Friday, April 1, 2016

A IS FOR ANGEL (RIDING SHOTGUN WITH BATTLE OF THE BANDS)

Today is April 1. For me, that means two things: 1) The A to Z is kicking off (and I have a FUN idea this year), and 2) It's Battle of the Bands (which walks hand in hand with my fun A to Z idea).



So, let's get down to it.

For each letter of the A to Z, I'm going to give you a KEYWORD. You post in the comments a song with that word in the title. I will give you one to start (along with a video). If you like, you can go to YouTube and embed your video in the comments (by copy/pasting the link), so that readers can also listen to your song. No repeats and only post one song so that everyone can participate. If you're just brimming with songs, come back in a few days and lay it on me! If you want to see who else is participating in the A to Z click here. Special thanks to Arlee Bird and the A to Z team who make this possible!

Arlee Bird @ Tossing it Out
Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh
J
eremy Hawkins @ Hollywood Nuts
Damyanti Biswas @ Daily Write
Heather M. Gardner @ The Waiting is the Hardest Part
Author AJ Lauer
P
am Brown Margolis @ An Unconventional Librarian
Zalka Csenge Virág @ The Multicolored Diary
Joy Campbell @ The Character Depot
John Holton @The Sound of One Hand Typing

Today and the 15th, I'll be combining the challenge with Battle of the Bands, which pits two covers of the same song against one another. Listen to each and then vote on your favorite. Approximately one week later, I'll tally up the votes and post the winner based on your votes.

What is the KEYWORD?


That leads to my choice in song: ANGEL OF THE MORNING.

This song has been covered many times, with the most well-known version by Juice Newton. So, we'll listen to two other ladies sing it. Then you vote on who you think does it better! ALSO, post a song with the word ANGEL in the title (and embed the video if you like).

First up is Skeeter Davis:
 

VS.

Chrissie Hynde and The Pretenders:



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:


Did you vote? Did you post a comment with the keyword? Did you post a video with your ANGEL song in it by copy/pasting the link? Did you HAVE FUN????

72 comments:

  1. Love the idea! Good luck on this blogging journey!

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is going to be fun! Angel Mine, by the Cowboy Junkies (wouldn't accept the link in comments)

    Your battle is tough might have to go with the original.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You can't use the "embed" function. You literally have to copy/paste the link in the search bar.

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-2aNnij82U

      Delete
  3. Nice, I am not a music connoisseur so Angel of the Morning was new to me but I liked it. I am going to say Snow Angel by Over the Rhine, a rather sad but beautiful Christmastime song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qXw3zstkPg

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I really like Over The Rhine. I've not heard their Christmas album, so this song was new to me. Thanks! I hope you continue to play along. I can't wait to see what you add to the list!

      Delete
  4. Something about both of the tunes reminds me of the Carpenters. I don't know why. I vote for Skeeter Davis. Ta Dum. I also don't know why. LOL
    I'm also not sure of how to post a tune in your comments. I know.... you said how to do it but remember, I'm an old broad. I consider it luck when I can even get to
    your blog. Hahaha

    Enjoy your A-Z month.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yay! A vote for Skeeter Davis.

      I was initially confused about YouTube, too. I wanted to use the embed code like I would in my blog. But, no, that will not work. You just copy/paste the link at the very top in your search bar.

      Delete
  5. Not a fan of Hynde's voice, so my vote goes for the first one.
    My song pick - Clockwork Angels by Rush!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Another vote for Skeeter Davis. I'm a bit shocked. I thought you'd go the other way on this one. Just goes to show... I don't know squat about how folks will vote!

      You picked a Rush song. Now I'm (not) shocked!

      Delete
  6. My vote goes to Chrissie Hynde.
    My song that has Angel would be Send me an angel by Real Life. One of my 80's faves!! I'm replying back by phone so I can't embed the video.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. When you do this yourself, don't try to "embed" the video. Just copy/paste the link in the search bar.

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCHE0Tjw6MA

      Delete
    2. Gosh, Holli, I didn't know this song. Not sure how that happened!!!

      Real Life reminds me of Depeche Mode or The Psychadelic Furs or maybe even The Cure. They sound very 80s Alt Rock to me.

      I really like this song. Thanks for sharing!!!

      Delete
  7. Wow, excellent theme Robin!! Love this idea.
    As for your battle, I'm going with Skeeter. I've always liked Chrissie Hynde but for this song, I find that I prefer Skeeter Davis. Maybe because it sounds so 60s...

