Song of the Day: Maybe (by the Ink Spots)


The Ink Spots

Tonight’s episode of The Walking Dead began with a tune recognizable to many gamers who played through Bethesda’s Fallout 3.

“Maybe” by The Ink Spots have been used many times to highlight simpler, idyllic times when compared to post-apocalyptic wastelands. It worked well for Fallout 3 and definitely lent an eerie, disturbing quality to the flash forward opening to the latest episode of The Walking Dead.

Maybe

Maybe you’ll think of me
When you are all alone

Maybe the one who is waiting for you
Will prove untrue, then what will you do?

Maybe you’ll sit and sigh, wishing that I were near
Then maybe you’ll ask me to come back again
And maybe I’ll say maybe.

Maybe you’ll think of me
When you are all alone

Maybe the one who is waiting for you
Will prove untrue, then what will I do?

Maybe, you’ll sit and sigh, wishing that I were near
Then maybe you’ll ask me to come back again

And maybe I’ll say maybe.

Song of the Day: Entre Dos Aguas (by Paco de Lucia – R.I.P)


paco-de-lucia

One of the great guitarists ever passed away (some would say he’s one of the greatest, if not the best there ever was) in the last 24 hours.

Paco de Lucia has passed on into legend as one of history’s greatest guitarist. He joins such fellow luminaries as Django Reinhardt, Jimi Hendrix, Andres Segovia, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Robert Johnson to just name a few now playing their guitars in the next life.

Paco came from a family of flamenco singers and guitarists. His musical upbringing was molded by his father Antonio Sanchez. He would take classic flamenco guitar playing and incorporate other musical genres such as jazz, classical and bossa nova. While flamenco traditionalists heaped criticisms at Paco de Lucia for incorporating the many different styles of guitar playing with flamenco the movement to create a new flamenco sound which still adhered to classic flamenco playing but with some added new sound to appeal to a new generation that was beginning to listen to a variety of musical styles.

While many young people would scratch their heads as to who this Spaniard was to be considered one of the greatest guitarist of all-time (I would remind such individuals that not all guitarists were playing rock or metal), I would suggest they listen to his most popular song and just marvel at the talent and legend that was Paco de Lucia.

Song of the Day: Who Is He (And What Is He to You) (by Bill Withers)


artworks-000060252491-i7rww4-original

February is almost over and I’m sure those who celebrated Valentines Day a couple weeks back are either flying high on love or becoming bitter by the day at things not turning out the way either party have imagined.

The latest “Song of the Day” puts into words such a a scenario that those in the latter might be going through right about now. It’s a song by soul and blues singer Bill Withers. He’s better known for classic soul hits such as “Lean On Me”, “Just the Two of Us” and “Ain’t No Sunshine”.

“Who Is He (And What Is He To You)” is a song of infidelity and betrayal. I just love the bass line that goes throughout the song. The song’s lyrics also hints at a sense of malice and and built-up rage at the betrayal. One could almost imagine how things will erupt after the final note and lyric has faded in the background.

Who Is He (And What Is He to You)

A man we passed just tried to stare me down
And when I looked at you, you looked at the ground
I don’t know who he is but I think that you do

Dag gummit
Who is he and what is he to you

I have something in my heart and in your eyes
Tell me he’s not someone just passin’ by
And when you cleared your throat was that your cue

Dag gummit dag
Who is he and what is he to you

Now when I add the sum of you and me
I get confused and I keep coming up with three
You’re too much for one man but not enough for two

Dag gummit
Who is he and what is he to you

Hey you tell me man don’t have not much for intuition
That what you really think or are you wishin’
Before you wreck your old home be certain of the new

Dag gummit
Who is he and what is he to you

Dag gummit
Who is he and what is he to you

Dag gummit
Who is he and what is he to you

Dag gummit
Who is he and what is he to you

Song of the Day: Valkyries (by Blind Guardian)


In honor of Ragnarök, here’s a blast from the past in celebration.

Arleigh's avatarThrough the Shattered Lens

This pick for song of the day marks the fifth time the “Bards” from Germany has made an appearance. This song marks the third track to be chosen from their latest album, At The Edge of Time. To say that I am a fan of Blind Guardian would be just a tad bit of an understatement.

“Valkyries” is the latest song of the day and it’s Blind Guardian at their most progressive metal. As a band they’ve grown from a German speed and thrash metal band then became one of the progenitors of the power metal subgenre. For the past dozen or so years they’ve evolved their sound to incorporate progressive, melodic, symphonic and orchestral stylings to their basic power metal sound.

This song has lead bard Hansi Kürsch writing about Norse mythology, specifically the concept of the Valkyries who fly and roam above the battlefield to take those…

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Song of the Day: Hooked on a Feeling (by Blue Swede)


Blue Swede - Hooked on a feeling

Ever since the premiere of the first official trailer for Marvel Studio’s Guardians of the Galaxy this song has embedded it’s catchy claws into my brain. I’ve even caught myself humming the song at work.

