Continuing our little tribute to Ennio Morricone, today’s song of the day comes the 1976’s Italian thriller, Hitch-Hike. This is not one of Morricone’s better-known scores but it’s still one of my favorites. The film’s pretty good, too. Franco Nero vs. David Hess with a score by Ennio Morricone? How couldn’t that be a classic?
Previous Entries In Our Tribute To Morricone:
Today, I arrived home to the sad news that Ennio Morricone, the world’s greatest composer, had passed away at the age of 91. Morricone was responsible for so many classic film scores that it’s hard to know where to begin. I imagine I’ll be sharing a lot of his music over the next couple of days. Some of it will be familiar and hopefully, some of it will inspire our readers to seek out some of his lesser known scores.
For now, I’d like to share one of my favorite Morricone compositions. This is Deborah’s Theme from Sergio Leone’s 1984 gangster epic, Once Upon A Time In America.
One hundred and eleven years ago today, Albert R. Broccoli was born in New Your City.
Broccoli would eventually enter the film business, going from working as an assistant director with Howard Hughes to eventually become a very successful and highly respected film producer. Today, Broccoli is best-known for producing the James Bond films. Though Broccoli passed away in 1996, his daughter, Barbara, has continued to co-produce the films in the years since his death. In short, if not for Albert Broccoli, James Bond probably never would have become a film icon and that would have been a tragedy.
In honor of his birthday, we present to you a song of the day! In the clip below, The BBC Concert Orchestra performs Monty Norman’s iconic James Bond theme music.
Enjoy!
Earlier today, COVID-19 claimed the life of singer-songwriter Adam Schlesinger. Schlesinger was only 52 years old.
Adam Schlesinger may be best known for his work with Fountains of Wayne but he also wrote and produced songs for several films. He was Oscar nominated for writing the title song to That Thing You Do, one of the best rock and roll films of the 90s. The song was not only catchy but it was also the epitome of everything that was great about pop music. With this song, Schlesinger and the film paid tribute to every single band that has ever had a one-hit wonder.
In tribute to Adam Schlesinger, here’s That Thing You Do:
I know this video has been making it’s rounds thru social media lately and I wanted to expresses my greatest and utmost *Washing of my Hands* of it!
This is a great Beatles song remake…. and a great reminder to wash your hands!
*Nor I or TSL own any copyrights or contribution to this song or video* *We are washing our hands of it!*
*Although, every member of the TSL staff is completely sanitized!* We are proud of keeping our work spaces clean!
WASH YOUR HANDS, PEOPLE!
I know that generally speaking, Song of the Day isn’t a category that I post in, but I hope you’ll all indulge me this once.
A lot of people these days might recognize Conway Twitty from various cutaway gags in the TV show Family Guy, but for me, it goes back to my childhood. Watching Hee-Haw with my dad, riding in the car with my dad, waking up in the morning to dad playing Conway and other old country western music stars while he exercised before work. While my musical tastes would always skew more towards rock and alternative, I will always link music like Conway’s to my dad.
This past Friday, I lost my dad, Donald Boucher, after several long years fighting cancer. Like any father and son, we had our disagreements, but we always knew that we loved each other. I moved halfway across the country away from my parents, so I’d make sure that every Sunday I’d call him, even if I had spoken to him on Saturday, so today especially felt extra hollow since I knew he wouldn’t be there to pick up the phone anymore.
This song especially gives words to my feelings better than I feel I’m capable, so I’ll let Conway take it from here. I know that wherever dad is now, he’ll get to be listening to Conway, Hank Williams Sr, Jim Reeves, and all the others that he loved listening to while I was growing up. I’ll miss you dad.
That’s My Job
I woke up cryin’ late at night – when I was very young
I had dreamed my father – had passed away and gone
My world revolved around him – I couldn’t lie there anymore
So I made my way down the mirrored hall and tapped upon his door.
And I said, “Daddy, I’m so afraid!
How would I go on, with you gone that way?
Don’t wanna cry anymore
So may I stay with you?”
And he said,
“That’s my job, that’s what I do
Everything I do is because of you
To keep you safe with me …
That’s my job, you see.”
Later we barely got along – this teenage boy and he
Most of the fights it seems – were over different dreams
We each held for me …
He wanted knowledge and learning – I wanted to fly out west
“Said I could make it out there – if I just had the fare
I got half, will you loan me the rest?”
And I said, “Daddy, I’m so afraid
There’s no guarantee in the plans I’ve made
And if I should fail, who will pay my way back home?”
