Tuesday's Musical Notes - "I'm into Something Good" (Herman's Hermits)

Hi there!  It's Tuesday!  In fact, it is the last Tuesday of January! 2019 is now 1/12th spent and much has happened in that time!  We've seen a government shut down and reopen.  We've seen candidates for President begin their 2-year run to the White House.  We've seen most state senators and representatives convene to pursue just legislation for the betterment of the folks in their states.  We've seen Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime add new entertainment choices and take away a few in the process.  We've seen the economy continue to improve in the United States, which seems to impact people around the world.  All of these things could be seen as something good. 

But wait, there's more!  It's Tuesday, January 29th!  It's time for Tuesday's Musical Notes!!!  And something tells me we're in for something good...sure...you can start clapping your hands...

"I'm into Something Good" from the eponymous 1965 debut release

What an incredible year, 1964!!!  Those of us who turn 55 this year (yikes!!! We're only 5 years from being 60, but isn't 60 the new 40?...sorry...I digress) probably don't remember much about our birth year. History tells us it was a good year for many things.  The price of a gallon of gasoline was 30 cents.  You could buy a nice home for $13,050.  This was still a struggle due to the average annual salary being $6000.  If you didn't want to buy a home, you could rent one for $115 a month as you saved for a new car that would cost you $3500.  Movie ticket prices were a staggering $1.25 and you could get a loaf of bread for 21 cents. 

And in the fall of '64, the British Invasion of the radio was in full swing.  Adding their voices to the swelling strains for England was Herman's Hermits, who in September of 1964 released their debut single.  It was a cover of a Gerry Coffin and Carole King (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "I Feel the Earth Move") song that would peak at #13 on Billboard's Hot 100 and establish Herman's Hermits role in the new sound that was coming from across the pond.  

"I'm into Something Good" is a story about the discovery and beginnings of a romantic relationship. It is a declaration that this new liaison is something worth continual pursuit and investment.  It is a sweet song about the innocence of love in its infancy between a couple.  It also portends that this relationship could be something that lasts.  And all of this is wrapped up in the qualifier that it is "good".

In the history of mankind, we are quickly introduced to the adjective "good".  In Genesis 1, verse 3, the Bible tells us that God spoke light into existence and then described it as "good".  This trinitarian God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) described the first thing He created as "good".  What does that mean?  It sure seemed that God was into something good.  

As an adjective, the word "good" is defined (dictionary.com) as "1) morally excellent, virtuous, righteous, pious,  2) satisfactory in quality, quantity, or degree, 3) of high quality, excellent."  

This definition would seem to show a word of boundaries, structure, and absolutes.  And perhaps at one time (Genesis 1), it was defined in this manner.  Man is soon introduced into the picture and "good" all of a sudden becomes relative, porous, and liberal.   Genesis 3:6 New American Standard Bible/The Message paraphrase of the Bible/King James Version of the Bible parallel  This happens after God, who had called His creation "very good" AFTER He had created man) had told Adam and Eve to not eat of the tree.  This incident has nothing to do with the goodness of the tree.  It has everything to do with Adam and Eve's obedience to the One who created them.  Immediately, evil is introduced into the world, and "good" becomes a term that mankind has perverted ever since.  

Please take a moment and read what the prophet Isaiah, in his condemnation of Israel's idolatry and use of the word "good" in relative terms, said.  Isaiah 5:13-20 NASB/The Message/KJV

And now today's headlines:

Andrew Cuomo signs bill updating New York’s abortion law (New York Post, January 2019)

Wisconsin Company Offers To Implant Chips 

In Its Employees (NPR, July 2017)

Polygamy Is Legal In Utah, 

For Now (buzzfeednews.com, August 2014)

Why This Guy Fell In Love With a Sex Robot (Men's Health,  May 2016)

Some consider all of the above headlines as "good" things. However, Tuesday's Musical Notes encourages readers to investigate ALL of the information they can regarding the above headlines as well as others.  Place their definition of "good" on the scales of the Bible and see how their interpretation stands up.   In light of the Bible, the world's "good" seems to be the prophecy of Isaiah coming true before our eyes. ("Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil...")   Be awake dear friend and ask the Holy Spirit to discern the truth about the things we continue to see and hear happening in our world.  

