As 2015 comes to a close, I want to take a moment to reflect on the last year. Overall, it was pretty boring. Nothing amazing or exciting or life changing happened. But, it wasn't a bad year either. All in all I'm pretty lucky for everything I have and everything I have experienced in my life.
Who knows what 2016 brings? All I hope is that it is filled with as many laughs and as much love and as many memories as 2015 was.
As a side note, I wanted to take a minute and talk about the blog for next year. I'm going to try something new, and hopefully it works out. Each day I'm going to look back on what happened in music on that day in history.
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Happy new year!
Thursday, December 31, 2015
Friday, December 25, 2015
Merry Christmas
I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday and gets to spend this time with the people in their life that mean the most to them. Life is short, so take a moment today, and everyday, to tell them how much they mean to you.
Merry Christmas to all!
Merry Christmas to all!
Monday, December 21, 2015
Top 5 best Christmas songs
Last week I made a post talking about the top 5 worst Christmas songs of all time. This week I am going to talk about the top 5 best Christmas songs of all time. Again, this is no easy feat. There are millions of songs out there and millions of versions of those songs. But, as I did last week, I will concentrate on songs done by contemporary musicians.
So, here we go.
5) Run Rudolph Run- Chuck Berry
It's hard to separate this song from the movie that introduced it to at least one new generation, if not more, Home Alone. And that's not necessarily a bad thing, both the song and the move are great Christmas classics. I think what has helped this song to stand the test of time, other than it's being featured in movies, is that it's fast paced, amazing guitar, silly lyrics all will never go out of style. This song is over 50 years old and I would confidently bet that people today still enjoy it just as much as they did when it first came out. Everything just comes together perfectly on this song, making it an instant classic.
4) Wonderful Christmas Time- Paul McCartney
This is possibly not the best song technically on the list, but how can you hear it and not get in the Christmas mood? It's bouncy, upbeat, happy and by Paul McCartney, all good things. I personally like the simplicity of this song. Not everything has to be an over production to be successful, and McCartney does a great job of proving that.
3) Little Drummer Boy- Bob Seger
This is probably one of my all time favorite Christmas songs, and Bob Seger's version is just great. I love how he mixes classic and contemporary together with this song. What really makes this song, in my opinion is the drums in the background, they are so powerful without being overbearing, and when you're covering a song about a drummer boy the drums are very important. And his singing just sounds so passionate and intense which I think fit with the tone and idea behind the song perfectly. Pa rum pum pum pum.
2) Happy Xmas (War is Over)- John Lennon
I'm a sucker for anything Beatles, but this song really resonates this year, especially after all the violence of the past year. I love how soft and quiet the song is, especially when trying to get the message of peace across. So often today people try to shove their opinions down the throats of others, but Lennon took the opposite approach and just whispered it instead, and I think it makes it a more powerful statement. Also, it's so simple, and not overdone like so many songs are.
1) Santa Clause is Coming to Town- Bruce Springsteen
If you know anything about me, you know how much it pains me to not only include Bruce on a list of best anything, but to have him in the number 1 slot. But, all prejudices aside, I have to admit Bruce rocked the hell out of this song, and it's amazing. Also, does the big man get his new sax or not? I need to know. For some reason, the raspy voice and rock music just fit with this song. No other musician should even bother covering this song, because there's no way they'll come close to this version. Just can't be done.
So, here we go.
5) Run Rudolph Run- Chuck Berry
It's hard to separate this song from the movie that introduced it to at least one new generation, if not more, Home Alone. And that's not necessarily a bad thing, both the song and the move are great Christmas classics. I think what has helped this song to stand the test of time, other than it's being featured in movies, is that it's fast paced, amazing guitar, silly lyrics all will never go out of style. This song is over 50 years old and I would confidently bet that people today still enjoy it just as much as they did when it first came out. Everything just comes together perfectly on this song, making it an instant classic.
4) Wonderful Christmas Time- Paul McCartney
This is possibly not the best song technically on the list, but how can you hear it and not get in the Christmas mood? It's bouncy, upbeat, happy and by Paul McCartney, all good things. I personally like the simplicity of this song. Not everything has to be an over production to be successful, and McCartney does a great job of proving that.
