ESC PREVIEW Today: #32- BULGARIA.  A preview of the 43 songs in this year's Eurovision Song Contest, which begins this May in Lisbon, Portugal. The preview begins with the weakest songs and works its way to the best in this year's line-up.The songs are ranked in order of quality as heard in the studio versions.

EUROVISION 2018 PREVIEW

32.

BULGARIA

BONES

Equinox

Since its debut in 2005, Bulgaria has not fared well at Eurovision. In the last 2 years however, its record has improved significantly. In 2016, the country has finished in the Top 5 with a runner-up placing last year. Bulgaria will hope to taste its first victory with "Bones" in May. 

Its 2018 entry is weaker and will struggle to qualify in Semi Final 1. Equinox was formed specifically for this year's ESC. The 5 members had never previously performed together. "Bones" is unlikely to give the country its first win at Eurovision. 

33 GERMANY

34 GEORGIA

35 LITHUANIA

36 MALTA

37 RUSSIA

38 SLOVENIA

39 NETHERLANDS

40 ALBANIA

41 SERBIA

42 HUNGARY

43 SAN MARINO

Hear a special playlist with all the songs from this year’s contest as they are released on spotify.

spotify:user:alanrosscaffelatte:playlist:3aFWyVHxGLWZ3Xwb6K3tf2

https://open.spotify.com/user/alanrosscaffelatte/playlist/3aFWyVHxGLWZ3Xwb6K3tf2?si=XiLET1zpTlabrf3yAVNfiw

200 SONGS WITH THE BEST LYRICS. This post: #3: MASTERS OF WAR. Continues: tomorrow.

CAFFE` LATTE` PRESENTS

200 SONGS

WITH THE

BEST LYRICS

of all-time.

#3

MASTERS OF WAR

 “…All the money you made,

will never buy back

your soul…”

Bob Dylan does not mince words on the track "Masters Of War". He unleashes his sting, directing it at those that profit from war. The powerful track was featured on the singer / songwriter's 1963 album 'The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan'. 

He likens the masters to Judas Iscariot for their betrayal of humanity and hypocrisy. Dylan protests against the young lives lost in bloody combat. He declares that, despite his own youth, he can see through the masks these warmongers wear. 

After stating that he is certain that even Jesus would never forgive the masters, he hopes their death will come soon. 

Dylan penned a song filled with venom that reflected the mood of the time. The Cold War threatened the planet with nuclear annihilation. Sadly, it did not prevent the loss of more young lives in the Vietnam War.

As new songs are covered on this blog, a definitive version will be added to a spotify playlist. Find it and the other Caffé Latté playlists at:

spotify:user:alanrosscaffelatte:playlist:7FJhffENQ1Siz0aLBE9ilv

https://open.spotify.com/user/alanrosscaffelatte/playlist/7FJhffENQ1Siz0aLBE9ilv

ESC PREVIEW Today: #33- GERMANY.  A preview of the 43 songs in this year's Eurovision Song Contest, which begins this May in Lisbon, Portugal. The preview begins with the weakest songs and works its way to the best in this year's line-up.The songs are ranked in order of quality as heard in the studio versions.

EUROVISION 2018 PREVIEW

33.

GERMANY

YOU LET ME WALK ALONE
Michael Schulte

As one of the nations fast-tracked into the Grand Final, Germany has opted for a sweet ballad. However, it may prove too James Blunt-ish on the night.  

Germany was one of the founding nations at the inaugural 1956 Contest. It has emerged victorious twice: in 1982 and 2010. "You Let Me Walk Alone" is unlikely to snatch as 3rd win for Germany.

