
7. The Bellamy Brothers - Let Your Love Flow
8. Elvin Bishop - Fooled Around And Fell In Love
   
9. Bobby Fuller Four - I Fought The Law
10. David Bowie - Fame
11. Blood, Sweat and Tears - Spinning Wheel
12. Blue Magic - Sideshow
13. Blue Oyster Cult - Don't Fear The Reaper
14. Boston - More Than A Feeling
15. Brownsville Station - Smoking In The Boys' Room
16. Steve Carlisle - WKRP in Cincinatti
17. Chad and Jeremy - Before and After
    
18. Cheap Trick - I Want You To Want Me
19. Chicago - Saturday In The Park
20. Climax Blues Band - Couldn't Get It Right
21. The Crazy World of Arthur Brown - Fire
22. Creedence Clearwater Revival - Fortunate Son
23. Pablo Cruise - Worlds Away
    
24. Daddy Dewdrop - Chick-a-Boom (Don't Ya Jes' Love It?)
25. The Doobie Brothers - Jesus Is Just Alright With Me
26. The Doobie Brothers - Takin' It To The Streets
27. The Edgar Wynter Group - Free Ride
    
28. Exile - Kiss You All Over
29. Firefall - Always
30. Flash and the Pan - And The Band Played On (Down Among The Dead Men)
    
31. Free - All Right Now
32. Marvin Gaye - Got To Give It Up, Part 1
33. Dobie Gray - Drift Away
    
34. Al Green - Let's Stay Together
    
35. Nick Gilder - Hot Child In The City
36. Marshall Hain - Dancing In The City
    
37. Hamilton, Joe Frank and Reynolds - Fallin' In Love
    
38. George Harrison - My Sweet Lord
39. Heart - Barracuda
    
40. Heatwave - Mind Blowing Decisions
41. The Hollies - Bus Stop
42. Rupert Holmes - Escape (The Pina Colada Song)
43. Hot Chocolate - You Sexy Thing
    
44. The Ides of March - Vehicle
45. The Isley Brothers - Fight The Power
46. Jefferson Airplane - Somebody To Love
    
47. Jigsaw - Sky High
48. Elton John & Kiki Dee - Don't Go Breakin' My Heart
49. KC & The Sunshine Band - My Boogie Shoes
    
50. Carole King - You're So Vain
51. Kool & The Gang - Jungle Boogie
52. Led Zeppelin - The Immigrant Song
    
53. Edison Lighthouse - Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)
    
54. Leo Sayer - You Make Me Feel Like Dancing
55. Lynyrd Skynyrd - Sweet Home Alabama
    
56. The Mamas and the Papas - California Dreaming
57. Maria Muldaur - Midnight At The Oasis
    
58. Malo - Suavecito
59. The Marshall Tucker Band - Last of the Singing Cowboys
60. Curtis Mayfield - Superfly
    
61. Paul McCartney and the Wings - Band On The Run
    
62. Paul McCartney and the Wings - Silly Love Songs
63. Barry McGuire - Eve of Destruction
64. MFSB ft The Three Degrees - T.S.O.P.
65. Van Morrison King Harvest - Dancing In The Moonlight
    
66. David Naughton - Makin' It
    
67. The New Beats - I Like Bread and Butter
68. The New Seekers - I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing
69. The Nylons - Duke of Earl
70. Odyssey - Native New Yorker
    
71. Ocean - Put Your Hand In The Hand
    
72. The O'Jays - For The Love of Money
73. The O'Jays - I Love Music
74. Parliament - Give Up The Funk
75. The Pointer Sisters - Yes We Can Can
76. Gary Puckett and the Union Gap - Young Girl
    
77. Ram Jam - Black Betty
78. Rare Earth - I Just Wanna Celebrate
79. Lou Rawls - You'll Never Find
    
80. Reunion - Life Is A Rock (But The Radio Rolled Me)
81. Rhythm Heritage - The Theme from S.W.A.T.
82. Santana - Evil Ways
83. Sniff N' The Tears - Driver's Seat
84. The Spencer Davis Group - Gimme Some Lovin'
85. Spiral Starecase - Our Day Will Come
    
