Written for Esther’s Laughing Along
With A Limerick #244. Using the prompt
word ‘rock’, this is my limerick.
Tag: Rock & Roll
June – Week Two
This week at Glyn Wilton’s Mixed Music Bag,
he’s asking us to write about a song in which
the title or a line mentions the current month.
Here’s my featured June artists and their song.
Paleolithic Rock
Our gracious host, Rochelle, at Friday Fictioneers
asks us to use the photo below as inspiration
to write creatively in 100 words or less while
making every word count. This is my flash.
A Walk On The Wild Side
My only excuse for what you’re about to read is that I have a lousy head cold, a cough and a sore throat which have thrown me off my game. I know the Mixed Music Bag prompt letters for December are X, Y and Z. However, in my Delsym Cough Syrup-induced stupor, I thought the letters were U, V and W. I spent too much time working on this post and I don’t have the energy or desire to start over. I could have ditched it and skipped this week all together but I think it’s a pretty good write so I decided to keep it as is. Today’s post is brought to you by the letter V.
Continue reading “A Walk On The Wild Side”Midnight Ride
Jim over at Song Lyric Sunday has challenged us to write about a band that wore uniforms or dressed alike. I’ve chosen a group from here in the U.S.
In Boise, Idaho in 1958 a little instrumental combo called the Downbeats was born; the group saw considerable U.S. mainstream success in the second half of the 1960s and early 1970s. Founded by organist Paul Revere Dick and singer Mark Lindsey, the band was known for including Revolutionary War-style clothes during their performances. The group’s name was soon changed to the catchy and more appropriate Paul Revere and the Raiders.
After charting in 1961 with a minor hit and then just missing Billboard’s Hot 100 in late 1963 with a cover of “Louie, Louie”, the band was signed to Columbia Records. In January 1966, thanks to Dick Clark’s show “Where The Action Is”, the single “Just Like Me” reached #11 on the Hot 100. The consecutive Top Tens hits “Kicks” and “Hungry” soon followed, establishing the band as national stars. Between 1966 and 1969 they reached the top 30 with 12 hits. Their three 1966 albums all were gold-certified by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America).
Songwriters Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil composed “Kicks” in 1966 and offered it to the Animals but lead singer Eric Burdon turned it down. Instead, Paul Revere & the Raiders recorded and released it as a single which became a #1 hit in Canada and reached #4 in the United States. “Kicks” was included on the band’s fifth album, “Midnight Ride”, released in May 1966. A live version of the song was recorded on the band’s 1996 “Greatest Hits Live” compilation album.
Considered one of the earliest anti-drug songs, “Kicks” was composed and released during the time when pro-hippie, pro-experimentation, and other counterculture themes were gaining popularity on U.S. FM radio stations. As a result, the song’s message was perceived as outdated by the emerging youth counterculture, as popular artists ranging from the Beatles to Jefferson Airplane had written songs whose themes sharply contrasted that of “Kicks”. However, the song has received generally positive reviews by music critics in the decades since its release. In 2004, “Kicks” was ranked number 400 on Rolling Stone’s list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
This is “Kicks” by Paul Revere and the Raiders
Lyrics
Girl, you thought you found the answer
On that magic carpet ride last night
But when you wake up in the mornin’
The world still gets you uptight
Well, there’s nothin’ that you ain’t tried
To fill the emptiness inside
When you come back down, girl
Still ain’t feelin’ right
And don’t it seem like
Kicks just keep gettin’ harder to find
And all your kicks ain’t bringin’ you peace of mind
Before you find out it’s too late, girl
You better get straight
No, but not with kicks, you just need help, girl
Well you think you’re gonna find yourself
A little piece of paradise
But it ain’t happened yet, so girl, you better think twice
Don’t you see no matter what you do
You’ll never run away from you
And if you keep on runnin’ you’ll have to pay the price
And don’t it seem like
Kicks just keep gettin’ harder to find
And all your kicks ain’t bringin’ you peace of mind
Before you find out it’s too late, girl
You better get straight
No, you don’t need kicks
To help you face the world each day
That road goes nowhere
I’m gonna help you find yourself another way
Kicks just keep gettin’ harder to find
And all your kicks ain’t bringin’ you peace of mind
Before you find out it’s too late, girl
You better get straight
Don’t it seem like
Kicks just keep gettin’ harder to find
And all your kicks ain’t bringin’ you peace of mind
Before you find out it’s too late, girl
You better get straight
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Barry Mann/Cynthia Weil
Kicks (Original artist re-recording) lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Wixen Music Publishing
NAR©2024
This portfolio (including text, graphics and videos) is copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR © 2017-present.
