New Music Tuesday : Gym Class Heroes, Safetysuit, Grace Potter, and Alan Jackson

"ASS LIKE THAT"        GYM CLASS HEROES with NEON HITCH

Following up "Stereo Hearts" with Adam Levine, Travie McCoy is back with a more rock infused track for the second hit single off their new CD.   Featured here, the recurrent theme of an artist on the road and distance taking a toll on a relationship.  UK singer / songwriter, Neon Hitch, shines in the video as Travie's love interest and sings the memorable hook, "Get your ass back home!"   

"SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO LOVE ME ANYMORE"  ALAN JACKSON

Alan Jackson is the master of singing songs that cut to the emotional heart.   Whether it's songs of 9/11, tributes to legends like Hank Williams Sr, memories of the start of a new love, to this raw, sensitive track about ending a relationship.  The guitar solo perfectly blends with Alan's lyrics of broken hearts and opportunities lost.  Tear in your beer country music songs have been around for years and it's great to hear Alan Jackson keeping "real" country alive and well.

 


"THESE TIMES"              SAFETYSUIT

Great video!  Christian rock artist, Safetysuit, debuts a relevant new anthem about although life can be tough and current economic times are depressing and hitting so many hard, "these times will pass".  Everyone has their own issues crippling them at times (as the video demonstrates) but the hopeful conclusion to the video shares an uplifting, enduring message of recovery.  Think of when you were at the lowest moment of your life, then think of NOW, those bad times do pass.   

"DEAR PRUDENCE"                   GRACE POTTER

From her iTunes session live, Grace performed her bluesy hits like "Paris"  but also took on the challenge of covering two of the biggest musical artists of all-time, The Beatles and Madonna.  Her "Like A Prayer" rocks harder but on the White Album classic, Dear Prudence, Grace treats the classic with reverence and adds her feminine touch to the Beatles masterpiece.   Love the simple line:  "the sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you, dear prudence, won't you come out and play"!

New Halestorm: Chester Bennington, Halestorm, Zakk Wylde and Infectious Grooves

"MORNING AFTER"            CHESTER BENNINGTON

First time I shared this song with a friend, it resulted in the police pulling her car over for speeding, honestly explaining it was the music's fault, and she wasn't ticketed :) During the writing of Linkin Park's CD, Minutes To Midnight, Chester had written some songs he wanted to record but didn't feel they were right for Linkin Park.   So he created a side project called Dead By Sunrise, joining forces with artists like Julian K and Orgy.   The highlight of their first CD was this track featured on the soundtrack of  Underworld Evolution.   

"HERE'S TO YOU"   HALESTORM


Lizzy Hale's band is back with a new 4 song EP.   They debuted this song at the strike of midnight 2012.  Raise a toast to the new year!    Forget the times you messed up and celebrate life ahead!   "Love Bites But So Do I" is the hard rocker radio will jump on from this EP.

"FAREWELL BALLAD"          ZAK WYLDE

Who was the greatest guitarist to play with Ozzy?  Randy Rhoads?  Tommy Iommi?  Zak Wylde?  An amazing trio of lead guitarists that added fuel to the fire of Ozzy Osbourne's musical legacy.   Zak Wylde played with Ozzy from 1988 and appeared on eight of his solo CD's including No More Tears.   Zak's "bulls-eye" Les Paul guitar, his long blonde hair, and his powerful stage presence was unmistakeable.    His guitar style wasn't as flashy as Randy but Zak's style was very distinctive, choppy, metal all the way but influenced by country music.   Here's a short but incredible solo from his side project Black Label Society.

"STOP FUNKIN' WITH MY HEAD"    INFECTIOUS GROOVES

A student of mine introduced me to this all-star California bass-heavy funk metal band with a sound reminscient of early Red Hot Chili Peppers.   Led by Mike Muir of Suicidal Tendencies, the bassist on this track is Rob Trujillo.    Rob also played with Suicidal Tendencies, the first Ozzy solo CD's, Infectious Grooves, and replaced Jason Newsted in Metallica.  As their band name states, this song has a contagious bassline and a hook that will stick in your brain all day.

