Republican Vs. Democrat, Male Vs. Female, War Vs. Peace, Light Vs. Dark, Good Vs. Evil, Man Vs. Machine, Love Vs. Hate, Dog Vs. Cat, Sun Vs. Moon, Brain Vs. Brawn, Oscar Vs. Grammy, Angel Vs. Demon, Laurel Vs. Hardy, Beer Vs. Wine, TV Vs. Radio, Pitcher Vs. Batter, Paper Vs. Plastic, Reality Vs. Fantasy, Yeshua Vs. Beelzebub, Conservative Vs. Liberal, You Vs. Me, House Vs. Senate, Offense Vs. Defense, Kramer Vs. Kramer, Spy Vs. Spy, Fischer Vs. Spassky, W.C. Fields Vs. Sobriety, Harold Gimpy, Jr. Vs. Sheldon J. Pismire, Rock Vs. Paper Vs. Scissors, Islam Vs. Everything, Singer Vs. Singer, Band Vs. Band...
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BATTLE OF THE BANDS! (‘BOTB’)
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Shoop-Shooby
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Shooby-duh-Dooby-Doop-Dooby-Dooby-Doo-Wah
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Buh-Doo-Wah!
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Yes,
it’s time once again for ‘Battle Of The Bands’
(‘BOTB’)
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Alright,
let’s get on it...
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| EUGENE MARTONE VS. JACK BUTLER |
In a recent BOTB comment section, the Eagles' song 'HOTEL CALIFORNIA' was mentioned, and that got me to thinking about two other songs I dig which focus on the city where I was born and raised.
The excesses and broken dreams of Tinseltown, the underbelly of life in my "homemegalopolis", Los Angeles, are mentioned or alluded to in 'WELCOME TO THE BOOMTOWN' by David & David, and 'UNDER THE BRIDGE' by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Ordinarily, I'm a staunch traditionalist, but this is one of the rare times I'm putting together a BOTB installment that is "thematically" linked, rather than using the exact same song.
There's another new little "twist" this time: Rather than asking you to ignore the music videos so you can concentrate solely on the songs themselves, I'm going to ask you to submit TWO VOTES. Please tell me which of the two songs you like better, and then tell me which of the two music videos you like better.
Some people may be voting for the same band twice, while others may be splitting their votes - giving one band the win in the "Song" category and giving the other band the win in the "Video" category. However you choose to cast your TWO VOTES, it's A-OK.
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In 1986, I listened to David & David's 'BOOMTOWN' album more than any other I owned - 'Boomtown' was essentially my Soundtrack Of '86. I s'pose I must have heard the title track on FM radio before it became a Top 40 hit and I purchased a copy of the LP for that one song, but then happily discovered that there were 3 or 4 songs I liked even better'n the hit!
'Boomtown' was the only album released by David (Baerwald - the curly-haired lead singer) and David (Ricketts - the dark-haired lead guitarist). They broke up afterwards, despite the fact the song 'Welcome To The Boomtown' went to #37 on the Billboard chart. It seems the Davids couldn't get along with each other too well.
It was a pretty dark album that was certified 'gold' in 1995.
Wackypedia sez: Baerwald and Ricketts played all the instruments on the album except for drums on some tracks which were played by Ed Greene.
Although Baerwald and Ricketts would go on to co-write some of the material for Sheryl Crow's debut album, the duo pursed [sic] divergent musical paths with Baerwald developing his solo career and Ricketts working with singer/musician Toni Childs.
Every song from the 'Boomtown' LP has been uploaded to YouTube multiple times. If you go there and begin reading the comments below each upload, it's rather astounding the affection - even tremendous reverence - with which so many people still regard these songs by a duo that released only one album and remain largely unknown.
The massive number of glowing comments begins to give a person the impression that 'Boomtown' is one of Rock music's most underrated and overlooked albums of all time. Hellck! I've been saying that since 1986!
Although it didn't win any awards that I know of, I also believe the music video that was created for David & David's one hit can compete with just about any I've seen. Did they even have Music Video awards in 1986? All I remember about '86 is David & David, psychological and emotional pain, and Jack Daniels ("...it will help you to think").
By some curious coincidence, just the other day, my buddy LC featured a David Baerwald song on his blog 'DiscConnected', HERE.
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For full-sized viewing window, click the URL link below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97wvwuHUMCw
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| GOODNIKS VS. NO-GOODNIKS |
In 1986, I listened to David & David's 'BOOMTOWN' album more than any other I owned - 'Boomtown' was essentially my Soundtrack Of '86. I s'pose I must have heard the title track on FM radio before it became a Top 40 hit and I purchased a copy of the LP for that one song, but then happily discovered that there were 3 or 4 songs I liked even better'n the hit!
'Boomtown' was the only album released by David (Baerwald - the curly-haired lead singer) and David (Ricketts - the dark-haired lead guitarist). They broke up afterwards, despite the fact the song 'Welcome To The Boomtown' went to #37 on the Billboard chart. It seems the Davids couldn't get along with each other too well.
It was a pretty dark album that was certified 'gold' in 1995.
Wackypedia sez: Baerwald and Ricketts played all the instruments on the album except for drums on some tracks which were played by Ed Greene.
Although Baerwald and Ricketts would go on to co-write some of the material for Sheryl Crow's debut album, the duo pursed [sic] divergent musical paths with Baerwald developing his solo career and Ricketts working with singer/musician Toni Childs.
Every song from the 'Boomtown' LP has been uploaded to YouTube multiple times. If you go there and begin reading the comments below each upload, it's rather astounding the affection - even tremendous reverence - with which so many people still regard these songs by a duo that released only one album and remain largely unknown.
The massive number of glowing comments begins to give a person the impression that 'Boomtown' is one of Rock music's most underrated and overlooked albums of all time. Hellck! I've been saying that since 1986!
Although it didn't win any awards that I know of, I also believe the music video that was created for David & David's one hit can compete with just about any I've seen. Did they even have Music Video awards in 1986? All I remember about '86 is David & David, psychological and emotional pain, and Jack Daniels ("...it will help you to think").
By some curious coincidence, just the other day, my buddy LC featured a David Baerwald song on his blog 'DiscConnected', HERE.
For full-sized viewing window, click the URL link below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97wvwuHUMCw
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| GODZILLA VS. KING KONG |
It was about a year and a half ago that I heard 'UNDER THE BRIDGE' for the first time. I had temporarily stopped listening to The Pat Metheny Group while driving and started tuning into the Classic Rock radio station in Phoenix.
Timing is everything, and I repeatedly tuned in at times when this song I'd never heard before was getting played. About the third time, I realized how much I liked it. (That chorus was so addictive that it would get stuck in my mind and play as if on a tape loop for a couple days after hearing the tune. It's been playing in my mind for the last three days, since I first started composing this blog bit.)
I memorized a line of lyric and Googled it one morning after getting home from work. I was shocked, Shocked, SHOCKED! THAT(?!?!) is the Red Hot Chili Peppers? "But I don't like the Red Hot Chili Peppers!" I reminded myself. How could I EVER like anything by a band who would release an album cover like
[link-->] THIS?
Sometimes... the wholly unexpected.
I was surprised the song was by the Chili Peppers, and also surprised that it had an L.A. connection. Somehow I missed that part of the lyrics the first few times I heard it.
Wackypedia sez: Vocalist Anthony Kiedis wrote the lyrics to express feelings of loneliness and despondency, and to reflect on narcotics and their impact on his life. Kiedis initially did not feel "Under the Bridge" would fit into the Chili Peppers' repertoire and was reluctant to show it to his band mates until producer Rick Rubin implored him to do so. ...
The dejection he was experiencing, coupled with memories of [girlfriend] Ione Skye and prior drug use, led to emotional distress: "the loneliness that I was feeling triggered memories of my time with Ione and how I'd had this beautiful angel of a girl who was willing to give me all of her love, and instead of embracing that, I was downtown with f@#%ing gangsters shooting speedballs under a bridge."
