Compared to What?

I was browsing YouTube when I came across John Legend singing Compared to What. I’m always amazed how a singer can change up a song and make it sound completely different. Compared to What is actually an anti Vietnam song, recorded in 1969 by Les McCann. Here’s some different versions:

John Legend

Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck

and of course, Taylor Hicks

And here’s the lyrics…no wonder Taylor could never remember them. Ha!!

I love the lie and lie the love
A-Hangin’ on, with push and shove
Possession is the motivation
that is hangin’ up the God-damn nation
Looks like we always end up in a rut (everybody now!)
Tryin’ to make it real — compared to what? C’mon baby!

Slaughterhouse is killin’ hogs
Twisted children killin’ frogs
Poor dumb rednecks rollin’ logs
Tired old lady kissin’ dogs
I hate the human love of that stinking mutt (I can’t use it!)
Try to make it real — compared to what? C’mon baby now!

The President, he’s got his war
Folks don’t know just what it’s for
Nobody gives us rhyme or reason
Have one doubt, they call it treason
We’re chicken-feathers, all without one nut. God damn it!
Tryin’ to make it real — compared to what? (Sock it to me)

Church on Sunday, sleep and nod
Tryin’ to duck the wrath of God
Preacher’s fillin’ us with fright
They all tryin’ to teach us what they think is right
They really got to be some kind of nut (I can’t use it!)
Tryin’ to make it real — compared to what?

Where’s that bee and where’s that honey?
Where’s my God and where’s my money?
Unreal values, crass distortion
Unwed mothers need abortion
Kind of brings to mind ol’ young King Tut (He did it now)
Tried to make it real — compared to what?!

(Music break)

Tryin’ to make it real — compared to what?

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals

Today, one of my friends introduced me to this song. She said to me, “This song makes me think of you.” I had heard of Grace Potter, but never really took the time to listen to her. Soooo wish I would have listened to her sooner. Now, this is soul.

I lost everything
I fell out of a daydream
At the door of a long lost friend
And I cried aloud
Without an inch of pride
I knew I had reached the end

An old and lonely man
Saw me sittin on the curb
He reached out an took my hand
He said I know your song
And I know your name
And there was a time that I felt the same

But it’s a low low road
You’ve gotta roll down
Before you find your way, my friend
And it’s a high, high hill
You’ve gotta climb up
Before you get to the top again

I held on so dearly
To the wrong things in my life
But now I see so clearly
I was walking into my own knife
You’ve got to get up off that street
Stop looking at your feet
And take a hold of something real
And this old man, took my hand
He looked at me and said, little girl, I understand

That it’s a low low road
You’ve gotta roll down
Before you find your way, my friend
And it’s a high, high hill
You’ve gotta climb up
Before you get to the top again

And there was a time that I thought that I knew it all
And there was a place that I thought I could call my own
But it all came crashing down and I looked around
And I knew that things would never be the same

Low low road
You’ve gotta roll down
Before you find your way, my friend
And it’s a high, high hill
You’ve gotta climb up
Before you get to the top again

It’s a low low road
You’ve gotta roll down
Before you find your way, my friend
And it’s a high, high hill
You’ve gotta climb up
Before you get to the top again
Cause it’s a low, low road
You’ve gotta roll down
It’s a low, low road

Her voice is simply amazing. For more info and tour dates, check out www.gracepotter.com

V is for vision…

Watching American Idol again brings me back to this idea of Taylor Hicks’ vision. Throughout the years, I’ve thought maybe Hicks’ vision was unfulfilled. I’ve started to think that I’ve been going about this all wrong…obviously it’s my vision of Hicks’ career that’s unfulfilled. I’m sure when Taylor was on top of the world, so to speak, in 2006, he probably wanted to over saturate the concert tour market, then do a cheesy part on Broadway, while releasing two mediocre CD’s and remaining the whipping boy of American Idol.

What I expected was this guy…so passionate about his music that he couldn’t control it.

That look at the end of Ain’t No Sunshine and Taking it to the Streets was hunger. It was hunger for respect, attention and validation. Was it really the look of Teen Angel or Beauty School Dropout?

I get that everybody makes mistakes. We all do it, however, part of growing as a person is recognizing your mistakes and not repeating them. What does Taylor Hicks need to do, you ask? I will give you my opinion.

1. Drop the Soul Patrol gimmick. He stopped for a while, then started back up again. It was cool at first, but then it took on a negative connation. Ugh.

2. Record a live album. This is where his strong suit lies. When Taylor is on stage, he is on. That cannot be translated in the studio. By live album, I don’t mean a two year old DVD of performances. I mean the tagging, the harmonica, even the guitar that he only plays part of the time, the messing up of the lyrics…all of it put together is an experience, and that’s what Taylor is good at selling. Invite some friends, Taylor.