    Now for your A-Z idea, which I love, here's my pick:
    The Black Crowes - She Talks to Angels

    (crap: can't embed the video -- and it's a good one too! Getting a message that says "Your HTML cannot be accepted. Tag is not allowed: IFRAME" I tried a few different embed codes but keep getting this message)

    I have a few more and will come back to see if anyone else lists them...

    Great fun!!

    Michele at Angels Bark

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. When you do this yourself, don't try to "embed" the video. Just copy/paste the link in the search bar.

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1a76FeV2-Dw

      Delete
    2. I like this song a lot, too!

      Delete
  8. Very Nice Post...

    Welcome in the letter "A"... thank you!
    Jeremy [Retro]
    AtoZ Challenge Co-Host [2016]

    Stop over and find a free "SIX STRINGS: BLOGGING AtoZ CHALLENGE" Here: http://www.jmhdigital.com/

    HOLLYWOOD NUTS!
    You know you want to know if me or Hollywood... is Nuts?

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hmmm, I'm not a huge fan of either one. I'm a huge fan of the name Juice Newton, but that's not even a question. Give me Skeeter Davis (also a fun name). I like hers just a bit better.

    Also, I believe it was the great Shaggy who once said HEYDISBGHOOASPDIJHUOGPGAOFOAHISFOAIGHODIAGHMONNNN

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWJrPzAUzAs

    Wise words, brother, wise words.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Do think you could translate that Monica???

      Delete
    2. Most people think he's talking about a woman, but Shaggy's actually giving a brilliant dissertation on late neoclassical economics. I think what's most beautiful about his argument is that in the late neoclassical context, neither the essentialist notions of human subject that involve self-transparency, autonomy, rationality, and intentional agency nor the ontologies of concordance, harmony, order and equilibrium are thoroughly scrutinized.

      Delete
    3. Monica, I'm so sorry I asked. As the saying goes, "Be careful what you wish for... you must might get it!"

      Delete
    4. [im]http://s2.quickmeme.com/img/44/44f7687d72ebc1e1201fcc3b9e5b05f978d44e580f2bc76d72928a58e3be9c67.jpg[/im]

      Delete
  10. I gotta go with Ohio icon, Chrissie Hynde, on this one and add Steven Tyler's version of Angel for the list!

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBTOGVb_cQg

    Nice job, Robin! You've outdone yourself. And I wonder if I will see the video here, since I'm feeling dumb. Love ya, Robin!

    Cherdo
    Cherdo on the Flipside
    "Favorite Characters, Favorite Lines" on the A-to-Z Challenge 2016

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm going with Cherdo and going Pretenders. They could open for Aerosmith. That would be an awesome ticket.

      Delete
    2. I couldn't remember precisely when this came out. I started the video and thought, "That has to be 80s. Look at that hair. Those costumes. Soooooo 80s." Then I looked it up. Yep. 1988.

      Thanks for taking me back to my teen years Cherdo!

      Delete
  11. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I remember an oldie with that name in it - 'Teen Angel' (Mark Dining) 1960. Don't know if I've done this right . . .
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KG_VIcoiCFA

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love the variety we're getting here! Thanks for sharing!!!!

      Delete
  13. Oops forgot part one - my vote goes to Skeeter Davis, just because she seems to embody the soul of the song. (country blues)

    ReplyDelete
  14. I absolutely LOVE this idea, Robin! ☺ Great battle, too. Chrissie Hynde and The Pretenders get my vote. She has a great voice. Skeeter, not so much. My "Angel" song is by Jimi Hendrix: (couldn't find a Youtube video, so I hope this one works)

    https://vimeo.com/26304068

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Found one, but the sound isn't great:
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQd5Vya_Kmw

      Delete
    2. The sound wasn't great, but it wasn't terrible, either. Thanks for playing along!!!

      Delete
  15. I love this idea, it's so fun!!

    "Angel", by one of my favourite bands ever, Slim Cessna's Auto Club:
    https://youtu.be/gvTR_kiFNIw

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Never heard of these guys, but I dig the song. Thanks for sharing!

      Delete
  16. My vote for Skeeter Davis. But I like the Merilee Rush version best.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I'm voting for Skeeter but I prefer Juice Newton. I haven't heard that son in forever.
    Susan Says


    ReplyDelete
  18. How fun! I have always really enjoyed Juice Newton's version. Giving my vote to Chrissie Hynde and The Pretenders.

    I was going to drop Shaggy's Angel here, but as someone beat me to it.. I'll leave you this Angel song: (I hope this link works!)

