Late Night Music College Football Playoff Edition Part 183....."Somewhere Over The Rainbow"

This one is for those of you who are lost, even if it's just in your mind. Even if you don't know where you are, you're always somewhere. Just saying.

In order to be considered for this list, the SONG TITLE had to have the word "Somewhere" in it.....um somewhere see what I did there? Also receiving votes in this category were "Road to Somewhere" by Off Canal, "Somewhere in Time" by Silver by Skyline, "Something New" by Danger Silent, "Someone Somewhere Out There" by Kellie Pickler, and "Somewhere Back In Time" by Ascension.

"Somewhere Out There"- Our Lady Peace. Toronto rockers Our Lady Peace released this single in 2002 off of their album Gravity, and it became their biggest hit in the United States despite their already strong cult following at this point. This track peaked at #44 on the Billboard Hot 100 and gave Our Lady Peace a mainstream United States audience for the first time in their career, a move that was panned by several loyal Canadian fans as a "sellout" move. Despite this claim, this video received heavy airplay along with the song which would remain Our Lady Peace's signature song and their last big splash on the charts of their career. The critics and cynics seems to forget that not only had OLP just changed producers, but two original band members had just left making this the first album with the new lineup. Are they really supposed to sound the same?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SzFaEqbLRM

"Somewhere Out There"- James Ingram and Linda Ronstadt. This duet for the ages was the main theme from the 1986 animated smash film "An American Tail" and put Ronstadt and Ingram at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and gained them two Grammys and a Golden Globe and Academy Award nomination. This song returned Ingram and Ronstadt to the mainstream for one last hurrah in both of their very illustrious careers that were already in their downhill periods after very successful peaks. What a way to go out! Surprisingly though, Natalie Cole stood in for Ronstadt at the 1987 Academy Awards Show. I smell a bonus video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFp10zmArgg

"Somewhere in Neverland"- All Time Low. These Baltimore rockers pumped out this catchy single and very creative video as an ode against maturity in 2012 off of their critically acclaimed album Don't Panic. Despite the relative lack of success of this single on the charts, this single and cult following of the video helped the album peak at #6 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart in 2013. These guys really remind of a cross between Sherwood and Fall Out Boy. Anyone else feel me on that one? The only thing missing from this video would have been a cameo by Peter Pan.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lbr74Oa964

"Somewhere I Belong"- Linkin Park. This lead single from Linkin Park's 2003 critically acclaimed and #1 album Meteora has been made famous by the several million video games and ESPN spots that has been used in the years since. This amazingly awesome song peaked at #32 on the Billboard Hot 100 and this video received heavy rotation on MTV and VH1 and helped make Linkin Park one of the most successful acts of the 2000s. Just to show its influence, this video was the first ever video shown on the music video channel Fuse TV.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcs5PRxEXq4

"Someone, Somewhere"- Asking Alexandria. This British rockers put on a pretty good show on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" here in 2011. This single from their album Stand Up and Scream helped put the album at #9 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart giving Asking Alexandria a solid following in the United States and in Europe. I'm usually not a huge fan of Metalcore, but this is actually a great lyrical song that is even better stripped down. And I smell a bonus video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nP-rkZKZDqk

"Somewhere Only We Know"- Keane. This single from British rockers Keane's 2004 debut album Hopes and Fears quickly established them a worldwide following with this single peaking at #3 on the British Singles Chart and #50 on the Billboard Hot 100. Keane went on to be one of the biggest worldwide acts of the 2000s following up with another great album Under The Iron Sea in 2006. This largely autobiographical song definitely got Keane somewhere only they would know.....and definitely want to be.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oextk-If8HQ

"Somewhere in Brooklyn"- Bruno Mars. This hidden track from Bruno Mars 2010 mega debut album Doo-Wops and Hooligans put a perfect exclamation point on one of the best albums of the decade (and I'm saying that with 5 more years left in it!). Bruno Mars not only amazes me with his performance ability, but this catchy tunes with meaningful lyrics are seriously what sets him apart from other artists today. Doo-Wops and Hooligans would go on to peak at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart and sell over 6 million copies and help land Bruno Mars a memorable halftime spot at Super Bowl 48. Again, I smell a bonus video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_VcDbPon4s