86. The Stampeders - Sweet City Woman
87. Starland Vocal Band - Afternoon Delight
88. Donna Summer - Hot Stuff
    
89. Sutherland Brothers and Quiver - Arms of Mary
    
90. Sweet - Love Is Like Oxygen
91. T-Rex - 20th Century Boy
    
92. Tower of Power - So Very Hard To Go
93. The Turtles - Happy Together
94. Vanity Fair - Hitching A Ride
    
95. The Walker Brothers - The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore
96. WAR - Why Can't We Be Friends?
97. Bill Withers - Lovely Day
    
98. Stevie Wonder - As
99. Stevie Wonder - I Wish
100. Gary Wright - Dream Weaver
     

Wanna know what Renzie is listening to right now? Welcome to "Renzie's 100 Songs"- a special feature on "My Thoughts In Stereo" featuring a hundred songs currently playing on Renzie's digital music player- a little over 7 hours worth of great tuneage to set the mood for whatever it is you need to get done.

Share your list by emailing Renzie, or by posting a list of your own via a comment.

Cheers, everyone!

Damn These International Licensing Issues

"We're sorry, but this video is unavailable in your country."

Reviewing bits of this particular blog of mine, "My Thoughts In Stereo: Renzie on Music", has revealed a truly annoying trend. As you all know, I have a number of blog posts which incorporates video- so thanks to other music fans all over the world posting their favorites on video-sharing services such as YouTube, AoL Music and other sites, this is all very much possible.

Lately, however, and more particularly on some of my posts I've written while I was in Los Angeles, I've noticed that I couldn't play back some of my embedded videos- mostly due to restraints on certain pieces which cannot be played outside the United States.

So anyway, here I am trying to make my blog more world-friendly, fixing whatever broken links I find, or trying to find alternate links or sites to videos that can, apparently, only be played in the US.

If you've been reading through my blog, and for some reason, come across some video that can't be played or follow a link that can't get you what you want- please do let me know. I realize I may have quite a bit of work going on then.

Cheers, everyone.

Last Song Syndrome: Fergie ft Ludacris - "Glamorous" (2007)

Man, I love this song. It is, for me, Fergie's best piece of work thus far.

For me, it's memories of soaking in the hot tub at this one particular hotel I stayed in, playing this song over and over 'til I got me enough of the lyrics right to sing to it.

Anyway- lately, some family flew on in from Canada for my brother's wedding- and wouldn't you know it? The lucky ducks get bumped up to first class for their 16+ hour flight from Toronto to Hong Kong. The furthest I ever got upgraded was to Business Class :).

So here we have "Glamorous", the third single released from Fergie's debut solo project, The Dutchess- after "London Bridge" and "Fergalicious", and right before "Big Girls Don't Cry".

Produced by Polow Da Don, "Glamorous" was a massive worldwide hit- in terms of radio airplay, downloads, album sales and saw some really hot rotation on music video channels.

As far as I'm concerned though, it's my all-time favorite Fergie jam, and it's still in my player today.

So check it out, ladies and gentlemen, and sing along to some of Fergie's "The Glamorous Life".


Fergie ft. Ludacris "Glamorous" (2007)

Are you ready? Yeah. Polow da Don. It's Fergie!
If you ain't got no money take your broke ass home
You say: If you ain't got no money take your broke ass home
G-L-A-M-O-R-O-U-S, yeah
G-L-A-M-O-R-O-U-S

We flyin' first class
Up in the sky
Poppin' champagne
Livin' the life
From the fast lane
And I wont change
By the Glamorous, oh the flossy flossy

The glamorous,
The glamorous, glamorous (the glamorous life)
By the Glamorous, oh the flossy flossy
The glamorous,
The glamorous, glamorous (the glamorous life)
By the Glamorous, oh the flossy flossy

Wear them gold and diamonds rings
All them things don't mean a thing
Chaperons and limousines
Shopping for expensive things
I be on the movie screens
Magazines and bougie scenes
I'm not clean, I'm not pristine
I'm no queen, I'm no machine

I still go to Taco Bell
Drive through, raw as hell
I don't care, I'm still real
No matter how many records I sell
After the show or after the Grammies
I like to go cool out with the family
Sippin', reminiscing on days when I had a Mustang
And now I'm in...

