Take care of all your memories for you cannot relive them....

Hello, my dear friends.

This is such a hectic time of year for so many.  Holiday parties, dinners, family time, work obligations, decorating the house, gift buying, and the list goes on.  In the midst  of all the things this wonderful season brings, I wanted to take a minute to share some iconic music with you that I hope will give you an opportunity to slow things down a little, breathe a little slower, and just listen quietly.

Today I will be showcasing one of my all time favorite songs by Bob Dylan.

Bob Dylan ( born Robert Allen Zimmerman, May 24, 1941) is an American songwriter, singer, and artist.  He has been influential in popular music and culture for more than five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s, when his songs chronicled social unrest. Early songs such as "Blowin' in the Wind" and "The Times They Are a-Changin' " became anthems for the American civil rights and anti-war movements. Leaving behind his initial base in the American Folk music revival, his six-minute single 'Like a Rolling Stone', recorded in 1965, enlarged the range of popular music.

Dylan was born in Minnesota and attended the University of Minnesota.  I don't know why but I alway picture these history-making musicians being born in some hippie commune with their mom and dad dancing around the fire on the beach somewhere.  He moved to New York in 1960 and began playing clubs in Greenwich Village.  He became well-known for his songwriting talents and many others had hits with Dylan's songs in the early 1960s including The Byrds, Sonny and Cher, the Hollies, Peter, Paul and Mary, The Turtles, and the Association.

Here's a little known fact:  In the late 1970s, Dylan became a born again Christian and released two albums of contemporary gospel music featuring the guitar accompaniment of Mark Knopler (of Dire Straits) and was produced by veteran R&B producer Jerry Wexler. Wexler said that Dylan had tried to evangelize him during the recording. He replied: "Bob, you're dealing with a 62-year-old Jewish atheist. Let's just make an album."

So, here's the original recording made on a 45 RPM record. You can hear a little of the 'crackling' at the beginning of the song that I think is pretty cool.  Enjoy.

                                                                            

            

Until next time, my friends, be kind to each other, and rejoice in the miracles
of this blessed season.  

Peace and much love,

Kimmie

You are confined only by the walls you build yourself....

Hello again, friends. Hope you all had a truly blessed Thanksgiving. I know I did, so many things to be thankful for. One of the things that I am thankful is the wonderful musical artists who bless us all with their talent. As you know, I wouldn't be writing this blog if music wasn't an important part of me and my life. I don't remember a time when I wasn't singing (albeit off key) or listening to music. AND my taste runs the gamut...from the 60's anthems to the 90's, from bubblegum (I know, I'm hanging my head in shame as I write this), the dance music of the 80's and even some country thrown in there for good measure.

I'm finding that I am being drawn to country music these days. Now, now, don't panic!  I'm not talking about the old Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline stuff. I enjoy country music from the 80's and 90's as long as they aren't singing about their dog running away, getting drunk, and momma's cookin'.  I guess I'm a music snob that way but you like what you like.

One of my favorite country singers of ALL time is Dwight Yoakum. His music really is different from what most would consider 'country'. His lyrics just draw you in and you listen to every word. I forget where I am or what I am doing. His songs have an awesome melody and powerful words. In his concerts, there is very little talking, just melding one song into another.

Today's offering is a song written and recorded by Dwight Yoakum and is included on his "If There Was a Way' album. This song peaked at #5 on the Country Billboard but many of his fans feel 'he wuz robbed'.  LOL.  All that being said, here is 'You're The One'.  Give it a listen and I think you'll enjoy it as much as I do.

                       

So until next time, be kind to each other.

Kimmie

It is not happy people who are thankful...it's thankful people who are happy

Happy Thanksgiving, friends.

This has been a kind of chaotic few weeks for me and the Thanksgiving holiday is closing in upon us; yet,  I still wanted to be sure to post one of my favorite songs by Dwight Yoakum.  This song wasn't published until 1990, a little later than most of the songs that are on my 'short list' of favorites.