“Hooked on a Feeling” is a song I’ve heard and enjoyed in the past but never as more than a passing fancy. Maybe it’s how well the song fit in with James Gunn’s trailer for his space opera film. It’s so out of place that one cannot but fall in love with it.

So, while I let this musical virus work its way through my system I thought I’d share it with everyone else as “Song of the Day”.

Hooked on a Feeling

Ouga Chaka ouga! ….

I can’t stop this feeling
Deep inside of me.
Girl, you just don’t realize
What you do to me.
When you hold me
In your arms so tight,
You let me know,
Everythings alright, ahahah

I’m hooked on a feeling,
I’m high on believing,
That your in love with me.

Lips as sweet as candy.
Their taste stays on my mind.
Girl, you keep me thirsty for another cup of wine.

I got it bad for you girl,
But I don’t need a cure,
I’ll just stay addicted, If I can endure
All the good love, when we’re all alone
Keep it up girl, yeah you turn me on.

I’mmm, I’mmm Hooked on a feeling.
I’m high on believing that your in love with me.
All the good love, when we’re all alone
Keep it up girl, yeah you turn me on.

Ahaha I’m hooked on a feeling,
I’m high on believing,
That your in love with me.

I’m hooked on a feeling,
I’m high on believing,
That your in love with me.

I say I’m hooked on a feeling,
And I’m high on believing,
That your in love with me.
I’m hooked on a feeling.

Song of the Day: Whole Lotta Love (by Led Zeppelin)


jimmmy

I missed a couple of nights with a post leading up to Valentine’s Day. So, I shall make it up with a quickie, but definitely a classic choice for latest “Song of the Day”.

In what has to be one of the sexiest and raunchiest songs to explode from that little supergroup called Led Zeppelin in late 1969. Everything about this song oozes sex from Robert Plant’s performance to the silky riffs by Jimmy Page right up to the rhythmic pounding by Bonham on drums.

The song I speak of “Whole Lotta Love” and considered a favorite amongst fans of the group. Enough talk and just listen. I’m pretty sure there’s a sizable number of people who visit this site and go on the many social media outlets that owe their existence to their parents having this song on.

Whole Lotta Love

You need coolin’, baby, I’m not foolin’
I’m gonna send ya back to schoolin’
Way down inside, a-honey, you need it
I’m gonna give you my love
I’m gonna give you my love, oh

Wanna whole lotta love
Wanna whole lotta love
Wanna whole lotta love
Wanna whole lotta love

You’ve been learnin’
And baby, I been learnin’
All them good times
Baby, baby, I’ve been a-yearnin’, ah
A-way, way down inside
A-honey, you need-a
I’m gonna give you my love, ah
I’m gonna give you my love, ah

Oh, whole lotta love
Wanna whole lotta love
Wanna whole lotta love
Wanna whole lotta love
I don’t want more

Ooh, just a little bit
Ah, ah, ah, ah
Ah, hah, hah
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah
No, no, no, no, ah
Love, low-ow-ow-ow-ove
Oh, my, my, my

You’ve been coolin’
And baby, I’ve been droolin’
All the good times, baby, I’ve been misusin’
A-way, way down inside
I’m gonna give ya my love
I’m gonna give ya every inch of my love (Ah)
I’m gonna give you my love
Yeah, alright, let’s go

Wanna whole lotta love
Wanna whole lotta love
Wanna whole lotta love
Wanna whole lotta love

(Way down inside) Way down inside
(Way down inside, woman, you) Woman
(Woman, you) You need it
(Need) Love

My, my, my, my
My, my, my, my, oh
Shake for me, girl
I wanna be your backdoor man
Hey, oh, hey, oh
Hey, oh, ooh
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Hoo-ma, ma, hey
Keep a-coolin’, baby
A-keep a-coolin’, baby
A-keep a-coolin’, baby
Ah, keep a-coolin’, baby, ah, ah-hah, oh-oh

Song of the Day: Chernobyl (performed by Blanck Mass)


Have you seen Ben Wheatley’s A Field In England yet?

If you haven’t, you really should.  It’s just now getting an extremely limited theatrical release here in the States, though it’s also available via video-on-demand as well.  I saw it earlier tonight at the Alamo Drafthouse (which is the greatest theater in the U.S., by the way) and I’m still working out my feelings towards it.  It appears to be a film about a criminal, an alchemist, and a group of military deserters who, during the mid-17th Century, find themselves in an English field searching for a treasure that may or may not exist, while some of them have visions that may or may not be real.

Regardless of whether you think A Field In England is brilliant or just pretentious (and I think a good argument could be made for either conclusion), everyone can agree that one of the more memorable scenes in the film is the “tent scene”.  You can watch the scene below, though it definitely loses something when taken out of context from the rest of the film.