"It's Five O'Clock Somewhere"- Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett. This ode to getting drunk after work became one of the biggest country songs of all time when it hit #1 on the Billboard Country Chart and #17 on the Billboard Hot 100 as a promotional single from Alan Jackson's 2003 Greatest Hits Vol. 2 and features Mississippi's own Jimmy Buffett. This is a perfect song for when you walk into the bar when you don't even drink that much and say "give me a strong one, it's been one of those days". This video features a clip from an actual live performance Alan Jackson had with Jimmy Buffett at the Verizon Center in Noblesville, Indiana which also features Mississippian Mac McAnally in Buffett's band.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPCjC543llU

"Sometime, Somewhere Wife"- Harry Chapin. Ok, I know I went super obscure on this one. I am go ahead and pretty much guarantee that no one reading this has ever even thought about hearing this song. This gem of a song about failed marriages from the late Harry Chapin's 1972 masterpiece debut critically acclaimed album Heads and Tales is one of the tracks that makes this album one of my favorite albums of all time and one of the very few albums I can listen to from start to finish without even thinking about skipping songs. Heads and Tales would go on to peak at #60 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart and would be certified Gold before Harry passed away in 1981. This album would go on to catapult Chapin into quite a successful career as one of the most charismatic and complex songwriters of the 70's. The ending to this song has got to be one of the coolest outros I've ever heard on a track of any sort. Who would have thought Harry Chapin would be able to hold that distinction?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5HKE_2xJbY

"Somewhere Somehow"- Michael W. Smith and Amy Grant. In 1993, Michael W. Smith took a hint from his close friend and fellow Christian music artist Amy Grant by trying a short time of crossover. Part of that era included the popular album Change Your World. That album included this amazing duet with none other than Amy Grant. As they both explain in this amazing live performance, the song was never released as a single, but has always been a fan favorite. Michael W. Smith is easily one of the most talented artists in any genre, and his recent production and promotion credits are among the best of anyone in the world. I am very astounded that these two could pull this song out of the vault basically and do this song so well like it was no big deal. What a fantastic combo! I hate they didn't record more songs together.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eT7fMpqBh5o

"Somewhere In The Middle"- Dishwalla. Most people only remember Santa Barbara, California band Dishwalla's one hit "Counting Blue Cars" (bonus video slam dunk!), but this single from their 2002 album Opaline is just as good or better than their debut single. I laugh every time I see what Dishwalla means. It's a Hindi word for "a person that brings cable television to a neighborhood" in India. Talk about pulling one out the hat! Despite this song being very well put together, it only peaked at #25 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary Chart in 2002. These guys were also a really good interview. I can't believe I am actually dumb enough to remember that I heard them give a great interview to Rick Dees one time when "Counting Blue Cars" was climbing the charts on his "Weekly Top 40" radio show late one night. Wow, I'm lame.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMTjPtZ1rpo

"Always Somewhere"- Scorpions. German rockers Scorpions included this power ballad on their 1979 album Lovedrive which was widely celebrated as their "evolution album" which really cemented the permanent sound change for them that is still in place today. This amazing live performance shows a slightly stripped down version, but it is really good just the same. Despite this song never being released as a single, this song has remained a fan favorite.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYG7WvME8FI

"Somewhere Over The Rainbow"- Israel Kamakawiwo'ole. I can't pronounce this guy's name, but his ukulele version of this "Wizard of Oz" classic will forever be his claim to fame. When he included it in a medley with Louis Armstrong's "What A Wonderful World" included on his 1993 album Facing Future. Iz would pass away 4 years later, but this classic made his voice known outside Hawai'i as it has been featured in tons of movies, TV shows, and commercials.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_DKWlrA24k

BONUS VIDEOS
"Counting Blue Cars"- Dishwalla.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Clxtg2pFTQM

"Somewhere Out There"- Natalie Cole and James Ingram (Live at the 1987 Academy Awards).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHiSvLgUJnE

"Place In This World"- Michael W. Smith.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpXMnY_t03M