First class
Up in the sky
Poppin' champagne
Livin' the life
From the fast lane
And I wont change
By the Glamorous, oh the flossy flossy

The glamorous,
The glamorous, glamorous (the glamorous life)
By the Glamorous, oh the flossy flossy
The glamorous,
The glamorous, glamorous (the glamorous life)
By the Glamorous, oh the flossy flossy

[Ludacris:]
I'm talking Champagne wishes, caviar dreams
You deserve nothing but all the finer things
Now this whole world has no clue what to do with us
I've got enough money in the bank for the two of us
Plus I gotta keep enough lettuce
To support your shoe fetish
Lifestyles so rich and famous
Robin Leach will get jealous
Half a million for the stones
Taking trips from here to Rome
So if you ain't got no money take your broke ass home

G-L-A-M-O-R-O-U-S, yeah
G-L-A-M-O-R-O-U-S

We flyin' first class
Up in the sky
Poppin' champagne
Livin' the life
In the fast lane
And I wont change
By the Glamorous, oh the flossy flossy

The glamorous,
The glamorous, glamorous (the glamorous life)
By the Glamorous, oh the flossy flossy
The glamorous,
The glamorous, glamorous (the glamorous life)
By the Glamorous, oh the flossy flossy

I got problems up to here
I've got people in my ear
Telling me these crazy things
That I don't want to know (fuck y'all)
I've got money in the bank
And I'd really like to thank
All the fans, I'd like to thank
Thank you really though

Cause I remember yesterday
When I dreamt about the days
When I'd rock on MTV, that be really dope
Damn, It's been a long road
And the industry is cold
I'm glad my daddy told me so, he let his daughter know.
(If you ain't got no money, get yo' broke ass home)
I'm glad my daddy told me so,
(If you ain't got no money, get yo' broke ass home)
He let his daughter know.
(If you ain't got no money, get yo' broke ass home)
I'm glad my daddy told me so,
(If you ain't got no money, get yo' broke ass home)
He let his daughter know.

Video from Jack2102 on YouTube. Wanna read more about Fergie and her work? Check out her entry on Wikipedia, or even better- check out her official website.

Can't get that song out of your head? Then check out more of Renzie's Last Song Syndrome Project, the only blog service dedicated to getting that persistent tune out of your system- by giving you lots more of it!

Cheers, everyone!

The Dr. Horrible Sing-Along Blog Songbook, Part 3 of 3

Welcome to Part 3 (of 3) of my Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog Songbook- a special series on this blog, My Thoughts In Stereo, paying tribute to the brilliant internet musical directed by Joss Whedon.

In our last couple posts, we took on the first several songs from Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog: From the first act- "My Freeze Ray", "Bad Horse (The Application)", "Penny's Song", and "What A Man's Gotta Do", and then from the second- "On The Rise", "Bad Horse (The Phone Call)", "Keep Your Head Up" and "Brand New Day".

This post features the songs of the last, third act:

• "So They Say"
• "Everyone's A Hero"
• "Slipping", and finally
• "The Finale / Brand New Day (reprise)"
  

So let's get this show on the road- ladies and gentlemen, the music of "Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog" Act 3:

The People of Los Angeles
"So They Say"
Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, Act 3

Moving Guy #1: So they say Captain Hammer’s become a crusader-
political, he’s cleaning up the streets.
Moving Guy #2: About time

Groupie #1: So they say that it’s real love
Groupies: So romantic!
Groupie #2: He signed this.

