Sounds of Sanity Part V

I've struggled to write this. My state of mind is fine but physically I have been feeling like a paper bag stuffed with cinderblocks - heavy, ripped, and fragile. I'm uncomfortable with the past few post having to deal with negative mind sets. I can promise you I am alright. My life has just been plagued with exhausted by new work hours and a never ending mentality to please everyone. 

This week I decided to take back my life. I have a reassuring boyfriend who at first I was unsure of, but now is giving me the time, space, and computer to write this. So without anymore hesitation I would like to continue with where we left off- Sounds of Sanity Part V. 

     I had a list of songs already written out to post for this session of Sounds of Sanity. As I was about to post it, I felt unattached from the songs, I didn't feel comfortable sharing them as my recommend songs at the time. This lead me to creating a new list right now and that list is as followed

1. Ring Of Fire - Preformed by Bob Dylan
2. Feels Like Rain - Preformed by Buddy Guy
3. Musta Notta Gotta Lotta - Preformed by Joe Ely
4. Midnight Confessions - Preformed by The Grass Roots
5. Sittin' In The Balcony - Preformed by Eddie Cochran

Bonus Track; Shoppin' For Clothes - Preformed by The Coasters 

Ring Of Fire 

    I was at Wendy's today. My boyfriend, Dante, came over after his classes at noon and wanted food for himself before he joined me to go grocery shopping. Approaching the menu to order his #8, Bob Dylan's version of Johnny and June Carter-Cash's "Ring Of Fire" busted through my already busted speakers.  I didn't know Dylan had recorded a version of the song, however, I did know that Johnny and Dylan had more than a respect for one another. They had an admiration for each others work and each others mind, tribulations, and endurance. I held back explaining this to Dante for our taste in music differ and the Wendy's associate asked for their six dollars and change had distracted my mind. 
    

     When it comes to analyzing "Ring Of Fire" and the chosen Dylan version, the styles are easily separated. Where Cash introduced Mexican flares via trumpet Dylan provides a moaning guitar riff and with his signature harmonica cries, the song felt like it belonged to him.

     When it comes to the chorus, Johnny Cash has the voice that slides deeper as the narrator slips down, down, down to the ring of fire. Whereas Bob Dylan pounds the motion of "down" with staccatos in each layer of hell. The staccato adds a hesitation and doom to the already melodramatic song.  

    The original song, was written by June Carter-Cash and Merle Kilgore and originally recorded by Anita Carter, June's sister, who's version was considered a "Pick Hit" in Billboard Magazine. However, the song didn't promise a hit. It wasn't until Johnny Cash recorded the song about a timid temptation of falling in love that the song, his way, that the song became the memorable piece of music Cash is often related to. 

    "... I'll give you about five or six more months, and if you don't hit with it, I'm gonna record it the way I feel." -Johnny Cash's recollection of recording the song. "You" being Anita.

After being subjected to a vivid dream of blaring trumpets and Mariachi stylings, the song was recorded by Johnny Cash, his way, with spritely brass. 
    

    It is recently that Dylan Outtakes have been released. In 1969 Bob Dylan released his album Nashville Skylines, an album that features his then friend, Johnny Cash. The two had sung "Girl From North Country" on the record, and had then gone forth to sing together on The Johnny Cash Show. It was also in this year, 1969, that Johnny and June, respectfully recorded Bob Dylan's "It Ain't Me Babe". Once again, a respected and shared admiration for each other's craft. 