I saw him in concert in 1990 and that little move he does with his leg in this video? Well, that has become his trademark move.  You should  try it sometime in skinny leg jeans - it's not as easy as he makes it look.  :-)  Also, around the 1:15 to 1:25 mark in the video, you will hear the reason this is at the top of my favorite song list.  There is also some phenomenal guitar playing by Pete Anderson who partnered with Yoakum from 1984-2002, a partnership that resulted in numerous platinum records, sold-out tours, and some darn fine music.

Here's 'I'm a Thousand Miles from Nowhere' for your listening pleasure.





Wishing you and yours a truly blessed Thanksgiving.

Namaste.

Kimmie

Make space to listen to your wise heart.  What you seek lies within.

Breathe In Peace, Breathe Out Love

The presidential election is just around the corner.....I'm sitting here listening to some really fine music ..... makes all the craziness seem a lot more tolerable.  But then good music usually does that to me.

I guess I'm on a southern rock kick here for the last few weeks.  As you know, I love pretty much all music EXCEPT for hip-hop.  (Sorry, folks, but if you ain't singing  the lyrics, it just ain't music!)

I heard this song the other day and think it's one that I need to share with you all.

This was recorded in 1973 by The Allman Brothers and peaked at number 2 on the charts that year.  Did you know that Greg Allman (the founder of the group) married Cher in 1975?  Just a little trivia.....   The song had originally been recorded by Hank Williams in the 1950's and it was WAYYY more country sounding than this version.  The band was a little reluctant to record it because they really weren't into all that twangy stuff. They decided if they were going to make it, they were going to do the best job they could.  And they sure enough did.

Here's Ramblin' Man for your listening pleasure:





So, my music friends, until next time, be kind to each.

Peace and love.

Kimmie

Be Somebody Who Makes Everybody Feel Like A Somebody

Hello, my dear music lovers.

Today's post is going to be short but sweet.

Normally I concentrate on rock, folk, soft rock genres of music from the late 50's, 60's, and 70's.  But today I want to travel to 1977 and share one of my all time favorite songs.  I guess it resonates with my Appalachian roots, well, kind of, one generation removed.  But I still have many, many fond memories of my great-grandma and her kin up on the mountains.  These boys are from Spartanburg, SC.

This song was recorded in 1977 and is considered Southern Rock.  Give it a listen and see if it brings back lots of fond memories around the campfire.  That's where I am taken.  The flute playing on this stands unchallenged, in my opinion, as some of the sweetest sounds you'll ever hear.

And with that, I lovingly share with you, "Heard It in a Love Song" by the Marshall Tucker Band. Sing the chorus if you don't know the rest of the lyrics.  Enjoy!

Speaking of Appalachian roots, below is a photo of a woman playing her mountain dulcimer.  You may be surprised to know that Cyndi Lauper plays a dulcimer.  (Psssst...I have a dulcimer, too, that I have been teaching myself to play.  Shhhh..it's my little secret. )

And on that note,

Be kind to each other.  Peace and love.

Kimmie

Wherever you go, go with all your heart

Hello there.

Another glorious autumn day in my neck of the woods.

I've been listening to some 'lighter' music these last few weeks; songs whose meaning is pretty upfront and you don't have to dig too deep to figure out exactly what they're singing about..

Today's song is from 1967, where it peaked to number 4 on the charts and stayed in the top 10 for 6 weeks.  I was a mere child (actually, I really was!) but I still remember it well.  My friends and I were fantasizing about our boyfriends and singing this song....ah, a simpler time.

This is the third album by pop star band Tommy James and the Shondells.  (What's a Shondell??) 
The original album cover was black with two pairs of yellow footsteps walking side by side, then facing each other near the top of the cover. (Scandalous!) This was considered to controversial at the time (in 1967??) so the album cover was changed to a yellow cover with a photo of the group .  So, if you stumble across this album with the yellow footsteps, GRAB IT!  You won't find very many of them.  Hey, if you find one, and don't want it for yourself, post a comment and let me know.  I'll send you my contact info so I can take it off your hands. 

Ok, folks. today's song is 'I Think We're Alone Now'.



So, until next time, be kind to each other.

Peace and love,
Kimmie

Fall Seven Times; STAND UP EIGHT!

