#history with honkycats

[honkycats]

VIDEO: Chicago’s original studio recording of “improvised Italian”, followed by the later polished version. 

Chicago and Their “Improvised Italian Lyrics”

In 1972, Chicago released what would go on to become one of their biggest songs. It was titled “Saturday in The Park”, and was written by vocalist and keyboardist, Robert Lamm. The song includes a line of Italian, of which the pronunciation and meaning has been the center of attention for decades. 

In the original studio release, the words “eh cumpari” can be heard, followed by words that Italian speakers claim to be nonsense. In the official original printed lyrics for the song, this line is rendered simply as a question mark, suggesting that not even the band knew what they were saying. In sheet music, it was originally suggested to “improvise” words that sounded vaguely Italian.

After about a year of performing the line with various different “Italian-sounding” syllables (presumably in a quest for what felt right), the truth was revealed!

“Eh, Cumpari!” is an upbeat children’s song that was popular in Italy in the 1950s. and was used in an obscure American commercial jingle in 1970, meaning it was likely occasionally heard by Lamm in the background of daily life around the time he wrote the song! Researching this song would have been difficult (if possible at all) at the time without the internet or easy access to Italian speakers. Not knowing how to spell the sounds heard in the song would surely have prevented Lamm from knowing how to find it in a book, as well. 

Somehow, the proper lyrics eventually came to him, and were proudly sang during a 1973 concert performance. The lyrics, as it stands, are decided to be the first line of the Italian song. “Eh Cumpari, ci vo sunari”, roughly translates to “let’s make some music”. 

[danklloydwright]

15 Questions, 15 Mutuals

I was tagged by the wonderful @benmeddowstaylor ! Thanks, love!

Are you named after anyone?

I joke that I’ve been double-Grandma’d...my full first name is after my German grandmother and my middle name is for my French-Canadian grandma! 

I’m not gonna post my full name on the internet, but (@ my mutuals) if you’re interested, send me a message! 

When was the last time you cried?

Literally about two hours ago...I only have two weeks left here in Vienna and I do not want to leave. I tried talking to my parents about it but they just started to berate me about finding a summer job if my internship applications don’t work out so.....first I was sad-crying, then I was overwhelmed-crying...it’s been a day.

Do you have kids?

Nope, I’m baby.

Do you use sarcasm a lot?

I was really snarky in high school...but I think now I’m more deadpan than sarcastic if I’m trying to deliver a burn or something lmao! 

What’s the first thing you notice about people?

Hair, I think.

What’s your eye color?

Blue!

Scary movie or happy ending?

Happy endings! Scary movies make me wanna shit myself! Hate them! 

Any special talents?

I mean...I speak German? I sing? If we’re talking weird niche ones, I used to hold the record at my summer camp for most balloons popped with my ass in one minute. 

Where were you born?

New York.

What are your hobbies?

Singing, dancing, teaching myself bass, cooking, and writing.

Do you have any pets?

I have one cat, Mystic! My dog, Tally-Ho, passed away two weeks ago. I miss her a lot. 

What sports do you play/have you played?

I played soccer as a really little kid, basketball in my freshman/sophomore year in high school, and threw shotput and discus on the track team junior/senior year of high school. I also went to volleyball camp one summer, and my knees never forgave me for taking those digs. I’m not on any teams or anything currently! 

How tall are you?

5′10″, 6″ in a good pair of shoes ;)

Favorite subject in school?

I’m an Art History/German Studies major in college (so I love history and languages), but if I wasn’t that, I think I would be a Religion or Philosophy major. 

Dream job?

I’d love to lead an education department at a museum! I love to talk to others about art and help them to come to their own conclusions about what they’re seeing, and I would love to help spark a love for art in as many people as I can! 

If we’re getting really fantasy-like, I would love to be an actress, preferably in the theater. I loved acting as a kid/teen, but my self-loathing in high school was so bad that I convinced myself that I could never succeed because of how I look (which is literally bullshit @ my own damn brain!!!), so I’ve let it slip away from me, and I think it’s sort of too late to start again...

Also, I would totally marry the baker who flirted with me in Hallstatt and run away to live in the mountains with him and make beautiful pastries all day. 

