Saturday Night Serenade–Quarantunes

Seems we all have a lot of extra time on our hands these days. When you’re stuck in the house, you get creative to occupy yourself.

Lucky for us, Green Day has a new album out and they released this song not long ago. If it sounds familiar, it should. Oh Yeah! samples the Joan Jett classic, Do You Wanna Touch.

Which doesn’t make it any less cool. They’ve put their own spin on it and made it something of a tribute to my punk idol. I’ve always said that when I grow up, I want to be Joan Jett.

I’m including the original because how can I not?

And before I go, I’ll drop this little trailer here. If you haven’t yet discovered Tiger King, you’re missing out on Netflix’s absolute trainwreck documentary obsession. I just can’t look away. If you were feeling badly about your life, worry no more. You can’t even make this stuff up. You’re welcome, LOL.

Stay home this weekend. Keep yourself and everyone else safe. HUGE shout-out to those on the front lines of this thing. You are our heroes.
Be sure to at least virtually hug those you love.

Happy Saturday night!

Saturday Night Serenade–Heroes

Tonight’s song is two great tastes that taste great together.  The Foo Fighters join my hero Joan Jett for two of her most iconic songs, Bad Reputation and I Love Rock & Roll.  These classic punk tunes came out in the early 80s, and they aren’t going away anytime soon.

I’ve always said that when I grow up, I want to be Joan Jett.  She was revolutionary, decades ago challenging the notion that women couldn’t be bad-ass rockers.  And she never gave a damn about her bad reputation.  How amazing to free yourself from the concern over what other people think!

That attitude is really the very heartbeat of rock & roll.

It’s also the heartbeat of the new heroes, teenagers who, in the face of tragedy, terror, and abuse from adults who happen to disagree with them, continue to sound off, to call out the hypocrisy they see, and to call for change to make the world a better place.

They don’t give a damn about their bad reputation either.  They just want to feel safe.  And they’re not going away anytime soon.

I hope you’re having a wonderful weekend.  Be sure to hug those you love.

Happy Saturday night!

 

Saturday Night Serenade–Take Back the Power OR That Took A Dark Turn

It’s the second weekend of March, and we’re ‘springing forward’ tonight.  Don’t forget.  And if the Florida legislature has their way, this will be the last time Mr. R and I have to change our clocks.  They’ve voted to remain on Daylight Savings Time from now on.

Which, on the one hand, is great.  My feeling is, just pick one time and let me know.  On the other hand, however, when everyone else ‘falls back’, the entire state of Florida will be all jacked up.  The 6:30 national news will come on at 7:30.  The Times Square ball will drop at 1:00 am New Years Day.  Everything will be all wonky.

But who am I to complain?  Just a lowly taxpayer.  The state legislature also came up with the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act, which Gov. Rick Scott signed, in response to the outcry following the horrific events of a few weeks ago.  While far from perfect, it’s a good start, particularly from a Republican governor to whom I usually refer as a dick with eyes.

The legislation limits gun sales to persons over the age of 21, among other things.  It also allocates serious fundage for mental health initiatives.  And it sets aside money to beef up school security.

Of course, there are those against the plan.  The NRA is even suing the state, citing 2nd Amendment violations.  I hesitate to wade into politics.  Everyone is so hateful.  But I’m for a little reform.

Some will call me a liberal.  Go ahead, if that makes you feel superior.  I’m neither Republican nor Democrat.  I’m a registered Independent voter.  I just look around for somebody who makes sense.  And I have guns in my home.  Nobody’s trying to take away your guns.  We’re just trying to keep kids safe.  I’d hope that, at least, is something we all have in common.

I’m feeling all punky tonight.  So this little song from The Interrupters speaks to my soul.  Wherever you fall on the issues, I hope you take a moment to see it from the other side.  And hugs your kids tight.  Because some parents in Parkland can’t do that tonight.

Happy Saturday night!

Saturday Night Serenade–It’s What I Like About You!

How is it possible that this is the last weekend of July?  Where has the summer gone?  I’m back to work in less than two weeks and I’m walking into a mine field.  I don’t even want to think about it.

Instead, I want to enjoy this summer Saturday night with my love.  I’ve often said it, he’s my happily-ever-after, the yin to my yang, the carrots to my peas.  We laugh a lot, and sometimes I post his witticism here.

Besides that, we’re huge dorks.  For example, sometimes we play alliterative word games, often favoring P for whatever reason.  “It’s the perfect point to prune the plumosa.”  “Precisely!”

He can come up with absurd lyrics to “any song, any time, anywhere.”  The other day, he was humming the Mary Tyler Moore theme.  Then he started singing, “We’re going naked to the ma-all.”  You know Bohemian Rhapsody, right?  Does anyone really understand all the words?  His version:  “Bag of douche, bag of douche, will you do the fandango?”

He makes me laugh.  It’s what I like about him.  Which brings us to this punk classic for tonight’s serenade.  I hope you push aside all your cares and worries in favor of laughing with the one(s) you love.  Tell them what you like about them.

Happy Saturday night!

