Cruel Summer ( #BOTB )

        Another summer is now behind us as we look to fall, then winter, then another new year. We had some hot days this summer, but in no way would I think of my summer 2024 as cruel.  There were some really great things as well as a few not so great.  It's been a pretty good year for me, but that's the way my life usually has been in retrospect...

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 each month on the 15th and on some there is also a Battle on the 1st of the month.  My blog is one of of with a second Battle excepting over these summer months.   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.

Cruel Summer

       Recently I received one of those YouTube recommendations for a Taylor Swift recording of a song called "Cruel Summer."  Since Swift is so much in the news, I thought this would be a good Battle of the Bands selection since I thought she was covering the old song I already knew. But, no, this was her own song of the same title and not the one from the eighties that I remembered.  Oh well, I guess it can still be part of a Battle of the Bands

       Soon I plan to tell more about my interesting--and somewhat cruel to a degree--summer past.  But for now, let me focus on this Battle of the Bands...

         

      

Taylor Swift - Cruel Summer (2019)

       Definitely not the "Cruel Summer" song that I remember.  This is kind of catchy in a way.  But how does it stand up to the Bananarama song that I knew?  What do you think?

       

Bananarama - Cruel Summer (1983)

      This is the one my generation remembers.  You do remember this one right?

   

Time to Vote!

         Don't be cruel!  Just listen to the songs then tell us which song you like best?   Hopefully you have an opinion of some kind.  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. I don't know if anyone else will be doing a Battle this time around, but you can still check out these sites.


Here are some other places where you might find BOTB posts:

 StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands

'Curious as a Cathy'

Sound of One Hand Typing

Jingle, Jangle, Jungle 

Landmark Sounds (Diedre Knight)

BATTLE OF THE BANDS BY DEBBIE D

Trivial Music Silliness

Mike's Ramblings

Results on Monday September 23

  

        Maybe I'll tell you about my summer or something.  But I'll mainly try to give some results of this Battle.  Please vote!

When in Doubt, Post #BOTB Results

       Firstly, let me wish my sister Joy a happy birthday.  Not that she'll read it here--I'll call her directly--but I thought it would be a nice thing to say.  And before I say anything more, I'll attend to the main business of this blog post...

Battle of the Bands Results

California Dreamin'

     My most recent Battle of the Bands was between two versions of the Mama and Papas classic song "California Dreamin'". 

       I liked both versions quite well, but my favorite was the version by America which was the popular trend in this Battle.

Final Vote Tally

America        9 votes

Sia                5 votes

Next Battle on Sunday September 15th

    Maybe I'll actually have a post with substance on that day.  It's been hard getting back into blogging regularity.

A Thank You to All of My Teachers ( #IWSG )

      There have been some things in my life that I didn't want to do that I'm glad that I was essentially forced to do.  Other things that I was expected to do, I was not so happy about doing....

The Insecure Writer's Support Group

Join us on the first Wednesday of each month in Alex J. Cavanaugh's Insecure Writer's Support Group--a forum of writers who gather to talk about writing and the writer's life. For a complete list of participants visit Alex's Blog. 
     The co-hosts for the September 4 posting of the IWSG are Beth Camp, Jean Davis, Yvonne Ventresca, and PJ Colando.

September 4 question - Since it's back to school time, let's talk English class. What's a writing rule you learned in school that messed you up as a writer?

       Thanks to my education in the public school system, I can write reasonably well. In my post elementary school years, I had mostly decent English teachers as well as a few that were outstanding.  The teachers that laid the groundwork for those higher education years did a fine job of helping me enjoy writing and doing it with some semblance of skill.  So, I cannot think of any writing rules that I learned that were detrimental to me.  

      I must be getting pretty complacent in my sunset years.  That's okay.

   

       

       

California Dreamin' --Movie Versions (#BOTB)

            Here we are in the midst of another long holiday weekend.  Who's reading this Labor Day season?  I don't have any plans for the next few days at present, but who knows--spontaneity can be fun.  And so can just sitting around the house dreaming about stuff.  And since I'm in Los Angeles I guess I'll be California dreaming.  Sounds like a cue for introduction to me...

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 each month on the 15th and on some there is also a Battle on the 1st of the month.  My blog is one of of with a second Battle excepting over these summer months.   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 thfis post for more Battle action.

California Dreamin'

      The song probably needs no introduction as I'd say everyone has heard this hit by the Mamas and Papas. In fact, I'm pretty certain this song has made a Battle of the Bands appearance more than a few times.  Since it's such a great song and it's been in my BOTB queue for years now I've decided to use it for this Battle of versions that came from movies.

America  "California Dreamin'"  (1979)

      This was used in the 1979 film called California Dreaming.  The song was a minor hit during that year.  I think I saw this film, but I couldn't say for sure right now...

'

Sia  "California Dreamin'"  (2015)

    This version comes from the 2015 disaster flick San Andreas.  You get some clips of the film in the song video.  You might have seen this one.  Being a fan of movies like this I did manage to see it not long after it came out. I enjoyed it.

Time to Vote!

         This is not a dream!  Or maybe it is. Still, either way, listen to the songs then tell us which song version you like best?   Hopefully you have an opinion of some kind.  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. I don't know if anyone else will be doing a Battle this time around, but you can still check out these sites.


Here are some other places where you might find BOTB posts:

 StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands

'Curious as a Cathy'

Sound of One Hand Typing

Jingle, Jangle, Jungle 

Landmark Sounds (Diedre Knight)

BATTLE OF THE BANDS BY DEBBIE D

Trivial Music Silliness

Mike's Ramblings

Results on Monday September 9th

        

        Please vote so I can have results.  Without your participation this thing doesn't work so well.---Oh well...