Tag Archives: soundtrack

My soundtrack: Honky Tonk Women…

Posted on by
Reply

Way back in 1989 or so, The Rolling Stones released Steel Wheels and went on a worldwide tour. I was one of the ones lucky enough to go to one of their concerts. I remember this one pretty clearly except some of the people who happened to go with me. I do remember a couple of my friends, Steve and Mark, coming with us, mainly to see the opening act of Living Colour. Who were awesome by the way. However, when the Stones came out, they must have gotten bored and not known the songs (how can you not know their songs?) because they fell asleep. Yes, it was rather shameful and I tried to deny I was with them.

Anyways, one of the songs I remembered the most was Honky Tonk Women. When the music started, these giant balloons of women on both sides of the stage blew up. It was awesome. I just remember the entire stadium (the old Vet Stadium in Philly) was in an uproar and we were singing the song as loud as we could. I have to admit I think that was the most fun I had in a while.

I was trying to find a good video, unfortunately I couldn’t find a good one. You’ll have to excuse me. I’ll update this post when I do find one.

My Soundtrack: Linger

Posted on by
Reply

You know, I still don’t know when I first heard this song. The song was first recorded in 1993, so I suspect I probably heard this song first while I was stationed in MCAS Iwakuni, Japan.

When I hear this song, no matter what mood I’m in, I guarantee most of the time I will get cheerful. There’s something about this song that just reminds me of good times.

I mentioned in 2008 that it reminded me of a time spent in Philly. But honestly, I am starting to think that it just reminds me of good times, no matter where they were.

I admit that a lot of my good times were spent going to concerts in Philly, eating with my friends in all the diners in Jersey. Especially Golden Dawn on Rt. 38. Is that diner still there? I know Olga’s was closed down, which was kinda sad to me. We went there for a mini reunion, which was really cool. Getting to see some of my old friends was very awesome. At a diner even. Sometimes I think a lot of my youth and good times were spent just talking away in a diner.

I admit though some of those times were rather bittersweet. I think that’s why I am reminded of these times when I hear this song. Of course, this could be just a bunch of babble. Regardless, as usual, I have included the video for your viewing pleasure. I hope it gives you some enjoyment, as much as it gives me.

Video after the bump.

Continue reading →

My soundtrack: Caught up in you…

Posted on by
Reply

I have to say that the first time I actually heard this song was probably back in 1984 or so. I hadn’t heard 38 Special’s Caught up in you back in 1982 when it first came out. I heard it when one of my friends gave me a copy of a mix tape he had made for his girlfriend. I have to admit, this song brings back memories of that time, when I was going to high school in New Jersey.

My friend, who had later moved up to New Jersey, had gave me that mix tape when he visited me from where he was living in Georgia. (Yeah, I moved around and lived everywhere in those days, we were a military family after all.)

I just loved this song. It just reminded me too of a girl I had a crush on. I remember it was a while before I got around to asking her out. I talked to her everyday, we were pretty decent friends, but it was one of those high school things. Of course, I think we went on one date and that was it. If that was even a date! LOL

Those teenage years, you have to wonder how those same people are doing now. Video after the bump.

Continue reading →

If I had a soundtrack, it'd go something like this: Pretty Woman

Posted on by
Reply

I remember way back when, living in Japan, we’d heard of this thing called MTV. We were astonished they finally made a channel dedicated just to music videos. So we had some friends send a VHS tape of some of the music videos to us in Japan. It was awesome.

The first video I saw, was Pretty Woman by Van Halen. I thought the video was incredibly hilarious and was just awesome. I loved it. I thought this was a wonderful thing that MTV did, and playing music videos all day and night with the occasional music news was great.

Of course, as we all know now, they don’t really play any videos anymore and instead have all those reality shows which just embarrasses a lot of people. But I digress.

I distinctly remember standing in my friend’s living room watching this video with a few friends. I think all of us were pretty impressed. My friend who had the video had just moved to Japan, so he got to see music videos and the real MTV already so he wasn’t too impressed.

Here is the original video, hopefully you enjoy it! Remember, this video was banned at one point in time!

[edit] The youtube video was made so embedding was disabled so you’ll have to watch it directly on youtube.

