Song of the Day: Ethel Cain - Crush

One of my daughters shared this with me recently.  Not only is it a great song, but I think I enjoy it that much more knowing my daughter has such great taste.  Just a great vibe, mellow yet with intense longing at the same time.

Ethel Cain - Crush (Official Video)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xu-t3tqDyAY

Something’s been feeling weird lately

There’s just something about you, baby

Maybe I’ll just be crazy

And piss him off ‘til he hates me

(Yeah right, he fucking loves me)

Low slung bad bitch, baby come and get you some

Lyrics from Genius.com:

https://genius.com/Ethel-cain-crush-lyrics

Crush

Ethel Cain

Track 2 on Inbred 

[Verse 1]

His window’s already passed

So he’s shooting at the glass

Keeping guns in his locker

And he denies it

Like it’s actually important

But he lied 'cause I sure did watch him

Showing up wearing black

And he knows that

His daddy’s on death row

But he’ll say it with his chest, though

His friends move dope

He hasn’t tried coke

But he’s always had a problem saying no

His older brother bagged the valedictorian

His mother steady screaming he should be more like him

[Chorus]

Can you read my mind? I’ve been watching you

(You know it, you know it, you know it, you know it’s true)

Couldn’t fight to save your lifе but you look so cool

Camo jacket robbing corner stores

Hard odds to bеat when you’re on all fours

Good men die too so I’d rather be with you

[Verse 2]

I owe you a black eye and two kisses

Tell me when you wanna come and get em

I only want him if he says it first to me

I wanna … him in the back of his mom’s Mercury

He looks like he works with his hands

And smells like Marlboro reds

It makes me so … and I can’t get enough of it

Something’s been feeling weird lately

There’s just something about you, baby

Maybe I’ll just be crazy

And piss him off ‘til he hates me

(Yeah right, he fucking loves me)

Low slung bad bitch, baby come and get you some

[Chorus]

Can you read my mind? I’ve been watching you

Couldn’t fight to save your life but you look so cool

(You know it, you know it, you know)

Camo jacket robbing corner stores

Hard odds to beat when you’re on all fours

Good men die too so I’d rather be with you

Oh, I’d rather be with you

Oh, I’d rather be with you

'Cause good men die too so I’d rather be with you

Song of the Day: Billy Joel - Scenes From An Italian Restaurant

Finally we’ve reached Day 5 of the "Billy Joel's Top Five Billy Joel Songs" countdown.  This is Joel’s favorite...

The Top 5 Billy Joel Songs, Ranked By Billy Joel

https://youtu.be/BEXQaxUjesE?t=277

Joel’s favorite song from his own collection is … Scenes From An Italian Restaurant.  Yes, another song from his best album, “The Stranger” (1977).

In my mind, Vienna and Scenes From An Italian Restaurant were always a natural pair, not sure why.  They are different, but they strike a similar chord, but in a very different way.  Life goes by quickly, and both these songs ask us to appreciate it.

Billy Joel - Scenes from an Italian Restaurant (Official Audio)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hxx8IWIvKg0

Billy Joel - Scenes from an Italian Restaurant (Live from Long Island)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRP1dF7Qlac

Some background on the song:

https://www.songfacts.com/facts/billy-joel/scenes-from-an-italian-restaurant

Song of the Day: Billy Joel - She's Right On Time

Now for Day 4 of the "Billy Joel's Top Five Billy Joel Songs" countdown...

The Top 5 Billy Joel Songs, Ranked By Billy Joel

https://youtu.be/BEXQaxUjesE?t=277

Song #3 is from Joel’s “Nylon Curtain” album (1982), at least in the top three Joel albums.  I don’t remember this song being super popular back in the day, songs like Allentown and Goodnight Saigon and Pressure got a lot more attention.  But it is a much more positive song than those!

Billy Joel - She's Right On Time (Official Video)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4lh4Ahl46E

Song of the Day: Billy Joel - You May Be Right

We’re up to Day 3 of the "Billy Joel's Top Five Billy Joel Songs" countdown...

