Sunday 9 September 2012

It's a Sing-a-Long...

10 Songs. Favourites? Not-so-Favourites? Something that makes me wanna dance? Ummm…that would not be a good thing. Does the name Elaine Benes ring a bell???  :)  Thank you Cassie who blogs over at “Our Foto Friendly Family” for picking such a fun topic for this week’s Monday Listicles.

This was a lot harder than you would think. I mean I like to think I am somewhat “well-rounded” when it comes to my taste in music. So many choices!?!? Do I try and look “cool” or “hip” or “with it”??? Naaaahhh. Instead I decided to go with the first songs that popped into my head. I was grooving in my chair as I searched YouTube for clips just in case you want to sing along or laugh out loud at some of the get-ups and dance moves of some of the golden oldies that I picked.

The first couple of songs were ones that were big hits when I was a “pre-teen”. Yes I am that old.

1.      Knock Three Times (1970) released by Tony Orlando and Dawn:  This song was their second hit single. The first being Candida followed in 1973 by their mega hit single Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree.



2.      Seasons in the Sun (1973) released by Terry Jacks:  Earlier versions were recorded in the 1960’s. This version by Terry Jacks (a Canadian) was a No. 1 for three weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100. It reminds me of summer days spent hanging out at our local park until the street lights came on. 





I was a teenager of the Disco era. The Saturday Night Fever soundtrack was THE album when I was in high school. I could have used up all 10 of my choices with this album. Instead I decided to be a bit of a rebel. Here are 3 other songs from my disco days:

3.      The Hustle (1975) released by Van McCoy:  Who doesn’t remember dancing along to the Hustle??? If you don’t then go and ask your parents, I’m sure they’ll remember. :)  Check out those “groovy” outfits too!




4.      Daddy Cool (1976) released by Boney M:  Although I never “discovered” them until their song “Rivers of Babylon” on their third album…I do remember this song from their first album and had to share this video with you. Check out the big hair, outfits and dance moves in this video. O.M.G!


 

5.      Last Dance (1978) released by Donna Summer:  I remember Donna Summer being referred to as the Queen of Disco back in the days when I was much more coordinated and could actually keep time to the music. OK I may have been a half beat behind or so…hey we Japanese aren’t known for our musicality.





Post kids my music choices changed. No more disco much to G’s relief and on to kid flicks with J2 or Disney Sing-a-Long song videos with R. The Sing-a-Longs were a potpourri of Disney songs and included some great songs that I might have easily missed if it weren’t for the wonderful World of Riley.

6.      Will You Be There from the Original Free Willy movie (1993) written and performed by Michael Jackson:  Free Willy was one of the first “real” people movies J2 would watch…and watch…and watch some more. We even took 3 trips to see Keiko at the Oregon Coast Aquarium before his eventual release back into the wild. He was that big of a fan!




7.      If We Hold on Together from the original Land Before Time (1988) performed by Diana Ross:  Normally I would turn off the video as soon as the last line was spoken. Luckily Riley would insist on watching until the bitter end otherwise I would have never heard this song which is played during the running of the credits. Who doesn’t love Diana Ross!




8.      Go the Distance from Hercules (1997):  This song was later released by Michael Bolton however I fell in love with the original film version by Roger Bart. Have a listen and see what you think.




9.      When You Believe from The Prince of Egypt (1998) performed by Mariah Carey featuring Whitney Houston:  Hard to believe how much things can change in 14 years. Makes me sad when I think of the tragic death of Whitney Houston yet thankful for the technology of today which allows us to remember great artists and watch some of their performances.





My last song choice is one of my favourites of all time.  I don’t want to get any of the details wrong so read all about We are the World here. 

10.   We Are the World (USA for Africa) (1985).




Don’t forget to head over to Stasha’s to see what songs everybody else picked and dance or sing like nobody’s watching.  *wink*  Have a great week!!!
   

28 comments:

  1. You have some awesome songs on your list! Knock Three Times, wow!! Reminds me of Tie A Yellow Ribbon too ;)

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    1. Happy someone else remembers some of my picks. :) Thanks Stacie!

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  2. Oh man, I loved We are the World.

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    1. The newer version is great too but I still prefer the original. :)

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  3. I love that you included We Are The World! Classic:)

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  4. Yes, Yes....Knock 3 Times!!! I love, love it. I can remember being a kid and singing this song at the top of our voices, and our parents just shaking their heads. The only thing missing is The Escape Song (Do you Like Pina Colada?)

    Oh and I see your Elaine dance, and raise you one:

    the Carelton

    :)

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    1. YES...of course I remember The Escape Song!!! Rats. So many to choose from.

      Baaaahaaa...at least the Carelton was on the beat and just a little ummmm "energetic" looking. :)

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  5. All great songs. The only one I hadn't heard of was Daddy Cool. That was my childhood listening to that music.

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    1. Daddy Cool wasn't nearly as popular as Rasputin (Ra Ra Rasputin, Lover of the Russian Queen...) :) Nothing like the late 70's and 80's music.

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  6. I LOVE Knock Three Times! Those for sure were all awesome sing alongs! I will be belting them loudly as I've added them to my running play list for today.

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    1. I'd love to see your moves to go along with these tunes. ;P

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  7. Seasons in the Sun was one of my all time favorites! My sister, bff and I did interpretive dance routines to it. Also love We are the World. In Junior High my youth group did a lip synch of it and I was Tina Turner with leather pants and all. If you remember a previous listicle I could rock her big hair.

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    1. How could I forget that hair. You definitely outdid Tina my friend. :)

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  8. I look forward to "We Are The World" (the original, not the dreadful remake) every Christmas. I remember having the single, which meant I had a disk of black plastic, not an mp3 file on my iPod. :) Ellen

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    1. Did your single have the BIG hole or the tiny hole??? :) I prefer the original too!

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  9. Now I have The Hustle in my head! Oh, and We Are The World is the greatest song of all time! GREAT List!

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    1. Pretty sure the dancers in the Hustle video must have been the first generation Dancing with the Stars pros. (I do love that show BTW) :)

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  10. Great list! Its so much fun seeing what everyone else lists and adding songs to my playlist!

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    1. I really enjoyed this week's topic too! Love finding new music. May take a little longer to get through this week's grid but I shall persevere :)

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    1. Why do I have a feeling you never owned any of the outfits from that clip?!?!? ;P

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  12. I stud up and did the hustle for a minute ;) I have never listened to #10 without crying. Love that song. And my keyboard is wet...

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    1. The original really is the best.song.ever isn't it. Gives me goose bumps and tears every time too.

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  13. Loved your song choice! It brought back memories! I especially loved "We Are The World"!

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    1. Thanks Lisa! Sounds like we grew up in the same "era" of disco and Saturday Night Fever! :)

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  14. Last Dance is an awesomely fun song! And I loved the original Land Before Time movie, my boys haven't seen it yet but I guess it's time. And then I can wait to hear Diana Ross at the end!

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    1. Be warned...there at 13 "Land Before Time" movies in total. That is all. ;P

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