34 GEORGIA

35 LITHUANIA

36 MALTA

37 RUSSIA

38 SLOVENIA

39 NETHERLANDS

40 ALBANIA

41 SERBIA

42 HUNGARY

43 SAN MARINO

Hear a special playlist with all the songs from this year’s contest as they are released on spotify.

spotify:user:alanrosscaffelatte:playlist:3aFWyVHxGLWZ3Xwb6K3tf2

https://open.spotify.com/user/alanrosscaffelatte/playlist/3aFWyVHxGLWZ3Xwb6K3tf2?si=XiLET1zpTlabrf3yAVNfiw

-->

200 SONGS WITH THE BEST LYRICS. This post: #4: SAME LOVE. Continues: tomorrow.

CAFFE` LATTE` PRESENTS

200 SONGS

WITH THE

BEST LYRICS

of all-time.

#4

SAME LOVE

 “…I might not be the same,

but that’s not important.

No freedom 'til we’re equal,

damn right I support it…”

In 2012, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis gave the push for same-sex marriage an anthem that raised the bar for hip hop. Rapper Ben Haggerty (aka as Macklemore) crams the verses with the case for marriage equality. He counters the views held for centuries. As the track nears its end, he reminds us that if one minority is discriminated against, it affects every member of that society. In the end, he declares, love is love and it is all the same, regardless of gender. 

The single, lifted off the duo's 'The Heist' album, topped the charts in Australia and New Zealand. It reached #11 in the USA and #6 in Britain. 

The power of the song was made evident in late 2017. Macklemore attracted controversy when he performed the song live at a rugby grand final in Sydney, Australia. The country was involved in an unnecessary public survey. Despite the efforts of religious groups and homophobic conservative / government politicians, the Australian public voted in favour of same-sex marriage. It is now law.  

As new songs are covered on this blog, a definitive version will be added to a spotify playlist. Find it and the other Caffé Latté playlists at:

spotify:user:alanrosscaffelatte:playlist:7FJhffENQ1Siz0aLBE9ilv

https://open.spotify.com/user/alanrosscaffelatte/playlist/7FJhffENQ1Siz0aLBE9ilv

ESC PREVIEW Today: #34- GEORGIA.  A preview of the 43 songs in this year's Eurovision Song Contest, which begins this May in Lisbon, Portugal. The preview begins with the weakest songs and works its way to the best in this year's line-up.The songs are ranked in order of quality as heard in the studio versions.

EUROVISION 2018 PREVIEW

34.

GEORGIA

YOU ARE

Iriao

Will voters and the judges have Georgia on their mind this year? Sung in Georgian, this is a quality song that will hopefully be delivered effectively live. It deserves to qualify in Semi Final 2. The entry may even give Georgia its first win at Eurovision. 

35 LITHUANIA

36 MALTA

37 RUSSIA

38 SLOVENIA

39 NETHERLANDS

40 ALBANIA

41 SERBIA

42 HUNGARY

43 SAN MARINO

Hear a special playlist with all the songs from this year’s contest as they are released on spotify.

spotify:user:alanrosscaffelatte:playlist:3aFWyVHxGLWZ3Xwb6K3tf2

https://open.spotify.com/user/alanrosscaffelatte/playlist/3aFWyVHxGLWZ3Xwb6K3tf2?si=XiLET1zpTlabrf3yAVNfiw

NEW SPOTIFY PLAYLIST ADDED:
1968- the 100 Greatest Songs from 50 Years Ago.

Caffé Latté presents…

1968

THE 100 GREATEST SONGS

from

50 Years Ago

 

 

Now available - along with many other Caffé Latté playlists- on spotify.

-->

200 SONGS WITH THE BEST LYRICS. This post: #5: BLOWIN' IN THE WIND. Continues: tomorrow.

CAFFE` LATTE` PRESENTS

200 SONGS

WITH THE

BEST LYRICS

of all-time.

#5

BLOWIN’ IN THE WIND

 “…The answer is

blowin’ in the wind…”

When Bob Dylan unleashed "Blowin' In The Wind", he was catapulted into the role of spokesperson for his generation. He first performed it live in April 1962. It appeared on his 1963 album 'The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan'. By then, a remake by Peter, Paul & Mary had raced up the charts, peaking at #2 in the U.S.A.

The folk/rock classic asks various questions and repeats in the chorus of where the answer can be found. It remains one of rock's most important compositions. 

Covered by a vast array of acts, "Blowin' In The Wind" struck a chord with Dylan's audiences and made him a musical legend.

As new songs are covered on this blog, a definitive version will be added to a spotify playlist. Find it and the other Caffé Latté playlists at:

spotify:user:alanrosscaffelatte:playlist:7FJhffENQ1Siz0aLBE9ilv

https://open.spotify.com/user/alanrosscaffelatte/playlist/7FJhffENQ1Siz0aLBE9ilv

 

BEFORE THE HIT VERSION
CXLVI: PAPA WAS A ROLLIN' STONE. Continues in May (after Eurovision).

BEFORE IT WAS A

HIT SONG…

These songs are well known but you may not know about the earlier attempts to score a hit record with prior versions of the same song.

Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone

Motown benefited greatly from having some fine songwriters on its roster, including Smokey Robinson and the team of Brian & Eddie Holland and Lamont Dozier. When the latter trio left the label, Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong were in their ascendancy, penning classics for Marvin Gaye, The Temptations and Gladys Knight & The Pips. In 1972, their composition "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone" reached #1 in America. 

The Grammy Award- winning track was a hit for The Temptations. Although this remains the definitive and most successful version of the song, the original was cut by another Motown group, The Undisputed Truth.

Released earlier in the same year, the latter's take on the song barely dented the US Hot 100. It climbed to #24 on the R&B chart. The song was included on The Undisputed Truth's 'Law Of The Land' album.

 

Each new song will be added to the spotify playlist named: ‘Before It Was A Hit Song’.  You can check out the previous earlier / original versions of the hit songs you know and love.

The playlist and other Caffe` Latte` selections can be found at:

https://open.spotify.com/user/alanrosscaffelatte

spotify:user:alanrosscaffelatte

1968- The 100 Greatest Songs. It was the year that saw war still raging in Vietnam, the assassinations of Martin Luther King and Senator Robert Kennedy. The Olympics were held in Mexico City. Boeing's first 747 Jumbo Jet carried passengers. 

Caffé Latté presents…

1968

THE 100 GREATEST SONGS

from

50 Years Ago

1  LOVE CHILD Diana Ross & The Supremes

2  I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE Marvin Gaye

3  THIS GUY’S IN LOVE WITH YOU Herb Alpert

4  MY MAN Barbra Streisand

5  WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS Beatles

6  I CLOSE MY EYES AND COUNT TO TEN Dusty Springfield

7  WICHITA LINEMAN Glen Campbell

8  I GET THE SWEETEST FEELING Jackie Wilson

9  I SAY A LITTLE PRAYER Aretha Franklin

10 I’M GONNA MAKE YOU LOVE ME

       Supremes &  Temptations

11 TOUCH ME Doors

12 (SITTIN’ ON) THE DOCK OF THE BAY Otis Redding

13 MRS. ROBINSON Simon & Garfunkel

14 WHITE ROOM Cream

15 SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL Rolling Stones

16 DON’T RAIN ON MY PARADE Barbra Streisand

17 THINK Aretha Franklin

18 BABY DON’T CHA WORRY Marvin Gaye & Tammi         

           Terrell

19 SON OF A PREACHERMAN Dusty Springfield

20 DO YOU KNOW THE WAY TO SAN JOSE Dionne    

            Warwick

21 YOU’RE ALL I NEED TO GET BY Marvin Gaye & Tammi

            Terrell

22 IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ME Gladys Knight & The Pips

23 CRIMSON & CLOVER Tommy James & The Shondells

24 FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE Stevie Wonder

25 DESTINATION ANYWHERE Marvelettes

26 HARD TO HANDLE Otis Redding

27 AIN’T NOTHIN’ LIKE THE REAL THING Marvin Gaye &

            Tammi Terrell

28 SAY IT LOUD, I’M BLACK & I’M PROUD James Brown

29 THEN Diana Ross & The Supremes

30 DREAM A LITTLE DREAM OF ME Mama Cass Elliott

31 AMERICA Simon & Garfunkel

32 THE SNAKE Al Wilson

33 REVOLUTION Beatles

34 DO IT AGAIN Beach Boys

35 EVERYDAY PEOPLE Sly & Family Stone

36 DELILAH Tom Jones

37 FOREVER CAME TODAY Diana Ross & The Supremes

38 COME ON AND SEE ME Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell

39 EDGE OF REALITY Elvis Presley

40 HEY JUDE Beatles

41 I’VE GOTTA GET A MESSAGE TO YOU Bee Gees

42 ELENORE The Turtles

43 ELOISE Barry Ryan

44 HELP YOURSELF Tom Jones

45 STONED SOUL PICNIC The 5^th Dimension

46 SEE SAW Aretha Franklin

47 STAND BY YOUR MAN Tammy Wynette

48 WALK AWAY RENEE 4 Tops

49 OB-LA-DI, OB-LA-DA Beatles

50 YOUNG GIRL Gary Puckett & The Union Gap

51 BUILD ME UP, BUTTERCUP The Foundations

52 I STARTED A JOKE Bee Gees

53 TIME OF THE SEASON Zombies

54 CLOUD NINE Temptations

55 GIVE IN, YOU JUST CAN’T WIN Marvin Gaye & Tammi

            Terrell

56 PEOPLE Barbra Streisand

57 BACK IN THE U.S.S.R. Beatles

58 I DON’T KNOW WHY I LOVE YOU Stevie Wonder

59 ABRAHAM, MARTIN & JOHN Marvin Gaye

60 BEHIND A PAINTED SMILE Isley Brothers

61 LOVE STREET Doors

62 WORDS Bee Gees

63 STREET FIGHTING MAN Rolling Stones

64 BIRTHDAY Beatles

65 I TAKE WHAT I WANT Aretha Franklin

66 IF I WERE A CARPENTER 4 Tops

67 EVERLASTING LOVE Love Affair

68 LADY MADONNA Beatles

69 JUMPIN’ JACK FLASH Rolling Stones

70 HELLO, I LOVE YOU Doors

71 I’D RATHER BE BLUE Barbra Streisand

72 GRAZING IN THE GRASS Hugh Masekela

73 PROMISES, PROMISES Dionne Warwick

74 DANCE TO THE MUSIC Sly & Family Stone

75 THAT’S HOW IT IS (SINCE YOU’VE BEEN GONE)

            Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell

76 TIGHTEN UP Archie Bell & The Drells

77 THOSE WERE THE DAYS Mary Hopkin

78 A LITTLE LESS CONVERSATION Elvis Presley

79 DEAR PRUDENCE Beatles

80 GIMME LITTLE SIGN Brenton Wood

81 LAZY SUNDAY Small Faces

82 HONEY Bobby Goldsboro

83 PIECE OF MY HEART Big Brother & The Holding

            Company

84 BORN TO BE WILD Steppenwolf

85 THE LEGEND OF XANADU Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick        

           & Tich

86 OH HAPPY DAY Edwin Hawkins Singers

87 I GOT THE FEELIN’ James Brown

88 BLACKBIRD Beatles

89 MACARTHUR PARK Richard Harris

90 ANGEL OF THE MORNING Merrilee Rush

91 SIMPLE SIMON 1910 Fruitgum Company

92 MONY MONY Tommy James & The Shondells

93 JENNIFER ECCLES Hollies

94 THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY Hugo Montenegro

95 A BEAUTIFUL MORNING The Rascals

96 VALLERIE Monkees

97 CYPRUS AVENUE Van Morrison

98 SOME THINGS YOU NEVER GET USED TO Supremes

99 AIN’T NO WAY Aretha Franklin

100 LOVE IS BLUE Paul Mauriat

-->