Battle of the Bands

2019 #BoTB Round 4 #America VS #Captain&Tennille in the “Muskrat Love” Showdown

February 15, 2019 /

This is DH off Friday. It’s also a holiday weekend so I get an extra day with him on Monday, so I am MIA in Blogosphere, folks. Don’t let that stop ya, though. I’ll get around to visiting everyone. You’re in luck today this is a two-for-one post with your weekly giggles and mid-February round of Battle of the Bands!

I came up with today’s song choice several months ago and decided to use it for the month of love.  Sure Valentine’s Day was yesterday but I’m running with the theme still using an oldie “Muskrat Candlelight” written & recorded by Willis Alan Ramsey in 1972.

 Honestly, I do not remember ever hearing the original and didn’t know that ‘candlelight’ was part of the song title. There aren’t a lot of covers of this oldie and the song title change with the first cover artist in 1973 which you’ll get a chance to hear in a sec. I think in this showdown it’s going to be a matter of which version you grew up listening to sway your voting opinion.

For those of you who are a few years older, then you’re more than likely to remember my first candidate America

 

Going up against them is the 70s pop sensation and the ones I remember the best singing this song. Give it up for Captain & Tennille!

**Voting period ends 12 pm EST Feb. 21st**

 

Who gets your vote, America or Captain & Tennille?

 

 

 


You’ll find more awesome battles underway at some of these blog listed below (not everyone is doing the bi-monthly showdowns now) and if you’d like to be included in the fun, then contact Stephen requesting to be added to the list.

✩ai loves music✩ (Amy), Angels Bark (Michele),  Cherdo on the Flipside,  The Doglady’s Den (Debbie),   Jingle Jangle Jungle (Mary), Mike’s Ramblings,   STMcC Presents BoTB (Stephen, BoTB Manager),   The Sound of One Hand Typing (John), &  Tossing It Out (Lee)

Don’t forget to leave your vote (highly recommended) for your favorite artist in comments and if you want you can tell me why your pick is the better candidate but that’s optional. Next week this time, I’ll announce the winner, so mark your calendar to check back and don’t forget you’re invited to hit the dance floor (weekly themes on right) with the Mondays Mewsic Moves Me crew!

X💋X💋, Cathy


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34 Comments

    • Cathy Kennedy

      February 21, 2019 at 4:50 am

      Cherdo,

      I’m sorry dearie that you’re not feeling well. It wasn’t necessary to stop in to play alone. I totally get it when you’re under the weather, but I appreciate your spirit. Thanks for voting for Captain & Tennille. Check back tomorrow if you’re feeling better to see who is crowned the winner. Now, get some rest and take care!! xx 😘

  • Birgit

    February 18, 2019 at 10:05 am

    I wonder how muskrats love…I probably saw it once on Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom. I didn’t know this song was old as I thought The Captain & Tenille created this song. I have to go with them especially with the funky music sound trying to be a muskrat..I believe. It’s not. Favourite of mine. The pic of The Captain and Tenille…is it just me or does it look like she is ready to eat him?

    • Cathy Kennedy

      February 18, 2019 at 12:39 pm

      Birgit,

      It does look like Toni is fixing to Daryl in the video still shot. lol That’s so funny. I found this muskrat clip if you’d like to hear how one sounds. I didn’t know until now how much a muskrat looks like a beaver. Thanks for voting for Captain & Tennille.

  • aisasami

    February 17, 2019 at 7:57 am

    At first I was going to choose America because that was something I was familiar with since when I was little. But, I played Captain & Tennille’s version, I feel in love. Even though it is slower and mellower than America’s version. I love the lovely vocal twist at the end of the chorus.

    • Cathy Kennedy

      February 18, 2019 at 12:18 pm

      Amy,

      You’re the only who’s mentioned knowing America’s version of this classic and I’m surprised you went with Captain and Tennille. I was certain after reading the first part of your comment that you would’ve gone with your what you grew up listening to. 🙂

    • Cathy Kennedy

      February 18, 2019 at 12:10 pm

      John,

      I was getting a bit worrisome if these two would get out of the gate but they are picking up momentum nicely now. Thanks for voting for Captain & Tennille. I’ll see you soon!

  • Mary B

    February 15, 2019 at 10:09 pm

    While I am more familiar with Captain and Tenille’s version, I do have to say that I prefer America.

    Sorry for the short comment. Just doing a quick drive by to cast votes this time around.

    ~Mary

    • Cathy Kennedy

      February 18, 2019 at 12:00 pm

      Mary,

      No worries about short comments. Sometimes life gets the best of us and that’s about all we can do. 🙂 Thanks for the effort to swing by to vote for America in this round, dearie. Have a groovy week!

  • Stephen T. McCarthy

    February 15, 2019 at 8:23 pm

    CATHY ~
    I had to laugh! In my book, ‘Muskrat Love’ isn’t too awfully far removed from Laurie Partridge and Marcia Brady!
    ;oD

    I’m extremely familiar with both versions, but give my vote to AMERICA, please. I always did find that Captain & Tennille version (with all those muskrat noises in it) to be way too syrupy, too cute. Pretty darned annoying, to be blunt. (Just too “Marcia, Marcia, Marcia!!!”) And, oh, my gosh, AM radio played it every ten minutes, way back then. It’s on my short list of most overplayed songs. (Right up there with The Doobies’ ‘Black Water’, The Eagles’ ‘Hotel California’, and Billy Joels’ ‘Piano Man’, etc.)

