It’s time again for another Battle of the Bands! Today’s song might prove to be a difficult choice. I know I’m having a tough time deciding which version I like best.
The Song: Angel In Your Arms
Wikipedia tells us: "Angel in Your Arms" is a song composed by Herbert Clayton Ivey, Terrence Woodford and Tom Brasfield, which was a 1977 Top Ten hit for Hot and also a Top Ten C&W 1985 hit for Barbara Mandrell.
In "Angel in Your Arms", a woman advises an unfaithful mate: "The angel in your arms this morning is gonna be the devil in someone else's arms tonight", meaning that she has assuaged his neglect and infidelities by indulging in illicit trysts of her own.
For Reference Only (NOT a contender, so please no votes for Hot)
Contender # 1 Barbara Mandrell
Barbara Ann Mandrell is an American country music singer, musician, and actress. She is known for a series of Top 10 hits and TV shows in the 1970s and 1980s that helped her become one of country's most successful female vocalists of that period. She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2009 and is a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
Mandrell was the first performer to win the Country Music Association's "Entertainer of the Year" award twice. She also won twice the Country Music Association's "Female Vocalist of the Year" in 1979 and 1981.
Contender #2 Queen Emily
Like many great soul singers, Queen Emily got her start singing as a little girl in Church. And even though her talent was apparent to everyone who heard her sing, as she grew up, life got in the way of her dreams. Raising her daughters as a single mother meant Emily's musical aspirations had to be put on hold. When she turned 40, Emily experienced an epiphany and realized that it was time to stop dreaming and start acting, which led her to the "America's Got Talent" auditions. Queen Emily is a true testament to how far you can go if you work hard and never stop believing in your dreams. Like many of the singers she draws her inspiration from, Emily uses her rich and soulful voice to tell the story of her life's trials and tribulations. With the support of her daughters, Queen Emily is ready to show America her love of music and her powerful voice. Queen Emily got her wish of becoming a singer. In 2009, she signed a record deal with Jackson, Mississippi based Malaco Records. Malaco is a leader in the Soul, Blues and Gospel genre.
Please vote for either Barbara Mandrell or Queen Emily in the comments. Voting will end on September 20, 2017 at 6pm EST with results being posted on September 21.
I’d like to encourage you to visit the other bloggers participating in the battle of the bands as well. You can find a current list HERE, or on Stephen’s blog (you can also request to join the battle of the bands blog hop on his blog).
MMQE ~ Hokey-Smoke! QUEEN EMILY went from a 40-year-old single mom to Royalty in no-time flat, didn't she? Some people rise in the social strata so fast! I can't understand how they do it, because I've been a working class dog my entire (overly long) life!
I'm voting for BARBARA MANDRELL because a blue collar stiff like me simply can't relate to the Royal Family. (Well, that, and because I like Barbara's version better.)
Is you life truly overly long? Is it really up to you to decide if you've influenced everyone that needs to be influenced by you? You know there's an ultimate plan for you, and you don't have much choice in it - unless you decided to Rage Quit in this game called life - but then you will have shorted the people that needed your influence, and that's hardly fair now, is it?
I almost put Ms Mandrell up against Ms McEntire for this battle. Believe it or not, this was supposed to be my July battle, then my August battle. So, it's been a few months since I actually put it together.
If someone does vote for HOT, I'm gonna take that vote and shove it right up their.... well, I'm just gonna call it a split vote and give both contestants a vote! ;)
MMQE ~ "Rage Quit"? I don't know what that is, but I like the sound of it. Ha!
Honestly? Yeah, I'm tired and this life has outlived my love of it. I've had very little influence on anyone, and the second half of my 58 years hasn't been anywhere near as good as the first half was. But of course only God can say when I get to take a much-needed break from "this world" (as The Bible calls it).
Now that I'm downshifting everyone's good mood... [:^)
Yeah, I remember you saying this Battle would be two certified Old School Country artists squaring off with each other. Then I saw that you were using a "Queen" and I thought: Queens ain't Country.
But I get it. My planned Battles sometimes go through a variety of adjustments before I finally settle on what I think is the best, most interesting match-up.
Urban dictionary defines 'Rage Quit' as: Throwing the poker chips, flipping the Monopoly board, unplugging the Nintendo, taking your ball and going home.
