The Wednesday Song (One Hit Wonder Edition)

I got SOOOOOOOOOOO much crap for liking this song when it came out back in 1997 (wow, I can't believe that was over ten years ago). But it's a one-hit-wonder that's still darn catchy, even today. Enjoy.

The Wednesday Song

You can't turn on the TV or radio these day without hearing At Last but Etta James. But every time I hear it, I can't help but think to myself, "Yes, it's beautiful, but what about I'd Rather Go Blind??"

I'd Rather Go Blind is my all-time favorite Etta James song. If you haven't heard it, take a listen and let me know what you think.

Grammar rant

I'm not directing this to the lovely little group of people who choose to read this blog. I'm actually directing this to English-speaking people at large, with the hopes that some of you, who may not realize your mistakes, might read this and change your ways. :)

1) It's not "I seen", it's "I've seen".

2) There is no such word as "irregardless".

3) If you say, "I could care less" it means you CAN care less. Which means that you actually do care. The proper term is: "I couldn't care less."

4) Alot? No. A lot? Yes!

5) Casted is not a word, as in: "I don't know why she was casted to play that role in the movie." "Cast" is the past tense and the present tense of the word. Correct: "I don't know why she was cast to play that role in the movie."

6) Orientated and disorientated. No and no. It's oriented and disoriented.

7) Supposably? Oh God no. It's supposedly.

8) Could of? No. Could have? Yes!

And finally, here are some words that I wish people used more often. They are fading into obscurity and it makes me very sad because they ROCK:

1) Schadenfreude.

From Merrium-Webster online:

Pronunciation: \ˈshä-d^ən-ˌfrȯi-də\

Function: noun

Usage: often capitalized

Etymology: German, from Schaden damage + Freude joy

Date: 1895

: enjoyment obtained from the troubles of other

My example: "Watching America's Home Videos is how I get my daily dose of schadenfreude."

2) Sturm und Drang.

From Merrium-Webster online:

Pronunciation: \ˌshtu̇rm-u̇nt-ˈdräŋ, ˌstu̇rm-, -ənt-\

Function: noun

Etymology: German, literally, storm and stress, from Sturm und Drang (1776), drama by Friedrich von Klinger †1831 German novelist and dramatist

Date: 1845

1 : a late 18th century German literary movement characterized by works containing rousing action and high emotionalism that often deal with the individual's revolt against society

My example: "The 2008 Presidential election was filled with Sturm und Drang on both sides."

3) Skulduggery.

From Merrium-Webster online:
Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural skul·dug·ger·ies

Etymology: origin unknown

Date: 1867
: underhanded or unscrupulous behavior; also : a devious device or trick

My example: "Tony Soprano is the master of skulduggery."

It's odd that all three of these words begin with the letter "S". Huh. I didn't plan it that way but it's sort of neat!

Anyway, if you have any grammar rants, etc. that you'd like to add here, I'd love to read your comments!

Original vs. Cover: "Fools in Love"

I missed this week's Wednesday Song so I thought I'd post something a little different for you.

The song "Fools in Love" by Joe Jackson is a song I've loved for decades. A few years ago, the artist Inara George did a version of "Fools in Love" that I actually ended up loving almost as much as the original. I thought I'd play them both for you now, to see which one you like best.

The original:

"Fools in Love" by Joe Jackson.



The cover:

"Fools in Love" by Inara George.



Which version do you like best? The original or the cover?

The Wednesday Song

This week's song is one that I've loved for a long time (way before they started using it for tango dances on Dancing with the Stars!).

Really, this song just screams sexy to me. I love how Gotan Project takes traditional tango music and gives it such a modern twist. Enjoy.

"Santa Maria (Del Buen Arye)" by Gotan Project

Sebastian Maniscalco on Jay Leno this Monday!

If you saw this post I made a while back featuring comic Sebastian Maniscalco doing his famous "Ross Dress for Less" bit, then you know that he's one funny dude. He's so funny, in fact, that I signed up for his mailing list, which is how I found out that he'll be appearing on Jay Leno this coming Monday, 10/26.

I first saw Sebastian on Vince Vaughn's Wild West Comedy Show, and I've just adored him ever since. His observational humor, combined with his hilarious facial expressions, make him one of the top comics in stand-up today (in my opinion, of course).

So be sure to check him out on Monday and hopefully he'll be just as funny as ever.

Music Wednesday

On my other blog, I do something called The Wednesday Question. So on Nouveau Sweet, I'm going to start featuring a different youtube video each week.

This week's video is for the PJ Harvey song "Shame". This song moved me beyond words the first time I heard it back in 2004 (from the PJ Harvey album "Uh-Huh Her"), and it continues to move me today. If you've ever done some things in a relationship that you're not exactly proud of, then this song's for you.

Lyrics to "Shame" by PJ Harvey:

I don't need no rising moon
I don't need no ball and chain
I don't need anything but you
Such a shame, shame, shame
Shame, shame, shame
Shame is the shadow of love

You changed my life
We were as green as grass
And I was hypnotized
From the first 'til the last
Kiss of shame, shame, shame
Shame is the shadow of love

I'd jump for you into the fire
I'd jump for you into the flame
Tried to go forward with my life
I just feel shame, shame, shame
Shame, shame, shame
Shame is the shadow of love

If you tell a lie
I still would take the blame
If you pass me by
It’s such a shame, shame, shame