The Top 5 Billy Joel Songs, Ranked By Billy Joel

https://youtu.be/BEXQaxUjesE?t=277

Song #3 is from Joel’s “Glass Houses” album (1980), another one of his very best, in my opinion.  This might be the most popular of the five songs on this list.  This is Joel being rebellious, I suppose.  We’ve all felt like that!

Billy Joel - You May Be Right (Official Video)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jo9t5XK0FhA

Song of the Day: Billy Joel - And So It Goes

Continuing with the "Billy Joel's Top Five Billy Joel Songs" countdown...

The Top 5 Billy Joel Songs, Ranked By Billy Joel

https://youtu.be/BEXQaxUjesE?t=277

Song #4 is from Joel's "Storm Front" album (1989).  It has a more sedate vibe, and is probably not Joel at his best, but I love the album.  This song is tender and beautiful.

Billy Joel - And So It Goes (Official Video)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHO6a2H-pqY

I did a little searching, and apparently the song is about a doomed relationship with model Elle McPherson.  I never knew that.  It makes a lot more sense now.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/And_So_It_Goes

https://www.songfacts.com/facts/billy-joel/and-so-it-goes

https://www.onefinalserenade.com/and-so-it-goes.html

Song of the Day: Billy Joel - Vienna

I came across this video the other day, a fun Billy Joel interview from a 2017 appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.  Among many other things discussed, Joel ranked his top 5 favorite songs.

The Top 5 Billy Joel Songs, Ranked By Billy Joel

https://youtu.be/BEXQaxUjesE?t=277

Over the course of this week, I'll publish Joel's top five favorite songs, from his own catalog.  I'll call it the "Billy Joel's Top Five Billy Joel Songs" countdown.

So, without further ado, here is song #5.  I love Vienna, what a great vibe, and a reminder to slow down and smell the roses once in a while.

Vienna is from the album "The Stranger" from 1977.  In my opinion Joel's best album.

Billy Joel - Vienna (Audio)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wccRif2DaGs

And here is the story behind the song.

Billy Joel Interview - What does Vienna Mean to Him? | Vienna 2020

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcmzF1GT1Qw

Song of the Day: Quinn Christopherson - Bubblegum

Ever been in a mood where you are a little lost, can't find your footing?  Feel stuck between two places or two identities?  I sure have.  That's why this song speaks to me.  How come I never hear this stuff on the radio?

Quinn Christopherson - Bubblegum (Official Video)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtW7Gw_pLCw

Song of the Day: Maren Morris - The Bones

So much good music out there.  I love the strong hopeful vibe in this one.

Maren Morris - The Bones (Official Video)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvPMVKUI9go

Lyrics from AZLyrics.com:

https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/maren-morris/thebones.html

Maren Morris

"The Bones"

We're in the homestretch of the hard times

We took a hard left, but we're alright

Yeah, life sure can try to put love through it, but

We built this right, so nothing's ever gonna move it

When the bones are good, the rest don't matter

Yeah, the paint could peel, the glass could shatter

Let it rain 'cause you and I remain the same

When there ain't a crack in the foundation

Baby, I know any storm we're facing

Will blow right over while we stay put

The house don't fall when the bones are good

Call it dumb luck, but baby, you and I

Can't even mess it up, although we both try

No, it don't always go the way we planned it

But the wolves came and went and we're still standing

When the bones are good, the rest don't matter

Yeah, the paint could peel, the glass could shatter

Let it rain 'cause you and I remain the same

When there ain't a crack in the foundation

Baby, I know any storm we're facing

Will blow right over while we stay put

The house don't fall when the bones are good

When the bones are good

Bones are good, the rest, the rest don't matter (Baby, it don't really matter)

Paint could peel, the glass could shatter (Oh, the glass, oh, the glass could shatter)

Bones are good, the rest, the rest don't matter (Ooh)