NAME THAT TUNE (November 19, 2023)
Alright, Alright, Alright! Let’s get ready to rumble! It’s time once again to play Name That Tune!
This one is so easy, boys and girls; I predict you’re going to get it right off the bat. It’s just one of those tunes that everybody knows.
Are you feeling the pressure? Well, don’t go getting your knickers all in a twist! You’ll be on the dance floor in no time!
Ok, here we go with our five clues:
- Our featured singer was born Ernest Evans in 1941 in the town of Spring Gully, South Carolina. He is known around the world by another alliterative name.
- Today’s performer is a dancer (as well as a singer) famous for popularizing many dance styles such as the pony, the limbo and the fly.
- Our song was originally released in 1958 by Hank Ballard and the Midnighters; it achieved minimal success. In 1960, our singer did a cover version that became a smash hit for him and started a massive new dance craze. The name of the song is also the name of the dance.
- In the early 60s, this dance craze caught on in high society. Sightings of celebrities doing the dance at New York’s famous Peppermint Lounge made the song and new dance craze a hit with adults.
- There are numerous dance variations including one named after the Peppermint Lounge; the success of the song and dance resulted in adult acceptance of Rock & Roll music.
So kids, how’d you do? I bet you got it! Let’s find out the results of today’s clues. You know the routine.
Yes! It’s Chubby Checker doing that new song and dance sensation, “The Twist”. Everybody on your feet!
Wow! That was great! I must have lost at least 5 pounds and I’m sure I threw my back out but it was worth it! How many of you remember twisting the night away?
Of course I’m sure you figured out the song and dance variation named after that famous New York hot spot is “The Peppermint Twist.” And it goes like this:
Some other songs and dances that were inspired by The Twist are The Madison, The Swim, The Mashed Potato, The Frug, The Watusi, The Shake and The Hitch-Hike. How many of those dances do you remember?
In case you were wondering about Chubby Checker, he’s 82 years old and still twisting the night away.
I hope I haven’t tired you out too much today, gang! Catch you during the week right here in The Rhythm Section.
See you on the flipside.
I’m The Sicilian Storyteller
NAR © 2023
IN THE GROOVE: MOTOWN MELODIES (September 19, 2023)
“Motown was about music for all people – white and black, blue and green, cops and the robbers. I was reluctant to have our music alienate anyone.” – Berry Gordy, Motown Founder
🚗 🚙 🚗
Welcome back to In The Groove: Motown Melodies!
Let’s continue our musical journey with Motown’s third R&B #1 hit.
In 1960, Berry Gordy signed a talented group of vocalists called The Contours as one of Motown’s first acts. “Do You Love Me?”, recorded in 1962, was The Contours third single, far and away their best-known record. This song blazed its way up the charts and became a smash hit before being goosed all the way up the charts again more than 25 years later thanks to a little movie called “Dirty Dancing”.
This record is not just a big hit; it’s an enduring classic that’s still going strong!
Let’s give a listen to The Contours asking an age-old question: “Do You Love Me?”
For straight up Rock & Roll, it doesn’t get much better than that! I was just a kid when that song came out. My sister was a high school sophomore; she and her friends would jump up and dance every time The Contours came on the radio. They wouldn’t let me join in their teenage fun but that didn’t stop me. I made my own good times … dancing in my bedroom in front of the mirror with the door closed so no one could see me!
Do you remember dancing to that great Motown hit?
Well, sixty years later, under the direction and leadership of the group’s founder, Joe Billingslea, The Contours continue to shake ’em down. During its distinguished career, the group has entertained tens of millions of fans and sold millions of records along the way. The Contours are ranked as one of the top 500 R&B artists of all time according to “Top R&B Singles 1952-1995″ compiled from Billboard Magazine’s charts.
Let’s see what other recordings I can come up with for The Contours.
And now here’s a rare clip; if you haven’t been dancing yet, this is one that’ll get you moving!
I hope you’ve been enjoying these great early Motown tunes; they sure have brought back a lot of memories for me. Your comments are always welcome so let me know what you’re thinking.
Thanks for stopping by today; please join me next Tuesday as we conclude this segment of In The Groove with more great sounds out of the Motor City. 🚗
Keep on movin’ and groovin’, kids.
See you on the flip side.
I’m The Sicilian Storyteller
NAR © 2023
BIRTHDAY THURSDAYS
Welcome to Birthday Thursdays here in The Rhythm Section. Each week I will feature someone from the world of music whose birthday falls on that day. There won’t be any chit chat from me, no facts and figures – just some great tunes (and an occasional surprise). Check it out right here every Thursday and enjoy the music.
Happy Birthday to Buddy Holly
Born September 7, 1936 in Lubbock, Texas
The Elephant's Trunk 