  

While My Guitar Gently Weeps: India.Arie,Carlos Santana, Shalamar, Laura Branigan, Rock Kills Kid

 "WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS" INDIA.ARIE, SANTANA, YO YO MA

Reinventing a Beatles song is tricky ground.    Adding in Yo Yo Ma's violin, the neo-soul silky voice of India.Arie, and Latin guitar hero, Carlos Santana, the classic "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" gets a 2011 makeover extreme.    The Eric Clapton / George Harrison song has never sounded so JOYFUL, hopeful, and the jazzy interpretation takes your mind drifting to a mellow happy place.    As usual, Carlos demonstrates his amazing talent to combine restraint with dynamic fury.     Brilliant!

"THE SECOND TIME AROUND"          SHALAMAR

Jody Watley and Jeffrey Daniels were two of the highlight dancers on Soul Train in the 70's and 80's.    Jeffrey was known for his popping and locking moves that influenced Michael Jackson!   Jody Watley went to #1 with solo hits like "Looking For a New Love".    But when the two of them were combined with the amazing vocal talents of Howard Hewitt, they became Shalamar and live on in music history as one of the underrated R&B bands of all-time.   "Second Time Around" has a retro 80's synthesizer beat, slick dancing moves, and a feel-good vibe.

"TI AMO"                     LAURA BRANIGAN

Must be an 80's mood today!     "Gloria", "Solitaire", "Self Control", early MTV videos that took Laura Branigan to the top of the charts.     Her incredible voice could hit four octaves and her dramatic tone was never more evident that on the yearning love song "Ti Amo" from her second CD.   Incidentally, both "Gloria" and "Ti Amo" were originally huge hits in Italy by Umberto Tozzi but to us in the US, they are Laura Branigan songs now.   Sadly she died at the age of 47 in 2004 of a brain aneurysm.  

"HIDEAWAY"  ROCK KILLS KID

Each week, I-Tunes offers up a few free tracks of new music.   Usually they're new artists looking for exposure and after one or two listens, they're deleted.   One exception was this emo-rock jam from 2006.   Rock Kills Kid sound like the Killers mixed with Echo and the Bunnymen.    Haven't heard any new music from them, but this song is a favorite.

Cool Hand Luke 2002: BLAKE SHELTON, THREE DOORS DOWN (Bob Seger), and JAMEY JOHNSON

"OL' RED"                 BLAKE SHELTON

My all-time favorite movie list would include Paul Newman's "Cool Hand Luke" and Shawshank Redemption.    Two prison themed movies that remind us the power of the human spirit can't be contained even with prison walls surrounding us.   "Ol' Red" is Blake's take of the theme.   A classic love story involving two coon hounds and a very creative prisoner.     Blake's NBC show, The Voice (Season 2) premieres Super Bowl Sunday.

CLICK: Video "Ol' Red" Blake Shelton

"LANDING IN LONDON"         3 DOORS DOWN (Ft. Bob Seger)

Many songs have been inspired by the loneliness of touring, being out on the road and missing the ones you love.   Bob Seger's "Turn The Page" with it's haunting saxophone solo left the biggest impression on me.    Mississippi band, 3 Doors Down, continued the trend with "Landing In London"  a/k/a  "All I Think About Is You".    Fittingly, halfway the song, the chorus takes a twist as a familiar voice ups the emotional ante of the song.    Bob Seger's voice has aged but his presence on this track makes the dramatic lyrics even more meaningful.   

"2 OUT OF 3 AIN'T BAD"          JAMEY JOHNSON

From the iconic 70's LP, Bat Out Of Hell, "2 Out Of 3 Ain't Bad" was the top 40 song that introduced Meatloaf to the world.   Emotional lyrics like "There's only one girl that I will ever love   And that was so many years ago     And though I know I'll never get her out of my heart    She never loved me back, I know ".    Country music rebel, Jamey Johnson, a traditionalist, a throwback artist, who values the integrity of the music over record sales tackled this masterpiece live in 2010 on the Don Imus' radio show.  With a slower pace and steel guitars, Jamey wrings out all of the raw emotion in the lyrics.    

