By John Youngren
Hi-yoh. Kermit the Frog, here. Not really. It's me – John Youngren, relaunching my self-titled web site with a rundown of why I chose the songs I chose for my "Christmas Mix," 2003.
I am one fun guy, aren't I?
You should know I saw three major live concerts this year – matchbox 20, Dixie Chicks and Shania Twain – and acts I saw live are always represented. You should know I'm feeling, more than ever, that today's country music is what pop music was 20 years ago.
First of all, keep in mind that while the "Mix" has evolved, its spirit never changes: To friends and lovers, classmates and colleagues, family and flames – past, present and future. You should know where you fit in the, uh, mix. You should know I hope the holidays find you healthy, happy and wise. (Or at least, happy and healthy.)
That said, here we go. Songs and statements follow:
1. "Do You Hear What I Hear?" Whitney Houston
Last year, we established the new precedent of leading off each Christmas mix with an actual Christmas song. Following John Lennon, I've always loved Whitney's version of "Do You Hear What I Hear?," especially after they used it in a second-year episode of "ER."
2. "Monday Morning" Fleetwood Mac
A great Lindsay Buckingham underappreciated song. A great Love Communications tribute, for we have Monday mornings that are second to none. And a great leadoff song, to follow Whitney.
3. "You Win My Love" Shania Twain
The rare Mutt Lange mix of this song. Saw Shania live, Dec. 2, 2003. Loved her. And she is hot-hot-hot in this particular video.
4. "Bright Future In Sales" Fountains of Wayne
Reminds me of who?
5. "Anytime At All" The Beatles
The list is too long to decode.
6. "Lights Out" Lisa Marie Presley
Just a cool song by a hot chick.
7. "First Cut Is The Deepest" Sheryl Crow
Just a cool song by a hot chick.
8. "Picture" Kid Rock & Sheryl Crow
So sing it with Kelli and me: "I was off to drink you away…"
9. "Something Like That" Tim McGraw
Dad and Brandon and Craig and golf.
10. "What A Beautiful Day" Chris Cagle
Sing it, "What a beautiful dayyy."
11. "If I Fall" Dixie Chicks
To Dubya. Plus, saw 'em live this spring.
12. "Just Like Jesse James" Cher
Cher's least-favorite song is my most-favorite.
13.'"3 A.M." matchbox 20
No, I wasn't going to go for the hit. And I saw them live, May 31, 2003.
14. "Hey Julie" Fountains of Wayne
The Story of My Life, except for someone actually named Julie.
15."In A Little While" Uncle Kracker
I like this guy.
16."Under My Thumb" The Rolling Stones
A little raunchy on this year's Mix, no?
17. "You're Gonna Lose That Girl" The Beatles
Used to sing along with it, using my TV antenna as a microphone.
18. "Good Girls Don't" The Knack
And they don't, do they?
19. "19-Something" Mark Wills
To J.B., T.C. and everyone else who lived the decade or two.
20. "Red Dirt Road" Brooks & Dunn
My favorite song of 2003, bar none.
21. "Love & Marriage" Frank Sinatra
The Chairman's song for the year.
22. "Not Only Numb" Gin Blossoms
All the Gin Blossoms songs seem to be about being numb.
23. "I Love This Bar" Toby Keith
To Red Rock Brewing Company.
# # #
That’s it for this time. But we're back, baby! Tune in again soon for another exciting edition of the one and only, award-winning "John Youngren Dot.Com!"
Monday, March 03, 2003
Saturday, January 18, 2003
A LIST OF JUST A FEW – COUNT 'EM, IF YOU LIKE – THINGS TO LOVE ABOUT TV
By JOHN YOUNGREN
[Editor's Note: New Year, New "Pop Stew." Finally, I'll admit.]
Quick explanation: A few weeks ago, TV Guide columnist Matt Roush wrote a list of the 50 or so things he'll always love about TV. Not being shy in this area myself, I decided to put together my own such list, presented here in no particular order.
So, without further ado (it's been too long since the last "Stew" anyway, don't you agree), it's my "Things I Love About TV," taking into consideration past, present and future…
--Katie's legs.
--When that bus with her face on the side splashes water all over Sarah Jessica Parker in the beginning of "Sex & The City."
--Starsky's red Ford Torino with the white stripe down the side.
--Starsky's red Torino ripping down that alley.
--"Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts."
--When Hawkeye wears the red robe around camp.
--The werewolf howling sound at the beginning of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."
--When the full cast is walking toward the camera at the beginning of "The Practice."
--The monumental swell of music that signals the start of the "West Wing."
--Josh and Donna.
--Dr. Greene with a life on the line (though not his own).
--Letterman making something out of nothing.
--Conan's self-deprecating stream-of-consciousness.
--Sam and Diane. "Have a nice life."
--The original "Star Trek" communicator opening sound.
--"Kirk to Enterprise."
--"Oh, Mr. Grant."
--"…when Behind the Music continues…"
--"This is only an exhibition, this is not a competition. Please, no wagering."
--Col. Wilma Deering, as played by Erin Gray.
--"Live from New York…"
--"The Larry Sanders Show."
--Buffy's boots.
--Buffy and Angel.
