Mike Peters: The Song that Changed My LIfe

Watch to find out what song changed Mike Peter's life early in his career and the surprising twist when that same song comes full circle and saves his life several years later. (from BYUtv)

Asiah Mehok and Hawkboy

My son, Andrew, is doing a summer internship at Regenerate Music Company in Cleveland, Tennesse. So I checked out some of the bands and singers he would be meeting down there and he has some interesting musicians to get to know. One artist is Asiah Mehok. Here she is singing her song "So Much".



Next is a video for a song that was uploaded today.
As I understand it, Andrew helped out with this video:



This song is a cover of a song by another Regenerate group called Hawkboy,  The song is called 2 Bit.

Here is Hawkboy singing the song 2 Bit.



2 Bit lyrics:

Lover got caught in the rapture
Vanished right, vanished right
Lover got caught in the rapture
Vanished right, vanished right

Oooooh, ooooh, ooooh
Oh no!

Your lover got caught in the rapture
Vanished right, vanished right from your sight
I guess they were right
After all

Don't say you weren't warned
Nobody's found behind the wheel
They were just empty clothes crashing those cars
In a flash they were gone, but your lover got caught

Lover got caught
Lover got caught
Lover got caught

Lover got caught in the rapture,
Vanished right, vanished right from your sight
Nobody saw nothin' faster,
They were right after all
Lover got caught up in the rapture,
Vanished right, vanished right
And if you weren't such a bastard,
You would be better off...

But now you're left to burn
Gnash your teeth
No time to pass or perceive

Lover got caught up in the rapture
Vanished right from your site
No Nobody saw nothin' faster
They were right, oh
A thief in the night!

If you weren't such a bastard
You would be better off

Now you're left to...


Sort of makes me think it is sort of an strangely updated version of Larry Norman's classic song from 1969 "I Wish We'd all been Ready".



I Wish We'd All Been Ready


Life was filled with guns and war,
And everyone got trampled on the floor,
I wish we'd all been ready
Children died, the days grew cold,
A piece of bread could buy a bag of gold,
I wish we'd all been ready,
There's no time to change your mind,
The Son has come and you've been left behind.


A man and wife asleep in bed,
She hears a noise and turns her head, he's gone,
I wish we'd all be ready,
Two men walking up a hill,
One disappears and one's left standing still,
I wish we'd all been ready,
There's no time to change your mind,
The Son has come and you've been left behind.

Life was filled with guns and war,
And everyone got trampled on the floor,
I wish we'd all been ready,
Children died, the days grew cold,
A piece of bread could buy a bag of gold,
I wish we'd all been ready,
There's no time to change your mind,
How could you have been so blind,
The Father spoke, the demons dined,
The Son has come and you've been left behind.


If you like Asiah Mehok and Hawkboy you can download their music free from Sponsorseed or you can find them on iTunes.

The Alarm 45 RPM

I didn't see this version on youtube of Mike Peters and The Alarm performing their song "45 RPM" on the Craig Kilborn show back in 1984, so I uploaded it.



There is an interesting story surrounding this song as it was not released as a song by The Alarm, but rather by a group called "The Poppy Fields". Mike Peters wanted the music critics to review the song on its merits and not have them be prejudiced by reviewing another "Alarm" song by the aging group. Sounding like a teenage punk band with a video showing another band lip syncing to the song the tune made the top 30 on the British charts and the news of the "stunt" even made it on the national news over in states with Dan Rather reporting on the stunt. The 45 RPM swindle is even now being made into a movie.

Here is the promo video of the song which merges the "imposters" with the "real deal".



45 RPM

a spiral scratch
gave me my life back
a vinyl solution
ended my confusion
I heard a voice in the noise pollution
45 rpm
keep on running to the end
45 rpm


the two sevens clashed
kick started my life soundtrack
a sonic revolution
broke the disillusion
i heard a voice in the noise pollution
45 rpm
keep on running to the end
45 rpm

A simple and energetic song about the transforming power of a simple record.

