Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Your Wildest Dreams" (The Moody Blues)

Welcome to Tuesday's Musical Notes!!!  This is the place where Rock and Roll teaches Biblical truths.  Wait!!!  Don't stop reading yet!!!  We know. We know. We don't usually mention the Bible this quickly!  We usually try and hook your interest with some groovy tune and then about half way through smack you right in the kisser with a Bible story.  But we are in unprecedented (there's that word again!) times and there is an extreme need for folks to find some kind of truthful information they can use to hang their hat on.  The Bible is that truth.  No news outlet, TV personality, or blogger can share with you information that is foundational like what you can discover in the Bible.  Yup, here comes the link...

Biblegateway.com  

Welcome to an unprecedented Tuesday!!!  In fact,  would you have ever imagined a Tuesday quite like today in your wildest dreams?

"Your Wildest Dreams" from the April 9, 1986 album The Other Side of Life by The Moody Blues

Tuesday's Musical Notes makes every effort to not be a radio station.  We don't have advertisements that are paid for by local vendors or national accounts and we do everything we can to never repeat a song.  We have attempted to use a new song every week, except for once in the history of The Notes (May 31, 2012 - today, that's 410 consecutive posts.  Here's the archive pitch...you know find your song, look to the left, blah, blah, blah...)  That's right, we repeated a song.  It was an accident because we got very excited about a topic and didn't do our usual due diligence in checking the archives (we've mentioned those haven't we?).  The honor of the only song to get two separate Musical Notes goes to today's feature band, The Moody Blues.  The song is "The Voice" (great song right?)

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "The Voice" (The Moody Blues) March 5, 2013

and

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "The Voice" (The Moody Blues) August 14, 2018  

While "The Voice" is a great Moody Blues song, it is not the focal point of today's Musical Notes.  That honor belongs to "Your Wildest Dreams" which could very well be an apt description of where we find ourselves today!  14 years had passed since the  "Nights in White Satin" single from the 1967 album Days of Future Passed album had gained the #2 spot on the charts making it  the highest charting record for The Moody Blues.  Fast forward, raise the needle, or click ahead to 1986 when The Moody Blues would be topping the charts again.  "Your Wildest Dreams" would peak in the top ten at #9.  This secured the band the designation of having a charting single in 3 consecutive decades, something most bands, even those with longevity, are yet to achieve.  

Unfortunately, we are not dreaming, wild or otherwise, and our reality has been shaken.  We live in a time where we need a reminder of what wisdom and frugality can provide.  There is no better reminder of these things than in the Bible.  (Ahhh, this is where we're used to it!)  

There were many times of famine and disease in the Bible, especially in the Old Testament.  The thing about it is, most of the time the folks were warned that these times were coming.  Take for example what happened when Joseph interpreted the dream of Pharaoh.

Once upon a time...  We visited about Joseph's interpretation last week.  7 years of plenty followed by 7 years of famine for the world.  Egypt was the world leader at the time, making Pharaoh pretty much the king of the world.  He was having some of the wildest dreams imaginable and implored anyone to make an interpretation of them.  Our current Bible hero, Joseph, (see previous Notes from the last few weeks to get caught up on his story...it's a doozie!!!) is summoned from prison, cleaned up, and placed before Pharaoh to tell him what his wild dreams meant.  

When Pharaoh heard Joseph's proclamation, it seemed rational and wise to him.  He immediately took action to find someone who would do the best job in preparing the world for the famine to come.  Never in Joseph's wildest dreams did he imagine that he would be the one chosen to get this plan going.  With God's blessing of wisdom, Joseph expounded on a plan that would save most of the known world from starvation.  Read Joseph's plan here:  Genesis 41: 38-57 New American Standard Bible/The Message paraphrase of the Bible/King James Version of the Bible parallel  

Joseph's brother's had tried to be rid of him.  He bounced back from that to be in favor with the captain of the guards.  The captain's wife tried to be rid of him.  He bounced back from that to be in favor with the captain of the prison.  He was forgotten by those who promised to remember him.  Now Joseph finds himself in the 2nd most powerful position in the world.  What was the title of today's feature song?  

Please friend remember that in times like what we are experiencing, when our words are touched with sorrow, that there is redemption that awaits.  It may come in the form of wealth and success like Joseph experienced, or it may come in the form of an ultimate healing in the presence of Jesus for those who have made him the boss of their lives.  Don't wait for it to come in this life.  Be sure of what comes next.  Be wise and determine that what the Bible says is true.  Trust the reality that so many will celebrate this Sunday.  Don't rely on bunnies and eggs, rely on a living Lord who loves you without exception and waits to fulfill your wildest dreams.

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving You,

randy

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "The Voice" (Moody Blues)

Welcome to Tuesday it's time they did say!  The daylight hours they are drifting away!  It is time for a new thing they're all talking about.  New faces, new friends, and new achievements to flout.  The bands they are marching, the teams they go fast. The teachers are starching their clothes so they'll last.  Books that laid dormant, are now covers open. As students find ways to start the year hopin'.  Hopin' for good grades, great teachers, and much fun.  Hopin' that they can do the work to be done.  Hats off to the folks in clinics of learning.  We know the late hours the candles your burning.  We know that it seems your herding some cats. We just pray that they don't drive you all the way bats.  So here's to you students and teachers we say.  "We're praying for you, we pray for each day".  It's Tuesday in August not quite meter rule, we ask you today..."won't you take me back to school?" 

