A sudden wave of nostalgia made me remember a whole bunch of songs I was listening to back in High School. Among those old favorites was this one- Eric Carmen's "Make Me Lose Control", which never really got much local airplay when it came out in 1988 (or, um, ever), except on Metro Manila's 99.5 RT, and later on, on 103.5 KLite.
This song remains one of my favorites to this day, and always brings back memories of high school and summer in the 80's
I run a comb through my hair And step out in the street And the city's the color of flame In the mid-summer heat Oh yeah
Jennifer's got her daddy's car, She's playing uptown on the stereo We go cruisin' so close, The way they did long ago My darlin'
(Turn) Turn the radio up for that sweet sound Hold me close never let me go (Keep) Keep this feelin' alive Make me lose control Baby, baby
(When) When I look in your eyes, I go crazy Fever's high with the lights down low (So take) Take me over the edge Make me lose control
We put the top down and park 'neath the moon in the sky And the wind is so hot in our hair, like a fire in July Whoa yeah
Jennifer's singin' "Stand By Me", And she knows every single word by heart Was love always this good? Or could this be just the start? Whoa darlin'
(Turn) Turn the radio up for that sweet sound Hold me close never let me go (Keep) Keep this feelin' alive Make me lose control Baby, baby
(When) When I look in your eyes, I go crazy Fever's high with the lights down low (So take) Take me over the edge Make me lose control
"Be My Baby" comes on, and were movin' in time And the heat from your touch makes me feel Like I'm losing my mind Whoa yeah
(And then they played) "Back In My Arms Again" (We close our eyes) We start rememberin' when (We start to kiss) and now the feeling's intense And we just pray that this night never ends Woah oh oh, my darlin'
(Turn) Turn the radio up for that sweet sound Hold me close, never let me go (Keep) Keep this feelin' alive Make me lose control Baby
When I look in your eyes, I go crazy Fever's high with the lights down low (So take) take me over the edge Make me lose control Baby, baby
(Turn) Turn the radio up for that sweet sound Hold me close never let me go (Keep) Keep this feelin' alive Make me lose control
When I look in your eyes, I go crazy Fever's high with the lights down low (So take) take me over the edge Make me lose control Baby, baby
(Turn) Turn the radio up for that sweet sound Hold me close never let me go (Keep) Keep this feelin' alive Make me lose control
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!
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
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!
10,000 Maniacs - The Peace Train
3 o'Clock - On Paper
The Adventures - Broken Land
The Alarm - Rain in the Summertime
Marc Almond - Say Hello Wave Goodbye
Alphaville - Forever Young
Altered Images - Happy Birthday
Aztec Camera - How Men Are
The B-52's - Legal Tender
B-Movie - Switch On, Switch Off
Bananarama - He Was Really Sayin' Something
Berlin - Like Flames
The Bible - Graceland
Big Audio Dynamite - E=MC2
Big Country - In a Big Country
Blue Nile - Stay
Blue Zoo - Love Moves In Strange Ways
The Bolshoi - Please
Book of Love - Book of Love
Edie Brickell & the New Bohemians - What I Am
Bronski Beat - Smalltown Boy
The Care - Whatever Possessed You
The Chameleons - Tears
China Crisis - Some People I Know To Lead Fantastic Lives
The Church - No Explanation
The Clash - Rock The Casbah
Lloyd Cole & the Commotions - Rich
The Colourfield - Thinking of You
Concrete Blonde - Joey
The Cure - Love Song
Depeche Mode - But Not Tonight
The Dream Academy - Life In a Northern Town
Echo & The Bunnymen - Bring on the Dancing Horses
Erasure - Chains of Love
Fiction Factory - Feels Like Heaven
Figures on a Beach - No Stars
The Fixx - Red Skies
Flesh for Lulu - Postcards from Paradise
A Flock of Seagulls - Transfer Affection
Friends Again - State of Art
Fun Boy Three - Our Lips are Sealed
Gang of Four - Damaged Goods
General Public - Tenderness
H2O - Blue Diamonds
Heaven 17 - Let Me Go
Howard Jones - Life in One Day
The Housemartins - Build
Icehouse - No Promises
Icicle Works - Birds Fly (Whisper To A Scream)
Billy Idol - Catch My Fall
Information Society - What's On Your Mind?
