Monday's Music Moves Me

Arctic Animals Loose on the Dance Floor

January 9, 2022 /

Awww Mondays hosted by Sandee from Comedy Plus.

Welcome to Monday’s Music Moves Me on Sundays! The theme this week is Winter theme songs or band names relating to arctic animals, snow/snowmen, hibernation. Feel free to expand on the idea!  

Let me go on record by saying, I’m not cleaning up the dance floor!  Who invited these critters in the first place?  What’s that, they aren’t four legged or winged or webbed toe critters?  Ahhh, it’s the two legged kind of critter! Alright, I can handle this.  When I came up with this theme, I thought yeah that sounds pretty cool and it does but gee, did I ever come up with a humdinger.  Once inspiration kicked in then all was well.  I decided to build a playlist comprising of arctic animals.  The bands I found may not have an exact match but say as where arctic should be often times the word ‘white’ is used.  That’s close enough for me. 

My list consists of a few bands/artist I knew instantly by name and the rest are new discoveries.  I hope you enjoy the music,  just hit and let the music play! 


Playlist tracks include:

  1. The Penguins was from the doo-wop era of the 50s an 60s and are best remembered for their top 40-hit.  “Earth Angel” peaked the chart at #8 on Billboard Hot 100 but took the top spot on the R&B chart for 3-weeks.  The song was used in the 80s hit film Back to the Future.
  2. Polar Bear  is a new find.  The London based group is an experimental jazz band.  The ‘Best Band’ presented by the BBC Jazz Award in 2004 was given to them and in recent past they were honored with the ‘Best Jazz Act” in 2015 by MOBO Awards and Urban Music Awards.  I sampled some of the bands’ music before settling on “Peepers” off of their 2008 album with the same name.  Although I haven’t listened to the full album, I did find it on YT if you’re curious to hear more. 
  3. Whitefoxx is a hair band from the 80s, a genre I wasn’t big into oddly enough at the time. Today, I have more appreciation for these bands.  The band ‘s history dates to 1982 where they played covers under the name Precious Metal, base in Philadelphia.  Due to lineup changes never achieved success.  I don’t know if they had a song that’s well known.  I enjoyed their sound but in the 80s the competition was fierce among the plethora of talent.  I decided to feature “Fox In White” off the bands’ 1987 Whitefoxx album.
  4. The White Animals is a southern rock band from the 80s who didn’t reach the level of success of other well known southern rock bands like R.E.M.  From what I read the group really didn’t take themselves serious.  They opened for big acts like the Kinks, the Ramones, and Talking Head. They certainly had a good sound.  I stumbled on The White Animals’s “Ecstasy” music video while listening to the next act in my line up.
  5. Walrus is a Memphis based band consisting of five members with a passion for music and desire to return to their rock roots from the 80s covering hits from their college days. Their cover of Steve Wonder’s “Superstition”.  I’m not sure if the group is actively performing as their YT channel hasn’t had any new uploads in 8-years.
  6. White Rabbit from San Antonio, Texas is another rock n’ roll band influenced by classic rock bands of the 70s and 80s – GNR, Motely Crue, Metallica, and AC/DC.  They released their debute album “Natural Disaster” in 2020.  Today’s featured pick “N.S.A.” was one of two top EPs.
  7. White Rabbits, not to be confused with the previous harey bunch but this indie rock band is from Brooklyn, New York and as of 2014 has been on hiatus.  The group produced three studio albums (2007-2012).  Today’s featured song “It’s Frightening” is off of their 2009 album of the same name.  The album charted #184 Billboard 200 (US),  #6  Billboard Heat (US) , #31 Indie (US), &  #188(UK).
  8. Seal doesn’t need any introductions.  The British singer/songwriter joined the music industry in 1987 with $20M global record sells.  I think the first time he showed up on my radar was long after his 1994 hit, “Kiss From A Rose”.  It could be I have a mental block thrown.  That year I gave birth to our last child who’s first 6-weeks were spent mixed up about nights and days.  I was a walking disaster.  How can it get worse? I had two young daughters 4 & 6 to make life more interesting. “Life On The Dancefloor” is off of Seal’s 2015 “7” album. 
  9. The Sandpipers, the arctic is home to purple sandpipers, is an easy listening American trio who is best remembered for their 1966 cover of “Guantanamera”, peaking #9 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and #3 US Adult Contemporary charts.  It became a Transatlantic Top 10 hit the same year.
  10. Whale was a Swedish 90s alternative rock band. The group broke up in 1999 after receiving little fanfare.  I decided to feature their Sweden best charting song, “Pay  For Me”. 
  11. White Wolf was a Canadian heavy metal band, formerly known as Warrior.   This genre is out of my norm.  It was the band’s 1984 single, “Shadows in the Night” (side A) caught my eye and after listening to it, I thought it was worthy to share.  The band formed in 1975.  One source says the group broke up in 1988 but came together to record a third album in 2007.  Wiki says as of 2016 the band occasionally performs at local venues. 

