Disclaimer

If you do not know me (I mean, really know me) then there is something you need to understand before you read this blog: I value the truth above everything else... except a good laugh. A good laugh will almost always beat the truth as far as I’m concerned. Everything you read on this blog will be true, somewhat true, or something I made up in an effort to get a laugh. Sometimes I will go on a rant that I don’t really mean (or only kind of mean). Sometimes I will mean what I write only to completely change my mind a year, month, or day later. Such is life. By reading this blog you agree not to get offended by anything I write (or, at the very least, you agree not to tell me or anyone else that you are offended). It is worth noting that my employer does not endorse my blog (or even read it, to tell you the truth). The Wife also does not endorse my blog (though she will read it from time to time). I am not paid to write this... it’s just my way of giving back to the community. I have, and will, touch on a wide range of subjects and will give my opinion on these subjects. Again, most of what I say is for laughs but every now and then I will say what I really think and feel (see my views on Westboro Baptist Cult). How will you know when I’m serious and when I’m trying to get a laugh? You’ll know. And if you don’t know, well... maybe this isn’t the best thing for you to be reading. So, sit back, read and enjoy. Leave comments if you want and don’t be afraid to publicly follow me.



Tuesday, May 31, 2011

We've made it to the end! The last 33 songs...

Don’t forget, Darius Rucker will honor Pattison's Academy should he win CMT Performance of the year! This is a FAN supported contest. Click here to vote for Darius and you'll be voting for Pattison's!!

I have decided to give you a behind the scenes look at how this song list came to be:

Step 1 - Call a meeting of the entire I’m just sayin… staff.

Step 2 - Make a list of songs

Step 3 - Check list of songs

Step 4 - Notice there are no songs from (insert awesome artist/group) on the list.

Step 5 - Yell (probably louder than should have been yelled) "Oh, S**t! There are no songs from (insert awesome artist/group) on the list!"

Step 6 - Call another meeting of entire I’m just sayin… staff.

Step 7 - Add songs

Step 8 - Repeat Steps 3-7
------Step 8 was tricky because it could have gone on forever, so at some point the I’m just sayin… Board of Directors had to just make the decision to go with what we had.

Step 9 - Go through list and "group rank" the songs (i.e. This song is a Top 10 song, this one is a Top 100, Top 200 and so on and so forth. The "group rankings" used were 10, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1,000). – This step was done via votes over email.

Step 10 - Get pumped that only 10 songs had a "Top 10" group ranking. (You might not agree with the Top 10… but we did).

Step 11 - Get worried that a little over 700 songs had a group ranking of either 50, 100, or 200. (a little under 900 had a group ranking of 500 or better).

Step 12 - Vote on the ranking of each song.

Step 13 – Post the songs in order of their ranking (starting with #1,081 and ending with #1).

I’m sure some of you have been second guessing this list since day 1. Let me tell you that I understand… because I’ve been doing the same thing. Still, it is what it is… and what it is, is the greatest list ever attempted.

So, let us now take a look at the Top 33 songs of the I’m just sayin… Top 1,081 Songs of All Time


33 - “Johnny B. Goode” by Chuck Berry

32 - “I Don't Care” by Darius Rucker with Brad Paisley

“Is 4 o'clock in the morning,/ To late to drink beer?/ I don't know, but you know what?/ I don't care./ I don't know, last time I ate,/ I don't know, how I'm still awake,/ I don't know, how long a man can live on beer./ Man, I don't know where I left my phone,/ I don't know, when we're going home,/ I don't know, if I still got a job up there,/ And I don't care.”

I hope these two get together to sing songs more often.

31 - “You Could Be Mine” by Guns N' Roses

I love the drums on this song.

30 - “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King

29 - “You Give Love A Bad Name” by Bon Jovi

28 - “December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)” by Frankie Valli and the Four
Seasons

27 - “Only Wanna Be With You” by Hootie and the Blowfish

This is such a fun song.

26 - “Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting)” by Elton John

25 - “Paradise City” by Guns N' Roses

24 - “Thriller” by Michael Jackson

What a great video… what a great song.

23 - “Pour Some Sugar On Me” by Def Leppard

I remember listening to this song before baseball games growing up.

22 - “Layla” by Derek and the Dominos

This is a great song… as long as you hear the whole thing. It was on the radio one day and I’m listening to it and it ended before the piano part at the end. Are you kidding me?! That’s like leaving the Super Bowl at halftime! The piano part is what makes it such a great song. Sure, it’s still a pretty good song without the piano, but the piano puts it in the Top 25.

21 - “Family Tradition” by Hank Williams, Jr.

20 - “(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay” by Otis Redding

Give me a hammock and this song and I’ll be a happy man.

19 - “Great Balls of Fire” by Jerry Lee Lewis

I said yesterday that Piano Man was the best piano song ever. I was wrong. This is. If I could play one song on the piano, I’d want it to be this song.

18 - “American Pie” by Don McLean

“And in the streets: the children screamed,/ The lovers cried, and the poets dreamed./ But not a word was spoken/ The church bells all were broken./ And the three men I admire most/ The father, son, and the holy ghost,/ They caught the last train for the coast/ The day the music died./ And they were singing,/ ‘bye-bye, miss American pie.’/ Drove my Chevy to the levee,/ But the levee was dry./ And them good old boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye/ Singin’, ‘this’ll be the day that I die.’/ ‘this’ll be the day that I die.’”

17 - “Fight for Your Right” by Beastie Boys

Honestly, there should be more Beastie Boys songs on this list. But there aren’t. This is the only one.

16 - “Margaritaville” by Jimmy Buffett

“Nibblin' on sponge cake/ Watchin' the sun bake/ All of those tourists covered with oil/ Strummin' my six-string/ On my front porch swing/ Smell those shrimp; they're beginning to boil./ Wastin' away again in Margaritaville/ Searching for my lost shaker of salt/ Some people claim that there's a woman to blame/ But I know it's nobody's fault”

This is the only song I can get Susie to fall asleep to.

15 - “Piece of My Heart” by Janis Joplin

Best rock n’ roll song by a female artist ever.

14 - “My Way” by Frank Sinatra with Willie Nelson

“Regrets? I've had a few,/ But then again, too few to mention./ I did what I had to do/ And saw it through without exemption./ I planned each charted course/ Each careful step along the byway,/ And more, much more than this,/ I did it my way./ Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew,/ When I bit off more than I could chew,/ But through it all, when there was doubt,/ I ate it up and spit it out./ I faced it all and I stood tall/ And did it my way.”

This is my song.

13 - “Walk This Way” by Aerosmith with Run-D.M.C.

This song with Run-D.M.C. gave Aerosmith’s career a whole new life. They had hits before this… but they were pretty much done. And then this song came along (with a great video) and suddenly they were introduced to a whole new generation of fans. This could have been the best move they made in their career.

12 - “Carolina Girls” by General Johnson and The Chairmen of the
Board

11 - “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin

10 - “Beat It” by Michael Jackson

The first song I remember loving. And what a great video… it taught us that you never know when a gang knife fight will turn into a big group dance.

9 - “ Welcome To The Jungle” by Guns N' Roses

8 - “Won't Get Fooled Again” by The Who

“Change it had to come/ We knew it all along/ We were liberated from the fall that's all/ But the world looks just the same/ And history ain't changed/ 'Cause the banners, they all flown in the last war/ I'll tip my hat to the new constitution/ Take a bow for the new revolution/ Smile and grin at the change all around me/ Pick up my guitar and play/ Just like yesterday/ And I'll get on my knees and pray/ We don't get fooled again/ Don't get fooled again/ No, no!”

I saw a video of them playing this live. Wow… what energy!

7 - “ Mama Tried” by Merle Haggard

“And I turned twenty-one in prison doing life without parole./ No one could steer me right but Mama tried, Mama tried./ Mama tried to raise me better, but her pleading, I denied./ That leaves only me to blame 'cause Mama tried.”

I’m going to say this is the best Country song ever. You might not agree. You could be wrong.

6 - “ Me and My Shadow” by Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis, Jr.

I would sing this song growing up when Dach would follow me around the house. Now I sing it with Maverick. The best part is Maverick will sing it with me.

5 - “ Good Vibrations” by The Beach Boys

4 - “ Livin' on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi

“We've got to hold on ready or not/ You live for the fight when that’s all that you've got/ Ohh We're half way there/ Woah Livin' on a prayer/ Take my hand and we'll make it - I swear/ Woah Livin' on a prayer”

3 - “ Freebird (Live)” by Lynyrd Skynyrd

Really, I think you could put any of the top 4 songs at #1 and be ok. But the votes have this song at #3. The beginning of this song is slow and sweet with a piano/keyboard… and then about half way through it turns into the triple guitar attack (along with drums… and the piano) and it just blows your mind. This is what rock music is all about. Some have said that Lynyrd Skynyrd was more of a regional group and I would agree… as long as that region is Earth. In the book I just read about GNR, Axl Rose talked about Lynyrd Skynyrd being thought of as gods in Indiana when he was growing up. It is well known (by me and others who saw the same program on VH1 that I saw) that Steve Clark (the late, great guitarist for the British rock group Def Leppard) auditioned for the group by playing all of ‘Freebird’ without accompaniment (proving just how great a guitar player he really was). You have to be careful, because there are short ‘radio’ versions of this song out there. They are crap. I spit on them. No, this song is meant to be played live. If you listen to any version that is under 12 minutes long, you are cheating yourself.

2 - “ Back In Black” by AC/DC

I love the beginning of this song. This song just sounds so... cool.

1 - “ Let It Be” by The Beatles

“When I find myself in times of trouble, mother Mary comes to me,/ speaking words of wisdom, let it be./ And in my hour of darkness she is standing right in front of me,/ speaking words of wisdom, let it be./ Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be./ Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.”

I find this song to be very calming. I love it.


Know Your Medal of Honor Recipients:

Private Joseph Burger (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on February 15, 1863 at Nolensville, Tennessee. His citation reads:

Was one of a detachment of 16 men who heroically defended a wagon train against the attack of 125 cavalry, repulsed the attack and saved the train.

Private E. Michael Burk (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on May 12, 1864 at Spotslvania, Virginia. His citation reads:

Capture of flag, seizing it as his regiment advanced over the enemy's works. He received a bullet wound in the chest while capturing flag.

Sergeant Thomas Burk (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on May 6, 1864 at Wilderness, Virginia. His citation reads:

At the risk of his own life went back while the rebels were still firing and, finding Col. Wheelock unable to move, alone and unaided, carried him off the field of battle.

Monday, May 30, 2011

Happy Memorial Day!!

I am waiting for the article in the Post and Courier letting us know how much money this holiday is costing the state.

Don’t forget, Darius Rucker will honor Pattison's Academy should he win CMT Performance of the year! This is a FAN supported contest. Click here to vote for Darius and you'll be voting for Pattison's!!

We will now continue our countdown of the I’m just sayin… Top 1,081 Songs of All Time


66 - “Fine Line” by Hootie and the Blowfish

A cover of a Radney Foster song. I thought it was great the first time I heard it.

