Written for Song Lyric Sunday. This week Jim Adams has asked his readers in his post “Songs That Matter” to write about a song that won a Grammy Award for Record of the Year. Today’s gorgeous graphic was created byKevin @ No Theme Thursday.Here’s my musical choice.
Written for Song Lyric Sunday. This week Jim Adams has asked his readers in his post, ‘Significance of Names’, to write about a song with a person’s name in the title.
Sharona Alperin, 1978
When you’re 17, raging hormones and unrequited young love can be a combustible combination. And for the American rock band The Knack (named after the British comedy film The Knack … And How To Get It), they provided the spark for their first #1 song and the biggest single of 1979 – “My Sharona”.
Though lead singer Doug Fieger was 25 at the time, he purposefully cast himself in the role of a sex-crazed adolescent for the song. “It was a conscious effort for me to come at it from the point of view of my remembered teenage self,” Fieger once said. “I wanted to tell the story from that place where it’s more raw and direct.”
Lead guitarist Berton Averre came up with the famous intro guitar riff, inspired by the intro and beat of Elvis Costello’s song “Pump It Up” and “Going To A Go-Go” by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles. If you want to hear what inspired Berton Averre, check out those two songs on YouTube. It was pretty obvious to me.
But the real inspiration for the song was one Sharona Alperin (see photo above).
In 1978, when The Knack was on the rise in the Los Angeles pop scene, Doug Fieger was introduced to Sharona Alperin, a dark-haired 17-year-old beauty who worked as a clerk in a clothing shop. Fieger said, “It was love at first sight. Literally. I broke up with my girlfriend and chased Sharona for a year.”
Though Alperin was in a relationship and put Fieger off, it didn’t stop him from pursuing her. “Doug made it very clear he was in love with me,” Alperin said. “It wasn’t like my boyfriend and the world didn’t know. I always say that he was my groupie, I wasn’t his.” Indeed, it was a strange dynamic.
In late 1978, The Knack signed with Capitol, home of their favorite band, the Beatles. “My Sharona” was released a few weeks later, taking over the airwaves in 1979, and has remained a staple in classic rock radio. It has also appeared in several movies, including Reality Bites and Super 8.
Fieger and Alperin finally did get together and had a four year run as a couple. They remained friendly and even 30 years later Fieger called Sharona the love of his life. Fieger died from cancer in 2010 at age 57. Alperin is a now a successful real estate agent in Beverly Hills. Her website’s welcome page (mysharona.com, of course) features the familiar drum beat and guitar riff.
Of the song, Alperin has said, “Michelle, Yoko, Roxanne – there are so many great songs named after women in history. I feel incredibly fortunate that I’ve had this experience. It’s a really exciting adventure that never leaves me.”
“My Sharona” remained at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for six weeks; it was also #1 on Billboard‘s 1979 Top Pop Singles year-end chart. It was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America, representing one million copies sold, and was Capital Records’ fastest gold status debut single since the Beatles’ “I Want To Hold Your Hand” in 1964. “My Sharona” has since gone on to sell more than 10 million copies as of 2010.
This is “My Sharona” by The Knack.
LYRICS
Ooh, my little pretty one, pretty one When you gonna give me some time, Sharona? Ooh, you make my motor run, my motor run Gun it coming off of the line, Sharona
Never gonna stop, give it up, such a dirty mind I always get it up for the touch of the younger kind My, my, my, I, yi, woo! M-m-m-my Sharona
Come a little closer, huh, ah, will ya, huh? Close enough to look in my eyes, Sharona Keeping it a mystery gets to me Running down the length of my thighs, Sharona
Never gonna stop, give it up, such a dirty mind I always get it up for the touch of the younger kind My, my, my, I, yi, woo! M-m-m-my Sharona M-m-m-my Sharona
When you gonna give to me, g-give to me? Is it just a matter of time, Sharona? Is it j-just destiny, d-destiny Or is it just a game in my mind, Sharona?
Never gonna stop, give it up, such a dirty mind I always get it up for the touch of the younger kind My, my, my, I, yi, woo! M-m-m-my, my, my, I, yi, woo!