Penny: So they say we’ll have blankets and beds
We can open by Monday thanks to you
Captain Hammer: Thanks to me!

News Anchors: It’s the perfect story
Newsman: So they say
Newslady: A hero leading the way
News Anchors: Hammer’s called to glory
Newslady: Let’s all be our best
Newsman: Next up, who’s gay?

Groupie #3: So they say he saved her life
Groupie #1: They say she works with the homeless
And doesn’t eat meat- we have a...
Groupies: ...problem with her!
Groupie #2: This is his hair.

Captain Hammer: This is so nice
I just might sleep with the same girl twice
They say it’s better the second time
They say you get to do the weird stuff
Groupies: We do the weird stuff!

Penny: This is perfect for me so they say
I guess he’s pretty OK
After years of stormy sailing
Have I finally found the bay?

*phone rings*
Moist: (to Pink Pummeller) He’s still not picking up...

Dr. Horrible and Penny: There’s no happy ending, so they say...
Dr. Horrible: ...not for me anyway
Penny: Should I stop pretending, or is this a brand new day?
Horrible: ...Stop pretending, take the chance to build
a brand new day!

Groupie #2: This is his dry cleaning bill
Groupies: Four sweater vests!


Captain Hero feat. the People of Los Angeles
"Everyone's a Hero"
Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, Act 3

You know what? I don't need tiny cue cards.
When I fell deeply in love with my serious, long-term girlfriend, Penny-
Wave your hand, Penny-
*sporadic applause*
There she is! Cute, huh? Sort of a quiet, nerdy thing- not my usual- but nice.
Anyway, she turned me on to this whole- homeless thing- which is terrible.
And I realized, I'm not the only hero in this room tonight. I'm not the only one fighting.

It may not feel too classy
Begging just to eat
But you know who does that? Lassie
And she always gets a treat

So you wonder what your part is
Because you’re homeless and depressed
But home is where the heart is
So your real home’s in your chest

Everyone’s a hero in their own way
Everyone’s got villains they must face
They’re not as cool as mine
But folks you know it’s fine to know your place

Everyone’s a hero in their own way
In their own not-that-heroic way

So I thank my girlfriend Penny
Yeah, we totally had sex
She showed me there’s so many
Different muscles I can flex

There’s the deltoids of compassion
There’s the abs of being kind
It’s not enough to bash in heads
You’ve got to bash in minds

Everyone’s a hero in their own way
Everyone’s got something they can do
Get up go out and fly
Especially that guy he smells like poo

Everyone’s a hero in their own way
You and you and mostly me and you

I’m poverty’s new sherriff
And I’m bashing in the slums
A hero doesn’t care if you’re a bunch of scary
Alcoholic bums- Everybody!

Everyone’s a hero in their own way
Everyone can blaze a hero’s trail
Don’t worry if it’s hard,
if you’re not a friggin ‘tard you will prevail

Everyone’s a hero in their own way
Everyone's a hero in their–

Dr. Horrible
"Slipping"
Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, Act 3

Look at these people, amazing how sheep'll
Show up for the slaughter
No one condemning, you lined up like lemmings
You lead to the water

Why can’t they see what I see Why can’t they hear the lies
Maybe the fee’s too pricey for them to realize
Your disguise is slipping, I think you’re slipping

Now that your savior’s as still as the grave
You’re beginning to fear me
Like cavemen fear thunder, I still have to wonder
Can you really hear me?

I bring you pain, the kind you can’t suffer quietly
Fire up your brain remind you inside you’re rioting
Society is slipping, everythings slipping away, so...

Go ahead- run away! Say it was horrible!
Spread the word- tell a friend! Tell them the tale!
Get a pic- do a blog: Heroes are over with!
Look at him- not a word! Hammer meet nail!