A Song With a Real Purpose: Emmanuel Jal- We Want Peace

Rapper enlists global stars to work on south Sudan

Learn about Emmanuel Jal


We Want Peace

Oh yeah
Oh yeah
I’m looking for some people who’s looking for peace
Maybe together we could make the war cease
Now we can send mankind to the moon
And we can reach to the bottom of the sea
That’s why it really kind of baffles me
That we cannot end wars and bring peace
And we cannot change the way people act
And we cannot change the way people think
So if we sit back, chill out and relax
Civilization will soon be extinct
That’s why I am

[Chorus]
>I am calling on
I’m calling on the whole wide world
>On the whole wide world
Come on people would you help me
>Help me scream and shout
Let’s scream and shout coz we want peace
>That we want peace
To say the least

I dedicate this song to the common people
Caught in the middle of this common evil
I wish the world was a little bit fairer
Time we start looking at the man in the mirror
Fear is the devil's policeman
Fear made good Germans side with Hitler so he can
Build the war of genocide and havoc was wreaking
Silence of the lamb 'cause nobody was speaking
That’s why I am

[Chorus]

Somebody said, "After Rwanda
>Never again,"
And after Rwanda
>It’s happening
Not far from Rwanda
>Just next door
Who’s gonna shout for the poor people living in Darfur?
The world’s gone deaf
The world’s gone blind
The world’s busy sitting down on their behind
Nobody cares about the poor and needy
Too busy sucking up to the rich and greedy
For every hero there is villain
I ain’t kidding
We gonna shout out standing up or sitting
One more time?
We got no more time!
We got to figure out the way we could all combine
Hey!
Like Jericho the walls came tumbling down
The sound of voices had the city surround
You know what is worth
Time to put our voices to work
We got to shake down heaven and earth
That’s why I am

[Chorus]

Come on everybody, come on
Stand up, stand up, stand up
You want peace and I want peace
Stand up, stand up
You want peace and I want peace
Stand up, stand up
You want peace and I want peace
Stand up... [continued]

The White Stripes - We're Going To Be Friends

The White Stripes - We're Going To Be Friends

fall is here, hear the yell
back to school, ring the bell
brand new shoes, walking blues
climb the fence, book and pens
i can tell that we are gonna be friends

walk with me, suzy lee
through the park, by the tree
we will rest upon the ground
and look at all the bugs we've found
then safely walk to school
without a sound

well here we are, no one else
we walked to school all by ourselves
there's dirt on our uniforms
from chasing all the ants and worms
we clean up and now it's time to learn


numbers, letters, learn to spell
nouns, and books, and show and tell
at playtime we will throw the ball
back to class, through the hall
teacher marks our height against the wall

and we don't notice any time pass
we don't notice anything
we sit side by side in every class
teacher thinks that i sound funny
but she likes the way you sing

tonight i'll dream while i'm in bed
when sill thoughts go through my head
about the bugs and alphabet
and when i wake tomorrow i'll bet
that you and i will walk together again
cause i can tell that we
are going to be friends

The Alarm in Concert in Derry, NH

I finally got Sarah to join me for an Alarm concert on Sep 15. It was not too far down the road in Londonderry, NH at the Tupulo Music Hall. What a great show! We were in the third row and Sarah enjoyed the show!

Here are some videos from the concert.



Could be the middle of night...or in the middle of the street

It could be uptown, downtown...or even where you sleep
I hear the marching drum... I hear a song unsung
It could be your dream, my dream...I'm not the only one
'Cause I’m a soldier marching in an army
I got no gun to shoot all I've got is ONE GUITAR
I see the risin’ smoke...I hear a heartbreak joke
All of my brothers and sisters... I think it’s time we spoke
I’ve only got six strings... but like a bell they ring
It’s like a jet plane, insane... crashin’ in my brain
'Cause I’m a soldier marching in an army
I got no gun to shoot all I've got is ONE GUITAR
So if you get knocked down... you gotta take a stand
For all the outcast, dead last... who need a helping hand
You've got to raise your voice... raise it up loud
You've got to raise your... above the crowd
'Cause I’m a soldier marching in an army
I got no gun to shoot all I've got is ONE GUITAR



A guy named Greg has his dreams come true!



Walk forever by my side

Never lose sight of the day


When we will run through all our weakness
On through the fields
Strewn with our broken dreams
Walk forever by my side


Stay forever in the light
Never lose sight of the way
For I alone can’t face the future
I need your strength
To help me make it through
Walk forever by my side


Stay forever in the light
Walk on ’til morning
All my days are yours
Walk on ’til morning
All my days are yours


Hope you’ll stay with me tonight
Lift the veil from my eyes
For I am weak and I am foolish
I need your love

To see me through the darkness
Hope you’ll stay with me tonight


Walk on ’till morning
All my days are yours
Walk on ’till morning
All my days are yours

The Alarm: One Guitar

One Guitar is one of the jewels on The Alarm's new cd Direct Action.