Thanks again for tagging me, @benmeddowstaylor! The mutuals I’m inviting to do this (if they want!) are:

@deuxfolie @lakestreetdrive @honkycats @cactustattoo @britishsixtiesbeat @maggiemcgonagall @oleskellybones @mistamie @euphoricdonut @kapreysun @yikesofficial @fatale-femme @valsedelesruines @sillywillykinz and @hijabbitch

[buckyeagan]

30 Questions Challenge

I was tagged by @isitstraightvodka thank you, lovely!!! I’m always so honored when you tag me in anything because your blog is iconic!💜☺️

Rules: Tag the person who tagged you, answer the questions, tag 20 people

1. How tall are you?: I’m exactly 5 foot

2. What color and style is your hair?: I have dark brown hair but it’s dyed red and is naturally very curly. It comes down to about the middle of my back

3. What color are your eyes?: Hazel

4. Do you wear glasses?: I should wear them a lot more than I do but I normally wear them during lectures or when I’m driving

5. Do you wear braces?: Nope, not since elementary school!

6. What is your fashion style?: Dresses and skirts with doc martens pretty much sums up how I dress every day

7. Full name: I’d rather not put my full name, but my first name is Miranda

8. When were you born?: October 17, 1995

9. Where are you from and where do you live now?: I was born in Arlington, Texas and now I live near Houston

10. What school do you go to?: I’m not 100% comfortable answering that! Maybe I’m weird but that seems quite private! But it’s a well known criminal justice school in Texas

11. What kind of student are you?: I try but I can’t say I’m the best at everything. I procrastinate a lot and have issues concentrating and staying motivated

12. Do you like school?: I like classes that pertain to my major. But I don’t like just entry level classes or ones that are required for no logical reason

13. What are your favorite school subjects?: Anything related to criminal justice and psychology. But before college I always loved English and history

14. Favorite TV shows: Doctor Who, Star Trek, Shameless, Peaky Blinders, Mindhunter, Criminal Minds

15. Favorite movies: There’s so many that I can’t even really scratch the surface but I’ll put a few. Bohemian Rhapsody, Moulin Rouge, Psycho, CMBYN, Dunkirk, and then most Star wars, Star Trek, and Marvel movies

16. Favorite books?: I don’t read much because I spend almost all of my free time writing but I’ve always loved ‘1984′ and ‘The Outsiders’ 

17. Favorite pastime: Writing, watching TV, spending time with friends and family

18. Do you have any regrets?: Yes, definitely. But I like to think that the choices I’ve made have brought me to the person I am today and I’m pretty pleased with that outcome. I think I’m stronger for having experienced those things

19. Dream job: A lot of different careers in the forensic psychology field

20. Would you like to get married someday?: I would like to, yes. But the older I get the less likely I find it to be. I’ve never even been in a relationship and I’m 23 so I just don’t really see anyone falling in love with me. That sounds but but it’s just the truth

21. Would you like to have kids someday?: Absolutely not

22: How many?: 0

23: Do you like shopping?: I always have! But for some reason lately I haven’t been enjoying it too much

24: What countries have you visited?: Germany, Austria, The Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Italy, France, Monaco, England, and Wales

25. What’s the scariest nightmare you’ve ever had?: Honestly? There’s too many to count, I have very vivid nightmares. 

26. Do you have any enemies?: I don’t think so? But maybe, who knows! I’d hope not

27. Do you have a s/o?: No, I’m painfully single someone date me

28. Do you believe in miracles?: Um...undecided

I tag: @amostpeculiarmademoisellerp @adriftinspace @sassypopstar @chaotic-roger @supersonicqueerace @curlyclogs @bentaylorrogerhardy @benhardyismydad @mrshardytaylor @your-basket-case @claraawinter @honkycats @rogerisinlovewithhiscar @rogersfalsetto @thepoetrytheoristcalledmoriarty @obsessedwithrogertaylor @some-back-ground-noise @wifiwifey @onemoregalileo @dear-joemazzello

Some of you are mutuals I talk to a lot and others are people I’d like to get to know better. If you don’t want to do this tag, feel free to ignore it!

