Safety Dance

Yes, with the Holidays and all the craziness i haven't posted a song in quite some time.....

My dear friend Kendyll is visiting this week from California!!! Love when we get to spend time all together again, brings back so many memories!!!! It's like we have never been apart!

Last night as we were all being silly and laughing, taking hilarious pictures and chanting.... i thought back to highschool and how it felt as if we were all right back there! 17 again.... and of course The Safety Dance by Men Without Hats was in my head! Being one of our favorite songs to clap and stomp around to, I had to put it up on the blog today!!!!

I couldn't remember if i had posted this jam before but WHO CARES???!!! It's great!!! This video is quite priceless itself.... a midget dressed as a joker playing an instrument.

So glad to be spend time this week with some really great friends!

Here are some pictures from our times together... and it's only been 1/2 a day!

~Penny Lane

American Girl

Tom Petty & The Heartbreaker's song "American Girl" is the type of song i love dancing around to in my apartment... by myself! Don'y say that this has never happend to you at some point in your life, cause guess what? I know you'd be lying!!!

Ok, so maybe for you it's a different song, some tune that catches your fancy but for me this has always been my go to song. Kinda my own version of "Old Time Rock n Roll" Tom Cruise style in Risky Business!

Anytime i'm cleaning, bored, feeling low or just need to get energized dancing and singing along to this song is where it's at!

I absolutely love Tom Petty!! I've had the privelege of seeing them live twice in my life and it was great each time!!! Tom Petty and his Heartbreakers have so many good tracks that can be listened to over and over and over for years to come!

If i had to pick a favorite, hands down it would have to be "Running Down A Dream." I just love how those few little chords in the beggining start the song off with a bang!

Happy Friday!! Do yourself a favor, put on your favorite dance song today and dance around by yourself.... i can assure you you'll be laughing and smiling afterwards!

~Penny Lane

Real Good For Free

I'll be one to say that i've never been a huge fan of live albums. I guess i just fall in love with a song the way i hear it the first time, ya know right when you unwrap that CD package and listen to your new album for the very first time. Sometimes i get a tad dissapointed when i go to see it performed live and its just not the same.

Joni Mitchell's live album "Miles of Aisles" is one of my favorite live albums. I can listen to songs on this and on the originals and love them both equally!
Joni Mitchell is such a talented artist, if you've ever heard her voice it's one of a kind. The high notes she can hit compares to no one else!

"Miles of Aisles" one was Mitchell's most popular albums going all the way to #2 on the charts when it debuted in '74.
As i posted a couple weeks ago, my favorite Joni song is "River" but my mothers favorite and my favorite off this album is the song featured above, "Real Good For Free."

The song has a great meaning, soemthing you find yourself saying, " Wow, i never thought of it that way."

"Now me I play for fortune and those velvet curtain calls I've got a black limousine and sixteen gentlemen escorting me to the halls and I play if you have the money or if you're a friend to me but the one man band by the quick lunch stand he was playing real good, for free."

~Penny Lane






Today

At The Zoo

Ever heard of the album "Bookends" by Simon & Garfunkel?? Well if you havn't you're a deprived child! it's great! Everyone needs to have a copy of this... it needs to be a staple in your musical collection! It'll give you some much needed knowledge! lolol

"Bookends" is the fourth studio album coming from this amazing duo! There are so many good tracks, it's hard to pick a favorite....
-Bookends Theme
-America
-Old Friends
-Mrs. Robinson
-A Hazy Shade of Winter!!!
And of course the track i chose for today, "At The Zoo"

"At The Zoo" is such a fun song!!! It's said that Paul Simon wrote the song as a sort of tribute to his hometown city, New York. The song is rumored to be about a trip taken to the Central Park Zoo (assuming some psychedelic drugs were used...). While there, Simon comes up with all different human attributions and gives them to all the zoo animals.... quite funny!
My favorite:
"The monkeys stand for honesty,Giraffes are insincere,And the elephants are kindly butThey're dumb."

~Penny Lane

Little Black Submarines

Ok....so of course i'm super excited! The Black Keys just came out with a new album!!! The album is called El Camino (HaHa love it already, even the cover!) and this is my new favorite song off the album!
The song is called 'Little Black Submarines." I just love how this song starts out mellow and a little on the feeling sorry for myself side, then turns into a Rock "N" Roll heartbreak song!!!

I'm lovin' on the lyrics, especially "Oh, can it be the voices calling me they get lost and out of time I should've seen it glow but everybody knows that a broken heart is blind that a broken heart is blind."
I like how the Black Keys are funky and retro in this day and age. They definitely have an old school blusey sound that has some awesome foot tappin' beats! This album is packed with goodies. A little more new age alternative but i think they do a great job of changing things up for a new sound while still keeping that what distinquishes them from the rest. Something that old fans and new fans will love equally.
I don't know about you, but when a band i love comes out with a new album it sometimes breaks my heart if they try too much to go in a different direction. Don't get me wrong I'm all for trying new things and experimenting with different sounds but don't lose the luster that i originally fell in love with and got hooked on!
Keep the beats comin'!

~Penny Lane

La Vie En Rose

I just love the classic sound of this song along with Louis Armstrong's unique voice! A perfect song for a rainy Tuesday... I'm a girl that loves the classics and this song is one of my favorites!
I can't really remember when i first heard Louis Armstrong, probably when i doscovered how great Ella Fitzgerald was... the two made a lot of music together.
Don't ya think it would be great to live the the 20's and go out to clubs where you could dance and hang out to this music all night?!?! Well I do!

Most of you have heard this song in various movies ( its only been played in just a few... lol). The song is so romantic, my favorite lyrics are "Give your heart and soul to me and love will always be la vie en rose."
So if you can appreciate great Jazz music from the 20's, take a listen. If you can't appreciate it....well listen anyway!! Haha

~Penny Lane

Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?

Yes, I do have a little girl crush on Zoey Deschanel.....but HELLO, she's awesome!! I got into her band She & Him a couple years ago, fell in love instantly! She has such a pretty, unique voice with a classic sound!

