Renzie's 100 Songs: Retro Trip

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

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

Enjoy!

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

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

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

Cheers, everyone!

Chicks In Music: Carrie Underwood

In a recent news bit on AoL Music, American Idol Carrie Underwood tells Cosmopolitan: "I don't consider myself sexy ... I'm kind of a nervous person in general. I'm socially awkward. I'm not tall and sensuous. I usually wear sweats everywhere I go. Oh, and I burp a lot,"

Now ain't that cute? All the more reason for us to give props to Miss Underwood, and even more reason to include her here, on this blog's tribute to the finest ladies in the industry- Chicks In Music!

Stuff you probably listened to from Carrie Underwood: "Jesus Take the Wheel", from her debut album Some Hearts, and straight out of her American Idol victory. From that same album you also had "Wasted", and probably her biggest hit yet, "Before He Cheats".

She also had that charity single, "I'll Stand By You" and her version of the Christmas classic "Do You Hear What I Hear?".

Her second album, Carnival Ride, was released late last year, and has thus far, spawned three hits- "So Small", "All-American Girl" and "Last Name"- that song she performed on the American Idol Season 7 finale.

So it's only been three years since Carrie bagged the American Idol, and you can see that she's a bon afide superstar- with three Grammys to her credit, millions of albums sold, and a solid career as a singer/songwriter.

Most of her fans love her because she's so innocent and wholesome- but as you can see on her performance on the results show of the American Idol Season 7 finale, she's definitely all woman- slinky, sassy, and a truly a joy to watch. Video courtesy of louisejenny84 on YouTube. Enjoy!

What I'm Listening To From Carrie Underwood Now

Definitely "Last Name"- it's been in my player since I saw her perform the song on American Idol. "Before He Cheats" seems to be a staple at many karaoke joints- and is apparently a great song with women on alcohol :)

Check out Carrie Underwood on her Wikipedia entry, or visit her official website here.

Cheers, everyone.

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

Easy Listening This Week - 29 Feb 2008

AC Charts
Radio and Records US National Airplay
29 February 2008

1. Colbie Caillat - Bubbly --> 9 weeks at number 1
2. Fergie - Big Girls Don't Cry --> most increased plays
3. Daughtry - Home
4. Plain White T's - Hey There Delilah
5. Pink - Who Knew

6. Elliott Yamin - Wait For You
7. Celine Dion - Taking Chances
8. Michael Buble - Lost
9. Timbaland Feat. OneRepublic - Apologize
10. Michael Mcdonald - (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher And Higher

11. Taylor Swift - Teardrops On My Guitar
12. Alicia Keys - No One
13. Sara Bareilles - Love Song --> most added
14. Jordin Sparks - Tattoo
15. Faith Hill - Lost

16. John Mayer - Dreaming With A Broken Heart
17. Lifehouse - First Time
18. Plumb - In My Arms
19. Daughtry - Over You
20. Ingrid Michaelson - The Way I Am

21. Idina Menzel - Brave
22. Eagles - Busy Being Fabulous
23. Landon Pigg - Falling In Love At A Coffee Shop
24. Santana Feat. Chad Kroeger - Into The Night
25. Dana Parish - Not My Problem

26. Maroon 5 - Wake Up Call
27. Taylor Dayne - Beautiful
28. Kelly Sweet - Dream On
29. C Note - Forgive Me
30. Queen Latifah - Poetry Man


AC Most Added This Week

Sara Bareilles - Love Song
Kimberley Locke - Fall
Jordin Sparks - Tattoo
Taylor Swift - Teardrops On My Guitar
Sugarland - Stay


AC Most Increased Plays This Week

Fergie - Big Girls Don't Cry
Michael Buble - Lost
Taylor Swift - Teardrops On My Guitar
Celine Dion - Taking Chances
Pink - Who Knew


This AC chart may be seen in full on the Radio and Records website. Check out other music charts on "My Thoughts In Stereo".

Music Charts on "My Thoughts In Stereo"

Starting this week, I have decided to keep track of specific music charts by way of this blog. Partially for work, and partially for personal purposes, I've always referred to music charts as a gauge of what's going on in the international music scene.

I suppose it started with my fixation on those old chart shows from Casey Kasem (which was on RT and on KC for a time) and Rick Dees (which was on RT for the most part). As I joined the radio industry, the music being played on radio became very diverse- and so you now have different charts tracking airplay and record sales for different radio formats.

