Much More Music: Whitesnake - "Here I Go Again" (1987)

"This is just like in the Whitesnake video!" - Ricky Bobby, "Talladega Nights", 2006.

It wasn't the first time "Here I Go Again" was referenced in a Will Ferrell movie. The first time, if you would recall, was in the 2003 comedy "Old School".

"Here I Go Again" was a massive hit for Whitesnake in 1987. It was first released in the UK in 1982- David Coverdale just left Deep Purple at the time, and decided to form the band (while he was still popular, I suppose- and it did make a lot of sense). As opposed to the original release, the 1987 US version sounded more slick- mixed with better production elements and backing vocals, giving it that more radio-friendly sound.

The video was particularly memorable because it featured a rather scantily-clad (well, for its time, at least anyway) Tawny Kitaen prancing on the hood, and inside two Jaguars (one belonged to David, and the other belonged to director Marty Callner). It was a huge hit for the MTV-viewing audience, and somehow set the trend for rock bands to use more sexy women in their videos from that point onwards.

Aside from the two Will Ferrell movies, "Here I Go Again" was also referenced in an episode of "American Dad", the "1985" music video of Bowling For Soup, alluded to in "Death Proof", and more recently, in the modern-warfare-themed PC real-time strategy game, "World In Conflict".

Here's Whitesnake with "Here I Go Again". Enjoy!

Whitesnake
"Here I Go Again" (1987)

Intro  :        G   D   C       G   D   C


G       D              C     D
I don't know where I'm going,
G       D                    C    D
but I sure know where I've been.
G                D           C                    G Am
Hanging on the promises in songs of yesterday.
                  D
And I've made up my mind.
Am                        D
I ain't wasting no more time,
         Em
here I go again.
Am            G     Em Am C D
Here I go again.

G             D                C       D
Though I keep searching for an answer,
G                  D                     C   D
I never seem to find what I'm looking for.
G           D                 C                    G Am
Oh Lord I pray you give me strength to carry on,
                     D
'cause I know what it means,
Am                                       D   C   D
to walk along the lonely streets of dreams.

                  G          C           D   C   D
CHORUS :        And here I go again on my own,
                    G              C               D   C   D
              going down the only road I've ever known.
                       G             C           D     C 
              Like a drifter I was born to walk alone.
            Am7                     D 
              And I've made up my mind,
            Am7                         D    C    D
              I ain't wasting no more time.

    G                  D                C        D
      I'm just another heart in need of rescue,
    G            D                 C      D
      waiting on love's sweet charity.
    G               D               C                  G  Am7
      And I'm gonna hold on for the rest of my days,
                              D
      'cause I know what it means,
         Am7                                D       C   D
      to walk along the lonely street of dreams.

                
                  G          C           D   C   D
CHORUS :        And here I go again on my own,
                    G              C               D   C   D
              going down the only road I've ever known.
                       G             C           D   C 
              Like a drifter I was born to walk alone.
            Am7                     D 
              And I've made up my mind,
            Am7                         D
              I ain't wasting no more time.
                  C      D   Em  Am             Em
              but here I go again,  here I go again.
           Am             Em  Am           Em   Am  C  D
              Here I go again,  here I go.


REPEAT AND FADE:
                  G          C           D   C   D
CHORUS :        And here I go again on my own,
                    G              C               D   C   D
              going down the only road I've ever known.
                       G             C           D   C 
              Like a drifter I was born to walk alone.
            Am7                     D 
              And I've made up my mind,
            Am7                         D
              I ain't wasting no more time.

I hope you liked this one. Here are a couple of factoids about Whitesnake:

Did You Know?

1. Whitesnake featured an ever-changing roster of musicians ever since they started out in 1977, but the one constant in the line-up to this day has been lead singer David Coverdale himself.

2. Tawny Kitaen appeared in at least three other Whitesnake videos, including "Is This Love" in 1987.

3. David Coverdale and Tawny Kitaen actually ended up getting married in 1989, but divorced two years later in 1991.

4. The name "Whitesnake" was actually a euphemism for male genitalia.

So there you have it. Also cool from Whitesnake: "Is This Love" (1987). Check out the band's official website here.

Cheers!

2007 is Year Zero - MTV

2007 was a bad year for the music industry. You don't need a complex report to paint a picture for you. Can you remember the last time you went into a record bar and actually bought CDs? I can't help but notice whenever I pass by an O Music Video store or an Astrovision- and I'm sure you've noticed too.

In a trend that's been going on for eight years now, album sales were down 15 percent from 2006, according to Nielsen SoundScan. On the recording industry front, there's been a lot of drama, a lot of lawsuits and disastrous moves- artists jump ship, execs try to clamp down, everything just looks so ugly.

MTV.com had even gone as far as calling 2007 "Year Zero"- as things in the music and recording industry started to change because they couldn't possibly get any worse.

But just how bad is bad, exactly? Here's a recap from MTV.com on just how horrendous it was for the music industry in 2007:

January 14: The "Dreamgirls" soundtrack tops the Billboard albums chart with sales of just over 60,000 copies. It's the lowest sales total for a #1 album in SoundScan's 16-year run, beating the record set the previous week, when the soundtrack landed at #1 with sales of 66,000 copies.

January 30: Sony BMG announces that it has reached a proposed settlement with the Federal Trade Commission that would allow consumers to trade in CDs with the controversial self-installing "rootkit" antipiracy software — which the company had included without consumers' knowledge — "through June 31," according to a press release (of course, in keeping with the less-than-forthright spirit of the whole rootkit issue, there are only 30 days in June). The company also agrees to pay up to $150 to repair any damage to computers caused by users trying to remove the digital-rights-management software, which was revealed to cause serious security risks. The settlement also calls for Sony BMG to disclose any limitations on consumers' use of the music CDs, and prohibits the company from collecting user information for marketing purposes and from installing software without users' consent. Sony is also required to provide a way for users to easily uninstall the rootkit software.

March 5: In a blow to small Internet radio, the Copyright Royalty Board — made up of three copyright-royalty judges appointed by the librarian of Congress — significantly increases the royalties paid to musicians and record labels for streaming digital songs online, ending a discounted fee for small Internet broadcasters. Under the ruling, the current rate of $0.08 each time a song is played will more than double by 2010. In April, a coalition of webcasters, including National Public Radio, attempts to request a new hearing, but the Royalty Board rejects the appeal, and on July 15, the royalty hike goes into effect. In November, both AOL and Yahoo contemplate shuttering their Web radio services due to the increased royalties.

March 21: Paul McCartney leaves longtime label EMI to sign with Starbucks' new record label, Hear Music. His album, Memory Almost Full, is released in June through both traditional retailers and more than 6,000 Starbucks locations in the U.S., and sells more than 160,000 copies in its first week. "For me, the great thing is the commitment and the passion and the love of music," McCartney tells an audience of Starbucks shareholders. "It's a new world now and people are thinking of new ways to reach the people, and for me that's always been my aim."

June 11: In a move that would have seemed unimaginable in the label-driven industry of old, Kelly Clarkson feuds openly with the head of her label — Sony BMG head Clive Davis, for decades one of the most powerful industry executives — and parts ways with her management company, the Firm, amid controversy about her upcoming album My December. Three days later, concert promoter Live Nation announces that Clarkson's summer tour in support of the album has been canceled due to underwhelming ticket sales. My December hits stores later in the month, and sells more than 290,000 copies in its first week, giving Clarkson the #2 album in the country — behind the "Hannah Montana" soundtrack — but shows little staying power. Clarkson later apologizes for her remarks.

July 10: Canadian indie outfit Stars make their new album, In Our Bedroom After the War, available for download just 10 days after completing it — and some three months before its scheduled release date. The move is done with the blessing of their label, Arts& Crafts, and the album becomes a mainstay on the iTunes Music Store's most-downloaded list.

