listen to Bohemian Rhapsody at Hotel California because when you Play That Funky Music, You’re So Vain!

Welcome to a rainy Monday! Well, in the Pacific Northwest, that is. At least the rain had the decency to hold off from dousing us with moisture on Saturday when we had a gaggle of people over for our housewarming party – which, I might add, seemed to have been a rousing success.

Thank you to everyone who came to the party, you were the reason it was a success!

This week’s theme is music from the 60’s and 70’s – and I’ve mentioned before I’m not all that much of a fan of 60’s and 70’s music, undoubtedly because that was before I started listening to (and enjoying) music of any kind.

My non-country music fans will be happy to know that while I’m not a fan of most 60’s and 70’s music in general, I am so not a fan of country music from those eras. So your ears will be safe from country twang this week, since I’m all about New Country. You’re welcome.

Let’s start off with a British rock band with their song from their 1975 album. The song consists of several sections: a ballad segment ending with a guitar solo, an operatic passage, and a hard rock section, so it was the most expensive single ever made and it remains one of the most elaborate recordings in popular music history.

When it was released as a single, it became a commercial success, staying at the top of the UK Singles Chart for nine weeks and selling more than a million copies by the end of January 1976. It reached number one again in 1991 for five weeks following the death of the band member who wrote it, eventually becoming the UK’s third best-selling single of all time.

It was either that year or the following year when it appeared in the film Wayne’s World in 1992 when I first heard it and loved it – that was the year it revived its American popularity.

Give a listen to Queen with “Bohemian Rhapsody”:

Next up is another group I actually love a lot of their songs, this one included. This song, from 1977, was the title track of their album named the same. It is one of the best known songs of the album, and has been given several interpretations by fans and critics alike, but the group has described it as their “interpretation of the high life in Los Angeles”.

In a Documentary from 2013, one of the band members explained that the song was about “a journey from innocence to experience…that’s all”.

It’s been a concert staple for the band since its release. The first working title, the name they originally gave it, was ‘Mexican Reggae’.

Here’s the Eagles with “Hotel California”:

http://youtu.be/Yyy4yaVwsv0

Next up is a song that was a funk rock disco back in 1976, that was ultimately certified double platinum with shipments of over two million records. It’s an autobiographical song inspired by the times, and the song’s unforgettable title and chorus came from the drummer’s observation during a break between sets at the 2001 Club in Pittsburgh.

The group was mostly hard rock, but the disco era was really gaining steam and many of the group’s loyal followers were asking for more dance songs. While taking a break between sets, the drummer uttered the now-classic line, “Play some funky music, white boy”. The lead singer decided they should, and wrote down the phrase on a bar order pad. They later recorded it with a disco sound, and while the song sold over two million copies, it was their only hit.

This particular version is a remake by a much loved Australian TV & stage actor, singer and host, his high energy and infectious show is highly sought-after as well as his comedic MC skills. He swapped the stage and screen for the recording studio, breathing new life into classic dance floor hits of our High School Disco days.

The album, which includes an upbeat celebration of many of the classic songs from the disco era, was released in April 2014. Personally I think he did a great job with this song.

Here’s Tim Campbell with his first single, “Play That Funky Music”:

Last, but certainly not least, is an artist who wrote and performed this particular song, released in November 1972 (wow! 42 years ago!). The song is a critical profile of a self-absorbed lover, and the title subject’s identity has long been a matter of speculation. 

On August 23, 2014, the U.K. Official Charts Company crowned it the ultimate song of the 1970’s. It remains this artist’s biggest hit and is considered her signature song. Before the song became a hit single in 1972, the artist told an interviewer that the song was about “men” not a specific “man”. 

In July 2013 she made a suprise appearance and sang this song as a duet with one of my favorite country stars, Taylor Swift – I wish I could have found a good video of that, but all of them were from someone recording from the audience, and we both know the sound quality on those is not all that great.

I did find a video that this artist herself did in 2010 – she looks amazing!

Give a listen to Carly Simon with “You’re So Vain”:

That’s a wrap for this week! Enjoy your Monday!

Now on to the particulars of Monday’s Music Move’s Me:

I have the supreme honor and privilege of being a co-host with the inimitable Xmas Dolly and our musical cohorts, Callie from JAmericanSpice, Cathy from Cathy Kennedy’s Blog, and Becca of Everyday Life.

Want to join in the fun? It’s easy – just find a tune that rocks your boat, post it and link up – don’t forget to grab Xmas Dolly…er, um, I mean her button…over at her place here. Check out Xmas Dolly’s sidebar for the random themes we sport each week – and you can always ask for a specific theme of music you like, too. Check out the other music lovahs and let’s jam!