Republican Vs. Democrat, Male Vs. Female, War Vs. Peace, Light Vs. Dark, Good Vs. Evil, Man Vs. Machine, Love Vs. Hate, 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 -
Shooby-Duh-Dooby-Doop-Dooby-Dooby-Doo-Wah -
Buh-Doo-Wah!
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Yes, it's time once again for another Battle For Los Angeles installment of 'Battle Of The Bands'.
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Alright, let's get on it. Let's get ON this thing!...
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| LIFEGUARD STATION #26 -- SANTA MONICA BEACH |
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The name Manfred Mann is most associated with the Billboard #1 hit song 'Do Wah Diddy Diddy' in 1964. And the name Manfred Mann's Earth Band is associated with the Billboard #1 hit song 'Blinded By The Light' in 1976..
This Battle features two songs by Manfred Mann's Earth Band that were NOT Billboard hits.
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In 1978, MMEB released their album 'Watch' which included the ballad 'California'. Granted, California is a state, and one which encompasses three major cities: L.A., 'Frisco, and San Diego. But it's that first one - which also includes Hollywood - that probably comes to mind first for the majority of folks.
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| I GREW UP IN THE SHADOW OF LIFEGUARD STATION #26. |
The following year, 1979, MMEB released an album titled 'Angel Station' which included the uptempo ProgRock number 'Hollywood Town'.
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Scroll on down and let the tunes do Battle in your ears. Do enjoy the videos, as both of them are good, but remember that your eyes are not a part of this warfare. The Battleground is strictly those appendages on the side of your headbone.
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| THE SUN SETTING ON MY OLD HOME, SWEET HOME. |
CALIFORNIA -- MANFRED MANN'S EARTH BAND
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DI1MqxhnmJQ
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HOLLYWOOD TOWN -- MANFRED MANN'S EARTH BAND
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WLf25FoqSo
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| RANDY NEWMAN SEZ: "LOOKS LIKE ANOTHER PERFECT DAY - I LOVE L.A.!" |
The Battle Within The Battle
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VERSUS
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Question: "Will 'Hollywood Town' lose to 'California'?"
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The Magic 8-Ball (4-1) sez: "It Is Certain"
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The Amazing Sixwell (3-2) sez: "Sixwell wishes to thank his one fan, G Dogg, for his support, and predicts that his number of fans will soon swell to the tens of thousands. He also predicts that Stephen T. McCarthy will meet a shapely brunette 22 years his junior, a Christian with no tattoos who loves older men who are fans of Alex Jones. She will love Arizona, surfing, and sunbathing. THE AMAZING SIXWELL PREDICTS!!!
As for this round of BOTB, he predicts: “Without a Doubt!”
Alright now, “you know the gig”... I welcome you (whether I know "you" or not) to vote for your favorite of these songs in the comment section below. And feel free to tell us WHY you chose one song over the other.
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After voting here, I suggest - actually I insist - you pop over to the blogs of the other 'BATTLE OF THE BANDS' participants to see which songs they have chosen and vote there also. (If their ‘BOTB’ blog bits aren’t posted yet, pour yourself two shots of ‘Grand Marnier’ over ice – do it twice – and then return to their blogs to
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Voice Your Vote...
@ ‘TOSSING IT OUT’ 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
@ 'JINGLE JANGLE JUNGLE' by clicking HERE.
@ 'CHERDO ON THE FLIPSIDE' by clicking HERE.
@ 'ANGELS BARK' by clicking HERE.
@ 'THE DOGLADY'S DEN' by clicking HERE.
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As I've done in the past, I will continue to return to my 'BOTB' blog bits on the 7th and 21st of each month to post my own votes and announce the winners in the comment sections.
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~ Stephen T. McCarthy
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I've always liked the Manfred Mann permutations, but both these songs are new to me. Often I might prefer anything prog rock, but between these choices I've got to go with the mellower "California"--maybe the early morning hour is influencing my vote, but that's my vote right now.