And he said,
“That’s my job, that’s what I do
Ev’rything I do is because of you
To keep you safe with me …
That’s my job, you see.”
Every person carves his spot – and fills the hole with life
And I pray someday I might – light as bright as he.
Woke up early one bright fall day – read the tragic news
After all my travels, I settled down – within a mile or two
I make my livin’ with words and rhymes – and all the tragedies
Should go into my head and out instead – as bits of poetry.
But I say, “Daddy I’m so afraid
How will I go on – with you gone this way
How can I come up – with a song to say, “I love you.”
“That’s my job, that’s what I do
Ev’rything I do is because of you
To keep you safe with me …
That’s my job, you see.”
“Ev’rything I do is because of you
To keep you safe with me …
That’s my job, you see.”
In Gary’s memory, here is today’s song of the day:
After several months hiatus, I am back just in time to see the latest San Diego Comic-Con arrive and pass by with the latest in comic book-related news whether in print, video games or tv and films. One surprise news which dropped during Marvel Studio’s popular Hall H panel this past Saturday was the surprise announcement that the character of Blade has been recast. He will be getting his own film for the ever-growing juggernaut that is the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
While rumors in the past had Wesley Snipes (the original actor who played the character Blade in a trilogy of films) in meetings with Marvel Studios, it would seem that Kevin Feige and his casting crew decided on a new face to reprise the role of the Daywalker. Out is Wesley Snipes and in comes two-time Academy Award winner Mahershala Ali (Moonlight, The Green Book).
Thus with that announcement the character of Blade has returned to the forefront of pop culture. One thing that the trilogy of films had that impressed me as a fan was the eclectic batch of licensed music that was a mixture of techno, rock and hip-hop. I’ve already featured one song from the Blade II soundtrack (“I Against I” by Massive Attack ft. Mos Def).
So, it’s no surprise that the latest Song of the Day comes from the very same soundtrack and this time it’s a collaboration from hip-hop gurus The Roots and techno legend BT.
Happy Valentine’s Day everyone.
It’s not too much a surprise that today’s latest Song of the Day is very much Valentine’s Day or, at the very least, romance-related. The song chosen comes courtesy of Taeyeon’s ballad from her first full-length album, My Voice, which saw it released in 2017.
“Make Me Love You” actually was part of the album’s deluxe edition which was released a couple months later with the song part of a trio of new one added just for this new edition.
The song has an R&B pop ballad sound that does a great job in incorporating Taeyeon’s unique voice. There’s a reason that for many year’s now that she’s been one of K-Pop’s top soloist in addition as being part of the biggest girl group in the country as leader and Main vocalist of Girls’ Generation.
We have a song that where Taeyeon seems to almost speak to the listener. For the listener to take the leap in allowing the romance begin between them and singer. It’s a ballad that speaks to the anticipation of a potential new romance and also the self-doubt that everyone goes through whenever one should or should not make the first move, leap or step in making it happen.
Just a day before that hallmark of all Hallmark days. Usually there’ll be a flood of Valentine’s related postings and this latest Song of the Day will not be an exception.
Today’s Song of the Day: K-Pop Edition sees the return of one of my favorite K-Pop girl groups: Red Velvet. Seen by many K-Pop fans as the younger SM Entertainment sister group to SM’s main girl group, Girls Generation (aka SNSD), Red Velvet has managed to forge their own success with a unique sound that balances their dual concept of girl crush (Red) and sultry, mature (Velvet).
The previous two Red Velvet entries as Song of the Day sees example of the group under both concepts. There’s “Be Natural” which is their first “Velvet” concept. Then a little later there’s “Ice Cream Cake” which is them in their “Red” aka girl crush concept.
With today’s Song of the Day, we have Red Velvet’s lush ballad from their Ice Cream Cake mini-album: “Candy.”
It’s a track that’s well-suited for all the happenings today and for the rest of the week as even the most jaded will try to find a semblance of romance, if just for a couple days or so. A song that talks about both the effect that love has on couples. An emotion that’s both heartwarming and bittersweet as the emotional aspect of love can also lead to an overwhelming fear of that attachment fading that ultimately leads to separation.
“Candy” being the title is the group’s play on words as the whole Ice Cream Cake mini-album’s songs has done. The title may be about something sweet and enjoyable, but the lyrics definitely shows that it is a bit more than a sweet confection.
Through the Shattered Lens 