I went to a New Year's Eve Party where the very funny and entertaining host was absolutely insistent that everyone there participate in a game. When you arrived, he put your name in a hat, when your name was randomly pulled you had to perform a song chosen by you. A pianist who knew "every song by ear" (not by a long shot), a guitar, and even a cane were provided. If one were to cower or hem and haw over their task, they would face the ridicule of the host.
I know this sounds like a nightmare to some but it was actually a total blast. Sure, there were a couple of guys hiding in the kitchen, but for the most part everyone got up there and performed, even those that I mistook as "the wall flowers." I was very impressed. Standards, Show Tunes, Country, 80s Pop, even Smoke On the Water were covered.
I only knew about half the people at this party. A few close friends, a few acquaintances, and quite a few strangers. A pretty famous actress that I really dig performed her rendition of Everybody's Talkin' from Midnight Cowboy just before my name was called. I noticed that during her somewhat shy but charming performance a few people that I didn't know took out their cellphones and took aim at her. I thought, well, I guess that's cool. I'd probably take a photo of this too if I didn't know better. When I got up to do my little song and attempt at a dance I noticed that cellphones were coming out and taking aim at me as well. I was loose, I didn't really care about it I was just having fun.
About ten minutes later when I noticed that cellphones weren't coming out anymore for other peoples' performances a wee bit of paranoia hit me. Not a big deal, but I did flash to Michael Richards' now infamous "N-word" cringefest and Saddam's creepy execution. "Oh my God" I thought, "those cellphones could have recorded my entire silly performance. I really hope this doesn't end up on YouTube."
I enjoy letting it all hang out in certain intimate situations. I'll make a total ass of myself just to get a laugh out of my friends. Being a somewhat public person, I just don't want to see this "out there". Recently, I've taken photos with fans only to see them pop up on the Internet to my horror. Looking like shit in a photo never meant so much! Now, when fans ask to take a picture with me I have to say, "OK, if you promise not to put it up on the Internet". Jeepers creepers it's a Brave New World out there.
The Spin I'm In: Where'd You Get Those Peepers? |
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Song |
Artist |
iTunes |
Napster |
AMG |
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Jeepers Creepers |
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Ya Ya Ya (Looking For My Baby) |
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It's Raining |
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Midnight Voyage |
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Sweet Cherry Wine |
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Cash on the Barrelhead |
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It's A Sin To Tell A Lie |
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rock on
MADAME SPEAKER!
ooo – close, but no cigar!
Hey guys, Donita was knocked offline by high winds in LA last night, I’ll be relaying her comments by phone for her today.
DONITA SPARKSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!
If I had been at that party, I prolly would have sung “Dock of the Bay”. What about you guys?
Tres, I’d probably end up doing my mother’s standard: ‘Never Hit Your Grandma With a Shovel’. (Mostly because I can’t remember all the words to ‘The Slug in the Slot Machine’.)
BTW, was that your rock band on the float in the Rose Parade?
Donita sez:
All hail My Boy Friday fini finito for his impressive dictation skills for my post and comments today.
TRex @ 6
Donita sez:
Excellent choice, but unfortunately the pianists’ forte seemed to be Billy Joel and the A Chorus Line soundtrack.
Man, those Cellphone B. DeMilles are getting to be a PITA.
;>)
Great list as always, Donita.
Power Tools – The President’s Nap
James Gang – You’re Gonna Need Me
Tackhead Sound System – Hard Left
Black Sabbath – The Writ
King Crimson – Easy Money
Ice T – Prepared To Die
Meters – Ease Back
Slayer – Fictional Reality
I like that video.
darkblack @ 10
Donita sez:
Well done once again, darkblack!
TRex @ 6
I make it a point to sing the Sid Viscious version of My Way at karaoke so I prolly woulda sung that.
Slim Whitman? Heh.
Can’t help but think of Mars Attacks.
Anybody could get away with singing Indian Love Call and be forgiven, yes?
OfT
Apologies Donita, I linked to an emptywheel post about Libby’s jury instructions at the bottom of the previous thread.