Kiedis' feelings of alienation from his bandmates led him to believe that the city of Los Angeles was his only companion: "I felt an unspoken bond between me and my city. I'd spent so much time wandering through the streets of L.A. and hiking through the Hollywood Hills that I sensed there was a nonhuman entity, maybe the spirit of the hills and the city, who had me in her sights and was looking after me."
The song became a critical and commercial success, peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and later certified 'platinum' by the Recording Industry Association of America. The single's success was widened with the release of its accompanying video, which was frequently played on music television channels. It won the "Viewer's Choice Award" and "Breakthrough Video" at the 1992 MTV Video Music Awards.
For full-sized viewing window, click the URL link below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwlogyj7nFE
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| RIDDLER VS. BATMAN |
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After voting here...
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Voice Your Vote @ ‘FAR AWAY SERIES’ by clicking HERE.
@ ‘TOSSING IT OUT’ by clicking HERE.
@ ‘YOUR DAILY DOSE’ by clicking HERE.
@ 'BOOK LOVER' by clicking HERE.
@ 'MIKE'S RAMBLINGS' by clicking HERE.
@ 'CURIOUS AS A CATHY' by clicking HERE.
@ 'THE SOUND OF ONE HAND TYPING' by clicking HERE.
@ 'DCRELIEF - BATTLE OF THE BANDS' by clicking HERE.
@ 'THE DOGLADY'S DEN' by clicking HERE.
@ 'CHERDO ON THE FLIPSIDE' by clicking HERE.
@ 'ANGELS BARK' by clicking HERE.
@ 'JINGLE JANGLE JUNGLE' by clicking HERE.
@ 'WOMEN: WE SHALL OVERCOME' by clicking HERE.
@ 'J.A. SCOTT' by clicking HERE.
@ 'NOVELBREWS' by clicking HERE.
@ 'HOLLI'S HOOTS AND HOLLERS' by clicking HERE.
@ 'QUIET LAUGHTER' by clicking HERE.
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I will announce the the winner of each category ('Song' and 'Video') here on October 7th.
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~ Stephen T. McCarthy
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I'm going to give both votes to 'Welcome to Boomtown'. The song is a reminder of the 80s and 80s music for me. I do remember the song and have always loved though never really knew who sung it. I've never been a big Red Hot Chile Peppers fan, but I have come to like a lot of their music. But their video did not do it for me. I like the throw back images and video in the Boomtown video, however. So please cast both of my votes in that direction.
ReplyDeleteJEFFREY ~
DeleteThanks for your votes, Brother!
I was a wee bit o' surprised to see D&D go 2 for 2 right out o' the chute.
~ D-FensDogG
'Loyal American Underground'
Hey there Stephen T ~ So, this is the BOTB that you thought wouldn't be my cup of tea, bottle of beer, shot of whiskey.....What was it you called it?! Anyway, you will be shocked and surprised to find out that I LOVE the Red Hot Chili Peppers!! Yes indeed. Years ago I even swiped my son's CD of theirs! SO, I have TWO Votes: Song: Under the Bridge. Video: Under the Bridge. Bam! There ya go. It's October 1st, it's fall in the Midwest, and I'm feeling good. Have a fabulous day, Stephen!
ReplyDeleteP.S. Since you thought you didn't like the RHCP, it just "shows to go ya"...Never say Never! :-)
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm singing along here....♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪
BECKY-O! ~
Delete"Shows to go ya"... I dig that expression. Have no idea where I first came across it, but I've used it plenty o' times me-damn-se'f.
Yep, you surprised me... TOO much (Ha!) I didn't think this would be your cup of... what DID I call it?
Whatever it was, I'm sure it was A-list clever, on the cusp of genius and... HIGHLY INTOXICATING.
OK, got Becky-O!-Thief logged in as representing 2 votes for the RHCP. (All tied up, both ways, after two voters check in.)
How do you make those ♪♪♪♪♪♪♪♪ symbols? I have no idea how that is done, and I'd like to be able to do it here on my blog. (How do you make those symbols? Seriously... I wanna kn♪w.)
~ D-FensDogG
'Loyal American Un♪erground'
Ha! Here's what you said on Sept 22 - "Although I'm not sure my next BOTB will really be your cup of "Lagunitas Imperial Pilsener". I'm still humming Under the Bridge this morning and will dig out my RHCP CD and play it. Thanks for the memories! La dee dada da.... ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
Delete(It appears as if you discovered how to add the musical notes!)
Good mornin', Stephen!
ReplyDeleteMy votes are remarkably the same: I like the video for Under the Bridge best and the song Under the Bridge best. It wasn't a slam dunk; I waivered on the video vote...D&D almost got it...almost.
Ione Skye was one of those faces you always associate with the age o' the brat pack. What is it about people that they always mess up a good thing (I assume), Anthony K? Really...under a bridge instead of home with your hottie?
Great battle! I'm following this one closely...
DOC CHERDO ~
Delete"Ione"? Not "Lone"?
Thanks for the correction. I fixt my text.
(And here I thought "Lone Skye" was a weird name, only to find out it's really "Ione Skye". Well, that's really much mo' no'mal, ryt?)
You're watching this Battle closely?
I think you can stop...
D&D seem to be making Paste outta da Peppers.
I did NOT see that coming. In the Video category - YES - it was easy to predict. That's a No-Contest, No-Brainer. But in the Song category - NO - I 'spected da Peppers would win. Of course, it's still early, but they got some catchin' up to do, mesense.
~ D-FensDogG
Amen, brother - I didn't see that coming, either. The RHCP had a big hit with this one and I thought D&D would have a tough time of it. Whadda I know?
DeleteDOC CHERDO ~
DeleteI've been BOTB-ing for over two years now, but it still never ceases to surprise me. Just when you think you understand it and have it down nearly to a science, it humbles you... again.
Looking through the votes a second time, it seems that in the Song category, it's actually pretty close, although the RHCP are behind. I didn't expect them to be playing "catch up" at any point in this Battle.
Oh well, keep watching, as we've got days to go,
and it's still anybody's show.
(Song-wise, anyway. The Video contest seems to be a massive blowout.)
~ D-FensDogG
Oooh, this is a kind of tough one. I like both songs. Neither of the videos particularly bowl me over--nice, but not particularly innovative.
ReplyDeleteGuess I'll start with the video. The one by The Chili Peppers is more visually interesting to me though I wish they'd had more L.A. scenes than group member images. I'll cast my video vote for The Peppers.
I'm not a huge Peppers fan, but they do some songs that I like quite well like this one for example. The Davids have that distinctly 80's tech pop sound with some Springsteen influence mixed in--nice to listen to and brings back memories of the type of stuff I used to enjoy listening to.
The Peppers song is a bit more musically innovative to my hearing and though with repeated listenings I might rather hear the Davids over and over again.
But in this contest my musical judgement leads my vote to be cast for The Red Hot Chili Peppers.
So I guess the Peppers get my vote on both accounts here. This morning I'm apparently a "Pepper upper".
Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out
LEE, I kinda thought you might be more of a RHCP fan than you said you are.
Delete2 more votes for da Peppers.
When your vote came in, I started thinking that this might be a long, hard contest for David & David, but then more votes started piling up quickly, and suddenly da Peppers seemed to be the underdog against the Unknown 2-man band.
Well, 5 more days of voting to go, so I guess da Peppers could still wi--- er... make it closer.
This is definitely not going to be one of my "Unsatisfying Kissing-Your-Sister Ties".
~ Stephen
I enjoyed the David and David song but I still like Under the Bridge better. My vote goes for The Red Hot Chile Peppers!
ReplyDeleteMIKE ~
DeleteOne vote recorded.
One vote declined.
~ D-FensDogG
Now this is pretty cool. We used to do a cover of Welcome To The Boomtown and I sang lead on it. It was my idea to cover it as I just loved those vocals and I liked the way such a simple song could have so much feeling and texture. The guitar work is clean and those notes are perfect. I never really knew much about these two guys but this song left it's mark on me.
ReplyDeleteNow rationally I know the song by the Red Hot Chili Peppers is well done. It's a well constructed song, the musicianship is good and the production quality is top notch. Yet, the song doesn't speak to me and I can't get past my dislike of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I will say one thing about them though. Chad Smith is a great drummer and can play some serious funk.. He is one of the best and most influential drummers of his time and I've learned quite a lot from him.. Earlier this year I bought one of his signature Sabian Cymbals. It's the 17inch Holy China and that thing is SONIC.