    ~ D-FensDogG
    STMcC Presents BATTLE OF THE BANDS

    • Cathy Kennedy

      February 18, 2019 at 11:12 am

      Stephen,

      I didn’t have time to pull together Laurie vs Marcia battle, so I’m glad this one came close to it. lol Just teasing you ole pal! I sorta figured going into this showdown ‘Muskrat Love’ might take a little heat because it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. That’s okay, I’m a big girl and can take it! There are songs I listened to when I was younger than played forever on the radio and that did get a bit annoying even those that were my favorites but these days I soak it all up because of the so-called today is so stinking bad.

      Thanks for joining me in the fun and I have you down for America, my friend!

  • Sandee

    February 15, 2019 at 12:56 pm

    I like America, but my vote is for Captain & Tennille. I’m guessing it’s because it’s the one I remember.

    Hope you and hubby had a wonderful Valentines Day.

    Have a fabulous day and weekend, Cathy. Love you. ♥

  • Myke Todd

    February 15, 2019 at 11:31 am

    Back in my radio deejay days in Memphis, in the mid 1970s, we interviewed Willis Alan Ramsey, live on the air. That night, I saw him perform in concert. What an eventful day that was!

    I prefer the America version of these two featured. Thank you.

    • Cathy Kennedy

      February 18, 2019 at 9:42 am

      Myke,

      How cool is that you, your radio station interview Willis Alan Ramsey!! I thought he did his song justice but overall I prefer both of my contenders in this round over the original. Thanks for sharing your experience and for voting for America! 🙂

  • Debbie D.

    February 15, 2019 at 11:14 am

    Hi Cathy; I’m surprised anyone other than The Capt. and Tenille recorded this song, since that’s the only version I know (and dislike – sorry). At least America made it sound a little better, so they get my vote. Wishing you and DH a Happy Long Weekend!

    • Cathy Kennedy

      February 17, 2019 at 2:00 pm

      Debbie,

      It certainly doesn’t surprise me that you’re picking America over their rival in this round. I figured most of my fellow BoTBers will like America better. Discovering new tidbits about a song or artist is what I really like about these showdowns.

  • -Eugenia

    February 15, 2019 at 10:32 am

    Well, I’ve always liked Capt and Tennielle, and while I like their version of Muskrat Love, something about it doesn’t click with me. I’m casting my vote for America because I like their pleasing sound.

  • Arlee Bird

    February 15, 2019 at 8:30 am

    You provided info about this song that I certainly didn’t know. Though I must confess that I’ve never looked into this song’s background since I didn’t ever care for it that much. It’s kind of sweet and innocuous, but it’s also kind of weird.

    I’m going with America on this choice, but why not–the group’s got a great name and they’ve always been a favorite with me.

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out

    • Cathy Kennedy

      February 16, 2019 at 8:46 pm

      Brian,

      I always liked America. I have some fond memories tied to their mewsic of spending part of my summer break with my uncle and his wife. They always played an America album to help me fall asleep. I like Daryl Dragon & Toni Tennille. I have your vote recorded for Captain & Tennille.

  • Thomas Anderson

    February 15, 2019 at 5:50 am

    Hi, Cathy!

    I hope you and DH had a great V-Day, dear friend. I enjoyed these V-day related Friday Sillies. As for your BOTB this round, I wasn’t even aware that the song was originally entitled “Muskrat Candlelight” and originally recorded by the man who penned it, Willis Alan Ramsey. I also did not know that America got hold of the song next and decided to record it as “Maskrat Love” and release it as a single over the objections of their record label Warner Bros. The fear was that America would weaken its image as a hip rock band by recording softer rock material of this kind. The band pushed ahead with their plans and scored a modest hit with the song, but did experience a slight downturn in popularity as a result. It is interesting to note that some fans were disappointed when America did not play “Muskrat Love” at live shows while other fans were relieved and thanked them for leaving it out. After Captain and Tennille recorded their pop version to great success, “Muskrat Love” started showing up on “worst songs” lists. The C & T version is the only one I remember, and while I am not put off by it. their style just isn’t for me. I was sorry to see that Captain (Daryl Dragon) died last month at the age of 76. After all this rambling, I will get to my vote. I admire a band that is willing to defy their record company and risk losing fans in order to present the type of material that suits them and satisfies them artistically. I salute America for standing up to the pressure put on them by Warner Bros. and recording “Muskrat Love.” It’s a version that pleases my ears, a charming song in their capable hands, and the band gets my vote.

    Have a wonderful weekend, dear friend Cathy!

    • Cathy Kennedy

      February 16, 2019 at 8:42 pm

      Tom,

      DH and I are enjoying our time together. Thanks for asking. We’re just keeping low key. We went to Bryson City today and have been home only a short while. We haven’t had dinner yet, so we’ll do that before long. Maybe, we’ll score a little TV watching one of our Netflix series. 🙂 I appreciate your interest in my posts and bi-weekly BoTB. Thanks for joining me in this edition. I never got the big fuss with fans when a rocker did something. Think about that if bands did what the fans wanted every time then we’d miss out on some good songs, like ‘Beth’ and America’s cover of Muskrat Love. I’m glad that this rock band did what they wanted with recording the song. I think they do a very nice job.

      Yeah, it’s a shame Daryl Dragon isn’t with us anymore and I had this post together months before his death. I’m a Captain & Tennille fan from their hay days and now I just think on their mewsic as sweet memories of an innocent time.

      I have you down for Americaa, my friend. I hope you and Mrs. Shady had a lovely ❤️Day.

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