Everythingseemssoneat @ 11
Donita sez:
My sister gave me two SCTV box sets for Christmas. I’m in Bobby Bitman heaven!
DS/Fini FiniTOOBZ! @ 12
Finding that Power Tools disc was a chore.
“What Antilles reissue?”
;>)
One of the better days of my life was when BGO licensed that James Gang Live At Carnegie Hall set…Childhood recaptured at a reasonable price.
I had fleeting plans to karaoke it up as part of the entertaiment plan for the holidays, but a rapid application of rum reclaimed my better judgement.
;>)
SCTV…Edmonton’s finest. Get them all and you won’t be sorry.
I’m having a bit of confusion commenting for us both. Bear with me folks.
TRex @
6
“Ma Gigolette” by Yves Montand
Ma gigolette
Oui, c’est vieux
mais c’est chouetee
Fini FiniTOOBZ! @ 18
you have the right to bear toobz
When can we expect Donita’s new release?
darkblack @ 17
Donita will return in a bit she had something to take care of.
I bet that was a chore to find that reissue of Power Tools, I didnt even know it was out. And good call on abandoning those karaoke version plans of James Gang.
Cat Head Theatre – Hamlet: Act 2 Scene 2
Fini — kind of like having an out-of-body experience for two, I imagine, trying to comment for both yourself and Donita.
;-)
Fun stuff:
Look Up, the Sky Is Beautiful – Sachiko Kanenobu
video: the ‘album art” is an escalator to heaven. I oppose escalation.
Fini FiniTOOBZ! @ 22
There is none, I finally got an original OOP issue…A golden licensing opportunity for someone, IMO.
Donita and Fini – thanks for the explanation of producer and sound engineer a couple of weeks ago. I circled back in hopes I would find it, and ya’ll came through.
No need to comment back, looks like you gotcher hands full.
I would have sung The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, all 14 parts. It’s all about me and Edmund, ya know.
Hey where’s preview? Sorry for the typos.
My singing is so bad.
I had to audition once in grade school for the chorus. I’ll never forget the look on the music teacher’s face while I was singing. It really didn’t bother me, I knew I was bad. It was a shame he had to sit through it.
Sounds like a fun party. I guess with a piano player I would go with Your Song by Elton John.
Everythingseemssoneat @ 21
She’s mixing it in the studio now and then has to figure out the release schedule depending on some business matters that have to be ironed out but I bet by the beginning of summer it will be out. I know she’s planning to tour this year as well.
Oof. That’s…okay, maybe I wouldn’t have liked that party after all.
Rayne @ 24
It’s a bit like herding cats honestly but right now I’m commenting for myself for a minute.
Great song by the way, this is interesting, listening to it now.
TRex @ 30
Oh c’mon you know you would have gotten up and did the song Pressure by Billy Joel.
Wonderful post – and interesting choice of video. I don’t know which came first, but there _is_ an album called “Stairways to Heaven” … here’s a link to the Amazon page describing it. OK, now I need to wash my brain.
Or “Goodnight Saigon”! We’ll all go down together.
Fini FiniTOOBZ! @
32
OT – Ahnuld Schwartzengooper swearing-in on CNN
TRex @ 6
I woulda gone with “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” and required the party to whistle along:
“Life’s a piece of shit
When you look at it
Life’s a laugh and death’s a joke, it’s true.
You’ll see it’s all a show
Keep ‘em laughing as you go
Just remember that the last laugh is on you.”
Either that, or “The Lumberjack Song.”
Fini FiniToobz @ 28- I’m looking forward to it, I like the new video.
sort of on topic
http://dimmuborghild.blogspot……chest.html
Fini FiniTOOBZ! @ 32
It was a fantastic party. There was a Mutiny On The Piano Bench and other musicians took over. Silver Wings, Time After Time, Everybody’s Talkin, and numerous Stanards and Show Tunes. It was awesome.
mc @ 36
Good one.
I attempted Bohemian Rhapsody one night at a Karoake bar
the less said about *that* the better
(it seemed like a good idea at the time)
btw – ALWAYS good to see Tommy James in a playlist
Millineryman @
28
We would’ve loved it!
