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Posted Tuesday, March 4, 2008, at 8:12 PM
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Never before released to the public

Wigs told me this evening that I needed to write another article, so here it is.

There are many song lyrics that I just love to hear over and over again. Some seem to stay in my mind after I hear them and won't go away for days. For some unknown reason, the type of music that I listen to and have a great appreciation for doesn't often coincide with the musical genre preferred by the majority of my friends and family.

I've always thought that Willie Nelson wrote and sang some of the best music around and I have a tendency to listen to Willie often. A discussion came up the other day concerning some of the music that I had downloaded on to my computer and I had to confess that the first song I downloaded was one of Willie's songs entitled, "The Last Thing I Needed, Was The First Thing This Morning, To Have You Walk Out On Me". It is an emotional piece that just gets to me every time I hear it. Willie's "Funny How Time Slips Away" is just like a conversation between two old lovers, "Now that's the same thing that you told me/ and it seems like only yesterday/ Gee ain't it funny how time slips away".

During this past year, I had the opportunity to attend a Jerry Lee Lewis concert at French Lick. I've always been a Jerry Lee fan and was fortunate to get a ticket very near the stage to see the Killer in action. At 72 years of age, he can still play some music on that old piano. Jerry Lee plays quite an assortment of Rock and Roll, but I have always been fond of his ballads. One of my favorites has these captivating lyrics, "It's not her heart, Lord, it's her mind/ she didn't mean to be unkind/ why she even woke me up to say good-bye." If you think about those lyrics, you can't help but think that she must have been a special young lady.

Kris Kristofferson is another great singer/song writer who I often listen to in the privacy of my apartment. Kris, for those of you who didn't know, was a Rhodes Scholar, a helicopter pilot in the Army and once taught English Literature at West Point. Of course, he wrote "Me and Bobby McGee", Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down", "Help Me Make It Through The Night" and many others, but my favorite has to be "The Silver Tongue Devil and I".

My favorite singer/songwriter is a lady who I heard years ago in Central Park. "Is this a lasting treasure/ or just a moments pleasure/ can I believe the magic of your sighs/ Will you still love me tomorrow/ Tonight with words unspoken/ you say that I'm the only one/ but will my heart be broken/ when the night meets the morning sun". I think if you can own only one album, you would have to choose Carol King's Tapestry. I was fortunate to catch part of an interview with Carol and her husband on PBS a short time ago and I'd have to list her as the number one singer/songwriter who I would love to have the opportunity to sit and talk with.

This is just my music. Most kids today wouldn't allow themselves to be caught listening to my type of music and that doesn't bother me. What does bother me, and I think I've touched on this in the past, is the strange and somewhat mystical affinity that many of the younger folks now have for "Rap music". I have a theory about this phenomenon, which I thought I should share with you before I sign off. It is my honest opinion and after some exhausting research over the past few years, I have discovered that while these "Rap" loving kids were still in the womb, their mothers spent extended periods of time standing next to the microwave, while simultaneously talking on a telephone. Trapped in the womb between these powerfully disturbing electromagnetic-microwave forces during the most important formative growth periods of their lives, these babies never had a chance. The conclusion is obvious to me, and I'm sure it will be to the entire medical community, as well, once they have become familiar with my research. I'm convinced now that my thorough scientific investigation has proven beyond a doubt that this prenatal habit of synchronic fast food preparation coupled with exercises of uninterrupted telecommunications has resulted in many of these unborn babies suffering extensive loss of cerebral sensitivities and a total deprivation of tonal recognition. I've written an article on this subject and submitted for publication in the prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), however, to date; I have yet to receive a reply.

Comments
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I'm surprised Jimmy Buffet didn't make your list. Whenever I hear Margaritaville, I always think of you.

-- Posted by Chris&Jeremy'sDad on Tue, Mar 4, 2008, at 8:22 PM

One of the below song lyrics is from Notorius B.I.G's "Big Poppa," while the other is from the imitable Hoagy Carmichael's "Stardust."

My guess is that you'd be hard pressed to discern.

