Tunes Tuesdays - The Go Go's

It's a Tunes Tuesday this week. If you lived through the 80's--the neon clothes (that are coming back now), the big hair, the raised, starched collars--then no doubt you knew who the Go Go's were.

Fronted by singer Belinda Carlisle, who went on to solo hit fame, the Go Go's made you jump up and dance with hits like "We've Got the Beat," "Vacation," "Our Lips Are Sealed," and "Head Over Heels." Not long after the release of the Talk Show album in 1984, Jane Wiedlin left the group. Paula Jean Brown replaced her, but the group disbanded in May of 1985.

I recently heard Debbie Ryan singing a version of "We Got the Beat" for her new Disney movie, Radio Rebel. It reminded me how much I enjoyed the Go Go's while I was in high school The video below is from a 1982 visit to Solid Gold, with host Rex Smith.

Tunes Tuesday - REO Speedwagon

I still pop my REO Speedwagon Greatest Hits CD in from time to time. As far as greatest hits CDs go, it's the one I can say I don't skip any tracks when I listen to it. They're a fun band, singing songs about relationships and life.

In this live version of "Take It On The Run," I immediately picked up on how they were dressed. The lead singer--though with a t-shirt on--is wearing a suit jacket. Big hair aside, all the musicians look like average guys who you would feel safe hanging out with. It's a far cry from how many musicians dress these days in the "if you got it flaunt it" generation.

I was trying to explain to the Lil Diva (10) why the school district has put a dress code in place that doesn't allow tops with spaghetti straps or shorts or skirts that are higher than their fingertips, but she thinks it ludicrious. Even though she isn't a girl to wear those types of things, she's still bugged someone is telling her what is appropriate to put on her body.

But I digress, REO Speedwagon remains one of my favorite bands. Are you familiar with their music? Do you have a favorite REO song?

Tunes Tuesday

Tuesday is almost over, but I didn't want to say goodbye without posting something for Tunes Tuesday.

I don't know how many of you caught coverage of Whitney Houston's funeral, but I saw some of it. I watched the moving speech by Kevin Costner, her co-star in The Bodyguard. Much of what he spoke about makes you realize how easy it is for someone to lose their way. I'm going to miss what might have been for Houston, just like I hoped Michael Jackson would have had a powerful comeback. They were both lost too soon.

While Michael Jackson had been singing since childhood, I really didn't get into his music until the 80's when he released his Thriller album. Though I don't think I'll ever be a fan of zombies, I lived through the hype of Thriller and watched the video, along with those for other hits off the album like: "Billie Jean," "Beat It," and "The Girl is Mine," which featured Paul McCartney.

My favorite Jackson song, however, would come off his next album, Bad. "Man in the Mirror" peaked at number one in the United States when released as a single in January 1988. It was nominated for Record of the Year at the Grammy Awards.

"Man in the Mirror" was a call to action. It asked people to look at the person in the mirror and be the one to make a difference in the world; for the person you see reflecting back at you in the mirror to work toward bringing peace throughout the world and to help ease the suffering of those less fortunate. I believe Jackson wanted to be the type of person who made a difference. In the video for this song, you'll notice he only makes a brief appearance toward the end. When I think of Michael Jackson, I think of a man who had a lot to offer this world, but who ultimately, like Whitney Houston, was overwhelmed by his demons.




Do you have a favorite Michael Jackson song? Did you ever get a chance to see him in concert? I didn't, but I bet it was quite a show.

Tunes Tuesday

Perhaps I am like many of you. Whitney Houston and her family have been on my mind lately. Late Saturday evening, I sat down to check the news and was shocked to see that Houston had passed away. I don't think shocked quite covers it, actually. Floored, stunned, dazed, I'm not sure those even come close. If the news that day had stated David Lee Roth grew two extra heads and finally hung up his leather pants, I would have found that more believable.

I think it all boils down to my feeling deep inside that Houston had an amazing comeback in her future. Yes, she had a history of drug abuse, and she seemed to lose her way during the years she was married to Bobby Brown, but she was one of the most talented artists in the industry. I've spent the past few days viewing videos on YouTube from her earlier years. I've been listening to her music on Spotify while I work. She combined beauty and grace with an amazing voice. The way she carried herself also made her different from celebrities like Lindsay Lohan and Amy Winehouse, whose latest woes are/were always headline news.

