TTT #35: No Theme...Just Good Music...

I thought about different themes this week.  I have a couple of back logged that I could have pulled out.  I don't think those are necessarily ready yet.  So I chose to just do a playlist of songs I am really digging right now.  Some have good meaning.  Some are so new to me I only heard them less the 4 hours ago, but they made the list (I'm looking at you Bernhoft).  That's sort of why there are two of his songs on this list.  He's new and I've been jamming and dancing...with cats...

I am Kenny Tarver.  This is my life.


TTT #35 Playlist
Twitter for Spotify Playlist



Let the Dancing Begin...

How You Like Me Now - The Heavy

I think I heard this song for the first time playing Borderlands.  Possibly a commercial.  Not really sure.  But it is the perfect song to start out my list.  I need a little upbeat today.   Plus this is just a good song for shoving in some one's face.

Let's say you were just walking down the road, and group of hooligans were watching you from the shadows.  You are walking with your brand new laptop in a really fashionable bag you go got a great deal on.  You are just strutting down the road like you own the damn world.  Not giving a shit.  Then BAM the hooligans jump out and try and grab your bag.  Then you hit em with a well placed Judo chop your cousin in West Virginia taught you.  They run screaming.  This is the song over the top of that scene.  Now your ego is really inflated...calm down, they were just teenagers...



Say it People...

People Say - Portugal. The Man

This band is fairly new to me.  I learned about them from a friend that is staying with us.  So far I am really digging them.  I do have a question about their name though.  It's Portugal. The Man.  Not Portugal The Man.  Portugal. (<--note the period) The Man.  I feel like there is probably a good story behind that, one that I would like to know.

I am, however, not interested enough to go delving through pages on the Internet to find out.  I'm sure it won't be hard to find but meh.  First world problems...



These Gvys Are Jvst Wonderfvl...

The Mother We Share - Chvrches

Any long reader of the blog will know that I like a good electronic pop song.   I really dig these guys.  There is a nice little groove to it.  The only problem I have is when I go to type out Chvrches my brain stalls for half a second on that V.  I know it's coming.  I know it's there.  My brain goes NOOOO IT'S A U!!!! Every.  Single.  Time.  Chvrches.  The only time it doesn't if my brain lets me have it quick but it comes out Chvurches.  Either way, great band.




I Need A Loop Pedal

C'mon Talk - Bernhoft

I only heard this song this morning.   I knew that I was going to love it from the first few seconds.  Once you hear that "Re-Re-Re-Meh-Meh-Meh" I was sold.  Erin likes him because he has a Justin Timberlake like "flava".  She didn't use "flava" but she would, so I used it here.  It is just a jamming song.  Makes me move my shoulders...




Here Comes The Smolder

Heart's A Mess - Gotye

Yep that's Gotye of "You didn't have to cut meeee oooooff" fame.  This song and the next are both from The Great Gatsby soundtrack.  If you haven't listened to that soundtrack yet, or seen the movie for that matter, you should go do it now.  Stop reading and go.  It's great.  Great music.  Great movie.  Great everything.

That pic reminds of the scene in Tangled when the main guy character was like "ok...I didn't wanna do it...her comes the smolder..."

An off day indeed. 




My Aching Soul

Young & Beautiful - Lana Del Rey

I have told at least 5 people that I like Lana Del Rey and I have gotten flak for it 4 times.  I don't know why everyone has a hatred for her.  This song though.  This. Song.

Every once in a while a song comes into your life that you don't understand how you were able to live without it.  It just clicks in all of the notches you have allotted for great music.   It's like a key to a lock you didn't even know you wanted open.  That's how I feel about this song.  It's a beautiful song, with beautiful lyrics and a great musical track.

I think she's gorgeous, especially in that picture up there (I love the 60's and she is sporting early 60's hard).  This song is a 10/10 for me.  I don't care what anyone says.  I get me.




Just A Good Damn Song

Stay With Me - Bernhoft

This song is even newer to me than the last Bernhoft song.  I heard it for the first time about 20 minutes ago.   I don't want to say much in the even that you are listening to this song and reading at the same time.

You need to watch the video though.  Go...I understand...




This May Be Where I Lose Some Of You...

Same Love - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

I am going to do my best to not get preachy right here.  I don't want to try and shove my views of the world on you, quite the opposite actually.   This song though, I think this song has a good message.  I actually ended up hearing this song over a year ago.  Then much later Macklemore & Ryan Lewis hit it big and then I was like "I think I recognize that name..."  I didn't make the connection until I reheard this song.

