Big Lights Will Inspire You

So for those of you who are new to the blog...(Mo Bless You)...my favorite part of the blog is the Monday Night Shuffle. The Monday Night Shuffle is when I sit down in front of the computer, put the iPod on Shuffle, and write about whatever song comes on. Most of the commentary is the view from my driver seat but you can't really complain about that since it is my blog. My hope is that you are reminded of a song that you had previously forgotten and maybe...maybe just maybe...I manage to get you to laugh at my take on them. Enjoy my friends!

Blame it on the Rain by Milli Vanilli – OK so I am assuming that you probably have tears in your eyes from laughing at me for having this on my iPod…dry your eyes and keep on reading. Aside from being one of the most laughable songs on my iPod this song happens to be one of the worst for getting stuck in one’s head. I think that is why I still like after all of these years. Say what you will about it about I am pretty sure that you have sung this song at least once in your life. Blame It on the Rain has to be the all time greatest bull-shit excuse ever written…opening the door for songs such as “It Wasn’t Me”. It is such a ridiculous excuse that one might be tempted to let the injustice pass simply because it is so ludicrous. And when you think about it…there is some truth to it. I mean…you have to blame it on something so why not the rain? I am pretty sure that they got it right when they said that the rain doesn’t care. So where is the harm? Nonetheless…I will forever think of this song whenever it is raining and my hope is that after reading this that you will too. Best Line: “Whatever you do…don’t put the blame on you.”

80 by Green Day - So the truth is that you really have to be a fan in order to know and appreciate this song. While it has received virtually no play time the undeniable fact is that this song is fucking awesome! The idea behind it is nothing new but the lyrics are so clever that it stands above the rest. It is early Green Day which means that the song is a bit raw but that's okay. Early Green Day tends to be better Green Day (American Idiot album excluded). This is a fun punk song that sings out for help. It begs to be rescued from the love that is driving you crazy. You know this part of the relationship, you know that you need to escape or lose your mind but you also know that you are too in love to actually do it so you beg anyone and everyone to help you be free. This song is truly a forgotten gem. Best Line: "Is there any cure for this disease that some call love.

Empire State of Mind by Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys – Let’s hear it for New York indeed. There has not been a better shout out song to the greatest city on the planet since Ole Blue Eyes sang about waking up in the city that never sleeps. I think that it has a special part in my heart because of the live performance of it prior to Game 2. It was such a great performance that I can’t even be mad about the fact that the performance was supposed to be done at Game 1 while I was there but got moved to Game 2 which I missed. Oh well. The reason that this song is so solid has to be the fact that it is not some dumb “cool city” song that is just made up of catchy lines. This song is real and therefore manages to captures the greatness that is New York. Dreams truly are made there and if you doubt that, take someone who has never been to the city into Times Square, or Rockefeller Center, or Yankee Stadium and look into their eyes as they try to absorb the sights. I was lucky enough to share all three places with NYC Virgins and it was a lifetime memory experience. Only a place as grand as NYC can inspire a grown man to run away with a skip in their step, light in their eyes, and a smile on their face. Kudos to Jay-Z for capturing this in five minute song. Best Line: “The concrete jungle where dreams are made of, there’s nothing you can’t do.”

Truly Madly Deeply by Savage Garden – I tend to be unkind to this song and mostly because it was sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo overplayed in its heyday. However when I force myself to get over that not so minor fact I am reminded of the fact that it is actually a damn good song. Sure it is a pretty sappy love song but as far as sappy love songs go this one is better than most. The feeling that I get from this song is that the love is enough and that is no small thing. He promises to love her and her alone, as well as love more with every breath until the end of time. Now I am no longer stupid enough to believe that such a promise could ever be honored but that doesn’t mean that I don’t wish that it could be. Musically there is nothing special about this song but lyrically it is impressive. While it is a bit mushy and flowery at times, it is not overly so to the point that it makes me want to vomit. I guess it boils down to the fact that though I know that no one person could be my everything I still want someone to try…and this song is the promise of that. Pretty fucked up when you think about it. Good thing that I usually push past this song when it comes up on the shuffle because it is enough to push me closer to brink of insanity. The song gets bonus points for having the best line of the song being the opening line…you know what a sucker I am for opening lines. Best Line: “ I’ll be your dream, I’ll be your wish, I’ll be your fantasy.”

(You Want To) Make A Memory by Bon Jovi – Funny how time changes things. The thoughts that came up with this song a year ago are definitely not the thoughts that I have this year. For me this song will now be known as my World Series song. This song came on my iPod as I was driving back to the base after having been blessed to see the Yankees win the 2009 World Series. Nothing was said for the duration of the song. For my part I was thinking of the impact that the night had on me. The New York Yankees stole a piece of time for all of Yankee Universe that night. They made history that night and I was there to see it. I remember parts of the night as clearly as if they happened yesterday, while other parts are unclear but clouded with bliss. I might never see or speak to some of the people that I spent that night with again but for that night we were the closest of friends. Even if the stars align and the same thing happens again next year it will not be the same. There was nowhere else for me to be that night and I will never be back there again in that very same place but that’s OK. I stole a piece of time that night and it is locked away in my mind and heart forever. Best Line: “Baby just breathe, there is nowhere else that we should be.”

Much Love, Millie