Sleepsong by Secret Garden

This is a beautiful song, too.  It's called "Evensong."

Alan Ladd in This Gun for Hire, 1942

Find the scene where Phillip Raven jumps from the pedestrian bridge over Cornfield Rail Yard.  

Child Actors

 


Margaret O'Brien



Dean Stockwell



June Allyson

More than any other actress from the 40's, June Allyson represented for me the happiest days that I imagined my mom having and expressing.  In fact, when I think of my mom as a young woman or a young girl, I think of June Allyson's smile.  My mom liked June Allyson as an actress, but she certainly was not her favorite.  But I liked June Allyson.  I think that my mom liked a lot of the actresses of the 40s, women like


Elizabeth Taylor

Janet Leigh



Russ Tamblyn

Elizabeth Patterson.  I don't know that she was a child actor, but I loved seeing her in movies and television series like I Love Lucy.  Here she is in Little Women, standing at the far right.

 
 And below, here she is in an I Love Lucy episode as Matilda Trumbull.
 


A great interview of Dean Stockwell.

Stevie Ray Vaughn, 1954-1990

The Sky Is Crying, 1991.

Pride and Joy, 1983.

 

Little Wing, 1991.  

Rossini's William Tell Overture

Coldplay

Viva La Vida



"Clocks"


Coldplay.

Linkin Park

Linkin Park
"In The End" MTV World Stage, 2011.  Released in 2000.

I can't remember what year, 2002 to 2003, but I had taken Joanne out to eat at Musso and Frank's in Hollywood on Hollywood Blvd.  It wasn't her type of place.  It was old-fashioned, the kind of place that I would like.  It's where you go if you wanted to see movie stars, and sure enough, Kent Shocknek walked in with his wife.  I was star-struck.  I don't think that Joanne knew who he was.  

After helming the consistently top-rated KNBC program for 15 years, Shocknek moved to KCBS-TV and began anchoring the morning editions of CBS 2 News in 2001.  

He retired in 2014.  

Shocknek's final newscast —including a 10-minute career retrospective and farewell video featuring L.A. newsmakers and Hollywood celebrities— aired September 26, 2014. Various local governments and agencies, including the City and County of Los Angeles, as well as the State of California, have honored him for his work.

Joanne had probably seen his face, but probably couldn't match the face with the name.  Anyway, after dinner, we sat in my car for a minute and this song, "In the End" played on the radio and Chester Bennington's wailing voice just captured me.  I remember telling Joanne before we pulled out to let me listen to this first.  Great song than in 2001.

Linkin Park, "What I've Done," 2007

Linkin Park, "Burn It Down," 2012.

Imagine Dragons

Imagine Dragons
"Radioactive"

"Radioactive"

Whoa, oh, oh
Whoa, oh, oh
Whoa, oh, oh
Whoa

I'm waking up to ash and dust
I wipe my brow and I sweat my rust
I'm breathing in the chemicals

I'm breaking in, shaping up, then checking out on the prison bus
This is it, the apocalypse
Whoa

I'm waking up, I feel it in my bones
Enough to make my systems blow
Welcome to the new age, to the new age
Welcome to the new age, to the new age
Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh, whoa, oh, oh, oh, I'm radioactive, radioactive
Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh, whoa, oh, oh, oh, I'm radioactive, radioactive

I raise my flags, don my clothes
It's a revolution, I suppose
We're painted red to fit right in
Whoa

I'm breaking in, shaping up, then checking out on the prison bus
This is it, the apocalypse
Whoa

I'm waking up, I feel it in my bones
Enough to make my systems blow
Welcome to the new age, to the new age
Welcome to the new age, to the new age
Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh, whoa, oh, oh, oh, I'm radioactive, radioactive
Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh, whoa, oh, oh, oh, I'm radioactive, radioactive

All systems go, the sun hasn't died
Deep in my bones, straight from inside

I'm waking up, I feel it in my bones
Enough to make my systems blow
Welcome to the new age, to the new age
Welcome to the new age, to the new age
Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh, whoa, oh, oh, oh, I'm radioactive, radioactive
Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh, whoa, oh, oh, oh, I'm radioactive, radioactive 

Imagine Dragons
"Demons"

the lyrics

KROQ Playlist

Staind, "It's Been a While" 2001.