Happy Friday, friends. 

What a glorious day we have today.  There is little doubt as to why this time of year is the favorite season of so many.  Vibrant fall colors, cool evening air perfect for a bonfire and your favorite music playing in the background.

I have chosen a song for you that I'm pretty certain that you remember from the 1960's,  BUT this version is going to have a little surprise for you. I'm even going to tell you the name of today's choice.

'Don't Worry Baby' written by The Beach Boys is the subject of today's post.

A little trivia for you:

 Don’t Worry Baby" is a song written by Brian Wilson and Roger Christian, produced by Wilson and first recorded by American rock band the Beach Boys. The band's version, a tender ballad with falsetto lead vocal by Wilson, was first released on their 1964 album Shut Down Volume 2. It was also released as the B-side of The Beach Boys' first US number-one, "I Get Around", also reaching number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100 in its own right.

The song "Don't Worry Baby" is part of the The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll list. It is ranked as the 176th greatest song of all time in Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, and Pitchfork Media placed it at number 14 on its list of "The 200 Greatest Songs of the 1960s".

The song, as originally performed by the Beach Boys, is sung from the point of view of a teenager who reluctantly agrees to a challenge to race a rival after rashly bragging about his car, and is reassured by his girlfriend's plea to take her love with him when he races.
David Howard wrote that "Don't Worry Baby" was a "subtle harbinger for the growing dichotomy within the California Sound. While 'I Get Around' symbolized the sunshine ideal in all its carefree splendor, 'Don't Worry Baby' suggested something entirely more pensive and even slightly dark underneath its pristine facade."

This song was recorded January 7, 1964.  Take 12 was the one used as the master recording.  Brian Wilson cited the song as his attempt to capture the essence of his all-time favorite record, "Be My Baby" by the Ronettes. Wilson estimates he has listened to the song "more than 1,000 times."

So, what's the surprise, you ask??  The version in today's blog is actually performed by BILLY JOEL, and is amazing!  I actually like it better than the Beach Boys version.  I know, blasphemy, right? 

 

Take a listen and see what you think.  (Indulge me, please, as Billy Joel dedicates the song to his daughter in the very beginning of the video or just grab the scroll bar at the bottom and scroll right past that part).

Until next time, be kind to each other.

Peace.


Kimmie

There is no path to happiness; Happiness is the path.

Hello, my friends of great music.

I have been listening to some great music since my last post and I keep coming back to this tune.

This song was recorded in 1967 by The Turtles, their most successful year. It reached number 3 on the US charts in late spring and actually out-charted "Happy Together" overseas, reaching #4 in the UK.

The Turtles are an American rock band led by vocalists Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman. The band had several Top 40 hits beginning with their cover version of Bob Dylan's "It Ain't Me Babe" in 1965. They scored their biggest and best-known hit in 1967 with the song "Happy Together".

The band broke up in 1970. Kaylan and Volman later found long-lasting success as session musicians, billed as the comedic vocal duo Flo & Eddie. In 2010, a reconstituted version of the band, the Turtles Featuring Flo & Eddie, began performing live shows again.

The Turtles have created a 'Happy Together' Tour that I had the pleasure of seeing live a few years ago, and I have to say, they sound great!  Everybody was singing and dancing in the aisles.

So, have you figured out today's song?

I present to you, for your listening pleasure, the one, the only Turtles performing 'You Know She'd Rather Be With Me.'

I really wish that today's music was more like these songs.  You can't help but feel good when you hear this!

     

 

  1967 - a very good year

 

Until next time, be kind to each other.

Peace.

Kimmie

 

Old Hippies Never Die....They Just Sing

Happy, Happy Friday, friends.

So, I got up this morning, with this fantastic song in my head and I just KNOW it was a message from the cosmos that I was to share it with you.  I know you will know every single word and every single La-tee-dah in it.  

This is Van Morrison's 'Brown-Eyed Girl'.  First of all, I didn't know that Van Morrison was from Northern Ireland.

