Music Monday: No Diggity

The best use of song in a Super Bowl commercial goes to Beck's Sapphire...



"No Diggity" by Chet Faker.



And who could ever forget the 1996 original by Blackstreet? The sound of my youth...

Flashback Friday

"Insane in the Brain" by Cypress Hill, 1993.



I love this song. When I hear the beat, it's the early 90s again and I'm a little kid. I had a tape of this song and would play it on my "boombox" in our backyard. Dance party!

Flashback Friday

"Sabotage" by The Beastie Boys, 1994.


Recently, I've been on a 90s music kick. The Beastie Boys takes me back to good memories from grade school. I can't believe it's been close to 20 years since the song was released. I remember having a Magic 8 Ball at the time and singing the lyrics "Your crystal ball ain't so crystal clear." How time flies...

Flashback Friday

Since today is Friday the 13th, I thought I'd select a song that I loved when I was... you guessed it, 13-years-old. Actually, this is a song that I admittedly still love. I feel as though David Gray is one of those "guilty pleasure" musicians. I'm sure many people feel that his music is on the sissy side but I happen to love his voice and appreciate his sentimental lyrics. I would have went to his concert when he was last in Pittsburgh but tickets were ridiculously overpriced. Apparently, when you listen to the adult easy listening crooners, the price you pay for a show is equivalent to the salaries of their upper middle class fanbase.

"Babylon" by David Gray, 1999.
*There is a live recording out there where you can really hear the crowd singing at the end, but I sadly couldn't find the video. I really love that version.

15 Years Later...

"Heaven" by Moonpools and Caterpillars, 1996.


This song was used in one of my favorite childhood TV movies, Wish Upon a Star. I always loved it but could never figure out the title or band name because the internet wasn't really around for me back then. I didn't know if it was a legitimate song or just made up for the Disney movie. It certainly wasn't being played on the top 40 radio stations. 15 years later and I finally found my answer! I was on tumblr and one of the users I follow posted a photo collage of the movie. This prompted me to watch a movie clip on YouTube and proceed to read the comments/Google for the band name. The internet never ceases to amaze me.

Flashback Friday

"Deja Vu (Uptown Baby)" by Lord Tariq & Peter Gunz, 1997.


This probably wasn't an appropriate song for a 12-year-old to be singing along to but I'm a North Sider. What can I say? I loved it!

Flashback Friday

In observance of New Year's Eve, I must choose "Champagne Supernova" by Oasis as my flashback Friday song. If you know me at all, you know that in my world, champagne is not only reserved for December 31st.

"My only regret in life is that I didn't drink enough champagne." -John Maynard Keynes

But long before I developed a penchant for the bubbly, I was listening to this song. I've always loved it. Hearing it now, reminds me of the days when I would actually call the radio station to make a request, then wait for it to be played. If I was lucky, the DJ would put our conversation on the air. What's the Story Morning Glory was one of the first CDs I remember asking my parents to get me for Christmas. I wish I still had it but sadly, someone stole my entire collection a few years ago.

"Champagne Supernova" by Oasis, 1996.

LOL!

While searching for a song for tomorrow's Flashback Friday post, I stumbled upon this comment under a video for Collective Soul's "December". A 3-year-old that knows typing, grammar, spelling and can make a philosophical thought? Probably not American ;)

Flashback Friday

"Breathe Your Name" by Sixpence None The Richer, 2002.



A few weeks ago, I was shopping for my vacation when this song came on over the store speakers. It stopped me in my tracks because I could only hear it faintly but it sounded so familiar. I could only hear the words "I can only breathe your name." Of course, I wrote these lyrics down (thankfully they aren't a common grouping) to look up when I got home. I hadn't heard it in such a long time. It's nice when you hear an oldie but a goodie. Oddly enough, this song was released in 2002. I can usually place a song within a few years of its actual year of release but I could have sworn this one was mid-late 90s. Kind of interesting. Oh, and enjoy the Twilight fan video, lol. It was the only one I could find on YouTube that would allow embedding... deal with it ;)

Flashback Friday

"Move This" by Technotronic, 1992.

