Cheating And It Sounds So Good

Sleep. I haven't slept well decently in three days, and it's one of those nights where I will probably nod off in the middle of writing this post. Started doing what I should have writing earlier, and got to the point where to continue would take more brain power than I currently have on reserve.

So here I am ready to do another Tuesday Twisted MixTape for Miss Jen over at My Skewed View. I liked this week's theme: Cheating Songs. Yeah, time to get down and dirty. So let's not waste any more brain power, here are my picks for the week.


When all else fails, throw on a little Marvin Gaye.

"Heard It Through The Grapevine"

Second choice is quite probably a song based on reality. Way back before she was Mrs. Bruce Springsteen, Patti Scialfa was just a singer in his rock & roll band. He was married (what was he thinking when he married a definitely-not Jersey girl) and she was there when his wife was not. So you do the math on where the inspiration for this song came from.

"Come Tomorrow"

Flat out call it what it is. Lying and cheating. The Eagles laid it all out there. Because I couldn't find a live video from back before Glen Frey looked like a banker, and I can't watch videos with him looking like a banker, so here's the studio track.

"Lying Eyes"

Dark and dirty. yeah. If the theme works, it's fair game to bring in some friends. From Survivor, calling it what it is.

"Backstreet Love Affair"

I think this is probably my favorite cheating song, though mostly because I love the guitar, the tempo, the vocal, the lyrics. "I know her love is true, but it's so damn easy making love to you." hell yeah, that's cheating. But it's so good. Bryan Adams...

"Run To You"

Now don't go doing anything.... oh hell, do whatever you want.

Mother, Mother: There's Too Many Of You Crying

It's a rainy day. Right now there's a storm coming through as we wait for the remnants of Hurricane Andrea to drench us with around four inches later today. Let's just say, in a sunny mood...  I am not.

I haven't had time to play the 100 Word Song Challenge in a few weeks, which kinda pissed me off because there were some good song choices to work with. So being today is gloomy, in more ways than one, it's time to go over to my dark side, though not too dark this week.

This week's tune was picked by Lance himself, all inspired and shit from his recent vacation to D.C., and who could argue with the greatness and political importance of the tune. From the genius that was Marvin Gaye, this week's song is "What's Going On?"

Released in 1971, it was the title track from Marvin Gaye's eleventh studio album, and it showed a different side of his writing. The concept album dealt with the Vietnam War; those coming home from it and those who never returned. It showed Gaye moving into an area of social consciousness, and it is ranked as one of the greatest albums of all time. The title track sets the tone.

The task of the 100 Word Song is to write something inspired by the title, lyrics or feel of the song, in exactly 100 words.

"What's Going On"

He was the center of the vortex, with flashes of his life spinning around. Slowing… he would catch a glimpse: Rielle in the sunshine, twin brother Tom in his cap and gown, the training, the desert, the explosions. Matt saw it all in vivid color.

His mind told him he was asleep; Matt knew it was something else. A place somewhere between heaven and hell. A place where your soul protects you from reality.

Aware of the bed beneath him, and the beeping sound of the machine taking his vitals; Tom opened his eyes and saw nothing.

“What’s Going On?”

It Took Me By Surprise, I Must Say

"ooh, I bet you're wondering how I knew."

We all know that opening line. And whether we know the version by Gladys, Marvin, Creedence or the California Raisins, "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" is one of those songs that will live on for generations.

The version by Marvin Gaye held the #1 spot on Billboard's Pop chart for seven weeks starting in December 1968. Marvin Gaye would have turned 74 today, but one day before his 45th birthday he was shot to death by his father. While the Grapevine was one of his most successful records, his music encompassed so much more.

From smooth Motown classics to exquisite duets with Tammi Terrell, to sensual albums like "Let's Get It On," Marvin Gaye took his three-octave range and caressed each vocal with restrained passion. Marvin Gaye not only interpreted songs, he wrote some good ones too. He wrote or co-wrote " Beechwood 4-5789," "Dancing' in the Streets," "Hitch-Hike," "What's Going on," and "Sexual Healing" to name a few. He started out as a drummer and played on some of early Motown's biggest hits.