Wonderful Tonight, Blues Cover: Blaque, Meredith McHenry, Young Rebel Set, Otis Clay

"IF I WAS"             YOUNG REBEL SET

One of the YouTube comments read "I'm going to marry the guy who sings this to me!"   Listening to Young Rebel Set, you feel their sincerity and heartfelt passion.   Their Irish accents, jangly guitars, and the unmistakeable indie sound is contagious.  This song demonstrates that simple lyrics can make bold statements.  I'm hoping Young Rebel Set get the exposure they deserve.

"SHE AIN'T GOT THE BOOM LIKE I DO"  (Remix)   BLAQUE

Lisa "Left-Eye" Lopes' voice is prominent in the chorus of this 90's club banger.    Blaque was a TLC clone in attitude, production, and lyrics but that makes sense since Lisa produced the band.   A cover of Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time" and "808" gave Blaque chart success.   But the cryptic poetry of the chorus  "She ain't the boom like I do, she can't move the room like I do, she ain't got the junk in the trunk or the bump that you want" probably left the biggest impression on hip hop fans of the era.  

"WONDERFUL TONIGHT"           OTIS CLAY

"We go to a party and everyone turns to see this beautiful lady that's walking around with me.  And then she asks me, "Do you feel all right?"
And I say, "Yes, I feel wonderful tonight."


Eric Clapton's love song masterpiece has been a staple of Classic Rock radio and I'm sure been the inspiration of many weddings and romantic nights.  Otis Clay chose this song for an Eric Clapton blues tribute record.   Otis has been recording blues records since the 60's, while never reaching commercial success, he's a well-respected R&B crooner who brings a gospel-tinged voice to many of his songs.   This cover is incredible and adds a new wrinkle to a timeless love song.

"MIDNIGHT TRAIN TO GEORGIA"     MEREDITH McHENRY

Amazing!   Who is she?   How is she not signed by a major label?   These were the thoughts going on in my head when I first discovered Meredith McHenry on the cheesy ABC show Karaoke Battle in 2011.    A powerhouse vocalist on par with Adele first tackled James Brown's  classic "It's A Man's World" (search for it on YouTube!) and Meredith followed it with this dynamic version of Gladys Knight's mega-hit (love when she "borrows" his hat).  Meredith's vocal range is stunning, oozes sex appeal with a playful personality.  I rarely do this but after Meredith was surprisingly eliminated in the Semi-Finals, I didn't even bother to watch the finals.   She should have won the show but more importantly she deserves a Major recording contract and promotion.   Definitely superstar potential.   

Do You Love Puppies and Baby Bear Cubs? : Weezer, Natasha Benningfield, Lou Reed, Frida

"ISLAND IN THE SUN"        WEEZER

Puppies!   Bear Cubs and Kittens!   Baby Monkeys and Tigers!  Cuteness overload but you'd have to have no heart if you don't love this video.  For one of Weezer's poppiest hits, "Island In The Sun", Rivers Cuomo, the fascinating and eccentric leader of Weezer, teamed up with director Spike Jonze.    It's the video cure for any bad day. 

  
"SOULMATE"   NATASHA BEDINGFIELD

Poignant lyrics from a singer most associated with Top 40 fluff like "Pocketful of Sunshine".   Vulnerable emotions, hopeful, yet sad, deep emotions are expressed in 2007's "Soulmate".   Lyrics like "Who doesn't long for someone to hold who knows how to love you without being told", pure poetry. 

"I KNOW SOMETHING IS GOING ON"    FRIDA


Frida, was one of the "A's" in ABBA as her real first name is Anni-Frid.    This 80's classic was released on her first solo CD which demonstrated a rock edge never expressed with ABBA.    Produced by Phil Collins, he's all over the track with backing vocals and his massive drum beat which drives this song.  It hit #13 on the US Charts in 1982.

