Sunday, November 1, 2015

Battle of the Bands/Soundtrack ~ Chain of Fools

DID YOU SET YOUR CLOCK BACK?

If you have time to watch this fantastic trailer about the time change, do it. This may be the best thing I've ever seen on YouTube, and I've seen a lot of things...




Battle of the Bands is, once again, colliding with my Soundtrack posts. Yep, I'm doing those again. Here is a quick list of other people participating in The Soundtrack Of My Life:

StMcC Presents BATTLE OF THE BANDS

Cherdo on the Flipside 

Holli's Hoots and Hollers 

THE DOGLADY'S DEN 

Mean Who You Are

Wrote By Rote


If you decide, at any time, you want to start posting these on your blog, let me know, and I'll add you to the list.



First, the story.

Where we left off: J1 decided to quit school (again). His parents lived approximately 30-45 minutes away from the college, so my first thought was that this wouldn't be that big of a deal. In other words, dating him was still doable. And to my credit (or codependency, whichever you prefer) I did give it my very best shot. However, J1 made it difficult. At least, it felt that way.

I remember spending a lot of time waiting on phone calls that didn't happen. Being disappointed by planned visits that suddenly became unplanned. However, I accepted all the excuses (shame on me!) and even justified the insanity to my friends.


Meanwhile, Christmas break came and I went home. This was a bizarre year home. It was the first Christmas with my parents actually divorced and living apart. Ironically, I don't have many memories of this Christmas. Did I block them? I don't know. I do remember visiting my relatives on both sides... just separately with one parent and then the other.

I didn't plan to include this... in fact, I only just remembered it now, but it was this Christmas visit when we spent more time than usual at my cousin's house. She had two young kids (a 7 year old and a 2 year old). The seven year old (girl) looked very much like my cousin and was a very happy kid. They'd had a big Christmas despite the fact her husband was out of work (so it was hard on them). All the women on my dad's side of the family are a bit psychic and interested in "odd" things. At that time, my cousin was big on palm reading. I wasn't sure how I felt about that, but being one of those women (on my dad's side of the family), I found it intriguing. The lines on your hands tell several things, but my little second cousin didn't have a single line on either of her hands. I suppose that should have screamed something to me (and her mother!) but it didn't. It was just another odd thing. My hands said I'd go through two divorces (and I have)... my parents' divorce and my own. The line for my parents' divorce is much deeper than my own. I don't think it takes a rocket scientist to figure that one out. Anyway, there will be more to this story later.

Back to the J1 part of this story. So, we're at my nanny's house (dad's mom) and it was probably Christmas day late afternoon. The year was 1988. No cell phones and you still paid to call long distance. In point of fact, my family pretty much only called long distance in a state of emergency or for a two minute or less call. Why call when you could write a letter???? So, it was a fairly big deal to ask my nanny if I could use her phone LONG DISTANCE to call J1. I thought she might say no, but she agreed.

Turns out, I could've saved that dollar. I called and talked to him for about thirty seconds. He was watching a football game on TV and didn't want to talk to me. And he pretty much said it just like that. I mean he can talk to me any time, but how often is his favorite team (Minnesota) winning??? Merry Christmas!

Nanny was surprised to see me off the phone so quickly and said, "He wasn't home?"

I said, "No, he was. Just didn't want to talk. The football game was on."

She got what I think of as "the look." You know that look... like she bit into something rotten. Then she said tartly, "I hope you told him to sit on a tack."

Of course, the idea of me telling ANYONE to sit on a tack was absurd. (I didn't share the "saucy" aspect of the women on my dad's side of the family... unfortunately.)

But, I really really should have. I would've loved to see the look on his face when sweet little me said, "You and your football game can go sit on a tack!"

I'm sure I said something like, "Oh. Well, I don't want to interrupt you. Talk to you later. Bye." And then asked how high the next time he said, "Jump." Not pretty, but true.


Now, the song.

The song for today is Chain of Fools. It was originally a hit by Aretha Franklin, so we're not going to listen to that version today.

Had I been thinking harder (and longer) I might've included the movie The Commitments on my Top 25. I really liked the movie and loved the soundtrack. I might've loved the movie, but it's been a really long time since I've seen it, so maybe I loved it then but wouldn't like it so much now. I think the real point is I listened to the soundtrack much more often;)

Here is the version by The Commitments:



 Back in 2007, I discovered Eva Cassidy. Very talented lady who died much too soon. Here she is with her version of Chain of Fools:


I really like both versions of this song, so this one is going to be a tough vote for me. In fact, I'm still not sure where my vote will land. I'm curious to see what you guys think!