July 15: Prince ticks off his U.K. record label and Britain's Entertainment Retailers Association when he decides to release his new album, Planet Earth, for free with the Sunday edition of the British newspaper The Mail. It's estimated that 2.27 million people receive the album, which helps boost sales of tickets for his 21-night stand at London's O2 arena. "It's direct marketing, and I don't have to be in the speculation business of the record industry, which is going through a lot of tumultuous times right now," Prince says.

September 19: Kanye West's Graduation sells nearly 957,000 copies to claim the top spot on the Billboard albums chart. 50 Cent's Curtis bows at #2 with sales of more than 691,000. Both are the best first-week numbers of 2007 (besting Linkin Park's Minutes to Midnight, which scanned 623,000 copies in May), and Graduation notches the biggest first week in nearly two years — beating, interestingly, West's Late Registration, which sold more than 860,000 copies when it was released in September 2005.

October 1: Radiohead shock fans by announcing on their blog that not only have they completed their much-anticipated new album, In Rainbows, but that "it's coming out in 10 days," via download — leading to reams of "this is a taste of the future of albums"-type commentary. The bandmembers, who have been free agents since the release of 2003's Hail to the Thief, decide to release the album by themselves in two formats: download-only, which allows fans to name their price for the album, and as a deluxe "discbox" version (priced at approximately $80).

October 4: The Recording Industry Association of America wins its first case against file-sharing, when a jury finds 30-year-old Brainerd, Minnesota, resident Jammie Thomas guilty of copyright infringement. In question were 24 music files she allegedly posted on the peer-to-peer site Kazaa. Thomas is ordered to pay $220,000 in fines — or $9,250 per song file. Her lawyers appeal the ruling, on the grounds that it is "unconstitutionally severe," but in December, the U.S. Department of Justice intervenes, urging the courts not to rule on the constitutionality of the damages, as "Copyrights are of great value, not just to their owners, but to the American public as well."

October 8: Trent Reznor announces the end of his 13-year relationship with Interscope Records, writing on his site, "As of right now, Nine Inch Nails is a totally free agent, free of any recording contact with any label. ... It gives me great pleasure to be able to finally have a direct relationship with the audience as I see fit." He then goes on to write that there are "exciting times" ahead. And he's not kidding: Within a week, he promises (threatens?) to scuttle Interscope's release of a Year Zero remix album by leaking tracks from it to the Internet, then announces that he's partnering with Saul Williams to release The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of Niggy Tardust! via download, and gets into a public argument with the Universal Music Group over the legality of a proposed fan-only remix site, before deciding to launch the site himself.

October 9: One day before downloads of In Rainbows are scheduled to begin, Radiohead send an e-mail to those who've ordered it, stating that the album will be encoded at 160 kilobits per second, a rate far inferior to their other LPs, which are all available for download at 320 kbps (or most MP3s floating around file-sharing sites like OiNK, for that matter). This angers many fans, who feel that the band duped them by not announcing the encoding rate upfront, and the bad feelings are only furthered when Radiohead's managers give an interview to a British trade mag, in which they suggest the download version of In Rainbows is a promotional tool for the actual CD.

October 10: In Rainbows is made available for download. Over the next two months, much speculation ensues as to just how many people downloaded it and exactly how much they paid to do so: Early reports have more than 1.2 million fans downloading it at an average price of $8, though later findings by comScore, a company that measures consumer activity online, adds that more than 60 percent of downloaders paid nothing for the album. Neither Radiohead nor their publicists discuss the financial aspects of the download experiment, though the band does issue a statement dismissing comScore's findings as "wholly inaccurate."

October 16: Madonna finalizes a massive 10-year deal with Live Nation, believed to be worth $120 million. It's the largest so-called "360 deal" in history, involving not only Madge's future studio albums but her tours, merchandising, film and TV projects, DVD releases and music-licensing agreements. "For the first time in my career, the way that my music can reach my fans is unlimited," Madonna says in a statement. "The possibilities are endless. Who knows how my albums will be distributed in the future?" The deal brings to an end the singer's 25-year relationship with Warner Music Group, which has released all of her albums to date.

October 23: OiNK, "the world's biggest source for pirated, pre-release albums," is shut down after a two-year criminal investigation led by Interpol (the international police organization headquartered in Lyon, France ... not the band). Officers raid the apartment of OiNK's creator, a 24-year-old Brit named Alan Ellis, and seize the site's servers in Amsterdam. Ellis is arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud and copyright infringement, and the e-mail addresses of the site's more than 180,000 users are made available to police — though it is not known whether they could face criminal prosecution as well. Ellis' trial is scheduled to begin in February.

November 7: Thanks to a last-minute rule change by the folks at SoundScan, the Eagles' Wal-Mart-only LP, Long Road Out of Eden, debuts at #1 on the Billboard albums chart with sales of more than 711,000 copies. The total nearly triples that of the country's #2 album, Britney Spears' Blackout, and gives the group — which hadn't released an album of new studio material in 28 years — the second-highest debut of 2007.

November 27: Universal Music Group CEO Doug Morris gives a disastrous interview to Wired magazine, in which he compares the music industry to a character from the comic strip "Lil' Abner," calls college students who download music "criminals" and explains the industry's inability to keep up with the Internet by saying, "There's no one in the record company that's a technologist. ... It's like if you were suddenly asked to operate on your dog to remove his kidney. What would you do?"

November 28: Reigning "American Idol" champ Jordin Sparks' self-titled debut lands at #10 on the Billboard chart with sales of 119,000 copies. It's the lowest first-week sales total for any "Idol" winner — by more than 180,000 copies.

December 3: Island Def Jam lays off nearly 6 percent of its staff. Rumors of axings at major labels like Sony BMG and the Universal Music Group begin to swirl — and at press time, it looked like they may have begun. The Warner Music Group announces that it has cut bonuses for employees, and Terra Firma, the private equity group that owns EMI (home to Capitol Records), reportedly makes "cutbacks a core part of its strategy." There are also reports of massive reshuffling at labels like Epic, RCA and Arista.

December 31: In Rainbows is set to be released to retailers in the U.K. through XL Recordings. The U.S. release will come one day later, through TBD Records, an offshoot of the Dave Matthews-founded ATO Records.

Last Song Syndrome: Justin Timberlake - Lovestoned/ I Think That She Knows (2007)

Now, this, ladies and gentlemen, is pure pop genius. It's one of my favorite songs for 2007, and definitely one of my most favorite tunes from Justin Timberlake.

"Lovestoned/ I Think That She Knows" is the fifth single released from the 2006 hit album Futuresex/Lovesounds- Justin's second solo album. The song was co-written and produced by Justin, Timbaland and Danja.

I just had to add this song because of an earlier post I wrote about the song, and now I can't get the damn thing out of my head. Though it is a great song.

So here it is, lyrics and video included. Enjoy!