ReplyDeleteLee
Tossing It Out
BOIDMAN, I'm late getting to my responses. DOH!
DeleteAs everyone in the BOTB community probably knows by now, I am no fan of Prog-Rock. And yet, IMO, two bands did it so well that I have always liked them, despite disliking the others.
Namely, I am referring to MMEB and The Moody Blues. Those two bands never got too carried away with all the "nonlinear instrumental explorations"... or whatever one wants to call it.
I think more than anything, it was the seemingly random tempo shifts that bothered me about Prog-Rock. Those constant shifts always kept me agitated.
I feel that MMEB and The Moody Blues always prioritized the melody over anything else; they never strayed too long from the melody. And I think that's the reason they were the only two Prog-Rockers I always dug.
~ D-FensDogG
STMcC Presents 'Battle Of The Bands'
Stephen,
ReplyDeleteYour two MMEB song picks move me differently. I went back and forth between the songs. I was ready to cast my vote, so I clicked on "post a comment" and then I decided to play the second song again, then BAM! My mind was changed just like that! I'm giving my vote to Hollywood Town but I'm not gonna cry if "California" wins. I enjoyed the newly introduced tunes.
I hope for you, my friend that you can find that gal The Amazing Sixwell predicts for you. Sadly, it's gonna be hard to find a woman younger than 50 without a tattoo. The attributes probably won't be as difficult to find in a gal, though. Have a good weekend, my friend!
Curious as a Cathy
Ha! Thanks, CATHY!
DeleteI'm not taking that Sixwell prediction too seriously. That ship sailed long ago. I had my chances but let them pass on by. I made my bed and now I have to lie in it... alone. (But worse things could have happened.) When The Eagles recorded the song 'DESPERADO', they were thinking of me.
Funny... I would have predicted your vote to go the other way in this match-up. One just never really knows for sure, and that's what has kept BOTB interesting to me for 5 years.
I know Lee has said a few times that my own votes on some of his Battles have really surprised him, as well. So, it's nice to know that I am also not entirely predictable.
Have a terrific weekend, Sister!
~ D-FensDogG
STMcC Presents 'Battle Of The Bands'
Good day, Stephen! As I may have mentioned before, SoCal holds a special place in my heart, ever since my parents moved to San Diego in 1974. I also had a "Hollywood" uncle who was a camera operator in the 1950s for Warner Bros. and Desilu. Appropriately enough, he even lived on Sunset Blvd! ☺ These two songs aren't familiar, so I listened to both a few times. In the end, my vote goes to "Hollywood Town", because it seemed more complex and dramatic. Love the electronic solo part! "California" was a bit too laid back for my taste.
ReplyDeleteHiYa, DEBBIE! ~
DeleteWow! That uncle of yours living on Sunset Boulevard -- that's high-rent district there. Of course, in the 1950s it was probably just another L.A. neighborhood. I didn't really get in tune with The Sunset Strip until just about the time the famous Schwab's drug store was closed down. I guess I saw the last twinkling moment of Sunset's starlight.
Thanks for listening a few times and taking your vote that seriously. I appreciate your dedication to "getting it right".
~ D-FensDogG
Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...
He didn't actually move there until the 1970s, long after he left showbiz and got divorced. It was an apartment building in Brentwood Heights. In the 50s, he was married and lived in a house. Don't remember where, exactly, but still Los Angeles. We always called him "Mr. Hollywood". ☺ Sounds like California is the worse for wear these days. Pity!
DeleteDEBBIE ~
DeleteIf he was living on Sunset Blvd. in the 1970s, then I definitely cruised by his place more than a few times. Sunset was a major cruisin' street in the '70s.
Yeah, California (SoCal) will always be "home" to me, but I won't be moving back there... not in THIS life, anyway. I loved growing up there, but I knew when the party was over and it was time to vamoose!
~ D-FensDogG
Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...
I'll go with "California" here. I had trouble getting into both, to be honest, but "California" got better, while "Hollywood Town" didn't.