In March, 1967, over a two day period and TWENTY TWO takes, Morrison was finally happy enough with the recording to release it.  The song's original title was 'Brown-Skinned Girl' because he thought the song had a kind of Calypso beat to it.  He changed the name 'accidentally', according to him.  Who knows?  Maybe he did.

Some of the radio stations thought the lyrics were too risque (makin' love in the green grass) and  Morrison changed the lyrics to accommodate the radio stations.  However, the ORIGINAL version still can be found easily enough.  Personally, I happen to like the original version...gives me a better picture of what he is trying to say.

'Brown-Eyed Girl' was ranked in November, 2004, as number 110 of the top 500 songs of ALL TIME, and in 2007, was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

Not too shabby, huh?

So, here it is.    Sing. Dance.  Grab your loved one and ENJOY.

So until next time be kind to each other.

Kimmie

Poverty with Dignity is Better than Wealth Based on Shame

Hello, my friends.

I was traveling in my car with my Sirius Radio on (as always....I don't go anywhere without my music) and this tune came on a couple times within a couple days.  I took that as a cosmic sign that this was to be my next selection for you.  :-)   Besides this is ANOTHER great tune that I associate great times and great memories.

So, where were YOU in 1974?

This song is by The Doobie Brothers and was recorded in 1974.  Michael McDonald didn't join the group until 1976 so it's not him that you hear singing the lead vocals.  Who knew?   All this time, I thought it was him.  AND here's another factoid, the title of this song is actually a small town in Texas, population 1,719.

S0, do you know what today's song is?  If you guessed "China Grove', you are correct.

Crank it up so 'You can hear the music at night'.  :-)

(Check out the groovy hair on the guys.  Love it!)

     


Enjoy.

Namaste.

Kimmie 

CHERISH YESTERDAY, DREAM TOMORROW, AND LIVE TODAY

Good day, my friends.

I have found ANOTHER (there seems to be an endless supply) fantastic song that is sure to take you back to some great memories, great times, in your life. 

This is a song that was written and performed by Jackson Browne in 1977.

It was written while he was driving to the studio each day to make The Pretender, according to Rolling Stone magazine: "I was always driving around with no gas in the car," Browne is quoted. "I just never bothered to fill up the tank because — how far was it anyway? Just a few blocks."

The song may be meant to describe the rigors of a musician's day-to-day life on the road, and its effect on his life as a whole, in connection with the themes of much of the album, but the lyric is more generally applicable, as well:

Looking out at the road rushing under my wheels —

Looking back at the years gone by like so many summer fields.

In '65 I was seventeen and running up 101

I don't know where I'm running now, I'm just running on ...

The lyric's ages and years match up with Browne's:

In '69 I was twenty-one and I called the road my own

I don't know when that road turned onto the road I'm on.

Rolling Stone writer Paul Nelson saw "Running on Empty" as embodying a "tenacious, win/lose duality" and being "what daydreamers have nightmares about":

You know I don't even know what I'm hoping to find ...

Running into the sun, but I'm running behind.

I'm sure you figured it out.  Today's offering is 'Running on Empty' by none other than Jackson Browne, one of my all time favorite artists.  Now, this video has the lyrics included so......you know what to do.   Enjoy!

                  

Until next time, live in peace.

Kimmie 

I Want to be a Sunflower; So Even on the Darkest Days, I will Stand Tall and Find the Sunlight

Namaste, friends.

I'm bringing you today a song that takes me wayyyy back (well, maybe not so wayy back) but back to high school.  Lots of good memories, lots of great music.  I don't know about you but I just can't get into today's music.  I suppose it has a lot to do with the music with which we associate great times of our life. I remember my mother-in-law one time saying that her favorite music was 'big band music'.  I was like, 'Whhaaat?'  But now I get it.  That was time in her life that she has great memories from.

So, today, I'm bringing you 'Doctor, My Eyes' by Jackson Browne.  It was written and performed by Jackson Browne in 1972, on his debut album Jackson Browne.  The song made it to number 8 on Top 100 Billboard for 1972 and became a concert mainstay for Browne.

Here's an interesting fact:  David Crosby and Graham Nash sang backup vocals.  Not too bad, huh?