This is one of my many favorite She & Him songs, it's called "Why Do You Let Me Stay Here" off of their first studio album. This is not the original music video but i came across this and love it! After she did the movie 500 Days of Summer with Joseph Gordon-Levitt (such a cutie!!), they made this little dance movie to this song!!

The two of them together are precious! I want them to date in real life! Or him to date me!!!HaHa. This video made me smile, i hope it makes you smile! Happy Friday!

~Penny Lane

Don't Think Twice, It's All Right

Bob Dylan's rhyming techniques have always been a mystery.... Especially in this song.

I will never forget the first time i heard this song.....
My Freshman year of highschool, my dad was driving me to school one morning. The drive to school was always filled with good music playing really loud in our little black VW cabrio, o how i miss that car! My father used to make mix cd's to listen to on his commute to work (yes this was before ipods were alive). "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright" by Bob Dylan came on. I really liked the song from the start. I started listening to the lyrics and thought they were pretty catchy, that was until i heard this.....

"It ain't no use in turning on your light babe, the light i never knowed."
"And it ain't no use in turning on your light babe, I'm on the dark side of the road"

NEVER KNOWED??? WHAT?! Knowed isn't even a word... once i heard those lyrics my dad and i burst out laughing so hard. I asked him what never knowed was supposed to mean, and all we could really come up with was that Dylan must have really needed something to rhyme with road so he picked knowed. Bob Dylan's so cool he makes up his own words!
I must say...... after that, i become a devoted Bob Dylan fan for life. This was definitely the song that hooked me!
I was sitting around with my family over Thanksgiving and this song came on... my mother, father and i started laughing immediately!! instant laugh memory forever!
Thank You Bob, Thank You!

~Penny Lane

The Lazy Song

This song has been stuck in my head all weekend!!!!! AHHHH!
Hahaha love this song though, catchy little thing it is!

Everytime i hear this song i think of my brother, this is our song. We love rocking out to this whenever we are together...screaming it at the top of our lungs. (Or atleast i do and he looks at me like i'm nutts!) hehe.
Since i have developed a nasty cold to accompany me to my Thanksgiving weekend and nice long weekend off Arggghhh, this song seems appropriate today!

I really wish i could have acted out this song and stayed in my bed all day!!!
This music video is a little weird eh? Kind of creeps me out a bit, but since im on cold meds..., it's making me laugh really hard! Bruno Mars is so cute with his lil Danny Zuko hair style.

So this song goes to anyone who had a case of the Mondays or is actually sick like myself. Listen and have a laugh!

~Penny Lane

A Thousand Years

Yes i'm a crazy Twilight fan, yes I am going to see the movie at midnight and yes I'm Team Edward and proud of it!!!

So i recently purchased the Breaking Dawn Soundtrack... so many amazing songs on it! can't wait to play the shit out of it!!! HaHaHaa.
I've heard Christina Perri before with her hit "Jar of Hearts." I really like that song, so when i heard she was going to have a track on the upcoming Twilight soundtrack i was super excited.

The song is called "A Thousand Years" and I LOVE IT! So romantic, the lyrics are so pretty. I can see people using this to death as a wedding song. "I have loved you for a thousand years and i will love you for a thousand more."
To all my fellow Twi-Hards, enjoy! Can't wait for tonight!!!
To everyone else, just take a listen - it really is a beautiful song, you won't be sorry!
~Penny Lane

Before The Deluge (live 1977)

I must admit, I have such a crush on Jackson Browne circa 1970's! Who wouldn't??!! with that long flowing hair, soothing voice and romantic, meaningful lyrics!! He's soo cute.

Before the Deluge is off the album "Late For The Sky." This is my father's favorite Jackson Browne album. I still don't think i can decide which album is my favorite... there are just too many good ones!!!

When most people think of Jackson Browne they think "Running on Empty." Before the Deluge is a track that only REAL fans recognize. Being the last track off "Late For The Sky," some could easily get lost in the other tracks and never reach it!
The lyrics to this song are beautiful. I love the way that you can interperet them into so many different meanings. This way even if it meant one thing to Jackson Browne while he was writing it, it could mean something completely different to each person that listens.
I can see it talking about new love, youth growing up and maybe even war.
My favorite line in the song is,
"Some of them knew pleasure And some of them knew pain And for some of them it was only the moment that mattered And on the brave and crazy wings of youth They went flying around in the rain."

~Penny Lane

Try A Little Tenderness

Here's another goodie to add to my list of favorite musical scenes from my movie collection. Jon Cryer's version on "Try a Little Tenderness" by Otis Redding in the 1986 classic Pretty in Pink, simply amazing!

Going down as one of my favorite "Brat Pack" movies from the 80's, i think mainly because of how cute Duckie is!! (Jon Cryer's character for you fools that have yet to experience this movie greatness!!)
Great 80's hair, a pink homemade prom dress and awesome 80's beats!! What else could a girl want from a romantic comedy from the 80's??!!
This scene is soo cute! Props to Duckie for having the courage to try and romance his crush and props to Jon Cryer for showing how well a white boy can imitate Otis Redding!!!

~Penny Lane

San Diego.... Drink It In!

I know my blog is a musical blog, and i only post music... but i just got back from an amazing adventure with my best friends in San Diego! Here are a few of the fun, beautiful pictures to remember the trip. Good friends, good food, and fantastic times.

There is one song that i seemed to have stuck in my head the whole trip... A song by Wolfmother called "Vagabond." The band says that it's a song about the innocence lost, I don't know if we lost our innocence.... but it was one hell of a trip! The song is addictive and the beat has a way of sticking in my head!! Now whenever i hear it, i think of my favorite girls and the great time we had with fun videos and pictures to last a lifetime!!!

~Penny Lane

Sweet Transvestite

In honor of Halloween today, i'm posting a clip/song from my favorite Halloween movie... Rocky Horror Picture Show. Ok so maybe it's not a legit Halloween movie but if you've ever seen it you have to admit it's kinda creepy and wonderful.....

