ChinoValdez.com

What Have They Done?

It's funny the things we remember, but I can still clearly see The Mom's and me at Kmart in line to buy the LP single of "We Are The World." I was 6-years-old when that was released...and we played the shit out of it in our little Anaheim apartment. I'm sure I never quite understood the meaning of the song and what they were trying to do with it. All I knew is there was Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder and Cyndi Lauper all on one song. And that was enough for me. But I do remember that eventually, it opened up the dialogue for my cousins and I to know that not everyone was as fortunate as we were. On the real, though, I loved that song. And I tell you all this as a set up for how much I completely hate the new crap version they just released. This isn't about Haiti...(God bless those poor people and may they for real get their shit together soon.) This is about the blasphemous reproduction of something that should have never been touched. Back in '85, when the original was released, there was something magical about it...I mean YouTube that shit, for God's sake. There's Diana Ross, Lionel Richie, Dionne Warwick, Bruce Springsteen...even Bob fucking Dylan.

I bought the new version (a) because the money goes to Haiti and (b) without listening to it. So, I wasn't sure what I was going to be getting. As soon as I heard fucking Justin Bieber start it off, I instantly wished I'd just sent money straight to some other organization. As if that wasn't bad enough, they throw in Lil' Wayne, Akon and T-Pain...all on auto-tune. WHAT THE FUCK!!!! There is no place for auto-tune on this song! And then the lame-ass b-list rapping section. FOR REAL?! LL Cool J and Busta Rhymes are the best you could do? Oh, and then Wyclef's wailing! And why give the Pussycat Dolls chick a solo...just an absolute mess. This is just a travesty. The original "We Are The World" is the sappiest piece of 80's music ever written. It should have stayed there. Look at all the people on the re-make...someone could have written a new song. I tell ya...somethings are just not right.

Music

I was already planning on writing about music today and my recent struggles with trying to create the perfect mix of songs on iPod. You see, I'm not the kind of guy that can have over 3,000 songs to choose from. That's just too much for me. So, I try to have anywhere from 350-500 songs on my iPod at one time. Then, of course, I get sick of hearing the same songs over and over again so I switch them out...only to inevitably miss the original songs. I was actually going to try and write a whole post on the perfect playlist until I realized how lame that might be. So I nixed it. Well, then I got on the treadmill, all psyched to try out my new "workout" mix. I get going with some "Dirt Off My Shoulder", get a little more into with some "Deja Vu" and kick it into high gear with some "Bad Romance" and then the pinche battery on my iPod gives out on me. It's not the first time it's happened. The freakin' thing sits in a dock all day...there should be no reason for it happenning. Whatever. But my awesome workout turned into a creepy silent one. For those of you that know me, you know that music is a completely essential part of my life. I shower to music, I poop to music, I can't drive unless there's music on, I clean to music, I do other adult things to music. And so naturally, I run to music. And if I can't do that...I'm not sure what will become of my life. I'm being this dramatic for a reason. (Shy Girl, sweetheart, I might need a new iPod.) And that's all I had on that. Following are some other random thoughts on music....

I had to go run an errand and I forgot my iPod, so I had to listen to the radio...which I hate doing. I have tried very hard to ignore that song "Bedrock" by Lil Wayne and his posse. But today I happened to click to it right as the Nicki Minaj verse was on...and it got me. That is my new jam! And although, I try and not listen to crap like Lil' Wayne, a good song is a good song. Here's a sample...

Last night, the wonderful Mrs. Chino Valdez bought me the new Lady Antebellum album. It had me at hello. I've given it about seven listens today, and I gotta say they did a good job, those kids. Sometimes I force myself to like an album, because I feel that I should (like the new Alicia Keys) but this one I liked right away. If you don't want to listen to the whole album (cause it's Country, I get it) at least YouTube "Need You Now", "Love This Pain", "If I Knew Then" and "Ready To Love Again". Some good stuff.

And finally, do you ever hear a song and think, "God if so and so just listened to this song, it justmight make a difference?" I remember being young and watching some sort of Janet Jackson documentary where these two high school dropouts heard Janet's "The Knowledge" and they decided to go back to school. Just like that. In meeting Janet, they even gave her their tassels. At that time, all I kept thinking was, "Y'all just trying to meet you some Janet Jackson. Don't play." But now I know that a song can actually speak to you. Maybe even make you think twice about someting. So, even though, I know you don't come on here...you never know. Just sayin'...

On To The Next One

The Five: Best of 2009 Edition-Music

2009 was a good year for music. So many of my favorites brought some of their best shit. Jay-Z finally came out with a good album since coming out of retirement and Maxwell came back in a big way. John Mayer delivered another excellent album as well. On a personal note, this was also the year that produced quite a few songs that La Shy Girl and I actually shared a liking in. This is a rare thing, so to have even like five or six is quite the big deal. Anyway, here are my five favorite songs of the year...

#1. Empire State of Mind by Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys

This one really should've been a given. Yes, it's my favorite rapper and one of my favorite female artists on the same track...but it's more than just that. This whole year was all about New York for me. The disappointment of not going for my 30th birthday. And then the balls-out decision to just go, followed by the planning and the fucking incredible experience of actually experiencing the city for myself. This song will forever hold a special meaning to me. The lyrics...the hook...brilliant. 