Glenn Frey (of The Eagles fame) would tell the story of listening to Jackson working on the song for months at a time in his apartment.  You see, Frey had an apartment next door and could hear him through the walls at work every single morning for..months.  I find it intriguing how so many young artists paths crossed as they found their way to stardom.

Browne was holding a concert relatively close to where I live and I had heard he was introducing some 'new' music he had written.  Maybe I'm stuck in a rut, but I want to hear classic Jackson Browne! 

Hope you enjoy 'Doctor My Eyes' by Jackson Browne.

   

                                

Peace and all good things.

Kimmie

Holding onto Anger is Like Drinking Poison and Expecting the Other Person to Die.....

Howdy, fellow lovers of music. I have just returned from a little vacation and am now renewed, re-energized (is that a word??), and ready to devote more time to this blog.

If you've been paying attention, (and I'm sure you have), the heading of each post has an inspirational quote for you to think about. Some, more than others, may 'speak' to you, and that's my hope.

So, all that aside...there is another fantastic song that I've selected for you that 'speaks to me'. AND I know when the title is revealed, you are going to be very surprised, as I was. I thought it was just a great song from the early 70's. (Who knew?) This is actually a popular and well-known Christian hymn first published in 1931. It has words by English author Eleanor Farjeon and is set to a traditional Scottish Gaelic tune known as "Bunessan" (it shares this tune with the 19th century Christmas Carol "Child in the Manger"[1]). It is often sung in children's services.

This song was recorded in 1971 by Cat Stevens, who wrongfully is often credited for writing the lyrics. The song was recorded by numerous other artists such as Neil Diamond, Art Garfunkle, and Kenny Rogers to name a few, but none were as successful as Cat Steven's version.

Here is 'Morning Has Broken'.

 (PS I'm learning to play this on my mountain dulcimer. Beautiful tones!) So, sit back and enjoy!


             


Namaste, my friends.

Love Yourself For What You Are, Instead of Hating Yourself For What You are Not....

Happy, happy day, lovers of great tunes.  I  have chosen a song for today by Jefferson Starship that I haven't heard in FOREVER.  And boy, did it ever take me back to a time when life, well, life was just kind of groovy. (I bet you were wondering when I was going to throw that word in there!)

Jefferson Airplane was a San Francisco, California-based band who pioneered the American counterculture movement as well as psychedelic rock. Formed in 1965, the group defined the San Francisco Sound and was the first from the Bay Area to achieve international commercial success.

The origin of the group's name is disputed. "Jefferson airplane" is slang for a used paper match splint to hold a marijuana joint that is too short to hold without burning the fingers – an improvised roach clip.^[4] A popular conjecture suggests this was the origin of the band's name, but band member Jorma Kaukonen has denied this and stated that the name was invented by his friend Steve Talbot as a parody of blues names such as Blind Lemon Jefferson.^[5] A 2007 press release quoted Kaukonen as saying:

"I had this friend [Talbot] in Berkeley who came up with funny names for people," explains Kaukonen. "His name for me was Blind Thomas Jefferson Airplane (for blues pioneer Blind Lemon Jefferson). When the guys were looking for band names and nobody could come up with something, I remember saying, 'You want a silly band name? I got a silly band name for you!'"

They were headliners at the three most famous American rock festivals of the 1960s—Monterey (1967), Woodstock (1969) and Altamont (1969)—in addition to the first Isle of Wight Festival (1968) ^[1] in England. Their 1967 break-out record Surrealistic Pillow ranks on the short list of most significant recordings of the "Summer of Love". Two songs from that album, "Somebody to Love" and "White Rabbit", are among Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Songs of All Time."

The "classic" line-up of Jefferson Airplane remained stable from 1967 to early 1970, and consisted of Marty Balin, Jack Casady, Spencer Dryden, Paul Kantner, Jorma Kaukonen and Grace Slick. The group broke up in 1972, and essentially split into the two bands, Hot Tuna and Jefferson Starship. Jefferson Airplane was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996, and honored with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016. 

Today's selection is 'Runaway' recorded by Jefferson STARSHIP.

