Yes it's true I'm a 50's/60's/70s tragic - that longs for the romance of yesterday but regails in the thought of an exciting tomorrow. A firm believer that everyone in this world puts their trousers on 'one leg at a time' - we'd all be better off if there was a little more humour, understanding and respect for one another.
Call it a bucketlist, call it what you will, but there's some things a man should probably do at least once in his life.
Hello! Life is not exactly an endless carousel - take a chance . . . a leap of faith, show a little courage - the trick is not simply eating from the buffet but choosing to experience the entire smorgasbord - a little at a time.
Here's a few which spring to mind.
1) Play Rugby
2) Fly a plane
3) Do a road trip with mates
4) Dive off the 10m board
5) Leave yourself a letter to read in 25 years
6) Throw a real party
7) Do something that scares you
8) Sing in public
9) Genuinely help someone less fortunate
10) Go camping
11) Visit Paris
12) Be a dog's best friend
13) Build something
14) Learn to surf
15) Take a chance
When it all boils down to it, a great song doesn't have to be anything other than 'it just is'.
When you hear a great song it takes the emotions of a moment and holds it for years to come.
It transcends time.
What is a simple lyric or a catchy tune today is tomorrow's life statement.
So what are the most awesome songs of all time?
Here's 10 to ponder.
No.10 - The Beatles - Hey Jude
The Beatles' biggest U.S. single - it was also their longest, at just over seven mins. During the recording sessions, producer George Martin objected to the length, claiming DJs would not play the song - guess what George - they did!
No.9 - The Beach Boys - Good Vibrations
At a cost of more than $50,000 (at that point the greatest sum ever spent on a single) Brian Wilson built a masterpiece of colour, mood and inner sanctum which only devotees can appreciate.
No.8 - John Lennon - Imagine
Possibly Lennon's greatest gift to the world of music.
No.7 - The Who - My Generation
My Generation became the Who's ticket to legend and a battle cry for young rebels everywhere
No.6 - Elvis Presley - Hound Dog
Hound Dog was a hit before Elvis Presley sang it, and he was famous for singing it before he recorded it.
No.5 - Otis Redding - Sittin on the Dock of the Bay
We simply lost this man too early
No.4 - Led Zepplin - Stairway to Heaven
Just an epic masterpiece
No.3 - The Righteous Brothers - You've Lost That Lovin Feelin
If you've got to be remembered for one song it might just as well be this.
No.2 - Aretha Franklin - RESPECT!
Who do today's so called soul sisters think they are - this woman's the real deal - always was.
No.1 - OK call me chicken - but are 10 really enough?
Toss in the Rolling Stones - Satisfaction, Martha and the Vandella's - Dancing in the Streets and Buddy Holly's - That'll be the Day - the list goes on and on and well - on . . .
Roy Orbison sang about them. Fleetwood Mac did likewise. The Romantics REO Speedwagon and Bobby Darin chimed in as well.
Even Selena and Van Halen had a crack!
Dreams. We all have them. Some are passing daydreams, some are a mix of reality, passion and drive and some are simply your garden variety, middle of the night, OMG type dreams, the ones - which are creep up on you without any warning and planted in your subconscious by some cruel alter ego.
Some give you the 'heebie jeebies' - some are just weird and some (no matter how brief or contrived) give you a feel good start to the day.
You know the type - those 'it couldn't possibly happen' dreams which in spite of all reality still puts a smile of your face and spring in your step.
"Dreams are the touchstones of our characters" once said Henry David Thoreau
Why do we dream? What purpose do dreams serve?
Some researchers suggest that dreams serve no real purpose - I beg to differ.
Besides - I like dreamin . . . just ask Kenny Nolan who concurs in this piece of classic 70s smulchz.
Now as for those other unfortunates who have dared to dream and went on to make a gazillion from singing about it - try these on for a top 5.