Tim Curry is simply amazing in this ode to parody of 1940's science fiction and horror films. The songs in this movie are so much fun!!! I wanted to put them all on here! "Sweet Transvestite" shown above is my favorite!!
I couldn't just post the song, you needed the song with the scene from the movie!

I don't know if there are any Glee lovers reading this but if so.... also check out the Rocky Horror Glee episode. Lots of good remakes of the songs from the original soundtrack!
My mom tells me that some movie thearters on Halloween play this movie, everyone that goes dresses up as characters from the film and throws stuff at the screen! Sounds like a fun time. I need to find on and attend it one year.
Sad to say that i'm not a Halloween holiday lover, but i do love me some Rocky Horror. Get aload of Susan Sarandon who's also in this movie as Janet!

If you've never seen Rocky Horror and you have no idea what i'm talking about... RENT IT TONIGHT!!!

~Penny Lane

California

So a week from today i will be visiting my beautiful cousin Lisa, her fiance Jake and one of my best friend's, Kendyll in San Diego!!!
Shannon and I will be taking the journey to the "west coast!" I'm so super excited! So many fun things to do and see. Warm weather, good friends and fun times!


If you know Lisa, Kendyll and myself, you'll know that there will be lots of loud talking, and more than enough Anchorman quotes to fill the entire week!

Best friends reunited!!!! HOOORAAAYYY!

Phantom Planet's "California" is such a fun song and totally appropriate! Made famous of course by the popular TV hit "The OC." This little diddy has already been playing in my head!!! Super excited!!

"Californiaaaaaa, Here we cooommmee!"

~Penny Lane

Hungry For Your Love

I know i just posted a Van Morrison song but i couldn't resist another.

Home last night i watched "An Officer and a Gentleman" the one with Richard Gere and Debra Winger. Sooooo romantic! haha. The song above plays when Zack and Paula leave the Navy party and head to the beach. This song started playing softly in the background of that scene and made me realize i had forgotten all about this Van the Man classic!

Anyone who knows me well, knows how much of a cheesy romantic i am. This movie definitely ranks right up there with 80's cheesy romantic movie central! The 80's Richard Gere is so sexy! Even sexier because he plays a man in uniform, a weakness i will admit!
In this movie he does such a great job of portraying the troubled, smoldering guy with a complicated past. Of course... Debra Winger, the towny looking to marry a Navy boy swoops in a saves him from himself and they fall madly in love! HaHa.. that sorta stuff happens all the time didn't you know! Yea i wish!

Well my inner hopeless romantic needed to post this sappy Van Morrison classic, "Hungary For Your Love." Check out the weird video that someone on youtube put this song to... kinda strange.

~Penny Lane

Daydreamer

So refreshing to see such talent and accomplishment in someone so young.... you don't see that a lot in this day and age.

For some reason i was ignoring the fact of Adele's greatness and didn't really fall in love with her until this year. Well i must say that i am so glad i finally got my act together because now... i can't stop listening to her!
I bought her Sophmore album "21" first, listened the hell out of it and thought, "wow, i think i need to see what her first album is all about!"
No suprise there when i found out it was just as great as her most recent album. She has such an addictive pop sound, yet there is so much soul and blues along with it. Since a young age i've always secretly fantasized about becoming a singer....who hasn't?!? I would absolutely kill to have a voice like hers!!! Yes, i have mini concerts in my car where i can be Adele for a couple minutes... don't judge!
I found myself listening to her albums on my way to work and really taking in all the lyrics she writes. I came across a song from her first album "19" and found i have become obsessed with this song, if that's even possible.
"Daydreamer" is so beautiful. I have come to believe that with song lyrics everyone interprets them in their own way. Songs have different meanings to different people. To me, "Daydreamer" is about a type of perfect guy. This guy may be someone you know or someone you dream about. The thoughts in your mind of what someone could be, or what you'd want them to be. Maybe someone you daydream about being yours, even though it'll never happen.... kinda sad in know, but songwriting at its best!

~Penny Lane

Into The Mystic

I've always been a huge Van Morrison fan, and no, not just because i'm a "brown eyed girl!"

"Into The Mystic" came across the playlist on Pandora today and it got me thinkin'.... Van Morrison's "Moondance" album is such a classic! So many goodies all on one album! "Crazy Love", "Caravan", "Everyone", "And it Stoned Me," just to name a few. My favorite "Van the Man" song would probably have to be "Days Like This." Everytime i hear it i'm reminded of my childhood and family vacations. lol (no clue why... kinda random i know!)

I got pretty lucky and found a copy of "Moondance" on vinyl in a nearby record store a couple years back. Only cost me a whopping $1.99!!! Crazy right?! It sounds even better on my record player than on my ipod!

This version of "Into The Mystic" has a bit of a different sound compared to the original recording, but it's a suprisingly good alternative. I have not YET had the pleasure of seeing Van Morrison live, but i say YET because i'm desperately trying to make it happen. Ahh one day, one day! If you've never heard this album, take time and enjoy his classic distinctful voice along witha good ole rythm and blues soundtrack. If you're a regular of this album, pull it out, put it on, and play it loud!

~Penny Lane

Whip It

Who would have ever thought that red plastic planters would become iconic head gear?!?

Devo did!!!!!!. Such a weird and quirky band with funky dance moves yet who could deny loving this song? I don't know if words could explain what i was thinking the first time i got the pleasure of seeing this gem of a music video.... Yes, i know it's the 80's and yes, i know Devo is a kooky band but this is weirder than anything i've ever seen before!
When i first heard "Whip it" i thought it was pretty silly and catchy. Especially loved the cracking whip sounds in the background!!!!
Just throw together a western scene with some drunk cowboys and girls, hanging out watching the lead singer of the band take of a ladies clothes with his whip. You got yourself one hell of a music video! Don't forget about the crosseyed girl with the gun... random!

Whenever i hear whip it, i just dance around like a kid and crack my imaginary whip! Wish i had that red planter! hahahaha
Watch the video and have a laugh!
remember.... "when a problem comes along, you must whip it!"

