(Note: this series was originally published elsewhere.)
Something in music: origin
One evening at a hot, trendy L.A. nightclub on a rare solo outing, yours truly found himself standing alone at the bar preparing to review the upcoming act. Before he had taken more than a few notes, however, he was bookended by a pair of vivacious vixens who insisted on engaging your rockin’ writer in cozy conversation. Strangely, the subject of “marriage” arose.
One of the young ladies noted that when a gal is about to get hitched, she needs “something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue.” Your provocative penman was immediately inspired. After all, those very same terms could be applied to music too: “Something old” or classic, “something new” or recently released, “something borrowed”, a cover, and “something blue”, a blues song or a song with “blue” in the title. The rest is history.
‘Something’ in Music 333
Something Old
Our “something old” in this edition is the classic cut “Rockin’ Into The Night” recorded by the US rock band .38 Special. It was co-written by James Peterik, Robert Gary Smith, and Frank Michael Sullivan of the group Survivor. The song was the title track to their third platter which dropped in 1979.
Something New
Our “something new” this time is the new single “Saints And Sinners” recorded by the New York City-based rock band Honey Trap. It was co-written by vocalist Jessica Rendon and guitarist Vasilios Bouras. The band roster also includes bassist Angel De Los Santos, and drummer Manash Shrestha. The song focuses on a person struggling to find their place in life. It has been translated into two different languages.
Something Borrowed
Our “something borrowed” for this edition is the song “Babe, I’m Gonna Leave You” written by Anne Bredon in 1959 and adapted by the Brit band Led Zeppelin in 1969 for their premiere platter of the same name. This dedicated cover is by Americana singer-songwriter Pi Jacobs. The Los Angeles-based performer released her version of the song as a standalone single in 2014.
If you’re in Southern California and would like to see Jacobs play live, you’re in luck! Jacobs will be performing on November 11, 2023, at the Lost Church in San Francisco, California. The show will also include a performance by American singer-songwriter and musician Heather Anne Lomax. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. For tickets and additional information visit her official website.
Something Blue
Finally, our “something blue” in this edition is the song “American Blues” written and recorded by American rap artist Dönnëll. He originally released this single “in honor of 9/11.” The track is from his recently released album Half The Kid I Used To Be.
In an e-communique he said: “[I] knew since I was 11 that I would make a rock album that people would be bumping on their headphones and speakers. When I turned to rap at 16 though, I didn't think I'd ever turn back to rock considering how far I went there. Then what do you know?”
He added: “Then COVID-19 came and changed our lives. I had a guitar to pick up and start playing once again, my dad got me tickets to Riot Fest 2021 for Christmas, then I went to my very first metal festival (Upheaval Fest 2021) where I saw Korn, Chevelle, Skillet, and Rob Zombie up close, went to the Hella Mega Tour at Wrigley Field, saw Alkaline Trio, Living Colour, Smashing Pumpkins, and Slipknot among many more at Riot Fest, and then Kiss in Tinley Park to top it off. Not to mention I saw Metallica, Iron Maiden, My Chemical Romance, The Misfits, Mötley Crüe, Def Leppard, and many more in 2022, that was it. It was time to let those unsaid words and emotions from my preadolescence and adolescence be said. Thus, I'm half the kid I used to be, and this album was made.”
Did we mention your favorite “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue”? If not, let us know. Don’t forget to send us your bride photos too!
(Images courtesy of Pinterest and/or original owners)