I’d never heard of these guys before, but this song (and some of their other stuff) is excellent. When I first listened to it on the radio, the positive lyrics were surprising. I mean, who writes a chorus with the words, “I wanna make you happy … I wanna let you feel alive”? Most people don’t. No, most bands get all introspective, sad, and just plain cynical. So this song is like a huge breath of fresh air!

Here’s some info from the Kook’s website:  Three elements remain at the beating heart of the band: music, friendship… and doing anything it takes to get [a] good pop song. As Luke (the singer/songwriter) puts it simply, ‘If it doesn’t make you feel good, then what’s the point? There’s too much drab shoe-gazing s[tuff] around. I hate all that [nonsense]. You’ve got to push through it. That’s where you get great songs.’

Anyway, tap your toe to this one:

There was just one thing that always confused me. In each chorus, the band sings, “Our house, in the middle of the street.” When I was about four years old—when I first heard this song—I was totally confused. I thought this meant their house was built in the middle of the road. So I wondered, “how is the traffic supposed to go around them?”

It’s funny how the brain works … or doesn’t work. Of course, now I get it. The band just meant their house was not a corner lot. So they had neighbors on either side. But, to this day, the same old image pops into my mind. And I picture a traffic jam caused by that darn building awkwardly planted in the pavement.

Anyway, here is the song in its full glory. Enjoy!

For all you ladies out there, if you had to choose a rock-and-roll name for yourself, which one would you pick? The radio is full of songs, tributes, ballads, and odes to special women. So there are plenty of options for you.

Some of them are edgy … like “Roxanne” (by The Police). While others are a little more sweet … like “Julia” (by The Beatles).

But really, if it was up to you, what name would you adopt as your own?

1. Billy Jean (by Michael Jackson)
2. Lucille (by Little Richard)
3. Jennifer (by Donovan)
4. Zoe (by Lenny Kravitz)
5. Amy (by Britney Spears)

You know, nothing says “summer” like the song “Great Balls of Fire” by Jerry Lee Lewis. It’s a great melody, but the video might be even better. I can’t explain the sudden mood lighting … or the reason Lewis keeps looking at the ceiling. But, hey, that doesn’t matter:

The moon is fairly well-known. You’ve probably seen it most nights—it’s hard to miss.

Why is the moon so interesting? Is it because it’s so big? Maybe people like it because it’s really bright. Or maybe it’s just because it is a GIANT stone floating in the sky.

Anyway, in my opinion, the moon is nice. And I’m not alone … it’s been featured in a lot of great songs. Some of the best include:

• “Mi Amore” (Dean Martin)
• “Moon River” (Henry Mancini)
• “Tonight” (The Smashing Pumpkins)
• “Dark Side of the Moon” (Pink Floyd)
• “Thriller” (Michael Jackson—who even invented the “moonwalk”… )

And the list goes on. But what can I say? People really like the moon. My only question is, “What kind of song would you write about the moon? If you stop and think about it, what would your song sound like?”

In music, primary chords are so popular it’s almost a cliché. In fact, a lot of musicians live on a simple diet of just those three chords—the tonic (I), subdominant (IV), and dominant (V). Like a nice plate of rice and beans, we can serve these three triads up in a variety of ways … and the dish is always tasty.

For example, imagine a hot meal of burritos, tacos, or enchiladas. Each recipe is awesome. But really, they’re all made from the same ingredients. By rearranging the tonic (I), subdominant (IV), and dominant (V) chords in different ways, we can create all sorts of songs that sound new and interesting. It’s pretty cool. The ingredients are the same, but the final product is totally different.

To see what I mean, check out the next classic song. Using the same, old primary chords, we can easily play a tune that everyone needs to know … “Happy Birthday.” As you move through each measure, try getting a feel for the chord progression. And after a little practice, you’ll be ready to perform it at your next birthday party. (Get out the balloons and confetti.)

Oh, yeah … and do you notice anything special about this song? That’s right—it has a 3/4 time signature. Which means we play it as a kind of waltz. Feel free to count out the beats in each measure to hear how it sounds. With three quarter-note beats per measure, this song goes something like this:

Also, the first two notes at the very beginning are called “pick-up notes.” We don’t actually count them as part of a real measure. Instead, they’re played before the first downbeat of the first measure. To hear it for yourself, play through this song a couple of times. And the result will sound great. With another chord progression—and a new time signature—under our belts, we’re starting to get really good … fast.