Paul provided incredible wisdom to the Philippian church which seemed to be experiencing a world much like ours.  Read Paul's encouragement to believers of that day:

Paul's letter to the Philippian church, chapter 4, verse 4-8 NASB/The Message/KJV

Given today's headlines, this exhortation from Paul is equally, if not more, important to us today.  As believers, our role is to stay away from evil.  Paul is saying if we focus on the "good" of God, we can stay away from evil.  I heard it once said about the laws of the Bible, "If you are so busy doing all the do's, you won't have time to do the don'ts".  As believers, doing good and loving others should be our goal.  It might even cause us to discover things that would make us break out in song (best British accent please)...."Woke up this mornin' feelin' fine, There's somethin' special on my mind...Something tells me I'm into something good!..."  

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving You,

randy

 

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Immigrant Song" (Led Zeppelin)

Hey there!  It's Tuesday and time once again to journey to faraway places, perhaps even to a land of ice and snow!!! Where we find ourselves today is a good place filled with music and meditation, pounding beats and pondering lyrics, and life change.  It's time, it's time, did he just say it's time?  It's time for Tuesday's Musical Notes!  Brought to you today by the letter "L" and the number "3"... Oh, and yes...we ARE going there...

"Immigrant Song" by Led Zeppelin from the October 5th, 1970 album Led Zeppelin III 

and since we love all things, Marvel...

Thor versus Surtur - from 2017's Thor - Ragnarok (caution this is pg-13)

It was the beginning of a new decade.  The '60s had ended with protests over a war that continued to rage in Vietnam.  Popular music began the new decade with a slow abandonment of progressive rock and the embrace of a heavier, thumping sound, which became known as Heavy Metal.  It also ushered in the beginning of the original hairbands.  The leading band in the new decade of metal and hair would be Led Zeppelin.  

The dawn of the new decennium found Led Zeppelin touring Iceland, Bath, and Germany.  The tour stopped in Reykjavik, Iceland which served as the inspiration for "Immigrant Song",  a throwback to Norse mythology and the time of the Vikings.  After receiving some criticism about the tour, Robert Plant said this about the song, 

"We weren't being pompous ... We did come from the land of the ice and snow. We were guests of the Icelandic Government on a cultural mission. We were invited to play a concert in Reykjavik and the day before we arrived all the civil servants went on strike and the gig was going to be canceled. The university prepared a concert hall for us and it was phenomenal. The response from the kids was remarkable and we had a great time. 'Immigrant Song' was about that trip and it was the opening track on the album that was intended to be incredibly different."  (Welch, Chris (1994). Led Zeppelin. London: Orion Books. p. 55. ISBN 1-85797-930-3.)

Six days following the Reykjavik concert, Led Zeppelin would perform "Immigrant Song" for the first time as part of the Bath Festival.  

"Immigrant Song" peaked at #16 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in the year following its release.  It comes in at #7 on Rolling Stones' "The 40 Greatest Led Zeppelin Songs of All Time"    I confess that I was surprised that "Stairway to Heaven" was NOT #1 (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Stairway to Heaven")  Check out the entire ranking here:  ("The 40 Greatest Led Zeppelin Songs of All Time" - Jon Dolan, Patrick Doyle, Rob Tannenbaum, Will Hermes, Douglas Wolke and Brian Rafferty from the Rolling Stone collectors edition, Led Zeppelin: The Ultimate Guide to Their Music & Legend ).

"Immigrant Song" has even been parodied... well sort of...   Tim Hawkins - "Shout to the Lord"

Looking closely at the lyrics of "Immigrant Song" one would quickly determine that it is a war song of domination from a Viking perspective, not a treatise on immigration.  However, its title does serve as the springboard into Tuesday's Musical Notes view on the topic of immigration, especially in light of our current governmental debate regarding the topic.  

Dictionary.com defines the word "immigrating" as: "to come to a country of which one is not a native, usually for permanent residence."  Please remember this for future reference.

The Bible has some distinct procedures to follow when interacting with "foreigners".  Most of these come from the Old Testament and refer to how the Children of Israel are supposed to treat and trade with those who are not Israelites.  

There is even Biblical precedent for walls to be erected to protect specific cities from those who would wish that city harm.  One only read the book of Nehemiah to see the construction of such a wall around Jerusalem.  31 times in the New King James Version of the Bible's 10 chapters that make up Nehemiah is "wall" referenced.  (Nehemiah - New American Standard Version of the Bible/ The Message paraphrase of the Bible/King James Version of the Bible parallel).  