 One Guitar


Could be the middle of night...or in the middle of the street

It could be uptown, downtown...or even where you sleep

I hear the marching drum... I hear a song unsung

It could be your dream, my dream...I'm not the only one



'Cause I’m a soldier marching in an army

I got no gun to shoot all I've got is ONE GUITAR



I see the risin’ smoke...I hear a heartbreak joke

All of my brothers and sisters... I think it’s time we spoke

I’ve only got six strings... but like a bell they ring

It’s like a jet plane, insane... crashin’ in my brain



'Cause I’m a soldier marching in an army

I got no gun to shoot all I've got is ONE GUITAR



So if you get knocked down... you gotta take a stand

For all the outcast, dead last... who need a helping hand

You've got to raise your voice... raise it up loud

You've got to raise your... above the crowd



'Cause I’m a soldier marching in an army

I got no gun to shoot all I've got is ONE GUITAR


Written by Willie Nile / Frankie Lee


The song is actually a Willie Nile song. Here is a video from the January 20, 2010, Light Of Day 10 Parkinson's disease fundraiser at the Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park, NJ. You can see Bruce Springteen in the photos.



Here Willie Nile joins The Alarm at The Brook in Southampton,  on 23rd April 2010



and Willie Nile solo explaining how Mike Peters approached him to record the song.



The song sort of reminds me of The Killers song "All These Things That I've Done."



"All These Things That I've Done"

When there's nowhere else to run


Is there room for one more son

One more son

If you can hold on

If you can hold on, hold on

I wanna stand up, I wanna let go

You know, you know - no you don't, you don't

I wanna shine on in the hearts of men

I want a meaning from the back of my broken hand



Another head aches, another heart breaks

I am so much older than I can take

And my affection, well it comes and goes

I need direction to perfection, no no no no



Help me out

Yeah, you know you got to help me out

Yeah, oh don't you put me on the blackburner

You know you got to help me out



And when there's nowhere else to run

Is there room for one more son

These changes ain't changing me

The cold-hearted boy I used to be



Yeah, you know you got to help me out

Yeah, oh don't you put me on the blackburner

You know you got to help me out

You're gonna bring yourself down

Yeah, you're gonna bring yourself down

Yeah, you're gonna bring yourself down



I got soul, but I'm not a soldier

I got soul, but I'm not a soldier

...



Yeah, you know you got to help me out

Yeah, oh don't you put me on the blackburner

You know you got to help me out

You're gonna bring yourself down

You're gonna bring yourself down

Yeah, oh don't you put me on the blackburner

Yeah, you're gonna bring yourself down



Over and out, last call for sin

While everyone's lost, the battle is won

With all these things that I've done

All these things that I've done

If you can hold on

If you can hold on

The Alarm take Direct Action

On April 12 The Alarm will be releasing their newest Cd Direct Action.

The sound of 'Direct Action' is the sound of The Alarm right up to the minute and explores themes of change and the ways in which change impacts on our daily lives. 'Direct Action's main tenet is in how to deal with that change and the diverse emotions that it brings out in all of us. Lyrically, it challenges the listener to not be afraid of change but to take positive action or as the title track declares in it's first verse, 'To find inspiration where there is none." Perhaps the lyric that sums up ‘Direct Action’ best can be found in the simple Mike Peters' acoustic performance of 'Badge Of Honour' [Part Two] where he sings "It's up to us to make a truce, up to us to broker peace, up to us to find the words that will make or break us".

