While some might deem the variant popular terms related to mental illness as disrespectful and flippant, many of us use descriptions like nuts, loony, crazy, and whacked to describe a number of human conditions. Love has often been cited as the cause for driving one mad or crazy and not in a true psychological sense of the condition described.
In the following post-Valentine's Day Battle of the Bands I present a popular song that has nothing to do with what we would normally think of mental illness, but uses the condition of being in love as a metaphor for a disruptive mental condition...
Battle of the Bands
Battle of the Bands is the blogging event started by Far Away Series and now hosted by StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands. This event happens twice each month on the 1st and 15th. The premise is simple: Listen to the songs presented below and then in the comments vote for your favorite and tell us why you liked it. Then visit the links listed near the bottom of this post for more Battle action
Goin' Out of My Head
I was still in middle school when Little Anthony and the Imperials hit the pop music charts with the lovely "Goin' Out of My Head". Living in the Chicago Land area at the time, I'd hear this song played often on radio station WLS and it became a theme song of sorts for my own adolescent longings for love. In reality I had little idea of what romantic love was really about, but like many a young fellow I thought I was in love more than a few times and it was never easy. Unrequited love, lost love, or any love that leaves one unsatisfied or unfulfilled has been the inspiration for so many songs.
For the purpose of reference only--DON'T VOTE ON THIS VERSION--here's that original version of "Goin' Out of My Head" in case you've forgotten or never heard it before.
Since that first recording of "Goin' Out of My Head" was released, the song has been covered by many artists both vocally and instrumentally. In this current Battle I present two versions that are quite different from the original. The tempo and energy gets stepped up a bit to give the song a distinctly different flavor. So get your dancing shoes on and get ready to move and groove and go out of your head...
Gloria Gaynor "Goin' Out of My Head" (1978)
After ten years of paying her dues in the music business, Gloria Gaynor finally broke out as a well known artist with her disco album that included her hit "Never Can Say Good-bye". However her signature song "I Will Survive" will always be the one most identified with her. The album that featured that song also included Gaynor's fine cover of "Goin' Out of My Head". I'll have to admit a bit of a weakness for disco music so I happen to like her cover though I know there are some of you who might not be so keen on this music genre. Hope this doesn't drive you out of your head...
La Lupe "Goin' Out of My Head" (1967)
"The Queen of Latin Soul" La Lupe was a popular Cuban entertainer who was no stranger to controversy when it came to her frenzied performances as well as her life outside of music. Exiled after Castro took power, La Lupe eventually landed in New York performing with Tito Puente among other notable musicians. Her career was short-lived as she descended into a life of drugs and destitution. A long adherent to the religion of Santeria, she eventually ended up crippled and homeless until healed at an evangelical crusade after which she became a born again Christian. Her final recordings were albums of Christian music. She died in New York City in 1992 at the age of 52.
Get up and dance to the crazy Latin sounds of La Lupe...
Time To Vote!
Maybe not your favorite musical styles, but hopefully you have an opinion of some kind. Which version do you like the best? Surely one version drove you less crazy than the other.
Please vote on your favorite by letting us know your choice in the comment section and tell us why you prefer the version you chose. Then after you've finished here, please visit the other blogs listed below who may or may not be participating this time around. And if you've put up your own BOTB contest let us know that as well so we can vote on yours.
Here are some other places where you might find BOTB posts:
StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands
‘YOUR DAILY DOSE’
'MIKE'S RAMBLINGS'
'Curious as a Cathy'
Sound of One Hand Typing
The Doglady's Den
Angel's Bark
Cherdo on the Flipside
Jingle, Jangle, Jungle
Winner Announced on Wednesday February 22nd
I'll tally the votes next Tuesday and announce the winner of this match-up the following day Wednesday February 22nd. However, since we'll have a week-end that gives adequate time for everyone to stop in to vote, I'll be continuing my topic on mental illness on Monday the 20th. If you missed the first installment, you can find it here.
What are your thoughts about the "Mental Illness is a myth" theory? Are you offended by non-pc terms like crazy, nuts, mad, and others? What do you think is the "cure" or solution to mental illness or do you think there is one?
Crazy and Nuts sound better than some of the clinical terms they would give one, so why be offended by them.
ReplyDelete#1 gets my vote, had a catchier note.
Pat, keeping it simple means at least we understand better what is being said.
DeleteFirst vote goes to Gloria Gaynor
Lee
I appreciate the unique sound of the second one, but the first one gets my vote, disco sound and all.
ReplyDeleteAlex, Lupe is unique, but...