It's pretty obvious that my vote for best song is Welcome To The Boomtown.
Now onto the videos. I absolutely detest music videos as I feel they detract from the music and most of the time the musicians are made to look stupid in them. It's an insult to expect a talented musician to lower themselves to make one. I never watched that horrid MTV thing. The one good thing to come of them is that I can listen to songs on Youtube, whilst painting and ignore the damn videos.
For my favourite video I'm going with David and David. My vote is mainly by default as I simply cannot stand the sight of the Peppers lead singer. He makes me want to gag. To me it looks like he's always trying to do an impression of Iggy Pop and I don't like singers who "pose" that much.
This time my votes were more emotional ones, but sometimes I'll do that.
ANNE O' ~
DeleteWow! Hokey-Smoke! Hoo-Wee!
I'm blown away that you not only already knew the David & David hit (when most American-born peoples DON'T), but that you've actually played it and sung it!
Where were you when you first heard this song? Were you still living in Ireland? Or were you living in the U.S. by 1986? (This has become an interesting topic on the blog of my friend 'DiscConnected' - see the link to his blog in the text above.)
When you find the time to listen, I encourage you to go to YouTube and locate the entire 'BOOMTOWN' album upload. If you loved the hit song so much, I think you will LOVE EVEN MORE some of the unknown non-hits on the album. In my op, 'Welcome To The Boomtown' - as good as it is - isn't even close to being the best track on the album. I could quickly name 3, probably 4 songs I like better'n 'Welcome To The Boomtown'.
I was blown away by that album. Hellck, I still am.
I understand your feeling about Music Videos and I share your opinion... maybe 40% or 50%. When a video producer adds visual images, it reduces the listener's imagination.
But then again, some listener's have zero imagination. And in their cases, the videos might help them connect with the song (which is somewhat sad, but...)
One of the few things God blessed me with was a PRODIGIOUS imagination. So, I don't need any help in "seeing" music. But, nevertheless, I love movies (was an actor, once upon a time) and it can be fun to see what a visual director can do with a song - when it's done well, which isn't often.
In MTV's youth (the early '80s), my buddies and I spent many hours sitting in the living room of our house, drinking beer, and "watching" music. And I still fondly remember some of those early music videos.
Off the top of my mind, I will mention the video for the John Fogerty song 'THE OLD MAN DOWN THE ROAD'. I thought that was a pretty wonderful video for the song.
I also liked the one for 'YOU GOT LUCKY' by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers. A kind of combo: 'Once Upon A Time In The West' & 'Road Warrior'. Pretty cool.
We all enjoyed the cartoon-y video for the song 'MONEY FOR NOTHING' by Dire Straits.
But no music video, No Music Video, NO MUSIC VIDEO reminds me of my "League Of Soul Crusaders" / "Bay Street years" more than the one for the great song 'COME ON, EILEEN' by Dexy's Midnight Runners. (The video was rather simple and fairly... dumb, silly, whatever... But I loved the song, played the album to friggin'-death, and it's one of those songs... and videos... that TOTALLY remind me of about 2 or 3 years of my life.)
I once recorded a cassette for my friends which was supposed to be the SOUNDTRACK OF OUR "BAY STREET" YEARS (in L.A.) It was pretty damned good. But a couple years later, when I realized it didn't include the song 'Come On, Eileen', I immediately considered it a TOTAL, ABSOLUTE FAILURE. ...And I still do consider it that.
There were a handful of songs that HAD to be on it to make it authentic. One of those - probably #1 - was 'ROCKY RACCOON' by The Beatles. I got that one on there. As well as the necessary Springsteen songs. But somehow I dropped the ball on the Dexy's hit... which ruined the whole thing, in my opinion.
Loved yer O' comment.
~ D-FensDogG
When I heard the song I was in the States teaching and doing research at a private college (I've a doctorate in Neuroscience). That's when I met the Hubby. I was there until 1993 then went back home. We've been back Stateside for nearly five years due to the Hubby's deteriorating health.
DeleteI miss living in college towns as there are loads of musicans around and plenty of gigs to be had. There's feck all where we're living now and I hate it.
Anyway, I heard the song on the radio and connected with it on a strong level for some reason. I loved singing that song, it just felt so good.
For me to really listen to music I need a good sound system and television can't do what great speakers can. If I'm alone I always use a good set of headphones. Back in the day, everything was mixed for headphones. Most of the mix is missed coming out of a television and it's even worse when people listen to music using only their computer speakers. Not much point in putting music online when I know people won't bother using headphones to listen to it.
I'm a huge fan of Tom Petty and of his work with The Traveling Wilburys. That was a great line up and it was great to see all those guys together. I also have a lot of respect for Springsteen. Good God that man could put on a show. He'd go for five hours straight. Not many people can do that and keep the energy like he did. He was a great story teller and a huge fan or Roy Orbison, whom I also loved.
Because you asked me on my blog, here's a link to an original song by me and The Hubby
https://youtu.be/Ch8ZwhbufI4
That's me and my niece on vocals singing in harmony, me on drums and my husband is playing everything else. It's nine minutes long, so hang in there and please listen to it on headphones.
This is doing a cover of Amazing Grace and that's just me on vocals. I hate the recording and hate the drum part, but it gives you an idea of how my voice sounds solo.
https://youtu.be/cCB6u1rGGmA
Anyway, let me know what you think. These were just recorded in a friends home studio, nothing fancy just an old 16 track.
OMG!
DeletePainting, drumming, singing, a doctorate in Neuroscience... a list of what you CAN'T do would be much shorter, I'm sure.
I hope you're not bullshitting me and making me look foolish here, Anne O'. That was REALLY you singing?
I'll be honest, when I read your comment and saw the URLs, my first thought was: Oh, shoot! What am I gonna do if I don't like these? Then I'm gonna have to try to find some way to spin this in a seemingly positive way.
Well, thankfully, 20 seconds into 'Take Me Home', I realized that my fear was unfounded in the extreme. 'Take Me Home' literally - LITERALLY - brought tears to my eyes.
How did you learn to sing like that? Are you professionally trained?
That's really you, right? Please don't tell me you're fooling with me.
I'm amazed and astounded. Your voice is stunning. I mean that! (Please read the comment I left on 'Amazing Grace' and let me know what you think of the idea. I don't wanna say much about it here and give it away before its time.)
I'm still shaking my head, trying to figure out how it is you're not a famous singer, traveling the world and entertaining audiences.
OMG!
~ D-FensDogG
No, that's really me and I've never been professionally trained. The voice runs in the family. Myself, one of my Aunts and my niece sound virtually identical and we were born just doing it. My niece is much better than I ever was and she's a stay at home mum raising four children. I began singing out when I was young. Trad songs in pubs and such. Then singing in bands whilst playing.
DeleteI'm glad you liked the song. The Hubby wrote the lyrics to that right before we met, but we never recorded it until 2004. Let me tell you what the song is really about. It's about a person at the end of their life who is ready to die and is asking God to take them home. Hence the voice of God speaking Bible verses in the song. The story behind the recording of that song is interesting. My niece showed up the night before we were to lay down the vocals and she had a throat so swollen she couldn't speak. We gave her hot cognac, lemon and honey that night and sent her to bed. Then we prayed. The next morning she could barely manage a croak, but we went to the studio anyway, still praying. Then we put her in front of the mike, rolled tape and she opened her mouth and out it came. We're singing in triple harmony and we did it in one take. Immediately afterwards, she could barely talk. We only had the one day to get that down as I was to be flying out to San Diego the following week to present my work at The Society for Neuroscience Conference. Well, two days before I was to leave I got hit by a bus whilst walking to my car in the parking lot after work. It took me three years and many surgeries before I was able to walk again. But we got that damn song recorded. It was the hand of God, I'm sure.
Your idea is fine. That's the only time I've recorded that song and I only did it for my husband. Like I said, I don't like the recording and there are much better people out there who've done that song better, but that's okay with me.