I realize that living in Louisiana there are a lot of anti Gay people.  I know that there are a lot of people that I know personally that don't agree with it.  I don't think it is something that you should disagree or agree with.  Just like I don't think anyone should tell you how to live your life, I don't think you should tell anyone how to live theirs.  Who am I to say two people aren't in love?  I am almost certain I am losing a lot of people on this one.  Ya know though, I really don't care.

I have friends who are gay.  They are good people.  I wouldn't talk to them if I didn't think they were.   Some of my best friends from high school are gay.  Some of my best friends now are gay.  I don't see anything wrong with it because it doesn't affect me in any way.  I don't think gay marriage has any affect on my life.  I don't think it has any affect on yours.  I realize that the bible says what it says.  I also realize that the bible says a lot of other rules we don't follow.  I am not knocking any one's religion, but I don't think any hate is good.  I don't care what anyone says.

I choose my friends based on their character and how we get along as people.  Not whom they hold hands and kiss.  I think we will look back at this much like people looked at the 60's and the civil rights movement.   You can't force people to act one way or the other.  It's ridiculous to think that you can make people believe what you believe.  Just believe what you believe and leave the rest of the world alone.  If you don't like people for themselves, move.

I have long hair and a beard.  I get looked at like I'm a drug addict.  Women with kids look at me like I'm a pedophile.  People who know me know that I am none of these things.  I do my best to respect everyone.  I am not trying to compare what gay people have to go through with what I have to go through but judging me based on my outward appearance is just as bad as saying all gay people are sinners and bad people.

An old band member of mine is a lesbian women with a great wife.  They have kids, they fight, they argue, they make up.  They go to practices, work, recitals.  Who are you to say their love isn't real?

I am sorry if I lost some of you on that one but I had to get it off my chest.   I just read this story.  A girl's life could be ruined because of intolerance.  Change is coming people.  Accept it.

 *steps down off the soap box*



Til next week...
KKNY signing off... 

TTT #34: Forgotten Songs of the 90's

This week I has been kind of a getting back in the swing of things kind of week for me.  So this blog may go off the rails a little bit.  I'll try and be brief.

Sometimes when you hear a song you go "Oh my god!  I forgot all about that song!!!"  Then you proceed to sing it word by word as if you were listening to it yesterday.  This week's playlist is dedicated to that feeling.  Since my formative years were in the mid to late 90's.  That's where we will be heading.  Deal? Deal.


TTT #34 Playlist
Twitter for Spotify Playlist



A Seriously Long Title & B.B. King

Standing Outside A Broken Phone Booth With Money In My Hand - Primitive Radio Gods


Wow.  I may be more tired than I realized because that took a lot longer to write out than I feel it should.   I really like this song.  The B.B. King sample.  It's mellow vibe.  I don't think I have ever heard another song by these guys.  The sad thing about a lot of bands in the 90's is they would release an album with a radio single and the rest of the music would be absolutely nothing like the popular song.   So you were left with a CD of mediocre music and one song you liked.  This led to iTunes and people not buying the deeper cuts.  It really is a sad cycle...

I'm not saying that's what these guys did...but this is the only song I have ever heard...



I Am Not A Beautfiul Freak

Novocaine For The Soul - The Eels

I can't explain why, but I always felt this guy looked like he had a lisp.  Great song either way...



A Girl Like Me?

A Girl Like You - Edwyn Collins

When I hear this song the first thing I think of is Rex Manning Day and Navy Blue underwear...




Jean Luc Picard

Banditos - The Refreshments

I'm not going to lie.  The reason I first liked this song was because he got into Mexico using a fake ID that said he was Jean Luc Picard of The United Federation of Planets.  That is just great.  Plus it's a heist.  Who doesn't love a heist?  It's also a damn fun song to play on guitar.

These guys also did the theme song to King of the Hill.  I like this much better.  And Girly.



Call back to Liv Tyler in Empire Records

In The Mean Time - Spacehog

Royston Langdon is the bass player for Spacehog.
He was married to Liv Tyler.
Who was in Super with Kevin Bacon.

BOOM! Bacon Number 2...



Sexy? Deadly...