Justin Timberlake
"Lovestoned/I Think That She Knows" (2007)

She's freaky and she knows it
She's freaky and I like it

Listen

She grabs the yellow bottle
She likes the way it hits her lips
She gets to the bottom
It sends her on a trip so right
She might be goin' home with me tonight

She looks like a model
Except she's got a little more ass
Don't even bother
Unless you've got that thing she likes
I hope she's goin' home with me tonight

(Hey!) Those flashing lights come from everywhere
The way they hit her I had to stop and stare
She's got me love stoned
Man I swear she's bad and she knows
I think that she knows



She's freaky and she knows it
She's freaky, but I like it

She shuts the room down
The way she walks and causes a fuss
The baddest in town
She's flawless like some uncut ice
Well, I hope she's goin' home with me tonight

And all she wants is to dance
That's why you'll find her on the floor
But you don't have a chance
Unless you move the way that she likes
That's why she's goin' home with me tonight

(Hey!) Those flashing lights come from everywhere
The way they hit her I had to stop and stare
She's got me love stoned
Man I swear she's bad and she knows
I think that she knows

Those flashing lights seem to cause a glare
The way they hit her I had to stop and stare
She's got me love stoned from everywhere
She's bad and she knows
I think that she knows

Now dance
Get it girl
You're freaky, but I like it
Hot damn!
Let me put my funk on this one time

(Instrumental break)

Those flashing lights come from everywhere
The way they hit her I had to stop and stare
She's got me love stoned
Man I swear she's bad and she knows
I think that she knows

Those flashing lights seem to cause a glare
The way they hit her I had to stop and stare
She's got me love stoned from everywhere
She's bad and she knows
I think that she knows

Those flashing lights come from everywhere
The way they hit her I had to stop and stare
She's got me love stoned
Man I swear she's bad and she knows
I think that she knows

(Instrumental break)

Those flashing lights come from everywhere
The way they hit her I had to stop and stare
She's got me love stoned
I think I'm love stoned
She's got me love stoned

I think that she knows, think that she knows, oh, oh
I think that she knows, think that she knows, oh, oh
I think that she knows, think that she knows, oh, oh

Those flashing lights come from everywhere
The way they hit her I had to stop and stare
I'm love stoned from everywhere and she knows
I think that she knows
Think that she knows, oh, oh

And now I walk around without a care
She's got me hooked
It just ain't fair, but I...
I'm love stoned and I could swear
That she knows
Think that she knows, oh, oh
She knows, she knows, oh, oh

Visit the official Justin Timberlake website here for more information on the man himself.

Cheers!

Guess Who This Guy Is Playing "Lovestoned / I Think That She Knows"

Okay, I was checking out YouTube just a while back, and went on to the 'Most Liked' videos of the week, right? And I check out this clip right here- watch it a bit.



Now, you pop-fans will most likely recognize that as the interlude on Justin' Timberlake's massive radio hit, "LoveStoned/I Think That She Knows". Again, nothing too out-of-the-ordinary, other than the fact that the dude playing the interlude had it pretty much spot-on, and manages to improvise a little bit.

So I go ahead and check out the comments, coz I'd like to leave some, give the guy his props. And then I realize, based on the comments- the dude playing on the clip is John Mayer!

How kickass is that? Apparently, the video clip is hosted on his Youtube account, where he goes by the nick "Mayermusic". He even left a nice note about the video clip:

Heard this in the car today, wanted to try it out... Collings I-35 through a Roland Space Echo pedal, Cornish NG-2 Fuzz and Fender '64 Vibroverb... Looped through a Boomerang pedal.

What a guy, huh? See, I already like John Mayer, but it's little things like these that make me more of a fan. Keep it up, John. More power.

Check out the official John Mayer website here. Cheers!

Did You Know? Bonnie Tyler - Total Eclipse of the Heart (1983)

You'll probably never listen to this song the same way ever again.

Did you know that "Total Eclipse of the Heart", the massive 1983 radio hit by Bonnie Tyler may actually have pedophilia elements?

True, the song sounds harmless enough- heck, the listening public loved it, and continues to play on hundreds of radio stations and mp3 players all over the world.

The song is completely overplayed in the Philippines, though, but the fact that Max Weinberg (music director on Late Night with Conan o'Brien, band leader for the Max Weinberg 7 and resident drummer for Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band) played the drum tracks on "Total Eclipse of the Heart" just made it awesome for me once again.

But check this out: watch the video closely, and look at the various elements in it. It would seem that Bonnie Tyler (the singer) is floating around in a dream, going through a hallway with rooms- lots of rooms, with lots of boys- in a classroom, some with bright orbs for eyes ("bright eyes", indeed), others dancing around, etc.

As the song goes on, everybody is worked up to a dancing frenzy (at least some form of intetpretative dance, anyway), and then a teenage boy in underpants with giant wings growing out of his back (an angel, apparently), wraps his arms around a crying Bonnie Tyler.

Video concludes with a scene on the steps of a private school, and we see Bonnie Tyler's character is, apparently, a school teacher. She gets introduced to the boys in her class- seemingly harmless enough- until one of them grabs hold of her hand and looks at her with...bright orbs for eyes- "Bright Eyes" Boy from the dream!

So the dream was probably all about the schoolteacher's fantasies about her students- and that the events that transpired the night before probably wasn't even a dream after all!

Read more about "Total Eclipse of the Heart" on Wikipedia, here. In the meantime, check out the video provided below, and watch for yourself. Lyrics provided if you want to sing along- just in case. Of course, you'll probably want to read them all over again and you might actually find some hidden meaning behind the lyrics, now that you know what the video was all about. Again, that's Max Weinberg on drums.

Cheers everyone!

Bonnie Tyler
"Total Eclipse of the Heart" (1983)

(Turn around) Every now and then
I get a little bit lonely
and you're never coming around
(Turn around) Every now and then
I get a little bit tired
of listening to the sound of my tears
(Turn around) Every now and then
I get a little bit nervous
that the best of all the years have gone by
(Turn around) Every now and then I get a
little bit terrified
and then I see the look in your eyes

(Turn around bright eyes)
Every now and then I fall apart
(Turn around bright eyes)
Every now and then I fall apart



(Turn around) Every now and then
I get a little bit restless
and I dream of something wild
(Turn around) Every now and then
I get a little bit helpless
and I'm lying like a child in your arms
(Turn around) Every now and then
I get a little bit angry
and I know I've got to get out and cry
(Turn around) Every now and then
I get a little bit terrified
but then I see the look in your eyes

(Turn around bright eyes)
Every now and then I fall apart
(Turn around bright eyes)
Every now and then I fall apart

And I need you now tonight
And I need you more than ever
And if you'll only hold me tight
We'll be holding on forever
And we'll only be making it right
Cause we'll never be wrong
Together we can take it to the end of the line
Your love is like a shadow on me all of the time
(All of the time)
I don't know what to do and I'm always in the dark
We're living in a powder keg and giving off sparks
I really need you tonight
Forever's gonna start tonight
Forever's gonna start tonight

Once upon a time I was falling in love
But now I'm only falling apart
There's nothing I can do
A total eclipse of the heart
Once upon a time there was light in my life
But now there's only love in the dark
Nothing I can say
A total eclipse of the heart

(Turn around bright eyes)
Every now and then I fall apart
(Turn around bright eyes)
Every now and then I fall apart

And I need you now tonight
And I need you more than ever
And if you'll only hold me tight
We'll be holding on forever
And we'll only be making it right
Cause we'll never be wrong
Together we can take it to the end of the line
Your love is like a shadow on me all of the time
(All of the time)
I don't know what to do and I'm always in the dark
We're living in a powder keg and giving off sparks
I really need you tonight
Forever's gonna start tonight
Forever's gonna start tonight

Once upon a time I was falling in love
But now I'm only falling apart
There's nothing I can do
A total eclipse of the heart
Once upon a time there was light in my life
But now there's only love in the dark
Nothing I can say
A total eclipse of the heart
A total eclipse of the heart
(Turn around bright eyes)
(Turn around bright eyes, turn around)

Other "Total Eclipse of the Heart" trivia you might want to know:

1. This song was written by Jim Steinman- same dude behind a lot of Meatloaf's songs, including the power ballad "I'll Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)." Notice the tendency for surreal imagery, elaborate production, and a comparatively long running time- the song clocks in at 6:51.

2. The radio edit of the song takes away the third verse and fades the ending out earlier, chopping the song to a more radio-friendly 4:28.

3. The song was featured prominently in the 2001 movie Bandits. Cate Blanchett's character loves the song, describing it as "The ultimate haiku to the complexity of love." She soon finds out that Bruce Willis' character also loves the song, and so now they have a relationship of sorts going on, much to the dismay of Billy Bob Thornton's character.

4. In addition to Max Weinberg, another E Street Band member- Roy Bittan- also played on the song. Roy played the keyboards.

5. From Songfacts: A wedding band sings a surprisingly vulgar version of this in the movie Old School. It was performed by The Dan Band, which is a real group specializing in obscene versions of songs made popular by female singers. Here's a video of The Dan Band in action- their version of "Total Eclipse of the Heart".