As for the whole fame thing, I've never been interested in that. The only thing I ever wanted in life was a good husband and to have children. And to raise those children properly. Success in music and the garbage that goes with it destroys people and destroys families. God knew what was best for me when he sent me my right man and we made a family together.
If you hadn't like it, you could have been honest with me. I've been doing this for a long time and not everyone is going to like what you're doing. I was even in a hair band in the 1980's. And let me tell you what, lots of it stunk and stunk badly. ESPECIALLY my hair!
So thank you for the compliment, I appreciate it.
ANNE O' ~
DeleteI knew the song was about a whole lot more than wanting to go back to Ireland. It was apparent to me immediately that the Home in the song is our REAL Home, our Spiritual home. That's one reason it made my eyes moist.
That verse from Revelation is the same one I read at my Pa's wake and again at my Ma's wake nine years later.
It's a beautiful song and your singing of it is really fantastic.
Incredible story about the recording of it, too. Thanks for sharing that with me.
OK, I'm going to run with this idea then and probably won't say anything about it in advance, keeping it under wraps.
Since you don't really like that particular recording much, maybe you want to upload something else? Whatever you'd want me to go with, I would. If you decide to upload something else, just let me know when it's there. Thanks! (I'm thinking probably December, especially if it's THAT particular one. That would be a good month for it, ya know?)
~ D-FensDogG
That's the only cover I've ever done a studio recording of. Everything else done in studio is original material as studio time is costly. This will be okay and I'm used to criticism, so if some people don't like it, I can handle it. December is fine by me.
DeleteI'm going to be off blogger for the next 2 to 3 weeks as I've all the Autumn work to do in the gardens so they'll be ready for next Spring. I'm also painting and carpeting the music room. I want to get it all done before months end when the weather will be cold. If I get a free minute I'll pop by to say hello.
ANNE O' ~
DeleteSounds great! And I hope you will make time to cast votes in my BOTB installments on 10/15, 11/1, 11/15 and 12/1. I'm thinking that my 12/15 BOTB is the one where... well... you know. The one closest to our Savior's birth.
This should be a Shitload O' Fun! I am really, Really, REALLY looking forward to it!!!
~ D-FensDogG
HOKEY-SMOKE! So far, this looks like it's shaping up to be a pretty close contest... just as I expected it would be.
ReplyDeleteBut what's surprising to me is how many of y'all are giving both of your votes to the same group - whether David & David or Red Hot Chili Peppers. I expected more "split votes".
Of course, we got a long, long way to go yet. And I'll be back to respond to each of y'all individually when time permits.
MIKE SPAIN: You don't wanna use your video vote? If not, can I have it? I don't mind voting for you. Heck, I'm already voting for a bunch of dead people and illegal immigrants anyway, and I don't mind casting a vote on your behalf while I'm at it.
~ D-FensDogG
'Loyal American Underground'
I didn't know that I knew the Red Hot Chili Peppers song until it began to play. ha! Oftentimes, familiarity tends to win the day. We like what we know and so we think we know what we like. Or something like that.
ReplyDeleteAnd I like Under The Bridge. I think we all can relate because we have a day in which we never want to feel that way again. We also know that feeling of not really being known by anyone. Except maybe a place. So, I can see why this song appeals on a very broad level. Heck, I like it. The video? I thought I'd like it better because it has the advantage of being newer (tech advances and the like coming into play). But wait... There are some hinky things for me here. I really like long hair on a guy. Usually. But not this guy. No, I don't get it either. Or maybe not hair THAT long. I don't know. But, the combo of the hair and the shirtlessness was NOT appealing for me.
I played the David and David twice (and really that's a third time because you sent this one to me a while back, so I'd seen it before). I really like the B&W footage in their video. I also really like the words to the song. I mean who uses words like "succulent" successfully? Not many people, methinks. Yet, it's perfect in this song. I also like the bit about there being a habit for everyone.
So, to wrap this up, I really like the audio on both songs. I just like the David and David lyrics better. So, they win that one. I MUCH prefer the David and David video. So, I guess they get that one, too.
If Mike doesn't come back and pick up his vote, I'll take it and throw it at David and David. Just sayin'.
GIRL WONDER ~
Delete>>... We like what we know and so we think we know what we like.
Wow! That's a GREAT line, and so true for so many! (I'll be using that one in the future... taking full credit for it, of course. Ha!)
There was a quote I wanted to use in this BOTB's text but I couldn't locate it again. Years ago, in one of the YouTube comment sections for this song, some guy wrote about his little kid - maybe 5 years old - who had heard this song so many times, because of "Daddy", that whenever the man asked, "What sound does money make?" the little kid would immediately shout "SUCCULENT!"
Ha!-Ha! I don't know why, exactly, but that cracks me up.
~ D-FensDogG
Stephen, I'm not familiar with this song, but I like its sound. I'm giving my vote to David & David. I just like their over all sound better for this cover than RHCP. As for the video, I reckon I'd give my vote to D&D, too. I like the vintage style footage of that vid better. Nice battle!
ReplyDeleteCATHY ~
DeleteThanks for your votes.
I have tried 3 times to post my vote and comment on your blog but it still won't go through. I won't stop trying though. I'll keep at it until it publishes.
I want my VOTE in that BOTB recorded!
~ D-FensDogG
I can't even get Cathy's blog to load. Are you having that problem, too????
DeleteGIRL WONDER ~
DeleteYeah, I am now. Wasn't before.
For the last couple days it would load OK and I could play the videos in her BOTB, but when I submitted my comments, I'd get a message saying there was some sort of problem.
Now it won't even load.
She knows there's a problem because she tacked on a note saying that due to issues she was going to leave the voting window open through the 13th. But I couldn't find a single vote on it because it was apparently rejecting comments.
It's a really great BOTB contest, too! The song is 'AUTUMN LEAVES'.
~ D-FensDogG
Wow Stephen, you're making this tough! I LOVE LOVE LOVE David and David. Welcome to the Boomtown was my favorite album and it saddened me that they never came out with another. That album was fantastic! I love Being Alone Together and Swallowed by the Cracks too. The whole album is just incredible. In fact, David and David was the first artist that I featured in my A-Z Musical Tour of My Life. I used the same video too. :)
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw that D&D was in the contest, I figured it would be a no-brainer that I'd vote for them. BUT I really like that Red Hot Chili Peppers song too! It's, like you say, addictive. Haunting, in a good way.
That being said, I'm going to honor my love of David and David and give both my votes to them for this one.
Very cool match-up and really tough one! Thanks for introducing more people to David and David. So underrated they were.
Michele at Angels Bark
MICHELE ~
DeleteI'm pleased as spiked punch that a few people here already knew and like D&D. I was knocked out when Anne O'Leary said she's actually covered this song with her band, doing the vocals herself.
I figured NO ONE voting here would remember (or have ever even known) D&D and the song 'Welcome To The Boomtown'.
If you return here, I would LOVE IT if you'd post the URL to your D&D A-Z Musical Tour. I wanna check that out, fo' sho'.
The 'BOOMTOWN' album... depression never sounded so good! My 3 favorite songs are 'ALL ALONE IN THE BIG CITY' and 'A ROCK FOR THE FORGOTTEN' and, like you, 'SWALLOWED BY THE CRACKS'.
Those Davids had some rare knack for building songs out of these little sonic touches they'd pile up on each other. Then, when they wanted to, they could really pound you with huge sounds, like the chords in '...Big City' or that guitar segment in 'RIVER'S GONNA RISE' - it sounds like the world is coming to an end!
~ D-FensDogG
Oh that is so cool that Anne O'Leary covered the song with her band! Awesome. Yeah, when people hear D&D, they can't help but become hooked. I was surprised by one commenter who said that Welcome to the Boomtown did nothing for them. How is that possible?? :)
DeleteHere's the link to my A-Z D post (some of the pages take a minute to load because there are so many videos so give it a few seconds to load):
https://angelsbark.wordpress.com/2015/04/04/d-is-for-doobie-brothers-deep-purple-and-the-doors/
And if you want to check out the other bands that I covered, here's a link to my A-Z Index page which lists all the artists that I featured:
https://angelsbark.wordpress.com/the-2015-blogging-a-z-challenge-collection/
I just put together a playlist of all the videos that I used for the A-Z and there are 990 songs in the playlist! It's a great collection of classic rock. Hope you'll check it out:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXGYqvloOpp-mYLNOLoxtnLJ2nRBi2b89
Thanks for your interest! It was a long labor of love... :)
Ahhh, thanks for the URLs, MICHELE!
