R.E.M. "Let Me In"

Here's another Weekend Post:

I didn't have a chance to write about the anniversary of Kurt Cobain's death this week, but I'll do a longer post on Monday. This weekend I'm just posting a couple of "lost in the 90s" Cobain tributes.

This one was buried deep into R.E.M.'s "Monster" record. As usual, it's pretty hard to decipher what Michael Stipe is talking about, but you have to appreciate that this is a tribute done by someone who truly was a friend of Kurt's, who knew him and cared about him.



Weekend posts are a chance to revisit songs that have happy memories, not of anything in particular, other than just hearing the tunes.

Many of these songs were tracks that I played during my 90s stint as an Alternative/Modern Rock radio show. They're tunes that I hardly hear these days, but are wonderful to revisit.

Click on the "Weekend Posts" label below, to see other posts like this.

For Squirrels "Mighty K.C."

Here's another Weekend Post:

I didn't have a chance to write about the anniversary of Kurt Cobain's death this week, but I'll do a longer post on Monday. This weekend I'm just posting a couple of "lost in the 90s" Cobain tributes, including this one from a band that had it's own tragic story.



Weekend posts are a chance to revisit songs that have happy memories, not of anything in particular, other than just hearing the tunes.

Many of these songs were tracks that I played during my 90s stint as an Alternative/Modern Rock radio show. They're tunes that I hardly hear these days, but are wonderful to revisit.

Click on the "Weekend Posts" label below, to see other posts like this.

Bill Conti "Gonna Fly Now"

This week's guest blogger, Tanya Primo-Jones, is writing about songs that exemplify what she calls The Primo Spirit.

Did I mention that I was a country music junky? It’s true. I’m kinda surprised a country song didn’t make the cut. I have plenty of songs from Sugarland, Kenny Chesney, Zac Brown Band, and Kid Rock (his newer stuff) that motivates me to live a fun, care free life, to seize the moment and make the most of what I’ve been given, but maybe country music is too laid back to make THIS list. I guess I personally equate those things to more of a Zen thing than really winning and achieving personal greatness.

“And now, the end is here and so I face the final curtain...”

I’ve had so much fun as the guest blogger this week I can’t believe it’s already Friday and we are on our last song!!

This is the ultimate “winner” song. When you hear it you don’t want to waste time, you just want to get up and go, you want to live life to the fullest, you want to be the ultimate champion!

I have awesome memories of this song. When I was a kid we went skiing most weekends with our cousins and friends and my Dad would crank this song on the record player (haha…yes, record player) at the crack of dawn to get a house full of people awake, out of bed and onto the slopes. It worked every time! And we were all pumped up to get moving!

You’re dying to know, right?

Here’s a hint...

Put your sneakers on, you’ll wanna go for a run
With a hook like that you don’t need a gun
Didn’t take him long to find his Primo Spirit
“To my wife at home, yo Adrian….I Did It!”

You got it…The Theme song to ROCKY. "Flying High Now" by Bill Conti.

“Trying hard now, it’s so hard now, trying hard now. Getting strong now, won’t be long now, getting strong now, Gonna fly now.”



This video saved my life…thx! -- Comment on Youtube

Hey Rocky, never Lose Yourself man! You’re a fighter and a survivor! You’ll win some and you lose some ‘cause, That’s Life! I know you’ll never say never because you have a Heart of a Champion...You’re a winner! You must be Flying High Now!

TODAY: Find your inner strength, embrace your challenges, work hard, persevere and BELIEVE!

Find out more about Tanya Primo-Jones and the Primo Spirit at Find Your Primo and In Search Of Primo.

Eminem "Lose Yourself"

This week's guest blogger, Tanya Primo-Jones, is writing about songs that exemplify what she calls The Primo Spirit.

LOL...I know your laughing too at the extremes I’ve chosen. I warned you that despite the genre, the era, the target market, these artists are on the same mission with these particular songs...it’s all in the searching and in the finding of their inner Primo.