INXS - I Send a Message
Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart
King - Love and Pride
The Lotus Eaters - Palm of my Hand
Love & Rockets - So Alive
Men Without Hats - The Safety Dance
Midnight Oil - The Dead Heart
The Mighty Lemon Drops - Inside Out
Missing Persons - Words
Modern English - Ink and Paper
Nena - 99 Luftballons
New Order - The Perfect Kiss
Gary Numan - Cars
Orchestral Maneouvres in the Dark - Forever Live and Die
Oingo Boingo - We Close Our Eyes
The Pale Fountains - Thank You
Positive Noise - When Lightning Strikes
The Primitives - Crash
The Proclaimers - I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)
The Psychedelic Furs - Love My Way
The Railway Children - A Gentle Sound
REM - It's The End of the world (And I Feel Fine)
Real Life - Catch Me I'm Fallin'
Red Rockers - China
Seona Dancing - More To Lose
Shriekback - Nemesis
Siouxsie and the Banshees - Cities in Dust
Simple Minds - Alive and Kicking
The Sisters of Mercy - Walk Away
The Smiths - Ask
The Sound - Total Recall
So - Are You Sure?
Soft Cell - Kitchen Sink Drama
Strawberry Switchblade - Who Knows What Love Is?
The Style Council - My Everchanging Moods
The Sundays - Here's Where The Story Ends
Tears for Fears - The Way You Are
The The - This is the Day
The Thompson Twins - Hold Me Now
Tuesday Blue - Love Me Simple
Ultravox - All Stood Still
Midge Ure - Dear God
Suzanne Vega - Left of Center
The Violent Femmes - Blister in the Sun
White China - Smiles & Jokes
The Wild Swans - The Worst Year of My Life
X'mal Deutschland - Matador
XTC - Making Plans for Nigel
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.
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!
My sister and I were out with her friends the other night, at this great place in Burbank called Sardo's (which I should really write about some time). It was a fun night for drinking and karaoke. Just before closing time, what really brought the house down was this one particular song- "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey.
Truly a great song. Everybody had a great time.
Here's a video we can all appreciate, courtesy of the Veoh Video Network. Sing along, play along, hell, have a good time. Ladies and gentlemen, here's probably the best karaoke song of all time- "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey.
Journey "Don't Stop Believing" (1981)
[Capo 2] / D A Bm G / D A F#m G / :
Just a small town girl living in a lonely world She took the midnight train going anywhere Just a city boy born and raised in south Detroit He took the midnight train going anywhere
/ D A Bm G / D A F#m G / :
A singer in a smoky room A smell of wine and cheap perfume For a smile they can share the night It goes on and on and on and on
{Refrain} Strangers, waiting, up and down the boulevard Their shadows searching in the night Streetlight people, living just to find emotion Hiding somewhere in the night
Check out more of the Much More Music Project- this blog's attempt to put together my personal views on favorite songs, along with lyrics to sing by, embedded music videos, and even guitar chords, if you feel like playing along with it.
Probably one of the most underappreciated pop-rock songs of the 1980's, "Take It Easy" is arguably Andy Taylor's best work outside The Power Station and Duran Duran.
The song was featured on the OST of the 1986 movie American Anthem (which I never got to see- but still probably worth checking out), and featured Andy's preference for a more rock-oriented sound, versus the more synth-pop sound of Duran Duran at the height of their popularity- one of the reasons he left the band just after laying down some guitar tracks for the 1987 album Notorious.
In any case, he was able to take some time off his gig with The Power Station to work on this particular solo project, something he'd work on with ex-Missing Persons drummer Terry Bozzio and bassist Patrick O'Hearn, and ex-Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones.
Found this music video the other day on YouTube- definitely something worth listening to and watching after a long time.
Andy Taylor "Take It Easy" (1986)
People say I'm crazy, just a fool But I'm the pigeon and baby, you're the stool
I always dug the color your hair I always loved the clothes you wear I can't say that you turn me on But why'd I stay all night long
Take it easy - on yourself Take it easy - there ain't no one else Don't give me reasons And I won't ask for nothin'
Take it easy - on yourself Take it easy - there ain't no one else Don't give me reasons And I won't ask for nothin'
Rich girls, they run after me They break my heart, you know I fall in love so easily I always dug the color your hair I always loved the clothes you wear I can't say that you turn me on But why'd I stay all night long
Take it easy - on yourself Take it easy - there ain't no one else Don't give me reasons And I won't ask for nothin'
Take it easy - on yourself Take it easy - there ain't no one else Don't give me reasons And I won't ask for nothin' Yeah!