Then I win, then I get everything I ever
All the cash, all the fame and social change
Anarchy that I run- it’s Dr. Horrible’s turn
You people all have to learn
This world is going to burn... burn...
...yeah, it’s two R’s... H-O-R-R then I...
Burn!

No sign of Penny? Good.
I would give anything not to have her see
It’s gonna be bloody- head up, Billy-buddy
There’s no time for mercy

Here goes no mercy–
*sound of machinery dying down*
That’s... not a good sound...
*Thwack!*

Dr. Horrible
"The Finale / Brand New Day (reprise) "
Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, Act 3

Here lies everything- the world I wanted at my feet
My victory’s complete, so hail to the king
(Everything you ever...)
Arise and see

So your world’s benign, so you think justice has a voice
And we all have a choice- well now your world is mine
(Everything you ever...)
And I am fine...

Now the nightmare’s real
Now Dr. Horrible is here to make you quake with fear!
To make the whole world kneel
(Everything you ever)
And I wont feel … a thing

"Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog" was directed by Joss Whedon. Written by Joss, with brothers Jed and Zack, along with Maurissa Tancharoen. Music by both Joss and Jed. Lyrics by Joss, Jed and Maurissa. Stars Neil Patrick Harris as Dr. Horrible, Nathan Fillion as Captain Hammer, and Felicia Day as Penny.

Sing along to your other favorite Dr. Horrible songs by checking out parts 1 and 2 of my Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog Songbook, right here on my own blog (which you can really, now sing along to as well...), My Thoughts In Stereo.

Check out Part 1 of the Dr. Horrible Sing-Along Blog Songbook here, featuring the songs

• "Laundry Day",
• "Bad Horse (The Application)",
• "Caring Hand", and
• "A Man's Gotta Do What a Man's Gotta Do"
  

Check out Part 2 of the Dr. Horrible Sing-Along Blog Songbook here, featuring the songs

• "On The Rise",
• "Bad Horse (The Phone Call)",
• "Keep Your Head Up", and
• "Brand New Day"

Again: don't forget to check out the official Dr. Horrible website, and show your support by downloading your own copy from iTunes.

Cheers, everyone!

The Dr. Horrible Sing-Along Blog Songbook, Part 2 of 3

Welcome to Part 2 (of 3) of my Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog Songbook- a special series on this blog, My Thoughts In Stereo, paying tribute to the brilliant internet musical directed by Joss Whedon.

In our last post, we took on the first batch of songs from Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog: "My Freeze Ray", "Bad Horse (The Application)", "Penny's Song", and "What A Man's Gotta Do".

In this post, we are providing lyrics you can sing to as you watch Act 2 over and over again:

• "On The Rise",
• "Bad Horse (The Phone Call)",
• "Keep Your Head Up", and
• "Brand New Day"
  

So let's get on with Act 2 shall we? Here we go:


Dr. Horrible & Penny
"On The Rise"
Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, Act 2

(Dr. Horrible)
Any dolt with half a brain
Can see that humankind has gone insane
To the point where I don’t know
If I’ll upset the status quo
If I throw poison in the water main.

Listen close to everybody’s heart
And hear that breaking sound
Hopes and dreams are shattering apart
And crashing to the ground

I cannot believe my eyes
How the world’s filled with filth and lies
But it’s plain to see evil inside of me
Is on the rise.

(Penny)
Look around
We’re living with the lost and found
Just when you feel you’ve almost drowned
You find yourself on solid ground

And you believe there’s good in everybody’s heart
Keep it safe and sound
With hope you can do your part
To turn a life around

I cannot believe my eyes
Is the world finally growing wise?
Because it seems to me some kind of harmony
Is on the rise

Dr. Horrible: Anyone with half a brain
Penny: Take it slow

Dr. Horrible: Could spend their whole life howling in pain
Penny: He looks at me and seems to know

Dr. Horrible: Because the dark is everywhere and
Penny: The things that I’m afraid to show

Dr. Horrible: Penny doesn’t seem to care that soon the dark in me is all that will remain
Penny: And suddenly I feel this glow