For fans of the popular TV show “Monk”, you’ll remember that Sharona Fleming was Adrian Monk’s nurse and assistant during the first three seasons. Monk was in a catatonic state for three and a half years following the murder of his wife, Trudy, until Sharona began taking care of him. A detective with OCD, Monk (played by award-winning actor Tony Shalhoub) was able to resume work because of Sharona’s care. Monk once remarked, “When she found me, I was drowning”. Sharona Fleming was portrayed by actress Bitty Schram. Here are some clips from “Monk”.
Written for Song Lyric Sunday. This week Jim Adams has asked his readers to write about a song by a band they wish was still together.
Honestly, I would be very surprised if I’m the only one who chose my featured group and song for Jim Adams’ Song Lyric Sunday theme “Can’t Always Get What You Want”. That’s ok, though; it just reinforces my thoughts and feelings about this iconic group and the incredible music they recorded over the years.
On January 31, 1969, my then boyfriend/now husband and I went to the concert mecca of the Lower East Side of Manhattan – the Fillmore East – where we saw Iron Butterfly perform. The warm-up group was a relatively unknown band from England that totally blew our minds. The name of that band was Adam and the Ants. Wait … I’m kidding! Just checking to see if you’re paying attention.
The name of the band was Led Zeppelin.
Formed in 1968, Led Zeppelin went on to become one of the most influential, innovative, and successful groups in modern music, having sold more than 300 million albums worldwide. The band rose from the ashes of The Yardbirds when Jimmy Page brought in John Bonham, John Paul Jones, and Robert Plant to tour as The New Yardbirds. In 1969, Led Zeppelin released its self-titled debut album, produced by Jimmy Page. It marked the beginning of a 12-year reign during which the group was widely considered to be the biggest and most innovative rock band in the world. In the world; that, my friends, is no small potatoes.
Zeppelin developed their style by drawing from a variety of influences including blues and folk music. With a heavy guitar-driven sound, they are cited as one of the forerunners of hard rock and heavy metal music. Zeppelin has been credited as significantly impacting the nature of the music industry, particularly in the development of album-oriented rock and stadium rock.
Shortly after the tragic death of the band’s drummer John Bonham in 1980, the group disbanded. In a statement released by the group, they explained that they couldn’t go on without their friend. After the break-up, Led Zeppelin had four brief reunions in 1985, 1988, 1995, and 2007. After the gig in 2007, there were rumors about a reunion tour but Robert Plant has continued his touring with American bluegrass-country singer/fiddler/producer Alison Krauss. Plant told the group that he was too busy and they would have to wait. That was 17 years ago. If you’re anticipating a reunion, I wouldn’t hold my breath. But, we can dream.
Led Zeppelin’s catalogue is huge and choosing one song was not easy. In the end, I decided to skip the obvious ones and go with one of my favorites.
“Immigrant Song” is a classic rock anthem that showcases the band’s signature sound. From the band’s 1970 album Led Zeppelin III, the track has surpassed its original context and now serves as a powerful and evocative anthem for the enduring struggles of mythical conflict. The song’s driving riff and powerful lyrics draw inspiration from Norse mythology, with references to Valhalla and war-making. To this day, the song remains a beloved track among fans of Led Zeppelin and rock music in general.
This is “Immigrant Song” by Led Zeppelin.
LYRICS
Ah-ah, ah! Ah-ah, ah!
We come from the land of the ice and snow From the midnight sun where the hot springs flow The hammer of the gods Will drive our ships to new lands To fight the horde, sing and cry Valhalla, I am coming
On we sweep with threshing oar Our only goal will be the western shore
Ah-ah, ah! Ah-ah, ah!
We come from the land of the ice and snow From the midnight sun where the hot springs flow How soft your fields so green Can whisper tales of gore Of how we calmed the tides of war We are your overlords
On we sweep with threshing oar Our only goal will be the western shore
So now you’d better stop and rebuild all your ruins For peace and trust can win the day despite of all your losing
The Elephant's Trunk 