Melodic Monday - Within the Recesses of My Own Head

This is an old feature I've decided to resurrect (after almost a year since my previous 'Melodic Monday' entry). I've never really considered myself an overly "musical" person. Sure, I sing from time to time, but I've never been exceptionally gifted in any area of music. Not really. (There are some who will say that I am a good singer and, while I enjoy it, going to college and befriending a number of music majors drove away any delusion that I'm what anyone would consider "gifted.")

With my Acting class no longer meeting during fourth period (it was a semester-long class in the fall), I find that I now have an additional prep period - usually during one of my least lucid moments of the day. Having some catchy music to hum/sing generally helps me get through this part of the day (well, that and caffeine). I usually put on my YouTube playlist and go to town, listening to artists and bands as varied and diverse as Jay-Z and Feist, Kiss and the Swell Season, Fuel and Iron & Wine.

Today, though, I found songs not even on my standard playlist running through my head, which seemed odd to me. Here's a list of the songs that have been running through my head today (complete with YouTube videos, to allow you to get them stuck in your head as well). Enjoy!

Carol Channing - "Hello, Dolly!"
Though I've never seen it, I am vaguely familiar with the musical "Hello Dolly!" and really enjoy it - particularly the title song. Forget Barbra Streisand - for my money, no one captures the wonder and charisma of the titular Dolly than the person for whom the role was written, Carol Channing. Couldn't tell you why, but this song was stuck in my head through the entirety of first period.


Bonnie Tyler - "It's a Heartache"
Much like "Dolly," I'm not entirely sure how this song managed to weasel its way into my head. However, when second period rolled around, who should be mentally serenading me by Ms. "Total Eclipse of the Heart" herself. While others of her songs are decidedly more well-known (particularly "Holding Out for a Hero" and the aforementioned "Eclipse"), this song remains something of an 'unsung hero' in Tyler's repertoire. It captures the emotion of "Eclipse" while using softer elements, showcasing Tyler's vaguely raspy voice to full effect. Lovely!


Janis Joplin - "Piece of My Heart"
This one's been in my head perennially since November. It was responsible for igniting my love of Janis Joplin. There's something about the emotion in the song that pulls me in and want to join her, shouting the bold challenge from the rooftops to any takers out there who would like to "take another little piece of my heart." Awesome. I can realistically see myself devoting an entire "Melodic Monday" to Joplin at some point in the near future. Stay tuned!


Reel Big Fish - "Sell Out"
This was very probably one of the first ska songs I was ever really exposed to. I always loved, even as a middle schooler who didn't really understand the word, the irony of a band becoming famous and 'selling out' as the result of a song all about the dangers and ills of selling out. Lines like "the radio plays what they want you to hear" and "the record company's gonna give me lots of money" always struck me as amusing when juxtaposed with the reality that this song was a huge radio hit in its day. Beyond that, it's just dang catchy!
(*NOTE* - The first part of the music video is pretty obnoxious. The song itself starts at 1:45 into the video. You're welcome!)


Fergie - "Be Italian"
Nine was easily my favorite movie of last year. Part of it was the cast - Daniel Day-Lewis, Marion Cotillard, Penelope Cruz, Nicole Kidman, Sophia Loren, Kate Hudson, and Fergie. This latter inclusion hardly seemed a fitting addition to the cast... until I heard this track. It's easily one of my favorite parts of the show and makes me wonder why Fergie the artist has wasted so much time singing pop music that does nothing to showcase her true talents. This song has found its way into my head a lot lately... eventually, I'm just going to have to break down and buy the Nine movie soundtrack...

What songs have you been listening to today?

Melodic Monday - Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band

Ever since the Super Bowl a couple of weeks ago, I've been struggling to shake the pure dynamism that was Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. I'm not sure if you saw it, but if you did, you surely know that their performance was nothing short of kinetic (and definitely made up for the lackluster commercials that flocked the screens this year). I can't say as I'd ever considered myself a "Springsteen fan" before that night... but I'm definitely considering it now.

Who from my generation hasn't grown up with at least a smattering of Springsteen knowledge. "Born in the USA"? Check. "Dancing in the Dark"? You betcha. "Glory Days"? No doubt! But songs like "Working on a Dream" and "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out"? I have to say I was honestly clueless.