For Tunes Tuesday I would like to honor Whitney Houston and her music. I've chosen this video because it's the first one I ever saw. In addition, I think it captures Houston how one report recently described her. While Houston had tons of sex appeal, it was always about the music. I have to go back to the grace and dignity that she exhibited to her adoring fans. In an industry that lately seems to focus more on the wild and raunchy, Houston stands out like Grace Kelly did on the silver screen.

We'll miss you, Whitney. Rest in peace.



Do you have a favorite Whtiney Houston song?

Tunes Tuesday - Anne Murray

This week's Tunes Tuesday is going to show you how old I really am. My mother loved music. Since she played it often, some of her tastes rubbed off on me. One of the artists she truly enjoyed was Anne Murray. Murray has a beautiful, deep voice that sang of love.

This has always been one of my favorites. I hope you enjoy it.

Tunes Tuesday

It's another Tunes Tuesday. Cue the cheerleaders!

Okay, I'm feeling a bit silly. I just got word from my publisher that the cover art for my next book, A Christmas Kindness, is in progress and an editor has been assigned to the project. I'm excited.

It's been a few years since I've attended a Gaithers concert, but it's always a good time. God has blessed them with such energy. I don't think I could keep up a tour schedule like they do. One of my favorite artists from the group is David Phelps. That man has the most beautiful voice. A couple of years ago, my husband bought his One Wintry Night CD. I keep it in  my car around Christmastime, so I can listen to it often.

My favorite David Phelps song is "End of the Beginning," which is included on his album David Phelps. I can't imagine anyone hearing this song and not being moved by it.

This video looks like it's one of the tours with the Gaithers. I think that's Bill Gaither changing seats in the background when David begins to sing.

Tunes Tuesdays

I realized as I was wandering through my mind for someone to feature this week, I miss the music of Robert Palmer. In a career spanning 25 years, he had an eclectic style. Even though I had hear some of his earlier hits--Every Kinda People, Bad Case of Loving You (Doctor, Doctor)--it wasn't until the mid- to late 80's I was really into him. Actually, I had a crush on him. What can I say, I was a teenager.

I liked the music of the group Power Station, where he teamed up with Andy and John Taylor of Duran Duran. Hits like Some Like It Hot and Get It On (Bang a Gong) definitely got you up and dancing. But I liked Palmer best when he was singing solo. Addicted to Love and Simply Irresistible are songs I still enjoy.

Compared to today's music and videos, Palmer's songs are tame. You can view the video for Simply Irresistible at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrGw_cOgwa8 One thing I noticed about him back then when I was watching him on MTV, and now, is how he's dressed. How many musicians wear a suit and tie these days? I think even Huey Lewis and the News gave that up. Oh my, I'm seriously dating myself.

What's your favorite Robert Palmer song?

Tunes Tuesdays

It's time for another Tunes Tuesday. I've shared a bit of my taste in music, but I would really love to hear from the readers this time. Who are some of your favorite bands? What kind of music is your favorite? Is there a genre of music you won't listen to or are you cool with whatever is on the radio?

Tunes Tuesday

I wanted to touch upon a contemporary artist that my daughters and I enjoy, but it seems a challenge for the modern-day mom is finding music that isn't vulgar or obscene, and whose video doesn't include nearly naked or totally naked people.

I settled on Selena Gomez and her song Love You Like a Love Song. While it's hard to not think every love song is about her famous boyfriend, Justin Bieber, I love Selena's upbeat music and how she still manages to keep things clean for her tween audience. Her racy wardrobe has some wondering if she's growing up too fast, like her Disney pal Miley Cyrus, but overall I think her music and look is staying true to her fan base.

Our daughters have danced to some of her music (Naturally, Round and Round) for recitals and their iPods are loaded with Selena tunes. It will be very interesting to see where her career goes from her. A talented actress and singer with her own line of clothing, it seems like the world is wide open for her.

Tunes Tuesday

Today I am starting a new feature called Tunes Tuesday. I'll be talking about some of my favorite tunes from growing up and current music hits. I hope you'll enjoy it and will provide me some feedback. If I can find videos to go with the music I'll add them.

Since I'm still in the Christmas mood, I thought I would start off with Trans-Siberian Orchestra. We see them in concert each year and they put on a wonderful show filled with music and light. If you ever have a chance to see them in concert, I highly recommend you do. The tickets are a bit pricey, but they are worth it. The first half of their Christmas concert is a story that speaks of an angel sent down to earth by God to find out the worth of everything His children had done since Christ was born. It's a moving story that travels the world finding love, peace, and kindness.

The footage from this concert, might be the one we attended, but it's not our video.



Have you ever seen TSO in concert? What do you think of this new feature?