"We Might As Well Be Strangers"- Keane.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82n2b4Mk8Zc

"Numb"- Linkin Park.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXYiU_JCYtU

"Someone Somewhere (Acoustic Version)"- Asking Alexandria.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0x3ZieON1BA

"Bruno Mars Super Bowl 48 Halftime Show"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2i0Bc3f7jk

All Time Low
The guys who bring you cable TV in India
Asking Alexandria
Linkin Park
Bruno Mars

Late Night Music Holidays/Flu Edition Part 182......"I Just Wanna Fly"

Since I've been sick with the flu that last few days, I figured now was as good a time as any to add to my ever growing list of musical lore. I'll try to get one more in before the holidays are over......maybe.

In order to receive votes in this category, the song title had to feature the word "Fly" in it in some form (all parts of speech were accepted). Also receiving votes in this category were "The Boy Who Could Fly" by Pierce the Veil, "Fly Away" by Lenny Kravitz, and "Learn to Fly" by Pink Floyd.

"I Believe I Can Fly"- R Kelly. In 1996, this R Kelly classic accompanied the Michael Jordan/Warner Brothers animated hit "Space Jam" which saw this big budget Hype Williams video give Kelly the biggest hit of his career. Interestingly enough, this song only peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 because it could never unseat "Un-Break My Heart" by Toni Braxton from the top spot. Anyway, apparently during this point of his career, R Kellly was going through a wholesome phase which he wants to believe after he releases song like "Trapped In The Closet", "Feeling On Your Booty", and my personal favorite, "Sex Weed". I'm all for artistic expression, but if this guy would ever make his mind up on an identity, it will be much easier.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIQn8pab8Vc

"Fly"- Sugar Ray. Just a year later, Sugar Ray was making their first ever splash on mainstream radio when this hit from their sophomore album Floored took the USA by storm. In a very interesting twist, this song peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay chart, but was not eligible for the main chart because it was not released as a single officially in the United States. This popular version with reggae artist Super Cat made Mark McGrath a household name and gave Sugar Ray a few years of mainstream exposure before they literally flew away. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUtnwcv-quE

"Fly Away From Here"- Aerosmith. This has always been one of my all time favorite Aerosmith head scratchers. I know what you're saying, yes I realize Aerosmith had eleventy billion power ballads in the 90's, but this song from 2001's Just Push Play I always thought was one of their cooler videos and definitely a good song. This single couldn't follow up the success they saw with that year's previous release "Jaded", as this song didn't even crack the top 100 of the Billboard Hot 100, but for some odd reason, went to #1 in Israel. I think they were trying to tell us something. I've always wondered if artists get pissed when a ton of money (obviously) is spent for a single that fails to make a big splash......hold that thought.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xzDj-XOX2U

"Stay Fly"- 3 6 Mafia featuring Young Buck, 8 Ball, and MJG. Just a random thought before I go on. Why is it that nearly every rap track has to feature 3-5000 guest artists? I guess its a street cred thing for the hip hop industry. Anyway, most people know the story of how I met once met these guys who have been making the city of Memphis proud since 1991. This single from their 2005 album Most Known Unknown peaked at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and gave 3 6 even more of a mainstream following despite an already strong following in the southern United States especially in Mississippi, Tennessee, and Arkansas. Here's your head scratcher of the night. These guys have an Academy Award.....just let that sink in. Oh yeah, and I'm go ahead and say that this is the world's most edited video ever. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBjzAdpZzf0

"Pretty Fly (For A White Guy)"- The Offspring. Love this song and album! This 1998 hilarious song from The Offspring's album Americana gave me my personal theme song with this ode to white guys embracing hip hop. This wildly entertaining video gave The Offspring huge rotation on MTV and VH1, and they saw this song peak at #53 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it the only single on a great album (which peaked at #2 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart) to reach the Billboard Hot 100. The Offspring has always been one of those bands you can't take seriously. You look at them and you can't help but laugh. It's great to see a band that really has fun doing what they do. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzY2Qcu5i2A