    Feels Like Rain

 
    I saw Buddy Guy in 2019 at the Hampton Beach Casino. The eighty-something year old, wore overalls and smile that illuminated the entire ocean strip. Buddy was funny, he was stealthy, he was hot. He played to the crowd, in the crowd, and with the crowd. 
A few weeks before the show I had put on "Feels Like Rain" as I was driving to the gym.  I remember the stop sign I was at Halespring Road. My foot stomped on the gas but my emotions accelerated with heat.
    The song comes from Buddy Guy's eight studio album released in 1993, Feels Like Rain. This song is the title track written by John Hiatt. Guy released a version of the song previously in 1988 and is worth noting that it is this kind of blues that didn't sail Buddy Guys name as a blues badass, but rather highlights his multiple styles of playing in and with the genre. 
It is a song about love and nothing more. The emotion of sensation and lust blanketing one like a heavy wool coat of protection and warmth, but refreshed by the water of the rain. I look at this song as amplifying an overcast of passion rather than of grey skies. But perhaps grey skies being high above can symbolize a grey thinking pattern; not a relationship based on black and white thinking. 
The song alludes to an idea of unconsciously falling in love; 
Love comes out of nowhere baby, just like a hurricane
And it feels like rain
The narrator of the song rationalizes staying under cover with their significant other due to the love brewing storm. "It's too windy out there", "we won't make it to an evacuation route in time" so..

So batten down the hatch baby
And leave your heart up your sleeve
It looks like we're in for stormy weather,
That ain't no cause for us to leave
Just lay here, in my arms
Let it wash away the pain
And it feels like rain

The song is about the day after a night of wilding. the songs pace is upbeat, a beat that represents;

I was high flyin' down the riverside drive
Rockin' to the radio man, alive...
Writin' you a letter it's late in the night
Sittin' in a caffe honey eatin' a bite
I'm telln' you about where all I've been
Hot dog I'm gone again

Midnight Confessions

    In middle school I had a phase where I only listened to The Turtles, The Hollies, and The Grass Roots.
To use the word "only" is a bit much, but these three band fore fronted whatever I was listening
to during that time. It was corny, but lyrical, substantial but not so mesmerizing that I was pulled
away from the lesson plan during class. Whenever I hear "Midnight Confessions" I think
of Ms. Marley's class and learning about animal and plant cells with a kid name Patrick.
I hated that class for its material, but I loved the easy grades given. I suppose that's a
confession - I am smart, but I am not reliable when it comes to turning in assignments.
    The song is about more than just everyday confessions. It's a song about confessing
your sins before or after acting on one. It's about the moon being out and pulling tides as
well as vulnerability. The key subject about the song though is adultery's;

But a little gold ring you wear on your hand makes me understand
There's another before me, you'll never be mine
I'm wasting my time

It's a Midnight confession, because midnight is the only time the two can be together.

Musta Notta Gotta Lotta
There isn't much on this song, but you could hear me ramble about my love for Joe Ely for months. I first heard Joe Ely august 2018. After just one song, this one actually, and hearing him wail and swing like Jerry Lee Lewis I was under his thumb. I took to the internet to find out where and when he plays; to find out if he still does. Boston City Winery was not only housing him but Alejandro Escovedo for a night. I had tickets to go to New York the following morning, but I now had tickets to see Joe and Alejandro together and planned to sleep on the ride to the city (where I was going to another show - ELO). 
This song is the title track to Ely's fourth studio album. Prior to the album, Ely was known with a band called The Flatlanders (I saw them too in November 2019). They were, simply put, an outlaw country trio whom started in the 70s, disbanded, and road together again in the 90s. This is to note that Joe Ely was always a country singer-song writer. That was until 1979, when Ely opened for The Clash on their tour. The result was this album, Musta Notta Gotta Lotta. 
However, the lyrics itself remind me of someone in a groggy state of mind. I say this due 
to the wording, "Musta". If one was aware they were up all night, buying drinks they know 
they didn't get a-lotta sleep. It is also suggested that the narrator has been traveling distance, 
away from home unbeknownst to him and his "honey";
Writin' you a letter it's late in the night
Sittin' in a cafe eatin' a bite
Telln' you about where all I've been
Hot dog I'm gone again!



Sittin' In The Balcony

Eddie Cochran is like balsamic added to watermelon. One doesn't always add balsamic to a slice of watermelon, but when they do the savory balances the sweet. Cochran isn't preferred by everyone, but those who appreciate him, understand why he's needed. 