Angry Johnny - Poe

Ya know I used to think that girl was extremely hot.  Now?  Eh.  I think now that I have more years under the belt I understand the true crazy that emanates off this song.  Now she is not sexy.  She's scary.  At a bare listen you  might think the song is kind of kinky and yeeeeeeeah.  No.  It's not.  She's going to kill him will various implements and items.  Run Johnny.  She's mad.  Real mad.  Like, calm mad.

Run.  Now.



Ahh 1 2...1 2...1 2

Six Underground - The Sneaker Pimps

I also though this girl was excessively nice looking when I was younger.  I realize that I was 14 in 1996.  That could explain for the large number of women I found attractive from the mid 90's.  This one I still find hot.  At least in that pic.  I also like the guy in the upper right, but only for comedic 90's purposes.



Clothed Eye

Naked Eye - Luscious Jackson

I think of Luscious Jackson as one of those girl empowering type bands from the 90's.  Not really like Spice Girls girl power.  More like Liz Phair.  Ya know?  Either way.  Found them all attractive.  I think I may have had too much testosterone as a youth...



Curveball

The Way - Fastball

Wheeeeere were they going without ever knowing the WAY...

Always have to accentuate the Way.  The WAY....




Challenge What The Future Holds

You Gotta Be - Des'ree

There is a lot of good advice in this song.  I was going to say you should always trust someone with an apostrophe in their name.  This would have been bad advice.  Don't do that.  Trust Des'ree.  Apostrophe's do not a good person make...




That's all for my trip back to high school and late night teenage lust.  Sorry.  I hope you liked this weeks' list.  It is going to be hard to top last week.  We had over 4,500 plays in just 7 days.  Let's see if this one will surpass that.  KKNY signing off until next week...

TTT #33: Epic 80's Power Ballads That Start With Piano

This week I have decided to do a super specific list.  It will be a trip back to the 80's (Sorry, Eldest).  We will witness fashion and hair colliding in super power ballads...that start with piano...from the 80's. 

This.  Will.  Be.  Great.


TTT #33 Playlist
Twitter For Spotify Playlist


What Does Your Heart Say

Listen To Your Heart - Roxette

Ahh the 80's.  I am not even sure how he gets his hair to do that.  Of course, it's probably AquaNet.  I think that was the go to hairspray my sisters used.  That and L.A. Looks.  It really is amazing to me, I was still pretty young in the 80's, that the hair got as high as it did...



Turn Around Bright Eyes...

Total Eclipse Of The Heart - Bonnie Tyler

Fringe.  Leather fringe no less, with shoulder pads.  There are so many 80's cliches in that picture right there I almost don't even know what to say.  I remember my middle sister, the Elder, had a pair of white leather boots with fringe, if I'm not mistaken.  That's pretty sassy right there...


All Byyyy Myself...

Alone - Heart

There were a lot of style choices these guys could have made.  That is what they ended up with.  The guy all the way to the right looks like a Vegas magician.  The guy next to him looks like David Bowie in the Labyrinth.  Again, we see at least 6 inches of poof in some places.  Proving, once again, that gravity was not as strong in the 80's.



Mullet

She's Like The Wind - Patrick Swayze

Dirty Dancing is one of my significant other's favorite movies.  She was very sad when Mr. Swayze died.  She now refers to him as Angel Swayze.  That picture there best represents what I believe to be Patrick Swayze at his most angelic.  The 80's mullet.  The white background, a cloud if you will.  White shirt, heavenly vestments you say?  Angel.  Swayze.


Wagons of Speed

Keep On Loving You - REO Speedwagon

These guys are a little more 70's because when this song came out the 80's weren't really in full swing yet.  You can see that their hair was working it's way up but we hadn't quite reached the heights of the late 80's.  We are getting there...


She played it all the time

Home Sweet Home - Motley Crue

I am not even going to comment on that picture.  I will, however, talk about my sister.  My sister, The Elder, has always wanted to play piano.  She has dabbled in piano for a while and for as long as I can remember one thing she could always play was Home Sweet Home.  She has taught to me, in vain, many, many times and I still can't remember it.  She can still pull it out, so in the event the Crue needs someone to jam this song...give her a call...



Wait For Me...

Right Here Waiting - Richard Marx

Richard Marx looks almost bored being Richard Marx.  He was pretty famous in the 80's and I don't understand why he looks so sullen.  Of course, He is  waiting for his lost love.  Perk up Richard Marx, you have some of the highest hair on this whole list...



