Yesterday I happened to catch a Facebook post by a long time friend of mine. We both played on the Los Angeles circuit with our bands when we were cutting our teeth. His post was how he had just discovered an artist called Ian Thornley who fronts a little group known as Big Wreck. It reminded me how I had heard of Big Wreck from some friends in Las Vegas some time after they had released The Pleasure and The Greed. I was hooked immediately. Amazing and creative rock guitar based writing, smothered with clever lyrics and an insanely awesome rock voice that I kinda wish I could have. Ian also had a band after Big Wreck called Thornley. However, about a year and a half ago Big Wreck put itself back together and recorded a new set of songs. My favorite single from the release is Wolves. I love the groove, the guitar parts, the mandolin parts, the lyrics, and the amazing melody. It hits a great niche of music where being awesomely clever still means something to rock ‘n’ roll – unfortunately the masses don’t get it. Immerse yourself and bleed out your heart from beating for other music that isn’t so clever. 😉
Wolves
Oh mark my words
In between the lines
And every little piece
Of the story’s entwined
I always told my side my way.
There was no more room
In the packet of wolves
They wouldn’t let me in
Saw the mission was afoot
They showed us all we were without
Oh, they said bleed out your heart
If it’s still beating for someone else
Trap all those chains
That keep you tethered, that keep you safe
A rosie little world
In your packet of wolves
A cosy little hang
In the back of your school
Those stories always get so old
Well is that one night
Going off the grid
I never said you didn’t
I never said you did
And all of my favourite stories are about you
You said bleed out your heart
If it’s still beating for someone else
Break all those chains
That keep you tethered, that keep you safe
They said bleed out your heart
If it’s still beating for someone else
Trap all those chains
That keep you tethered, that keep you safe
Bleed out your heart
If it’s still beating for someone else
Break all those chains
That keep you tethered, that keep you safe.
Oh I can recall a moment when I first sang this song for a performance. It was in front a collegiate crowd in Atlanta. I don’t do cover songs very often but the people running the APCA conference were adamant that I should do a couple of covers during my set to make sure college buyers would be sure to book me. Of the two cover songs I had the band learn, one of them was Harder To Breathe. It was a smokin’ hit at the time and it fit right up my alley for what I was doing musically. Therein lies my story for Throwback Thursday and how I got some college bookings thanks to Maroon 5.
Harder To Breathe
(buy it)
How dare you say that my behavior is unacceptable
So condescending unnecessarily critical
I have the tendency of getting very physical
So watch your step cause if I do you’ll need a miracle
You drain me dry and make me wonder why I’m even here
This double vision I was seeing is finally clear
You want to stay but you know very well I want you gone
Not fit to funkin’ tread the ground I’m walking on
When it gets cold outside and you got nobody to love
You’ll understand what I mean when I say
There’s no way we’re gonna give up
And like a little girl cries in the face of a monster that lives in her dreams
Is there anyone out there cause it’s getting harder and harder to breathe
Is there anyone out there cause it’s getting harder and harder to breathe
What you are doing is screwing things up inside my head
You should know better you never listened to a word I said
Clutching your pillow and writhing in a naked sweat
Hoping somebody someday will do you like I did
When it gets cold outside and you got nobody to love
You’ll understand what I mean when I say
There’s no way we’re gonna give up
And like a little girl cries in the face of a monster that lives in her dreams
Is there anyone out there cause it’s getting harder and harder to breathe
Is there anyone out there cause it’s getting harder and harder to breathe
Does it kill
Does it burn
Is it painful to learn
That it’s me that has all the control
Does it thrill
Does it sting
When you feel what I bring
And you wish that you had me to hold
When it gets cold outside and you got nobody to love
You’ll understand what I mean when I say
There’s no way we’re gonna give up
And like a little girl cries in the face of a monster that lives in her dreams
Is there anyone out there cause it’s getting harder and harder to breathe
Is there anyone out there cause it’s getting harder and harder to breathe
SONGWRITERS
LEVINE, ADAM / CARMICHAEL, JESSE ROYAL / DUSICK, RYAN MICHAEL / VALENTINE, JAMES / MADDEN, MICKEY
What an interesting day. It’s got a big combo going on with it. I was emailed fairly early by a PR person looking forme to do a blog post on my blog ‘Single of the Day‘ which is currently on a little hiatus. He reminded me that it is Freddie Mercury’s birthday today, or least it would have been. Anyone who is a big Queen fan ought to know that. Let’s add the 2nd punch. Today marks the beginning of the NFL season with an NFL Thursday night game tonight between the Baltimore Ravens and the Denver Broncos. So I’ll give a little shout out to Queen’s awesome song “We Are The Champions” which turned into a massive sporting hit. It’s an oldie but killer goodie.