"Sometimes I wonder why I spend a lonely night dreaming of a song; The melody haunts my reverie, and I am once again with you."

"A T-bone steak, cheese eggs and Welch's grape; Conversate for a few, cause in a few, we gonna do; what we came to do, ain't that right Boo?"

Some songs just write themselves.

-- Posted by GarthHudson on Tue, Mar 4, 2008, at 9:03 PM

Buffet's on my list. Funny story about driving Mom to Florida a few years ago and playing a Buffet CD. When "Why Don't We Get Drunk" came on, she said she liked his music.

Good Golly Garth, if I didn't know Stardust so well, I'd have never known the answer. You couldn't type that without laughing, could you? It's a good thing that I'm a morning person, I could have gotten hurt laughing that hard at 5 am.

As you might have suspected, I've never listened to Notorious B.I.G. I do believe his Mom must have yakked on the phone for hours, while slow cooking his cheese eggs in the microwave.

-- Posted by simmons on Wed, Mar 5, 2008, at 4:29 AM

I listen to Willie, but I also listen to rap. I'm guessing my mom talked on the phone, but didn't stand close enough to the microwave.

-- Posted by EggMan on Wed, Mar 5, 2008, at 9:15 AM

I would be remiss to abandon James Taylor, Patsy Cline and Steeley Dan.

I would only listen to Rap if I wanted to degrade women, kill someone or do illegal drugs.

Have a great day!

-- Posted by Greene County Patriot on Wed, Mar 5, 2008, at 11:19 AM

Someone is showing their lack of knowledge again. Not all rap is degrading women, killing people or doing illegal drugs. If one were to actually explore the rap/hip-hop world they would find there are quite a few groups who are positive and very against the exact acts you referenced. Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't some of the greatest songwriters reference the use of illegal drugs?

-- Posted by EggMan on Wed, Mar 5, 2008, at 12:30 PM

Hey EggMan, please recommend a rapper and I'll try it, I can listen here on Rhapsody to just about anything. I'll try to be unbiased in my evaluation.

You're right; Willie, Kris and a bunch of these songwriters referenced the use of illegal drugs and of course, used them. Not here to evaluate and judge lifestyles, just listening to the music. I do judge music however, I either like it or I don't.

-- Posted by simmons on Wed, Mar 5, 2008, at 4:21 PM

Hey EggMan. Doe's your name come from the Beatles song I am the Walrus?

-- Posted by Wiglund on Wed, Mar 5, 2008, at 5:37 PM

One other thing on Kris K... He was working as a Janator in the RCA building when Johnny Cash drug him up to the studio to help sing his song "sunday morning coming down"... LOL there he was cleaning toilets ---- after beeing a Prof at West Point and a pilot... well he knew where he needed to be.

you know Simmons I seam to share your ideas on music but even my country music fans at the BIG radio station in the HIGH GROUND dont like those older balads...

-- Posted by silerCityDude on Wed, Mar 5, 2008, at 9:16 PM

hey just had a wierd thing show up... the Posted line had Wed, Dec 31, 1969 on it lol WIERD???

-- Posted by silerCityDude on Wed, Mar 5, 2008, at 9:17 PM

i was shocked that the great neil diamond didn't come up, especially after remembering that album i received for Christmas one year. let's not forget some of his great lyrics..."you're so sweet, horse flies keep hanging round your face. kentucky mooshine could never take your place." makes me want to cry just typing those romantic, heartfelt words. silvercitydude, my post line comes up with dec 31,1969 every time until i send it, and then it's back to the correct date, too. glad you mentioned it i thought it was just me having a twilight zone moment.

-- Posted by outnumbered on Thu, Mar 6, 2008, at 2:44 AM

Welcome back to reality Dude, that has been Dec 31, 1969 forever.

-- Posted by simmons on Thu, Mar 6, 2008, at 2:46 AM

Just trying to pull myself together for another day. Pastafarian, my God, Garth, that got me going this morning. I know that came from Timberly's blog, but jeez that was good.

Got to stop this evening after work and celebrate the retirement of a great American and world class gentleman, my old golfing buddy, Jim Jeffers. I salute you, well done.

