Wednesday, August 4, 2021

Weekly Song Challenge

 


August...Holy Son of a beehive, Christmas tree! I love to swear but my mom in law taught me this saying when she was really steamed. Instead of Sh%# she would say, "Sugar." I now try and use that especially when out in the public eye. I can't believe August is here and the sun goes down so much sooner already. Anyway, Jingle, Jangle, Jungle has come up with another week of themes to challenge the 6 watt light bulb in my noggin'. Here are the 3 themes:

A SONG WITH BAD GRAMMAR IN THE TITLE

A SONG WITH FOOD IN THE TITLE

A SONG THAT MENTIONS A SPICE IN THE TITLE

1. AIN'T MISBEHAVIN' -SUNG BY FATS WALLER-1943


I love this song and heard it first sung by Nell Carter (known from the sitcome "Gimme A Break") who gained acclaim  in the musical of the same name. Actually this song was created by Thomas "Fats" Waller and Harry Brooks with lyrics by Andy Razaf for the musical, "Connie's Hot Chocolates" from 1929. I have to look up that musical. The song became quite famous with many big names singing this song like Nell Carter, Eartha Kitt, Ruth Etting, Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday etc... I chose Fats because he co-wrote the song and it worked so well in this musical "Stormy Weather."

2. THE EGG AND I-BY THE SEATBELTS-1998



OK, I believe I used "Honey, Honey" by ABBA already so I thought there must be a song from the funny movie called "The Egg and I" featuring Claudette Colbert but, nope...this song came up and it is from Cowboy Bebop series anime. They are Japanese and I never heard this before and really like it so here it is. I think it's pretty cool.

3. MINT JULEP BY THE CLOVERS-1952


This was composed by Ray Toombs that became a hit for The Clovers (they did Love Potion #9). A Mint Julep is a a drink for young Southern ladies who could get drunk on this frou-frou drink but this time it is a black man who does much to his dismay. I love it and it is a fun song to listen to. 

Which 3 would you pick?

21 comments:

  1. Hi, Birgit!

    Whenever I'm upset, I quietly whisper "fiddlesticks," and instantly my troubles just drift away... replaced by sheer bliss. :)

    I am here to bust my brain and take the Weekly Song Challenge with you, dear friend! (Please... no wagering.)

    I remember Fats Waller from my youth, and I enjoyed that niteclub scene with him playing and singing the hot number he co-wrote: "Ain't Misbehavin'." I also remember the other singers you mentioned who performed and/or recorded versions of the song over the years including Nell Carter, Eartha Kitt, Ruth Etting, Louis Armstrong and Billie Holiday.

    You pulled one out of thin air by finding "The Egg And I" by The Seatbelts. I think Seatbelts should be required (listening). When I was a boy, I often browsed the bookshelf in our living room. I remember seeing my mother's hardbound copy of The Egg And I, a memoir by Betty MacDonald. I always skipped over it, searching instead for trashy romance novels like "His Father's Wife," the actual title of one of the books I remember finding and reading in adolescence. Look how I turned out!

    "One Mint Julep" by The Clovers is a longtime favorite of mine. I acquired the recording in the early 70s on a various artists anthology album tracing the history of R&B on Atlantic Records.

    Here are my selections:

    BAD GRAMMAR SONG: I've got the granddaddy of all bad grammar songs - "Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby," first waxed in 1943 by R&B pioneer Louise Jordan & His Typmany Five.


    FOOD SONG: Here's another rather obscure choice for you - "Cottage Cheese" by the Twin Cities-based rock-blues quintet Crow. Released in March, 1970, "Cottage Cheese" was the A side of the Crow single and climbed less than halfway up the Billboard chart. The B side (B for "Better") is a sensational cover of "Slow Down," a rock & roll song written and originally recorded in 1957 by R&B/R&R great Larry Williams, and popularized in the 60s by The Beatles. Crow's rockin' 1970 version of "Slow Down" merely Bubbled Under at #103, but was a biggie in my neck of the woods, and should have been released s the A side, because it could have been a major hit.