I think I would have gone for “Can’t Buy Me Love” and just winged it.
Or “Lean on Me,” because I can kind of play the piano for that. Sounds fun!
OT – why is Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) addressing “Mr. Speaker”?
OT – pugs are on full attack all ready…
OT ~ EPU’d
That sounds like a great party! One of the best parties I ever attended (put on by my wonderful friend, Wayne Zimmerman – miss you, man!) was a “song title” party. Everyone had to go as a title of a favorite song.
My friend Lorraine went as “a Long, Cool woman in a black dress”.
ME? In total Maurice Chevalier drag:
Thank heaven for little girls
for little girls get bigger every day!
Thank heaven for little girls
they grow up in the most delightful way!
Those little eyes so helpless and appealing
one day will flash and send you crashin’ thru the ceilin’
Thank heaven for little girls
thank heaven for them all,
no matter where no matter who
for without them, what would little boys do?
Thank heaven… thank heaven…
Thank heaven for little girls!
I haven’t read the thread, cause I just woke up. Is there YouTube footage of that actress or Donita? I am so TOTALLY enjoying “PodTube”, thanks to Raven!
ThinkProgress – General George Casey to be named head of the Army.
Donita
The Rich Little bit in the video had me in stiches. forgot all about him……and slim whitam for that matter too.
very funny
nicelyput2000 @ 50
That Rich Little bit had me rolling too. Slim Whitman rocks! RAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWKKKKKKKSSSSSSSS!!!!!
Donita: “Cash on the Barrelhead” by Dolly is ok, but Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris really rock it. I am looking for the video right now – will post it if it turns up. (Hope it wasn’t pulled :( )
WooHoo! Found it! Emmylou Harris and the HOT Band
Yes, that is ALBERT LEE on lead guitar an Glen D. Hardin on piano… Hank DiVito on pedal steel and Rodney Crowell on rhythm guitar… I did say “HOT” band, yes?
Believe it or not, Slim Whitman is somewhat of a music biz pioneer. He was one of the first artists to forge an independent career outside the major label system and he did this in the 70s and 80s by doing an end run around the distributor/record store system controlled by the majors by being the first to sell his releases using TV ads, an 800 number and mail order system. Pretty savvy if you ask me.
Hi folks — late to the party as usual! I would have sung “Melancholy Baby.”
Cor, I’m reaching frantic levels of boredom in my office today. Too much coffee and a stack of paperwork that I want to do about like I want to swallow a running chainsaw.
*bangs head on desk*
The Onion:1
Pundits: -2,343,000
http://www.theonion.com/content/node/28784
Note the date on the article.
“Can I Get A Witness”. Marvin Gaye.
Good elevator music for the federal courthouse where Libby is dancing.
TRex @ 55
You need to make a game out of doing the paperwork. Maybe for every couple of documents finished you get to walk up to your office mates and yell TAG!
a classic: Viking Kittens
I’ve heard of a Levittown key party.
Back in the 60’s, in Levittown New York, Lindy Levitt built this development where all the homes were alike. Rumors have it that husbands in Levitt, upon arriving at parties in the community, used to toss their car keys in the hostess’s bowl on the way into the party. At the end of the night, whoever picked your keys out went home with you.
“Waltz Across”. Ernest Tubb. Bush Administration theme music for the upcoming poly-hearings.
TRex @
55
You may need this...
on an OT note – Chimpy’s surge speech, according to CNN, most likely Wednesday night.
Hey, here’s a poll for the Birmingham Business Journal picking the best living former president.
Howzabout a little Friday afternoon freepin’?
“Ring Of Fire”. Johnny Cash. Music played by the angels on Judgement Day for George.
twolf1 @
62
“To Surge, With Glove”
OK folks, I gotta run, have a great weekend!
Dude that’s classic. And, I never could understand some of those lyrics. They’re bad ass.
Ol’ geedub should take these to heart, “And now you better stop and rebuild all your ruin, Peace and trust can win the day, despite all your losing.”
twolf1 @
59
Hehe. Did I really see this?