 "VICIOUS"      LOU REED

Lou Reed is in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for his solo work ("Walk on the Wild Side") and for the Velvet Underground ("Sweet Jane").    Lou has a volatile personality who avoids popularity, craves pushing the boundaries, and tackles "dangerous" themes of sex, drugs, and rock and roll.  "Vicious" is from his legendary Transformer LP and features guitar distortion and  off-key tunings.

Long Live Freestyle: RAKIM (GWEN STEFANI), NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK, TAMIA, and ROCKELL

"DEDICATED"  (Ft. Gwen Stefani)          RAKIM

2009 saw the triumphant return of Rakim after a ten year hiatus back to the rap world.   Eric B and Rakim dominated MTV's Yo MTV Raps and he's ranked as #4 on the list of the Greatest MC's of all-time.    Rakim's raps had intelligence and social conscience.   He continues this pattern with the new CD "Seventh Seal" hoping to spread a message of spirituality and hope while still keeping the beats hot.    Gwen Stefani takes this track to a new level, great combination!

"2 IN THE MORNING"            N.K.O.T.B.

One of the pioneering boy bands of their time, New Kids On The Block, made a comeback CD in 2008 that featured everyone from Lady Gaga, Ne-Yo, and The Pussycat Dolls.  The lyrics were more adult, sexual, and definitely appealed to their diehard fans who were now in the 30's.   Donnie, Jordan, Joey, Jon, and Danny all came back for the reunion CD which debuted at #2 on the CD charts.   "2 In The Morning" fittingly has a late night vibe, contemporary, and likely surprised you to know it was by the reunited New Kids On The Block.

"CARELESS WHISPER"                   TAMIA

George Michael, Brian McKnight, Seether, and even Rufus Wainwright have all tackled the 80's heartbreak gem, "Careless Whisper".    Tamia, originally discovered by Quincy Jones, adds a new feminine dimension to this classic.  The jazzy arrangement mixed with Tamia's smooth R&B voice makes the dramatic chorus soar and changes the meaning of the song hearing it sung by a woman.  On a side note, Tamia has has a long successful marriage to NBA star, Grant Hill and is set to release a new CD this spring produced by Rodney "Darkchild" Jenkins.   

"IN A DREAM"          ROCKELL

Long Live Freestyle!   Rachel Mercalado, a/k/a Rockell, released some classic dance tracks of the freestyle era.   "Can't We Try" with Collage brought everyone to the dancefloor energizing the lyrics of Dan Seal's sensitive 70's ballad.    "In A Dream" was Rockell's biggest hit and reached #1 all over the world in the 90's.   You may also want to check out her version of Garth Brooks masterpiece "The Dance" complete with freestyle beats but maintaining the integrity of the inspiring message.

Muppets meet Paramore: HAYLEY WILLIAMS (PARAMORE) and WEEZER, BLINK-182, SONYAE ELISE, and ATOMIC TOM

"RAINBOW CONNECTION"   HAYLEY WILLIAMS & WEEZER

Kermit the Frog is probably the #1 amphibian recording artist of all-time although the Geico Gecko and the Budweiser Frogs could be in the recording studio as we speak.   The Muppet classic, "Rainbow Connection" was recently covered by Paramore's Hayley Williams with Rivers Cuomo of Weezer.   It's a sweet lullaby version that should conjure up happy memories of a simpler lifestyle.


LINK TO RAINBOW CONNECTION VIDEO

 
"EVEN IF SHE FALLS IN LOVE"           BLINK-182

The last song on Blink-182's new 2011 CD, Neighborhoods, is a return to their classic 90's sound.    After 8 years off, people wondered how Blink-182 had changed their music?    Angels & Airwaves?   More Travis Barker experimentation?    The new CD has a darker tone and lyrics reflect a deeper purpose and maturity especially compared to tracks like "What's My Age Again?"    This video isn't official, it's homemade but it's very well done and captures the rare romantic song by Mark and Tom.

