This Is Me--2024 A to Z Theme

My A to Z Themes in the past have covered a range of topics and for 2024 the theme is a personal retrospective that I call "I Coulda Been" which is in reference to my job and career arc over my lifetime. I'll be looking at all sorts of occupations that I have done or could have done. Maybe you've done some of these too!

Wednesday, January 1, 2025

Waiting for Superman ( #BOTB )

     This past year was not too bad for me personally, but generally speaking it was a bit of a mess for the world.  What is this world coming to?  Where will we go next?  Will we have a Superman to come and save us?  



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 those 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.


Waiting for Superman

       Seems like a lot of people are waiting for a "superman" to come save their day so it makes sense that there would be several songs about this modern mythical hero.  Here are two variations on this theme as presented by two different modern rock artists.  I was familiar with one song while the other was new to me.  Can you guess which was which?  Did you know either of these songs?  

        Each song has a pretty good video that helps illuminate the lyrics so you might want to pay attention to each.  When voting for your favorite song then maybe you can also vote for your favorite video.  But please do let us know which song you like the best.

       

Daughtry   "Waiting for Superman"  (2013)

    If you were an American Idol fan in 2006 you might recall Chris Daughtry.  I was rooting for him that season, but he didn't make the top three.  However he went on to music stardom. His self-named band released this Superman song in 2013.     




The Flaming Lips  "Waitin' for a Superman"  (1999)

      This Superman song first appeared on The Flaming Lips' 9th studio album released in 1999. 
       




Time to Vote!

           Don't just sit there waiting for Superman.  Celebrate the New Year with us by voting on this Battle.  Which of these songs do you prefer?  Battles are no fun without you the reader participating.
    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

  'MIKE'S RAMBLINGS'

'Curious as a Cathy'

Sound of One Hand Typing

Jingle, Jangle, Jungle 





Be sure to come back on January 8 for Results!
   
       I'll also have a post for the Insecure Writer's Support Group on that day so please join me again on that day.  Happy New Year!






19 comments:

  1. Happy New Year Lee!

    Casting a vote for Daughtry today.

    -MMQE

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mary B, kicking off the first vote of 2025...

      It's for Daughtry

      Lee

      Delete
  2. Happy New Year, Lee! I was rooting for Chris Daughtry on American Idol too and shocked he didn't make the top three. Both of these songs were new to me and I enjoyed the drama each one portrayed. Overall though, (music and video) I preferred Daughtry. The bloody visage in the Flaming Lips video was a bit too real.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Debbie D, the "bloody visage" was pretty mild compared to some of the movies I've seen.

      Another vote for Daughtry

      Lee

      Delete
  3. From Facebook my cousin Tom voted for song as well as video by...

    Daughtry.

    Lee

    ReplyDelete
  4. Flaming Lips. I got more interested as it went on, where D I just stayed same level throughout.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CW, yes, the Daughtry song was pretty much power pop I guess.

      A vote for Flaming Lips.

      Lee

      Delete
  5. R. LEE BOID ~
    Indeed, there is a Superman coming soon (thank GOD!!!)

    I definitely preferred The Flaming Lips' "Waitin' for a Superman". As I couldn't even get all the way through the Daughtery "performance" (I shut it off at 3:40). It has that very typical sound of the '90s and 2000s - all that amped-up fake angst and pseudo-intensity.

    At least The Flaming Lips song had a little but of nuance to it.

    Here's hoping our 2025 is pert-goot & illness-free. (I don't get too excited about a new year anymore, as I have what I'd call "realistic" expectations.)

    ~ D-FensDogG

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. STMcC, yes, I had your superman reference in mind as well.

      I agree that the Daughtry song definitely adheres to a formula, but that's what makes it such a pop powerhouse. People like it I guess.

      A vote for Flaming Lips

      Lee

      Delete
  6. Happy New Year, Lee!

    I don't remember Flaming Lips song but I do recall Chris Daughtery's. I do remember Chris from AI and like you I wanted to see him win but didn't. At least he went on to do something with his music career where so many fade away. I'm giving my vote to Chris!

    I believe there's a little bit of Superman in all of us, if we do what's best for humanity instead of following social fads or looking for an easy way out just based on promises that never come to light.

    May God's hand be upon you and yours, dear friend! Here's to mankind leaping by bounds in 2025 at making this world a better place.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cathy, yeah, the superman in us is there if we can find it. So often we're scared to do anything. I think that's what both these songs are partly about.

      Another vote for Daughtry

      Lee

      Delete
  7. VOTE = DAUGHTRY

    I liked both songs well enough, I guess. Daughtry's just struck a chord with me a little more. ~Ed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ed, the chord that strikes is the one that matters in BOTB.

      A vote for Daughtry

      Lee

      Delete
  8. Neither of these is my cup of Monster. I think that there is exactly one song of The Flaming Lips that I like, and at the moment I cannot think of what it is. Daughtry has a great voice but sings sort of average poppy songs. He has some that I like (Home, Feels Like Tonight, etc) but they are also pretty much background music offering nothing new. I am going to vote for the lips on this one, but meh.

    I AM, however, waiting for superman. Or cosmic justice. haha

    Sixgun McItchyfinger

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 6-Gun, I'll have more to say about the Flaming Lips in my results post next week. I hear what you're saying about Daughtry songs and agree--I guess that's why they are usually fairly listenable--background music is an appropriate description.

      A vote for Flaming Lips

      Lee

      Delete
  9. Both songs were new to me. Like them both, but Daughtry gets me - and my vote today ;-) See ya on the 8th

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. diedre, I don't know that either has gotten much radio play, but what would i know? I don't listen to much pop radio.

      Daughtry

      Lee

      Delete
  10. Daughtry gets my vote. I like his rawness more than the singing from the other group. Who won that year that Daughtry lost? Daughtry won either way.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Birgit, offhand I forget who did win that year on AI. I have heard often of Daughtry though so I guess things turned out fine for him.

      Another vote for Daughtry

      Lee



      Delete

Go ahead and say something. Don't be afraid to speak your mind.
I normally try to respond to all comments in the comment section so please remember to check the "Email follow-up comments" box if you want to participate in the comment conversation.

For Battle of the Bands voting the "Anonymous" commenting option has been made available though this version is the least preferred. If voting using "anonymous" please include in your comment your name (first only is okay) and city you are voting from and the reason you chose the artist you did.

If you know me and want to comment but don't want to do it here, then you can send me an email @ jacksonlee51 at aol dot com.

Lee