I have 2 songs for this. Springsteen’s Glory Days and Bob Seger’s Like A Rock. They both look back wistfully at the past and a time when a whole world of possibilities was open.
My husband loves Like a Rock. He says that is exactly what it felt like when he was twenty. Forget the Chevy commercial - this song has something to say.
Like A Rock
Stood there boldly, sweatin’ in the sun felt like a million, felt like number one at height of summer, I’d never felt that strong Like a rock
I was eighteen, didn’t have a care workin’ for peanuts, not a dime to spare but I was lean and solid everywhere Like a rock My hands were steady, my eyes were clear and bright my walk had purpose, my steps were quick and light And I held firm, to what I felt was right Like a rock
Like a rock I was strong as I could be like a rock Nothin’ ever got to me like a rock I was somethin’ to see like a rock
And I stood arrow straight unencumbered by the weight of all these hustlers and their schemes I stood proud I stood tall high above it all I still believed in my dream
Twenty years now, where’d they go? Twenty years, I don’t know I sit and I wonder sometimes where they’ve gone
And sometimes late at night, oohhh when I’m bathed in the firelight the moon comes callin’ a ghostly way, and I recall I recall
Like a rock Standin’ arrow straight like a rock chargin’ from the gate like a rock carryin’ the weight like a rock
oohhh like a rock the sun upon my skin like a rock hard against the wind like a rock I see myself again like a rock oohhh like a rock oohhh
Day 9.5 - A Song With a Great Drum Solo
I originally thought there was a category for a song with a drum solo and the Surfari’s Wipeout came to mind. There is only one lyric “Wipeout” - so I don’t know if this counts for a song - but I’ll write the rules for this category and I’m counting it.
To really see the drum action watch The Ventures play the same song.
We really did dance to this too.
Day 9 - A Song With Great Keyboards
Once again the memory comes into play. I immediately thought of Stevie Wonder, Elton John, and Billy Joel - but the actual music didn’t scroll through my mind.
The song that did start playing in my brain on repeat though was Procol Harem’s Whiter Shade of Pale. “We skipped the light fandango.”
Memory - such a funny thing - this song popped into my memory and refused to leave.
We skipped the light fandango Turned cartwheels ‘cross the floor I was feeling kinda seasick But the crowd called out for more The room was humming harder As the ceiling flew away When we called out for another drink And the waiter brought a tray
And so it was that later As the miller told his tale That her face, at first just ghostly, Turned a whiter shade of pale
She said, “There is no reason And the truth is plain to see.” But I wandered through my playing cards And they would not let her be One of sixteen vestal virgins Who were leaving for the coast And although my eyes were open wide They might have just as well been closed
And so it was that later As the miller told his tale That her face, at first just ghostly, Turned a whiter shade of pale
She said, “I’m here on a shore leave,” Though we were miles at sea. I pointed out this detail And forced her to agree, Saying, “You must be the mermaid Who took King Neptune for a ride.” And she smiled at me so sweetly That my anger straightway died.
And so it was that later As the miller told his tale That her face, at first just ghostly, Turned a whiter shade of pale
If music be the food of love Then laughter is it’s queen And likewise if behind is in front Then dirt in truth is clean My mouth by then like cardboard Seemed to slip straight through my head So we crash-dived straightway quickly And attacked the ocean bed
And so it was that later As the miller told his tale That her face, at first just ghostly, Turned a whiter shade of pale
Day 8 - A Song with a Great Guitar Riff
I must confess I needed to do a little googling to learn the difference between a guitar riff and a guitar solo.
Memory is a funny thing. I guess I am more visual than aural. I can see the guitar being played in many songs from my past - but I can’t hear them in my memory. So I started with the visual memory of Slash playing the guitar solo in November Rain, anything Jimi Hendrix, and Lenny Kravitz on top a car in American Woman. I checked out Slash and Lenny on YouTube and realize that Slash’s solo is not a guitar riff. So I think the guitar riff in American Woman fits the description. It’s memorable and distinct and Jimi Hendrix has also played it.