ReplyDeleteJOHN ~
DeleteThanks for coming by with your $0.02. I appreciate it. This Battle looks like it's going to go down to the wire, so every vote is important.
~ D-FensDogG
Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...
I don't know either songs but enjoyed listening to both. I am giving my vote to California because just when i thought it would meander onward, the horns came in and it picked up where Hollywood Town just kept going. Have a happy weekend
ReplyDeleteBIRGIT ~
DeleteMuchos gracias! I appreciate your vote and feedback.
I didn't get to your latest Thursday Movies post yesterday, but I'm trying to scratch 'n' claw my way over. I will definitely get there... eventually. Kind of fell behind yesterday and now I have to play catch-up.
~ D-FensDogG
Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...
Neither song was familiar but both were good tunes. California brought to mind several other bands and I almost forgot who I was listening to ;-) Hollywood Town was more original and enjoyably upbeat. So, Hollywood it is - this time.
ReplyDeleteHowdy, ARIZONA dIEDRE ~
DeleteThanks so much for having become a regular BOTB voter. I really, Really appreciate it. BOTB was getting a bit thin there for awhile, so I am truly grateful for the new blood!
Got you down for the "enjoyably upbeat" sound of 'HOLLYWOOD TOWN'.
I've watched that video several times and I keep asking myself: How did the photographer get that footage of non-bumper-to-bumper freeway traffic? From what I hear from friends still living in HelL.A., that sort of roadway space is a thing of the past!
~ D-FensDogG
Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...
>>... will meet a shapely brunette 22 years his junior...
ReplyDeleteWhen you say shapely, I reckon you aren't talking 'Round' - even though Round is a shape... I do hope you find your dream girl, though. As for me, well... it's been a rough road. And even though I painted you a pretty picture via email a month or two back, it's not all that glorious. But one day at a time my friend - and there is still a lot of hope. (I have to tell myself that, or I would completely lose faith - that, plus the weekly sessions with a counselor seem to help tremendously)
Now, as for your battle - Do Wah Diddy holds a special place in my heart. I'm quite sad that it wasn't part of the battle. Once again, you've introduced new-to-me tunes.
I quite enjoyed 'California' - it had that laid back California feel to it. However, Hollywood Town felt unique. And being that California is a weird, unique place - I believe I should give my vote to this song.
So there you have it - my vote for Hollyweird Town.
ps. I saw the vote for splitting the state into 3 will be on the ballots this year. What are your thoughts on this? Think it will pass? Will it be a good thing?
~Mary
Jingle Jangle Jungle - This blog has gone to the dogs
ps... Is Cherdo still around? I haven't seen any new posts from her since April.
DeleteMMQE (as opposed to MMEB) ~
Delete>>... "When you say shapely, I reckon you aren't talking 'Round' - even though Round is a shape..."
Ha!-Ha! :^D
Well, in truth, I didn't say ANYTHING about "shapely" women. You would need to ask The Amazing Sixwell what he meant by the word "shapely".
Contrary to what some may think, The Amazing Sixwell is a REAL PERSON, and he is NOT me. The Magic 8-Ball is really in combat against a person I know, and I myself have nothing to do with their predictions.
It's fun though, hain't it?
I don't think too many male-female relationships remain "glorious" too far beyond that initial "getting acquainted" or "honeymoon" phase.
"Just Make The Best Of It" is my rather cynical suggestion when it comes to affairs of the heart.
You referred to 'HOLLYWOOD TOWN' as "unique", and similarly, dIEDRE called it "original".
Regarding California: I suppose if it were up to me (a native Angeleno), I would just kick the state out of the union and build a wall around it. After the Californication Wall was built, I'd start working on one for the USA-Mexico border.
Well, to be serious, I could fully support California being divided up into different states, but NOT along the lines that they are now proposing to do it. There really ARE conservative voices in California's heartland that are not represented in Washington. If the state was divided in a way that would allow those voices to be represented in the national government, I would be in favor of it.