We hope you see that the construction of Nehemiah's wall has much more to do with the rebuilding of the nation of Israel's faith in God than it does the actual protection of the city.  The wall is the physical focal point, while the determination and rebuilding of the spiritual foundation of the city is the main overriding point.  

Please understand that we are in favor of anything that will protect our nation, more specifically our family, from ANY illegal activity that may immigrate across our borders.  We are the Nehemiah to our families.  We have a responsibility to protect them from things that would cause harm.  The first thing we can do to protect them is to firmly establish their worldview and provide a faith basis in God and His Word, the Bible.  

While the immigration debate in the United States continually affects those who live in border towns and those who purchase the contraband that tends to cross borders, the debate has now begun to impact the lives of our citizens who are not close to the borders nor do they participate in the purchase of said contraband.  This effect has taken on the form of government workers who are not allowed to work or get paid, the current government shutdown.  All because our leaders won't agree.  My folks would have whipped me if I had ever acted like our Representatives and President!  

The Bible has this to say about leaders:  

Proverbs 15:22 NASB/The Message/KJV

Proverbs 16:10-20 NASB/The Message/KJV

This deserves to be read again:  Proverbs 16:18 NASB/The Message/KJV

Proverbs 16:23-24 NASB/The Message/KJV (Specifically for the President and Speaker Pelosi)

And as a baseline to treat all people, those native-born, immigrant, Senator, Representative, and President, Jesus said this: The Gospel of Jesus according to the disciple Matthew, chapter 22, verses 34-40 NASB/The Message/KJV

So solutions to the shutdown and immigration exist.  Our leaders must embrace something other than themselves, or a solution will never be reached in either case.  Love God, love other folks.  If we (including our elected officials) will allow this to be our perspective our problems can be faced and solved without us acting like children in a room full of toys.  

So let's begin the solution with us:

Tuesday's Musical Notes would like to encourage you to pray for those folks who are laid off from work due to the shutdown.  Pray that they will have the resources they need to provide for their families, or that they go find a job that isn't held hostage to the desires of politicians who have an agenda.  

Tuesday's Musical Notes would like to encourage you to pray for the oppressed folks in other countries who see America as a "promised land" and would like to legally come to our shore to find better opportunities to provide for their family.

Tuesday's Musical Notes encourages you to pray for those who do illegal things along our border.  Pray that the Holy Spirit will convict them and change their heart.  Pray that they will find a way out of their current situation and turn towards God, rather than a country as their salvation. 

Tuesday's Musical Notes would like to encourage you to pray for the safety of little children who have no say in where they may sleep tonight or what their destination maybe tomorrow.

Tuesday's Musical Note would like to encourage you to pray for YOUR elected officials, from dog catchers to the President. (If you haven't voted, still pray...but really if you don't vote, you shouldn't complain)  Pray that loving God would be their highest priority, and pray that they allow their love of God to dictate the decisions and the interactions they have with regard to the operation and laws of our country.

Tuesday's Musical Notes would like to encourage you to pray that the Holy Spirit will reveal Himself to you and you will be freed from the nationalism of this world and realize that your native land is in heaven.  

And in reference to our definition above, yes, dear friend, we are ALL immigrants.  There is an eternity future that awaits that is based on the decisions we make while passing through this world.  There are lyrics that express this sentiment much better than I ever could.  Ponder these things in YOUR heart, is this an expression you can make?

"This world is not my home I'm just a passing through
My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue
The angels beckon me from heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore
Oh Lord you know I have no friend like you
If heaven's not my home then Lord what will I do
The angels beckon me from heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore"

"Ah, ah!" (Think Robert Plant...)

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving You,

randy

  

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Downtown" (Petula Clark)

Welcome to Tuesday and another day at the intersection of lyrics and life!  It's Tuesday's Musical Notes!!!  Welcome as we journey down life's road listening to the soundtrack of our days.  Our destination is specific and our set list is ready to go!!!  What is our destination you may ask?  The answer is a simple one that really depends on you!!!  For now, let's set our GPS for a locale where the neon lights are pretty, how can lose when we're...