-- Posted by simmons on Thu, Mar 6, 2008, at 4:30 AM

I have to agree with the late,great George Harrison when he said "Bob Dylan is head and shoulders above the rest."

Dylan has been my favorite singer/songwriter since "Like a Rolling Stone" caught my attention many years ago through an old amplitude modulator.

-- Posted by hopeanddust on Thu, Mar 6, 2008, at 7:10 AM

simmons, I'll go ahead and recommend a group that I know Garth Hudson enjoys, A Tribe Called Quest. De La Soul and Digable Planets are a couple more groups that might be a bit more towards your stylings. Those groups are those that are considered 'jazz rap.' I'm not necessarily expecting you to become a full blown hip-hopper, but it just bugs me when people say all rap is sex, drugs and violence. I wasn't saying you were judging lifestyles. I just wanted to point out that rap isn't the only music to glorify illegal drug use. Apparently some people here think that only happens in the hip hop world.

Wiglund, my name is partially from that song, but my main inspiration for the name was the song 'Egg Man' by the Beastie Boys (one of my favorite hip hop groups) from what I consider the best hip hop album out there, Paul's Boutique.

-- Posted by EggMan on Thu, Mar 6, 2008, at 7:42 AM

Simmons, you know that I will visit you this evening for Jim. I personally know that his heart was broke Tuesday night after the buckeyes beat the boilers. Someone told me that he was in a world all by himself, and continued cussing at the tv all night.

-- Posted by Mr. Robato on Thu, Mar 6, 2008, at 8:46 AM

I just misread "song" into "snog", then it occured to me would be like a blog, though posts would be in lyrical format.

Group writing of songs...hmmm.

------

On a personal level, Dylan's impressive talent has been at times creatively stifling, as well as inspiring for me. He made me want to make my own music. And I wonder how many others are out there who purchased a Honer solely because of Bob's work. Obviously I never enjoyed any widespread success with the endeavor, though I have had a few of those rare magical moments when I find the groove, and make the connection. Most often I am alone. Once in a while, if the company is truly receptive, it has happened. It's the nearest to the Divine as I can seem to get.

-- Posted by hopeanddust on Thu, Mar 6, 2008, at 8:55 AM

*I meant Hohner, C&J'S Dad

-- Posted by hopeanddust on Thu, Mar 6, 2008, at 9:00 AM

Simmons,

I would like for you to listen to Tupac and Emminim(sp.). Tupac has the highest selling rap album of all time with 10X platinum, Emminim has the number two spot with 9X platinum sales with one album.

I never said all rap or hiphop promoted murder, drugs and degradation of women. If you want to come to that conclusion, then that is your choice.

I would recommend, if you can stand it, for all to listen to these two top selling albums and make up your mind. After all, they have infiltrated America much more than the older hip hop artists.

Another thing I have against this type of music is it's general disregard for law enforcement and the ability to fleece our youth of money.

Emminim often jokes at how his friend "Fifty Cent" wanted to get some of the money, so Emminim said he would help him. He came up with the name , the songs and the marketing and the rest is history.

Perhaps the Eggman could come up with a more destructive music genre for all of our benefit. No one thinking logically and doing research will agree that there is a more destructive and harmful type of music. If it is necessary, I could post some quotes from some top selling songs. Our youth are easily swayed by MTV and they will be malleable to other music when exposed.

Ask you local policeman what he thinks.

-- Posted by Greene County Patriot on Thu, Mar 6, 2008, at 9:25 AM

"What came first, the music or the misery? People worry about kids playing with guns, or watching violent videos, that some sort of culture of violence will take them over. Nobody worries about kids listening to thousands, literally thousands of songs about heartbreak, rejection, pain, misery and loss. Did I listen to pop music because I was miserable? Or was I miserable because I listened to pop music?" --John Cusack in High Fidelity

-- Posted by virginia is for lovers on Thu, Mar 6, 2008, at 10:12 AM

That ones easy...country music.

-- Posted by EggMan on Thu, Mar 6, 2008, at 10:16 AM

Seriously though I could come up with some lyrics from various 'death metal' songs that are just as or more violent than rap songs.

