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