Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Pray" (MC Hammer)

Yes, I know...Now you can't get that "Super Freak" bass line from "U Can't Touch This" earworm gone.  Welcome to my world!!!  And welcome to Tuesday's Musical Notes where today we answer the burning question...Have we ever featured a rap song before?

Welcome to the land filled with a broad range focus on music with a laser beam range focus on ideology!!!  As we venture around the musical landscape that is Tuesday's Musical Notes we have encountered most genres of music.  We've even featured some classical music (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "The William Tell Overture" (Rossini via The University of Arkansas Marching Razorback Band)).  Today we must correct an oversight in the fact that Rap and Hip/Hop are woefully absent from this cornucopia of musical treats.  What better way to get started than one of the highest-charting rap songs to ever busta rhyme.  So before we drop that beat, we need to drop to our knees and...

"Pray" from the February 12, 1990 album Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em by MC Hammer  

Yes, this iconic album is 30 years old in a couple of weeks and by today's Rap standards seems pretty tame.  But its performance thrust Rap into the forefront of popular music.  The album went to #1 on the Billboard 200 album chart and stayed there for 21 weeks, making it the first Rap album to hit #1 on the pop charts.    Putting it there were the smash singles, "Here Comes the Hammer" (#54 on Billboards Hot 100), "U Can't Touch This"(#8), the cover of the Chi-Lites "Have You Seen Her" (#4), and today's featured song "Pray" (#2).

"Pray" was the song about God that MC Hammer promised that he would deliver on every album that he produced.  It reinforces itself by saying the word "pray" 147 times, thus setting a record for the number of times a song's title is mentioned in the song according to the American Top 40 archives.  And now on with the countdown...

Does the music seem familiar to you?  I think I hear a bird crying in the background.  Listen closely and you'll hear the sample of the 1984 #1 song "When Doves Cry" by Prince (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Let's Go Crazy" (Prince and the Revolution)).  This sample was one of only a few that were sanctioned by Prince to be used by other artists.  It also includes a sample of Faith No More's "We Care A Lot".

While you won't be hearing this song in your local church choir, (friend, make the time and go to a local church of your choice and do more than pray, get involved.  Folks await there to encourage you, be encouraged by you and live life with you) "Pray" is a song from which much can be taken.  It strongly encourages folks to use prayer as a means for communicating with God and praising Him for their blessings.  It also encourages folks to ask God for help with the social dilemma of the day. 

"...We're sending this one out to the Lord

 And we thank you and we know we need to pray

 Cause all the blessings that are good they come from above

 And once again we want to say "thank you" to the Lord with all our love..."

Have you ever had those times where you were faced with doing something you dread and weren't sure how to process the emotions you were feeling?  We all do.  There are many who would recommend a myriad of solutions.  We add this solution to the list as the ultimate and best for you. (Remember, laser beam focus of ideology).  Talk to God about it...

We see the pattern of asking for God's blessing and deliverance start to be established early on in the Bible.  Jacob utters one of the first recorded prayers to God in Genesis 32.  Let's have a look, shall we:  Genesis 32:9-12 New American Standard Bible/The Message paraphrase of the Bible/King James Version of the Bible parallel  

Jacob speaks to God and voices the emotions that we have all felt.  While you may not have had a brother who was wanting to kill you the last time you saw each other, we have all been in the vice-like squeeze of desperation. "We need to pray, just to make it today"  

As we look deeper into what Jacob is saying to God we soon see a pattern that develops.  First of all, Jacob acknowledges who God is.  This acknowledgment is tempered by the legacy that has been passed down from his father and grandfather. Secondly, Jacob reminds God (not necessary for God, but certainly necessary for Jacob AND us), what God's command and promise to Jacob was. Paraphrased, God tells Jacob to go back to his folks and God would bless him.  Jacob then reminds himself of his status in comparison to God and how God has blessed him in spite of that status.  Jacob comes to the crux of his prayer when he voices his petition to God, asking for deliverance from Esau.  Finally, Jacob once again reminds God (see the parenthetical above) of the promise that had been given for Jacob's obedience.  

What?  Jacob didn't say "Amen" at the close of his prayer?  If he did the Bible doesn't record it.  You mean to tell me that Jacob wasn't in a church or synagogue when he prayed this prayer?  Nope.  Jacob was out in the open all by himself, he had even sent his wives and children ahead of him.  The Bible doesn't say that Jacob had his hands folded in front of him or that he was on his knees.  (The Bible does later talk about those who assume a position of laying flat on the ground while praying, but the Genesis 32 account relates nothing about Jacob's bodily position).  