Have you ever been performing on stage when someone in the audience shouts out a special request? It can be a tense moment if you don’t know how to play a particular song. We can’t possibly learn every song on the planet, of course … but there is one song that’s always to good know. And it’s called “Free Bird” by Lynyrd Skynyrd.

According to legend, this is the most popular audience request during any concert. In fact, it’s even a running joke with a lot of people. The next time you’re at a concert, try to listen for it. Because, without fail, somebody will yell out “Free Bird!” Even if the performer plays a completely different style of music. What can I say? It’s a tradition.

Anyway, one famous group in Las Vegas has decided to be totally prepared for the occasion. The Blue Man Group, which performs at the Venetian Casino, is always ready for a laugh. So once somebody in the audience screams “Free Bird,” they jump right into the song without missing a beat. They’ve actually worked the clichéd song into their nightly show. Check it out. (Oh yeah, and beware … you’ll probably get this same song request a thousand times, too.)

Is it just me, or does anyone else prefer a little peace and quiet while they eat? There might not be anything else in the world that’s more distracting than a restaurant crooner. You know who I’m talking about … lounge-type singers who serenade you while you’re stooped over a piping-hot plate of spaghetti. Maybe I’m too primitive, but I have a hard time eating and listening to live singing at the same time.

When my wife was a kid, she once had a terrifying experience at a restaurant in Los Angeles. She was about 10 years old and busy minding her own business at a restaurant. There she was, sitting at the table, when all of a sudden, this guy with a cheap tuxedo and microphone strolled up to her and started singing. He handed her a rose while belting out a rendition of “Somewhere Over The Rainbow.” She was so caught off-guard that she starting balling right there on the spot. (Ahhh … what a cute kid.)

And to be honest, I feel her pain. Only, I’m not a fan of restaurant crooners for a different reason. It’s not that they make me feel embarrassed or threatened, I just don’t have the attention span. My brain can’t handle tasting food and hearing lyrics at the same time. It’s just sensation overload. So next time we go out to eat, I’ll ask that they serve up of big bowl of pasta … but hold the singer.

**DISCLAIMER:  No offense was intended to restaurant singers. As fellow musicians, we really ought to be friends. (It’s not you, it’s me.)

Just the other night, my wife started singing something that I’d never heard before. It was a song called “Mother-in-law.” The melody was pretty catchy … so, of course, I had to look it up. And my friend, Google, tells me it was written in 1961 by a guy named “Ernie K-Doe.” Here’s a picture of Mr. K-Doe, his wife, and … you guessed it:  his mother-in-law.

Apparently, this song is pretty well-known. And it’s been used in a lot of movies and commercials. Because, really, the lyrics (about a mother-in-law) cover a fairly popular theme. It’s a harmless song that almost anybody can relate to. Plus, there aren’t a million songs out there about in-laws. So it only makes sense that this song has made its own little mark. I mean, when you want a song about your mother-in-law, there’s really only one choice. (Because, technically, “Mrs. Robinson” doesn’t count.)

So, in a way, Ernie K-Doe was brilliant. Thinking like a real businessman, he found an untapped market and he delivered. Sure, he might be a one-hit wonder … but he probably cried all the way to the bank.

Anyway, what other songs can you think of that totally cornered their own little markets? For example, which songs come to mind when you think about “ghosts,” “Joe Dimaggio,” or “flying a kite”? I don’t know about you, but I think my next song will be about some endangered species like the “Aeolian Wall Lizard.” That way, I can retire on a small island in the Bahamas.

With a little bit of practice, we’ll be rocking out in no time. We just have to get our hands working together. And for most people, that means sitting still at the keyboard … and staying focused on which notes to play.

After all, every music teacher in the world will tell you to sit still … with a straight back … keeping your eyes forward. It’s just what most people do. And it’s generally a good idea because you won’t get distracted as you’re learning to play. If you don’t get crazy and you just sit still at the piano, your hands can move around much more easily.

But after a while that can get a little boring—and you might zone out. So don’t forget to do what you want. In other words, you can sit still if you feel like it … or you can stand up and jump around while you play. The choice is up to you. It definitely takes a little more skill to rock out on the piano. But it can also be a lot of fun. I mean, what’s better than playing like this?