65 - “Jamming” by Bob Marley

64 - “Old Time Rock and Roll” by Bob Seger

“Just take those old records off the shelf/ I'll sit and listen to 'em by myself/ Today's music ain 't got the same soul/ I like that old time rock 'n' roll”

63 - “Forever Young” by Bob Dylan

Fast or slow… I love this song.

62 - “Piano Man” by Billy Joel

Best piano song ever.

61 - “Highway to Hell” by AC/DC

I wanted to walk down the aisle to this song at my wedding. The Wife wouldn’t let me.

60 - “Me Wise Magic” by Van Halen

Probably the best Van Halen song most people haven’t heard. This was a new David Lee Roth song from their greatest hits album.

59 - “Blaze of Glory” by Bon Jovi

“You ask about my conscience/ And I offer you my soul/ You ask If I'll grow to be a wise man/ Well I ask if I'll grow old/ You ask me if I known love/ And what it's like to sing songs in the rain/ Well, I've seen love come/ And I've seen it shot down/ I've seen it die in vain/ Shot down in a blaze of glory/ Take me now but know the truth/ 'Cause I'm going down in a blaze of glory/ Lord I never drew first/ But I drew first blood/ I'm the devil's son/ Call me young gun”

One of my favorite songs growing up.

58 - “Somewhere Else” by Toby Keith

“And I don’t know where you might be/ Where ever it is it’ll be without me/ Keep thinkin’ I’ll come home one day and find you/ Long as I got that neon light/ Shinin’ like a beacon in the night/ I know I can make it downtown by myself/ ‘Cause if you don’t know where you’re goin’/ You might end up somewhere else”

This is a new song that really is good enough for the top 100.

57 - “Who Are You” by The Who

56 - “Another Brick in the Wall (Part II)” by Pink Floyd

55 - “1999” by Prince

How many times do you think this song was played in 1999? Over/Under 1,000,000 times? I’m going with the over.

54 - “We've Gotta Get Out of This Place” by The Animals

I think everyone had to think of this song at least once in college.

53 - “You've Lost That Loving Feeling” by The Righteous Brothers

In college I tried to get Jeremy to help me recreate the scene from Top Gun where Maverick and Goose sing this song. He wouldn’t do it.

52 - “Jump” by Van Halen

51 - “My Girl” by The Temptations

50 - “What's Going One” by Marvin Gaye

49 - “Don't Stop Believin'” by Journey

48 - “Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Simon and Garfunkle

47 - “Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy” by The Tams

“Life is too short to worry about unimportant things/ Reach for the sky and touch a star, and then you'll find you dream/ Because dreaming alone is a shame indeed/ But if you've got love, that's all you'll need/ So be young, be foolish, girl be happy/ Be young, be foolish, girl be happy”

46 - “Hotel California” by The Eagles

45 - “Save The Last Dance For Me” by The Drifters

44 - “You Can Call Me Al” by Paul Simon

I love the music video for this song. It’s hard to have a bad video if you’ve got Chevy Chase in it.

43 - “The Devil Went Down To Georgia” by The Charlie Daniels Band

“The devil bowed his head because he knew that he'd been beat./ He laid that golden fiddle on the ground at Johnny's feet./ Johnny said: ‘Devil just come on back if you ever want to try again./ I told you once, you sonofab****, I'm the best that's ever been.’”

I had a chance in high school to see The Charlie Daniels Band play live at the Fair. It’s the only time in my life that I left the Fair happy that I had gone. This is a song that I would sometimes sing to MR at bedtime. I had to stop, though, because I’d get too into it and she would end up waking up.

42 - “Sixty Minute Man” by The Dominoes

Hey look, another song about me. ;)

41 - “Stay” by Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs

40 - “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana

Ok, here you go Nirvana fans… their one good song is on the list. You’re welcome. Haha… I don’t hate this song as much as some people think. I do think it’s a Top 40 song… which really when you think about it, that makes it a great song.

39 - “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd

You only need to hear about the first second or two of this song to know it’s this song.

38 - “Enter Sandman” by Metallica

37 - “La Bamba” by Ritchie Valens

I don’t really know what the words mean… but I love singing them. Or at least trying to sing them. For all I know, I’m singing/shouting something like “I’m whitey here to take all of your money! Come punch me in the face!”… but with the music playing and Ritchie singing, I can’t help but sing along.

36 - “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” by The Beatles

This is probably my favorite Beatles song that doesn’t have Paul or John in the lead vocals.

35 - “Mrs. Robinson” by Simon and Garfunkle

“Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio,/ Our nation turns it's lonely eyes to you./ What's that you say, Mrs. Robinson./ Jolting Joe has left and gone away,/ Hey hey hey.”

Based on the movie, I think there’s a good chance this song was written for Sonny’s wife.

34 - “I Love Beach Music” by The Embers

Who doesn’t love beach music?



Know Your Medal of Honor Recipients:

Lieutenant Commander John Duncan Bulkeley (US Navy) received his Medal of Honor for his actions from December 7, 1941 to April 10, 1942 in the Philippine waters. His citation reads:

For extraordinary heroism, distinguished service, and conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty as commander of Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 3, in Philippine waters during the period 7 December 1941 to 10 April 1942. The remarkable achievement of Lt. Comdr. Bulkeley's command in damaging or destroying a notable number of Japanese enemy planes, surface combatant and merchant ships, and in dispersing landing parties and land-based enemy forces during the 4 months and 8 days of operation without benefit of repairs, overhaul, or maintenance facilities for his squadron, is believed to be without precedent in this type of warfare. His dynamic forcefulness and daring in offensive action, his brilliantly planned and skillfully executed attacks, supplemented by a unique resourcefulness and ingenuity, characterize him as an outstanding leader of men and a gallant and intrepid seaman. These qualities coupled with a complete disregard for his own personal safety reflect great credit upon him and the Naval Service.

Sergeant William Bumgarner (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on April 2, 1862 at Petersburg, Virginia. His citation reads:

Gallantry in the charge of the "volunteer storming party."

Sergeant James H. Burbank (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on October 3, 1862 at Blackwater near Franklin, Virginia. His citation reads:

Gallantry in action while on detached service on board the gunboat Barney.

Sunday, May 29, 2011

We've made it to the Top 100...

Don’t forget, Darius Rucker will honor Pattison's Academy should he win CMT Performance of the year! This is a FAN supported contest. Click here to vote for Darius and you'll be voting for Pattison's!!

We will now continue our countdown of the I’m just sayin… Top 1,081 Songs of All Time


101 - “Lean On Me” by Bill Withers

A wonderful song from a great movie that made everyone think they could become a teacher and make a difference.

100 - “Imagine” by John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band

I’m not really into let’s all get along type songs, but I do like the simplicity of this song.

99 - “Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)” by Phil Collins

98 - “You Send Me” by Sam Cooke

I heard The Rock sing this one on Letterman’s show one night. He did a good job… but not as good as Sam Cooke.

97 - “Signs” by Tesla

“And the sign says ‘Everybody welcome, come in, kneel down and pray’/ But then they passed around a plate at the end of it all/ And I didn't have a penny to pay/ So I got me a pen and a paper and I made up my own f***in' sign/ I said, ‘Thank you Lord for thinking 'bout me, I'm alive and doing fine’, oh/ Signs, signs, everywhere there's signs/ F***in' up the scenery, breakin' my mind/ Do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign”

A great cover song by Tesla.

96 - “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” by The Band

95 - “Sloop John B” by The Beach Boys

This could very well be my favorite Beach Boys song… but it’s not the highest ranked on the list. The votes saved that honor for a different song.

94 - “Come Together” by The Beatles

93 - “Already Gone” by The Eagles

“Well, I heard some people talkin' just the other day/ And they said you were gonna put me on a shelf/ But let me tell you I got some news for you/ And you'll soon find out it's true/ And then you'll have to eat your lunch all by yourself/ 'Cause I'm already gone/ And I'm feelin' strong/ I will sing this vict'ry song, woo, hoo, hoo, woo, hoo, hoo”

I remember thinking a girl was close to breaking up with me… so the next time we went out I played this song in the truck. It was my passive-aggressive way of letting her know that… well… I was already gone. She probably didn’t pick up on it. Hell, she probably wasn’t going to break up with me. Oh well, things worked out great for both of us (probably better for me since I’ve got The Wife and kids and she’s married to a guy not named me).

92 - “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong

91 - “Mountain Music” by Alabama

“Drift away like Tom Sawyer/ Ride a raft with ol' Huck Finn/ Take a nap like Rip Van Winkle/ Daze dreamin' again/ Oh, play me some mountain music/ Like grandma and grandpa used to play/ Then I'll float on down the river/ To a Cajun hideaway”

90 - “Right Now” by Van Halen

89 - “Colder Weather” by Zac Brown Band

88 - “Shout (Parts 1 and 2)” by The Isley Brothers

87 - “Barbara Ann” by The Beach Boys

86 - “Hey Jude” by The Beatles

85 - “Seventeen” by Winger

“And just when I thought/ She was coming to my door/ She whispered sweet/ And brought me to the floor/ She said/ I'm only seventeen (seventeen)/ I'll show you love like you've never seen/ She's only seventeen (seventeen)/ Daddy says she's too young/ But she's old enough for me”

Another song that reminds me of college…

84 - “Desperado” by The Eagles

83 - “Up On The Roof” by The Drifters

My favorite song by The Drifters.

82 - “I Don't Like Mondays” by The Boomrats

81 - “We Will Rock You” by Queen

80 - “We Are The Champions” by Queen

79 - “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia” by Reba McEntire

78 - “Baby Grand” by Ray Charles with Billy Joel

77 - “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” by Poison

76 - “In The Air Tonight” by Phil Collins

I love when the drums kick into this song.

75 - “Crazy Train” by Ozzy Osbourne

What’s crazy is that Ozzy Osbourne can sing a song that is so great and that makes so much sense and yet when he talks he sounds like a big moron.

74 - “Don't Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)” by Motley Crue

“That's alright, now that's okay/ We were walkin' through some youth/ Smilin' through the pain/ That's alright, let's turn the page/ And remember what I say girl/ And it goes this way/ Girl, don't go away mad/ Girl, just go away/ Girl, don't go away mad/ Now girl, just go away”

Ah… I’ve played this song for many a soon to be ex-girlfriends.

73 - “Still Crazy After All These Years” by Paul Simon

72 - “Smooth Criminal” by Michael Jackson

71 - “I'll Be There” by Mariah Carey with Trey Lorenz

70 - “Like a Virgin” by Madonna

I remember seeing her perform this song at the MTV music awards way back in the mid 80’s. Let me tell you… I grew up that night. Wow. I mean, WOW! I’ve seen that performance maybe 2 or 3 times in my life (since the first one), but it’s one of those things that’s burned into my memory.

69 - “You Shook Me All Night Long” by AC/DC

True Story: The Wife and I slow danced to this song at our wedding reception.

