“Take Me Home”

As a kid, I was a big fan of Phil Collins. He was an integral part of the 80’s growing up. In an era of great music, his popularity soared as first a lead singer and drummer for Genesis and then as a solo artist.

After taking over for Peter Gabriel as the leaf vocalist for Genesis, Collins created his own unique style that maintained the band’s popularity with fans. Though some of the old-timers like my Dad preferred Gabriel on the microphone while Collins played the drums like nobody else during the 70’s.

Gabriel would leave Genesis and embark on a successful solo career. I can still hear the somewhat funny lyrics to 80’s hit, “Sledgehammer.” The video was comical. My brother and I used to laugh at it due to the absurdity.

Collins would replace Gabriel and double on drums continuing to redefine drum solos with remarkable beats that are very prominent on Genesis albums and Phil’s solo work. It’s what made him such a great musician. He also proved he had the vocals to become very successful.

No Jacket Required is a great album. It came out in 1985. It did so well that it won Album of the Year at the 1986 Grammy’s. With great tracks like “Sussudio”, “Long Long Way To Go”, “Don’t Lose My Number” and “Take Me Home,” it’s stood up over the test of time. That’s what makes it so memorable.

I can still recall “Take Me Home,” actually debuting the official video at the conclusion of WWF Saturday Night’s Main Event on NBC. I already had heard the song. But seeing part of the video hooked me. It was very catchy due to the scenery where they shot Collins during a world tour. That included New York City with a cool shot of Radio City Music Hall and one of the water.

Having listened to the song so many times including back in the classic days of my Walkman before bed on a school night, I never really knew what the lyrics meant. When you’re young, you don’t always know what’s being said. It happens.

Now, I hear the desperate pleas of a lonely man who’s battling depression while in a mental institution. He’s just trying to find his way back home to some normalcy. I can certainly relate. Especially having battled anxiety. It isn’t always easy. Some days are better than others. It can be a challenge.

When I think back to who I was even less than a decade ago, it is totally different now. I am more of an introvert now. Back then, I was an extrovert. The truth is I want to get back to being an extrovert and doing things outside. I love nature and the Spring which is here. I also love parks and beaches. We have plenty of that here.

I feel that anyone who’s suffering can relate to this song. It really makes you understand. Maybe that’s one of the things I admire about Collins. He tackled the serious issues before it became more common.

It’s interesting to note that both Gabriel and Sting made cameos on “Take Me Home.” Those are three legendary voices. I love Sting providing backing vocals on “Long Long Way To Go.” He truly is amazing. I was lucky to see him with The Police twice on their 30-Year reunion tour. It was magnificent.

If I could make a wish, it would be to see Phil Collins and Genesis on their final tour. With debilitating back issues limiting him to a chair while singing, it’s sad. But he’s still giving the same energy that makes him a truly great artist. His son is on the drums. I’ve seen some of the live performances on YouTube. They sound good.

One thing about great music is it never fades away. With the re-emergence of 80’s sensations Tears For Fears and Duran Duran releasing albums and touring this year, it’s never been more true. The great English bands still have it.

Even four decades later, the music we grew up on is still very popular. I feel lucky to have discovered it growing up. I’m happy a younger generation can learn it for themselves. What an era it was.

The music scene might be different. But you can still find time to appreciate the past. Being a huge music buff, I can go back to the 60’s and even 50’s and recognize how many influential artists and bands there were that inspired so many. It’s all out there to be discovered.

So take take me home

Cause I don’t remember

Please take me home

Cause I don’t remember

Please take me home

Cause I don’t remember

Please take me home

Oh Lord

Cause I’ve been a prisoner all my life

And I can say to you

But I don’t remember

“Freedom Of Ideas”

“Freedom Of Ideas”

By Derek Felix AKA DFlex

There was a time
When the world was simpler
Without constant reminders of our struggles
A calmer place of independence and freedom

Where thoughts and ideas weren’t frowned upon
Creativity and critical thinking were encouraged
Words of wisdom
Portrayed in a positive light

If we can still see it, we can be it
Without any worry over the chaos
Speak up and make your voices known
Embrace the human spirit

Shine brightly like the powerful sun
Live daily through our experiences
Believe strongly in your principles and values
Let our hearts burn inside

“We Need Peace”

Dedicated to those suffering in Ukraine who need it.

“We Need Peace”

By Derek Felix AKA DFlex

We need peace

The constant fighting

Tears us to pieces

Creating dark lighting

Negatively pushed by toxic waste

When we can divide and conquer

Erasing the bitter taste

It takes heart to be an emperor

Look deep into our souls

We’ll see the calm waves of the ocean

That’ll pull us away from deep lulls

Providing us with the right potion

Pray for life

Over mindless war games

End the strife

Along with the constant pain

We are better

Than the false narratives out there

Become a trendsetter

Don’t live in fear

Think of all the innocent lives being lost

Due to a dictator committing treason

And for no reason at what cost

Give us something to believe in

“Greed Rules The Day”

Editor’s Note: The truth is what we seek if we are willing to not turn a blind eye to things. Hard truths lie ahead.