Foo Fighter, "Best of You" 2005.

 

I've got another confession to make
I'm your fool
Everyone's got their chains to break
Holdin' you

Were you born to resist, or be abused?

Is someone getting the best
The best, the best, the best of you?
Is someone getting the best
The best, the best, the best of you?

Are you gone and onto someone new?

I needed somewhere to hang my head
Without your noose
You gave me something that I didn't have
But had no use
I was too weak to give in
Too strong to lose

My heart is under arrest again
But I'll break loose
My head is giving me life or death
But I can't choose
I swear I'll never give in
I refuse

Is someone getting the best
The best, the best, the best of you?
Is someone getting the best
The best, the best, the best of you?

Has someone taken your faith?
It's real, the pain you feel
You trust you must confess

Is someone getting the best
The best, the best, the best of you?

Has someone taken your faith?
It's real, the pain you feel
The life, the love
You'd die to heal
The hope that starts
The broken hearts
You trust you must confess

Is someone getting the best
The best, the best, the best of you?
Is someone getting the best
The best, the best, the best of you?

I've got another confession my friend
I'm no fool
I'm getting tired of starting again
Somewhere new

Were you born to resist, or be abused?
I swear I'll never give in, I refuse

Is someone getting the best
The best, the best, the best of you?
Is someone getting the best
The best, the best, the best of you?
Has someone taken your faith?
It's real, the pain you feel
You trust, you must confess

Is someone getting the best
The best, the best, the best of you?

MGMT, "Kids" 2007

"Kids"

You were a child,

crawlin' on your knees toward it

Makin' mama so proud,

but your voice was too loud.  

We like to watch you laughing.

You pick the insects off plants. 
.
No time to think of consequences.
Control yourself.
Take only what you need from it.
A family of trees wanted, To be haunted.

Control yourself.
Take only what you need from it.
A family of trees wanted, To be haunted.
The water is warm,
but it's sending me shivers.
A baby is born, crying out for attention.
Memories fade, like looking through a fogged mirror
Decision to decisions are made and not bought
But I thought this wouldn't hurt a lot.
I guess not.
Control yourself.
Take only what you need from it.
A family of trees wanted, To be haunted.
Control yourself.
Take only what you need from it.
A family of trees wanted, To be haunted.
Control yourself.
Take only what you need from it.
A family of trees wanted, To be haunted.
Control yourself.
Take only what you need from it.
A family of trees wanted, To be haunted.
Control yourself.
Take only what you need from it.
A family of trees wanted, To be haunted.
Control yourself.
Take only what you need from it.
A family of treeeeees . . . 

AWOLNATION, "Sail" (Blame It On My ADD . . . Blame It On My . . . ) 2011.

SAIL!  
This is how I show my love.
I made it in my mind because
I blame it on my ADD, baby.
This is how an angel dies
I blame it on my own sick pride
Blame it on my ADD, baby.
SAIL!
SAIL!
SAIL!
SAIL!
SAIL!
Maybe I should cry for help
Maybe I should kill myself (Chorus: myself, myself, myself)
Blame it on my ADD, baby
Maybe I'm a different breed
Maybe I'm not listening
So blame it on my ADD, baby
SAIL!
SAIL!
SAIL!
SAIL!
SAIL!
Lalalalala Lalalalalaoooo
Lalalalala Lalalalalaoooo
SAIL!
SAIL!
SAIL!
SAIL!
SAIL!
Sail with me into the dark...
Sail with me into the dark...
Sail with me into the dark...
Sail with me, sail with me...
Oooooh Oooooh Oooooh Oooooh...

AWOLNATION
"It's Not Your Fault"

I like their song "Sail."  But then they have this other song, "Jump On My Shoulders" that commands their audience to "I say we rob from the rich / and blow down the door. / On to the next
to dance with the poor."  Horrible line.  He's advocating theft.  And somehow because the rich have money that theft is justified.  Awful lyric, gentlemen.

Of Monsters and Men, "Mountain Sound," 2011.

