Week Seventy-Four: The Cure - "The Perfect Girl" - Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me

Sometimes I worry that I am going to run out of bands and/or songs to share with you, but then I remember that there are sooooooooo many big name bands, like The Cure, that I still need to cover on this blog!

I have already revealed to you that "Just Like Heaven" has been and still is my all-time favorite song in the whole wide world since 1988. However, instead of covering their major hits, which you can easily locate yourself on YouTube, I'm going to talk about some of their lesser known tunes, starting with "The Perfect Girl".

Actually, I should probably start out by mentioning that I have had the pleasure of seeing The Cure twice. The first time I saw them was in 1996 at Reunion Arena. My ticket stub and the write-up are pictured below:

The second time that I caught The Cure was with my lovely mother when they stopped by the American Airlines Center in 2008. My printed ticket and an online preview are both included below (how greatly things changed over a 12-year-period!!!):

Okay, so back to the song... I once had an ex-boyfriend tell me that this was "my song", which would almost be one of those **awwwwww, how sweet** moments if he wasn't such a royal j@ck@ss!!!

In addition to "The Perfect Girl", I will also include "The Perfect Boy", which was released 21 years after "The Perfect Girl"...

You're such a strange girl

I think you come from another world

You're such a strange girl

I really don't understand a word

You're such a strange girl

I'd like to shake you around and around

You're such a strange girl

I'd like

To turn you

All upside down

You're such a

Strange girl

The way you look like you do

You're such a strange girl

I want

To be with you

I think I'm falling

I think I'm falling in

I think I'm falling in love with you

With you

Week Seventy-Three: Synthpop - Part Deux - Clan of Xymox - "Stranger" - Clan of Xymox

Clan of Xymox stopped by The Church at The Lizard Lounge in April of 1999, and I finally got to hear them play "Stranger" live. Like most of the other shows that I caught at The Lizard Lounge, I did not purchase my ticket in advance; so I do not have a stub to commemorate the event. However, I was standing right in front of Ronny Moorings as he was singing this tune, and that memory will forever be etched in my brain.

Clan of Xymox will be stopping by Houston, Texas, on October 26th to play at The Underworld Halloween event at Numbers night club. It might be worth the trip, and it will be my birthday weekend... we shall see... I will keep you posted.

I will also include a few of my other favorites by Xymox called "A Day", "This World", and "Stumble and Fall"...

No one feeling

We are stranger

When I looked into your eyes

When I looked into your eyes

Stranger

The thought to talk

They walk the talk

So let's just go from place to place

And as long as we don't talk from face to face

The stranger

Stranger

Stranger

Week Seventy-Three: Synthpop - Part Deux - Cetu Javu - "Have In Mind" - Southern Lands

This song has always been one of my favorite dance tunes. I heard it almost weekly when The Wall still hosted its Synthpop night on Wednesdays in Deep Ellum around 2000 and 2001. I would also hear it on occasion at The Church at The Lizard Lounge. I had a really difficult time locating a copy of this CD, but I finally found it at Tower Records in Oak Lawn before it closed down... I really liked that place. I so rarely run into people who know of Cetu Javu or any of their songs; so if you are familiar with them, then pat yourself on the back... and let's be friends!!! ;-D

I will also include another favorite called "Situations"...

Weak grows your heart, patiently

Before the tragedy, have in mind

Look about the countryside

Can't perceive anything to hide

Nobody knows what's going on

Living beings, where have you gone?

Rivers from the mountainside

Become polluted, don't try to deny

Remember the times when fish were alive

And realize what you need in life

Weak grows your heart, patiently

Before the tragedy, have in mind

Weak grows your heart, patiently

Before the tragedy, have in mind

Doesn't matter what you feel

As long as the others make a great deal

Don't wait so long in offer assistance

And don't give up with your existence

Step by step, we thus get nearer

But our fair must be clearer

When the sun will not rise

We have lost our paradise

Weak, grows your heart, patiently

Before the tragedy, have in mind

Weak, grows your heart, patiently

Before the tragedy, have in mind

Look around you

Is there anything you need?