"Downtown" - the title track from the 1965 album by Petula Clark

Or just listen to the rhythm of this remix from the 80's

"Downtown '88" - Petula Clark  

1964 really was a good year!  Your humble blogger was born in April and later in the year, the female version of the British Invasion was launched upon America in the form of today's song that went to #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 after entering the chart just 5 weeks earlier.  The original single, (Clark has covered the song 6 times on her own), featured a toned-down orchestra of session players including a guitarist named Jimmy Page, yup THAT Jimmy Page.  (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Thank You" and Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Stairway to Heaven").  It would receive the Grammy Award for "Best Rock and Roll Song" in 1965 and be inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2003. It has been covered over 100 times by artists all over the globe.  

Clark has been entertaining folks for over 8 decades. She started at age 9 on BBC radio during World War II.  She began releasing albums in 1956 (Petula Clark Sings), with her most recent release being in 2018 (Vu d'ici).  She was also active in the film industry from 1944 (Medal for the General) through 1981 (Sans Famille).  Her most recent tour was a tour of the US in 2017 at the age of 85.  I guess Jagger and Tyler still have a few good years left in them after all...

Since its 1964 release, "Downtown" has been a melancholy upper of a song.  It's an "I'm sorry you're sad, but there's a solution" song of hope.  It portrays the attraction of busyness, lights, and the overall aura of a Times Square evening.  It suggests that as you watch folks, catch the gleam of the lights, and begin to enjoy the nightlife of the city, your troubles will soon fade away.   Downtown, things will be great when you're Downtown, everything's waiting for you.

I love the hope that is portrayed in this song. It continues to be in my playlist of "go to" songs since I first heard it on the radio of the black and white 67 Oldsmobile that Mom and Dad owned.  On occasion, you can hear it on "Oldies" radio or as a "retro" vibe in television or movies.  

There is only one problem with going "Downtown".  You eventually have to leave.  What if I told you about a place where all the lights are bright, you can forget all your troubles, forget all your cares, and you never have to leave?  No...it's not the Hotel California. (Keep checkin' back, we may go there sometime in Notesland!)

The Bible has a description of such a place!  In the last book of the Bible, we read about a place where tears are gone and joy is forever in the air.  This book was written by Jesus' disciple John and is a special Revelation to him.  Read this description of heaven:  The Revelation to Jesus' Disciple John, chapter 21 The Message paraphrase of the Bible/King James Version of the Bible/New International Version of the Bible parallel

Entrance into Heaven is not a guarantee.  It is not a place for good people.  It is a place for redeemed people.  In fact, there is a registry of entrance into Heaven.  It is called The Lamb's Book of Life.  Did you notice the last verse of Revelation 21?  It describes who is in the Book of Life:  "Nothing dirty or defiled will get into the City and no one who defiles or deceives. Only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life will get in."  Revelation 3:5 also has a description of those who are included in this important book:  "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment, and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels."  

Even the Old Testament records the existence of this Book and the times by which its reading comes about.  Malachi 3 The Message/KJV/NIV  

You may notice several common themes among these passages:  1) Jesus is the Lamb who owns the book 2) Folks who have their name in Jesus' book get to be in Heaven with Him for eternity future.  3) Those whose names have been "blotted out" go to a place where Jesus is not.

I find it interesting that the Bible refers to names being taken away from the Lamb's Book of Life.  Does this mean we all start out in it?  Does this mean that at some point in our life, we make a decision that results in our expulsion from or inclusion in this book?  

Maybe this illustration is a good one for you:  "The Courtroom" by Carman from the 1998 album Mission 3:16

Dear friend, I believe that it is as simple as this.  You choose.  That's right.  You determine your eternal destination. Jesus promised that He would draw all men to Himself. (The Gospel of Jesus according to the Disciple John, chapter 12, verse 23 The Message/KJV/NIV) Holy Spirit as part of the Three in One that is God continues to draw you.  He draws you by speaking through the Bible directly to you as you read and study The Word.  He speaks to your soul directly and He begs you to turn away from the wrong things you do and turn towards a changed life in Him. that's called repentance.  He delivers the power for you to make the changes you need to make and begin living a life that is geared toward becoming like Jesus.  You, however, have to accept His leadership over your life and believe that this opportunity was only made available by Jesus dying for you.  