But what they propose to do would simply increase the number of liberal senators in D.C.
For an article that covers this pretty well, you can click [Link> HERE.
{*Thanks! I enjoy slipping a little political commentary into a BOTB post from time-to-time. Didn't think it could happen in THIS contest though. Ha!*}
You asked about Doc Cherdo. I was (and am) planning to address that in my Results post on the 21st. But know that she ain't mad with me, nor is she dead.
Cherdo has her hands and mind full right now with multiple family and health-related issues. She said "It would be a stinky BOTB" if she had attempted one now.
But Cherdo has told me: "I'LL BE BACK". Maybe I should call her "General Cherdo" rather than "Doc Cherdo", eh?
~ D-FensDogG
Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...
McBrzo in the LBC (Long Beach Compton connection) Ain't nuthin but a G thing baaby two loced out brothers goin crazy
ReplyDeleteSo 8-ball has the lead and just watches how Sixwell votes and votes the same so he'll have the lead eternally. 8-ball sure has a smooth face. It'd be a shame if something happened to it. If 8-ball goes to an Italian restaurant, he better sit with his back to the wall facing the entrance.
Hollywood is jarring.
Easy vote for "California." Homies be singin 'bout someone who moved to California. Manfred Mann may get to California someday (especially if they listen to Tony Robbins - live your dreams! You're being hypnotized by my big teeth! You can live your dreams and be Rich. Especially if you sell self-help seminars and CDs to people.. telling them to live their dreams and buy the life coach platinum package.
I think MRs Mann may be saying they're already physically in California and will it live up to their dreams. Will the concept of "California" as the final frontier - where else is there to go - the moon? That's heavy man. I think California lives up to its reputation as the way Manfred Mann sees it. They're already there.
Clever comment, McG DOGG! Thanks for your input!
Delete>>... Long Beach Compton connection
Where San Pedro and Long Beach meet, there's the Vincent Thomas Bridge. One day during the League Of Soul Crusaders era, circa 1982, a few buddies and I went down to Long Beach just to see what sort of adventures we might find.
We drove ACROSS the Vincent Thomas Bridge. Then a couple hours later, we took a boat ride which sailed us UNDER the Vincent Thomas Bridge. My mind was really fluid back then, and so a little later, I told everyone we should chip in and take a helicopter ride OVER the Vincent Thomas Bridge. Which we did.
I'll bet we are the only blokes who have ever traveled ACROSS, UNDER, & OVER that bridge in a single day. (Brother, my life was SO MUCH FUN back then!)
>>... Ain't nuthin but a G thing baaby
Ha! How 'bout a G Thing in a G String?
Yes, my friend, it looks to me like The Magic 8-Ball is coasting on its lead over The Amazing Sixwell. But you and I BOTH know what happens every time a team goes into the "Prevent Defense" to try protecting its lead, rather than staying aggressive, right?
I think from now on, I'm going to force The 8-Ball to make its prediction FIRST, before 6well does. Good call, McDogg. We'll put an end to this little 8-Ball ploy!
>>... Hollywood is jarring.
Indeed, it IS! Nuttin' but Teen Runaways, Prostitutes, Pimps, and Hos! You can't never see a star at Hollywood & Vine no more!
>>... Manfred Mann may get to California someday (especially if they listen to Tony Robbins - live your dreams!
There's a sucker born every minute, much to the delight of Tony Robbins!
Prior to posting this Battle, I thought about how I figured some folks would vote. I got your vote completely wrong. I saw you siding with 'Hollywood Town'. After 5 years, BOTB is STILL full o' surprises!
~ D-FensDogG
Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...
>My mind was really fluid back then<
DeleteAhahha, figuratively and literally with Jack Daniels.