Radio and Records or R&R is an industry magazine I've been reading up on (at least as much as I can, anyway) since my early radio days at 99.5 RT. Even to this day, it has always been an invaluable tool to any radio or record industry executive. I've always had it bookmarked, and I continue to refer to their charts on a weekly basis.

I thought I might as well do all that via this blog- check out the pertinent music activity for my current line of work. And so with that, I'll be tracking the following music charts:

1. CHR/Pop - Contemporary Hit Radio or Top 40, is the most popular of all these music charts, hence the term 'pop'. It gives anyone at the very least a reference point of the general feel of the music atmosphere at a particular point in time. Then again, pop music doesn't appeal to everybody, and so you have a wide variety of other 'alternative' formats.

2. AC - The Adult Contemporary format is essentially pop music for a more mature audience; it's CHR radio that's generally devoid of hard rock, hip-hop, teen pop and dance tracks.

3. Urban AC- more like a personal preference, really. Urban AC is mostly soul and R&B music- music that typically caters to an African-American audience, but without the rap or heavy hip-hop.

4. Triple A- is your Adult Album Alternative radio format. Some call it 'underground' , others would refer to it as 'progressive'. It caters (again) to a more mature market, but it differs from regular AC in that it has more a diverse sound- drawing from alternative rock, alternative country, blues, jazz, folk, even world music, but tends to stay away from heavy rock and rap.

5. Smooth Jazz - is also known as new adult contemporary (or NAC). It draws more from pop jazz than it does traditional jazz, but also has R&B, soul and funk elements.

I like keeping track of music so I have an idea who to keep my eyes and ears on- whether looking out for a particular CD, or knowing what song gets used in the soundtrack for certain songs and movies, or just watching out for bits on music and entertainment news.

I'll also be keeping track of the most popular recurrents every week. Recurrents are songs still frequently aired on a radio station even several months after the initial debut. According to Radio and Records, recurrents are:

"...titles that have appeared on the chart for 20 or more weeks and have fallen below the top 20."

The way I see it, recurrents are your more popular songs which have somehow managed to maintain a sizeable (and seemingly sustaining) amount of airplay and sales, and therefore, a persistent deal of likeability. For many radio stations, these songs are 'defining' titles that pretty much make up a signature sound.

So watch out for these charts. I'll try to keep em as regular as possible.

Cheers, everyone!

Did You Know? Michael Jackson - Human Nature (1983)

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.

Cheers once again!

Last Song Syndrome: Annie Lennox - "No More I Love You's" (1995)

I was sorting out some songs at the station earlier on, and my player had this particular song on. I vividly remember way back in 1995 when we first played this song on 99.5RT- it was the same week when we introduced three other songs I fell in love with when I first heard them: Sophie B. Hawkins' "As I Lay Me Down", Samples' "Weight of the World", and Jun Lopito's "Pure Souls".

I've always been a huge Annie Lennox fans, especially during her days with The Eurythmics. She also had some very interesting solo projects, including this one- "No More I Love You's".

While there is a freakish quality to the video- including a rather vampire-esque Annie Lennox- it did leave a very lasting impression. Nevertheless, I'd say the imagery fits the song quite well.

Totally adore the song.

So I hope you guys enjoy this one as well: "No More I Love You's" by Annie Lennox.

Annie Lennox
"No More I Love You's" (1995)

I used to be lunatic from the gracious days
I used to be woebegone and so restless nights
My aching heart would bleed for you to see
Oh but now...
(I don't find myself bouncing round whistling
and fortunes to make me cry)

No more "I love you's"
The language is leaving me
No more "I love you's"
Changes are shifting outside the word
(The lover speaks about the monsters)

I used to have demons in my room at night
Desire, despair, desire, so many monsters
Oh but now...
(I don't find myself bouncing round whistling
and fortunes to make me cry)

No more "I love you's"
The language is leaving me
No more "I love you's"
The language is leaving me in silence
No more "I love you's"
Changes are shifting outside the word

They were being really crazy They were on the come. And you know what mammy? Everybody was being really crazy. Uh huh. The monsters are crazy. There are monsters outsides.
No more "I love you's"
The language is leaving me
No more "I love you's"
The language is leaving me in silence
No more "I love you's"
Changes are shifting outside the word

Outside the word.

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

Cheers, everyone!

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!

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: 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.

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.