Oct. 1st #IWSG collides with #BOTB
Hello, kittens & dawgs! Another day, another month gone by and here we are at the start of October. This morning, I’m joining two posts into one: IWSG & BOTB. I like to think of it as being organized, but that’s far from being the truth. If you look up the word disorganized in the dictionary, you’ll find a picture of me there. I swear, it’s true! Go look!
I’m feeling a little melancholy. My adult child is riding out a storm…a self-made one at that. Life is filled with turbulence without inviting trouble. Letting go is the hardest thing a parent can do, but I found by placing complete trust in God I am at peace. I’m human. It hurts. I feel unsettled, but I fight to keep these demons away because it does no good to make myself sick over what is out of my hands.
So, what’s a parent to do?
Getting mad at my kid helps a lot. Really it does! I exercise harder, I bang or pound stuff louder, I release this anger in a positive way, as I remind myself that I prepared my children for life to always do what’s right. Somewhere in my anger, I Pray for God’s peace in my life and protection over my child, then all is good. I feel refreshed and comforted by unseen hands.
I will admit times like these I yearn for the day when they were small; where I could keep the world away, chase their fears into the dark, or kiss their boo-boos. Letting go is the hardest thing a parent can do.
My #IWSG contribution is…
Faint memories of
…bedtime prayers
…teddy bears
…cookies and milk
…fairy Tales
…tender kisses
…sweet embraces
…teary eyes
…soft good-byes
How do you handle the crisis your children bring on themselves?
Let’s switch gears. Nothing brightens my mood like music. This is why I devote two posts each week to this subject and whenever BOTB gets added to the weekly mix then you’re in for three music installments. Whoo-hoo!
Today’s featured song tells a folk tale of a cowboy with a vision of a red-eyed, steel-hooved cattle thundering across the sky, being chased by the spirits of damned cowboys. One warns of his doom to join them, forever “trying to catch the Devil’s herd across these endless skies if he does not change his ways. Do you know the name of the song?
Ghost Riders in the Sky was written by Stan Jones in the late 40s and originally recorded by Burl Ives. The cover recorded in six other languages by more than 50 artists, since its release in 1949. With so many possibilities to choice from for today’s sing off, how will I decide?
That being said, let the battle begin!
Instantly, I thought of Johnny Cash. Who wouldn’t think of this legend without thinking of the cover Ghost Riders in the Sky first? I’m not a huge country fan and I am trying to think outside the box…a little anyway while keeping my picks narrowed to two. Oh, this is soo hard!
The resonate voice of Vaughn Moore is a perfect match for Ghost Riders in the Sky without the country/western flavor and the haunting, twang of Duane Eddy on guitar without words is fabulous. Keep focused, Cathy! Keep focused! Staying true to my rockin’ roll roots, here are my two top choices:
Debbie Harry ….
The Outlaws…
Okay, here’s what you do to vote. In my comments section, tell me which band you like the best and why. After you’re done, then why not see what other BOTB participants (see below) are sharing.
STMcC Presents ‘Battle of the Bands’
Creative Outlet of Stratplayer
Just for the fun of it, I thought you might like to know that The Blues Brothers 2000 performed this song in their film. I’m a big fan of the first movie and had no clue another was made. Now, I gotta check it out!
Visit Stephen for details on BOTB. I will share the winning outcome on Monday’s Music Moves Me post on the 13th, so I hope you’ll stop by to learn the results. Until then, have a tunetastic day and thank you for rockin’ my world on Battle of the Bands!
15 Comments
John Holton
I’m with Birgit. Precisely because this isn’t a natural fit and because of the ’80’s arrangement, I’m going with Deborah Harry on this one. If you’re going traditional with it, give me Burl Ives or Duane Eddy over these guys.
Birgit
I do not have children but I was a child once upon a time. My parents had no problem showing their anger to me when I deserved it. They brought me to funerals when I was little because they felt if I see it when I am young it will not shock me later and I agree with that. They gave me discipline which is part of love and they helped me leave the nest sort of speak. They always worried, my mom especially but she would always make sure I could call or come home if I needed an extra hug. No parent is perfect all you can do is the best you can and realize kids have to stumble and find their way back up but if they know you are there, it feels better. Now on the band front, I will be a lone wolf and pick Blondie! I remember when this came out and I liked that unique version. Yes The Outlaws are more traditional but I didn’t like the guitar riffs and going “crazy”. Now if you would have picked Burl Ives or Johnny Cash or Lorne Greene (yup he did one too-I have the album), I would have picked them, um one of them:)
dolorah
I find getting mad at my kids, and telling them so, helps a lot. Then I have a glass of wine and go into my own little world 🙂
Of course Johnny Cash is THE ONLY singer for this song! I do like Debbie’s voice, she does this song well. I am a devout Blondie fan, Debbie has one of the most beautiful female voices, Imo. And i’m a fan of techno. But for me, this will always be a country, male song, and I liked the heavier guitars of The Outlaws. My vote goes to The Outlaws.
BTW: this is Donna Hole of A Writers Life in Progress. I had to delete that blog, and am writing under dolorah at Book Lover now. I haven’t started back into the BotB yet, but probably will starting at the first of the year. You might want to delete the link to that old blog. I’ll have to remind Mr Sexy McCarthy.
