How a simple game of song connection called "Baton" turned into the popular search'n'memory game that has guests clamoring to play! Even "Monopoly" had to start somewhere!
I remember the very first episode, and if I'm not mistaken, I think our first game was quite early on (second or third maybe?). Rereading how it all began has been awesome. I love the universality of this game, the simplicity of the rules, and how exciting it is to play (and watch). It's become one of my favourite "staples" of FR&B, the Musicstack, and the entire net!
Mercy! Thank you, Andy! Plus, it's fun to play "someone else's" game......before you scroll down to see how one player responded, you can think about how you'd respond, either to their song, or which song you'd choose to link! Somebody needs to host a real-life game at someone's house, using only the available vinyl and their turntable! And, of course, report on the experience!🎶😁👍
I'd love to hear how a real-life one would turn out! My imagination also goes to, say, the turn of the century, and someone having invented a real-life Tune Tag, and then PCs and the internet comes about, and they're all agog over the prospects of, now, playing a virtual TT!! BTW, Andy, you were #2 and #26...and, we're game for more!
I'm not sure if Val is still writing. I checked her 'Stack, but it looks like it's been a while. Thank you, Val.....and, thanks, Kevin, for your allegiance and compliments!
I’m pretty sure I never caught the first ever Tune Tag so it’s great to see where it all started. Some great connections there, I really enjoyed that episode!
Thanks, Mark! And, don't forget, you've got all-access to all the "locked" Tune Tags, too! They're all under the Tune Tag tag: https://bradkyle.substack.com/t/tune-tag
I do remember the origins of Tune Tag -- but my memory for details is hazy, so I appreciate this revisit! This was a modified repost? I see the Peter Gabriel/Genesis pool was dipped into from the very start!
Yep, #1 is still up, in its original form. You'll be able to see where I added extra videos (mostly live concert footage, like the Gabriel "In Your Eyes," and the new Taxiride live vid that's different from the one I put in their original "Imaginate" Audio Autopsy!): https://bradkyle.substack.com/p/song-tag-brad-plays-baton-with-dj
Yes, Genesis and Bowie were early (and often) TT go-tos!!
And, as I'm checking, Michael, you were #7, and are very much in line to do your second TT, whenever you're game! Drop a song in my e-mail inbox, and we'll be off 'n'running!
Fun to see where it all started. No David Bowie, but Brian Eno does make an appearance (and "I'll Come Running" was one of the few songs I was already familiar with).
I liked the little exchange of Australian bands, and val's tendency to make thematic links (for example, this is a great link, "i liked the idea of following up a song about an older generation preparing children for war with a song about a new generation’s optimism.")
It IS a fun one, especially in the rear-view! Gotta hand it to Val, too, as she kept pulling out thematic threads that I not only didn't intend, but wasn't even aware of! Regular readers will know I hardly ever notice or mention lyrical content, much less a deep dive into "meaning"!
That's just not me, generally speaking....but, for me to come up with my rationale for connection, and then have Val's be something else entirely (but, oh so accurate, of course in pin-pointing thematic trends) was really a mind-blower to me! Just shows to go ya!
Some great songs here! Bravo! I had no idea about the Danny and Peter connection. Interesting. I think it was Phil who told me that Paul Westerberg of the 'mats counts Danny's solo album that you reference as one of his favorites. Thanks for the shout-out, Brad!
My pleasure, Keith! That's in my Q, to at some point, focus on Danny's solo albums, perhaps even just that '89 one, alone! His career (among many other of a similar radio-silence existence!) was fun to follow, and you could only do it in record stores...."Oh, look, Danny Wilde's got a new album!", 'cause you knew radio was of no help!!
Danny and Peter were a perfect musical pairing....similar overall dashing, lotta-hair '80s look, sure, but similar rockin' approach, but still a love of melody and overall songcraft....we've always known that about Danny, but as you peek back at Peter's '70s output, you can see those seeds being planted, as well. Humble Pie thunderous plodding notwithstanding, Peter's always leaned into melody and tasteful playing!
Oh, that Solem tip about Westerberg digging Danny is cool.....never knew that, and it's doubtful Paul would ever drop that in an interview! Makes nothing but sense, though!🎶
I'm curious about the specific rules of the game. Do you send the song back to the other person without any clue as to why you chose it, or do you provide the reasoning or a hint along with it? Or are the connections revealed only at the end?