If you follow our way

You'll pass one day

Therefore before the tragedy occurs

Have in mind, and don't forget

Weak, grows your heart, patiently

Before the tragedy, have in mind

Weak, grows your heart, patiently

Before the tragedy, have in mind

Week Seventy-Three: Synthpop - Part Deux - Red Flag - "Russian Radio" - Naive Art

Red Flag stopped by The Church at The Lizard Lounge in October of 2001, and I had the pleasure of seeing them perform this one live. What I hated about most of the performances that I caught at The Lizard Lounge was that I never purchased my tickets in advance. I generally paid at the door, even though it cost a few bucks more, and they did not give you a ticket stub. All you got was the hand stamp to let the bartender know that you could be legally served. I never really thought, at the time, that it would matter if I had those stubs or not, but I suppose I also never imagined that I would be keeping a music blog about 10 years later.

Being of Russian blood, I love all references to my people!!! Then you throw in the word, "radio", with it, and I'm completely sold. Every time I go to Galveston, I go shopping on The Strand, and I stop at Colonel Bubbie's Strand Surplus Center. I always see the CCCP shirts pictured below... Next time I'm there, I'm totally going to purchase one:

In addition to "Russian Radio", I'll include another favorite called "If I Ever"...

I hear a voice from ten thousand miles away

I have no choice, our love was meant to stay

With or without, it's easy for me without a doubt

As I spend my days, searching for ways

Love is on the go, so is radio

CHORUS

Russian radio

How will we ever believe you?

Radio

Now that we've learned to deceive you

BRIDGE

There is a sound, it's underground

Moving out for miles around

There is a sound, it's underground

Let's move it out, boys

I hear a voice from one hundred miles away

Getting so much closer every day

With or without, it's easy for me without a doubt

As I spend my days searching for ways

Love is on the go, so is radio

CHORUS

There is a sound

There is a sound

BRIDGE

I feel our love is only a smile away

Getting so much closer to me every day

With or without, it's easy for us without a doubt

As we spend our days searching for ways

Love is on the go, so is radio

There's a sound (there's a sound)

Underground (underground)

There's a sound (there's a sound)

Underground (underground)

There's a sound (there's a sound)

Underground (underground)

There's a sound (there's a sound)

Underground (underground)

There's a sound (there's a sound)

Underground (underground)

There's a sound (there's a sound)

Underground (underground)

There's a sound (there's a sound)

Underground (underground)

There's a sound (there's a sound)

Underground (underground)

Week Seventy-Three: Synthpop - Part Deux - Camouflage - "Love Is A Shield" - Methods of Silence

Seeing Depeche Mode on Friday night and hearing those lovely synthesizers made me realize that it was time to cover more synthpop on this here blog. If you didn't make it out to the show, you seriously missed out this time around. You may recall that I was a teensy bit disappointed by their 1998 performance at Reunion Arena; not so with the Friday night performance!!! I was so shocked and pleased that they played "But Not Tonight", even if it was slowed down to a more ballad-like form. I also ran into my good friend, Cecilia. You might remember me mentioning her on the October 31st - Spooky Tunes post. I got a snapshot with her, and I think that the last 17 or so years have actually been good to the both of us...

Here we are at the ages of 18 and 19:

And here we are at the ages of 35 and 36 (actually, I'm about a month shy of 36):

Camouflage is a band that has always been compared to Depeche Mode. I know I've mentioned this before, but when people say that, it is often meant to be an insult of sorts to Camouflage. Ummmmmm... hello?!?!?! What band in their right mind would be insulted by a Depeche Mode comparison?!?!?! Anyhoo, in addition to "Love Is A Shield", I'll also include another favorite called "The Great Commandment".

Love is a shield,

to hide behind,

love is a field

to grow inside,

and when I sometimes close my eyes

my mind starts spinning round.

Love is a baby

in a mother's arms,

love is your breath

which makes me warm,

and when I sometimes close my eyes,

my mind starts spinning round.

There is a feeling

that flows through me,

when you are near

you make it real

and we could live for this ideal.

And all the pictures we run through,

seem to be perfect,

seem to be true.

But nothing is quite forever,

especially staying together.

I don't care now

what comes along,

what counts is us,

no matter what will be,

just this naivete.

The changing words we're taking in,

seem to be perfect,

seem to win.

But nothing is quite forever,

especially staying together.

