I’ve really been enjoying Olivia Rodrigo as of late, and her song “Vampire” is one of my favorites of 2023. So, naturally, I was pretty jazzed to check out her performaces on “Saturday Night Live” last night.
All I can say is, Oh. My. God.
So simple and perfect. You really get to see what a great artist and talent she is. She’s like a dark, edgier Taylor Swift. And she has some serious vocal chops, musical talent, and songwriting abilities. I know there’s some who hate on modern music, but artists like Olivia have to prove them wrong.
I love a good mash-up, And Bill McClintock is kind of a master of the art.
His latest gem?
AC/DC’s “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” with Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”.
It is somehow perfect.
There’s your Christmas Cheer for the day!
Also, congrats to Brenda Lee on having the #1 song on the Billboard Hot 100 this week with “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” 65 years after it’s release.
Last night, “Christmas at the pry” aired on NBC, and of course, there were some pretty solid performances, but I particularly love seeing Brenda Lee perform her iconic “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” at the age of 78!
Brenda can still hang!
And I love that it clearly wasn’t lip-synched. Brenda don’t need that mess.
Also, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” is #1 this week on the Billboard Hot 100, 65 years after it’s release!
Fun fact: Brenda Lee recorded the holiday staple when she was 13.
Once again, Kelly Clarkson floored me with her incredible vocals.
This time, it was covering The Eagle’s classic “Desperado” which is one of my all-time favorite songs. So poignant and perfectly written, and Kelly did a great version of it on her “Kelly Clarkson Show” Kellyoke segment last week.
Right?
RIGGHHHHHHTTT???
I thought I would share with you to hopefully make your Monday better.
If you’re a fan of the massive hit TV show “Yellowstone” then you know all about Luke Grimes, who plays Kayce Dutton on the show. As of last year, he’s been getting into Country music, and his stuff is pretty good. I love his laid back, true Country sound, and his music is the perfect soundtrack to the ranch lifestyle, which, of course, is depicted in a very dramatic way on “Yellowstone”.
He just released a cover of the Blaze Foley song “Clay Pigeons” which was originally released back in 1989, and he does a solid job on it.
If you want more Luke, he just released his debut EP “Pain Pills or Pews” and you can get more info and tour dates at http://lukegrimesmusic.com
I can’t wait to hear more from him, and I REALLY can’t wait for the final few episodes of “Yellowstone” which is slated (for now) for next Fall.
I just stumbled upon a version of John Denver’s classic “Take Me Home, Country Roads” that Lana Del Ray just reimagined, and you know what? It’s pretty stellar.
Kind of hauntingly beautiful, isn’t it?
Being from the country myself, this song always resonated with me, and this is just an extra cool version that I am definitely adding to the playlist.
It turns out, Lana was inspired to record a version of this song after a recent tour to the Southern states and Appalachia.
I know there are some people who complain about covers and reimagined versions of songs, but I like hearing different voices on classics. I think Lana Del Ray nailed it on this one.
In case you missed it, “Christmas at Graceland” was last night at the iconic home of Elvis Presley in Memphis, TN. Of course, the whole point was to honor The King of Rock and Roll this holiday season with some stellar performances on the NBC special.
The standout?
Kacey Freaking Musgraves.
I love her version of “Can’t Help Falling in Love” which she recorded for the “Elvis” movie soundtrack, but her live version last night?
Magical.
Seriously, how perfect is that???
Kacey is an incredible talent, and I’m still not sure why her success hasn’t translated to more radio airplay. I’ve always loved her music, and her voice is one of the purest out there. Plus, she’s ridiculously STUNNING.
A few weeks ago, Walker Hayes dropped a holiday version of his smash-hit “Fancy Like” called “Fancy Like Christmas” and it was absolutely perfect! So, of course, I’ve been waiting for the video to come out, and I am NOT disappointed.
Isn’t that great? I love Walker’s relateable sense of humor, and how he involves his family in all of his videos and socials.
Hopefully that puts a smile on your face this holiday season!
Also, I got to chat with Walker Hayes on the show last week, and he is seriously the BEST.
One of my favorite websites- http://ultimateclassicrock.com– just compiled a list of the worst lyrics in Classic Rock, and it’s hard to argue it.
Here are the Top 10:
1. “Why Can’t This Be Love?”, Van Halen: “Only time will tell if we stand the test of time.”
2. “Don’t Stop Believin'”, Journey: “Just a city boy, born and raised in South Detroit.” (South Detroit doesn’t exist.)
3. “Roundabout”, Yes: “Mountains come out of the sky, and they stand there.”
4. “Sleeping Bag”, ZZ Top: “Let’s go out to Egypt ’cause it’s in the plan . . . we’ll whip out our mattress ’cause there ain’t no beds.”
5. “Dirty White Boy”, Foreigner: “I’m a loner, but I’m never alone.”
6. “A Horse with No Name”, America: “In the desert you can remember your name, ’cause there ain’t no one for to give you no pain.”
7. “De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da”, The Police: “And when their eloquence escapes me, their logic ties me up and rapes me.”
8. “We Didn’t Start the Fire”, Billy Joel: “Rock and Roller, cola wars, I can’t take it anymore.” (A Coke and Pepsi rivalry frustrates him?)
9. “We Built This City”, Starship: “Who counts the money, underneath the bar, who rides the wrecking ball into our guitars?”
10. “Pinball Wizard”, The Who: “[He] plays by sense of smell.”
Yeah, they’re all pretty bad. But what about “Christine Sixteen” by KISS?
“I don’t usually say things like this to girls your age
But when I saw you coming out of school that day
(Christine sixteen)
That day I knew, I knew
I’ve got to have you, I’ve got to have you
[Bridge]
She’s been around, but she’s young and clean
I’ve got to have her, can’t live without her, whoa no”
Audio, Video