Did You Know? is a continuing project of "My Thoughts In Stereo" to educate the music-listening radio audience. There's a lot more to your songs than you might actually know. And with more stories about your favorite songs, you might actually appreciate them more.

Cheers once again!

Much More Music: Jon Bon Jovi - Livin' On A Prayer (1987)

I suppose it's a guilty pleasure of sorts. I actually liked Bon Jovi probably up until somewhat after the release of the New Jersey album (which was still a good album, in my opinion).

What I didn't like was when some local concert producer brought Bon Jovi over here in the early- or mid-90's (probably even on two different occasions, not sure), and milked their commercial success for all its worth. So you heard them everywhere- not just radio stations and music video channels, but also on noontime TV. You know a song's getting dangerously over-exposed once its hit noontime TV- especially in the form of a contest, or a recurring theme or something.

In any case, "Livin' On A Prayer" remains as one of the greatest rock anthems to come out of the eighties. It was the second single released from the Slippery When Wet album- Bon Jovi's third album (if I'm not mistaken). Originally, the album cover was supposed to feature a close-up shot of a pair of -well, wet and slippery female breasts, which was apparently inspired by the group's visit to a stripclub at some point.

At least that was the idea until some government moral board found out about it, and so in the interest of sales, Slippery When Wet had since then, graced a more decent album cover than the aforementioned female mammaries- giving us the album cover we know so well these days.

So here's "Livin' on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi- lyrics, music vid, and a whole lot of fun. Enjoy!

Bon Jovi
"Livin' On A Prayer" (1987) 
Em C D ...

(Once upon a time, not so long ago ....)

Em                                 Em/F# (022002)
Tommy used to work on the docks
Em
Union's been on strike, he's down on his luck
  C      D           Em
It's tough,   so tough.

Gina works the dinner all day
Working for her man, she brings home her pay
For love, for love.

                   C   D                Em
She says we've got to hold on to what we've got.
C                 D                           Em
It doesn't make a diff'rence if we make it or not.
   C        D                 Em        C
We've got each other and that's a lot, for love.
  D
We'll give it a shot.

Em  C           D           G                 D7sus4
Woooh, we're halfway there, wo-oh, livin' on a prayer.
Em       C          D
Take my hand we'll make it, I swear
G  C  D7sus4
Wo-oh, livin' on a prayer

Tommy's got his six string in hock,
now he's holding in, when he used to make it talk
So tough, it's so tough.

Gina dreams of running away
She cries in the night, Tommy whispers:
Baby it's okay, someday.

                   C   D                Em
She says we've got to hold on to what we've got.
C                 D                           Em
It doesn't make a diff'rence if we make it or not.
   C        D                 Em        C
We've got each other and that's a lot, for love.
  D
We'll give it a shot.


Em  C           D           G                 D7sus4
Woooh, we're halfway there, wo-oh, livin' on a prayer.
Em       C          D
Take my hand we'll make it, I swear
G  C  D7sus4
Wo-oh, livin' on a prayer
C
Livin' on a prayer.


Solo: Em, C, D, G, C, D ...


Em                    C   D             Em D
Oo-oh, we've got to hold on, ready or not
  C                           D
You live for the fight when it's all that you've got.


Bb   Eb        Fsus4     F
Woooooh, we're half ---- way there
Bb   Eb  F7sus4
Wo---oh, livin' on a prayer
Gm      Eb             F
Take my hand and we'll make it I swear
Bb  Eb F7sus4
Wo-oh, livin on a prayer

For more information on Bon Jovi, get to know the band more on their official website here, or read more about them on Wikipedia. Cheers!

Last Song Syndrome: Patti Labelle - If You Asked Me To (1989)

One of my most favorite easy-listening tunes of all time came from Patti Labelle. In 1989, Ms. Labelle collaborated with Diane Warren and came up with the hit ballad, "If You Asked Me To." While Celine Dion came up with her more (arguably) commercially-successful version of the song, I still feel that Ms. Labelle's rendition of "If You Asked Me To" had the right amount of passion and power in it.

So, thanks to American Idol, I found myself singing this song on my way to work today, and for those of you who couldn't get it out of their heads, here's a little public service for you.

Enjoy!

Patti Labelle
"If You Asked Me To" (1989)

Used to be that I believed in something,
Used to be that I believed in love,
It's been a long time since I've had that feelin',
I could love someone,
I could trust someone.

I said I'd never let nobody near my heart again, darlin',
I said I'd never let nobody in,

But, if you asked me to I just might change my mind,
And let you in my life forever,
If you asked me to I just might give my heart,
And stay here in your arms forever.
If you asked me to,
If you asked me to,



Somehow ever since I've been around you,
Can't go back to being on my own
Can't help feelin', darlin', since I've found you,
That I've found my home,
That I'm finally home.

I said I'd never let nobody get to close to me, darlin',
I said I needed, needed to be free,

But, if you asked me to I just might change my mind,
And let you in my life forever,
If you asked me to I just might give my heart,
And stay here in your arms forever.
If you...

Ask me to I will give my world to you baby
I need you now (I need you now)
Ask me to and I'll do anything
For you, baby,
For you, baby...

(If you asked me to)
I'll let you in my life forever...
(If you asked me to)
All you gotta do is ask me to...
I'll give you my word

(If you asked me to)
I'll give you my heart
I'll give you everything just ask me baby
(If you asked me to)
Oh, I'll do anything you want me to
Just ask me, yeah, all you gotta do is ask me to

(If you asked me to)
I'll give my mind, all you gotta do is ask me to
(If you asked me to)

Read up more on Patti Labelle on Wikipedia, and check out her official website here as well.

Much More Music: Joan Jett & The Blackhearts - I Love Rock N Roll (1982)

Now not a lot of people know this, but Joan Jett's "I Love Rock N Roll" is actually a remake of an earlier song by The Arrows, which was released in 1975.

Nevertheless, we love Joan Jett's version (I couldn't quite say the same for Britney's take- sorry Britney). Joan's first recording of the song was in 1979, while she was still with her band, The Runaways. That version was done with Steve Jones and Paul Cook of The Sex Pistols.

In 1982, Joan Jett got herself a new band, The Blackhearts, and rerecorded "I Love Rock N Roll". It came with a black-and-white music video, and got huge airplay on MTV.

In March 2005, Q magazine placed Jett's version of the song at number 85 in its list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Tracks- in fact, if you're playing Guitar Hero on PS2, chances are, you've already played this song.

Recently, "I Love Rock N Roll" has been featured on American Idol season 7, when the crew headed off for Philadelphia, and the song, as it turns out, was one of the leg's favorite audition pieces.

So here's one of the greatest rock songs of all time, from one of the hottest chicks in rock n roll- even to this day as she goes around on tour, playing her music. Here are the lyrics and the chord patterns (from www.azchords.com) to "I Love Rock N Roll". Enjoy!

