So, let's start with the Soundtrack story. It's my Sophomore year of college. We're jumping ahead in time just a little bit, but at least we're in the right year! I lived in a coed dorm, the only one on campus, which is right where I wanted to be. My roommate situation became complicated at the end of my freshman year (which I'll address later), but ended up working out just the way it should. The girls who lived across the hall were complete strangers, though that wouldn't last, and they'd become good friends.
In point of fact, all four of us (me, my roomie, and the girls across the hall) all loved to play euchre. If you're from the north, you know of what I speak. If you're from the south, you're without a clue. I don't know about you western-living folk. BUT, it's a card game. In the north it's a wildly popular card game. Most everyone at my college played euchre. Turns out, there was a group of guys who lived on the second floor of my dorm who congregated in the lobby to play. After dinner, my friends and I (them that wanted to play, that is) would stop in the lobby for a game (or night) of euchre.
On this particular occasion, we didn't have enough people. So, I volunteered to go knock on doors on the second floor of the dorm to scrounge up some euchre players. I kinda sorta knew where these dudes lived, but not really. Anyway, one of the rooms had music blaring. (I mean blaring, as in really loud.) I knocked and knocked and knocked again. Honestly, I was stymied. Someone had to be in there because no one would just leave with their music turned up to 11.
This guy, who I'd never met, throws open the door and yells, "What???"
Two things were readily apparent. 1) He was annoyed. 2) He'd been sleeping. The latter threw my brain into a spin. Who could sleep through that racket????
I stammer out, "I was looking for R-------. We need someone for euchre." At this point, feeling really stupid and kinda scared. The guy was big (not fat), but football player-like big. Mussed. A bit like an angry bear.
He scratches his head and says, "Where you playing?
Okay, maybe this wasn't going to be a disaster. "The lobby."
"I'll be down in a few minutes." Door slams.
Why is this story even important? We'll call this guy J1 (guys with J names feature prominently in my life). He would also be my first Big Love. But not this year. There was a time when I thought this would be a story for the grandchildren. Alas, it didn't work out that way. But, it still makes me smile just to think about it. You never know who's lurking behind Door Number One.
If this were just a Soundtrack post, the song would be Orange Colored Sky by Nat King Cole. And you can listen to it HERE. But, you can't vote for it. He would run away with the vote. .
So, let's get to it. I punched in Orange Colored Sky on YouTube and listened to many versions. Honestly, I was a bit surprised at the number of covers. I'd never even heard the two I decided on for this battle until I began the search.
Do you have any First Meeting Stories you'd like to share? I'd like to hear about 'em!
First up is Natalie Gauci:
Next up is Michael Buble:
We've got so many new Battle of the Bands players that I'm having difficulty keeping up. (We post a new battle on the 1st and 15th of each month.) For those who've been following this feature/blog for a while now, can you believe that once upon a time -- for a long time-- there were only five of us??? Well, now the list grows each battle. So, if your name is not on here and you're participating, please leave me a message in the comments. Thanks for your patience!
Also, 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:
- Far Away Series (not participating 6/1/15)
- Stephen T. McCarthy's Battle of the Bands Blog
- Tossing it Out
- DiscConnected (temporarily disconnected from BoTB)
- This Belle Rocks
- Mike's Ramblings
- Curious as a Cathy
- Book Lover
- The Sound of One Hand Typing
- dcrelief ~ Battle of the Bands
- Shady Dell Music & Memories (not participating 6/1/15)
- Cherdo on the Flipside
- Angels Bark
- THE DOGLADY'S DEN
- Jingle Jangle Jungle
- WOMEN: We Shall Overcome
- Alex J. Cavanaugh (sometimes)