68 - “I Think I'll Just Stay Here and Drink” by Merle Haggard

“Could be holding you tonight,/ Could quit doing wrong, start doin' right./ You don't care about what I think./ I think I'll just stay here and drink./ Hey puttin' you down don't square no deal./ Least you know the way I feel./ Take all the money in the bank./ Think 'll just stay here and drink.”

And here we see why so many Country singers love Merle Haggard.

67 - “D'Yer Mak'er” by Led Zeppelin


Know Your Medal of Honor Recipients:

Private Robert Buffum (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions during April 1862 in Georgia. His citation reads:

One of the 19 of 22 men (including 2 civilians) who, by direction of Gen. Mitchell (or Buell), penetrated nearly 200 miles south into enemy territory and captured a railroad train at Big Shanty, Ga., in an attempt to destroy the bridges and track between Chattanooga and Atlanta.

Private Henry G. Buhrman (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on May 22, 1863 at Vicksburg, Mississippi. His citation reads:

Gallantry in the charge of the "volunteer storming party."

Sergeant Brian L. Buker (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on April 5, 1970 at Chau Doc Province, Republic of Vietnam. His citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. Sgt. Buker, Detachment B-55, distinguished himself while serving as a platoon adviser of a Vietnamese mobile strike force company during an offensive mission. Sgt. Buker personally led the platoon, cleared a strategically located well-guarded pass, and established the first foothold at the top of what had been an impenetrable mountain fortress. When the platoon came under the intense fire from a determined enemy located in 2 heavily fortified bunkers, and realizing that withdrawal would result in heavy casualties, Sgt. Buker unhesitatingly, and with complete disregard for his personal safety, charged through the hail of enemy fire and destroyed the first bunker with hand grenades. While reorganizing his men for the attack on the second bunker, Sgt. Buker was seriously wounded. Despite his wounds and the deadly enemy fire, he crawled forward and destroyed the second bunker. Sgt. Buker refused medical attention and was reorganizing his men to continue the attack when he was mortally wounded. As a direct result of his heroic actions, many casualties were averted, and the assault of the enemy position was successful. Sgt. Buker's extraordinary heroism at the cost of his life are in the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the U.S. Army.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Songs 136 - 102

Don’t forget, Darius Rucker will honor Pattison's Academy should he win CMT Performance of the year! This is a FAN supported contest. Click here to vote for Darius and you'll be voting for Pattison's!!

We will now continue our countdown of the I’m just sayin… Top 1,081 Songs of All Time


136 - “Get Drunk and Be Somebody” by Toby Keith

135 - “Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison

134 - “I Love This Bar” by Toby Keith

133 - “Captain Crash and the Beauty Queen From Mars” by Bon Jovi

I didn’t like this song until I saw them play it live… Now I love it.

132 - “What Kind of Fool (Do You Think I Am)” by The Tams

I’m sure The Parents will be happy to see The Tams on the list… maybe I did pay attention growing up after all.

131 - “An American Girl” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

130 - “Toes” by Zac Brown Band

“Adios and vaya con dios/ Going home now to stay/ The senoritas don't care-o when there's no dinero/ I got no money to stay/ Adios and vaya con dios/ Going home now to stay/ Put my ass in a lawn chair/ And toes in the clay/ Not a worry in the world a PBR on the way/ Life is good today. Life is good today”

129 - “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor

Best workout song ever? I could agree with that.

128 - “Maybe I'm Amazed” by Paul McCartney

The first time I heard this song was when Tesla started to play the first couple of verses between songs on their live album (they sang, “Maybe I’m amazed at the way you love me all the time. Maybe I’m amazed at the… wait, we don’t know that song”). I had no idea it was a Paul McCartney song until I saw the title on one of his CDs a couple of years later.

127 - “With a Little Help From My Friends” by Joe Cocker

His voice and this song just go great together.

126 - “The Gambler” by Kenny Rogers

125 - “Out Last Night” by Kenny Chesney

“Well we went out last night,/ Like we swore we wouldn't do,/ Drank too much beer last night,/ A lot more than we wanted too,/ There were girls from Argentina and Arkansas,/ Maine, Alabama, and Panama,/ All mixed together and having a ball,/ Yeah, we went out last night/ One thing started leading to another,/ Out last night,/ Hitting on everybody and their mother/ There were two karaoke girls drunk on a dare,/ Singing ‘I Got You Babe’ by Sonny and Cher,/ Yeah life was good everywhere,/ We went out last night”

124 - “I Love Rock 'n' Roll” by Joan Jett

123 - “Running on Empty” by Jackson Browne

122 - “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher” by Jackie Wilson

121 - “Do You Believe In Love” by Huey Lewis and The News

120 - “I Hope That I Don't Fall In Love With You” by Hootie and the Blowfish

“Now it's closing time, the music's fading out./ Last call for drinks, I'll have another stout./ Well I turn around to look at you; you're nowhere to be found,/ I search the place for your lost face,/ Guess I'll have another round./ And I think that I just fell in love with you.”

I wish I could sing this song as well as Darius can. Another great cover song from Hootie (Tom Waits did it first).

119 - “Knockin' on Heaven's Door” by Eric Clapton

118 - “Knockin' on Heaven's Door” by Guns N' Roses

117 - “House Rent Boogie/One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer” by George Thorogood

“But I'm sitting now at the bar,/ I'm getting drunk, I'm feelin' mellow/ I'm drinkin' bourbon, I'm drinkin' scotch, I'm drinkin' beer/ Looked down the bar, here come the bartender/ I said ‘Look man, come down here’/ So what you want?/ One bourbon, one scotch, one beer/ No, I ain't seen my baby since the night before last,/ Gotta get a drink man, I'm gonna get gassed/ Gonna get high man, I ain't had enough,/ Need me a triple shot of that stuff/ Gonna get drunk, won't you listen right here,/ I want one bourbon, one shot and one beer/ One bourbon, one scotch, one beer”

My research tells me that his version of One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer is really a combo of House Rent Boogie and that song. So that’s how I put it that way on this list.

116 - “Friends in Low Places” by Garth Brooks

“'Cause I've got friends in low places/ Where the whiskey drowns/ And the beer chases my blues away/ And I'll be okay/ I'm not big on social graces/ Think I'll slip on down to the oasis/ Oh, I've got friends in low places”

Mom used to like hearing me sing this song… at least that’s what she told me.

115 - “Pledge Allegiance To The Hag” by Eric Church

“There's a little dive on a dead-end road/ Called the Cross-Eyed Cricket Waterin' Hole/ Where you can hear the sound of a steel guitar/ An' get loud an' rowdy with PBR/ But at the top of every hour, man, you can hear a pin drop/ As ol' Jack drops a quarter an' plays Merle on that jukebox, an' we stop/ An' tip our hats/ An' raise our glasses of cold, cold beer/ They say country's fadin'/ But we still wavin' that flag around here/ An' when it's time to go, you know you're welcome back/ Where the people pledge allegiance to the Hag”

I’m 99% sure I have more songs on this list that mention Merle Haggard than I do songs by Merle Haggard. Interesting…

114 - “Make Me Lose Control” by Eric Carmen

113 - “Suspicious Minds” by Elvis Presley

112 - “Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me” by Elton John with George Michael

111 - “You Never Even Called Me by My Name” by David Allan Coe

“You don't have to call me Waylon Jennings/ And you don't have to call me Charley Pride./ You don't have to call me Merle Haggard, anymore./ Even though your on my fightin' side./ And I'll hang around as long as you will let me/ And I never minded standin' in the rain./ You don't have to call me darlin', darlin'/ You never even call me by my name.”

I love singing this song with thousands of my closest friends at Hootie and the Blowfish concerts.

110 - “Proud Mary” by Creedence Clearwater Revival

109 - “Shelter Me” by Cinderella

“Check out Mr. Politician in his suit and tie/ But when the doors are closed there ain't nothin' he won't try/ Meanwhile Mr. Medicine's treating his best friend's wife/ Tipper led the war against the record industry/ She said she saw the devil on her MTV/ To look into the cabinet, it takes more than a key/ Just like Jimmy's skeletons and his ministry/ We all need a little shelter/ Just a little helper to get us by/ We all need a little shelter/ Just a little helper, Ooo and it'll be alright”

Did you know Jon Bon Jovi discovered Cinderella? Pretty cool if you ask me.

108 - “The Twist” by Chubby Checker

107 - “Born in the USA” by Bruce Springsteen

106 - “Waitin' On A Woman” by Brad Paisley with Andy Griffith

105 - “Let The Good Times Roll” by B.B. King

104 - “Folsom Prison Blues” by Johnny Cash

103 - “Do You Love Me” by The Contours

102 - “Wanted Dead or Alive” by Bon Jovi



Know Your Medal of Honor Recipients:

Sergeant John C. Buckley (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on May 22, 1863 at Vicksburg, Mississippi. His citation reads:

Gallantry in the charge of the "volunteer storming party."

First Lieutenant John K. Bucklyn (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on May 3, 1863 at Chancellorsville, Virginia. His citation reads:

Though himself wounded, gallantly fought his section of the battery under a fierce fire from the enemy until his ammunition was all expended, many of the cannoneers and most of the horses killed or wounded, and the enemy within 25 yards of the guns, when, disabling one piece, he brought off the other in safety.

Sergeant John E. Buffington (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on April 2, 1865 at Petersburg, Virginia. His citation reads:

Was the first enlisted man of the 3d Division to mount the parapet of the enemy's line.

Friday, May 27, 2011

Songs 171 - 137

I have no idea who Herman Cain is, but I heard him for about 5 or 10 minutes on the radio the other day and I found myself not turning the radio off. It would seem he is running for President in 2012. To be honest with you, I didn’t hate what I was hearing him say. But I know nothing about him. Anyone out there know who I’m talking about? Email or call me to tell me what you know/think about him. I’m intrigued.

Speaking of politics… I find myself liking SC State Senator Robert Ford more and more. That’s probably because it seems like every time he speaks, he makes Dot Scott mad. And he at least seems to be willing to listen to how others feel about their heritage. I don’t think I’m finding myself liking him enough that I would vote for him… but I wouldn’t vote for someone else just because they aren’t him. If that makes sense.

Staying on the politics theme... Governor Haley took some time out of her busy schedule to skype with a class at Round Top Elementary.  I tell you this because I would like to share with you how disappointed I am that the teacher of this class did not introduce herself as No Name Teri.  Also, at no point during any of this did she say anything about this blog.  I don't want to give her too hard of a time, but I can guarandamntee you that if put in the same situation, my brother would have started the whole thing with, "Governor, this is Sonny and I was reading the other day on I'm just sayin... which, I'm sure you know, can be found at http://www.greghorres.blogspot.com/ that [fill in the blank with something I've said on here].  What are your thoughts on this?"  Oh well, at least No Name Teri didn't cuss... so she's got that going for her... which is nice.



Don’t forget, Darius Rucker will honor Pattison's Academy should he win CMT Performance of the year! This is a FAN supported contest. Click here to vote for Darius and you'll be voting for Pattison's!!