DeleteI'm DEFINITELY interested and will get my arse over there soon'z possible.
I put on my D&D compact disc today (even have it playing as I type these words). The song 'BEING ALONE TOGETHER' is great, too. My favorite part of that one is David's guitar at the end. Damn, what a RAW sound! To me, it seems almost David Gilmour-ish (one of my very favorite Rock guitarists).
I truly do believe that 'BOOMTOWN' is probably the single most underrated Rock album of all time. ("Lahdah-hooooo....!" "Tee-hee-hee")
~ D-FensDogG
I listened to the album yesterday too! Wouldn't it be cool if they came together again and found a way to make some more great music? It just blows my mind that they put out such a great album with so many great songs and then just quit. We got robbed! :)
DeleteHa! Yeah, we wuz robbed!
DeleteHave you ever read the comments at YouTube? There are people out there who feel the same way we do. For a mostly unknown album by a mostly unknown band, those are some incredible comments!
It's almost like D&D are the gods of some small, semi-secret religious order. Ha!-Ha!
~ D-FensDogG
I think they qualify as having cult-status, don't you??
DeleteWell, if they don't, I don't know who does.
Delete~ D-FensDogG
I've always liked the way the Red Hot Chili Peppers do this one, and I'm casting my vote for them. David & David's version did nothing for me.
ReplyDeleteFair enough, JOHN. Thanks for checking in with your vote.
Delete~ D-FensDogG
Never been a fan of Chili Peppers and I definitely remember Welcome to the Boomtown. The song gets my vote. And the video gets my vote. Has such a great 80's vibe.
ReplyDeleteALEX ~
DeleteThanks for your two votes.
It's funny that I never really think of D&D as having an '80s sound, but I guess they do. It's the synthesizer, I suppose.
~ D-FensDogG
I can't vote. I hate both.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Fall back to the "lesser of two evils" mode...
DeleteRight, DOC!
DeleteIsn't that what we all have to do every single presidential election?
Just pretend BOTB is for the presidency.
~ D-FensDogG
This is a tough one.
ReplyDeleteAs a songwriter, I wouldn't even have to think-Baerwald is great (readers can check out my Vault post for an example of him after D&D), and the Chili Peppers' catalogue has not resonated much with me.
But this record, with Rick Rubin at the helm, was a perfect storm, and I ended up buyingthe album. Even though this song is far and away the best on the album, it was a pretty good disc, which surprised me as well.
The other factor making this tough is that the D&D song just sounds dated-very 80's in arrangement and production.
This is very tough-but I am going to go with the Peppers. But only slightly.
Oops! I almost missed the whole video vote thing-I rarely watch them-usually find them distracting, but I happened to catch the words "two votes" in the above comment out of the top left corner of my eye and remember you were getting real wordy at the end of your post and went back and read the last paragraph. I went to the songs after. Alright now, “you know the gig”.. and it turns out you threw a curve!
Then I went back and watched the offensive MTV dreck. I am not a video fan-except for those old Whitesnake videos (canya gimme an "oink"), so this was a bit of a chore.
The street scenes in the Chili Peppers video with him singing while walking down the street are just silly and so obviously staged-all it needed was a Partridge Family song playing.
I'll give the video vote to D&D, even though their video exudes as much obvious 80's production value as the song.
Good choices on an interesting twist, McDogg!
LC ~
DeleteI mentioned the dual duel nature of this BOTB installment and the Video vote at the very beginning of this post, too - and I put it all in yellow highlight specifically for "skimmers" like you.
To me, this song sounds like NO OTHER Chili Peppers song I've ever heard. That's why I was shocked to learn it was them, and surprised as hell to find how much I really liked it.
~ D-FensDogG
I just saw your response to Alex-funny how D&D sounds so 80's to me and not so much to you-although it may be that you'd already started trading rock for jazz and maybe was not bombarded with it like I was.
DeleteNot that I dislike the 80's sound-but it is definitely identifiable.
Yeah, I am a skimmer-never took the Evelyn Wood speed reading but someone told me that the secret was skimming...and when you have to read a bunch of college texts you get pretty darn good at it!
Do you happen to know why there was no D&D follow-up? Does not say why on their Wicki page, although it does say that both Davids participated in the Sheryl Crow debut.
Must be their choice-with a top 40 single and a #39 placement on the album charts, the label must have been game.
Maybe Ricketts went back to Philly...
Years ago, I came across a website somewhere that said the two did not get along and that was the reason for the split.
DeleteI can't remember where the site was, and it didn't really say much more than that, anyway. No mention if it was personality conflicts or musical conflicts, but since they both worked afterwards with Sheryl Crow, I'm guessing it was the former and not the latter.
Yeah, I'm sure it must have been THEIR decision, because for a debut album by guys no one really knew at the time, that was pretty successful. And all these years later, they still have such loyal fans. I'm sure the record label knew they had a good thing and probably tried to keep it rolling.
~ D-FensDogG
OK so I love the song by the Chili Peppers-they mood, the guitar and the choir all hit the right notes (nyuck, nyuck) but I like the video of D & D better. The lead singer from Peppers is just too into himself and it shows on screen whereas the video of the D & D showed more of LA and it brought back fond memories-like me stumbling out of a car back in the day so I have to split my vote-song-Peppers video-D & D.
ReplyDeleteBIRGIT ~
DeleteWas that you getting poured out of that limousine? Every time I see that, I feel jealousy, and wish that could be me 24/7/365. Ha!
Yeah, I also love that choir ending in 'UNDER THE BRIDGE'. At Wackypedia it sez that the singer's mom is one of the singers in the choir. That's really cool!
~ D-FensDogG
I never poured out of a limo sadly. It was usually some beater like my Ambassador, and even a Lada
DeleteOkay - wow... song & video votes - that is a twist.
ReplyDeleteGeez, depression, deprevation, disillusion, dope... the 80's. Both songs speak of either being in it or leaving it - in one way or another. Still it's location, location, location. (To my advantage I did a quick search on lyrics for both songs.) So yes, thematically they match up nicely; as do the videos for your battle.
I never heard the song, 'Welcome to Boomtown', but I liked it better. Guitarist, David Ricketts caught my eye every time. The way he held the guitar was interesting to me. In general I enjoyed the music better.
'Under the Bridge' was unfortunately played to death in these parts. I watched a couple of times to clarify my video choice.
Picking the video was harder for me. David and David are unmistakingly cute. That's a plus. Half dressed women did nothing for me. Loved the background scenes - definitely showing off Boomtown. I'm not sure why 'Under the Bridge' made me feel uncomfortable. Maybe a half dressed male is too much? However his video is overall a more positive view of life. Yes, he's alone and lonely, but he's no longer doping through life. It's more than an existence now.
Song: Welcome to Boomtown
Video: Under the Bridge
Best wishes with your battle!
Dixie
DIXIE POLKA ~
DeleteYes, I would need a good, strong theme to post two totally different songs in a BOTB contest. And I thought this was an ideal match-up for this sort of thing because of the subject matter and because both songs pertain to Los Angeles and show L.A. street scenes in the videos.
>>... Guitarist, David Ricketts caught my eye every time. The way he held the guitar was interesting to me.
HA! I was wondering why it took so long for one of my female voters to mention David Ricketts. I mean, being a "confident heterosexual" male, I'm hardly the best judge of something like this, but it seems to me that Ricketts has kind of a "hunky" look. I thought - mistakenly - that several gals would mention him specifically, but so far, it looks like you get him all to ya'self.
I suspect that what REALLY sealed the deal for you on the Chili Peppers video was the accordion being played by the man on the street. C'mon, admit it!
:-o
~ D-FensDogG
~ D-FensDogG.