Paint could peel, the glass, the glass could shatter (Yeah)

When the bones are good, the rest don't matter

Yeah, the paint could peel, the glass could shatter

Let it rain (Let it rain, let it rain)

'Cause you and I remain the same (Woo)

When there ain't a crack in the foundation (Woo)

Baby, I know any storm we're facing

Will blow right over while we stay put

The house don't fall when the bones are good

Yeah, ooh

Song of the Day: Neffy - Wait Up

Another fabulous new artist.  I've said it before, and I'll say it again: The best music is not on the radio.  Does anyone even listen to the radio anymore???

Tiny Desk Concert 2021 Entry - Neffy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIYD1PYJaUE

Song of the Day: Allison Mahal - Superego

Some days are sadder than others.  This is one of those days.  And this is the perfect song for that mood.

Allison Mahal "Superego" NPR Tiny Desk Contest Submission 2021

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYvNLiujI3U

On this day I think back to the time I was told:
"Everything is important to me."
"I never forget anything."

Everything is important to me, too.

Nor do I.

I am reminded of a Sören Kierkegaard quote:

"Life must be understood backwards; but…it must be lived forwards."

Perhaps a little forgetting wouldn't be such a bad thing.

Such is life.

Song of the Day: Dery - Fine

 Love the vibe in this song.  I love finding new music.

fine - dery (2021 npr tiny desk contest submission)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99NWY3opbk8

Sorry, as of publishing time I didn't find the song lyrics.  :(

Song of the Day: H.E.R. - Damage

Another song with a great vibe.  You know how it is when you meet someone who can do real damage...

H.E.R. - Damage (Official Video)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAFAfhod9TU

Careful what you take for granted, yeah

'Cause with me know you could do damage

Song lyrics, from AZLyrics.com:

https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/her/damage.html

H.E.R. Lyrics

"Damage"

If you got it, it ain't a question

Oh, it ain't no room for guessin'

No more than emotionally invested (No, no)

Showin' you all my imperfections, oh

If I let you, you'll take me for granted, yeah (You, you, you, you)

If I'm worth more than you could manage, manage, yeah

Open with me, oh we could be honest

Closer to me, oh giving me solace

Promise that you won't let me fall

Holding me tight

Loving me right

Giving me life

All night

You could be (You could be)

Telling me lies

Making me cry

Wasting my time

The whole time

So just be

Careful what you take for granted, yeah

'Cause with me know you could do damage

You, you could do damage

You, you could do damage, yeah

Worried about it I'm putting pressure (You know)

You'll only cut me if I let you

No, we ain't doing this just for pleasure

Either learn me or I'm a lesson gone oh

If you want me don't take me for granted, yeah, yeah

If I'm worth more than you could manage, baby

Oh you're falling for me, oh baby I've caught it

Ooh we could be whatever you wanna call it

Promise that you won't let me fall

Holding me tight

Loving me right

Giving me life

All night

You could be

Telling me lies

Making me cry

Wasting my time

The whole time

So just be

Careful what you take for granted, yeah

'Cause with me know you could do damage

You, you could do damage

You, you could do damage

Oh, you could do damage

Know you could do damage, yeah

Oh, you could do damage, yeah, yeah, oh, oh

Oh, you could do damage, oh with me

Why We Ride

 I ran across this great article recently.  Not much to say about it, other than I agree with every word.  Thank you, Kevin Cameron.

Why We Ride Motorcycles

Skill, passion, talent, danger, identity: Why do you ride a motorcycle?

By Kevin Cameron

June 9, 2021

https://www.cycleworld.com/story/blogs/ask-kevin/why-we-ride-motorcycles/

Selected quotes:

"For some, the wind and the 360-degree view of the world provided by motorcycles remind us that life is not a video game. For others, it’s the practice of skills in an unforgiving environment. For still others, it’s the rush of acceleration and cornering."