The song playing as that unfortunate man walks out of that tent is Blanck Mass’s Chernobyl.  And it’s also today’s song of the day!

Song of the Day: Right Here Waiting (by Richard Marx)


Richard-Marx-Through-My-Veins

Another day and another entry leading up to Valentines Day. Yeah, I know some don’t like this particular holiday. Some think it’s become too commercialized, but I’ve always remained a romantic at heart and I can’t help but look forward to this day.

Even when single this day was a special day to reflect on relationships past. Remembering the good and fun times while trying to learn from the mistakes.

The latest “Song of the Day” comes straight out of my high school days of 1989. I first heard this song on the radio while on break from my very first line reading for a school play. There was a piano in the room where everyone broke for lunch. Someone decided to play this song and soon every guy began to sing the song while the ladies either looked at us with dreamy eyes or something.

When the saying from people of my generation parrot the same lines our parents and their parents before them comes up I believe it to be true. They really don’t make ballads like this anymore. There’s a sincere sense of earnestness and romance to the lyrics and the overall sound of the song.

Over the years some have tried to mock this song and Richard Marx, but it never really goes anywhere. This song remains timeless and for those who look forward to what Valentines Day truly mean beyond the crass commercialism.

Right Here Waiting

Oceans apart day after day
And I slowly go insane
I hear your voice on the line
But it doesn’t stop the pain

If I see you next to never
How can we say forever

Wherever you go
Whatever you do
I will be right here waiting for you
Whatever it takes
Or how my heart breaks
I will be right here waiting for you

I took for granted, all the times
That I thought would last somehow
I hear the laughter, I taste the tears
But I can’t get near you now

Oh, can’t you see it baby
You’ve got me goin’ crazy

Wherever you go
Whatever you do
I will be right here waiting for you
Whatever it takes
Or how my heart breaks
I will be right here waiting for you

I wonder how we can survive
This romance
But in the end if I’m with you
I’ll take the chance

Oh, can’t you see it baby
You’ve got me goin crazy

Wherever you go
Whatever you do
I will be right here waiting for you
Whatever it takes
Or how my heart breaks
I will be right here waiting for you
Waiting for you

Song of the Day: More (Theme from Mondo Cane) R.I.P. Riz Ortolani


Riz-Ortolani

The latest “Song of the Day” is dedicated to a great film composer who passed away today. Riz Ortolani is well-known in the virtual and brick-and-mortar halls of Through the Shattered Lens. In fact, I would say that his work would be a perfect soundtrack for the site if it ever decided to have one.

Ortolani was born in March 25, 1926. Music seemed to be in his blood as his musical career first began as part of an Italian jazz band before he eventually move to composing scores for Italian films. While many grindhouse and exploitation film fans got to know Ortolani through his work on Ruggero Deodato’s famous (infamous in some circles) cannibal exploitation film Cannibal Holocaust ( especially for it’s serene-like opening theme) his film scores ranged through several genres from mondo films, spaghetti westerns, eurospy flicks and Italian giallos.

For someone in elite circles would considered as beneath their notice for doing work in the so-called video nasty genre, ORtoani’s work has been hailed as genius and one of his compositions even won him an Academy Award in 1964. It’s this award-winning song that I’ve chosen to focus on.

“More” from the shockumentary Mondo Cane won Ortolani an Oscar in 1964 and even had an admirer in the Chairman of the Board himself that he would cover the song the very same year.

With each passing year the film and entertainment community loses one more of the earlier generation who were instrumental in making many at this site in falling in love with film and music. Time to appreciate what they’ve contributed to film and music and remind ourselves that sometimes just because something is old and dated doesn’t mean it’s still not better than something newer and more advanced.

R.I.P. Riz Ortolani and thanks for the music and memories.

Even the Ol’ Blue Eyes covered the song…

More (Theme From Mondo Cane)

More than the greatest love the world has known,
This is the love I give to you alone,
More than the simple words I try to say,
I only live to love you more each day.
More than you’ll ever know, my arms long to hold you so,
My life will be in your keeping, waking, sleeping, laughing, weeping,
Longer than always is a long long time, but far beyond forever you’re gonna be mine.
I know I’ve never lived before and my heart is very sure,
No one else could love you more.

[musical interlude]

More than you’ll ever know , my arms they long to hold you so,
My life will be in your keeping, waking, sleeping, laughing, weeping,
Longer than always is a long long time, but far beyond forever you’ll be mine,
I know that I’ve never lived before and my heart is very sure,
No one else could love you more, no one else could love you more.

Song of the Day: Brand New Day (performed by Neil Patrick Harris)


It’s the first day of a brand new year and that means that it’s time for a new song of the day.  And what better choice could there be than Neil Patrick Harris singing Brand New Day from Joss Whedon’s Dr. Horrible’s Sing Along Blog.

By the way, Dr. Horrible was right.  The keys to shiny new Australia are the perfect way to unlock a girl’s heart…