Here? Again? Déjà vu (#BOTB Results)

Sometimes I feel like I'm posting about something I already have written about before.  That's probably because I have done another post about the topic.  Or maybe I've posted repeatedly about the topic.  It's kind of like life.  There is a lot of repetitiveness to life, which for me is a good thing.  It helps me to remember better...

That Strange Feeling
          
Déjà vu--we've all likely experienced that feeling of having been somewhere before, meeting someone whom we feel we've already known, or being in a situation that seems mighty familiar. The subject has been written about for centuries. But I wonder if the feeling is a more common occurrence in our time?

         I would argue that the sense of  déjà vu probably is more common now primarily because of media and other sensory experiences that bombard us in many ways.  We see previews, trailers, and teasers to the point that they all become part of the background noise that is ongoing data feed into our subconscious.  

         However the true déjà vu experience can be a startling and baffling mystery that can haunt us after the event has occurred.  A few years ago when my mother was in her final hours of life, at one point in the hospital room I felt an otherworldly experience of having been there before.  It was almost as though I were looking on at the scene, remembering it as something that had happened in my past.  Afterward all I could think of was déjà vu. 

         Most of the time, incidents that evoke such feelings within me I could probably reasonably explain even though I might not totally believe my own explanation.  I think we all enjoy little mind tricks that happen to us.  It's what happens when we escape into reading or watching something enacted before us. We are willingly deceived and complicit parties to that action.  Perhaps déjà vu is a bout of self-deception.  Or maybe it is real...

        What do you think? 

Battle of the Bands Results

Where or When

          My song choice for this previous Battle was the Rodgers and Hart classic "Where or When"  The song is about a lover's experience of déjà vu.  This song is one that I remember so well from early childhood because I used to hear it often.  The melody always entranced me and still does.  And all the more after I paid attention to the lyrics.

           The vocal combatants were contemporaries on the music scene from the mid to late 20th century Lena Horne and Etta Jones.  This was an outstanding Battle with both artists staying close though Etta held the lead throughout. 

            Stephen T McCarthy described my choice of Lena Horne with his description: 

"I prefer the "sweeter", gentler vocals of LENA HORNE. Her rendition retains the original melody and the very romantic, almost mystical mood indicated by the lyrics." 

I think that's a pretty good way of putting it.

           Still, Etta won the Battle, but not by much.

Final Vote Tally

Lena Horne       9 votes

Etta Jones         10 votes






  Next Battle on Wednesday November 15th

          I'm sure I'll post something before then so please visit and comment on all of my posts if you can.   On Monday November 13th I'll be participating in Remake Blogfest which will also be the theme of my next BOTB song a few days after that.   Be there!