3. Get back to singing the music that made a name for yourself on Idol. He needs to sing some more blues…he needs music that he can connect with, and that is what’s missing from the last two albums. Anybody can sing a song, but when an artist can make you feel a song, make your heart ache with the pain of a shared circumstance, that’s artistry. I’m not saying Taylor isn’t making my heart ache these days, but it’s for all the wrong reasons.

4. Start playing little clubs again. If your audience is in the Southeast, then play in the Southeast. Supply and demand, baby.

5. Be nice to your fans. Don’t charge for meet and greets, Taylor. Who does that? Yeah, I know…some people do. But seriously?

6. Keep your promises or shut your mouth until your plans are certain. Give the people what they paid for. Not just in concert, but on the fansites, too. The blogging? The vlogging? The audio blogs? No better way to not get respect than breaking promises.

You’re probably asking yourself, why does she continue to hang around? Not really sure at this point, except it’s kind of like gambling. You just know the next hand will pay big. I just think that one day that passion is going to return, and when it does, I want to be there to see it.

DISCLAIMER: All of the above is my opinion. The end.

Allison Iraheta

Wow. This girl has some pipes, no doubt about it. She also seems a little more comfortable being interviewed than she was on AI. Thank goodness. What’s really hard to believe is that her voice is only 17 years old.

Like the message of this song, too. Don’t waste the pretty on pain.

Dust it off, break it down
Get to what we’re talkin about
Do what we’re talkin about
Don’t try to hide it now
Why keep on working it out?
You keep on working it out

‘Cause I see how it’s putting you down
I just can’t be around
What you doing this for?
‘Cause the light in you started to fade
Don’t let it get away
Girl you’re worth so much more

Don’t waste the pretty on him
Don’t waste the pretty on pain
When it gets too much to take
Don’t give it away
Don’t waste the pretty on life
Soon it’s gonna fly on by
Whatever way you got to see
Don’t waste the pretty

Sit back and breath it in
Look at how lucky we are
Look at how lucky we are
This life we’re livin in
You got to follow your heart
You know I’m never too far

Away from the pain in your eyes
I can see your disguise
But it’s not too late
‘Cause I know you can turn it around
Don’t let it get you down
Don’t be scared, work it out
And listen when I say

Don’t waste the pretty on him
Don’t waste the pretty on pain
When it gets too much to take
Don’t give it away
Don’t waste the pretty on life
Soon it’s gonna fly on by
Whatever way you got to see
Don’t waste the pretty

And just incase you need reminding
Well you’re beautiful, beautiful, beautiful
And every noticed sin, you hide it
‘Cause you’re beautiful, beautiful, beautiful

Don’t waste the pretty on him
Don’t waste the pretty on pain
When it gets too much to take
Don’t give it away
Don’t waste the pretty on life
Soon it’s gonna fly on by
Whatever way you got to see
Don’t waste the pretty

Don’t waste the pretty
Don’t waste the pretty
Don’t, don’t waste the pretty
Don’t waste the pretty
Don’t waste the pretty
Don’t , don’t waste the pretty
Don’t waste the pretty
Don’t waste the pretty
(Yeah you’re beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful)
Don’t waste the pretty
Don’t waste the pretty
Don’t, don’t waste the pretty
Don’t waste the pretty
Don’t waste the pretty
Don’t , don’t waste the pretty
Don’t waste the pretty
Don’t waste the pretty

Why don’t you…

Me and my guitar play my way. It makes them frown.
But little pieces by the highway bring me down.
Mine is not a heart of stone, I am only skin and bone,
And those little pieces are little pieces of my own.
Why don’t you give me some love?
I’ve taken shit-load of drugs.
I’m so tired of never fixing the pain.
Valium said to me,
I’ll take you seriously,
And we’ll come back as someone else,
Who’s better than yourself.
Many faces at the doorway all hang round.
Watch me fighting in the hallway but make no sound.
So I’m standing all alone, and I’m only skin and bone.
So many faces but they all look out for their own.
Why don’t you give me some love?
I’ve taken shit-load of drugs.
I’m so tired of never fixing the pain.
Valium said to me,
I’ll take you seriously,
And we’ll come back as someone else,
Who’s better than yourself.
And some day soon they’ll drop the bomb and let it all out. Someday.
I know that someday soon we’ll all be gone so let it all out.
Let it all out today.
And give me some love,
Yeah, give me some love,
Come on, give me some love today.

We were the ones who saw you first of all…

One day your story will be told.
One of the lucky ones who’s made his name.
One day they’ll make you glorious,
Beneath the lights of your deserved fame.
And it all comes round.
Once in a lifetime like it always does.
Everybody loves you ’cause you’ve taken a chance,
Out on a dance to the moon, too soon.
And they’ll say told you so.
We were the ones who saw you first of all.
We always knew that you were one of the brightest stars.
One day they’ll tell you that you’ve changed,
Though they’re the ones who seem to stop and stare.
One day you’ll hope to make the grave,
Before the papers choose to send you there.
And it all comes round.
Once in a lifetime like it always does.
Nobody loves you ’cause you’ve taken a chance,
Out on a dance to the moon, too soon.
And they’ll say told you so.
We were the ones who saw you first of all.
We always knew that you were one of the brightest stars.
And they’ll say told you so.
We were the ones who saw you first of all.
We always knew that you were one of the brightest stars.

