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Squirrel!!!

Seriously though, I get distracted easily. I start these challenges, then I forget to finish them. I'm trying to tie up loose ends before the end of the year, and for that you are welcome.

Hey...they are a few days left in 2013. ;)

Here are the bands and artists from the tail end of the alphabet that I know and love.

X - I got nothing. I tried.

Weird Al Yankovic
He did weird before it was trendy. I love him. I wish he made more videos.


Young MC
Okay, so it was really just the one song, but oh what a song it was. You know all the words to this one. Go ahead, sing along.

You want it? You got it.


Young the Giant
They're mostly just another one of the great many alternative rock bands, but this song in particular resonates with me enough that I'm putting it here.


Youngbloods
They weren't around a whole long time, they didn't release a ton of records, they never hit super stardom, but I can promise you that this song is part of the soundtrack of your life.


Yardbirds
The English rock band that produced Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page, they helped introduce the world to the distortion pedal and for that we thank them. They're also in the Hall, which is awesome.


Neil Young
I don't really need to write much, do I? Good. I didn't think so.


ZZ Top
I love me some guitar riffs that just go from the start. This music is totally not about the lyrics. Not even a little bit. I love me some crazy ass beards. I love me some ZZ Top.


ZZ Ward
She's new. She's young. She's sexy. And she sang this. Oh my.

I can see the finish line. It's so close.

Let's just do this thing, shall we?

Barry White
The smooth, soulful voice that helped make many babies, this stuff is still damn good. Gentlemen....lemme tell you this....I don't know a single woman who wouldn't swoon if you played this song for her.


Kanye West
Quite possibly the dude with the biggest ego in the world, he's also talented enough to force most of the world to tolerate him. He really is an ass, but dammitall if he can't write some catchy lyrics. The one thing you either love or hate about this guy is that he's honest. Brutally, with no filter. Instead, he packs a megaphone. He's always pissed, and I tend to love people like that. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm fully aware of the fact that he probably resents the fact that I love his music, but I'm good that way. Get down, K, go 'head get down. And yeah, I'm only linking the censored version.



Wham!
The duo from whence came George Michael, they were the personification of pop music in the early 80s.


Amy Winehouse
Yet another member of the 27 Club, she was a musical genius with a voice unlike anyone else, but the lure of drugs and booze was too strong. The world lost a good one. If only she'd actually gone to rehab...



Warren G
Gangster rap wouldn't be what it was without someone to regulate.


Whitesnake
Don't lie. You wanted to shake your ass on the hood of Whitesnake's car, didn't you? Hell yes you did. I don't know where I'm going, but I sure know where I've been. They brought spiral perms to the men, yes they did.


The Who
No reason to write anything, just this.


Weezer
They are weird and quirky, half of their song lyrics make no sense, but that makes me love them more.


Stevie Wonder
How can anyone not love Stevie??? I don't think it's possible.


Steve Winwood
His career has lasted forever and some of his songs are the anthems of the 80s. Like this one.


The White Stripes
Jack White is a freaking genius.

Look at this!!! Two days in a row. Don't get accustomed to this kind of consistency, people. Squirrel!!!

Off we go.

Luther Vandross
Oh that voice. This is the kind of music that goes best with a fireplace and a bottle of wine.


Stevie Ray Vaughan
Blues, rock and a hell of a guitar. This is the music I could listen to in a dimly lit bar all.night.long.


Violent Femmes
Fast, angry and all kinds of awesome. They were by far one of the best early alternative bands, and their influence on music lingers today. Thank god.


Van Halen
The rock band that lived on the walls of many teenage girls' walls for a long, long time, they still draw huge crowds. They changed rock and roll and were a part of the stadium rock movement, playing to bigger and bigger audiences. The line-up change that will live in infamy, David Lee Roth was replaced by Sammy Hagar when they were close to the peak of their career. Their influence on music and videos is pretty easy to see here.


Richie Valens
Thanks to the movie La Bamba and Lou Diamond Phillips' portrayal of him, I'm pretty sure that there were at least two entire generations of women who had the hots for him. Lost far too early in a plane crash, he was a breath of fresh air and one of the first voices in a whole new genre of music.


Veruca Salt
Named after the obnoxious character in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, they were edgy and raw, and came about just at the time the world was ready for their lyrics. I love this stuff when I'm angry. LOVE IT.


Vanilla Ice
You know you loved this terrible, catchy rap. You know it. Don't try and kid yourself or anyone else. Go ahead and sing along....we all know you know all the lyrics. Stop. Collaborate and listen.


Village People
What isn't to love??? Costumes, poking fun at stereotypes, catchy lyrics, boundary pushing....I love it all.

Why hello there, music challenge. It's been a long time, now hasn't it?