“…Can whisper tales of Gore,
Of how he calmed the tides of war…”
Tom @ 56
Geez, that’d be funny if things weren’t so, well, fucked up now.
I’ve been revisting two classic Bob Marley albums: Burnin’ and Kaya. Once you get past the overplayed hits and standards (I shot the Sheriff, Is This Love, Get Up/Stand Up), these treaures await:
“Put It On”
“Small Axe”
“Pass It On”
“Duppy Conqueror”
“One Foundation”
“Rastaman Chant”
“Misty Morning”
“Sun Is Shining”
“Kaya”, and one of my all-time favorites, the understated “Time Will Tell”.
good stuff
Browser problems. Above quote was regarding twolf’s link to the viking kittens.
Jacqrat @ 48
Hi Jacqrat!
One Halloween I had no costume untill the last minute. I painted myself gold and went as Stevie Wonder’s Golden Lady.
BTW, Jane W. is sending me your pin-up photo today. You’ll have it by next week.
Fini FiniTOOBZ! @ 51
I love Slim Whitman too. He’s dreamy and demented. Hard to be both.
I would charm them with a rendition of “Deck the Balls”, an S&M version of “Deck the Halls.” In my irrepressible youth, friends and I gathered, and, over much wassail*, we created new words for the carol, which has become a national treasure. Feel free to break into song, spread good cheer and start a tradition in your house.
*wassail, n. wa-sAl, old Norse, middle English: 1: a hot drink that is made with wine, beer, or cider, spices, sugar, and usually baked apples and is traditionally served in a large bowl especially at Christmastime. 2: riotous drinking. (Uh, we used the second definition.)
DECK THE BALLS
Deck the balls with chains and leather
Fah-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
A to B, attach the tether
Fah-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
Don we now our gay apparel
Fah-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
Trolls are in, and so is Herald
Fah-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la!
Whip me hard or whip me gentle
Fah-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
What you do is instrumental
Fah-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
Oh, the pleasure I am feeling
Fah-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
While I’m hanging from the ceiling
Fah-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
Make the handcuffs slightly tighter
Fah-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
Burn me with your butane lighter
Fah-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
Ah, the welts are almost bleeding
Fah-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
O! The merry life I’m leading
Fah-la-la-la-la-(BIG FINISH HERE)LA-LA-LA-LAAAAAH!
No offense, anyone.
We’re going to surge and splurge and win Iraq. Dream Weaver.
TRex @
6
No contest, if I get to choose it’s, “Green Green Grass of Home,” as TinyTim.
biden on cnn w/ blitzer
T- @ 63
Done. It’s bizarre that GHW Bush is not only ahead of Clinton and Carter, but he’s ahead by so much:
GHW Bush 57%
Clinton 26%
Carter 18%
(from memory, and I don’t care that it doesn’t add up to 100%)
Personally, I think that result’s in the exact opposite order it should be.
OT – Joe Scarborough challenging O’Really to a duel, er, debate… and calling him a suck up now on c & l
Donita Sparks @ 72
Hey, Donita! Great news! I am on pins ‘n needles waiting for the swag…
Yes, this is my life. But really enjoy Friday’s Spins! Thanks again!
punaise @
65
“Distill of the Night”
twolf1 @
59
Oh that was rather good and Zepplinny.
But nothing beats the Quizno’s original “We like the Moon”
“I’m gonna leave (Road, Road, Road)
and get myself a job (Road, Road, Road)
with the help (Road, Road, Road)
and the grace from above (Road, Road, Road)
I’ll get me some dynamite (Road, Road, Road)
and I’ll get me a crane (Road, Road, Road)
And I’ll blow it all up, tear it down (Road, Road, Road)
Start all over again (Road, Road, Road)”
And I’ll build me a town (Road, Road, Road)
I’ll be proud to show (Road, Road, Road)
Tobacco Road, aka Green Zone lullaby. The Animals
johnSwifty @
82
“Baghdad Gaffe, Eh?”
johnSwifty @ 83
I like the Naughty Hedgehogs… but that link is reserved for Late Nite
Hi Donita,
I agree that the existence of all those cell-phones and other mini-cameras is a bit creepy. I think we’re either going to have to get used to the idea of having no privacy or we’re going to have to develop stronger ethical instincts than we seem to have now. What happens at private parties should probably remain private, but I guess that never was true, particularly for celebrities.