You see friend, while the Bible has models of what praying should look like, it never demands many of the positions or words that cultural traditions have taught us.  Jesus, later on, shows us how to pray, and it follows a similar model to what Jacob prayed in his time of need.  (The Gospel of Jesus according to the apostle Matthew, chapter 6, verses 5-13 NASB/The Message/KJV)

The point is "That's word, we pray (pray), we need to pray just to make it today".  Communication TO you is already occurring.  Today, Holy Spirit is drawing you.  He is drawing you to restore the broken relationship you have with God, your Creator. Holy Spirit is pleading with you to accept the forgiveness that comes with Jesus' leadership of your life and beg God to forgive you and help you stop doing the wrong, knuckleheaded things that you do.  Before you can ask God to bless you and encourage you through those desperate times you will have, you must first ask God to be the king, the boss, of your life. You must communicate TO Him. Through Jesus' sacrifice, God said He would provide the forgiveness, but we have to ask for it. The lines of communication must be opened up by our response to Holy Spirit through prayer.   Holy Spirit is asking you today to pray, to talk to God.  You don't need to be in a church, you don't need to say theological sounding words, you just need to speak to Him as a child would speak to a parent.  This conversation with God must happen before any other prayers you pray will mean anything.  So to make it today, have your relationship with God restored by accepting His sacrifice of Jesus for you.  And then...PRAY...  "That's Word"!!!

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving You,

randy 

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Working Man" (Rush)

Welcome to Tuesday and another edition of Tuesday's Musical Notes, the continuing blog about the eternal aspects of music and life.  We have much to do today, so let's dispense with the usual opening monologue banter and just get with it.  After all, we realize that our readers are a bunch of working men (and women!)...

"Working Man" from the March 1, 1974, eponymous debut album by the band Rush  

In case you hadn't guessed, it's a tribute Tuesday here at The Notes as we remember the life of Neal Peart (pronounced Peert, don't worry, everyone else has mispronounced it too...he was Canadian after all eh!).  Peart died on January 7th after a 3 1/2 year battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. For many, including your humble blogger who is not a percussionist, Peart was the absolute greatest drummer of all time.  His recordings with Rush (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Freewill" (Rush), Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Tom Sawyer" (Rush)) are eclipsed only by his live performances (ALWAYS a drum solo at a Rush concert) with bandmates Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee.  Those solos usually went something like this:  Neal Peart Drum Solo, David Letterman June 9, 2011 

Neal Peart was not, however, the original drummer for Rush (the band would have a couple of configurations after its formation in 1968.  The band settled on its best-known lineup in 1974 becoming the Rush we all know and love), nor the drummer who recorded today's featured song on the band's debut album.  That artist was John Rutsey.  He was replaced by Peart two weeks before the band's first tour after artistic differences caused Rutsey's departure.  The rest is musical history.

"Working Man", did not hit the charts but it does have a couple of distinctions.  It's guitar solo consistently ranks as one of the greatest of all times in guitar aficionado publications and lists.  The single also has been attributed to landing Rush their first record deal as a DJ at WMMS in Cleveland, Ohio played the song in heavy rotation.  It resonated with the listening audience of the region and soon brought the talented musicians of the band to the attention of a national audience.  

The song also served as a semi-autobiographical tale of the band's own work ethic of recording and touring.  In the 80s, Lee, Lifeson, and Peart were the hardest working band in rock producing 7 studio albums with concert tours to promote each one, all while continuing to improve their collective and individual craft.  

Rush emulated what it meant to be "working men" in the Rock and Roll band industry.  We see throughout the Bible several men and women who worked extremely hard to achieve the goals and visions that God had placed in front of them.  One of those hard workers even served as a shepherd for 14 years for the girl of his dreams.  

In Genesis 29-31 - New American Standard Bible/The Message paraphrase of the Bible/King James Version of the Bible parallel we see the continuing story of Jacob and Rachel as they are working for her father Laban and beginning to acquire resources for themselves.  

After Jacob's "love at first sight" moment with Rachel, he asked Rachel's father's permission to marry her.  Laban's reply..."work for me for 7 years and she's yours" (I'm pretty sure there are a lot of folks who are glad that it doesn't work THAT way anymore).  Jacob served as a shepherd in a time when this occupation was looked down upon by virtually everyone.  Between predators and the elements, shepherding was a hard life thus accounting for its dour reputation. 