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
"I Love Rock N Roll" (1982)

INTRO:
------
Intro starts with drums and then comes this:
   E5         E5              A5        B5
E|---------------------------------------------------
B|---------------------------------------------------
G|--9--9-------9--9------------2--2------4--4--------
D|--9--9-------9--9------------2--2------4--4--------
A|--7--7-------7--7------------0--0------2--2--------
E|--0--0-------0--0-------3b4-------------------3b4--

  E5         E5              A5        B5   E5
E----------------------------------------------------
B----------------------------------------------------
G--9--9-------9--9------------2--2------4----9--9----
D--9--9-------9--9------------2--2------4----9--9----
A--7--7-------7--7------------0--0------2----7--7----
E--0--0-------0--0-------3b4--------------0--0--0----

   E5
E----------------------------------|
B--------------15b17r15-12---------|  That's the whole intro.
G---9--9-------------------14-12---|
D---9--9---------------------------|
A---7--7---------------------------|
E---0--0---------------------------|


Here's what you play in the verses:
   E5                      E5
E|--------------------------------------------------------
B|-------------------------------------15b17r15-12--------
G|--9--9--------------------9--9-------------------14-12--
D|--9--9--------------------9--9--------------------------
A|--7--7--------------------7--7--------------------------
E|--0--0--------------------0--0--------------------------

  E5                      B5
E--------------------------------------------------------
B-------------------------------------15b17r15-12--------
G--9--9--------------------4--4-------------------14-12--
D--9--9--------------------4--4--------------------------
A--7--7--------------------2--2--------------------------
E--0--0--------------------------------------------------

  A5         B5         E5         A5
E--------------------------------------------------------
B--------------------------------------------------------
G--2--2-------4--4-------9--9-------2--------------------
D--2--2-------4--4-------9--9-------2--------------------
A--0--0-------2--2-------7--7-------0--------------------
E------------------------0--0----------------------------

        B5
E--------------------------|
B--------------------------|
G--------4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4---|
D--------4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4---|
A--------2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2---|
E--------------------------|


VERSE 1:
--------
 E5                                    E5
I saw him dancin' there by the record machine
 E5                              B5
I knew he must've been about seventeen
   A5             B5      E5                  A5
The beat was going strong, playin' my favorite song
       [guitar stops]
And I could tell it wouldn't be long till he was with me, yeah,me
                                                     B5
And I could tell it wouldn't be long till he was with me, yeah me,

singin:


[Here's how you play the first two choruses:]
   E5         E5              A5        B5
E|---------------------------------------------------
B|---------------------------------------------------
G|--9--9-------9--9------------2--2------4--4--------
D|--9--9-------9--9------------2--2------4--4--------
A|--7--7-------7--7------------0--0------2--2--------
E|--0--0-------0--0-------3b4------------------------

  E5         E5              A5        B5   E5
E----------------------------------------------------
B----------------------------------------------------
G--9--9-------9--9------------2--2------4----9--9----
D--9--9-------9--9------------2--2------4----9--9----
A--7--7-------7--7------------0--0------2----7--7----
E--0--0-------0--0-------3b4--------------0--0--0----

   E5
E----------------------------------|
B--------------15b17r15-12---------|
G---9--9-------------------14-12---|
D---9--9---------------------------|
A---7--7---------------------------|
E---0--0---------------------------|


CHORUS:
-------
E5     E5
I love Rock'n'Roll,
  A5                      B5
so put another dime in the jukebox baby
E5     E5
I love Rock'n'Roll,
  A5                          B5         E5
so come and take your time and dance with me

VERSE 2: [play same as verse 1]
--------
He smiled so I got up and asked for his name
"That don't matter,"he said,"'cause it's all the same"
I said, "Can I take you home, where we can be alone?"
And next we were movin' on and he was with me, yeah,me
Next we were movin' on and he was with me, yeah, me
singin':


CHORUS: [play same as previous chorus]
-------
I love Rock'n'Roll,
so put another dime in the jukebox baby
I love Rock'n'Roll,
so come and take your time and dance with me


GUITAR-SOLO/VERSE 3:
--------------------
[The first half of this verse is the solo. Make up your own
solo, I don't transcribe solos. It is played over the first
half of the verse chords. Here is the rest of the verse,
played like the second half of the verses:]

 A5                    B5          E5         A5
I said, "Can I take you home, where we can be alone?"
            [no guitar for the rest of the verse]
Next we were movin' on. He was with me, yeah me

and we'll be movin' on and singin' that same old song

yeah, with me singin:


The last chorus is played like this:
   E5         E5              A5        B5
E|---------------------------------------------------
B|---------------------------------------------------
G|--9--9-------9--9------------2--2------4--4--------
D|--9--9-------9--9------------2--2------4--4--------
A|--7--7-------7--7------------0--0------2--2--------
E|--0--0-------0--0-------3b4------------------------

  E5         E5              A5        B5
E-------------------------------------------|
B-------------------------------------------| Then repeat
G--9--9-------9--9------------2--2------4---| straight away.
D--9--9-------9--9------------2--2------4---|
A--7--7-------7--7------------0--0------2---|
E--0--0-------0--0-------3b4--------------0-|


CHORUS:
-------
[no guitar for the first four lines]

I love Rock'n'Roll,
so put another dime in the jukebox baby
I love Rock'n'Roll,
so come and take your time and dance with me

E5     E5                          
I love Rock'n'Roll,                    
  A5                      B5           
so put another dime in the jukebox baby  
E5     E5                                 
I love Rock'n'Roll,                      
  A5                          B5       
so come and take your time and dance with

E5     E5
I love Rock'n'Roll,                    
  A5                      B5           
so put another dime in the jukebox baby  
E5     E5                                 
I love Rock'n'Roll,                      
  A5                          B5       
so come and take your time and dance with

E5     E5 [second guitar starts playing Fill 1, see below]
I love Rock'n'Roll,                    
  A5                      B5           
so put another dime in the jukebox baby  
E5     E5                                 
I love Rock'n'Roll,                      
  A5                          B5       
so come and take your time and dance with
                                  
E5     E5                          
I love Rock'n'Roll,                    
  A5                      B5           
so put another dime in the jukebox baby  
E5     E5                                 
I love Rock'n'Roll,                      
  A5                          B5         E5
so come and take your time and dance with me



The second guitar that comes in when you're playing the chorus
again and again in the end plays this: [simple, just one note]

FILL 1:

E|-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-|
B|-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-|
G|---------------------------------|
D|---------------------------------|
A|---------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------|

If you're a huge fan of Joan Jett, go check her out here on her official website.

Much More Music: The Bee Gees - How Deep Is Your Love (1977)

Yeah well, so I got myself a mellow side too :). I'm not exactly a huge fan of the Bee Gees, but I believe that "How Deep Is Your Love" is probably one of the best love songs ever written.

The song was written in 1977, and was supposed to be for Yvonne Elliman (another successful 70's performer). I'm not sure if it was the producers, or if it were the Gibbs brothers themselves that made the call, the song eventually ended up as part of the original motion picture soundtrack for Saturday Night Fever.

Good call- since the success of the movie fueled the song's success, making it stay at the Top 10 for 17 weeks (quite the record back then). "How Deep Is Your Love" is considered by Rolling Stone magazine as one of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

"How Deep Is Your Love" has been remade by several artists, including Take That, and was, more recently, featured on American Idol Season 7 as one of the more favorite audition pieces, as the show was touring Philadelphia (just before Christmas, I think). In any case, here it is- along with a video, and some chord patterns should you wish to play along.

Enjoy!

The Bee Gees
"How Deep Is Your Love" (1977)

Intro:
D Dmaj7 Gmaj7 Asus4

D  F#m Em Bm
I know your eyes in the morning sun

Em     Bm    Asus4
I feel you touch me in the pouring rain

D  F#m     Em F#m
And the moment that you wander far from me

Em        F#m   Asus4
I wanna feel you in my arms again

G  F#m
And you come to me on a summer breeze

Em      Em6
Keep me warm in your love and then softly leave

F#m  Asus4
And it's me you need to show

CHORUS:

D
How deep is your love

Dmaj7
How deep is your love

Gmaj7    Gm6
I really need to learn

 D     Amaj7
'cause we're living in a world of fools

B7
Breaking us down

B7      Em
When they all should let us be

Gm
We belong to you and me

D    F#m      Em  Bm
I believe in you

Em     Bm    Asus4
You know the door to my very soul

D  F#m     Em F#m
You're the light in my deepest darkest hour

Em        F#m   Asus4
You're my saviour when I fall

G  F#m
And you may not think


I care for you

Em      Em6
When you know down inside


That I really do

F#m  Asus4
And it's me you need to show

CHORUS:

