Bomb Iran...

This just popped into my head.  It was a hit in 1980.

In 1980, we were less politically correct... and so Vince Vance & The Valiants came up with this beaut of a parody song, sung to The Beach Boys' "Barbara Ann".

I was a kid in 1980, and I'm sad to say that when I hear this melody, I think "Bomb Iran" instead of "Barbara Ann".  Vince Vance & The Valiants are from New Orleans and have had a few novelty hits over the years.  This is the only one I remember.  Apparently, there were a bunch of versions of "Bomb Iran" by other bands, too.  Vince Vance & The Valiants had the most successful one, even though it didn't get a lot of distribution in the 80s because they never got permission to use the music.  

This is the 1965 popular cover by The Beach Boys...  but it'll always be "Bomb Iran" to me.

The original version was done by The Regents in 1961.  It was written by Fred Fassert.

The original.

This song, "All I Want For Christmas Is You", is Vince Vance & The Valiants biggest hit.  It comes from 1993.  But to me, they'll always be remembered for "Bomb Iran".  The lead singer on this is Lisa Layne.  A lot of people wonder why she isn't a huge star.  I agree, she has a beautiful voice.

Maybe "Bomb Iran" has new relevance today...  Don't know.  Just another one of my pointless rambling posts about crap from the past.

Ode to a dog...

Here's something from the "shit I never knew" file.  The song, "Shannon" by Henry Gross, is about a dead Irish Setter.  I found this out by listening to a recording of the late Casey Kasem going off about having to dedicate a song to some people whose dog, Snuggles, had just died.  Below is Casey's rant.

I grew up listening to Casey Kasem's Top 40 countdown every weekend.  I never knew he had such a potty mouth!

Anyway, this guy wrote to Casey Kasem about his dog who had died.  Casey was recording his show for September 14, 1985.  They had just played "Dare Me" by the Pointer Sisters.  Kasem thought it was inappropriate to do a death dedication after such an uptempo song.

"Shannon" was about Beach Boy Carl Wilson's dog, an Irish Setter, who had died.

Honestly, before today, I don't think I had ever heard this song in its entirety.  I do remember hearing snippets of it on one of those ads for compilation records.  "Shannon" was Henry Gross's big solo hit in 1976, even though he was part of the 50s parody act, Sha Na Na.  

Actually, as I watch my own dogs get older, I realize this song could end up being a comfort to me, too.  The song reminds me of something I'd hear on The Partridge Family or something.  But the melody is pretty enough.  Gross gave this song sort of a Beach Boys sound.  

There are several different stories about the song "Shannon".  This is the version that seems the most plausible to me.  I see it's also on Gross's own Web site, so I guess it's the truth.

It's a nice song... maybe a little bit corny, but anyone who has ever loved a dog understands the sentiment.  Losing them is the worst part of having them.

Worrying...

I'm guilty of it.  That's why I like songs that are comforting.  One song I've always liked is "Don't Worry Baby" by The Beach Boys.

I wouldn't say I'm a Beach Boys fan, but…

this song has always been very calming and sweet to me.  The melody is both elegant and consoling.  And while The Beach Boys' falsetto harmonies for some reason often annoy me, on this song, they're just beautiful.  This is such a romantic song.  Love it.

I AM a big Dire Straits fan…

And I love the way Mark Knopfler sings this pretty song about worry.  I had no idea The Everly Brothers sang it first.  

And I'll be damned… The Everly Brothers sang "Don't Worry Baby" too, with help with the Beach Brothers.

I have too much on my mind right now.  Music is a great balm for those times when I'm about to freak out over things beyond my control.