We will now continue our countdown of the I’m just sayin… Top 1,081 Songs of All Time


171 - “Ants Marching” by Dave Matthews Band

170 - “Baby, It's Cold Outside” by Dean Martin

169 - “Summer of '69” by Bryan Adams

168 - “Take Me Home Tonight” by Eddie Money with Ronnie Spector

“I can feel you breathe/ I can feel your heartbeat faster./ Take me home tonight!/ I don't want to let you go till you see the light!/ Take me home tonight!/ Listen honey/ just like Ronnie sang: Be my little baby!”

167 - “Burning Love” by Elvis Presley

“Lord have mercy,/ I'm burning a hole where I lay/ Cause your kisses lift me higher/ Like the sweet song of a choir/ You light my morning sky/ With burning love/ With burning love/ Ah, ah, burning love/ I'm just a hunk, a hunk of burning love/ Just a hunk, a hunk of burning love/ Just a hunk, a hunk of burning love/ Just a hunk, a hunk of burning love”

Yet again… a song about me.

166 - “Wonderful Tonight” by Eric Clapton

165 - “I Loved Her First” by Heartland

“How could that beautiful women with you/ Be the same freckle face kid that I knew/ The one that I read all those fairy tales to/ And tucked into bed all those nights/ And I knew the first time I saw you with her/ It was only a matter of time/ But I loved her first and I held her first/ And a place in my heart will always be hers/ From the first breath she breathed/ When she first smiled at me/ I knew the love of a father runs deep/ And I prayed that she'd find you someday/ But its still hard to give her away/ I loved her first”

Another Mary Ruth and Susie song. What can I say, I’m just an ol’ sap.

164 - “Kashmir” by Led Zeppelin

163 - “You Can't Always Get What You Want” by The Rolling Stones

162 - “Take It Easy” by The Eagles

161 - “Getting Better” by Tesla

160 - “Misty Mountain Hop” by Led Zeppelin

159 - “Someday I'll Be Saturday Night” by Bon Jovi

“Now I can't say my name or tell you where I am/ I want to blow myself away, don't know if I can/ I wish that I could be in some other time and place/ With someone else's soul, someone else's face/ Oh, Tuesday just might go my way/ It can't get worse than yesterday/ Thursdays, Fridays ain't been kind/ But somehow I'll survive/ Hey, man I'm alive/ I'm taking each day and night at a time/ Yeah I'm down, but I know I'll get back/ Hey, hey, hey, hey, man I gotta live my life/ I'm gonna pick up all the pieces and what's left of my pride/ I'm feeling like a Monday but someday I'll be Saturday night”

158 - “Bigger Fish to Fry” by Brad Paisley with Bill Anderson, Little Jimmy Dickens, and Vince Gill

“I said a bad word when I was a kid./ Mamma said that I'd be sorry for the sin that I did./ My daddy whooped me and the/ preacher said shame./ And I tried like hell to change./ But I cuss,/ And I smoke,/ I laugh at dirty jokes./ The minor vices, man I know 'em well./ I've closed down bars./ I've lusted in my heart./ My exes think I oughta burn in hell./ But the devil, he won't notice when I die./ Yeah, don't you figure he's got bigger fish to fry?”

157 - “Born To Run” by Bruce Springsteen

156 - “Fortunate Son” by Creedence Clearwater Revival

155 - “Sam's Song” by Dean Martin and Sammy Davis, Jr.

Listening to these to sing together is so great. You can just hear how much fun they are having.

154 - “Walk of Life” by Dire Straits

153 - “Drift Away” by Dobie Gray

152 - “Tears in Heaven” by Eric Clapton

Written following the death of Clapton’s four-year-old son Conor.

151 - “Midnight Train to Georgia” by Gladys Knight and The Pips

Jeremy and Rebecca and some other people from our Sunday School class did a rousing cover of this song for a talent show. I’ll take Gladys Knight and the Pips.

150 - “Let Her Cry” by Hootie and the Blowfish

I think this was a great Country song and they didn’t even know it.

149 - “ABC” by Jackson 5

148 - “East Bound and Down” by Jerry Reed

If you need to drive somewhere fast, this is the song you want playing.

147 - “The Weather Is Here, Wish You Were Beautiful” by Jimmy Buffett

“Well he's on his third drink before the wheels of the plane leave the ground/ Makin' points with the stewardess high over Long Island Sound/ She's also spending some time on the island/ Too much city madness gives her the blues/ They make a date to go dancin' and dinin'/ It seems neither has that much to lose/ The weather is here I wish you were beautiful/ My thoughts aren't too clear but don't run away/ My girlfriend's a bore, my job is too dutiful/ Hell nobody's perfect would you like to play?/ I feel together today”

146 - “Whole Lotta Love” by Led Zeppelin

145 - “Rock and Roll All Nite” by Kiss

144 - “God Bless The USA” by Lee Greenwood

“If tomorrow all the things were gone/ I'd worked for all my life,/ And I had to start again/ with just my children and my wife,/ I'd thank my lucky stars/ to be living here today,/ 'Cause the flag still stands for freedom/ and they can't take that away./ And I'm proud to be an American/ where at least I know I'm free,/ And I won't forget the men who died/ who gave that right to me,/ And I gladly stand up next to you/ and defend her still today,/ 'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land/ God Bless the U.S.A.”

Most patriotic song ever? I think so. You will note that nowhere in the song does it mention the government taking care of everyone. It just talks about being free to take care of yourself.

143 - “The Ballad of Curtis Loew” by Lynyrd Skynyrd

142 - “Papa Don't Preach” by Madonna

141 - “The Boys Are Back in Town” by Thin Lizzy

140 - “Birth of the Blues” by The Rat Pack

139 - “Dance With Me” by The Drifters

138 - “Casey Jones” by The Grateful Dead

I think I heard this song on the radio every day for the first semester of my senior year in high school.

137 - “My Generation” by The Who


Know Your Medal of Honor Recipients:

Sergeant Abram J. Buckles (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on May 5, 1864 at Wilderness, Virginia. His citation reads:

Though suffering from an open wound, carried the regimental colors until again wounded.

Private Denis Buckley (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on July 20, 1864 at Peach Tree Creek, Georgia. His citation reads:

Capture of flag of 31st Mississippi (C.S.A.).

Private Howard Major Buckley (US Marine Corps) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on March 25, 27 and 29 and April 4, 1899. His citation reads:

For distinguished conduct in the presence of the Enemy in battle while with the Eighth Army Corps on 25, 27, 29 March, and 4 April 1899.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Songs 206 - 172

Got a call from the doctor's office a day or two ago.  They wanted to let me know that I had strep throat last week.  The meds they gave me (and that I have been taking) were good for that... so really the only reason they were calling was to let me know that they figured out what was wrong.  I guess it's good to know that even after I stop caring, they keep looking for answers.

Don’t forget, Darius Rucker will honor Pattison's Academy should he win CMT Performance of the year! This is a FAN supported contest. Click here to vote for Darius and you'll be voting for Pattison's!!

We will now continue our countdown of the I’m just sayin… Top 1,081 Songs of All Time


206 - “Straight To Hell” by Drivin' N’ Cryin'

I loved listening to this song in high school.

205 - “Don't Think I Don't Think About It” by Darius Rucker

Darius’ first hit single in Country music (I think).

204 - “Stealing Cinderella” by Chuck Wicks

“She was playing Cinderella/ She was riding her first bike/ Bouncing on the bed and looking for a pillow fight/ Running through the sprinkler with a big popsicle grin/ Dancing with her dad, looking up at him/ In her eyes I’m Prince Charming/ But to him I’m just some fella/ riding in and stealing Cinderella”

Another song I have trouble listening to without tearing up because of Mary Ruth and Susie.

203 - “You're the Inspiration” by Chicago

202 - “Hearts Breaking Even” by Bon Jovi

“It's been a cold, cold, cold, cold night tonight/ And I can't get you off my mind/ God knows I've tried/ Did I throw away the best part of my life/ When I cut you off, did I cut myself with the same damn knife/ Hide my tears in the pouring rain, had my share of hurt and pain/ Don't say my name, run away, cause it's all in vain/ My heart's breaking even, now there's no use we even try/ Hey I cried, Yeah I lied, Hell I almost died/ Both got our reasons, let's just fold the cards and say good-bye/ It's all right, just two hearts breaking even tonight”

A great break-up song if you ask me.

201 - “Whiskey Lullaby” by Brad Paisley with Alison Krauss

200 - “You've Got to Stand for Something” by Charley Pride

Let’s be honest, you don’t make it as a black man in Country music in the 1970s if you’re just ok. You’ve got to be pretty dang good… and Charley Pride’s better than that.

199 - “Turn the Page” by Metallica

A cover of a great Bob Seger song.

198 - “Bad” by Michael Jackson

197 - “Life in the Fast Lane” by The Eagles

196 - “Free Fallin'” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

195 - “Top of the World” by Van Halen

194 - “As Good As I Once Was” by Toby Keith

Another song written about me.

193 - “Baba O'Riley” by The Who

192 - “Knee Deep” by Zac Brown Band with Jimmy Buffett

191 - “Getting Better” by The Beatles

190 - “Stay With Me” by Rod Stewart

189 - “Wonderful World” by Sam Cooke

I think I told you this before… but incase you missed it, I could listen to Sam Cooke songs all day long.

188 - “Life Loves a Tragedy” by Poison

I don’t think this is one of their more well known songs, but I love it.

187 - “Man in the Mirror” by Michael Jackson

186 - “One Sweet Day” by Mariah Carey with Boyz II Men

185 - “Brick House” by Commodores

Ah… a little bit of Funk on the list.

184 - “Don't You Wanna Stay” by Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson

A great duet by two young artists.

183 - “Black Dog” by Led Zeppelin

182 - “Playing With the Boys” by Kenny Loggins

This was on my baseball pre-game playlist growing up.

181 - “Hey Joe” by Jimi Hendrix

180 - “Proud Mary” by Ike and Tina

A cover of the great Creedence Clearwater Revival song.

179 - “The Heart of Rock and Roll” by Huey Lewis and The News

178 - “All My Rowdy Friends (Have Settled Down)” by Hank Williams, Jr.

“And I think I know what my father meant when he sang about a lost highway/ And old George Jones I'm glad to see he's finally getting straight,/ And Waylon staying home and loving Jesse more these days,/ And nobody wants to get drunk and get loud/ And all my rowdy friends have settled down./ And the hangovers hurt more than they used to/ And corn bread and ice tea took the place of pills and ninety-proof,/ And it seems like none of us do things quite like we used to do/ And nobody wants to get high on the town/ And all my rowdy friends have settled down.”

Ah, the end of my college days.

177 - “Got My Mind Set on You” by George Harrison

There was a time when I was but a young lad that this was my favorite song… back when I was so young that I didn’t realize George Harrison was an ex-Beatle.

176 - “Thunder Rolls” by Garth Brooks

175 - “Candle in the Wind” by Elton John

I LOVE this song… but I hate when he changes the name for a funeral. I get it… Princess Di was a big deal… but this wasn’t her song. This was about Marilyn Monroe and it will always be about Marilyn Monroe.