~Penny Lane

Tiny Dancer

Almost Famous is my be all, end all of movies. This movie made me A. want to become a groupie, B. become a music critic, and C. made me realize that i was born in the wrong time period.... hahaha.


I could watch this movie over and over and never get sick of it. The characters are great and well cast, the music is perfect! When i first saw this movie, i was a freshman in highschool. I actually found a jacket just like Kate Hudson's in the movie, wow did i think i was cool! lolol


(ahhh yess "the jacket," i think i wore it everyday. Thanks kate Hudson, epitome of cool)

I believe i still have it somewhere!
If i talked about all the characters and scenes that i loved, well we'd be here all day! So i'll post one of my favorite moments from the movie, Elton John's "Tiny Dancer" sung in the tour bus by Stillwater and Band Aids!
Almost Famous changed the way i saw and heared music. Music seen through the eyes of a fan and a musican.

If you've never seen this movie, well we can't be friends! hahahha

~Penny Lane

Hanginaround

Ahhh The Counting Crows... such a versatile band that has had such staying power over the years. I've been a Counting Crow fan for years now. When i was younger and obsessed with movies like "Cruel Intensions" because I thought Ryan Phillipee was such a fox, I heard their song "Colorblind" and fell in love.

I've had the honor of seeing them live some years back at the Arts Center, and wow what a great show they put on! Lead singer Adam Duritz has such a great voice, and who could forget that hair!?
One of my favorite albums of theirs is "This Dessert Life." The song above, "Haningaround" is featured on this album but there is also so many more tasty treats to enjoy! Other good ones to check out from this one are, "Amy Hits the Atmosphere" and "Speedway."
I loved how when i first heard "Hangingaround" the beat just got to me! Instant foot tapping followed there after. Such a feel good song, and so damn catchy!

Happy Friday
~ Penny Lane

Breakdown More

"I can't write my words
When I don't have you
I can't sing my songs
When my strings won't tune."

I know and love many songs that have beautiful words that don't neccesarily rhyme. The tune alone is sometimes all i need to fall in love with a song, or to even think that a certain song speaks to me in some way lol.

I heard about Eric Hutchinson through my best friend Mary. So glad that i took her advice and bought the album, best decision ever!! The album is called "Sounds Like This," and was released in 2008. If you like this song "Breakdown More," I have some sad news... it's not on this album. lol This song is on an album called "Before I Sold Out" which he put out in 2006. Not an easy album to obtain let me tell ya!!

"Sounds Like This" goes into my list of albums where every single song turns out to be my favorite. With a mix of rock and folky/pop, added with his cuteness ;) is the kinda music i need sometimes on a rainy day to keep my feet a tappin'!
Also, if you're a lyric lover like myself, look up the lyrics to this song... they're really cute :)

~ Penny Lane

Look Sharp!

You're probably thinking, "who's Joe Jackson? I've never even heard of this guy..."
Get ready to be schooled on some funky sounds!! HaHaHa.
You might know his more famous song "Is she really going out with him" which came out when he first appeared in '79. "Look Sharp" was probably his second most popular hit.

I had forgotten about this song of his! I wouldn't say i'm a huge Joe Jackson fan but my two favorite songs of his are "Look Sharp" and "Sunday Papers." He has such a great quirky voice. When i hear one of these songs come on, i instantly know it's him!
I'm not even sure how to describe what it sounds like, it's just the way he emphasizes the sounds of certain words in a song... ya gotta check it out!

His voice, mixed with the funky beat of his early 80's stuff is priceless, hence why he became an icon of his time, even with just a couple of hits. I find him similar to Elvis Costello who introduced America to "English Punk" if you may. A good kinda punk that makes you wanna dance.

~Penny Lane

Singing In The Rain

Yes i love musicals, yes i love Gene Kelly and i'm proud of it!!!
Even if you've never seen the movie Singin' In The Rain with Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds, You've definitely heard the song or atleast have seen this clip.

Everytime i see this scene, i literally want to be caught out in the rain and hear this song come on in my head so i can ditch my umbrella and start singin' and dancin' along with it! The first time i was introduced to Gene Kelly movies like this one and American In Paris, I instantly fell in love! Ughh what i'd give to be able to dance like that!

My mom and i keep talking about going and taking ballroom dance classes, i hope we really do it, we'll be dancing like Gene Kelly. Or even better like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers like in Top Hat! Another great movie!!

So even if old movies arn't your thing and you're not into musicals, you need to be well educated and you need to do yourself a favor.... just watch - it will put a smile on your face.

Who dosn't want to sing in the rain?!

~Penny Lane

Imagine

Since Beetles Pandora has taken over my week at work, i've been rediscovering lots of musical goodies! I am a believer that yes, Yoko Ono did ruin the beetles and made John Lennon more of a weirdo then he already was. I don't listen to much of his solo stuff, but once i heard "Imagine" my thought about musical lyrics changed for good.

In a time where music was influenced by current events and being used to express so many different kinds of feelings and beliefs, John Lennon pretty much sums it up lyrically with Imagine.

"Imagine all the people, living life in peace"

Those lyrics alone say it all! The song has such a simple beauty, and i believe that it is something we all want, something we could all agree on; no heaven, no hell, no religions, nothing to kill or die for. Imagine how different life would be if these lyrics were true.

It's amazing to think of how this song spoke to so many different walks of life. I don't think another song in our lifetime could do the same. From generation to generation this song again and again can speak to everyone. Makes me cry every time i listen to it :)

~Penny Lane

Got my mind set on you

George Harrison has always been by far my favorite beetle.... such a cutie!!! "the quiet beetle"

Heard this song on Pandora today, stopped what i was doing and said, "ughh! I love this song." I havn't heard this song in such a long time. I find that even though the lyrics are a bit repetitive, the beat is addicting. well addicting to me that is!
Let's talk about this music video as well, shall we? Kinda weird George, kinda weird.... I keep waiting for something to happen in this video but it turns out to be just him sittin' in a chair with freaky stuff moving behind him. HaHaHa.

So to all my fellow George Harrison lovers! or true beetle fans
Enjoy!!