"The Voice" by the Moody Blues from the May 15, 1981 album Long Distance Voyager

Tuesday's Musical Notes has often explored bands that "fly under the radar".  They may be "one-hit wonders" that utilize one song to make a lifelong career in music (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Walking on Sunshine"), or they may be bands that were started in the '60s and over the course of 50 years had 12 top 40 hits.  They are not The Beatles, Elvis Presley, The Rolling Stones, Michael Jackson, Prince, or other artists who seem to hum a measure and it goes straight to #1.  They are the working man's bands. They have written, played, produced, and sung some incredible music that while recognizable to some, have missed many listener's ears.  They are the band in which you know their music, but you may not know their name.  Today's feature band is such a group...The Moody Blues.

Begun in England in 1964, The Moody Blues have created a legacy by continually recreating themselves.  In '64 they began with blues covers.   As they solidified as a group and added the mellotron as a main instrument, they evolved into being one of the pioneering bands of prog rock.  They reinvented themselves again in the late '70s and early '80s after a reissue of the 1967 single "Nights in White Satin" went to #2 on the charts in 1972.  This international popularity ignited an interest in all of the band's music, propelling them to make their most popular record to date, Long Distance Voyager, which went to #1 on the album charts and featured the top twenty singles "Gemini Dream" and today's feature song, "The Voice".  

The Moody Blues most recent studio album is 2003's December.  Their most recent tour came in 2015.  And after over 50 years of touring, making albums and inspiring millions, they were a part of 2018's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class.  It would seem that their hard work and continuing vision paid off as they continue to have fans say..."whoa won't you tell me again."

"Won't you take me back to school, I need to learn the golden rule..."   I think it would be easy to say that the students are not the only ones who learn things during a school year.  I have seen teachers and those who work at school say with a sense of pride as well as some awe that they never cease to be amazed at what the next generation can teach them. As students and school employees begin their annual voyage to learning,  we must ask ourselves, what things will be guiding them. Certainly, the golden rule to which The Moody Blues refers, but what other factors influence those in our arena of education?

As the school year starts, "each and every heart it seems is guided by a world of dreams..."  What guides those dreams?  

Way before Jiminy Cricket instructed Pinnochio to "Give a Little Whistle", ("Give a Little Whistle" from the 1940 Walt Disney production Pinnochio) folks understood the idea of a conscience.  dictionary.com defines conscience as:  " the inner sense of what is right or wrong in one's conduct or motives, impelling one toward right action". (dictionary.com - "conscience")  

As the return to school seems to bring a reset for many of us, I think we must understand that what assists us as we navigate our days is something more than allowing our conscience to be our guide and the impelling to do what's right.  Doing what is right isn't enough.  Let's face it, even on our best days we are flawed, and giving a little whistle doesn't always cut it.  But there is someone who can help.

In many churches, the topic of Holy Spirit is one in which very little discussion is had.  I find this curious because as part of the Trinity, evangelical bodies of believers claim that He is equal to God the Father, and God the Son.  Over the decades His work perhaps has been misunderstood by believers. Perhaps the whole "Ghost" label is intimidating as we don't fully understand Holy Spirit's role in our lives. While Tuesday's Musical Notes is not an authority on Holy Spirit, there are some things about Him that we would like to illustrate that may very well help us navigate the Long Distance Voyage in which we find ourselves as we maneuver through this new season.

First and most importantly we must understand that Holy Spirit is equal to God and Jesus and is a part of the creative process at the beginning.  Genesis 1:1-2 New International Version of the Bible/The Message paraphrase of the Bible/English Standard Version of the Bible parallel  Did you see that?  God, Holy Spirit, and Jesus are all in the first two verses of the Bible.

Also, we must understand that Holy Spirit is NOT our conscience.  Holy Spirit comes into our lives after we make a commitment to repenting of our sins (a daily process) and believing that Jesus was who He said He was and did what He said He did.  Acts of the Apostles, chapter 2, verses 1-13 NIV/The Message/ESV  The disciples had spent over 3 years in the presence of Jesus.  They did not need Holy Spirit's guidance until Jesus ascended into Heaven. The Gospel of Jesus according to the disciple John, chapter 16, verse 4-7 NIV/The Message/ESV  

Finally, notice what Holy Spirit does in our lives.  Initially, Holy Spirit brings the awareness of the separation that we have from God due to our sins. (John 16:8 NIV/The Message/ESV) Then He calls us to repent of those sins. (Paul's Letter to the Roman Church, chapter 8, verses 22-28 NIV/The Message/ESV) Finally, He transforms us every day to be more like Jesus. (Paul's 2nd Letter to the Corinthian Church, Chapter 3, verse 18 NIV/The Message/ESV)

So you see dear friend, each and every rising sun is greeted by a lonely one, but it doesn't have to be that way.  Out of the ocean of life, my love, there's so many storms we must rise above.  But we don't have to do it alone!  Can you hear the Spirit calling?  Understand the Voice within and feel a change already beginning.  Please answer His calling!!!