D
How deep is your love

Dmaj7
How deep is your love

Gmaj7    Gm6
I really need to learn

 D     Amaj7
'cause we're living in a world of fools

B7
Breaking us down

B7      Em
When they all should let us be

Gm
We belong to you and me


BREAK:
D    F#m      Em  Bm
La La La

Em     Bm    Asus4

D  F#m     Em F#m

Em        F#m   Asus4

G  F#m
And you come to me on a summer breeze

Em      Em6
Keep me warm in your love and then softly leave

F#m  Asus4
And it's me you need to show

CHORUS:

D
How deep is your love

Dmaj7
How deep is your love

Gmaj7    Gm6
I really need to learn

 D     Amaj7
'cause we're living in a world of fools

B7
Breaking us down

B7      Em
When they all should let us be

Gm
We belong to you and me

D    F#m      Em

CHORUS:

D
How deep is your love

Dmaj7
How deep is your love

Gmaj7    Gm6
I really need to learn

 D     Amaj7
'cause we're living in a world of fools

B7
Breaking us down

B7      Em
When they all should let us be

Gm
We belong to you and me

D    F#m      Em

D

-Fade-

CHORDS USED (Relative to capo)
EADGBe
D XX0232
G       320003 or 320033 or 3X0033
Amaj7 X02120
Dmaj7 XX0222
Gmaj7 320002
Asus4 X00230
F#m 244222
Bm X24432
Em 022000
Em6 022020
B7 X21202
Gm6 310030 or 310330

end

Check out the Bee Gees on their official website here.

Last Song Syndrome: Technotronic - Move This (1989)

OK, so I saw the Bob Odenkirk-directed "Let's Go To Prison" last night on HBO. Yeah it was a little half-baked, but still, I'm a huge fan of Will Arnett- the dude who played Gob (pronounced Jobe) on the brilliant comedy series, "Arrested Development".

The end credits showed the three lead actors- Will Arnett, Dax Shepard (from "Without A Paddle") and Chi McBride (the principal from "Boston Public")- all crammed into a car singing to this trippy Technotronic song.

"Move This" came out on the same Technotronic album that spawned the massive hit "Pump Up The Jam". Later on, it was featured on one of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies (no big loss, if you didn't watch it).

Technotronic almost pulled off a Milli Vanilli: Belgian producer Jo Bogaert and Manuela Kamosi came up with the album, but needed an "image model" to push them commercially- so they got Zairian-born fashion model Felly to serve the purpose (that's her on the album cover).

You actually get to see Felly singing on the video of "Pump Up The Jam", but when the album became an unexpected hit, Technotronic suddenly found themselves booked for live performances and guest TV appearances. It was a smart move on the group's part to reveal Ya Kid K as the real singer of Technotronic- and it's Ya Kid K you now see on the video of "Move This"

So here we have it- Ya Kid K and Technotronic with "Move This". Enjoy!

Technotronic
"Move This" (1989)

Yo, come on move this

Shake that body
Shake that body

People don't you know, don't you know
It's about time?
Can't you hear the jam is pumpin'
While you taste a piece of mine
Many different flavors
And the spice is strong
Get into the hot stuff
Let me pour a little song

Baby lemme show you how to do this
You gotta move this
You're doin' fine
There's nothin' to it
You gotta groove it
Come on and move this
Shake that body for me...



People don't you know, don't you know
It's about time?
Can't you hear the jam is pumpin'
While you taste a piece of mine
Many different flavors
And the spice is strong
Get into the hot stuff
Let me pour a little song

Baby lemme show you how to do this
You gotta move this
You're doin' fine
There's nothin' to it
You gotta groove it
Come on and move this
Shake that body for me...

Shake that body for me
Shake that body

People don't you know, don't you know
It's about time?
Can't you hear the jam is pumpin'
While you taste a piece of mine
Can you feel the mellow crawlin' fast
Drum on baby, rhythm blast
Pump it, pump it, pump, pump it up
Nothin' can make this one stop

Oh yeah
You gotta move this, groove this, move this on
Shake your body for me

Shake that body
Shake that body for hmm
Shake that body for me
Shake that body

People don't you know, don't you know
It's about time?
Can't you hear the jam is pumpin'
While you taste a piece of mine
Can you feel the mellow crawlin' fast
Drum on baby, rhythm blast
Pump it, pump it, pump, pump it up
Nothin' can make this one stop

Toes be tappin'
Fingers snappin'
Hands clappin' and my mouth rappin'
Talkin' 'bout how cold lappin'
Shut up and do the walk
Use what you got show me
You're on the floor so let me see
Don't say nothin' 'less i saw
And remember I like it raw

You gotta move this
You gotta move this
Oh yeah, you gotta move this
Aw, aw shake that body for me

Baby lemme show you how to do this
You gotta move this
You're doin' fine
There's nothin' to it
You gotta groove it
Come on and move this
Shake that body for me...

Much More Music: Hall & Oates - A Promise Ain't Enough (1997)

At the time it came out (in 1997), Hall and Oates' Marigold Sky album was the first time we heard anything new from the pop duo in seven or eight years. Of course I was a huge fan of Hall and Oates, growing up to a lot of their music. I still remember receiving the CD sampler from the recording company back then, and immediately liked "A Promise Ain't Enough" while I was auditioning it at the radio station.

Since then, "A Promise Ain't Enough" has been a radio favorite, as well as one of my personal faves. You'd hear it at weddings, on various personal compilation mix-CDs, and even an occasional cover band playing it on a night out. Can't blame them- it really makes for some great guitar-playing. Great song.

Hall and Oates
A Promise Ain't Enough (1997)

            A9        A
Don't wanna open your heart
A9              A           
You're afraid from the start
DM7
That a new love's gonna get you down,
   A9                   A
There was something you should know
    A9          A
Before you give up and go
 DM7                      Bm7
I don't believe in a run-around
          C#m7
I just wanted to find myself
DM7     C#m7  Bm7
And show you how I feel.

Chorus:
            DM7   E
If a promise ain't enough
             A9 A    2x
Then a touch says everything
              DM7    E
Gotta hold you in my arms
            A9 A    2x
Do you feel what I mean
      DM7                 E
Know that my heart just tells me what to say
       C#m7          F#m
But words can only prove so much
            DM7    E
If a promise ain't enough
        A
Hold on to my love.

     A9        A
Though my words can't describe
 A9           A
How I'm feelin' all inside,
 DM7
Does my touch say anything to you,
 A9             A
I'm not afraid to take time
 A9           A
'Cause I know you'll find,
  DM7                       Bm7
That I'm real and my touch is true,
                  C#m7
It's taken a lifetime to find my heart
DM7     C#m7   Bm7
And I give it all to you.

(Repeat Chorus)   A DM7  2x

DM7
Oh yeah
A      DM7
Uhmmm..
Bm7                       C#m7
Oh, it took a lifetime to find what I want
 DM7    C#m7 Bm7
I won't let it get away.
(Repeat Chorus)
            DM7  E
If a promise ain't enough
..... Hold on!

A C#m7 Bm7  E...
If a promise ain't enough
Promises - promises - promises - hold on to my love,
Promises - promises - promises - hold on to my love .....
(Repeat and Fade)

Check out more Hall and Oates goodness on their official website.

Much More Music: Regina Spektor - Fidelity (2006)

I love "Fidelity". Here's a song I've been singing over and over again in early 2007. I remember hearing it first at the tail-end of an episode of Veronica Mars (at the start of Season 3, I think), and then once again, later on, in an episode of Grey's Anatomy.

Regina Spektor came up with a light, playful song with "Fidelity", which she wrote while watching the John Cusack movie "High Fidelity"- which was based on the Nick Hornby bestseller.

Side Note: Annoyingly enough, one of the Solar channels had decided to use the intro of "Fidelity" on one of its TV promos. It was a simple matter to loop the first few bars (so you won't have Regina singing, and so they can lop their own voice-over on it, presumably), but it's hard to notice how it skips a beat- which happens at least 3 times within said promo. Shoddy worksmanship, Solar- shame on you. Now please send a memo to whatever editor was working on that promo.