"What happens to us during our first six months on a motorcycle? We either learn the alert vigilance of squirrels, mountain climbers, and combat soldiers, or we quit.  ...  There is no right of way for the motorcyclist. We alone can assure our own security. So many motorists just don’t see motorcycles at all, and others are barely conscious, texting. Constant alert vigilance is the only security. Just as the horse takes delight in running up and down, so we are refreshed by exercising this high state of awareness that is so underused in our daily lives."

I completely relate to this next quote, that riding clears the mind like nothing else precisely because you need full attention.  It's counter-intuitive, in a way, but being forced to concentrate on something can actually clear and refresh the mind.

"Riding a motorcycle can drain life’s pond of distractions, revealing with clarity the bare bones. A BMW rider I knew was a chemist. When confronted with a problem he wasn’t able to solve in his office chair or by awakening at 4 a.m. in where-am-I confusion, he would just get on his bike and ride, heading out of town and onto some go-anywhere rural roads. Over a period of three hours, the concentration riding required would gradually push aside the mess in his mind and shake the problem down to essentials. A solution would appear. And it worked over and over."

"More of the clarifying power of the motorcycle was revealed by a friend who is a published poet. His written words said to me that when his mind was distressed and stopped by the problem of finding sense in life, he rode his motorcycle. It combed the nonessentials, the do-loops from his mind, streamlining his thought process. It left him in alert vigilance, aware of everything around him, safe, clear-headed, and alive.  That, and more, is why we ride."

Song of the Day: Lowland Hum - Don't Give Up (Peter Gabriel cover)

Following up from two days ago, here is the second of two Lowland Hum songs from their "So Low" album, honoring the 35th anniversary of Peter Gabriel's "So" album.

Don't Give Up

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUTXxxrBzTI

Lyrics, from AZLyrics.com:

https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/petergabriel/dontgiveup.html

"Don't Give Up"

in this proud land we grew up strong

we were wanted all along

I was taught to fight, taught to win

I never thought I could fail

no fight left or so it seems

I am a man whose dreams have all deserted

I've changed my face, I've changed my name

but no one wants you when you lose

don't give up

'cos you have friends

don't give up

you're not beaten yet

don't give up

I know you can make it good

though I saw it all around

never thought I could be affected

thought that we'd be the last to go

it is so strange the way things turn

drove the night toward my home

the place that I was born, on the lakeside

as daylight broke, I saw the earth

the trees had burned down to the ground

don't give up

you still have us

don't give up

we don't need much of anything

don't give up

'cause somewhere there's a place

where we belong

rest your head

you worry too much

it's going to be alright

when times get rough

you can fall back on us

don't give up

please don't give up

'got to walk out of here

I can't take anymore

going to stand on that bridge

keep my eyes down below

whatever may come

and whatever may go

that river's flowing

that river's flowing

moved on to another town

tried hard to settle down

for every job, so many men

so many men no-one needs

don't give up

'cause you have friends

don't give up

you're not the only one

don't give up

no reason to be ashamed

don't give up

you still have us

don't give up now

we're proud of who you are

don't give up

you know it's never been easy

don't give up

'cause I believe there's a place

there's a place where we belong

Song of the Day: Lowland Hum - In Your Eyes (Peter Gabriel cover)

So it's been 35 years since Peter Gabriel released "So."  Fabulous album, start to end.

In honor of that, Lowland Hum has released "So Low," an album covering the whole Peter Gabriel album.  I'll post two of the songs here on my blog, two of the songs I love the most.

I love how they capture the essence of the songs, without duplicating what Gabriel did.

Here is the first of the two Lowland Hum songs I'll post.

