zoomvroom Car Culture, cars and music, Humor, Random

A Fun Music Video

This is going to be a quick and fun post.  For those of you who remember the band “Berlin” from the 1980s, you might know their 2013 single “Gasoline & Heart.”

For those of you who have never heard of Berlin, let me give you some background:

Berlin is a synth pop group formed in 1982 in Los Angeles by bassist John Crawford, singer Terri Nunn, and keyboard player David Diamond.  They quickly made the charts with their provocative single “Sex (I’m A…),” which came from their gold-selling debut EP Pleasure Victim.

They quickly made the group whole with the addition of guitarist Rick Olsen, another keyboard player, Matt Reid, and drummer Rob Brill.

Their first full-length LP was the gold-selling Love Life album of 1984.  By 1985, the group had been trimmed down to the trio of Nunn, Crawford, and Brill.

The following year, they went platinum with their hit “Take My Breath Away,” which was the love theme from the Tom Cruise movie, “Top Gun.”

Nunn left the band in 1987 to pursue a solo career, so Brill and Crawford joined the Big F.

The band reunited in 1999 to record new songs, as well as perform a concert.  The studio and concert recordings were released as Berlin Live: Sacred and Profane, which was released in 2000.

2001 brought a whirlwind of recording sessions, which included co-writing songs with Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins, among several other artists.  The end result, Voyeur, was their first full-length album in well over 15 years.

How does this relate to “Gasoline & Heart?” Well, the single was created without Nunn.

Truthfully, the song is just OK, but it’s got great footage of classic hot rods back in the day. It’s a fun distraction for a few minutes.  Enjoy.

zoomvroom Car Culture, cars and music

Cars, songs & culture

I’m driving in my Pink Cadillac.  NOT!  I’d rather be in a purple Rolls Royce.  Not.  Again.  Today we learn about cars and music (what could go wrong?).  Cars and music go together like bread and butter.  Always have and always will.  What could be better than flying down the highway at 95 mph and listening to rock and roll blasting.  Mom, if you’re reading this, then I am just exaggerating.  Songs refer to cars and show cars in their videos.  They are part of the same culture.

Just like my Beach Boys post,  I have downloaded some songs about cars for you to listen to and watch.  Right below the text is the link for the song I talk about.

First on the playlist is “Drive”, by The Cars.  My mom went to one of their concerts!  Rick Ocasek wrote the lyrics, Robert “Mutt” Lange produced it, and the lead vocals were by bassist and lead vocalist Benjamin Orr.  This video is from their 1979 tour. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6avuh3K_70

“Drive My Car” by The Beatles.  This video is from the tour when the song debuted.  A woman tells a man that she is going to be a famous movie star.  She also offers him to be her chauffuer, adding “and maybe I’ll love you.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ts2U1mkfz4

“Fast Car”, by Tracy Chapman.  Its a good song.  Its about a poor girl who’s mother divorces her alcoholic father.  She (the girl) then marries a man who, despite having a job at a grocery store, falls into poverty and depression.  He then starts drinking.  She tells him to “get into his fast car and drive away.” It’s a sad song.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfqEisOIMJc

“Car Song” by Woody Guthrie.  Yeah, I know he did folk music, so this IS folk music.  Original folk music.  You’ll see.  Period.  End of sentence.  I dare you to NOT crack up when he does car noises!  (I want to see if you think this is funny!)  Trivia moment!  Did you know that Woody was an Okie?   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUDtFdnn9oQ

“Pink Cadillac” is by Nat King Cole’s daughter, Natalie Cole.  It has great dancing, a Cadillac and awesome music.   It is filmed at a gas station!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FdAO1JgvA0

Aretha Franklin performs this song, “Freeway of Love.”  It gives you nice views of Detroit, funny clips of some cars, and of course, Aretha!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ip_pjb5_fgA

I’m sure many of you have either heard this song, or heard of it.  It is “Little Red Corvette”, by Prince.  It was the second music video performed by an African-American artist (the first was Michael Jackson with Billie Jean). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MS70tCPP-_4

Gary Numan performs this song, “Cars.”  It’s a teensy bit on the sci-fi (make that A LOT a bit) side of music.  Its fun.  It’s got a futuristic feel, and a techno beat.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ldyx3KHOFXw

This is a cover of Bruce Springsteen’s song, “Fire” done by the Pointer Sisters.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRCydGQvvE4

Bruce Springsteen does this nice music video of “I’m on Fire.”  It doesn’t refer to cars, but I’ve included it because of the ’58 T-Bird Convertible.  Sweet ride!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRCydGQvvE4

Rascal Flatts sings “Life is a Highway.”  The group did the songs for the movie, “Cars.”  It’s about driving the highway of life.  I really think that you’ll enjoy it.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRCydGQvvE4

Of course, this wouldn’t be a post without “Route 66”, by Nat King Cole.  Route 66 was the “Main Street of America” for over 40 years.  On a personal level, you can see lots of old cars, scenery, and possibly the best, the Sno-Cap Diner in Seligman, AZ.  I know I did.   Enjoy this video.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCYApJtsyd0

And one of my personal favorite songs, “I Can’t Drive 55”, by Sammy Hagar.  It’s a really fun video with a Ferrari.  The video ends with Sammy putting the Ferrari in first gear, and putting the pedal to the metal.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvV3nn_de2k

I hope that you’ll start a playlist titled “Candler’s Car Songs”!  If you do, then I’ll be your personal DJ!  Hopefully, you’ll listen to them and maybe download them to your iPod (I would, except I’m waiting for an iTunes account, mom!).