Ugly Kid Joe - Everything About You

I have to get this out of my system. I keep hearing this song on my iPod, so it seems to reason that I need to write about it. So here it goes. Back in 1992 a group called Ugly Kid Joe released a single called "Everything About You" and it was a hit in the UK at #3 and #9 for us in the grand ole US. The song also gained popularity by being used in Wayne's World.

When I first heard this song on the radio and only being 10 years old, I thought it to be very annoying, couldn't stand the guys voice and would find the next best station to listen to. Now that I am older I have a better appreciation for the song. I find this song very amusing and a great way to put a smile on my face when I seem to be in the most sourest of moods. I think it reminds me that I can keep a positive attitude and say "to Hell" with everyone else, I am going to be me and keep my head held high. No one can bring me down!

As the voice croons "I hate the rain and sunny weather" I find myself thinking how much I like the rain on a tin roof and sunny weather when I want to be out side, "I hate the beach and mountains too" I think about how much I like being in the woods and hiking mountains that takes our breath away.

Of course since the song has to be edited for radio listeners of all ages, we the listeners do not get to hear the lines omitted for radio release. Unless you went out and got the album with the full length version you will know what I mean.
For those of you who do not know what I am talking about please look at the following lines or skip below if you are not interested or with gentle ears.


'I don't really care about you're sister,
Fuck the little bitch 'cause I already kissed her,
One thing that I did to your old lady,
Was I put her on the bed and she didn't say maybe.'


Don't say I didn't warn you! :) I think everyone needs a perspective song in their life to kick them in the butt or to make them laugh. Remember that life is short and to have fun and when someone irritates the crap out of you, just keep this song handy on your iPod/MP3 player and kill them with kindness and a smile. Like the man sings,
"and I get sick when I'm around, I can't stand to be around, I hate everything about you."

Candy-O

I knew when I listened to The Cars's Complete Greatest Hits, that I was getting into trouble. Fun trouble that is. I couldn't stop there. I needed to hear more Cars and not less. I wanted to hear more of Ric Ocasek's writing, Ocasek and Benjamin Orr's vocals. So I got the albums Candy-O and Shake It Up (which I will write about later). Without further ado, here is my thoughts on Candy-O.

We get to start the album on one of my favorite songs by the group "Let's Go". Again a great tune with Benjamin crooning "I like the night life baby!" Simple, straight forward radio friendly song. I could go on and on about this song but let's leave it as is. Now after a great song like "Let's Go" we get to jump into a rockabilly sounding song with "Since I Held You" which features both Ric and Benjamin on lead vocals. We hear some awesome playing from Elliot Easton, which he never let's us down. I am going to mention the next song only cause it's hard not to mention it. "It's All I Can Do" goes hand in hand with the previous song. Mr. Orr graces the flowing lines on this number and I think it's one of his best. More awesome guitar playing from Easton and the layered synths from Greg Hawkes is not overpowering like some future songs from the band.

Now I am trying not to be too critical of both vocalists, I prefer Benjamin Orr's voice over Ric's, but I have to say that I think this album showcases Ocasek at his best. The standout tracks for Ric in my honest opinion are "Since I Held You", "Got A Lot On My Head" and "Dangerous Type". I don't care too much for the tune "Candy-O" sung by Orr, which seems to be a fan favorite (Shoo Be Doo is not a favorite of mine either) and I don't think the tracks that Benjamin sings in this album are as strong as they could have been, which I think you get to see that on later albums. But since we are talking about this album I think Benjamin's strong songs are "Let's Go" and "You Can't Hold On Too Long"

In the middle of the album we get 2 quirky tunes from Ric and they are great. I love how simple "Double Life" is with a very sparse arrangement which slowly picks up the further you get into the song. Then jumping into "Night Spots" which sounds choppy and a bit chaotic with the bass line jumping in between the drumming.

Finishing up the album is my favorite song from the album; which to my surprise is sung by Ric. "Dangerous Type" is a 'in your face' attitude song. One of the best in The Cars's catalog of songs in my humble opinion. It is one you don't forget and make this album very memorable and a great closing track.

Yes after this album and finally listening to Door to Door, I can say out of all the Cars albums: this one is number 1 with me, even with my not so favorite songs. A must for music aficionados.