174 - “Gods of War” by Def Leppard

“Feelin' like it's all over, feelin' like there's no love/ Feelin' like it's not easy, breathin' life in the dust/ On a countdown to zero take a ride on the nightmare machine/ There ain't gonna be heroes/ There ain't gonna be anything/ Oh/ Here it comes, here comes the night/ Here it comes, hell in the night/ Here it comes, here comes the night”

What a GREAT song! Here’s a funny thing… I never really realized that this is an anti-war song until I looked at the lyrics. It really is… up until the very end of the song when they include audio clips of Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher. The clips from Reagan have been talked about on here before. They are great. They are so great that they make you forget that the song you just listened to is an anti-war song. In fact, they are so great that you actually think this is the kind of song you would want to listen to before you go into a fight.

173 - “Southern State Of Mind” by Darius Rucker

“I was up in New York City,/ just the other week./ You shoulda seen the waiters face when I ordered sweet tea./ She said ‘we don't have that here’/ and I apologized, I said ‘Please forgive me,/ I'm in a southern state of mind.’/ And those girls out in California,/ they don't understand./ They don't like it when I hold the door,/ when I say yes ma'am./ They act like I've done something wrong,/ and they give me the evil eye./ I say ‘honey, I'm sorry,/ I'm in a southern state of mind.’”

I wish I had written this song.

172 - “Down on the Corner” by Creedence Clearwater Revival



Know Your Medal of Honor Recipients:

Corporal F. Clarence Buck (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on September 29, 1864 at Chapins Farm, Virginia. His citation reads:

Although wounded, refused to leave the field until the fight closed.

Quartermaster James Buck (US Navy) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on April 24-25, 1862 while on board the USS Brooklyn. His citation reads:

Served on board the U.S.S. Brooklyn in the attack upon Forts Jackson and St. Philip and at the taking of New Orleans, 24 and 25 April 1862. Although severely wounded by a heavy splinter, Buck continued to perform his duty until positively ordered below. Later stealing back to his post, he steered the ship for 8 hours despite his critical condition. His bravery was typical of the type which resulted in the taking of the Forts Jackson and St. Philip and in the capture of New Orleans.

First Lieutenant David E. Buckingham (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on February 5, 1865 at Rowanty Creek, Virginia. His citation reads:

Swam the partly frozen creek, under fire, in the attempt to capture a crossing.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Songs 241 - 207

With the season finale of most shows already behind us, I have started to take a break from watching TV. So I thought now would be a good time for me to introduce Daniel to Clemson football. We are skipping around from season to season but I’m focusing mainly on the years when Sonny was in school (’88-’91). There are two reasons for this. The first is that these are the years when my all time favorite football player (Levon Kirkland) was playing and the second is we (me and Daniel) like to play the game “Find Uncle Sonny” when the camera shows the crowd. It’s kind of our game within the game. Like you, I see nothing wrong with any of this. But, as I’m sure you have guessed, The Wife hates it. “Are we watching stupid football again?” is what I hear her say a good bit (my answer, of course, is “No… these games are from when they were good”). You might ask why I like to watch old football games. The answer, simply, is because I know my team will win. It helps me enjoy the game more. I am almost at the point now where I don’t really want to watch a Clemson game live anymore (and by live, I mean live on TV. I wouldn’t mind going to a game, but I don’t really have the money for that). I’d rather record the game and then watch it if I know they won. If they lost, I won’t waste my time watching. So anyway, I think this is a great father/son type thing for me to be doing with Daniel right now. I’m sure you agree with me.

By the way… I know we’ve still got a good bit of time until the 2011 college football season, but I wanted to go ahead and let my friends who are fans of the Revolutionary War Heroes know that I am looking for 1 ticket (maybe two if Jeremy wants to come along) to the Navy/USC football game on September 17. I, of course, will pay you back for the ticket. I do, however, expect you to provide transportation to and from the game. And I would like for our tickets to be together. In return for all of this, I promise not to gloat when my team beats your team. Also, I tailgate before Winthrop Basketball games when it’s (sometimes) just me and Jeremy there… so I don’t have a problem getting up to Columbia early to tailgate before the game. Just something for you to keep in mind when making your football plans this fall.

Don’t forget, Darius Rucker will honor Pattison's Academy should he win CMT Performance of the year! This is a FAN supported contest. Click here to vote for Darius and you'll be voting for Pattison's!!

We will now continue our countdown of the I’m just sayin… Top 1,081 Songs of All Time


241 - “It's My Life” by Bon Jovi

Bon Jovi had kind of fallen off for a while and then this song came out and (BOOM!), they’re back in the game.

240 - “On Our Own” by Bobby Brown

239 - “Rock N' Roll Never Forgets” by Bob Seger

238 - “Get Up Stand Up” by Bob Marley

237 - “Shelter Me” by .38 Special

236 - “Well Did You Evah?” by Bing Crosby; Frank Sinatra

Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra… does it get any better?

235 - “We Didn't Start the Fire” by Billy Joel

It’s a song about history… pretty much.

234 - “Roll On (Eighteen Wheeler)” by Alabama

I felt like I knew this song by heart the first time I heard it. It’s that kind of song.

233 - “Dude (Looks Like a Lady)” by Aerosmith

This reminds me of the time I went to Virginia Beach for a baseball tournament the summer before my senior year in high school.

232 - “For Those About To Rock” (Live) by AC/DC

I had a CD clock radio in high school and for many years I would wake up to the live version of this song. The drums at the end let me know it was time to get up.

231 - “This Ain't a Love Song” by Bon Jovi

“It made me so mad 'cause I wanted it bad for us baby/ And now it's so sad that whatever we had/ Ain't worth saving oh oh oh/ If the love that I've got for you is gone/ If the river I've cried ain't that long/ Then I'm wrong yes I'm wrong/ This ain't a love song”

230 - “Better Than This” by Brad Paisley

“But if a busload of women, really good-looking women just suddenly pulled in here./ And Little Jimmy Dickens showed up with fried chicken./ And a hundred gallon keg of beer./ Merle Haggard dropped by and brought Willie with him./ And they started taking requests./ Now don't get me wrong boy's./ This is pretty good./ But it could get better than this.”

229 - “Rave On” by Buddy Holly and The Crickets

228 - “A Bad Goodbye” by Clint Black with Wynonna Ryder

227 - “Drinkin' and Dialin'” by Darius Rucker

226 - “Rocket Man (I Think It's Going To Be a Long, Long Time)” by Elton John

225 - “Go Your Own Way” by Fleetwood Mac

224 - “I'm Over You” by Hootie and the Blowfish

“I'm gonna phone her, but not today/ I'm gonna write her, but not today/ Today I'm gonna be/ Driving down Highway 441 with the windows down/ A beer in one hand, the radio blasting/ My old feelings I won't recognize/ I'm Over You”

I believe this song was originally done by The Silos… but I love the Hootie version.

223 - “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)” by Journey

222 - “Cum On Feel The Noize” by Quiet Riot

221 - “Surfin' USA” by The Beach Boys

220 - “Take It to the Limit” by The Eagles

219 - “Hot for Teacher” by Van Halen

218 - “Chicken Fried” by Zac Brown Band

217 - “Dr. Feelgood” by Motley Crue

216 - “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson

215 - “I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)” by Meat Loaf

214 - “Open Arms” by Journey

213 - “Come Monday” by Jimmy Buffett

212 - “Stay” by Jackson Browne

211 - “The Load-Out” by Jackson Browne

210 - “The Power of Love” by Huey Lewis and The News

209 - “Goodbye Girl” by Hootie and the Blowfish

208 - “Carolina” by Eric Church

207 - “Your Song” by Elton John

Look! It’s my song!



Know Your Medal of Honor Recipients:

Lieutenant Commander Allen Buchanan (US Navy) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on April 21-22, 1914 during the engagements of Vera Cruz. His citation reads:

For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Vera Cruz, 21 and 22 April 1914. In command of the 1st Seaman Regiment, Lt. Cmdr. Buchanan was in both days' fighting and almost continually under fire from soon after landing, about noon of the 21st, until we were in possession of the city, about noon of the 22d. His duties required him to be at points of great danger in directing his officers and men, and he exhibited conspicuous courage, coolness, and skill in his conduct of the fighting. Upon his courage and skill depended, in great measure, success or Failure. His responsibilities were great, and he met them in a manner worthy of commendation.

Apprentice David M. Buchanan (US Navy) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on July 15, 1879 on board the USS Saratoga. His citation reads:

On board the U.S.S. Saratoga off Battery, New York Harbor, 15 July 1879. On the morning of this date, Robert Lee Robey, apprentice, fell overboard from the after part of the ship into the tide which was running strong ebb at the time and, not being an expert swimmer, was in danger of drowning. Instantly springing over the rail after him, Buchanan never hesitated for an instant to remove even a portion of his clothing. Both men were picked up by the ship's boat following this act of heroism.

Private George A. Buchanan (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on September 29, 1864 at Chapins Farm, Virginia. His citation reads:

Took position in advance of the skirmish line and drove the enemy's cannoneers from their guns; was mortally wounded.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

The Countdown Continues 276 - 242

Don’t forget, Darius Rucker will honor Pattison's Academy should he win CMT Performance of the year! This is a FAN supported contest. Click here to vote for Darius and you'll be voting for Pattison's!!

We will now continue our countdown of the I’m just sayin… Top 1,081 Songs of All Time


276 - “Miss Fourth of July” by Bon Jovi

275 - “As She's Walking Away” by Zac Brown Band with Alan Jackson

274 - “Let's Get Rocked” by Def Leppard

273 - “I'm Still a Guy” by Brad Paisley

“I'll pour out my heart/ Hold your hand in the car/ Write a love song that makes you cry/ Then turn right around knock some jerk to the ground/ 'Cause he copped a feel as you walked by/ I can hear you now talking to your friends/ Saying, ‘Yeah girls he's come a long way’/ From dragging his knuckles and carrying a club/ And building a fire in a cave/ But when you say a backrub means only a backrub/ Then you swat my hand when I try/ Well, what can I say at the end of the day/ Honey, I'm still a guy”

272 - “Let It Rock” by Bon Jovi

271 - “Whiskey's Gone” by Zac Brown Band

270 - “Rocket” by Def Leppard

269 - “Hey God” by Bon Jovi

268 - “Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac

267 - “Highway 20 Ride” by Zac Brown Band

266 - “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue” by Toby Keith

“Oh, justice will be served and the battle will rage./ This big dog will fight when you rattle his cage./ An' you'll be sorry that you messed with the U.S. of A./ 'Cos we'll put a boot in your ass, it's the American way./ Hey, Uncle Sam put your name at the top of his list,/ And the Statue of Liberty started shaking her fist./ And the eagle will fly and it's gonna be hell,/ When you hear Mother Freedom start ringing her bell./ And it'll feel like the whole wide world is raining down on you./ Ah, brought to you, courtesy of the red, white and blue.”

I remember he took some flack for this song when it came out… but I thought it was the perfect song for the time (right after 9/11). I love the music at the end of this song (lyrics above).

