Category: Music

Patti LaBelle and Step Aerobics

Today is the last day of class before the end of NaNoWriMo, and my students are very studiously working on their drafts, so I figured now is as good a time as any to update.

1. First, let me just say that watching my creative writing students write during NaNo has been such a delight. They come in and get right to it. Headphones on, laptops or notebooks open, and away they go. I have put a prompt up on the board every day (some requested it), but I have no idea if they’re using them–I just know that they’re intensely focused on writing. It is a joy to behold.

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Bruno Mars, Boyz II Men, and The Breakk

This has been a week, but unlike last week which was a week, this was more “a bit of a week” (to paraphrase Lin-Manuel Miranda when he drops epic and happy making news).

To start, on Tuesday, I went to see Bruno Mars in concert.

Now, there were many things awesome about this. First of all, I had a pretty bomb floor seat. Second, I made friends with the woman (also there alone) sitting behind me. Third, BRUNO MARS who was amazing. Fourth: Surprise! Boyz II Men was the opening act.

squee
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Days 29 & 30 #BlackMusicMonth #30DayMusicChallenge

I didn’t post yesterday because I wasn’t quite sure what I was going to pick for the prompt. A song you HAVE to play loud? I mean, I get it, but I feel like I don’t really blast music anymore, so I would have to go way back. And when I did blast music, what would I blast? Also, honestly, it’s less that I play an entire song last and more that there are specific verses–especially with rap–that I have to play loud.

Day 29: A song you have to play loud

So the first song that popped into my head for this was “It’s All About the Benjamins” by Puff Daddy and the Family, especially Li’l Kim’s and Biggie’s verses (so you know, the end).

I am also a fan of the rock remix. Same volume rules apply.

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Days 26, 27, 28 #BlackMusicMonth #30DayMusicChallenge

I missed the past three days for many reasons, but now it’s time to jump back in and get caught up. So! Let’s hit it.

Day 26: A song with your favorite lyrics

Literally, all I could think about was Hamilton and my favorite lyrics from that are from “Say No to This”: Uh OH / you found the wrong sucker to CUCKOLD / so time to pay the piper for the pants you UNBUCKLED”

hamilton silly sexy
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Day 24: A song everybody loves that you decidedly don’t love #BlackMusicMonth #30DayMusicChallenge

This song has always irritated me. I even tried to give it another chance a few years ago, and it still gets on my ever loving nerves. The song? “Don’t Worry Be Happy” by Bobby McFerrin.

I know it’s supposed to be a feel good song, but wow, it just does not work for me.

Black Music Month 30 Day Challenge 2018

Day 23: A song people might be surprised you like #BlackMusicMonth #30DayMusicChallenge

Okay, I wasn’t sure what I was going to pick for this day, but Naima said the black part of Black Music Month is relaxed today, and our choice could be/include a genre people may be surprised we’re into, etc. That made it easier for me to come up with my answer.

I love pop as well as R&B/hip-hop, so I don’t think the fact that I love any pop crossover songs (no matter the genre) would be all that shocking. If a song is that big, I’ve probably heard it and enjoyed it. Power rock ballads and all of that are things that are on my radar and will be named without hesitation as songs I dig.

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Days 21 & 22 #BlackMusicMonth #30DayMusicChallenge

I missed yesterday because I was traveling all day. First, my daughter and I flew to San Francisco. Then, we drove into downtown San Francisco (during the beginning of rush hour). Then, we drove out of downtown San Francisco (during the middle of rush hour–I do not recommend this) to Oakland. Then, we drove to San Jose. Then, we drove back to Oakland.

And when I say “we,” I mean “I” because my daughter couldn’t drive the rental car.

So, you know. No posting yesterday. But! I can do it now.

The day 21 prompt was a song that’s attached to a really great memory. My answer is “Expression” by Salt-N-Pepa.

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Day 20: A favorite cover song #BlackMusicMonth #30DayMusicChallenge

Okay, so it’s impossible for me to pick ONE song for this prompt. IMPOSSIBLE. I mean, ignoring the fact that I have not picked one song for most of the other prompts, cover songs are just the backbone of most of the music I listen to. Consider the fact that both (both!) of Whitney Houston’s signature songs are covers. And you can’t expect me to choose between “Greatest Love of All” and “I Will Always Love You.” Can you?

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Day 19: A song that soothes you #BlackMusicMonth #30DayMusicChallenge

About ten or so years ago, when I was having a really hard time, I created a gospel playlist to help me maintain balance. And while some of those songs will make my runners-up list, my main go to when I need soothing these days is “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley.

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Days 17 & 18 #BlackMusicMonth #30DayMusicChallenge

I was going to say I missed posting yesterday because I fell asleep. While that’s half-true, it’s (obviously) not the whole truth. I fell asleep, yes, but I also spent all day overthinking my answer to the Day 17 prompt: The song you’d choose if your life depended on singing every lyric/adlib.

The obvious answer is “Vision of Love” by Mariah Carey, but I didn’t want to use that because it was also my answer for Day 3 (a song that makes you feel like you can sing). But, like I said on Twitter, just like Mariah does in the video, I sing allllll the parts. So. There you go.

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