Monday's Music Moves Me

This week's Mon days Music is a Freebie theme.  We can put up whatever we want!  So I chose a few of my all-time favorites.  XmasDolly is one of the hosts of Monday's Music Moves Me.  You can follow the ink and see what other folks have contributed!


This first one is my very favorite version of  Beethoven's Ode To Joy.  It's the funky rendition of Joyful Joyful from the movie, Sister Act 2.  





I've always loved Petula Clark!  Here is My Love, from 1966.







I used to have a Best of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons album that I'd play really loud when I was cleaning.  This song was written for just Frankie Valli.  His producer didn't think it was a good song for him, but he recorded it anyway, and I'm sure glad he did!  You're Just Too Good To Be True





Oh!  Now this song brings me back to 1969, when I was absolutely in love with this song and BJ Thomas!  I played this song over and over and over again!  sigh!  Hooked On A Feeling





And last, but certainly not least (and forgive me if I did this one before), when I was in 8th grade, The Cowsills stole my heart, Barry Cowsill in particular!   The TV show The Partridge Family was based on The Cowsills, a family band with mom and all the kids singing!  Sadly, Barry Cowsill lost his life in Hurricane Katrina.  This is my very favorite song of theirs.  Here is The Rain, The Park and Other Things.

Monday's Music Moves Me: I heart Broadway

HEY!!  Remember me?  I haven't done a Musical Monday in quite a while!   I guess I sort of took a break from blogging for a while and I'm getting back into it.  Anyway, Dolly told me that this week's theme was a Patriotic song or a Broadway hit tune.  Well, I don't know if you know this, but I am a Drama Mama!!  I'm also patriotic, but I really am a Drama Mama!  I might even get that as my license plate!


The reason I'm a Drama Mama is because my 2 girls were bitten by the acting bug.  Both girls were in at least 1 or 2 high school musicals when they were in grade school and little kids were needed.  Then, as each girl went to high school, they joined the Drama Club (Gina was President her senior year and Dani was Treasurer her Senior year).  Gina had the lead in her Junior (Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz) and her Senior year (Narrator in Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat).  Not to be outdone, Dani had leads too!  In Junior year, she was Amazing Maizie in Seussical the Musical, and in her Senior year, she was Little Red Riding Hood in Into The Woods!  


Both girls have amazing singing voice!  Not sure where they got them.  I can't sing to save my life and their dad can carry a tune but that's about it.  I spent a LOT of time, volunteering at the school.  I made the programs for 3 plays a year for about 7 or 8 years. I sold tickets, I worked in the costume shop, I sold T-shirts, and I drove those girls to a lot of practices over the course of 11 years! 


Gina went on to earn her degree in Theatre, with a concentration on acting/directing.  She now writes and does voiceovers for commercials.  Dani went to college for theatre also, but decided by the end of her freshman year that she REALLY wanted to do hair!  So she went to hairdressing school and is getting ready to take her state test for her license.  Don't be surprised, if, a few years down the road, you find out that Dani is working for a studio in California, doing hair and make up.  And trust me, if it happens I'll be shouting from the rooftops!


Oh my!  I really do seems to be rambling on!  So, to get to my selection for this week.  A few years ago, I absolutely fell in love with the musical Wicked.  Everyone knows what Wicked is about, so I won't get into that.  This song, For Good is at the end of the play.  It's a duet with Elphaba aka Wicked Witch of the East (Idina Menzel) and  Galinda aka Glinda the Good Witch (Kristen Chenowith).  It's very poignant, and I cry every time I hear it.


So, without further ado, I give you...

For Good

ELPHABA
I'm limited:
Just look at me - I'm limited
And just look at you -
You can do all I couldn't do, Glinda
So now it's up to you
(spoken) For both of us
(sung) Now it's up to you:

GLINDA
I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you:

Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good

ELPHABA
It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend:
Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you:

GLINDA
Because I knew you:

BOTH

I have been changed for good

ELPHABA
And just to clear the air
I ask forgiveness
For the things I've done you blame me for

GLINDA
But then, I guess we know
There's blame to share

BOTH
And none of it seems to matter anymore

GLINDA ELPHABA
Like a comet pulled Like a ship blown
From orbit as it Off it's mooring
Passes a sun, like By a wind off the
A stream that meets Sea, like a seed
A boulder, half-way Dropped by a
Through the wood Bird in the wood

BOTH
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
I do believe I have been changed for the better?

GLINDA
And because I knew you:
ELPHABA
Because I knew you:

BOTH
Because I knew you:
I have been changed for good.

Marie, at Xmas Dolly reminded me that I should join in to Monday's Music Moves Me again.  Why not take a stab at it!  Each week is a theme and it's fun to see what everyone comes up with!

Musical Mondays Moves Me!: Love Songs!

 Lorie at The Shrewbridges of Celebration, FL told me about Monday's Music Moves Me, 

so here's another cool music blog meme to do.