God has designed a place where you can forget all your troubles and forget all your cares.  Jesus said that He is preparing a place for those who believe in what He did for them.  John 14: 1-4 The Message/KJV/NIV The lights are much brighter there because God's glory is the light. Revelation 21:23 The Message/KJV/NIV  As the Revelation 21 passage says, You can forget all your trouble and forget all your cares because God wipes the tears from our eyes.  

So dear friend, what's it gonna be?  Is your name in that book?  Maybe today is the day that this lyric comes true for you...

"And you may find somebody kind to help and understand you, Someone who is just like you and needs a gentle hand to

Guide them along..."  Holy Spirit awaits to do just that for you...

Let's not settle for Downtown, let's get ready to go to heaven...

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving You

randy

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Man in the Mirror" (Michael Jackson)

Welcome to Tuesday, January 8th, 2019!!!  We are one week into 2019! 

  

It seems that with each passing year, I find my self reflecting not on just the last year, but on the totality of life.  I ponder the significant "tipping points" which determined who I am today and how I live my life.  Rarely do I make resolutions on New Year's Eve, yet I do take the opportunity to determine some general goals that I can make more specific as the year progresses.  Perhaps this is an exercise in which you could join me?  Welcome to Tuesday!!!  A new year awaits!!!

What have been the transformational moments of your life?  You know those moments that cause you to pause and be in awe of the experience.  Moments like getting married, having children, changing jobs, having grandchildren and retirement can be some of the life moments that make you wonder about your decisions.  They could even determine moments where you feel like its time to make a change.  

Have you ever paused for a moment and looked at yourself in the mirror?  Now, I don't mean that moment when you check out your hair, make sure your teeth are brushed and for some ladies check your makeup and men check their 5 o'clock shadow.  I mean those times that you have looked through your eyes into the deep recesses of your memory.  What things come to mind?

  

Successes?  I hope so.  Failures. Sure, they are there as well.  But as the moment continues, how do you judge that Man in the Mirror?

"Man in the Mirror" by Michael Jackson from the 1987 album Bad

In June of this year, it will be a decade since Michael Jackson died.  His impact on the music industry is undeniable.  

"Man in the Mirror" is heralded as one of Michael Jackson's best songs.  It was one of a very few of Michael Jackson's #1 hits that were not written by Jackson.   It was written in 1987 by Glen Ballard and Siedah Garrett, who also sang background vocals.   "Man in the Mirror" features a historical gathering of backup groups, The Winans as well as Andre Crouch and The Andre Crouch Choir who all have had incredible impacts in the area of Gospel music.    

"Man in the Mirror" spent 25 weeks in the charts, peaking at #1 after its initial entry on February 6th of 1988.  Since its release, it has gone 3 times platinum as a single, and upon Jackson's death in 2009, "Man in the Mirror" sold over 3 million digital copies, making it one of iTunes biggest selling singles ever.  

"Man in the Mirror" was a staple at Jackson's concerts and has been purported to be one of his favorites.  It expresses the extreme desire for a societal change.  Reality kicks in and soon the understanding occurs that if that change is to be brought about, it must begin with the only person in which we have responsibility...ourselves.  In short, the person an epiphany occurs as the singer is evaluating the man in the mirror.

Epiphany is an old church word and an actual celebration in some countries.  It notes the appearance of the Wise Men in the life of Jesus.  

Interestingly, the King James Translation uses the same wording, "wise men" for the group of men that Daniel was placed over in Daniel 2:48 New American Standard Bible/The Message paraphrase of the Bible/King James Version of the Bible parallel.  In the latter part of Daniel's life, he was in charge of a group of men under the Persian ruler Cyrus.  Could it be that the Wise Men who visited Jesus were descendants of the men who served with Daniel?  Could the ancient prophecies which the Wise Men used as their text have been written by Daniel?  Scripture never eludes to this, however, with the prophetic nature of Daniel, it isn't too far of a stretch to see a connection. 

The Wise Men's worship and gifts denote the cognizance in which they had come to about who Jesus was.  The Gospel of Jesus according to the disciple Matthew, chapter 2, verses 1-12, NASB, The Message, KJV  Despite constant reinforcement every Christmas, the Wise Men visited Jesus, not at the manger, but much later.  Some theologians suggest that Jesus was about 2 when the Wise Men came on the scene.  Regardless of when, these men (the Bible doesn't say how many, tradition suggests 3 due to the 3 gifts listed in the Bible - gold, frankincense, and myrrh), response upon encountering Jesus was to bow to the "King of the Jews".  They were obviously highly respected and credible or they would not have been given an audience with Herod and yet here they were bowing to a 2-year-old and presenting Him with extravagant gifts.    

