#BattleOfTheBands : Alabama v. Bananarama
Where does the time go? I swear it goes faster and faster each day. I’m so far behind on some tasks that if I finally completed them, I would be considered early for the next time I needed to do that task.
Any way… it’s time for the first round of December battle of the bands. December. Let that sink in. In just a few short weeks that fat man will be making his way around the world to bring toys and goodies to all the good boys and girls (and some naughty ones - because they somehow ALWAYS seem to slip through the cracks - Santa must be getting old, too!)
Alright. Let’s get on with this before it’s January.
A week or so ago, Helen, who runs ‘Song Lyric Sunday’ gave us the prompt of “First”. While
As a reminder for you seasoned readers and to help out those of you who may be new here
Here is how a battle works:
Step One - Listen to each of the contenders. TRY not to be persuaded by the videos (unless specifically requested - in the case of today’s battle, listening is more important than watching)
Step Two - Pick the contender that you prefer the most
Step Three - Comment with your selection. The comment section has been set up so that anyone can leave a comment. I do ask that you please include your name, should you use the anonymous feature. Today’s contenders are Alabama and Bananarama. These are the only contenders that will receive votes today in this battle. I know some of you get excited about the graphics when you see a name or song you recognize - but please, for the love of all things good and holy, ONLY VOTE FOR ALABAMA OR BANANARAMA.
Step Four - Visit Stephen’s blog to check out his battle and for a list of other bloggers that have have battles going on. We each have different battles, so please be sure to visit everyone. I'll provide a link below the videos to Stephen's blog for your convenience.
Contender #1 - Alabama
Contender #2 - Bananarama
YOU DON’T NEED TO BE FAMILIAR WITH AN ARTIST OR A SONG TO KNOW WHICH ONE YOU PREFER. You only need to listen to the videos and choose which one sounds better to you. There are no right or wrong votes, unless you vote for someone not listed as a contender or don’t vote at all.
For those of you who may be interested in joining in our fun - The battles take place twice a month. Once on the 1st, and again on the 15th. Some participants have chosen to participate only once a month - and that’s okay - we’re just happy to have you join us! Your battle can consist of covers of the same song, different songs with the same title, or even a themed type battle. We just want you to join in the fun! Catch the link to Stephen’s blog to join in - all you need to do is drop him a comment on his blog stating you’d like to participate and he’ll add you to the roster of participants.
I’d like to encourage you to visit the other bloggers participating in the battle of the bands blog hop as well. We’ve all put a lot of time and effort into putting together these battles and they are a lot of fun. Each blogger has a different battle taking place. You can find a current list of participants on Stephen’s blog (don't forget you can also request to join the battle of the bands blog hop by simply commenting on his blog that you'd like to join us).
Wait, Wait, Wait!!!
Have you heard about my latest venture? I’m putting together a street team to help authors with promotions and reviews. I could really use
Alright now… Cast your votes for either Alabama or Bananarama!
Voting will end on Friday, December 7 with results being posted on Saturday December 8.
Things are going way too rapidly for me. Or is it just me standing still or moving a lot slower than I used to.
ReplyDeleteI remember this song by Alabama. I hadn't heard this in many years. It sounds good to hear again.
I don't remember the Banarama song. It's pleasant enough, but not as much my preferred style as the Alabama song.
Give my vote to Alabama. Funny, but I'm also using an Alabama song in my Battle this time.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
Hi Lee
DeleteI'm beginning to think it's the long days and short nights that are taking over. My mind races with thoughts of creativity and tasks to be done, sometimes making sleep rather difficult. I'm getting too old to pull all-nighters.
I've got you down for Alabama. We must have been on some kind of wavelength this week. I'll pop over to your place and check out your battle.
~Mary
I like both of these, really, but Bananarama was a little more fun, so I'll go with that one.
ReplyDeleteThanks, John!
DeleteAppreciate your vote.