***BONUS POST*** Week Seventy-Two: Sirius Satellite Radio - 1st Wave - Channel 33 - Depeche Mode - "A Question of Lust" - Black Celebration

One of the perks of buying a new vehicle is that they provide you with trial subscriptions to all kinds of fancy services. My new Focus came with a six-month trial subscription to Sirius Satellite Radio, which means that I immediately searched for the New Wave station. Not only did I find 1st Wave, but I also found Richard Blade. He is one of the DJs on the station. You might remember that I had a Richard Blade Week right around Spring Break. So I am going to cover some of my forgotten favorites that Richard Blade plays for me over the course of this week on 1st Wave.

:-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)

I heard this one on the way home from work yesterday, and since I will be seeing Depeche Mode in a few short hours, here in Dallas, I figured that I would do a *bonus post* today. I already had a Depeche Mode week, but I just realized that I did not share my ticket stub nor did I share the newspaper clipping from the 1998 show at Reunion Arena; so I will post scans of those for you today:

Also, since I covered more of their B-sides and obscure material during my DM week, today I will also include two of my favorite hits, "Just Can't Get Enough" and "Strangelove". Here's an interesting fact about "Strangelove"; the Indian girl in the video was the older cousin of a guy who attended elementary school with me at a local Catholic school. According to him, the family disowned her after the release of the video because they felt that she brought shame upon their name. I have no idea about the validity of that story, but he did show me family pictures of his older cousin to at least verify that he was related to her.

Fragile
Like a baby in your arms
Be gentle with me
I'd never willingly
Do you harm

Apologies
Are all you seem to get from me
But just like a child
You make me smile
When you care for me
And you know

It's a question of lust
It's a question of trust
It's a question of not letting
What we've built up
Crumble to dust
It is all of these things and more
That keep us together

Independence
Is still important for us though (we realise)
It's easy to make
The stupid mistake
Of letting go (do you know what I mean)

My weaknesses
You know each and every one (it frightens me)
But I need to drink
More than you seem to think
Before I'm anyone's
And you know

It's a question of lust
It's a question of trust
It's a question of not letting
What we've built up
Crumble to dust
It is all of these things and more
That keep us together

Kiss me goodbye
When I'm on my own
But you know that I'd
Rather be home


It's a question of lust

Also, remember how I told you that I have the lyrics for some of my favorite songs by some of my favorite bands hanging on my bedroom walls??? Well, for Depeche Mode, I have none other than "Strangelove"!!!

Week Seventy-Two: Sirius Satellite Radio - 1st Wave - Channel 33 - Elvis Costello and the Attractions - "Everyday I Write the Book" - Punch the Clock

One of the perks of buying a new vehicle is that they provide you with trial subscriptions to all kinds of fancy services. My new Focus came with a six-month trial subscription to Sirius Satellite Radio, which means that I immediately searched for the New Wave station. Not only did I find 1st Wave, but I also found Richard Blade. He is one of the DJs on the station. You might remember that I had a Richard Blade Week right around Spring Break. So I am going to cover some of my forgotten favorites that Richard Blade plays for me over the course of this week on 1st Wave.

:-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)

I heard this one on my way to work yesterday. Every time I hear Elvis Costello, it reminds me of the spectacular film, 200 Cigarettes. If you have not seen that film, you owe it to yourself to watch it in the near future. It has an amazing cast, and Elvis Costello makes a cameo in the film towards the end. I'll include a scan of my copy on VHS:

Although most people might not agree with me, I think that there is something super-adorable about Elvis Costello. However, "Everyday I Write the Book" is not my favorite Costello song, so I am also including "Oliver's Army", which is my favorite, as well as Costello's cover of "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding". Not too long ago, I included the cover of the exact same song by Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs.

Additionally, since Elvis Costello is married to Diana Krall, and since we use two of her songs to "warm-up" in my tap classes on Saturdays, I am also including her cover of "The Frim-Fram Sauce" and her cover of "Pick Yourself Up"...

