The 20 Funniest Country Songs-- Part 2: 'Thank God and Greyhound'

Continued from April 18.

11.  BUBBA SHOT THE JUKEBOX--  Mark Chesnutt

12.  IT'S ALL GOING TO POT--  Willlie Nelson & Merle Haggard

13.  SHE GOT THE GOLD MINE, I GOT THE SHAFT--  Jerry Reed

14.  PICKUP MAN--  Joe Diffie

15.  IT'S FIVE O'CLOCK SOMEWHERE--  Alan Jackson & Jimmy Buffett

16.  TEN ROUNDS WITH JOSE CUERVO--  Tracy Byrd

17.  MISSISSIPPI SQUIRREL REVIVAL--  Ray Stevens

18.  ONE PIECE AT A TIME--  Johnny Cash

19.  THANK GOD AND GREYHOUND--  Roy Clark

20.  I DON'T EVEN KNOW YOUR NAME--  Alan Jackson

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Pour Me Somethin' Tall and Strong."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"It's Five O'clock Somewhere"

Songs of 1970-- Part 3: Singers & Songwriters-- James Taylor

"FIRE AND RAIN"  James Taylor

It didn't just make James Taylor a star, this song kick-started a whole singer-songwriter movement. By the next year, pop music was dominated by solo stars who both wrote and sang their own tunes, including Carole King, Carly Simon and Cat Stevens.

Taylor's song, which cracked the Top 5, contrasted sad lyrics -- inspired by his stay in a mental institution -- with the warmest possible vocal delivery.

Carole King later said her hit "You've Got a Friend" was her answer to Taylor's lyric, "I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend."

And, that's Carole King playing piano on "Fire and Rain."

--RoadRain

The Story Behind 'Michelle' by the Beatles

From the Jan. 31, 2021, American Profile "Stories behind the songs" by Jim Farber.

"MICHELLE"

WRITERS:  Paul McCartney and John Lennon, 1967

Before the Beatles' "Michelle" took the prize, no rock band had ever won a Top Song Grammy.  In truth, "Michelle" couldn't have rocked less. -- it swayed to a lilting melody penned by McCartney to recall his days as a student taking in Parisian culture.

But, because McCartney didn't speak French, he reached out to a friend for an assist with the translated part.  He also got help from Lennon, who devised the "I love you, I love you, I love you" bridge of the song.

"Michelle" went on to become one of only two Top Song winners to feature non-English lyrics.  The other:  "Volare," the very first winner in the category in the Grammy's inaugural year, 1959.

--RoadDog

Music Deaths: Jerry Jeff Walker, Wrote 'Mr. Bojangles'

JERRY JEFF WALKER, 78

Died 23 October 2020

Country singer/songwriter. Wrote the song "Mr. Bojangles."  

Leading figure in the Country Outlaw Movement.

He also wrote one of my favorite country songs "Up Against the Wall Redneck Mother."  "He's 34 and drinking in a honky tonk."

Doesn't get much more country than that.  

And, by the way, how do you spell "Mother."  Jerry will tell you.

Between 'A Christmas Story' and All That Christmas Music, Are You Ready for A to Z Rock?

I have been listening to my many, many Christmas albums, cassette tapes and CDs the last three weeks.  I love them, but am a bit to the Had Enough Stage. I put them away tomorrow until December next year.

Plus, since 7 pm last night I've been watching may favorite seasonal movie of all time, "A Christmas Story."  This sure takes you back to another time.  Imagine parents leaving their young kids in a line to see Santa these days and then going elsewhere in the huge store.  They'd be arrested in this day and age.

Anyway, I've seen the movie two full times and watched parts several more times.  I've almost got the dialogue down by now.

Yesterday, Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM started their annual end-of-the-year Rock and Roll A to Z Countdown.  It will go until sometime after the new year starts, they don't at this time know exactly what.  They add lots of songs every year, so its not the same old, same-old.  Lots of deep cuts as well.

They are up to the letter C  "Chicago, We Can Change the World" by Graham Nash right now.