Please vote for the version of this song you prefer. If you want to get into the Ins and Outs of why you like one better than the other... I LOVE long comments!

For more Battle of the Bands fun, check out the other BOTB bloggers to vote on their battles:

53 comments:

  1. I like the musical arrangement of Cassidy's version. Plus her voice. She gets my vote.

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  2. J1 sounds like a real asshole! Must have been hard for you, dealing with your parents' divorce at the same time.

    I'm a huge fan of Eva Cassidy. Such a loss! Her version gets my vote, for vocals and arrangement, although The Commitments did a good job with it.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. J1 had issues. I think he was feeling very lost at the time... it doesn't make us a good partner in a relationship. I think this story says more about ME than HIM. Besides, I'm not interested in changing his choices. But thanks for what I know was a comment of support!

      Delete
  3. Football? Really? I guess that does fly as an excuse for a lot of guys, but it is pretty dumb. I guess that says something about his priorities.

    I've never cared much for this song. The Commitments version sounds true to the original but a lot better.

    I much prefer Eva's voice and her instrumental backup edges out the other one for me as well.

    I vote for Eva Cassidy for the second time today.

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, we went through a really long period of him only wanting me when he wanted me... and me accepting that. Again... not pretty, but true.

      Delete
  4. Ah yes, sit on a tack. Aka a little prick for a little prick with a little prick. But seriously, what a dick move.

    Eva Cassidy blew this one out of the water for me. One very strong vote for her.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If you read the above comments they are all true.

      But, yes, it was a dick move. Funny how my nanny knew it for what it was instantly. Me... not so much.

      Delete
  5. I loved the Commitments film and soundtrack-the band was pulled together from a bunch of Dublin bands, but I think I remember reading that the lead singer was found in a manner similar to the movie.

    I remember my jaw dropping hearing Andrew Strong sing-he has some pipes-but was not as enamored with the female vocal leads on the soundtrack.

    Eva Cassidy is a relatively recent discovery for me, and it may have been a BOTB where I first heard of her-but she's got some pipes of her own, and while the Commitments version is good, Eva's is off the charts.

    I thought the trailer was funny. Anyone who has ever been in Arizona in August would understand why saving daylight holds no interest for us, so we do not change our clocks. I am not sure I even know how.

    Larry

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Just wandered back and realized I never said definitively-my vote is for Eva Cassidy.

      Delete
    2. I went back and watched that video again and noticed there was a clip for the sequel (spring forward)-it's even funnier!

      Delete
    3. This whole BoTB installment is only making me want to watch this movie again.

      I'm glad you liked the "trailer" and pointed me toward the other one. You're right. It's also pretty darn funny. Funnier? I don't know. That's a close race!!!

      As for changing the clocks... I'm notorious for just not doing it. Six months of the year I live with a clock that has the wrong time. ESPECIALLY the digital clock in the car, which used to be a real pain to change. I vividly remember when I was married and the kids were very young. I think C-Man was in 1st grade. Anyway, his sister said something about being late and C-Man corrected her by reminding her that the clock in the car was one hour fast right now. ha!

      Delete
  6. Eva Cassidy gets my vote as she has that strong female voice I like. I thought I'd like the first one which reminded me of Motown girl groups, but no, I always like a bluesy voice much better.
    My first husband sounds a lot like J1 - everything was always more important than me. The best thing to do when it's one-sided is to exit stage left. I did.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. D.G. --- I hate to say this, but it's going to take me a very long time to figure out this all-important lesson. I think I've finally got it, but won't know for sure until I encounter that same behavior again. However, I like to think that I like myself more now and simply wouldn't accept this sort of thing again.

      Eva Cassidy! Got you down.

      Delete
  7. Eva Cassidy is amazing! Her voice is so powerful. How interesting that we both featured her in our battles! Yeah, I definitely liked Eva much better than The Commitments.
    Thanks for sharing your story with us. Men! Don't even get me started...
    Michele at Angels Bark

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    1. I finally found the battle I've not yet found. I'm going there directly!!!

      Delete
  8. I enjoyed the rawness of the voice in the Commitments so they get my vote. Eva Cassidy has a strong voice but I felt it was not the right voice for this song for some reason. She is a powerhouse but I prefer The Commitments. It must be difficult to think how you still stayed with J1 knowing what you know now. I have to agree with your step mom. Love that trailer and it's so true. Here in Canada, people would need to live in...egad!...Saskatchewan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Birgit, I could beat myself up for these choices (and I have) or I can learn from them (which I NOW have). I can look at it as a penalty (where I'm just fined) or a purchase (wherein I learned something valuable). Unfortunately for me I didn't really get a handle on any of this until a few years ago... and this sort of thing plus much worse had come and gone.

