Fire and Desire - Rick James and Teena Marie

 

"I was cold as ice long ago, baby, baby

I wasn't very, very, very nice, you know

Sugar, sugar, sugar

Then I kissed your lips and you turned on my fire, baby

And you burned me up within your flame

Took me a little higher"

As I typed out these lyrics I'm starting to think this may be a love letter to drugs rather than a woman, but I suppose old Rick loved both things during his lifetime. I listened to a lot of funk and R&B in college and became fascinated by Rick James. A man that started off playing in bands with Neil Young in Canada to turning into, well....what Rick turned into. I remember buying a record (I believe it was Street Songs) back then when I didn't have a record player because it came with the poster shown above. (Although mine was in color.) It proudly hung in my bedroom throughout my Junior and Senior year in college. Amazing I remained single for most of that time...

Hope everyone has a Happy Valentine's Day and whether you're alone or with a loved one, you can turn down the lights and listen to the smooth and sometimes cringy musing's of Mr. Rick James. As a bonus there's a xylophone solo towards the end which is always a plus in my book. As a double bonus, check out Rick the Producer (and background singer) in Eddie Murphy's Party all the Time. Amazing. Till next time lovers!

Rick James & Teena Marie - Fire And Desire

Eddie Murphy - Party All the Time

Disintegration - The Cure

 

"Now that I know that I'm breaking to pieces

I'll pull out my heart and I'll feed it to anyone

Crying for comfort, crocodiles cry

For the love of the crowd and the three cheers from everyone"

Happy February once again. Per usual this time of year in the dojo I'd like to focus on some of my favorite love songs as well as my favorite break up songs. I realize we're all in different places out there so this week we'll focus on those that aren't so lucky in love.(Like Robbie from The Wedding Singer below) I feel ya, I've been there too!

If one wishes to find comfort in other's heartbreak, what better band to turn too than The Cure? My favorite song by the band is Inbetween Days, but my favorite album is Disintegration. Figured we'd go with the title cut, but I'd recommend hitting play and ride this album all the way through if the mood suits you.  I love the way Robert Smith's voice grows more urgent as each verse progresses. It feels like we're going through the stages of a breakup together  as confusion, anger, disappointment and self doubt unfold before us. This is the perfect soundtrack to ride out those long winter nights with a glass of wine, cup of bourbon, panama red, herbal tea..whatever floats your boat! Just sit back, put on your best brooding face, and let the melancholy wave of synthesizers and electric guitars wash over you.

Today's picture has nothing to do with the song, but it's one of my favorite art pieces in the house. Picked this one up a few years back on a trip to New York City. Have a few selections from this shop scattered around the house. If you even find yourself in the neighborhood of the John Derian Company(specifically the one on Christopher Street), I'd recommend doing some browsing. The store specializes in decoupage with the artist cutting out colorful and interesting pictures from his collection of antique and vintage prints. Not sure what's going on in this scene, but it reminds me of something from the Wicker Man so I'm all in.

Have a great week. I'll be back soon with something geared towards all you love birds out there. Cheers!

Disintegration

The Wedding Singer - Somebody Kill Me