It reminds me a bit of a game that a friend of mine plays occasionally called Shelfie Talk, where he requests people send him a photo of their bookshelf, and he devises five questions based on what he sees there for them to answer. It's a bit of a literary i-ching and the results can be equally fascinating. I suppose, come to think of it, one could play Shelfie Talk with a record collection as well. 🤔
Cool game, Shelfie Talk! That would be like a silent Tune Tag, Faith! As for your rules question, it's your second one. Each player sends the other 4 songs, one at a time, and alternately...just title and artist (sometimes a link). We both keep our notes (I suggest on an e-mail draft) to ourselves during, and as each song is sent (so we don't forget our original thoughts and feelings!).
Only after my 4th and final song is sent to the guest does that person, then, complete and send me their responses that make it into the final TT. My challenge is to cut'n'paste 'em onto my post page form without "peeking," at least until I've made sure I've finished MY notes. Once I've done that, I then compose the piece with pix, song links, etc. That way, it reads like a real-time sharing of reactions and songs!
I'd love to have you play, Faith! And, your readers would dig seeing you play, too! You can begin, if you'd like, by DM-ing me your first song, any artist/any decade/any era/any song! I'll then share my e-mail with you (it's easier that way to share links, if we want to), and will send you brief notes (basically what I've said above), and my first song to you!
I'm in! And honoured to be invited to play. I'll DM you when I figure out the first song...
We'll see how this goes. I tend to have deep knowledge of particular artists, genres and time periods rather than the broader knowledge you have, because that's more how my obsessive brain works.
Woo-hoo! First rule of Tune Tag: This is not Trivial Pursuit or a knowledge test or Google memory quiz! At its very attractive core, the readers get to know you by your music, and the artists who have inspired you!
You do fabulous you! As your first song will be the only one that doesn't have a song preceding it, have it reflect you and your tastes and inspirations (and, of course, jot down those notes for the eventual reveal)!
I (and we) can't wait.....I anxiously await your Song #1, Faith, and thanks!
As Page 1 of the Tune Tag Manifesto says, "Tune Tag goes where it wants to go!" I think you'll find it surprising and satisfying how your musical talents and ear will easily guide you to just the right genre and song.
Heart💖 and ear👂.....avoid having your 🧠 pound anything into submission!!🎵🎶
I remember the very first episode, and if I'm not mistaken, I think our first game was quite early on (second or third maybe?). Rereading how it all began has been awesome. I love the universality of this game, the simplicity of the rules, and how exciting it is to play (and watch). It's become one of my favourite "staples" of FR&B, the Musicstack, and the entire net!
Mercy! Thank you, Andy! Plus, it's fun to play "someone else's" game......before you scroll down to see how one player responded, you can think about how you'd respond, either to their song, or which song you'd choose to link! Somebody needs to host a real-life game at someone's house, using only the available vinyl and their turntable! And, of course, report on the experience!🎶😁👍
Absolutely! You can play as if you were playing, or simply watch, or both!
That idea you mention sounds tempting… count me in! Or maybe I’ll end up hosting 😉
I'd love to hear how a real-life one would turn out! My imagination also goes to, say, the turn of the century, and someone having invented a real-life Tune Tag, and then PCs and the internet comes about, and they're all agog over the prospects of, now, playing a virtual TT!! BTW, Andy, you were #2 and #26...and, we're game for more!
Or if someone had invented it on a jukebox in one of those bars from the old days!
Count me in for that as well!!
And, those singles are all that's at your disposal.......sweet! I like it!
Watching the creative twists and turns each of these takes is one of the best parts of #Musicstack!
I'm not sure if Val is still writing. I checked her 'Stack, but it looks like it's been a while. Thank you, Val.....and, thanks, Kevin, for your allegiance and compliments!
I agree 100%! It never gets old
Thanks, Andy....It's fun to see how it's grown since its infancy!
I’m pretty sure I never caught the first ever Tune Tag so it’s great to see where it all started. Some great connections there, I really enjoyed that episode!
Thanks, Mark! And, don't forget, you've got all-access to all the "locked" Tune Tags, too! They're all under the Tune Tag tag: https://bradkyle.substack.com/t/tune-tag
Time for a Tune Tag binge!!!
I do remember the origins of Tune Tag -- but my memory for details is hazy, so I appreciate this revisit! This was a modified repost? I see the Peter Gabriel/Genesis pool was dipped into from the very start!
Yep, #1 is still up, in its original form. You'll be able to see where I added extra videos (mostly live concert footage, like the Gabriel "In Your Eyes," and the new Taxiride live vid that's different from the one I put in their original "Imaginate" Audio Autopsy!): https://bradkyle.substack.com/p/song-tag-brad-plays-baton-with-dj
Yes, Genesis and Bowie were early (and often) TT go-tos!!
It’s so interesting to hear the origin story. It’s been quite a journey, one I’ve very much enjoyed following :)
And, as I'm checking, Michael, you were #7, and are very much in line to do your second TT, whenever you're game! Drop a song in my e-mail inbox, and we'll be off 'n'running!