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJaKv9dgQPU

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Whenever I hear Sha Na Na it takes me back to the prom scene in Grease. Doesn't matter what Sha Na Na song either. Thanks for posting!!!

      Delete
  19. Robin, I'm giving my vote to Skeeter Davis. The first song I thought of is the theme song to Angel. Unfortunately, I couldn't embed the code. I got an error message that read YOUR HTML cannot be accepted: Tag is not allowed: IFRAME, so here's the direct link:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHSFV5IkM5c

    Great fun #BotB & A2Z post!

    Curious as a Cathy
    All Things Vintage: Artists #AprilA2Z #BoTB

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oops, it looks like publishing it throws the video into the comment. Who knew?

      Delete
    2. I miss this show. Thanks for that little walk down memory lane.

      Delete
  20. I liked the deeper sounding voice of Chrissie Hynde (and The Pretenders). My vote goes to them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oops, here's mine:
      Shelley Fabares - Johnny Angel [Full Video Edit] 1961

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwIYSofgpY0

      Delete
    2. There is a restaurant here that feels like a 50s diner called Johnny Angels. They make great sandwiches and milkshakes. On Saturday nights they have karaoke, but the place is really too small for it, with a poor layout for karaoke. PLUS, it makes for a late Sat night with church on Sunday morning, so we've pretty much stopped going. But, it's still a great place to eat.

      And the song's pretty good, too;)

      Delete
  21. I'm going with The Pretenders. I think it's just because I can relate to it more. Not sure why. I just like her voice more. It's, I don't know, more throaty, I think. I tried to find a song I like but I couldn't decide. I almost posted a heavy metal song but then decided against it... :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for voting. I'm actually enjoying all the different styles of music that people are posting. We bloggers are an eclectic bunch. I like it!!!

      Delete
  22. I'm so tuned to the reggae version of this song it almost sounds foreign. I like Skeeter better, so she gets my vote.

    Alabamans ''Angels Among Us'

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Too pretty not to post it...
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_4Xfj2LRSA

      Delete
  23. I'm going with the Skeeter Davis version. Beautiful song. Have always loved it. I don't think this U2 song has been selected yet.
    https://youtu.be/biNvjeHYGt8

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, Jeff, now you've gone it and done it. McCarthy might not forgive you for taking HIS contribution to the Angel songs. ;)

      Delete
    2. Ha!-Ha!
      Nah, JEFFY was safe wid dat one. I wuzn't planning to use it (in any of my next 666 lifetimes).

      ~ D-FensDogG

      Delete
  24. Sadly I have no sound but I always liked the Rod Stewart song, Angel, which I think was actually written by Jimi Hendrix.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Funny that. Debbie posted Angel by Jimi Hendrix. The Rod Stewart version is a cover. Could this be a future BoTB in the making???

      Delete
  25. This song is one of the four or five you will find at the very core of my being. I've never heard a version that didn't tear me up. (Funny aside- when I was little and the original was on the charts, I thought it was about a nun doing that-which-nuns-should-not-do.)


    And Skeeter? That's like two grand slams for me! At that same age, I had a big crush on her. God, that was almost a half-century ago....

    If I could have the Pretenders drum track on Skeeters vocals, that'd be about perfect. I'll vote for Skeeter.

    And for the keyword, how about this one? Counting Crows is one of my faves, and even if this particular song isn't, it's still pretty good...

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OO3kWNHyZOE

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CW, I finally "hit you where you lived." I'd say it's long overdue!

      Logged you in as a hearty vote for Skeeter.

      Thanks for playing along and posting an Angel song!

      Delete
  26. GIRL WONDER ~
    This is a very, very cool idea! Me likey! And because I'm so late getting here, I'm going to make it up to you by doing something a wee bit o' different...

    Not only am I going to post an "ANGEL" song, I'm going to post two versions of it - the original and a cover - so that it's a kind of mini-BOTB in the comment section of your BOTB installment.

    Here you go: The song is 'YOU ANGEL YOU", written and recorded by BOB DYLAN and covered by MANFRED MANN'S EARTH BAND.

    (Link...>>) 'YOU ANGEL YOU' / Bob Dylan

    (Link...>>) 'YOU ANGEL YOU' / Manfred Mann's Earth Band

    As for my vote in your Battle... SKEETER DAVIS! Oh, yeah. Weird name, but I really like some of her songs. I even once bought a 45 single of the song 'End Of The World'. I'd have skated with Skeeter.

    ~ D-FensDogG
    'Loyal American Underground'

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hate to do this to you after you were being REALLY SWEET, but I'm putting you on notice right now. If no one votes on this mini-BoTB, I'm hijacking it for future use.