Take it easy - on yourself Take it easy - there ain't no one else Don't give me reasons And I won't ask for nothin'
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!
The pop duo of Boy Meets Girl- keyboardist and vocalist George Merrill, and singer Sharon Rubicam- is actually best known for their hit song "Waiting For A Star To Fall" in 1989 (a song featured on the OST of the movie Three Men and a Little Lady), but is also known for their song-writing creds- most notably for Whitney Houston on her hits "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" and "How Will I Know?".
Oh, and they also did backing vocals for Deniece Williams' 1985 hit, "Let's Hear It For The Boy", as well as other collaborative efforts with other artists.
"Bring Down The Moon" is the second single off their Reel Life album (same one that had "Waiting For A Star To Fall"), and was a modest Billboard hit in 1989. But I fell in love with the song when I first heard it on a countdown show back then, and Sharon Rubicam's vocals continue to give me goosebumps to this day.
Even better was that I found a video of the song on YouTube, so here we have it along with some lyrics for you to sing to. Enjoy!
Boy Meets Girl "Bring Down The Moon" (1988)
I'm walking in darkness with no shadows Tears fall in silence with no sound I've got to let go of visions I've outgrown Even I know, so let the rain come down
Bring down the moon The mythic and mighty that fall when you lean Bring down the moon Building love on thin air and dreams Perfect love is a desperate creed And one that we all try to believe So bring down the moon
I'm finding some comfort in closing the distance Between my life and my dreams Ooh if love's not forever I need to discover The spirit of romance and magic In living from day to day
Bring down the moon The mythic and mighty that fall when you lean Bring down the moon Building love on thin air and dreams Perfect love has no guarantee Still we keep trying to believe So bring down the moon, yeah yeah Bring down the moon
Well, there's no guarantee That there ever will be perfect love (Perfect love) (So let the rain come down) I know that it hurts 'cause I used to believe (So let the rain come down) I know how it hurts, yeah!
Bring down the moon The mythic and mighty that fall when you lean Bring down the moon Building love on thin air and dreams Perfect love, there's no guarantee (Perfect love, perfect love, perfect love) And still we believe (Perfect love, perfect love, perfect love)
Bring down the moon So bring down the moon Bring down the moon So bring down the moon
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!
Did you know that Icehouse's biggest hit, "Electric Blue" was co-written by John Oates of Hall and Oates?
Yes, he did. It was also written by Icehouse's lead singer Iva Davies. It came from the 1987 album Man of Colours, which also spawned another great Icehouse song, "Crazy".
Even if the band would never surpass the commercial success or the popularity the enjoyed with Man of Colours, both songs- "Crazy" and "Electric Blue" would continue on as favorites for Icehouse fans everywhere, including myself.
Dm If a boy had a chance G C Dm A chance with someone like you F G Are you gonna break his heart? Dm Let him cry for the moon? F Bb Are you hiding somewhere behind those eyes?
(I just freeze) F Bb I just freeze every time you see through me F Bb And it's all over you, electric blue F (On my knees) On my knees Bb Dm Eb Help me baby tell me what can I do? Electric blue
Dm Oh I had a dream G C Dm For a moment I believed it was true F G Oh, I'd have given anything Dm Just to be there with you F Bb Are you hiding somewhere behind those eyes?
(I just freeze) F Bb I just freeze every time you see through me F Bb And it's all over you, electric blue F (In too deep) In too deep Bb Dm Bb Standin' here, waiting as I'm broken in two, electric blue F (I can see) I can see, can Bb F Bb See that it may be just a vision of you, electric blue. F (On my knees) On my knees, Bb Dm Eb Help me baby, tell me what can I do? Electric blue
Cm Ab Cm Gm
Dm F Bb Are you hiding somewhere behind those eyes? F (In those eyes) F Bb I just freeze every time you see through me F Bb And it's all over you, electric blue F (In too deep) In too deep Bb Dm Bb Standin' here, waiting as I'm broken in two, electric blue F (I can see) I can see, can Bb F Bb See that it may be just a vision of you, electric blue. F (On my knees) On my knees. Bb Dm Eb Help me baby, tell me what can I do? electric blue
(In those eyes) F Bb I just freeze every time you see through me F Bb And it's all over you, electric blue F (In too deep) In too deep Bb Dm Bb Standin' here, waiting as I'm broken in two, electric blue F (I can see) I can see, can Bb F Bb See that it may be just a vision of you, electric blue. F (On my knees) On my knees, Bb Dm Eb Help me baby, tell me what can I do? electric blue
Check out more of the Much More Music Project- this blog's attempt to put together my personal views on favorite songs, along with lyrics to sing by, an embedded music video from YouTube, and even guitar chords, if you feel like playing along with it.
