781st Post - Unusual Songs

I grew up a rock and roll fan. Not much I can do about it. I just like the stuff.

As I have grown a bit older, I have come to appreciate other genres of music. I can now listen to country music, some classical, Big Band, and so on. I even like Paul Anka enough to have shelled out some coin to see him in concert in December of '07. We had a pretty good time that night; if he ever returns to Halifax, we'll go see him again.

Anka has written hundreds and hundreds of songs, and had many hits with them. Others have recorded his tunes as well. Anka is so rich, he could buy anything he wanted to. He could buy the letter "H" and make people pay him a royalty everytime they laugh. That he hasn't done so, is a testament to his qualities as a human being.

A few years ago, Mr. Anka released an album of songs he did not write. They were rock songs recorded much more famously by other people. You either like this stuff or you don't. There is no middle ground. But you have to at least give these tunes a listen.

Here is Paul Anka, performing Van Halen's "Jump":




Still with me? Want some more? OK! Paul Anka, doing "Smells Like Teen Spirit":




Lastly, David Lee Roth of Van Halen will do anything for a buck. A few years ago, he re-recorded "Jump", but with other musicians, and as a bluegrass song. Yeah. I have always seen the tune that way. And now, so will you:



Good night!

Bev