With Arms Wide Open

Open Arms - Journey

This was early 80's.  So again, not the height of Sullen Marx up there, BUT still pretty early 80's nonetheless.  Layers.  They were either all about layers or accepted no layers what so ever.  Steve Perry.



THE 80's Power Ballad

Don't Stop Believing - Journey

This is, by far, THE top 80's power ballad song.  I don't even think you can be American without knowing all of the words to it.  I went to see Blink 182 with my lady.  Fall Out Boy opened for them.  Fall Out Boy represents the early aughts "pop-punk" movement.  THEY ended their show with Don't Stop Believing and the crowd sang along like it was an arena show in 1985 and they were worried about how the sweating would affect their hair and makeup.

This song transcends all genres and cultures.

Steve Perry > Journey



That's it for this week folks.  I hope you had fun jamming out and singing along to the power ballads.  Let me know what you think, comments, negative, positive, constructive and diminutive are always welcome.

KKNY Shuffling off this mortal coil...

TTT #32: Vegas Baby!!!

I am alone.

All alone for more days than I want.  My Lady is attending a wedding this week in fabulous Las Vegas!  So I decided to make her a playlist, that hopefully she listens to at least once in Vegas.

It's kind of all over the place.  I hope she likes it, but these are Vegas/Erin songs.  So here we go...


TTT #32 Playlist
Twitter For Spotify Playlist



Glitter

Waking Up In Vegas - Katy Perry

I hope she gambles her little bit and gets massively rich.  I also hope if this happens she comes back.

I at least hope her adventures are somewhere between this song and the Hangover.  I hope she meets Mike Tyson.



You Knew It Was Coming

Viva Las Vegas - Elvis Presely

I mean, seriously, how could this not be next in the list?  It's the first song that comes to any one's mind when Vegas comes up.   I hope she jams this going down the strip.  Even though I know she'll probably be too stressed driving to enjoy it.  Maybe she can listen to it walking down the strip...



Bebe's 11

Kick In The Head - Dean Martin

I'm not saying I want my girlfriend to commit a major crime.  Far from it.  Although, IF while she was there she was involved in an extremely elaborate plot to relieve a Casino of millions of dollars and would walk away scot-free in a fedora, I wouldn't complain.  Come back rich Beebs.



Because She Left On A Plane, ya see?

Come Fly With Me - Frank Sinatra

Fedoras, see?  I think I should have gotten her a fedora for her trip.  Then she could have been fabulous, sassy and classy.

Hindsight.


For The Wedding...

Burning Love - Elvis Presley

That is a majestic picture.  Lens flare.  Blue flaming name.  Classic Elvis pose.  If there was a church of Elvis that would be the center piece of every Elvisian alter.

Thank you very much...


Break A Leg Beebs!

Luck Be A Lady - Frank Sinatra

I know that my Beebs will be gambling at least a little bit.  I know there have been some money setbacks, stupid car rental places and their money holds.  Hopefully she will work through all of that and come out on top.  Whether she comes back poor or rich, I will still love her.

It would obviously be awesome if she came back Nick Papagiorgio style though...



It's NOT Unusual

What's New Pussycat? - Tom Jones

This one is for Erin.  She will get why it's funny.

Also, I chose that picture up there for you ladies.  Tom Jones in a speedo.  Growwwwl.  Try to keep your composure.  I don't have time to try and calm all of you down.



Laaaadddyyyy...

The Gambler - Kenny Rogers

It would seem that Tom Jones and Kenny Rogers shopped in the same stores in the 80's.




That's it for this week.  The next couple of days can't go by quick enough.  My lady needs to come back to me because I have 11 days of vacation and the first 4-5 are going to extremely boring.

Hurry back...I miss you already...


KKNY signing off...

TTT #31: New Oldies

Sorry for the late posting today.  I just had a 13 hour work day and I just finished compiling this list.  I may be a little incoherent today, so forgive me. 

This week's playlist are artists that I feel are channeling some old soul.  Some new stuff, some older, but all great, in my opinion.  I thing it is great whenever you have young artist carrying the roots of the older generation.  A large number of people today don't realize where the music they like comes from.  Without musicians that have paved the way we would still be listening to chamber music (which I love).   I think these songs channel a particular SOMETHING and bring out that old soul feelings in me.  Let's jam.