I'll be listening to this a lot starting tomorrow.  It streams, of course.

TRIVIA TEASER:  What Everly Brothers song includes the lyrics:  "When I Want You In My Arms, When I Want You And All Your Charms."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"All I Have To Do is Dream"

The Story Behind Dan Fogelberg's 'Same Old Lang Syne'

This morning I was listening to Jim Morgan who is a disk jockey at Myrtle Beach's WVCO, 94.9 FM, the Surf, which plays Carolina Beach Music as I often do on internet radio.

Every Monday to Friday, he has a segment I especially like called Music Spotlight where he takes a song and tells you the story behind it.  Usually the song has something to do about the date of its release, recording or the artist's date of birth or death.

Today is the anniversary of Dan Fogelberg's death in 2007.  The song Jim Morgan chose of Dan Fogelberg was "Same Old Lang Syne."  There is quite a story behind this song that Dan wrote.  It is based on an actual event in his life from 1975.

He was back in his hometown of Peoria, Illinois, visiting family for the holidays and on Christmas Eve, they needed something for dinner and he drove over to a local convenience store to get it since all the stores were closed.  While there, he met his old high school girlfriend.

You can go to You Tube and view  Bob Natale's video "The Story Behind Dan Fogelberg's 'Same Old Lang Syne' " to hear what Jim said.  After that, go to the Track X Track video "On Location: The True Story of Dan Fogelberg's 'Same Old Lang Syne' " and view that which takes you to the places mentioned in the story.

After that, go to the video Dan Fogelberg- Same Old Lang Syne (Lyrics).  The lyrics are shown as the song is sung.

This Is Quite the Story.  --RoadDog

The Songs of 1970-- Part 2: It Was a Very Trying Time and the Songs Helped Get Us By

 By Jim Farber.

You can learn a lot about any given year by listening to its most popular songs.

In 1970, the No. 1-selling single was Simon & Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water," an ode t everlasting hope and unwavering faith.  Nearly as possible was the Beatles' "Let It Be, "O-o-h Child" by Chicago's Five Stairste4ps and B.J. Thomas' "Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head," all  meant to soothe and uplift.

These singles wound up defining American life in 1970, a turbulent year indeed.  "It was a time of the Vietnam War, riots in cities and [following] the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Bobby Kennedy," says Keni Burke, who crooned the Five Stairsteps calming anthem "O-o-h Child," which assured us that "things are gonna get easier."

"Given as much unrest, everyone was exhausted," says David Browne, author of 'Fire and Rain: The Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel, James Taylor, CSNY and the Lost Story of 1970.'  "It's no coincidence that the top songs of the year were as much hymns as pop songs.

--RoadDog

PONDER THIS:  Why doesn't glue stick to the inside of the bottle?

Three New Inductees Into Country Music Hall of Fame-- Part 2: Marty Stuart and Dean Dillon

Marty Stuart is a five-time Grammy winner who started his career as a sideman before going solo.  He charted six Top Ten Country songs with :Hillbilly Rock,"  "Little Things" and "Tempted.

Dean Dillon is known for being the tunesmith behind George Strait dozens of hits, including "The Chair,"  "Oceanfront Property" and "Here for a Good Time.

With Linda Hargrove, he wrote the timeless classic "Tennessee Whiskey."  This song was originally recorded by David Allan Coe who had a #77  hit with it.  Then George Jones took it to #2.  But, by far the biggest version of the song is the one done by Chris Stapleton who had a #1 on the Country chart and #23 on the Billboard Hot 100.

When I'm at a bar, I like to play "Tennessee Whiskey" and follow it up with Darius Rucker's version of "Wagon Wheel."  Those two songs go really well together.

--RoadSong

WDRV Playing 'Lodi' Right Now (the Old Delta Sig 'Buffalo Song')

I am listening to Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM, The Drive,  right now and Bob Stroud is playing Creedence Clearwater's "Lodi."  This was my fraternity's "song" back in 1970-1973 at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb.  Only we called it "The Buffalo Song."

