The Story
Life: The Musical is an original aFa production is a journey featuring songs of about life. Each act features an aspect of life as a theme with music supplied around that theme.
Program (Past Posts)
Act 1: Life
Act 2: Born
Act 3: Names
Act 4: Young
Act 5: Dream
Act 6: Teens
Act 7: School
Act 8: Adulthood
Act 9: Work
Act 10: Play
Act 11: Hope
Act 12: Love
Act 13: Positive Emotions
Act 14: Negative Emotions
Act 15: Growing Old
Act 16
Life … the time for the living to live. One’s life starts when one is born. Shortly thereafter, we are given something that stays with us no matter where we go – a name. Immediately, we are nourished, so we grow physically, mentally, and emotionally from babies into young children … and that’s when we start to dream about our future life. Growth never stops, so from children we move on as teens .. but school is still much of life at this point.
Eventually, we move into adulthood as women and men with many things going on in our life. Whether its work, play, or family, life can be complicated, so many times we hope for the best. Maybe above all else, people desire love, and go through many ups and downs in that quest.
No matter the situation, human encounters also provide a wide-range of emotions over a life with ups and downs. Whereas the previous act featured positive emotion, Act 14 is about negative emotions – so, all song titles must have a negative emotion in the song title. (The producers says stay away from love unless the title is a negative emotion.)
Time marches on. Although one gets older with each day, one grows old … and then, whether expected or suddenly – the last breath is taken – life as we know it is over. Song titles for Act 16 must contain death, die, dies, died, dead, or dying in the title.
Production Note
To prevent browsers crashing from loading too many videos, please 1) include the song title and artist in your text, and 2) paste the URL as part of your last line (not a new line). The latter will provide a link, thus not embed the actual video … but I don’t mind unembedding, so apologies are not necessary.
Announcement
The beautiful thing about music and all the arts is that people continue to enjoy the work even after the artist has died. We got to know this artist when as one of the four young lads from England during the early 1960s. Although two are gone, he’s here to sing Live and Let Die … we welcome Sir Paul McCartney and Wings!
Well done, Frank, and a great summation to the tale. The finale is always a good time for a party. A Dead Man’s Party says Oingo Boingo! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UbGtjnluyY
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Gah. Here’s the version I wanted. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iypUpv9xelg
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Guapo,
Welcome back as I’ve been keeping your prime seat open! I never imaged Oingo Boingo appearing on these pages, but gotta love that video. … along with being a throwback to the 80s. Hope to see you again in two weeks for the final act.
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Hi Frank! Here’s an acoustic performance of I’d Die For You, by Bon Jovi: http://youtu.be/Pd-wK0ziJWc
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Danica,
You are becoming a musical regular, so I’m moving you to a better seat! Good song and (in general) I like acoustic versions. For those who want the “regular” version of the song, here it is. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qy4yXNWWruI
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How lovely! Thank you, Frank. Thanks also for including the original version of the song.
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Here’s Jan & Dean in 1964 singing “Dead Man’s Curve” detailing a teen street race gone awry. According to the song, the race starts at Sunset and Vine in Hollywood – Los Angeles between a Corvette Sting Ray and a Jaguar XKE, and crashing on the North Whittier Drive curve (dead man’s curve), a nearly 90 degree right turn traveling west on Sunset Blvd. just past North Whittier Drive. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1Cuekbklkg
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Tim,
This song is a classic, and those that lived that era remember it well. I almost picked it for the opener, but decided to leave for others.
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“Dead Flowers” by The Stones is my choice! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RS_yyRk_dj8
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Resa,
Now that’s vintage Rolling Stones … but oddly enough, I didn’t know this one. Thanks!
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Just an interesting note, “Live and Let Die was my 1st choice… but the “Guns and Roses” version.
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Here’s Debbie Harry with Blondie, Frank, singing “Die Young Stay Pretty” http://youtu.be/jO5VV5PISHU, a song that might her cringe as she fast approaches 70 this year.
This evening, a tech at the Apple store resurrected my 8-year-old MacBook that I thought was good as dead. But, it still has a little life left in it!
