Music Banter - View Single Post

ladyislingering · 05-16-2013, 11:01 PM

When I was 16 years old, my grandma gave me a record that changed my entire life. I was familiar with the band, of course, having grown up with the radio tuned to all the greats, from the 1950s-1970s (and occasionally the 80s, but let's not get ahead of ourselves here), but I had just started my vinyl collection and I was about to be blown away by the psychedelic sounds of Tommy James and his super-groovy Shondells.

This became an all-occasion album for me. I listened to it sober, drunk, high, low, happy, sad, angry, tired, heartbroken, anxious, hot, cold, whatever. It's still one of the greatest cure-all sort of albums for me.

This has been one of my most favorite songs of all time, ever since I was old enough to walk, I've been grooving to this beautiful anomaly of sound.

"Crimson and Clover"

I also enjoy Joan Jett's rendition, mostly because I adore Joan Jett.

This next one will always, always remind me of my grandmother. Because her name is Kathleen, and she was once one of the most important people in my life. She has since distanced herself from me, and I do miss having a grandmother; I'll feel a strong loss when she passes away and I'm worried that she'll never approve of me as a human being. As distasteful as I find her behavior and attitude, I love her dearly. This one's for "Kitty".

"Kathleen McArthur"

So respectable, so refined.

Spoiler for Oh, they've got a fishing yacht, and a limousine, and a very lovely daughter, Kathleen.:

My first reaction to this song was something along the lines of "what the hell is this?" This is some really crazy psych stuff. It still sort of makes me shiver.

"I Am a Tangerine"

Spoiler for How much heroin did it take to write this?:

My mother loved this next song when I was a little girl. She was never one to turn the radio up too loud, or to really get excited about much, but she loved the hell out of this song (even before she was a crazy born-again Christian) and it will always remind me of her.

God, this is so goddamn groovy.

"Crystal Blue Persuasion"

Spoiler for Look to your soul & open your mind.:

This is my second favorite from the "Crimson & Clover" album. It will always remind me of the night before I left for Cincinnati, in 2007.

"Sugar on Sunday"

Spoiler for love that distortion.:

There's a secret message between "Breakaway" and "Smokey Roads", but I can't seem to find it anywhere. Anyone who has the LP or access to the full album might be interested to know, to my memory, that the backmasked bit says something like "Extrapolate the quadruped and turn it into something nutritious. Then, when the aurora rises in the heavens, I shall compensate thee amply."

I branched out a bit from "Crimson & Clover" (and I'm still finding little hidden gems) eventually, and happened upon this (which I'd known since forever, and even rather enjoyed Tiffany's version as well) -

"I Think We're Alone Now"

Spoiler for Children, behave.:

But did you know that this next track's melody is the above track, backwards?

"Mirage"

Spoiler for Tom, you sneaky bastard.:

Here's something super sweet. (Maybe a little too sweet for some!)

"I Like the Way"

Spoiler for Diabeetus:

And here's something really funky.

"Gotta Get Back to You"

Spoiler for You'll almost forget they're white:

And a groovy video for an overplayed track that was once covered by Billy Idol.

"Mony Mony"

Spoiler for Tom's face is so weird.:

Some classic summertime driving music:

"Hanky Panky"

Spoiler for sometimes it's ok to not make any sense at all.:

And finally, I think I've mentioned this song before, but it opened my eyes to a bad situation I was in, some time ago - and sure as hell, I took the warning to heart. Thanks, Tom. You saved my life.

"Get Out Now"

Spoiler for heartbreak, baby.:

Anyone with even half a heart for 60s garage rock (or even bubblegum) needs to get themselves acquainted with these guys. It's for your own good.

05-16-2013, 11:01 PM	#28 (permalink)
ladyislingering Maelian Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Seattle Posts: 695	When I was 16 years old, my grandma gave me a record that changed my entire life. I was familiar with the band, of course, having grown up with the radio tuned to all the greats, from the 1950s-1970s (and occasionally the 80s, but let's not get ahead of ourselves here), but I had just started my vinyl collection and I was about to be blown away by the psychedelic sounds of Tommy James and his super-groovy Shondells. This became an all-occasion album for me. I listened to it sober, drunk, high, low, happy, sad, angry, tired, heartbroken, anxious, hot, cold, whatever. It's still one of the greatest cure-all sort of albums for me. This has been one of my most favorite songs of all time, ever since I was old enough to walk, I've been grooving to this beautiful anomaly of sound. "Crimson and Clover" I also enjoy Joan Jett's rendition, mostly because I adore Joan Jett. This next one will always, always remind me of my grandmother. Because her name is Kathleen, and she was once one of the most important people in my life. She has since distanced herself from me, and I do miss having a grandmother; I'll feel a strong loss when she passes away and I'm worried that she'll never approve of me as a human being. As distasteful as I find her behavior and attitude, I love her dearly. This one's for "Kitty". "Kathleen McArthur" So respectable, so refined. Spoiler for Oh, they've got a fishing yacht, and a limousine, and a very lovely daughter, Kathleen.: My first reaction to this song was something along the lines of "what the hell is this?" This is some really crazy psych stuff. It still sort of makes me shiver. "I Am a Tangerine" Spoiler for How much heroin did it take to write this?: My mother loved this next song when I was a little girl. She was never one to turn the radio up too loud, or to really get excited about much, but she loved the hell out of this song (even before she was a crazy born-again Christian) and it will always remind me of her. God, this is so goddamn groovy. "Crystal Blue Persuasion" Spoiler for Look to your soul & open your mind.: This is my second favorite from the "Crimson & Clover" album. It will always remind me of the night before I left for Cincinnati, in 2007. "Sugar on Sunday" Spoiler for love that distortion.: There's a secret message between "Breakaway" and "Smokey Roads", but I can't seem to find it anywhere. Anyone who has the LP or access to the full album might be interested to know, to my memory, that the backmasked bit says something like "Extrapolate the quadruped and turn it into something nutritious. Then, when the aurora rises in the heavens, I shall compensate thee amply." I branched out a bit from "Crimson & Clover" (and I'm still finding little hidden gems) eventually, and happened upon this (which I'd known since forever, and even rather enjoyed Tiffany's version as well) - "I Think We're Alone Now" Spoiler for Children, behave.: But did you know that this next track's melody is the above track, backwards? "Mirage" Spoiler for Tom, you sneaky bastard.: Here's something super sweet. (Maybe a little too sweet for some!) "I Like the Way" Spoiler for Diabeetus: And here's something really funky. "Gotta Get Back to You" Spoiler for You'll almost forget they're white: And a groovy video for an overplayed track that was once covered by Billy Idol. "Mony Mony" Spoiler for Tom's face is so weird.: Some classic summertime driving music: "Hanky Panky" Spoiler for sometimes it's ok to not make any sense at all.: And finally, I think I've mentioned this song before, but it opened my eyes to a bad situation I was in, some time ago - and sure as hell, I took the warning to heart. Thanks, Tom. You saved my life. "Get Out Now" Spoiler for heartbreak, baby.: Anyone with even half a heart for 60s garage rock (or even bubblegum) needs to get themselves acquainted with these guys. It's for your own good. __________________ You and I, We were born to die.