It was on one of the four albums we would play at all our parties.  We'd play one side of each album (stacked to four) then flip them over and play the other side.

Our four "party" albums:

"Green River" by Creedence which had "Lodi" on it.
Temptations Greatest Hits
Four Tops Greatest Hits
Sly & the Family Stone Greatest Hits

So, as you can see, we really liked out soul music, much like the guys on the movie "Animal House."

Only, we had other words to "Lodi" which I won't recount here.  Czych and Beazey put the new words to the song.  When it came on, we'd all get in a circle, arms on each others' shoulders and sing at the top of our voices as we swayed back and forth.  When we got to a break in the singing, that was time to take a swig of a beverage.

Sure brought back some fun memories.  Thank You, Bob.

By the way, all day today, the Drive is doing Two-For-Tuesday.  Two songs in a row by an artist.  Coming up at 10 am, Bob will be doing "Just" songs, songs with the word "Just" in the title.  It streams and will have a repeat at 10 pm.

"Just About A Year Ago, I Took Out the Buffalo."  --RoadDog

FOX HUNTING: Who played the title character in the movies "Foxy Brown" in 1974 and "Jackie Brown" in 1997?


"Pam Grier"

Happy Mother's Day, Mom and Liz's Mom

My mom, Barbara, would have been 89 today, but died in 2016 at age 85.  I am so glad that all three of us kids were with her for her last Mother's Day that year.  We were there for my Aunt Louise's 90th birthday party in Mt. Olive, North Carolina.

But, the three of us, Bob, Julie and I, had not been together for a Mother's Day probably since out twenties (I'm going to be 69 in two weeks).  Julie lives in Georgia, Bob in North Carolina and I live in Illinois.  So, I know this was extra special for her.

She died in June.

So, like I said in the last post, watch the Summer's End" video by John Prine, and do whatever you can in these days to say you love her to your mom.  Another song that brings Mom to mind is C.W. McCall's "Roses for Mama."

You never know when it is going to be your last time with her.

Liz's mom, Frances, would have been 104 today.  I got along with her very well, even if she was my mother-in-law, which I kidded her about much of the time.  We did a lot together even when Liz wasn't with us.

Whenever she would come in to see me deejaying, I always played Ernie K. Doe's "Mother-in-Law" and, in honor of her speeding ticket "Little Old Lady from Pasadena."

I Sure Do Miss My Moms.  --RoadMissingMom

Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)?

On September 11 and September 12, I posted the words to this Alan Jackson song.  Then I watched two videos of it on You Tube.

Gerard Vidal's one had photos from the event and The Grand Old Opry just had Alan Jackson and his band playing it.

Both really got to me,  just as Alan Jackson singing it back then did.

I mean, really got to me.

I had to go to AC/DC's "Thunderstruck" to get me out of it.

That was the sad side of me.  But my get 'em back side was Toby Keith's "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue."  I listened to this one as well.

Music Can Have Impact.  --RoadDog

Now That Halloween Creep Has Begun, How About A Scary Song?

Now that the stores are selling off or putting away their Back-To-School Creep stuff, I see that they are starting to put out the Halloween Creep stuff--  two months early..

As I was making entries on the blog today, I am listening to You Tube which has made one of many personal listening sets based on songs I have played on their service.  They do an absolutely wonderful job of it.

An hour or so ago, they put on the Guess Who's "Shakin' All Over." on my Mix:  Illusion "Did You See Her Eyes."  I wish I had known about this song as a good scary one back when I was deejaying as I absolutely would have used it in my Halloween shows.

And, this version is played along with Walt Disney's scary 1929 "Skeleton Dance" cartoon.  They go perfectly together.

Check out St.PeteArtisan's  "The Guess Who - Shakin' All Over --  Skeleton Dance on You Tbe.

Like, BOO!!!

Eagles' "Greatest Hits 1971-1975" Tops "Thriller" as No. 1

From the August 21, 2018, Chicago Sun-Times by Mesfin Fekadu, AP.

