The Rainbow Connection done many different ways...

This morning, I was writing a post for Pop Rock Nation about kids' music.  The post was inspired, in part, by my discovery of Alison Krauss's latest project with children's author Sandra Boynton.  I blogged about that yesterday.

Anyway, as I was writing the post, I was thinking of classic children's songs.  And of course, the last song I put in the post was "The Rainbow Connection", made famous by Kermit the Frog in The Muppet Movie.  As a child of the 70s and 80s, that song was part of my childhood soundtrack.  I usually find it very moving, though I like some renditions more than others.

This is the classic interpretation of Paul Williams' and Kenneth Ascher's famous song…

Later, Debbie Harry of Blondie sang it with Kermit on The Muppet Show.

Jason Mraz tackles it in this video…

I love the way Willie Nelson does "The Rainbow Connection".  He starts playing at 2:00 in this video.  I used this song when I made a memorial video for my sweet old hound, MacGregor.

  

Here's Kenny Loggins' distinctly 90s version of "The Rainbow Connection".

And yes, Karen Carpenter sang it too.  I kind of think Richard went a bit schmaltzy with this arrangement.  Too bad, since Karen's vocals are exquisite.  Incidentally, Karen Carpenter died 31 years ago today.

Not to be outdone, Sarah MacLachlan sang it too… adding her own brooding style to this song.

Jazz singer Jane Monheit offers her dreamy interpretation of "The Rainbow Connection".  Jane Monheit is especially fond of songs about rainbows.  Check out her version of "Over The Rainbow".

The Dixie Chicks contribute a pleasing bluegrassy version of "The Rainbow Connection".  I really like their version, too.  And this video is very cute!

And finally, there's my version.  I actually recorded this in September in a key I don't usually do it in...

Who knew this song would touch so many people, kids and adults alike?  Now I think I need to pull out my Muppet Movie Soundtrack.

Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain....

This is a trio of me.  It turned out decently.  I think you can get carried away with too many harmonies and three seemed just right for this.

I'm also kinda proud of "The Lighthouse's Tale", which is a song by Nickel Creek that I tried today.  This one isn't harmonized.  Like I said, short, simple songs are best for that.

Turned on my 70s mix today...

Since the TV is still messed up, I've been listening to a lot of music over the past couple of days.  Yesterday, I played my "comforting" playlist.  Today, I turned on my 70s mix.  As I've listened to tunes for the past few hours, one thing has become very clear to me...  The 70s had some great music.  And the 70s also had some really goofy music.

Goofy music is, in a large part, what this blog is all about.  I love really cheesy music from my childhood.  Yes, a lot of it is mediocre.  Some of it even makes me cringe.  It always reminds me of a simpler time, though.  The 70s were a good time to be born, in my very humble opinion.  Being a 70s baby means you're not that old... yet.  But you were around at a time when people weren't so paranoid about everything.  You could go outside and play without someone calling CPS on your parents.  You didn't have the lure of a personal computer or a cell phone to occupy your attention.  And the music was fun.

Here are just a few songs from that time I've heard on iTunes today...

Boris the Spider by The Who

Dance, Dance, Dance by Chic

Black Water by The Doobie Brothers

On the Road Again by Willie Nelson

Hole In My Life by The Police

Pretty Maids All in A Row by The Eagles

And the ever popular Margaritaville by Jimmy Buffet...

Not bad.  Actually, listening to Buffet makes me wish I was on my way to Key West.  I could use some beach time.  I thought was going to get some in Greece and Italy, but I was mistaken.  

The 70s rocked for rock songs...   And now that it's Thursday, I wouldn't mind taking a trip to "Margaritaville".