I gave a speech recently and I stated that motivation and inspiration has been around since the beginning of time. I went on to say how awesome I thought it was that we can take practically the same words, rearrange them, set them to our own tone, speak them in our voice, and back them with our own stories and continue to motivate and inspire others over and over and over again. Frank, Nelly, Justin, Eminem they are all saying the same thing..more or less...it’s a beautiful thing!

Eminem asks you this...

Look, If you had one shot, or one opportunity to seize everything you ever wanted -One moment, would you capture it? Or just let it slip- yo

He goes on to say-

You better lose yourself in the music, the moment, you own it , you better never let it go, you only get one shot…do not miss your chance to blow.
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime, yo
Success is my only option
Failure’s not
So here I go with my shot
Feet fail me not
This may be the only opportunity that I got
You can do anything you set your mind to, man

So Poetic………Music to Primo’s ears!



Primo says “jump in with 2 feet, face things head on, persevere and defeat those things that challenge you! If he believes it, he will achieve it!”

*What were you determined to achieve and did ?
*Have you had a shot at something and missed it because of excuses, fear or self doubt?
*What is your greatest excuse for not achieving a huge goal or dream?

TODAY: Know that you can do anything you set your mind to –


Find out more about Tanya Primo-Jones and the Primo Spirit at Find Your Primo and In Search Of Primo.

Justin Bieber "Never Say Never"

This week's guest blogger, Tanya Primo-Jones, is writing about songs that exemplify what she calls The Primo Spirit.

I know you’re going to laugh when I give you today’s song but bear with me. This next artist is the cutest little thing to walk (or should I say dance) the stage since...I don’t know when. Someday I’m going to marry him...haha, me and about a gagillion other screaming 9-12 year old girls: Justin Beiber. I admit I didn’t give the Beib much attention until I was forced to see his movie. The movie tickets I pre-purchased were about to expire and his movie “Never Say Never” was the only thing playing. My husband and I and my 2 ten year old sons went, and to our surprise we loved the movie and found a whole new respect for the boy. We think (although the other 3 would never admit it) Justin is the bomb!

The 3-D documentary of his journey to stardom showed me that the Bieb exemplifies the Primo spirit. From a very young age he found that place inside of him that made him want to work hard, persevere, believe in himself and win. He would get down at times but he never gave up. Based on the beginning of the song “Never Say Never” I don’t think he always thought he would be as big a star as he has become, but he worked hard and always did his absolute best and things started to unfold for him. Like a switch going on he sees and feels his destiny and nothing can stop him from getting there.

See I never thought that I could walk through fire.
I never thought that I could take the burn.
I never had the strength to take it higher,
Until I reached the point of no return.

And there's just no turning back,
When your hearts under attack,
Gonna give everything I have,
It's my destiny.

I will never say never! (I will fight)
I will fight till forever! (make it right)
Whenever you knock me down,
I will not stay on the ground.

I never thought I could feel this power.
I never thought that I could feel this free.
I'm strong enough to climb the highest tower.
And I'm fast enough to run across the sea.

And there's just no turning back,
When your hearts under attack,
Gonna give everything I have,
Cause this is my destiny.

Like JB, my heart is under attack--I feel a burning desire to share Primo and use him to do ‘good’ in the world. I never thought I could “walk through fire,” I never thought I could “take the burn,” I never thought I had “the strength to take it higher” ...but then I just kept plugging along...working hard, sometimes I didn’t even know what I was working hard towards, then I hit a point of no return--now there’s just no turning back, cause my heart’s under attack, gonna give everything I have, cause “I can see clearly now, the rain is gone” (oops, wrong song), cause...this is my destiny!

Our destiny is often a mystery but just keep working hard, keep believing, keep praying, know you have a purpose and keep your mind open to all possibilities. When opportunity knocks, open the door, it may be uncomfortable, you may have to face your fears, but I encourage you to walk through.

