Song Remains the Same

I’ve been tagged by my good friend, Willow at the The Willow Manor
This is a fun, if difficult (at least it was for me – I was wracking my brains all night on this one!) little meme about music. The catch is, it’s not your favourite songs that everybody knows about and likes; it’s the songs you don’t want to admit to liking or at least find a bit embarrassing to own up to. See. Not so easy now, is it?

The rules:
1. Post the link to the person who tagged you and post the
rules on your blog.
2. Share 5 songs you are embarrassed to admit to others that
you like and tell why.
3. Tag 7 random people at the end of your post.

Well, here are the ones I’ve narrowed it down to and I’m saving the best for last (although I think a good number of you will probably like it too.)
Click on the links to see a Youtube performance of 1-4.

1. Magic from the Xanadu soundtrack, recorded by Olivia Newton John. I’m sorry, but I loved this movie! In 1980 it was really cool! What was not to like? Gene Kelly dancing with Olivia and everyone on rollerskates! It was dy-no-mite! I sometimes hear this song in stores and I find myself singing along (I know every word) and people staring at me. Oh well! Everyone made fun of me for loving Xanadu and now, almost 30 years later – it’s a broadway musical. So there!

2. Forever and Ever, Amen by Randy Travis.
Now, I was a post-punk, goth back in the day before the Pussy Cat Dolls started wearing tartan skirts! I swathed myself in black, wore mismatched earrings and studded belts, pointy black boots and spiky hair (believe it or not!), but somewhere along the line, I got sidetracked with a deviation into the world of cross-over country.
I first heard this song in a little bar outside of Kingston, Ontario where I was staying with my cousin over the March Break. I was hooked by the smooth, mellow voice and the poignancy of the lyrics. Wha??? I can’t explain how a weekend Brit-punk pogo dancer could fall for that, but – hey “I contain multitudes.” Remember?

3. Grandma’s Feather Bed by John Denver. Okay, this may explain my foray into country music after all. I always loved John Denver (even have a Christmas album with the Muppets) and this is a toe-tapping, irresistible song that incorporates kids, animals and a big bed! Who can resist that? Googling for info (this photo is my own album, by the way), I discovered there’s now a children’s book based on the song. I love it!

4. Seasons in the Sun by Terry Jacks This song needs a bit of an explanation. It came out when I was in Jr. High (Grade 8) and I loved it! It was recorded by a Canadian from Manitoba ( I didn’t know that until today – I knew he was a Canuck, but not from where). It was a sad song…yup…suicide is pretty sad, don’t you think? Also a very strange topic for a hit song. Here’s a sample of the lyrics:

Good-bye Papa, it’s hard to die
When all the birds are singing in the sky…

Wow! I liked this song as a kid and in spite of myself, when I hear today, I still do. It’s got a great hook, it’s got an interesting 8 notes on the bass-guitar(?) that are very unique and catchy. It’s just a bit morose and weird, but hey! I can be as well. (I cannot for the life of me explain the song on the flip-side!)

And now…the moment you’ve been waiting for (hope you didn’t peek!)

5. The Rainbow Connection sung by Kermie (er Mr. Kermit, the frog). I adore this song and it makes me cry (as I said in the Danny Kaye post, I’m a softie).

Enjoy!

Thanks again, Willow for tagging me, and here are the folks to whom I am doing likewise:

Shazza at Random Thoughts and Acts of Stupidity
Kalianne at Bygone Beauty
Caroline at A Tree in the Forest
Cynthia at Muse Swings
Pat at Mille Fiori Favoriti
Valerie at Thinking Out Loud
Louise at This is My Patch
Deb at Notes From the Cloud Messenger
Kat (another one) at Keep the Coffee Coming!