The fact is that not answering the Holy Spirit's call is the only sin that cannot be forgiven.  Jesus said in Matthew 12:31-32 -  “There’s nothing done or said that can’t be forgiven. But if you deliberately persist in your slanders against God’s Spirit, you are repudiating the very One who forgives. If you reject the Son of Man out of some misunderstanding, the Holy Spirit can forgive you, but when you reject the Holy Spirit, you’re sawing off the branch on which you’re sitting, severing by your own perversity all connection with the One who forgives."  The Message  

Holy Spirit is saying, "How many words have I got to say, and how many times will it be this way?"  To paraphrase, there is a time coming when you won't be able to say to Holy Spirit..."Oh won't you tell me again? Oh can you feel it?  Oh won't you tell me again...tonight"  

The one that He's calling is You!!!

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving You,

randy

Tuesday'S Musical Notes - "I Know You're Out There Somewhere" (The Moody Blues)

Welcome to Tuesday!!!  It's time for a Note of a Musical variety!  No, not G# or Bb, but some thoughts and meditations on music in general and life in specific!  It's all wrapped up in a blog that we call Tuesdays Musical Notes!!!

As so many good things in life, we just can't get enough of the things we like.  Especially when it comes to our entertainment choices?  (Anyone binging Star Wars, or Marvel?) So,  today we indulge our guilty pleasure as we introduce the first ever Tuesday's Musical Notes sequel!!!  (Technically, I guess they are all sequels of sorts, but let's not get hung up on semantics, shall we?)  Honestly, you can check the archives and see if we've ever done it before.  They are on the left by date, or you can search by topic, artist, or title of your favorite song.  I really can't recall ever having a sequel in Notesland... but you never know, there might be one out there somewhere, somewhere...

"I Know You're Out There Somewhere" from the May 23, 1988 album Sur la Mer by The Moody Blues  

The search for lost love continues...  We were given an introduction to the characters of today's video last week.  That was an actual band that played the younger Moodies, a British band called Mood Six, for the "Your Wildest Dreams" video  They and the female protagonist, Janet Spencer-Turner, return in the sequel song which peaked at #30 on Billboard's Hot 100, the last single to chart for The Moody Blues.  The real cool thing is that the songs, "Your Wildest Dreams" and "I Know You're Out There Somewhere", aren't on the same album.  In fact, they were recorded 2 years apart.  Again, one of the only times that I can think of where a band came out with a sequel song on a different album.  To give you the full picture, and to give you something long enough to have a couple of bites of popcorn with, let's watch both vids...

"Your Wildest Dreams"  

 "I Know You're Out There Somewhere"

The video for "I Know You're Out There Somewhere"  uses the radio edit of the song which is just over 4 minutes long.  The album track, as happens so many times in the life of a musical act's singles, is longer, in this case by over 2 minutes.  While I prefer the original track, the edit isn't egregious, like some radio edits can be,  it cuts an instrumental bridge whose theme is well established throughout the song.

For more Moody Blues info, videos, and Musical Notes treatments, check out last weeks blog:  Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Your Wildest Dreams" (The Moody Blues)

The mist is lifting slowly I can see the way ahead
And I've left behind the empty streets that once inspired my life  

This could be an accurate way the Hebrew patriarch Joseph was feeling at the stage of his life in which we find him today.  His life experiences would have caused him to have an entire range of emotions, sorrow and sadness to elation and joy.  He had been a slave,  a venerated servant, a prisoner, and now we find Joseph as the second most powerful man in the known world.  His birth relatives had long given him up for dead as his brothers had betrayed him into the hand of slave merchants.  But out there somewhere was a story that none of them could have imagined.  

One would imagine that Joseph was quickly educated in the ways of Egypt. He had been in the country for many years in a variety of societal status'.   His current position now afforded him the opportunity to carry out the interpretation that God had given him of Pharaoh's dream.   He orchestrated the hording (the good kind...let's face it Indiana Jones didn't find any toilet paper at Tanis...) of food stocks during seven years of plenty in preparation for seven years of famine.  But out there somewhere was a family who began to run low on food.  Get the full story here:  

Genesis 42-50 New American Standard Bible/The Message Paraphrase of the Bible/King James Version of the Bible parallel

Jacob and Joseph's stories both reveal historical narratives about redemption.  Each of them were eventually restored to families from which they had been separated.  The reunions with those families explore the depth of reclamation that can take place among family.   They are a perfect example of the power of love and exist to serve as a shadow to the most powerful display of love ever given in history.  With their redemption stories complete we close the book on this chapter of the Old Testament and the creation story as well.  But THE Book is always open when it comes to showing the love that exists throughout eternity.

That display of love is the story of a Creator/Father who waits patiently.  He waits for his created ones/children to desire restoration and reclamation.  He provided a sacrificial payment to insure that a loving reunion can occur for those who ask for it.

Today, friend, what seems to be missing in your life can be found.  Today, friend, that longing for belonging can be filled.  Today, friend, there is a God who looks upon you as His child and He waits singing...

"I know you're out there somewhere
Somewhere, somewhere
I know you're out there somewhere
Somewhere you can hear my voice..."