"Lonely Boy," The Black Keys, 2011 

"Lonely Boy," The Black Keys  

Well I'm so above you, and it's plain to see
But I came to love you anyway. . .
So you pulled my heart out, and I don't mind bleedin'
And the whole time you keep me waiting, waiting, waiting

Oh oh oh oh, I got a love that keeps me waiting
Oh oh oh oh, I got a love that keeps me waiting
I'm a lonely boy, I'm a lonely boy
Oh oh oh oh, I got a love that keeps me waiting

Well your mama kept you, but your daddy left you
And I shoulda' done you just the same
But I came to love you, am I going to bleed?
And the whole time you keep me waiting, waiting, waiting

Oh oh oh oh, I got a love that keeps me waiting
Oh oh oh oh, I got a love that keeps me waiting
I'm a lonely boy, I'm a lonely boy
Oh oh oh oh, I got a love that keeps me waiting

Oh oh oh oh, I got a love that keeps me waiting
Oh oh oh oh, I got a love that keeps me waiting
I'm a lonely boy, I'm a lonely boy
Oh oh oh oh, I got a love that keeps me waiting

Black Keys, "Howlin' For You" 2010.

Harlem, "New Politics" 2013 

Lumineers, "Hey Ho," 2012.

Fostered the People, "Pumped Up Kicks," 2010.

Red Hot Chili Peppers, "Otherside," 1999.

Red Hot Chili Peppers, "The Adventures of Raindance Maggie," 2011. 

Red Hot Chili Peppers, "Dani California," 2006.

Slightly Stoopid, "2AM" 2007.

Thirty Seconds to Mars, "Up in The Air," 2013.

The Temper Trap
"Sweet Disposition," 2008. 

Rise Against, "Savior," 2009.

Smashing Pumpkins, "1979," 1996.

Jimmy Eat World, "The Middle," 2001.

The Naked and Famous, "Young Blood," 2010.

Incubus, "Love Hurts," 2007.

M83, "Midnight City," 2011.

Bush, "Glycerine," 1995. 

JET, "Are You Gonna Be My Girl," 2003.

Fun, "Some Nights," 2012.

Some nights, I stay up cashing in my bad luck
Some nights, I call it a draw

Some nights, I wish that my lips could build a castle
Some nights, I wish they'd just fall off

But I still wake up, I still see your ghost
Oh Lord, I'm still not sure, what I stand for oh oh oh
What do I stand for? Oh what do I stand for?
Most nights, I don't know anymore
Oh whoa, oh whoa, oh whoa oh oh
Oh whoa, oh whoa, oh whoa oh oh

This is it, boys, this is war, what are we waiting for?
Why don't we break the rules already?
I was never one to believe the hype,
Save that for the black and white I try twice as hard and I'm half as liked,
But here they come again to jack my style

That's alright, I found a martyr in my bed tonight
Stops my bones from wondering just who I, who I, who I am, oh who am I, mm, mm

Well some nights, I wish that this all would end
'Cause I could use some friends for a change
And some nights, I'm scared you'll forget me again
Some nights, I always win, I always win

But I still wake up, I still see your ghost
Oh Lord, I'm still not sure what I stand for, oh
What do I stand for? Oh what do I stand for? Most nights, I don't know (come on)

So this is it? I sold my soul for this?
Washed my hands of that for this?
I miss my mom and dad for this?
No. When I see stars, when I see stars, that's all they are
When I hear songs, they sound like a swan, so come on
Oh, come on, oh, come on, oh come on!

Well that is it, guys, that is all, five minutes in and I'm bored again
Ten years of this, I'm not sure if anybody understands
This is not one for the folks at home, I'm sorry to leave, mom, I had to go
Who the fuck wants to die alone all dried up in the desert sun?
My heart is breaking for my sister and the con that she called "love"
But when I look into my nephew's eyes,
Man you wouldn't believe, the most amazing things, that can come from,
Some terrible nights, ah (oh whoa, oh whoa, oh whoa, oh oh)

Oh whoa, oh whoa, oh whoa, oh oh
Oh whoa, oh whoa, oh whoa, oh oh

The other night, you wouldn't believe the dream I just had about you and me
I called you up, but we'd both agree
It's for the best you didn't listen
It's for the best we get our distance, oh
It's for the best you didn't listen
It's for the best we get our distance, oh

Gotye w/ Kimbra, "Somebody That I Used To Know," 2011.