Don't tell me you don't know what love is
When you're old enough to know better
WHEN YOU FIND STRANGE HANDS IN YOUR SWEATER
When your dreamboat turns out to be a footnote
I'm a man with a mission in two or three editions
And I'm giving you a longing look
Everyday, everyday, everyday I write the book

Chapter One we didn't really get along
Chapter Two I think I fell in love with you
You said you'd stand by me in the middle of Chapter Three
But you were up to your old tricks in Chapters Four, Five and Six

The way you walk
The way you talk, and try to kiss me, and laugh
In four or five paragraphs
All your compliments and your cutting remarks
Are captured here in my quotation marks

Don't tell me you don't know the difference
Between a lover and a fighter
With my pen and my electric typewriter
Even in a perfect world where everyone was equal

I'd still own the film rights and be working on the sequel

Week Seventy-Two: Sirius Satellite Radio - 1st Wave - Channel 33 - The Replacements - "Alex Chilton" - Pleased to Meet Me

One of the perks of buying a new vehicle is that they provide you with trial subscriptions to all kinds of fancy services. My new Focus came with a six-month trial subscription to Sirius Satellite Radio, which means that I immediately searched for the New Wave station. Not only did I find 1st Wave, but I also found Richard Blade. He is one of the DJs on the station. You might remember that I had a Richard Blade Week right around Spring Break. So I am going to cover some of my forgotten favorites that Richard Blade plays for me over the course of this week on 1st Wave.

:-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)

I heard this one as soon as I got in my car around 5:00 p.m. yesterday. This song pays tribute to the lead singer of the band, Big Star. You might remember that not too long ago, I had a week dedicated to the memoir, Love is a Mix Tape, by Rob Sheffield. If you ever got around to reading it, you might also remember that Big Star was one of Rob's and Renee's favorite bands. So in addition to posting the video for today's song, I am also going to include the song, "September Gurls", by Big Star. Is anyone else having a difficult time believing that we are already more than halfway through September and will soon be wrapping up 2013?!?!?!?

Also, Paul Westerberg, who was one of the members of The Replacements, had a solo career, and he contributed two songs to the soundtrack for the film, Singles, which I also mentioned not too long ago. Those splendid little tunes, you may recall, were titled "Dyslexic Heart" and "Waiting for Somebody"; the videos for both are included below.

And since I don't want to steal all of the glory away from The Replacements, I'll include another favorite called "I'll Be You"...

If he was from Venus, would he feed us with a spoon?

If he was from Mars, wouldnt that be cool

Standing right on campus, would he stamp us in a pile?

Hangin' down in Memphis all the while

(Chorus)

Children by the million sing for Alex Chilton when he comes 'round

They sing "I'm in love. What's that song?

I'm in love with that song."

Cerebral rape and pillage in a village of his choice.

Invisible man who can sing in a visible voice.

Feeling like a hundred bucks, exchange good lucks face to face.

Checkin' his stash by the trash at St. Mark's place.

(Repeat chorus)

I never travel far, without a little Big Star

(Instrumental break)

Runnin' 'round the house, Mickey Mouse and the Tarot cards.

Falling asleep with a box tops video on.

If he was from Venus, would he meet us on the moon?

If he died in Memphis, then that'd be cool, babe.

(Repeat chorus)

Week Seventy-Two: Sirius Satellite Radio - 1st Wave - Channel 33 - Peter Gabriel - "Games Without Frontiers" - Peter Gabriel

One of the perks of buying a new vehicle is that they provide you with trial subscriptions to all kinds of fancy services. My new Focus came with a six-month trial subscription to Sirius Satellite Radio, which means that I immediately searched for the New Wave station. Not only did I find 1st Wave, but I also found Richard Blade. He is one of the DJs on the station. You might remember that I had a Richard Blade Week right around Spring Break. So I am going to cover some of my forgotten favorites that Richard Blade plays for me over the course of this week on 1st Wave.

:-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)

I heard this one on the way home from work yesterday... I probably should have an entire week dedicated to Peter Gabriel, but I was never a super-huge fan of his. Plus, I have already covered "In Your Eyes"; so that only leaves a few more of his tunes that I really, really like.

I must admit that I was not very fond of this song for a very long time --- I'm not even sure why because, c'mon, it has whistling, and you should know how partial I am to whistling tunes by now. I used to think that he was singing, "She's so popular..." at the beginning of the song. It wasn't until I began taking French during my freshman year of high school that I really began to develop an appreciation for this song. I eventually learned that "Jeux sans frontieres", which is what he is actually singing, translates to "Games Without Frontiers".

I'll include two of my other favorites, "Digging in the Dirt" and "Red Rain"...

