aor
My Inspirations – David Coverdale
Yes, it’s the king of hair rock, David Coverdale’s turn in the spotlight of my inspirations this week.
I literally cannot tell you how many times I span my vinyl ‘Come An’ Get It‘ album; signing along with passion and heart yet coupled with pangs of awkward guilt at the content, but loving the absurd cheek of it all the same.
David Coverdale as frontman for Whitesnake was/is unashamedly sexual in his image and lyrics. Ordinarily that would put me off; that’s the main reason I find AC/DC so objectionable (there are other reasons too!), but in the case of Coverdale / Whitesnake, I just couldn’t write it off; I loved that voice, the blues-influences riffs and melodies, Bernie Marsden’s singing guitars – it all had me well and truly hooked.
Oh man did I ever face ridicule for it from my feminist friends; the assumption being that any intelligent woman couldn’t possibly take Whitesnake seriously. The thing is I don’t think Coverdale himself ever totally took Whitesnake seriously. He’s quote as saying ‘a lot of my songs are firmly tongue in cheek.’ Thinking about it, that comment could be tongue in cheek in itself!
I preferred his edgier early stuff, and so my enthusiasm started fade when they moved into the fluffy poodle-haired synth-soft-rock stage in the mid/late 80s with songs like ‘Is this love’ and the remix of ‘Here I go again’.
Probably my all-time favourite song – one that couldn’t in any way be seen as being sexual/sexist – is Child Of Babylon. In my opinion it still stands its ground as an epic classic rock song, brilliantly arranged and performed, and I would love to cover this one day, either live or on a record, and put all those hours of bedroom singing practise to the test.
Lyrics – Stranded
Working on some other things today, I visited my Soundcloud and noticed a comment on ‘Stranded’ saying “Wish I could read the lyrics.”
Well, I am to please – here they are!
Stranded is a bit of a tongue-in-cheek love-sick teen-angsty kind of a song! It was written about the ending of a relationship that was supposed to be ‘just for fun’, but after a while, surprise – I realised I’d got feelings for the guy, and it left me hanging in mid air wondering if he felt the same way. I’d be willing to bet I’m not the only one who’s ever gone through that scenario! Thankfully I’m older and wiser now 🙂
Lyrics – Seeing You
Next up in my series of ‘what are Janey’s songs all about?’ is Seeing You, from my album Along the Way and also featured on my first EP, Introducing.
I wrote Seeing You a couple years after I lost my brother. One of the themes of the song is about how we remember people we’ve lost. If we are open to sharing in such a painful time, we can hear so many different memories from family and friends. So, although we all knew him, we all did so in different ways. Talking to people about how they knew him was not only a fond way for us to support each other but, for me, it was a journey of getting to know and understand my brother in new ways.
Lyrics – Time Will Tell
Image Posted on
I often get asked about my lyrics – what they mean, or what a certain song is a about.
So I thought I’d start a little series and post up some of my favourite lyrics over the next couple months. To start the ball rolling these are from my most recent single, Time Will Tell. I was inspired by the writing style of Ronnie James Dio on this song. Maybe you can tell!? Would love to hear your comments. Are you surprised by what the lyrics actually are? Especially if you’ve been singing along something completely different! 😉
(c) Janey Summer 2009
It’s Christmas!
Well, it’s hard to believe that this time last year I was sending my Christmas message to you from hospital! It was truly heart-warming to have so many encouraging and supporting messages rolling in.
It has taken a long time for me to recover, but am I nearly back to 100%, thank God. As well my health crisis, this last year has been one of massive change for me – saying goodbye to relationships that it was time to move on from, and moving to pastures new. Lots of healing, but also lots of green shoots J
So, it has been a bit quiet on the music front since I released my EP last December. I’m sorry to those that have been eagerly waiting on new things; they are coming along, I promise! I feel confident that 2013 will see things rev up again with my new band, The Avowed.
Thank you all for your support over the last year, for your kindness, your emails, your comments, and the fun and laughs you’ve shared.
I hope that you and your loved ones have a truly blessed and wonderful Christmas – wherever you are, and whomever you’re with.
Peace, love and light to you
Janey x
Peach of a review from Ravenheart Music!
The latest review from Ravenheart Music is now up on their site – in keeping with tradition, Dave Smith has come up with an oh-so-quteable phrase, saying that the b-track ‘On My Own Again’ is a hard rocker’s wet dream.
Here’s the full review:
“JANEY SUMMER..’TIME WILL TELL’ (2 track single)
(Self Release) Reviewed 14th January 2012
I can say quite simply that Janey Summer has an awesome voice and deserves big things. This lass from the SW of England sure does rock. I reviewed an album of hers back in Sept 2008 – ‘Along The Way’ scored a cool 9/10, and I quoted in that review that Janey “has a voice to die for”. ‘Time Will Tell’ is a two track single that also features the track ‘On My Own Again’ and this girl seems to have moved forward leaps and bounds. It is of no surprise to also learn that this single is picking up internet radio airplay, because quite simply, the track (as is ‘On My Own Again’) is totally awesome. ‘Time Will Tell’ features a cool instrumental intro, before Janey’s totally mind blowing vocals carries the number into total dreamland. ‘On My Own Again’ harks back to the 70’s and is a Hard Rocker’s wet dream! It is difficult to score what is just a two track cd, but this is good, very good!! Effectively, this is powerful melodic hard from Janey (and her band!), so check her out here.”
Why, thank you Dave!
Visit http://www.ravenheartmusic.com/ for more info about them all at Raven Towers…..
Janey xx
Amazing Rock Radio Airplay
Great news!
DJ extraordinaire, Aaron Phillips, has chosen my new single ‘Time Will Tell’ to be included in this week’s Amazing Rock Show! http://amazingradio.co.uk/?show=rockshow
The show broadcasts Saturday (14/01/12) at 6pm GMT and is then repeated the following Tuesday (17/01/12) at 10pm
You can listen live via DAB Digital radio; about six clicks left Of Radio 1. You can also stream live via http://www.amazingradio.co.uk
If you miss the show you can listen again via our Rewind service from Tuesday from http://www.amazingtunes.com/users/amazingrewind
Hope you can check in – and please spread the word!
Thank you all!
Janey x
Janey Summer 