Needles and Pins (#OriginalMyAss #7)

This was another shocker simply because I always considered this hit to be one the band’s signature songs.  This and that other song where someone starting using a swear word in the chorus.

NEEDLES AND PINS was released in 1977 as a cover by SMOKIE of the original recording from Jackie DeShannon in 1963.

I find it intriguing to watch the video and see how the men dressed back in the day and laugh at the ridiculous hairstyles they thought they had.  They look like a trio of Joker’s henchmen.  As I was conceived in the same decade, I suppose my Dad had a wonderful personality or didn’t follow the fashion at all.

You can listen to the original recording of the song here.  It’s actually been covered a whopping 10 times and ironically, most successfully, by The Searchers in 1964.

It’s you, it’s you, it’s you

In a world gone totally bonkers, it’s nice to know that certain things will always stay the same.  It even improves with time.

Like the love for my Wife.

There are millions and millions of people who struggle everyday with life and love, so the fact that I’m married to the most amazing human on the planet is not lost to me.  I’m absolutely blessed to have her in my life.  She’s my anchor, my soul mate, my best friend, my partner-in-fun (and crime) and one amazing mother to my wonderful children.

It’s you, it’s you, its, you (as sung by Joe Dolan), it’s always been you.

I am I said

Today I followed a prompt on WordPress that said: All about me.  I normally don’t do stuff like this but who can resist a heading like that.

So I did.  I wrote a post all about yours truly on that other blog… Ah Dad… thereby giving new meaning to Neil Diamond’s version of I am I said.

‘Cause look at me: “I’m the Captain now.”

Bohemian rhapsody

In being respectful to the country I find myself in today, Australia, where they are still celebrating the Queen’s birthday, what other option do I have than to pick a song from the famous band.

Let’s be clear, the ‘Queen’ I’m referring to is the actual one.  The one who rules a country.  The one who is close to a century old and probably wears her crown when she’s alone for I have not seen her with it recently.   So it’s not Freddy Mercury, Caitlin Jenner or those guys who stack fruit on their heads, wears a dress and sing I will survive like their lives depend on it.

The only decision I had was to pick a hit song.

I decided to stick to the classics, so let’s commence with involuntary headbanging as we listen to the beat of Bohemian Rhapsody as sung by Queen.

Stayin’ alive

Sorry I know I skipped a day, which is why I’m posting on a Saturday.  Let’s blame it on jetlag, shall we?  It is evident that I’m not the young traveller I used to be.

Anyhow…

You learn something new everyday, like the fact that the Bee Gees first gained popularity in Australia after moving there in the late fifties.  I discovered this interesting little titbit as I was trying to find a song that would celebrate my arrival on this big Island.  Sorry, I meant to say little continent.

The weather in Brisbane is phenomenally better than that of Auckland.  If only for it not raining.  So here to commemorate my latest trip to Australia, let’s drink to Stayin’ Alive as sung by the band where the lead singer is a guy wearing very tight underpants, aka Bee Gees.

Tight underpants is a requirement for singing those high falsetto notes.  Ask Adam Levine.

Bridge over troubled water

Isn’t life ironic? And absolutely hilarious?  And strange?

I Just read an article where Art Garfunkel called his long time collaborator, Paul Simon, amongst other things a “monster”, “jerk” and “idiot” for leaving him in 1970 at the height of the duo’s career.  This break-up happened shortly after the release of Bridge over troubled water which, not only charted globally, but also brought home a few Grammy’s.

Simon went on to bigger things and Garfunkel became a math teacher.  No lies.  You can read the interview here.  Now this semi-rant might be legit and warranted, or it may be just a few sour grapes.  What amazes me more is the fact that 1970 was 45 years ago and old FArt is still resenting the fact that Paul went and did his own thing.  Quite successfully I might add.  Talk about keeping grudges.

In any event, they obviously need to built their own little BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER as sung by the great Simon and Garfunkel.  Or as I am going to refer to them from now as “The Jerk and the Grinch”.

American Pie

It has been two weeks since my last post and for that I sincerely apologize. I had good reason though, I was out of the country, travelling through the US on a business trip and in between airports, hotels, cabs and many, many meetings I just couldn’t find the time to also post daily.  Which seems a bit ironic…

Anyhow, I had me some American Pie whilst travelling around the country as sung by Don McLean

Leaving on a jet plane

When words fail me, I turn to music.  Human emotion is the one thing all people have in common.  It’s nothing new or unique, everyone experience joy and sorrow at some point in their lives.  Everyone says hello and goodbye, but it doesn’t make it any easier.

So it’s an easy choice today, as I’m flying off to the USA on a business trip.  It’s not a great feeling, knowing that I’m going to be without my lovely Wife and precious kids for 10 days.  It’s gonna leave a hole that will only be filled upon my return.

Here’s John Denver who was also  “Leaving on a jet plane’  and had the ability of expressing the reality of it so perfectly.

Love is in the air

It’s amazing what 9 hours of sleep and a new haircut can do for you.  I feel good and according  to the Wife, I look the part too.

After a very miserable Tuesday where I was trying to recover from an even worst Monday night, I’m feeling like a million bucks today.  I’m smiling and people are approaching me again, for they understood that there was a serious risk of me biting their heads off yesterday.

Now I have a song in my heart and it’s the one I heard on my playlist this morning.  Which is why I’m sharing it…

May you all feel that “Love is in the air” as sung by John Paul Young.

I apologize for the extreme close-ups and the very small t-shirt.  They obviously didn’t have his size.

Fire

If the desire to hear a specific song that was blasting over the radio, forces you to check it out on Youtube as soon as you arrive at work, then you know it HAS to qualify as the song of the day.

May you all be inspired with fire today, albeit in your loins, in your heart, your soul or any other place where it burns and provides you with an energized spirit to face this day.

I have to apologize for the teeth of the lead singer…I didn’t realise dental plans was something that didn’t exist in the seventies…Not to mention choreography.

And how sexy are those outfits?  She must have recorded this video whilst on her break as a bank teller or customer service official.