~Penny lane

Just A Song Before I Go

Since Fall has sprung upon us quite quickly, i thought i'd post this Crosby, Stills & Nash song. For some reason when i listen to this song i think of Fall and Fall weather activities. I have no idea why, it's not like i remember listening to this song while partaking in some sort of past Fall experience.
Sometimes when i listen to "Four Way Street" Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young's live album, i notice it's usually Fall or Winter time. Strange... but anyway such a great song. The harmony in this song is beautiful, an even flow all the way through.
When they are all harmonizing in this song it just seems as though all their voices blend so well together into one. I think it truly shows how they can show you that they truly are a band that should be together always making music!!
I've seen them live; Crosby, Still, Nash and Young and also David Crosby and Graham Nash. Amamzing live!!! Probably two of the best concerts i've been to i think, well except for Incubus ofcourse! Haha!

So enjoy A Song Before I Go.... (HaHa get it?!)

~Penny Lane

Let's Go Crazy.

Everyone needs a little Prince in their life. Just admit it!!!
A strange character that's for sure. I remember thinking when i was younger that i couldn't really tell if he was a guy or a girl... lol.
having such a popular career spanning over decades just proves that he can keep up with the changing times. So many great hits under his belt; Kiss, Purple Rain, Raspberry Beret, When Doves Cry, 1999... just to name a few. Personally, I like to label him as the Flamboyant Rockstar!!
His clothes, his hair, his lifestyle were always crazy, but his songs were so good!
Let's Go Crazy isn't my favorite Prince song, yet it's still addicting!! I love listening to this one really loud in the car!
Incubus did a cover of this song recentlythat is really, really good!!! Be sure to check that out as well!
So Let's Go Crazy shall we??!!

~Penny Lane

We Built This City

So last weekend i took a little trip to Long Lake, NY to my families Lake House. One of the nights we were there we went out to dinner at the local bar, The Owl's Nest. As we were sitting there waiting for our food to arrive, a song came on the radio that sounded oddly familiar.... "We Built This City" by Starship.
If you've never heard this song you need to right away and if you havve heard this song you'd agree with me by saying that it definitely gives ya quite the chuckle! lol
As it registered to me what song it was, I looked to my mother and said, "is this song really on right now? am i hearing this correctly??!!" she answered and said, "yes you are! Isn't this we built this city on rock and roll??"
I started laughing out loud! How an obscure song like this would come on in a small town resturant out in the middle of nowhere i don't know! O man!
Today i found the video to put up on the blog.... Wow it got even better! Such a creepy, weird video but kinda great at the same time. There's this one part in the video where the lead singer and the rest of the band are standing infront of the Lincoln Monument just singing the song to the lincoln statue. All of a sudden the statue comes to life and yes you guessed right, Honest Abe himself starts singing along. I literally wet my pants when it happened!
Please watch this, if it doesn't make you laugh you're crazy!!

~Penny Lane

Kiss On My List

My Dad once told me that an album called "Abandoned Luncheonette" was probably his favorite album. He said he could listen to that album over and over, never getting sick of it. A time when you could actually wear out an LP HaHa, I only wish that was still true! At the time being young and nieve I was thinking, "Abandoned Luncheonette??? What kind of name is that for an album and who the hell sings it?!" My dad told me the group was called Hall & Oates. I of course at the time started hysterically laughing... Hall & Oates? What kind of name is that? Once i found out it stood for Daryl Hall & John Oates...(the name of the guys in the group) it seemed to make a little more sense. lol
I saw a picture of these two and again started laughing! The hair, the mustache, the crazy 80's styles they had going on.....
Once i listened to that album though, my opinion completely changed, i stopped laughing and began saying, "ooo i think i kinda like this!"
Every song on that album is great! You start at the begining and listen all the way till the bitter end!
A start off of "When the Morning Comes," which hands down is my favorite Hall & Oates song! A few others include, "Las Vegas Turnaround," "Lady Rain," and of course "Abandoned Luncheonette."
Everyone today mostly knows them from their songs being in movies such as, 500 Days of Summer, You Again, and She's Out of My League. Hits like Maneater, Sara Smile, You Make My Dreams Come True... all really, really good but nothing compared to their second studio album.
I've had the pleasure to say i've seen them live a couple times and it was great! Still sporting the mustache and long hair that seems to have become their trademark!
OooOO! and if you ever see them coming to a venue near you...make sure not to miss Hall & Oates Home for Christmas.... definitely not a show by them you'd wanna miss, right Dad?! HahHahHa

~Penny Lane

The Royal Scam - The Caves of Altamira

I find it more rare these days that an album comes out from a band and i can simply say, "I love EVERY song on this album."
Nowadays, i find myself buying 1 or 2 songs that i love from an album, but could really care less about the rest.
You would think that over the years music technology becoming so evolved that all music would progressivly have gotten better over the years... WRONG! Music seems to be getting progressivly worse! People with little or no talent are becoming stars and selling albums. Remember the days when bands and singers actually had to have talent to make it big?!?! HaHaHa unfortuanately i don't! I wasn't alive during that era, but thank god that music is still around today for me to listen to.
Don't get me wrong there are definitely exeptions that come along and remind us what great music really sounds like. A breath of fresh air!

The first time my father introduced me to Steely Dan's album "The Royal Scam," I remember thinking that i had never heard music like this before. Every song we listened to just had this "flow," easy listening at its finest! Donald Fagen's unique voice alongside the blend of jazzy, rock and R&B sounds just grab your ears from the start. To be honest, i can't tell what the hell he's talking about in most songs.... but i love it!!! The Royal Scam keeps you intrigued from the start of "Kid Charlemagne" all the way to the end of the title track "The Royal Scam."

Thanks to my father and his love of tunes with a bluesy, jazzy rock 'n' roll, i think i can truely say i know what really good music sounds like.

~Penny Lane
My hands down favorite song on the album ( tough, tough decision) has to be "The Caves of Altamira"

Going To California

I've never been the kind of person that could say, "This is my absolute favorite song of all time!!" but when this song comes on... every time i find myself thinking, "this might just be my favorite song."

