Sometimes I hear a song and just smile.

Tonight I was diligently writing my latest blog (number 21) and Ticket To Ride by The Beatles came on. And I smiled.

It is beautifully simple track. Not pretentious.

I'm not sure whether I smiled because I like the track, or because it reminded me of my Mum who was a massive Beatles fan. I believe that she was a member of the original Beatles fan club. Does anyone remember when you had to join by post, rather than by facebook?

I also know that my Dad, who has never smoked, collected Beatles cigarette cards from all his mates to make up a big picture of the band for Mum.

Right, that was a touch more melancholy that usual. Tomorrow, I shall rock.

Number 20
Song & Artist: Lightning Crashes - Live
Album & Date: Throwing Copper - 26th April 1994
Nationality of band: American
Members at release: Patrick Dahlheimer (Bass Guitar - American), Chad Gracey (Drummer - American), Ed Kowalczyk (Vocals - American), Chad Taylor (Guitar - American)

YouTube:

My rant;

I have a confession to make. Sometimes I skip this track when it comes up. But only when I can't sit back, relax and enjoy the music taking me to a better time and place.

I have mentioned this before, but its my fucking blog so I'll mention it again. I cannot hear one second of this sensational track without being taken to the 1997 party at Matt P's place. It was a surreal moment where every part of my 18 years coalesced into one perfect moment, jumping up and down and singing this song with 15 other people and literally feeling the building move as we did so. I am still friends with most of the those people and probably always will be.

It also marked the last part of the make up / break up semi-relationship-type-thing I had with Aimie. Which in turn put me right off chicks in general for 2 years. There was the odd philosophical relationship with a goat during that time.... but that, once again, is another story...

Most of the time I can just enjoy this track for its own brilliance, sometimes I enjoy it for the memories, and sometime I just enjoy because it is my type of track.

Just a quick comment on the album, Throwing Copper. I think my brother Chris got it for Christmas 1994 and was listening to it all through our holiday in Whiritoa. I had picked up (I think) Kerosene Hat by Cracker, Twist by Dave Dobbyn, Smash by The Offspring and some others.  I remember asking him what he thought of the album and he said "Shit Towne is an alright track, and that's about it." Knowing Chris I figured I'd better give it a listen myself so I put it in the CD player in my car. This was when I had a Sony Discman with the suspension kit and cable with the cassette on it so it could be a car kit.

 

 

Anyway, enough of that, to the track itself.

It starts off slowly, but you instantly remember what it about to come. There is talk of placenta, angels, confusion, doctors, lightning and old people dying and then the pace picks up.

Then Kowalczyk unleashes a small piece of magic, The aaaangel closes her eeeyyeyeyeys....

Two minutes in and we pick up again. I can feel it.....

Two minutes 30 and we're up again, more power, more depth in the voice, (pale blue coloured eyes) and at three minutes we are fucking rocking ladies and gents.

We're into the centre of the earth and Kowalczyk's voice takes you away to place you probably aren't supposed to go.

Just before 4m and it takes a sadder clip, but then a roll of thunder chases the wind and we can feel it again. Music and lyrics combining for a monumental and deep moment that lasts and lasts and lasts.

There is no doubt that both singer and listener begin to feel it as this track pulses through to a short sharp conclusion.

The question remains, what does the term 'lightning crashes' mean? To me it always seems like this song is supposed be dark and awe filled. As if this track is the counterpoint to a massive life moment, and it happened at night, in a massive storm and you just can't get past it.

Bands: (multiple band entrys ARE counted twice)

11 - America
9 - England

Band Members Country of Origin: (multiple band entrys ARE counted twice)

40 - America
39 - England
2 - Germany
1 - Tanzania
1 - Australia

Decade Released

12 - 90's
4 - 70's
2 - 60's
1 - 00's
1 - 80's

Year Released

3 - 1991
3 - 1994
2 - 1997
2 - 1993
2 - 1995
2 - 1971
1 - 1975
1 - 1965
1 - 1979
1 - 1968
1 - 2006
1 - 1987


Genre:
7 - Alternative
4 - Grunge
4 - Rock
1 - Punk
1 - Glam Rock
1 - Post Grunge
1 - BritPop(Rock)
1 - Hard Rock