It's one thing to hear Springsteen on a recording... but Bruce is one of those rare artists that you have to hear live to truly appreciate. In a day that seems to be cranking out cookie-cutter pop artists that need heavy studio dubbing in order to sound halfway decent, it's good to know that Springsteen is definitely the genuine article. While he may not be the greatest singer in the world, his stage presence, charisma, and ability to have fun onstage really make him a joy to watch.

This is to say nothing of what I consider the best part of the equation: the E Street Band. Springsteen is a talent himself, to be sure, but he is backed by some stellar and amazing talent as well. Guitarist Steven Van Zandt is probably best known to many for playing mobster Silvio Dante on HBO's "The Sopranos." Drummer Max Weinberg has spent the last sixteen years as the band leader for 'the Max Weinberg 7,' the house band on NBC's "Late Night with Conan O'Brien." Saxophonist Clarence 'the Big Man' Clemons is a well-known and well-respected musician in his own right (though I always remember him as one of the Three Most Important People in the World from Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure). This is to say nothing of the scores of other talented individuals in the E Street Band. These are musicians who have performed with the likes of Bob Dylan, Meat Loaf, Bonnie Tyler, Ringo Starr, Jim Steinman, and Gary 'U.S.' Bonds. Top-notch talent!

Since the effect of Springsteen and his E Street Band needs to be experienced to be believed, I've included a recording of an in-concert excerpt of one my new favorite Springsteen tunes, "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out". Enjoy!

Melodic Monday - Barenaked Ladies

Remember 1998? I do. "Seinfeld" was wrapping up, Smoke and Mirrors - a collection of short fiction by Neil Gaiman - was on the shelves, and, thanks to a little ditty called "One Week," America was being introduced for the first time to a little ensemble from north of the border (the Canadian border, that is) called the Barenaked Ladies. The irony, of course, being that all of the band members are clothed and none of them are female. Their music, however, is great.

Most people know a bit about the Barenaked Ladies. Just about everyone has heard "One Week". Many know "Pinch Me". Some might even be able to recognize tunes like "It's All Been Done" or "The Old Apartment". For my money, few bands of the last decade are as all-around fun as the Barenaked Ladies.

From early successes like the classic "Brian Wilson" (named for the lead singer of the Beach Boys, natch) and "Be My Yoko Ono" to stints on television (like donating the themes to TV shows like "Baby Blues" and "The Big Bang Theory"), the Ladies are prolific. As their style continues to evolve, their sound remains as crisp and cool as ever.

The dual vocals of frontmen Steven Page and Ed Robertson are continued evidence that the two have worked together for awhile, honing their craft opposite one another. The sheer talent and versatility of member Kevin Hearn is also both astounding and unparalleled (at least as far as Canadian bands I know of). From top to bottom, BNL is a treat for the ears.

A couple of years ago, the band came out with a new album entitled The Barenaked Ladies Are Me, showcasing a mellower BNL, but with all the wit and intelligence that one comes to expect from the group. Below is one of my favorite tracks from that album, called "Bank Job," telling the story of a group of cons robbing a bank. The story surrounding the song is well worth the listen.

Melodic Monday - "Ruby's Arms"

A new feature (which, like the others, will likely be semi-regular), "Melodic Monday" will spotlight bands, artists, albums, or individual songs that I'm really getting into at the moment and will also highlight my incredibly eclectic taste in music.

A number of months ago, one of the students at the school I teach at asked me if I'd ever heard Tom Waits. While I am familiar with Waits' acting achievements (from films like Short Cuts, Mystery Men, and Domino), I had to plead ignorance as to his musical career, which is why he's famous in the first place. I was subsequently gifted a data disk filled with Waits' music - about seven or eight albums worth - and began to listen.

The man definitely has a very distinct sound. He is known for turning everyday objects into bizarre musical instruments. He has a way of incorporating various styles of music into his sound - vaudeville, blues, folk, early rock & roll. His low, gravelly voice is often filled with emotion and his dark sense of humor really comes across in songs like "Frank's Wild Years".

I'm not entirely sure how I stumbled across the gem that is "Ruby's Arms," as it was not on any of the albums I was gifted... but ever since listening to it, the song has absolutely haunted me. The lyrics tell a heartbreaking story of a young soldier who leaves behind his girl - presumably to join the military. A combination of raw emotion, poetic imagery, and Waits' own surly voice really make this song one of the most poignant and moving songs that I've ever heard.

Give it a listen: