My Summer Listening (And Maybe Yours) Part 2

Mmmmmm...deep-fried Oreos: another great idea for summer!

And now, the dramatic conclusion of "Joe's Big-Ass Crazy Summer Playlist!" (Here's Part 1, in case you've forgotten...)

Who's That Girl - Madonna (1987) There are lots of Madonna songs that would feel right for this list, but this was actually a hit during the summer, it has that pop candy feel, and July 11, 1987 was the first time I saw Madonna in concert, as the "Who's That Girl" tour hit the Vet. What vexed me, though, is that when the tour was announced I had read that Bronski Beat was going to be her opening act, but was replaced by Level 42, since the singer who took over when Jimmy Somerville left Bronski Beat took a powder as well.


My Arms Keep Missing You - Rick Astley  (1987) This is a stretch in that it wasn't released in the U.S. or during the summer, and has no summer-type lyrics. It was the B-side of "When I Fall In Love" (cover of the Nat King Cole song), which was released at the end of 1987 in the UK and was trying to be the "Christmas No. 1" -- it's really a big thing over there. The B-side became a dance hit in Europe, and eventually got radio airplay here the following year. The thing that ties it to summer for me is the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul (which actually didn't begin until September 17). I had this little portable hand-held TV and I would watch the late-night coverage while in bed -- thanks to the time difference a lot of late-night stuff was live -- and listen to music (either a radio or a cassette with my then-favorites, taped from the radio or from my 45s or 12-inch remix singles). This was one that I loved at that time, and eventually bought the 12-inch import (for $7.49 -- I think U.S. 12-inch singles were $2.99 or $3.99 at the time).  Here's a link to listen -- and no, this is not an attempt at RickRolling.

Quick Reviews (non-Oscar edition): Legion, When In Rome

I'm finally getting around to discussing the movies I've seen in the last 10 days. I've checked two more of the Oscar Best Picture nominees off my list, but first, a swift dispatch of two new releases.

"Legion" poses the question, "What would God do if he became angry with mankind?" In this movie, he sends his angels to destroy the world. But first, he wants an archangel to kill the unborn child of a young woman in the middle of nowhere. Said archangel (Paul Bettany) decides to defy God, comes to Earth, cuts off his wings and seeks to protect the pregnant girl. All kinds of violence ensues, with only a couple of over-the-top moments countering the remaining crap. Among the things that make no sense: why do the angels have to possess humans in order to fight? And if God is all-powerful, why wouldn't he just flood the Earth again, or do something even more permanent? Why rely on this convoluted plan involving angels to begin with? My grade: D.

And I was pretty much right about "When In Rome." A woman (Kristen Bell) who's given up on true love attends her sister's wedding in Rome. Instead of throwing a coin into a fountain and wishing for love, she takes some out. She returns to New York and is followed by the people who tossed the coins in, now magically and ardently in love with her. Conveniently, they're all straight white males, including one who may actually be into her without the magic involved (Josh "Mr. Fergie" Duhamel, pictured -- pretty but bland). Wouldn't it have been fun if she had plucked out a coin that belonged to a woman? Come to think of it, no. My grade: D-plus.