Thuper Thong Thurthday Playlist #31 Playlist
Twitter For Spotify Playlist



Gregorian Chant This Is Not

Black Sheep - Gin Wigmore

When I hear this song, I can't help but think of my lady.  See she considers herself the black sheep of her family.  She is a little "alternative" but alternative to what I don't really know.  She is just my Beebs.  She's not a bad woman to keep, but she does have a pistol for a mouth.  I'm also pretty sure her Mom gave her that...



GossipGossipGossip

Rumor Has It - Adele

Adele is one sexy mofo.  Look at that.  I realize that I just spent the last song saying how much I love my lady, which I do.  Really, I do.  Adele though.  Oof.  Those pipes.  All that hair, I know it's fake, I don't care.  Mostly though I think I love the fact that she has a potty mouth.  British accent + Potty Mouth = Best Thing Ever.



Come On Brittany!

Hold On - Alabama Shakes

Ya know Erin,  my aforementioned Lady, has told me that Brittany Howard looks like someone she should hang out with.  I think that is a great compliment.  If people tell you, and others, that you are fun to be around and hang out with, there is no better adulation.   That looks like a band of people that I could be friends with.  That guy with the beard definitely plays Dungeons & Dragons and we need to hang out.

I wonder if I should start wearing a hat...hmmm...


Warwick Davis Avenue Needs To Be A Thing

Warwick Avenue - Duffy

I really like how mellow this song is.  It picks up a little, but not too much.  I used to have this song as a ringtone on my old flip phone (remember those?!).  I am only just now able to listen to it.  It used to be one of those songs that I would hear and my eye would twitch because it would remind me of waking up.  Had to turn it off.

Oddly enough the same is true of Higher Ground by The Red Hot Chili Peppers.  Great song.  Great cover.  Used it for an alarm for a summer to get up at 8 AM.  It got to where I was so tired of hearing that bass intro I could hear the CD queuing up and I would jump out of bed to turn it off before it started.  I guess that's my punishment for not being able to wake up with a normal person alarm clock.  Ah well...



Not IN but TO you see...

Back To Black - Amy Winehouse

I chose that picture of Amy because she looks so beautiful in it.  That was before she got into drugs, and fame.  She was actually a pretty lady.  No bouffant.  No cocaine.  No crazy paparazzi chasing after her.   No drama.  Just a lady who didn't realize what she was in for when her dreams became a reality.  Not saying she was a saint.  I never knew the woman.  It was sad what happened.  I had high hopes for her.

Guess you gotta be careful what you wish for...



Til now...

Skyfall - Adele

Here is where I could talk about Adele again.  Unnecessary.  I could talk about the umpteen Bond movies and their Title songs and the history that Adele got to take part in.  Pointless.  You  know all of these things.

I will, however, tell you what comes to my mind every single time I heard the intro to Skyfall.  I hear Alone by Heart.  Every.  Single.  Time.  Even though I know it won't I FEEL like she is going to start singing "I hear the ticking of the clock..."  I know the piano in that song is faster.  I KNOW she isn't gonna sing it, but I feel like it MIGHT happen.  Every damn time.

She would belt that shit out if she did.  She'd make Nancy Wilson proud.  Also I originally typed Nancy Grace.  Damn fingers do whatever they want sometimes.  I don't know why they want Nancy Grace, but that shit needs to stop.



Eeeeeeevvvviiiiiiillll

Devil In Me - Gin Wigmore

Another Gin Wigmore song?  Yes.  Why?  Because it's my blog and I do what I want.  If you don't want another Gin Wigmore song, start a music blog, make a playlist and leave her ass out.  Then send me the link because I like new music.  =D

Even from people bitching (even hypothetically) about mine.



Is it bad...

  

Next Girl - The Black Keys

that I almost wish I could break up with Erin so that I could play this song in earnest?  I wouldn't.  It would just have more meaning if I did.  Then my next girl wouldn't be like my ex girl with the beautiful face.  Ah well.  Guess I'll just stay with her so I can't wallow in my own self pity...

I also am not sure if I am supposed to like the music video or not.  I don't know if it's a joke or for real.  If it's real, should I actually do as the band wishes and turn it off, even though is hilarious.  What if the record company really wanted that to be the video??  I wouldn't be surprised...

Yay Beebs!

Well that's it for this week folks.  I am extra tired right now.  I think I might go take a 20 minute nap before the lady rolls in.  Lady.

Thanks for listening.  Leave comments.  KKNY signing off.