I will admit that I stalled on this letter for a reason, one that I will sorta explain in a little bit.

I'm going to try and finish this up within the next week so that I can get back to the matter of the summer school of rock.

Off we go.

Carrie Underwood
Easily one of the biggest success stories to come out of the American Idol franchise, she's the girl next door. Beautiful and talented, her songs, like most of those that come out of the country genre, are the kind that tear at the heartstrings just a little bit. This one is one of my favorites, because I've found myself at this point, looking for something to believe in.


UB40
This band was one of those testing limits of genres in a way no one saw coming. Brits that sing reggae? What? They did and they did it well. Go ahead, sing along.


Keith Urban
The country boy who isn't from here at all, he was born in New Zealand and raised in Australia. Now he's uber famous, has been a judge on American Idol and is married to a movie star. This isn't one of his most famous songs, but it's the one that speaks to me the most.


Uncle Kraker
He started as more of a rapper and has evolved more into the country genre. Best friend of Kid Rock, he gained a reputation for partying hard and was involved in a sex assault case that saddened his fans. His music is the kind that just makes sense when you're drinking on a summer day.


U2
This would be the roadblock that kept me from finishing this challenge. I don't love U2. I never have, and in the past few years I have found even more reasons to loathe their existence. Some of their songs now claim that status as PTSD triggers for me, which isn't a good thing. I wasn't much of a fan before then, for their hypocrisy and all that anyway, but now I pretty much hate them. This is the one song I don't hate.


Usher
Whew. Got that U2 nonsense out of the way. Thank you lord sweet baby jesus that Usher is left. I love this man. Truly. I couldn't have been more excited when he was chosen to be on The Voice. I could post a million of his videos, but I'll leave you with this one.

I know, I know...there are a ton of people I left out. I know. I know!


Tony! Toni! Tone!
One of my favorite harmony singing r&b groups of the 90s. They really need to do something about making music like this again. What do the kids in high school dance slow dances to anymore????


TLC
Funky, rapping, singing ladies with more than a little bit of crazy added just for good measure. One of the most successful music trios ever, they crossed genres and were wildly successful for a long time, until Left Eye died in a car accident over ten years ago.


A Tribe Called Quest
They weren't just a hip hop group, they crossed boundaries too, into...of all places alternative music, and helped lay the foundation for a lot of the music played on those stations these days.


Timbaland
Rapper, producer, this guy is a force to be reckoned with in the industry. There probably aren't many famous hip hop artists who's career he hasn't somehow touched.


311
Alternative band with a reputation for bad behavior, they integrate reggae, funk, rap and rock all together into what can only be described as the music you listen to while drinking beer on a patio or beach somewhere.


Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
He's never been the fastest, the hardest or the edgiest, but this man has been making music for what seems like forever.


Tears for Fears
English new wave band with a firm grip on many of my memories from that decade.


Tenacious D
I love this damn band, mostly because I love me some Jack Black something fierce. He's funny as shit, totally self deprecating and knows a thing or two about music. I wish he'd come here and hijack my kids' music classes.


Robin Thicke
I will completely admit that I cannot watch his videos without laughing at the sexy faces he makes. It really is ridiculous and something to behold. His voice is pretty freaking amazing though. So there's that.


The Temptations
Are they a boy band? Were they the first, best one? I don't know...but they did harmonies, matching outfits and tight choreography long before anyone else did.


Tina Turner
Good lord, this woman. She has better looking legs than most 18 year olds. Still. This was from four years ago. When she was 69 YEARS OLD. She is a.m.a.z.i.n.g.


Tiffany
The original Robin Sparkles, the mall rat, the queen of the teens. We all kinda wanted to be her for a while back in the day.


Tim McGraw
Just leave the hat on.



Justin Timberlake
Saved the best for last, I did. I love this man. When I get stranded on that deserted island someday, he's coming. And he's bringing the suit and tie.

This letter right here is the reason I've been procrastinating. There are way too many bands and artists in this letter, I KNOW I'm leaving a ton of them out. It's already gonna be long, so bear with me.


Seal
The owner of one of the most amazing bodies in the known world, I've loved his music for as long as I've known who he is. He's spent much more time in the spotlight lately because of his marriage to and divorce from Heidi Klum. If you can watch this video without crying....


Bruce Springsteen
The Boss. I've written about him before. One of the icons of American music, though far too many people have misinterpreted half his songs. Though I love many of his songs, this one is my favorite.



Snoop
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know he's Snoop Lion now, but whatev. You know exactly who I'm talking about. Calvin did some bad, bad things when he was younger, then grew up to be a guy who guests on news talk shows.

Biggie Smalls
Biggie, Biggie, Biggie. Why did there have to be so much anger and violence back in the day? The world lost too many talented rappers in a quick second. This song? Every single road trip to Cali. Well, the censored version. You know....little ears....