265 - “Magic Bus” by The Who

264 - “Prayer '94” by Bon Jovi

This song is so good that two versions of it (by the same group) made the list. Even though they changed the title for this version, this is really just a slow version of Livin’ on a Prayer. It’s a nice change of pace for a great song.

263 - “Play Something Country” by Brooks and Dunn

Mary Ruth loves singing the chorus to this song… and that makes me happy.

262 - “I Go Blind” by Hootie and the Blowfish

261 - “Always Be My Baby” by Mariah Carey

260 - “I Saw Her Standing There” by The Beatles

259 - “Don't Stop” by Fleetwood Mac

258 - “I'm Gonna Miss Her” by Brad Paisley

“But today she met me at the door/ Said I would have to choose/ If I hit that fishin' hole today/ She'd be packin' all her things and she'd/ be gone by noon/ Well I'm gonna miss her/ When I get home/ Right now I'm on this lakeshore/ And I'm sittin' in the sun/ I'm sure it'll hit me/ When I walk through that door tonight/ Ya I'm gonna miss her/ Oh, lookie there, I've got a bite”

This first Brad Paisley song I ever heard. I haven’t been able to get enough since then.

257 - “Stir It Up” by Bob Marley

256 - “It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday” by Boyz II Men

255 - “This Is Country Music” by Brad Paisley

254 - “A Little Too Late” by Toby Keith

The video for this song is just GREAT.

253 - “These Days” by Bon Jovi

252 - “Pinball Wizard” by The Who

251 - “Wouldn't It Be Nice” by The Beach Boys

250 - “3 A.M. ” by Matchbox Twenty

249 - “Almost Home” by Hootie and the Blowfish

248 - “Dixie On My Mind” by Hank Williams, Jr.

“These people never smile or say a word,/ They're all too busy tryin' to make an extra dime,/ Oh I'd love to haul 'em all down around Spartanburg,/ And show 'em how to raise hell in Carolina.”

This is the song I listened to the few times I left The South. I found it helped get me through until I could return home.

247 - “Tiny Dancer” by Elton John

246 - “Come Back Song” by Darius Rucker

245 - “Before He Cheats” by Carrie Underwood

244 - “Something for the Pain” by Bon Jovi

243 - “Alcohol” by Brad Paisley

242 - “Some Beach” by Blake Shelton


Know Your Medal of Honor Recipients:

Sergeant Andrew S. Bryant (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on May 23, 1863 at New Bern, North Carolina. His citation reads:

By his courage and judicious disposition of his guard of 16 men, stationed in a small earthwork at the head of the bridge, held in check and repulsed for a half hour a fierce attack of a strong force of the enemy, thus probably saving the city New Bern from capture.

Sergeant First Class William Maud Bryant (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on March 24, 1969 at Long Khanh Province, Republic of Vietnam. His citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sfc. Bryant, assigned to Company A, distinguished himself while serving as commanding officer of Civilian Irregular Defense Group Company 321, 2d Battalion, 3d Mobile Strike Force Command, during combat operations. The battalion came under heavy fire and became surrounded by the elements of 3 enemy regiments. Sfc. Bryant displayed extraordinary heroism throughout the succeeding 34 hours of incessant attack as he moved throughout the company position heedless of the intense hostile fire while establishing and improving the defensive perimeter, directing fire during critical phases of the battle, distributing ammunition, assisting the wounded, and providing the leadership and inspirational example of courage to his men. When a helicopter drop of ammunition was made to re-supply the beleaguered force, Sfc. Bryant with complete disregard for his safety ran through the heavy enemy fire to retrieve the scattered ammunition boxes and distributed needed ammunition to his men. During a lull in the intense fighting, Sfc. Bryant led a patrol outside the perimeter to obtain information of the enemy. The patrol came under intense automatic weapons fire and was pinned down. Sfc. Bryant single-handedly repulsed 1 enemy attack on his small force and by his heroic action inspired his men to fight off other assaults. Seeing a wounded enemy soldier some distance from the patrol location, Sfc. Bryant crawled forward alone under heavy fire to retrieve the soldier for intelligence purposes. Finding that the enemy soldier had expired, Sfc. Bryant crawled back to his patrol and led his men back to the company position where he again took command of the defense. As the siege continued, Sfc. Bryant organized and led a patrol in a daring attempt to break through the enemy encirclement. The patrol had advanced some 200 meters by heavy fighting when it was pinned down by the intense automatic weapons fire from heavily fortified bunkers and Sfc. Bryant was severely wounded. Despite his wounds he rallied his men, called for helicopter gunship support, and directed heavy suppressive fire upon the enemy positions. Following the last gunship attack, Sfc. Bryant fearlessly charged an enemy automatic weapons position, overrunning it, and single-handedly destroying its 3 defenders. Inspired by his heroic example, his men renewed their attack on the entrenched enemy. While regrouping his small force for the final assault against the enemy, Sfc. Bryant fell mortally wounded by an enemy rocket. Sfc. Bryant's selfless concern for his comrades, at the cost of his life above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.

Captain Paul William Bucha (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on March 16-19, 1968 near Phuoc Vinh, Binh Duong Province, Republic of Vietnam. His citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Capt. Bucha distinguished himself while serving as commanding officer, Company D, on a reconnaissance-in-force mission against enemy forces near Phuoc Vinh, The company was inserted by helicopter into the suspected enemy stronghold to locate and destroy the enemy. During this period Capt. Bucha aggressively and courageously led his men in the destruction of enemy fortifications and base areas and eliminated scattered resistance impeding the advance of the company. On 18 March while advancing to contact, the lead elements of the company became engaged by the heavy automatic weapon, heavy machine gun, rocket propelled grenade, Claymore mine and small-arms fire of an estimated battalion-size force. Capt. Bucha, with complete disregard for his safety, moved to the threatened area to direct the defense and ordered reinforcements to the aid of the lead element. Seeing that his men were pinned down by heavy machine gun fire from a concealed bunker located some 40 meters to the front of the positions, Capt. Bucha crawled through the hail of fire to single-handedly destroy the bunker with grenades. During this heroic action Capt. Bucha received a painful shrapnel wound. Returning to the perimeter, he observed that his unit could not hold its positions and repel the human wave assaults launched by the determined enemy. Capt. Bucha ordered the withdrawal of the unit elements and covered the withdrawal to positions of a company perimeter from which he could direct fire upon the charging enemy. When 1 friendly element retrieving casualties was ambushed and cut off from the perimeter, Capt. Bucha ordered them to feign death and he directed artillery fire around them. During the night Capt. Bucha moved throughout the position, distributing ammunition, providing encouragement and insuring the integrity of the defense. He directed artillery, helicopter gunship and Air Force gunship fire on the enemy strong points and attacking forces, marking the positions with smoke grenades. Using flashlights in complete view of enemy snipers, he directed the medical evacuation of 3 air-ambulance loads of seriously wounded personnel and the helicopter supply of his company. At daybreak Capt. Bucha led a rescue party to recover the dead and wounded members of the ambushed element. During the period of intensive combat, Capt. Bucha, by his extraordinary heroism, inspirational example, outstanding leadership and professional competence, led his company in the decimation of a superior enemy force which left 156 dead on the battlefield. His bravery and gallantry at the risk of his life are in the highest traditions of the military service, Capt. Bucha has reflected great credit on himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.

Monday, May 23, 2011

Entering the 200s!!!!!

As you know, I’ve always been a fan of Israel. I’m not saying they are perfect over there… I’m just saying I like them. Really, what’s not to like about a country that is still, all these years later, hunting down Nazis? These are people who know how to fight terrorist! Also, it’s hard not to like a country that just a little bigger than New Jersey surrounded by countries who want to wipe it off the face of the earth. I know these countries want to wipe Israel off the face of the earth because they have been trying to do this since the modern country of Israel was established. A quick look at Wikipedia (my source for almost all quick-check facts used on this blog) shows that in 1947, Britain had a plan that would divide Palestine into two countries (one Arab and one Jewish). The Jewish community was ok with this plan but the Arabs weren’t. On May 14, 1948 the Jewish Agency proclaimed independence (and named the country Israel). The next day they were attacked by Egypt, Syria, Lebanon and Iraq. We will call this the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. During this war, Jordan annexed the West Bank and East Jerusalem; Egypt took control of the Gaza Strip; and Israel (the winner of this war) gained a bunch of land. I’m not going to give you an extensive history here, because I don’t really have the time… So let’s skip ahead to today where there is talk that, gosh, wouldn’t it just be great if Israel would go back to its pre-1967 boarders. Well, let’s take a look at what went down in 1967. The Six-Day War started on June 5, 1967 when Israel launched a large-scale surprise attack. Some say this was an act of aggression… some say it was a defensive preemptive strike. I’m going with defensive preemptive strike, because it’s not like the Arab countries were all lovey-dovey before the attack. My rule of thumb is if you’re going to talk s**t about a country and about how they should not exist… then don’t cry like a little baby when they punch you in the face and take your candy. Let’s look at the players in this fight: On one side, Israel. On the other side, Egypt, Syria, Jordan, and forces from Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Algeria, Libya, Kuwait, Tunisia, Sudan and the PLO. Israel won. In six days (thus, the name of the war). Six days! It was over so fast that most people thought Israel had attacked France! I can only assume that the Arab military leaders were trained at the finest French military academies. Anyway, during this war, Israel captured the Gaza Strip, the Sinai Peninsula, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights. Since then, Israel has already given back some of the land (and the various Arab nations have tried to take the rest of it… and more… but have failed). I say they should keep the land. And if the other nations want to try and take it from them… give it your best shot. My money says that Israel would just end up taking even more land. After a while, I think you have to look at what Israel has been up against and look at what has happened and you have to start to think, hmmm… maybe God really is on their side. And the side God is on is the side I think America should be on. Of course, my first hope is that everyone would just leave each other alone over there… but something tells me that won’t happen.

We enter into the 200s today on the list. We might get through this whole thing in one month... who knew?!

Don’t forget, Darius Rucker will honor Pattison's Academy should he win CMT Performance of the year! This is a FAN supported contest. Click here to vote for Darius and you'll be voting for Pattison's!!

We will now continue our countdown of the I’m just sayin… Top 1,081 Songs of All Time

311 - “When My Little Girl is Smiling” by The Drifters

My song to my girls.

310 - “Uneasy Rider” by The Charlie Daniels Band

309 - “Wild Thing” by The Troggs

308 - “Nights I Can't Remember, Friends I'll Never Forget” by Toby Keith

307 - “Southern Voice” by Tim McGraw

306 - “Can't Stop Lovin' You” by Van Halen

305 - “Outlaws Like Us” by Travis Tritt with Hank Williams, Jr. and Waylon Jennings

“And I wear this country banner/ And I'm proud to wave the flag/ And you can talk all day 'bout the next Billy Ray/ But I'll cast my vote for Hag/ And when all those screamin' metal bands/ Have corroded into rust/ There'll still be a show on Music Row/ For old outlaws like us”

I can’t think of many Country songs that have a singer dissing another country singer… but back when this song came out Travis Tritt had a nice little feud going with Billy Ray Cyrus (yep, that same one). I sided with Travis Tritt… Sonny went with Billy Ray. Looks like I won.