Direct Action


Fire in the hole, war coming down

As Wall Street crashes to an all time low

To find inspiration where there is none

You're going to have to take DIRECT ACTION

Free man of this land, he knows what's going down

He's got a King James Bible right by his side

To find the truth in a web of lies

You're going to have to take DIRECT ACTION

I'd give my last drop of blood just to keep you alive

Take a bullet in the head for you

Make a stand in the court of humanity all alone

DIRECT ACTION now

The Alarm: My Town

I am back to listening to a lot of music from The Alarm this past week. It didn't arrive in time for Christmas, so my wife gave me the package of all four winter releases for my birthday (didn't receive the Christmas-or birthday card-though). I always have appreciated the music of Mike Peters and The Alarm (bought the original EP the first day it was released in America). Mike is such a nice guy (sort of like the Captain Kangaroo of Rock music)! I am sure I am the first to make that comparison, but he just makes you feel comfortable, like the Captain did (although I don't think the Captain could rock!). His lyrics are filled with hope, optimism, fight, and faith. One song that I have been reacquainted with on the new cds is called "My Town". It has a great sound and punctuates the atmosphere of a post 9/11 world. I just personally hate one line, "Not even Jesus Christ could separate the sinners from believers." I know Mike is trying to prove a point here about people, but he misses the point from scriptures that Jesus is the Good Shepard that know his sheep: "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep." John 10:14-15. I don't appreciate that these lyrics strip Jesus of his power to know "who" belongs to him and who doesn't and this song always makes me feel uncomfortable (would the Captain ever do that?). We may not, as humans, be able to judge people accurately as this song suggests, but I think it is misguided to think that, even in a song, Jesus is as powerless as us. If I was writing the song, I think it would pack just as much punch to say, "That only Jesus Christ could separate the sinners from believers. It goes against my core beliefs, but otherwise it is a great song. Sorry Mike!

Here is a performance of the song from Fearlessmusic.com.

the

'My Town'

Here it comes the reaping of the whirlwind that was promised us
And all the streets are littered with the tension and the pressure
A culture spreads it's needles ‘round like flowers in the garden
The only thing that comes for free is the air we need to breathe
This is where I come from
This is my town

When I last looked everything was black and white but now it's grey
Not even Jesus Christ could separate the sinners from believers
Backpack bombs and cups of tea lying on the kitchen table
The only thing that I believe I'm fighting fit and able
This is where I come from
This is my town

Turn off the lights listen to the city by the river
Turn off the power listen to the pulse of your heart beating
Turn off the sound listen to the blood running through your veins
Turn off the voice that says that all of this has not been worth it

I can't take back the bullets fired in the name of God
Two wrongs don't make it right
Two rights don't make it wrong
This is where I come from
This is my town

Band of Skulls: Shock Sessions

Here is a studio romp through six of the songs off "Baby Darling Doll Face Honey" by the Band of Skulls. It can be found on Shockhound.com.

Fresh from contributing a track to the Twilight Saga: New Moon soundtrack, England's hottest new buzz band lays down a scorching live set in the ShockHound Studio. Songs include "Light Of The Morning," "Death By Diamonds And Pearls," "Patterns," "Blood" and "Impossible."

Here is a review of some of the influences found on the album.


Here is another Shockhound video session:

Southhampton, UK power trio Band Of Skulls rock the ShockHound stage for this exclusive Shock Sessions performance. Songs include "Patterns," "I Know What I Am," "Death By Diamonds And Pearls," "Blood," and "Impossible."

Here is a Shockhound video for Fires.


FIRES

Baby, Darling, Doll Face, Honey
Now I don't mean to cause you worry
It's only hands in my pocket
And the Queen on my money

Did you know I've been wanting you?
so leave your locks on the latches
If you bring the water, I'll bring the matches

'cause we are fires in the night
We are fires in the night
Let us bathe you in our heart
'cause we are fires in the night

Come on get up Romeo
Don't you know what the time is?
It's the fall of rock 'n roll,
That's what the news said

Did you know I've been wanting you?
so leave your locks on the latches
If you bring the water, I'll bring the matches

'cause we are fires in the night
We are fires in the night
Let us bathe you in our heart
'cause we are fires in the night

we are fires in the night
we are fires in the night
let us bathe you in our life
we are fires in the night

Bob Dylan: Little Drummer Boy

I have been listening to my copy of Bob Dylan's "Christmas from the Heart." Bob Dylan's voice sounds weary and hopeful like a favorite and worn out pair of boots. The lyrics to the songs are easy to hear as he sings to the Andy William's style arrangements. The critics don't get it, but I love the album. Here is his video for "The Little Drummer Boy." The images bring back joyful memories of Christmas time filled with family and friends as well the mystery of a new born baby.

New Emmanuel Jal single: We Fall

Emmanuel Jal is allowing people to download his new single "We Fall" for free at EmmanuelJal.com. It is a catchy and heartfelt song like other songs by Emmanual Jal. It is a thank-you for the people who donate to Gua Africa. Emmanuel Jal's projects are aimed a arming children in Africa with an education. From someone who was armed with an AK47 when he was a child, he knows the importance of education.

Education is the only way for my country. When you don't educate the people, you're crippling them. You are, you're not giving them ways to survive. --Emmanuel Jal

You can learn more an donate here.

Here is a recent Washington Times article.

Here are previous posts I made on Emmanuel Jal.


