Saturday Night Serenade–Class of 2020 Hall of Famers

The list is out for the 2020 inductees into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the line-up of honorees is pretty eclectic.

• Depeche Mode
• The Doobie Brothers
• Whitney Houston
• Nine Inch Nails
• The Notorious B.I.G.
• T. Rex

I’m only pulling a few songs, but there could be so many more. First up is Depeche Mode, and it’s kind of a nod to Mr. R–he was a big fan of new wave, while back in the day, I was more about hair bands. But Personal Jesus has a cool bass line that just worms its way into your soul. Plus, I may or may not have seen an X-rated BDSM video of this song that’s hot AF. Dig around and you might find it. 😉

Whitney Houston was an undeniable talent. Her life was such a trainwreck, and her death, an utter tragedy, but I prefer to remember her like this. How Will I Know takes me back to my college days, and it’s a sweet memory.

I can’t believe T. Rex’s Get It On is from 1971! How can that be? I still hear it all the time on classic rock radio and it’s impossible not to sing along.

The 2020 induction ceremony will be in Cleveland on Saturday, May 2, and for the first time ever, it will be broadcast LIVE on HBO. I can’t wait!

That will be a Saturday to remember, for sure. But don’t wait for May. Make this a Saturday to remember. Spend time with the ones you love and be sure to give them a hug.

Happy Saturday night!

Saturday Night Serenade–Royalty

Did you catch the 2019 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on HBO last weekend? I look forward to the show every year. The performers always bring their A-game, and this year was no exception.

This year’s inductees included Radiohead, Roxy Music, Janet Jackson, Def Leppard, The Cure, and The Zombies. While Radiohead and Janet Jackson opted not to perform, the others were outstanding.

The show opened with an electrifying four-song set by the incomparable Stevie Nicks, the first woman to be inducted into the Hall of Fame twice–previously for her work with Fleetwood Mac and now for her solo career. She performed Leather and Lace with Don Henley, but I loved Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around with Harry Styles pinch-hitting for the late great Tom Petty.

But I can’t leave you without a song by the evening’s final recipients, because, well, Def Leppard.

I hope you’re having a wonderful almost-summer weekend. Hug those you love and tell them how much they mean to you.

Happy Saturday night!

Saturday Night Serenade–Walk of Life

May 5, 2018
It’s such a busy day today!

It’s Cinco de Mayo.  Just like everyone’s Irish on St. Patrick’s day, don’t you just have to have a margarita (or three) on May 5th?

Only this year, you have to choose between a margarita and a mint julep, because it’s Derby Day.  It’s the 144th Run for the Roses at the Kentucky Derby.

I must confess a little fondness for the races.  Mr. R and I have been to Gulfstream Park a couple of times, and it’s lots of fun.  I have a scientific method for picking winners–I pick the names that jump out at me.  It’s 2:26pm as I’m writing this, and I’m all in with #10, My Boy Jack.  He’s currently 18:1, but I don’t pay attention to odds.  I’m the proud mom of a 7-year-old German shepherd named…Jack.  It’s kismet.

But tonight, I will be curled up on the couch with popcorn and a glass of wine to watch the 2018 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on HBO.  This year’s honorees are Bon Jovi, The Cars, Dire Straits, The Moody Blues, Nina Simone and Sister Rosetta Tharpe.  I can’t wait to see the show, and I’m bringing a little preview for tonight’s serenade.  Dire Straights has a lot of cool songs, but I’m choosing Walk of Life.

Here’s wishing you felicitaciones, may your horse come in first, and I hope they play your favorite song.  Be sure to hug those you love.

Happy Saturday night!

Saturday Night Serenade–Cantios Obscurum

The 2018 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony was last Saturday night in Cleveland.  Next month, they’ll show it on HBO, and I can’t wait.  Among this year’s  inductees is one of my favorite bands, Bon Jovi.  I’ve loved them since their big hair days of the 80s.

This obscure little song was tucked at the end of 1988’s New Jersey, and I’ve always thought it was cheeky fun.

Speaking of cheeky fun, I’ll follow up with a little shout-out to yesterday, 4/20.  It’s one of Toby Keith’s ‘bus songs’ and it’s a lot of fun, too.

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

Happy Saturday night!

Saturday Night Serenade–The Cars or Tonight Could Be a Very Good Night

I love 80s music, I cannot tell a lie.  And classic 80s band The Cars will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in just a few months.  They join Bon Jovi, Nina Simone, Dire Straights, The Moody Blues, and Sister Rosetta Tharpe.

There were so many Cars songs from which to choose, but this Tonight She Comes struck my fancy tonight.  Wonder why…  Perhaps it’s the innuendo.  Could be.

I love this album cover, too, although the song doesn’t come (ahem) from there.  I couldn’t resist the sexy ginger.

I hope 2018 is treating you well so far.  Stay warm and hug those you love.

Happy Saturday night!

Saturday Night Serenade–Blast From The Past

Tonight’s two-fer serenade is a blast from the past.  Way back in the mid-1980s, I was living in Mississippi, working as a newly-minted kindergarten teacher at a little school out in the countryside outside of Jackson.  Crop-dusters used to buzz the school as they treated the farm fields across the street.  True story.

On that long drive back and forth, more often than not, five boys from New Jersey kept me company.  At home, I’m sure I wore out the grooves on Slippery When Wet.  You remember LPs, right?  No?  Go sit down before you hurt yourself.  The grown-ups are talking.