Hope you enjoy it.

And, as always, be kind to each other

Namaste.

Kimmie

The Mind is Everything. What You Think, You Become.....

Howdy, fellow lovers of great music.  I'm feeling very nostalgic today which is one of the reasons I chose this song.  This is just one of a series of great hits by this group.  The group is none other than (drum roll, please) 'THE TURTLES'.  These guys had a series of hits from the mid-60's on.

Some little known facts:

The band, originally a surf-rock group called the Crossfires, was formed in 1965 in Westchester, Los Angeles, by high school friends Kaylan, Volman, Al Nichol, Chuck Portz, Don Murray, and Jim Tucker.  Adhering to the prevailing musical trend, they rebranded themselves as a folk rock group under the name the Tyrtles, an intentionally stylized misspelling inspired by the Byrds and the Beatles. However, the trendy spelling did not survive long.  (Who knew?)

The first of several key Turtles singles co-written by Garry Bonner and Alan Gordon, "Happy Together", had already been rejected by countless performers.  "Happy Together", both their biggest hit and their signature song, signaled a turning point for both the Turtles and for Chip Douglas, who provided the arrangement. The single replaced the Beatles' "Penny Lane" at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in the spring of 1967. The Turtles' only No. 1 remained there for three weeks.

Kaylan and Volman sang backing vocals on several recordings, including the worldwide hit "Get it On (Bang A Gong)".  (Again, who knew?)

Without further adieu, I bring you 'HAPPY TOGETHER'.  This video is from their appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show.  There is NO ONE over 50 who doesn't know this song.  I want to hear some SINGIN'.  C'mon folks.  Let's be happy together.

A little something to think about:

Peace comes from within.  Do not seek it without.

Kimmie   

(PSSST.  I'd love to hear from you. Do you like this music, do you want some other genre, thoughts, comments, recipes (ha!).)

Live in Joy

Peace to you all this beautiful day.

Today, I have selected a song by a  man whom I consider to be one of the all time greatest performers of my generation, Cat Stevens.  I know, I know, I have chosen something by him already and there are SO MANY other great performers out there.  All that is very true.  But, this morning, this song called out to me - 'Pick me, pick me'!  How could I say no?

Stevens developed a relationship with actress Patti D'Arbanville and the two were a pair throughout a period of two years or so. She left for periods of time to pursue her modeling career in Paris and New York.  During that time, he wrote several songs about her, including this song. The song has struck many critics as being protective and caring; the artist's expression of love includes words like "I wouldn't want to see you sad girl, don't be a bad girl".

The song is in the form of the singer's words to his departing lover, inspired by the end of their romance. Stevens later recalled to Mojo: "It was one of those chord sequences that's very common in Spanish music. I turned it around and came up with that theme--which is a recurring theme in my work--which is to do with leaving, the sadness of leaving, and the anticipation of what lies beyond." 

Oh, and here's a little trivia. In 1982,  Patti D'Arbanville had a relationship with Don Johnson of Miami Vice fame and had a child together.  Who knew?

The song was written, recorded and released in 1970.   Ok, figured it out yet?    

It is none other than 'Wild World'.   Now I KNOW you all remember these lyrics.  So, you know what to do! ♬♬♬♬ 

What great memories this brings back.

Enjoy.

Kimmie

In a Gentle Way You Can Shake the World

Hi, all. On this Memorial Day weekend, I just want to say 'Thank you' to all the veterans who have served this great country.  I want to keep this blog non-political.  This is a place for remembering great music, but I have the ability to do this and many more things all because of those who sacrificed so much for us.

So, on that note (get it??), today's song is again by The Byrds, one of my favorite groups from the 60's and 70's.    The lyrics are taken almost verbatim from the Book of Ecclesiastes (late 3rd century BC), as found in the King James Version (1611) of the Bible^[2] (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8), though the sequence of the words was re arranged for the song. Ecclesiastes is traditionally ascribed to King Solomon. (get all that??) The song is commonly performed as a plea for world peace, with an emphasis on the closing line: "a time for peace, I swear it's not too late." The song's plea for peace and tolerance struck a nerve with the American record buying public as the Vietnam War continued to escalate.