Here is a recent and excellent CNN video from last month that talks about Jal's life, book, music, and movie. It also talks about work toward building a school for children in Sudan. The article is here.


The good news is that he has a new album coming out in 2010.

I don't think that Bob Dylan is Talking about Santa Claus

Bill Flanagan has a wonderful interview with Bob Dylan over at Street News Service. He talks with Dylan about his new Christmas album Christmas in the Heart. Dylan can be elusive to figure out at times, but on one question he is quite clear:

Flanagan: You really give a heroic performance of O’ LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM The way you do it reminds me a little of an Irish rebel song. There’s something almost defiant in the way you sing, “The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.” I don’t want to put you on the spot, but you sure deliver that song like a true believer.

Dylan: Well, I am a true believer.

Bob Dylan: Christmas in the Heart

This is just fantastic, a Bob Dylan Christmas album. You know you have to get a copy. It is called Christmas In the Heart. The prodeeds go to Feeding America.



Songs include:

1. Here Comes Santa Claus 

2. Do You Hear What I Hear?

3. Winter Wonderland

4. Hark The Herald Angels Sing

5. I'll Be Home For Christmas

6. Little Drummer Boy

7. The Christmas Blues

8. O' Come All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fideles) 

9. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 

10. Must Be Santa

11. Silver Bells

12. The First Noel

13. Christmas Island

14. The Christmas Song 

15. O' Little Town Of Bethlehem

Bruce Cockburn: The Rose Above the Sky

Andy Whitman has a thoughtful post on the loss of things on the Image blog. He talks about the loss of jobs, marriages, life, and relates it to the music of Bruce Cockburn, in particular the song, "The Rose Above the Sky" form the Humans album. He states of a friend who lost a business this uear:

It’s a bittersweet little melodrama I’ve seen re-enacted again and again in the past year; the end of longstanding good. And it doesn’t stop with employment woes. 2009 will mercifully end in a couple months. Auld lang syne, and good riddance.

He says of Cockburn's music:

In times like these—in most times, in fact—I listen to Bruce Cockburn and pray. I pray because I don’t know how else to process life, and because I figure that God would prefer that I moan and complain to Him rather than ignore Him and try to tough it out on my own.

And I listen to Bruce Cockburn because, more than any other songwriter I know, he seems to grasp the connection between the invisible hand of love and the all too visible scars of a messy life. Cockburn is a mystic with dirt under his finger nails, and I’ve listened to his beautifully poetic songs for 35 years now. And if he holds out for meaning, for answers, for beauty in the end—and he does—he is equally insistent that the sorrow and pain are real, and cannot be glibly explained away. These are redemption songs that ache.

I think I bought my first Bruce Cockburn album in 1982, so I have enjoyed his music and take on life for many years. You can listen to "Rose Above the Sky" here.


Lyrics:

Something jewelled slips away


Round the next bend with a splash

Laughing at the hands I hold out

Only air within their grasp

All you can do is praise the razor

For the fineness of the slash


'Til the Rose above the sky

Opens

And the light behind the sun

Takes all


Gutless arrogance and rage

Burn apart the best of tries

You carry the weight of inherited sorrow

From your first day till you die

Toward that hilltop where the road

Forever becomes one with the sky


'Til the Rose above the sky

Opens

And the light behind the sun

Takes all


Ozone on the midnight wind

Got me thinking of the sea

And the mercies of the currents that brought

Me to you and you to me

And in the silence at the heart of things

Where all true meetings come to be


'Til the Rose above the sky

Opens

And the light behind the sun

Takes all

Here is a video of Bruce Cockburn's "Lovers in a Dangerous Time" with the great line "Got to kick at the darkness till it bleeds daylight" which U2 echoed in "God part 2" with "Heard a singer on the radio late last night. He says he's gonna kick the darkness.Till it bleeds daylight."