This was one of the most fun songs of the eighties for me. It was 1989, and at a point when I was into New Wave and Pop all at the same time- New Wave I got from listening to the likes of NU107, and Pop listening to 99.5RT.
Neneh Cherry exploded onto the music scene with this catchy pop tune that really got my attention. Mostly because it took a while for you to sing (or rap) along to the lyrics, and well, it was a fun, danceable track.
Years later, I would find out that "Buffalo Stance" was an effort from Cameron McVey- who at the time, had gone by the name of "Booga Bear", and was also Neneh Cherry's boyfriend- and later on- husband. This would be the same Cameron McVey that would go on to produce for All Saints and the Sugababes, and some early Massive Attack.
So here we have it- off the Raw Like Sushi album, Neneh Cherry's "Buffalo Stance", with an accompanying video from YouTube, and lyrics for you to sing to. Enjoy!
Neneh Cherry "Buffalo Stance" (1989) Gigolo Tell me about it!
Who's that gigolo on the street? With his hands in his pockets and his crocodile feet Hanging off the curb, looking all disturbed At the boys from home. they all came runnin' They were makin' noise, manhandling toys Thats the girls on the block with the nasty curls Wearing padded bras sucking beers through straws Dropping down their drawers, where did you get yours?
Who's looking good today? Who's looking good in every way? No style rookie You better watch don't mess with me
No moneyman can win my love It's sweetness that I'm thinking of. We always hang in a buffalo stance We do the dive every time we dance I give you love, baby, not romance I'll make a move, nothing left to chance So don't you get fresh with me
Get funky. Yeah, Timmy.
So you say you wanted money but you know its never funny When your shoes worn through and theres a rumble in your tummy But you had to have style get a gold tooth smile Put a girl on the corner so you can make a pile
Committed a crime and went inside It was comin' your way but you had to survive When you lost your babe, you lost the race Now you're lookin' at me to take her place.
Who's looking good today? Who's looking good in every way? No style rookie You better watch don't mess with me
No moneyman can win my love It's sweetness that I'm thinking of. We always hang in a buffalo stance We do the dive every time we dance I give you love, baby, not romance I'll make a move, nothing left to chance So don't you get fresh with me
Smokin'. Not cokin'. Get funky sax.
Looking good, hanging with the wild bunch. Looking good in a buffalo stance. Looking good when it comes to the crunch Looking good's a state of mind
State of mind don't look behind you State of mind or youll be dead State of mind may I remind you Bomb the bass...rock this place!
What is he like? what's he like anway? Yo man what do you expect the guy's a gigolo man You know I mean?
No moneyman can win my love It's sweetness that I'm thinking of. We always hang in a buffalo stance We do the dive every time we dance I give you love, baby, not romance I'll make a move, nothing left to chance So don't you get fresh with me
Wind on my face, sound in my ears Water from my eyes, and you on my mind As I sink, divin' down deep...deeper into your soul.
No moneyman can win my love It's sweetness that I'm thinking of No moneyman can win my love It's sweetness that I'm thinking of
No moneyman can win my love No moneyman can win my love
Couldn't find a Neneh Cherry website, but she does have an entry on Wikipedia 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!
1986 was a very good year- I was just starting high school, and music video shows were pretty much the coolest thing around at the time. The Philippines didn't have MTV at the time, just various one-hour shows featuring videos which I assume came straight from the recording companies.
In any case, "Don't Stand So Close To Me '86" by The Police, if I could remember it right, was one of those videos that was different from the others at the time. Watching it again now, I think it was because it made more use of computer graphics.
It was definitely one of those songs that got me into The Police, and it was much much later that I discovered that there was an earlier version of the song- one that came out in 1980, which helped introduce The Police in the US. That's Sting, Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland to the right.
"Don't Stand So Close To Me '86" might very well be my most favorite song from The Police- mostly because it made me a fan of the band, and well, because it's a pretty good song.