Delete>>...Yes, I would need a good, strong theme to post two totally different songs in a BOTB contest. And I thought this was an ideal match-up for this sort of thing because of the subject matter and because both songs pertain to Los Angeles and show L.A. street scenes in the videos.
You might recall the TV theme song from Miami Vice, "You belong to the City." I felt it to be a recurring theme pointed towards you, with this battle. (Not Miami, of course, but LA.) Good, bad, evens - it's all Stephen's. You understand?
What? You're giving me Ricketts?! Okay, I'll return him before the 7th. Promise.
>>...I suspect that what REALLY sealed the deal for you on the Chili Peppers video was the accordion being played by the man on the street. C'mon, admit it!
I did see the accordion, and yep, it was exciting, but the color, the brightness, and the singer's positive facial expressions added up. (I really liked the Welcome to Boomtown scenes, so it made it a hard choice. then again, I've already stated that earlier.)
So I'm still pulling for Under the Bridge video.
Dixie
dp ~
DeleteYeah, I definitely remember Glenn Frey's 'YOU BELONG TO THE CITY'. Just listened to it at YouTube. Hadn't heard that in ages.
Someone could do an Eagle Vs. Eagle BOTB contest by using that song against Joe Walsh's 'IN THE CITY' from the album 'The Long Run'.
I feel like there's another one, too... maybe Don Henley?
Anyway, I've got too many already. But if you like that idea, feel free to run with it. Eagle Vs. Eagle, "City" Vs. "City" ('In The City', 'You Belong To The City')... that might be a pretty close Battle.
Yeah, have fun with your Ricketts. But be sure to have him back here on the 7th, as he has an appointment with his hair stylist, Delilah.
Uhm... you can "officially" stop pulling for the 'Under The Bridge' video. That bridge has collapsed, killing all Peppers who were attempting to cross it.
Those Peppers still have a chance to win the Song category (not likely, but possibly), however the Video vote is a totally lost cause at this point. Peppers' bridge has fallen down, fallen down, fallen down... Peppers' bridge has fallen down, my fair lady.
~ D-FensDogG
~ D-FDG,
Delete>>...Anyway, I've got too many already. But if you like that idea, feel free to run with it. Eagle Vs. Eagle, "City" Vs. "City" ('In The City', 'You Belong To The City')... that might be a pretty close Battle.
I'll definitely have a look and listen! Thanks for the idea!
>>...Uhm... you can "officially" stop pulling for the 'Under The Bridge' video. That bridge has collapsed, killing all Peppers who were attempting to cross it.
I'm guessing there's no concern for a 'shut-out' regarding the video votes?! If so, then feel free to give my vote to D&D.
Gotta get back to my hurricane 'overspillage' - yak later.
Dixie
dp ~
DeleteWatch for an E coming soon. Maybe today, if I feel better.
Nope, no concern about a Video shutout. Both Vids have received votes, so I've got you locked in for D&D. I'm sure David Ricketts appreciates your interest. He may be calling you tonight, so answer the phone.
[:-)}
~ D-FensDogG
An 'E' is low priority. Catch up on your needs! That will make me happier!
DeleteRicketts probably got caught in the 'Hurricane Joaquin' "wires down" by tree limbs. We had some wind here. He should be there now - I promised I'd return him by the 7th. Ha!
Take care of you, Stephen.
Dixie
dp ~
DeleteYou're a woman of your word.
And there ain't nuttin' you can do in an E that you can't do in multiple texts, eh?
;o)
~ D-FensDogG
~ D-FensDogG,
Delete>>...dp ~
You're a woman of your word.
Thank you; that's the nicest compliment I've received.
Once I found my ALL CAPS function button, it was great!
{{:-) ~dp
I've never heard "Welcome to the Boomtown" before. Not bad, but for song choice, I prefer the Red Hot Chili Peppers. It's definitely different from their usual style and I like the melody more. As for the video, the retro feel and gritty street scenes of David & David get my vote. Anthony Kiedis is a turnoff. :P
ReplyDeleteDEBBIE ~
DeleteIt seems several of you ladies are un-turned-on by Anthony Kiedis. Personally, I think she's kind of cute, but I guess that's just me.
[That was my way of saying that Kiedis coulda used a hair cut... or three.]
~ D-FensDogG
I have nothing against long hair for guys, but, he just has no sex appeal, IMO.
DeleteInteresting - all the way around. That cover would be shocking for a ~saint~ such as yourself, lol. At least all those Hot Peppers kept their pants on for the video :) I find myself liking "songs" as opposed to artists most of the time. Some singers/bands do everything really well, some just a few songs. Thank YouTube we can download and listen to single songs still.
ReplyDeleteBoth these songs are expressive, and the video's are well done too. I got a bit tired of seeing close ups of Anthony's face though. I watched and listened to both twice, and find them equally matched.
I think the David's showed a more of the devastation depicted in the Boom Town video; loved that tweaker segment on the street, and the beauty queen nearly carried into her hotel. And the empty family home was a subtle statement to what the "boom town" takes from someone's life who plays in the fast lane.
I'm giving my votes to the Davids for both song and video.
OH DONNA ~
DeleteYeah, I'm a saint. I'm the Patron Saint of Alkies.
I agree about the Peppers keeping their peppers covered. I'll NEVER be able to scrub that Abbey Road album cover image from my mind. There's not enough Jack Daniels in the world.
>>... And the empty family home was a subtle statement to what the "boom town" takes from someone's life who plays in the fast lane.
Oooh! Nice observation and attention to detail.
Thanks for the votes, Oh Donna!
~ D-FensDogG
Stephen, My vote for the song goes to Chili Peppers and David & David for the video. I agree with Robin that the long-haired, shirtless guy was too much. Maybe you and I can do a BOTW, Battle of the Whistlers. I still can't get the Andy Griffith song out of my head.
ReplyDeleteJulie
GEM JULIE ~
DeleteI have your comment for The Andy Griffith Show poem (Cathy's comments, too) and will publish it and respond tonight after work.
BOTW - Hokey-Smoke and Hoo-Wee! I love that idea, Julie! LOVE IT!
Someday I may have to do a BOTW post, using different songs with good whistling in them. That's a GEM of an idea, JULIE. Thanks for mentioning it!
I'm a pretty good whistler. Can't sing but I can whistle. And I used to whistle The Andy Griffith Show theme song around the house. Until one day my Brother told me to "Knock that off! Every time you whistle that song, I come running into the living room thinking that an episode is about to start on the TV." Ha! True story.
Thanks for your BOTB support, as always, Julie.
~ D-FensDogG
Stephen, I'm sure you're a mighty fine whistler, mighty fine! One of the most traumatic times of my life was when I had braces and couldn't whistle. Sadly I had to wear them twice.
DeleteNo need to thank me, as you've always been supportive of me. I'll try to listen to more BOTB's over the weekend. It's growing leaps and bounds!
Julie
As you know, YOU introduced me to David and David a couple of years ago, and I really liked them. I don't know how I missed them at the time. OH, YEAH... I remember! I was going thru a divorce at the time.
ReplyDeleteI also like some of the RHCPs stuff. Not all, maybe not even 10% of it. But some. And this song is one I like, although I've heard it a million times. These are BOTH good songs. However:
To my ears, head, and heart, David and David's song wins going away, like a funny car pulling away from a mere super stock competitor. Both fast, but one just way faster.
Sticking with the drag racing analogy (which I am sure resonates with virtually all of your readers), the D&D VIDEO explodes to the finish line like Don Garlits facing (switching analogies mid-sentence) "Wrong Way" Corrigan. The Chili Peppers' video is almost un-watchable. Kledis (sp?) is a bad actor who is full of himself and who likes to show his body. The childish mirror-images, color changes, and superimposed images are nauseating. I wonder if the RHCPs had a young friend who needed a community college credit for film editing 101?
Song: D&D
Video: D&D
Great comment, SHEBOYGANBOY 6, proving once again that you are not just another number.
DeleteI do that a lot too. I never met a metaphor or accepted an analogy that I didn't grow tired of after two sentences, and then switched gears and flew into some other body of water.
