The 500 - #142 - A Christmas Gift For You - Phil Spector

I was inspired by a podcast called The 500 hosted by New York-based comedian Josh Adam Meyers. His goal, and mine, is to explore Rolling Stone Magazine's 2012 edition of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

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Album: #142
Album Title: A Christmas Gift For You
Artist: Phil Spector
Genre: Traditional Christmas Songs, 60s Pop
Recorded: Gold Star Studios, Los Angeles
Released: November, 1963
My age at release: Not Born
How familiar was I with it before this week: A couple songs
Is it on the 2020 list? No
Song I am putting on my Spotify Playlist: 

This is a double-shot week on The 500 Blog with album #142, A Christmas Gift For You, arriving a few days after I hit publish on record #129, Remain In Light, by Talking Heads. I skipped this holiday record back in September because it wasn’t Christmas, and I wasn’t ready for sleigh bells in my headphones when I could still take a dip in Lake Erie.

But this week? I’m loving it. These songs are pure joy. A sparkling collection of “evergreen hits” that never age. Note to all aspiring songwriters: If you’re going to write one smash single, make it a Christmas song. It’ll pay you (and your estate) forever -- just ask Hugh Grant’s character in About a Boy. Anyone adding Santa’s Super Sleigh to their playlist this year?

There was a time, in my late-twenties, when I was a bit of a Scrooge about Christmas music. I wanted nothing to do with sleigh bells, jolly holly or crooners. As the holiday season rolled in, I’d cue up anything but Christmas songs. And I’ll admit, I had a little antipathy for those folks (you know who you are) who start decking the halls in late October. The pumpkin’s still on the porch, you’re knee-deep in leftover Halloween candy, and the shlocky Christmas tunes are blasting on repeat? Bah, humbug! I refuse to even think about Saint Nick or the Baby Jesus until after watching the Turkey Bowl football games on American Thanksgiving.

My peccadilloes have, as with many things, softened with time. I still like my Christmas music in December, but give an obligatory "thumbs-up" on Facebook when social media friends post their decorated mantle while the World Series is still on -- baby steps, I know.

For the past decade, I’ve been hooked on the silly social media game called Whamageddon. If you haven’t heard of it, the rules are simple -- Avoid hearing Wham!’s Last Christmas from December 1 until Christmas Eve. If you hear it, you’re out. Simple, but a comical distraction from the madness of the holidays. My students have become obsessed, too. When December rolls around they are excited to share dramatic tales of being banished to Whamhalla after those first unmistakable synth notes hit.

My record? six wins and three losses.. I’m winning again this year… but honestly, I kind of like losing. The story you get, the risk of walking into a store with holiday tunes piping in, it’s all part of the fun.

Plus, if you lose, you get to hear that delightful holiday banger early. And I love it for so many reasons. Lesser known among them is that songwriter/singer George Michael donated all its royalties to Ethiopian hunger relief when the song was released in 1984. In a strange bit of irony, he’d have been jailed in that country for being gay. Tragically, we also lost his talent on Christmas Day, 2016, at only 53.

Gem that he was, Michael's commitment to donating all profits from Last Christmas has become a long-term tradition. Each year since its release, the royalties have continued to support hunger relief efforts around the world through the George Michael Fund, distributing proceeds to multiple charities close to his heart.

Holy Holiday distractions! Let's get back to Phil Spector His A Christmas Gift For You sparkles, even if the man behind it was, as I’ve said before in these blog posts, a reprehensible human being. But the record? It’s a time capsule of joy. It features some of the best female vocalists of the ‘60s, including Darlene Love, The Ronettes and The Crystals, bringing magic to the holiday season.

So, yeah, I've retired my grumpy-pants Scrooge routine and I am embracing all of the holiday hits...as long as it is December.

Happy Holidays to you all and thank you for supporting my blog posts this year.

The 500 - #421 Best of the Girl Groups - Volumes 1 & 2

I was inspired by a podcast called The 500 hosted by Los Angeles-based comedian Josh Adam Meyers. His goal, and mine, is to explore Rolling Stone's 2012 edition of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. 

Album # 421

Album Title: The Best of the Girl Groups - Volumes 1 & 2
Artist: Various Artists
Genre: Pop, Rhythm & Blues (R&B)
Recorded: 1960s
Released: 1990
My age at release: 34
How familiar was I with it before this week: Quite Familiar (These are Classics)
Song I am putting on my Spotify Mix: The Shoop Song - Betty Everett

The Best of the Girl Groups - Volumes 1 & 2 was a two-CD compilation released by Rhino Records in 1990. These discs contains 36 well known tracks by the "girl groups" of the 1960s, including seven songs that hit number one and another 14 tracks that made it to the Top Ten. A decision was made to include 15 additional tracks to provide context for the genre and, according to the AllMusic website, "keep the collection interesting for serious fans of girl group pop."

