Pages

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Don't blame me, I was raised in the 80's

The very CD that caused the fight
Thanks to a certain evil friend of mine who keeps writing the lyrics to "You're the Inspiration" on our friends Facebook pages, I've had that song in my head for about a week. Tonight I finally caved and just listened to it, half loving it, half embarrassed by it, half reminiscing (I was never good at math).

It reminded me of years ago when I witnessed an actual fight about whether or not the singer of that song, Peter Cetera, was any good. I was hosting a party and had recently purchased a Peter Cetera greatest hits CD which I'd accidently left out on a table. Why I admit these things on my blog, I have no idea.

Anyway, I should have hidden it before people got to the party but was too busy setting up for it and forgot. Someone found it and starting talking about how much she loved Peter Cetera. Someone else chimed in that he "sucked," if I recall correctly. The first person truly took this to heart and a heated debate ensued.

Over Peter Cetera.

About 20 years after he was popular.

Thinking about this while listening to "You're the Inspiration" (and subsequently "Glory of Love" and it only snowballed from there), I realized I had to take this to you. Please vote on the poll. Peter Cetera can be quite a divisive character, I have learned from experience, so try not to say anything you'll regret.

For your listening/judging pleasure:

You're the Inspiration
Glory of Love
Hard to Say I'm Sorry
If You Leave Me Now

I can't stress this enough: this decision should not be taken lightly. Vote now, and follow your heart.

16 comments:

Diane said...

He's still good! Jen and I saw him in concert 2 years ago. I bought one of his CD's on eBay afterwards!

Katherine said...

This sounds like when that girl in my ceramics class said (in all seriousness) that Tom Petty spoke to her heart. Yikes. I think Peter Cetera is the kind of guy where you stop for a minute when you come across one of his songs on the radio, sing along, realize what you're doing, and continue flipping stations. I have to really think about my vote...

Jen South said...

And it was a really good show!! Definitely worth the hour drive to Toledo. :)
I can understand how some people may not like him. He and Chicago CAN come off a bit cheesy and a bit cliche, but it's a really good kind of cheese! He's also one of those artists where you hear a song, and you think "Oh, THAT song! Yeah, I like this one!" ... and there's 10 or 12 more like that. Kinda like Air Supply. ;)
And personally, I would have also added "Hard Habit To Break", and "Will You Still Love Me", but maybe that's just me...

Jen South said...

Oh no, Katherine, I have Chicago's Greatest Hits in my car. On purpose. ;) Granted, there are some that I'll skip over, but it's still at least 50/50 of songs I'll play and sing along to. :P

Wee Sisters Three said...

I don't say this lightly...I love peter cetera. I love journey and the eagles and lionel richie and ccr. I think people dis them but secretly like them..just like kat said...you flip..stop..sing a sec..but I think you then remember its not cool then flip somewhere else, I'm guilty of this too sometimes. Even if my windows are up,I'm in the car by myself and going 65 on the highway..its like somehow the universe knows I'm singing "you're the meaning in my life..you're the inspiration" really loud and will make fun of me. Taunt,if you will. I have to remind myself that there is no way my sisters secretly put a hidden camera in my dashboard and are streaming live to the internet of me singing passionatly with lionel-"I know, you are my destiny..you are my one and only...." I digress. Maybe I should just prove my love by screen printing a "I heart peter cetera" (or just "80's music")t shirt.

Unknown said...

How can you not love "Glory of Love!"

Mark said...

Peter Cetera destroyed Chicago. He was a good bassist, but after Terry Kath died in the late 70's, Cetera took over the band and it went from progressive jazz influenced rock and roll to slick commercial love songs.

I saw the band in '83 or '84 and when Cetera stepped into the spotlight, they sounded like a competent cover band. Pieces from earlier in their career still sounded fresh, with improvisation and energy.

Chicago sold more records with Peter Cetera in the lead, and McDonalds sells more hamburgers in Ann Arbor than Blimpies. You decide what suits your taste.

Elizabeth Downie said...

That makes sense, Mark. He should've just gone solo right then, probably. I have to admit that I don't know many pre-Peter Cetera Chicago songs, except "Saturday in the Park" which I looove!

Wolfgang said...

I will admit that I downloaded "Glory of Love" not that long ago and it is actually on my MP3 player right now. But I have to say that I think "You're the Inspiration" is an awful song.

Heather said...

Serious as a heart attack: I was singing this only this morning and trying to think who the artist was.

What a coincidence!!

Anonymous said...

Love him.

Anne Elliot said...

I love Peter Cetera! Hearing any of his songs makes me happy and feel like a kid again :)

You missed a couple of my favorites though - the duets with Cher (After All) and Crystal Bernard (Forever Tonight) - who knew the Wings girl could sing. Forever Tonight was the theme song for one of my high school dances (I went with my soon to be high school crush - that dance sealed the deal for me haha) :) Listening to it now, it wasn't maybe the best message - but I sure loved it back then.

Ashley Arnold said...

Love Chicago. And love YOUR new header! :) The little subtitle about denial made me laugh.

Unknown said...

Peter Cetera rules, especially since he and Et Cetera are brothers.

...is that not how it works?


ALSO GLORY OF LOVE IS THE BEST SONG EVERRRRRRRRRRRRRR

CB said...

I have to say, I am a fan. As long as I don't have to look at him. He has those weird creepy zombie eyes. And remember at the end of the Glory of Love video where he does that weird little thing - I don't think I could classify it as a dance, perhaps a shuffle? Just odd.

Liz Hughes said...

'Youre the Inspiration' really speaks to my soul. Plus I've seen it used in many a wedding video, so it seems many people love him.