#2. Pretty Wings by Maxwell

 

Yo! Some things are worth the wait, indeed. It took this fool seven years to come back with some stuff and to have it been this absolutely beautiful ode to a lost lover allowed fans to forgive and forget that long ass absence. For me it was the return of my favorite artists...truth be told he could've burped his way through a song and I would've loved it just out of sheer happiness to have him back. But this song represented so much more than that. It gave me closure on a relationship that wasn't even mine. It allowed me to give up false hope and just move on. Man, this is one gorgeous song. And because it go so little airplay, it also felt very mine. 

#3. Bad Romance by Lady Gaga

  

Admittedly, I had a love/hate relationship with Lady Gaga this year. Her talent is completely undeniable. She is bringing shit to the game that we've never seen or heard. And the songs are good. But I can't get over how over the top she is. However, this song is just absolutely, undeniably, freakin' awesome. From the opening oh oh oh oh's to the impromptu French lesson. I don't even think this was the best song, technically, that she released this year...I guess it's just the one I truly allowed myself to like. I'm afraid there might not be any going back...crazy bitch made me a fan. 

#4. Please Don't Leave Me by Pink

 

I am a long-time Pink fan. I have found her music to be brutally honest and courageous throughout the years. But her last album was written after her split from her husband...and there's nothing I love more than a good break up song. This album was full of them. None though, I loved as much as I love "Please Don't Leave Me." No song has ever described a crazy, out of control, dysfunctional relationship as beautifully as Pink manages to do so. Oh, the pleading tone in her voice just gets me. Such vulnerability. I love it. 

#5. Just Breathe by Pearl Jam

 

I am a complete sucker for a good love song. I would've never expected such a breathtakingly  (no pun intended) awesome one from Pearl Jam. From the minute I heard this song...I had no doubt that somehow Eddie Vedder had gotten into my head and extracted this song. If I had been blessed with song-writing talents, this is the type of song I could only hope to have written. The lyrics are splendid. You hear the music, you hear the words...but you feel LOVE. Simply put...Eddie Vedder has written MY song. 

I'm Alive

So damn easy to say that life's so hard
Everybody's got their share of battle scars
As for me I'd like to thank my lucky stars that
I'm alive and well

It'd be easy to add up all the pain
And all the dreams you've sat and watch go up in flames
Dwell on the wreckage as it smolders in the rain
But not me... I'm alive

And today you know that's good enough for me
Breathing in and out's a blessing can't you see
Today's the first day of the rest of my life
And I'm alive and well
I'm alive and well

Stars are dancin' on the water here tonight
It's good for the soul when there's not a soul in sight
This motor's caught its wind and brought me back to life
Now I'm alive and well

And today you know that's good enough for me
Breathing in and out's a blessing can't you see
Today's the first day of the rest of my life
Now I'm alive and well
Yeah I'm alive and well

-Kenny Chesney

What Have You Done For Me Lately?

La Shy Girl bought me Janet Jackson's Number Ones album last night. Basically, it's a collection of her greatest hits...the "number ones" part is quite debatable. Anyway, it goes without saying that I already owned every single song that's on the double disc collection and that I basically still listen to them like they just came out this year. But...it's been a while since I listened to these songs back to back in the order that they were released. It's easy to dismiss Janet Jackson as a has-been now...an artist who lost her creative edge circa 2001, maybe even earlier. But listening to her music, you are reminded that she was once a force to be reckoned with. I grew up listening to this woman. Yo! Her first legit single came out when I was in the 2nd grade and her last legit single dropped when I was 26! That's a long-ass career. When listing my favorite artists, I often neglect to include Janet, but on the real...she's probably one of like three all-time favorites of mine. Would I have loved it, if she had left the game when she was on top? Heck yes. But I guess I still have hope that she will release the one song that will put her on top again...as unrealistic as it may seem. Regardless of her current irrelevance, what a nice trip down memory lane I've had today. I can literally pin-point where I was in my life when each of these songs was on the radio. You just can't beat this shit, man. Oh, and here's video of one of my favorite performances of hers from back in the day...

Now I Don't Have To Write A Song For You...

Yes, I understand that every life must end, uh-huh
As we sit alone, I know someday we must go, uh-huh
Oh I'm a lucky man, to count on both hands the ones I love
Some folks just have one, yeah, others, they've got none

Stay with me...
Let's just breathe...

Practiced all my sins, never gonna let me win, uh-huh
Under everything, just another human being, uh-huh
I don't wanna hurt, there's so much in this world to make me bleed

Stay with me
You're all I see...

Did I say that I need you?
Did I say that I want you?
Oh, if I didn't I'm a fool you see
No one knows this more than me

As I come clean...
I wonder everyday, as I look upon your face, uh-huh
Everything you gave
And nothing you would save, oh no

Nothing you would take
Everything you gave...

Did I say that I need you?
Oh, did I say that I want you?
Oh, if I didn't I'm a fool you see
No one knows this more than me
And I come clean, ah...

Nothing you would take
Everything you gave
Hold me til I die
Meet you on the other side...

-Pearl Jam

A-M-A-Z-I-N-G

I Love This Shit

File This Under WTF?

For like three days now, LSG and I have been trying to figure out some pinche song that kept playing in my head. All I could remember is "Baby set me free from this misery..." It was driving me crazy. Well, found it. And more puzzling than the song itself is how it got in my head. I don't know where the fuck I got it from. I don't know.