The final version of the song was recorded in 1965, after 78 takes over 5 days and reached number 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

Know what it is??  If you said, 'Turn, Turn, Turn", you are correct!

Hope you enjoy it!

Here's the groovy album cover:

    

Namaste, my friends.

Kimmie

Inspiration is Everywhere; Everywhere is Inspiration

HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BOB DYLAN!

Ok, I'm a day late.  Mr. Dylan celebrated his 75th birthday yesterday.  So it seemed that today's post should be a tribute.  I have selected his best-selling recording - 'Like a Rolling Stone'.  Personally, there are a few others that I like better, but the numbers are what the numbers, right?

'Like a Rolling Stone' was written and recorded by Dylan 1965. Radio stations were reluctant to play it because of its 6:13 minutes length but it did make it to number 2 in the charts and became a world wide hit..

These are Dylan's comments regarding the song:

"Last spring, I guess I was going to quit singing. I was very drained, and the way things were going, it was a very draggy situation ... But 'Like a Rolling Stone' changed it all. I mean it was something that I myself could dig. It's very tiring having other people tell you how much they dig you if you yourself don't dig you."

        

Reading the refrain below, I think I may have to change my mind about liking a few other of his songs better.  (Women are allowed to change their minds, right?)

How does it feel

How does it feel

To be on your own

With no direction home

Like a complete unknown

Like a rolling stone

Hope you enjoy!

Namaste.

Kimmie

An Eye for An Eye WIll Only Make the Whole World Blind

Today I have chosen a song recorded in 1968 by Dusty Springfield.  The great Aretha Franklin turned it down (WHAT??) when it was offered to her first.  After hearing Dusty Springfield's version, she decided in 1969 that it may be a good fit for her. (Ya think??)

Son of a Preacher Man was included in the Pulp Fiction soundtrack.  Quentin Tarantino had said that he would not have filmed the scene with this featured song had he not been given permission to use it.

There have been numerous recordings of it, but none as good as Dusty Springfield's.  So, here you go.  You know what to do!

                            

 

Peace and all good things.

Kimmie

Let Your Smile Change the World, Not the World Change Your Smile

Hello, fellow lovers of great music.

Today I have chosen 'Sitting on the Dock of the Bay' by Otis Redding.

Who hasn't been to San Francisco and immediately thought of this song?

A little history of how this song came to be written:

Otis was one of those the kind of guy who had 100 ideas.  He had been in San Francisco and  was renting boathouse and that's where he got the idea of the ships coming in the bay there. And that's about all he had: "I watch the ships come in and I watch them roll away again." The rest of the song was about Otis' life: "I left my home in Georgia, headed for the Frisco Bay" was all about him going out to San Francisco to perform. The song features a whistled tune heard before the song's fade. It was originally performed by Redding who had this little fadeout rap he was gonna do, an ad-lib. He forgot what it was so he started whistling.

 Dock on the Bay was released in 1968 and topped the charts at No. 4 for 1968.

Enjoy, my friends.

                             

                     

May Every Sunrise Hold More Promise and Every Sunset Hold More Peace

Today's selection is probably remembered by everyone who was alive in the 60's and 70's.

It was featured in Forrest Gump and also Midnight Cowboy.  The singer won a Grammy in 1969 and sold over a million copies.

"What song is it,"  you anxiously ask.  Why, it's none other than Everybody's Talkin' by Harry Nilsson.  Now tell me, WHO doesn't remember this?

 "Everybody's Talkin'" depicts the introverted Nilsson's inability to connect with others. Not hearing or truly seeing them, he declares an intention to leave for the ocean and the summer breeze.

So, here it is.  Enjoy!

      

Check back often for some more groovin' tunes.

Peace and ALL good things.

Kimmie

Those Who Are Free of Resentful Thoughts Surely Find Peace

One of the best movies with the best soundtrack, in my opinion, is The Graduate. The Graduate was released in 1967 starring Dustin Hoffman and Anne Bancroft.  Hey, here's a little known fact.  Did you know that the beautiful leg in the promos for The Graduate was NOT Anne Bancroft, but LINDA GRAY from Dallas fame.  Who knew?  Now you do!