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Lame,
Wow … right out of the 80s and I don’t remember it or the video. Hmmmmmm … The sound (to me) is a bit Jimmy Buffet-esque, those I could see him doing his version of his song.
Cheers to the tech resurrecting your MacBook, thus it keeps on ticking … Oh … that’s Timex.
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It wasn’t one of their bigger hits. I liked the melody but never put much thought into the lyrics … Until now.
I know I don’t have another 8 years with it, but right now, it is operating perfectly fine again probably because it’s never taken a licking!
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I think this sums up the entire musical — it takes a bit of patience, but you’ll come out the other side feeling a bit changed: Paul Cardall and “Life and Death”. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jluCcb_iBvQ
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Twixt,
Wow … now that was powerful and a great summation of the entire musical. This is so good, I may have to find a way to use it again. Great notes on the video as well. Many thanks for the great selection!!!!
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Here’s a classic, Frank: “In My Time of Dying” by Led Zeppelin. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZgblTKscX0
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Cathy,
I listened to the entire song this morning … and yep … one I didn’t know. Thanks.
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I didn’t miss it!
Dying to Live by Edgar winter http://youtu.be/opGVGKw_lDU
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Elyse,
Great choice … and thanks for a ballad from the past.
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All my shrimp was dead by Mr. Robert Johnson. http://youtu.be/OgYlmiKBAlY
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Jim,
That a way as I know I can count on you for bringing a touch of the blues to the acts!
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Blood, Sweat & Tears did a great version, but I remain a Laura Nyro fan. She wrote the song originally for Peter, Paul & Mary. Seems like a good song for this challenge as she definitely died too soon! … And When I Die … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5w3u0n_UEU
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Debra,
I didn’t realize who wrote that song … and I almost used that for the opener! Thanks for the great version.
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Here’s a dreadful song by Madonna ‘Die Another Day’. I apologise for it, but I can’t think of anything else. I don’t recommend listening to it at all. 🙂 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXXEpNa3CqQ
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Pauline,
It’s not that bad … besides, it was the theme song to the the James Bond movie of that title … here’s the opener. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoJXh88SzD8
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What a theme… well first one that came to mind is Sergei Rachmaninov’s ‘The Isle of the Dead’, Symphonic poem Op. 29, inspired by Arnold Böcklin’s painting. In the video you can see the painting and understand how such an image [accompanied by this brilliant piece of music] was imprinted so strongly in my mind from the age of 4 when I was acquainted with it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIpdYeexpX0&list=RDVIpdYeexpX0#t=202 . And a couple more …updated:
Simple Minds ‘Today I Died Again’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4y87BwqtXt0 and
Public Image Ltd ‘The Order Of Death’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSyuhF6eNiY That said, wishing you a happy and very lively Thursday, my friend! 🙂
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Marina,
You provided quite the assortment. My ear knows parts of Rachmaninov (and one must be crazy not to appreciate his work), but I didn’t know the other two. Enjoyed the second one over Simply Minds tune. So for your efforts, I leave you Danse Macabre (Camille Saint-Saëns) … and I’m confident you’ll enjoy the video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcOZmtbLRP0
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Good one, Frank!!! 😉 Yes, I did enjoy it!!! 🙂
Still got 5 more! For example one from [another Frank] Zappa: Dead Girls of London https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvhB_9F074g [the other 4 were quite popular one way or another so I’ll wait till tomorrow!]
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Oh yes … please wait because I want songs available in case others comment over the next 12 hours … but I want tell you how many I have yet to be used.
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Love your choice Frank. It went well with my morning cup of green tea. 🙂 Here’s the first song that came into my head when I saw your theme. It’s a real blast from the past https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_xmujSyxkU Doris Day singing ‘The Deadwood Stage’ from ‘Calamity Jane’ circa 1953. 🙂
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Sylvia,
A pleasure to provide an enjoyable song with your morning tea. Use of “deadwood” is testing the producer, but he notes that besides Calamity bring a “hat from Cincinnati”, Doris Day is also from Cincinnati!
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Well there’s a happy coincidence! 🙂
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Fun looking at all these music choices Frank. I do admit i cannot come up with a title myself – will have to think on it.
