Tag / The Monkees

by admin

Wasting The Summer Away

For reasons any right-thinking person could not possibly understand, traffic this summer has been particularly brutal.  No matter what time I leave work, it will take at least 2 hours to get home.  One example of this was this past Thursday, when I took off around 3:40 and pulled into my garage just after 5:46.  Because of this, I’ve been able to listen to a lot of music.  Here is Thursday’s playlist, which kept from killing people in the cars around me.

Cult Of Personality Living Colour Monsters Of Rock [Disc 2 Of 2] 6/26/2014 3:46
Dreams The Cranberries Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We? 6/26/2014 3:51
Only You Garfunkel and Oates Music Songs 6/26/2014 3:53
I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) The Proclaimers Living In The 90’s (Disc 2) 6/26/2014 3:56
I Won’t Forget You Poison Poison’s Greatest Hits 1986-1996 6/26/2014 4:00
Sk8er Boi Avril Lavigne Let Go 6/26/2014 4:03
Jane Says Jane’s Addiction Nothing’s Shocking 6/26/2014 4:08
The Tra La La Song (One Banana, Two Banana) Banana Splits Here Come The Banana Splits 6/26/2014 4:10
I Saw Red Warrant Cherry Pie 6/26/2014 4:14
What The World Needs Now Is Love Jackie De Shannon Forrest Gump (Disc 1) 6/26/2014 4:17
Smells Like Teen Spirit Continue reading →
by admin

Concert Flashback: The Monkees

01monkeesFollowing a resurgence in customer interest after their appearances on VH1’s Behind The Music and the E! True Hollywood Story, Mickey Dolenz, Davy Jones, and Peter Tork decided to regroup (sans Michael Nesmith) and go on their first tour since 1997 as the Monkees.  Their Chicagoland appearance was a Sunday afternoon at the Star Plaza Theatre in beautiful Merrillville, Indiana.

To say this was unlike any other show I had been to would be a bit of an understatement.  For one thing, it was a Sunday afternoon.  Also, the average age of the crowd was about 75, give or take a decade.  Which meant that everyone stayed in their seats for the entire show.  Thirdly, there was no opening act.  Instead, the supporting act, the never heard of before or since group known as Natural, came out in the middle of the show to give the old timers a bit of a break.

According to the Interwebs, the trio hit all of the bands biggest hits, even those originally fronted by Nesmith.  I suppose a good time was had by all in attendance.

by jim

iTunes Top 100 Artists: #31-40

itunes_image

My latest desktop computer arrived in late 2007, at which point I transitioned all of my music off of my laptop. 2 iPods, 2 iPhones, and an iPad later, that computer is still my main repository of music, with iTunes updating its stats every time I listen to something.

Having already gone through cassette tapes and CDs, and digital music, it’s time to roll everything up with the Top 100 artists that I’ve listened to as of 8/21/2013, according to iTunes. Today we look at the the the next batch, numbers 31-40, which includes a nice mix of musical genres.

#31: R.E.M. 95

iTunes stats: 95 plays

The boys from Athens, GA tie Avril Lavigne with 23 songs to make up their total.

#31: The Monkees

iTunes stats: 95 plays

The made for TV band used 17 songs to make up their total.

#33: Guns N’ Roses

iTunes stats: 91 plays

Axl Rose and friends use 19 different songs to make their way on to the list.

#34: Purdue “All-American” Marching Band

iTunes stats: 86 plays

3 songs, including 2 versions of the fight song, puts the Purdue Marching Band on the list.

#35: Stone Temple Pilots

iTunes stats: 83 plays

17 songs make up the total for the California-based alternative rockers.

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by admin

Goodbye, iPhone 4S – Music Edition

A little more than a week ago, I upgraded my phone from the iPhone 4S to the newly released iPhone 5S.  The biggest difference, aside from a slightly bigger screen, is the jump from 3G (or 4G, if you believe AT&T’s hype) to LTE.  I had the 4S for a little under 2 years, and in that time, we traveled the world together (well, at least going back to the UK) and have listened to a lot of podcasts and music. Here is every song (all 2079 of them) I’ve listened to on the phone, with some (ok, very little) bonus commentary.  Godspeed.