Jacob did his time and after the 7 years, he was tricked into marrying Rachel's sister Leah.  Feeling slighted, to say the least, Jacob inquires of Laban what happened.  It seems Leah wasn't as attractive as Rachel was and Laban wanted to ensure she would be married and have children, both of which were signs of prominence and blessing for women of the day.  He suggested and Jacob agreed that Jacob would work another 7 years to be able to have Rachel as his wife.  Jacob held up his end of the bargain all the while making sure that he also made a deal with Laban for some of the livestock that he watched thus improving his own prosperity.

God blessed Jacob as he finished out his time for Rachel.  Jacob continued to work for Laban for about 6 more years after he and Rachel were married as he worked his way into quite the herd of sheep and children.  For 20 years Jacob worked in the lowest status vocation known to man at the time and God blessed him with children and a sizable herd of livestock.  His hard work paid off as he left Laban and began his return home to face his brother Esau who 20 years earlier had vowed to kill him.  

Jacob was rewarded in more ways than he expected for his hard work and living up to his obligations. Yes, there was a little trickery involved on his part, but ultimately God blessed him for living up to his end of the deal with Laban.  

Are times different today?  Absolutely!  But the principle of working hard for the things in our lives that we want hasn't changed since the man began working outside of the Garden for survival.  Jacob's example of hard work and God's blessing on that work should serve us well as we determine what our own work ethic will become.  As believers, a strong, hard-working, work ethic is a way in which we can honor God.  Friend, let's make it our goal in all of our endeavors to have folks exclaim about us..."Now there goes a working man"... especially if we get the drum solo!!!

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving You,

randy      

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Invisible Touch" (Genesis)

Welcome to Tuesday and another week of your favorite blog and mine...Tuesday's Musical Notes!!!

We've made it through the Holiday Season (Halloween through Ephiphany (never thought you'd hear those two celebrations together did ya?)) and now we get back into the swing of things as we saunter down the January pathway.  You know, it's the middle of January and you've finally gotten all of the Christmas decorations put away.  You are eager to get back into the routine of normal. (Is that a real thing?)  We hope you make Tuesday's Musical Notes a part of your routine as you get back to as close to a conventional week.  Welcome to the 2020 normal!!!

With this return, we quickly realize that our interactions with others have impacts.  Some of these impacts are tangible (training new folks, investing in your relationship with children and grandchildren, and in general just making things happen).  Other impacts are less discernable.  Believe it or not, folks watch you.  Especially if you have standards and goals which they find admirable.  

Many of us may never realize the true influence which we exert on others.  It seems that whether we like it or not, we all seem to have an Invisible Touch... yeah!

"Invisible Touch" - the title track from the June 6, 1986 album by Genesis  

"Invisible Touch" was the one and only #1 single for the band Genesis. (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Follow You, Follow Me", Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Misunderstanding", Tuesday's Musical Notes - "No Reply at All")  Upon its ascent to the #1 spot, Casey Kasem at American Top 40 pointed out that Genesis was a band that had to get smaller as its success got bigger.  The band started with 5 members and even though the lineup changed, it remained at 5 through their first 6 albums.  Peter Gabriel (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Big Time", Tuesday's Musical Notes - "In Your Eyes") left the band after the 1974 release of their biggest album up to that time, The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway,  making the band a foursome.  The new incarnation of Genesis would record 2 more albums before seeing the departure of guitarist Steve Hackett, once again as the band was beginning to see even more success.  The aptly titled 1978 release ...And Then There Were Three... would see the most successful makeup of the band and the personnel that would take "Invisible Touch" all the way to number one.  As Casey would say..." and there you have it.  The band that had to get smaller to get bigger...now on with the countdown."

The idea of an "invisible touch" or "love at first sight" is supported by Bible stories.  In fact, we find in our narrative today our dreamer Jacob having such an experience when he would meet the love of his life.  Genesis 29:1-9 New King James Version of the Bible/The Message paraphrase of the Bible/King James Version of the Bible parallel  Jacob was traveling for a dual purpose.  He was running away from his brother Esau who wanted to kill him and he was running to his mother and father's relatives to seek a wife.  When he saw Rachel...love at first sight.  Jacob was willing to work as a shepherd for his father-in-law over the next 14 years to be able to call Rachel his wife (that was some invisible touch...oh!)  We'll see how God works in Jacob and Rachel's lives over the next few weeks, but for now, if I may take this liberty...