If I had a soundtrack, it’d go something like this: Maneater…

Posted on by
Reply

The next song is Maneater by Hall and Oates. No, not the one by Nelly Furtado. Although I have to admit I like that song too. I think the reason I chose this song was because of the previous song. I have to admit if I hear Heat of the Moment, then immediately this song comes to mind. I don’t think it’s because their release was in the same year (1982), but because this song reminds me of being a teenager in Japan.

Actually I remember exactly the first time I heard this song. We were in Shinjuku, going up (or down) an escalator then. This song was playing in a store, and my friend turned to me and she said, “this is a really good song!” I had mentioned to her that I didn’t know it, and never heard it before, and she proceeded to tell me I should get into this band, as they were really cool. Again I won’t mention any names of who was there. And this conversation might have been in Japanese. Actually I think it was in Japanese.

But honestly this song totally reminds me of her, and that time. This is not to say she was a maneater, like the song implies, but rather it reminds me of her because of the situation. Although I have to admit my friend had a crush on her, and she was rather pretty. I think my friend was rather obsessed. It was a heavy crush. Although not as heavy as the crush he had on an upperclassman.

Here is the video, I promise to include these when I write these posts. Enjoy! Video after the bump.

Continue reading →

If I had a soundtrack, it'd go something like this: Heat of the Moment…

Posted on by
1

The next song in my life soundtrack would definitely be Heat of the Moment by Asia. I remember distinctly walking through a Japanese department store back in 1982 with a friend and hearing this song. We were going to the music area and actually going to buy this album. At least that’s how I remember it. I’m not entirely sure who was with me then. I’ll not mention any names so as not to embarrass anyone. (I was, after all, one of the misfits, as labeled by one of my closer friends.)

One thing I loved about buying records (Yes, we didn’t have CD’s back then, it was only vinyl) in Japan was you got a free poster. (This included buying albums on tape as well as vinyl) Of course, I was a teenager, so I put posters up everywhere in my room. A free poster was definitely a bonus item back then. You’d sometimes get other bonus type items too. Actually I’m pretty sure this practice still continues in Japanese music stores.

This song definitely brings back memories of Japan as a teenager, the fun we used to have. it brings back memories of Fussa, Shinjuku, Summerland and so much more! I’m sure my fellow Yokota-ites will know exactly what I’m talking about. Gotta love memories of Summerland for sure. The giant slide at Summerland was definitely awesome back then.

Here’s a video of the song, I didn’t forget it this time. Hope you enjoy it! Video after the bump.

Continue reading →

If I had a soundtrack, it'd go something like this: Sweet Dreams…

Posted on by
1

Yeah that’s a long ass title. But to expand on it, “If my life had a soundtrack, it would go something like this: Sweet Dreams (are made of this) by Eurythmics.” Now this is only the first song.

Long time readers of this blog will realize that I’ve done this a couple times before, here and at hello! blogger. However, this time, I’m actually going to finish this project of mine.

This time around, I’m going to try something different and actually go through the songs which mean the most to me, in some sick or demented way. Or just something that plain makes sense. Instead of offering up a small explanation, I plan to append a story to the song, and it might explain why the song means so much to me.

If you’re wondering what spurred this on, I was going through my music the other day, and came across an old mix tape which my old friend Kate had made. I told her that I was listening to it and wow it brought back so memories. She wrote me back excited about it and told me “It, what I remember about it, was so important at the time.”

That said it all to me right there.

There are songs that mean so much to me at different times in my life. But mostly, a lot of music is just nostalgic and reminds me of times in my life. But as we grow older, get more experience in life, each song takes on a deeper meaning to each of us. I’m not even sure if I’m explaining what I mean very well. So this has all just spurred on a “new” soundtrack of my life. For the first track, I chose “Sweet Dreams (are made of this) by the Eurythmics.”

I’m sure you’re wondering why I even chose this song. In 1983, when the song came out, my family and I were moving to the US, not for the first time, but rather, coming back. But to me, after living in Japan for 7 years, and being 15 years old, it felt like the first time. I remember a lot of this because this song was played constantly on the radio. It almost became very annoying listening to this song.