My first time hearing this song was in my backyard. I was sitting in a tree. A tree my papa use to tell me was poisonous. A decade and a half later, I couldn't tell you if he was trying to get me not to climb the tree or if he truly thought the tree would inflame my fair skin more than the sun had.  It must have been 2017 when the song came on because I remember having plans with an old friend, Billy later that day. Billy and I would hang out almost from sunrise to sunrise everyday after years of absolute distain. As kids I would steal his bike and lock it in my garage. He would throw rocks at my families mini van. He dated my best friend freshmen year of high school, which forced us to get along then form a friendship too strong that when it ended the pieces just turned to dust, unmanageable to be put back together. This week the song came on while I was driving and Billy came back in my life as a neighbor asked about him. I don't know where he is or how he is. But I hope he is. 

The song was originally preformed and written by Johnny Dee (John D. Loudermilk) in 1957. Loudermilk is best known for his song "Indian Reservation", a chart topper for Paul Revere and the Raiders in 1971. His songs have been covered and recorded by various artists including, Jerry Reed, Roy Orbison, Glen Campbell, The Everly Brothers, and more.  The song we're talking about here is "Sittin' In the Balcony" though. John's version placed No. 39 in charts in the US but 18 in Billboards Hot 100 for Eddie Cochran, whom released his version also in 1957 on Liberty Records. It's a song about being unapologetically in love.
I'm just a-sittin' in the balcony
Just a watchin' the movie
Or maybe it's a symphony, I wouldn't know
The narrator and their significant other paid for a movie  but instead of studying the film they study each others faces. It young love, the kind of love where hesitation and hormones sway in the same breeze. 
We may stop lovin' to watch Bugs Bunny
But he can't take the place of my honey
The main difference I find between the two versions, Johnny Dee and Eddie Cochran, is Cochran gravitated towards a more rock and rebel sound where as Johnny Dee poppy.


Bonus; Shoppin' For Clothes 

My first time hearing this track was while I was walking in the rain, taking a turn from Cifre onto Sweet Hill. For a month I was on a Jim Croce kick so it was natural for Jim to be taking my walk with me. In 1973, on his unknowingly Final Tour, Jim Croce sang this track, "Shoppin' For Clothes", written by Mike Stroller and Jerry Leiber. Now, if You don't recognize those names, don't fret, you definitely recognize their art. Not only have Leiber and Stroller written this track, but they are to thank for the introduction of rock songs,For when we hear rock'n'roll and it's roots, songs such as "Hound Dog" and "Jailhouse Rock", spring to mind, both written by the duo. Whilst writing this piece I learned that this writing pair used a pseudonym name Elmo Glick but I couldn't find a source explaining why or how that name was conjured. And since we are on pseudonyms I might as well introduce Ducky Drake or sometimes known as Boogaloos and his Gallant Crew. This is the name songwriter and producer, Kent Harris, would use. Harris was giving Co-writing writes to this song as the track was inspired by his single "Clothes Line (Wrap It Up)" (Featured below). 

The track was released by Altco Records in September 1960. It placed No. 83 on Billboards Hot 100 charts. It's a song about a man going to a department store and both receiving and giving the best service. The salesman and narrator share a mutual infatuation and admiration for the clothing; from camel hair to herringbone and gold buttons. Our narrator tells the employee he's going to take the suit, that he promises to get his payments in on time. 

Now you go back there and you get that paper and let me sign on the dotted line
And I'll make sure I get all my payments in right on time
Hey wait a minute buddy, let me go back there and do a little checking on you

Then the man come back, he said "I'm sorry my man, but your credit didn't go through"

The last verse of the song claims that the suit browser had poor credit and ends with a heavy sigh of "I got a good job, sweeping up everyday". Infering that he is working minimum wage doing hard labor - perhaps as a custodian. The suit he was looking at signified the life he owns, the rich of life virtues. I look at it as, his job might not be paying the bills easily as some of his peers, but in his own mind he is as successful, or would like to be consider or seen equal. 

I would like to thank our reader, Lars Granath for this song recommendation!