"MY RELIGION"              SONYAE ELISE

Sonyae is a songwriter from L.A. who recently won the first season of Jewel's "Platinum Hit".    Sonyae's lyrics read like poetry.    There is an intensity to her words that capture your imagination.    Here she equates a deep romantic love to religious devotion.    Sonyae is a songwriter, I stress that again, since I think she's also an amazing live performer with a vivid stage presence.    This woman is going to be making big things happen in the music industry, mark my words!

"DON'T YOU WANT ME"             ATOMIC TOM

SO MUCH FUN!   80's movie trivia in a four minute music video.   There are over THIRTY classic 80's films parodied by Anna Faris, Topher Grace, and Dan Fogler.    It's so funny, imitations are spot-on, and in the limited time, it's amazing how many classic movie moments can be re-created!    How many can you name?

Zoe Kravitz on Californication: QUEENS OF DOGTOWN, JONATHAN DAVIS (KORN), and WARRANT

"WOULD?"             QUEENS OF DOGTOWN

From the Showtime series, Californication, comes this made for TV band.     The lead guitarist is David Duchovny's daughter (on the show) and the lead vocalist is Zoe Kravitz (yes!  daughter of Lenny and Lisa Bonet).    Queens Of Dogtown cover a Alice In Chains classic so they're setting themselves up for ridicule here but the female bar band reinterpretation still rocks hard and manages to show reverence to the original.

"LOVE ON THE ROCKS"        JONATHAN DAVIS (of KORN)

A great cover should remind you of the original but take it in a new direction.     Korn covering a Neil Diamond lounge song?   Jonathan Davis goes back to a 1980 song from The Jazz Singer soundtrack and adds his intense, creepy, yet mesmerizing vocals and truly takes it in a new direction.  He does include a few "bitch" lines that I'm sure Neil must have overlooked when he recorded it.  This song originally appeared in "Wonderland" a movie starring Val Kilmer.   

"BLIND FAITH"               WARRANT

In my top 10 of all hair metal songs, "Blind Faith" by Jani Lane and Warrant would be included on that exclusive list.    This song has it all:  a memorable guitar solo, a lighters in the air chorus, and the sweetest love song lyrics of any of the big  power ballads of the decade.     Favorite lines:  

your eyes keep things well hidden
just a hint of what you're holding inside
and the first day that I met you
I consider the first day of my life
thanks to you now I know
all my dreams can come true

Blind faith in you I've got blind faith in you
and i'm not sure I deserve a woman so true
but I love that you think I do 

Justin Bieber?? : SHAKIRA, RYAN STAR, CHRIS BROWN & JUSTIN BIEBER and RAINBOW

"INEVITABLE"                        SHAKIRA

This was the first song I ever heard from Shakira.     It was on MTV Unplugged, didn't know anything about Shakira but loved her look, intensity, and this song in particular really made me feel exactly what she was expressing.    The English translation doesn't hold up as well as the original in Spanish.  Back in 1999 for this video, Shakira had the long dark hair which better captures her rocker edge.  My favorite moments are when Shakira takes it down to almost a whisper before the big chorus.  

"START A FIRE"                  RYAN STAR

Reality TV has had their misfires over the years.    Britney & Kevin Chaotic, Sarah Palin's Alaska, Toddlers & Tiaras???   But one of my favorites was Rock Star: Supernova.    It was hosted by Dave Navarro and the beautiful Brooke Burke.   They were looking for a replacement singer for INXS.    The concept was a little creepy but the talent was incredible and the live performances and reinterpretations of many rock classics was magical.  Ryan Star was considered the "dark horse" of the competition, although he didn't win, this Long Island rocker is so talented and I hope he keeps putting out great music like his latest CD.