Many in the world celebrated the fact that there is a tomb that is empty in Israel this past Sunday.  The person who was placed in that tomb after being tortured and killed was seen 3 days later in a physical body and over the next 40 days by many.  He is alive through the same restorative power that waits for you and me.  He is alive, now, begging God for you.  He came once to be that sacrificial payment.  He is coming again to find those who are His and take them home.  He is also singing... 

"I know I'll find you somehow

Somehow, somehow
I know I'll find you somehow

And somehow I'll return again to you..."

Today, friend...

'Til Tuesday,

Serving HIM by serving You,

randy 

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "The Voice" (The Moody Blues)

MUSICAL

Rules Of Civility #8:  "At play and at fire it's good manners to give place to the last comer, and affect not to speak louder than ordinary."

In other words....make room for everyone and use your inside voice...

"The Voice" The Moody Blues

     The origins of so many great musical acts can be traced back to the time range of the mid to late 1960's.  Many of your favorites bands possibly just popped into your memory.  Acts like The Beatles, The Mamas and The Papas, The Byrds, Sonny and Cher, et al no longer exist except on "oldies" radio  due to  internal strife, musical differences, lack of chart success, or the death of a band member.  In contrast some acts from this period [Genesis, The Rolling Stones, The "Bobs" (Both Dylan and Seger), The Beach Boys and Chicago] have achieved popular success by continuing to release records and tour in support of that music.  When you think about it, in the next decade many of these "durable" acts will have been in existence making music for over 50 years.  That is staggering when you consider the stress of world wide tours and the continued pressure to make music that is popular to a new generation of music aficionados every 2-3 years. 

     One band may not come to your mind immediately.  They have "flown under the radar" so to speak in the music industry and have never had a released single go to #1 on the charts.  They continue to tour with 1 member of the original 1964 lineup and 3 from the band make up of 1966.  Their highest rated single was 1968's "Nights In White Satin" which went to #2 in 1972, four years after its initial release.  The re-issue of their 1968 Nights In White Satin album caused the sales of the single of the same name to sky rocket thus providing The Moody Blues their first and only top 5 hit.  The Moody Blues have had 2 albums, 1972's Seventh Sojourn and 1981's Long Distance Voyager, attain the Billboard #1 spot for album sales.  This combined with relentless touring during the 70s and 80s have provided these "Singers In A Rock and Roll Band" with "The Voice" to continue speaking to the next generation of appreciative fans. 

     What kind of voices do we read about in Scripture?  How is God's voice depicted?  What happens to those who do not heed "The Voice"?  The Bible is replete with passages regarding communication between God and man.  In Numbers 22:30 a voice was given to a donkey to provide a warning to Baalam, one of the Bible's really bad guys.  The poetic books of the Bible, especially Job and Psalms, refer to the power of God's voice as these passages compare The Voice to thunder.   (Job 40:9; Psalm 29:3; 77:18; 104:7).  Elijah experienced God's voice in a much different, but no less powerful way.   (1 Kings 19)

     You may be thinking, "I believe the Bible's depiction of how God spoke to His people, but I am not sure how or if it happens in our times".  Rest assured that you are not alone in wondering how God speaks to Christians today.  We hear speakers on television and leaders in churches say that "God told them" to do specific things.  This raises another question:  "Why does God speak to them and not to me"?   The first thing we have to realize is comparing ourselves to other Christians only proves to be a frustrating exercise and has the potential to illicit pride.  Secondly,  we must also be in a position to listen for God when He speaks.  Do you have a consistent method of reading the Bible?  It is, after all, God's Word.  He is using His own Word to communicate truths to us every day if we will read the words and the listen closely to what His Spirit communicates to us.   Third, we are made in the image of God.  Our ability to discern right from wrong, our conscience if you will, is one aspect of how we are made in God's image.  This "spiritual" aspect enables God to communicate with us, especially as the Redeemed, through impressions, events, and thoughts.  "Understand the voice within, and feel the changes already beginning."   Finally, if you examine how God communicated in the Bible you will see that an audible voice, while present at times, was utilized with less frequency than what many perceive.  For a good perspective of how God speaks to us today, please read Rebecca Barlow Jordan's article:   8 Ways God Speaks To Us Today


     So what do we do when we hear God speak?  There is a hymn chorus that addresses the answer to this question:  "Trust and obey, for there's no other way, to be happy in Jesus.......but to trust and obey."  Don't allow the cynicism of our world to keep you from having the child like faith to listen to the Father as He guides and directs us.  Then utilize that faith to put into action what we've been told to do by...."The Voice".

'Til Tuesday,

Loving HIM by loving you,
Randy

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Tuesday Afternoon" (The Moody Blues)

Hey, there friend!  Welcome to Tuesday and another edition of the Cross & Kin Family Entertainment blog, Tuesday's Musical Notes!  Our other media outlet is the YouTube channel Cross & Kin.  Both of these are your one-stop shop for insight into great movies, books, and of course music. 

Tuesday's Musical Notes is a blog that focuses on the trivially important facts about your favorite songs and combines them with a commentary about the song that perhaps you'd never considered before.  Cross & Kin is our video outlet for conversations about popular, sometimes even iconic, books and movies, with the occasional music thought thrown in just to bring balance.  We hope you'll join the ever-growing group of folks who check out both!  And now on with the blog portion of our program.  Welcome to Tuesday's Musical Notes!!!