Robin
Unlike many folks, I don’t dislike Blondie. I am an 80s kid, so I grew up on her music. That said, this just wasn’t a natural fit for her. Honestly, I am not sure why she recorded it. Now… that said… It turned out better than I expected it would.
This a natural fit for The Outlaws and they do a good job with it. The intro was a bit long for my taste, but they still win this handily. Chalk up another one for The Outlaws.
Children. I think the best you can do is trust in how you raised them. Sometimes they need to rebel and swing out a bit (during that time, pray) but eventually they settle back into the person you raised them to be. Sorry I don’t have any great advice:(
Alex J. Cavanaugh (@AlexJCavanaugh)
I don’t have kids, so I can’t even imagine. you just have to pray and trust in God. And try not to kill your kids.
Sorry i didn’t participate in BOTB this time – too much with the IWSG on the same day. Never been a fan of Deborah Harry (and I don’t think she’s that attractive, either) so I’ll have to give it to the Outlaws.
mike spain
The Outlaws version gets my vote. I like Debbie Harry and her version. I like guitars better but the battle got closer due to the over long intro on the Outlaws.
Stephen T. McCarthy
Being unmarried without children, I can’t offer any advice in the family life situation. But I DO know that you can’t go wrong in turning any problem over to God. You just do the best that you know to do and then let God make His play.
As for ‘BOTB’…
Well, as a teenager, my best friend was a Blondie fan, but I suspected he was more interested in Debbie Harry’s face and body than he was in her music.
Me, I never liked Debbie Harry and her band even when she was doing that “New Wave” synth-pop stuffs (or whatever one wants to call it), never mind her trying to do some legendary rural music like ‘Ghost Riders In The Sky’.
Very interesting that Burl Ives recorded the song first. I had no idea, but I generally like Burl Ives, so I may have to visit YouTube and listen to that.
I suppose the version I’m most familiar with and like best is by the great Sons Of The Pioneers, but this Outlaws version was pretty good too.
Easy, easy choice for me: Go “Outlaw” or go home. Ha!
I hope all the family issues work out just fine, Cathy.
~ D-FensDogg
‘Loyal American Underground’
Linda, Shenandoah Valley
I just saw something yesterday (may have been on HuffPost) about adult children. They said to encourage them and let them know you have confidence in them as they handle their problems.
I know I’ve helped my adult daughter sometimes but the main thing is to be there for them and let them know you love them. Best of luck!
mlouisebarbourfundyblue
Oops! Here’s my URL: http://selkiegrey4.blogspot.com
mlouisebarbourfundyblue
Hi Cathy! I’m visiting as a co-host from the IWSG today. You posed a tough question today. I don’t have an answer for you, because I don’t have children; but I do know that unconditional love helps a lot. Adults have to work through and learn from their mistakes, but it’s great to have parents who believe in you and encourage you. You don’t have to be a rescuer or a helicopter parent, but you can help dust a kiddo off when he gets up. I’m hoping it all works out for your child/adult. Couldn’t resist you BOTB. Live “Ghost Riders in the Sky.” Who knew Debby Harry had a version? Can I vote for the Sons of the Pioneers? Just kidding ~ I’ll go with the Outlaws. Take care! Sending you a *hug*
Far Away Eyes
I think Chris Fries really summed it up well; ‘their drama is not your drama’. I know how hard it is to watch someone we love go through serious hardship, especially when they’ve brought it on themselves, but there comes a time when you have to protect yourself and leave them to God. OK, I know easier said than done.
BOTB – I really like this song, but neither of these is my favorite. I was prepared to really dislike Debbie’s version, but found that it wasn’t horrible, but heck this is a ‘cowboy song’ and it just sounds wrong with all that electrical carp going on.
Gotta give my vote to The Outlaws. They seem more in tune with the song and what I’m used to (all except for the end).
DiscConnected
I have no kids, but can only imagine that you worry about them pretty much from the moment the delivering physician slaps their butt (I’m surprised more parents don’t yell “Don’t hit my kid!” in the delivery room).
Re BOTB-while I did like the DH arrangement, I’ve got to go with the version I listened to a billion times back in the day-Outlaws!
Arlee Bird
Debby Harry’s version is fine, but Chris pretty well summed it up for me. I too go with the Outlaws–sounds more true to the song topic.
My kids are all gone and on their own. I did my part and mostly I guess I did okay since my daughters are all doing okay. Once they set out on their own I think it’s natural for parents to be concerned, but usually we don’t have much control and if we do control a lot then I think there’s something unhealthy about that. But yeah, I worry sometimes and I sometimes miss the old times.
Lee
Tossing It Out
Chris Fries
Oh definitely the Outlaws. The poppy synth-beat version by Debby Harry is cute but totally out of place on this song. The Outlaws do the song the right way. this is an easy vote for me.
Storms in life are what we need in order to appreciate the clam and joyous times when everything is going smoothly. But they can sure be a struggle to get through, and some people just seem to find ways of generating storms after storms. It can be especially hard when they’re people we love.
Hang in there!!! Remember that their drama is NOT your drama, and that their trials are NOT yours. If they’re adult, it’s not up to you to solve their problems, and we actually do more harm than good by doing so (codependency, anyone???). Just love them, encourage them, and wish them the best. And then love them some more.
Cathrina Constantine
It’s always hard to let go, and I also wish my kids were small and near. It sounds like you’re handling it the best you know how. I tend to pray a lot.