I got into Led Zeppelin around my Freshman year of high school and i'll tell ya, i've never been the same since. From the first song my mother played for me, i knew i had been changed musically forever! Each part of this band comes together so magnetically that when they play, magic really does happen. Jimmy Page's unique guitar fingers, Robert Plant's sweet high voice, John Paul Jone's cool bass playing, and John Bonham's crazy drumming.

I FOREVER wanted to see them live and was always jelous that my mother got to (3rd row at The Garden that is! Ugh). Now i think to myself, maybe it's better this way... I would have much rather prefered seeing them in their prime, like when my mother saw them. Seeing them now just might ruin the imaginary concert playing in my head whenever i listen to them.

This is FOR SURE my favorite Zeppelin song, but even if i say that i will never decide or admit to having an all time favorite song.... this would def. be it, if that day ever came!!

~Penny Lane

River

Today's song goes out to my Mother. This song came on today at work and i was instantly brought back to the first time i really remember listening to Joni Mitchell.

Years ago falling in and out of sleep, horse trailer in tow, coming home from a horse show. My mom had on Joni Mitchell's "Blue" album in the car. As she was driving and singing along, thinking i was truly asleep, I started really listening to the lyrics of each song thinking, "who is this? I like this song, oo wait, this one too." HaHa
The song "River" came on next and I was instantly hooked. I wanted to automatically start hitting replay over and over. The melody of the song along with her amazing voice is so beautiful. Everyone knows that after hearing Joni Mitchell sing, no one can sing like her... no one. Try hitting those high notes in the car doing a little driving karaoke, tell me its easy then! HA. Granted, the songs meanings a little bit depressing... but besides the fact... it's beautiful!

To this day, Joni Mitchell will forever remind me of my mother. Great memories of all those long car rides we took together over the years and all the amazing music she introduced to me along the way. All my musical education comes from her.

For some reason.... i'll never be able to tell why.... i can't ever listen to this song without tearing up... happy tearing up of course.

Happy Day Beofre Your Birthday Mom!!!

~Penny Lane

Young the Giant - "My Body" (Official Video)

Another song added to my latest obsession list.... Young The Giant, "My Body."  I havn't figured out why i'm currently addicted to this song... it's just sooo  damn good!!  They have a sound that meshes up what i like from various artists.... i love when bands do that!  A little bit of The Cure meets Band of Horses and Temper Trap.

My Body tells me no!
But I won’t quit
I want more, I want more
My Body tells me no!
But I won’t quit
I want more, I want more

 

The beat is catchy, i'm loving the lyrics and the lead singer.  Something about the energy in his voice...

This band was also really great live!  I saw them open for Incubus last weekend, they def. got the party started! hahaha  I've listened to the rest of their album and currently downloading more!!!  If you've never given this band a good listen, do yourself a favor.... LISTEN!  You may just think they seem like another indie rock group... another Temper Trap or Death Cab... but their sound is fresh and contagious!  Now that i think of it... Their song "Apartment" sounds like The Cure!

 

~Penny Lane

Between the Lines

I got into Sara Bareilles a couple years ago when her album "Little Voice" came out in 2007.  Her songs have always seemed to me to be catchy , pop kinda love songs.  She has a great voice, one that sounds like it comes right out of soulful blusey singer from the 60's. 

Over the years, I've bought every album she's come out with and ended up loving every song.  Since i'm a sucker for sappy songs about heartbreak and pains of love, her song "Between the Lines" spoke to me immediately of course!  I love how Sara puts together the lyrics of this song, a different twist on explaining love gone wrong.  A song that speaks about loving someone you can't really have or loving someone where timing just doesn't seem to be on your side.

Sooo if you're a hopeless romantic like myself and songs just like this one slways speak to exactly what you're going through, then this one's for you from me! 
ooo and p.s.  Don't give up on being a hopeless romantic..... it makes life more interesting even when you thinks it's a curse.  Lol

~Penny Lane

Back To Black

When i first heard Amy Winehouse's "Back To Black" I thought it was just another sappy heartbreak song. I should have known better that Amy Winehouse dosnt write those kinda songs! Once i got addicted and put it on replay a couple times, i realized how much of an angry tone it had..... then i loved it even more.  The classic jazzy sort of beat hooked me from the begining.  A burlesque type song!  Once you add Amy's sultry deep voice it sets the tone for this bluesy, girl scorned kinda song.   It's really a shame that she had to die so young with so much talent.  I love to listen to this song when i'm feeling a little bit down, sorry for myself and i need a kick to get me a little angry....(if ya know what i  mean girls...) So here's a little girl power for anybody that gets that feeling... don't go back to black.... get even! hahahha

~Penny Lane

A Certain Shade of Green Acoustic

Does a song ever make you smile? I mean genuinely smile....
Some songs make you smile just for remembering a specific moment in time. A place or thing that made you laugh, have fun, or remember a happier moment.
"A Certain Shade of Green" (the acoustic version) by Incubus makes me smile every time it comes on my I-Pod. Not just a smile because i love this band or happy that my shuffle is good at reading my mind, but a smile because the lyrics and the beat of that song put me into a sort of musical trance!
I've always felt that if a band could actually make me feel something with a certain song just by hearing it for the first time or the 50th time, then they've accomplished putting you on that certain musical high. This song makes me really appreciate how such a loud strong song (which is it's original nature) could be turned into a mystic, smooth sort of jam song.

So whether you hear songs that make you think of happy moments, sad moments, or just moments in time.... do yourself a favor, stop and take time to let yourself slip into the musical moment.... i know for a fact it will put a genuine smile on your face...

