Other people are a favorite pastime for most of us. We like to see what others are doing. Just think if there were no people on television. It would be like looking out a window at a view that was always changing, but without people it would likely soon get old--and wordless....
 |
| A cool scene for a hot day: Skating at Ober Gatlnburg in the Smoky Mountains |
Who doesn't like people watching? We watch others for entertainment, satisfying curiosity, or instruction. YouTube is filled with videos of people doing nutty or endearing things. It's become a go to site for me when I want to watch how others do something like household chores or simple repairs that I might want to attempt on my own. If I can see somebody else do it then I figure I can possibly do it as well.
Then, there are those objects of fixation, admiration, or adoration. It might be your spouse, kids, pet, car, or whatever it is that you want to have for your own The desire can sometimes be so strong that it can work adversely against us. Perhaps you can recall some instance in your own life of wanting someone or something so badly that it can lead to feelings of despondency or even reckless behavior.
In other cases, our focus on something might help us to become better as we continue to strive to obtain that which we achingly long for. We practice, we work, we write, and we dream.
Or we might just have a Battle of the Bands...
Battle of the Bands
Can't Take My Eyes Off of You
My Battle theme for this month is eyes. The previous Battle featured "Eye in the Sky" which is essentially about watching someone for the purpose of spying on their thoughts and actions. In this next Battle we'll look at two very different versions of the song "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You" which was originally a big hit for Frankie Valli of the vocal group The Four Seasons. You've undoubtedly heard this original version (don't vote on it please!) and if not, you've surely heard some version of this song which has been recorded numerous times and appeared often in films, etc. This classic is a true standard tune of our times.
In the following Battle we'll compare two very different sounding as well as different approaches to this hit. One of these you will likely be unfamiliar with while the other was a big hit in the nineties. I actually own the albums where each of these versions first appeared so I'm a fan of both. However, I like one better than the other. Which do you like best?
Daniel Amos "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You" (1995)
Daniel Amos is the name of a contemporary Christian rock group that first appeared on the scene in 1974. Under the leadership of Terry Scott Taylor,the group and its members have recorded numerous albums to this day not only as Daniel Amos, but also in various other guises. To me, Taylor is a music genius and his group and solo projects are among my favorites. Though they usually do original tunes, in this case they performed this cover. In Taylor's approach here the song is sung almost as a hymn of adoration to God...
Lauryn Hill "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You" (1998)
Formerly with the hip-hop group The Fugees, Lauryn Hill parted ways to release the highly acclaimed monster hit album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill which is where her version of "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You" first appeared. She takes a pretty radical approach to the tune and I think it works very well. What do you think?....
Time to Vote!
Now all eyes are on you! Which artist do you like best? Pick one and have some fun! You don't have to know about music to have an opinion since it all comes down to your own personal taste.
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
'MIKE'S RAMBLINGS'
'Curious as a Cathy'
Sound of One Hand Typing
Angel's Bark
Debbie Doglady's Den
Jingle, Jangle, Jungle
Cherdo on the Flipside
Winner of this Battle Announced on Monday September 23
As we head into fall, I'll announce the results of the final Battle of the summer of 2019. I don't even want to think about winter right now. It seems like January was just a few weeks ago. Time is careening at an unbelievable speed!
These days, what is the focus of your greatest love, admiration, or attention? In your younger days did you ever fall under the affliction of "puppy love"? Do you have a secret love that you dare not tell anyone about (except here of course)?
Your topic "Who You Lookin' At" reminds me of an old song:
ReplyDelete"I was looking back to see
if you were looking back to see
If I was looking back to see
if you were looking back at me
You were cute as you could be
standing looking back at me
And it was plain to see
that I'd enjoy your company"
I can't see you, but I enjoy your posts.
I will be lookin' back to see if you're lookin' back at my posts. ;)
NTNPNN, I seem to remember those lyrics from somewhere. I'll be around soon.
DeleteLee
I vote for Daniel Amos. I know the song but not the singer.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend Lee.
Yvonne.
Yvonne, I don't think anyone in the Western World hasn't heard this song.
DeleteFirst vote goes to Daniel Amos.
Lee
Amos. Not a hip-hopper.
ReplyDeleteCW, I can't say that I'm a hip-hopper either, but I do enjoy some songs in that genre.