Fun to see where it all started. No David Bowie, but Brian Eno does make an appearance (and "I'll Come Running" was one of the few songs I was already familiar with).
I liked the little exchange of Australian bands, and val's tendency to make thematic links (for example, this is a great link, "i liked the idea of following up a song about an older generation preparing children for war with a song about a new generation’s optimism.")
It IS a fun one, especially in the rear-view! Gotta hand it to Val, too, as she kept pulling out thematic threads that I not only didn't intend, but wasn't even aware of! Regular readers will know I hardly ever notice or mention lyrical content, much less a deep dive into "meaning"!
That's just not me, generally speaking....but, for me to come up with my rationale for connection, and then have Val's be something else entirely (but, oh so accurate, of course in pin-pointing thematic trends) was really a mind-blower to me! Just shows to go ya!
Some great songs here! Bravo! I had no idea about the Danny and Peter connection. Interesting. I think it was Phil who told me that Paul Westerberg of the 'mats counts Danny's solo album that you reference as one of his favorites. Thanks for the shout-out, Brad!
My pleasure, Keith! That's in my Q, to at some point, focus on Danny's solo albums, perhaps even just that '89 one, alone! His career (among many other of a similar radio-silence existence!) was fun to follow, and you could only do it in record stores...."Oh, look, Danny Wilde's got a new album!", 'cause you knew radio was of no help!!
Danny and Peter were a perfect musical pairing....similar overall dashing, lotta-hair '80s look, sure, but similar rockin' approach, but still a love of melody and overall songcraft....we've always known that about Danny, but as you peek back at Peter's '70s output, you can see those seeds being planted, as well. Humble Pie thunderous plodding notwithstanding, Peter's always leaned into melody and tasteful playing!
Oh, that Solem tip about Westerberg digging Danny is cool.....never knew that, and it's doubtful Paul would ever drop that in an interview! Makes nothing but sense, though!🎶
I'm curious about the specific rules of the game. Do you send the song back to the other person without any clue as to why you chose it, or do you provide the reasoning or a hint along with it? Or are the connections revealed only at the end?
It reminds me a bit of a game that a friend of mine plays occasionally called Shelfie Talk, where he requests people send him a photo of their bookshelf, and he devises five questions based on what he sees there for them to answer. It's a bit of a literary i-ching and the results can be equally fascinating. I suppose, come to think of it, one could play Shelfie Talk with a record collection as well. 🤔
Cool game, Shelfie Talk! That would be like a silent Tune Tag, Faith! As for your rules question, it's your second one. Each player sends the other 4 songs, one at a time, and alternately...just title and artist (sometimes a link). We both keep our notes (I suggest on an e-mail draft) to ourselves during, and as each song is sent (so we don't forget our original thoughts and feelings!).
Only after my 4th and final song is sent to the guest does that person, then, complete and send me their responses that make it into the final TT. My challenge is to cut'n'paste 'em onto my post page form without "peeking," at least until I've made sure I've finished MY notes. Once I've done that, I then compose the piece with pix, song links, etc. That way, it reads like a real-time sharing of reactions and songs!
I'd love to have you play, Faith! And, your readers would dig seeing you play, too! You can begin, if you'd like, by DM-ing me your first song, any artist/any decade/any era/any song! I'll then share my e-mail with you (it's easier that way to share links, if we want to), and will send you brief notes (basically what I've said above), and my first song to you!
The ball, as they say, is in your court😉🎶
I'm in! And honoured to be invited to play. I'll DM you when I figure out the first song...
We'll see how this goes. I tend to have deep knowledge of particular artists, genres and time periods rather than the broader knowledge you have, because that's more how my obsessive brain works.
Woo-hoo! First rule of Tune Tag: This is not Trivial Pursuit or a knowledge test or Google memory quiz! At its very attractive core, the readers get to know you by your music, and the artists who have inspired you!
You do fabulous you! As your first song will be the only one that doesn't have a song preceding it, have it reflect you and your tastes and inspirations (and, of course, jot down those notes for the eventual reveal)!
I (and we) can't wait.....I anxiously await your Song #1, Faith, and thanks!
I'll need to find a way to reconcile my area of genre expertise (which is primarily country) with my Beatles expertise...
As Page 1 of the Tune Tag Manifesto says, "Tune Tag goes where it wants to go!" I think you'll find it surprising and satisfying how your musical talents and ear will easily guide you to just the right genre and song.
Heart💖 and ear👂.....avoid having your 🧠 pound anything into submission!!🎵🎶
Wise words. Thank you!