Carl

Hello Everyone. Here's a brief rundown on what's going on with the site: We're trying to get everything running on the new server while keeping the site running on the existing server. This involves a lot of challenges because there is a lot of data to move from one server to another, and if we miss a setting or put a file in the wrong place, things can get ugly. We'd like to make the transition as seamless as possible, and I've been in discussions with people significantly smarter than I am about how to do it. For the last few days, the existing server has been acting up, which has used up some of our resources but made it clear that moving to our own machine is definitely the way to go. Over the next week or so there might be some disruptions, but Songfacts will soon be much faster, more stable and able to handle loads of traffic. We're going to do this right, and when we're finished, I will dance like the banana.

The recent site problems are unrelated to the new advertising. There was a server meltdown today that required the hosting company to scramble the engineers. I'll post a more detailed update in its own thread.

Be sure to read the Songfacts on this one - it's a great history lesson. From what I remember, they added that line at the last minute to get in a timely mention of the Robert Kennedy assassination.

If this program is terrible, we'll drop it after the trial period, but please give it a chance. Here are some things you should know: Many advertising programs on the web will accept pretty much any site, and it reflects in the ads (think pop-ups and Punch The Monkey). These guys took a week to review our site and make sure we hold high standards. The links should be relevant to the posts and focused on music. It could be a good way of learning more about a particular subject. Our new server was pretty expensive.

Just for the record, if you boot up your computer and it thinks it's 1969, your battery is probably dead. Not the big rechargable battery, but the little one that keeps track of the date and time while it's powered down.

Because of the server date problem last night, some threads have moved to the bottom of the forum because the boards thought it was 1969 when the last person posted. They will regain their place in line when anyone adds to the thread.

Hi all. Last night, the server rebooted and came back thinking it was 1969. This is refreshing news for anyone who believes computers are going to take over the world and make us their slaves - they sometimes need us to tell them what day it is. Sara and I weren't able to get in and fix it last night, and we really appreciate you guys taking steps to warn people about the problem. It means a lot to us that you guys will help us out when things go wacky. We are going to delete the posts made when the date was funky to put things back in order. I apologize for the deleted posts, but it's something we have to do. Everything should be back to normal now. I know we've had a lot of technical issues over the last few months, and we're taking steps to shore things up. Our new server is set up and we're going to start testing it soon. The problems are related to increased traffic on the site as it becomes more popular, and the new server should make a huge difference. Thanks, Carl

This makes me wonder - have any other songs come true. I know you can say that Kurt Cobain sang about killing himself and then did it or Brian Johnson sang about drinking and then drank, but how about a song that tells a story, then it plays out in real life. As reported in the Times-Dispatch: When Rupert Holmes wrote "Escape," better known as "The Pina Colada Song," he couldn't have guessed he was practically psychic. Or that not all such experiences would end on a lovely beach at sunset. Bakr Melhem of Jordan spent three months flirting with a married woman through an Internet chat room. When they finally met in person a couple of weeks ago, he recognized his would-be online paramour as his wife, Sanaa. According to Jordanian news agency Petra, Melhem immediately shouted three times (in Arabic), "I divorce thee!" His wife called him a liar just before she fainted.

We're creating a Songfacts category for this, so you'll see your suggestions in the next update. There will be a link at the bottom of these songs to "Songs that mention other artists in the lyrics."

Here's the dizzle: A few months ago, we moved to a new server. It's a better machine, but the method of uploading the database is quite tedious. It takes about 6 hours and lots of steps, so we've been doing it only about once a month. Because of the continued popularity of this site, we had to move to yet another server, but we own this one and can set it to make updates much easier. We'll probably need another month or two to get the new server tested and online, but we'll start doing the regular updates then. I know the lack of updates is frustrating to those who contribute, but I can assure you that every entry is reviewed and processed. Once we get past some of these technical challenges, we'll be able to focus more on songwriter interviews and other pleasant stuff.

Here's list #4: BBC Sessions - The Yardbirds Swagger - Flogging Molly His n Hers - Pulp Tapestry - Carole King Winelight - Grover Washington We had to get Flogging Molly in because of St. Patrick's Day. Pulp had a lot of support and Carole King was overdue. The Yardbirds beat out Robert Johnson by a fretboard, and Grover represents an underrated artist with a different sound (sidenote: Congratulations to Bill Withers, who is going into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame. He spoke to us about 2 years ago about his songs, and mentioned that he really admired Grover, who played on "Just The Two Of Us" with Withers. Washington was the first to cover one of Withers' songs - he did an instrumental of "Ain't No Sunshine.") I like these lists because they introduce me to or remind me of some great music out there. We can probably get some Floyd in the next one.