Enjoy
~Penny Lane

In The Summertime

Question....Who dosn't love this song? Or this viedo... look at those chops and afros! In the spirit of the Labor Day weekend i thought this song would be an appropriate end to the summer :(.  Mungo Jerry... what an awesome name for a group... this song will forever remind me of Wedding Crashers.. and summertime!  Such a peppy song with some great lyrics.  The first time i heard this song i thought it was a spoof... i made fun of it for a while and then yes... i downloaded it and became addicted. 
Happy Labor Day!!
~Penny Lane

Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend

Last night, me, myself and a big glass of wine watched Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. A timeless classic with Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell. If you have no idea what movie this is you might know the famous song that came from it.... "Diamonds are a girls best friend."
I have such a love for old movies from the 50's and 60's and it had been a long time since i first watched this with my mom. The outfits alone in this movie were spectacular. I wish girls still dressed like that, it was such a glamorous time.
So now ya know where Madonna got her idea for the music video "Material girl"..... total replica of this 1950's classic. Such a great song... Enjoy!

~Penny Lane

Over my Head

Fleetwood Mac is amazing.
HaHaha. Out of all the bands I listen to and love from the 70's, Fleetwood Mac is towards the top of my list. When I got into Fleetwood, I have to say that I was initially drawn to Stevie Nicks. Her long flowing hippie dresses and great hats... such great style with an amazing voice to back it up. I got to learn more about the band with their ups and downs and then really loved the band as a whole.
Fleetwood has such a wide range of songs that are addicting. Music you can dance to, sing a long to, and even cry to when you need it.
Such great lyrics about all different topics!!
This song is up there as my Fleetwood favorite along with "I don't wanna know" and "Songbird"
Enjoy this retro, groovy video as well! haha

~Penny Lane

Top Gun - Danger Zone

Do you love Top Gun as much as I do? The answer to that question should be YES!!

last night i broke my cousins Top Gun virginity... can you believe that??!! She had never seen it until last night!!! Well needless to say she thought it was awesome!
We kept talking about the theme song of the movie... "Danger Zone". Such a great 80's song. I mean with lyrics like, "Highway to the Danger Zone, I'll take you right into the Danger Zone" that's the making for a terrific song!

I also love this movie!!! It is my favorite Tom Cruise movie.. ya know good Tom Cruise before he got all weird. 80's Tom Cruise was hot and could do no wrong. With such classics as Risky Business and Cocktail... how could you go wrong.
Another great song from Top Gun is "Playing with the Boys", ya know during the shirtless intense volleyball game... hahahaha

I fell the need, the need for speed!

~Penny Lane

Southern Cross

My parents, being hippies and all, got me into Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young at a young age. for some reason whenever i hear it i feel like it was just always kinda playing in the background of my childhood.... if that makes any sense lolol. I've always believed that I was born in the wrong era.... I would have made an awesome hippie in the 60's and 70's!
I was listening to Pandora at work today and Southern Cross came on. I forgot how much i love this song! This song brings me back to when i saw them some years ago at PNC with friends and family. I was glad that in my lifetime i can say that i saw them in concert!! They def. don't look as good as they did in their prime... but they still sounded amazing, and played all my favorites including this one!
The video i found for some reason has the lyrics on the bottom.... kinda weird but atleast you can get a feel for the lyrics!
Over the years CSNY has had soo many great songs there are just too many to list! Enjoy because they don't make music like this anymore, that's for damn sure!!

~Penny Lane

Rock You Like A Hurricane

This dedication goes out to you Hurricane Irene!!!

As everyone is running in the opposite direction of the storm, i thought this classic 80's goodie would maybe give everyone on the east coast a little bit of a laugh to lighten up the fear of the storm.
"Here I am, rock you like a hurricane"
such a fantastic 80's hit!! The video is pretty amazing also, was actually laughing out load as I watched this one.

Be safe!~ and stock up on tons of liquid.....(alcohol that is!) hahaha
~Penny Lane

Sunday Kind Of Love

Tell me, who doesn't want a Sunday Kind of Love??!! I know i do!
What a great, great song! I love Etta James and all Motown in general. Take time to listen to this song, the lyrics really are great! My favorite line is, "I want a sunday kind of love, a love to last past saturday night" hahahaha soo true right?

My younger brother recently told me that he thought motown music sounded like church music! Just shows you how kids of a younger generation have no appreciation for good music!!
They don't make music like they used to!! am i right?? It's hard to find music that has good soul anymore.
Enjoy the talented Etta James, and check out the Motown station on Pandora radio... SOO good!

~Penny Lane

I Feel The Earth Move

An oldie but a goodie!

In light of the Earthquake felt up and down the east coast yesterday, i thought Carole King's song "I Feel The Earth Move" might be fitting and maybe a little humerous for today! It's so exciting that we havn't had and eathquake like this since World War II!!! Happy to say that YES, i did feel the earth move under my feet and it was kinda creepy.
I literally thought it was just me, feeling dizzy or drunk.... NOPE just an earthquake! No big deal! HaHaha. Well enjoy this classic hit with Carole's wild hair and sweet bell bottoms!

~Penny Lane

The Black Keys

Want some bluesy music with a new age indie rock kind of twist?? Do yourself a favor, get into The Black Keys!

This song could be my favorite - and when i saw it performed above on SNL a while ago... I was hooked. I really got into their first album "The Big Come Up" The song "I'll Be Your Man".... Awesome!!
Their new album "Brothers" has such a great sound and "Howlin' For You" has such a catchy beat. I find it stuck in my head all the time. It even made it to being my ringtone hahaha.

Take my advice, If you don't already listen to this band.... DO IT!

~Penny Lane

Two Door Cinema Club

Totally in love with this song!!!!! My cousin turned me onto this band and now this song is forever stuck in my head!!! This video could have the effect of making you a little sick to your stomach but it's pretty cool.

So check out this sing & video and check out this band, their album is called Tourist History... really diggin' it right now!

Enjoy
~Penny lane

Country, Really??!!

I've always disliked country music but i have to admit recently i've kinda started to like it.... I'm not a total honky tonk yet or anything but my hatred has subsided a little.

I recently saw the movie Country Strong with my family on vacation and i really did want it to be good... but it wasn't. The acting was kinda dissapointing and the ending was totally shitty!
Although i could have really gone on living my life without seeing this movie, my cousin and I were talking about how we wanted to download some of the songs from the movie when we got home... hahahaha. There comes my new liking for country music. What's happening to me??!!