This is one of the songs on "the soundtrack of my life". It instantly takes me back to my childhood. Dance classes, cheerleading competitions, skating parties, summers in the backyard... so many memories that I love! I used to sing all the words in my coolest neon stirrup pants and have the best time. This was the era of scrunchies and roller blades. It makes me want to get up and MOVE!

Baby let me show you how to do this... 
...Shake that body for me!

Gotcha!

15 years later and I finally figured out a song that has eluded me! After watching Scream at 10-years-old, I loved a particular song used in the movie. The acoustic cover of "Don't Fear the Reaper" by Gus was used in the scene when Billy is in Sidney's bedroom and she asks him to settle for a "PG13 relationship". It drove me crazy at the time that I couldn't figure out the artist or song title (no computer for me in 1996). It's amazing how things have a way of finding you after so many years. Thank God for the internet!

Flashback Friday

"I'll Be There for You/You're All I Need to Get By" by Method Man ft. Mary J. Blige, 1995.



I heard this last weekend while I was visiting my alma mater, WVU, for homecoming. It was played at my favorite bar, Bent Willey's! I hadn't heard it in a very long time. It put a smile on my face. An oldie but a definite goodie!

Flashback Friday

"Autumn Sweater" by Yo La Tengo, 1997 (but I didn't hear it until 2005)


I remember when I delivered my first radio news report in college, "Autumn Sweater" was the song that played into the segment. I wrote down the lyrics on my script and asked the DJ what the artist and title was. At this point in my life, I wasn't at all familiar with indie or alternative music. I consider this one of the songs that led me down the path towards the light. It was love at first listen!

It's starting to get pretty chilly in Pittsburgh. This weekend it's only going to be in the 40s... brrr! Autumn is most definitely my favorite season. I love my sweaters and I love this song! I thought it was apropos for this time of year :)

Flashback Friday

Taking it back to the late 90s this week...

This one puts me back at middle school dances. "Freak dancing". This was happening at Catholic schools (what were they thinking allowing this song to be played?!). Glitter eyeshadow. Tommy Hilfiger swag.

"Too Close" by Next. 1998.

Flashback Friday

"Sweat (A la la la la Long)" by Inner Circle, 1992.

This song takes me back to some of my earliest summer memories spent at the water park and/or pool with my family and best friends. Inner Circle was one of my favorite bands. I remember playing their tapes and CDs on my stereo and recording their music directly from the radio... oh, how times have changed! This is such a feel good tune for me... although the lyrics are a bit contradictory if you really pause to examine it (probably not appropriate for young listeners). When I hear this song, I'm 7-years-old again, on summer vacation from school and without a care in the world... :)

Flashback Friday

"Just Another Day" by Jon Secada (1992)
Yes, I went there and I'm taking you with me.
I loved this song when I was in first grade.
I still do. shhhh.

If this song hasn't already been covered by someone like The xx or jj, it should be.
I think it has major potential.

Amy Winehouse 1983-2011

I was terribly saddened to hear of Amy Winehouse's untimely passing. I was just listening to one of my favorite records of all time, Back to Black, on Wednesday. As I listened to Amy's gorgeous voice, I hoped that she would get herself together.

During my junior year of college, I constantly played Back to Black when I was driving around campus. I remember thinking that Amy was so supremely talented. I was excited that someone with so much soul was producing music for my generation. Her sound reminded me of the music I grew up listening to with my parents.

But unfortunately, like many of the greats, she is gone too soon. Rest well, Amy. Thank you for your gift of song. Your music will live on.

Flashback Friday

White Town. "Your Woman."



This song reminds me of the MTV show Daria (one of my all time favorites). I've always fancied myself as a cross between Quinn and Daria. I've got the red hair and love for fashion like Quinn but I like to think that I do have some intellectual/sarcastic/cynical tendencies like Daria. It's called balance and yes, I walk the line. But back to the matter at hand. This song was played in an episode of Daria in the late 90s. It got stuck in my head then and I kid you not, it never left. Every once in awhile, out of the blue, I will randomly start humming the tune of "Your Woman" in my mind. For a moment I'll pause and wonder where the hell it came from but then I remember. I question whether the individuals who choose songs for TV shows realize the power that they possess over other people's memories.