3) Little Drummer Boy- Bob Seger
This is probably one of my all time favorite Christmas songs, and Bob Seger's version is just great. I love how he mixes classic and contemporary together with this song. What really makes this song, in my opinion is the drums in the background, they are so powerful without being overbearing, and when you're covering a song about a drummer boy the drums are very important. And his singing just sounds so passionate and intense which I think fit with the tone and idea behind the song perfectly. Pa rum pum pum pum.
2) Happy Xmas (War is Over)- John Lennon
I'm a sucker for anything Beatles, but this song really resonates this year, especially after all the violence of the past year. I love how soft and quiet the song is, especially when trying to get the message of peace across. So often today people try to shove their opinions down the throats of others, but Lennon took the opposite approach and just whispered it instead, and I think it makes it a more powerful statement. Also, it's so simple, and not overdone like so many songs are.
1) Santa Clause is Coming to Town- Bruce Springsteen
Friday, December 18, 2015
Happy Birthday Keith!
On this day 72 years ago a man named Keith Richards was born. You may have heard of him before. He's in a little band called The Rolling Stones. In honor of his birthday, I thought I would talk for a few minutes on the impact The Rolling Stones have had on my life.
I was born wayyyy after the time when The Rolling Stones were at their peak of popularity, but still thanks to my parents always listening to their hippie dippie music throughout my childhood, I knew who they were, and I knew they were better than most of the music my peers were listening too (Backstreet Boys, N'Sync, Britney Spears etc.....) but of course not even close to as amazing as Neil Young!
Once I got a little older and had some control over the music I listened to I still gravitated to the classics like The Rolling Stones. And even though I may not listen to them as much as some other music there is no denying their massive influence on the music scene. Without the antics of The Rolling Stones, and others like them, who knows what bands today would be like. The Rolling Stones were one of the first bands to really push the boundaries and even cross the line at times.
Without a doubt Richards is the most extreme member of The Rolling Stones, but without him they just wouldn't be the same. So, keep embracing the crazy in you Keith for as long as your here, because anything less just wouldn't compare.
Happy Birthday!
I was born wayyyy after the time when The Rolling Stones were at their peak of popularity, but still thanks to my parents always listening to their hippie dippie music throughout my childhood, I knew who they were, and I knew they were better than most of the music my peers were listening too (Backstreet Boys, N'Sync, Britney Spears etc.....) but of course not even close to as amazing as Neil Young!
Once I got a little older and had some control over the music I listened to I still gravitated to the classics like The Rolling Stones. And even though I may not listen to them as much as some other music there is no denying their massive influence on the music scene. Without the antics of The Rolling Stones, and others like them, who knows what bands today would be like. The Rolling Stones were one of the first bands to really push the boundaries and even cross the line at times.
Without a doubt Richards is the most extreme member of The Rolling Stones, but without him they just wouldn't be the same. So, keep embracing the crazy in you Keith for as long as your here, because anything less just wouldn't compare.
Happy Birthday!
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
Top 5 worst Christmas songs
With the holidays approaching faster than ever this year, and with them the annual barrage of holiday music, both good and bad, I thought I would make a list of my top 5 least favorite Christmas songs ever.
This should be an easy task, right? I mean there are thousands of songs out there, how hard is it to pick just 5 that you don't like? Well, it depends on what you're looking for; is this going to be a list of contemporary songs? Classic songs? Gimmicky songs? The list could go on and on. But, for this particular post, I have decided to focus on songs that have been covered by major musicians.
So, without any further ado, here is my list of the top 5 worst Christmas songs.
5) Santa Claus is Coming to Town- Justin Bieber
Okay, so first of all, I really don't understand why anyone would even attempt to cover this song after Bruce Springsteen. Honestly, no one will ever top that, so why even try? (This is probably the only time I'll ever say anything good about Bruce) Strike one against Bieber. And then, he turned this classic song into a stilted, overhyped whine fest. Where's the jolly happiness this song should have? Bieber got rid of it. Strike two. Finally, I really just can't stand the way he sings, there's no emotion in it whatsoever, except maybe 'look how hot I am while I'm singing' but that's not really the emotion you want in a Christmas song, or at least I don't. Strike three.
4) Jingle Bells- Trey Songz and Flo Rida
You would think it's pretty hard to screw up this classic Christmas song, but Songz and Rida make it look easy. I guess I'm just a traditionalist, but I really don't think rap and Christmas songs mix. They're both fine on their own, but put them together and all you have is a big mess. Better to keep the two separate!
