Five on Friday 4 Iron Maiden

“Put them in the Iron Maiden”

"Iron Maiden?" “Excellent”

“Execute them”

“Bogus”

Since my brother’s birthday was last week, I was going to dedicate Five on Friday to him. I know he likes Iron Maiden, so I took a deep breath and pushed play on all the lovely Maiden songs with the intent of finding some I could listen to.  I gave up last week after listening to a couple because I was getting irritated and I really was swamped with “stuff” to do. I decided that maybe Bruce Dickinson's voice would bother me less when I didn’t feel so pressed for time. So, my Iron Maiden dedication is a week late, but it’s heartfelt.  I thought of my brother the whole time I listened to them.  He is currently serving in Iraq for National Guard duties and I don’t keep in touch with him as much as I should.  I love you, bro!

 What I learned is that I like to listen to Adrian Smith and Dave Murray best of all the band member. They are on guitar, and the guitar solos are always a good part of the songs. I also likes Smith's voice better than the regular lead singer, Dickinson, but I guess I'm in the minority, because he only sings lead vocals on one song.

1) Reach Out: The lone song with Smith on lead vocals. A good way to open Maiden.

2) Number of the Beast: I'm cheating again because this song is acoustic, rather than amped metal. But it sounds better this way. )

3) Wasted Years: "Don't waste your time always searching for those wasted years, Face up...make your stand, And realise you're living in the golden years"

4) Two Minutes To Midnight: "It's about the romance of war, and how we're all repelled and fascinated by it at the same time." Bruce Dickinson

5) Aces High: Honestly, I like the instrumentals in this one, but every time Dickinson sings, I feel extremely agitated and wish he would stop screaming. Is that what everyone feels??  lol

Wondering what other people are listening to this fine Friday? Visit Trav's Thoughts to check in with other Five on Friday posts.

Five on Friday 3 Just Dance

This week, we're totally missing our wii.  This truly was a lengthy cardio workout because we dance for a long time. Now I have to actually get on the treadmill, which I don't do.  So really, my exercise has suffered.  And really, I could probably submit a receipt for our new receiver with our medical savings account, right?! Because without a new receiver with working inputs for the wii, I can't exactly exercise. And that's definitely medical. (I know sarcasm is hard to properly convey in type, but that was pretty thick.)

There are some songs that we have all danced enough times that we don't need the wii to do them. This weeks songs are some of our favorites, but without the game, they might not normally be my go-to songs. It's really hard to choose just 5, so these are not really in any particular order.

1. Rasputin by Boney M:  This is the song that led to research on our older children's parts and costume envy for the younger ones. It's also the song I cheat on because I don't put my hands on the floor. That Russian dancing is hard enough. I told my kids that they're shorter so they can do that move easier. Maybe eventually I'll get down there.

2. Girlfriend by Avril Lavine: Though I posted the "clean edit" version, the wii version is actually cleaner.  haha.  We can totally dance this one anytime, anywhere.

3. It's Raining Men by The Weather Girls: I just can't listen to this song now without all the moves included.  It's funny that the first time I heard this song it was sung by a man. I think it was The Birdcage. Can anyone confirm that??

4. Jump In The Line by Harry Belafonte: Who could resist dancing to Harry Belafonte??  No one! That's right, that's why it's on this game! I got to teach my kids the simple box step so that they could do the moves right. They'll thank me later.

5. Katti Kalandal - Bollywood: This one might be my favorite. It was the first one where I took the high score from my daughter, despite my perfect moves on the other songs.  Even better, because I couldn't find it on playlist, I went to YouTube.  I could just play along from there!

Come on, you need to get up and dance, don't you?! If you want to see the full list of songs, click here to check it out on Amazon.

And if you want to listen to what other people are hearing today, click over to Trav's Thoughts for Five on Friday links.

Five on Friday

In honor of St Patrick's Day, I'm enjoying some of my Celtic and/or Irish favorites this week!

1. Love You 'Till The End ... Pogues ... from P.S. I Love You
    This would be another one of those songs that instantly makes me smile. Almost involuntarily. It also makes me take a happy breath. I don't usually listen to all of it though, because I have a thing about repetition. This one gets a little long for me.

2. If I Ever Leave This World Alive ... Flogging Molly ... also from P.S. I Love You
    Cause, you know, just in case. :)

3. Drunken Lullabies ... also by Flogging Molly, but not on the soundtrack
    I always think their songs are going to be different, based on the instrumentals in the beginning, which I love. Then they start singing. I don't love all their songs, but enough of them.

4 Dueling Bagpipes .... The Chieftans
   Because St Patrick's Day needs a little jig.

5. Braveheart Theme...Braveheart
   So, I know Braveheart was technically Scottish, not Irish. But they have Celtic influence in the film. Also, technically, I don't drink beer, green or not, I don't drink whiskey, I don't speak Irish or Gaelic. We have green Kool-Aid and we read silly Leprechaun stories about Rings of Truth and Gold. So, my music gets to be whatever I choose, as well.

Remember, Five on Friday is on Trav's blog. So head over for more Friday songs!

Five on Friday

Five on Friday is a post I came across on a friend's of a friend's blog. Remember when I used to post Manic Monday? Travis was a fellow Manic Monday poster, and he still follows my cousin's blog, which is lucky for me that he commented on her same post that I did. When I clicked over to his blog, it was a Friday and he had his five Friday songs posted.  I can't promise that I'll have 5 great songs for you every Friday, but I'd love to see what 5 songs people feel are blog worthy.  So, I'm linking to Trav's blog this week, and hopefully Friday's in the future.  Feel free to join. I want to know what songs go through your head. This post is perfect for me because I always have new favorites!

The five songs that made my list this week:

1. Pencil Full of Lead
   I just heard this for the first time via facebook. I love when my friends post songs for me.  I'm always looking for something new.

2. King of Anything
    If you can believe it, I didn't even like this song the first time I heard it (or the 2nd or 3rd). I don't even remember when I started to like it, but now, I love it. Favorite part? "You are not me!"

3. Rhythm of Love
   I posted this a couple weeks ago, but it deserves it's own post, as well as a spot on the list. I fell a little silly that every time this song comes on, I smile. Never fail. I love it.

4. The Cave
    I'm totally loving my Mumford and Sons CD lately. My favorite song, Little Lion Man, already has its own post. I still wish they'd release an edited version. This is my second fave.

5. Let's Just Fall In Love Again
   This is my second favorite Jason Castro song right now. My first favorite is "You Are". Playlist didn't have it, but you can click here to go to Jason Castro's site and hear it. :)

Click here if you want to check out more Five on Friday posts, or to link up your own Five on Friday.