Who are you?

Okay, we interrupt our family-oriented posts for a bit of self indulgence.  Some of you with long memories and not enough important things to occupy your time may recall that some time ago we did a little "who sang that song?" quiz about the titles of the blog posts.

Well, that was exactly 30 posts ago, so why not do it again?

Those of you who want to play along (i.e. those of you with not enough important things to occupy your time) can take a look at the last 30 titles (including this one) and see if you can name the artist.  Then check your answers below.

As an added bonus, I've included some links to videos of some of the songs, so you can waste even more time!  (And check out some cool music in the process...)

So, without further ado, her we go:

I Hear Her Playing Music – Barry Manilow

This is from the album At The Mayflower, from Barry’s “second career” (the one where he kept recording original songs, but nobody actually listened to them any more).  (His “third career” is the phase he’s in now, where he’s mostly just recording covers, but still nobody listens to them.)

Summer and Lightning – Electric Light Orchestra

From their fabulous Out Of The Blue double album.  ELO filmed videos for a lot of their songs, which are great for seeing what rock bands with really big hair and beards thought looked like cool clothes to wear back in the 70s, but I couldn't find a video for this song.

Especially For You(th) – Smithereens

Like the clever way I worked in a song title there?  Yes, I’m sure you’re impressed.  This is the title track to the ’reens first full-length album.  I missed seeing the Smithereens when they played in Boise a few years back, in what turned out to be the last time they played here.  They’re still recording, so technically there’s a chance they’ll come back to Boise.  But it’s not likely, they seem to be sticking close to their New Jersey base these days.  Click here for Pat DiNizio with a live solo version.

Hip to be (on Temple) Square – Huey Lewis and the News

A rock band singing about how it’s cool not to be cool.  What’s not to like?  They also did a video for the song that features some innovative use of close focus.  You can see it here.  But you might want to avoid it if you’re prone to motion sickness.

Pioneer children sang as they walked and walked and walked...

Classic Primary song.  This one was a gimme.

  

It's a mistake – Men At Work

A song about the stupidity of war from a band down under.  Video here.  

  

Swingin' – John Anderson

This is a country hit from the early ’80s.  There’s something really addictive about this song.  You can see it here.

High Priest of Rhythmic Noise – Cheap Trick

This one should have been easy, given that it was a post about Cheap Trick.

Boat on the River – Styx

Here’s an unusual twist for a hard rock band.  The instrumentation consists of mandolin, accordion, double bass, and acoustic guitar.  There’s some great harmony between Tommy and Dennis on the last verse.  The single didn’t do well in the U.S., but was a big hit in Europe.  Check it out.

Addicted to Spuds – “Weird Al” Yankcovic

One of the few songs I can think of that name-checks Idaho.  With a title like that, how could it not?

Deep Purple – Donny and Marie Osmond

Yes, “Deep Purple” is also a band, but what I was thinking of is the song, as sung by Donny and Marie here.  Donny and Marie really were pretty good.  And ironically, the heavy metal band actually took their name from this song, as it was the favorite song of Richie Blackmore’s grandmother.

11 – Smithereens

Okay, actually this is not a song, but the name of the ’reens’ third full-length album.  Why is it called 11?  Could it be that “11” is the binary representation of the number 3?  Maybe.  More likely it’s just an homage to the classic film Ocean’s 11, with a side dose of “amps that go up to 11.”  Yes, that’s the album cover in the background of the photo in this post.

Ajisai - Lindberg

Shot through the heart – Bon Jovi

This title is often confused with the Bon Jovi song You Give Love A Bad Name, as the latter song starts out with the words “shot through the heart.”  The latter was also a much, much bigger hit.

20 candles – Matsu Takako

Thanksgiving Day – Do As Infinity

Blowin' – B’z

This isn't my favorite B'z song, but here is a video of a live performance.

Deck the Halls – traditional

Come, All Ye Shepherds – Kurt Bestor

I actually don’t know anything about this song, other than it’s on a Kurt Bestor Christmas instrumental album.  I assume it’s probably a traditional song, but the Bestor album is the only place I’ve ever heard it.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas – Bing Crosby

This was also a big hit for Perry Como, but I like the Crosby version better.  Interestingly, this song was written by Merideth Willson, who wrote the music for the musical The Music Man.

Sharp Dressed Man – ZZ Top

Oddly enough, I couldn’t find the original ZZ Top video for the song.  But here is a version featuring one of the craziest drummers you’re likely to ever see, with a band called Rick K and the Allnighters.

Do You Wanna Dance – The Mamas and the Papas

There are a lot of versions of this song out there, by everybody from the Beach Boys to The Ramones.  Here is the version I was thinking of.

Slip Slidin' Away – Paul Simon

A rather depressing song, actually.  Here is Paul with Art Garfunkel at the famed concert in Central Park.

Sparkle – Okui Kaori

Goin' to the Dance With You – Kristen Chenoweth

Kristen Chenoweth is really, really good.  Here she is with this song.

Come clean -  Hillary Duff

Yikes, how did I get Hillary Duff sandwiched between classical piano and Kristen Chenoweth?  That just seems wrong.  But you can give her a listen anyway here.

The Firefly – Anton Bilotti

This one was easy, too – that’s the song that Yumiko is playing in the video in this post.

What's Going On – Off Course

The song was co-written, and most famously recorded, by Marvin Gaye (so give yourself a point for that).  The version I have is from an early concert by the Japanese rock band Off Course (back when they were in their socially conscious folk duo phase).

Something New – Smithereens

From their Green Thoughts album.  Here is a live version from Pat DiNizio, performing solo. 

Who Are You? – The Who

Who else?  video

And there you have it.  Well, if anyone actually read this far, I hope you had even half as much fun as I did.