IdRatherBeSkiing's Top 20 (Sunday, June 21st, 2020 version)

[sadchild]

And taking the concept outside of the US....

“Shiny Happy People” was the second single from REM’s Out Of Time album. It was inspired by a Chinese propaganda poster that the government there released after the infamous bloody Tienanmen Square Massacre in 1989. It was being used to promote importance of Chinese workers and soldiers and gave the impression of China as a utopia.

Michael Stipe’s lyrics, written over what he called “the stupidest song that sounded so buoyant and weird”, were intended to be an ironic commentary on the government’s propaganda campaign. But the irony was lost on most fans – who view it as simply an upbeat and fun song.

However, I defy anyone to find anything in the lyrics that make that irony and sarcasm clear. Maybe they started out with that concept, but the final product contains nothing but a message of shinyness and happyness and peopleness - nothing about massacreness or governmentness.

 

[HecticArt]

 

[scotchandcigar]

However, I defy anyone to find anything in the lyrics that make that irony and sarcasm clear. Maybe they started out with that concept, but the final product contains nothing but a message of shinyness and happyness and peopleness - nothing about massacreness or governmentness.

Maybe just knowing REM, it's got to be ironic. I thought I heard someone say that they decided not to play that song on tours a while back. I actually like the song, especially with Kate Pearson from the B-52s.

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

One of my cassettes was recorded cassette to cassette. My Lloyd's one wouldn't record anymore so I bought a second and recorded from the Lloyds to the recorder. The problem was it turned the tape a bit too fast. So when I played it back all the music was a bit slow. I got used to it. When I heard the same songs on the radio they seemed too up tempo to me. Kids today don't experience the sheer joys of hardware failure and limitations.

Today's cassette is this cassette. Now at full speed in iTunes. My unanswered question is why I felt buying albums on cassette was such a good idea.

Cassette J
Side 1
Run Run Away - Slade
My Oh My - Slade
Raspberry Beret - Prince
(You're A) Strange Animal - Gowan
The Boys Of Summer - Don Henley
Walk of Life - Dire Straits
In a Big Country - Big Country
We Belong - Pat Benatar
We're Not Gonna Take It - Twisted Sister
Girls Just Want to Have Fun - Cyndi Lauper
Go Insane - Lindey Buckingham

Side 2
Johnny Can't Read - Don Henley
Dirty Laundry - Don Henley
We Run - Strange Advance
Don't You (Forget About Me) - Simple Minds
Had a Dream (Sleeping With the Enemy) - Roger Hodgeson
Summer of '69 - Bryan Adams
The Warrior - Scandal
Break My Stride - Matthew Wilder
Teacher Teacher - Rockpile
Can't Fight This Feeling - REO Speedwagon

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

I also heard that cassettes are making a comeback. Not the blank ones, the pre-recorded ones. This makes no sense. I can see why some people will like the vinyl. It is true analog sound without digital artifacts (at least on the playback side). But the cassette has no redeeming qualities. It's only good quality was it's ability to record and there are many devices that do better than that now. Why would you buy a cassette today with an album already recorded on it? Most people don't even have a pencil handy anymore for when trouble arises.

 

[scotchandcigar]

I also heard that cassettes are making a comeback. Not the blank ones, the pre-recorded ones. This makes no sense. I can see why some people will like the vinyl. It is true analog sound without digital artifacts (at least on the playback side). But the cassette has no redeeming qualities. It's only good quality was it's ability to record and there are many devices that do better than that now. Why would you buy a cassette today with an album already recorded on it? Most people don't even have a pencil handy anymore for when trouble arises.

If you really can't stand digital, and demand to hear analog in a portable setting, you can't play a vinyl record in (most) cars, so the cassette would be the only (very stupid) option.

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

If you really can't stand digital, and demand to hear analog in a portable setting, you can't play a vinyl record in (most) cars, so the cassette would be the only (very stupid) option.

They could bring back the 8-track.

 

[scotchandcigar]

They could bring back the 8-track.

The best part is when it would change tracks right in the middle of a song.

 

[sadchild]

Go Insane - Lindey Buckingham

So good!

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

Today's Top 10 is probably one of the 80s most underrated artists: Pat Benatar. I cannot believe she is not in the RRHOF and non rock "artists" like Whiney Houston are. I find it hard to knock it down to 10. I have also included the honourable mentions.