A "girl group" is defined as a musical group composed of several female singers who harmonize together. It is also a term that denotes a wave of American female pop singers who were influenced by doo-wop music. Their heyday occurred in the time between early Rock and Roll and The British Invasion (approximately 1955-1965).

Recently, after publishing my post about The Supremes: Anthology, a friend cautioned me about using the term "girl group". He wondered if, in the cultural climate of 2020, referencing adult female artists as "girls" might be unwise. This gave me pause and I have been considering it for several days.

I'm an open-minded and socially conscious person. However, I recognize that I probably have hidden, learned biases that I should take into account. Ultimately, I viewed this as an opportunity to check for stereotyping, prejudices and any discrimination on my part.

Is it okay to use the term "girl group"? 

INTENTION AND CONTEXT

Words in isolation are powerless. It is context and intention that give them power. Consider the word "honey". Honey is a sweet, sticky, yellowish-brown fluid made by bees from the nectar of flowers. It is often used in a different context as a term of endearment or affection. My friend's mom, whom I have known for over 40 years, calls me "honey" and I take no offence. In fact, it always makes me smile when she does. However, I would never use the word "honey" when addressing someone I have just met. 

The term "girl group" was never intended to have a negative or pejorative context. In fact, the term "girl" is frequently embraced in positive context by many, including women, over the past 30+ years.

• In the 90s, The Spice Girls rocked female tenacity with their call for Girl Power which was, to some extent, co-opted from the Riot Grrrl feminist punk movement of the late 80s.
• "The Girls" was a moniker that fans used to identify the main cast of the popular HBO series Sex and The City. Granted, that program had some problematic moments, as detailed here. But, the intention was to celebrate the comically complicated lives of modern, self-sufficient thirty-something "girls" living in New York City in the 2000s. 
• 2013 brought us another HBO program, Girls, created by feminist and activist Lena Dunham. This series following the lives of twenty-something millennials living in New York City. 
• Finally, the refrain "Hey girl" is regularly used in casual conversation by female friends -- not to mention the popularity of the Hey Girl meme featuring Ryan Gosling which has been circulating since 2008. Its history can be found here.

An example of the "Hey Girl" meme

COMPARATIVE CONTEXT

There is a male equivalent to "girl group" and it is, of course, the "boy band".  The term boy band began with The Beatles but many would argue that The Beatles were a rock group and not a boy band. When examining the current definition of a "boy band", it is clear that The Beatles do not fit that mold. 

The term "Boy Band" refers to a musical group of several male singers (but sometimes musicians) who are typically teenagers or in their early twenties. Unlike girl groups, who appeal to a wider audience, boy bands perform songs that are marketed toward young women. Often, choreographed dance sequences are part of their performance. The most popular examples include The Jackson Five, New Kids on the Block, Boys II Men, Backstreet Boys, N'SYNC, One Direction and, most recently, the Korean pop (KPop) group BTS. 

Popular Boy Bands from Five Decades

Twenty four years as a Grade 4-8 educator has helped me become a bit of an expert on "boy bands". I have graded essays, poems, art work, stories, poster boards, websites, blogs and presentations dedicated to nearly every popular boy band since 1996. 

IN CONCLUSION

• The word "girl group" was never intended to be used negatively to describe the women who performed in these bands.
• No member of any "girl group" has ever raised a concern about that description.
• As detailed above, the word "girl" has plenty of positive connotations when used to describe a female over the age of 18.
• Although the word "girl" can be used disparagingly, that is not the case here.
• Boy Band is the male equivalent and it is used nearly identically with similar, positive connotations.

So, what does it mean to me? 

That's easy.  When I use, or hear, the words "girl group" I think of a group of talented, harmonizing females making awesome music. My mind goes to The Supremes, The Ronettes, The Chiffons, Bananarama, The Spice Girls, Destiny's Child and TLC. In every case, my reaction is complimentary. All of that music is terrific and so are the 36 songs you will find on these two companion records: Best of the Girl Groups Volumes 1 & 2. 

A FINAL NOTE 

I dismiss any argument that male singing groups are advantaged because they are called "bands" - the suggestion being that they are taken more seriously as musicians.

Clearly, "boy band" and "girl group" have their roots in alliteration. Additionally, the voice is an instrument -- all of these artists are musicians. 

Next up: The Chirping Crickets by The Crickets