Remember the iconic line:
"Mrs. Robinson, You're tying to seduce me, aren't you?"  CLASSIC!

Today's song is 'The Sound of Silence'.  Soft, thoughtful.....

Simon and Garfunkle had several songs highlighted in this movie.  We'll check out the others down the road.

Hope this brings back lots of great memories.  It sure does for me.

                              


                             

Isn't this great music!

Peace and all good things, friend.

Kimmie

Expect Nothing, Appreciate EVERYTHING

Today's song was written in 1967 by John Phillips of The Mama's and The Papa's fame.  Phillips reportedly wrote it in about 20 minutes.  (He must have been greatly inspired!)  This song was also called the 'unofficial anthem for the counterculture movement of the 1960's.'

It was an immediate success and was responsible for bringing thousands of young people to San Francisco.  It was also part of the soundtrack from Forrest Gump.

So, did you guess today's song?  One of THE best songs of the 60's.  I know, I know.  I write that about all the songs.  It's like trying to say which child you love the most!

San Francisco (Be Sure To Wear Some Flowers In Your Hair)

Enjoy, my friends. 

Peace and all good things.

Kimmie               

                                                 

Put Your Ear Down Close to Your Soul and Listen Closely

Today's post is from a suggestion from one of you and THANK YOU.  I love feedback and suggestions so keep it coming, friends.

This song was actually written in 1949.  The version that we all are most familiar with is the one recorded in 1962 by Peter, Paul, and Mary and was kind of an anthem for the civil rights movement.

Yep.  You guessed it!  Today's choice is If I Had a Hammer.  I think Mary Travers' strong voice is really showcased in this song.

Enjoy, folks.

Peace and all good things.

I Want To Feel Free As The Flowers

Here's another video that made its chart debut in 1966.  I remember it like it was yesterday and don't know anyone who doesn't know the lyrics.  ICONIC!  What am I writing about?

Why it's none other than the Mamas and the Papas 'California Dreamin'.  Other artists have performed this song but none can top the Mama and the Papas.  Next time you watch Forrest Gump, listen for it. 

Around the 1:28 mark, you'll see some really groovin' threads.  Lol.

Enjoy, my friends.  

Wasn't it Beautiful When You Believed in Everything?

The song in today's blog is one of my all time favorites, maybe because I thought Cat Steven's was the most handsome man I had ever seen.  LOL.   Ah, to be able to go back to the time when I was 16, listening to Peace Train......

This was Cat Steven's first No. 1 hit,  released in 1971 but was not released outside the US.

Hope you enjoy it as  much as I do.  

            

If you're not barefoot, then you're overdressed.....

Do y'all remember Mr. Tambourine Man by the Byrds?  I used to play this one over and over again. 

The song was written by Bob Dylan, who did perform it, but then The Byrds did this version that I think we all know better.  At least I do!  They performed this on The Ed Sullivan Show on December 12, 1965.




This is another song  that I KNOW you know the words to.  You know what to do.  Turn it up and SING!

The Byrds

Mr. Tambourine Man

I'd rather have flowers in my hair than diamonds around my neck.....

Here's one of the 'early' 60's music videos that I think is great.  Love this song.  Pre-hippie but still great.

I apologize for the 5 seconds of ads in the beginning.  :-(

 

Del Shannon - My Little Runaway.   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TLLcvWeiKw 

Remember this song?  I bet you ALL can sing every lyric.  Go ahead, play it again, and SING.

Check out the girls dancin' like no one's watching.  Love, love, love. 

Who Am I.......

Hey, folks.  I am a survivor (read LOVER) of the sixties.  I love the music, the crazy-ass clothes, hair, and just life in general.  Oh, don't get me wrong.  I remember the Vietnam war, Kennedy, Martin Luther King.  If you want to take a walk back to the sixties, come along, friend.  Let's remember what made us who we are today.

Love is a friendship set to music.



Peace and all good things.

Kimmie