>I'll bet we are the only blokes who have ever traveled ACROSS, UNDER, & OVER that bridge in a single day. (Brother, my life was SO MUCH FUN back then!)<
That's awesome - you like a full life and still are. Ya grows up and ya grows up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAvVe92mi5k
>Yes, my friend, it looks to me like The Magic 8-Ball is coasting on its lead over The Amazing Sixwell. But you and I BOTH know what happens every time a team goes into the "Prevent Defense" to try protecting its lead, rather than staying aggressive, right?<
I lost my cool on 8-ball. The I pat him on the back and bought him a beer.
You Know it. Prevent defense loses the Big Mo in both basketball and football, hockey, a lot of things... Life.
>Prior to posting this Battle<
"Hollywood" and its surrounding area is like LA and its suburbs it encompasses more than the name/the geographical borders.
California is chill.
HA!
DeleteYeah, McG DOGG, Jack and... a whole lot mo'. The sad thing is that there are a lot of E-Ticket mixed drinks I did not discover until long after I was too old to really abuse them like I'd have liked.
:^)
Such a great movie! My Brother, Nappy, turned me onto that one. So many classic scenes, and that one where "Mike" keeps redialing that girl's answering machine -- the embarrassment I felt for him while watching that the first time was almost palpable.
Yip. "The Prevent Defense" should be renamed "The Prevent Victory Defense". Life is no place for coasting. Always play hard, hoping for the fumble recovery and runback!
When it comes to Hollywood, I've never been a Hollywood & Vine kind of guy. Nor, really, even a Sunset Strip kind of guy. And certainly NOT WEST Hollywood... if you know what I mean.
When it comes to Hollywood, I was always a Gower Street man. (Or "Gower Avenue", as Zevon mistakenly or purposely referred to it.) Kind of the anti-"Hollywood" Hollywood.
~ D-FensDogG
Ferret-Faced Fascist Friends
Hi Stephen,
ReplyDeleteI hadn't thought of Manfred Mann in ages! Was good to be re-introduced. Great sound that band has. I enjoyed both songs. "California" is wonderfully mellow and suits my mood right at this moment and I really got into the guitar solo.
"Hollywood Town" has a cool beat that had my head bobbin' and the electronics work for me.
Wish I could split my vote: I've listened to both twice now and still going back and forth. I think in the end I'll go with "Hollywood Town" though because my mellow mood doesn't last long before the day gets going and I think I'd rather listen to Hollywood Town throughout the day over California. So give my vote to Hollywood...
PS: Who are the Santa Monica Vice dudes?
Michele at Angels Bark
MICHELE ~
DeleteWho are the Santa Monica Vice dudes? HA-HA! I can't believe it took this long for a woman to ask about them.
Honestly, I have no idea. I simply found all these Station 26 photos online and borrowed them. The site where I found that particular photo, it said the picture was taken sometime in the early 1980s. So, I probably have seen those lifeguards in person before -- on my way out to the water to body-surf.
This is a first-rate Battle with votes going back and forth. I'm really digging it!
Initially, before posting this Battle, I thought the contest would be close, with the upbeat 'HOLLYWOOD TOWN' possibly edging out 'CALIFORNIA'. But then a few days later, I became convinced that 'CALIFORNIA' would win, and by a large margin. I momentarily even considered abandoning this BOTB idea and going with something very different.
It just goes to show how much I can sometimes overthink these Battles. I should always stick with my first impressions.
Thanks so much for the vote, Michele!
~ D-FensDogG
Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...
Easy choice for me...I like the more mellow sound of the Ca of MM dreams, boy oh boy he he gonna be disappointed when he makes it out there, because today it is anything but mellow. I just returned to podink Idaho on Thursday via a big silver bird from LA. Toke a little jaunt to the Santa Monica Beach/Pier and what a madhouse. It was Wall to Wall people. Didn’t do Hollyweird (been there and done that before), but did get to Burbank, Universal City area, a nicer friendlier version where you still see some celebs in the Trader Joe’s. It’s always fun to visit the Mouse House but 4 days in that crush of humanity was enough for me.