January’s honorary co-hostess happens to me little ole me.  This being said, the 4M co-hostess Marie, Stacy, Alana, and I invite you to hit the dance floor. 😘

This is a music linky party. Every other week we have a suggested music theme to build your song set around and all participants share YouTube or Vimeo videos for our music enthusiasts.  Failure to meet this basic guideline puts your URL in danger of being removed or labeled – NO MUSIC.

Special thanks to June from Zoolatry for creating this 4M design!

Before I go, let me mention for those interested who took part in my January 1st BOTB, here is the outcome of that battle.  That’s a wrap for now.  This is CAAC signing off, please join me next time for Tickle Me Tuesdays.  Have a boogietastic week!  X💋X💋, Cathy


  

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29 Comments

  • Birgit

    January 12, 2022 at 3:57 pm

    Well, I love that you chose animal inspired band names and a Canadian one even though I am not into heavy metal. The big hair bands always made me laugh and cringe at the same time. I love the first song and the oldie Guantanamera which I always loved.

  • angelswhisper2011

    January 10, 2022 at 12:36 pm

    That was a great list, CK, we’re crazy about Whitefoxx and The White Animals are amazing too. We didn’t know this band and will check them out later😸 Pawkisses for a Happy MOnday and week ahead🐾😽💞

    • Cathy Kennedy

      January 11, 2022 at 7:30 am

      Binky,

      Cool, so you love Whitefoxx! This has been a music education for me which I very much loved doing. It’s great to dig deep into a theme to make loads of discoveries.

    • Cathy Kennedy

      January 11, 2022 at 7:28 am

      Nicole,

      I listen to a lot of music. That’s how I find what I think are good selections to share with others. I’m happy my efforts pay off for those like you who enjoy what I come up with. 😉 Thanks for dropping by, my dear!

  • Debbie D.

    January 10, 2022 at 10:38 am

    Such a cute colony of Penguins. 🙂 And, I enjoyed your fun, eclectic playlist, Cathy! Guantanamera is a long-time favourite and you know I’m a hard rock fan. Cool that you included a Canadian band. Have a great week!

  • 15andmeowing

    January 10, 2022 at 7:24 am

    Great choices. I have heard Earth Angel but didn’t know the group was called The Penguins. 🙂 Thank you for hosting. Have a great week. XO

  • XmasDolly aka Marie

    January 9, 2022 at 11:44 pm

    Oh my, Cathy I can’t begin to tell you how much I love your songs. When I was little my brother always played his records (he was born in 1944 so he was 6 yrs. older than me, but he would let me borrow certain records and this was one of them, Earh Angel, and I still love this song. It’s awesome for sure! Oh my goodness, and your second song girlfriend come on down to the dance floor we must boogie! hehehehe Guess what hubby took me shopping today and he bought me a new winter coat (well, jacket and it’s awesome). hehehhe Never heard your next tune… but I’m sure the rest are great… Love you girlfriend!!! HUGS & have a great day!!!!!!!!!

    • Cathy Kennedy

      January 11, 2022 at 7:23 am

      Marie,

      Awww, I’m glad “Earth Angel” brought back some fond memories of your big brother. He’s a year older than my mom. 🙂 lol You gotta remember I have a young mom. She was only 16 when I was born. That’s a baby! How sweet Dave took your shopping for a new coat/jacket. That’ll keep you toasty warm now. Thanks for dropping by, my dear. Have a boogietastic week!

    • Cathy Kennedy

      January 11, 2022 at 7:20 am

      Patrick,

      Excellent, I have you down for August. You can send your two themes anytime you want for me to put on display. Thanks for picking a month and for joining us on the dance floor this week, my friend!

  • Alana

    January 9, 2022 at 2:38 pm

    Interesting mix of songs for this theme and it’s good to sample different music. I’m using “Earth Angel” in my post tomorrow and I have a feeling that song will be popular. I enjoyed listening to The White Animals, Polar Bears and Whale.

  • Sandee

    January 9, 2022 at 12:20 pm

    Love the Awww and love the videos. Great find.

