The Saddest Song in the World?

Some songs are just so incredibly sad that you want to break down and cry. Some songs actually make you cry. And some songs...cause people to commit suicide? That's what some people believe with the song Gloomy Sunday by Rezso Seress. It was written in 1932 during the time of the Great Depression. The lyrics to the song are a rebuking mankind for their evil, and a prayer to God to be merciful to the evil ones. The original song was written in Hungarian and the title was, "Vége a világnak" which literally translates "the End of the World." He eventually changed it to, "Szomorú vasárnap" which is the Gloomy Sunday title we're familiar with. It's a very sad song for sure, but what does that have to do with suicide? Back in 1932 there were 19 deaths in Hungary and the United States that were somehow related to this song. Maybe they happened after the song was played on the radio, or someone was singing and decided to kill themselves, nobody knows what the reasoning is. Whatever the reason, the song was banned from radio stations across the world. Surely it's not that sad, is it? Check it out here and decide for yourself: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Kkxbw3s2pM
Until next time, roll the Mellow Dice and hope for Midnight.

A Landslide Without an Earthquake

I know it's been a few days since I last did this, but it's time once again to hit shuffle on the Mellow Dice radio!! Today we've got a classic from Fleetwood Mac called Landslide. The song was created by Stevie Nicks who was considering going back to school instead of continuing with the band. She was in Aspen, Colorado when she wrote which inspired the line, "looking out at the Rocky Mountains pondering the avalanche of everything that had come crashing down on us." The song hit #10 on the Adult Contemporary charts when performed by Fleetwood Mac. There were covers of the song by Smashing Pumpkins and the Dixie Chicks that were more popular on the charts, but the original is impossible to replicate. If you don'y have Spotify you can check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X30NY6E3fA8 Until next time, roll the Mellow Dice and hope for Midnight.

Two Salutes to America

I have two different "salutes" to give to Americans. The first is definitely the most important. Among other things, Independence Day is a day to remember those who have served, and are serving our country. These men and women have either given their lives, or are willing to put themselves in situations that could possibly take their lives. They fight, ultimately, for our freedom. To all those who have or are serving in any faction of the military this first song is for you. It's called Soldiers by Otherwise.It may not be your traditional song to dedicate to soldiers, but the lyrics symbolize what could be going through their minds as they carry out their orders. If you don't have Spotify you can check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMbXnSwAQWQ
The next isn't nearly as important, but I thought I would throw it in here. It's a song for those who listen to rock. Whether you're a long time fan, just introduced, or you haven't heard a rock song in your life; this one's for you. You probably guessed what it is if you're a fan of rock. So..For Those About to Rock...We Salute You: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKhTk0IynHM  Until next time, roll the Mellow Dice and hope for Midnight.

A National Anthem of the Ages

We're all familiar with the National Anthem: The Star Spangled Banner. We all know the words (even though we may forget them in the middle of performing singing it). It's easily one of the most famous songs in the United States. So let's take that song, add one of the most well known guitarists of all time, and finish with one of the most famous concerts ever. I am, of course, talking about Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock 1969. Hendrix did a version of the Star Spangled Banner that might be called disrespectful, or nontraditional. Some may say he butchered it to the point where it was unrecognizable. To put it simply, they're wrong about that. Hendrix did what anyone would do when they cover a song: he made it his own. If everyone did the exact same thing when covering the National Anthem, it would be the most boring song in the country. Instead, Hendrix took it and made a guitar solo that's both patriotic and classic. Check it out here if you don't have Spotify: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wt3cYpFLJiM Until next time, roll the Mellow Dice and hope for Midnight.

History Lesson

The 4th of July is full of history. Not just American history, though. 1826 We get classical as Stephen Foster is born and grows up to write on of the sweetest songs known to man: Beautiful Dreamer. 1832 America (My Country Tis of Thee) was performed for the first time in Boston. Later everyone realized that it was actually a plagiarized version of "God Save the Queen." 1895 A poem called "America the Beautiful" is written by Katherine Lee Bates. Yes, it's the same one as the song.  1938 Bill Withers is born. You're probably familiar with his most famous song: Ain't no Sunshine. 1964 The Rolling Stones show true rebellion a they appear on the BBC and start cutting up, looking bored, and smashing the records that were going to be reviewed. 1966 The Beatles play in Manila and eventually get kicked out of the city because they didn't show up for a meeting with the first family. The President denounces them only to find out that they had never received the invitation in the first place. They never played there again. 1969 We go to Hampton, Georgia for a two day concert featuring Led Zeppelin, Janis Joplin, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Chuck Berry, Chicago, Canned Heat, Joe Cocker, Blood Sweat & Tears, Johnny Winter, Delaney and Bonnie, Spirit, and Paul Butterfield. Flashback to 1964 where this song was #1 on the charts. A classic summer anthem, it's I Get Around by the Beach Boys Check it out here if you don't have Spotify: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WP2exZurfc Until next time, roll the Mellow Dice and hope for Midnight.

Let's Get Patriotic

Happy Independence Day everyone!! I thought it would be great to start off the day with something that may not be traditional for this day, but it sure is patriotic!! It's an orchestral piece called Fanfare for the Common Man by Aaron Copland. It was written back 1942 after Vice President Henry A.Wallace made a speech where he talked about the, "Century of the Common Man." Just how epic is this song? It has been used by bands such as the Rolling Stones, Styx, Asia, Bob Dylan, and Mannheim Steamroller. Deep Purple wrote a song back in April that was inspired by Fanfare of the Common Man called Uncommon Man. July 19, 2011 the shuttle crew of the 135th and final mission of the American Space Shuttle program woke up to this song. You want to experience how amazing this song is? Check it out here if you don't have Spotify: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NjssV8UuVA   Until next time, roll the Mellow Dice and hope for Midnight.

Independence Pie Anyone?

Happy Independence Day everyone! A day where we show our pride and celebrate our freedom as Americans. Today is also a day of remembrance of all veterans who made sacrifices to make America a better place. Today is a day of just enjoying what you love and sharing what you love. We truly are blessed. Well unfortunately I can't make speeches like Bill Pullman off "Independence Day" or speeches like Abraham Lincoln. The best way for me to speak is through song. Even though it's not my song; music is something we all love, share, and enjoy. So here at Melodious Euphoria we give you what you love and that's music. Whenever I need to remember the power of music I listen to this song and realize how bad the world would be without music. Bye Bye Miss American Pie. Here in America you don't take our freedom and you don't take our music. Let us have our Pie. Let us have what makes us great. I wish you all a happy Independence Day.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAsV5-Hv-7U