[johns-deacon]

i was tagged by the wonderful @imthetree-yourethecar and @alpacasdancing  💛💛💛

[rules]: bold the statements that apply to you, italicize your aspirations, tag 9 people

air: I have small hands - I love the night sky - I watch small animals and birds when I pass them by - I drink herbal tea - I wake up to dawn - the smell of dust is comforting - I’m valued for being wise - I prefer books to music - I meditate - I find joy in learning new things from the world around me

fire: I don’t have straight hair - I like to wear ripped jeans - I play an organized sport - I love dogs - I am not scared of adventure - I love to talk to strangers - I always try new foods - I enjoy road trips - summer is my favorite season - my radio is always playing

water: I wear bracelets on my wrists - I love the bustle of the city - I have more than one set of piercings - I read poetry - I love the sound of a thunderstorm - I want to travel the world - I go to sleep past midnight most days - I love dimly lit dinners and fluorescent signs - I rewatch kids shows out of nostalgia - I see emotions in colors, not words

earth: I wear glasses - I enjoy doing the laundry - I’m vegetarian or vegan - I have an excellent sense of time - my humor is very cheerful - I’m a valued advisor to my friends - I believe in true love - I love the chill of the mountain air - I’m always listening to music - I’m highly trusted by the people in my life

aether: I go without makeup in my daily life - I make my own artwork - I keep track of my tasks and time - I always know true north - I see beauty in everything - I always smell flowers - I smile at everyone I pass by - I always fear history repeating itself - I have recovered from a mental illness - I can love unconditionally

i tag: @queemes @jondeacon @hotspaceapologist @honkycats and anyone else bc i can’t count <3 

[eternallystarlight]

Tag

Tagged by the lovely @old-fashioned-roger-boy 💕💕

Rules: bold the statements that apply to you, italicize your aspirations, and tag 9 people.

AIR: I have small hands - i love the night sky - I watch small animals and birds when I pass them by - I drink herbal tea - I wake up to dawn - the smell of dust is comforting - I’m valued for being wise - I prefer books to music - I meditate - I find joy in learning new things from the world around me

FIRE: I don’t have straight hair - I like to wear ripped jeans - I play an organized sport - I love dogs - I am not scared of adventure - I love to talk to strangers - I always try new foods - I enjoy road trips - summer is my favorite season - my radio is always playing

WATER: I wear bracelets on my wrists - I love the bustle of the city - I have more than one set of piercings - I read poetry - I love the sound of a thunderstorm - I want to travel the world - I go to sleep past midnight most days - I love dimly lit dinners and fluorescent signs - I rewatch kids shows out of nostalgia - I see emotions in colors, not words

EARTH: I wear glasses - I enjoy doing the laundry - I’m vegetarian or vegan - I have an excellent sense of time - my humor is very cheerful - I’m a valued advisor to my friends - I believe in true love - I love the chill of the mountain air - I’m always listening to music - I’m highly trusted by the people in my life

AETHER: I go without makeup in my daily life - I make my own artwork - I keep track of my tasks and time - I always know true north - I see beauty in everything - I always smell flowers - I smile at everyone I pass by - I always fear history repeating itself - I have recovered from a mental illness - I can love unconditionally

I’m tagging: @constibilis @honkycats @brianmayplease @brianmight @freddieseyeliner @sweet-ladyy @gweneani @radio-ha-ha @swiggity-swooty-sunglasses

There’s no pressure for you to do it ^^

[7springdays]

Queen questions

I’ve been tagged by @old-fashioned-roger-boy !

1. Which member do you think you’re most similar to? Why?

According to what I’ve read, I’m definitely Deacy. Shy at first with people I don’t know, I become funny and easygoing after a while

2. What song do you feel was made for you?

I WANT IT ALL

3. If you could add a scene to the movie, what piece of queen history would it be?

‘7 9  F R E D D I E  M E R C U R Y 

4. What is your favorite live song of theirs?

In the Lap of the Gods live at the Rainbow, Somebody to Love live in Montreal, Who Wants to Live Forever live in Budapest (i’m sure there are others, i still have to watch more concerts)

5. If you could hang out with a member (dead or alive) who would it be and what would you do with them?

Freddie ❤ or Brian. i would probably just hug them and cry tbh

If you haven’t done it already, I tag @mother--mercury @moustachefreddie @honkycats @rogerstaylor and whoever wants to do it

[honkycats]

The Original Cavern Club: “Cut Out The Bloody Rock and Roll!”