The Police "Don't Stand So Close To Me '86" (1986)
Young teacher, the subject Of schoolgirl fantasy She wants him so badly Knows what she wants to be Inside her there's no room This girl's an open page Book marking she's so close now This girl is half his age
Don't stand so close to me Don't stand so close to me
Her friends are so jealous You know how bad girls get Sometimes it's not so easy To be the teacher's pet Temptation, frustration So bad it makes him cry Wet bus stop, she's waiting His car is warm and dry
Don't stand so close to me Don't stand so close to me
Don't stand so close to me Don't stand so close to me
Loose talk in the classroom Too hurt they try and try Strong words in the staffroom The accusations fly It's no use He sees her He starts to shake he starts to cough Just like the old man in That famous book by Nabokov
Don't stand so close to me Don't stand so close to me Don't stand so close to me Don't stand so close to me
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!
Again, this is one of my favorites from the old days of radio. Lou Gramm is one of the main creative forces behind the 70's/80's rock band Foreigner- that's him to the right with Mick Jones, Rick Willis and Dennis Elliott. In fact, we already wrote a post on one of my all-time favorite Foreigner songs, "Hot Blooded", on this particular blog.
The year was 1989, and by that time, Foreigner was one of the biggest rock bands around. Not only were they huge in the late 70's, they were continuing to churn out hits well into the late 80's.
As the band's lead singer, Gramm can be heard distinctly on a lot of their hit songs, including "Feels Like The First Time", "Cold As Ice", the aforementioned "Hot Blooded", "Urgent", "Double Vision", "Juke Box Hero", "Head Games", "Dirty White Boy" and "Say You Will". Of course, their two biggest hits were the synth-ballads "Waiting For A Girl Like You" in 1981, and "I Want To Know What Love Is" in 1984.
Now Lou Gramm and Mick Jones weren't exactly seeing each other eye-to-eye at this time; Jones wanted to keep doing the more commercial (and more lucrative) synth-ballad sound, while Gramm wanted to go back to a more solid rock-n-roll structure.
Lou did get to do what he wanted through a couple of solo projects, the Ready or Not album of 1987, and the Long Hard Look album of 1989, which had the single "Just Between You and Me".
The song's almost 20 years old, but it's still one of my most favorite songs. Been singing to it over the weekend- so check it out here, with a video I found on YouTube, and lyrics to sing to. Enjoy!
Lou Gramm "Just Between You and Me" (1989)
Staring at each other with accusing eyes Keep our voices low, and don't act surprised If the word gets out, yeah, that's alright
I know you're just looking for some sympathy But listen you don't know how it gets back to me You're getting reckless, girl, but that's alright
Now don't you know that one cold word's gonna lead to another And then we'll have nowhere to go
Chorus: Even if heaven and earth collide tonight We'll be all alone in a different light I don't care what the world can't see It's just between you and me, you and me.
I see telltale signs of a love in decline There should be something to say, but we don't take the time And I don't understand, but that's alright
Now you can turn the page or you can tear me apart Don't make an open book out of my private heart You should know better now, but that's alright
Don't you know that one cold word's gonna lead to another And then we'll have nowhere to go
Chorus: Even if heaven and earth collide tonight We'll be all alone in a different light I don't care what the world can see It's just between you and me I say it's just between you and me
If we don't work this out we won't recover We'll lose this soulful love for one another But with all I've heard and all I seen I'm still lost in your mystery
And don't you know that one cold word's gonna lead to another And then we'll have nowhere to go
Chorus Even if heaven and earth collide tonight We'll be all alone in a different light I don't care what the world can see It's just between you and me
Even if heaven and earth collide tonight We'll be all alone in a different light Now I don't care what the world can see When it's just between you and me It's just between you and me You and me
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!
Another one of my most favorite songs is Christine McVie's "Got A Hold On Me", which came out in 1984.
In case you didn't know, Christine McVie is one of the creative forces behind one of the best bands ever- Fleetwood Mac. Right up there with Peter Green, Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham. We'll discuss the band's material on another bunch of entries.
Christine joined Fleetwood Mac in 1970, shortly after marrying John. Since then, she'd been writing some of the bands' biggest hits including "You Make Loving Fun", "Don't Stop", "Hold Me" and "Little Lies".
In any case, "Got A Hold On Me" has always been a staple on my player even to this day. In my opinion, it's one of the best songs ever made.
