But, that link does have a very interesting side bar of other offerings which brings me to the music of Burt Bacharach. Generally, can’t stand it.
A few months ago I heard a woman named Brenna Whitaker doing “Anyone Who Had a Heart,” and fell in love. Surprised the heck out of me. On the side of above noted link is the perfomance of a young lady, Shelea, along with Arturo Sandoval, performing “Anyone Who Had a Heart” to nice effect. Sandoval kills it (that’s a good thing!)
I like America, and even like “Horse With No Name.” But it always makes me ponder: if, in the desert you can remember your name, what happens to the horse when he goes there?
A song I did hate was “I Am, I Said” by Neil Diamond, because of the stupidest line of all time (IMHO), “no one there to hear, not even the chair.”
I also grind my teeth when I hear the song that says “say a little prayer for I.”
@PragmaticMom - I wasn’t really into Fleetwood Mac during their heyday - didn’t hate them but never bought any of their records (yes, records). But I really like them now. Maybe I just had to grow into them.
"A song I did hate was “I Am, I Said” by Neil Diamond, because of the stupidest line of all time (IMHO), “no one there to hear, not even the chair.”
Two versions that I’ve read about this line are he was living alone in a small apartment in LA and he was referring to his kitchen chair, or he was seeing a psychiatrist/psychologist at the time and one of the therapeutic methods used was to speak to an empty chair. Diamond spent a good deal of time writing this song and this line has an important meaning to him.
@Hunt – we have something in common. I can’t stand Neil Diamond either. I think it’s his voice. “Coming to America” on July 4 celebrations drives me nuts.
Hunt–one of my top ten stupid line entries! I don’t care how much he thought about it. “Not EVEN the chair” --like you’d of course think that at least the chair heard.
And speaking of voices I don’t like–James Taylor’s. So thin I can see through it.
Back in the late 70’s early 80’s there was an artist named Michael Franks. My wife loved the songs from his early albums because they talked of courting his spouse, marriage, love etc. Later I saw he came out with a new album and didn’t really pay much attention. He had divorced his wife and the new album was outright depressing. She threw it away and we haven’t listened to the other albums much since.
Dstark regrets he can’t listen to Miss Otis Regrets as sung by Ella Fitzgerald forever, madam.
Dstark regrets he can’t listen to Miss Otis Regrets as sung by Ella Fitzgerald forever, madam.
Dstark did listen to Miss Otis Regrets 15 times in 2 days. You never know how a thread will go. A thread called "Musical artists you can’t stand, led to dstark listening to Miss Otis Regrets as sung by Ella Fitzgerald 15 times in 2 days, madam.
A thread called “Musical artists you can’t stand” led dstark to listening to perfection.
But dstark is mortal…
So…
Dstark regrets he can’t listen to Miss Otis Regrets as sung by Ella Fitzgerald forever, madam.
Dstark regrets he can’t listen to Miss Otis Regrets as sung by Ella Fitzgerald forever, madam.
I have to say I hate all relatively recent songs that try (too hard) to be patriotic or American - Coming to America, Born in the USA, Small Town, etc.
And I also hate politicians who use those songs, usually without the artist’s approval and without paying a dime. Just don’t write songs like that and see if those politicians are left with trying to use “Brandy, you’re a fine girl” as a campaign theme song. It should be more interesting.
Or Rick Santorum using, “She’s having my baby”. Oh no! Pretend you didn’t see that (but I just couldn’t resist!!!).
Gotta listen to Oscar the Grouch (yes, * that * Oscar the Grouch), singing Your Smiling Face. With its inversion of the lyrics, as he is averse to joy, it will indeed make ya smile.
Aaah, I see 'quan already started us down that road.
“Born in the USA” isn’t exactly a “patriotic” song.
But yes, to artists not wanting politicians to use them their songs (Bruce vs. Reagan as an early one.) It showed an entire misunderstanding of the song anyway.
On the subject of patriotic songs that try too hard — I need to add that some of them are good!
Lee Greenwood’s God Bless the U.S.A. gets me every time in a good way. That song on Fourth of July with fireworks in the background - a true American experience. Trying too hard? Maybe, but it’s a great sentimental song delivered with an authentic voice. Can’t say the same about Neil Diamond’s Coming to America. Ugh.