We Are The Champions
I’ve paid my dues
Time after time
I’ve done my sentence
But committed no crime
And bad mistakes
I’ve made a few
I’ve had my share of sand
Kicked in my face
But I’ve come through
And we mean to go on and on and on and on
We are the champions – my friends
And we’ll keep on fighting
Till the end
We are the champions
We are the champions
No time for losers
‘Cause we are the champions of the World
I’ve taken my bows
And my curtain calls
You brought me fame and fortune
And everything that goes with it
I thank you all
But it’s been no bed of roses
No pleasure cruise
I consider it a challenge before
The whole human race
And I ain’t gonna lose
And we mean to go on and on and on and on
We are the champions – my friends
And we’ll keep on fighting
Till the end
We are the champions
We are the champions
No time for losers
‘Cause we are the champions of the World
We are the champions – my friends
And we’ll keep on fighting
Till the end
We are the champions
We are the champions
No time for losers
‘Cause we are the champions
Looking back at my university career I can distinctly remember the moment I was really understanding I was shifting into a school career away from parents. It was during RUSH week in the greek system. One of the fraternities that I was being rushed by was Sigma Nu. I remember being inside their house during rush week and watching a slideshow thing they had put together of photos about their house and people. The song that stuck out in my mind was Jimmy Buffet’s “Why Don’t We Get Drunk And Screw.” It was coupled with images of guys from the fraternity and females from sororities all partying, getting drunk and well you can imagine the rest – thanks to the song. Jimmy has cornered the market on what is known as Yacht Rock, singing about an easier life and things that are on everyone’s mind without hiding it in some weird metaphor. Which brings me to today’s Throwback Thursday, I don’t know many people that don’t like sex. But I do know that more people that have sex thanks to booze. How about you?
Why Don’t We Get Drunk And Screw
I really do appreciate the fact you’re sittin here
Your voice sounds so wonderful
But yer face don’t look too clear
So bar maid bring a pitcher, another round o brew
Honey, why don’t we get drunk and screw
Chorus:
Why don’t we get drunk and screw
I just bought a water bed, it’s filled up for me and you
They say you are a snuff queen
Honey I don’t think that’s true
So, why don’t we get drunk and screw
— spoken: pick it coral reefers, here we go…
Chorus:
Why don’t we get drunk and screw
I just bought a waterbed it’s filled up for me and you
They say you are a snuff queen
Honey I don’t think that’s true
So why don’t we get drunk and screw
Yeah, now baby I say, (lord!)
Why don’t we get drunk and screw
Growing up and learning to play guitar I remember hearing about these guys that just ruled on the instrument. Of course if you want to be an amazoid type of guitarist your going to pay attention to guys like Jimmy Page, Jimi Hendrix, Pete Townsend, Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler. Then there’s guys from the 80’s who took over like Randy Rhoads, and Eddie Van Halen. I’ll stop right there as I could continue with my journey of guitarists that I paid attention to while learning and the list would take forever. Today I want to relive a song I loved when I was learning to play guitar. It featured the talents of Eddie Van Halen and Sammy Hagar and it’s called Best of Both Worlds. I wish I would have been old enough to see this tour.
Best of Both Worlds
I don’t know what I been livin’ on but it’s
Not enough to fill me up
I need more than just words can say
I need everything this life can give me
Come on baby close your eyes let go
This can be everything we’ve dreamed
It’s not work, that makes it work no
Let the magic do the work for you
Cause something heached out and touched me
Now I see that all I want…
I want the best of both worlds
And baby I know what it’s worth
We can have have the best of both worlds a little
Heaven right here on earth
There’s a picture in the gallery of a
Fallen angel looked alot like you
We forget where we come from sometimes
I had a dream it was really you
Cause something heached out and touched me
Now I see that all I want…
I want the best of both worlds
And baby I know what it’s worth
We can have have the best of both worlds a little
Heaven right here on earth
SOLO
You don’t have to die to go to heaven
Or hang around to be born again
Just tune into what this place has got to offer
Cause we may never be here again
I want the best of both worlds
And baby I know what it’s worth
We can have have the best of both worlds a little
Heaven right here on earth
Songwriter(s):Â Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony, Alex van Halen, Edward van Halen
Copyright:Â Mugambi Publishing, WB Music Corp.
