There's No Crying In MixTapes

Friend. 

How you define one becomes the entirety of your relationship.  Trust, loyalty, and respect are essential, but so are just “getting” each other. And there are times when we all need one. Whether to make us laugh, share a good cry, go shopping with, or just give each other the silent communication of the “eye” across a room, it’s good to have one. So when the time comes when that person needs a pick-me-up, you can do one of two things: Open a bottle of champagne, get shit-faced and laugh your ass off, or play them some music.

Today, Jen of My Skewed View, has offered that theme for this week’s Twisted MixTape.

First up, let’s look to Bob, because really… the man had an answer for everything.

Bob Marley “Every Little Thing”

Going back a long way, you cannot help but feel better after hearing this song. It's just not possible.

Poco "Good Feeling To Know"

Sometimes, a little reflection is a good thing. "The morning sun is rising, it's kissing the day"

Journey "Wheel In The Sky"

You need me? 

Sam & Dave "Hold On, I'm Coming"

I've actually sent this song to someone who needed it. I may have used it before on a MixTape too. Sue me, it's perfect.

Allman Brothers "Soulshine"

Feeling better? Good. I'll keep the champagne on ice... for the next time.

Getting the Shaft: Politicians and Rock Songs

Stick with me for a minute...this one might be a stretch.

It is a year of presidential politics...god help us. While there's still plenty of time for me to get into that little can of worms, today is the anniversary of a horrible trend which still continues today. The use or rather misuse of rock songs by politicians.

In an effort to appear "hip," throughout the past twenty years or so, candidates have hijacked perfectly good rock songs and used them as their entrance music, background music, or their mantra. Now if an artist is endorsing the candidate and allows the music to be used, that is one thing. However, just grabbing a song because a line from it fits your platform...well isn't that what they always complain happens to them...taking something out of context. duh.

Well, on this day in 1996 Isaac Hayes, who co-wrote the famous Sam & Dave song "Soul Man," sent a cease and desist letter to Republican presidential candidate Bob Dole to stop using his song in the campaign. Apparently supporters of Bob Dole had changed the lyrics to, get this... "I'm a Dole Man." ugh.

And how can we forget when Ronald Reagan invoked a great patriot Bruce Springsteen and his flag-waving song "Born in the USA." Now, I would never disagree that Bruce is a patriot, but did anyone bother to actually listen to the song before old Ronnie used it in a speech. didn't think so.

Added to the list of song-swiping politicians are: John McCain using Jackson Browne's "Running on Empty," Sarah Palin with Heart's "Barracuda," George W. Bush with the Orleans song "Still the One," and most recently Newt Gingrich using Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger."

But it isn't only Republicans making the major faux pas. Sam Moore of Sam & Dave apparently wasn't thrilled with Barack Obama using the song "Hold On, I'm Coming."

So in honor of the late Isaac Hayes and his letter writing to Bob Dole, I offer you his most famous song and the one whose title defines the effect on the artists when their songs are hijacked.

"Shaft"

shut your mouth.

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Hold On, I'm Coming: Sam and Dave

If you ask most people if they are fans of Mr. Moore and Mr. Prater, they will look at you and say "Who?" But,  if you ask those same people to name a song by Sam & Dave, most will smile and start singing "Soul Man."

The soul/R&B duo began in the 60's and were together until the 80's. Two more members of the Memphis musical church known as Stax Records, Sam & Dave brought the sweet, soulful sound of the South and fused it with a tinge of gospel, R&B and pop. Members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, there is not a musician worth his salt around today, who has not been influenced by Mr. Moore and Mr. Prater.

I was never lucky enough to have seen them perform, but it is well documented that a Sam & Dave show was one of the greatest live acts of all time.

Let's get the morning off to a good start with a few tastes of the masters...

"Soul Man" ...live 1967 footage...the Blues Brothers got nothing on the originals
"Hold On (I'm Comin')
"When Something Is Wrong With My Baby"  ...Duck Dunn on bass. RIP
"Soul Sister, Brown Sugar"
"I Thank You" ...No, we thank you.


If your foot ain't tappin'...baby you're dead.

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