Deletefor you it's Gloria Gaynor
Lee
Lee,
ReplyDeleteThis is an easy pick for me. I'm giving my vote to Gloria Gaynor. I preferred her disco vibes and vocals to the Latin cover which sort caused me to be goin' out of my head. ;) Good battle and I didn't see this song title comin' with your last post mention. I guess lack imagination.
Now to address your questions.
Mental illness is something I have a hard time wrapping my brain around. There seem to be a lot of people who suffer from mental related problems but it's hard to imagine that this many people were born with a mental deficiency but because I do not understand doesn't mean there isn't a serious problem. I have a sister who's diagnosed as bi-polar. I wonder in part if her bad decisions to get involved in the drug scene now influences her mental instability. She continues to mismanage legal drug use and if it weren't for my parents I don't know where she'd be...maybe six feet under. Is there a cure? I don't know but I think it ultimately has to begin with the individual. How bad do they want to be better? Are they willing to do what it takes to overcome drug addiction? This seems to be a huge problem for anyone with mental issues. I doesn't offend me when you someone calls another person crazy or nuts. Heck, I use the same terminology to describe myself on a number of occasions and I'm quite stable, mentally. Unfortunately, our society is quick to get offended at the drop of any politically incorrect expressions. You can call me "Crazy" if you'd like or maybe "Paranoid" but until folks have a true change of heart we're not going to see a decline in these things and I fear it's only going to get worse.
Cathy, we are probably all prone to times where we might be considered a bit "touched" depending on how we handle life's difficulties.
DeleteAnother disco vote for Gloria Gaynor
Lee
Lee, agreed we call get labeled as a" bit touched in the head" at one time or another. I went through that phase between 1988-2013 (the year our 1st was born and ending when the last one left home) lol I'm being silly, I know and mental illness isn't anything to poke fun of because some people really can't handle major upsets in life.
DeleteI would choose Latin music over Disco any time. That said, La Lupe's thick accent does detract a bit. She still gets my vote, though as I found her version more interesting. Thanks for the biographical info. Sad story!
ReplyDeleteMental illnesses are legitimate diseases in my opinion, but I also think many people are misdiagnosed and am wary of psychiatry, in general. There are too many stories of psychiatrists suggesting things like false memories, etc. to their patients. Drugs like antidepressants are dispensed much too freely and have many side effects. One of my dearest friends suffers from bipolar disorder. It's always a crap shoot what mood she will be in on any given day.
Debbie D, certainly mental conditions are more easily diagnosed and more prone to differing opinions than diseases that have a more easily measurable cause. I agree about the treatment by drugs.
DeleteA needed and a first vote for La Lupe.
Lee
Gloria Gaynor did an awesome performance. Great BOTB.
ReplyDeletePop Tart, Gloria has done some dynamic performances.
DeleteAgain its Gloria Gaynor
Lee
La Lupe was La Annoying. I'm also kind of fond of disco, so Gloria for me.
ReplyDeleteJohn, kind of annoying was my first impression too, but with repeated listenings her version has been growing on me.
DeleteGloria Gaynor.
Lee
I kid you not, I thought of this song while having coffee this morning! Though neither quite do justice to the original, and Donna Summer might have done a better job, I'll give my vote to Gloria because La Lupe's accent just didn't fit the song (bless her troubled heart).
ReplyDeleteThough there might be a few, I don't believe many (if any) of the antagonists are truly mentally ill. That would imply that the ongoing hysteria is involuntary when it is not.
To my knowledge, there is (regrettably) no cure for true mental illness; medication merely placates the condition. Unlike laws (when enforced), intended to preserve societal equanimity.
Judging by current events, it seems that PC has gone out the window, along with common decency and respect. Politics may never be 'correct' in everybody's eyes but well-tended petals on our national bush would certainly hide the thorns.
Diedre, when you think of her history, the song seems like an appropriate one for La Lupe.
DeleteYour point about a lack of cure for mental illness gives some support to the "mental Illness myth" theory. I think that was partly what Szasz had in mind. Common decency and respect is an important part of serious engagement, but sometimes I think we do need to toss PCness out the window and have a sense of humor.
A vote for Gloria Gaynor.
Lee
A Facebook vote from my cousin Tom for...
ReplyDeleteGloria Gaynor
Lee
I liked the Gloria Gaynor version a lot more. I was never too into disco, or many other things about the Seventies, when I was younger, but I've gradually developed an appreciation for the culture and music of my decade of birth.