Ahh.  1986. On July 19, 1986 "Invisible Touch" hit #1 on Billboard's Hot 100. This was a great date in an outstanding year!  You see, just a little over a month after the Invisible Touch album was released on June 6, 1986, the next generation of Cross' said "I Do" to each other.  While it wasn't a "love at first sight" situation,  soon after our introductions and her attending the same university, I found an invisible touch finding its way over me in the summer and fall of '85.  As our dating time grew, the inevitable meeting of the families came to be.  While these initial contacts can sometimes be stressful, I found someone in her family who eased my anxiety and had an equally engaging influence that continues to affect my life today.

Her name was Louise.  She was known to her community as Ms. Hopper, a school teacher for over 40 years.  She and her husband had no children of their own, yet she through her skills as a teacher she was endeared and has children literally now all over the country.  Perhaps you had a teacher like that.  I had always had an affinity for the school teachers that I had and when I discovered her occupation, I knew instantly she was someone whom I needed to get to know better.  

My first encounter with "Aunt Lou" came during the aforementioned dating time of 85-86.  Her kind demeanor and seeming knowledge of everything instantly ingratiated her to me.  She no longer was my girlfriend's aunt, but upon our first introduction, she was mine too.  Her love of the outdoors and the life that inhabited it was evident through the myriad of her "critters" that were fed daily.  Skunks, although not encouraged, were also given the opportunity to be fed off of her deck.  

Her treatment of humans was even more exceptional.  She was one of those teachers who expected and encouraged each student to live up to their potential.  I loved hearing the pride in her voice as she would tell stories of folks who had left their community to go on and do great things, as well as those who settled close by and were equally successful in their local vocations.  As long as they were working towards being better at their job and being a better human being, she considered them successful.  And she told them about it.

Her love of her community and the people who lived there was exhibited by her service to that same community and for well over 50 years she served in whatever capacity was needed garnering the love and respect of those who lived there.  She attended faithfully and served continually in the Methodist church of which she was a member. 

She instantly became mine and Tammy's champion even when there were those who had doubts about our longevity as a couple, and she was one of the first to insist on being an email recipient and encourager of the blog you read today.  Occasionally, she would comment about The Notes as she got caught up.  Those comments were always positive and supportive as she was one of Tuesday's Musical Notes' biggest cheerleaders.

She had been a breast cancer survivor and lived the vast majority of her life taking treatments and then going into remission.  All the while she continued to teach and when the availability existed she and her husband traveled the world and the country.  The places that I have been through her eyes are absolutely memories that I will cherish forever.  

Many of the things that I have learned about kindness and love have come from this precious woman's example.  This past Christmas with her was, unfortunately, our last in this life as she passed last week.  Her infectious smile was constant as she held our newest grandchild, who bears her name, and allowed one of our other grandchildren to crawl all over her.   While we are sad about her passing, we are comforted in her testimony of redemption and in the hope of heaven as we are assured that her devoted influence over our lives will be felt and emulated to the next generations.  Today's Tuesday's Musical Note is dedicated to her life and what will surely be the memory of her by many people all over.  

"She seems to have an invisible touch, yeah, she reaches in, and grabs right hold of your heart..."

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving You,

randy

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Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Dreams" (The Cranberries)

Happy New Year!!! It's the first Tuesday of 2020 and if you're joining us for the first time or the 397th ('cause that's how many Tuesday's Musical Notes there are...check out the archives!!!), we want to assure you that you are in a place that is safe and secure.  It also a place where you are guaranteed to hear tunes and tutelage. You will discover songs and synopsis all wrapped up in a twisted bit of tongue in cheek that is supposed to make you smile...you're not smiling...just a little grin?  Anyway, it's Tuesday and it's time for the first Tuesday's Musical Note of 2020.  Is this the day you've dreamed of?....

 "Dreams" by The Cranberries from the March 1, 1993 album Everybody Else is Doing it, So Why Can't We?

The debut single "Dreams" from The Cranberries was released in 1992, prior to being included on their debut album release.  It peaked at #42 on Billboard's Hot 100 and has been featured in television shows: My So-Called Life (1994), Beverly Hills 90210 (1995), Being Erica (2005) and Gossip Girl (2012).  It has also garnered the attention of several movie scores, including 1994's Safe Passage and The Next Karate Kid, 1995's Boys on the Side, 1996's Mission Impossible, 1998's You've Got Mail, 2011's Sound of My Voice and Prom, and 2018's Second Act.  