GC Patriot, I'm not sure where you get your information, but according to the site I've linked the top two selling rap albums are by Outkast and MC Hammer.

http://www.defsounds.com/editorials/Top_...

I'm sure you're familiar with Hammer and I can assure you that he doesn't rap about degrading women, violence or drug use. Outcast may mention women and drug use, but I don't think you'll hear much in the way of glorifying violence from them.

"I would only listen to Rap if I wanted to degrade women, kill someone or do illegal drugs."

To me that says you are generalizing all rap as music that promotes those acts.

The top selling album of all-time is by Michael Jackson. Does that mean that people are glorifying someone accused of being a pedophile?

I really doubt my local policeman cares what kind of music I listen to as long as I am a law abiding citizen.

-- Posted by EggMan on Thu, Mar 6, 2008, at 10:37 AM

I think my mom stood by the stove and listened to Andy Williams! But right now I've got Carol singing Smackwater Jack in the headphones. You sure can stir the old emotions Keith. We must come from the same place. When I've had a few I have always thought I could sing "Silver Tongue Devil" as well as Kris. Keep the old thoughts and ideas flowing....You've got a friend in the natural woman!

-- Posted by HillTopRanch on Thu, Mar 6, 2008, at 1:39 PM

Bballfan: Amen, nothing more, nothing less, thank you, you said it.

Had the most fantastic opportunity to attend a retirement party tonight for a Great American. Thank you Jim Jeffers for your service to our country.

To spend time with his family and friends on one very special night was something I shall cherish for quite some time. Thanks to Donna for the invitation and for the hospitality shown by all of your family.

Appropriately, Kris Kristofferson just came on the computer singing "Why Me Lord" and I have to wonder, really, for having friends like this, Why Me Lord?

-- Posted by simmons on Thu, Mar 6, 2008, at 7:10 PM

Simmons

Do you know the Willie tune "You Remain"... I think Sheryl Crowe covered it on one of her recent albums. Good stuff there

How about the lyrics of Rob Thomas?

"I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell..." or how about

"Pride like promises can let you down

You thought that you'd be feeling

Better by now

You worry all the things they could do to you

You worry about the things they could say

Maybe you're seeing things the wrong way..."

just a few of many lines from his work with Matchbox 20 - and solo work

-- Posted by bethwernz on Thu, Mar 6, 2008, at 9:26 PM

"You Remain"... Know it well, off Willie's Great Divide album.

"What do you do with a memory?"

I was just listening to the Statler Brothers, "Oh Elizabeth". Made me think of an eagle from long ago, not many memories like that.

-- Posted by simmons on Thu, Mar 6, 2008, at 11:57 PM

OK, no Twain quotes. My favorite quote about music is by, believe it or not, Dan Rather, "An intellectual snob is someone who can listen to the William Tell Overture and not think of the Lone Ranger."

-- Posted by Chris&Jeremy'sDad on Fri, Mar 7, 2008, at 5:12 AM

A day off has finally mustered in. I have to take the Mustang to the car vet this morning and from the looks of this place, I need to do a little cleaning. Nice morning to listen to the tunes and sing along in the total privacy of this place. I enjoy music so much, but I just can't sing a lick. Brings to mind an old George Burns quote:

"I love to sing and I love to drink scotch, most people would rather hear me drink scotch."

I tried to listen to some rap last night, but I could tell that I wasn't ready and decided to put it off for another day. I may venture towards that direction today. Although, I'd hate to get snowed in and think that I couldn't get away from it.

-- Posted by simmons on Fri, Mar 7, 2008, at 6:15 AM

If you are enclosed with rap and can't get away, make sure you don't have any firearms or drugs. You may use them both. :-)

-- Posted by Greene County Patriot on Fri, Mar 7, 2008, at 6:26 AM

When I hear the William Tell Overture I think of a scene from A Clockwork Orange.

-- Posted by EggMan on Fri, Mar 7, 2008, at 7:45 AM

8:42 a.m.,and the headache is nothing more than a faint pinprick somewhere behind my eyes. The coffee is good. Real good. I'm so thankful for coffee.