Since I caused them so much difficulty when I was a kid, I tend to help out teachers whenever I can now. If anyone can help with this, I'll email her back with some info: Hi. I'm Patricia and I use songs to teach English. I believe songs are marvellous tools in ESL. I'm using one of George Michael's songs which I believe is not in your index. The song is "The Strangest Thing". There's another song which I haven't found in your site. It's Rod Stewart's "I don't want to talk about it". I'd appreciate if you could give me any information on these songs.

Unless you're thinking of "Ghetto Superstar," which sampled "Islands In The Stream." That was Pras, Mya, and about 12 of their closest friends.

Aaaaack. No love for Sideways, and too many Oscars for Million Dollar Baby. I thought Hillary Swank was the only one who deserved an award for that movie. They must have picked Kate Blanchett just to annoy me. Sara made a very strong showing, but Elvish nailed both the song and score, and is our winner. She will get a clean and comfortable Songfacts T-shirt for her efforts.

It's a classic protest song. Can anyone comment on these potential Songfacts?: This song got created from when they had a small party at their house and they woke up in the morning and saw people cleaning up their garbage and the were called the volunters of america.

I'm hoping the academy will recognize Million Dollar Baby as the movie that really isn't all that good, and will give love to Sideways. Cate Blanchet was by far the worst part of The Aviator. She did a grating portrayal of Katherine Hepburn that was more of an imitation than a performace. If she wins, I might file a protest. Picture - Sideways Actor - Foxx Actress - Swank Sup. Actor - Hayden Church Sup. Actress - Portman Director - Scorsese (Aviator) Song - Accidentally In Love (Shrek 2) Score - Harry Potter

They should have a number or website where you can get support. Give them a call and someone should be able to step you through. That's how a lot of people make their own websites.

I could be wrong, but your ISP might give you some with your account. There also might be some sites that will give you some.

I'd like to hear the song you're working on. We can't put a file that large on our server, but like PFloyd was saying, if you can find some web space for it, you can post a link here so we can all hear it.

"Brandy" by The Looking Glass has a definite maritime feel. I recently learned that Billy Joel is really into boats, and there are nautical references all over his songs, especially the Storm Front album. Also: Fisherman's Blues - The Waterboys Octopus's Garden - some British group, their name is an insect or something There's a Fleetwood Mac song called The Bermuda Triangle, but that might be a bad idea.

Sara is resting up for a big day of painting tomorrow, so I'll start the thread for list #4. Let's hear your suggestions.

Here's what we went with: Jeff Buckley - Grace Lynyrd Skynyrd - Street Survivors Pixies - Best Of Soundgarden - Operation Mindcrime Alice Cooper - Trash Skynyrd deserves some love for not being in the R&R Hall Of Fame. They're second only to the Allman Brothers on the Southern Rock food chain, yet somehow they're not in. Hopefully some people will be turned on to the other groups, which are all worthy. There's a good chance we can get Cud into the next one, and maybe some of the other suggestions that didn't make it this time.

Cody from Great Neck, NY wins a clean and comfortable Songfacts T-Shirt. Here are the answers: What song mentions a "Real Estate Novelist"? - "Piano Man" by Billy Joel What famous band has a member who is a pilot and owns a collection of classic airplanes? - Pink Floyd Dave Gilmour owns a company called Intrepid Aviation. A great answer on this one was Iron Maiden, since Bruce Dickinson is a pilot. To the best of my knowledge, he does not own classic planes. (note - this was Cody's guess, and the only one he got wrong. If we gave credit for Maiden, it would not have changed the outcome.) What famous singer has a child named "Paris"? - Michael Jackson What was the last Australian group to have a #1 hit in the US? - Savage Garden They hit #1 in 1998 with "Truly, Madly, Deeply." Worldwide, what is the best-selling album recorded in the '60s? - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles The guess that showed up more than a few times was The White Album. What famous singer played the role of a well-known actress in a 2004 movie? - Gwen Stefani She played Jean Harlow in The Aviator. What famous guitar player died in a plane crash in 1982? - Randy Rhoades What popular group had a member named Keren? - Bananarama The group is much more popular outside the US, so this was a tough one for folks in The States. What famous song has 3 separate numbers in the title? - 25 or 6 to 4 by Chicago What hit from the '80s has a title that is a Greek word? - Kyrie It's Greek for "Lord, have mercy." By far, the most popular wrong answer was Xanadu. That ain't Greek. Thanks to everyone who took the quiz, and be sure to take the new one here.

I love the Mighty Songfacts Easter Egg Hunt. Sounds like we'll need to start thinking of questions - if you guys have any ideas, send them along. For those of you not familiar with the hunt - we list a bunch of questions that can be answered with the name of a song, so "What author Jack says when you answer the phone" would be "London Calling." If you go to the song, there will be an egg so you know you got it right. Whoever collects the most eggs wins.

Excellent find Syd! We'll get this into the Songfacts in the next update.