What are you listening to?

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I always enjoy listening to cover versions of hit songs performed by the lovely and talented Emily Linge on her YouTube channel.

Everybody Wants to Rule the World — original version by Tears for Fears

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Tom Petty was a good guitarist who had a few hits in the US in the 1980s. You Got Lucky reached No. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1982.

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Debbie Harry and her band Blondie had a number of hits in the late 70s and 80s. Call Me was a new wave rock track that became the number 1 song of the year in the US and UK in 1980.

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The three songs below were released in 2005 by Samantha Gibb, the talented daughter of the late Maurice Gibb.

When I'm With You

Inside My Head

Giving In

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Another very interesting song from a songwriting perspective is Wishing You Were Here released by the group Chicago in 1974. It reached number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US (number 1 on the US AC chart). The track was less of a hit in the UK, reaching number 51.

I'm not a fan of Terry Kath's vocals in this song. I think Peter Cetera should have sang lead vocals throughout the entire track. When the subject of 'eerie' songs comes up, the chorus of this song with "ooh-ooh-ooh, wishing you were here" and the parts after that are always mentioned as 'eerie' or 'spooky' in conversations. It's due to the unique chord changes and slides. That's the main kind of hook that hit songs are made of; something that stands out as unique and catchy.

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Marcomé is a very talented and lovely songstress from Canada. I own a few of her CDs. She has been referred to as the Canadian version of Enya. She released a relaxing New Age track back in the 90s titled Yéku. It streamed routinely on New Age music channels and stations.

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Ask the Mountains by the late Greek composer Vangelis was another New Age song I enjoyed listening to back in the mid 90s. It's great for relaxing or concentrating.

The track features wordless, minimalist vocals and ambient soundscapes from Swedish singer Stina Nordenstam. I like her voice! The first 2:13 of the song is a slow intro, but the track becomes a bit more animated thereafter—although it remains slow and deliberate overall—until around the 5:00 mark, when it evolves into a more focused and assertive section with minor chords.

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Here is a creative cover of Voulez Vous by the multi-talented Beatrice Florea. She breathes new life, energy, and fun into old songs. The song was originally released by Abba in 1979. "Voulez Vous" is French. It translates to English as "Do you want?"

[Vicki]

I love Abba, and this is a wonderful cover!!

[icystorm]

I love Abba, and this is a wonderful cover!!

I agree! There are a lot of great songs by Abba!

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Stevie Nicks' raspy, vibrato-rich vocals were featured in numerous hits by Fleetwood Mac throughout the '70s and '80s. As a solo artist, she scored several of her own hits during the '80s. Stand Back reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 2 on the US Top Rock Tracks in 1983.

The track also features Steve Lukather of Toto on guitar.

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Remembering Connie Francis who passed away today, July 17, 2025, at the age of 87. She had a number of big hits in the 1950s and 60s. Her hits included Who's Sorry Now from 1963.

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Martika released a haunting power ballad in 1989, Toy Soldiers, which reached No. 1 in the US and No. 5 in the UK. She had another top 10 hit in 1991, which allowed her to escape being labeled a "one-hit wonder."

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I've always enjoyed Lost in the Crowd released in 1986 by Swedish star Carola Häggkvist. The song was penned and produced by the Gibb Brothers.

Carola also released another clever song written by the Gibb Brothers, Angel of Mercy, in 2001.

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Although rock, pop-rock, and hard-rock have always been my favorite genres of music (especially 80s), I also enjoy new age, jazz, and classical. The Pat Metheny Group released numerous jazz fusion songs in the 80s which are mellow and easy to relax to. One that comes to mind is [It's Just] Talk from 1987.