There was a nerd trend a few years ago having to do with wearable computers. The idea was that you could go anywhere, be connected to the Internet or your own network, and be able to make observations, including video. What some of these folks found that was, even in places bristling with security cameras and other video devices, they were often forbidden to enter while wearing those things. Apparently, it’s OK for big corporations to spy on the people in their buildings, but it isn’t OK for you to openly record their actions at the same time. Go figure.
Say what you will about Hitler, Stalin and Mussolini, but they can teach you a thing or two about throwing a party. Sometimes people need to be forced to have fun! We have ways of making you party!That’s what I did on New Year’s Eve. Thanks, Donita!
P.S. “Dock of the Bay” was indeed performed by a certain male rock icon.
twolf1 @ 86
Oui! Oui, that and if my wife so much as smells the term ’spam purse’ on my breath, I’m in the doghouse again!
At a client’s, can’t play any Spin on this old Gatesmobile, so I’m going OfT: Y’all see ChiDyke’s fine report from the AEI Hellmouth yet today? Face to face with the Surgers!
new thread
punaise @ 85
Indeed, and with Saddam’s passing we can guess who’s not coming to dinner.
Except what’s this business about Saddam’s wife/mistress (?) claiming that it’s his double in the cell phone video? I’ve only caught some inklings and I’m afeared of going back to the tin-hat community websites for the real truth. Last time I accidentally started channeling Ramtha and I guess some old broad out in California started being herself for the first time in years.
ccmask @ 60
this kinda party was featured in “The Ice Storm”
I sincerely hope it is OK to post this YouTube of Donita!
Cujo 359 -
Not too bizarre in Birmingham.
I’m surprised Jimmy and Bill are doing so well.
T- @ 95
Perhaps. I’ve never been there. I left a comment mentioning the Carter Center, election monitoring, and international negotiations. Maybe it will shame someone there into thinking about things a little. Frankly, if it had been GHWB who’d done all that while Carter collected his dividends I’d have voted for him. If so few people think about those things in Birmingham, they should be a little ashamed.
Kid from Spain @
88
Yes Mien Host! A little whip-crackin’ goes a long way. Thanks for the fantastic New Year’s.
I’ve always thought that events sent by cell-
video were a statement of “HEY LOOK AT ME, I WAS THERE”, I must be great/important/Lucky.
I believe it shows a lack of taste in how to act in Public, or Private.
I know that I maybe reading more into this then it
warrant’s, but every video taken in private,then
made public lowers the Bar for the Gov.
TRex @
6
“The Gambler” by Kenny Rogers, or “It’s the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)” by REM.
Both great karaoke numbers.
“Six o’clock, TV hour, don’t get caught, foreign tower, slash and burn, return, listen to yourself churn…”
With my vocal range, I’d probably try “One Note Samba” LOL
i’m partial to “pretty darling” by the beatles or “dance this mess around” by the b 52’s for a karaoke song.
one night in a piano bar, i was feeling my oats and i went to up the guy playing the ivories and asked him to accomapany me on “i love paris in the springtime.”
well, i am a pretty lousy singer, and i even sang lousier than usual for effect, but i committed to it. it was hilarious and everybody in my party loved it. the rest of the bar was pretty taken aback, tho.
Back in 1992 the Australian television show “The Money or the Gun” produced a record with 22 versions of “Stairway to Heaven”, called “Stairways”.
Different artists interpreted it in many various styles of pop and blues, including styles of the Doors, the Beatles, the B-52’s and so on. There was a very funny one by Australian comic Rolf Harris.
Wikipedia reports on it, but at Amazon they only have a version with 12 songs.
If you want an online collection of covers, go to:
http://blog.wfmu.org/freeform/…..to_he.html
The Harris version is a toned down one from what I have on the tape, which is much funnier.