In any case, "Fidelity" has been Regina Spektor's most commercially successful single to date. Of course I'm rooting for her, but in the meantime, this song will be a mainstay on my various music players. Enjoy!

Regina Spektor
"Fidelity" (2006)

(Shake it up)

C F
I never loved nobody fully
C F
Always one foot on the ground
F Bb
And by protecting my heart truly
Dm C
I got lost in the sounds
F Bb
I hear in my mind all these voices
Dm C
I hear in my mind all these words
F Bb
I hear in my mind all this music

Dm
And it breaks my heart
C
And it breaks my heart
F C
And it breaks my heart
F Bb C
It breaks my heart





And suppose I never met you
Suppose we never fell in love
Suppose I never ever let you kiss me
so sweet and so soft
Suppose I never ever saw you
Suppose we never ever called
Suppose I kept on singing love songs

Just to break
My own fall
Just to break my fall
Just to break my fall
F
Break my fall
Bb C
Break my fall

Dm
All my friends say that of course its
G
gonna get better, gonna get better
C Bb
Better better better better
C F
Better better better

I never love nobody fully
Always one foot on the ground
And by protecting by heart truly
I got lost in the sounds

I hear in my mind all these voices
I hear in my mind all these words
I hear in my mind all this music
And it breaks my heart
And it breaks my heart


Check out more on Regina Spektor on her official website. Cheers, everyone :)

Last Song Syndrome: Rob Bass & DJ EZ Rock - It Takes Two (1988)

This is how a great hip-hop song should sound like- revolutionary, innovative but still very radio-friendly. I consider Rob Bass' and DJ EZ Rock's masterpiece as probably the greatest hip-hop song ever, as do so many other music critics, mainly because it was able to achieve a great deal of both critical AND commercial success- and not many songs can do that.

"It Takes Two" became such an easy favorite of mine back in high school: I first heard it on an episode of "American Top 40" on the radio, and this was a time when my friends were all into New Wave and Alternative.

The song got featured on the pilot episode of "My Name Is Earl", as well as when you cruise down the streets of San Andreas, listening to classic hip-hop jams on Playback FM (in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas).

"It Takes Two" contains a sample of Lyn Collins' "Think About It"- which was also featured on Grand Theft Auto San Andreas, but this time on oldies station 98.3 Master Sounds. Woo! Yeah!

Rob Bass & DJ EZ Rock
"It Takes Two" (1988)

It takes two to make a thing go right
It takes two to make it outta sight
Hit it!

I wanna rock right now
I'm Rob Base and I came to get down
I'm not internationally known
But I'm known to rock the microphone
Because I get stoopid, I mean outrageous
Stay away from me if you're contagious
'Cause I'm the winner, no, I'm not the loser
To be an M.C. is what I choose 'a
Ladies love me, girls adore me
I mean even the ones who never saw me
Like the way that I rhyme at a show
The reason why, man, I don't know
So let's go, 'cause

It takes two to make a thing go right
It takes two to make it outta sight
Hit it!



My name is Rob, I gotta real funky concept
Listen up, 'cause I'm gonna keep you in step
I got an idea
That I wanna share
You don't like it? So what, I don't care
I'm number one, the uno, I like comp
Bring all the suckers 'cause all them I'll stomp
Bold and black but I won't protect
All of my followers 'cause all I want is respect
I'm not a doctor, put them in rapture
A slick brother that can easy outfox ya
Cause I'm Rob, the last name Base, yeah
And on the mike, I'm known to be the freshest
So let's start, it shouldn't be too hard
I'm not a sucker so I don't need a bodyguard
I won't fess, wear a bulletproof vest
Don't smoke buddha, can't stand sess, yes

It takes two to make a thing go right
It takes two to make it outta sight
Hit it!

The situation that the Base is in
I'm kinda stingy that's why I don't wanna lend
A funky rhyme to a foe or a good friend
But listen up 'cause I want you to comprehend
'Cause I'm the leader, the man superior
I take care of ya and then ya get wearier
So just sit, my rhymes are not counterfeit
The record sells which makes this one a hit
It won't hurt to listen to Red Alert
Take off your shirt
Make sure it don't hit the dirt
I like the kids--the guys, the girls
I want the ducats 'cause this is Rob Base's world
I'm on a mission, ya better just listen
To my rhymes 'cause I'm all about dissin'
'Cause

It takes two to make a thing go right
It takes two to make it outta sight
Hit it!

I stand alone, don't need anyone
'Cause I'm Rob, just came to have fun
Don't need friends that act like foes
'Cause I'm Rob Base, the one who knows
About things that make ya get weary
Don't cheer me, just hear me
Out 'cause I got the clout--shout (Ho!)
Before I turn the party out
I won't stutter--
Project my voice, speak clearly
So you can be my choice
On stage or on record
Go to the Wiz and select it
Take it off the rack, if it's wack put it back
I like the Whopper, fuck the Big Mac
If you want static, so let's go
So, throw upy our hands
Go for what you know
Bro', I got an ego
Yo, talkin' to me? No
Oh
'Cause Rob is in the front, EZ Rock is on the Back up
We're not soft, so you better just slack up
'Cause I'm cool, calm just like a breeze
Rock the mike with the help of EZ
Rock on the set, the music plays
Only cuts the records that I say

It takes two to make a thing go right
It takes two to make it outta sight
Hit it!

All right, now, EZ Rock
now, when I count to three
I want you to get busy
You ready now?
One, two, three, get loose now!

It takes two to make a thing go right
It takes two to make it outta sight
Hit it!

Read more on Rob Bass & DJ EZ Rock - "It Takes Two" on the AllMusic Guide. Or you can also look it up on Wikipedia.

Last Song Syndrome: Blue Nile - Stay (1984)

While I was DJ'ing back at 99.5 RT in Metro Manila, I felt really fortunate to have been able to soak up on some really good music. I was already in my early 20's then- and having grown up in the 80's, I tried to play as much new wave as I could for 24K Friday.

I remember the first time I was browsing through the old CD warehouse's selection of hard-to-find CDs, and virtually got bowled over when I saw this one compilation (which was worth php850 back then! well played, CD warehouse, well played...). Among other great new wave stuff, it had this lesser-known new wave tune. "Stay" has been revived quite a number of times, but the original version remains as one of my favorites to this day.

Enjoy, everyone.

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Blue Nile
"Stay" (1984)

I'm taking off this party hat
The white situation is over
A new situation begins

Red guitar is broken
To beat the drum of youth again
Take too long to say

Stay, stay, stay
And I will understand you
Stay, I will understand you



I write a new book every day
The love theme for the wilderness
I fit the words together

Candy girls want candy boxes
She loves the music box forever
She's crying on my shoulder

Stay, stay, stay and I will understand you
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I will understand you

Summer girls in disarray
Can be so free and easy now
Well, we'll be free and easy

Stay, stay, stay and I will understand you
Stay, I will understand you

I write a new book everyday
A love theme for the wilderness
A love theme

Last Song Syndrome: Cameo - Word Up! (1986)

Found myself rappin' the song over and over again on my way home after writing one of my last posts (which you can read about right here, incidentally).

To complete the 80's trip, you'd probably want to check out the video on YouTube here:



Check out the screaming red codpiece on Larry Blackmon, huh? That's a statement right there.

And yes, that IS Levar Burton (Geordi LaForge for all you ST:TNG fans!) playing the detective on the video, for some token narrative element.

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Oh pretty ladies around the world
Got a weird thing to show you,
So tell all the boys and girls.

Tell yo' brother, yo' sister and yo' mama too, Coz' they’re about to go down
And you’ll know just what to do.

Wave your hands in the air like you don’t care,
Glide by the people
as they start to look and stare.

Do yo'dance, do yo' dance, do yo' dance quick
Mama, come on baby, tell me what’s the word?

