Wasn't Gonna Do It, But Hey "No Strings Attached"

I can't help myself. I already sent my RSVP back to Jen with my regrets that I wouldn't have time to enter this week's Twisted Tuesday MixTape, and yet here I am.

"Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in." Yes, much like Tom Hanks in "You've Got Mail," I live my life through the wisdom of Godfather quotes. Be afraid.

Anyway, I couldn't resist the pull of this week's theme. No Strings Attached... as in well, you know. Three songs immediately popped into my head, so I figured what the hell, just write it. So here's a quick list, and I mean quick. Also I apologize to everyone who has been leaving comments on my posts, for not commenting back. All I've had time to do is take a look at your lists, smile and move on. There have been some great choices out there. One more week of insanity and things should ease up.

So here we go.

The second song I ever remember about a one-night stand was quite a scandal when it came out in 1968. Originally offered to Connie Francis, who thought it was a little too, well, you know, eventually it became a hit by Merrilee Rush. Later it had a second life with Juice Newton.

"Angel Of The Morning"

For a male perspective that isn't quite wham-bam-thank-you-maam, Bob Seger wrote a beautiful ode to loneliness.

"We've Got Tonight"

Another different perspective from a woman on a mission. Heart sang about a one-night-stand with a lasting gift.

"All I Wanna Do (Is Make Love To You)"

Though not about a one-nighter, it is a song about no-strings attached. This time the view is from the one who is hurt by an affair, not the person having it. Before Dolly Parton was known more for her wigs and amusement park, she was considered one of the best songwriters around. Most of us know she wrote "I Will Always Love You," taken into the stratosphere by Whitney Houston, but this song of pain and desperation is one of her best. Miley Cyrus even recorded it, but don't hold that against it.

"Jolene"

Back to a woman looking for a little lovin' with no strings attached, although this is sung by a man. Probably not familiar to most of you, it's off an album called HiStory by One Man's Trash. It's just fun.

"The Real Thing"

And the last song for this tape, is the first song I remember about "going all the way." Talk about standing the test of time, it was written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin for the Shirelles in 1960. It has been covered by, ok, everyone. Why, because it's a beautiful song, that's why. I could have chosen from Amy Winehouse, Norah Jones, The Bee Gees, or probably twenty more. I don't know why, but my favorite is by Dave Mason.

"Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow"

That's it, I'm outta here and crawling back to my dark hole. See y'all in a week, maybe less. Thanks Jen, next time the beer's on me.

A Lot of Heart

Today marks the release date for one of Rock & Roll's most enduring kick ass bands. Fanatic, the new album by Heart drops today.

I have always been a fan of Heart, but then I've always had a soft spot for women rockers who take no prisoners and have the talent to back it up. Heart has always belonged in the Big Boys League. Great stage show, those vocals; hard rockin' while still able to do soft ballads...and they did it in high heels.

Today, I offer a little tribute to Heart, but we're not gonna listen to a bunch of Heart songs. A fellow blogger commented on a post last week that he would use one of my highlighted songs in a mixed CD for his lady. So that got me thinking about what to  do today. As a twist, let's hear a few good songs with heart in the title. Now there are a kazillion songs with heart in the title, a lot of very well known ones at that. Just for S&G's let's taste a few songs, while lesser known, are still really good listening.

"Hot Rod Heart" ...John Fogarty
"Heart Turns to Stone" ...Foreigner
"Half of My Heart" ...Survivor
"Heartache" ...Lou Gramm
"Chrome Plated Heart" ...Melissa Etheridge

And just a few beats from Ann and Nancy.
"Heartless"

Thanks for the inspiration Sean...maybe you can add one or two of these.

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Got It Covered Today: Serving Up Green Onions

Had a question on twitter today from musician Andrew Boyd as to what I thought were some of the great cover songs ever recorded. While I'm still working on that list, a few that came to mind were the Robert Plant-Alison Krauss version of "Black Dog", Heart wailing on "Rock & Roll" and basically any song that Joe Cocker has covered.

So I thought today's lick should be a classic cover.  Roy Buchanan was the son of a sharecropper and he could play the blues like nobody's business.  Mostly using a 1953 Fender Telecaster, Roy could make you see its soul fly out.  A true guitar picker in every sense of the word, today's tasty treat is a cover of the classic Booker T and the MGs "Green Onions."

Gonna make you cry.