304 - “I Play The Road” by Zac Brown Band

303 - “One Moment In Time” by Whitney Houston

302 - “Honky Tonk Heroes” by Waylon Jennings

301 - “Glory Days” by Bruce Springsteen

300 - “Raise Your Hands” by Bon Jovi

299 - “American Saturday Night” by Brad Paisley

298 - “Just A Gigolo/I Ain't Got Nobody” by David Lee Roth

This song describes my early college years… Before I met The Wife, of course. ;)

297 - “The Heart of the Matter” by Don Henley

296 - “Always on My Mind” by Elvis Presley

295 - “Show Me the Way To Go Home” by Emerson, Lake and Palmer

It was a great song in Jaws… it was a great song in college… and it’s a great song when I sing it at the end of the work day.

294 - “Sinners Like Me” by Eric Church

293 - “Luck Be a Lady” by Frank Sinatra

Here we have the song that would run through my head as I stood in the on-deck circle during my high school baseball games.

292 - “When We Was Fab” by George Harrison

A good song by a former Beatle about being a Beatle.

291 - “If The South Would Have Won” by Hank Williams, Jr.

“If the South would’ve won we'd a had it made,/ I'd prob’ly run for President of the Southern State./ The day Elvis passed away would be our national holiday,/ If the South would a won we'd had a it made./ I'd make my Supreme Court down in Texas,/ And we wouldn't have no killers gettin’ off free./ If they were proven guilty, then they would swing quickly,/ Instead of writin’ books and smilin’ on T.V.”

Amen!

290 - “Material Girl” by Madonna

289 - “Saturday Night Special” by Lynyrd Skynyrd

288 - “Ramble On” by Led Zeppelin

287 - “Small Town” by John Mellencamp

Another song written about me.

286 - “Johnny Cash” by Jason Aldean

“(whoa)/ Throw your suitcase in the back,/ (whoa)/ Done gassed up the pontiac,/ (whoa)/ Blastin' out to Johnny Cash, headin' for the highway,/ Baby we ain't ever comin' back.”

285 - “Time” by Hootie and the Blowfish

284 - “Easy Come, Easy Go” by George Strait

283 - “Sweet Child O' Mine” by Guns N' Roses

282 - “My Hero” by Foo Fighters

281 - “Wanna Go Back” by Eddie Money

280 - “Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone)” by Cinderella

279 - “All-American Girl” by Carrie Underwood

278 - “Oh Boy! ” by Buddy Holly and The Crickets

277 - “Hillbilly Deluxe” by Brooks and Dunn


Know Your Medal of Honor Recipients:

Captain Christopher C. Bruton (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on March 2, 1865 at Waynesboro, Virginia. His citation reads:

Capture of Gen. Early's headquarters flag. Confederate national standard.

Landsman Henry Brutsche (US Navy) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on October 31, 1864 on board the USS Tacony. His citation reads:

Served on board the U.S.S. Tacony during the taking of Plymouth, N.C., 31 October 1864. Carrying out his duties faithfully during the capture of Plymouth, Brutsche distinguished himself by a display of coolness when he participated in landing and spiking a 9-inch gun while under a devastating fire from enemy musketry.

Hospital Steward William C. Bryan (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on March 17, 1876 at Powder River, Wyoming. His citation reads:

Accompanied a detachment of cavalry in a charge on a village of hostile Indians and fought through the engagements, having his horse killed under him. He continued to fight on foot, and under severe fire and without assistance conveyed 2 wounded comrades to places of safety, saving them from capture.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

HAPPY BIRTHDAY No Name Teri!!!!

We at I’m just sayin… would like to start our post today by wishing my much older sister, No Name Teri, a very HAPPY 39th BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!! This means that in one quick year you will get to find out 40 things about No Name Teri! What fun that will be! So Happy Last Birthday Before You’re 40, No Name Teri!!!!!!!! Hope you have a good day.

You will notice some changes with the posting of the remaining songs on the I’m just sayin… Top 1,081 Songs of All Time list. Starting with the post today, I will not include lyrics for every song. The reason, simply, is that we are now getting to songs that everyone should know by heart. I still might include a couple of lines from a song here and there, but don’t expect it for the majority of the songs.

Don’t forget, Darius Rucker will honor Pattison's Academy should he win CMT Performance of the year! This is a FAN supported contest. Click here to vote for Darius and you'll be voting for Pattison's!!

We will now continue our countdown of the I’m just sayin… Top 1,081 Songs of All Time


346 - “Run-Around” by Blues Traveler

I love the harmonica in this song.

345 - “Only the Good Die Young” by Billy Joel

344 - “The More I Drink” by Blake Shelton

This is a fun song.

343 - “Wind Beneath My Wings” by Bette Midler

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to hear my friend Danny sing this to me over the past four years…

342 - “Hold On Loosely” by .38 Special

341 - “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” by AC/DC

340 - “Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song” by B.J. Thomas

“So please play for me a sad melody/ So sad that it makes everybody cry/ A real hurtin' song about a love that's gone wrong/ 'cause I don't want to cry all alone/ Hey, won’t you play another somebody done somebody wrong song/ And make me feel at home while I miss my baby, while I miss my baby”

A great country song.

339 - “Dream On” by Aerosmith

338 - “The Last Country Song” by Blake Shelton with John Anderson and George Jones

“Will we play ‘Swingin’ or ‘He Stopped Loving Her Today’/ It's really sad to see it end this way/ This land was our land but Lord now it's their land/ And we're still here, but not for long/ So let's raise a cold one and play all the old ones/ 'Til we've sung the last country song”

Great song… even if it’s not really the last country song.

337 - “Say It Isn't So” by Bon Jovi

336 - “You Need A Man Around Here” by Brad Paisley

“Thumbing through your stack of magazines/ I don't see a Maxim or Field and Stream/ I haven't been in a room this clean/ Since they took my appendix out/ Well you've gotta be kidding me/ Don't tell me that thing is your TV/ My laptop's got a bigger screen/ Baby, there ain't no doubt/ You need a man around here/ You can't do it all by yourself/ To me it's painfully clear/ That you could use a little help/ Someone to kill the spiders/ Change the channel and drink the beer/ Seems to me that you sure need/ A man around here”

Another funny Brad Paisley song.

335 - “Red Dirt Road” by Brooks and Dunn

334 - “Last Name” by Carrie Underwood

333 - “You're So Vain” by Carly Simon

“You're so vain, you probably think this song is about you/ You're so vain, I'll bet you think this song is about you/ Don't you? Don't You?”

Here we have a song that was written about me. That’s right, I said it.

332 - “Peggy Sue” by Buddy Holly and The Crickets

331 - “A Good Run of Bad Luck” by Clint Black

330 - “Learn to Be Still” by The Eagles

329 - “Armageddon It” by Def Leppard

328 - “Can't Help Falling In Love” by Elvis Presley

327 - “Callin' Batton Rouge” by Garth Brooks

326 - “If Heaven Ain't a Lot Like Dixie” by Hank Williams, Jr.

“If heaven ain't a lot like Dixie, I don't wanna go,/ If heaven ain't a lot like Dixie, I'd just as soon stay home./ If they don't have a Grand Ole Opry, like they do in Tennessee,/ Just send me to hell or New York City, it would be about the same to me.”

Can I get an Amen?

325 - “Need You Now” by Lady Antebellum

Boy, if I had a nickel for every time I got a call like this in college…

324 - “Immigrant Song” by Led Zeppelin

323 - “God Blessed Texas” by Little Texas

322 - “Gimme Three Steps” by Lynyrd Skynyrd

321 - “All I Need Is A Miracle” by Mike and the Mechanics

320 - “Dirty Diana” by Michael Jackson

319 - “Something To Be Proud Of” by Montgomery Gentry

318 - “Mama, I'm Coming Home” by Ozzy Osbourne

317 - “Alive” by Pearl Jam

True story: This is the song that played the night Sonny and I almost died in Atlanta. Read more about it here.

316 - “Talk Dirty to Me” by Poison

315 - “It's The End of the World As We Know It” by R.E.M.

314 - “18 and Life” by Skid Row

313 - “The Joker” by Steve Miller Band

312 - “Song and Emotion” by Tesla

Know Your Medal of Honor Recipients:

Private First Class Daniel D. Bruce (US Marine Corps) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on March 1, 1969 at Fire Support Base Tomahawk, Quang Nam Province, Republic of Vietnam. His citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a mortar man with Headquarters and Service Company 3d Battalion, against the enemy. Early in the morning Pfc. Bruce was on watch in his night defensive position at fire support base tomahawk when he heard movements ahead of him. An enemy explosive charge was thrown toward his position and he reacted instantly, catching the device and shouting to alert his companions. Realizing the danger to the adjacent position with its 2 occupants, Pfc. Bruce held the device to his body and attempted to carry it from the vicinity of the entrenched marines. As he moved away, the charge detonated and he absorbed the full force of the explosion. Pfc. Bruce's indomitable courage, inspiring valor and selfless devotion to duty saved the lives of 3 of his fellow marines and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Private Louis J. Bruner (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on December 2, 1863 at Walkers Ford, Tennessee. His citation reads:

Voluntarily passed through the enemy's lines under fire and conveyed to a battalion, then in a perilous position and liable to capture, information which enabled it to reach a point of safety.

Lieutenant George W. Brush (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on May 24, 1864 at Ashepoo River, South Carolina. His citation reads:

Voluntarily commanded a boat crew, which went to the rescue of a large number of Union soldiers on board the stranded steamer Boston, and with great gallantry succeeded in conveying them to shore, being exposed during the entire time to heavy fire from a Confederate battery.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

It’s the end of the world as we know it…

…Or is it? Either way, I feel fine. Word on the street was the world was going to end today. Personally, I don’t buy into firm dates for the end of the world or anything like that. I figure it will happen when God wants it to happen. If he wants to give me a firm date ahead of time, I assume he’ll just tweet it or post it on his Facebook page or, perhaps, tell me over my Heavenly Digital Two Way Radio (sold exclusively at Carter Electronics), the only radio we at I’m just sayin… use when talking with God. (***Note to self: Contact KC about a great new marketing idea. Note to Note to self: Review notes from college Business Ethics classes… something doesn’t feel right about my great new idea, but I can’t put my finger on what it is). Anyway, I think all of this talk about the world ending today (or in October of this year) is all just rumors that started as No Name Teri’s wishful thinking that the world would end before she turns the big 4-0 on May 22, 2012.

Don’t forget, Darius Rucker will honor Pattison's Academy should he win CMT Performance of the year! This is a FAN supported contest. Click here to vote for Darius and you'll be voting for Pattison's!!