Amanda at Bloggin’ with Amanda hosts Musical Monday – What Move’s You?. 

You can get the instructions by clicking here.

All month long, in honor of Valentine's Day, we are doing love songs!


When I was a teenager and young adult, I loved this song and wanted it to be the song I danced to at my wedding.  Of course, time passed.  I didn't marry my high school sweetheart (who turned out to be a cheating jerk).  I met and married someone else (who, ironically, also turned out to be cheating jerk).  I did NOT use this song as my first dance song.  To tell you the truth, I can't even remember the song I danced with my new husband because the band didn't bother to learn the one we had chosen.  But that's a whole 'nother story for another day.  


So when I was a teenager, young and in love, I wanted to dance to Elvis Presley's I Can't Help Falling In Love With You.  To this day, it's still one of my favorite love songs!





I also learned that I was chosen as a "Tag Dancer" on the Spotlight Dance! How cool is that!!  Thanks Marie and Callie and Lorie and Larry for the honor!

Musical Mondays Moves Me!: Love Songs

 Lorie at The Shrewbridges of Celebration, FL told me about Monday's Music Moves Me, 

so here's another cool music blog meme to do

Amanda at Bloggin’ with Amanda hosts Musical Monday – What Move’s You?. 

You can get the instructions by clicking here.

It's February, and that means our songs will be all about LOVE!!  I've posted about this video before.  If I ever get married again, this is the song I want played.  I know that Beyonce recorded this song, but nobody can do justice to this song like Etta James.  Here is At Last.

Musical Mondays/ Monday's Music Moves Me: Freebies

Lorie at The Shrewbridges of Celebration, FL told me about Monday's Music Moves Me, so here's another cool music blog meme to do.

Amanda at Bloggin’ with Amanda hosts Musical Monday – What Move’s You?. You can get the instructions by clicking here.


This week, we have a freebie week.  We can post whatever songs we want.  I decided to share one of my favorite all-time groups ever.  I can identify with so many of their songs!!  I used to listen to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons over and over and over again!  I just really love their sound!  This is I've Got You Under My Skin.



One of my wishes is to see The Jersey Boys on Broadway.  Right now the tickets are mucho expensive, so I'm waiting... sort of patiently.  Probably because I want center orchestra seats!!  This is a clip from one of the performances by the original Broadway cast!  These fellows really capture the essence of the Four Seasons! This is You're Just Too Good To Be True and Who Loves You, Pretty Baby.

Monday's Music Moves Me: My High School Days

 Lorie at The Shrewbridges of Celebration, FL told me about Monday's Music Moves Me, so here's another cool music blog meme to do

Amanda at Bloggin’ with Amanda hosts Musical Monday – What Move’s You?. You can get the instructions by clicking here.

This week's theme is to take us all back to our high school days.  Wow!  Talk about a blast from the past!!  I decided the best way to choose the songs was to take the songs that were #1 on Billboard's Top songs of the week of my birthday for each year of my high school days.  To tell you the truth, when I saw the songs that were #1 from my Senior year, I wasn't that crazy about them!  LOL!!  Lots of bubblegum music!  


So, with that being said, here are the 5 songs that were #1 on September 21 of each year of high school, and of course, my graduation day! .


First up is Sugar Sugar by The Archies!  It was the #1 song On September 21, 1969, my Freshman year of high school!





On my birthday in my Sophomore year, in1970, the top song was Ain't No Mountain High Enough, sung by Diana Ross and the Supremes!  (I'm not crazy about this remix video but the music is there)





Now, on to 1971, my Junior year of high school. Go Away Little Girl by Donny Osmond was the big hit when I turned 16.  Sigh!!!





Finally, my Senior year!  I turned 17 that year, in 1972.  Didn't we all think we were oh so mature?  LOL!  On my birthday, in 1972, Black And White by Three Dog Night was the big hit!





And to finish up my high school career, on June 8, 1973 I graduated from high school and My Love by Paul McCartney and Wings was the #1 hit!





I bet a lot of you weren't even born yet when some of these songs were popular!  I hope you enjoyed them!  I know I had fun, looking back over my teen years!

Musical Monday's Music Moves Me: Freebie!!

Lorie at The Shrewbridges of Celebration, FL told me about Monday's Music Moves Me, so here's another cool music blog meme to do

Amanda at Bloggin’ with Amanda hosts Musical Monday – What Move’s You?. You can get the instructions by clicking here.

This week, we could post whatever song we wanted.  This song, Cowboy, Take Me Away by the Dixie Chicks is probably my favorite country song.  The Dixie Chicks are probably my favorite female country singers ever!  Tim McGraw is my favorite male country singer.    I love this whole album!  I saw the Dixie Chicks at Lilith Fair in Hershey, PA in the summer of 1999, just as Fly was hitting the airwaves.  I like to close my eyes and listen to this song, really loud.  It makes me calm.