Honourable Mentions (no particular order):
Love Is a Battlefield
Shadows In The Night
Hell Is for Children
Little Too Late
Everybody Lay Down
I Need a Lover (while I dislike the JCM original, I like her version)
My Clone Sleeps Alone
Promises in the Dark
Sex As A Weapon
Invincible (Theme from "The Legend Of Billie Jean")

Top 10:
10. Cool Zero
9. All Fired Up
8. We Belong
7. Fire and Ice
6. Heartbreaker
5. Treat Me Right
4. We Live for Love
3. Rated X
2. Hit Me With Your Best Shot
1. You Better Run

 

[sadchild]

It is hard to believe Pat Benatar still isn't in the Rock Hall

1. Love Is A Battlefield
2. Hell Is For Children
3. Hit Me with Your Best Shot
4. Invincible
5. Shadows Of The Night

 

[scotchandcigar]

She's a great talent, and her songs rock. My favorites

Promises in the Dark
Love is a Battlefield
We Live for Love
Heartbreaker

 

[HecticArt]

I've seen her play a couple of times. The last time was a gig with the symphony.
It was an interesting (in a good way) way to hear the songs live. Neil is kind of underrated as a guitar player & composer.

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

Today a cassette. I think this was recorded at least 3-4 years after cassette J. New equipment. (My adult stereo system) so proper speed. I was already settled into Toronto. This would also have been the first tape recorded off the new fangled media known as "The Compact Disc". I am not sure how many more I will share. From this point on they get increasingly planned which in looking back takes some of the fun out of it.

Cassette K
Side 1
Born to Be Wild - Steppenwolf
Magic Capet Ride - Steppenwolf
Welcome to the Jungle - Guns N' Roses
Paradise City - Guns N' Roses
Sweet Child O' Mine - Guns N' Roses
Rebel Yell - Billy Idol
Rocky Mountain Way - Joe Walsh
I'm an Adult Now - The Pursuit of Happiness
Simply Irresistible - Robert Palmer
Change His Ways - Robert Palmer

Side 2
Everybody Have Fun Tonight - Wang Chung
Don't You Want Me - The Human League
While You See a Chance - Steve Winwood
Arc of a Diver - Steve Winwood
A Good Heart - Feargal Sharkey
An Innocent Man - Billy Joel
This Is The Time - Billy Joel
Seven Wonders - Fleetwood Mac
Big Love - Fleetwood Mac
When Smokey Sings - ABC
Sledgehammer - Peter Gabriel

 

[Jon]

Of course, the all-time champion of misunderstood songs is Born to Run, a song about getting the hell out of New Jersey, which Chris Christie wanted to make the state song of New Jersey.

Yeah, I can't imagine the state song including lyrics like "We've gotta get out while we're young!"

 

[scotchandcigar]

Yeah, I can't imagine the state song including lyrics like "We've gotta get out while we're young!"

Baby, this town breaks the bones in your back, it's a death-trap, a suicide rap. Come to New Jersey!

 

[sadchild]

Lotta great songs on Cassette K!

I just listened to the two songs I didn't know:

- Adult Now: Pretty good jam. I've heard that opening beat somewhere else, but I can't place it. Gonna drive me nuts.

- Good Heart: The two female drummers thing looks really cool, kinda like Prince with Wendy & Lisa on the keyboards. I can't take the singer though. I mean, he can sing - no doubt - but I just don't like the way he's singing, or the way he moves, his look, the whole package. And one of the guitarists looks really creepy too with that mustache. Looks like something you'd see in a wax museum. Gonna give me nightmares.

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

Lotta great songs on Cassette K!

I just listened to the two songs I didn't know:

- Adult Now: Pretty good jam. I've heard that opening beat somewhere else, but I can't place it. Gonna drive me nuts.

- Good Heart: The two female drummers thing looks really cool, kinda like Prince with Wendy & Lisa on the keyboards. I can't take the singer though. I mean, he can sing - no doubt - but I just don't like the way he's singing, or the way he moves, his look, the whole package. And one of the guitarists looks really creepy too with that mustache. Looks like something you'd see in a wax museum. Gonna give me nightmares.

View attachment 6470

I've never seen the video. Thanx for the warning.

 

[HecticArt]

I'm an Adult Now - The Pursuit of Happiness

I loved that song when it came out. That was another one we played back in the day. Super simple, but it was a lot of fun.

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

Today Top 10 (inspired by Scotch's thread): AC/DC

Lots of great songs not included of course.

10. Moneytalks
9. Big Gun
8. T.N.T.
7. Back in Black
6. Big Balls (guilty AC/DC pleasure -- the teenager in my is still lived)
5. Who Made Who (live)
4. Highway to Hell
3. Thunderstruck (#1 intro of all AC/DC songs)
2. You Shook Me All Night Long
1. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
(#1 & #2 flip flop regularly -- this is how it is today)