Number 19
Song & Artist: Welcome To The Jungle - Guns N' Roses
Album & Date: Appetite For Destruction - 21st July 1987
Nationality of band: American
Members at release: Steven Adler (Drums - American), Saul Hudson (Slash) (Lead Guitar - English), Michael (Duff) McKagan (Bass Guitar - American), Willam (W. Axl Rose) Rose (Vocals - American), Jeffrey (Izzy Stradlin) Isbell (Rhythm Guitar - American)

YouTube:

My rant;

The most dangerous band in the world, with the most dangerous song of them all.....

Firstly, I got into Guns 'N Roses the same way everybody else did. It annoyed the shit out of my highly religious mother (sorry mum, RIP). My father and her made Chris and I join a music club (buying 1 CD every month) so for the first one we chose Use Your Illusion 1 simply to annoy them.

The discussion went a bit like this:

"Turn that off, they are disgusting lyrics'
"Hey, you made me join the club, anyway, I don't hear the words, I only the music..."

Now then, to the track in question. I had really liked the track for years but one rainy day at home, Chris and I were hunting through the VHS's (Yep, that long ago) for something to watch and came across a movie called Lean On Me. We watched the opening scene of the PC 70's classroom slightly bored. But to be honest, neither of us could be bothered getting up to eject the tape. Then the second scene appeared and blew my fucking mind wide open. I strongly suggest you watch it. There are clips on YouTube, but they are a bit shit quality and are cut to ribbons.

Anyway, we watched the movie from the finish and felt like becoming an activist for black education rights in America. (Which lasted until we watched Star Wars and I wanted to be an X-Wing pilot....)

This is a deep song, with power that builds from the very start with the rushing wind in the back ground. Then the main riff start and lyrics paint a picture of desperation and suffering that the music follows closely, only leaving from time to time.

There is a beautiful introspective moment that lasts for about 20 seconds that must parallel the brief moments of lucidity in the drug hazed world the song is all about. The song then launches back into the doom and depression and builds to an impressive, powerful end.

I can't lie and say this is one of my personal favourites, but it is a great song with a great story and history.

One word sums it up. POWERFUL.


Bands: (multiple band entrys ARE counted twice)

10 - America
9 - England

Band Members Country of Origin: (multiple band entrys ARE counted twice)

39 - England
36 - America
2 - Germany
1 - Tanzania
1 - Australia

Decade Released

11 - 90's
4 - 70's
2 - 60's
1 - 00's
1 - 80's

Year Released

3 - 1991
2 - 1994
2 - 1997
2 - 1993
2 - 1995
2 - 1971
1 - 1975
1 - 1965
1 - 1979
1 - 1968
1 - 2006
1 - 1987


Genre:
6 - Alternative
4 - Grunge
4 - Rock
1 - Punk
1 - Glam Rock
1 - Post Grunge
1 - BritPop(Rock)
1 - Hard Rock

I am very sorry about the lack of posts.

I will admit a slight addiction to Skyrim over the past 6 months, but seeing as I finally slew the dragon in an epic battle I am now over it.

I may spend some time on my burgeoning alcohol addiction if i have the time, but for the meantime back to music.

There has been some movement on my top 100. Not a song I have released, but one that was to come. It is interesting to note that I remembered 'I Got A Girl - Tripping Daisy' as a sensational song from back in the mid '90's and had it pencilled in at around 90. Well after checking the video on youtube...

It appears that age is tricking me. While a serviceable track, it is about as welcome in the top 100 as Quade Cooper at Richie's birthday party....

Also, some noticeable movements on the top 10 of my itunes list.

1= - Far Behind - Candlebox
1= - Common People - Pulp
3 - Backwater - The Meat Puppets
4= - Flagpole Sitta - Harvey Danger
4= - American Music - Violent Femmes
6 - Saviour - Rise Against
7= - Sex and Candy - Marcy Playground
7= - Glycerine - Bush
9= - Instant Karma! - John Lennon
9= - Good - Better Than Ezra

Also, I have a new follower... Thanks Meagan!!