Saturday, March 16, 2024

Song of the Day: The Book Of Love - Magnetic Fields (and Peter Gabriel)

I was re-watching Scrubs the other day, because:
1) It's a great show that I loved back in the day, and
2) Yes, I'm listening to the rewatch podcast, and gradually rewatching the show.

This is the podcast:
Fake Doctors, Real Friends with Zach and Donald

They reached the Season 8 finale, which is the true series finale (season 9 wasn't the same show).  Fantastic music in this episode, including the song that is the subject of this post.

Anyway, I was reminded of this song by watching Scrubs.  When I looked up the song I found out that Peter Gabriel's version is actually a cover!  Seems like I should have learned that long ago but here we are.

I'm going to attach several versions.  First two versions by the original artist (Magnetic Fields / Stephin Merritt), one studio and one live.  Then the Peter Gabriel version.  Finally, a video showing the end of the Scrubs finale featuring the song.  What a great way to end a series!



Magnetic Fields - The Book Of Love


The Magnetic Fields - "The Book of Love" (Live at WFUV)


Peter Gabriel - The Book of Love


Scrubs | S08E19 | JD's Final Scene | Peter Gabriel - The Book of Love



Song lyrics (x2!) from AZLyrics.com:

The Magnetic Fields Lyrics
Play "The Book Of Love"
on Amazon Music Unlimited (ad)
"The Book Of Love"

The book of love is long and boring
No one can lift the damn thing
It's full of charts and facts and figures
and instructions for dancing
but I, I love it when you read to me
and you, you can read me anything

The book of love has music in it
In fact that's where music comes from
Some of it is just transcendental
Some of it is just really dumb
but I, I love it when you sing to me
and you, you can sing me anything

The book of love is long and boring
and written very long ago
It's full of flowers and heart-shaped boxes
and things we're all too young to know
but I, I love it when you give me things
and you, you ought to give me wedding rings
I, I love it when you give me things
and you, you ought to give me wedding rings



Peter Gabriel Lyrics
"The Book Of Love"
(originally by The Magnetic Fields)
(from "Shall We Dance?" soundtrack)

The book of love is long and boring
No one can lift the damn thing
It's full of charts and facts and figures
And instructions for dancing

But I
I love it when you read to me
And you
You can read me anything

The book of love has music in it
In fact that's where music comes from
Some of it's just transcendental
Some of it's just really dumb

But I
I love it when you sing to me
And you
You can sing me anything

The book of love is long and boring
And written very long ago
It's full of flowers and heart-shaped boxes
And things we're all too young to know

But I
I love it when you give me things
And you
You ought to give me wedding rings

And I
I love it when you give me things
And you
You ought to give me wedding rings
You ought to give me wedding rings
Posted by T at 8:49 AM 0 comments
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Friday, February 16, 2024

Song of the Day: Billy Joel - Turn The Lights Back On

It's been a long time.  But it was worth the wait.  Billy Joel has a new song out.  Feels like his music has accompanied my life.

I've seen him twice in concert, once at Alpine Valley (classic amphitheater), in 1990.  Once in Atlanta, in a major league baseball park, in 2017 (no, not Miami 2017, unfortunately!).  He puts on a GREAT show, at any age.


Back to the song at hand.  This song has so much emotion.  What can I say, I love it.  Particularly at this stage of my life.

I'll post several links to the same song.  You'll see why.


Nothing special about this video, just a great song with lyrics.
Billy Joel - Turn the Lights Back On (Official Lyric Video)


If you ever doubted what AI/ML can do, watch this video.  Stunning.  Blew me away.  Best video I've seen in 25 years.
Billy Joel - Turn the Lights Back On (Official Video)

From Rolling Stone:


And of course, to complete the hat trick, here's the third version of the same song.  Live at MSG, naturally.
Billy Joel - Turn The Lights Back On @/MSG 2/9/24



Now, some background, as Billy is interviewed by Howard Stern.

Billy Joel Shares the Meaning Behind “Turn the Lights Back On”

Billy Joel Explains the Best Song He Ever Wrote
I have to agree, I *love* that song.  You can read online about the woman he's singing about.

Billy Joel Reveals Major Changes He Made to Some of His Now Hit Songs
Funny story about the song "Honesty" starting around 2:42 of that video!



Lyrics, from AZLyrics.com:

"Turn The Lights Back On" lyrics
Billy Joel

Please open the door
Nothing is different, we've been here before
Pacing these halls
Trying to talk over the silence
And pride sticks out its tongue
Laughs at the portrait that we've become
Stuck in a frame, unable to change
I was wrong

I'm late, but I'm here right now
Though I used to be romantic
I forgot somehow
Time can make you blind
But I see you now
As we're laying in the darkness
Did I wait too long
To turn the lights back on?

Here, stuck on a hill
Outsiders inside the home that we built
The cold settles in
It's been a long winter of indifference
And maybe you love me, maybe you don't
Maybe you'll learn to, maybe you won't
You've had enough, but I won't give up
On you

I'm late, but I'm here right now
And I'm tryin' to find the magic
That we lost somehow
Maybe I was blind
But I see you now
As we're laying in the darkness
Did I wait too long
To turn the lights back on?

I'm late, but I'm here right now
Is there still time for forgiveness?
Won't you tell me how?
I can't read your mind
But I see you now
As we're layin' in the darkness
Did I wait too long
To turn the lights back on?

I'm here right now
Yes, I'm here right now
Looking for forgiveness
I can see as we're laying in the darkness
Yeah, as we're laying in the darkness
Did I wait too long
To turn the lights back on?
Posted by T at 4:39 PM 0 comments
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Sunday, February 11, 2024

Song of the Day: Prince Performs “Purple Rain” During Downpour | Super Bowl XLI

Once again, it's time for a Super Bowl.  Which means it is time for another Super Bowl halftime show.

Let you young people forget, there is ONE halftime show performance that stands head and shoulders above them all.  Prince.  No lip syncing.  In the rain.  Prince: "Can you make it rain harder?"  

Fantastic talent, at the very top of his game.  He died way too young.  I was privileged to see him play his final concert, at the Fox in Atlanta.

Last year I watched Rihanna's performance.  So much commentary online about whether she was pregnant.  Very few people commenting on the fact that she didn't sing a word.  That show was terrible.  All recorded and lip synced, which I guess they all are nowadays.   :(   I think she's great, of course.  But that show was just a recording with no performance at all.  She barely moved (understandable why, but still).

Anyway here's the video.
Prince Performs “Purple Rain” During Downpour | Super Bowl XLI Halftime Show | NFL



Scroll down, the comments are priceless.
Pretty dope to see God is a Prince fan

The fact that Prince was dry in the middle of rain storm is legendary

He only got wet in the waters of Lake Minatonka

Even the rain isn't worthy enough to touch prince

I imagine mother nature was very honored to have been an integral part of a Prince concert.

It was mighty kind of Prince to allow them to play a football game during his concert.

Every Super Bowl performer before and after will never come close to this. This isn't just a great Super Bowl performance. It's one of the greatest performances in music history.

I come to watch this after every superbowl halftime show just to remind myself that no halftime will ever compare to how incredible this performance was
Posted by T at 11:00 AM 0 comments
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