 

Let’s Go-Go-Go White Sox Captain Stubby and the Buccaneers 33
He’s a Pirate Klaus Badelt Pirates of the Caribbean (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture) 32
Take Me Out To The Ballgame Harry Caray 31
Thunderstruck AC/DC The Razors Edge 31
Gordon Beckham Intro 29
Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye Steam Billboard’s Top Rock ‘n’ Roll Hits: 1969 29
Don’t Stop Believin’ Journey Journey’s Greatest Hits 27
sox05_montage 27
We Are The Champions Queen Queen: Greatest Hits I & II 27
Your Love The Outfield Play Deep 27
2008 White Sox Central Division Champs Montage Chris Tannehill WSCR 670 The Score 25
Take Me Out To The Ballgame Nancy Faust 25
Harvester Of Sorrow Metallica …And Justice For All 20

You would hope that these numbers would have been higher, but this past season’s miserable performance by the White Sox has put the songs on their playlist out of mind more often than not.

Cannonball The Breeders The First 1000 Years- Rock 19
Man Or Muppet Jason Segel The Muppets 15
It’s Time For Our Song Miss Piggy The Muppets 14
Get Out There And Help Those Guys Jason Segel The Muppets 13
Main Title LOST Soundtrack LOST Soundtrack 13
Are You A Man Or A Muppet? Amy Adams The Muppets 12
How Charming, A Finale Uncle Deadly The Muppets 12
I’m On A Boat (ft. T-Pain) The Lonely Island Incredibad 12
Down At The Ole Barbershop Kermit The Muppets 11
Me and Drugs David Cross Bigger and Blackerer 11
The Antichrist Howard Stern Private Parts: The Album 11
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by admin

Thursday Night Commute

Back to work after a 5 day weekend.

Theme From Shaft Isaac Hayes Shaft 9/5/2013 4:21 PM
Hold On Jamie Walters Poplife (Disc 2) 9/5/2013 4:26 PM
Heaven Is A Place On Earth Belinda Carlisle Billboard Top Hits: 1987 9/5/2013 4:30 PM
I Dream of Jeannie Buddy Kaye Television’s Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 9/5/2013 4:32 PM
Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego? Tee Vee Toons TV’s Hits Vol. 7: Cable Ready 9/5/2013 4:34 PM
F**k You Garfunkel and Oates Music Songs 9/5/2013 4:36 PM
Free As A Bird The Beatles Anthology 1 [Disc 1] 9/5/2013 4:40 PM
Every Day Is Halloween Ministry Early Trax 9/5/2013 4:47 PM
Spirit In The Sky Norman Greenbaum Billboard Top Rock & Roll Hits: 1970 9/5/2013 4:51 PM
My Wife’s Crazy! David Cross Shut Up, You Fucking Baby! 9/5/2013 4:55 PM
Angel Main Theme Darling Violetta Angel: Live Fast, Die Never 9/5/2013 4:57 PM
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by admin

Mix Tape Monday – March 2003

After my tape deck crapped out in 1997, I was stuck listening to either the radio or full albums in whatever order the artist intended.  That all changed in 2001, when the new-fangled MP3 technology got combined with my new CD burner.

March of 2003 looks to have a lot of cover songs, along with the latest hits from Kelly Osbourne, Christina Aguilera, Avril Lavigne, and the White Stripes.

Mariah Carey – Bringing On The Heartbreak

For a minute there, I thought I could get in to this remake of the old Def Leppard hit.

iTunes stats: Never played

The Donnas – Take It Off

The one big hit for the girl group.

iTunes stats: 13 plays, most recently on 5/30/2012

Foo Fighters – Times Like These

The latest from the Foo Fighters had both an electric and acoustic version.

iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 1/4/2013

David Lee Roth – California Girls

After leaving Van Halen, David Lee Roth thought becoming a cheesy Vegas lounge act was the way to go.