Tupac Shakur
Tupac, Tupac, Tupac. All the stuff I just said about Biggie. Same. Sigh.


Rod Stewart
This guy right here will forever transport me to a desert, in the middle of nowhere, with bonfires and sand rails, in the place where all the grown men in my life wore those tiny OP shorts. You know which ones I'm talking about.



Salt N Pepa
The original rapping women, they did it first. They did it well. Ah, push it.


Keith Sweat
Oh my goodness. One of the longest lasting true r&b singers of the 90s, he's probably still singing in clubs somewhere. Music producers of the world, MAKE MUSIC LIKE THIS AGAIN. Oh, and you KNOW he opened for New Edition on their reunion tour. HELL YES.


Sting
I have loved this man for so long. I could listen to his voice all damn day. This song, one of his lesser known ones, is absolutely my favorite. First introduced to me in my doula training, it's accompanied many births...and was on the video at my father's funeral. It's one of those songs.


Smashing Pumpkins
Billy Corgan is one disturbed dude, but I love it. This song. Me.


Carlos Santana
Easily one of the most talented guitarists who has ever lived, the guy performed for the world the first time at Woodstock. One hell of a way to debut, if you ask me. He's still kicking ass.


Sade
Beautiful, soulful, her voice is perfection.


Simon & Garfunkel
The folky singer songwriting duo that played the music that runs through the background of my childhood memories.



Frank Sinatra
You can't pass this one up. So many have tried to do Frank better than Frank did, and no one can even come close.



Save Ferris
Any band named after one of the best movies of the 80s deserves mention, even if their most famous song is just a really well played cover.


Skid Row
Sebastian Bach was the hottest lead singer in the hair band era. Let's just get that right out of the way.



STP
They were a rock band in the era of Lollapalooza, from San Diego. It was basically required that I love them, and I did. I loved most of their main releases, but I think this one is my favorite.


Sugarland 
I know. A rare country entry. They aren't really country anyway, they're more a crossover group. This one is a stab me in the heart song, really and truly. I cannot even listen to it. Blah.


Soundgarden
One of the Seattle grunge bands, they were a little edgier, a little angrier, a little harder than the rest. This will probably always be my favorite of theirs.


Sir Mix A Lot
Of course this is happening.

Are you ready for this one?  This is one of those posts I warned you guys about that will be long. But worth it. Off we go.



Rihanna
Oh, Rhirhi.  I want to sit this girl down and tell her that she's way too beautiful, too young, too talented to waste any more seconds on an asshole with a neck tattoo and anger issues.  (Incidentally, I HATE the fact that this particular asshole is also talented and that I find myself singing along happily to his songs until I catch myself then kick myself in the shins). Sure, she's got issues. Her last album mostly sucked. But this song right here, the one that she can sing the hell out of live, this. Just this. Good lord. This.


R.E.M.
One of my favorite bands of the 80s and 90s, they helped make alternative music what it is. Their music appealed to a wide audience, from rock to pop, and the lyrics in their songs spoke to the souls of their fans.


Rage Against the Machine
Angry fast genre crossing metal, I'll probably always associate them with my later teenage years. As a public service announcement, if you went to Lollapalooza and bought a shirt don't wear it around people in their early 20s because they will have no idea what it means.


R.E.O Speedwagon
Arena rock, power ballads. Dudes with guitars singing songs to make girls throw their panties on the stage. Get your lighters up. Or the app on your phone. Or whatever.



Ramones
Um yeah. I'm going to consider the fact that they are in my son's top 5 favorite bands as a good thing and leave it at that. Sometimes being sedated wouldn't be so bad.



Red Hot Chili Peppers
Drugged out, under the bridge, literally. Heroin is nasty shit, but it makes for damn good music.


Rolling Stones
One of the oldest, one of the best. Still kicking ass these days, even if they're insanely wrinkly and wearing sensible shoes.


Diana Ross
She did diva better than anyone else did. Oh, the hair and the smile. Music wouldn't be the same if it wasn't for her.


Kenny Rogers
We're just going to pretend that he never made it out of the 80's, that he never made chicken and that he doesn't know what plastic surgery is. mmmmkay?  My dad loved this whole album, so I do too.



Run DMC
Easily one of the most important groups in the history of hip hop, we aren't going to talk about how old it makes me since I saw them live back in the day. No, we aren't. This is the one I picked because I left Aerosmith out all the way back in the A's, and I've seen them live too and we still aren't talking about how old I am.


Republica
Say what?  I know. Many of you might not even know who they are, but a few of their songs will forever remind me of my summers in college, meeting new crazy friends and enjoying those last moments of pseudo-youth.