ReplyDeleteHowdy, NITRO! ~
DeleteSorry I'm half a shade late in replying to your comment, but I had to wait for the drugs to wear off.
>>... Toke a little jaunt to the Santa Monica Beach/Pier
Did you really mean "toke a little joint"? HA!
The truth is that L.A. was never really "mellow" overall. It got that reputation only by being compared to NYC. But what city in the country WOULDN'T be considered mellow when compared with The Big Apple?
L.A. has been the second biggest city for ages, and there ain't nuttin' mellow about a megalopolis that size.
However, the beach life (which I was blessed to be able to live) could seem mellow at times. But L.A. - although not really mellow overall - always included so many different moods. And that's why, in the 1980s, I used to like taking day trips to different parts of the city to soak up their different atmospheres.
I'm sure the place is a total madhouse now. It was already a near-total madhouse when I left for the last time in May of 1995.
Funny, it seems you like "The Valley" better now. Being called "A Val" was like the un-coolest thing you could be called back in my L.A. era. Warren Zevon even alluded to that in a certain song that will eventually make a BOTB appearance on this blog.
Thanks, my dear friend, for taking the time to listen and vote. Your $00.02 is greatly and always appreciated!
~ D-FensDogG
Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...
I should have paid more attention to MM back in the day. I like 'em. I didn't pay attention, but you are helping me make up for it now.
ReplyDeleteBoth of these are enjoyable, but I like California a significant amount more. And if you had asked me before all this voting, I would have made the same assessment you mentioned to Michele above: a runaway for California.
You really never can predict how the voting will go, although I'll bet those damned Russian bots are to blame for the many times the WRONG candidate won on your blog!
McSHEBOYGANBROTHER ~
DeleteThanks for checking in with your vote, buddy! And I'm pleased that I've made you aware of a new old band that you're gaining an appreciation for. As I mentioned to Lee above, MMEB is one of only a couple Prog-Rock groups I've always enjoyed listening to.
Like so many other people, I discovered MMEB through their big #1 hit, 'Blinded By The Light' - a cover of one of Springsteen's songs.
In fact, my 21st BOTB installment, four years ago, featured Springsteen's original against MMEB's hit cover. MMEB won that Battle 7-6, and you voted for MMEB. I guess that means you can say that YOUR vote gave them the win!
Yeah, BOTB has a way of becoming very unpredictable every time I get to thinking I've got it all figured out. I like that.
~ D-FensDogG
Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...
Al bondigas here. You already know my rulin'. I remember when I first heard this song, it knocked my socks off. I remember you telling me that you couldn't believe it never became a huge hit. For the life of me I can't either. Do you remember that CD I won on some contest you were having on your site? It was Manfred Mann's 'WATCH'. Every time I play it, I have to hear CALIFORNIA at least twice in a row. I swear I can smell the Coppertone and the Sea & Ski while its playing. Rulin' fer CALIFORNIA!! That's it!! That's my rulin'. Long live station 26!! We defy the mafia!! Hooey hoey!!
ReplyDeleteLet's go get a lemonade and a hot-dog-on-a-stick, and watch the crazy old men play chess on the beach boardwalk!
DeleteBrother, I can name that tune in just one TV commercial jingle:
[Link> THIS, and [Link> THIS, [Link> and THIS.
Heck, I guess [Link> THIS one is kinda-sorta close enough, too. Ha!-Ha! Get that man up and give him a drink!!
Funny, I can't even remember you winning a compact disc from a blog contest I had. There have been a few of them over the years, but I don't recall that one.
Can you feel the itchy dry salt on your back, underneath your T-shirt? Man, that was like torture until one could get that shower in -- followed by canned egg salad on bread.
"FIRST SHOWER!" I called it!!
~ D-FensDogG
Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...
yeah, and the ice cream too. Eating it straight outta da carton. Scraping the lid with the spoon first. Hey don't be long in the shower punk!! Save me some hot water!!
DeleteWe grew up poor.
DeleteLiving 17 blocks from the beach.