Dr. Horrible: Listen close to everybody’s heart
Penny: And I believe there’s good in everybody’s heart

Dr. Horrible: And hear that breaking sound
Penny: Keep it safe and sound

Dr. Horrible: Hopes and dreams are shattering apart
Penny: With hope you can do your part

Dr. Horrible: And crashing to the ground
Penny: To turn a life around

Dr. Horrible: I cannot believe my eyes
how the world’s filled with filth and lies
Penny: I cannot believe my eyes
how the world’s finally growing wise

Dr. Horrible: But it’s plain to see evil inside of me is on the rise
Penny: And it’s plain to see rapture inside of me is on the rise


The Bad Horse Chorus
"Bad Horse (The Phone Call)"
Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, Act 2

Dr. Horrible: Not to worry, though, 'coz I'm...
*mobile phone rings*
Dr. Horrible: Uh...one sec

He saw the operation
You tried to pull today
But your humiliation means he still votes “neigh”
And now assassination is just the only way

There will be blood, it might be yours
So go kill someone, signed, Bad Horse


Penny
"Keep Your Head Up"
Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, Act 2

Here’s a story of a girl
Who grew up lost and lonely
Thinking love was fairy tale
And trouble was made only
For me

Even in the darkness, every color can be found
And every day of rain brings
Water flowing to things
Growing in the ground

Grief replaced with pity
For a city barely copin'
Dreams are easy to achieve
If hope is all I’m hopin' to be

Anytime you’re hurt
There’s one who has it worse around
And every drop of rain will keep you
Growing seeds you’re sowing in the ground

So keep your head up billy buddy

Dr. Horrible
"Brand New Day"
Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, Act 2

This appeared as a moral dilemma
Cause at first it was weird though
I swore to eliminate the worst of the plague
That devoured humanity,
It’s true I was vague on the ‘How’
So how can it be that you
Have shown me the light?

It’s a brand new day
And the sun is high
All the birds are singing
That you’re gonna die
How I hesitated
Now I wonder why
It’s a brand new day

All the times that you beat me unconscious?
I’ll forgive
All the crimes incomplete?
Listen, honestly, I’ll live
Mr. Cool, Mr. Right, Mr. Know-it-all is through
Now my future’s so bright and
I owe it all to you
Who showed me the light

It’s a brand new me
I’ve got no remorse
Now the water’s rising but I know the course
I’m gonna shock the world
Gonna show Bad Horse
It’s a brand new day

And Penny will see the evil me
Not a joke not a dork not a failure
And she may cry but her tears will dry
When I hand her the keys
To a shiny new Australia.

It’s a brand new day
Yeah the sun is high
All the angels sing
Because you’re gonna die

Go ahead and laugh
Yeah I’m a funny guy
Tell everyone goodbye
It’s a brand new day


"Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog" was directed by Joss Whedon. Written by Joss, with brothers Jed and Zack, along with Maurissa Tancharoen. Music by both Joss and Jed. Lyrics by Joss, Jed and Maurissa. Stars Neil Patrick Harris as Dr. Horrible, Nathan Fillion as Captain Hammer, and Felicia Day as Penny.

Sing along to your other favorite Dr. Horrible songs by checking out parts 1 and 3 of my Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog Songbook, right here on my own blog (which you can really, now sing along to as well...), My Thoughts In Stereo.

Check out Part 1 of the Dr. Horrible Sing-Along Blog Songbook here, featuring the songs

• "My Freeze Ray",
• "Bad Horse (The Application)",
• "Penny's Song", and
• "What a Man's Gotta Do"
  

Check out Part 3 of the Dr. Horrible Sing-Along Blog Songbook here, featuring the songs

• "So They Say"
• "Everyone's A Hero"
• "Slipping" and
• "Finale/ Brand New Day (reprise)"
  

Again: don't forget to check out the official Dr. Horrible website, and show your support by downloading your own copy from iTunes.

Cheers, everyone!