Of course, over the years, this changed, and this song just reminded me of the drive my family made from San Francisco to New Hampshire, with a few stops in between. We traveled a long ways, and saw some friends along the way. We ran into the Monks in Sacramento, California. The biggest thing I remember about Sacramento was just marveling at the stores and houses. It was so different than Japan.

Then went ahead and saw our friends the Johnsons in Mountain Home, Idaho. My memories of Mountain Home are good, seeing our friends since they moved from Japan, but I distinctly remember Dairy Queen and loving it there. Or perhaps that was another time.

We stopped in Oklahoma as well, to see some relatives, and I think my sister and I must have watched Grease and Grease 2 about a million times. I also remember having a small family reunion as well.

From there, we drove on up to New Hampshire, to Pease Air Force Base to start a new life in the US. I remember arriving there in August I believe, just in time for school to start. Go figure. That was a hell of a summer vacation.

All this is what I remember when I hear this song by the Eurythmics.

[edited] How silly of me not to offer a video of the song. Enjoy. Video after the bump.

Continue reading →

If my life had a soundtrack…

Posted on by
6

Ok, so I mentioned this in a comment to colin, and so I thought I’m going to do it. In the past, I made a post about what if my life had it’s own soundtrack. The first volume (because there has to be many right?) was posted on 10/29/02. Oh you want to see it? You can find it on hello! Blogger, since that’s picked up a lot of my old archives. It doesn’t matter because I will be recapping here and then adding commentary to my original commentary. Behold! (note: in the future, I’ll be more prepared for this and allow you download or listen to the song just in case you never heard of it.)

01: Running to Stand Still – U2
(2002) I’ve always liked this song. It’s a song I love to play on the guitar. Reminds me of the days I lived in Chicago.

(2008) Yeah, I still love this song. But I don’t play it on the guitar since I haven’t picked it up in ages. Meesh bought me one for christmas. I really need to play it.

02: Frozen – Madonna
(2002) When I first heard this song, I thought, Wow, she really gets it. This song alone summarizes a lot.

(2008) I still love this song. I’m sure back when in 2002, I really got it. But now, I just like it cuz it sounds good. I think though I might have moved on from this song.

03: Don’t Speak – No Doubt
(2002) Don’t ever fall in love with your best friend. Of course, in the end it turned out ok for me. We’re not as close as we used to be, but when I have exciting news, I always call her first. :)

(2008) I don’t always call her first, but she’s still one of my best friends.

04: Bed of Roses – Bon Jovi
(2002) Sometimes when you have a long distance love affair, you think it will last forever. But it almost never does. This song reminds me of that.

(2008) Wow, I had to think of what ex-girlfriend this song reminded me most of lol. Yeah, bed of roses indeed. Long distance love affairs do work out. Meesh and I are proof of that.

05: Silent Lucidity – Queensryche
(2002) This song reminds me of Chicago. It’s where I first learned to play this song. I remember playing this song on the guitar while my friend Jared sang. OMG it was great. Those were the days. “…The dream is over…Or has it just begun?”

(2008) I still long for those days and I still love this song. I wonder whatever happend to Jared…

06: Tiny Dancer – Elton John
(2002) To tell the truth, I was not so much into this song until I saw the movie Almost Famous. Any regular visitor will know that Cameron Crowe is one of my favourite directors, and Almost Famous is definitely one of the top films I love by him. I’m just reminded of the scene where the band is travelling in the bus listening to this song and getting their spirits lifted. This song always puts a smile on my face.

(2008) Cameron Crowe is still one of my most favourite director/writers. This song also reminds me of Friends, whene Phoebe sings it as “Hold me closer, Tony Danza!”

07: Linger – The Cranberries
(2002) I don’t even remember the first time I heard this song. I just know that I love this song!

(2008) I still don’t remember the first time I heard this song, but wow, it does bring back some memories. For some reason, concerts, philly, and just hanging out at diners comes to my thoughts, but not sure why. That’s definitely what I think of first when I hear this song.