After downloading I found myself this morning putting this song on repeat in my car. It's probably my overly romantic sappy self loving this duet, but ya gotta admit it's kinda catchy and really cute!

Even though the movie sucked this song is really good.

~Penny Lane

Drunk Singing....

Ever have one of those nights? You know... the nights that you're sitting around with fellow drunk friends and a guitar? haha well i have, even if you won't admit it!

I love how you and your friends think you can all harmonize and that you all sound soo good together, one of those kumbaya kinda moments.... ahh good times. Well one night in a house in the woods.... my cousin, her fiance, and I thought we would bust out the guitar and have a jammin' sesh... (if that's even possible for non-musical people... hahaha.) Well Jake could play this catchy Avett Brothers tune! He started playing and we all started singing!! Every time i hear this song i think of that night... Since they are in California right now it kinda seems bittersweet!

So with my severe love for the Avett Brothers brought on by my lovely cousin Lisa, I dedicate this tune to her.... Hoping to have another drunkin' sing - a - long night sometime soon!

~Penny Lane

Brett Dennen

Anyone that knows me knows my obsession with Brett Dennen. He's not very well known but he should be! "Song for Leaving" off of his new album Loverboy is one of my favorites. LISTEN PLEASE - and if you don't agree with me how good it is... well ya crazy! haha

My friend Shannon and I recently went to see him in NY at Webster Hall. Amazing show!!!! Nice small crowd, and we got to be right up front!!! Please check out his greatness if you get the chance haha. So Much More and Hope for the Hopeless are two other really good albums.
I can only hope that you get into him as much as i have!

~Penny Lane

Michael Jackson - Beat It

My pick for the day is an oldie but a goodie!!! Michael jackson's "beat it" just adds to the library of musical genius that IS The King of Pop! His music and funky music videos are priceless... Not saying this video is better than Thriller, but not much is! haha

So since i have this song stuck in my head today along with Michaels sick dance moves, thought i'd share.... hope this puts ya in a Michael Jackson kinda mood on this rainy Tuesday.
LOVE THIS VIDEO!~
Enjoy!
~Penny Lane

Road Trippin'

So last night in the process of making the sickest road trip mix on my I-pod to date i came across this song....
My cousin and I have been obsessed with Jimmy Buffett since a young age and have for years been trying to see him in concert. One day i hope our dream comes true. Although i have many favorites from Mr. Buffett, this could be one that reaches the top of my list! This music video isn't too bad either... hahaha. All fellow parrot heads understand my love!
Jimmy Buffett is one of my favorite road trip artists! No matter where the destination, he can just get ya in that laid back vaca mood!!

Enjoy All
~Penny Lane

OOOooo The heartbreakers!!

OOoo what can i say about Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers.... actually, what CAN'T I say! I love me some Tom Petty!!! I've seen him and The Heartbreakers twice in concert - what a great show!! This is my favorite Heartbreakers song!!! Just listen to the guitar in the first five seconds of the song... if you're not hooked by then, you're crazy. The great throughout this song just makes me wanna dance!!!
Hope you enjoy this as much as I am right now in my office!!!!
~Penny lane

If Not Now, When?

This video of "Promises, Promises" off of Incubus's new album is my favorite!!
Any of you who know me, know my obsession with Incubus (well more Brandon Boyd then anything...). They have been my favorite band since the first time i heard "Pardon Me". I am super excited about their new album that just came out "If Not Now, When?" I am in love with every song!!!

I have been waiting and waiting for them to come out with new material and i'll admit, for a while i was scared they wouldn't make another album. Their last album "Light Grenades" which came out in 2005, was really really good... but i needed more!!! So after almost 6 years of nothing.... they came out with this new album. I am already anticipating seeing them live in September, this will probably be the 10th or so time i've seen them live and let me say... it gets better every time.

Incubus's musical greatness just keeps getting better! I believe that as a band they have truly standed the test of time since they first got together in 1991. Personally, I have always been transfixed by Brandon's lyrics but this time the combination of lyrics and feel good rhythm of the music has got me lovin' this band even more!

Enjoy Incubus

~Penny Lane

A Feel Good Song On A Friday!

Happy Friday!
Heard this little jam on the way to work.... forgot how much i really like UB40! Had to blast this in my car and rock out!!! This song always puts me in a good mood....
Hope you enjoy!
~Penny Lane

Happy Birthday MTV... wish you still played music...

In honor of MTV's recent 30th birthday i decided to post the first music video to ever appear on Music Television! Video Killed the Radio Star, ironic huh?!! the music video is insane!! Gotta love it.

While watching this i find it sad that MTV has now been reduced to The Jersey Shore, Teen Mom and other stupid non-music related shows. When was the last time you watched a music video on MTV??!! Remember the days of The Top 20 and pop up video?? When you actually turned on MTV to check out new music?? Call me crazy but i thought it was named Music Telelvision for a reason..... I wish they'd bring back the old MTV

O well so much for wishful thinking, i guess i should just feel lucky that i actually got to experience it in my youth... hahaha
Enjoy!
~Penny Lane

80's Pandora

So, I recently came across The 80's Pandora Station..... Simply Amamzing!!!! Since i was born a rockin' child of the 80's, I have to admit.... I LOVE 80's music and i'm not afraid to show it. Everyone says the 80's was such a horrible era. Bad hair, bad clothes, bad movies, bad music.... i might agree with the hair and the clothes but the movies and music... paaaalease cmon'! Don't tell me that when a good 80's jam comes on the radio you don't rock out a little???!!
So in tribute to my 80's obsession today... i give you one of the sickest video's from the 80's. One of my personal favorites coming second ofcourse to MJ and Madonna... Pat Benatar! This music video made me want to become an 80's backup dancer at the age of 5!!! So fellow 80's lovers or closet 80's lovers this one goes out to you! Love really is a battlefield!

~Penny Lane

The High Road

Helloooooo!
After i long hiatus from blogging i've decided to return with a song i seem to have repeat..... Broken Bells - The High Road. Great, Great song!!! The beat gets me right from the start. Enjoy music lovers!