    Thank you for co-hosting MMMM.

    Thank you for joining the Awww Mondays Blog Hop.

    Have a fabulous Awww Monday and week. Love and hugs, Cathy. ♥

    • Cathy Kennedy

      January 11, 2022 at 7:12 am

      Sandee,

      Thanks for stopping by to boogie with me, darlin’! I’m delighted to be apart of the 4M community. There’s no place better to groove than with Monday’s Music Moves Me!

  • Thomas Anderson

    January 9, 2022 at 7:11 am

    Hi, Cathy!

    Happy 4M Monday on Sunday, dear friend! I hope you and DH are having a nice weekend.

    What a coincidence, Cathy! In our new posts today, you and I both posted The Penguins hit song “Earth Angel,” the only difference being that I posted a cover by a young Canadian singer that I recently discovered. It is indeed a cool idea to assemble a playlist of recording artists named after Arctic animals. Whenever I listen to “Earth Angel” by the Penguins, I flash back to a defining moment from my first term of college in 1967, a moment that signaled the changing times. In a discussion of popular music in a course on mass media and pop culture I was taking, a male student stood up and remarked to the class “Thank goodness rock music is “in” so that we don”t have to listen to that “Earth Angel” garbage anymore. By singling out and mocking The Penguins classic of the 50s, my classmate was condemning the entire doo-wop category along with the sweet soul music that grew out of it. He clearly hated and dismissed any style of mewsic that wasn’t the new, hard-edged, guitar driven band sound that was becoming increasingly popular at the time. It was an early indicator of a culture rift, an “us vs them” mentality that led to the organized burning of disco records in a bonfire at a professional baseball stadium in the summer of 1979, and continues to this day with many rock lovers being haters of pop and easy listening mewsic, and people who love easy listening pop, old school doo-wop and sweet soul reluctant or unwilling to embrace rock. I say it’s their loss, the people in both camps. You and I have demonstrated eclectic taste, giving us more to enjoy, more to discover. To love one style does not mean that we automatically need to hate something that is different and unfamiliar. Don’t reject it until you have given it a fair try. My mother lived the entire second half of her life without ever giving “my music” a chance. She closed her mind to it, decided that it was all trash and not for her. It was her loss. Just some thoughts triggered by the “Earth Angel” song.

    I enjoyed the loose structure of the experimental jazz band Polar Bear and their “Peepers” jam that features a wailing sax. The 80s hair band Whitefoxx is new to me. Their sound is right in the pocket for the period. Yessum, there’s another example of how your taste in mewsic has expanded, allowing you to experience and enjoy a category that you avoided in the 80s, and manifested in your recent posting of that great album by Crazy Lixx. Yessum, I liked this live performance by The White Animals, another new to me band. I like bands that don’t take themselves too seriously. They seemed to have been influenced by the punk scene spearheaded by The Ramones. I also enjoyed the performance by the Memphis band Walrus doing their cover of a Stevie Wonder biggie. I’m flipping my lid over “No Strings Attached” by the Texas band White Rabbit. They’re my favorites so far as I make my way through your set. The Brooklyn-based indie rock band White Rabbits also have a cool sound. I read that they appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman. Yessum, I was working at that MTV station when Seal burst onto the scene. I liked this song you posted along with the story of how challenging it was for you as a mother of three young ones at the time. I admire you for doing research and learning that Sandpipers are found in the Arctic region. I well remember this song and others recorded by the Easy Listening vocal group. In the post-ABBA era, Sweden has spawned numerous edgy rock bands, and you found one of them for today’s playlist – the female-fronted band Whale – new to me – and my top favorite in this playlist. I love their heavy sound with distorted guitars, demented vocals and a bizarre video that is perfectly suited to the madness and mayhem of the song. The final act, White Wolf, beings us back to the melodic pop metal sound that was very popular in the 80s.

    This was a super set, Cathy. I thoroughly enjoyed these songs by “Arctic Animals Loose on the Dance Floor,” and your closing meme and quote are powerful words to live by. Have a wonderful Sunday and a safe and happy week ahead, dear friend! I’ll be back here to see you on TMT.

    • Cathy Kennedy

      January 11, 2022 at 7:11 am

      Tom,

      That is an interesting coincidence that we both used “Earth Angel”. I expected those on the 4M dance floor might duplicate my pick but someone who has his/her own thing going on not-so-much. That’s really quite cool! Anyway, I’m glad my song pick stirred some fond memories for you as well I’m happy you enjoyed my playlist. I had a lot of fun pulling these artists/song picks together.

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