iTunes stats: 7 plays, most recently on 3/30/2012

Tatu – All The Things You Said

Nothing says pop music hit like lesbian Russian teenagers.

iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 8/10/2011

Tegan And Sara – I Hear Noises

My first introduction to Tegan and Sara.  I own all of their albums after this and have since seen them in concert.

iTunes stats: 20 plays, most recently on 9/21/2011

Bif Naked – We’re Not Gonna Take It

A cover of the Twisted Sister hit from the Ready To Rumble soundtrack.

iTunes stats: Never played

Sixpence None The Richer – Don’t Dream It’s Over

A cover of the old Crowded House hit.

iTunes stats: Never played

Johnny Cash – Personal Jesus

A bizarre cover of the Depeche Mode hit by the Man in Black.

iTunes stats: 1 play, on 5/19/2009

Kelly Osbourne – Shut Up

The first release from Kelly’s ill-fated album meant to capitalize on the success of The Osbournes.

iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 5/8/2012

Carl Douglas – Kung Fu Fighting

The 70s ode to martial arts.

iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 3/21/2012

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by admin

Mix Tape Monday – December 2002

After my tape deck crapped out in 1997, I was stuck listening to either the radio or full albums in whatever order the artist intended.  That all changed in 2001, when the new-fangled MP3 technology got combined with my new CD burner.

Christmas time has come in the year 2002, and for some reason I celebrated by slapping 6 Run-DMC and Kool Moe Dee songs to the end of this CD, which also featured new songs by Nirvana, Foo Fighters, and Eminem.

Puddle Of Mudd – She Hates Me

This song became Puddle of Mudd’s second single to sell over 500,000 copies in the United States.

iTunes stats: 7 plays, most recently on 9/30/2011

Soul Asylum – Somebody To Shove

The debut single from Grave Dancer’s Union.

iTunes stats: 14 plays, most recently on 5/25/2012

The Breeders – Divine Hammer

The second hit for the Deal sisters.

iTunes stats: 7 plays, most recently on 12/18/2012

Nirvana – You Know You’re Right

The final song recorded by Nirvana.  Courtney Love fought for years to block its release.

iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 3/29/2012

Foo Fighters – All My Life

Meanwhile, Dave Grohl has this side project he’s been working on…

iTunes stats: 13 plays, most recently on 9/26/2012

Primitive Radio Gods – Standing Outside A Broken Phone Booth With Money In My Hand

The hit from the Cable Guy soundtrack featured a sample of B.B. King.

iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 5/25/2012

Urge Overkill – Girl, You’ll Be A Woman Soon

The cover of the Neil Diamond hit was featured in Pulp Fiction.

iTunes stats: 9 plays, most recently on 10/16/2012

The Wonders – That Thing You Do

The big hit for the faux-60s rockers from That Thing You Do.

iTunes stats: 14 plays, most recently on 7/25/2012

PJ Harvey – This Is Love

The song, featured on the Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back soundtrack, earned Polly Jean a Grammy nomination.

iTunes stats: 10 plays, most recently on 5/26/2012

Christina Aguilera – Dirrty

Christina Aguilera returns to prove she’s no longer the squeaky clean teen pop-star from her debut album.

iTunes stats: 7 plays, most recently on 11/29/2012

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by admin

Return To Lifetime

For the first time since February, I took a trip to the gym this morning.  Despite some initial aching from my still gimpy right leg, I did manage to put in an hour on the treadmill.  Here’s the songs that got me through it.

Book Of Love The Monotones Rock N’ Roll Era: 1958 12/18/2012 8:27 AM
Right Thurr Chingy Jackpot 12/18/2012 8:31 AM
Cherry Bomb Dakota Fanning The Runaways: Music From The Motion Picture 12/18/2012 8:34 AM
Mary, Mary The Monkees The Monkees Greatest Hits 12/18/2012 8:37 AM
I’ve Got A Theory/Bunnies/If We’re Together The Cast Of Buffy The Vampire Slayer Once More, With Feeling 12/18/2012 8:39 AM
Wicked Garden Stone Temple Pilots Core 12/18/2012 8:44 AM
Jump Around House Of Pain Millennium Hip-Hop Party 12/18/2012 8:48 AM
Cradle of Love Billy Idol Billy Idol: Greatest Hits 12/18/2012 8:52 AM
The Impression That I Get The Mighty Mighty Bosstones Let’s Face It 12/18/2012 8:56 AM
Umbrella (Rihanna Cover) Tegan and Sara 12/18/2012 8:58 AM
Continue reading →
by admin

