Author Archives: DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island Wedding DJ

Boyz II Men A Song For Mama

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Very few musical artists can take over the Billboard Charts and demonstrate talent like on Boyz II Men A Song For Mama. Often we as consumers have to choose between the two.  It was amazing watching these young men truly grow up before our eyes while producing some great jams. Professional DJs utilize Boyz II Men A Song For Mama in many events and weddings.

 

I remember the first time I heard Boyz II Men A Song For Mama, I was like “Wow!”. This was how I felt about my mother in words and emotion.  I missed her when I was living in The Midwest. On her birthday and Mother’s Day, I would play Boyz II Men A Song For Mama to feel closer to her when the phone wasn’t enough. I still miss her.

Dancing Woman at Beach Sunset Boyz II Men A Song For Mama

Boyz II Men A Song For Mama  Music Video

Boyz II Men A Song For Mama  Lyrics

You taught me everything
Everything you’ve given me
I’ll always keep it inside
You’re the driving force in my life, yeahThere isn’t anything
Or anyone that I could be
And it just wouldn’t feel right
If I didn’t have you by my sideYou were there for me to love and care for me
When skies were gray
Whenever I was down
You were always there to comfort me

And no one else can be
What you have been to me you will always be
You will always be the girl
In my life for all times

Mama, Mama you know I love you
Mama, Mama you’re the queen of my heart
Your love is like tears from the stars
Mama I just want you to know lovin’ you is like food to my soul
Yes it is, yes it is, oh, yes it is, yes it is, yes it is oh

You’re always there for me
Have always been around for me even when I was bad
You showed me right from my wrong
Yes you did

And you took up for me
When everyone was downin’ me

You always did understand
You gave me strength to go on

There was so many times
Looking back when I was so afraid
And then you come to me and say to me
I can face anything

And no one else can do
What you have done for me
You’ll always be, you will always be
The girl in my life, ooh oh

Mama, Mama you know I love you
Mama, Mama you’re the queen of my heart
Your love is like tears from the stars
Mama I just want you to know lovin’ you is like food to my soul

Never gonna go a day without you
Fills me up just thinkin’ about you
I’ll never go a day
Without my mama

Mama, Mama you know I love you
Mama, Mama you’re the queen of my heart
Your love is like tears from the stars
Mama I just want you to know lovin’ you is like food to my soul

Lovin’ you is like food to my soul, oh yeah
You are the food to my soul, yes you are

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Bob Marley and The Wailers Redemption Song

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When I was in high school, Bob Marley and The Wailers were touring The USA and made a stop to a small theater in Passaic, NJ called The Capitol Theatre where I saw many great artists in this 3000 seat hall.  One of my friends was able to get tickets for this guy named Bob Marley who was playing there. We had not heard of him yet but knew he was a Reggae musician and social activist. I do not remember the circumstances but at the last minute I was not able to go. Soon after that I got a copy of one of their albums and became a fan of Bob Marley and The Wailers Redemption Song. I never got a second chance to see him perform live before he died.

Bob Marley and The Wailers Redemption Song icon with Rhode Island DJ

Bob Marley is one of my heroes.  His words, music and love run deep inside my blood and heart. He wanted nothing but peace for all of us.  I think his messages still have the same impact today as they did then. As a professional DJ, I leap at the opportunity to play music that is fun, groovin’ and has a positive lasting message like Bob Marley and The Wailers Redemption Song.

Bob Marley and The Wailers Redemption Song  Music Video

http://youtu.be/7O7siE11ve8

Thank you for Bob Marley and The Wailers Redemption Song.