Radiohead
Thom Yorke is one of the most interesting people in music, for sure. They're almost as well known for his quirks as their music. Regardless, they are one of the most influential bands from the late 90s and 2000s. Yeah, Creep is the song that made them popular, but I like this one better....because I'm waiting for the karma police to arrest a few people.


Corrine Bailey Rae
She has such an old fashioned, smooth voice, it's almost like she should belong to a different generation. This is one of those songs that should be in the rotation for all my friends. Because I said so.


Rascal Flatts
One of the few country acts to make my list, I love them just because I do. I would actually go see them live voluntarily, and I'd even use it as an excuse to buy some boots.  (I already have the hat, shhhh). This song. Stab me in the heart. The main reason I can't listen to country music is that it's way too goddamn real. I can't even listen to it now.

Lionel Richie
Hello?  Is it me you're looking for?


Smokie Robinson
Him and Kenny. Good lord. Step away from the surgery center. Please. This man is an icon in music, even if I can't stand to look at him these days. Just sing Smokie. Stop messing up your face. Oh, and there will be no contaminating this song with Gwenyth. No. No, no, no.


Rush
This is me pandering to my husband. I don't love Rush, but he does. So here.

I needed a short letter today.

Thankfully, Q fits the bill quite nicely.


Queen
Of course they go first. I could (and have) written about them before. I love them so, so, so much and consider the fact that all my kids have their mp3 players loaded with Queen music as a sign that I'm doing something right as a parent.


Quincy Jones
One of the most influential producers in the last thirty years in music, he's also done a little recording. I always loved this song along with a few of his other collaborations. If only more people could pull this kind of talent together for songs.


Queen Latifah
I love, love, love this woman. She's strong and proud and beautiful. She's a rapper, a singer, an actress and a role model to women everywhere.


Queensryche
In the days when the hair bands were on the downslide, they showed up and proved that metal bands could write ridiculously good songs with deep, dark lyrics.  This song. I must have listened to it a bajillion times.


Queens of the Stone Age
One of the most interesting bands out there these days, they have pulled in all kinds of guests to work with them on songs. Heavy on guitar riffs, you might not recognize their name, but you've heard their music plenty if you ever wander the alternative radio stations. Oh, and who's the drummer in this video??? Yep, it's my boy Dave Grohl.


Quiet Riot
One of the earliest heavy metal bands, they rocked hard and set the stage for all kinds of music down the road. Turn it up. Go ahead. You know you want to.

I'm falling further and further behind on this challenge, which was intended to be a daily series...but we'll get to the end of the alphabet eventually.

Oh yes, we will.

Up today, O. Off we go.


Ozzy Osbourne
The prince of darkness, the evil one, the vilified one. The causer of teen angst and depression, the reason for anarchy and disruption, maybe the most hated musician ever, he is. Does he care? Nope.
Not at all.  The lead singer of Black Sabbath, his solo career ended up being a lot longer. He's known to the younger generations as a grumpy dad on MTV, but he's been around for a very long time. Sober and less controversial these days, I've always thought it was so interesting that it's easier to understand him when he sings than it is when he talks.

Offspring
They're getting up there in age these days to still be irreverent punks, but they're determined to stretch that out as long as possible. Seems to work just fine. I love that they incorporate so many different styles of music, and love even more the fact that their lyrics clearly show that they don't give a damn what anyone thinks about them. Then there is the matter of this song....and the million reasons why it is one of my all time favorites.


Roy Orbison
His songs are some of the most easily recognized in pop culture and have worked their way into film and television for decades without sacrificing their relevance at all. He was truly a gift to the world of music, and I'm glad that his music has lived on long after his passing.


Sinead O'Connor
She was angry. She was beautiful. She was unpredictable. She was unexpected and no one knew what the hell to do with her.  Though she's never stopped making music, she will forever be known for this song.


Of Monsters and Men
They are brand spanking new, only together for a few years. From Iceland, the land of some of the most mysterious and intriguing figures in music, they have such an original sound that you can't help but love them. The music pulls you in, but the lyrics make you stay. I hope they stay around a good long time. Though the truth may vary, this ship will carry our bodies safe to shore.



OMD
This one made the list for one reason...my college roommate was completely obsessed with them, and drilled this stuff into my head. I can't tell you much about them other than they will always remind me of living in the dorms with her.


Oasis
I didn't want to include them. Really. But they just have this way of clinging to relevance even when it doesn't seem like they should. I liked them well enough, just like everyone did, until their constant infighting turned everyone away. They're back together, last I heard. The thing about them...they were good. Really good. But being good isn't enough when you act the way they did.


Joan Osborne
She's been singing for decades, staying true to her musical style. Best known for this one, which is one of my favorite songs and a good thought provoking dialogue that I think most people in this country need to really listen to every so often.