Before becoming your intrepid blogger, I was a retail store manager for Hastings Entertainment.  This was the company of my dreams!  Their assortment of merchandise was right in my wheelhouse, specifically books, music, and video (yup, we rented hard copies of what is streamed today!)  I soon found myself with over a decade of managerial experience in specialty retailing and a group of folks who were the absolute best team in the business.  During this time, the vast majority of new releases for music and video came out on Tuesdays.  Thus my affinity for the 3rd day of the week.  Most releases had someone who wanted them on their street date.  We found preparatory work on Mondays to fluctuate based on the artist or box office smash that would be appearing on our shelves the following day. Needless to say, some Tuesdays were more exciting than others! 

Flash forward to the summer of 2015. With the onset of online sales and digital downloads, record labels began being concerned about the multiplicity of street dates around the world for the different formats and the confusion it was causing among the music-purchasing public.  The trade group for the labels, IFPI (International Federation of Phonographic Industry) determined the best way to even the playing field for street dates would be to enact a global street date for all music products released.  The day of the week they chose was...Friday (Booo!!!). This essentially made Tuesday in the media retail world just another day while adding to the excitement quotient of Fridays. (Who doesn't love Fridays already?!!) Yes, we continue to anguish over this event as we see the excitement of Tuesday releases fading into the past.  We aren't the only ones saddened by this pox upon our favorite day!  Here is another lament for this transition brought to you by vanyaland.com:  "Tomorrow is the last ‘New Music Tuesday’ before the global switch to Friday street dates" By Michael O'Connor Marotta on June 29, 2015

Three years before the street day change, Tuesday's Musical Notes made its debut.  (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "I'm Alright" (Kenny Loggins))  While our goal is to share great music with interesting insights, the cursory result has been to keep some excitement coming to you on Tuesdays.  Because in our way of thinking, Tuesdays could keep experiencing a Forever Afternoon...

"Tuesday Afternoon" by The Moody Blues, from the November 10, 1967 album Days of Future Passed

With the introduction of the lp in the late 40s, you see a phenomenon begin called the "Concept Album" - wikipedia.org article".  These were records that had an overarching theme that all of the individual songs supported.  In many instances, they told an intriguing tale with music being the format by which the imagery and poetry related to the listener.  In the 70s and 80s concept albums were strewn all over the musical landscape as it seemed that all successful acts had to have at least 1 in their discography.  Progressive Rock bands like Genesis (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Follow You, Follow Me" (Genesis)), and Yes (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Roundabout" (Yes), Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Changes" (Yes)), were champions in the art of the concept album.  

Today's featured artist The Moody Blues ("The Moody Blues" - Tuesday's Musical Notes search) pioneered the concept album for the late 60s.  Their second album, Days of Future Passed is credited with ushering in the age of Prog Rock with its combination of symphonic sounds and psychedelic compositions.  It saw the release of 2 singles, "Nights in White Satin" (believe it or not, it peaked at #103 in its initial release.  Upon reissue in 1972 it soared to #2) and our song 'O the day, "Tuesday Afternoon".

Its original album release title was "Forever Afternoon (Tuesday?)" at the insistence of record producer Tony Clarke.  Writer Justin Hayward had originally titled the song "Tuesday Afternoon".  As the song saw its impending release as a single the following year, Hayward transitioned it back to its original title for the 45.  On some compilation albums, the song is listed as "Tuesday Afternoon (Forever Afternoon)" so every fan of the song, regardless of where they heard it first and how they know will find it an easily recognizable title.  

You may also know of "Tuesday Afternoon" from the Visa Check Card commercial from 2009 which is very Prog Rockish in its media content:  Visa commercial - Tuesday Afternoon 60-second version (bonus...Morgan Freeman voiceover!)

Lyrically "Tuesday Afternoon" reflects on a day spent in "Lypiatt Park" article - wikipedia.org.   Hayward revisited that park and wrote the song as he reminisced about his time there with his mother and brother.  "If you'll just come with me and see the beauty of Tuesday Afternoon" - One of our all-time favorite lines in a song.  Ah, who needs Friday!!!

The Gospel of Jesus according to Matthew, a tax collector, chapters 22-26 New American Standard Bible/The Amplified Bible/English Standard Version of the Bible/King James Version of the Bible parallel

Monday saw Jesus curse a nonproductive fig tree, enter Jerusalem, and interact with the crowd and religious rulers.  

On Tuesday, Jesus continues His teaching and in doing so, causes the plot to kill Him to gain momentum among those rulers that He calls "white-washed tombs".  Between His gaining a large following and His open criticism of the status quo, it is easy to see how Jesus was amassing His share of enemies.  Tuesday seems to be a similar day to Monday in that Jesus' main focus was to teach and prepare. This was appropriate as the preparation for Passover was beginning in earnest.  Jesus was preparing His disciples to witness Passover in a way that they could not imagine.  More about that comes later in Jesus' week.  