In Your Eyes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jx-8yz9UVlQ

Lyrics, from AZLyrics.com:

https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/petergabriel/inyoureyes.html

"In Your Eyes"

(from "Say Anything..." soundtrack)

Love I get so lost, sometimes

Days pass and this emptiness fills my heart

When I want to run away

I drive off in my car

But whichever way I go

I come back to the place you are

All my instincts, they return

And the grand facade, so soon will burn

Without a noise, without my pride

I reach out from the inside

In your eyes

The light the heat

In your eyes

I am complete

In your eyes

I see the doorway to a thousand churches

In your eyes

The resolution of all the fruitless searches

In your eyes

I see the light and the heat

In your eyes

Oh, I want to be that complete

I want to touch the light

The heat I see in your eyes

Love, I don't like to see so much pain

So much wasted and this moment keeps slipping away

I get so tired of working so hard for our survival

I look to the time with you to keep me awake and alive

And all my instincts, they return

And the grand facade, so soon will burn

Without a noise, without my pride

I reach out from the inside

In your eyes

The light the heat

In your eyes

I am complete

In your eyes

I see the doorway to a thousand churches

In your eyes

The resolution of all the fruitless searches

In your eyes

I see the light and the heat

In your eyes

Oh, I want to be that complete

I want to touch the light,

The heat I see in your eyes

In your eyes in your eyes

In your eyes in your eyes

In your eyes in your eyes

"I just got a new bike!" Or "The VFR Rides Again!!!"

I just got a new bike!!!

Well, not really, but it feels like it.  This is my 1994 Honda VFR750, back on the road yesterday after over a year in the garage.  I've owned it since I bought it new on Tuesday, May 24, 1994.  Yes, I remember the day well.  It was four days after I finished grad school (at RPI, in Troy, NY), and I spent much of that week on the phone, calling dealers, banks, and insurance agents back in Wisconsin instead of studying for final exams!

The VFR has been over the Golden Gate in California (ridden across the country from Atlanta) and up to the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula in Michigan.  It's been ridden over mountain passes in Colorado when there was still snow on the ground, through tornado warning winds with driving rain in Tennessee, and through pelting hail in Wisconsin.  It's been ridden the length of the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Tail of the Dragon, and all the great roads off Skyline Drive in California.  It's been around.

I've written about my VFR before...

• The acquisition of a very fine ride - August 12, 2010
• The VFR is BACK ... kind of - July 30, 2012
• Irrational Attachments, Motorcycle Edition - February 7, 2016

Why out of action for over a year?  Broken plastic.  Honda does a lot of things really well, but designing plastic is NOT one of them.  The rear plastic on this bike is very flimsy, with thin mounting tabs that break easily.  It looks good, but under the skin it's very fragile.

The plastic had been rattling for years, with various repairs attempted.  It already felt like a crappy Pontiac Grand Am from the 80s, just a loose connection of parts flying together in close formation.  When the tab holding the left rear turn signal housing broke, in addition to all the other cracks in the rear plastic, that was the last straw.  The turn signal simply would not stay in place.  It got to the point where it would fall out and hang by the wires.  Reaching behind me at every opportunity to grab it and gently put it back in place was not sustainable.

Other than the plastic, the bike has been mechanically wonderful.  In fact, it's better than new in some ways.  It has a much larger and newer regulator/rectifier (one of the weak links on this bike).  More importantly, it has massively upgraded suspension (stiffer springs, better fork damping, aftermarket Penske shock), all done by Traxxion Dynamics--can't recommend them more highly.

The reason it took a year is because getting parts wasn't easy.  They don't make OEM parts anymore for my VFR.  Several times I ordered parts, shown as available online, only to receive an e-mail saying, sorry, we don't have that in stock anymore.  I had a few searches set up on eBay, but they took a lot of time before the parts showed up for sale.

I also got lucky through an old contact on the VFR e-mail list.  He had a previous generation ('90-'93) VFR.  That generation had the same rear lights as mine ('94-'97) but didn't have the integrated turn signals.  The "turn signal" lenses on his bike were red and they were used to extend the brake light, and his bike had separate turn signal stalks (the standard ugly Honda signals of the era).  It was a popular mod back in the day to remove the rear turn signal stalks, order the amber lenses from the '94-'97 VFRs, and rewire the turn signal wiring to those bulbs.  Here is a picture of the '90-'93 VFR with the ugly turn signals.
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/aB4AAOSwpo9fhGjE/s-l1600.jpg

Long story short, this guy had saved the original red lenses, in perfect condition, from decades ago.  So I guess my turn signals are red now, not amber, oh well.  That was the final puzzle piece that recently fell in place.