ReplyDeleteI don't mind the non-clinical use of words like crazy and nuts, though I know a number of SJW types who get bent out of shape about it. It seems fair to say the language has sufficiently evolved to the point where no one in the modern era uses a word like moron, idiot, or crazy in the same way someone 50-100 years ago did. However, I can't stand when people use the words "autism/autistic" and "retarded" as synonyms for stupid, obsessive, ridiculous, etc. It's similar to people saying something like, "That post gave me cancer."
Carrie-Anne, it seems ridiculous to inappropriately use terms that refer to specific conditions in order to denigrate or ridicule a person or an idea. Perhaps in some remote metaphorical way I might be able to understand this usage, but to casually toss them around seems irresponsible. It seems that to overly adhere to strict PC culture we could be hard pressed to be descriptive about certain behaviors, ideas, or people displaying such.
DeleteStill another vote cast for Gloria Gaynor.
lee
I'm casting my vote for Gloria Gaynor.
ReplyDelete~Mary
Mary, this is not going well for La Lupe.
DeleteGloria Gaynor
Lee
People think that the disease I have Epilepsy is a Mental Illness .....well it isn't. I have in the past day come up with an issue that the medical profession where I live won't give me anymore medication for my Epilpesy because I am over a certain age. I was diagnosed 334 years ago and was told I needed medication for life. I today am fighting to get my treatment back .....or go public.
ReplyDeleteI choose Gloria Gaynor for this BOTB because I think she is most sincere in her singing.
Yvonne.
Yvonne, epilepsy, though I can't say I know much of anything about it, but from what I do know is a condition that can be specifically diagnosed and treated--like diabetes I suppose. Mind related, but something a physiological doctor would deal with and not a psychiatrist. But I wouldn't want to go too far in my assessment of what epilepsy is other than I think it is very real and serious.
DeleteFor sincerity, a vote for Gloria Gaynor
Lee
Loved them both I have to say - the Gloria Gaynor Graphics of 1978 was a trip down memory lane. I likes La Lupe's version - jazzy and dreamy. I'm sorry to hear of her descent into drugs and destitution but over all Gaynor gets my vote.
ReplyDeleteYes, mental illness - doesn't get the attention and treatment it deserves. Perhaps communities could play a larger role instead of leaving it up to pharma.
Susan S. maybe one reason mental illness doesn't get the attention it deserves is because there is so much disagreement in the medical community and the condition perplexes and frustrates many.
DeleteAgain it's a vote for Gloria Gaynor
Lee
Definitely think mental illness is a real condition. Although some fake illness and symptoms, if you are around someone with mental health issues you know whatever happens is beyond their control.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, addiction is, to my mind, a mental illness.
I used to love Disco. Now I can hardly listen to most of it. Maybe the constant tinitis is the problem. I like Gloria Gaynor, but this is not one of her better songs. Still, it does display her awesome range.
Did not like La Lupe. But it could just be a dislike for the song itself. The latino vibe just did not work for me.
Dolorah, I'll have more to say about the subject of mental illness in future posts. I'll also explore the concept of "illness".
DeleteFrom what you've said, I'm deducing a vote for Gloria Gaynor.
Lee
As someone who has family dealing with mental illness,I know it does not get the help that other diseases do. I also do not believe addiction is a disease but that should be an argument for another time. As for the BOTB, I would have to pick Gloria Gaynor.
ReplyDeleteYvonne, I'll have my own mental illness family story to relate coming up next Monday. Hope you'll come back for that. I agree that addiction is another disorder that is a relevant concern.
DeleteAnother vote for Gloria Gaynor
Lee
I think there is much we don't truly understand about mental illness. I think some are bio-chemical (bipolar comes to mind, but there are others.) I'm talking about deficiency of nutrients in the body that result in illness. It could be a lack of something or a body is unable to process something. In other words, I do think it's real, but there is much to learn. I think many of the drugs we are using to treat these illnesses are not the best approach (and often cause problems of their own). I hope a day comes when it's better understood.
ReplyDeleteI didn't care for LA Lupe in this battle. I thought Gloria was pretty good. I don't have issues with disco like some. Gloria Gaynor for me.
Robin, I also think the drugs may not be the best approach--too many other effects that might be worse or at least as bad. Much more research is needed.
DeleteA vote for the disco of Gloria Gaynor
Lee
As one who is mentally ill (depression, anxiety and panic), it is very real. My ex-h was bipolar and it was hell living w/ him. I think it's a chemical imbalance which is helped w/ medication. It could be all the crap the food industry is adding...maybe even GMOs.
ReplyDeleteJoJo, since "mental illness" does seem to be on the increase it might be partially a matter of additives and such, but still I don't think the media is helping with the scare tactics of negativity and not completely true reporting. I'm sure there are many influences regarding the mental state of America and the world.