So I hope you enjoy this one. Found a video on YouTube, but the audio seems to be a little low. Also got some lyrics for you to sing along if you feel like it. Cheers!
Christine McVie "Got A Hold On Me" (1984)
You're liftin' me up Never let me down And I smile Whenever you're around Ooh, and I've got a feeling It'll work out right Can't stop thinking about you Every day and night
Ooooh, I got a love (I got somebody) This love (got a hold on me) Yeah, I got a love (I got somebody) This love (got a hold on me)
Well, I've been in love And I've lost I can count the tears But I can't count the cost Ooooh, I've been down I've been used Now I know, I know, I know That I just can't lose
Ooh, I got a love (I got somebody) This love (got a hold on me) Ooooh, I got a love (I got somebody) This love (got a hold on me) Yeah, I got a love (I got somebody) This love (got a hold on me) Ooooh, I got a love (I got somebody) This love (got a hold on me)
(Instrumental Interlude)
Yeah, I got a love (I got somebody) This love (got a hold on me) Ooooh, I got a love (I got somebody) This love (got a hold on me) I got a love (I got somebody) This love (got a hold on me) I got a love (I got somebody) This love (got a hold on me) Ooooh, I got a love (I got somebody) This love (got a hold on me) I got a love (I got somebody) This love (got a hold on me)
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!
I have to admit- my appreciation for 38 Special came rather late. I first noticed the band in 1989, when I was in high school- and at the time, "Second Chance" was already getting massive airplay on the radio.
I remember having the hardest time getting a copy of the album- until a couple of years later when an aunt of mine sent me a copy of the album Bone Against Steel (nope, no "Second Chance" there, either).
It wasn't until a few years later when I started working for a radio station that I was able to unearth all those great 38 Special singles and albums I missed out on in the eighties. And yes, eventually I was able to get me a CD of "Second Chance", as well as other 38 Special favorites of mine, including this oldie from 1983- a cool track you might remember called "Back Where You Belong".
38 Special "Back Where You Belong" (1983)
I heard you're askin' how I'm feelin' I guess I'll play it day by day I'm still around now, my heart is healin' But some things never gonna change
'Cause now I know love ain't easy to find I let you go, now I'm changin' my mind
Chorus:
I know that love, it don't come easy It took so long, it's been hard to find So love, you must believe me Ain't gonna let it slip away- I know I was wrong I want you back where you belong Want you back where you belong Back where you belong
I played around now, I've done some dealin' I found that love should be with you And so you're gone now, my head is reelin' Don't wanna be with someone new
And so I go, with a feeling inside me 'Cause I know what I'm leaving behind
(Chorus)
I guess in time I stop and think it over Everything that we've been through This heart of mine may never find another Who loves me just the way you do Hey girl!
I heard you're askin' how I'm feelin' I guess I'll play it day by day I'm still around now, my heart is healin' But some things never gonna change
'Cause now I know love ain't easy to find I let you go, now I'm changin' my mind
(Chorus)
Back where you belong, hey, hey I know that love, it don't come easy It took so long, it's been hard to find And so love, you must believe me Ain't gonna let it slip away, baby
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!
I was tidying up the house to some great oldies I burned on a CD- and this one really brought back memories of some good times.
"Baby, It's Tonight" was a hit from Jude Cole back in 1990. And we played this song a lot back at the old radio station, 99.5 RT. That was probably his most memorable song. Years later, though, he'd move on to do more session work, production, singing and songwriting with the likes of Jewel and Beth Orton.
Now, he manages the rock band Lifehouse- same guys who did "Hanging By A Moment", "Take Me Away" and "You and Me".
Other useless bits of info: Jude Cole is married to Michelle Pfeiffer's sister, Lori (since '93!). Kiefer Sutherland is not only one of his closest buds- they also co-own a recording studio called Ironworks.
In any case, here's some of Jude Cole for you- "Baby, It's Tonight". And you can check out the vid right here, along with some lyrics and chords if you feel like playing along. Enjoy!
Jude Cole "Baby, It's Tonight" (1990)
Chords & tab pattern by Rick Andrews and Kevin Ross. Updated by Chris Nastally. YouTube video by Vaquero1977. Thanks, guys!
