One of the many funny scenes in the 1983 film Vacation is when Chevy Chase recklessly drives alongside the blonde in the convertible, almost losing control (in more ways than one), before things calm down and his oblivious wife finally realizes something just happened. He then sings "Love For Sale" to himself, while she glares … Continue reading That Scandalous Song
Category: Anatomy of a Song
Lionel Hampton And Illinois Jacquet Shared Signature Song
Signature songs are a long-time tradition in the world of music. Almost every musician or group that has ever managed to attain a measure of fame can point to one special song that became their best known and most loved by fans. But in at least one instance, a song became the signature for two … Continue reading Lionel Hampton And Illinois Jacquet Shared Signature Song
Limehouse Blues – A Jazz Classic
Sometimes my curiosity draws me to a particular song that seems to have an interesting name and maybe an intriguing history, and when I dig into it I often find a fascinating story. A good example is the jazz standard "Limehouse Blues," which has been recorded by just about everybody from Duke Ellington to Django … Continue reading Limehouse Blues – A Jazz Classic
Picnics And Music – The Curious Case Of ‘Moonglow’
In the aftermath of the holiday weekend and the many activities enjoyed by folks, my thoughts turned to the musical side of picnics, and that led me to one of the most interesting pairings in music. It's the curious case of an old standard that became so closely identified with a movie theme that the … Continue reading Picnics And Music – The Curious Case Of ‘Moonglow’
A Soldier’s Song With A Message
A 'recitation' song that first rose to popularity in the period following World War II, the deceptively titled "Deck Of Cards" actually carried a religious theme. It told the story of a young soldier trying to explain why he's playing cards during a church service. The song has reappeared from time to time in the … Continue reading A Soldier’s Song With A Message
Chattanooga Has Inspired Classic Songs
I've always been a train buff, and since I'm also a fan of big-band music it stands to reason that one of my favorite songs of all time would be Glenn Miller's "Chattanooga Choo-Choo." I especially like the long version, which includes a 'jive' reprise. That performance, which features an 18 year-old Dorothy Dandridge and … Continue reading Chattanooga Has Inspired Classic Songs
Laura Lives On – Musically
Sometimes movies -- even classics -- end up being less remembered than the music contained within. A good example is the 1944 film, Laura, which is considered one of the best cinematic mysteries ever made and still has many fans, but probably isn't remembered as much as its timeless theme song. When producer/director Otto Preminger … Continue reading Laura Lives On – Musically
A Porcine Song With A Message
We can all understand the importance of self-reliance, but how we express the need to take care of ourselves can sometimes be a little baffling to those unfamiliar with a particular idiom. A good example is an expression that's been around for many generations, one that has become so firmly entrenched that it has even … Continue reading A Porcine Song With A Message
Nagasaki — The Song, Not The City
For the last sixty-plus years, the name Nagasaki has stirred thoughts of a city in Japan with a history that includes being the site of the last wartime use of a nuclear device. But in the pre-war years, jazz fans probably most often thought of it as the title of one of the most popular … Continue reading Nagasaki — The Song, Not The City
Mule Skinners – From Jimmie Rodgers To Van Morrison
Sometimes you hear a song that seems to be sort of a lightweight - or even silly - but it just grabs you and hangs on in a way that other tunes can't match. "Mule Skinner Blues" by the Fendermen is exactly that for me. It tickles my fancy every time I hear it (and … Continue reading Mule Skinners – From Jimmie Rodgers To Van Morrison
Geezer Music Club 