Stuff I’m listening to-Special Edition - Penny Marshall

Artist: Charles Fox and Laurie Maitland

Title: Making Our Dreams Come True

Lyrics:
One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight.
Schlemiel! Schlimazel! Hasenpfeffer Incorporated!

Stuff I’m listening to - Christmas Advent Edition - December 15th - Straight No Chaser

Artist: Straight No Chaser

Title: The 12 Days of Christmas
Why?:
A condensed Christmas carols for those who don’t have time for this.
I was distracted by a scotch tasting. Sorry for the lateness of this post.

Stuff I'm Listening To - Christmas Advent Edition - December 6th - After Hours

Title: An A Cappella Christmas - by After Hours

Why?: Like A Cappella? Listen to this. These guys are awesome. This album is great! I'm partial to "Feliz Navidad" personally. Also, bonus, they’re having a concert NEXT WEEK!! I encourage you to go. They’re entertaining and the concerts are a lot of fun. 

Like what you hear? iTunes

Stuff I'm Listening To # 14 - Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet

Artist: Shadowy Men on A Shadowy Planet
 
Title: Having an Average Weekend
 
Why?: Kids in the Hall

Stuff I'm Listening To #13 - Chemical Brothers

Artist: Chemical Brothers

Title: Let Forever Be
 
Favourite Lyrics: 
And how does it feel like to wake up in the sun
And how does it feel like to shine on everyone
How does it feel like to let forever be 

Why?: Though I can’t really pinpoint when I first heard this song, I do remember going through a period of being dismayed at the lack of real production value and quality in videos. Being a huge fan of Duran Duran, visuals are a huge part of how a song impresses on me. This video caught my attention and I enjoyed the effects. The song is catchy, the video mesmerizing. Enjoy!

Stuff I'm Listening To - Bonus Track - Cher

Artist: Cher

Title: If I Could Turn Back Time

Favourite Lyrics: 

If I could reach the stars
I'd give 'em all to you

Why?: Yeah, yeah. I know. You're all sick of this meme. But it's a great 80's tune. And it's timely (heh). Happy End of Daylight Savings Time.

Stuff I'm Listening To - Special Cat Day Edition

Artist: the Cure
 
Title: the Lovecats
 
Lyrics: 
😸We slip through the streets while everyone sleeps 
getting bigger and sleeker and wider and brighter 😸

Why?: Special Cat Day Edition: 😻

I always enjoyed this Cure song and video. It’s one of those many happy pop tracks that appealed to me. Since they are one of those staple/required listening goth bands from near the beginning of the movement and, I was a regular at Sanctuary, this and the rest of their library was always in heavy rotation. Not all goth needed to be so dark. This was one of those happy-go-lucky goth tunes for me. Happy Cat Day everyone! Adopt!

Unfortunately, there isn't much selection for the actual video, so here is a link to director Tim Pope's page, where the original official video is embedded but not shareable. 

http://www.timpope.tv/portfolio/the-cure-the-lovecats-video

Stuff I'm Listening To #12 - Duran Duran

Artist: Duran Duran 

Title: Rio

Lyrics:
Hey now (wow) look at that did he nearly run you down

At the end of the drive the lawmen arrive
You make me feel alive, alive, alive!

TL:DR: I like Duran Duran because they sound good, make good videos and the members are eye candy. Happy birthday Simon leBon

Why?: Happy Birthday Simon leBon, lead singer of Duran Duran. 

I’d been meaning to add some kind of commentary to my choices on this list but feel that my wordy posts get lost on most people.

Today I say “Well f that! This is my Facebook and I’ll prattle on if I want to!”

Why this song today? Well... it’s the lead singer’s birthday. Anyone who knows me knows they were a huge part of my life. I always appreciated the pop dancey music, the not-100% sure what he’s talking about lyrics, and of course, super gorgeous men and spiffy videos. 

Musically, I felt these guys have always been underrated by critics, but music is supposed to be entertaining. Just because it’s not a deep, thoughtful depressing look into all that’s wrong with humanity, doesn’t mean it’s not a great pop tune.

Bonus: Listen to the isolated bass. Don’t tell me John Taylor isn’t a talented bass guitarist. This baseline, for me, could stand alone. *Give me a moment, will ya? *fans self* 

Stuff I'm Listening To - Special Track - Arcadia

 
Artist: Arcadia
 
Title: Election Day
 
Favourite Lyric: 

Stretching my luck down the way
To your invitation stretching my body
Use your intuitive play
'cause maybe we have more play time than money

 
Why?: 
Other than the title being relevant for today, here was Duran Duran, gothified. This band spoke to me, the weirdness made sense and fit comfortably like a favourite old sweater, black sweater, covered in black cat fur.