Figure 1 No chord…………1) 0xx22x 2) 0xx44x 3) 0xx45x
Play Figure 1 until otherwise noted
Won’t you pick up the phone ‘Cause I know that you’re home Too many words have not been said For us to be living alone
(x07650)…(x05430) (x0523x)….(x04230) Now all of the fighting and all of the tears (Figure 1) They don’t matter now
F#m Another night falls dark and lonely A /B /C# /D# You’re the only one that I can turn to
CHORUS: E D A If I ever needed your arms to hold me (Figure 1) Baby it’s tonight E D A And if I ever needed your eyes to heal me (Figure 1) Baby it’s tonight
So come hold me close And show me that you still care Let’s take it to where it all began And start again from there (x5503x)...(x5403x) ‘Cause there’s no way out (Figure 1) As far as I can tell
I’m walking in a world of strangers You’re the only one who really knows me
CHORUS 2x
C D E C D E Oh won’t you please, please pick up the phone, yeah
C D E (Figure 1) C D E Don’t leave me to face this world all alone……take some time
Check out more of the Much More Music Project- this blog's attempt to put together my personal views on favorite songs, along with lyrics to sing by, an embedded music video from YouTube, and even guitar chords, if you feel like playing along with it.
We all know "Human Nature" as one of the most beautiful songs on the Thriller album of 1982- at least, that's what I think. Did you know though, that the song was written by a dude from Toto, and lyrics from the same guy that would later write Madonna's hit song "Crazy For You"?
It's true. Steve Porcaro of Toto- (one of the Porcaro brothers of Toto, anyway) is the band's resident keyboardist, and one of it's composers. Later on, he'd compose "Lea" which became a Toto hit in 1985. Supposedly, the 1982 Toto hit "Rosanna" was written about him and his "it's-rather-complicated" then-relationship with Patricia Arquette.
John Bettis, on the other hand provided the lyrics for "Human Nature"- and was the same dude who came up with the lyrics for The Carpenters' "Top of the World" (among others), and later on after "Human Nature", came up with the words for Madonna's "Crazy For You", Whitney Houston's "One Moment In Time", and Christopher Cross' "Swept Away".
Both were tapped by Quincy Jones to help out on the Thriller project in 1982, particularly for the song "Human Nature"
What's The Song All About?
"Human Nature" is supposedly one of Michael Jackson's songs that never quite had a clear-cut meaning. In fact, even today, everyone might very well have a different interpretation of the song. According to Wikipedia:
While talking about Thriller in his 1988 autobiography Moonwalk, Jackson mentions that "Human Nature" is "music with wings". It is also mentioned that people asked him frequently about the real meaning of the lyrics. Jackson replied with "People often think the lyrics have some special personal significance...which often isn't true...it's important to reach people, to move them...sometimes one can do this with the mosaic of the music melody arrangement and lyrics...sometimes it is the intellectual context of the lyrics".
Additionally, both Jackson and "Q" (how Jackson refers to Quincy Jones in the book) believed that "Human Nature" had the "prettiest melody that they had heard by far".
How Human Nature Got Included in the Thriller Album:
The following is taken from the special edition of Thriller, where Quincy Jones talks in the album's extra tracks. Again, this was taken from Wikipedia:
"Human Nature" would not have been included on Thriller if it weren't for forgetfulness. While producing Thriller in 1982, both Jackson and Quincy Jones had planned to include the song "Carousel" (now an outtake) on the album, as there was room for just one more "mood-like" song, as Jones puts it. However, Jones believed that "Carousel" had to be taken out and replaced. During this time, Toto sent Jones two demo tapes that they thought would be suitable for Michael.
The first two songs on the demo tape did not impress Jones. After the first two samples, Jones forgot to turn the tape off. It was at this moment, as Jones describes it on the special edition of Thriller, that "...and all of a sudden there was all this silence, and then it went "why? why?...da da da da da da da da...why? why?". While talking about it, Jones mentions that he gets "goosebumps from just talking about it".
It was this demo, written by Porcaro, that Jones decided to take Carousel out of the album, and was then replaced by "Human Nature", partly due to its "wonderful flavour". Jones then contacted Bettis to write a lyric to the song.
Lyrics, which are now immortalized, in my opinion, in probably one of the best ballads of all time. So everybody sing along now to "Human Nature". Video by Stacey of tinaandstacey on YouTube :)
Michael Jackson "Human Nature" (1983)
Looking out Across the night-time The city winks a sleepless eye Hear her voice Shake my window Sweet seducing sighs
Get me out Into the night-time Four walls won’t hold me tonight If this town Is just an apple Then let me take a bite
If they say - "Why? Why?" Tell ‘em that it's human nature "Why, why does he do me that way?" If they say - "Why? Why?" Tell ‘em that it's human nature "Why, why does he do me that way?"