A few years ago, I was getting a lot of auditions for bands that were signed and going on the road. Or who were freshly signed and also going on the road. Some of the bands I auditioned for got some traction, some did not. I’ve got a plethora of stories about various auditions. But today I’m pulling out a little ditty about an artist by the name of Tal Bachman. Tal is the son of Randy Bachman, yes that musician you’re familiar with. Tal is one uber talented musician in his own right. Probably due to growing up in a musical situation.
I was called into his management’s office after they heard about me from an A&R guy named Barry Squire. The way they talked to me, it was as if I already had the gig and the jam I was to get to was merely a formality. But let’s back up a little. Before I got to that point, the label sent me a copy of his CD. From the moment I heard it I was like “Fuck Yeah!” It was awesome songwriting and great songs, so I was stoked on getting this audition. Especially when most of the music I hear and was getting was less than exciting.
At the audition, I walked in knowing the songs front and back. However, Tal had such a presence about him that I got a little unnerved. It also didn’t help that I was the odd guy out, the rest of them were friends. What I didn’t know about Tal was that he was Mormon at the time. Thus had I had know I wouldn’t have brought the guitar I did. A guitar that had an image of Jesus on the front and back, but the back side Jesus wasn’t in good shape. I’m not religious (Atheist actually). Tal grilled me a bit about it as it is really arty, my dad did the art on the guitar. Of course Tal asked about my parents, where they were from, and such. It all came down to me spilling the beans about how they were Mormon, but got divorced and left the church…
To shorten this up, they liked my playing, but I was 2nd pick and didn’t get the spot. His manager called me a month later and told me, it’s not bad that you didn’t get the gig, Tal just fired them all. Regardless, I still dig listening to his CD. This was the big hit of the CD, though I feel there are better songs on it. Much like peanut butter on pancakes, it’s alright, but I prefer organic syrup.
She’s So High
She’s blood, flesh and bone
No tucks or silicone
She’s touch, smell, sight, taste, and sound
But somehow I can’t believe
That anything should happen
I know where I belong
And nothing’s going to happen, yeah
‘Cause she’s so high
High above me
She’s so lovely
She’s so high
Like Cleopatra, Joan of Arc, or Aphrodite
Da-da-da-da-da
She’s so high
High above me
First class and fancy free
She’s high society
She’s got the best of everything
What could a guy like me
Ever really offer
She’s perfect as she can be
Why should I even bother
‘Cause she’s so high
High above me
She’s so lovely
She’s so high
Like Cleopatra, Joan of Arc, or Aphrodite
Da-da-da-da-da
She’s so high
High above me
She calls to speak to me
I freeze immediately
‘Cause what she says sounds so unreal
‘Cause somehow I can’t believe
That anything should happen
I know where I belong
And nothing’s going to happen, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
‘Cause she’s so high
High above me
She’s so lovely
She’s so high
Like Cleopatra, Joan of Arc, or Aphrodite
Oh, yeah
She’s so high
High above me
Songwriter(s):Tal Bachman
Copyright:Bachman & Sons Music, Emi Blackwood Music Inc.
Thanks for stopping by and reading about my brush with Tal and his song She’s So High. Enjoy!
– Jody
There are times in a musician’s life when his or her mind gets blown. It usually happens when a trusted musician friend turns them on to a band and really gets them to listen. For me, I got the two prong approach from two separate groups of friends when it came to Jellyfish. I’ve chosen to introduce you to He’s My Best Friend by Jellyfish today as part of Throwback Thursday all because it came on in the car last night as I was driving.
The Backstory
Initially I was introduced to Jellyfish by a group of musician friends in Las Vegas. I didn’t give Jellyfish an adamant listen until I got schooled on their entire catalog by Jeff Scott Soto. At that point I became a huge fan of a band who had already parted ways by the time I had heard about them. What a drag. Their songwriting prowess is astounding. Pure amazing musical goodness that is easily on par with the likes of the Beatles.