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

 

Bob Marley and The Wailers Redemption Song Lyrics

Old pirates, yes, they rob I
Sold I to the merchant ships
Minutes after they took I
From the bottomless pit
But my hand was made strong
By the hand of the almighty
We forward in this generation
Triumphantly
Won’t you help to sing
These songs of freedom?
‘Cause all I ever have
Redemption songs
Redemption songs
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery
None but ourselves can free our minds
Have no fear for atomic energy
‘Cause none of them can stop the time
How long shall they kill our prophets
While we stand aside and look? Ooh
Some say it’s just a part of it
We’ve got to fullfil the book
[- From :http://www.elyrics.net/read/b/bob-marley-lyrics/redemption-song-lyrics.html -]
Won’t you help to sing
These songs of freedom?
‘Cause all I ever have
Redemption songs
Redemption songs
Redemption songs
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery
None but ourselves can free our mind
Woh, have no fear for atomic energy
‘Cause none of them-a can-a stop-a the time
How long shall they kill our prophets
While we stand aside and look?
Yes, some say it’s just a part of it
We’ve got to fullfill the book
Won’t you help to sing
These songs of freedom?
‘Cause all I ever had
Redemption songs
All I ever had
Redemption songs
These songs of freedom
Songs of freedom

Tommy James and The Shondells Mony, Mony

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Songwriter Richie Cordell wrote (or co-wrote) and produced many of the group’s hits, among them the classic good-timing “I Think We’re Alone Now”, “Mirage”, and Tommy James and The Shondells Mony, Mony. The creation of Tommy James and The Shondells Mony, Mony was a group effort, involving Cordell, James, Shondells band member Peter Lucia, producer Bo Gentry, and Bobby Bloom. James and Cordell set out to create a party rock single working out everything except the song’s title, which eluded them even after much effort. They took a break from their creative endeavors on James’ apartment terrace, when they looked up at the Mutual Of New York Insurance Company’s large neon sign bearing the abbreviation for the company: M-O-N-Y. Both knew instantaneously their song now had a name for Tommy James and The Shondells Mony, Mony.

Fun Rhode Island Wedding Party DJ Tommy James and The Shondells Mony, Mony

Tommy James and the Shondells Mony Mony produced a video when the song was a hit, hiring a video company to produce a short film of it. Even though a number of musical groups had already produced videos by that time, there was no market at all for that film in the US. Television stations would not air it, and it was originally shown between double features in movie theaters in Europe. The film was not seen in the US until the creation of MTV.

 

In recent years, the Billy Idol version has become the most played and popular version of Tommy James and The Shondells Mony, Mony. I still like the original and think Tommy James has not gotten enough credit for the list of pop songs that have covered into great dance songs these days that any good professional DJ keeps close by:

Mony Mony

I Think We’re Alone Now

Crimson and Clover

Hanky Panky

Sweet Cherry Wine

Crystal Blue Persuasion

Tommy James and The Shondells Mony, Mony Music Video

With “Mony Mony” becoming such a hit in the US and an even bigger one in the UK, James was contacted by George Harrison of The Beatles, who was working with a group called Grapefruit at the time. Harrison and the group had written some songs they wanted James to consider recording. Since the group came to a decision to change their musical style (and would do so with “Crimson and Clover”: see below) and the material Harrison and Grapefruit provided was in the style of Tommy James and The Shondells Mony, Mony, James turned down their offer.

 

The music business changed after the success of Tommy James and The Shondells Mony, Mony. Top 40 program formatting, based on 45 RPM single records, drove popular music on the radio. Few stations played cuts from record albums, so radio was, in effect, “selling” single records for the record companies.

 

James estimates the company owed him $30 million in royalties he never received.

 

I couldn’t resist adding the link to “I Think We’re Alone Now” as well! Another professional DJ favorite.

