An appropriate algorithmic tie-in

This morning, I called up the Aragorn Ballroom Orchestra's version of "Theme From 'The Lord Of The Rings'" on YouTube.  My father passed that 45 on to me in the late '70s, and it has remained a favorite instrumental of mine since then.  Despite what the ensemble's name suggests, this isn't your standard tepid, strings-sweetened easy listening version of a familiar tune.  The players really commit to it and give it every ounce of energy they have.  If you liked "American Top 40"'s mid '70s to early '80s closing theme, "Shuckatoom," you'll likely enjoy this, as well.

Fittingly, that selection triggered the YouTube algorithm to suggest a People interview with Stephen Colbert about "The Late Show" ending tonight and his plans for the future, which include co-writing a "Lord Of The Rings" script.

Here's wishing Colbert success with that script and all of his future projects.  Bravo to him for speaking searing truths to those in power.  Clearly, they have deserved to hear them via "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert" since 2015.

Persistent earworm alert CDXXXVII

I've written multiple posts about my ongoing battle with dysphonia, which sometimes compromises my ability to speak.  After a recent setback with a botox injection in a vocal cord and cold and allergy issues, the song, "If I Only Had A Brain," which I've renamed "If I Only Had A Voice," has been on my mind.  At the moment, it has to stay in my mind, since I can't exactly sing it.  My regular voice has popped in here and there today, however, so I'll latch onto all the glimmers of hope I can.

Even when my voice comes back fully, however, I still don't think I'll sing it.  Even without dysphonia, my signing range has always been rather limited.

A function of age XLVII

Following up on yesterday's yacht-rock-as-comfort-music theme, you know your comfort music is rooted firmly in the past when you play a stack of 45s, as I did recently, realize that the most recent song is from 1982,...

...and it doesn't bother you a bit.

A function of age XLVI

As often as I've plugged new or obscure music on this blog, there's something comforting about a yacht rock station or program to me.  After all, soft rock was the first format I latched onto as a kid.  Looking back, that doesn't surprise me.  The '70s and '80s were the best decades for hook-laden, radio-friendly soft rock tunes, in my opinion.  When former KDHX DJ Dr. Jeff hosted "The Big Bang," I looked forward to his twice-a-year yacht rock programs.  It was comforting to listen to three hours of yacht rock, knowing that I already knew the title and artist of every--or almost every--song and owned or liked the lion's share of them.

As adventurous as I am in seeking out music, I, like virtually every other listener, sometimes crave familiarity--and yacht rock offers that. 

The greatest of backup roles

I've written before about how repetitive it is for a bassist to play the "Peter Gunn" riff repeatedly.  As Paul McCartney's closing credits performance on "Saturday Night Live" showed last night, however, that riff fits in very well with his 1980 hit, "Coming Up."

It was great to see the SNL cast and audience responding to that tune's appealing energy.  I wish oldies stations would play "Coming Up" more frequently, along with "Take It Away," which is unjustly overlooked today.

Persistent earworm alert CDXXXVI

Since this morning, Chicago's "Thunder And Lightning" has been on my mind.  It surprises me that it never cracked the top 40 in 1980, as it's rhythmically, lyrically, and vocally solid.  The horns announce their presence right away, establishing the tune's mood.  The band maintains a driving energy throughout the song that serves it well, and the vocals between Peter Cetera and Robert Lamm contrast effectively.

Granted, the opening lyric, "I thought that you thought that we thought...," is phrased unusually, but it doesn't detract from the song's overall vibe. 

Alas, plenty of quality songs don't get the recognition they deserve.  Despite the band's multitude of hits, this is a rare time that happened to Chicago. 

Persistent earworm alert CDXXXV

Although it was a hit in other countries, it puzzles me that "Carnival" by The Cardigans didn't have similar success in America.  The song's intro grabs listeners by making them envision someone watching a scary movie before the power goes out and segues effectively into hook-laden, radio-friendly vocals.  Starting with the chorus was a smart move, as well.

It's a shame when a song so well-crafted and well-structured falls through the cracks.