DeleteAnother vote for Daniel Amos.
Lee
I'll have to go with Daniel Amos. Like the crunch guitar, especially in such an older song.
ReplyDeleteAlex, I'd been surprised if you hadn't voted this way...
DeleteDaniel Amos.
Lee
Your mention of people watching was interesting. This led me to my time when little when there was no tv and we had to make our own amusement, use our own creativity. As do the artists you mention, thank goodness.
ReplyDeleteLost, ah, those were the "good old days"...
DeleteLee
People watching is always fun, especially at the airport or the mall. ☺ Lauryn Hill does take a unique approach, but I prefer the more traditional sound of Daniel Amos. Interesting battle!
ReplyDeleteDebbie D, I try to read at an airport, but I always get distracted by people.
DeleteA vote for Daniel Amos.
Lee
Oh man, this is so hard! Because I LOVED the Frankie Valli version, I found neither of these particularly appealing. No fan of hop-hop, Amos gets my vote.
ReplyDeleteMyra, we grew up with that Frankie Valli sound and it's iconic for sure.
DeleteBy default a vote for Daniel Amos.
Lee
I didn't like either one: Daniel Amos's was too noisy and Lauryn Hill's just sounded wrong. I'll give Daniel my vote, but it's nowhere near the song the original was.
ReplyDeleteJohn, I'm not sure I'd call DA "noisy", but they can have some rough edges at times.
DeleteA vote for Daniel Amos.
Lee
I really wanted to like Lauryn Hill, but she was just a little too different for me. While Daniel Amos' was noisy, it just felt better to me. My vote goes to Daniel Amos.
ReplyDeleteMary B, what's this "noisy" thing? It's crunchy rock and roll.
DeleteDaniel Amos.
Lee
Daniel Amos has my vote. Frankie Valli hold the crown, though.
ReplyDeleteSusan K, Frankie Valli would be a tough one to beat.
DeleteHeading toward a sweep...
Daniel Amos.
Lee
I agree with John, I didn't like either of them but Amos gets my vote. It sounded a little crackly like an old scratched record through my speakers so maybe that's what people were talking about when they said noisy. I tried to listen past that.
ReplyDeleteJanet’s Smiles
Janet, I think the "crackly" sound is the intention of the style, but maybe there is something about playing through computer speakers (though sounds fine on mine).
DeleteAnother vote for Daniel Amos.
Lee
Lee,
ReplyDeleteHow interesting you should use this song in your battle. For our 40th anniversary, DH got me a beautiful Italian music box which plays this song. It brought me to tears receiving not only such a lovely gift but the song is what really did it to me. It touched me so deeply the way he feels about me and every time I open it play I can't help but mist up. Now, onward to your battle. I can't say I'm crazy about either of these artists but I definitely like Daniel Amos the best between the two. Daniel can't hold a candle to Frankie Valli.
DH is my greatest love and admiration. He has been for the past 40+ years. Oh sure I've fallen under the puppy love spell, mostly over some celebrity and as I got older had a huge crush on Tom Selleck but then what woman didn't? These days, I'm past secret crushes. I can't take my eyes of DH! Cool battle. I'm back in with the BoTB routine, so when you can you may want to cast your ballot in my Stairway To Heaven showdown, my friend. Have a good day!
Cathy, this is a very romantic song I think and I can see where it would work well in your music box gift. Your love story is a wonderful one!
DeleteA vote for Daniel Amos.
Lee
Lee,
DeleteThank you. I give God full credit. He blessed me by giving me such an amazing husband. We've grown together instead of apart which could've easily gone the other way but God kept us forced always on the other.
I do like this song by the 4 Seasons. Both versions I would not listen to on my own but I will go for Daniel Amos who made the song his own and created a different feel to it. I am not much into Lauren Hill. Ahh, Love..right now all goes to my hubby who has just been through day surgery on his right shoulder. Personally, I think he should have stayed a day. The operation lasted 3 hrs-double the time because they found more stuff. Michael was told but he forgot. It was a long day in TO that's for sure. I have had puppy Love when I was in high school but I dare not tell the boy I like him. When I was 10, I liked this one man that was hired by my dad. He had dark hair and I thought he was cute and so, I followed him everywhere until the jerk called me on it and asked why I was doing that. I was so embarrassed that I stopped. Yes, I had a secret love that was quite important to me and vice versa many years ago....I shall not say more:)
ReplyDeleteBirgit, yes, most of us have a few secrets at least that may never be known.