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Colline,
No problem as I have you covered … here’s one from me to you … But I Might Die Tonight (Cat Stevens) http://youtu.be/-Vs9rpA6bcE … Enjoy.
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Nice choice Frank. Thank you 🙂
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😀 …. glad to do it.
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I debated listing this song because the lyrics are frightening, but we all interpret them differently. Is the song about murder or is there another deep message here about death? Here it is: Country Death Song by Violet Femmes, the lyrics can be found on lyricsfreak.com … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWZf_RBcB_Y
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Catherine,
I always enjoy when someone adds a different genre, so many thanks. Besides, it’s one I don’t know. Oh yes … a bit dark, but that’s OK.
In terms of the embedding, the reason it happened is because you hit Enter to create a new line for the URL. … thus easy to correct at this end.
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Since my Led Zeppelin choice is gone I’ll try some Black Sabbath with Die Young https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frtJQFe9apw
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Fasab,
Another one that I don’t know, but it works … interesting low-key interlude in the middle .. to me, this song delivers many moods.
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So many great songs. I’ll be baaaack after haunting a few music videos
(This has been such fun – did WP even notice for Fresh Press? They should have.)
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Mouse,
I don’t think FP is interested in this kind of post. Here’s one for you … Do It or Die (Atlanta Rhythm Section) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOGMQUbJ4XE
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Song choice is: You Only Live Once by The Strokes http://youtu.be/pT68FS3YbQ4
(BTW cat’s didn’t realize and live 9 times that!)
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Christy,
Nice song (and one that I don’t know), but it fits in Act 1 … so ….
… but hey … the producer also provides songs for the ill-fated … and here’s a movie classic that I can’t believe hasn’t been used … so it’s off to Munchkinland for Ding Dong the Witch is Dead from the original Wizard of Oz .. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHQLQ1Rc_Js
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I am sulking…Kathy stole my song 😦
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Sorry “Cathy” stole my song! (No matter how she spells it…she stole my song! 😉 )
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Narf,
Cathy is a good sport, but hey … it’s first come first serve. Nonetheless, I have a song for you … and as a matter of fact, I can’t think of anyone better … I’ll Be Mellow When I’m Dead (Weird Al Yankovic) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUxfVNv1c-Q
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You can’t tempt me with Weird Al Mr Frank, I am still sulking…
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Last try … and I’m curious to know if you know this one … D.O.A (Bloodrock) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1PLT0GljPA
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Nope, never heard of it Mr Frank. Stevie-boy had lots of “dead” and “dying” suggestions as he was a Goth in the 80’s and they were prone to linger on the doomed. If truth be told I just love Led Zeppelin and had my heart set on that song. All other “dead” songs pale in significance against it so I will side with Cathy and both of us will choose it 🙂
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D.O.A goes back to the early 70s … and Bloodrock’s most-notable song. … Oh well … I tried.
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Yes, you certainly did try and you get 100 points for the effort :). I wasn’t all that old in the early 70’s and the Aussie music scene was not the thriving metropolis that it is now. Back then we got to see bands that were chart toppers and anything else tended to be ignored on the radios and by the promoters so we never heard of it. One act that we Aussie embraced and only our South African friends and New Zealander’s followed suit was the amazing talents of Rodreguez. We loved him, he flew up the charts. This South African man wrote an incredibly wonderful blog post about him and I would like to share it with you. You won’t regret reading anything written by Mr 23thorns Mr Frank…
http://23thorns.com/2013/02/18/jesus-died-but-now-he-lives-in-detroit-sort-of/
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I’m to try. Great songs!
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Lorna,
I think we’re at 25 songs … so #26 is for you … Tuesday’s Dead (Yusuf Islam/Cat Stevens) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWslmgcZzsY
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Thanks!
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Too late in my arrival…I see someone beat me to “Dying to Live”…though I would have. chosen the 2014 version, by Yusuf…
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Cynthia,
Yusuf has two songs in this act … and two good ones at that. Never fear, I’ve got one for you … Bluebird is Dead (Electric Light Orchestra) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rLRBwWg4tc
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I am fashionably late as always Frank: “Too Old To Rock’n’Roll, Too Young To Die” kind of describes the stage I am in… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rwn0R1PFUwU.