DeleteLee
LEE ~
ReplyDeleteAs for Mental Illness, I believe it's one example of many in which people tend to take a THIS or THAT, EITHER / OR approach to. But one principle I have learned in life is that very, very often the correct answer to a thing is not THIS or THAT, EITHER / OR, but rather "BOTH", depending upon individual circumstances.
I believe Mental Illness is sometimes a thing, but from person to person it may have different causes, such as chemical imbalances, improper nerve impulses in the brain, psychological warfare activity, and even demonic possession. And then some people may not really have a Mental Illness at all, but just refuse to control their emotions and act out whenever and however they please.
Another good example is Homosexuality. Many people argue that they are born with that tendency while others staunchly insist it's a decision, or lifestyle choice. Well, having worked in the Entertainment field, I have gotten to know many homosexuals / lesbians and have spoken with some about this. I am absolutely certain that the answer is "BOTH". Some do choose it, while others truly are born predisposed to it. And I may address this briefly in my BOTB RESULTS post on the 21st.
BOTB:
Gloria Gaynor's 'NEVER CAN SAY GOODBYE' is one of the very few Disco songs that I've always liked. I still enjoy that one.
Her version of 'GOIN' OUT OF MY HEAD' isn't bad. Nowhere as good as the original, of course, but it's listenable. Although it does go on way too long. But then that makes sense since Disco really wasn't much more than rhythms to dance to, so extended sections of just light, rhythmic fluff was the norm. (That video for the Gaynor song was a trip and a half though. That jogged some memories for me.)
I like a lot of Latin music, so I really thought going in that there was a good chance I'd vote for La Lupe, despite the negative reactions to it in the comment section. But, nope.
In fact, I honestly found the La Lupe recording to be pretty funny -- I even chuckled a couple times. It almost sounded like some sort of satire on the Disco Era, as if it could have come from a 1970s Saturday Night Live skit. Pretty funny, but I can't vote for it.
~ D-FensDogG
Check out my new blog @
(Link:] Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...
STMcC, I think that the point Szasz was making in his theory is the concept of mental disorders is like you say--often a matter of semantic referencing and not always the easiest things for anyone to pinpoint. And I agree that each case must be taken on an individual basis. I guess if it were all simple they'd have very precise medicines or other curative measure to fix the issue. "All in the mind" isn't as easy as precise medical diagnoses where standard cures have been established.
ReplyDeleteI thought for sure you'd abhor the disco and go for the Latin, but again it's another surprise from BOTB.
A vote for Gloria Gaynor
Lee
Normally I'd go with my Latino instinct, but La Lupe didn't set me swaying. Have to admit that I prefer the Gloria Gaynor version. I might have danced to this one as well, although past my disco prime by then.
ReplyDeleteRoland, can't say I was ever in much of a disco prime--except when I'd had a few too many.
DeleteAnother vote for Gloria Gaynor.
Lee
No disco demolishioner me. Gloria on this vote. My unsophisticated ear isn't quite ready for La Lupe, and I thought Gloria did a helluva job.
ReplyDeleteCW, La Lupe has an alien sound?
DeleteAgain it's Gloria Gaynor
Lee
Were either of these songs on the radio, I would literally BOLT across the room - giving anyone in my way a kick in the groin - to hit the seek button. If near the main circuit breaker for the house (or business, or ICU) flipping that switch to off would be the quickest option.
ReplyDeleteOf the two, at least the video for Gaynor has some very interesting and nostalgic images that flash by. So that one gets my "vote."
SBB6, I must say your reaction to the song made me laugh out loud. Sounds like these versions nearly drove you crazy. I must already be a bit daft as I kind of like both of them.
DeleteVotes are getting predictable--another one for Gloria Gaynor
Lee
While we all joke about mental illness from time to time, it is devastating when a member of your family suffers from it. The havoc created and hearts broken is immeasurable.
ReplyDeleteFAE, I am well aware of this as I will explain in my upcoming post for Monday.
DeleteLee
I'll vote for La Lupe. The book sounds like an interesting read. Life and life situations can make you crazy. But I think there are people who are mentally ill as well.
ReplyDeleteMike, I'm intrigued by the premise of the book by Szasz and maybe read it if I ever run across it.
DeleteFinally, another vote for La Lupe.
Lee
I like La Lupe's version because of the music accompaniment, but definitely, I prefer Gloria Gaynor's vocals better and love those disco sounds!
ReplyDelete(However, I think but not sure, there's another version I'm more familiar with. I could be referring to Little Anthony's, but I think it was by a woman...)