Jeux sans frontières
Jeux sans frontières
Jeux sans frontières
Jeux sans frontières 

Hans plays with Lotte
Lotte plays with Jane
Jane plays with Willi
Willi is happy again
Suki plays with Leo
Sacha plays with Britt
Adolf builds a bonfire
Enrico plays with it

Whistling tunes we hide in the dunes by the seaside
Whistling tunes we're kissing baboons in the jungle
It's a knockout

If looks could kill they probably will
In games without frontiers
War without tears
If looks could kill they probably will
In games without frontiers
War without tears
Games without frontiers
War without tears

Jeux sans frontières
Jeux sans frontières
Jeux sans frontières

Andre has a red flag
Chiang Ching's is blue
They all have hills to fly them on
Except for Lin Tai Yu
Dressing up in costumes
Playing silly games
Hiding out in tree tops
Shouting out rude names

Whistling tunes we hide in the dunes by the seaside
Whistling tunes we piss on the goons in the jungle
It's a knockout

If looks could kill they probably will
In games without frontiers
War without tears
If looks could kill they probably will
In games without frontiers
War without tears
Games without frontiers
War without tears

Jeux sans frontières, Jeux sans frontières
Jeux sans frontières, Jeux sans frontières
Jeux sans frontières, Jeux sans frontières
Jeux sans frontières, Jeux sans frontières 

Jeux sans frontières, Jeux sans frontières

Week Seventy-Two: Sirius Satellite Radio - 1st Wave - Channel 33 - Flesh for Lulu - "I Go Crazy" - Long Live the New Flesh

One of the perks of buying a new vehicle is that they provide you with trial subscriptions to all kinds of fancy services. My new Focus came with a six-month trial subscription to Sirius Satellite Radio, which means that I immediately searched for the New Wave station. Not only did I find 1st Wave, but I also found Richard Blade. He is one of the DJs on the station. You might remember that I had a Richard Blade Week right around Spring Break. So I am going to cover some of my forgotten favorites that Richard Blade plays for me over the course of this week on 1st Wave.

:-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)

I actually went to Waco yesterday to visit my sister and my nephew and made it there and back on a little over a quarter tank of gas --- 32.5 miles per gallon, baby!!! I updated my profile picture with a fantastic and fabulous photo of me and of Carter. I have been very good about not overloading this blog with baby pics; so you've got to give this one to me at least!!! And I have to post just one more. The kid is not even six months old, and he already knows how to enjoy a good book... he and I are going to get along like gangbusters!!! I should also mention that he has more contacts in his cell phone that is sitting next to him than I have in mine!!! :-D

On the way to Waco, I heard "I Go Crazy" by Flesh for Lulu. You might remember that this song was part of the soundtrack for the classic John Hughes' film, Some Kind of Wonderful. It is such a feel-good song, and I absolutely had to crank it up and roll my windows down to share with everyone I was passing on I-35 when I heard the opening notes!!! I'll also include another favorite by Flesh for Lulu called "Postcards from Paradise"... I always forget how super-hott (uh-huh, with two "t"s) most of the guys in this band are until I watch this video... over... and over... and over... and over...

I go crazy when I'm without you

I go crazy when I'm without you

What have I done today

Just sat and watched the jets fly over

A car goes by

And the sun goes down

We talk about the town

This city's mad in the head

And sick in the soul

All the stars flew away a long time ago

Isn't that nice

Like Miami Vice

I go crazy when I'm without you

I go crazy when I'm without you

Well your life is like an infant's dream

It's like everything's on TV

You see your face in the mirror

Could it be your place in the mirror

And so we turn on the TV one more time

And we see that everything is fine

But what have I done today

I go crazy

What have I done today

I go crazy when I'm without you

I go crazy

I go crazy

I go crazy when I'm without you

Go crazy

I go crazy when I'm without you

What have I done today

What have I done today

Sue-Ellen looks so upset

This isn't the first time

And it won't be the last

Things going on behind her back

Oh they give you a heart attack

I go crazy when I'm without you, go crazy

I go crazy when I'm without you, go crazy

I go crazy when I'm without you

But what have I done today

I go crazy

I go crazy

I go crazy

I go crazy

But what have I done today

I go crazy

But what have I done today

I go crazy when I'm without you

I go crazy

I go crazy when I'm without you, go crazy

I go crazy when I'm without you, go crazy

I go crazy when I'm without you

But what have I done today

I go crazy

I go crazy

I go crazy

I go crazy