It's really looking like D&D are gonna win the Song category here. Not by much, but by enough. I actually guessed that the much bigger radio hit, 'Under The Bridge', would slightly edge out '...Boomtown'. Figured it would be fairly close, but never imagined that D&D would win for "Best Song".
I had zero doubt that the D&D video would clobber the more often seen RHCP video. There's really no comparison. (I hope that doesn't give my Video vote away to soon.)
This is the ONLY Chili Peppers song I've ever heard (counting all 4, 5, or 6) that I've liked. But I like this one BIG TIME. Funny that it was such a huge hit but I never heard it until about 1.5 years ago. I guess the RHCP are to me what D&D were to you: They were making fans, but we were oblivious to them for our own reasons.
And the trouncing continues...
~ D-FensDogG
Al Bondigas here. I think there might be a reason the D&D video seemed very 1980's-ish. IT WAS DONE IN THE 80's. HELLO McFLY!!! As you already know, I don't know anything about those chili pepper dudes, but the video with all the L.A. scenes was kinda cool. Liked both videos as a matter of fact. Do you recognize that late night hamburger joint, or taco stand, or whatever it was? It looks familiar to me. I remember very well, all of us hanging out at Bay St. watching all of those music videos. MTV had just come out. 'The Old Man Down The Road' was one I remember real well, along with the Tom Petty one. He wore a big top hat didn't he? Also wasn't there some dumb Duran Duran video that all the girls liked. Anyway, I vote for D&D for song and for video. That's it!! That's my rulin'.
ReplyDelete>>... there might be a reason the D&D video seemed very 1980's-ish. IT WAS DONE IN THE 80's.
DeleteThat's "so simple, I'm surprised I hadn't done thought of it before yet".
Ha!-Ha!-Ha! Thanks for the laugh. Just got home from work on a Friday night and I was ready to laugh.
Yeah, I guess that's not exactly rocket surgery or brain science, eh?
Yep, Tom Petty likes top hats. He wore that kind in the video for 'You Got Lucky', as I recall, and he wore a much higher one when acting the part of the Mad Hatter for the song... uhmmm... forget the title now. One of the few Tom Petty songs I did NOT like, and I didn't like the video either.
I don't remember the Duran Duran video. That is one of the ways in which God has blessed me.
Most music videos were pretty crappy, so the good ones really stood out. This video for David & David's hit came out too late for us to have sipped beer to it at the Bay Street house. I never saw this video until decades later, but I was on the D&D music train when it first pulled outta the station.
That fast food joint... I've watched this video so many times and wondered where it was. Let's face it, most of 'em all looked alike, and lit up at night, they'd all pretty much look like that, so we'll never know. Whatever it was, it's probably a Starbucks now.
~ D-FensDogG
POSTSCRIPT: You mentioned the video, but did you like the song 'Under The Bridge' at all? I mean, was your Song vote a slam-dunk, or something you had to think about a little bit?
Al Bondigas here. To be honest with you I didn't much care for the song, but, liked what he was conveying. I will listen again today, but there is something about that guy that makes it hard for me to watch him. Maybe I'll listen without watching this time.
DeleteJUDGE AL ~
DeleteYeah, he IS hard to watch. Just listen a few times and see if it grabs ya.
For me, it wasn't until probably the 4th time I heard it in a short period of time before it reached in and hooked my brain.
My first thought: Oh, I know this song. I've been hearing this on this station lately.
Second thought: This is really pretty good. I gotta find out the title and who does it.
So, one of those mornings when I came home from graveyard work and settled in front of the computer with a beer, I Googled the words "I don't ever wanna feel like I did that day".
When the results page said "Red Hot Chili Peppers" I thought: The Red Hot Chili Peppers?! GET OUTTA HERE! I hate those guys!
But I went to YouTube and sure enough it was them. Their one and only good song (and their biggest chart and sales success, too).
There's something about that melody - especially the chorus - that is totally addictive to my mind. If I hear it once, or hum it once, it will be lodged in my head for hours or days on end.
The RHCP just somehow lucked into one great song.
~ D-FensDogG
Al Bondigas here. Ok, I'll admit the song is growing on me a little bit. With the exception of this lead singer dude, I do like the video. The L.A. scenery is pretty cool. Do You get me, or do I need to make a rulin'?
DeleteUhm... actually, Judge Al, I'm not sure I get you. Are you saying that you're overrulin' yer prior rulin' and going with 'UNDER THE BRIDGE' now in the Song category?
Delete~ D-FensDogG
Al Bondigas here. Not sure what I'm rulin', but that's my rulin'. Staying with song and video for D&D. Yeah, that's it, that's my rulin'.
DeleteWho'm I to question yer rulin'S?
Delete(This one was tuff on ya, eh? Yep, that's MY rulin'.)
I couldn't-a imagined this BOTB turning out the way it did but... I guess that's why we play 'em, eh?
~ D-FensDogG (an' shit like dat!)
With all of that money the RHCP have made, you'd think they'd be able to afford to buy a shirt for lead singer Anthony Kiedis. But I guess not. I almost want to vote for them out of sympathy, but now that he's in his 50s and has added a porn-stache to his shirtless repertoire, he looks like a pedophile. I mean, tell me you wouldn't call the police if you saw this man come within 500 feet of a school.
ReplyDeleteNeither of us are fans of RHCP, this song and video no exception. Please cast two very happy votes for D&D for both video and song, and not just because we're fans of alliterate duos.
~B&B
B&B ~
DeleteHa!-Ha!
Yep, that dude is rockin' a porn-stache. But I also see that since the RHCP video was made, Kiedis has become much more of an individualist by the addition of many more tattoos. Nuttin' says "non-conformist" like a bunch of personalized tattoos on the body.
If I don't get a tattoo soon, I'm going to blend into the crowd too much and no one will know how unique I really am.
Hey, David & David weren't illiterate! Why would you say tha--- OH! "alliterate", "A-lliterate". What does that mean, "alliterate"? I don't know that word. I'm semi-illiterate.
~ D-FensDogG
I especially love the tribal arm tattoos. I wonder what tribe he's a member of. And what trailer park they hold their annual tribal council in.
DeleteAlliterate means a set of words where the first letters all sound alike. Supposedly it rolls off the tongue more smoothly. Like Beer Brewing Brother Bodyguard Betty Bryan. Or David & David. Or truculent tribal tattoos.
~6B
Ahhh... methinks I thunk that back when I was (semi-)thinkin' in 2007:
Deletehttp://stephentmccarthysstuffs.blogspot.com/2008/05/mensa-donkey-101.html
#3) Alliteration.
Is this just a natural God-given gift?
Whether or not alliteration can actually be taught and mastered as other skills can be is still a hotly contested point in Mensa-donkey dojos the world over, but the bottom line is this: Alliteration is an effective device which strikes hard and makes a blow more memorable. The “Morning After Alliteration Sting” (MAAS) has been recognized and hailed as the premier "junkyard dog bite" of Mensa-donkeyness by the Master smart-azzes throughout history. If you’ve got the gift, USE IT!
"Trailer Park" - what is that?
Do I need an "E" Ticket?
~ Stephen
Saving the best for last was probably not my best idea this week (along with several others). It appears that I have walking pnemonia (sp?) AGAIN. I am sick and tired of being sick and tired.
ReplyDeleteAnyway...this was a tough BATTLE because we're comparing themes and video styles as opposed to the same song.
I came back and listened and watched several times. I'm more familiar with TRHCP song, as it got a lot of airtime on the radio. I do kind of like it, but it was almost ruined by watching the video, which I had never seen before. That guy is downright creepy. I mean I normally like a guy with his shirt off, but not that one. Also, his overall facial expressions and body movement, like he's directing an orchestra or at least the music or something. It just plain gave me the creeps; or maybe it's the fever I have. No matter, for video vote I definitely go with D&D. I like the grainy home movie feel, it goes well with the lyrics to Boomtown.
Now the song was a bit harder, That CP song does kind of grow on you and I like the melancholy feeling. Often I feel like I'm my only freind - sometimes even I don't feel too friendly to myself, but anyway...