~Mary
Howdy, MARY, MARY, QUITE EXTRAORDINARY!
ReplyDeleteSo, we've got 'BAMA versus 'RAMA, eh? I see what you did there.
I just now came from Lee's blog where 'BAMA got my vote. And I think I will be consistent by boting for 'BAMA again. It's no secret that I'm not a Synth-Pop kind of guy, and that 'Rama version was '80s in the first degree. (Just watching the video alone caused me to begin questioning my manhood. I think I need to say forty "John Waynes" and start a barroom brawl as penance.)
Mary, I hope you're doing well. I've been in three different states in the last two weeks, but I'm heading home and back to something loosely resembling "normal" tomorrow.
~ D-FensDogG
https://stmccpresentsbattleofthebands.blogspot.com/
Hey Stephen!
DeleteWasn't expecting a comment from you today, as you said you were traveling and wouldn't be back until tomorrow :)
>>...I think I need to say forty "John Waynes" and start a barroom brawl as penance
You always find a way to crack me up. Personally, I think you need to toss in a few extra 'Hail Marys' for good measure - but that could be my self-indulgence speaking.
I was going to stop by Lee's battle after he commented, but his post wasn't live yet, but it's been a few hours now and I need to get my visits & votes done (well, maybe after a quick shower... I'm starting to stink up this place!)
Looking forward to hearing more about your adventures of the past few weeks and seeing what you've come up with for your battle.
~Mary
A few extra "Hail Marys"? Consider it done!
DeleteYeah, I did not think I'd get ANY BOTB comments in while I was outta state (and outta my mind), but at one point my Brother went to the gym, leaving me alone with his laptop, so I managed to sneak a couple of votes in, one of them being your Battle.
To be quite honest, due to time restrictions and feeling the oncoming travel pressure, my Battle this time was, in my opinion, just a throwaway. I didn't put much thought into it and just tossed a simple contest at the wall, hoping it might stick. In those immortal words of Ed Wood: "My next one will be better."
Dang! Your friend Amy (aixyzhtml), our newest BOTBer, sure has a huge blog following. I don't know what she's doing over there but it's garnered her a massive audience.
Yak Later...
~ D-FensDogG @ STMcC Presents 'BATTLE OF THE BANDS'
>>...Dang! Your friend Amy (aixyzhtml), our newest BOTBer, sure has a huge blog following. I don't know what she's doing over there but it's garnered her a massive audience.
DeleteShe's working it! She also does a vlog on her facebook, and I think that pulls in a lot of response. Not sure what her secret potion is, but dang - I'll take two bottles!
BTW - Things happened over Thanksgiving. Maybe I'll drop you an email in a day or two when I come up for air. I might need some inputs from ya. In the meantime, I'm trying to hold down the fort the best I can.
~Mary
10-4. I'll watch for it. However, any input from me should protly be taken with a shaker of salt. :o)
Delete~ D-FensDogG
Sorry but it always has to be Alabama hands down. Fun contest.
ReplyDeleteNo reason to be sorry. You like what you like. :)
DeleteThanks for stopping in with your vote.
~Mary
Bananarama for me!
ReplyDeleteI had never heard this song before, but I really love it now. Of course, they are both good, but that one's the win for me this time.
Sweet!
DeleteThanks for coming by. I truly appreciate the vote.
~Mary
Well... Honestly, I'm not wild about either. But if I have to pick one it would be Alabama.
ReplyDeleteAwesome!
DeleteThis is turning out to be quite the battle. Sorry I didn't have better choices for you. Hopefully next time :)
~Mary
I'm still struggling with the fact that it is December. 2018 only has 30 more days... Hmm
ReplyDeleteFor this challenge, I have to side with Bananarama. I'm an 80/90's raised kid. So it fits with what I grew up with haha
It's crazy how fast the time flies the older I get. A vote for Bananarama - good choice!