So the old VFR is back!  Not perfect, lots of scars.  But it still flies, and it is *smooth*.  It's like getting a new bike!

People have asked me over the years why I don't just get rid of the VFR and buy a new bike.  I've thought about it, and I will at some point.  But not yet.  It's still a great bike.  This old article helps explain why:
https://www.cycleworld.com/2011/09/21/honda-vfr750f-best-used-bikes/

I actually hoped Honda would improve the VFR over the years, because I'd like to buy another 90-degree V-four (in addition to the VFR, I also owned a 1985 Honda V65 Sabre, which had a beast of an engine).  If you don't know, the 90-degree V-four is the world's most perfect engine (my opinion).  Sounds great, feels great, perfect primary balance.  It's the smoothest engine I've ever had the pleasure of riding--solidly mounted to the frame, no counterbalancers needed, no rubber on the footpegs, nothing.  And then there is the sound of the gear-driven cams, glorious.  I have never owned an inline four motorcycle, nor a parallel twin.  Only 90-degree V-fours and V-twins.

Sadly, Honda never did improve the VFR.  With the exception of the '98 and '99 VFR800 (fuel injected and slightly larger engine), Honda has actually made the VFR *worse*!  Yes, they added linked brakes (more weight and complexity).  They added VTEC (harder to do valve adjustments, bump in the power band) for NO GAIN.  Why, Honda, why?  And they eliminated the gear-driven cams.  Over three decades, Honda has gone backwards.

This article sums up the VFR generations pretty well:
https://motofomo.com/honda-vfr-generations/
The final lines of this site say:

But if you put up with minor annoyances (and all motorcycles have them), the VFR800 8th gen [2014-2017] is a lot of motorcycle for the money. I have thought of replacing it but I’d need to double what I paid for it to get similar enjoyability.

That's exactly how I feel, except it's just as true with my '94 (4th gen) VFR.

At some point I'll get another bike.  Maybe a Triumph Speed Triple or Street Triple.  Maybe a CB1000R.  Maybe a dual sport (far too many options to list).  Maybe an electric bike.  But not yet.   :)

...

In the background of some pictures, you can see my '04 SV 650 (also with Traxxion suspension!) and my '95 Acura Integra.  Both owned since I bought them new.  I like to think I've made some great purchases over the years.

Song of the Day: U2 - Iris (Hold Me Close)

So I was watching an old U2 concert on YouTube recently, and I heard this song.  Tangent: If you missed U2, The Virtual Road, I'm so sorry.  The concerts were like stepping back in time and they were amazing.

Back to the story...

So watching an old U2 concert, recorded live in Paris in 2015, I heard a U2 song that I wasn't familiar with.  You know how it goes (I hope), you go to a concert and, while you hear a number of great songs you expect to hear, there is also that one great song that you don't know.  And it blows you away because it is such an unexpected revelation.  It makes the entire concert so much better.

This was such a song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqjiO_877bk

Iris (Hold Me Close)

I didn't know the story behind the song, so I did some clicking.  Wow, Iris was Bono's mother.  She died when Bono (Paul Hewson) was only 14, which was a motivating factor in him becoming the musician he is today.  I never knew.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/bonos-music-inspired-by-his-late-mother/2015/05/29/542d673a-05eb-11e5-93f4-f24d4af7f97d_story.html

https://www.songfacts.com/facts/u2/iris-hold-me-close

Song lyrics, from AZLyrics.com:

https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/u2band/irisholdmeclose.html

"Iris (Hold Me Close)"