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Dropkick Murphys I’m Shipping Up To Boston

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Recently I had a young couple ask me if I would play Dropkick Murphys I’m Shipping Up To Boston and I had to think for a minute to recall what song they were talking about. I had a vague memory in my head and listened to Dropkick Murphys I’m Shipping Up To Boston later to verify what they were talking about. Immediately I was all pumped up when my mind kicked into gear and saw the scene from the film The Departed and Dropkick Murphys I’m Shipping Up To Boston was so forceful and stayed in my head weeks later. What a way to bring out your friends and family! It is not for everybody but for a couple with a bit of an edge and willingness to take a risk, Dropkick Murphys I’m Shipping Up To Boston is totally a fun way to come out and join the rest of the Wedding Reception. I can’t wait till I get to play it for them in a couple of weeks. Of course now I can’t get the song out of my head again. This is the original version which is a bit harder than the movie version.

Dropkick Murphys I’m Shipping Up To Boston Original Music Video

A fun aspect for me as a professional Wedding DJ in the process of planning the wedding with a Bride and Groom is picking their The Bridal Party Introduction Songs or First Dance songs.  Although many choose the more expected route of Beyonce, Usher and other popular hits and classics, there are many who choose to go a much different direction. Recently this list has included some interesting covers of pop hits like the The Muse version of Can’t Take My Eyes Off  You or The Flaming Lips Borderline. They made great First Dances with the mixing of slower and faster, hard tempo and energy. But Dropkick Murphys I’m Shipping Up To Boston as a Bridal Party Introduction Song?

Fun Bridal Party Introduction Song Dropkick Murphys I'm Shipping Up To Boston

Dropkick Murphys I’m Shipping Up To Boston The Departed Version Movie Trailer

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Adele Turning Tables

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Adele is a such a powerful writer and vocalist, which is very evident on Adele Turning Tables. It is a nice change to see a pop singer succeed that looks like a regular person and not a stick figure or Photoshopped beauty. Unfortunately they decided to produce a ‘live’ video that has the pianist in two different shirts during the performance, not sure why they did that.

Adele Turning Tables Music Video Live at Albert Hall

It is rare that songs that top The Billboard Charts are produced with such quality like Adele Turning Tables. It lets me know there is still enough of us out there to know the difference and to provide hope to those wanting to share their musical gifts with us that they have a chance too.

 

Adele Laurie Blue Adkins was born in Tottenham, London, to a single teenage mother on 5 May 1988. She began singing at age four and asserts that she became obsessed with voices… Adele has cited the Spice Girls as a major influence in regard to her love and passion for music, stating that “they made me what I am today.”

 

According to the Official Charts Company in The U.K., Adele is the first living artist to achieve the feat of two top five hits in both the Official Singles Chart and the Official Albums Chart simultaneously since The Beatles in 1964.

Adele 21 Adele Turning Tables with Rhode Island DJ

“Turning Tables” received acclaim from music critics who praised Adele’s vocals and its production. The song reached the top-twenty of the singles charts in four countries, including Belgium, Italy and the Netherlands. It also peaked at number 62 on the UK Singles Chart and 63 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for selling over 500,000 digital downloads. “Turning Tables” was promoted with live performances across both sides of the Atlantic, including Late Night with David Letterman in America and The Jonathan Ross Show in the United Kingdom. American actress and singer Gwyneth Paltrow performed a cover of the single in the Glee episode “A Night of Neglect“.Wikipedia

At the 51st Grammy Awards in 2009, Adele won awards in the categories of Best New Artist and Best female Pop Performance.

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

DJ Has A Great Time

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Saturday Night was the 30th Anniversary of Barefoot Boogie at Insight Meditation Center in NYC! It was such a fun night with an incredible energy and feeling of celebration. As the Coordinator of DJs and Teachers for our twice monthly dance events, it was extra special for me personally. When I returned to The USA almost three years ago after living in South Korea and traveling Asia, I discovered Barefoot Boogie as a means for dance and building community here in the New Jersey and New York area, after being away from this region for fifteen years. The Barefoot Boogie has been an essential piece of my life and was a driving force in me returning to being a professional DJ full-time again. I am so grateful for that cold, snowy January Night when I first walked in the doors to the Insight Center and heard the flowing music in the background. I felt home for the first time since landing on American soil.