1. Cheap Trick - Dream Police
2. Supertramp - Dreamer
3. Gary Wright - Dream Weaver
4. The Monkees - Daydream Believer
5. Billy Joel - River of Dreams
As sad as it sounds, even pre-pubescent boys have their own version of singing into hairbrushes and picturing themselves on stage to the strains of screaming adulation and marauding fans.
It was around June 1977 and I'd just forked out $6.99 for a copy of The Beatles at the Hollywood Bowl - a live album featuring songs by The Beatles compiled from two live performances at the Hollywood Bowl during August 1964 and August 1965
Imagine how racy this was in 1960, with a young girl considering whether to get it on with her boyfriend in an age of prurience yet to be wholly swept away from rock'n'roll.
Its power and frankness as well as it being a splendid song from the supreme pair of Carole King and Gerry Goffin took it to the top in the US and kickstarted the girl group era
A genius-studded decade of punk, glam, disco and classic rock from Elton John to the Sex Pistols, the Buzzocks to Leonard Cohen - musically the 70s had it all - or did it?
Entertainment portal NME has released its list of the 100 Best Tracks of the 70s - agree or disagree, there's certainly no end of brilliance in the line-up
We all have either songs or albums which have helped define metaphorical lines in our lives.
No matter your age - music has an uncanny ability to attach itself to experiences and places, both real and imagined you've traversed - musical pilgrimages are where the memories take you. Music is a total constant
As most of you will attest - I have a penchant for 70s music - but when it comes to love songs, even I have to admit the 70s had its fair share of absolute 'clangers'.
For those of us old enough to recoil in shock - who could forget The Floaters 12 minute extravaganza - Float On or Maureen McGovern's - There's Got to be a Morning After
While I was surfing the web the other day I stumbled on what I regarded as a gallant but sadly ill defined list of the Top 5 Memorable TV Moments Ever!
Now, I realise these things are subjective and I 'dips me lid' to the author for getting their list down to just five - but when I read what made the 'cut' - well I kinda cringed
To anyone under the age of 50, the name Gerry Marsden and his place in history would probably rank right up there with trying to cite the third astronaut to walk on the moon.
In an era when John, Paul, George and Ringo were the names on everybody's lips and the British Invasion of the US was in its infancy - the light under Gerry Marsden's bushel may have been brighter had it not been for the success of their 'mop top' brothers from Liverpool
Yep - the days of doing a post a day are well and truly gone - and like everyone else - stand to lose out (not alot mind you - up somewhere around $40-odd at the moment) but still I'm sure Google will put all our nickles and dimes to good use.
Sad as it may be - it just doesn't make much cents (err sense) any more really.
A sad day indeed when one of the few remaining band of merry originals shuffles off the Orble coil. In spite of the darkness which surrounds Horrorphile, the cloak hides a genuinely good guy who not only knows his 'stuff'' but has talent to boot. I recall having a 'shandy or two' with the aforementioned John Doe and learnt first hand the admiration you have for each other's talents. Still, time to move to another crypt for even more tales . . .
Have faux pas will travel. Where Kim and Kourtney go - the camera's will follow - no matter what. The world really probably has more important things to worry about . . . just wish the Kardashian girls and their camera happy disciples could work it out as well.
I think the saddest day I can possibly imagine is if I hear a 'triple play' on the car radio featuring WHAM and Wake Me Up Before you Go Go, followed by a Flock of Seagulls and perhaps Hayzee Fantazee . . .
At $18 a pop - I'll wait til it comes out on DVD. But frankly I expect nothing and anything other than that will be a bonus. Mind you slapstick carries a bit of weight in my world (well the world of MNG when he has his 12 year old brain in gear at least).
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Comment by Mr Nice Guy
on Salty Popcorn, Sydney Table and Total Randomness are Relocating and I am Jumping Ship
Pop Culturist
Pop Rock Factory
Do, or do not. There is no "try".
Stay close my friend!