Tag: 1980s

  • Assignment 8: If we could do it again only different

    Assignment 8: If we could do it again only different

    Name:  Mickey Pearson Location: Duluth, MN Relationship to music: Listener, erstwhile performer Industry: Recruitment (I’m a headhunter, basically.) I met Mickey through my sister, who was our last contributor to Five Song Project. He is one of the most musical people I know and a really thoughtful mixtape maker. 5songpjct: You and your wife made… Read more

  • Song 14: Covers done well

    Song 14: Covers done well

    “Love is the Drug” by Grace Jones. 5songpjct: Let’s talk about Grace Jones’ cover of “Love is the Drug.” I discovered Grace Jones because I was a huge James Bond fan in high school. There was a marathon on TNT one day, the 007 days of Christmas, or whatever. I had decided to watch A… Read more

  • Song 10: Music can change the world

    Song 10: Music can change the world

    “We Are the World” by U.S.A for Africa Fact: The US population is 325 million, give or take a few hundred thousand. Fact: the population of California is 39.5 million, which means nearly one in eight Americans is a Californian. No other country serves as a microcosm for the world than America, no other state… Read more

  • Song 8: Everyone Loves a Show-off

    Song 8: Everyone Loves a Show-off

    “Uptown Girl” by Billy Joel Written by Kevin If you’re of the mindset to show off, regardless of your singing ability, this song plants a stake in the ground. This is your night and everyone else is a guest in it. I love this song not only because (once again) everyone and their mama knows… Read more

  • Song 7: The Mood-lightener

    Song 7: The Mood-lightener

    “Never Gonna Give You Up” by Rick Astley Written by Kevin Karaoke can be serious. If you have someone with powerful vocals, a modicum of training and perhaps they’re in the midst of a bad week, it can get heavy. Maybe someone is racked with pain and because of their stylings or lack thereof, your… Read more

  • Assignment 2: The Rules of Karaoke

    Assignment 2: The Rules of Karaoke

    Name: Kevin Johnson Place: Koreatown, Los Angeles, CA Your relationship to music: karaoker Industry: IT Specialist, and sometime freelance writer/critic I first met our second contributor to Five Song Project in May of 2013 at book club. Kevin was invited to join our group by another book club member and friend. Our first meeting together… Read more

  • Song 5: We are all queens

    Song 5: We are all queens

    [“Androgyny” Photo by Monica Orozco] “Heroes” by David Bowie 5songprjct: Two of your picks are very famous for their transformations. David Bowie has transformed not only his music but his aesthetic along with every album. This is also true of Madonna. The photo you did of the Aladdin Sane cover really struck me. It is… Read more

  • Song 2: Whatever happened to Scarlett?

    Song 2: Whatever happened to Scarlett?

    [“peek-a-boo” Photo by Monica Orozco] “A Night Like This” by the Cure I was a late bloomer in everything. I was in one of those nondescript relationships when I was 18 or 19. He was the first person who would take me to concerts and clubs. Although it wasn’t the greatest relationship, I am glad… Read more