They literally had a "come to Jesus meeting".  While the Bible never says, one would imagine, these respected, credible stargazers were forever changed by the Holy appointment in which they had just participated. This encounter would undoubtedly cause the wise men to reevaluate everything they believed and everything they would do from that point.  No message would have been any clearer.  They had to make a change because of their encounter with Christ.  This would be a change that would start with them and be spread to all in which they had contact.  

So friend, as we start this new year, why not have an epiphany?  Or celebrate Epiphany?  Wanna make the world a better place?  Look at the account of Jesus in Matthew - NASB/The Message/KJV, Mark NASB/The Message/KJV,   Luke NASB/The Message/KJV, John NASB/The Message/KJV,  then look at yourself, and then make that change!!!  Nana, na, nana, na, na, na, na, na...

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving You,

randy

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "As Time Goes By" (Dooley Wilson)

Welcome to the New Year on Tuesday!!!  It's 2019, can you believe it?  What the previous generation has told us for years is coming true as we celebrate the turning of the calendar, that's right, somehow or another, time seems to be going by faster and faster.  Now, really, how many of you actually stayed up until midnight?    

There is much anticipation awaiting the new year as we embark on our next annual adventure.  We have as many as 365 days to make a difference in lives all around us.  That's an awesome responsibility, but yet one that can be embraced with vim and vigor as we watch the sunrise on 2019.  Yes, there will be "interesting" occurrences in each of our lives.  Yes, the unexpected will happen.  Yet, the unexpected balances out with the "normal" that we will see throughout the year.   All in all, the fundamental things apply...As Time Goes By...

"As Time Goes By" from the 1942 film Casablanca, sung by Dooley Wilson     

"As Time Goes By" was written in 1931 by Herman Hupfeld.  Throw in 11 years and a major motion picture starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman and the song becomes the iconic soundtrack background that we recognize today.  The American Film Institute recognizes it in its AFI'S 100 YEARS...100 SONGS list at #2 and Warner Brothers continues to use the beginning melody in opening and closing credits of its movies and TV shows.  

Without a doubt, it is one of the most recognizable melodies ever written, and will continue to be as Sam plays it again and time goes by... 

To add to the credibility of its  historic status, "As Time Goes By"  has now been used to launch this year's annual look at the best of Tuesday's Musical Notes!  

Each year, Blogspot keeps track of how many folks click on Tuesday's Musical Notes.  Those clicks are tabulated and at the end of the year, we count down the top ten.  So with our best regards for an incredibly Happy New Year, here are the top ten blogs from 2018:  Click on 'em again, Sam...(nope, just doesn't have the right zing to it...)

Genesis 13:15-17 King James Version (KJV)

15 For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.

16 And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.

NUMBER  10!

We start this year's countdown with the first of four ties.  Coming in at #10 is the Rock and Roll Legends Led Zeppelin.  They are joined at number 10 with this year's anthem for individuality.  

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Stairway to Heaven"

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "This is Me"

Next up we find a classic song from Blue Swede who got quite the lift for their 1974 cover of a song from 1968 by B.J. Thomas.  All it took was a few Guardians to kick "Hooked on a Feeling" into the top ten of 2018's Tuesday's Musical Notes!  Here at number 9...can you say ooga chaka?

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Hooked on a Feeling'"

Tuesday's Musical Notes exists to bring the aforementioned balance to the entertainment industry by utilizing a unique perspective on the songs we pick each week.  Many of our songs, especially it seems this year, have been highlighted by movies or Broadway shows.  Number 8 on our countdown is no exception.  In fact, you may have heard one cover of it during the holidays as it is featured in the Bill Murray Christmas offering Scrooged.  For your consideration, the 8th most read blog on the block at Tuesday's Musical Notes:

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Put a Little Love in Your Heart"    

Numbers 1:18-20 King James Version (KJV)

18 And they assembled all the congregation together on the first day of the second month, and they declared their pedigrees after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, by their polls.

19 As the Lord commanded Moses, so he numbered them in the wilderness of Sinai.

You've read'em, we're countin' 'em down!