Delete~Mary
I was always a fan of Bananarama so I will have to vote for them. I do love Alabama too, but Bananarama's version of the song is more fun!!
ReplyDeleteFor a quick minute I thought Alabama was going to win this, but it looks like Bananarama showed up to stake their claim in this battle. It's a real nailbiter now.
Delete~Mary
Sorry Alabama, I am a huge Bananarama (and SAW) fan so I go with the three girls from England on this! "Love in the First Degree" is my go-to eurobeat song and I also have a parapara (it is a type of dance move that was popular in Japan at the turn of the 21st century) dance going on for it. I am a diehard Stock Aiken Waterman fan and Bananarama fan (my mom would buy me albums and singles). I wish I could have seen the original lineup last year though. ;(
ReplyDeleteHi Amy!
DeleteNo need to be sorry. Bananarama is a guilty pleasure of mine as well, even though I do also enjoy Alabama. Welcome to our crazy group of botb'ers. You're going to fit right in.
~Mary
Bananarama getsmy vote! Fun song
ReplyDeleteYou got it, Mike!
DeleteI was feeling kind of meh toward the battle, but so far it's proving to be a good one.
~Mary
They are both pretty popular bands that had their hey days!I like their music for different reasons and cannot choose one over the other. Both win!
ReplyDeleteOh I got Bananarama all the way since I am not a country person and the song brought back fond memories from the 1980's
ReplyDeleteHi Birgit!
DeleteAlabama took a strong lead, but Bananarama has made a strong comeback. This one just might be a really close one!
~Mary
Hi Mary!
ReplyDeleteColor me chagrined! I was quite sure who I'd vote for before I even listened. Then I listened and found that the Euro-girls (sans the video) put a much happier spin on the crazy old game called love. Fun battle!
Hi diedre
DeleteThose girls do sound pretty happy, don't they? I think Alabama doesn't pep it up is because, well.. they're men.
~Mary
Ha-Ha! Now, that's funny ;-)
DeleteOmg i think I am still living in cave coz I dont know about them. Now I am so intrigue! I will check them thoroughly.
ReplyDeleteMary,
ReplyDeleteI've fallen way behind in Blogosphere due to unexpected events and I'm finally making my rounds. The months in this year have ripped by us blindingly fast! I can't believe it's Christmas time again!! This is my favorite seson, too. DH is off from work and we're doing a little staycation. As of currently we haven't gotten a chance to really enjoy ourselves due to our 2003 Camry dying and having to buy a new car which we did last Friday. We drove away from Fox Toyota in a 2019 Avalon! I thank God for providing us financing and for putting this car in our line of sight. Anywho on to your battle. I'm giving my vote to Alabama. I think I'm more in the mood for their style. Nice battle!
Cathy, I so understand. The time seems to fly by so quickly, that I barely manage to get all the things done that need to be done (and some things get put off for another day) and some days I have to keep reminding myself what day of the week it is. My plate is so full right now, I think I'm almost at the point of shut down and overwhelm. But my boss (aka me) is a slave driver and she refuses to give me much time off to catch my breath.
DeleteThanks for stopping by with your vote! I've got you counted.
~Mary
Bananarama. I couldn't not vote on this. Fun facts: Bananarama lived with two members of the Sex Pistols and sang back up in the dwelling. Terry Hall (who wrote "Our Lips Are Sealed" with Jane Wiedlin of The Go-Go's) of The Specials ska group brought in Bananarama as co-singers for the "Really Saying Something" song. Bananarama's debut album, "Deep Sea Skiving" was the best pop album (Prince didn't have an album that year and maybe Michel Jackson did). Then Bananarama hired some top 40 producers or they hired Bananarama they really went pop with "Cruel Summer"... and "Love In The First Degree" near apex of their pop or pop in general. Don't get me started on Bananarama. I don't know Alabama, don't want to know.. thinking back they weren't the ones who sang "Elvira." Bananarama were the hub of the 83ish.