TODAY : NEVER SAY NEVER ….great things await!




Find out more about Tanya Primo-Jones and the Primo Spirit at Find Your Primo and In Search Of Primo.

Nelly "Heart of a Champion"

This week's guest blogger, Tanya Primo-Jones, is writing about songs that exemplify what she calls The Primo Spirit.

Today’s song is a “must have” on your iPod for a run, a gym workout, or any time you are about to face a fear. The beat of it alone will make you want to get up and move...get up and be a champion. Here are a few excerpts from the song “Heart of a Champion.” Nelly has got his Primo goin on!

I got that cain't stop, won't stop, in my veins
That's why they cain't stop, won't stop, screamin the name
NELLY! NELLY! Go tell a friend to tell a friend
I'ma keep the same grin whether I, lose or win
Up, or down ten, I'ma fight to the end
Let's go...

Chorus –

Ain't no way they can stop me now Nelly
Cause I'm on my way, I can feel my reign comin
It's the blood of a champion, pumpin
Deep inside my veins, too much pride to be runnin
I'ma give what I can and more, even if
My blood, my sweat, and my tears don't mean nothin
It's the heart of a champion

My work habit ain't no habit man, I do it on purpose
I push myself to the limit so my talent'll surface
So now it's, curtains and drapes, on anybody who hates
Dislikin what I'm recitin, bitin what I've been writin
I've been dogfightin, scratchin and clawin on every height
Tryin to make you remember me like you "Remember the Titans"
Cause I'm a WARR-IOR...

Nelly is a champion, that he is aware
Never doubts himself, whatever the affair-
He calls upon his Primo, and fights until the end
They try to steal his thunda, he don’t shatter, break or bend
Primo, Primo… He calls upon his friend
Nothins gonna stop him, he’ll fight until the end!

...haha, how was that? Maybe The Primo Lady will start writing rap songs????

TODAY: Live like you are a champion!


Find out more about Tanya Primo-Jones and the Primo Spirit at Find Your Primo and In Search Of Primo.

Frank Sinatra "That's Life"

This week's guest blogger, Tanya Primo-Jones, is writing about songs that exemplify what she calls The Primo Spirit.

Hey There,

My name is Tanya Primo-Jones, people call me The Primo Lady; I am your guest blogger for the week. I went to high school a few….aaahem…20 something years ago with the master mind behind “Everyday I Write the Blog” and thanks to a tiny little thing called Facebook we reconnected. I guess the motivational quotes and sayings I was posting on my Find Your Primo page inspired PJ to ask me to write a little somethin’ somethin’ for his blog. So, here I am!

Before diving into today’s song you need to know a few things-

1. Why do people call me the Primo Lady?
2. What do I know about Music?

1. Why do people call me the Primo Lady? I am the creator of this little cartoon guy called “Primo,” I created him to give the world a visual for their inner competitive spirit…that spirit, that when ignited with hard work, perseverance and belief in yourself will lead you to your greatest successes! I use this guy in various ways to motivate and inspire others to find their inner Primo, to reach their goals and to achieve their dreams...Yea, PJ, that book you shared with us last week...you’re gonna need to get that finished….and published!

2. What do I know about music? Um, nothing – but I do know that I love it! I certainly love dancing to it but I also love listening to the lyrics. The lyrics tell a story and for as long as I can recall I’ve always loved knowing people's stories. Not because I’m nosy but because I’m just so curious to learn more about people - where they came from, and their thoughts and dreams on where they’re going.
As this week's guest blogger I bring to you a motivating song-a-day that exudes the Primo spirit that I spoke of above. I have great admiration for people who are truly in search of their inner Primo, for people who don’t just settle. Folks who are willing to make the most of this one life they have... facing all odds, working hard, and persevering to win in this game called life. Musical artists have the ability to eloquently or in some cases not-so-eloquently put their “search for Primo” into words...into song, and that’s exactly what these 5 artists have done. I love it, and I love it all the same, despite the era they are from, despite their musical genre...despite their target market.