He’s My Best Friend
It seems so inconceviable
At thirteen we shooks hands but we’ve
Been always inseparable
He’s cinnamon on my toast we’re so
CloseThat’s not to say we haven’t had our
Share of arguments
He’s so unpredictable he winks
Acknowledgments
When i would rather he closed his eye
Than push me asideMy hand’s a five leaf clover
It’s palm sunday over and over
I never had the luck of swingers
Till i was wrapped around your fingerHe’s my best friend
He’s my best friend
He’s my best friend
I’m his best friend
He’s my best friendYou don’t need a brain to have a
Stroke of genius
Or a beautiful girl to let down
Your curls
Cause growing up is hard enough
When your a powderkeg for
Powderpuffs
(whether we’re stayin’ in or hanging out)
I’d never ask another on a date to
The ball
He doesn’t need a rubber sweater or
Alcohol
Cause he gets tipsy from exchanging looks
And a little misty reading sticky
Blue dirty booksBut he’s my best friend
He’s my best friend
I’m his best friend
He’s my best friend
My hand’s a five leaf clover
It’s palm sunday over and over
I never had the luck of swingers
Till i was wrapped around your finger
He’s my best friend
(we could hold hands for hours)
He’s my best friend
(in the bedroom or shower)
He’s my best friend
(i pick him up when he’s feelin down)
He’s my best friend
(i guess he’s always been hangin around)
He’s my best friend
(he gets lonely now and then)
He’s my best friend
(and he gets shy around another men)
I’m his best friend
(it seems i’ve reached the end of my best friend)
We never stop learning, however when I was learning to initially play guitar, I was really into guitar oriented music. One of my favorite guitarists was Zakk Wylde. Which led me to Ozzy Ozbourne and his impressive stable of guitar players over the course of his career. Today I’m looking back at a song that I really liked from a musical standpoint and a lyrical standpoint.
The song is Hero by Ozzy Ozbourne as it comes from No Rest For The Wicked. I couldn’t find an official video, but here’s a YouTuber’s upload of it. The way the guitar defines and moves this song is so awesome that it still strikes me years later. Everything about how the melody is working on the opening instrument to the powerful punch of the guitars setting a very crunchy base for the rest of song to latch on to, it’s a song that didn’t get a lot of attention but certainly deserved it from a songwriting perspective. At least that was my love of it.
Being that I’ve written a different type of Hero song, that has a similar concept of hey – I’m not really a hero, I thought it would be a good idea to post the lyrics as well.
Hero
I don’t want to be a hero
I don’t want to ever let you down
No, I don’t want to let you down
I could try to take you higher
But I don’t want to wear a broken crown
You know it brings me down
Don’t think you’ll ever understand me
I don’t even understand me
Don’t have the power to annoint you
And I don’t want to disappoint
The fools no more
The fools no more
I couldn’t answer all your questions
And if you’re lost I couldn’t find your way
I couldn’t find your way
You know you have to face the music
You changed your tune and don’t know what to play
So don’t you run away
Everybody’s talking crazy
Some think I am a devil maybe
I don’t want to hear about it
Don’t want to have to scream and shout
At fools no more
The fools no more
So, I don’t want to be a hero
Don’t want to sit upon your crippled throne
I’ve got a life of my own
I am not your destination
Or a road that’s gonna lead you home
So, baby please don’t go
Please don’t go
Please don’t go
Please don’t go
Please don’t go
Please don’t go
Please don’t go
Please don’t go
Please don’t go
Writer: OSBOURNE, OZZY/WYLDE, ZAKK/SINCLAIR, JOHN/CASTILLO, RANDY
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
I must be feeling heroic in a way as I’m calmly working towards my next step in music. Finished a trailer for spec yesterday, that I’ve already been told is really awesome. We’ll see how it turns out.
For today’s throwback thursday I’m going back only a short bit. Mostly because I’m digging on these words which make up rolling in the deep that were created and the voice that gave them power. That’s right, lets relive a little magic created by Ms. Adele. Man what a voice. Maybe it’s because she’s British. More likely it’s because she’s seriously talented. The two together are a potent combo. Don’t you agree?