Many times the music assemblage that is Tuesday's Musical Notes are songs from our favorite musical landscape...the 1980's.  Tied at number 8 is a song that comes to us from right in the middle of the 80's; 1986 to be precise! The blog was written right in the middle of 2018;  June 5 to be precise.  "I'm on my way, I'm makin' it!"

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Big Time"

We mentioned that many of The Notes are based on movie songs.  This year's top ten features fourteen total songs (allowing for ties). Of those fourteen, ten have seen their light shine in  theater or television broadcasts, more than any other year in the history of the Tuesday's Musical Notes year end tabulation. 

Speaking of that first year's countdown, here is a Tuesday's Musical Notes extra.  Here is the countdown from our first full year of writing the only blog on the internet that blends the music of all decades with the Message of all time.  It happened in December of 2013, yup about 5 years and 31,000 clicks ago. (You'll thank me later for the ear-worm...)

 Tuesday's Musical Notes - "The Final Countdown"

One of the reasons we feel so many of the songs on this year's Top Ten Tuesday's Musical Notes are from movies is that according to industry experts the movie business at the multiplex has had a really good year.  Movies like Avengers: Infinity War, Black Panther, and Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom account for this uptick in ticket sales. 

Yearly Box Office Totals - boxofficemojo.com

However, Tuesday's Musical Notes feels that this positive swing in ticket sales began early in the year as a "three-ring circus" of a movie carried on from its December 20, 2017 release.  With this in mind, we think 2018 Hollywood owes a debt of gratitude to the "showy" movie musical that began the year as the hottest thing at theaters, iTunes and Tuesday's Musical Notes. 

Ladies and Gentlemen.  Cast your eyes to the center ring where we present to you our favorite film of 2017/2018:

The Greatest Showman trailer 

The Greatest Showman box office numbers - boxofficemojo.com

Psalm 147:3-5 New International Version (NIV)

3 He heals the brokenhearted
    and binds up their wounds.
4 He determines the number of the stars
    and calls them each by name.
5 Great is our Lord and mighty in power;
    his understanding has no limit.

At number 7 comes the second song on the countdown from (in case you haven't already picked up on this) what we here at Tuesday's Musical Notes consider to be one of the best movies of all time; The Greatest Showman.  In fact, we liked  the movie so much that we featured each song from its soundtrack in the first two months of our Musical Notes year.    Ready your mind and steel your gaze to the heavens as we reveal to you the #7 song from 2018!

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Rewrite the Stars"

Psalm 40:5

Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.

While it is certainly the desire of Tuesday's Musical Notes to have everyone in the world read our blog on lyric and melody, we realize that this is not reality.  However, if you are reading for the first time and like any of The Notes we've listed thus far, please pass the word on to your friends.  You can also peruse through the archives by month at the left hand side of the blog page to see what songs have been given The Musical Notes treatment.  Or save some time and see if your favorite song or artist has been re-imagined on our page of popular plainsong by typing in the title or band name at the search window in the top left hand corner above the archives.  Thanks for spreading the word!!!  Now on with the countdown. 

Tuesday's Musical Notes explored the 80's British Invasion a bit with a classic song by the band Depeche Mode.  Coming in at number 6 is the March 13th edition of Tuesday's Musical Notes!

 Tuesday's Musical Notes - "People are People"

Psalm 39:4-5 New International Version (NIV)

4 “Show me, Lord, my life’s end
    and the number of my days;
    let me know how fleeting my life is.
5 You have made my days a mere handbreadth;
    the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Everyone is but a breath,
    even those who seem secure.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

And now it is time for us to go back to the big top as we explore our next tie in our 2018 countdown of the best of Tuesday's Musical Notes!  Coming in tied for number 5 are 2 more songs from The Greatest Showman.  Both speak about choices that we make and how those impact our lives.  

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Tightrope"

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "The Other Side"

We're half-way there!!!

Number 4!!!   

One more tie and 4 more positions to go until we close the 2018 chapter of The Musical Notes !!   Tuesday's Musical Notes started as a small dream whereby folks who love all kind of music could see a redemptive perspective on their favorite songs.  That small dream turned into an email, which turned into the blog you are now reading.  I guess you could say that this blog started with a small dream about folks who had some really big dreams.  And we're just getting started.  Because as you would imagine there are a million songs that we could share on a Tuesday.  Each of these songs represents the dream of a songwriter, singer, or musician or some combination of all three.  In some sense, I guess you could say that at Tuesday's Musical Notes, we still have A Million Dreams to share...  Here at number 5, Hugh Jackman as P.T. Barnum...

