web analytics

Pop Rock Nation

Blog

  • Dental ditties…

    Dental ditties…

    This week, my teeth take front and center priority, since I just got a new crown preparation. Check out my dental ditties…

    I’ve had another rough week, despite my resolve to cheer up. Yesterday, I went to the dentist to get another molar prepared for a crown. I was pretty much dreading that appointment, even though it really did need to be done. The anticipation of a dental visit is often worse than the actual appointment. I came through my crown prep just fine, though I was left thinking about songs that have to do with teeth. The first one to pop into my head is this one from Little Shop of Horrors…


    Steve Martin sings about being a dentist.

    Fortunately, I don’t get the impression that my dentist is a sadist. She’s actually pretty good at preventing pain, at least during the procedure. In fact, the most painful part of yesterday was probably the bill, which included a small balance left over from my last dental adventure. Still, given how much people dread visiting the dentist and the fact that it can be very unpleasant, Steve Martin’s turn as a sadistic dentist in Little Shop of Horrors seemed perfect for this post full of dental ditties.

    The next thing I was reminded of was Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem, you know, from The Muppets? A few weeks ago, Jim Henson’s son, John, died suddenly on Valentine’s Day. The Muppets have been on my mind since that sad day.


    Dr. Teeth and Electric Mayhem perform Chopin’s Polonaise in A Flat on The Muppet Show.

    This clip from The Muppet Show is proof positive that a person could be exposed to culture while watching The Muppets.

    Naturally, I had to include a song by Spooky Tooth, especially since when I saw my tooth photographed before I got my crown preparation, I was pretty spooked. It had three cracks in it that looked really scary.


    “Waiting For the Wind”

    I’m not sure what the significance of this band’s name is. They were a bit before my time, though I’ve heard plenty of references to their brand of English rock. Spooky Tooth was notable for being one of the few rock bands to implement dual keyboards; that is, they used both piano and organ in their music. I might not have been reminded of their sound as the dentist ground away my tooth yesterday, but they definitely belong on my list of dental ditties.


    Savoy Truffle is a song about needing all your teeth pulled after eating too many sweets.

    My love of sweet stuff is probably why I spent two hours in the chair yesterday. I’m sure it didn’t help that I love sugar and, when I was younger, didn’t take care of my teeth the way I should have.

    I could have just as easily ended up in the chair after an injury. AC/DC cover this nicely with their dental ditty, “Kicked In The Teeth”.


    Ouch!

    I actually did once get kicked in the teeth by a horse. I didn’t think I came away from the experience any worse for wear until a dentist in North Carolina told me she suspected that one of my front teeth was dead. Fortunately, it doesn’t look dead unless you look closely.

    And finally, Lady Gaga’s addition to my dental ditties post…


    “Teeth” certainly is enough to make you want to get up out of the dental chair…

    This song certainly has some “teeth”, doesn’t it? Fortunately, since yesterday, I still have mine. Hopefully I can avoid the dentist’s chair for treatment in the near future.

    [AMAZONPRODUCTS asin=”B000000OQ7″]

  • Cheery songs…

    Cheery songs…

    Last week, I had the blues. This week, I’m focusing on cheery songs…

    Last week was not so good for me. A bunch of stuff piled up, causing me to go into minor crisis mode. I found myself listening to the blues a bit, because sometimes a little musical empathy is good for the soul. As the week wore on, I decided to think about more positive things. I realized that cheery songs are better than the blues when it’s time to get over it and move on. So that’s what today’s post is about, cheery songs. And there are a lot of ’em!


    Bobby McFerrin’s “Don’t Worry Be Happy” is an obvious entry…

    “Don’t Worry Be Happy” is kind of the anthem for getting over yourself. This song was popular when I was a high school sophomore. It was a huge hit and Bobby McFerrin enjoyed some sudden fame as he was tapped to record the theme song for The Cosby Show during its fourth season on the air. In 1988, George H.W. Bush used the song in his run for president. Bobby McFerrin was notably upset since he neither gave permission for Bush to use “Don’t Worry Be Happy”, nor did he even plan to vote for Bush. But twenty-six years later, it’s still one of my go-to cheery songs.


    A live video of Dr. John singing “Accentuate the Positive”.

    “Accentuate The Positive” is another great song for chasing away the blues. This song is a classic, having been penned by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer. It’s been covered by a whole lot of people, from Aretha Franklin to Bette Midler. I’m partial to Dr. John’s version, which has sort of a sassy New Orleans flair. I liked it even before New Orleans was devastated by Hurricane Katrina, but having seen that city bounce back in the years since that huge storm, I appreciate it even more.


    Randy Newman’s “Happy Ending” from his musical, Faust, is another entry in my list of good cheery songs.

    This song is included on the Faust’s 1995 soundtrack for his musical, Faust. On that album, he plays Faust, and at the very end of the album, he sings a song called “Happy Ending”. It’s about moving to Las Vegas, where they’ve got everything! It’s hard not to tap your toes to the jaunty rhythm and the lyrics are pretty funny, too. Randy Newman in general cracks me up, so a lot of his songs are a good bet for snapping me out of a mood. On the other hand, he’s done some bluesy songs, too.