His criticism of the "religion" of the day culminates in chapter 23 as Jesus professes 8 woes towards the ruling religious class.  Remember numbers in the Bible always mean something.  8 indicates a newness or the beginning of something new.  In this case, Jesus is expressing a new religion for those who believe in Him.  This is a religious expression of freedom through Jesus. This is freedom from sin, and in many ways the 600+ rabbinical laws that the religious class had developed based on Leviticus.  This is a religious excitement that is unadulterated by the things of this world.  This is a religious ecclesiology that no longer requires the priesthood as all believers in Jesus become priests.  Jesus is expressing woe to those who are leading the people astray and gaining power, popularity, and possessions for themselves and in the process describing what the "new" will look like for those who follow Him.  Unfortunately, those numbers will see a dramatic decline in the remainder of the week.

So friend, how does that shape up for your Tuesday?  Do you find yourself among those who Jesus is expressing the "new", or are you currently a white-washed tomb, having woe hurled in your general direction?   Do you wince when Jesus calls out the scribes and Pharisees as He calls them hypocrites or do you find yourself being relieved that their hypocrisy is being exposed?

Monday and Tuesday are pretty homogenous in the last week of Jesus.  Each had its moments whereby Jesus prepares His disciples and pokes those who will plan to destroy Him. It is easy to imagine in these encounters Jesus is the commanding figure as He teaches and rebukes with authority.  This in and of itself makes for one busy...Tuesday Afternoon.

'Til Tuesday

Loving HIM by Loving You,

randy  

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Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Try Everything" (Shakira/Home Free)

"Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre; Sing praises to Him with a harp of ten strings. Sing to Him a new song;  Play skillfully with a shout of joy.  For the word of the Lord is right,  And all His work is done in faithfulness." - Psalm 33:2-4

"Ok, cue opening music after the commercial break...5,4,3,2...and 1 Go!"  

Announcement voiceover..."Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!  Welcome to another edition of Tuesday's Musical Notes!!!"  (5-second pause, you know let the music marinate...) "This is the place where tunes and tutelage go hand in hand to make for a great 10 to 15-minute journey in the internetosphere to discover new reasons to nod to your favorite songs and new thoughts to be thinkin' in your noggin!!!  It's the year-end edition of Tuesday's Musical Notes!"  (music fades)  

"Cue Randy and go!!!"

"Hello everyone and welcome to another edition of Tuesday's Musical Notes!!!  I'm your host Rockin' Randy and we want to welcome you to a very special edition of Tuesday's Musical Notes.  It's our year-end countdown of the most read Tuesday's Musical Notes from the previous twelve months. That's right folks!  Just like Google knows just about everything worth knowing, our friends in their tabulation department have been keeping track of the most read Musical Notes in the period from December 6, 2022, all the way through to November 28, 2023.  In other words, I write 'em, you read 'em, Google Analytics keeps track of 'em, and then on the last December of most every year, we count 'em down!" 

"But before we get to our collection of 2023's greatest Notes, we want to give you a Tuesday's Musical Notes Extra right out of the box!  Merry Christmas and enjoy!!!" 

"Cue today's featured songs...and play!"

 "Try Everything" - the single by Shakira from the March 25, 2016 soundtrack to Walt Disney Picture's Zootopia 

 "Try Everything" - the April 2016 single by Home Free - Home Free

Released as a single in 2016, "Try Everything" is an anthem for never giving up.  It is an upbeat fun song that you should listen to in those moments when you feel defeated but are ready to at least survey your situation or if you are in the mood to start something new, say a New Year.  Written by singer/songwriter Sia, record producer Tor Hermansen, and /Hermansen's songwriting partner/record producer Mikkel Eriksen, "Try Everything" is used as a background song for the 2016 Walt Disney animated feature film Zootopia - Wikipedia article

We think this movie and song are underrated as we thoroughly enjoyed it when watching the film and discovering the song a few years back.  

For today's purposes and since the Notes might be a bit longer today,  let's just explore the song. "Try Everything" happens to be a newish song for Tuesday's Musical Notes fare.  It was recorded in the last decade!  Yes, I know, shocking... But I digress.  We mentioned the song being underrated.  It peaked on Billboard's Hot 100 at #63.  It did a little better with the digital download chart but still didn't break the top twenty, peaking at #26.  

On YouTube, well let's just say it has done very well.  As of this writing, it counts a massive 735 million views.  We think that speaks to the disparity of modern charts but also for today, we'll just leave that there.  In short, Tuesday's Musical Notes loves this song!

While not charting very high, it did receive a Grammy nomination (Best Song Written For Visual Media) and came in at #19 on Billboard's Greatest of All-Time Disney Songs Chart.  Yup, a reward for everything and a chart for everything...again, another time...  

"Try Everything" was reinforced later in 2016 when then-rising acapella stars Home Free recorded a single of the song.  To date, their video has received over 11 million views on YouTube.  Not too shabby for the boys that only use the original instrument as their accompaniment!  It seems they took the words of the song to heart as now Home Free has a huge following, including yours truly, and can be seen touring the world.  One can only imagine that they come across something new and exciting every week as they "Try Everything"!

"That's our look at this week's featured song, "Try Everything" - by Shakira and Home Free.  Seems a fitting song heading into New Year's celebrations with its new beginnings and resolutions this week.  When we come back, we'll recap last year's top three and get started on this year's top ten most-read Tuesday's Musical Notes."  

