A little rock, a little pop, and a little soul meets a little classic, a little retro, and a little bit new. Chris brings his unique point of view to today's Tag...let's jump in!
What a journey, gents. I loved how openly Chris shared his thought process, including potential tracks he was considering. So cool to let the reader step into the backstage a little bit. I felt this was a nice touch, and if Front Row and Backstage is not the ideal place to do that…!
I loved seeing you tag the Janet track, Brad. I’m a big fan, as you know. I love the darkness of that album, but I also enjoy its more contemplative/funky moments, like this track, which is a bit of both.
Finally, the whole queerness thing was hilarious in the best possible sense. Very refreshing.
Thanks, Andy.....I think Chris reminded us (certainly me) of a nifty bonus....that thought process of how we found and, maybe, discarded this song or that! (Note to self😉).....I'm glad I thought to leave the site where I discovered Janet's Joni reference! No way I'd otherwise find it! Michael was about the only Jackson I followed on a regular basis!
I value your input, and glad it was positive on the Fear/Cotton foray. I realize some of it may be controversial to some, if not politically incorrect, but you know me.....if that's what the artists are laying out, let's put it out there and see where THEIR heads are at (or were)! And, it's interesting, and even fun, to see where gaiety was in pop culture in the early-'80s!
I wonder if I had been on Fear at all if I'd-a known about that Cotton connection! I may have, then, heard, thru the grapevine about the Go-Gos/Fear kerfuffle. I remember Fear at all the L.A. punk clubs (I moved there in early '80), but they were always too "hardcore" for my tastes (I was leaning more toward the skinny-tie power-poppers than the tattoo-festooned, safety-pinned crowd, and would search those power-poppers out at the clubs)!
Thank you, Brad! Yes, that thought process element is so interesting. Equally so, it’s also nice when players have a certain hunch or gut feeling about a certain tune or connection.
One of the many things I love about this “game” (‘cause we know it’s more than just a game) is that it’s always organic. No Tune Tag is ever the same as the other: each has a life of its own.
Janet’s discography from Control to All For You is her best work, IMHO. Not quite like Off the Wall through to Dangerous, but comes close, in its own right.
I love the controversial bit. I think it’s so refreshing, as I said, to dig out that “alternative” element of those times, especially for those like me who weren’t born then.
Skinny tie power poppers 🤣I love that description… and it suits you well, if I may say so!
Late-'70s/early-'80s, it was the power pop de rigueur costume! Big, teased hair? Metal. White Capezios and liner? Synth/dance pop. Skinny ties? Think Sunset Strip/The Whisky and Madame Wong's. I mean, I've got dental floss wider than these: https://provomusicmagazine.com/2023/03/30/power-pop-band-releases-debut-after-40-years/ Ah, fashion....."move to the left, move to the right....Fashion!"
This was a high level sonic chess match! I think it was a draw. The Josie Cotton backstory and the story behind “Johnny are you Queer?” was worth the price of admission by itself! I was a big fan at the time, and also a fan of Fear (the band, not the emotion)…who knew they went together like PB and Chocolate?
Love the Go-Gos clip from Mabuey Gardens, especially!
I was gobsmacked, also, Steve, by the lengthy thread from Cotton to Fear on the song's birth (a flip of the coin to establish publishing! Only in Hollywood, and only in the punk arena)! I'm always reading about demos made and/or rare this or that.....fine. But, if/when I can actually FIND them? Good night, nurse! I had no hope in digging up a Go-Gos version; same, really, with the Fear version!
But, that's our crack staff, FR&B....they leave no stone unturned.....and, coincidetally, no tern unstoned, PETA will be distressed to learn!😱And, may the record (and the occasional 8-track) show: Chris was out'n'out🔥!
That Black Taxi track is great, will definitely be checking out more of their stuff. I need another cup of coffee before I can figure out how we got from Tracey Ullman to. . . Doug Kershaw (!). . . all I know is I loved it!
Thanks, Hugh! Bro dun brought da goods, no lie! And, you just experienced the Tune Tag equivalent of the Splash Mountain (Disneyland reference!!) crank up the hill in your log, then slide, lickety-split, down the hill into a log-soaking SPLASH!🎢🌊You got it!
That was the pick-me-up I needed after a rough day at work.
I liked all of Chris's choices, and I enjoyed the descriptions of the train of thought (I think he was perhaps reaching a bit on some of them -- but I liked the songs) but, I have to say, "Swamp Rat" is the song that is lighting up my mood at the end of that.
What a journey, gents. I loved how openly Chris shared his thought process, including potential tracks he was considering. So cool to let the reader step into the backstage a little bit. I felt this was a nice touch, and if Front Row and Backstage is not the ideal place to do that…!
I loved seeing you tag the Janet track, Brad. I’m a big fan, as you know. I love the darkness of that album, but I also enjoy its more contemplative/funky moments, like this track, which is a bit of both.
