I’ve always loved the song Androgynous (1984) by The Replacements.
Here’s one of many terrific cover versions.
The Happy Hippie Foundation, founded by Miley Cyrus, “is a nonprofit organization that rallies young people to fight injustice facing homeless youth, LGBT youth, and other vulnerable populations.”
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
One of the great rock songs all time.
Released 1973, it refers to a brothel on the outskirts of La Grange, Texas.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
If anyone has ever done it better, it MIGHT be Classic Rock Show. A fantastic cover band.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
I was looking for a remix to use as a YouTube video soundtrack.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Easily the best version of the Bowie classic I’ve ever heard.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Tom Lehrer only recorded 37 songs. Performed only about 100 times.
The songs were FUNNY. Way ahead of his time.
In fact, Tom preferred teaching mathematics, lecturing at Harvard University and later at other schools.
His songs were intended to amuse himself and friends. Left leaning, he enjoying making fun of both left and right.
He paid $15 (equivalent to $152 in 2021) for some studio time in 1953 to record Songs by Tom Lehrer. The initial pressing was 400 copies. Radio stations would not air his songs because of his controversial subjects, so he sold the album on campus at Harvard for $3, equivalent to $30 in 2021.
Tom’s still with us. Now age-94. Born 1928 to a secular Jewish family, growing up in Manhattan.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
I’m now following Kid LAROI, an Australian rapper, singer and songwriter. Only age-19.
Great voice. Great video.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. With Bieber.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. With Miley Cyrus.
Seems the B-52’s are trying to retire.
Their last show scheduled for September 3, 2023.
Fred is in his 70s now.
One of my most influential bands, this news got me back listening to their hits.
WHICH was the best song?
… “Love Shack“? … “Roam“?
I finally decided on Give Me Back My Man.
What I love best about the B-52’s are the vocals of Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Billy Bragg is one of the few artists I’ve seen live. And in a small venue.
He’s exactly my age and I related to his political activism. An opponent of fascism, racism, bigotry, sexism and homophobia, and a supporter of a multi-racial Britain.
His record label boss Andy Macdonald observed that “his presence onstage took on more of the avenging angel”.
An impressive and passionate performer.
Kirsty MacColl recorded the song the year after its release by Bragg (1983). It was her biggest solo hit.
Billy first performed it like a busker. Rough. And a short version. Kirsty expanded the song.
This duet, to me, seems a good compromise between the versions.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
I was twenty one years when I wrote this song
I’m twenty two now, but I won’t be for long
People ask when will you grow up to be a man
But all the girls I loved at school
Are already pushing prams
I loved you then as I love you still
Though I put you on a pedestal
They put you on the pill
I don’t feel bad about letting you go
I just feel sad about letting you know
I don’t want to change the world
I’m not looking for a new England
I’m just looking for another girl
I don’t want to change the world
I’m not looking for a new England
I’m just looking for another girl
I loved the words you wrote to me
But that was bloody yesterday
I can’t survive on what you send
Every time you need a friend
I saw two shooting stars last night
I wished on them but they were only satellites
It’s wrong to wish on space hardware
I wish, I wish, I wish you’d care
I don’t want to change the world
I’m not looking for a new England
I’m just looking for another girl
I don’t want to change the world
I’m not looking for a new England
I’m just looking for another girl
Looking for another girl
Looking for another girl
Looking for another girl…
I’d recommend the book for kids as young as age-7.
Surprisingly, I’m STILL sending money to Amazon for 12 audio books each year.
I’d call their control over audio books a monopoly.
Prices have never come down since I joined. They’ve not innovated much.
A monopoly.
What Audible.com should do is offer services in addition to the books.
And since 2016 there is some ORIGINAL content. Podcasts. Short stories and novellas.
The Mystwick School of Musicraft is one of those Audible originals. FREE for those who pay for a subscription.
It’s something like the 1st book in the Harry Potter series. But at Mystwick magic is created along with music. The book is available, as well, but the audio version includes all the music. Better.
Amelia Jones has always dreamed of attending the Mystwick, as her mother had gone there.
She is accepted into the academy by accident — and faces plenty of challenges.
Click PLAY or watch a review on YouTube.
Professor Galloway explains that friendship is in decline in 2022.
Since 1990, the percentage of Americans who report having fewer than three close friends has doubled, from 16% to 32%. The share who report having no close friends at all has gone from 3% to 12%.
Covid; political polarization; fewer random encounters, as we no longer go to the mall/theater/office; social media raising a generation of disconnected people.
Personally, I’m OK with having fewer friends than when I was younger. But I definitely feel it’s unhealthy for society in general.
I love this song about friendship.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
That’s MACKLEMORE FEAT KESHA – GOOD OLD DAYS.
I wish somebody would have told me babe
That some day, these will be the good old days
All the love you won’t forget
And all these reckless nights you won’t regret
‘Cause someday soon, your whole life’s gonna change
You’ll miss the magic of the good old days
Wish I didn’t think I had the answers
Wish I didn’t drink all of that glass first
Wish I made it to homecoming
Got up the courage to ask her
Wish I would’ve gotten out of my shell
Wish I put the bottle back on that shelf
Wish I wouldn’t have worry about what other people thought
And felt comfortable in myself …
Never thought we’d get old, maybe we’re still young
Maybe we always look back and think it was better than it was
Maybe these are the moments
Maybe I’ve been missing what it’s about
Been scared of the future, thinking about the past
While missing out on now
We’ve come so far, I guess I’m proud
And I ain’t worried about the wrinkles around my smile
I’ve got some scars, I’ve been around
I’ve felt some pain, I’ve seen some things, but I’m here now
Those good old days
You don’t know, what you’ve got
Till it goes, till it’s gone
You don’t know, what you’ve got
Till it goes, till it’s gone …
To celebrate, I’m posting my hiking highlights of the past year.
I got a cheap drone December 2021 and most of the clips are from the drone.
My favourite music of 2022 was by Odesza — so it’s appropriate that the soundtrack is one of their songs: Wide Awake.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
