Author: jimibarr

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Associations and Memories

For me, more than anything else, music stirs them up. From warm and fuzzies to mild embarrassments, all the way down to jaw clenching regrets – most songs I hear deliver memories and the emotions that are stapled to them. Song baggage. When I was about ten years old I bought my first record. A … Continue reading Associations and Memories →

Heartache Tonight

Most mornings I check the ‘For You’ recommendations from Apple Music on my phone. Today, on a playlist called ‘Rock Hits 1979’ I noticed the song ‘Heartache Tonight’ from an album called ‘The Long Run’ by The Eagles. This was the last of a string of 70’s albums by the band. I don’t remember this … Continue reading Heartache Tonight →

Master Blaster

Back to schooldays. Another song, another memory.‘Master Blaster’ was a song by Stevie Wonder from the album ‘Hotter than July’. According to Wikipedia it was released in September 1980 and by my recall, it was a massive hit in S.A.Wikipedia lists it in the reggae genre, but for me it was just a great pop … Continue reading Master Blaster →

I Will Survive

This 1978 Gloria Gaynor song was another MONSTER hit during my early years. A Grammy award winner and number 1 on both sides of the Atlantic – say no more, it was huge on a global scale. I’m sure there were Amish communities and Amazonian tribes humming this tune by 1979. Relatable lyrics and highly … Continue reading I Will Survive →

Brothers In Arms

This album was a mammoth success for Dire Straits back in 1985. In all honesty, I was never too fond of it. Maybe it was just over-played on the radio at the time, but I always thought that the mega hit, ‘Money for Nothing’ was too MTV glossy, ‘So Far Away’ was average at best, … Continue reading Brothers In Arms →

War Baby

Music censorship in S.A. during the good old/bad old days was interesting to say the least. Like most government departments (previous and current), their decisions seemed irrational and inconsistent. They also seemed to ban songs and albums after most of the public had heard them on the radio and purchased them. One exception was ‘Biko’ … Continue reading War Baby →

Runnin’ with the Devil

1978 – I would’ve been 13 when Van Halen released their debut album, but I doubt I heard the album that year. In conservative South Africa, Van Halen would’ve been considered long-haired and dangerous, and their guitar heavy sound would’ve been branded ‘underground music’. In this rigid religious environment, that label carried a bunch of … Continue reading Runnin’ with the Devil →

The Recliner

Although technically Brenda died at the age of 65, she had effectively stopped living about 20 years earlier. Brenda and Arthur had been high school sweethearts and their early marriage had followed the same course as most; through the giddy heights of youthful infatuation, on to the comfortable companionship of middle age, before finally settling … Continue reading The Recliner →

Liar’s Bar

A kind simile would be - ‘like bees around honey’. An accurate simile would be -  ‘like flies around a dog turd.’ The dog turd is my friend Zack*. The flies are the scantily clad, perfume soaked nymphets currently swarming around him. Every weekend it’s the same. Zack the mild mannered quantity surveyor is transformed … Continue reading Liar’s Bar →

The Anti-Nuisance League

At the time of writing, the Anti-Nuisance League consists of around 5000 members. Members are like-minded, committed, and dynamic individuals who offer a variety of services and resources to achieve a common goal. We have members in every corner of the country and every sphere of society. Doctors, cops, truck drivers, pilots, lawyers – we … Continue reading The Anti-Nuisance League →

Yours truly, Billy Idol.

Dear Abby,It’s me again.Quite a bit has happened since we last spoke. After we decided.In the room, I’ve read about it. The old woman gave me an iPad, and I learned how to Google things and ask questions. What I needed was a thing called a ‘Cleft Lip and Nasal Reconstruction’.That procedure could’ve corrected the … Continue reading Yours truly, Billy Idol. →

Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door

Relax.The last thing the world needs is another boring analysis of this classic Dylan tune, and I don’t have any tales of drunken debauchery linked to the song.The title only sets the right tone for what follows.Read on… Oh Mother, I can feel...the soil falling over my head.The Smiths States of bewilderment, momentary confusion or … Continue reading Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door →

A Broken Frame

Fiona leaned forward into the bathroom mirror and bared her teeth to check for bits of food and lipstick stains. Under the harsh bathroom lights, she looked like a dog growling at its own reflection. The mascara pencil beauty spot she had applied to the crease of her cheek was slightly too big. She stepped … Continue reading A Broken Frame →

Behind the Wheel

I don’t enjoy driving anymore.Maybe I’ve just been doing it too long, but I can no longer tolerate the chaos and lawlessness. Rules are ignored without consequence. Law enforcement has gone missing.The highways around me have become a huge demolition derby circuit. The roads are a Dodgem car track. Driving has become a high-risk chore.Heavy … Continue reading Behind the Wheel →

Cancel Culture

Here’s an ugly truth - At some point, when this cruel world is done chewing us up, it’ll spit us out.The waltzer ride doesn’t last forever. All too soon, a disgruntled young punk with a fanny pack and an earring lifts the safety bar and kicks us off the car.Before the ride ends though, the … Continue reading Cancel Culture →

Rockin’ Back Inside My Heart

We were listening to, ‘Rockin’ Back Inside My Heart’ by Julee Cruise in 1989.It was from the appropriately named album ‘Floating into the Night’, and it sits very comfortably in the genre of Dream Pop.Wistful and beautiful, the song was created by David Lynch of Twin Peaks fame. Like most Lynch projects, the song and … Continue reading Rockin’ Back Inside My Heart →