Dodger season ticket holders... two best seats in the house.
That's a kind of "po'" I can live with! If I didn't know better, I'd think we were rich.
~ D-FensDogG
Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...
Ha, ha, ha, I wish. Of course, there it’s legal and as easy to come by as a cup of Starbucks. Depending on my future I may seriously need to consider a move back to NV, at least.
ReplyDeleteTrue that, Nitro.
DeleteA little Cheech y Chong might be just what the doctor ordered. Pass the dayz away in a doobie haze.
Shooby-DOOBIE-Doo!...
~ D-FensDogG
Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...
And Stephen,
ReplyDeleteGood battle, not too familiar with either song. I been had followed your instructions and paid no attention to the man behind the video camera. California was a bit, how do you say?, Blah. I even looked up the lyrics for both and gave it a second chance but same reaction. My vote goes to Hollywood,better lyrics and a catchier tune. And these lyrics say it all:
Stepping on stars and shining on cars,
Passing by, their heads are high,
But their hearts are low down,
Dragging as they go,...
Now That's Hollywood!
JW,
Pooh
...AND POOH...
DeleteThanks for your continuing BOTB support!
And just when 'California' catches up and starts to pull ahead, here comes another vote for 'Hollywood Town'!
This Battle is everything I'd hoped it would be but had my doubts about.
I remember having some high nights and low mornings in Hollyweird. That really seems like another lifetime ago; a different me in a different incarnation.
~ D-FensDogG
Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...
Perhaps, based on your comments, the stanza would have been better written as follows:
DeleteSpace walking on hoods of moving cars
Drinking those drinks in sleazy bars
Next morning not knowing what was true or false
but enjoying a lap or two of the hangover waltz
Yep, a different lifetime indeed. Gonna be 32 years since that fateful day in Ashland park when you straightened out my life for good. Because there's just different people coming down here now and they see things in different ways.
JW nonetheless,
Pooh
>>... "Next morning not knowing what was true or false"
DeleteWhatchoo talkin' 'bout, Pooh?
I KNOW what was false and true:
There was a live band that played 'til Two,
And no cover charge for anyone... except for you.
JW! JW!
~ D-FensDogG
Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...
You heard him!!
ReplyDeleteWith current politics and many of the people there (including, but not limited to those like Pop Star), I can't say I'm a huge fan of California, but I do dig Manfred Mann, and I genuinely like both of these songs. So much so that this was one of the tougher choices I've had to make.
ReplyDeleteBoth started off a little 'meh' for me, but then built up into something special. That build up, though, is a little more noticeable in California, which is why I've got to give my bote to it... even though that's the only California you'll ever see me boting for, unless the question is, "Do you support blowing up the coastline of California and letting the entire state float away in the ocean?"
Yes, I sure do. Let them have their socialist island paradise. Free healthcare for everyone! Free college! Free tampons and birth control and abortions! And since it'll be annexed from us, we won't have to pay for all of this free stuff.
Wait... I wonder who will, then...?
BEER BROTHER, I hear ya!
DeleteIt's too bad you couldn't have known The Golden State's golden era. It boggles my mind to think back on the mid-1970s when Santa Monica was called "The People's Republic of Santa Monica" because it was the leftist-most point on the SoCal political spectrum.
1974 Santa Monica would seem Alt-Right compared to pretty much ALL of L.A. today. It's like I've illustrated many times on my political blog, 'Ferret-Faced Fascist Friends', The Wizards Behind The Curtain have continually and incrementally moved us Leftward, until we have arrived at this place where we are today. And "It Ain't That Pretty At All" (as Zevon zang).
I know it sounds terrible to say (especially since I still have friends & family in L.A.), but I'm rooting for "The Big One". Ha-Ha!
Thanks so much for taking the time to listen & bote, Brother!
~ D-FensDogG
Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...
My vote is for Hollywood Town
ReplyDeleteOK, thanks, MIKE.
Delete~ D-FensDogG
Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...