"The Eagles' greatest hits album (which includes that Route 66 favorite 'Take It Easy" where he was 'Standing on the corner in Winslow, Arizona) has moonwalked past Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' to become history's best-selling album of all-time in the U.S.."

The Recording Industry Association of America said the Eagles' album is  now certified 38x platinum, which means sales and streams of it have reached 39 million copies.  The album was released in 1976.

RIAA's platinum status was once equivalent to selling 1 million albums or singles, but in 2013, the company began incorporating streaming from YouTube, Spotify and other digital musical services.  Now 1,500 streams of an album is equivalent to an album sale.

The Eagles formed in Los Angeles in the early 1970s.  Co-founder Glenn Frey died in 2016.

By teh way, the Eagles' "Hotel California" is No. 3.

--RoadEasy

World Leaders Honor D-Day Veterans-- Part 5: In Their Own Words and a Fly-By

President Trump read a prayer that President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered in a radio address on June 6, 1944, extolling the "mighty endeavor" Allied troops were engaged in.

British Prime Minister Theresa May read a letter written by Captain Norman Skinner of the Royal Army service Corps to his wife Gladys, on June 3, 1944, a few days before the invasion.  he was killed the day after D-Day.

"Although I would give anything to be back with you, I have not yet had any wish at all to back down from the job we have to do," he wrote.

French President Emmanuel Macron read from a letter sent by a young resistance fighter, Henri Fertet, before he was executed at the age of 16.

"I am going to die for my country.  I want France to be free and the French to be happy."

The ceremony ended with singer Sheridan Smith performing the wartime hit "We'll Meet Again," as many of the veterans sang along.

Then WW II Spitfire and Hurricane fighter plans, modern-day Typhoons and the Royal Air Force's Red Arrows aerobatic unit swooped over the dignitaries and crows of spectators.

Just Got Back From Indy 500-- Part 5: "Lady and Gentlemen, Start Your Engines"

Everyone was keeping a weather eye out west, lest we have heavy rain and mess up the race.  This was talked about ever since we got there on Thursday, whether or not there would even be a race and what would happen if it was canceled Sunday.

As it turned out, it didn't rain.

This race is probably the biggest Memorial Day commemoration in the United States.  It is devoted to those veterans who gave their lives in the service of their country.  We had a four helicopter flyover and another flyover by two WW II planes and a jet and another plane while Kelly Clarkson was singing the "Star-Spangled Banner."  No ONE took a knee.

Blackhawk favorite, Jim Cornelison sang "Back Home Again in Indiana."  He sings the "Star-Spangled Banner" for home games.  This is his third year in a row doing it so I'd say he has now taken the place of Jim Nabors singing it.

"Lady and Gentlemen, Start Your Engines."  Pippa Mann was among the 33 who raced.

--RoadDog

A PLETHORA OF TIDBITS:  When actor Clint Eastwood ran for mayor of Carmel, California, in 1986, a major issue was ice cream.  Town leaders had banned the sale of ice cream cones, incensing Eastwood and his supporters.  They won and overturned the ordinance.

I'd Celebrate That!!! Jan. 28 to 31: Backwards Day Thursday

**  I'd celebrate that.

JANUARY 28--  Daisy Day**  And, I've got a lot of 'em.  Rattlesnake Roundup Day   Reckon I'll take a pass on this one.   National Blueberry Pancake Day**     And the more the better.   Child Labor Day**  Childhood is too short.

JANUARY 29--  Curmudgeons Day**  I don;t care what they saw.  I ain't one!!!   National Carnation Day*8    National Corn Chip Day*8   Few things finer.   National Puzzle Day**  Until several months ago, I didn't do crossword puzzles.  I sure do them now.  Never figured I would.

JANUARY 30--  National Croissant Day**  Especially those Burger King breakfast sandwiches.   National Inane  Answering Message Day**   "I ain't home, I ain't home.  You got to leave a message 'cause I ain't home"  Sung to Jimmy Buffett's "This Hotel Room" song.   Yodel To Your Neighbors Day**  A great way to get them to leave you alone.