You don’t have to like the song but take from each one the message that if you find your inner strength, if you work hard, persevere, and believe in yourself...you will be a winner...now that’s the Primo Spirit!!

#1
This first song by the legendary Frank Sinatra, I believe, is the foundation for which Primo was built upon. You see, my Dad bowed down to Frank...In fact at times, I think he thought he was Frank and in my opinion when my Dad sang this song I think he sang it better than Frank! My dad passed away 4 years ago and it was shortly thereafter that Primo was created. Primo represents my dad, the kind of person he was and the kind of person he taught me to be; the lyrics of this song resonates deep with me because its all about being knocked down and getting back up again (no, not that Chumbawamba song)! A great strength – the greatest one my dad had and for certain the greatest one I have! How can you not feel inspired by this song???

That’s Life – by the great Frank Sinatra
That's life, that's what all the people say.
You're riding high in April,
Shot down in May
But I know I'm gonna change that tune,
When I'm back on top, back on top in June.

I said that's life, and as funny as it may seem
Some people get their kicks,
Stompin' on a dream
But I don't let it, let it get me down,
'Cause this fine ol' world it keeps spinning around

I've been a puppet, a pauper, a pirate,
A poet, a pawn and a king.
I've been up and down and over and out
And I know one thing:
Each time I find myself, flat on my face,
I pick myself up and get back in the race.

That's life
I tell ya, I can't deny it,
I thought of quitting baby,
But my heart just ain't gonna buy it.
And if I didn't think it was worth one single try,
I'd jump right on a big bird and then I'd fly

I've been a puppet, a pauper, a pirate,
A poet, a pawn and a king.
I've been up and down and over and out
And I know one thing:
Each time I find myself laying flat on my face,
I just pick myself up and get back in the race

That's life
That's life and I can't deny it
Many times I thought of cutting out
But my heart won't buy it
But if there's nothing shakin' come this here july
I'm gonna roll myself up in a big ball and die
My, My

Hmm, sounds like he may be losing his Primo spirit in that last line, but a guy like that I’m certain won’t stay down for long!

Today: Live your life with maximum umph...or you may as well roll yourself up in a big ball...

Find out more about Tanya Primo-Jones and the Primo Spirit at Find Your Primo and In Search Of Primo.

Peter Cetera "The Glory Of Love"

I remember thinking: "Who the hell ARE these people?"

I mean, they were the kids I had gone to school with for 12-plus years, for crying out loud. High school, middle school (with a Catholic school detour), elementary school, nursery school . . . a few even as far back as pre-school playgroup.

And here we were on the verge of graduation about to go our separate ways, and we were asked to vote on our class favorites.*

Peter Cetera?

Somehow Peter Cetera was voted as the favorite male vocalist of The Class of 1987?

Who the hell ARE these people that would vote for Peter Cetera? Certainly not anybody I knew.

The choice was just so far from my frame of reference (and from that of my close friends), that I didn't feel any sentimentality about leaving high school, about leaving town, about leaving these people who I clearly knew not at all, and frankly, had no interest in knowing.


You can't get an 18-year-old to believe such a thing, but it's true, things change. People change. You change.

How could you get an 18-year-old to believe such a thing? That someday, more people than you think would wind up with interesting, fascinating lives and stories?

Hell, I don't know that I would believe it in my 40s, were it not for Facebook.

Yeah, you can knock Facebook for being a huge time-suck, but I have to say, it has been extremely rewarding to peek in on the lives of people from high school. People I maybe knew pretty well but lost touch with. Or people I hardly knew at all.

It's been rewarding to meet-again-for-the-first-time these interesting people, with jobs and ideas and tastes and humor that a pretty limited 18-year-old me would have never given them credit for.

Starting Monday, Tanya Primo-Jones will be the guest blogger.