We will now continue our countdown of the I’m just sayin… Top 1,081 Songs of All Time


381 - “Who Says You Can't Go Home” by Bon Jovi with Jennifer Nettles

“I spent 20 years trying to get out of this place/ I was looking for something I couldn't replace/ I was running away from the only thing I've ever known/ Like a blind dog without a bone/ I was a gypsy lost in the twilight zone/ I hijacked a rainbow and crashed into a pot of gold/ I been there, done that and I ain't lookin' back on the seeds I've sown,/ Saving dimes, spending too much time on the telephone/ Who says you can't go home”

Here we have a song that has already been on the list making it again. This is the Country version of the song featuring Jennifer Nettles. Honestly, I don’t think it sound that much different than the Rock version… but I think the song is way better as a duet.

380 - “Welcome To the Future” by Brad Paisley

“When I was ten years old/ I remember thinking how cool it would be/ When we were going on an eight-hour drive/ If I could just watch TV/ And I'd have given anything/ To have my own Pac-Man game at home/ I used to have to get a ride down to the arcade/ Now I've got it on my phone”

A great song about how far we’ve come as a society in my lifetime. A lot of people think it’s about his life, but I’m pretty sure it’s about mine. Calls from my people to his people to confirm this have not been returned.

379 - “Look Away” by Chicago

“But if you see me walking by,/ And the tears are in my eyes,/ Look away, baby, look away./ If we meet on the streets someday,/ And I don't know what to say,/ Look away, baby, look away./ Don't look at me;/ I don't want you to see me this way.”

378 - “Photograph” by Def Leppard

“Photograph - I don't want your/ Photograph - I don't need your/ Photograph - All I've got is a photograph/ But it's not enough”

377 - “Silver Springs” by Fleetwood Mac

“You could be my silver springs/ Blue green colors flashin'/ I would be your only dream/ Your shining autumn, ocean crashing/ And did you say she was pretty/ And did you say that she loves you/ Baby, I don't wanna know”

376 - “Learn To Fly” by Foo Fighters

“Run and tell all of the angels, this could take all night/ Think I need a devil to help me get things right/ Hook me up a new revolution ‘cause this one is a lie/ We sat around laughin’ and watched the last one die”

A great song from the group started by my favorite member of Nirvana.

375 - “Sherry” by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons

“She - e - e-e-e-e-ry baby/ She - e - rry, can you come out tonight/ She - e - e-e-e-e-ry baby/ She - e - rry, can you come out tonight”

374 - “Longneck Bottle” by Garth Brooks with Steve Wariner

“Long neck bottle, let go of my hand/ Hey jukebox don't start playing that song again/ 'Cause there's a girl at home who loves me,/ You know she won't understand/ Long neck bottle, let go of my hand”

373 - “November Rain” by Guns N' Roses

“When I look into your eyes/ I can see a love restrained/ But darlin' when I hold you/ Don't you know I feel the same/ 'Cause nothin' lasts forever/ And we both know hearts can change/ And it's hard to hold a candle/ In the cold November rain”

I learned while reading my book about GNR that this song was inspired by Elton John. The video was also extremely expensive… but ended up being the most played video on MTV (back when they played music videos).

372 - “Never Been Any Reason” by Head East

“Save my life, I'm going down for the last time./ Woman with the sweet lov'in, better than a white line./ Bring a good feeling ain't had in such a long time./ Save my life, I'm going down for the last time.”

371 - “My Kinda Party” by Jason Aldean

“Oh baby you can find me./ In the back of a jacked up tailgate./ Sittin’ ‘round watchin’ all these pretty things./ Get down in that Georgia clay./ And I’ll find peace./ At the bottom of a real tall cold drink./ I'm chillin' to some Skynyrd and some old Hank./ Let’s get this thing started./ It’s my kinda party.”

My kind of song.

370 - “Purple Haze” by Jimi Hendrix

“Purple Haze all around,/ don't know if I'm coming up or down./ Am I happy or in misery?/ Whatever it is, that girl put a spell on me.”

369 - “Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven” by Kenny Chesney

“Said, Preacher, maybe you didn't see me throw an extra twenty in the plate./ There's one for everything I did last night,/ and one to get me through today./ Here's a ten to help you remember, next time you got the good Lord's ear./ Say-/ I'm comin' but there ain't no hurry/ I'm havin' fun down here. ”

368 - “Good Times Bad Times” by Led Zeppelin

“Good Times, bad times, you know I've had my share/ Well, my woman left home for a brown-eyed man/ but I still don't seem to care”

367 - “Lonesome Loser” by Little River Band

“Have you heard about the Lonesome Loser?/ Beaten by the Queen of Hearts every time./ Have you heard about the Lonesome Loser?/ He's a loser but he still keeps on trying.”

Hey look! A song about Sonny in high school! Haha…

366 - “You Got That Right” by Lynyrd Skynyrd

“Well I've heard lots of people say/ They're gonna settle down/ You don't see their faces/ And they don't come around/ Well I'm not that way/ I got to move along/ I like to drink and to dance all night/ Comes to a fix not afraid to fight/ You got that right/ Said, you got that right/ Sure got that right”

I like the back and forth vocals at the beginning of this song with Ronnie Van Zant and Steve Gaines as well as the great guitar work.

365 - “Push” by Matchbox Twenty

“She said I don't know if I've ever been good enough/ I'm a little bit rusty, and I think my head is caving in/ And I don't know if I've ever been really loved/ By a hand that's touched me, well I feel like something's/ Gonna give/ And I'm a little bit angry, well/ This ain't over, no not here, not while I still need you/ Around/ You don't owe me, we might change/ Yeah we just might feel good”

364 - “Home Sweet Home” by Motley Crue

“I'm on my way/ I'm on my way/ Home sweet home/ Tonight, tonight/ I'm on my way/ I'm on my way/ Home sweet home”

363 - “Paranoid” by Ozzy Osbourne

“And so as you hear these words/ telling you now of my state/ I tell you to enjoy life/ I wish I could but it's too late”

362 - “Yesterday” by Paul McCartney

“Yesterday/ All my troubles seemed so far away/ Now it looks as though they’re here to stay/ Oh, I believe in yesterday”

361 - “Even Flow” by Pearl Jam

“Even flow, thoughts arrive like butterflies/ Oh, he don't know, so he chases them away/ Someday yet, he'll begin his life again/ Life again, life again...”

I can’t hear this song without thinking about Adam Sandler as Opera Man on SNL singing this song. Classic.

360 - “Brain Damage” by Pink Floyd

“And if the dam breaks open many years too soon/ And if there is no room upon the hill/ And if your head explodes with dark forebodings too/ I'll see you on the dark side of the moon.”

359 - “Fallen Angel” by Poison

“Win big--Mama's fallen angel/ Lose big--livin' out of lies/ Wants it all--Mama's fallen angel/ Lose it all, rollin' the dice of her life”

358 - “Man on the Moon” by R.E.M.

“Hey, Andy did you hear about this one?/ Tell me, are you locked in the punch?/ Hey Andy are you goofing on Elvis?/ Hey, baby. Are we losing touch?/ If you believed they put a man on the moon, man on the moon./ If you believe there's nothing up my sleeve, then nothing is cool.”

357 - “Georgia on My Mind” by Ray Charles

“Oh Georgia, Georgia/ No peace, no peace I find/ Just an old sweet song/ Keeps Georgia on my mind”

356 - “Should've Said No” by Taylor Swift

“You should've said no,/ You should've gone home,/ You should have thought twice before you let it all go./ You should've known that word about what you did with her would get back to me./ And I should've been there, in the back of your mind,/ Shouldn't be asking myself why,/ You shouldn't be begging for forgiveness at my feet,/ You should've said no,/ Baby and you might still have me.”

355 - “Edison's Medicine” by Tesla

“You took a shot and it did you in./ Edison's medicine./ You played your cards, but you couldn't win./ Edison's medicine.”

354 - “Fun, Fun, Fun” by The Beach Boys

“Well she got her daddy's car/ And she cruised through the hamburger stand now/ Seems she forgot all about the library/ Like she told her old man now/ And with the radio blasting/ Goes cruising just as fast as she can now/ And she'll have fun, fun, fun/ 'Til her daddy takes the T-Bird away/ (Fun, fun, fun 'til her daddy takes the T-Bird away)”

353 - “Chantilly Lace” by The Big Bopper

“Chantilly lace and a pretty face/ And a pony tail a hangin down/ That wiggle in the walk/ And giggle in the talk/ Makes the world go round/ There ain't nothin in the world/ Like a big eyed girl/ That makes me act so funny/ Make me spend my money/ Make me feel real loose like a long necked goose/ Like a girl, oh baby that's what I like”

352 - “Tequila Sunrise” by The Eagles

“Take another shot of courage/ Wonder why the right words never come/ You just get numb/ It's another tequila sunrise, this old world/ still looks the same,/ Another frame”

351 - “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds” by The Beatles

“Lucy in the sky with diamonds,/ Lucy in the sky with diamonds,/ Lucy in the sky with diamonds,”

350 - “Used to Love Her” by Guns N' Roses

“I used to love her, but I had to kill her/ I used to love her, but I had to kill her/ I had to put her/ Six feet under/ And I can still hear her complain”

This is such a great song. It’s so funny if you just take it for what it is… a song. Talk about a great song to listen to after a break-up.

349 - “If I'd Been the One” by .38 Special

“Can you read my mind/ Take a good look at my face/ Could you take the time/ Just to stand here in my place/ What if I'd been the one to say goodbye, goodbye/ Could you smile when inside you just wanna cry, look inside/ Can you read my mind? Oh oh”

348 - “Bed of Roses” by Bon Jovi

“Sitting here wasted and wounded/ at this old piano/ Trying hard to capture/ the moment this morning I don't know/ 'Cause a bottle of vodka/ is still lodged in my head/ And some blond gave me nightmares/ I think she's still in my bed/ As I dream about movies/ they won't make of me when I'm dead”

I love the piano in this song. And the lyrics are just GREAT. I listened to this many a morning in college. ;)

347 - “My Prerogative” by Bobby Brown

“They say I'm crazy/ I really don't care/ That's my prerogative/ They say I'm nasty/ But I don't give a damn/ Gettin' girls is how I live”


Know Your Medal of Honor Recipients:

Private Wilson W. Brown (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on April 1862 in Georgia. His citation reads:

One of the 19 of 22 men (including 2 civilians) who, by direction of Gen. Mitchell (or Buell), penetrated nearly 200 miles south into enemy territory and captured a railroad train at Big Shanty, Ga., in an attempt to destroy the bridges and tract between Chattanooga and Atlanta.

Private Francis E. Brownell (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on May 24, 1861 at Alexandria, Virginia. His citation reads:

Killed the murderer of Colonel Ellsworth at the Marshall House Alexandria, Va. First Civil War deed to merit Medal of Honor.

Coxswain William P. Brownell (US Navy) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on May 2, 1863 and May 22, 1863 on board the USS Benton. His citation reads:

Served as coxswain on board the U.S.S. Benton during the attack on Great Gulf Bay, 2 May 1863, and Vicksburg, 22 May 1863. Carrying out his duties with coolness and courage, Brownell served gallantly against the enemy as captain of a 9-inch gun in the attacks on Great Gulf and Vicksburg and as a member of the Battery Benton before Vicksburg.