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "A Million Dreams"

We come to the final tie at number 3 on the countdown.  And in a way, it features songs by two different kinds of folks who were considered The Boss.  Both songs highlight the evolution of its individual performers.  One has come to realize that there is much given up in the protection of others and one who regrets those he has neglected and vows to make a change.  Here are the blogs tied at number 3:  

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "From Now On"

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "The Rising"

Have you figured out what is number 1?

Before we get to the top 2 spots on this year's countdown, I have to say a word to all of you around the world who have taken a few minutes of your day to read the musings on music and the Messiah that are Tuesday's Musical Notes.  We even have readers that Blogspot lists only as being in an "unknown region".  To those readers and everyone around the world who have stopped by to check us out, THANK YOU!!!  

As our last countdown extra and as a way of showing gratitude we present to you the blog that has received the most clicks of all.  It was written February 18, 2014 and continues to receive readers every week.  Here is Tuesday's Musical Notes best blog of all time:

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Let My Love Open the Door"

Our top two blog entries on this year's countdown were the first two blogs written in 2018.  Leading us into number 1 is the song that was recorded by a bunch of Zombies and counted down the best blogs of 2017.  Coming in at number 2 is the song that appears on the album at #100 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list, 1968's Odessey and Oracle.  Kicking back to the psychedelic '60s here are The Zombies at number 2.

 Tuesday's Musical Notes - "This Will Be Our Year"

You may have noticed a theme among the Scripture passages that are interspersed throughout this year's countdown.  I confess a love of numbers that comes from my years in retail.  Add to this the fact that God thought numbers were so important that He had Moses write an entire book of His Word called Numbers.  

We see in these passages, numbers that can not be counted (dust) and things that can be counted only by God (stars).  We also see God commanding man at times to take a census.  This is not for God's benefit, but for ours.  As you can, go back and read the stories in the Bible that concern numbering the people in the nation.  You will find that these chronicles show the varying characteristics of God, and the roller coaster ride of obedience that man has given Him.

As we come to the final blog of 2018's Best of the Best, please consider one final numbering.  It comes from the last book of the Bible.  It is a Revelation from God to the disciple John about the end of all time.  From Chapter 7:

9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

Tuesday's Musical Notes exists so that more people will belong to the group "which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people and tongues..."  These folks are around the throne of God, praising Him.  They are there because at one point in their life, they surrendered themselves to God by believing in the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.  This dear friend is a very important number in which to be a part.  For, if you are not part of THIS number, your future is to be forever separated from God.  But there is hope for salvation.  Several of this year's top 10 detail the way to restore our broken relationship with God.  If you have any question, please leave a comment with your contact information and I'll get back to you.  The change you seek for 2019 can happen, if you listen to Holy Spirit as He draws you back to God through Jesus.  2019 can be different from any other year you have ever experienced.

To borrow from one of today's countdown songs...

...from now on, these eyes will only focus on His light, from now on, what waited til tomorrow starts tonight!  It starts tonight!  Let His promise in me start, like an anthem in my heart, from now on.  From now on...  

The change you desire for 2019 and the rest of your life awaits, listen to Holy Spirit right now as He leads you into an eternity secured in the presence of God.  

Father God.  Today, a dear friend who is reading this is desiring to come to You.  Today, send Holy Spirit to direct them to You in whatever way is necessary.  Today, change their mind, restore their life, renew their heart and help them to see You.  Today, God...do what You do!

And now on with the countdown...  

Drum roll please...

Number 1!

Here is the most read blog in 2018 compiled by Blogspot.com and read by you!  Have you guessed it yet? It is the 7th song from the soundtrack The Greatest Showman to be featured on this year's countdown and it comes in at number 1.  It also happens to be the opening song for this incredible show!

Woah!  Ladies and gents this is the moment you've waited for...

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "The Greatest Show"

There ya have it!  The top ten (well, 14 if you count the ties) of Tuesday's Musical Note 2018!  We can hardly wait to see what 2019 holds in Notesland and we hope you will join us for the journey.  But for now, know that you are being prayed for, and over.

Know that as we enter this 2019 with its challenges and exciting opportunities, you are not alone.  God awaits every day...

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving You,

randy