Stuff I'm Listening To #420

Artist: Afroman
 
Title: Because I Got High
 
Favourite Lyric: 
I don’t believe in Hitler, that’s what I said, so all of you skins, please give me more head.  

Why: Recreational marijuana has been legalized. 



*Originally published on Facebookw without comments.

Stuff I'm Listening to #11 - the Dead Milkmen - Punk Rock Girl

Artist: the Dead Milkmen

Title: Punk Rock Girl

Favourite Lyrics:
We went to the Philly Pizza Company and ordered some hot tea. 
The waitress said “Well no, we only have it iced”. 
So we jumped up on the table and shouted “Anarchy!”

Why?: I just liked the song because it was catchy and fun. They seemed to have it in heavy rotation on City Limits on Much Music. 

*Originally posted without comments on Facebook.

Stuff I'm Listening To #10 - PiL - Don't Ask Me

Artist: Public Image Limited (PiL)

Title: Don't Ask Me

Favourite Lyrics: 
No more toilet paper, it’s gone just like the trees.
Do you like the taste of honey? Isn’t best without the bees?
Be careful what you’re doing - You’re messing up my life.
And if all this world’s a cake, then you took to big a slice.

Fun Fact: This song is almost 30 years old.
Why?: This was the first PiL song I’d ever heard. It was a happy sounding pop song about something terrible. Something I always seem drawn to. I was vaguely (hahahah) aware of the Sex Pistols at the time and one or the other was my stepping stone (heh) into Punk. I like Johnny Rotten. He’s opinionated and smart. I may not agree with all of his views, like the fact he likes the Donald (Trump) but he’s articulate and not a drooling idiot like his former band mate, Sid Vicious (whom I liked also, but for the fact that he was a drooling idiot full of raw angry energy). But Listen. The song, it was a warning. This song is almost 30 years old. We knew as far as back then about the mess this planet was in. And look where we are. Poppy happy sound, terrible message. Right up my alley. 

Note: This was originally posted to Facebook without comments. 

Stuff I'm Listening To #9 - Green Day

Artist: Green Day
 
Title: When I Come Around 

Favourite Lyrics: 
Well, I heard it all before, so don't knock down my door
I'm a loser and a user so I don't need no accuser
To try and slag me down because I know you're right
 
Why?: I seem to have a knack for enjoying revenge/break up songs. I think this song came out when I was reading something with many feels (read: I was probably reading Tron fan fiction and this song fit the situation very well). 

*Originally posted without comments in Facebook.

Stuff I'm Listening To: Special Track - RIP Burt Reynolds

Artist: Jerry Reed

Title: Eastbound and Down
 
Favourite Lyric:  
We've got a long way to go and a short time to get there. 
I'm east bound, just watch ol' "Bandit" run.
 
Why? In tribute to Burt Reynolds. The movie wasn’t a huge favourite of mine, but it was for most of my friends. The car is iconic and Jackie Gleason as Buford T. Justice is wonderful. I had finally watched the movie later in life and can appreciate the story and comedy from that era. Burt Reynolds was as iconic as the Trans-Am in the 1980s. He will be missed. 

*Originally posted without comments in Facebook. 

Stuff I'm Listening to #8: Queen

Artist: Queen

Title: Bohemian Rhapsody

Lyrics:
Is this the real life? 
Is this just fantasy? 
Caught in a landslide 
No escape from reality

Why?: Thanks Mike Myers and Wayne’s World. Head banging awesomeness. Later I would begin to really appreciate the structure of the music and the story told throughout the song. Love, hurt, anger. The best parts of art, poetry and music. What a brilliantly progressive song. Fun to listen to. Fun to sing along to. Freddie Mercury had so much presence and a true showman. I am sad that I only got into more Queen after his death. I’d watched Queen’s performance at Live Aid and I think I understood back then the sheer power and stage presence of Queen. I was enthralled by "Radio Ga-Ga" (My favourite song by Queen). I remember getting chills watching Freddie get all of Wembley singing along and clapping to that song. There's your proof of a phenomenal showman right there. 