LOVERS IN A DANGEROUS TIME



Don't the hours grow shorter as the days go by

You never get to stop and open your eyes

One day you're waiting for the sky to fall

And next you're dazzled by the beauty of it all

When you're lovers in a dangerous time

Lovers in a dangerous time



These fragile bodies of touch and taste

This vibrant skin this hair like lace

Spirits open to the thrust of grace

Never a breath you can afford to waste



When you're lovers in a dangerous time

Lovers in a dangerous time

When you're lovers in a dangerous time

Lovers in a dangerous time



When you're lovers in a dangerous time

Sometimes you're made to feel as if your love's a crime

Nothing worth having comes without some kind of fight

Got to kick at the darkness till it bleeds daylight



When you're lovers in a dangerous time

When you're lovers in a dangerous time

When you're lovers in a dangerous time

Lovers in a dangerous time

Band of Skulls and Prefab Sprout: Breaking Up Songs

When I first listened to Band of Skulls, I was immediatly reminded of an English group I hadn't listened to in years called "Prefab Sprout". Both groups have a male and female singer, sometimes breathy singing, and a similar "feel" (jangly guitars) to their songs. I may be the only one to make this connection, but for some reason it is something I notice even though I can't put an exact finger on why they sound similar. Maybe it is because they both have interesting sounding "breakup songs": see the two videos below for the Band of Skulls song, "Cold Fame", and Prefab Sprouts 1980's song, "When Love Breaks Down". After writing my first post on Band of Skulls, I noticed that the Steve Stockman, author of the book, Walk On: The Spiritual Journey Of U2 had a post on his blog Soul Surmise on a new Prefab Sprout release called "Let’s Change the World With Music". Actually it was a 1992 recording that has just been released. Steve writes"

That McAloon (of Prefab Sprout) believes that music has power is not a surprise. Where I sat up and really started to listen was when I realised that he adds another vital contribution to the mix; God. For McAloon, music is a gift of God for the transformation of individuals and society.

God is everywhere on Lets Change The World With Music. For McAloon the voice of God in our fallen world comes through music. His take on Genesis and the genesis of this album finds God speaking:

“Let there be music,

music will be...

and you shall hear my story,

you will glimpse my glory

and find a refuge

from the trouble that you see.”


Throughout the piece you’ll hear angels sing and sweet Gospel music will carry the heavy hearts, ignite the romance of love and the fire the acts of constructive change. On Ride people “walking in the footsteps of the Lord” know Jesus by their side. On Earth: The Story So Far the birth of Jesus comes with a message of salvation and love. God Watch Over You even suggests incredulously that McAloon is not a believer but is wearing out his knees praying for his children.

Band of Skulls "Cold Fame" from "Baby Darling Doll Face Honey



What's the point of pain if it's been abused?
What's a kid like me even got to lose?
Here I am on your bed again-- its too big for the room it's in.
Wash your face and mouth just a little bit,
everybody knows that you're good at it.
Nothing hurts like an answer phone, drinking some, waking up alone.
Maybe if I try just a little more, I can take myself from this dirty floor.
Walk through buildings of elegance, just like you are intelligent.
But still I fall from grace with this microphone,
how'd you find yourself if you never roam?
Certainly I'm indebted baby, certainly, certainly...

I know my place, but it don't know me.
I know my place, but it don't know me.

No one wants to hear that you're breaking up,
it wasn't long ago we said start me up.
Now all your dreamin' will have to wait, what you deserve you'll anticipate.
Play your 45 with this late at night, open all the windows, turn out the light.
Mysterious creatures will fill the room, a midnight show just put on for you.
But still I fall from grace with this microphone,
how'd you find yourself if you never roam?
Certainly I'm indebted baby, certainly, certainly...

I know my place, but it don't know me.
I know my place, but it don't know me.

Cold fame in my brain, but it's okay cause I know it's the best for me...

Prefab Sprout "When Love Breaks Down" as performed in 1985 from the album "Steve McQueen". In America, it was renamed Two Wheels Good for legal reasons.



When Love Breaks Down

My love and I, we work well together
But often we're apart
Absence makes the heart lose weight, yeah,
Till love breaks down, love breaks down

Oh my, oh my, have you seen the weather
The sweet September rain
Rain on me like no other
Until I drown, until I drown

When love breaks down
The things you do
To stop the truth from hurting you

When love breaks down
The lies we tell,
They only serve to fool ourselves,
When love breaks down
The things you do
To stop the truth from hurting you

When love breaks down, when love breaks down

My love and I, we are boxing clever
She'll never crowd me out
Fall be free as old confetti
And paint the town, paint the town
When love breaks down
The things you do
To stop the truth from hurtin' you
When love breaks down
The lies we tell,
They only serve to fool ourselves,
When love breaks down
The things you do
To stop the truth from hurtin' you
When love breaks down
The lies we tell,
They only serve to fool ourselves,
When love breaks down
The things you do
To stop the truth from hurting you
When love breaks down
You join the wrecks
Who leave their hearts for easy sex
When love breaks down
When love breaks down

