Eres (#BOTB)

I hate hate, but sometimes love gets overly hyped and I don't like that.  Love is not a box of chocolates.  

 A swedish box of chocolates called "Paradis"
  (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Oh, by the way--have you found any good post-Valentine's candy on sale?   I love those mark-downs...


Post-Valentine Blues

        This week I've been seeing a lot of posts about love songs.  I'd already made my mind up not to use a love song for this Battle.  I had a completely different theme in mind, but then I thought it better to postpone that post until next time and succumb to the love bug.  After all, love is everywhere these days.  At least in the stores until the leftovers are put on clearance to make way for Easter.  I guess love wins again.

         There are love songs in every language.  Love is universal and so is music.  And love makes you want to sing--or at least hear the music all around.  I've been in the lowlands of late so nothing like a couple of doses of love to pick me up.  Anyone in the mood for Mexican?

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 blogs there is also a Battle on the 1st of the month.  My blog is one of those with a second Battle on the 1st of the month.   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.

Eres (You Are)

        The love song for this Battle was originally done by the group Café Tacuba, an immensely talented eclectic band from Mexico.  Among my favorite bands, I saw them in concert in 2000 at a theater in Anaheim.  "Eres" comes from their album Cuatro Caminos which won the 2003 Grammy for Best Latin Rock/Alternative Album.  If you don't mind the Spanish, this group is well worth checking out.

        Please don't vote on their version, but if you want to listen as a matter of reference their version can be heard here.   

         And now let the contest begin!


Elafrojack  "Eres"  (2013)

         Jack Vargas aka "Elafrojack" hails from Columbia.  I didn't find much about him other than he has a fairly wide social media presence and several YouTube music videos.  I know right off that some of you might not like his heavy metal approach in his cover, but for others this might be just the thing that makes you vote for his version.

Nathalia Campos "Eres" (2017)

        Nath Campos is from Mexico City. Her father is a song writer and music producer. She gives "Eres" a smoother more romantic touch.

Time to Vote!

        Hope you'll give these two song versions a chance.   What's your style preference between these two choices?   Which song version do you like best?   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 favorites 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  

Jingle, Jangle, Jungle 

Cherdo on the Flipside 


Winner of this Battle Announced on Wednesday February 21st

      Be watching the Blogging from A to Z Challenge site for announcements about April.  A sign up list will be appearing soon as well as information about the upcoming event.   Don't miss the Battle results post on Tossing It Out next Wednesday. 

       Hasta luego amigos!

Cherish (BOTB)

       Once again it's time for Battle of the Bands.  This is the event that takes place on the 1st and 15th of each month.  Far Away Eyes at Far Away Series gets the credit for first conceiving this study in song version comparison. Stephen T McCarthy maintains the participant list and answers your questions about the event--you can find his blog with a list of participants at  StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands.   This is not at all complicated:  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 Battles to vote on.

The Song:  "Cherish"

       In a post from FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2015 I talked about my personal story behind my song pick for today's Battle of the Bands.  The song "Cherish" was originally released by Kool and the Gang in 1985 as the B-side to the hit "Ladies Night".   Sometimes referred to as "Cherish the Love" this "Cherish" is not to be confused with the song of the same title by the group The Association.   To hear the original Kool and the Gang version click here, but please do not vote for this version.  

       

Cherish (Kool and the Gang song) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

         As I stated in my previous post about the song "Cherish", I initially paid little attention to the song when it was released.  A few years later I actually paid attention to the song and the lyrics.  The sentiments expressed by the song deeply touched me.  Now whenever the song comes on the radio I'll turn up the volume and listen to the lyrics.  This is one song that brings a tear to my eye when I hear it.  I'll discuss more about this in my next post at Wrote By Rote as I present a Soundtrack of My Life post.

       I usually don't post lyrics, but for this song I will in order to provide more perspective:

1. Cherish

   Song by Kool and the Gang
2. Let's take a walk together near the ocean shore
   Hand in hand you and I
   Let's cherish every moment we have been given
   The time is passing by

   I often pray before I lay down
   By your side
   If you receive your calling before I awake
   Could I make it through the night

   Cherish the love we have, we should cherish the life we live
   Cherish the love, cherish the life, cherish the love
   Cherish the love we have, for as long as we both shall live
   Cherish the love, cherish the life, cherish the love

   The world is always changing, nothing stays the same
   But love will stand the test of time
   The next life that we live in remains to be seen
   Will you be by my side
      Call me sappy or sentimental--I can be unashamedly so at times--but for me these lyrics carry such a powerful message and I absolutely adore the melody of the song. Enjoy the versions that I have to offer in this round of Battle of the Bands.

 
The Katinas  "Cherish the Love" (2013)

        This version of "Cherish the Love" is by a contemporary Christian group consisting of five brothers from American Samoa.   The vocals are pretty tasty with some fine harmony and funky back-up.  Get into this recording and see what you think.






Pappa Bear "Cherish the Love"  (1997)

       I've probably said somewhere that I doubted that I'd ever use a rap song for one of my Battles.  That was until I found this version of "Cherish".  And really this is not so much a rap song as it is a pop song with some rapping added to it.  I hope you'll give it a fair listen since it's pretty soft edged as far as rap style songs go.

      Originally from Netherlands Antilles, Pappa Bear, with his rap hip-hop style, gives love song "Cherish" a bit of a twist.  The recording didn't get much notice in the U.S. but achieved hit status throughout Europe when it was released.  This is not too bad to my ears--the kind of rap I can listen to.  See how you compare this to the version by The Katinas.




Time to Vote!

         I cherish your votes in my song version Battles so I hope you'll add yours. Which song version do you like the best? Surely you think one is better than the other even if you don't like either presentation as much as the original version. Judge what you hear in the above videos. Which version do you prefer? It's up to you to help determine the winner.

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:

‘FAR AWAY SERIES’ 

 StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands

 ‘YOUR DAILY DOSE’ 

  'MIKE'S RAMBLINGS'

'Curious as a Cathy'

Sound of One Hand Typing

DC Relief Battle of the Bands

The Doglady's Den 

Angel's Bark  

Cherdo on the Flipside  

Jingle, Jangle, Jungle 

Women:  We Shall Overcome  

Book Lover

J. A. Scott  

Quiet Laughter

Holli's Hoots and Hollers

NovelBrews

Results on Monday September 21st

        Find out who gets the most votes in my post of Monday September 21st.  And don't forget to drop by at Wrote By Rote on Saturday September 19th when I add "Cherish" to the Soundtrack of My Life.

          Are there any songs that move you to tears?    Do you typically prefer sadder songs or more upbeat songs?  Do you have a favorite song by Kool and the Gang?

Related articles

• They Loved And Lost And Their Message Brought Me To Tears.
• Playlist: This could be us, but you playing
• .....days of our lives.
• Why do people like sad songs?