(this was orignally posted on my Facebook page, without comments)

Stuff I'm Listening To #7 - the Cure

Artist: the Cure

Title: Friday I’m In Love
 
Favourite Lyric:  
You can never get enough, Enough of this stuff
It's Friday I'm in love

Why?: Because it’s Friday! I remember listening to CFNY’s premiere of this song. What I remember were a few angry Cure fans calling in to bitch about how this song was too ‘pop’ and how the Cure was betraying their song, style etc. I was something between a mod, goth and emo at the time. I remember being somewhat offended on behalf of the Cure. Really guy? You’re offended because you don’t like this song? Let’s see you go out and create some decent music then! Artists are allowed to have fun, which was clearly what the Cure was doing here. This whole album was ‘pop’ but what’s wrong with that? The Cure had no obligation to you to be moody and depressing. Fuck. Even Depeche Mode has happy songs. FFS, get a fucking life. Music is meant to be enjoyed. It sets moods and memories. If the Cure wanted to have a happy song, so be it. Go soak your head you pretentious goth-boy emo wannabe!!!! Fuck, they used to play Wham! at Skank (our affectionate nickname for the Sanctuary Vampire Sex Bar). And goths would dance to that and be happy about it. FUUUUCK! 

TL:DR: Pretentious ass calls in because band didn’t write 'moody woe is me' song. 

Note: This was originally posted on Facebook without comments.

Stuff I'm Listening To #6 - UB40

Artist: UB40
 
Title: Red Red Wine
 
Lyrics: 
Red, red wine, it's up to you
All I can do, I've done 
Why?:  A song from my youth. A song I can relate to as I’ve become older. Not quite ska, but the reggae inspired beats fit. It’s music from the 1980s. Do I need any other reason? 

Note: This was originally posted without comments on Facebook. 

Stuff I'm Listening To #5 - Time Zone with Johnny Rotten

Artist: Time Zone with Johnny Rotten
 
Title: World Destruction
 
Lyrics: 
This is a world destruction, your life ain't nothing.
The human race is becoming a disgrace.
Countries are fighting with chemical warfare.
Not giving a damn about the people who live. 
Why: Africa Bombaataa’s poignant lyrics, written in 1984 are frighteningly relevant still in 2018. I like the song. Angrily singable, like Rage Against the Machine.  

Note: This was originally posted without comments on Facebook. 

Stuff I'm Listening to #4 - Madness

Artist: Madness
 
Title: One Step Beyond

Favourite Lyrics (heh): 
Hey you! Don’t watch that! Watch this! 
This is the heavy heavy monster sound. 
The nuttiest sound around! 
Why?: Ska! Ska! Ska! I knew when I was young I was never going to fit into mainstream culture. At my heart I identified as a mod (and irony of ironies, here I am riding a motorcycle, married to a rocker. And even in subculture, I don’t quite fit in!) But I always loved ska. My kingdom for a James jacket... I miss that thing. :(

Note: This was originally published with video link and lyric choice only. 

Stuff I'm Listening To: Special Track - RIP Aretha Franklin

Artist: Aretha Franklin and George Michael
 
Title: I Knew You Were Waiting For Me
 
Favourite Lyrics: 
When the river was deep, I didn't falter

When the mountain was high, I still believed

When the valley was low, It didn't stop me

I knew you were waiting, I knew you were waiting for me 

Why?: In tribute to Aretha Franklin, I racked my brain. Of course “Respect” is a great song and would have been the go to for her. But in my own personal list of music and what it means to me, this is the first song I could recall from my youth where I knew who she was. She was that older black singer with a great voice and she’s singing a song with George Michael. I liked this song. The lyrics still speak to me. The songs I like are about love. This chorus is no different. But there’s momentum here. A desire to move forward because my lover will wait for me to reach these goals.

Note: This was originally published with video link and lyric choice only. 

Stuff I'm Listening To #3 - Pop Will Eat Itself

Artist: Pop Will Eat Itself

Title: Ich Bin Ein Ausländer

Favourite Lyrics: 
And when they come to ethnically cleanse me
Will you speak out? Will you defend me?

Why?:  In regards to the lyric above, after seeing some of the shit ‘Facebook friends’ post, I have my doubts. 

The song was dance-able. It made me realize anger could be enjoyable and directed into my dancing. I took pleasure in screaming out these lyrics on the dance floor. Some blind hope that they meant something. 

Fun fact: This song is 24 years old. 

Note: This was originally published with video link and lyric choice only. There was a lot of hate going on. Hate based on fear and it was a moment of just doubting some people who claim to be friendly, but after seeing some of their misinformed hate spewing across social media, I had a moment of, maybe I need to cleanse my friends list. Upon reflection, I don't believe them to be hateful, just scared. It's a sad world we live in sometimes. 

Stuff I'm Listening To #2 - Talk Talk

Artist: Talk Talk

Title: It’s My Life

Favourite Lyrics: 
Funny how I find myself in love with you. 
If I could buy my reasoning, I'd pay to lose.