      The price of experience can be high!

      Delete
  9. Loved the daylight savings trailer.

    ReplyDelete
  10. GIRL WONDER ~
    I love the movie 'THE COMMITMENTS'. It was actually my friend LC (DiscConnected) who turned me onto that one - a very funny movie that I would like to have on DVD someday.

    And thanks so much for the info about Daylight Saving(no "s") Time. I spent the last 20 years in Arizona and forgot all about it. Had I not read your blog first, I would have gone into work an hour too early, because I never considered that I'm in Nevada now, and Daylight Saving(no "s") Time went into effect at midnight.

    I've tried to call the idiot I'll be relieving to remind him it's 2:29 and not 3:29, but the idiot is not answering the phone... like an idiot!

    Anyway, I had to listen to both versions of this song twice. It's pretty close for me, but I think I'll vote for THE COMMITMENTS version. I just enjoyed that one slightly more. Probably because of the electric organ.

    ~ D-FensDogG
    'Loyal American Underground'

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    Replies
    1. I kinda thought this was how you'd vote. I can pretty well always count on you to vote for the electric organ.

      You're so predictable;)

      Delete
  11. Daylight Savings time - don't even get me started. When I was younger and really could sleep, I loved THIS time change. An extra hour of sleep, are you kidding me? That was heaven. But today with a multitude of 'problems' one of them being chronic insomnia, who needs an extra hour of laying in bead waiting for the sky to lighten up.

    STOML - Isn't it interesting that as we age, when our eyesight should be failing, it is so much easier to see that 'handwriting on the wall', than when we were young and insisting in our heart and head how 'it should be'.

    BOTB - when I first listened early this morning, I started with door number one, The Commitments and about a minute in thought no, and click on over to Eva. After listening to her all the way through, I thought Oh, oh, I don't care for this one either, so I waited a couple of hours and came back. This time, after listening to both of them ALL the way through, I decided I really did like the version by The Commitments. So, guess who I'm voting for? Need more clues? Ha, ha, ha!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DST - Like you, as a young person I loved Fall Back. Now, it just messes up what internal clock I do have.

      SOML - On the one hand, I really wish I'd learned these lessons much earlier. On the other hand, I'm thankful I learned them at all. Plenty of people never see the unhealthy patterns in their lives. Ergo, a whole bunch of crap happens to them, but it's always someone else's fault. Pretty clear here that I could've called an end to the crap. I just didn't.

      BoTB - Eva, it is. Just kidding. Got you down for The Commitments.

      Delete
  12. Hubzam hates winter...even before I even think it IS winter...and so DST ushers in his complaints about it either getting dark early or the sun being low on the horizon and getting in his eyes when he drives. It's like clockwork (pun intended); let the winter complaints begin!

    Why do we, as women, put up with so much crap when we are younger? I've done it myself. You know someone doesn't appreciate you and value you - and we stick! We need a booth to counsel other young women...we're cautionary tales. But I love ya anyhow. :-)

    Both of these songs in your BOTB offering are great, in my opinion. But I have to go with The Commitments today! Look at my dear Glen Hansard on guitar in the movie...crush crush crush. Glen will never do me wrong (ha ha ha).

    Good job, my friend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cherdo,

      And that's why I love Florida. Moving on...

      As we move through this SOML series, you'll see that I put with a lot of crap even when I was old. It's taken way too long to see that sh#t didn't just happen to me, but I invited it in and offered it coffee. The beautiful thing is I see it now. It's really sad I had to get so sick to open my eyes.

      I love ya too!

      Delete
  13. That video is a scream! I'll have to remember it when I post about Daylight Saving Time next year.

    As for BOTB, I vote for Eva Cassidy. Her version has more emotion and the horn section appeals to the jazz buff and brass player in me.

    If I did BOTB, I'd put up two marching ensembles playing the same tune. That would be a very different BOTB!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad you liked the video. :)

      Got you down for Eva.

      Two marching ensembles... your life is one wild party Pinku.... ha!

      Delete
  14. My vote is for Eva she brought a bit more soul to the song!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. She just appealed to your rhythm and blues is all:)

      Delete
  15. Right again Robin. That time change video is the best ever. Loved it.
    I have that CD of the Committments and use a lot of their tunes for jazz class.
    Have to stick with the familiar..... Committments

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad to see you here Manzi.

      I'm not at all surprised to see you vote for The Commitments. After all, motown is more danceable.

      Oh, and yay for the video!