 

We danced, sang, moved and grooved to fun music and special events we had planned. We did this really fun dance that the DJ played a short clip of a song form each of the thirty years and the person who was wearing the bib-like shirt that we made with the year corresponding to the song, did a brief solo dance and then gave way to the next dancer and subsequent year. We had two children present who also picked a year to dance solo.

 Barefoot Boogie celebrates 30 Years with Three DJs

I was the DJ for the last set and played some really open and expansive music, since the two earlier DJs played mostly popular old and new songs. I felt like I needed to offer another alternative to balance things out, since we are a very diverse and alternative community of freestyle dancers. This is one of the more unusual songs I played for the first time at a gig Saturday Night. Music likes this is not something I typically get to play at Weddings, Parties and Events and the Barefoot Boogie is a great place for me to experiment as a professional DJ.

What do you think of this tune for dancing or listening?

Creative DJ at Barefoot Boogie NYC

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

DJ For Seniors Christmas Party

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Sometimes a professional DJ must play music that does not thrill them. It is true. We do not talk about it openly as to not make people feel like they might be hiring a good DJ that is not having fun. This is not the truth. A good professional DJ will have fun regardless of the music, since we are inspired by the people and the music, sometimes the former more than the latter.  Yesterday was one of those events for me at a Seniors Christmas Party.

 Last Minute DJ For Seniors Christmas Party

I was asked by a DJ associate to fill in for him for a last minute Seniors Christmas Party in Raritan, NJ. He had a death in the family and needed somebody to help-out and I was available. The pay was way below what I am used to receiving but wanted to help him and the Senior Center, so I accepted the gig. The music was not what I find inspiration in typically, outside of some good classic Christmas tunes. The first dance songs they wanted were “The Hokey Pokey” followed by “The Chicken Dance”, twice. We were able to move to some great Oldies and Motown stuff but there were many similar to those songs they wanted to dance to at their daytime Christmas Party.

 

Everybody had fun and enjoyed themselves thoroughly. I had all their requests except one, “Dominik The Italian Christmas Donkey Song”, which I have acquired since. It always feels good to be able to honor requests from folks from the generations before me, since they have such a diverse and expanded library of songs they enjoy. This requires a really high quality and quantity library of music to succeed at a Seniors Christmas Party.

Fun Seniors Dancing with DJ Mystical Michael for Christmas Party

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

John Lennon Life, Death and Influence on A DJ

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John Lennon, born John Winston Lennon and murdered outside his apartment in New York City on December 8th, 1980. John Lennon was and still is one of my heroes, possibly the only one at the time of his murder. His music, lyrics, message and lifestyle inspired me to be a better person and professional DJ.

 

I had the opportunity to view some of John Lennon artwork at an exhibit in Bloomington, Indiana in 1995. The beautiful simplicity had an effect on me and I recall reflecting on how simple he was, which seemed contradictory to what many might view him. John Lennon was a controversial man who pissed-off almost as many people as he inspired. His views on peace and religion caused major ripples throughout American and Western culture at the time, and possibly to a lesser degree today.

John Lennon Imagine

I remember the night he was murdered. I was working as the Resident DJ at a large New Jersey club called The Final Exam. It was somewhat busy for a Monday Night but enough people to have fun and a filled dance floor. I was cueing a record, when one of the Bouncers came running up, out of breath, “Michael, John Lennon was just shot and killed!” I dropped the record to the floor and began to weep. After the song playing ended, I announced over the PA system the news and played “Imagine” even though it was a dance night and not Rock Music. The next day, the radio station I was Program Director collectively decided to play twenty-four hours straight of John Lennon music in all its forms. For the year that followed, I played “Watching The Wheels” as my closing song live and on radio.