He led a troubled life with bad relationships, drug and financial problems. But through it all he was the "Prince of Soul."

A few samples of the talent of Mr. Marvin Gaye

"You're All I Need To Get By" Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell. Every song they recorded together was perfection.
"Distant Lover"
"Pride and Joy"

and well, because...
"I Heard It Through The Grapevine" go on, sing it.

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What's Going On? Celebrating Marvin's Birthday

Today we celebrate hands down the smoothest singer ever to come out of Motown...no disrespect to Smokey intended.

Marvin Gaye was born on this day in 1939. From the late 60s until his death in 1984, Marvin Gaye had a string of hits that are still on the playlists of radio stations everywhere. From "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" to "What's Going On" right through "Sexual Healing",  Marvin sang with a style that cannot be duplicated.

More than I loved Marvin on his own, I loved him even more when paired with Tammi Terrell, another wonderful singer who died way too young. Today, let's taste both Marvin solo and along with Tammi.

As much as I love this first song, I detest when it is used as a sports theme. It is nothing but the sexiest song ever recorded (ok that's open for interpretation, but it's my story and I'm sticking to it).

Marvin Gaye "Let's Get It On" ..live, sooo goood
Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" ...a perfect duet

Happy Birthday Marvin.


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Let's Get Tempted with A Little Motown

Motown.

In the 60's Motown ruled the domestic music scene. We still had the British invasion going on, but the number of talented artists in the Motown stable was phenomenal. Smokey Robinson, Martha Reeves, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, The Jackson Five, Marvin Gaye...the list goes on and on.

Slowly but surely, we will go through the Motown label. Today we will sample, one of the premier groups of the era...The Temptations. Now, back in the day there was a rivalry between the Temps and The Four Tops. Both featured great songs, lots of choreography and singers with wide vocal ranges. The Temps were always a bit smoother, more polished than the Tops, but I can still listen to all the songs from each group and still not be tired of hearing them.

A few tasty treats from the Temptations, featuring the wonderful David Ruffin.

"I Wish It Would Rain"
"I'm Losing You"
"Ain't Too Proud To Beg"
"Can't Get Next To You" featuring Eddie Kendricks
and the best of all
"My Girl"

That's some tempting treats served up today.

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Going Home To Motown: No Disputing The Truth

Motown. Where do you start...and how do you choose one definitive artist or song.  Can't be done, so here's what we're gonna do.  Start to cover all of it.  Just like we're going to revisit the cover songs and great lyrics from time to time, Motown will be a recurring theme. No other way around it.

Now, I grew up on Motown. Whether it was Smokey (how I love that man), The Temptations, Four Tops, The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, the Jackson 5 or so many more, they could be seen on TV and heard on the radio non-stop. Fine by me.

The first taste of Motown is none of the above. One of my favorite songs from the Motown empire was from a group called The Undisputed Truth.  While not a really well known group, when you saw them on TV, you would not forget them  "Psychedelic Soul,"...they came out with huge white afros and white make-up.

In a song originally done by the Temptations, The Undisputed Truth had their biggest hit.

A double dose of the same song. Because I love the studio version so much, that one is up first.  But, I'd be remiss if I didn't include their live performance in full costume.

Watch your back, here comes...

"Smiling Faces, Sometimes"  - studio
"Smiling Faces, Sometimes"  - live

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Working On The Valentine's Mojo

Ok, so I just finished the Theory of Life blog about Valentine's Day and now it's time to write the VDay themed music blog. A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.

Now for New Year's Eve, in a post titled "Hot Licks For New Year's Eve" I offered up some "in the mood" selections. So let's see if we can find a few more.

The New Year's list began with Marvin Gaye and I've already tweeted  it this morning, if you can... start the day with it.  Because how do you not start with Marvin...?  "Let's Get It On."  oh yeah

Lou Gramm "Warmest Rising Sun"...sultry
Survivor "Too Hot To Sleep"...just too damn hot
Joe Cocker "You Can Leave Your Hat On"...anybody for a pole dance?
Eric Clapton "I Wanna Make Love To You."...well alright then

Feel that temperature rise, after that you guys are on your own.
Let it flow.

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