(meme) Music, Music, Music

This is being done at the request of talonvaki.

1. Total amount of music files on your computer?

   None, unless there’s something squirreled in my “To Be Burned” directory. I normally don’t keep music on the computer, but on CDs. Call me old fashioned.

2. The last cd you bought was…

   Bought? We hit a Used CD store last weekend, and I picked up copies of Movin’ On (The Billy Joel Musical) (OBC, M/L Billy Joel), and Grand Hotel (OBC, Wright/Forrest/Yeston). Although not quite bought, I also burned the New York, New York soundtrack from vinyl to CD last weekend. Next up to burn is a real oddity: The music from The Art of Love (James Garner, Dick Van Dyke, Elke Sommer, and Angie Dickinson). So why am I recording this? The music was written and is being played by the late Cy Coleman.

3. What was the last song you listened to before reading this message?

   Right now, I’ve got on DirecTV Channel 832, which is playing the Barbra Streisand version of Children Will Listen from Into The Woods.

4. Write down five songs you often listen to or mean a lot to you.

   That’s hard. So here are four songs I refer people to (or listen to) a lot:

   • I Love My Wife (M/L: Cy Coleman) from I Love My Wife.
     

     My thoughts may stray My eyes may roam The neighbor’s grass may seem much greener Than the grass right here at home

     If pretty girls excite me Well, that’s life But just in case, you didn’t know I love my wife

     This is on the list because it refers my philosophy on watching the scenery. I know, I should have used Standing On The Corner (from The Most Happy Fella), but I Love My Wife is really more reflective. I love to watch all types of people, especially the females, but watch is all I do. I come home to my wife, whom I love dearly. She gets the benefit of the watching!

   • How Lucky You Are (M/L: Ahrens/Flaherty) from Seussical:
     

     When the news is all bad, When you’re sour and blue, When you start to get mad You should do what I do Tell yourself: How lucky you are Why decry a cloudy sky An empty purse A crazy universe? My philosophy is simply Things could be worse!

     So be happy you’re here. Think of life as a thrill And if worse comes to worse (As we all know it will) Thank your lucky star You’ve gotten this far And tell yourself how lucky you are

     I like this song because of its positive nature. It really serves to bring you up when you’re down.

   • Change In Me (Hall), from The Best Little Whorehouse Goes Public
     

     I can see there’s a change in me Something’s been rearrangin’ me And I like it. I like what I’m seeing here. I’m turnin’ into a new human being here. And I’m feelin’ so strange It’s been a real big change. I can feel there’s a shift in me Something funny is liftin’ me I was foggy A bumbulin’ loser I’m turning into a lollapaloozer What a lovely exchange, it’s been a real big change.

     My life is bubbles and I got me no more troubles to spare and I’m walking on air, can’t you see me? A door’s unlockin’ and the world is just a rockin’ along As easy as a song. There ain’t anymore blues in here Somethin’ better for choosin’ here Somethin’ lucky A feeling that’s creepin’ in Every day I get more of it deepenin’ I’m completly deranged It’s been a real big change

     Now, the show was a dog, and the music was totally different from the original. It may have only run one week. But I do like the music, especially this song. Just a real brassy arrangement, one certain to always bring me up. I really like brassy arrangment. Two other favorites in this category are Where’s North from Two Gentlemen of Verona and Don’t Nobody Bring Me No Bad News (preformed by the great Mabel King) from The Wiz.

   • The Birthday Cake Polka written by “Sheriff” John Rovack, a local TV host in Los Angeles, for his noontime TV show on KTTV Channel 11, the Lunch Time Brigade:
     

     Put another candle on my birthday cake We gonna bake a birthday cake Put another candle on my birthday cake I’m another year old today I’m gona have a party with my birthday cake Come on and take some birthday cake Put another candle on my birthday cake I’m another year old today

     We’ll have some pie and sandwiches and chocolate ice cream too We’ll sing and play the day away and one more thing I’m going to do I’ll blow out the candles on my birthday cake and when I do, a wish I’ll make Put another candle on my birthday cake I’m another year old today

     You’ve seen me quote this time and time again on LJ. It is my preferred birthday song, sung by a local TV host when I was growing up. “Happy Birthday to You”? Feh!

5. What new music are you really excited for in the coming year so far?

   No idea, primarily because I don’t listen to new music. Perhaps the OBC to Spamalot when it is released. You can get an idea of the music I want by visiting my Amazon Wish List.

Then you’re supposed to pass the baton on to five others and say why…so…

ellipticcurve, because she has such interesting taste in music.
shutterbug93, because I’m sure I’ll see some interesting musicals in there.
divasteph, a new LJ friend and a songleader in real life, who I’m sure would have some interesting Jewish music on the list.
cafemusique, another fellow who works with music for a living, albeit from a non-Jewish tradition.
cellio, because (again) she comes from a tradition and style more connected to me.