Jody Whitesides

Tag: personal journey in music appreciation

How Queen Created the Ultimate Victory Soundtrack

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

2013-09-05
The Unapologetic Anthem That Still Gets People Talking

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

2013-08-29
The Musical Genius of Jellyfish’s “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
Close

That’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 finger

He’s my best friend
He’s my best friend
He’s my best friend
I’m his best friend
He’s my best friend

You 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 books

But 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

2013-08-01

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