"NEXT TO YOU"            CHRIS BROWN & JUSTIN BIEBER

Someone dared me to put on a Justin Bieber song.   I'm cheating a little here, it's a duet with Chris Brown :)    The video is ridiculous with an end of the world theme but the song is HOT.    The lyrics are so upbeat and sweet, it's a perfect pop anthem.    Love the intro: 


"You've got that smile that only heaven can make.   I'll pray to God that everyday you keep that smile"

"STREET OF DREAMS"            RAINBOW

MTV banned this video.   In the first two minutes of this epic clip, a ticking watch, a psychiatrist hypnotizing a patient, MTV thought it was too dangerous for TV.   The video is alive on YouTube so watch it if you've never seen it!   Rainbow was originally inspired by classical music.   Led by Richie Blackmore
and Ronnie James Dio, this hard rock group took a more commercial turn when Dio left for Black Sabbath and Joe Lynn Turner took over lead vocals.    "Street Of Dreams" has a classic early MTV sound complete with keyboards and a Billie Jean-like video.

Loss Of A Legend: JAKE OWEN, ETTA JAMES (R.I.P.), FAITH HILL, and RODNEY ATKINS

"BAREFOOT BLUE JEAN NIGHT"        JAKE OWEN

From Vero Beach, Florida, Jake Owen will be the next Kenny Chesney (not that Kenny is going anywhere!).    Jake puts on an amazing live show as I witnessed when he recently opened for Keith Urban.    Jake was originally going to be a pro golfer but after a freak injury, he learned to play guitar and now he's all over country radio.    "Eight Second Ride" and this summer jam are perfect examples of his laid-back yet rockin' style that has the ladies swooning and the guys yelling Hell Yeah!

"BABY WHAT YOU WANT ME TO DO"    ETTA JAMES  (R.I.P.) 
January 19, 2012, the world lost a legend, one of the most influential evocative singers of all-time, Etta James.   "At Last", " I Just Want To Make Love To You" and "I'd Rather Go Blind":  three of the greatest songs ever and you can make the argument that Etta's incendiary performances of each is the gold standard. She recently recorded a farewell CD, The Dreamer, which includes a cover of GNR's "Welcome To The Jungle" and "Misty Blue".    RIP Etta, you will be missed.

 


"THERE WILL COME A DAY"  9/11 Special    FAITH HILL

September 11, 2001, one of the few dates in my lifetime where everyone remembers what they were doing on that fateful day.   Following the devastation, all of the TV networks ran a special, A Tribute To Heroes, where actors like Robert DeNiro, Brad Pitt, and Julia Roberts introduced heartfelt, intense live performances by some of the biggest stars in the music industry.   The benefit to help the families who lost love ones included this Faith Hill inspirational song backed by a church choir:

"TAKE A BACK ROAD"             RODNEY ATKINS

Rodney is a little twangy for my taste in country music but "Take A Back Road" just creates such a chilled out cruising down the road vibe that I love it!    Rodney name-checks George Strait and sings of getting lost with his girl on a back road with no cares in the world.   Check out in the video where he appears on top of a bridge frame in the video (how did he do that?)

Old School Rap, Run DMC with LL Cool J: Evans Blue, Huey Lewis, Paula DeAndra

"ERASE MY SCARS"                    EVANS BLUE

Imagine losing your 8 year old nephew to cancer.     The lead singer is shouting out to God his anger, confusion, and outrage.    But the song isn't all about aggression, it's about moving on from the pain and wreckage in your life.    Even if you can't let go of the past, you've got to fight, quit feeling helpless.   "Erase My Scars" is intense but it's a wake-up call to get off your ass!    It almost looks like the drummer will get paid extra if he can destroy the drums before the song ends!   Beast Mode!

"HOPE YOU LOVE ME LIKE YOU SAY YOU DO"   HUEY LEWIS & THE NEWS

Before they became the most overplayed band on MTV, Huey Lewis and the News were the perfect "bar band" with high energy horns, a charismatic lead singer, and a no-frills all-American rock and roll sound.    From their 1982 debut CD, comes their first video that will have you singing along before the video ends and you hit "replay"!  


What does a girl like you, see in a man like me ?
Just cause I love you baby, don't think I'll be,
Just what you want me to be.
Ooh, yes I'm stubborn, I'm hard headed, but baby I love you.