But I do have to disagree with you. You have influenced others, myself included. And I wouldn't say that influence was bad, either. Whether you like it or not, you've helped me through some of my darkest of hours.
I've got my battles planned out through December. Of course, I haven't yet written them out, but at least there is a plan in place. I'm really looking forward to the December battle, as the song holds a very special place in my heart.
It's been a tough month for many of us, but I firmly believe we will pull through.
These are both good in different ways. I am partial to Ms. Mandrell. Did you watch that TV show she had with her sisters??? So Barbara Mandrell for me. :)
I did watch the Mandrell sisters TV Show. I also remember when she was in that accident, and it was such a scary time in her life. Thanks for the vote!
I'm going to go with Queen Emily here. She just sounds better doing it. Not that Barbara Mandrell is bad; she does a great job with it, I just like Queen Emily's sound better.
It's been ages since I heard Hot's "Angel In Your Arms" Great song for this battle showdown. I always liked the Barbara Mandrell show. Queen Emily has her qualities but I felt her vocals a bit flat at time. She has soulfulness but it's just not enough to carry me through and to steal my vote for BARBARA MANDRELL!
Hey there Mary, Wow this month has totally gotten away from me. I had a battle all planned for September and then a friend emailed me as to why I didn't have a battle posted and I was like "Shit! It's the 15th already???!" I had no idea that mid-month had come so fast. Anyway, my sept battle will have to hold until next month.
I like this song and I remember Hot's version. When I first read the song that you were using, it didn't ring a bell with me but then when I heard it I said Oh yeah, I remember this tune... As for your battle: Queen Emily is new to me and I love her story. Dreams never die, no matter how many years pass before us. Love that she finally followed hers. I liked her version but not enough to give her my vote. I LOVE Barbara Mandrell's version. Her voice reigns supreme in my book. Beautifully done. So my vote goes to Miss Mandrell.
Thanks foe the FB nudge this morning. Time is really getting away from me...
Whew! My page was being weird and not letting me respond for a minute or two. Thankfully, it's back to normal again.
I appreciate you taking the time to stop in to cast your vote. I know things have been hectic for you lately. Hopefully they will calm down soon. BTW, have you started writing your April A-Z posts yet? ;) Don't let the time get away from you!
GUUURRRLLL, it has to be Barbara Mandrell. I wonder what that little blonde spitfire is up to lately? This is really a great battle. I love to see some of the artists that we tend to forget appear on the Battles.
Awww Cherdo! You really bring a smile to my face. Tune in tomorrow when I post the results. I've got a bit more detail about Ms Mandrell and what she's been up to.
I love comments! Did you know that comments that are less than 8 words long are considered spam? So, don't hold back! Spill yer guts. Let me know you stopped by and let me know what you liked about the post, or what you didn't like. If you are a blogger, be sure to include a link to your blog, so that I can easily reciprocate.
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MMQE ~
ReplyDeleteHokey-Smoke! QUEEN EMILY went from a 40-year-old single mom to Royalty in no-time flat, didn't she? Some people rise in the social strata so fast! I can't understand how they do it, because I've been a working class dog my entire (overly long) life!
I'm voting for BARBARA MANDRELL because a blue collar stiff like me simply can't relate to the Royal Family. (Well, that, and because I like Barbara's version better.)
~ Kang Stephen
STMcC Presents 'Battle Of The Bands'
POSTSCRIPT:
DeleteMary, how long do you think it will be before someone casts a vote for "HOT"? My prediction: Not long.
~ D-FensDogG
STMcC Presents 'Battle Of The Bands'
Stephen
DeleteIs you life truly overly long? Is it really up to you to decide if you've influenced everyone that needs to be influenced by you? You know there's an ultimate plan for you, and you don't have much choice in it - unless you decided to Rage Quit in this game called life - but then you will have shorted the people that needed your influence, and that's hardly fair now, is it?
I almost put Ms Mandrell up against Ms McEntire for this battle. Believe it or not, this was supposed to be my July battle, then my August battle. So, it's been a few months since I actually put it together.
Thanks for the vote!
~Mary
In reply to your postscript:
DeleteIf someone does vote for HOT, I'm gonna take that vote and shove it right up their.... well, I'm just gonna call it a split vote and give both contestants a vote! ;)
~M
MMQE ~
Delete"Rage Quit"? I don't know what that is, but I like the sound of it. Ha!