JANUARY 31--   Backwards Day**   Do as many things elbissop sdrawkcab.     Eat Brussels Sprouts Day.  Oh well.   National Hot Chocolate Day**   Just don't burn your tongue.  Few things worse than a hot chocolate burn.

--GoDdaoR


IN 50 YEARS OF LIVING YOU LEARN:  If God created the universe and wanted to get a message to it, he would not hire a person on cable TV with a bad hairstyle to do it for him/her.

"Go Cubs Go," A 1984 Song, Hits Billboard Charts-- Part 2

The tune debuted a few months before Steve Goodman, a beloved Chicago singer-songwriter, died of leukemia in September 1984 at age 36.  He was probably best known for writing the song "City of New Orleans," but in Chicago was also really popular for his song "Lincoln Park Pirates," about an infamous towing company.

"Go Cubs Go" also tops the LyricFind U.S. chart for the week ending November 19, up from No. 8 the previous week.  The chart ranks the top trending lyric searches through LyricFind's syndication service.  The song was also No. 5 on Spotify's Viral 50 list Tuesday.

The Cubs anthem received even more exposure Saturday when Cub fan Bill Murray, first baseman Anthony Rizzo, center fielder Dexter Fowler and catcher David Ross sang the tune on "Saturday Night Live."

Like the Man Said, "Go Cubs Go."  --RoadDog

Music Death: "Mustang Sally" Composer Mack Rice-- Part 1

From the June 29, 2016, Goldsboro (NC) News-Argus by AP.

'MUSTANG SALLY' COMPOSER MACK RICE DIES

One of my all-time favorite songs.  A sixties classic by the Wicked Pickett.

MACK RICE, 82.  Died June 27, 2016.

Mack Rice, the composer of the '60s hit "Mustang Sallly" and co-writer of the Staple Singers' "Respect Yourself" has died in Detroit.

"Sir" Mack Rice was best known for writing "Mustang Sally," which he initially recorded but it was Wilson Pickett who really made it popular.  The two of them had been in a group called the Falcons.

His wife, Laura Rice, said, "When he wrote 'Mustang Sally' and he saw that royalty check, he really started writing.  He never thought 'Mustang Sally' would ever be as big as it became.  ...He used to tell me, 'Honey that Mustang has rolled a long time.'"

"You Better Slow That..."

Music Deaths: Wrote "Always On My Mind" and "The Letter"

WAYNE CARSON, 72

Songwriter who penned "Always On My Mind," dies at 72.

By David Colker, LA Times.

Songwriter Wayne Carson was on the phone with his wife in the early 1970s and told her "Well, I know I've been gone a lot, but I've been thinking about you all the time."  This led to that famous Willie Nelson song.  It has been recorded by many other artists since then, including Elvis Presley.

He also had a big hit with the song "The Letter" which went to #1 for the Box Tops in 1967 and three years later Joe Cocker took it to the top ten.  Another hit for him was the Box Tops' "Neon Rainbow" which went to #24.

Two others also have credit for writing "Always On My Mind."

--RoadDog


REDNECK COMPUTER TERMS: CACHE--  Needed when you go yo the store.

New Cubs Victory Song-- Part 3: "Cubs Win!" by Jumpsuit, a Real "Parti Gras" Song

Some comments about "Cubs Win!" by Jumpsuit.

"The opening horn riff immediately puts you in a party atmosphere."

"The swaggering horns and the party tone of the tune befits the celebratory vibe that follows every Cubs win."

"Easy, happy, whimsical, full of everlasting hope, love and positivity."

Even Steve Goodman's brother, David, likes the song.  He said: "I hoist a beer to Jumpsuit's 'Cubs Win."  How ya gonna beat that Parti Gras Brass Band feel?"

This song has a really great video.  Check out "Cubs Win" by Jumpsuit on You Tube.  It is a lot of fun and gets you in Parti Gras mode.  they filmed it outside Wrigley Field while there was still snow on the ground.

Hope To Get to Sing it a Lot This Year, Said the Sox Fan.  --RoadDog


SOME CRAZY SAYINGS:  A plateau is a high form of flattery.