The Neighborhood, "Sweater Weather," 2012.

   

All I am is a man
I want the world in my hands
I hate the beach
But I stand in California with my toes in the sand

Use the sleeves of my sweater
Let's have an adventure
Head in the clouds but my gravity's centered
Touch my neck and I'll touch yours
You in those little high-waisted shorts, oh

She knows what I think about
And what I think about
One love, two mouths
One love, one house
No shirt, no blouse
Just us, you find out
Nothing that wouldn't wanna tell you about no

'Cause it's too cold
For you here and now
So let me hold
Both your hands in the holes of my sweater

And if I may just take your breath away
I don't mind if there's not much to say
Sometimes the silence guides our minds
So move to a place so far away

The goosebumps start to raise
The minute that my left-hand meets your waist
And then I watch your face
Put my finger on your tongue
'Cause you love the taste yeah

These hearts adore,
Everyone the other beat hardest for
Inside this place is warm
Outside it starts to pour

Coming down
One love, two mouths
One love, one house
No shirt, no blouse
Just us, you find out
Nothing that I wouldn't wanna tell you about, no no

'Cause it's too cold
For you here
And now
So let me hold
Both your hands in the holes of my sweater

'Cause it's too cold
For you here and now
So let me hold
Both your hands in the holes of my sweater

. . .

'Cause it's too cold
For you here and now
So let me hold
Both your hands in the holes of my sweater

It's too cold
For you here and now
So let me hold
Both your hands in the holes of my sweater

It's too cold,
It's too cold
The holes of my sweater...

Neil Young's Broken Arrow

The lights turned on and the curtain fell down,
And when it was over it felt like a dream,
They stood at the stage door and begged for a scream,
The agents had paid for the black limousine
That waited outside in the rain.
Did you see them, did you see them?
Did you see them in the river?
They were there to wave to you.
Could you tell that the empty quivered,
Brown skinned Indian on the banks
That were crowded and narrow,
Held a broken arrow?

Eighteen years of American dream,
He saw that his brother had sworn on the wall.
He hung up his eyelids and ran down the hall,
His mother had told him a trip was a fall,
And don't mention babies at all.
Did you see him, did you see him?
Did you see him in the river?
He was there to wave to you.
Could you tell that the empty quivered,
Brown skinned Indian on the banks
That were crowded and narrow,
Held a broken arrow?

The streets were lined for the wedding parade,
The Queen wore the white gloves, the county of song,
The black covered caisson her horses had drawn
Protected her king from the sun rays of dawn.
They married for peace and were gone.
Did you see them, did you see them?
Did you see them in the river?
They were there to wave to you.
Could you tell that the empty quivered,
Brown skinned Indian on the banks
That were crowded and narrow,
Held a broken arrow?

Commentary
One can never be called crazy if you describe Neil Young's songs as obscure.  Obscurity and defeat are featured prominently in his songs.  From a marketing standpoint you might not think that these features sell, and you might be right.  But from a political and cultural standpoint, they can be put to effective use.  To effectively reinforce a helplessness in a new generation.  I began an investigation, if you could call it that, into Young's "Broken Arrow" because of the Army's definition of the term, meaning that a battalion is about ready to be run over and the commanding officer calls for backup.  I just gone done watching Mel Gibson's poignant rendition of We Were Soldiers, where broken arrow was called for by Colonel Hal Moore.
But after an hour of searching and listening and extrapolating as to what the song might mean, it became clear that the song is about the break up of two talented friends.  And because it's a song written by Neil Young, the song is about his experience, thoughts, and feelings of, on, and about Stephen Still and Crosby, Stills, & Nash.  Of all the articles I could find, this one gives the greatest insight into the background of the song.

Pete Christlieb and Ernie Watts on Johnny Carson, 1983

Nowhere Man, Starring Bruce Greenwood, 1995-1996