Mutual mistrust, love's gone behind
I know, I know. Some people would consider it sacrilege. But how many twenty year olds do you know that are aware that Debbie Harry is a goddess? Yeah, that's the thing. I think that when younger artists cover something that's considered 'classic' and bring it to a whole new audience, it's as valid as presenting original work. And this is one of those cases.
I have forever been curious about Miley Cyrus. I love her speaking voice, BTW. It's the voice of the chain-smoking fifty-seven year old owner of a brothel in the middle of the Mohave desert. Kathleen Turner with an attitude. You can almost not reconcile that voice with such a young woman. And if you add the layer of Hanna Montana to that sexy, punk-pop version of Heart of Glass, you have to but admire the drive.
Miley has grown up to be quite an interesting person. I love that she owns her mistakes and talks about her life, warts and all. Her Apple Music interview is super cool. She talks about her influences, about her inspiration, about how she sings. About her issues with sobriety, the works. She suddenly becomes so much more than Hanna Montana. I like her singing, TBH. Her version of Jolene (Dolly is her godmother, so can you feel the pressure?) is super cool. If you have not heard it, I recommend it. She's much more than that Wrecking Ball.
Miley currently has a new album out: Plastic Hearts. And I kinda love it. Hanna Montana was always a good analogy for life in the closet (I know, I read too much into everything) but also was the precursor to Miley finding her 'sound'. She's gone through several 'periods' but I think this is what she was looking for. Music connoisseurs will find the references in her latest record and will be able to better describe her sound, but I like it. She's a wild spirit and the infusion of punk and rock into her pop sensibility is just what I needed to hear. Wanna try something? Why not WTF Do I Know or Midnight Sky?
I'm loving it. I love the 'new' Miley, too. It's the kind of makeover I'd have after a divorce, too.
XOXO
P.S. I could not close this post without bringing up the original Heart of Glass.
He did turn out to be a pain in the ass, natch. Also, Debbie Harry is indeed a goddess.
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I love the original Heart of Glass and Tide Is High...ahhh Blondie. I do like Miley. Loved her song The Climb. And TBH, the song The Climb was rather inspirational as I came out and came into my own.
ReplyDeleteOMG yes!
DeleteI love Blondie. Rapture is fantastic. And Miley has grown up with a whole generation. So cool that you found inspiration in one of her songs, especially to do something so personal.
XOXO
The title of Miley's album sums up how I feel about her. Debbie Harry emerged and rose through Max's Kansas City along with Maplethorpe, and Fran Lebowitz.
ReplyDeleteDebbie was a trailblazer. Many women marked the entry into the 80's with fantastic performances and songs that have had a lasting impact.
DeleteSee? Forty years after Heart of Glass was released, we're still talking about Debbie Harry.
XOXO
I'll take Debbie any day, but Miley can bring me a drink if I happen to get stick i that brothel because my car broke down as I drove though the Mojave.
ReplyDeleteHahahaha
DeleteOh, I don't know what made me write that.
LMAOOO
XOXO
I generally hate - hate - remakes. Last night, for instance, 5th -lacer Voice John Whatever and John Legend did the most disgusting cover of Bridge Over Troubled Water. Absolutely horrid. Why, oh, why must artists take such perfection and turn it into garbage? Miley is okay, though....she's got a sound that is instantly recognizable - as does Debbie. Odd that I never felt the need to buy their music. Now, pay attention to the new kid: Carter Rubin. That's talent flowing from that throat. I hope he plays his cards right----he'll be around for another 70 years. XOXO
ReplyDeleteLMAOOO
DeleteOh, Big. fifth lacer? Priceless.
And yes, Miley's voice is quite distinctive and I think her sound in this new album is quite good and fits her.
And I just googled Carter Rubin (because I don't watch The Voice, natch) and he IS talented. Hopefully, he'll use that huge platform for a career.
XOXO
I never watched The Voice faithfully. I was channel surfing when I heard this incredible fucking sound. I had to stop to see who had such a talent. All 4 chairs turned around and were stunned to find this 14-year old kid grinning from ear to ear. Gwen Stephani won the coaches battle. I had to watch this season to see if people recognized what I did: This kid is amazeballs! Then, he won the competition. He won! My faith in people's taste in music is restored. 😊 XOXO
DeleteMy favorite song off the album is Gimme What I Want. 💛
ReplyDeleteBut there's a few more good tunes on there. 🙂
Yes!
DeleteAnd yes, there are some other good songs there. Who knew? Miley may have found her sound.
XOXO
I have tired and tried and tried, to like Miley and listen to her music, and it's like trying to "stop trying to make fetch happen." moment. I gave up. I just don't have the connect with her. The only song I liked by her was a little known song called 4x4. She and Kesha are the same to me. I can't get into either of them. And I feel as though I always need a silkwood bath after seeing them.
ReplyDeleteBut a BLONDIE song should never made remade. Like some movies, the original can never be topped.
Hahahaha
DeleteVery Regina George of you. But yes, Miley kind of sits in that realm where people really like her or really don't. I kind of felt the same way about Kesha? I thought Tik-Tok was hilarious but then... silence. I kind of learned to appreciate her later, after that producer -who is a dick- sued her for telling that he abused her.
I think I feel the same about Miley: her struggle is what makes me listen to her more carefully.
And Blondie is iconic. I'm glad newer generations are hearing about them and Debbie. Wasn't Debbie -along with Chris Stein- on Drag Race for a challenge?
XOXO
It's hard for me to hear anyone but Debbie sing Heart of Glass. I love Miley. I think she's brave... and sounding very much like Stevie Nicks these days... which is what Midnight Sky brings to mind. I love it, btw. I loved her Mother's Daughter and was hoping she would explore that more... but this is lovely. And I agree with you about her speaking voice. LOL She and Tanya Tucker, man... which, btw, would be an awesome biopic if Miley ever wants to act again. Thanks for sharing this. Oh... and I just went through this huge summer of Blondie obsession - but only playing the albums they have put out since their heyday. There are two-three gems on every disc. I heart her so...
ReplyDeleteSame!
DeleteBut I liked Miley's version. And it's funny you mention Stevie! There's a mashup with Miley that involves Edge of Seventeen. Delicious.
I think Miley would do a great Tanya Tucker. Girl should act more.
And I have Parallel Lines, Eat to the Beat and AutoAmerican. I also have several of their later songs (Maria!) on MP3.
XOXO
Lots of Sia influence in Midnight Sky, too.
ReplyDeleteOh, I's sit for hours with you to talk music.
DeleteXOXO
Oh, and she's channeling Edie Sedgewick these days... and has been before this moment in time. Another biopic she would totally rock in.
ReplyDeleteYes!
DeleteI think this sound may be HER sound. It's a mix of pop sensibility with some punk and rock and I like that mix. Miley may have found the sound she's been looking for. And she reminds me of pics I've seen of Jane Fonda during the Viet-Nam war, that semi-mullet she rocked. And yes, Edie Sedgwick!
XOXO
Isn't Debbie Harry still going strong as a jazz singer? Or am I hallucinating?
ReplyDeleteI think she sang with Elvis Costello?
DeleteNow I'm going to have to go to The Google to find out!
XOXO
Miley's doing trying hard to capture the classics which is why her song catalog is all over the place. Her version is nice for a cover, unfortunately you don't want to go down in the books as being a cover artist.
ReplyDeleteYeah, but I think that what she was trying to do was to find HER sound.
DeleteAnd she may have done that. I see the trying the covers (she also did The Cranberries and sang with Billy Idol) as training wheels for her bicycle days ahead.
She's got the personality and the voice to impose her own style, I think.
XOXO