"Cue commercial recap...And we're clear..."

"Best 80's & 90's Commercial Jingles"

"He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the mud;  And He set my feet on a rock, making my footsteps firm.  He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God;  Many will see and fear And will trust in the Lord. How blessed is the man who has made the Lord his trust, And has not turned to the proud, nor to those who become involved in falsehood." - Psalm 33:2-4

"Welcome back to Tuesday's Musical Notes. Before we start off our year-end survey of the most popular Tuesday's Musical Notes let's review last year's top three Tuesday's Musical Notes.  

There was a tie at #3 last year.  It happened with two bands who have very little in common.  One band hails from Britain, the other from South Carolina in the United States. And that's just where their differences begin. But the one thing they do have in common is that they were both the 3rd most-read Tuesday's Musical Notes from last year. 

#3 - Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Can't You See" (The Marshall Tucker Band)

#3 - Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Revolution" (The Beatles)

The #2 song on last year's list comes to us from the rockers who filled stadiums and arenas in the 80s and are still making records and putting on shows today 50 years after the band's original formation.  Here is Journey at #2:  Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Wheel In The Sky" (Journey)

Now remember, Tuesday's Musical Notes rarely relies on recent songs for our features.  Last year's #1 was no exception to that rule.  The song that was the feature of 2022's most-read Note was released in 1970. It appeared in the June 7, 2022 edition of The Notes and it's a classic.  Tuesday's Musical Notes - "The Long And Winding Road" (The Beatles)  

"There ya have it.  The top 3 most-read Notes of 2022.  What will be #1 this year?  Well, let's find out as we get the countdown started!"

#10!!!

"As we saw in our recap of last year's most read Notes, on our end-of-the-year countdowns, occasionally we have ties.  That means some of the Musical Notes in our listing were read the same number of times at the moment of our countdown finalization tabulation.  We have a tie to kick off our year-end reflection of 2023's Tuesday's Musical Notes.  Coming in at # 10 is the Moody Blues with one of our favorite songs because it's about our favorite day of the week, and The Thompson Twins, who are really a trio and have no DNA in common.  Anyway, they tied at #10."  

#10 - Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Tuesday Afternoon" (The Moody Blues)

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Lay Your Hands On Me" (Thompson Twins) 

"Sing to the Lord a new song;  Sing to the Lord, all the earth.  Sing to the Lord, bless His name; Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day. Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples." - Psalm 96:1-3

"At #9 is a song that sounded so much like The Beatles' 1965 sound that many today think it is by the Fab Four.  But it isn't.  It does have some influences from The Beatles but the sound is all Badfinger's.  They have the #9 featured song on our countdown, which just so happens to also be an end-of-the-year countdown! Click all the links and find out was the best in 2022 with this retrospective at #9, Badfinger's Tuesday's Musical Notes - "No Matter What" (Badfinger)"

"When we get back from the break, we'll tell you about the band who wanted everyone to "Get Up And Go"  That song and the rest of this year's countdown in just a moment"  

"And we're clear! Hit promo"

Cross & Kin Presents: Top 10 Film Musicals 

"Cue Randy...we're back in 4...3...2..."

"He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the mud;  And He set my feet on a rock, making my footsteps firm.  He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God;  Many will see and fear And will trust in the Lord.  How blessed is the man who has made the Lord his trust,  And has not turned to the proud, nor to those who become involved in falsehood." - Psalm 40:2-4

"Welcome back to Tuesday's Musical Notes and our end-of-the-year survey of the most-read Tuesday's Musical Notes for the past 12 months.  Sometimes, here at the Notes, we don't always readily know the song that comes to be the featured song-o-the-week.  We confess that sometimes we don't even know the band.  At #8 is a band with which we definitely have some familiarity.  The song, however, we hadn't heard of, but it fit the narrative of where we were going that day lyrically and musically.  And that's a sneak peek into the creative process for each week's Musical Note. Here's #8:  Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Get Up And Go" (The Go-Go's)

It seems to happen every year when we do our annual recap.  At least one of our Christmas songs winds up being one of the favorites.  This year 2 seasonal favorites made it into the top ten.  One at #7 and one at #5.  

At #7 is the oldest song on our countdown.  Its writing dates back to the early 1900s.  We featured another acapella band's version of the song to make sure that the readers of Tuesday's Musical Notes get as varied a taste of artists as there are gifts on the list of this seasonal classic.  Your #7 favorite is Tuesday's Musical Notes - "12 Days Of Christmas" (Straight No Chaser).

The #6 song comes from our "Days of the Week" series of Notes.  It comes from the duo from Queens, New York, Simon & Garfunkel.  It also was a new song discovery for us here at The Notes.  Here's #6:  Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Wednesday Morning 3 A.M." (Simon and Garfunkel)

Since we mentioned that #5 was a Christmas song we may as well spill the beans as to what song it is.  What it is not is a stereotypical Tuesday's Musical Note featured song. It is by an artist whose notoriety is for his instrumental giftedness.  But this time he gets an assist from Country artist Collin Raye and CCM favorite Susan Ashton as he gives us "The Gift"  Tuesday's Musical Notes - "The Gift" (Jim Brickman featuring Collin Raye and Susan Ashton)" 

"Sing to the Lord a new song;  Sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, bless His name;  Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day. Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples." - Psalm 96:1-3

"The numbers are getting smaller and the hits are getting bigger as we work our way to the #1 most-read Tuesday's Musical Note of 2023. 