Thanks for this enjoyable break from my blog catch-up 🙂
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Madhu,
Thank you for an addition that not only wasn’t on my list, but also one that I enjoyed!
Edit … after checking the list, it was there … whew!
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🙂
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I was wondering whether this classic song by Jethro Tull would be mentioned! 😉
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… and an important correct, it was on my list!
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Somehow I missed this post. So many choices still available – from Billy Joel’s Only the good die young to one of the many versions of Death Letter Blues. I’ve decided that my better late than never contribution is Reverend Gary Davis’ Death Don’t Have No Mercy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiQfhwWcDkk
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Yahooey,
Always enjoy adding the blues to the act because I appreciate many genre. Now that’s a vintage video. Meanwhile, I;m surprised Only the Good Die Young (Billy Joel) didn’t appear, thus I used it in the next day’s post, but as we know, it should be in this act, so here it is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJBoHa3GArA … 🙂
PS: The next act is this week, Wednesday 9:30 pm (Eastern US) … and I announced the theme in the current post.
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Additional songs from Marina.
Bauhaus: Bela Lugosi’s Dead https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKRJfIPiJGY – The Smiths:The Queen Is Dead https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YS3UMjNUqFM and Alice Cooper: Dead Babies https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEe-N80w7Rs …
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So I checked the list twice, just to make sure and dang if “Wanted Dead or Alive” by Bon Jovi wasn’t already there…https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRvCvsRp5ho
And how about “After You Die” by Tom Waits https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNiRbfcuipE
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Dale,
Good one from Bon Jovi, but I just can’t get into Tom Waits.
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To tell the truth… neither can I! 😉
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Your post Life the Musical: Epilog brought me be back to this one; Death. I had never heard of Loreena McKennitt. Her songs are wonderful. I’ve been listening to some of them. Beautiful !!!
I had to post my Death song in order to post my Life song. I’m very methodical.
I’m not sure if many know this group but here goes. Even Though your Gone ~Angelis~ http://youtu.be/wBqT2SubgL0
Thank you for Life: The Musical. 😊
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Isadora,
To me, Lorena McKennitt is of similar style to Enya. I have one of her CDs, which is very enjoyable.
In the strict sense of the rule, the producer wants to gong this song. …. but, after considerable discussion, we decided that title (as a whole) fits the theme. Thanks for the beauty song and for introducing me to Angelis.
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You’ll realize as I continue to follow your blog and participate in your challenges that I have the retention of a pea. I forgot the rule the minute I continued reading. My BAD !!! 😳
I’m a concrete leaner if that helps you to know what I mean. I will go back and re-read the rules. AS a MAJOR rule follower in my life, I have begun badgering myself BUT it’s Valentine’s Day and I’m cooking my hubby dinner for when he comes home from his art show; so, I’ll badger myself tomorrow BUT then I’ll forget and it will be over. LOL You know I’ll be back …
Happy Valentine’s Day to you and your !!!! 😍
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LOL … the key is the word in the title.
Enjoy your Valentine’s Day … so what are you making hubby? Meanwhile, here’s a treat for you https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnbMYzdjuBs … pass it on.
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Hi eFrank,
So by now you might have guessed that I also must finsih things completely. My upbringing. My story I’m writing. Anyway, this is another I was going to post but changed my mind at the last minute. It’s an odd song but meaningful. Hope you like it … enjoy !!! In Life and Death – Wheesung (Eng)http://youtu.be/gErCEMyo1uQ 😃
Well, he’s a meat and potato guy. I like fish. I made steak and lobster tails, broccoli & cauliflower, a mixed green salad with feta cheese and black berries for dessert. I like wine. He doesn’t drink. He never has. He hates the taste. I will have champagne. He will have perrier with lime. Then, we’ll watch a nice movie on Netflix. 😍
BTW – if you would like to know a good movie on Netflix – Stephen King’s – The Good Wife. 😊
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Thanks for the wonderful song with the beautiful images. …. and given the menu and evening, I’ve got the feeling it was wonderful celebration.
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