I’m thrilled that Bon Jovi is nominated for the latest class of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.  The last time I checked, they were vastly ahead of the other very worthy nominees.  If you haven’t voted there’s still time.

I hope tonight finds you relaxing with your favorite people.  Mr. R and I are out to a Halloween party.  Maybe they’ll play a little Bon Jovi…

Hug those you love.  Happy Saturday night!

Saturday Night Serenade–It’s My Birthday!

I’ve always loved October.  It’s fall.  In many places, the weather is cooler.  The leaves are starting to change.  And I mean, what kid doesn’t love Halloween?  Plus…my birthday is in October.  Today, to be precise.  And you know what?  I’m feeling good.

In the past year, I’ve walked away from a career that was increasingly becoming unbearable.  With support and encouragement from my love, I’ve plunged into the deep end, embracing writing as my full-time career.  And I’ve published two new books, bringing my bibliography to eight, with the next two on the horizon.  I’m literally living the dream.

This song by Nina Simone pretty much sums it up.  And incidentally, Nina Simone is a nominee for this year’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees.  If you haven’t voted yet, make sure you do.

I hope you’re feeling good, too.  Be sure to hug the ones you love.

Happy Saturday night!

Birds flyin’ high, you know how I feel
Sun in the sky, you know how I feel
Breeze driftin’ on by, you know how I feel
It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day, it’s a new life for me
Yeah, it’s a new dawn, it’s a new day, it’s a new life for me, ooooooooh
And I’m feelin’ goodFish in the sea, you know how I feel
River runnin’ free, you know how I feel
Blossom on the tree, you know how I feel
It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day, it’s a new life for me
And I’m feelin’ goodDragonfly out in the sun, you know what I mean, don’t you know
Butterflies all havin’ fun, you know what I mean
Sleep in peace when day is done: that’s what I mean
And this old world is a new world and a bold world for me

Stars when you shine, you know how I feel
Scent of the pine, you know how I feel
Oh, freedom is mine, and I know how I feel
It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day, it’s a new life for me

And I’m feelin’… good

Saturday Night Serenade–Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2017

It’s back again–HBO’s annual special, their broadcast of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony for 2017, held earlier this month.  This year’s inductees are talented and diverse.  The class of 2017 includes Pearl Jam, Tupac Shakur, Journey, ELO, Yes, Joan Baez, and Nile Rodgers.  Rolling Stone posted tiny snippets from the ceremony on Instagram the following day, and if those little tidbits are any indication, we’re in for a great show.

While I appreciate all of the inductees, Journey and ELO hold special places in my heart.  Journey always takes me back to my college days.  Don’t Stop Believin’ has become a part of our cultural landscape, as a song in its own right, but also as the last thing we heard as The Sopranos headed off into the sunset.  And have you ever seen the Broadway show, Rock of Ages?  Journey’s quintessential anthem is the show’s finale.

But that seemed like a way too easy pick for this occasion.  So I went to one of my all-time favorite ELO songs, Mr. Blue Sky.  Mr. R disagrees with me, he’s not a fan of the Electric Light Orchestra, but I say he’s wrong.  Which he sometimes is when it comes to music.  I mean, he likes Bread for corn’s sake!

I hope you join us, and probably a couple of other people, tonight as we relive the glory days with some of rock’s royalty.  It’s a great way to spend a few hours.

Happy Saturday night!

Saturday Night Serenade–Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Tonight on HBO they’re airing the 2016 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame concert.  Mr. R. and I look forward to this concert every year.  It brings together some of the greatest musicians of the age and suddenly magic happens.  Last year, nobody was surprised when Green Day, Joan Jett, and Ringo Starr brought down the house.  But a couple of years ago, the artist formerly known as Cat Stevens blew everyone away with Peace Train.  Who saw that coming?  I love the unexpected gem.  Consider this a bonus track.

This year’s inductees include Cheap Trick, Chicago, Deep Purple, N.W.A., and Steve Miller.  Tonight’s serenade by Cheap Trick is from a 2010 SXSW performance.  It’s not as polished as the official video, but I love a live performance.

By the way, Cheap Trick’s Tom Petersson was in the news this week.  The father of a child with autism, he and his wife Alison have started a program called Rock Your Speech, a music project designed to help kids “find their voices.”  This is from his website:

Rock Your Speech uses songs and lyric videos to build language skills in children with autism. Listen to the music, and you’ll hear useful phrases and sounds, such as “I’m hungry,” “What’s your name” or “I don’t feel good.” Repetition techniques teach language simply and literally, and since it’s truly rock and roll, the music appeals to all ages. Watch a lyric video, and you’ll see how words and images work in tandem to reinforce language skills and show the mechanics of speech sounds.

Tonight, Mr. R. and I will snuggle on the sofa and tune in to the 2016 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, watching for this year’s little surprise.  Hope you enjoy these tunes and have a very Happy Saturday night!

Saturday Night Serenade–Oh Yeah!

Tonight we honor the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s 30th Induction Ceremony which is being held at Cleveland’s Public Hall.  The 2015 inductees are Ringo Starr, Bill Withers, Green Day, Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble, Lou Reed, The 5 Royales, The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, and Joan Jett & the Blackhearts.  I can’t wait for that concert on HBO.

Several of these artists are on my personal top-ten list, but I have always maintained that when I grow up, I want to be Joan Jett.  So it wasn’t really hard to pick the right song for Saturday night.  Enjoy!  Oh, yeah!