Jody Whitesides

Category: Throwback Thursday

  • Wolves By Big Wreck

    Wolves By Big Wreck

    Wolves Album CoverYesterday 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.

  • Harder To Breathe Sometimes

    Harder To Breathe Sometimes

    harder to breatheOh 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

  • NFL And Queen

    NFL And Queen

    we are the champions

    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

  • Why Don't We Get Drunk And Screw

    Why Don't We Get Drunk And Screw

    why don't we get drunk and screwLooking 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?

    YouTube player

    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

  • Best Of Both Worlds

    Best Of Both Worlds

    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 WorldsBest 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): Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony, Alex van Halen, Edward van Halen
    Copyright: Mugambi Publishing, WB Music Corp.

  • She's So High Beats Peanut Butter On Pancakes

    She's So High Beats Peanut Butter On Pancakes

    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.She's So High

    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

  • He's My Best Friend By Jellyfish

    He's My Best Friend By Jellyfish

    jellyfish - he's my best friend

    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

    Songwriters: Manning, Roger / Sturmer, Andy
    I’ve known him all my life
    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)

    Notice that they all line up in a line for the stage and that the lead singer is the drummer (Andy Sturmer) who is standing up at the set. That’s a fairly unique way to arrange a band on stage. I’m not familiar with anyone else that has done it. Added extra bonus points if you can actually figure out what this song is about. Definitely something most people and animals do on this planet.
    Enjoy!
    — Jody
  • Hero By Ozzy

    Hero By Ozzy

    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.No Rest For The Wicked

    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.

  • Rolling In The Deep Lyrics

    Rolling In The Deep Lyrics

    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 heartRolling In The Deep
    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 By Jennings

    Umbrella By Jennings

    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.

    Mary Jennings Umbrella

    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

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