In January of 1957, a young entrepreneur by the name of Alan Sytner invested in leasing the cellar of a fruit warehouse located in Liverpool, England. The space was part of a subterranean tunnel system used as air-raid shelters during World War II, and was accessible solely by a steep flight of 18 stone steps. While it may not have been much aesthetically, Sytner had been wildly inspired by the jazz clubs of Paris at the time, and felt that the secretive, underground ambiance of the space made it a prime location for his own iteration of the jazz club experience.

The headline act of opening night was a jazz group known as The Merseysippi Jazz Band. Local artist Tony Booth created a promotional poster for the event, and the crowd drawn was deemed a success. Later, Tony would be picked up as the official poster artist for The Beatles. 

Known as The Cavern Club, Sytner’s project was growing wings. The space became a popular hangout for skiffle groups, the title for musicians who were influenced by a cross-section of jazz, blues and folk music, and played on a combination of professionally manufactured and homemade or re-purposed instruments.

Within just a few months of being open, The Cavern Club had built a strong reputation as being a hot spot in Liverpool for jazz and skiffle. By late summer of that same year, a manager by the name Nigel Walley approached a member of the Sytner family to ask if The Cavern Club might be interested in hosting a performance by a relatively unknown group called The Quarrymen, whose lineup included a young John Lennon.

On Wednesday, August 7 of 1957, The Quarrymen were offered a spot to play skiffle between two jazz bands, despite the group’s look and sound being increasingly more influenced by rock and roll music. At this time, the rock and roll genre was still in it’s infancy and had very few trailblazing idols to point toward in support of it. As such, the genre was strictly misunderstood and unwelcome at The Cavern Club.

Before the performance, the members of The Quarrymen argued amongst themselves about their set list. Some wanted to perform rock and roll, while others were too hesitant about breaking the “skiffle only” rule that had been placed upon their set specifications. After opening with a skiffle song, John Lennon called for the band to perform an unapproved cover of Elvis Presley’s “Don’t Be Cruel”. Member Rod Davis warned Lennon that the crowd would “eat you alive”. So Lennon began playing the song on his own, and halfway through, Sytner pushed his way through the audience to hand him a note which read, “cut out the bloody rock ‘n roll!”.

Despite this, The Quarrymen were booked multiple times at The Cavern Club after their first performance. In January of 1958, new member Paul McCartney performed with them, and in February, George Harrison.

Sytner sold the club to Ray McFall in 1959, and McFall was more adaptive to the musical tenor of the times. Beat groups (influenced by elements of pop, rock and roll, R&B and skiffle - the backbone of the British Invasion’s sound) became popular, and “Beat Night” made it’s debut in May of 1960. The first Beat Night featured a performance by a group called Rory Storm and The Hurricanes, which had a young Ringo Starr on drums (who would soon after be snatched out of The Hurricanes to join The Beatles).

The club hosted its first performance by The Beatles in February of 1961, and would host them another 291 times between then and August of ‘63. It was during a performance at The Cavern Club that Brian Epstein first saw The Beatles and made moves to take them under his management.  

In late 1963, Beatlemania was spreading like wildfire, and the masses of girls desperate to see them could not be contained by the small Cavern Club. After August of 1963, The Beatles would never fit into the club again.

The Beatles put Liverpool on the map for rock and roll music, and The Cavern Club earned a new status as a hub for all things hot, hip, and most importantly, loud.

In the decade that followed, a staggering number of bands that would soon become known as rock royalty made debuts and memorable appearances at The Cavern Club, including The Rolling Stones, The Yardbirds, The Hollies, The Kinks, Elton John, Black Sabbath, Queen, The Who and John Lee Hooker.

In her hit 1965 record, “I Know A Place”, Petula Cark references the club lovingly as “a cellar full of noise”, as by this time in history, the Cavern Cub had become a haven for young rock and rollers ready to break sound barriers.

in early 1966, mounting debt forced the Cavern Club to close it’s doors. Police were brought in, as over a hundred fans barricaded themselves inside the club in an effort to protest the closure and protect their sanctuary. Unfortunately, it did nothing to help Ray McFall’s bankruptcy, but the club was reopened under new management soon after.

Over the course of multiple changes in management and structure, The Cavern Club in it’s most recent form still exists today, and is considered one of the world’s most visited and cherished sites of rock and roll history. Beatles memorabilia can be found everywhere inside the club now, in a tribute to the soon-to-be-legendary young hopefuls taking a risk and beginning a rock and roll revolution.