The lyrics capture me.

For some people, it’s the beat, the melody. For others, it’s the lyrics, the story. I’m in the latter category. A well written song always captures my attention and sometimes the lyrics just pop out at me. Right now, these won’t leave me:

You say
Love is a temple
Love a higher law
Love is a temple
Love the higher law
You ask me to enter
But then you make me crawl
And I cant be holding on
To what you got
When all you got is hurt

A talented songwriter can tell the beauty of a story in songs. Songs that don’t use cliches, but instead rely on imagery are my favorite kind. I am not the best at figuring out what a writer means in those kind of songs, but therein lies the magic of a wonderful song. It can be interpreted in several ways. Another favorite song of mine…

Any minute now, my ship is coming in
I’ll keep checking the horizon
I’ll stand on the bow, feel the waves come crashing
Come crashing down down down, on me

And you say, be still my love
Open up your heart
Let the light shine in
But don’t you understand
I already have a plan
I’m waiting for my real life to begin

When I awoke today, suddenly nothing happened
But in my dreams, I slew the dragon
And down this beaten path, and up this cobbled lane
I’m walking in my old footsteps, once again
And you say, just be here now
Forget about the past, your mask is wearing thin
Let me throw one more dice
I know that I can win
I’m waiting for my real life to begin

Any minute now, my ship is coming in
I’ll keep checking the horizon
And I’ll check my machine, there’s sure to be that call
It’s gonna happen soon, soon, soon
It’s just that times are lean

And you say, be still my love
Open up your heart, let the light shine in
Don’t you understand
I already have a plan
I’m waiting for my real life to begin

Sometimes, while the lyrics may be simple, sometimes the meaning is so much deeper.

Sometimes

Sometimes I feel like I’m alone in this life
And sometimes I feel you’re the moon on my tide
Sometimes, sometimes, sometimes

Sometimes I feel like you’re right by my side
Sometimes I feel when you see me you hide
Sometimes, sometimes, sometimes

Sometimes I feel like you understand
Sometimes I feel I’m a free man

Sometimes I feel like a fatherless child
Sometimes I feel like my mind’s out roaming in the wild
Sometimes, sometimes, sometimes

And sometimes I feel like you understand
Sometimes I feel like I’m a free man

Sometimes I feel like there’s no God up above
But sometimes the universe is like the backdrop to a simple act of love
Sometimes, sometimes, sometimes

Sometimes I feel like you understand
Sometimes I feel like I’m a free man
All because of a simple act of love
Simple act of love, love, love, love
Simple act of love, love, love, love

A simple act of love, love…alright.

Amelia’s missing..

Today’s obsession: Amelia’s Missing by Jon McLaughlin

I can’t find Crazy Horse, can’t find Hoffa
And Amelia’s missing somewhere out at sea
And I hope they’re happy, havin’ a party
And Elvis is servin’ them up green apple martini’s

I can’t find my watch
I can’t find my wallet
So how in the hell am I supposed to find?

The one that I love
The one that I need
Hidden so high
Buried so deep

Well, I found odd jobs and I found reasons
For all kinds of ways I can waste my time
And I found letters and I found leavers
And I found new ways just to tell old lies

I can’t find my watch
I can’t find my wallet
So how in the hell am I supposed to find?

The one that I love
The one that I need
Hidden so high
Buried so deep

Somewhere to run
Somewhere to go
And if I ever find her,
How will i know? How will I know?

‘Cause can’t find Crazy Horse, can’t find Hoffa
And Amelia’s missing somewhere out at sea

Just a beautiful song…

Indiscriminate Act of Kindness

When I first heard that this song was going to be on the album, I found the video for Foy Vance, the writer and original singer.

Honestly, I’ve been waiting for Taylor to sing a song like this since I heard Under the Radar. To me, it seemed like on The Distance, some of his vocals were lacking in depth and emotion. Not bad, just not quite up to where he could be. He’s obviously more comfortable on stage, and that comes across in his vocals on studio recordings.

So, yes, I ran to Target Tuesday to get this song and I was not disappointed. When I popped this into the cd player in the car, I knew I had found the gold at the end of the rainbow. This song requires, as Caryl put it, an intimate feel. These vocals have to be sung with emotion and passion to pull the song off. When I listened to Taylor sing it, it tore at me. He was able to transfer his emotions through this song, and that is a difficult thing to do for him in the studio.

People are constantly saying “Why do you stick around if you don’t like what he does?” This is the reason that I stick around. Because I know that Taylor is capable of this kind of performing. With this one song, he’s able to turn me inside out. It seems like from the buzz around Taylor Hicks land, I’m not the only one that feels that way. So, turn it up loud, and feel the song…really feel it. It is amazing.