I decided to check it out against someone else’s list of great guitar riffs. It comes in 29th when played by the Guess Who who I totally forgot about.
And now having listened to it played by 3 different artists - it is no longer just a visual memory but an aural one.
Day 7 - A Song From One of My Favorite Voice
The truth is my favorite voice is David Cook. I just used a David Cook song on Day 6 - so I’m changing the title of this to One Of My Favorite Voices.
I could choose one of my other favorite male voices - Michael Hutchence, Johnny Rzeznik, Rob Thomas.
I will instead go in a different direction and choose a female voice. I didn’t fully appreciate Brooke White during American Idol because she always seemed so nervous. However, I bought her album High Hopes & Heartbreak and I really like the purity of her voice. So my choice from her album is Be Careful.
Day 6 - Song I Want to Be Serenaded With
This just became a no brainer for me. Don’t You Forget About Me - It’s all I’ve got on my mind right now. Of course, I want David Cook to sing it to me - but that’s not going to happen - except in my iPod.
But hey - maybe I can get my husband to sing it to me.
Tell me your troubles and doubts Giving me everything inside and out and Love’s strange so real in the dark Think of the tender things that we were working on
I previously said that for me a sexy song needed a sense of urgency. Exhibit A - Don’t You Forget About Me by David Cook
Day 5 - A Song To Go Out and Party To
Pink Get The Party Started. It makes me feel like partying even if I’m not.
Day 4 - A Sexy Song
I have already used the (for me) ultimate sexy song - U2’s Trip Through Your Wires. Another song under consideration in this category would be David Cook’s Let Go and the lyric “one action - reaction” - but I have to ignore the creepy “happy trigger finger”. Both songs hit certain notes and a sense of urgency that really create a mood for me.
However I’m going to go with an old favorite Need You Tonight - almost anything INXS with Michael Hutchence fits the bill - but I particularly like this song. (A tragic end to his life - but he remains in my mind forever young.)
All you got is this moment 21st century’s yesterday You can care all you want Everybody does yeah that’s okay
So slide over here And give me a moment Your moves are so raw I’ve got to let you know I’ve got to let you know You’re one of my kind
I need you tonight ‘Cause I’m not sleeping There’s something about you girl That makes me sweat
How do you feel? I’m lonely What do you think? Can’t think it all Whatcha gonna do? Gonna live my life
So slide over here And give me a moment Your moves are so raw I’ve got to let you know I’ve got to let you know You’re one of my kind
I need you tonight ‘Cause I’m not sleeping There’s something about you girl That makes me sweat
So how do you feel? I’m lonely What do you think? Can’t think it all Whatcha gonna do? Gonna live my life
How do you feel? I’m lonely What do you think? Can’t think it all Whatcha gonna do? Gonna live my life
So slide over here And give me a moment Your moves are so raw I’ve got to let you know I’ve got to let you know
So slide over here And give me a moment I’ve got to let you know I’ve got to let you know You’re one of my kind
Day 3 - A Song with Great Lyrics
This was difficult for me. I really don’t concentrate on the lyrics when I remember a song. So I really had to search my memory for relevant songs. At first I wanted to go with David Cook’s Life On The Moon because the lyric “alone in this crowded room” appeals to me.
I instead decided to go with Simon & Garfunkel’s Bridge over Troubled Waters. It doesn’t have complicated lyrics - but it is a powerful sentiment.
When you’re weary Feeling small When tears are in your eyes I will dry them all
I’m on your side When times get rough And friends just can’t be found Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down
When you’re down and out When you’re on the street When evening falls so hard I will comfort you
I’ll take your part When darkness comes And pain is all around Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down
Sail on Silver Girl, Sail on by Your time has come to shine All your dreams are on their way
See how they shine If you need a friend I’m sailing right behind Like a bridge over troubled water I will ease your mind Like a bridge over troubled water I will ease your mind