Mix Tape Monday – August 2001

After my tape deck crapped out in 1997, I was stuck listening to either the radio or full albums in whatever order the artist intended.  That all changed in 2001, when the new-fangled MP3 technology got combined with my new CD burner.

I obviously didn’t know it at the time, but this CD would be the last I would make before the world changed on that early September morning.  This edition featured new music from Nelly Furtado, Weezer, Smash Mouth, and Eve.

Nelly Furtado – I’m Like A Bird

Prior to her current incarnation as a pop music princess, Furtado hit it big with this soulful hit that relied more on her voice than a producer’s computer.

iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 7/30/2012

Mazzy Star – Hallah

After Fade Into You went huge, radio programmers looked to their previous album and found this gem.

iTunes stats: 8 plays, most recently on 2/7/2011

Bif Naked – Lucky

One of the highlights of the Buffy soundtrack that led to me buying her debut CD.

iTunes stats: 4 plays, most recently on 8/10/2011

Joey Scarbury – Believe It Or Not

The theme song from The Greatest American Hero became far more successful than the show from which it was spawned.

iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 5/1/2012

John Sebastian – Welcome Back

Another theme song, this one from Welcome Back, Kotter.  This MP3 was ripped from the album, which you can tell from a little skip towards the end.

iTunes stats: 9 plays, most recently on 11/19/2012

Liz Phair & Material Issue – The Tra La La Song (One Banana, Two Banana)

Yet another television theme song, covered for a compilation of cartoon hits.  I apparently never imported this CD into iTunes, a mistake I have now rectified.

iTunes stats: Never played

Material Issue – Kim The Waitress

The one big hit for the local band that seemed to be going places before singer Jim Ellison committed suicide in 1996.

iTunes stats: 7 plays, most recently on 9/19/2012

Weezer – Islands In The Sun

The latest single from Weezer’s comeback album.

iTunes stats: 1 play, on 3/28/2012

Foo Fighters – Learning To Fly

One of my least favorite Foo Fighter songs.

iTunes stats: 1 play, on 12/1/2010

Continue reading →

by admin

Mix Tape Monday – January 2001

After my tape deck crapped out in 1997, I was stuck listening to either the radio or full albums in whatever order the artist intended.  That all changed in 2001, when the new-fangled MP3 technology got combined with my new CD burner.

The first CD I burned, in January of 2001, had multiple versions, and this is the one I kept for myself.  It contains a mix of current and old hits, along with some radio bits.  Of course, my song selection was limited at the time to the CDs and few MP3s I had on hand.

Offspring – Original Prankster

The latest hit from the Offspring kicked things off for this disc.

iTunes stats: 7 plays, most recently on 4/25/2011

Soul Coughing – Super Bon Bon

A minor hit from 1996 for the band from New York.

iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 9/24/2012

Mexican Cheerleader – Our Party

This tune was included to introduce my friend Scott to some local punk music.  I don’t think it did much for him.

iTunes stats: 13 plays, most recently on 9/17/2011

Howard Stern Show Parody – Dancing In Their Sheets

There was a song parody contest on the Howard Stern Show in 2000 and this ode to racism was one of the finalists.

Crew Cuts – Sh-Boom

Seeing as how I just bought this song from the iTunes store last week, I have no idea where I had gotten it from nearly 12 years ago.

iTunes stats: 1 play, on 11/5/2012

Faith Hill – Breathe

Country’s cross-over into pop was big early in the century, and this was one of the bigger hits.

iTunes stats: 4 plays, most recently on 5/26/2012

The Corrs – Breathless

The lasses from Ireland had their first big American pop hit at the time.

iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 11/9/2012

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