--"Mulder, it's me."
--Scully and Mulder.
--The "Friends" opening titles.
--Ross and Rachel.
--"Once upon a time, there were three little girls…"
--Costas on cue.
--Joe Buck baseball.
--"Are you ready for some football?"
--Tom Brokaw's speech impediment on the "n" sound.
--Rockford's phone messages.
--"And remember … let's be careful out there."
--The pulse and drum beat of the theme from "L.A. Law."
--Fonzie hitting the jukebox.
--Caruso's first year on "NYPD Blue."
--Johnny's golf swing.
--Ed and Carol.
--"Angels in Chains."
--"Ladies and gentlemen … the Beatles!"
--"Live, from Hollywood…"
--"This ball may go!"
--The NBC Saturday "Game of the Week."
--J.B., Terry, Howie and Jimmy.
--Kuzak and Grace.
--"M*A*S*H" in syndication, forever.
--The drum beat and horn blare beginning of "Hogan's Heroes."
--The late Robert Urich nodding in knowing identification with Larry Bird at the Boston Garden in the opening credits of the old "Spenser: For Hire."
--Paula Marshall in anything.
--"Love's Labor Lost."
--Sydney Bristow.
--Sydney and Vaughan.
--The "Mannix" theme.
--Jennifer and Courteney, Schwimmer and Kudrow, Perry and LeBlanc.
--Alan Alda's cynical delivery.
--Frasier's fussiness.
--Just Jack.
--Brent, Irv and Jayne.
--"America's first family, today on NBC."
There's more, obviously. I'll think of some. Just wanted to list a few -- to say, "Happy New Year."
Write if you find work.
# # #
That's it for this time. Tune in again soon for another exciting edition of the one and only, award-winning "Pop Stew!" Or, direct your comments to johnyoungren@earthlink.net
By JOHN YOUNGREN
[Editor's Note: New Year, New "Pop Stew." Finally, I'll admit.]
Quick explanation: A few weeks ago, TV Guide columnist Matt Roush wrote a list of the 50 or so things he'll always love about TV. Not being shy in this area myself, I decided to put together my own such list, presented here in no particular order.
So, without further ado (it's been too long since the last "Stew" anyway, don't you agree), it's my "Things I Love About TV," taking into consideration past, present and future…
--Katie's legs.
--When that bus with her face on the side splashes water all over Sarah Jessica Parker in the beginning of "Sex & The City."
--Starsky's red Ford Torino with the white stripe down the side.
--Starsky's red Torino ripping down that alley.
--"Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts."
--When Hawkeye wears the red robe around camp.
--The werewolf howling sound at the beginning of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."
--When the full cast is walking toward the camera at the beginning of "The Practice."
--The monumental swell of music that signals the start of the "West Wing."
--Josh and Donna.
--Dr. Greene with a life on the line (though not his own).
--Letterman making something out of nothing.
--Conan's self-deprecating stream-of-consciousness.
--Sam and Diane. "Have a nice life."
--The original "Star Trek" communicator opening sound.
--"Kirk to Enterprise."
--"Oh, Mr. Grant."
--"…when Behind the Music continues…"
--"This is only an exhibition, this is not a competition. Please, no wagering."
--Col. Wilma Deering, as played by Erin Gray.
--"Live from New York…"
--"The Larry Sanders Show."
--Buffy's boots.
--Buffy and Angel.
--"Mulder, it's me."
--Scully and Mulder.
--The "Friends" opening titles.
--Ross and Rachel.
--"Once upon a time, there were three little girls…"
--Costas on cue.
--Joe Buck baseball.
--"Are you ready for some football?"
--Tom Brokaw's speech impediment on the "n" sound.
--Rockford's phone messages.
--"And remember … let's be careful out there."
--The pulse and drum beat of the theme from "L.A. Law."
--Fonzie hitting the jukebox.
--Caruso's first year on "NYPD Blue."
--Johnny's golf swing.
--Ed and Carol.
--"Angels in Chains."
--"Ladies and gentlemen … the Beatles!"
--"Live, from Hollywood…"
--"This ball may go!"
--The NBC Saturday "Game of the Week."
--J.B., Terry, Howie and Jimmy.
--Kuzak and Grace.
--"M*A*S*H" in syndication, forever.
--The drum beat and horn blare beginning of "Hogan's Heroes."
--The late Robert Urich nodding in knowing identification with Larry Bird at the Boston Garden in the opening credits of the old "Spenser: For Hire."
--Paula Marshall in anything.
--"Love's Labor Lost."
--Sydney Bristow.
--Sydney and Vaughan.
--The "Mannix" theme.
--Jennifer and Courteney, Schwimmer and Kudrow, Perry and LeBlanc.
--Alan Alda's cynical delivery.
--Frasier's fussiness.
--Just Jack.
--Brent, Irv and Jayne.
--"America's first family, today on NBC."
There's more, obviously. I'll think of some. Just wanted to list a few -- to say, "Happy New Year."
Write if you find work.
# # #
That's it for this time. Tune in again soon for another exciting edition of the one and only, award-winning "Pop Stew!" Or, direct your comments to johnyoungren@earthlink.net
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