08: The Child In Us – Enigma
(2002) I remember hearing this song, and looking for it for a long time. I thought that it was Enigma, but I couldn’t figure out the title of the song. Finally after listening to many Enigma CD’s, I found it! I simply love this song because it makes me feel…well it’s hard to explain. Maybe if you heard the song, then you can feel it too.

(2008) Of course, I remember cybr telling me that if he had heard the song, he could have told me exactly what it was. But hey, I already found the song, so that’s cool. I love this song because it makes me feel mystical. That’s probably the best way I can say it.

09: Purple Rain – Prince and the Revolution
(2002) I still love this song. Even after all these years, this song will bring back memories of my childhoood, long lost loves, and friends of old. This song makes me reflect.

(2008) Holy crap, who cannot love this song? This song still rocks! It came out in 1984! How crazy!

10: What’s this life for – Creed
(2002) Creed always makes me think of the days I spent in Japan, for some odd reason or another. I remember wasting the days and nights hanging out with my buddies there. Many nights of “So, what are we going to do now?” Gotta love those days spending a lot of time doing nothing and complaining about it. Then realizing that those were the best days we had.

(2008) This is totally a navy buddy song. It reminds me of sitting in barracks and doing exactly that. “So, what are we gonna do now?” We’d sit around and bullshit, talk about stupid things, and most of all, just bond and have fun. This song totally makes me think of that.

11: Rain – Madonna
(2002) Rain always makes me reminisce. I love to do that. It’s not that I’m disappointed now, or I think I used to have more or less fun back then. I just like to remember all the good times and the bad times. I don’t ever want to forget all the friends I’ve made or all the experiences I had, good or bad, with them.

(2008) This song, I think I’ve moved on from this song too, just like Frozen. But I still love this song. It does make me reminisce still, and it does make me feel nostalgic. Sometimes you want to just relive some of the old memories and have it like the way it used to be, but those times are gone now, you’ve gotta make new memories and new experiences. But you can combine them with the old, there’s nothing wrong with that.

12: Chances Are – Johnny Mathis

(2002) When I was in Japan, one of my friends, Charlie, called me “Johnny” because I just loved to sing this song. Many a night, when we had duty, which meant we would work all day and night, and I’d put this song on the PA system in the clinic and sing. Of course, this made many people cringe and laugh. But you know, I enjoyed it. I always smile when I think of those precious moments.

(2008) Haha, I loved this song because of a movie and sang it all the time. I don’t remember the movie now, but yeah, this song totally brings me back and makes me think great things of MCAS Iwakuni. It’s another Navy Buddy song.

13: Suteki Da Ne – Rikki
(2002) Ok, you probably won’t recognize this song unless you played Final Fantasy X on Playstation 2. This was the “love song” of the game. The story was incredible (or so I thought), and I thought this song was pretty damn good. Yes it’s in Japanese, but I think they may have translated it in the game. Suteki Da Ne basically means “Isn’t it great?”

(2008) I still love this song. I loved all the Final Fantasy games. If there was anything big in my life, it was Final Fantasy. I love it!

14: Poison (Piano Version) – Sorimachi Takashi
(2002) Yes, it’s another japanese song. This one is only an instrumental though. This song is from the Japanese Drama Great Teacher Onizuka. I loved this drama! It was about this teacher who did his best to be greatest teacher and helped out his students where he could. If you’ve never seen or heard of this drama, I’d recommend checking it out if you can. It’s well worth it. It taught me a few things I thought I already knew, but didn’t; and it reminded me of things I’d already forgotten about.

(2008) GTO is still a great dorama. I still love it after all these years. I think it’s one of those things that all new teacher dorama is compared to. That and Kinpachi sensei. Although Kinpachi sensei is so popular it still has shows.

15: Bittersweet Symphony – The Verve
(2002) Ever since I saw Cruel Intentions, I’ve loved this song. It makes me reflect a bit on myself, and makes me want to improve the things I am not satisifed with. I’ve always thought of this song as a song about me. “…but I’m a million different people from one day to the next…I can change…”

(2008) Because I always associate the ending of a movie as an ending theme, I always thought of this song as a closing song for an album. I think it because it just ends this album well. Wow. I still love this song. It still impacts me.

So tell me, if you had a soundtrack for your life, how would it go?