Ah – word up! Everybody say
when you hear the call
You got to get it underway,
Word up! It’s the code word,
No matter where you say it,
You’ll know that you’ll be heard.

Now all you sucka D.J.’s who think you’re fly
There’s got to be a reason
And we know the reason why.

You try to put on those airs and act real cool
But you got to realize
That you’re acting like fools.

If there’s music we can use it we need to dance.
We don’t have that time
For psychological romance

No romance, no romance, no romance for me
Mama, come on baby tell me what’s the word?
Ah – word up,

Everybody say when you hear the call
You got to get it underway.

Dial “L” for low...
W-O-R-D- Up!
Come on, all you people say...
Word up – word up

VH1's Greatest Songs of the 80's, pt. 1 of 5.

OK, so here I am on Christmas morning, hanging out at home. We already went to hear mass earlier on, and I find out from my sister that on Christmas, the place is pretty much a ghost town what with all the shops and malls all closed.

Which is alright, coz it gives us time to hang out as family. And gives me time to catch up on my writing and my reading.

So here we have the TV on, with VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of the 1980s. It's real great stuff. Apparently, VH1 viewers voted for their most favorite tracks of the decade, and here we are.

VH1 played the whole thing as a marathon- all one hundred songs in 5 whole hours of 80's wall-to-wall goodness. You know you're a true child of the 80's when you gasp in awe as they reveal the hits and say "Aw man, I remember that track, and it was awesome!"

Naturally, to spice things up, VH1 did a kick-ass job tracking down the featured artists to talk about the songs, clear up some rumors, and let the viewers know what they're up to right now.

Nice job on the "Air Guitar Track of the 80s" featuring such kick-ass songs like The Cult's "Love Removal Machine" and Def Leppard's "Photograph". And the "Guess The Headband Hero" with iconic headbanded 80's figures like Bruce Springsteen, Nick Rhodes and Olivia Newton-John.

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Special Note: We see the trailer for J.J. Abrams' Cloverfield. We first saw the trailer on this several summer movies ago, with no title, so man, everyone was talking about it.

Remember that New Years' Party gone crazy when part of the New York skyline suddenly blows up? We see a little bit more trailer this time, and it seems to hint at something huge attacking the city.

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100 Loverboy - Working For The weekend (1981). I admit I didn't catch this back in '81 when it hit radio. In fact, it wasn't until my stint at 99.5 RT that I've developed an appreciation for the song, playing it on 24K Friday. Which was appropriate, because the song managed to become an anthem of sorts for just about anyone with a 9-to-5 job.

99 Wang Chung - Everybody Have Fun Tonight (1986). Arguably, Wang Chung's most commercially successful single. The song has the distinction of introducing a new verb into our vocabulary- Everybody Wang Chung tonight...everybody have fun tonight! Did you know that the stop-motion animation actually caused epileptic seizures in some unfortunate individuals?



Oh, and the video was directed by Godley and Creme, who came up with the 80's one-hit wonder "Cry" in 1984.

98 The Romantics - What I Like About You (1980). Who doesn't like this song? Since it first hit radio and MTV in the early 80's, this song has been a staple at arenas and sports events. Just recently, though, the band is suing Activision, Inc. for using a cover of their song on the extremely popular Guitar Hero.

97 Bobby Brown - My Prerogative (1988). How about some New Jack Swing, huh? I remembered that I was tracking it on the charts back when it was being held up at #2 for three or four weeks I think. Poison's "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" was already #1 for several weeks (which I was rooting for at the time). "My Prerogative" ended up being the first #1 single for 1989.

96 Men at Work - Down Under (1981). What the heck is vegemite, anyway? No idea what it was when the song first came out. It was much, much later that I discovered that vegemite is an Australian staple- kind of like peanut butter, but made instead of yeast extracts, salty and a bit bitter, tastes almost like beef bouillion.

95 Debbie Gibson - Only In My Dreams (1986). Good God, it's precisely the reason why I bought her debut album "Only In My Dreams" back in '87. Fine, I admit- I had the hugest crush on her back then, even thinking she was waay better than Tiffany.

94 The Rolling Stones - Start Me Up (1982). You make a grown man cry-yy! Aw yeah, another song big enough to be a certified rock anthem and arena favorite. Used in sports games extensively to this day.

93 Gary Numan - Cars (1980). One of the first synth-heavy songs to really make itbig. Marilyn Manson remade it, so did the Foo Fighters, as well as Fear Factory for the movie "Freddie Got Fingered". Too bad Gary Numan never came up with a hit as huge as this song.

92 The New Kids on the Block - The Right Stuff (1989). You think New Kids, you think "uh oh oh woh oh, uh oh woh oh", and even go bust a move straight out of the video. No surprise, Jordan Knight came up with the trademark dance steps seen there.

91 Katrina and the Waves - Walking on Sunshine (1984). One-hit wonder, but it was quite the quintessential happy song. Though The Waves have been around since 1975 (mostly in Canada), it wasn't until "Walking on Sunshine" that they've been known internationally, even bagging a nomination for Best New Artist.

90 Tone Loc - Wild Thing (1989). Aw, man this song was huge. Young MC had co-written the song, and also featured a sampled riff from a rather-unknown Van Halen song. The video featured Robert Palmer-esque chicks and only cost US$500 to make- not bad for a song that sold at least two million copies.

89 The Pretenders - Brass In Pocket (1980). Such a lovely song. And such a lovely video, I remember. "Gonna use my arm, gonna use my legs, gonna use my style, gonna use my sidestep, gonna use my fingers, gonna use my my my imaginatio-on..."

88 Rufus + Chaka Khan - Ain't Nobody (1982). This was some great funk for the 80's. From some of the greatest pipes ever to come out from the world of R&B and funk.

87 Falco - Rock Me Amadeus (1986). I think he almost rapped on this song. Great synth rock from the 80's. Came out about the same time the movie Amadeus came out. Unfortunately, Falco died in a car crash in 1988.

86 Bow Wow Wow - I Want Candy (1982). Simply one of the catchiest tunes of the 80's. Three dudes used to be with Adam Ant. Now here's something I didn't know- the song was actually a remake of an earlier - though minor- 1965 hit.

85 Robert Palmer - Addicted To Love (1984). This song is sexy rock. But wow, the fashion models were something huh? Even if the hands weren't moving on the fretboards. Robert Palmer went on to hire the models for the next 2 videos. Sadly, Mr. Palmer died of a heart attack in 2003.

84 Lionel Richie - All Night Long (All Night) (1985), Yeah, jambo jambo! No idea what Lionel was chanting back then- Jamaican perhaps? -and even Lionel himself doesn't know. Can you believe it: when Iraq was liberated , this song was played out in the streets for a celebration. Apparently, Mr. Richie is HUGE in the Middle East, even to this day.

83 Prince - Kiss (1986). Aw, man one of my favorite Prince songs ever. He really got his groove going on with this song- all falsetto and everything, with such a minimalist arrangement. Originally, Prince wrote the song for another band. But after Producer David Z finished mixing it up, his purple majesty knew then he had to have the song.

82 Squeeze - Tempted (1981). One of those story songs. About infidelity. Two other guys were actually leading the British new wave group, but it was lead singer Paul Carrack that turned out to be the most famous of the bunch. He went solo, and later went on to work with Mike and the Mechanics.

81 Cameo - Word Up! (1986). Larry Blackmon gave the 80s a much needed funk injection. How can you not bounce to this song? Wave your hands in the air like you don't care! Glide by the people as they start to look and stare. Do your dance, do your dance, do your dance quick- mama, come on baby, tell me what’s the word, ah – word up!

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More of VH1's Greatest Hits of the 80's coming up- this is only the first part of five. Be reminded that this list is based on the votes viewers sent in via VH1's website some time ago- so your personal favorites might not necessarily be here, or rank as highly as you'd want them to.

It's all good fun though- an entertaining trip down memory lane. Stick around for Part 2 of 5. Cheers!