Any chance my 'puter will allow me to see the video of the much-talked-about avalanche on Mars? Nope. I make another mental note to trade this dinosaur in for..something better. Anyway, here I am again, pecking away at the keyboard and Keith's music blog. I wonder why?

I guess my final entry is that I have found songs in every musical genre that I like-including Rap, Death Metal, and Italian opera. But I don't like to sit on my front porch and be subjected to music that makes my chair vibrate.

-- Posted by hopeanddust on Fri, Mar 7, 2008, at 7:54 AM

Forty bucks to fill up the Mustang? I'll never be able to afford retirement. Managed to get it out to the shop for maintenance, now I'm stranded, on foot, so to speak, as the blizzard rages outside my door. Listening to Marshall Tucker Band and thinking about writing another article. Maybe I'll write the complete history of Italian Opera, as told by Johnny Appleseed to himself as he's walking with all of his friends in the woods. I may have to use english subtitles just in case Johnny irrationally reverts to speaking in some Michael Corleone Corsican dialect as he meanders, just planting his seeds. Maybe not, I'm not sure.

I just went outside and tried to make a snow angel. I think I'll do it in the grass the next time, now I've got gravel in my shorts.

-- Posted by simmons on Fri, Mar 7, 2008, at 10:01 AM

simmons is the Mustang your MLC (mid-life crisis) car? My Pop bought a Mustang convertible and considers it his MLC car.

-- Posted by EggMan on Fri, Mar 7, 2008, at 10:25 AM

Sorry, I'm well past mid-life, that crisis, if it was one, must have occurred a decade or two ago. The Mustang is a Point A to Point B necessity, nothing more, nothing less, except for the return trip.

-- Posted by simmons on Fri, Mar 7, 2008, at 10:32 AM

On second thought, maybe I'll live to be 110. No, I couldn't afford that.

-- Posted by simmons on Fri, Mar 7, 2008, at 10:33 AM

No hot-rodding?

-- Posted by EggMan on Fri, Mar 7, 2008, at 11:13 AM

I drove like an old man when I was a young man.

-- Posted by simmons on Fri, Mar 7, 2008, at 11:31 AM

You must've been driving like a Real Old Man the night you took out that barb-wire fence row with that '63 Pontiac Catalina. Now, there was a beauty, a boat of a car if there ever was one. I can remember getting it up to 105, though, on the way to some baseball game after leaving work on the extra gang one summer. It's a wonder we made it to middle age, let alone past it.

-- Posted by Chris&Jeremy'sDad on Fri, Mar 7, 2008, at 3:32 PM

That night I overestimated the width of the road. I could have taken out a church house, an outhouse and an opera house in that car, it was built for punishment. I have a great picture of that Pontiac, that I might use in one of these articles.

New article written today while the Mustang underwent various surgical procedures. I'll post it later this evening, got to run to The Funhouse for a cold one.

-- Posted by simmons on Fri, Mar 7, 2008, at 3:47 PM

Ah, a '63 Catalina. I abused one as a young'un. Got it airborne once, and on landing, the hood popped up, and the wind snapped it back against the windshield. Managed to get it stopped without running into anything. Dang thing was bent in the middle where it bent down some over the roof of the car. Had a hard time explaining that to the folks.

-- Posted by Question? on Fri, Mar 7, 2008, at 7:58 PM

hey I just got back --- I guess I am not to observant and just noticed that little 1969 quirk LOL ohwell

I like the airborne bit--- a friend of mine and I raced back from school one day in 1981 --- he in his uncles toyota loaded with wood-- and me in my LUV 4x4 empty...

well if you know the railroad crossing going south out of blackhawk you know its a ramp...

we each ramped it... but his toyota didnt come back up LOL yes he had just made himself a Hillbilly Lowrider! I won that race... LOL

We lost that friend 3 yrs ago and since we are mentioning Lyrics--- "go rest High" sang by Vince Gill/w ricky skaggs echo's constantly now.

-- Posted by silerCityDude on Fri, Mar 7, 2008, at 9:18 PM