3) Winter Wonderland- Selena Gomez & The Scene
I'll be the first to admit I don't know a lot about Selena Gomez, but one thing I'm pretty sure about is she is not a rocker. Yet that's what this song is, an attempt at a rock version of this beautiful love song. It just doesn't work. At all. Selena should just stick to what she knows. I'm not saying a new twist on an old classic can't work, because it can, but I'm really just not into this version.
2) Santa Baby- Madonna
It seems to be a theme with this song for women to sing it as childishly as possible but Madonna took that to the extreme with her version of this song. Some of the lyrics of this song are a little suggestive and to hear them sung in a voice that sounds like Madonna is either talking to a toddler or is a toddler herself is just wrong. Seriously Madonna just don't.
1) All I Want for Christmas is You- Mariah Carey
Overall, this song isn't bad. What I can't stand about it is the fact that it is sooo overplayed! Okay, she's a good singer, okay it's a good song. But that doesn't mean that it has to be played nonstop throughout the Christmas season. There are so many different songs, by so many different artists there is no reason for me to hear this song five or more times per day.
Saturday, December 5, 2015
RIP Scott Weiland
Sad news to report on today with the news that Scott Weiland has passed away.
Weiland was the lead singer for Stone Temple Pilots and was also in Velvet Revolver.
It's always sad when someone passes away before their time, but it is even more sad when that person has had a huge influence on pop culture and has given so much to the world. He will be missed by many.
I wish nothing but peace for his family and loved ones that are trying to move on after this tragedy.
Thursday, December 3, 2015
Neil Young vs. Starbucks
The other day Neil tweeted about Starbucks from his personal twitter account. He said; "#StarbucksRedCup is simply a red warning cup - to let you know you're drinking GMOs - go #organic #Starbucks & stop fighting #GMOlabeling" (Note- this is a direct quote from Neil Young's personal twitter account).
Neil has been fighting for GMO labeling for a long time now, for those of you who don't know, GMO labeling is when a company puts a label on the food or product they make saying it contains genetically modified or engineered food. This means the food could contain potentially harmful modifications, we don't know. It's also important to note here that there have been no long-term studies done on the effect on humans of eating large doses of GMO foods. However, the health benefits of eating organic foods are well known and documented.
Most of the world requires food to be labeled if it contains these modifications, but the U.S. doesn't. Neil has been working for a long time to change this, and his tweet is just his most recent way of bringing awareness to Americans.
Personally, I'm a little torn about GMO warnings. On the one hand, I want to know what's in the food I'm putting in my body. I don't want any strange chemicals in there. But, on the other hand, we've been eating food that has been modified for a long time. For example, almost all corn sold in the U.S. has been modified. And all the modified food I've ever eaten was approved first for human consumption.
I think the biggest thing to remember here is that we don't know everything there is to know about this topic yet. More research needs to be done before any conclusions can be made. Remember though, unless the food you are buying says it is 100 percent organic, there is probably a pretty good chance it's ben modified in some way.
However, I think it is admiral of Neil to stand up for what he believes in so strongly. And, more importantly, he uses his influence and popularity to teach others about topics he is passionate about.
Neil has been fighting for GMO labeling for a long time now, for those of you who don't know, GMO labeling is when a company puts a label on the food or product they make saying it contains genetically modified or engineered food. This means the food could contain potentially harmful modifications, we don't know. It's also important to note here that there have been no long-term studies done on the effect on humans of eating large doses of GMO foods. However, the health benefits of eating organic foods are well known and documented.
Most of the world requires food to be labeled if it contains these modifications, but the U.S. doesn't. Neil has been working for a long time to change this, and his tweet is just his most recent way of bringing awareness to Americans.
Personally, I'm a little torn about GMO warnings. On the one hand, I want to know what's in the food I'm putting in my body. I don't want any strange chemicals in there. But, on the other hand, we've been eating food that has been modified for a long time. For example, almost all corn sold in the U.S. has been modified. And all the modified food I've ever eaten was approved first for human consumption.
I think the biggest thing to remember here is that we don't know everything there is to know about this topic yet. More research needs to be done before any conclusions can be made. Remember though, unless the food you are buying says it is 100 percent organic, there is probably a pretty good chance it's ben modified in some way.
However, I think it is admiral of Neil to stand up for what he believes in so strongly. And, more importantly, he uses his influence and popularity to teach others about topics he is passionate about.
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