Vertigo at Foxboro: U2 Concert September 20, 2009

Last night I went down to Foxboro for the U2 concert at Gillete Stadium. If you missed the show, here is how you can recreate my experience. Go to your driveway and sit in a car for over 3 hours. Climb a ladder and get up on the top of your roof. Have someone place 4 action figures on the ground below you. Put a stool on top of them. On the stool place an old 19 inch TV (extra points if you put it on a rotating turntable). Lift up the antenna. Put a rubber chicken on top of it (it is easier to find than a rubber octupus). Light the whole thing up with Christmas lights. Next tell your neighbors with the large stereo system to turn it on in their basement, crank a U2 cd up all the way, and open their windows.  At some point have a flashlight shine skyward from the top of the TV. Look down and enjoy the show.

Well sitting up in the nosebleed seats of Gillette Stadium was an experience! Looking down at the band they looked like people on the ground do as an airplane settles in to a landing at the airport. If the little man held a guitar, I figured out it wasn't Bono down on the stage. The gigantic video screen as part of the set at least let me know what was going on so far below. The sound was muddled up so high, but the familiar pulsating beats of the songs from the U2 catalog were still fun to listen to. Besides the 3 hours of traffic getting into the stadium, the concert was a fun experience that I got to share with my son, Andrew.  The comments in the Boston.com article here, tell you about people's positive and negative experiences.

Here is the set list:

1. Breathe

2. No Line On The Horizon

3. Get On Your Boots

4. Magnificent

5. Mysterious Ways

6. Beautiful Day / Blackbird (snippet)

7. Elevation

8. I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For / Stand By Me (snippet)

9. Unknown Caller

10. New Years Day

11. Stuck In A Moment

12. The Unforgettable Fire

13. City of Blinding Lights

14. Vertigo / She Loves You (snippet)

15. I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight (Remix)

16. Sunday Bloody Sunday / Rock The Casbah (snippet)

17. MLK

18. Walk On

19. One / Amazing Grace (snippet)

20. Where The Streets Have No Name

21. UltraViolet (Light My Way)

22. With Or Without You

23. Moment Of Surrender

We missed the first two songs and left before the final song, sprinting to our car and beating traffic. After dropping off Andy at Gordon College, I didn't get home until 1:45 am. Highlights were Amazing Grace transitioning to "Where the Streets Have No Name" (although the singing was muddy) and "Stuck in a Moment" as it reminded me of times back when it first came out.

Video of Amazing Grace/Streets and Stuck in a Moment from the concert here:




It was my second U2 concert, I saw them on the Pop tour in Foxboro also. I don't know if I would want to go through the parking and driving hassle again and I certainly would like better seats! But it was a memorable time spent with Andy.

Here are some videos I found of the U2 concerts at Foxborough.

Band of Skulls: "Baby Darling Doll Face Honey"

I heard some drumming and guitar strokes and liked the song. I checked out the song and found it was by a band called "Band of Skulls" I decided to try out some more of their music (even though they had a funky band name) and liked what I heard enough to give them a shot. I found out that they are an English band of three members: Matthew Hayward, who plays the drums, Russell Marsden, who plays guitar, and shares vocals with Emma Richardson, who also is the bass player. The sound is sharp and bouncy at times and I like the spaces that are left between notes and beats. Their cd is called Baby Darling Doll Face Honey
If you like good fun music then this band might be for you! I am still listening through the album and find it to be a nice diversion to what I have been listening to lately. Here are some standout tracks.

Here is a video of "I Know What I Am".

Band of Skulls - I Know What I Am


High ho,
Triple sow cow,
I got a feeling like I'm tired of the flow
But I know what I am,
They know what they are
So let me be

Gasoline
Suck her in,
I got no reason for the state I'm in,
But I know what I am,
They know what they are
So let me be

Hotel,
Taco Bell,
I got the hit that you know damn well,
But I know what I am,
They know what they are
So let me be

Cut, tease,
Better believe,
I got the feeling that I'm underneath,
But I know what I am,
They know what they are
So let me be

But it's alright,
It's okay,
I got the time,
But the time don't pay
It's alright,
It's okay,
I got the time,
But the time don't pay
It's alright,
It's okay,
I got the time,
But the time don't pay
It's alright,
It's okay.