The star

That gives us light

Has been gone a while

But it’s not an illusion

The ache

In my heart

Is so much a part of who I am

Something in your eyes

Took a thousand years to get here

Something in your eyes

Took a thousand years, a thousand years

Hold me close, hold me close and don’t let me go

Hold me close like I’m someone that you might know

Hold me close the darkness just lets us see

Who we are

I’ve got your life inside of me

Iris… Iris…

Once we are born, we begin to forget

The very reason we came

But you

I’m sure I’ve met

Long before the night the stars went out

We’re meeting up again

Hold me close, hold me close and don’t let me go

Hold me close like I’m someone that you might know

Hold me close the darkness just lets us see

Who we are

I’ve got your life inside of me

Iris… Iris…

The stars are bright but do they know

The universe is beautiful but cold

You took me by the hand

I thought that I was leading you

But it was you made me your man

Machine

I dream

Where you are

Iris standing in the hall

She tells me I can do it all

Iris wakes to my nightmares

Don’t fear the world it isn’t there

Iris playing on the strand

She buries the boy beneath the sand

Iris says that I will be the death of her

It was not me

Iris… Iris…

Free yourself, to be yourself if only you could see yourself

Free yourself, to be yourself if only you could see…

Song of the Day: Sinead O'Connor - Sacrifice (Elton John Cover)

I honestly can't remember the last time I heard a song this utterly beautiful.  Wow.

Sinead O'Connor Elton John Sacrifice Gorgeous Cover

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUbwjLOJczw&t=3s

Lyrics from AZLyrics.com:

https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/eltonjohn/sacrifice.html

"Sacrifice"

It's a human sign

When things go wrong

When the scent of her lingers

And temptations strong

Into the boundary

Of each married man

Sweet deceit comes a callin'

And negativity lands

Cold, cold heart

Hard done by you

Some things looking better baby

Just passin' through

And it's no sacrifice

Just a simple word

It's two hearts living

In two separate worlds

But it's no sacrifice

No sacrifice

It's no sacrifice at all

Mutual misunderstanding

After the fact

Sensitivity builds a prison

In the final act

We lose direction

No stone unturned

No tears to damn you

When jealousy burns

Cold, cold heart

Hard done by you

Some things looking better, baby

Just passin' through

And it's no sacrifice

Just a simple word

It's two hearts living

In two separate worlds

But, it's no sacrifice

No sacrifice

It's no sacrifice, at all

Cold, cold heart

Hard done by you

Some things looking better, baby

Just passin' through

And it's no sacrifice

Just a simple word

It's two hearts living

In two separate worlds

But, it's no sacrifice

No sacrifice

It's no sacrifice, at all

No sacrifice, at all

No sacrifice, at all

No sacrifice, at all

No sacrifice, at all

Song of the Day: Julien Baker - Highlight Reel

New music from Julien Baker?  Yes, please!!  Fabulous vibe in this song, keeping the connection even with a larger backing band.

Highlight Reel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8LW5IUQR2Q

Lyrics from AZLyrics.com:

https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/julienbaker/highlightreel.html

"Highlight Reel"

Pass out in the back of a cab

Could you pull over

I think that I'm trapped

Caught underwater

I beat on the glass

Gnawing my arm at the shoulder

Would you help me get out?

Ooh it's a highlight reel

Tell me how

You feel

Pulling down a projector

Scratched in the back of my eyes

Hovering over

Tangled in

The power lines

Ooh It's a highlight reel

Tell me how to feel

Tell me what snuffed out

The wick in your eye

Pumping your chest to

Make sure you're alive

When it dies

You can tell me

How much was a lie

I guess that's for me to decide

When it dies

You can tell me

How much was a lie

I guess that's for me to decide

Song of the Day: Billie Eilish, ROSALÍA - Lo Vas A Olvidar

 I love the vibe in this song.  Two great artists collaborating.