    SPICE SONG: "Posh"... ooops, my mind jumped to the Spice Girls. No, I've got another seldom heard lost nugget for you: "The Cinnamon Cinder (It’s A Very Nice Dance)," a song recorded in late 1962 by a SoCal pop group called Pastel Six, and a single that made a run at the top 20 in the early weeks of 1963, finishing at #22 on Cash Box. The song was named after The Cinnamon Cinder, a chain of Shady Dell-style nightclubs for teenagers owned by Bob Eubanks, a popular LA disc jockey who went on even greater fame as host of The Newlywed Game.

    Have a nice Wednesday, dear friend BB. I'll see you tamale in the balcony "At the Movies!"

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    1. The description of my BAD GRAMMAR song should read: "Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five." (sorry)

      I would also like to add another FOOD SONG, and this time I'm going for the glory - a TRIPLE PLAY! The song "Cherry Pie" was originally recorded in 1954 by the duo Marvin & Johnny, then again in 1960 by another duo, "Skip & Flip." A different "Cherry Pie" song, this one a rowdy hair metal anthem by the band Warrant, was a hit in late 1990 and was promoted by a risque music video played in heavy rotation on MTV and at the MTV-style station where I worked at the time.

      Thanks, BB!

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    2. I listened to all your picks including all the versions of Cherry Pie. I love the first Cherry Pie which was..is, very sweet. Warrant is not, um, sweet but I do know that version. I do like Is you... by Tympany Five although I like your goof on this particular theme:). Cottage Cheese is a fun song and you wouldn't know it from the song since no mention of "cottage Cheese" is in the song just like my "Egg and I". Cinnamon Cinder is another I never heard of but I would boogie to it for sure. Have a great Sunday!

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  2. That's a tough challenge this week. But I do love your MIL's non swear quote. I think I need to try that. Hope August is going well for you.

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    1. I actually use "Sugar" a lot when I speak with my clients who often giggle and say they will use it too.

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  3. You did well with the challenge - I can't think of any.

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    1. Oh bummer! I always like your choices even if I don't care for the style of the song.

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  4. Nell Carter was a very talented actress. I loved her in "Gimme A Break," and that was just one facet of what she was capable of.

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    1. She was very talented and such a shame she passed away too soon

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  5. Great pics. You nailed the themes:)
    I'm thinking of you and hoping you are having a good day.
    Hugs

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    1. Thank you! You are so sweet...frustration in getting the ultrasound fax

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  6. Ain't Misbehavin popped right into my head. Couldn't think of a spice off-hand, but how about herbs? Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme.

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    1. I had to use that song because it, too, popped into my head. Yes Simon & Garfunkel tune is a great one

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  7. I've heard of Ain't Misbehavin, but not by that artist. Never heard of the other two, but enjoyed how you depicted them.

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    1. He is a legend so I had to pick him to do that song. I am so glad you always enjoy my write ups.

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  8. Sure aced the challenge indeed. And yeah, sugar gets used here a bit, but the other wins out lol

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    1. Yes and it does trip off ones' lips. I have used it before and often get giggles from people.

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  9. I think you could fill a book with just the bad grammar ones!

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    1. Yes and I bet a lot of Rap songs can fill that book.

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  10. Birgit,

    "Ain't Misbehavin'" I know, not by this artist but know the song. It was Nelle Carter's rendition I think I first heard years ago. Your second song pick has a happy vibe and new-to-my ears. "Mint Julep" I recognize the song title but I think this is the first time for me to listen to it. I enjoyed your music picks. Thanks for sharing and for visiting, my dear! ;)

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    1. I heard Nell singing this version first as well. It's such a shame she died so young. I do really like that song I found and I listened to others they did...they are very inventive. Mint Julep just made me smile so I used it.

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