Honestly? Yeah, I'm tired and this life has outlived my love of it. I've had very little influence on anyone, and the second half of my 58 years hasn't been anywhere near as good as the first half was. But of course only God can say when I get to take a much-needed break from "this world" (as The Bible calls it).
Now that I'm downshifting everyone's good mood... [:^)
Yeah, I remember you saying this Battle would be two certified Old School Country artists squaring off with each other. Then I saw that you were using a "Queen" and I thought: Queens ain't Country.
But I get it. My planned Battles sometimes go through a variety of adjustments before I finally settle on what I think is the best, most interesting match-up.
~ D-FensDogG
STMcC Presents 'Battle Of The Bands'
Urban dictionary defines 'Rage Quit' as: Throwing the poker chips, flipping the Monopoly board, unplugging the Nintendo, taking your ball and going home.
DeleteBut I do have to disagree with you. You have influenced others, myself included. And I wouldn't say that influence was bad, either. Whether you like it or not, you've helped me through some of my darkest of hours.
I've got my battles planned out through December. Of course, I haven't yet written them out, but at least there is a plan in place. I'm really looking forward to the December battle, as the song holds a very special place in my heart.
It's been a tough month for many of us, but I firmly believe we will pull through.
~M
I don't recall ever having heard this song before.
ReplyDeleteI liked Mandrell's version, but Queen Emily's version was fuller with more depth and soul. I vote for the Queen.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
And just like that, the voting is off to a good start! Neck and neck. I enjoy a good battle.
DeleteThanks for dropping by with a vote, Lee!
~Mary
These are both good in different ways. I am partial to Ms. Mandrell. Did you watch that TV show she had with her sisters??? So Barbara Mandrell for me. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Robin!
DeleteI did watch the Mandrell sisters TV Show. I also remember when she was in that accident, and it was such a scary time in her life. Thanks for the vote!
I'm going to go with Queen Emily here. She just sounds better doing it. Not that Barbara Mandrell is bad; she does a great job with it, I just like Queen Emily's sound better.
ReplyDeleteThanks, John!
DeleteI've got your vote for Queen Emily counted. Thanks for stopping in!
~Mary
Barbara was good, but Queen Emily takes it to another level and she gets my vote!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mike!
DeleteAnother vote for Queen Emily! It's a tight race for sure :)
~Mary
Mary,
ReplyDeleteIt's been ages since I heard Hot's "Angel In Your Arms" Great song for this battle showdown. I always liked the Barbara Mandrell show. Queen Emily has her qualities but I felt her vocals a bit flat at time. She has soulfulness but it's just not enough to carry me through and to steal my vote for BARBARA MANDRELL!
Hi Cathy!
DeleteAlright! Another vote for Ms Mandrell. This is turning out to be quite the tennis match.
~Mary
Hey there Mary,
ReplyDeleteWow this month has totally gotten away from me. I had a battle all planned for September and then a friend emailed me as to why I didn't have a battle posted and I was like "Shit! It's the 15th already???!" I had no idea that mid-month had come so fast. Anyway, my sept battle will have to hold until next month.
I like this song and I remember Hot's version. When I first read the song that you were using, it didn't ring a bell with me but then when I heard it I said Oh yeah, I remember this tune...
As for your battle: Queen Emily is new to me and I love her story. Dreams never die, no matter how many years pass before us. Love that she finally followed hers.
I liked her version but not enough to give her my vote.
I LOVE Barbara Mandrell's version. Her voice reigns supreme in my book. Beautifully done. So my vote goes to Miss Mandrell.
Thanks foe the FB nudge this morning. Time is really getting away from me...
Michele at Angels Bark
Whew! My page was being weird and not letting me respond for a minute or two. Thankfully, it's back to normal again.
DeleteI appreciate you taking the time to stop in to cast your vote. I know things have been hectic for you lately. Hopefully they will calm down soon. BTW, have you started writing your April A-Z posts yet? ;) Don't let the time get away from you!
~Mary
GUUURRRLLL, it has to be Barbara Mandrell. I wonder what that little blonde spitfire is up to lately? This is really a great battle. I love to see some of the artists that we tend to forget appear on the Battles.
ReplyDeleteAwww Cherdo! You really bring a smile to my face. Tune in tomorrow when I post the results. I've got a bit more detail about Ms Mandrell and what she's been up to.
Delete~Mary