Finally, the whole queerness thing was hilarious in the best possible sense. Very refreshing.
Amazing work, guys!
Very kind words. Thank you for reading/listening. I’m glad my thought process was somewhat enjoyable. It does irk my family at times.
My pleasure! I’m an overthinker too, so I hear you. Glad we have outlets to let our minds run wild 😅
Truth! Thanks again
Thanks, Andy.....I think Chris reminded us (certainly me) of a nifty bonus....that thought process of how we found and, maybe, discarded this song or that! (Note to self😉).....I'm glad I thought to leave the site where I discovered Janet's Joni reference! No way I'd otherwise find it! Michael was about the only Jackson I followed on a regular basis!
I value your input, and glad it was positive on the Fear/Cotton foray. I realize some of it may be controversial to some, if not politically incorrect, but you know me.....if that's what the artists are laying out, let's put it out there and see where THEIR heads are at (or were)! And, it's interesting, and even fun, to see where gaiety was in pop culture in the early-'80s!
I wonder if I had been on Fear at all if I'd-a known about that Cotton connection! I may have, then, heard, thru the grapevine about the Go-Gos/Fear kerfuffle. I remember Fear at all the L.A. punk clubs (I moved there in early '80), but they were always too "hardcore" for my tastes (I was leaning more toward the skinny-tie power-poppers than the tattoo-festooned, safety-pinned crowd, and would search those power-poppers out at the clubs)!
Thank you, Brad! Yes, that thought process element is so interesting. Equally so, it’s also nice when players have a certain hunch or gut feeling about a certain tune or connection.
One of the many things I love about this “game” (‘cause we know it’s more than just a game) is that it’s always organic. No Tune Tag is ever the same as the other: each has a life of its own.
Janet’s discography from Control to All For You is her best work, IMHO. Not quite like Off the Wall through to Dangerous, but comes close, in its own right.
I love the controversial bit. I think it’s so refreshing, as I said, to dig out that “alternative” element of those times, especially for those like me who weren’t born then.
Skinny tie power poppers 🤣I love that description… and it suits you well, if I may say so!
Late-'70s/early-'80s, it was the power pop de rigueur costume! Big, teased hair? Metal. White Capezios and liner? Synth/dance pop. Skinny ties? Think Sunset Strip/The Whisky and Madame Wong's. I mean, I've got dental floss wider than these: https://provomusicmagazine.com/2023/03/30/power-pop-band-releases-debut-after-40-years/ Ah, fashion....."move to the left, move to the right....Fashion!"
Dental floss wider than this 😅😅😅 You’re one of a kind, you really are!
Your decades were so much more fun than mine in terms of outfits. You know, the minimalistic 2000s (when I started going out) weren’t so expressive!
This was a high level sonic chess match! I think it was a draw. The Josie Cotton backstory and the story behind “Johnny are you Queer?” was worth the price of admission by itself! I was a big fan at the time, and also a fan of Fear (the band, not the emotion)…who knew they went together like PB and Chocolate?
Love the Go-Gos clip from Mabuey Gardens, especially!
I was gobsmacked, also, Steve, by the lengthy thread from Cotton to Fear on the song's birth (a flip of the coin to establish publishing! Only in Hollywood, and only in the punk arena)! I'm always reading about demos made and/or rare this or that.....fine. But, if/when I can actually FIND them? Good night, nurse! I had no hope in digging up a Go-Gos version; same, really, with the Fear version!
But, that's our crack staff, FR&B....they leave no stone unturned.....and, coincidetally, no tern unstoned, PETA will be distressed to learn!😱And, may the record (and the occasional 8-track) show: Chris was out'n'out🔥!
Great backstory. And sonic chess match - would be a great album title.
That Black Taxi track is great, will definitely be checking out more of their stuff. I need another cup of coffee before I can figure out how we got from Tracey Ullman to. . . Doug Kershaw (!). . . all I know is I loved it!
Thank you! I’ll let Black Taxi know. And thank you for listening!
Thanks, Hugh! Bro dun brought da goods, no lie! And, you just experienced the Tune Tag equivalent of the Splash Mountain (Disneyland reference!!) crank up the hill in your log, then slide, lickety-split, down the hill into a log-soaking SPLASH!🎢🌊You got it!
That was the pick-me-up I needed after a rough day at work.
I liked all of Chris's choices, and I enjoyed the descriptions of the train of thought (I think he was perhaps reaching a bit on some of them -- but I liked the songs) but, I have to say, "Swamp Rat" is the song that is lighting up my mood at the end of that.
True. I reach. Appreciate greatly - the fact you listened and the feedback/comment. Thank you. 🤘🎸👊
It was fun -- the reaches felt good-spirited, like you were enjoying stretching out the thread.
Well played. I’ll accept that! Thank you again
Is that your first Doug Kershaw moment, Nick?
It is :)