Rolling In The Deep
There’s a fire starting in my heart
Reaching a fever pitch and it’s bring me out the dark
Finally, I can see you crystal clear
Go ahead and sell me out and I’ll lay your ship bare
See how I’ll leave with every piece of you
Don’t underestimate the things that I will do
There’s a fire starting in my heart
Reaching a fever pitch and it’s bring me out the dark
The scars of your love remind me of us
They keep me thinking that we almost had it all
The scars of your love, they leave me breathless
I can’t help feeling
We could have had it all
(You’re gonna wish you never had met me)
Rolling in the deep
(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)
You had my heart inside of your hands
(You’re gonna wish you never had met me)
And you played it to the beat
(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)
Baby, I have no story to be told
But I’ve heard one on you and I’m gonna make your head burn
Think of me in the depths of your despair
Make a home down there as mine sure won’t be shared
The scars of your love remind me of us
(You’re gonna wish you never had met me)
They keep me thinking that we almost had it all
(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)
The scars of your love, they leave me breathless
(You’re gonna wish you never had met me),
I can’t help feeling,
(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)
We could have had it all,
(You’re gonna wish you never had met me)
Rolling in the deep
(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)
You had my heart inside of your hands
(You’re gonna wish you never had met me)
And you played it to the beat
(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)
Could have had it all
Rolling in the deep
You had my heart inside of your hands
But you played it with a beating
Throw your soul through every open door
Count your blessings to find what you look for
Turn my sorrow into treasured gold
You’ll pay me back in kind and reap just what you’ve sown
(You’re gonna wish you never had met me)
We could have had it all
(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)
We could have had it all
(You’re gonna wish you never had met me)
It all, it all, it all
(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)
We could have had it all
(You’re gonna wish you never had met me)
Rolling in the deep
(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)
You had my heart inside of your hands
(You’re gonna wish you never had met me)
And you played it to the beat
(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)
We could have had it all
(You’re gonna wish you never had met me)
Rolling in the deep
(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)
You had my heart inside of your hands
(You’re gonna wish you never had met me)
But you played it,
You played it,
You played it,
You played it to the beat.
Songwriter(s):Paul Epworth, Adele Laurie Blue Adkins
Do I imagine that I’d ever do a cover of this? No. Not likely. However, I won’t rule it out – but I’d rather just enjoy Adele and the way she imagined it.
Umbrella
A couple of years back I used to be vigilant with a blog called Single of the Day. One day I featured an artist by the name of Jennings who did a cover of the infamous song by Rihanna and Jay-Z called Umbrella. Right here I’m posting one of the two videos I could find on YouTube by Mary Jennings, both of which are live performances and not the album recorded version I have in my collection. Either way it’s still a great rendition that I prefer over any other version I’ve heard.
Lyrics:
You had my heart, and we’ll never be worlds apart
Maybe in magazines, but you’ll still be my star
Baby ’cause in the dark, you can’t see shiny cars
And that’s when you need me there
With you, I’ll always share
Because when the sun shines, we’ll shine together
Told you I’ll be here forever
Said I’ll always be your friend
Took an oath, I’ma stick it out to the end
Now that it’s raining more than ever
Know that we’ll still have each other
You can stand under my umbrella
You can stand under my umbrella
(Ella ella, ay ay ay)
Under my umbrella
(Ella ella, ay ay ay)
Under my umbrella
(Ella ella, ay ay ay)
Under my umbrella
(Ella ella, ay ay ay ay, ay ay)
These fancy things will never come in between
You’re part of my entity, here for infinity
When the war has took its part
When the world has dealt its cards
If the hand is hard, together we’ll mend your heart
Because when the sun shines, we’ll shine together
Told you I’ll be here forever
[- From: http://www.elyrics.net -]
Said I’ll always be your friend
Took an oath, I’ma stick it out to the end
Now that it’s raining more than ever
Know that we’ll still have each other
You can stand under my umbrella
You can stand under my umbrella
(Ella ella, ay ay ay)
Under my umbrella
(Ella ella, ay ay ay)
Under my umbrella
(Ella ella, ay ay ay)
Under my umbrella
(Ella ella, ay ay ay ay, ay ay)
You can run into my arms
It’s okay, don’t be alarmed, come in to me
There’s no distance in between our love
So go on and let the rain pour
I’ll be all you need and more
Because when the sun shines, we’ll shine together
Told you I’ll be here forever
Said I’ll always be your friend
Took an oath, I’ma stick it out to the end
Now that it’s raining more than ever
Know that we’ll still have each other
You can stand under my umbrella
You can stand under my umbrella
(Ella ella, ay ay ay)
Under my umbrella
(Ella ella, ay ay ay)
Under my umbrella
(Ella ella, ay ay ay)
Under my umbrella
(Ella ella, ay ay ay ay, ay ay)
It’s raining, raining
Ooh baby, it’s raining, raining
Baby, come in to me
Come in to me
It’s raining, raining
Ooh baby, it’s raining, raining
You can always come here to me
Come in to me
It’s pouring rain, it’s pouring rain
Come in to me, come in to me
It’s pouring rain, it’s pouring rain
Come in to me, come in to me
Songwriter(s):Terius Nash, Shawn Carter