So is it “Just My Imagination,” or is it Madness' “Our House?”

I was compiling songs for my walking music, and was searching for the single “Dreams” by The Cranberries and happen to come across their cut “Just My Imagination.” Since the song's title was soooo close to The Temptations' 1971 number one hit tune, I being a Motown girl, I had to listen to it. But after hearing it, I was so astounded.

Note: IMHO, which may be late in coming..........Not only did they borrow the Motown hit's title, but they also used the music from the UK group Madness' 1983 hit “Our House.” That particular song was recently featured in some coffee ads in the last year. I see that the Cranberries' lyrics are very different, but I recognized the musical similarity to “Our House” right away, especially in the beginning of both group's songs. I do understand that song covers are also considered a tribute to the original performer or group. Since covering songs are common place now, I just wonder if the “Madness” band members took note of that coincidence back in 1999 also, and what was their take on it?

Madness' Lyrics Cranberries' Lyrics

Silly and Sappy Love Songs..................

July 22, 2006

It's 4:53 am and I am listening to sappy love songs. I bet my kids wonder what the hell is going on....but they do know that I have been talking to an old crush from school, well rather a guy who used to have a crush on me......or rather "a lust for me" as my younger brother tells me now although he did not use the same exact nice words. Dealing with my guy has been like driving a lovely sleek upscale temperamental car that you finally realize may be a lemon.........so it is nice to have a diversion, even if it is for a moment.

I am finally or really listening to the lyrics to The Dave Matthews Band's “Crash.” Already played the song four times. I have always liked the song, but just realized that it is more about sex....”Crash into me... and I come into you.....I come into you......A boy's dream..."hike up your skirt a little more and show the world.” Well late as ever, but I still love the quiet sound of the song and wished that it also had an instrumental version. Well, I could definitely screw someone while listening to it..........

Some Songs Revisted via AOL Music counts down the 111 Wussiest Songs Ever

Minnie Ripperton's 1975 'Lovin' You.'
I was a middle school kid when that came out, and I imagined at that time love was going to be like that when I became an adult. .....Oh well....

Stephen Bishop's 1977 'On and On.'
Dealing with middle school crush angst, I listened to it while reading Harlequin romances and Donald Goines' paperbacks.

Paul McCartney's 1976 'Silly Love Songs.'
Another song that I loved during middle school. I remembered a group of us was walking home when my best friend and I were trying to sing the lyrics. Did not go down well with the rest of the group who was only down with RB music, (i.e, Chaka Khan, Rolls Royce, The Sylvers, Micheal Jackson) and they basically told us to shut the f*&k up.

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young's 1970 'Our House.'
This was a nice song to sing to my younger siblings as we cleaned house or tried to sleep on hot, humid, muggy nights.

Bee Gees'1977 'How Deep Is Your Love.'
Still love this song and pull it out occasionally when I am chilling out alone, to avoid the jeers and taunts of teenagers who think Fifty Cents' “Just A Lil Bit ” is a love song. Oh where did I go wrong?

The Stylistics' 1973 'Break Up to Make Up.'
More middle school crisis memory music......Reminds me of depressing rainy fall days, when the leaves layered the slippery sidewalk, and you are trying to deal with surviving the issues that come with being a budding 12 year old and money being tight. For years I thought a woman sung this, until I brought a boxed set of Motown's Greatest hits in the 1990s and saw that the lead vocalist was a guy named Russell Thompkins, Jr. who also sung lead on songs that I also loved like:

“You Are Everything,"
"Betcha by Golly, Wow," (especially Phyllis Hyman's version)
"You Make Me Feel Brand New"

Richard Marx's 1989 'Right Here Waiting.'
This song reminds of the response of an off & on old beau when I informed him that I was getting married. Now that I am divorced, I can't find a trace of him and it looks like he has disappeared off the earth or at least Michigan. Luther Vandross sung background vocals on some of Richard Marx's albums, and there is another song he did during the 1990s that I liked but forgot the title.

Spandau Ballet's 1983 'True.'
This song reminds me of my beginning adulthood, freedom, and soundtracks of many teen to adult movies of the 80's. Their video and look were a bit out there for me at that time, but the sax was great on that song.

The Captain and Tennille's, 'Muskrat Love.”
This syrupy sweet song is still close to my heart. I did not know it was a remake, but after hearing the original version (done by Willis Alan Ramsey and later by America in 1971) I can understand why C & T's version was such a hit along with their TV show.

Well, enough of my musical musings.....I am feeling a little light-headed, giddy and misty right now, but that mood will disappear once I roust the kids out out of bed to clean up before we go out to the Lower Huron Parks for ironically a church picnic. I hope that everyone has a nice weekend.

Tarnished Or Fallen Star?

