Is it Getting Hot in Here? Celebrating the Anniversary of the Great Boston Fire of 1872

‘Ello lovelies!

As I’m sure you all now, today, November 9th, marks the 139th year anniversary of the Great Boston Fire of 1872. If you are unfamiliar, the fire started on Summer Street, and destroyed about 65 acres of downtown Boston (776 buildings and much of the financial district. It caused $73.5 million in damage (which was a crapton of money back then).

Today also marks the publication of the first ever issue of the Rolling Stones Magazine. Rolling Stone “is not just about the music, but about the things and attitudes that music embraces.” Rolling Stone has featured journalists such as Hunter S. Thompson, who would first publish his most famous work Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas within the pages of Rolling Stone, and also helped launch the careers of many prominent authors.

So, in order to celebrate the anniversary these two momentus occasions, I give you 4 of my favorite classic rock songs about fire!

4) Fire – Bruce Springsteen: Great song from the Boss. The bass line is super catchy.

3) Smoke on the Water – Deep Purple: Ok, I really don’t think of this as one of my favorite songs, but I have to include it on this list just because everyone and their brother knows about this song. Also, did you know that the song is based off a true story? Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention were playing a show in Switzerland, when all of a sudden the synthesizer caught on fire. Then some d-bag shot a flare gun into the ceiling, setting the whole building on fire! The members of Deep Purple watched the smoke from the destroyed building and sound equipment pour across the waters of Lake Geneva. Crazy huh?

2) Light my Fire – The Doors: Classic.

1) Fire – Jimi Hendrix: This song is clearly talking about… well, you know… Lighting someone’s fire *wink wink nudge nudge*… right? WRONG! This song is literally about Jimi Hendrix being cold, and wanting to stand next to someones fireplace to warm up.The story goes that there was a dog in the way of the fire place, hence the line, “Aw, move over, Rover, and let Jimi take over…”. I bet I just blew your mind right there.

Joo Lyke!? I hope so! Happy Wednesday everyone!
-Tim

Random Music Friday: Celebrity Tributes

Hia guys and gals,

Here is a riddle for you: What do Michael Jackson, Bruce Willis, Barbra Streisand, David Bowie, and Clint Eastwood have in common?
A: They are all the central theme for some of my favorite songs!

This week, I want to try something new: instead of just picking any random song from my library, I figure a little structure is necessary. So the theme for this blog will be Random Celebrity Tribute Songs!

Here is a list (in no particular order) of some of my favorite random celebrity tribute songs:

1) Duck Sauce – Barbra Streisand
Duck Sauce is a DJ duo made up of A-Trak and Armand Van Helden. This song is their biggest hit, at one point reaching #1 on the chart for its genre.

2) The Scofflaws – William Shatner
Apparently the Scofflaws were Trekkies! They decided to write a whole song about Mr. Shatner and his role as Captain James Kirk.

3) Mr. Oizo - Bruce Willis is Dead
No, he’s not really dead, but this guy decided to write a song ahead of time. I guess he wanted to be prepared when the occasion arises? Mr. Oizo is one of my favorite musicians (I actually had the chance to see him in NYC last weekend. He was on the dance floor while the opening band played, and I got to dance rigth next to him – one of the best shows I’ve ever been to ever!), and I find this song to be super catchy. Although, I think it would be better without that guy going “WOOOOOooo’ all the freaking time….

4) Flight of the Conchords - Bowie
Since Jemain and Brett talk alot about Bowie in space, I think this song is probably about David Bowie’s “Space Oddity.” If have ever heard the Flight of the Conchords before, you know how hilarious they are. This one is just as strange and funny as any other!

5) Boys Noize – This is Michael Jackson  + Cocotte
More like an intro to another song, but close enough. I don’t know what it is about these DJs, but

6) Gorilliaz - Clint Eastwood
So alright, no actual mention of Clint Eastwood in the song, but I’m sure you can relate it to him somehow. I just really love this song.

mmkay then, enjoy! ‘Til next time!
- Tim