"Learn To Fly"- Foo Fighters. The Foo Fighters kept up the streak of making hilarious videos when this lead single from 1999's There Is Nothing Left To Lose hit the airwaves that fall. This single was also the first by the band to reach the Billboard Hot 100 when it peaked at #19 that same year. An obvious spoof of the 1975 cult classic movie "Airplane", this video was so well done that it won the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video. The sad part is, you can make that case for several Foo videos. Again, hold that thought. Also, I know I've said a million times, but you can't tell me that Taylor Hawkins doesn't look like Edge's twin! Rated R Superstar in the house!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VQ_3sBZEm0

"Learning to Fly"- Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. In 1991, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were reunited after a brief hiatus for Petty to record with the Traveling Wilburys and recording a solo album Full Moon Fever. The first single they released on their 1991 comeback album Into The Great Wide Open was this one which also peaked at #28 on the Billboard Hot 100. This song was sited by music critics as being a genius composition by Petty due to him making the song sound "unique" despite only using four chords the entire song. I love listening to Tom Petty, but he always looks like he needs a sandwich or something. Let me go get him one. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5BJXwNeKsQ

"Fly With Me"- The Jonas Brothers. Whatever. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=un-KTpvCPXo

"Last Dollar (Fly Away)"- Tim McGraw. This 2007 comeback by Tim McGraw took the world by storm when it was included on his album Let It Go and peaked at #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 while topping the Billboard Country Chart. Written by Big Kenny from Big and Rich (I so see that now that I know that), this song is the stereotypical "rags to riches" country songs, but its so dang catchy I can't help myself but love it!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvZ97ajpYOM

"I Wish I Could Fly"- Roxette. This Swedish duo made a slight comeback of sorts in Europe after a long career in the 80's/90's had seemingly come to an end. This single from their 1999 album Have A Nice Day peaked at #4 in Sweden and #11 on the British Singles Chart and received modest American airplay despite the album not being distributed in the United States. Roxette is one of the forgotten European groups that kind of got lost in the shuffle of ABBA, Ah-Ha, and others from the second European invasion of the 80's. This song and album wound up briefly kickstarting Roxette's career for a few more years. They are still one of the biggest acts in Sweden. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBswiNn23RU

"Flying Without Wings"- Ruben Studdard. You guys know how much I LOATHE "American Idol", but I have to admit, I always had a soft spot for Ruben. He seems like a genuinely good guy (despite this not always being the case.....look it up on your own). This cover of the Westlife hit in 2002 became his breakout single after winning the 2003 competition and this version peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, easily his biggest hit of his career. This Birmingham, Alabama fan favorite showed his lovability with this video, and I seriously hate that his career didn't take off more (like that never happens with "American Idol" winners- tell me I'm wrong), but hopefully we'll see something soon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oheEvnxkO5M

"Fly To The Angels"- Slaughter. This power ballad from Slaughter's 1990 debut album Stick It To Ya peaked at #19 on the Billboard Hot 100 and helped start phasing in the end, to Slaughter's misfortune, of the hair band era, which would soon die out just a couple of years later, which would only create one more successful Slaughter album with 1992's The Wild Life. At least we got something hilarious to laugh at with this gem of comedy provided by the bad boys from Las Vegas.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukmobha2krY

"Still Fly"- Big Tymers. You can call me stupid if you want, but this single from the Big Tymer's 2002 album Hood Rich at least to me, is one of the best rap records ever recorded. I have no idea why I like this song so much, and the more I listen to it, the more it really makes me wonder despite it being super catchy. This single peaked at #11 on the Billboard Hot 100, which was easily the Big Tymers biggest hit in their brief careers in the shadows of label mate Juvenile. This is quite possibly the the only song in the history of the world which features a "scurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrt" sound in it. Just saying. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iCd6UHR-3I

BONUS VIDEOS- "I Won't Back Down"- Tom Petty.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvlTJrNJ5lA

"Big Me"- Foo Fighters.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLdJQFTnZfA

"Sex Weed"- R. Kelly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N62gpgHkH6c

"Every Morning"- Sugar Ray.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cqU1pFRqYE

"The Color of Love"- Boyz II Men. See what I mean?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uO_kFB9_v-E