Why?: Mark Hollis’ deeply emotive voice. The lyrics speak of a tumultuous relationship. Love, drama, and so much emotion. I think of my own love life and the song makes me nostalgic. Quintessential 80’s new wave. A little alternative, a little pop, a little weird (watch both versions of the video, but also animal documentary footage! It was as if they crafted a perfect video for my nine year old self. I want to know who do I write to to get my digital cable provider to give me the option of watching any animal documentary with the choice of David Attenborough, Lorne Greene or David Suzuki narrating and the choice to have the original soundtrack or Talk Talk... sorry I digress). Also, Mark Hollis is super cute in the second version of the video. Nobody said I needed deep valid reasons for enjoying music, okay? Jesus... I could go on for pages about this, but I'm not here to scare anyone off. ... k. I'll stop gushing.

Honestly, I’m saddened that it took me this long to start seeking Talk Talk’s extended library of music. I love their music and they’ve broken up. Also, this song is no longer a song about a human relationship in my life. I sing it to my Precious motorcycle often. I'll be sure to explain someday.

Edit update: December 31, 2018: So… when I posted this video, I basically dove headfirst into this band. Like… dove in… In my head, I’ve gone and married all the core band members several times, written their last names after mine… you know… going through my mid-life crisis by being a teenaged girl. It was Duran Duran the first time round. 

Pity my husband who had to put up with me listening to Talk Talk non-stop for about a month (and counting) and visibly cringes if I mention the name Mark (eeeeeee. OMG…. I love this man so much… eeee!) Hollis, Paul (automatically I had the hawts for him because he's the bass player! Plus have you seen him lately with his Rustin Man stuffs? Still adorable.) Webb and Lee (OMG... he's like, not wearing a shirt... and he's hawt! And why are drummers shy? Roger Taylor from Duran Duran... hawt... shy... gah!) Harris and anymore. I think the whole Talk Talk library, and beyond (I’m talking, Mark Hollis’ solo stuff, O.Rang, Rustin Man) is very much worth a listen. It’s really great stuff.

Edit update 2: March 1, 2019: So of course, you understand that this was written months before February 25th, 2019. The day the news broke I was beside myself. Like, seriously? I just got into you and you go and die on me?! But as a Firefly fan, I know what it is to be disappointed by things cut short and what heartbreak is. *Yes, that was a terrible joke. This is why I have kept my day job. Shut up.* Needless to say, it’s a great song still. RIP Mark Hollis. Thanks for making me feel 14 again. *sniffle*. 

Edit update 3: May 7, 2019: First... apologies to the band for instantly objectifying them. I blame unbalanced hormones (But... daaaaamn! Super talented and hawt... Sorry! It's Scotch this time you can blame. Hehe). And hey! I can post multiple links in my blog! Here is the second video: 

     
Note: This was originally published with video link and lyric choice only. 

Stuff I'm Listening To #1 - Skinny Puppy

Artist: Skinny Puppy   

Title: Stairs and Flowers
 
Favourite Lyric/Sound Bite:  
“Whatdya mean what happened? I just slipped down these damn stairs!” 
Why?: This was likely one of the first songs I’d heard by Skinny Puppy that pulled me into the world of the Goth subculture. It was this rhythmic noise. It was appealing to my teenage angst. It was dark and helped define my weirdness. I was happy being moody. This song was moody, creepy, strange and funny all at once. 

Note: This was originally published with video link and lyric choice only. 

Stuff I'm Listening To

Last year (August 1, 2018 was my first post... this post is backdated to help with content in respect to how the blog posts are put in order) I started posting links to videos of songs on my Facebook page that popped up during the last day or so that struck enough of a chord with me to inspire me to write a little blurb about them.

At first, the blurbs were just kept to myself in a little word file. Then I grew brave and actually started sharing my insane little blurbs which would be commentary about the song or some deep rooted memory that was attached to said song.

The point of me sharing was, in some way, tell my friends what I'm like. I'm a closet introvert. In all honesty, I'm not sure anyone knows me 100%.  My close friends and my husband probably know anywhere from 50 to 80% of who I really am. I say I'm a closet introvert, because most people don't know me. I'd been taught long ago, to get ahead in the world, I needed to be 'on'. It's exhausting. While it's not entirely an act, I'm much happier alone, in my own thoughts. Socialising is one of the hardest things I do every day.

This was my way of opening up a little more, in my time, in my space. It's been incredibly freeing. Also, it's part of a legacy to my nephew. I have no children of my own. So in my mind, I need to leave something behind. 

So I present the Stuff I'm Listening To ... Commentary included, unedited from their original word file / Facebook posts (unless for clarity). Posts where the blurb was previously unpublished have been noted.