Since I love so many of the songs on this album,  I also wanted to post Sin Wagon.  In my mind,  this is about a woman going crazy after her husband leaves her.  I can identify with this song!  I really really love the music in this song!!!  The banjo and violin solos are incredible!
  


Congratulations to Rosidah and Six In The Nest for the Spotlight Dance!!

Monday's Music Moves Me

Amanda at Bloggin’ with Amanda hosts Musical Monday – What Move’s You?. You can get the instructions by clicking here.

Lorie at The Shrewbridges of Celebration, FL told me about Monday's Music Moves Me, so here's another cool music blog meme to do!


This week we had to choose a new song we've heard to start off the new year.


My song this week is Secrets by One Republic.  I just love the cello intro of this song!!!  I hope you enjoy it!

Congrats to Peggy and Madeleine on the Spotlight Dance!

Monday's Music Moves Me: Christmas Carols

Amanda at Bloggin’ with Amanda hosts Musical Monday – What Move’s You?. You can get the instructions by clicking here. 

Lorie at The Shrewbridges of Celebration, FL told me about Monday's Music Moves Me, so here's another cool music blog meme to do!


We're supposed to be doing Christmas Carols for each Monday in December.  This week, I thought I'd give you something different to listen to.  This is my very very favorite version of Beethoven's Ode To Joy.  It's my favorite classical piece, but the way it's done here is, well, very different, but modern and uplifting.  This video comes from the movie, Sister Act 2 and it's the school choir performing Joyful, Joyful as only they can do.  I find it very... joyful!  I hope you enjoy it.  I know I do.  It fills me up every time.



Joyful, Joyful
Lord, we adore Thee
God of glory
Lord of love
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee
Hail Thee as the sun above
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness
Drive the dark of doubt away
Giver of immortal gladness
Fill us with the light
Fill us with the light
Oh, fill us with the light of day......

Joyful, Joyful
Lord, we adore Thee
God of glory
Lord of love
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee
Hail Thee as the sun above
Melt the clouds of sin, sin and sadness
Drive the dark of doubt away
Drive it away
Giver of immortal gladness
Fill us 
Fill us with the light of day
Light of day!

(Check the rhyme)
Joyful, Joyful
Lord we adore Thee
An' in my life
I put none before Thee
Cuz since I was a youngster
I came to know
That you was the only way to go

So I had to grow an' come to an understandin'
That I'm down with the King so now I'm demandin'
That you tell me who you down with, see
Cuz all I know is that I'm down with G-O-D
You down with G-O-D?
(Yeah, you know me)
You down with G-O-D?
(Yeah, you know me)
You down with G-O-D?
(Yeah, you know me)
Who's down with G-O-D?
(Everybody)

Come and join the chorus
The mighty, mighty chorus
Which the morning stars begun
The Father of love is reigning over us

Right away

What have you done for Him lately?
Ooh, ooh, ooh yeah
What have you done for Him lately?

He watches over everything
So we sing

Joyful, Joyful
Lord, we adore Thee
God of glory 
Lord of love
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee
Hail Thee as the sun above
Melt the clouds of sin, sin and sadness
Drive the dark of doubt away
Drive it away
Giver of immortal gladness ( won't you)
Fill us ( Fill us with the light of day, Lord, fill us)
Fill us ( oh we need You, yes we do, fill us)
Fill us ( yeah..., oh, oh yeah)
Fill us ( with the light of day, Lord)
Fill us (on the steps we pray, Lord)
Fill us (with the light of day, Lord)

( We need you, come right away, 
We need you, need you today, we need you, 
I'm here to say fill us, fill us, fill us, fill us...)

Fill us with the light of day ( oh, yeah)
Light of day!

Monday's Music Moves Me: Christmas Carols

Amanda at Bloggin’ with Amanda hosts Musical Monday – What Move’s You?. You can get the instructions by clicking here.

Lorie at The Shrewbridges of Celebration, FL told me about Monday's Music Moves Me, so here's another cool music blog meme to do!

In this last Monday before Christmas, I saved probably the most powerful Christmas hymn ever.  I never ceases to bring me to tears whenever I hear it, especially if a choir is singing it live. This is The Hendricks Symphonic Choir and Orchestra, performing Handel's Messiah - The Hallelujah Chorusl.   This is probably one of the best versions I've ever heard!

Enjoy and Merry Christmas to you all

Hallelujah Chorus Hymn

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
For the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

The kingdom of this world
Is become the kingdom of our Lord,
And of His Christ, and of His Christ;
And He shall reign for ever and ever,
For ever and ever, forever and ever,

King of kings, and Lord of lords,
King of kings, and Lord of lords,
And Lord of lords,
And He shall reign,
And He shall reign forever and ever,
King of kings, forever and ever,
And Lord of lords,
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

And He shall reign forever and ever,
King of kings! and Lord of lords!
And He shall reign forever and ever,
King of kings! and Lord of lords!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!