The D&D song has a lot of general agnst and tells more of a story and I like that better, but the CP one had a great melody. What to do? What to do?
OK, I'm going to go with Boomtown for the song also. I think in the end, having to pay too much attention to that video pretty much ruined the CP tune for me. So two votes for D&D.
Did that make sense? Probably not, but I think my vote is clear.
FAE ~
DeleteI was wondering where you were. Sorry to hear you're sick again.
I'm feeling pretty crappy (literally) myself and called in "Sick" from work today. First time I've missed a day of work in probably more than 20 years.
Since I'm not going to be at the job tonight, I could TRT. I'll yak with 6-B and see if he's got anything going on. Hopefully you'll feel well enough to lie in bed and watch a movie with us, if we meet at The Theatre.
Thanks for the votes. I'm pretty amazed that the RHCP lost this Battle (and pretty decisively) in the Song department. Yet another surprising BOTB outcome.
~ D-FensDogG
Awesome battle, Stephen — love the innovation of "themed" links. I'd been wondering whether that was a possibility, but since I'm the new kid and no one was doing it... Yeah. We all try to fit in even when we don't :D UNDER THE BRIDGE is... well, it's my 90's soundtrack, haha. Okay, one of the top-10 in that personal album in my head. It's an awesome song, and it marked such a powerful time for me that... Yeah, loved D&D, but my song vote goes to the Chili dudes. The video, though, is another story. Yes, the BRIDGE clip is awesome and boundary-rockin' and all of that, but the 80's bits of LA and the driving tour really made an impression. So my video vote goes to D&D.
ReplyDeleteAwesome battle. (Oh, did I already say that? No matter. It's that awesome ;) )
Guilie @ Quiet Laughter
I really liked this battle because I liked both songs. I graduated high school in 86 and I was glued to VH1 and MTV. Boomtown was played a lot both on the videos and the radio. My vote for video goes to them. I'm a huge fan of the Peppers though and my vote for song goes to them.
ReplyDeleteStephen, due to technical issues going on with my blog at this time, all comments made on Oct. 1st disappeared. This feature continues to not work. So, I threw together a temp blog, here, if you wouldn't mind stopping by to cast your vote again. I'm sorry for the inconvenience this causes. I haven't decided, if I'll stay on blogger or move to the free WP site, but I'll let you know something before the next battle begins. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteStephen, this is a tough one. Both songs and videos do strike an emotianal vein, one during my debauchury and one after. Having been had struggled with addiction both hit close to home and close to home (L.A.). I am going with David and David on both parts albeit very close. My reasoning, I find most of RHCP's music a bit annoying. Whereas, I found David & David dark yet brining a sense of ease along with it. If that makes any sence, and if it doesn't, my work is finished here.
ReplyDeleteJW,
Pooh
...AND POOH, THAT'S NOT ALL...
DeleteActually, my friend, your votes here came in too late to be counted. You see, this is not a Democrat blog, so there are some voting rules we adhere to and believe in. One of those is that for BOTBs that begin on the 1st of the month, the voting period ends after the 6th. And for BOTBs that begin on the 15th of the month, voting ends after the 20th. In other words, you get just 6 days in which to cast a vote.
In the future, if you're interested, I would be glad to send you a prompt to vote via text or Email.
I too find the RHCPs annoying. But not this ONE song by them. THIS I really like a lot. They just got lucky once. I can't imagine ever using another one of their songs in a Battle Of The Bands contest.
If you'd like to see the voting outcome on this Battle, go here:
http://stmccpresentsbattleofthebands.blogspot.com/2015/10/botb-results-david-and-david-vs-red-hot.html
Love (JW!-JW!),
~ D-FensDogG (aka Mister Intense)
Send me a prompts PA. I will try not to be too late, but what with the non-drinkin and all. Someone posted some matches from LaBarbera's on FB and it reminded me of some good times with you and probably the best pizza on the planet.
DeleteJW, Pooh
Will do.
DeleteAnd, man, I'm hungry right now, and LaBarbera's would go down like my hair... "perfect".
~ D-FensDogG
Part 1:
ReplyDeleteSTMcC’s Vote On '2015, October 1st: Battle Of The Bands'
(Or, 'David & David Vs. Red Hot Chili Peppers')
And The Final Tally:
Sorry I'm late, y'all. I was sick for about a day and a half. (I've been a vegetarian for 30 years, and I think I accidentally ate some meat in a noodle dish at a buffet on Sunday. My system said, "What are you? I don't recognize you. GET OUT!" And believe me, it "got out".)
And then they screwed with my work schedule. (I'm mad and ready to quit. I won't be pushed!) So I'm way behind on my comments to everyone. I'll get there... eventually.
First of all, my gratitude to EVERYONE who took the time to listen, watch & vote on this "special" BOTB installment. I got 25 voters, and that ties my all-time record, I believe. You people are GREAT! I thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU!
I've already explained how I got the idea to make this Battle theme-based (the excesses and broken dreams of Tinseltown, the underbelly of life in Los Angeles) rather than song-based. It wasn't until I did a little research into the song 'UNDER THE BRIDGE' by the Red Hot Chili Peppers that I had the idea to make this a dual duel - requesting separate votes for Song & Video. I found the following at Wackypedia:
The members of the band respected Van Sant both as a person and an artist and were elated when he agreed to direct the video for "Under the Bridge". Flea credits the video as "the thing that really made us break through the mainstream of American and worldwide pop culture".
MTV placed the "Under the Bridge" video on heavy rotation. At the 1992 MTV Video Music Awards the Red Hot Chili Peppers led the nominations, which included the categories of "Best Video", "Best Group", and "Best Direction." "Under the Bridge" won the group "Breakthrough Video" and "Viewers Choice Best Video".
I thought to myself: "Doggone it, are you kidding? The themes are similar, but the David & David video is a godzillion times better'n the RHCP video. So, I'll make this a contest between songs AND VIDEOS." And that's how this "different" Battle was conceived.
Continued...
Part 2:
ReplyDeleteThis will surprise many: As much as I like 'Welcome To The Boomtown', I voted for the song 'UNDER THE BRIDGE' by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. It was super-close for me (my vote was like a 52%-48% decision). But any song that can get stuck in my head as quickly as 'Under The Bridge' can is a song I really dig at some mysterious level.
Note, however, that 'Boomtown' by David & David is one of my favorite Rock albums ever recorded, and I sincerely believe it's the most underrated of all time. There are 9 tracks on the album, and 3 or 4 of them I like even better'n the hit 'Welcome To The Boomtown'. That gives you a clearer understanding of how much the 'Boomtown' LP appealed to me, and still does.
If you follow this blog on a regular basis, you will encounter David & David here again, when I resume posting blog bits about 'THE SOUNDTRACK OF MY LIFE'.
I was astounded by the voting outcome. I was sure that David & David would clobber da crap outta the Chili Peppers in the Video category, and they did... and then some. But since 'Under The Bridge' went to #2 on the Billboard music chart, as compared to 'Welcome To The Boomtown' at #37, I figured that the Chili Peppers' hit would edge out David & David's hit in the Song category. But, you know, the only thing one can really know about 'Battle Of The Bands' is: You never know.
Song:
'Welcome To The Boomtown' (David & David)
= 13 votes
'Under The Bridge' (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
= 12 votes
Video:
'Welcome To The Boomtown' (David & David)
= 19 votes
'Under The Bridge' (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
= 4 votes
I feel the Video vote is a total no-brainer, and it seems so did most of all y'all. 'Welcome To The Boomtown' is superior in 101 ways, and one of those ways is how some images were synchronized with the song's recurring percussion "BANG!" That cleverness ALONE makes the David & David video better'n its competitor in this Battle.
Here's the video for a repeat performance. Watch for that synchronized image / sound device:
0:32 - Person dives into swimming pool.
2:04 - The gunshot.
2:32 - The boxer's left jab.
3:03 - David Baerwald and the drunken man high-fiving.
3:23 - The wrecking ball striking the abandoned building.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97wvwuHUMCw
Once again, I thank EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU for participating, and I hope to see you here again for my spooktacular Halloween BOTB installment on October 15th.
~ D-FensDogG