      Just thinking about roller skating makes me smile. I did most of my skating before I was 16 (and driving). Skating around the roller rink was one of the most freeing times of my youth. When I was a kid it was riding a bike. But as a pre-teen and teen, it was roller skating. Your comment made me smile.

      Delete
    2. GW ~
      No problem about the mini-BOTB. Consider it my gift to you. Do with it as you please.

      Funny that I never even thought about using that one as a "real" BOTB installment on my blog. I only came up with it because of your "angel" word prompt and then my mind started pulling up angel songs.

      But with this one, the versions are so different (yet both good) and by two famous artists, that I got the idea to post 'em both as a BOTB kinda thang.

      Seems to me that it would make a pretty nice "REAL" BOTB contest. Have fun wid it. (Never occurred to me that I might someday have to actually vote on this match-up.)

      Yeah, as I kid I did plenty of roller skating too. Not in roller skating rinks (although we had them) but just on the streets.

      In later years, during their early twenties, Nappy and a couple of the other League Of Soul Crusaders got back into skating with real fancy, expensive roller skates. They used to skate on the Venice Beach boardwalk on Saturdays and Sundays, while enjoying the free freak show.

      ~ D-FensDogG

      Delete
  27. I think I like the original (at least I think it is... sure sounds like it) by Skeeter Davis so well, anything else pales in comparison. Chrissie Hynde has a gorgeous voice, I'm just too influenced by the original. Skeeter Davis wins here.

    As for a song with "angel" in the title, how about Jimi Hendrix's "Angel? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQd5Vya_Kmw

    ReplyDelete
  28. Lots of work went into this. Appreciated it all.

    Diana
    @MontanaHens (Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter)
    https://playingwithoutlimits.wordpress.com/

    ReplyDelete
  29. I love this song and I have to give it to Skeeter because Hynde's version seemed a bit messy to me somehow. The first one sounded cleaner. I know ABBA had a song with angel in it just can't remember the title

    ReplyDelete
  30. Since I'm late and blogging at a handicap anyway, I'll just vote.

    Skeeter Davis for me!

    Arlee Bird
    A to Z Challenge Co-host
    Tossing It Out

    ReplyDelete
  31. I vote for The Pretenders. Chrissie sounds like someone who actually would have come home with me from a bar. Skeeter just sounds too much like an angel.

    And now, my contribution to the angel titled songs, "Angel" from the anime "The Vision of Escaflowne."

    https://youtu.be/rgdNSXx5w5I

    Here's to my continuing to find obscure song selections all the way up to Z!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm shocked by the number of songs that are completely new to me (thus far) in this challenge. It just goes to show that we bloggers have extremely varied taste in music!!! Thanks for sharing (another) foreign-to-me song. :)

      Delete
    2. You're welcome! When I was a more active anime fan, I collected soundtrack albums, including the one above. I also have the soundtrack for this one, too, which fits the theme.

      https://youtu.be/KJuexdl_c5s

      At least this one is in English. The original, of course, is in Japanese.

      Delete
    3. I've noticed that people who are into anime are VERY into anime. I liked the song. There was so much action in the video it was a bit hard to follow... haha.

      Delete
  32. Toronto's own late, great Jeff Healey ♥
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5ZsR382Cwk

    ReplyDelete
  33. Oh, what a great idea! I wish I'd been able to try to hop on board the A-Z Challenge - pfftt. But who am I kidding? I can barely keep up with a post every now and then, let alone actually writing every day (which I used to do, believe it or not).

    Give my vote to Chrissie/The Pretenders - I think that version was awesome, and I had no idea they'd done a cover.

    As for an angel-themed song? I'm feeling hair bandish tonight, so I hope this works:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukmobha2krY

    If that didn't work? Slaughter - "Fly To The Angels".

    Great battle!

    ReplyDelete
  34. So glad I made it here before voting closed! I'm going with The Pretenders... That's the version that gives me chills :)
    Guilie @ Life In Dogs

    ReplyDelete
  35. Some how I missed your Battle. My vote would have gone to The Pretenders, Chrissie has a magical voice

    ReplyDelete

You can now add YouTube videos in your comments by copy/pasting the link. AND/OR you can insert an image by surrounding the code with this: [im]code[/im]. In the case of images, make sure that your code is short and simple ending with something like .jpg. If you want to use a pic from someplace like Google Images, click on the image, then click on View Image. That is the code you want!

Dazzle Me!