"WALK AWAY"                      PAULA DeANDRA

A recent one-hit wonder pop song with a little Latina hip hop flavor, "Walk Away" has a catchy beat, a memorable hookline ("you're gonna remember me") and a cute video.   This song co-written by Ne-Yo and Christina Milian almost made the Top 10.   The legendary Clive Davis signed Paula DeAndra, who only released just one CD.  Her follow-up included "Easy" featuring Bow Wow (oh no! that was probably the kiss of death) and now she's onto acting :)

"KRUSH GROOVIN'"   FAT BOYS, RUN D.M.C., KURTIS BLOW, SHEILA E.

Krush Groove was a 1985 biopic of hip hop mogul, Russell Simmons, founder of Def Jam.   In the movie, Russell is trying to sign artists to his new label, Krush Groove (aka Def Jam) with producer Rick Rubin.   Even LL Cool J was first introduced in this retro film.  The movie concludes with an all-star old school jam where all of the superstars join together for this moment of early rap history.  

PETA Warriors: Third Eye Blind, Rise Against, Patty Smyth, Dead Milkmen

"DEEP INSIDE OF YOU" (Live)         THIRD EYE BLIND

Intense relationship lyrics on this song!  Those moments when you can't decide if you love them, hate them, lust, lasting memories, secrets, dreams, passion, sex, doubts, so many complex emotions exposed in these amazing lyrics.


When we met light was shed
Thoughts free flow you said
You’ve got Somethin’
Deep inside of you


A wind chime voice sounds
Sway of your hips ‘round rings true
It goes deep inside of you
These secret garden beams
Changed my life so it seems


A Fall breeze blows outside
I don’t break stride
Thoughts are warm
And they go deep inside of you
Oh yeah    And I never felt alone
Alright  Ohhh ohhh ‘til I met you


Friends say I’ve changed
I don’t listen   ‘Cause I live to be
Deep inside of you
Slide up her dress
Shouts in darkness
I’m so alive
I’m deep inside of you


You said boy made girl feel good
But still Deep inside still
I never felt alone
‘Til I met you
I’m alright on my own
And then I met you
And I’d know what to do if I just knew what’s comin’


I would change myself if I could
I would walk with my people if I could find ‘em  And I’d say that I’m sorry to you
I’m sorry to you
And I don’t wanna call you
But then I wanna to call you
‘Cause I don’t wanna crush you
But I feel like crushin’ you
And it’s true
I took for granted you were with me
I breathe by your looks and you look right through me


P.S.  Props to Stephen Jenkins for dating Charlize Theron! 

  
"SAVIOR"       RISE AGAINST
 

Fun Fact:   Punk rockers, Rise Against, were named PETA's Most Animal Friendly Band for their support for animal rights.   They've been around for about 10 years and their sound reminds me of Social Distortion and Bad Religion.   "Savior" is probably the first "love song" I've heard from them and it's currently rising up the rock charts, love their energy here!  Great lyric:  "I love you but I'm not the answer for the questions that you still have." 

"ISN'T IT ENOUGH"  (Letterman)      PATTY SMYTH

First saw Patty Smyth in concert on Halloween night at the Orpheum in downtown Minneapolis when Scandal opened for John Waite.   Patty was dressed in a witch costume and blasted out "The Warrior", "Hands Tied" and all of Scandal's first two albums.    Mrs. John McEnroe turns up her feisty NYC attitude with this straight ahead rocker from an early Letterman Show.  There is something so sexy about women rockers!   I can see why the girls fall for the bad boys in the band.

"PUNK ROCK GIRL"                    DEAD MILKMEN

Early MTV favorite from this humorous punk band from Pennsylvania.   This was a college radio staple and featured in a Beavis and Butthead episode.    Ignore the simple chords, the off-key vocals, and the rambling silly lyrics about Minnie Pearl and Zipperhead.   At the core of this song, it's a root for the underdog silly love song!  If you know it, you love it and it'll be stuck in your head again!  If you've never heard it before, hopefully you'll smile at what kind of music,  crazy people in the 80's listened to.