      Delete
  16. That Daylight Savings video is such a hoot! And very well produced. I always forget about those guys.

    We do some wacky stuff as young people. Mix in some codep and it just compounds the issue. I'm glad you're in a better place now and have the ability to reflect. Hugs.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, this is all about "look where I was" and "I'm so glad I'm not there any longer."

      Delete
  17. YAY for this battle!! I love the Commitments and when I read your post, I asked myself how did I forget about the Commitments? Eva's voice is wonderful and is soulful but I still give my vote to the Commitments.
    Oh sister, if I only had a dollar for every night I sat and stared at my phone willing it to ring from the boys who told me they would call. I have similar stories just taking and taking so much crap like a doormat. Why did we do that?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Holli,

      Why did we do that?

      Short answer: We didn't value ourselves enough to say "Enough!" and walk away.

      That stings, doesn't it????

      Delete
  18. That Daylight Saving video! Best thing ever!
    I HATE CHANGING THE CLOCKS!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Robin, retrospect always brings things into proper perspective. J1 was not only appreciative of your call, he was a real jerk about it. Shame on him! Wouldn't it be awesome, if one could go back in time to correct how one handled a situation? I know it sure would make me feel better about the past. :D Please give my vote to The Commitments. Their cover made my ears a bit happier. Thanks for dropping by!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. I may not have a time machine, but I can appreciate where I was versus where I am. Chances are good someone is going to not appreciate me sometime in the future, so I'll be able to tell that person to sit on the tack. It's all good.

      Delete
  20. Yep, you should have told him to go sit on a tack. :) I've done the how high thing though. I think we all have at some point in our lives. ;)

    I like that second version best on the song. My vote goes to Eva (I like both versions though).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I think so, too. Always good to see you Rosey!

      Delete
  21. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  22. I HATE turning clocks back in Fall. I just absolutely hate it!
    That video was hilarious though, thanks for sharing it.

    Interesting life story you've been telling. I've been keeping up with it, but not sure I could produce a string of songs related to my life. Though I suppose the battle I offer this time around does sort of include a bit of life story. Hope to hear the bit of the story where you finally realized this guy was not that into you.

    As for your battle, I'm going to go with Eva Cassidy. She does have a great voice and her rendition of this song is spot-on. Ironically enough, doing a bit of research I discovered she died on this day, 19 years ago. Did you know that going into this battle?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. With regard to the Soundtrack of My Life. I just wish it wasn't so darn depressing. Remember in Better Off Dead that he ripped the radio out of the car and threw it out the window? Yeah, my life is kinda like that.

      Delete
    2. And, no, I didn't know that about Eva Cassidy. Thanks for the info.

      Delete
  23. First, J1 is a douchebag. End of story. You deserved better. The dumb butt who eventually got stuck with him did too. Prolly his dumb dog too.


    Second, I am FAR from an Aretha and the Heavyweights fan, but I can at least put up with this one.

    Third, Eva by a mile!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CW,
      Fortunately, we are all more than one thing. I'll agree that this wasn't J1's shining moment. In fact, he went through a bad few years, and I jumped along for the ride. And this incident is not the end of the story. Although, in hindsight, I think we can all agree that it should've been.

      Gotcha down for Eva.

      You're a good friend. J1 was not kind here, but I didn't exercise good judgment either. You're very kind to not mention that...

      Delete
  24. Hey all... Appreciate all of the great comments. I promise to come back and reply to each of you soon (tomorrow?!?).

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hi Robin,

    To add to my confusion, over here in the UK, our clocks went back an hour one week sooner than you folks. Which meant when I phoned Canada last weekend, I had to remember to phone one hour earlier. See the nightmare we go through.

    Thanks for your ongoing verbalisation of your life story.

    I don't like either version of that song. However, I shall vote for Eva.

    Take care, my friend.

    Gary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The insanity is everywhere!!!!

      I write my life story so everyone else will feel better about THEIR choices!

      Delete
  26. Oh, this choice is difficult. I love The Commitments, but I vote for Eva Cassidy. She sounds so bluesy--exactly what a woman needs when her boyfriend is too busy to talk to her because of a flippin' football game.

    Love,
    Janie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm torn in this battle, too.

      Ah the boy. I wonder if he even remember this incident. Probably not. I think he had a lot going on in his head at this time.

      Delete
  27. Tough one, Robin. The (awesome) traditional version vs. Eva's (awesome) freshness... I think I'll go with Eva. I like the jazzy feel there.

    Sorry for the late vote! Finally back in the land of online life ;)
    Guilie @ Quiet Laughter

    ReplyDelete

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