Flip flop,
No stop,
I got the wit that my enemies lack,
But I know what I am,
They know what they are
So let me be

Trick some,
Just begun,
Giving you more when you only want one,
Cause I know what I am,
They know what they are
So let me be

Hot, sweat,
Got debt,
Keep looking in the locker cause you don't know yet,
But I know what I am,
They know what they are
So let me be

Ship shape,
Ticker tape,
Looks to me like a narrow escape,
But I know what I am,
They know what they are
So let me be

But it's alright,
It's okay,
I got the time,
But the time don't pay
It's alright,
It's okay,
I got the time,
But the time don't pay
It's alright,
It's okay,
I got the time,
But the time don't pay
It's alright,
It's okay.

I know what I am,
They know what they are
So let me be
I know what I am.
I know what I am,
They know what they are
So let me be
I know what I am.
I know what I am,
They know what they are
So let me be
I know what I am.
I know what I am,
They know what they are
So let me be
I know what I am,
They know what they are
So let me be
I know what I am,
They know what they are
So let me be
I know what I am,
They know what they are
So let me be

Here is a video of an acoustic version of "Fires".


Baby, Darling, Doll Face, Honey
Now I don't mean to cause you worry
It's only hands in my pocket
And the Queen on my money

Did you know I've been wanting you?
so leave your locks on the latches
If you bring the water, I'll bring the matches

'cause we are fires in the night
We are fires in the night
Let us bathe you in our heart
'cause we are fires in the night

Come on get up Romeo
Don't you know what the time is?
It's the fall of rock 'n roll,
That's what the news said

Did you know I've been wanting you?
so leave your locks on the latches
If you bring the water, I'll bring the matches

'cause we are fires in the night
We are fires in the night
Let us bathe you in our heart
'cause we are fires in the night

we are fires in the night
we are fires in the night
let us bathe you in our life
we are fires in the night

Moment of Surrender

I have had my tickets for a couple of months now for a U2 concert at the end of September and I can't wait for the show. Here is a video of U2 performing "Moment of Surrender" in Amsterdam on July 20th.



You can see Bono on his knees reciting Bible verses, including Isaiah 40 and singing the refrain from "40" at the end: "How Long?" Many people read various meanings into the lyrics. Some funny, "This song is clearly about winning a bronze medal in the shotput in the 1984 Summer Olympics," and some spot on. This song definitely is paired with "Unknown Caller", my favoite song on the "No Line on the Horizon."

"Moment of Surrender"

I tied myself with wire
To let the horses run free
Playing with the fire until the fire played with me
The stone was semi-precious
We were barely conscious
Two souls too smart to be in the realm of certainty
Even on our wedding day

We set ourselves on fire
Oh God, do not deny her
It's not if I believe in love
But if love believes in me
Oh, believe in me

At the moment of surrender
I folded to my knees
I did not notice the passers-by
And they did not notice me

I've been in every black hole
At the altar of the dark star
My body's now a begging bowl
That's begging to get back, begging to get back
To my heart
To the rhythm of my soul
To the rhythm of my unconsciousness
To the rhythm that yearns
To be released form control

I was punching in the numbers at the ATM machine
I could see in the reflection
A face staring back at me
At the moment of surrender
Of vision over visibility
I did not notice the passers-by
And they did not notice me

I was speeding on the subway
Through the stations of the cross
Every eye looking every other way
Counting down 'til the pain would stop

At the moment of surrender
Of vision over visibility
I did not notice the passers-by
And they did not notice me

Broken Things by Julie Miller

I first heard this Julie Miller song a few years ago based on someone's recommendation. It is on the 1999 Broken Things cd. It needs no commentary as it is a wonderful song. I was thrilled when a lady sang it at our church last year, as it is a great place to sing it!



Broken Things

You can have my heart, though it isn't new,
It's been used and broken, and only comes in blue,
It's been down a long road, and it got dirty along the way,
If I give it to you, will you make it clean and wash the shame away?

You can have my heart, if you don't mind broken things,
You can have my life; you don't mind these tears,
Well, I heard that you make old things new, so I give these pieces all to you,
If you want it, you can have my heart.

So beyond repair, nothing I could do,
I tried to fix it myself, but it was only worse when I got through,
Then you walk right into my darkness and you speak words so sweet,
And you hold me like a child, 'til my frozen tears fall at your feet.

You can have my heart, if you don't mind broken things,
You can have my life if you don't mind these tears,
Well, I heard that you make old things new, so I give these pieces up to you,
If you want it, you can have my heart.

Here is Buddy Miller singing "Hole in My Head". Buddy and Julie Miller have a new album out called "Written in Chalk".