Saturday Night Serenade–Courtney Barnett

It’s Memorial Day Weekend, the official start of summer!  I’m so excited!  Only three more beatings and then I’m off until August.  Mr. R. and I will actually have a few days off together every week, unlike the rest of the year.  I should finally have time to work on the things I want to work on, including paying more attention to this neglected little blog.

For tonight’s serenade, I wanted something fresh and I’m pretty sure this fits the bill.  In all honesty, I’d never heard of Courtney Barnett until last week, when she appeared on Saturday Night Live.  While Mr. R. and I are avid fans of the show, we often give the musical guest about ten seconds before we mute the sound, or fast forward if we’re watching on dvr.  This one was different, catching our attention immediately.  The song is Pedestrian At Best, but she’s not pedestrian in the slightest.  She’s an Aussie punk, and if Nirvana and Joan Jett had a baby, she would be Courtney Barnett.

So enjoy your holiday weekend, your barbecues, and time with the family.  Along the way, don’t forget what it’s all about.  And have a happy Saturday night!

Saturday Night Serenade–My Sharona

It’s nearly summer and I’m two weeks out from vacation.  Indeed, two weeks from today, work will be what was until early August.  And it can’t come soon enough.

Last week, we brought in the funk.  Tonight, I want to bring in the punk.  My Sharona came out in 1979 and was the debut release from The Knack.  Which I suppose makes it a moldy oldie, but honestly if anybody was putting out music like this today, we’d be listening, right?  I have to confess my naivete; back in the day, I had no idea the lyrics were as risque as they are, but that just makes it all the better now.

I love this video.  First of all they’re actually playing.  It’s not some of that ‘lip-syncing over pre-recorded’ BS.  It’s infuriating when artists do that.  I mean, singing…  It’s what they do.  Next, check out the drummer.  He’s like Animal from the Muppets.  And the bassist is just too cool.  It all comes together for great performance.

So tonight, I’m relaxing with my love and counting down the days (nay, hours, minutes, and seconds) until summer break.  And we’re enjoying a bit of nasty nostalgia, ha ha, with The Knack and My Sharona.  Happy Saturday night!

Saturday Night Serenade–Yeah! Oh Yeah!

It’s Saturday once again.  What a difference a week makes.  Different week, different mood.  Last week I was feeling all mellow, in a James Taylor frame of mind.  This week I’m feeling punk.  And a little something else.

I’ve always said that I want to be Joan Jett when I grow up.  She’s fierce and unapologetic, breaking gender stereotypes and boundaries since she started her career. Consider a tiny sample of her playlist: I Love Rock & Roll, I Hate Myself For Loving You, Bad Reputation?  Please!

Mr. R. and I have had the good fortune to see her twice in concert.  If you ever have the chance, run, don’t walk, because she’s amazing.  The first time, we were probably twenty feet from the stage.  One of the first things you notice is the way that she constantly engages her audience.

“She’s totally flirting with me,” Mr. R. said.

“No, babe, I’m pretty sure she’s flirting with me,” I replied.

Obviously, I had to include the official music video featuring Ms. Joan Jett herself.  But I couldn’t resist posting this version with classic 80s and 90s movie clips.  Different week, different mood. Hope you enjoy.

Oh, Mr. R……

Happy Saturday night!

Saturday Night Serenade–It’s Been A Long Week

This has been a looooooong week, friends.  Just off a tw0-week vacation, nothing should ever be so bad.  And yet…

The details aren’t important.  It’s not as if anything went particularly wrong.  It’s just that going in for the daily beating is getting old.  Tonight’s Powerball is enticingly huge.  So maybe we won’t have to go in to work on Monday.

Tonight I’m getting my punk on with the Ramones’ I Wanna Be Sedated, a song that swirled through my head all week.  Ba-ba-bamp-ba ba-ba-ba-bamp-ba I wanna be sedated!  

Keeping the theme punk, tonight’s bonus track is Green Day’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame performance of Basket Case from last year’s induction ceremony.  It’s why live music is the best!

I believe I’ll find myself a glass of wine and proceed to be a bit sedated as we enjoy the weekend.

Happy Saturday night!

Saturday Night Serenade–Pride and Joy

It’s been a rough week, what with Mr. R.’s change in schedule.  Until late yesterday afternoon, the last time we actually saw each other was Sunday.  We’ve literally been passing in the night.  We had a near miss one day when he called me as I stopped at the grocery store on my way home from work.  He’d just left there, having stopped on his way to work.  We’d actually been in the store at the same time and hadn’t seen each other.  Anyway, only four more work days left for me and then we’ll be able to sleep in together every day.

Date Night tonight will be a night in.  Tonight Mr. R. and I will be snuggled up on the sofa watching the 2015 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on HBO.  I’ve been stoked about this since I heard the list of inductees, including Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Green Day, and Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble.  Here’s a little SRV to get you in the mood.  Happy Saturday night!

Saturday Night Serenade–Basket Case

This was an ear worm all week.  Congratulations to Green Day for their induction to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.  And happy Saturday night!