Finally caught up with all the furor surrounding the dismissal of Star Jones. Like most talk show hosts, Star could irk me sometimes too (Yeah, like Oprah, Martha, Jay, David,and Regis), but her input on “The View” helped make that show the success it is now. As I look over the current past and present photos of Star, I would not mind if she finally admitted that she had bariatric surgery. Now half her former size, I must say that Star looks GOOD!!!........ It gives me some hope too! Being a big girl also, I wouldn't blame her, especially looking at the group picture of “The View” cast accepting the Emmy that the show won in 2003. Even standing next to the petite Barbara Walters could depress any normal sized woman.

Although I wonder now if Star's surprise announcement has damaged her career, I can understand her wanting to get out of a atmosphere that may have been strained, probably very tense and was not favorable to her mental well being. I must admit that I initially had a problem with Rosie O'Donnell coming on board because I knew that based on each woman's personalities and views, Star and Rosie would eventually clash. But to play the devil's advocate, I felt that the ABC Network executives were Idiots! I would have renewed Star's contract at least for another year before Rosie came on board, so that everyone would tune in daily to see the veiled snipes, the loaded barbs, and finally a Big Explosion where a screaming match would ensure, and one of them would run off the set in tears.........(Hey wait a minute.........too much like Jerry Springer....Huh?)

I also must admit too like Big Girl Rosie O'Donnell publicly stated, I do want to see Star fess up about how she really lost the weight. As many media commentators have agreed upon, I do believe that her reluctance to not do so has helped damage her likeability with the viewers of the show. Although Star maintained that information was private, I felt like so many millions of folks that watch the show (Okay, only occasionally) that since she shared so many other intimate details of her life, that information was no different from all the info of Al's courtship of her, the wedding preparation details, and the wedding festivities/gossip. But on the other hand, sometimes I felt that both Star and Rosie have divulged too much information regarding their private life in the past, but I understand that putting yourself out there is the nature of their business and career. I do look forward for Star to land on her feet and find another opportunity that she can work with, which I definitely feel that she will. I just hope that Star managed her money well and that she has cut back on the lifestyle a bit until she finds another gig. By her being an attorney, I do hope that she put some up for a rainy day, because it would hurt my heart to read or hear that the Diva declared bankruptcy and her stuff had to go on the auction block. After witnessing what happened to Redd Foxx during the mid 1990s, I never want to see another black celebrity publicly go through that again......

Some Renewed Hope here....

Current Mood: Sleepy, lazy, but a bit jittery as I listen to the pre-holiday celebration around me, which has really been going on more so since they shut down the police precinct near here. The troublesome neighbors had chilled out for a while, but unfortunately, it seems that karma came back to bite them recently in an home invasion last week. No one was hurt, but things were taken, and they were shaken up badly. Despite everything, being a mother, a sister, and a citizen, I still would not wish that on my worst enemy or their children because I would not want that to ever happen to my children. Listening to this continuous gunfire right now at 10:30 pm, it makes me wonder what kind of artillery the folks around me are packing in their arsenal. Would they be ready for an invasion if it actually came? Some of the gunfire sound like cannons, and some sound like some major rapid fire automatics.

Although it has been a while since I posted, (dealing with crazy life here on the Northwest side), there are several things that makes me hopeful about Detroit.

Jazzin' on Jefferson
Campus Martius Park
Serious Renovation of famed Book-Cadillac Hotel? More info from blog of Girl in the D

I found out about Jazzin' on Jefferson last year and missed it again due to other commitments, but is determined to make it there next year. My brother told me that it was really nice and off the hook! I am definitely going to mark the date in my calender next year, and may be a vendor also. I grew up in the Detroit Jefferson/Chalmers area and my folks still live there. At times when I get a strong desire to dig in and stay in Detroit, I think of resettling back in the old "hood" to be closer to my family. That area still has its pros and cons for me, but at least I know more folks in the area. My Mom and niece are raving about activities in Campus Martius Park and I am going to try to check out some of those events also next weekend.

Regarding the Book-Cadillac Hotel, I am hopeful, but still a little skeptical about the news after observing some failed attempts in the past. I would truly like to see that place renovated (which is to be done by The Ferchill Group) and even would not mind working there. (Yes, still job-hunting...) My high school senior prom was held there 25 years ago, and although I could tell the place was going down a bit, I definitely was impressed by the decor, grandeur, and layout of the hotel. The last time I was in there, was when they were selling the fixtures and furniture out of the place. The ballroom carpet smelled moldy, and the paint was peeling. It was very depressing and I left out of there as soon as I finished looking around. I would definitely like to see that building light up again.

So amid some of the depressing things (New $300-per-household fee for trash collection ) in this city, there are some beacons of light that make me want to stay here. Other than those musings, I hope that everyone has a safe, fun, and meaningful Fourth of July Holiday....