“Greed Rules The Day”

By Derek Felix AKA DFlex

The cost of gas rises

As our leaders tell us lies we despise

Don’t let our eyes deceive us

From the snakes of blasphemous

The truth is they make excuses

Proving promises are full of losers

Who’ll pin it on anyone else

Because they’re a bunch of elves

With no sense of common times

As an unholy war by a reckless bully commit more crimes

They don’t care as long as the money rolls in

Greed rules again in this fake life of sin

Memories of John Candy

For many movie fans who love comedy, there are few better than John Candy. He was once in a lifetime. During the 80’s, Candy delivered in so many funny roles that make us remember him so fondly.

Today marks 28 years since he’s been gone. While it’s hard to believe it’s been so long, the memories of what John Candy provided for audiences remain. Unique characters like Del Griffith, Buck Russell, Jack Chester, Chet Ripley and even his great portrayal of Dean Andrews are still fresh in our hearts.

https://twitter.com/TSting18/status/1499811716732968963?t=msOfB6JY-BA1CsTJcIeg4g&s=19

The video tribute above is worth watching. Candy made us smile and laugh. He played lovable characters who we could identify with. None better than Del Griffith in the memorable Planes, Trains and Automobiles. A flawed person who brought so much quality due to the shower curtain ring salesman he was and funny stories that drove Neal Page crazy. Expertly played by Steve Martin, who is an advertising executive who gets stuck due to a winter storm while trying to get home to his family for Thanksgiving.

They were opposites in every sense. Yet the comedic genius of director John Hughes had the two characters come together to make a movie full of adventure, laughs and hilarious moments that made fans smile. The way they get stuck at the airport and then travel by bus, train and eventually automobile which really is the craziest part of the movie.

It created scenes that we can’t get enough of. Del can’t quite get comfortable while driving and eventually takes his eyes off the road and the car spins about 10 times before he hits the brakes. What follows is him going the wrong way leading to travelers on a parallel highway trying to warn him and Neal. His reaction is priceless. How would he know where they’re going? It leads to the following chaos.

The reaction afterwards from both Del and Neal is priceless. Almost killed by two honking trucks, they survive and then watch as the car burns. This leads to laughter. It remains one of the funniest scenes ever.

Once cooler heads prevail after they have it out, Del does get Neal home and sees him off at the train station in Chicago. But as he is full of warm thoughts of Thanksgiving dinner with his loving wife and beautiful kids and family, he starts to think about Del. The funny moments they had.

Eventually, he comes back to a conversation they had in their motel room. It’s then that he realizes nothing is as it seems. It creates a special moment that really hits home for viewers. It’s why Planes, Trains and Automobiles holds up. It’s the ultimate Thanksgiving movie. While we do laugh throughout, the moment when Neal returns to the empty train station to confront Neal is one of the saddest scenes. It’s emotional.

In the end, Neal realizes what he must do for Del by inviting him for Thanksgiving dinner. This movie came out in 1987. It remains a classic. Candy and Martin played off each other so well. Martin was great as the very dismissive Neal Page. Candy played the every man in the hustling Del Griffith. He shined in it.

They don’t make movies like that anymore. We could echo similar for his Uncle Buck character. Another flawed person who relies mostly on bookmaking to make money off horse races. However, he must take care of his brother’s teenage daughter, younger son (played by Macaulay Culkin before Home Alone fame) and their younger sister.

It makes for another feel good movie that shows how Candy is able to elevate Buck throughout. He looks after Tia, who wants to hangout with her friends and a boy whose intentions aren’t good. Something Buck notices. She resents her uncle for watching over her. Classic teenage rebellion.

Eventually, Buck wins her over by being there by showing up at a party where ironically Young MC hit “Bust A Move,” is playing. He saves Tia from being raped. Then they harass the deviant and both share a laugh afterwards.

Uncle Buck is successful because it’s very relatable. If it’s on, I watch. It doesn’t fade away. Sometimes, I wonder about how things are now due to phones, texting and social media. Back then, we didn’t rely on modern technology. There wasn’t any internet. Only regular phones in our homes. The times have changed.

Candy was also in the comedy Stripes and part of The Blues Brothers where he played the funny detective after Jake and Elwood Blues. The car chase remains one of the classic scenes.

He even took on a more serious role as the controversial Dean Andrews in JFK. From looking at old footage, I thought Candy’s portrayal was good. He must’ve really studied Dean’s mannerisms and slang. It was one of his last roles.

Who could forget Cool Runnings? He was the coach of the Jamaican bobsled team. That was an underrated flick based on a true story. I really liked it.

Summer Rental saw Candy as the ultimate Dad taking his family on vacation to a nice beach house. While they all have fun, he gets hurt and winds up stuck in the house. When he isn’t, unwelcome guests take over the place to which his Jack Chester character erupts and gets everyone out.

He strikes up an odd friendship with Scully, who knows a lot about boats. Eventually, they come up against the loathsome tenant who doesn’t lose at sailing races. Jack puts himself on the line. If they win, they get to stay for the next two weeks free. The ending makes for great entertainment. It’s another funny movie.

I wonder how much more Candy had to give. He was 43 when he passed away on March 4, 1994. His brand of comedy was larger than life much like him. But the fact that he took a serious role in JFK showed that he had more acting chops.

How do you remember John Candy? Whenever I think of him, I smile and laugh. That’s what he would want.