ReplyDeleteIf Bananarama ties or loses by one vote without this vote, I couldn't live with myself without: A vote for Bananarama.
G DogG, your 'Man Card' must be received by the 'U.S. Man Card Shredding Department' in Washington, D.C. no later than January 5, 2019. Failure to comply will result in severe penalties up to $5,000 and/or 5 years in a Federal penitentiary, where the only access to entertainment afforded you will be old Michael Jackson videos. (But then again, you'd probably *like* that, you sick individual you!)
Delete[;o)
~ D-FensDogG
(Not to be confused with G DogG)
Hey there G Dogg!
DeleteGood to see you here :)
I didn't know about them living with the Sex Pistols, but it doesn't surprise me. I did know that Keren Woodward has been living with Andrew Ridgeley (the 'other' dude from Wham! aka the other guy singing and dancing with George Michael)
I knew it was a bit of a risk putting 80s pop music up against some good old country boys, but this has turned out to be quite the battle so far.
BTW - It was the Oak Ridge Boys that sang 'Elvira'. That's an earworm for another day (Giddy Up Oom Poppa Omm Poppa Mow Mow)
Don't pay no mind to that McCarthy dude, it's good to have indulgences as a male. Besides, it just shows that you were paying attention to the girls - Like a healthy young man should.
~Mary
McSDogG my brother of a different col-- well I'm part Irish we're the same color (somehow we had good enough genes to not be gingers). I got my man card and framed it in high school when experiencing/dating Tina. I'm not sending it to the Feds and if they hassle it will do a 5 year bid. Today, I sent Fed Ex a package to the Feds with hand lotion that has an undertone of lemon and my pedicure kit. I defy you "I defy you" is pretty silly lingo... Michael Jackson's early videos - Billy Jean in MTV's first year, Tiffany stuff to the other videos' guy in New York with trench coats, "Rolexes right here for $20."
DeleteHey Mary,
ReplyDeleteI remember now that you mention it that Andrew Ridgeley both was in Wham! (if I recall, as you note, the "!" was part of their name) and married Keren Woodward. And Siobhan.. Fahey I had to look up her last name because when you're a big pop star people only know you by your first name... left Bananarama to be part of a duo Shakespeare's Sister which did "dark" pop.. she found herself. I know, McCarthy has a sculpted exquisite jaw and keeps thinking I'm hitting on him thus thinks I'm not a man and thinks I'm having gender reassignment surgery. S-Dogg, if you're reading this, I'm not hitting on you.
And Bananarama rule(d)(s) early 1980's.
>>... I know, McCarthy has a sculpted exquisite jaw and keeps thinking I'm hitting on him thus thinks I'm not a man and thinks I'm having gender reassignment surgery. S-Dogg, if you're reading this, I'm not hitting on you.
DeleteAs McCarthy put it - just say forty John Waynes and start a bathroom brawl and you'll be good as gold. oh, and don't forget the extra Hail Mary's just to keep ya humble.
You're a wealth of pop information. Thanks for that!
~Mary
Definitely know this song but I didn't know that it was covered by Bananarama!
ReplyDeleteI'm more pop/rock than country, I've come to realize, and there's not apology for that, ha ha. But I do like a few country songs and ALABAMA's version of this song is one of them. Bam! There's my vote!
Happy holidays, Mary!
Hey Cherdo!
DeleteI see you're here trying to save Alabama's day :) This one is pretty darned close. Too close to call just yet. I'm going to pre-write my results post, but keep it open to catch the final votes tomorrow.
~Mary
Hah! This one is just too easy for me. The previous battles were too difficult for me because the band choices were all my personal favorites but this time... I can easily say - ALABAMA FTW! Nothing against Banarama though, am just one big Alabama fan!
ReplyDeleteHi Sheena!
DeleteThanks for stopping in with your vote. this is certainly a tight one. Results posting tomorrow.
~Mary