John Lennon Watching The Wheels

When I lived in South Korea, where I was an English Teacher, one of the school’s Teachers, who was a friend of mine, decided to use The Beatles, “Let It Be” as a song that her class would sing at the school talent show. She was disappointed at how they were not getting enthusiastic about the performance during their rehearsals. She asked if I would talk to them and explain the song and its significance. I shared with them about Vietnam, Beatlemania, peace, love and the anti-violent messages of the song. I further explained how it impacted people around the world and is considered, along with “Imagine”, to be one of the most famous community-building songs of peace and love for millions then and now. They got it and their performance the following week was powerful.

John Lennon  & Plastic Ono Band Let it Be

It was thirty-two years ago December 8th since his death. He is still one of the most influential people in my life that I have never met personally. He packed so much into his forty years with us; his music changed the music industry and supported a peace movement, along with other social movements at the time. The messages are still with us.

John Lennon give Peace A Chance

http://youtu.be/RkZC7sqImaM

John Lennon & The Beatles Icon

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Jay-Z Turns 43 Today!

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Generally, when I focus a spotlight on an artist, they are someone that has had a successful musical career over several decades but Jay-Z is a unique talent and deserves special attention. Born Shawn Corey Carter, Jay-Z is one of the most popular Rappers in the world. He has brilliantly expanded his financial interests into fashion, record producing, sports, real estate and sports bars. He was raised in the Bed-Stuy section of Brooklyn, NY and struggled in school and with the law. His father left him and his siblings, and in 1982, he shot his brother in the shoulder for stealing his jewelry. His mother has spoken about Sean banging beats on the kitchen table as a kid late night and keeping his brothers awake.

 

Jay-Z has been known for his support of President Barack Obama, global water shortages, same sex marriage, Hurricane Katrina and young voter turn-out. He has been criticized along with his wife Beyonce Knowles, for not being more politically active at times, most notably by Harry Belefonte who said they, “have turned their back on social responsibility”.

 Jay-Z has Collected Fourteen Grammy Awards

Jay-Z has collected fourteen Grammy Awards, he holds the record for most number one albums by a solo artist on the Billboard Top 200 with eleven,  four number one hits on the Billboard Hot 100 and has sold over 50 million albums worldwide. Many consider him one, if the not the greatest Rapper of all time. He is a favorite by any professional DJ who specializes with music from R&B, Hip Hop, Rap and Pop.

“Shawn Corey Knowles-Carter(né Carter; born December 4, 1969),[2] better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip-hop artists and entrepreneurs in America. In 2012, Forbes estimated Carter’s net worth at nearly $500 million.” Wikipedia

Party on Wedding Dance Floor with DJ Mystical Michael Jay-Z

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Professional DJ and Trivia Host

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I am fortunate to have the opportunity to utilize my skills and talents in many facets these days. It used to be a good DJ either worked in clubs or Weddings, Parties and Events and that was it. Today, a good professional DJ can spread our wings and perform as Trivia Hosts, MCs, Lounges, Bars and anywhere someone with a good voice on the microphone, a diverse and exceptional musical collection and knowledge and skills to work a crowd can be hired and provide entertainment.

triv·i·a [triv-ee-uh] plural noun – matters or things that are very unimportant, inconsequential, or nonessential; trifles; trivialities. Trivia Host

My current schedule includes two nights as Trivia Hosting on Tuesday Nights at O’Reilly’s Pub in Newton, NJ and Wednesday Nights at Applebees in Hackettstown, NJ. I will be adding back the third night at Applebees in Hillsborough after the Holidays again. I was skeptical at first about being a Trivia Host but have grown to love the wok and have so much fun. I had no idea that I could turn such a simple act of asking questions into a great way to party and have a good time with friends or family in a positive setting! Of course, on weekends I am performing at what I do best; MC and DJ at Weddings, Parties and Events, which I always look forward to.

Triv·i·a[triv-ee-uh] noun (in Roman religion) Hecate: so called because she was the goddess of the crossroads.

Fun DJ and Trivia Host DJ Mystical Michael

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