Reaching For The Stars, Vol. 115
Chart Week: August 14, 1982 Song: “And I Am Telling You I Am Not Going” – Jennifer Holliday Chart Position: #26, 7th week on the chart. Would peak at #22 for three weeks. One aspect of the pop chart that messed with my head when I was young was how songs that were huge hits on the genre charts would…
Wednesday Notes
Fever Well, I sure jinxed the Fever! The last time I mentioned them I pointed out how they had their longest winning streak in a decade, all without Caitlin Clark. Since then they’ve lost three-of-four, the only win against hapless Chicago. Worst of all was last week’s game in Phoenix. I didn’t stay up to watch the game but in…
Tuesday Links
Steven Hyden on seeing Oasis in London. Noel Gallagher is not a great or even cogent lyricist, and his melodies can sometimes seem a little samey. But when it comes to writing songs that large groups of individuals in various states of inebriation can sing in unison, perfectly, Bob Dylan and Beethoven have nothing on him. He is the absolute genius…
Weekend Notes
Some notes about things, some of which happened before the weekend began. But first… A Blog Update Yes, I fucked around with how the site looks over the weekend. I believe I had used the same theme for six or seven years. That package had not been updated in ages, and while it has continued to work through WordPress updates,…
Friday Playlist
Several repeats of artists I’ve played recently who have more solid, new music out. “Sleep All Summer” – Crooked Fingers Hey, our freshman-to-be’s theme song! “Angelus” – The Berries Before we get to the repeats, here’s a new song from a new artist that is crazy good. “Call You Back” – TTSSFU Even if you don’t listen to the words,…
Reader’s Notebook, 8/7/25
The Happy Isles of Oceania – Paul Theroux The latest re-read – for the fifth, sixth time? – of my all time favorite, non-fiction book. I actually meant to take it when we traveled to Hawaii four years ago but couldn’t find it. It turned up a year or two later and has been sitting on my shelf, waiting for…
Reaching For The Stars, Vol. 114
Chart Week: August 5, 1978 Song: “Love Will Find A Way” – Pablo Cruise Chart Position: #9, 10th week on the chart. Peaked at #6 the week of August 26. There are many factors that go into determining my favorite musical years. Clearly the songs are the biggest factor. It is a huge bonus if most of the best tracks…
July Media
Movies, Shows, etc Arrested Development, season one I figured “Why not watch this again?” the week of July 4th. Never disappoints. A Long Way Home This is Ewan McGregor and Charlie Boorman’s fourth series about riding motorcycles long distances. I watched the first, 20 years ago, and then didn’t realize the others existed. Luckily this one landed on Apple TV+…
Weekend Notes
A very busy weekend, at least the front half. A Wedding Friday evening we all went to the wedding of O, the oldest daughter of our neighbors at our old house. M was a bridesmaid, her first of many I’m sure, so it was an extra big deal for her. It was a very nice ceremony and reception; the bride…
Friday Playlist
Another big, eclectic mix of music this week. “Summer Drive” – Dragon Turtle For those moody, nighttime drives when summer’s hold begins to slip. “mangetout” – Wet Leg It took a minute, but a song from the new WL album finally jumped out at me. This track has all the cheek of their first album – so many sly lyrics!…