Billie Eilish, ROSALÍA - Lo Vas A Olvidar (Official Music Video)

I like the commentary, along with the English translation here:

https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/9514644/billie-eilish-rosalia-lo-vas-a-olvidar-lyrics-translation-english/

The slow-tempo, bilingual song has dreamlike, almost hazy melodies that bring to the forefront Eilish and Rosalia's vocal chemistry and enchanting harmonies.

Translated lyrics from LyricsTranslate.com:

https://lyricstranslate.com/en/lo-vas-olvidar-you-are-going-forget-it.html

English, Spanish

Lo Vas A Olvidar

[Verse 1: ROSALÍA & Billie Eilish, Ambos]

Dime si me echas de meno' aún

Dime si no me perdonas aún

Que harás con to' este veneno, nada bueno

Dime si me echas de meno' aún

 

[Chorus: ROSALÍA & Billie Eilish]

¿Lo va' a olvidar? Can you let it go?

Can you let it go? ¿Lo va' a olvidar?

Can you let it go? ¿Lo va' a olvidar?

¿Lo va' a olvidar? Can you let it go?

Can you let it go? ¿Lo va' a olvidar?

Can you let it go? ¿Lo va' a olvidar?

Can you let it go? ¿Lo va' a olvidar?

 

[Verse 2: Billie Eilish & ROSALÍA]

Dime que no te arrepientes aún

Dime si aún queda algo en común

El tiempo que se pierde no vuelve

Dame un beso y bájame de la cru'

 

[Chorus: ROSALÍA & Billie Eilish]

¿Lo va' a olvidar? Can you let it go?

Can you let it go? ¿Lo va' a olvidar?

Can you let it go? ¿Lo va' a olvidar?

¿Lo va' a olvidar? Can you let it go?

Can you let it go? ¿Lo va' a olvidar?

Can you let it go? ¿Lo va' a olvidar?

 

[Bridge: ROSALÍA]

Ay, ay

Ay, ay, ay, ah-ah

 

[Outro: ROSALÍA & Billie Eilish]

El amor no puede medirse en un paso firme

Un dia soy un Dios y al otro puedo partirme

I needed to go 'cause I needed to know you don't need me

Could we put you so but it seems like you don't even see me

El amor no puede medirse en un paso firme

Un dia soy un Dios y al otro puedo partirme

You say it to me like that it something I have any choice in

Like if wasn't important why would you waste all your poison

 

English translation

You are going to forget it

Versions: #1#2

[Verse 1: ROSALÍA & Billie Eilish, Both]

Tell me if you miss me yet

Tell me if you don't forgive me yet

What will you do with all this poison, nothing good

Tell me if you miss me yet

 

[Chorus: ROSALÍA & Billie Eilish]

Are you going to forget it? Can you let it go?

Can you let it go? Are you going to forget it?

Can you let it go? Are you going to forget it?

Are you going to forget it? Can you let it go?

Can you let it go? Are you going to forget it?

Can you let it go? Are you going to forget it?

Can you let it go? Are you going to forget it?

 

[Verse 2: Billie Eilish & ROSALÍA]

Tell me you don't regret it yet

Tell me if there is still something in common

The time that is lost does not return

Give me a kiss and lower me from the cross

 

[Chorus: ROSALÍA & Billie Eilish]

Are you going to forget it? Can you let it go?

Can you let it go? Are you going to forget it?

Can you let it go? Are you going to forget it?

Are you going to forget it? Can you let it go?

Can you let it go? Are you going to forget it?

Can you let it go? Are you going to forget it?

 

[Bridge: ROSALÍA]

Ay, ay

Ay, ay, ay, ah-ah

 

[Other: ROSALÍA & Billie Eilish]

Love cannot be measured in a steady step

One day I'm a God and the next I can break

I needed to go 'cause I needed to know you don't need me

Could we put you so but it seems like you don't even see me

Love cannot be measured in a steady step

One day I'm a God and the next I can break

You say it to me like that it something I have any choice in

Like if it wasn't important why would you waste all your poison