DeleteA vote for Daniel Amos.
Lee
LEE ~
ReplyDelete>>... My blog is one of those with a second Battle on the 1st of the month.
I've always joked about my lack of math skills but... I feel pretty confident in saying that the Battle on the first day of each month is the "first" Battle, and the one that comes a couple weeks later on the 15th is the "second" Battle of the month.
That album cover for Daniel Amos certainly is deceptive. Hardly what I expected the song to sound like. I figured it would be crooning a la Mitch Miller or Bing Crosby or something like that.
The mountain background on that album cover looks a lot like Bell Rock in Sedona, AZ. A lot of people think that Bell Rock is some kind of energy portal, but I climbed it once and didn't feel nuttin' (except hot 'n' sweaty).
To be honest, I didn't care for the vocal tone of Daniel Amos' lead singer. It just didn't have any kind "romantic" quality necessary for a song like this. And I probably would have liked the Lauryn Hill recording if it hadn't been so incredibly overproduced with all those "extra" mannerisms and touches that pretty much ruined what potentially could have been a nice version of this song.
I listened to each song once all the way through, and then listened again to the first two minutes of each song in order to make up my mind. Looks like I'm here to save you from what was shaping up to be a shutout, Lee. I'll cast an unenthusiastic bote for Lauryn Hill.
~ D-FensDogG
STMcC Presents BATTLE OF THE BANDS
STMcC, it is a weird cover and, yes, the photo was taken in Sedona. I've been to Sedona a few times and never felt particularly mystified or psychically influenced.
DeleteThis vote was needed! Lauryn Hill.
Lee
"Baa. Baa." Like the sheep I am, I am following the crowd here. I am not prowling off the chain like that lone wolf McCarthy. Amos is literally the only way to vote IMO, even though it isn't great. Hill's is just terrible.
ReplyDeleteI'm in St. Louis right now, traveling from sea to shining sea. I just saw "The Dip" at a tiny venue. They are literally the only living band that Stephan and I agree we both like. You should check them out!
6-Gun, Happy travels! I wouldn't mind being on the roads right now as well.
DeleteA vote for Daniel Amos.
Lee
Lauryn Hill for the win. That was surprisingly easy. After these, I am listening to Andy Williams, with The Lettermen soon to follow... I have been really dedicated to the latter half of the 1960's (1965 to 1969), and with the 50 year anniversary winding down, I am somewhat sad.
ReplyDeleteMichael, the 60's were an interesting time and I think I was at the right age at that time.
DeleteA vote for Lauryn Hill.
Lee
My vote goes to Daniel Amos, though it was quite different than the original. Lauryn's version was a bit too intense for the song, I thought.
ReplyDelete"to obtain that which we achingly long for..." The entire paragraph is superbly crafted, Lee!
Diedre, thank you for the compliment!
DeleteAnother vote for Daniel Amos.
Lee
I love this song. When I was a kid I also loved the 4 seasons. I don't have a preference from your choices, but I sure liked Frankie Valli singing it.
ReplyDeleteTeresa, this is a pretty great song. The Four Seasons were one of the first groups I really started getting into back in the sixties. Frankie would have won hands down if his version had been in the Battle.
DeleteLee
I prefer Lauryn Hill's version. Her stylings felt smoother and more to my personal taste.
ReplyDeleteCarrie-Anne, Lauryn thanks you!
DeleteA vote for Lauryn Hill.
Lee
Lauryn Hill gets my sympathy vote and my wife's. We both prefer Frankie Valli by decades and neither of these compares, but Lauryn needs help before Amos wins.
ReplyDeleteRoland, who doesn't like Frankie Valli? Someone I guess, but they have bad taste...
DeleteA sympathy vote for Lauryn Hill.
Lee
The 4 seasons, Andy Williams and the Overtones - lots of bands tried out this little number which has a nice beat to it.
ReplyDeleteSpacer, I guess this can be considered among the greatest classics of the pop music era.
DeleteLee
From my Cousin Tom on Facebook a vote for...
ReplyDeleteDaniel Amos.
Lee