Reaching out To touch a stranger Electric eyes are ev’rywhere See that girl She knows I’m watching She likes the way I stare
If they say - "Why? Why?" Tell ‘em that it's human nature "Why, why does he do me that way?" If they say - "Why? Why?" Tell ‘em that it's human nature "Why, why does he do me that way?" I like livin’ this way I like livin’ this way
Lookin' out Across the morning The city’s heart begins to beat Reaching out I touch her shoulder I’m dreaming of the street
If they say - "Why? Why?" Tell ‘em that it's human nature "Why, why does he do me that way?" If they say - "Why? Why?" Tell ‘em that it's human nature "Why, why does he do me that way?" I like livin’ this way
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.
Right at the top of my head, I'd have to say my most favorite songs from the Thriller album of 1982 would have to be "Human Nature", and this song right here, "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)".
"P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" was originally written by Michael and buddy Greg Phillinganes (who at the time, had finished working on one of Stevie Wonder's greatest albums of all time- Songs In The Key of Life)- and was written as a more mid-tempo R&B jam.
When tracks were being laid down, Quincy Jones (who was producing the Thriller album) wanted this particular song to be more upbeat- so he re-wrote it and so it was Jones' version that appeared on the first commercial Thriller release. Dude, whatever Quincy says, goes, I suppose.
In any case, MJ's original version of "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" can also be heard on disc 2 of Michael Jackson: The Ultimate Collection. In Thriller 25, the original demo is remixed as "P.Y.T. 2008", but this time featuring will.i.am.
A search on YouTube reveals that perhaps no video was made of "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)", unlike the bigger hits "Billie Jean", "Beat It" and "Thriller". You do have a number of tribute videos that use clips from other Michael Jackson vids.
Michael Jackson P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) (1982)
You know you make me feel so good inside... I've always wanted a girl just like you... Such a pretty, pretty young thing... ooh!
Where did you come from, lady? And ooh won’t you take me there Right away, won’t you, baby Tendoroni you’ve got to be Spark my nature, sugar fly with me
Don’t you know now Is the perfect time? We can make it right Hit the city lights Then tonight ease the lovin’ pain Let me take you to the max
I want to love you (P.Y.T.) Pretty Young Thing You need some lovin’ (T.L.C.) Tender Lovin’ Care And I’ll take you there, girl- ooh! I want to love you (P.Y.T.) Pretty Young Thing You need some lovin’ (T.L.C.) Tender Lovin’ Care I’ll shake you there
(Anywhere you wanna go) Yes I will, ooh
Nothin’ can stop this burnin’ Desire to be with you Gotta get to you baby Won’t you come, it’s emergency Cool my fire yearnin’ Honey, come set me free
Don’t you know now is the perfect time? We can dim the lights Just to make it right In the night Hit the lovin’ spot I’ll give you all that I’ve got
I want to love you (P.Y.T.) Pretty Young Thing You need some lovin’ (T.L.C.) Tender Lovin’ Care And I’ll take you there, yes I will, girl I want to love you (P.Y.T.) Pretty Young Thing You need some lovin’ (T.L.C.) Tender Lovin’ Care I’ll take you there, yes I will, hee-ee!
Pretty Young Things, repeat after me Sing "Na na na" ("Na na na") "Na na na na" ("Na na na na") "Na na na" ("Na na na") I Said "Na na na na na" ("Na na na na na") I’ll take you there, take you there
I want to love you (P.Y.T.) Pretty Young Thing You need some lovin’ (T.L.C.) Tender Lovin’ Care And I’ll take you there, take you there I want to love you (P.Y.T.) Pretty Young Thing You need some lovin’ (T.L.C.) Tender Lovin’ Care I’ll take you there, take you there
Here's some Trivia on Michael Jackson's P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing):
So we know Quincy Jones produced the album, right? But do you know which popular Quincy Jones protege also did work on the portasound keyboard for this particular song, as well as laid down background vocals and the handclaps?
The dude is James Ingram, ladies and gentlemen. Dude was busy building up an impressive resume before working on his solo career. Way to go, James!
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!
"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".
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.
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.
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--
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--------------------------
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------------------------
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------------------------
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]
