Sunday, January 25, 2009

Just call me "Simon" minus a Brittish Accent

Oh, holy cow, WOW!!! Beyonce did an AMAZING job with the song "At Last" at the Neighborhood Ball. Actually, "AMAZING" doesn't do it justice. That is one challenging song, and she not only pulled it off, but she nailed it!! Really- the next time you take a shower, you try to get that song out soundin' half way as good as she did. Sadly you'll find that even in the shower, where all singing sounds grand, you'll be disappointed in your version. That is NOT an easy song to nail, either! I have not been a huge Beyonce fan in the past as her lyrics are a bit too simple to me at times. I love her newer song, "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)". That one rocks!! But, what is up with her older song "Irreplaceable"? Do those lyrics actually say: I can have another you in a minute. Matter fact, he'll be here in a minute? Reminds me of Lenny Kravitz's lyrics. I mean, it almost amazes me that lyrics as dumb and predictable as his are part of what makes him a star. Take the song "Fly Away": I wish that I could FLY, so very HIGH, into the SKY, just like a dragonFLY (didn't he already use the word "fly" a couple words back??)... Or, what about "American Woman"? (By the way, didn't someone else sing this song first??) American Woman, stay away from me. American woman, Momma let me be. Don't come hangin' 'round my door. I don't wanna see your face no more. Got more important things to do then spend my time... (somethin'... somethin'...) with you. There's just nothing poetic about it. Now, I enjoy watching Lenny Kravitz because he looks... well... totally cool, and he does a good performance, but I actually find myself laughing at MOST of his lyrics. I'm sure I have completely upset a Kravitz fan out there, but oh well - you'll get over it.

Anyway, back to Beyonce... I tend to stay away from anything "Beyonce" due to an interview of hers that I was unfortunate enough to have watched a couple of years ago. She honestly sounded like she had an education of a second grader - poor grammar, lots of made up words, and to tie it all together, she has this accent that makes her sound like a total hick that should be out driven' a John Deer tractor and perhaps singing a girl's version of "He Thinks My Tractor's Sexy". But, nonetheless, she is beautiful, and I have seen her grow as an artist over the past few years. It looks like our little girl is growing up. Granted, she may have been this good for a while and I ingnorantly did not know it, but I digress. So, if you click on the link below, you will have the ABSOLUTE privilege of losing yourself in her performance for the Obamas. Sure, she IS singing my most favorite song IN THE WORLD, but I think I would enjoy this performance even if I hated this song. She truly shone with elegance and excellent control (especially on those slides)! Thank you, Beyonce, for your perfect rendition of "At Last." You sang it with soul, and it showed! I'm a hard one to please, and girl, I give you two thumbs up, a Snickers bar AND a high five!! I wasn't sure the same girl that sang "I'm a Survivor" could sing the ever delicate song "At Last." Looks like I was very wrong; very, very wrong.


(If you are not an Obama fan, you'll have to pretend they are not in the You Tube recording... But there is a bright side: At least you can look at Michelle's pretty dress again!)

So, if you enjoy good music... click on the link below which will take you to a list of songs. Click on the very first picture, and you're good to go. (Sorry - I tried to add a link that took you straight to the video, but You Tube won't let me. I'm sure there's a trick I haven't figured out yet.)
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=&search_query=beyonce+at+last&aq=0&oq=Beyonce+At+L