#4!

At #4 we have a band that we are continuing to discover.  While they've been around since 1997, they've just come onto Tuesday's Musical Notes radar.  They were huge here in Notesland in 2023 as they have the #4 Note for the year.  Here is the British band Coldplay with their song of resilience from the 2014 film Unbroken with "Miracles".  Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Miracles" (Coldplay)  

"Do not call to mind the former things, Or consider things of the past.  Behold, I am going to do something new, Now it will spring up;  Will you not be aware of it?  I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert.  The animals of the field will glorify Me, The jackals and the ostriches, Because I have given waters in the wilderness And rivers in the desert, To give drink to My chosen people." - Isaiah 43:18-20

"We won't stop til we've reached the top!

We've come to the top 3 of Tuesday's Musical Notes' most-read list. We hope that 2024 sees you healthy and not needing to go see the physician.  Specifically an optometrist.  Why you may ask?  I guess we're just reminded by Jackson Browne's May 23rd entry into the world of Tuesday's Musical Notes with his smash hit "Doctor My Eyes".  Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Doctor My Eyes" (Jackson Browne)

"Because the one who is blessed on the earth Will be blessed by the God of truth; And the one who swears an oath on the earth Will swear by the God of truth;  Because the former troubles are forgotten, And because they are hidden from My sight!  “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former things will not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create;  For behold, I create Jerusalem for rejoicing And her people for gladness." - Isaiah 65:16-18

"After this break, we'll look at this year's top 2.  We'll be back in just a moment."

"Cue archive promo and go!"

"There's only 2 left.  Any ideas?  Have your favorite Tuesday's Musical Notes been among the top ten this year?  The top ten is all about how many times a Note gets read.  If you like one especially well, tell all your friends to read it that week.  If they can't that week, Tuesday's Musical Notes archives are always around on the left side of your screen.  They have every Tuesday's Musical Note ever written and are cataloged by date of release.  You can also use the handy, dandy search function to find a favorite song or band that has been treated in the unique way that Tuesday's Musical Notes relishes on music and its artists.  Check it out today over on the left-hand side of your screen!"

"Back in 3..2.."

"and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes;  and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”  And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.”  Then He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give water to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life, without cost." - Revelation 21:4-6

This year's top 2 is actually 3.  That's right we have another tie and it happens to be for the #1 spot!  

#2 is one of those "discovery" songs that we needed to fit into the lexicon of 2023's Musical Notes.  It features another band that saw their popularity rise in the 90s and one of their under-the-radar songs that should have been a hit. Here's the British Alternative band Blur with "Sunday, Sunday" (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Sunday, Sunday" (Blur)) 

Before we reveal this year's #1s, we wanted to take a moment to thank those of you who read Tuesday's Musical Notes every week.  We love getting the opportunity to share our love of music with you and gain perspective about life in the process.  In January we're back with our chronological journey through the Bible that we began on April 9, 2019 Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Beginnings" (Chicago).  Will this be the year we finish?  You'll have to stick around to find out.  Each week on Tuesday!

We also wanted to take a moment and reflect on the Scripture that we've positioned throughout the countdown.  If you didn't catch it the them is "new".  Seems like everyone needs a reset on occasion and the New Year seems to be a good point to start.  I find myself in a new place currently and am anticipating what God has in store in 2024.  Ultimately, I long for the time that is referred to in the Revelation passage when all things will be made new.  Do you anticipate that time with longing or dread?  You get to decide.  God provided a way in the man Jesus to make sure you were a part of the new.  Jesus was tortured, then died, then buried, and then rose again to be at God's side making a way for you and me if we will believe that he did all of that for us. You see friend, unholiness cannot come into contact with holiness and in that new place described in Revelation, all will be holy.  You can be holy only through the blood of Jesus.  Won't you fill your heart with love and start again?  Believe today and see the New Year as...well...new.  

And now the #1 songs of 2023!  At the top of this year's countdown are two of the biggest acts of the 80s, Billy Joel and The Bangles.  Their songs "Honesty" and "Manic Monday" dominated the charts in their respective times and The Notes they inspired have come into being the most read from 2023.  From April 11th, and January 17th respectively, here are 2023's #1 most-read Tuesday Musical Notes.

#1 - Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Honesty" (Billy Joel)

#1 - Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Manic Monday" (The Bangles)

"Cue outro music...wait for it...wait for it...GO"

"There ya have it!  The top-ten most-read Tuesday's Musical Notes for the period of December 6, 2022, through November 28, 2023.  We hope you've enjoyed this year's retrospective of The Notes!  We will see ya next Tuesday when we start back with another song that we get to twist just a certain way to provide a little bit of a different perspective.  Won't you join us?  

We also hope that this coming year will be one in which you'll be saying...

"...I won't give up, no, I won't give in

'Til I reach the end, and then I'll start again
No, I won't leave, I wanna try everything
I wanna try even though I could fail..."

"Til Tuesday,

Loving HIM by Loving You,

randy

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