    “Let It Go” from Walt Disney’s Frozen is another song that begs listeners to cheer up.

    I don’t generally get into Disney songs that much, since I don’t have kids and my days of watching Disney movies are long over. However, I can’t overlook “Let It Go”, an anthem from the movie Frozen. This is a song that will resonate with a lot of people who need to snap out of it.


    Billy Joel’s “You’re Only Human (Second Wind)” is an anti-suicide song with a jaunty beat that begs listeners not to forget their “second wind”…

    The melody is very spunky and the video is a bit silly, but the words are surprisingly moving. In fact, even as I smile at the video, I feel tears welling up in my eyes. Maybe it’s not one of the best cheery songs for me, but the message is definitely a consolation for many people.


    “Always Look On The Bright Side of Life”… Yes, Monty Python is probably a better choice for me.

    British humor always makes me giggle, so it’s probably best if I stick with silly songs by Monty Python when I need a mood booster. I love absurd humor, so as I recover from “Second Wind”, I can laugh at the guys in Monty Python as they hang around on their crosses. Blasphemous? Maybe it is… but it made me smile. As a matter of fact, listening to Monty Python Sings never fails to cheer me up.

    Anyway, I’m hoping this week will be somewhat better for you and me. Cheers!

    [AMAZONPRODUCTS asin=”B000000WIA”]

  • I’ve got the blues…

    I’ve got the blues…

    This week has been tough. A bunch of things have been piling up. And now I’ve got the blues…

    A whole bunch of *stuff* piled up on me this week. Most of the stuff is minor, though when it all piles up at once, it can feel like a big load. Often, when I’m feeling depressed, I like to listen to music. Historically, I would choose music from James Taylor, whose voice somehow manages to console me. As my tastes have evolved, so have my musical choices. Though I’m not quite as blue this morning as I’ve been at other times, I thought I’d take a look at some of the songs that soothe me when I’ve got the blues. Note that these songs are not “blues” songs per se, though I may sneak one or two in.


    Eric Clapton sings “Lonely Stranger” from his 1992 Unplugged album.

    I don’t know why, but this song “Lonely Stranger” has been on my mind for the past couple of days. There’s something elegantly beautiful about this sad song, all about being a lonely stranger without a love in the world. That doesn’t describe me today, but it has in the past… or at least it seemed like it did. It’s nice to listen to this, even as I realize it’s been 22 years since Clapton’s Unplugged was released. Man, I feel old.


    James Taylor’s classic song, “Bartender’s Blues”, certainly was a comfort when I worked in the restaurant industry. Anyone who has been a bartender or server can relate. Check out Linda Ronstadt’s searing backup.

    Lots of artists have covered “Bartender’s Blues”. I found a very cool clip of Elvis Costello and Laura Cantrell teaming up on it. Vince Gill, Bonnie Raitt, and George Jones did it. Hell, even Amy Grant sang it!


    This is weird. I never thought I’d hear Amy Grant singing about being a bartender.

    I’ve found Jackson Browne is great when I’m in a low mood. There’s something about his dark piano chords and bitter vocals that just touches me at the core. Some of his melodies are just beautiful. And when he goes for those diminished chords, I just sigh.


    Supposedly, this song is about Jackson Browne’s brief relationship with Joni Mitchell…

    If “Fountain of Sorrow” was really about Joni Mitchell, she’s got to be one of the most inspirational people on the planet.


    Joni Mitchell sings “Blue” in concert.

    Speaking of Joni Mitchell, she’s pretty good for a melancholy song or two herself. I discovered her 1970 album Blue in 1999, when I was recovering from clinical depression. This song seems to be about the druggy culture of the early 70s, but there’s something about the melody that speaks to me when I’ve got the blues.


    Keb’ Mo plays his gorgeous song, “Henry”.

    Just listening to Keb’ Mo’ play “Henry” is enough to bring a lump to my throat. It’s not so much the words that do it as it is the hauntingly gorgeous melody and the sound of Keb’ Mo’s rich vocals.


    Bonnie Raitt sings “Louise”, a song by Paul Siebel.

    “Louise” is the sad ballad of a low class woman of who didn’t have a lot of friends, but was a friend to a lot of lonely men. Bonnie Raitt sings this with so much heart and appreciation as she recalls how Louise died alone and went home alone.


    The Corrs have done an amazing version of REM’s “Everybody Hurts”.

    While I like REM as much as anyone my age does, it’s The Corrs’ heartbreakingly beautiful cover of “Everybody Hurts” that makes me want to pour out the blues with a good cry. There’s something so moving about this rendition, especially given that suicide is a big problem in Ireland. The first time I heard it, I had to have the album it came from, even though it’s out of print.


    Linda Ronstadt sings “Blue Bayou”…

    And finally, here’s Linda Ronstadt in her prime, singing a soaring version of “Blue Bayou”, a song written by the late Roy Orbison. I love to sing this one myself, but no one does it quite how Linda does. And this melancholy song with its hopeful lyrics are helpful when I need to get over the blues.

    [AMAZONPRODUCTS asin=”B0013850A8″]