We went to Newburyport High School together for 4 years, but I can't say I knew her well then. She always seemed nice enough . . .

But who would have predicted (perhaps least of all, her!) that the nice kid with the locker down the hall is now an entrepreneur, a motivational speaker, an active-wear designer, a blogger, a surfer and a Mom of 3 boys?

Working for mvyradio for all these years, I sure do appreciate an independent spirit and a positive message, so I'm happy to give Tanya the reins of the blog for this week. She's going to write about 5 inspiring songs that share the spirit of her ventures, what she calls The Primo Spirit.

And no, she does not play any Peter Cetera.



* Here are some other Newburyport High School Class of 1987 "Favorites." Thanks to Stephanie George Minister, who dug out her yearbook to send me this list.

Favorite Female Vocalist - Whitney Houston
Favorite Male Vocalist - Peter Cetera
Favorite Comedian - Eddie Murphy
Favorite Song - Stairway to Heaven
Favorite Group - Led Zeppelin & ACDC
Favorite Movie - Top Gun
Favorite TV Show - Moonlighting

Rufus Wainwright "April Fools"

I just wanted to post this as a way to say I hope you have a happy April Fools Day today!

T Rex "Bang A Gong"

This Week: Excerpts From That Novel I'm Never Going To Write.

Here's the last excerpt I'll share. I remember when the light in my head went on, and I connected dinosaurs and vinyl . . . I just couldn't believe my brain came up with it.

Thanks for indulging me this week!


Vinyl was as doomed as the dinosaur.

Pea-brained and lumbering, the analogy is apt. Like the dinosaur, an LP’s brain could only contain a limited amount of information. And the dark discs were not portable.

With James Russell’s creation in the hands of the marketers, modifications were made to make the perfect beast.

And the perfect beast was determined to be 74 minutes long.

Why 74 minutes? That seems like an arbitrary number, doesn’t it? But somebody must’ve picked it, right? But who?

Well, depending on whom you ask, it was either Herbert von Karajan, Akio Morita or Norio Ohga.

Don’t know who the Polygram conductor, the Sony chairman, and the Sony president are? Doesn’t matter. Each would tell you that the real determination came from a man who died 50 years before Edison scraped his Reynolds Wrap.

Beethoven didn’t write his Ninth Symphony with the intention of you getting out of your chair in the middle of the piece to flip the record over. No, Ludwig Von meant his movement to be heard without your movement.

The CD prototype developed by Phillips was 11.5 centimeters in diameter---large enough to hold 60 minutes of music. Which was not quite long enough to hold a popular symphony.

So Sony’s prototype, at the suggestion of Karajan, Morita or Ohga, depending on what you read, was created slightly larger and therefore longer, to accommodate Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. And it became the industry standard.

With this lengthy advantage over vinyl, as well as the advantage of greater durability, there was only one more step to take to make CDs the consumer standard.

And that was to lower the price.

In the mid-eighties, record companies brought down the price of CDs, and raised the price of vinyl. Soon, they began printing fewer copies of an album on vinyl, and more on CD. Record buyers were more likely to find a new release on CD than record. CD sales skyrocketed, record sales plummeted.

But this was a trend manufactured from behind the scenes by corporations. It was not a natural evolution.

What killed off the dinosaurs?

Was it natural evolution? A comet? Smoking? A corporate committee? Sentient pond scum? War or disease or ennui? Was it destiny? Did the butler do it?

I suppose we’ll never know.

But we do know that dinosaurs lived on after death, if only to head toward a second extinction.

As their dying bodies sank into the sea and the mud, as millions of years of pressure and heat converted their remains into hydrocarbons, as hydrocarbons became petroleum, the dinosaurs came back to us.

Processed petroleum, when combined with chlorine, becomes vinyl.

Put on your old recording of “Bang A Gong,” and you’re spinning T Rex, literally.

Vinyl, a byproduct of extinction, was destined to be doomed as the dinosaur.