The song was inspired by an early love of lead singer Dolores O'Riordan's, but not the former boyfriend of O'Riordan, Mike Mahoney who provided backing vocals for "Dreams"

O'Riordan's dreams were cut short as she died in 2018 in London of accidental drowning due to a blood alcohol content of 0.33%. She had arrived there from New York to work on her side project D.A.R.K and to enter into discussions with the record label BMG about a new Cranberries album.   

Do you dream much while you sleep?  I sure do. I've mentioned in previous notes (see below) that one of those dreams involves guys in red coats from the University of Arkansas, knocking at my door and saying "Mr. Cross we are here to inform you that you really didn't pass that accounting class during the summer of '87.  We are here to revoke your diploma..."  Then I wake up.  Thankfully.  

Other dreams take a more enjoyable bend.  I literally remerchandise an entire store (usually 20-25,000 sq ft) and am having the time of my life.  The only drawback to this dream is that I am completely exhausted from my night of "rest".  

Dreams do have an impact however they manifest themselves.  God used dreams in the Bible several times to communicate His plans to mankind.  I am not sure that God spoke through the dudes in the red blazers or through me putting books on an endcap.  But prior to the ascending of Holy Spirit at Pentecost, God used whatever means necessary to get His point across to men.  

One of the first occurrences of God's dream communication is with Jacob in Genesis 28.  We were visiting about Jacob and Esau (sons of Issac, grandsons of Abraham) before we launched the Christmas editions of Tuesday's Musical Notes.  (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "December" (Collective Soul)  

Jacob was sent away by Issac at the request of his mother Rebekah as she was afraid that Esau was going to kill him.  Jacob had manipulated situations to his advantage over Esau and the fight was on.  Rebekah suggested to Isaac that Jacob be sent away to their relatives to find a wife.  Esau had taken a wife of the local residents much to Isaac and Rebekah's dismay and she didn't want that for her favored child Jacob.  Plus it got Jacob out of sight and mind of Esau's revenge.  

Let's pick up the story in Genesis 28:10-22 New American Standard Bible/The Message paraphrase of the Bible/King James Version of the Bible parallel

Jacob's encounter with the ladder in his dream changed his life forever.  We don't see an account prior to this where God had interacted directly with Jacob.  One would imagine that the realism behind any dream that God would send would be intense.  God reiterated His promise He had made to Abraham and Isaac regarding the place where Joseph's dream occurred.  God had told Jacob's forefather's that the land would be theirs and that their children would inhabit the land and be a blessing to the entire world. (That's much better than merchandising a store...) Jacob only needed to continue in what he was doing and listen for the next direction from God. 

In reading this text, I find it curious that Jacob was not familiar with this promise.  His father and grandfather were both given the same promise.  Did they not tell Jacob or Esau?  In fact, after his dream was over, Jacob says that this God will be his God "if" there is success in his current journey causing one to think that perhaps Jacob had not followed in Isaac's footsteps in his devotion to the Creator God who would come to be known as Yahweh.  As a reminder, the stone that Jacob used for a pillow became a stone of remembrance and part of the act of renaming the area, Bethel.  (Remember that city, it becomes very important later)

We see that the fulfillment of this dream does not occur in Jacob's lifetime. What kind of faith would Jacob have needed to tell the story to his future sons as each year Jacob did not see his dream come to fruition?  It took the same kind of faith that it takes for us today as we believe in the promises of God through His Son Jesus.  As we read the Bible (Old Testament AND New Testament) we see promises that have been made and come to pass, but we see many "dreams" that are yet to be fulfilled.  We may never experience some of the events foretold in the Bible, but we can rest assured they will come to pass and that if we believe in the sacrifice of Jesus, we will one day have a complete relationship with God forever.

It would be close to 500 years before this dream would see its reality.  But as we will see in future Notes, Jacob's dream about angels going up and down a ladder and his communication with God was passed down from generation to generation.  God's provision for His people then and now never stops.  God did give Jacob safe passage for the remainder of his journey and apparently Jacob never forgot his "rocky, ladder" filled night.  

"Dreams" are not a new topic for Tuesday's Musical Notes.  For more information and songs just click on the following:

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Running Down a Dream" (Tom Petty)  

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Dream On" (Aerosmith)  

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "A Million Dreams" (Ziv Zaifman, Michelle Williams, Hugh Jackman) 

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Dreams" (Van Halen)

Will this be the last time we take up the subject of dreams or dreaming?  I doubt it, but you'll only know if you check back with us each week right here at Tuesday's Musical Notes!!!

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving You,

randy