So, there was this radio station in Tampa when I used to live there called JOE (Jammin' Hits of the 70's and 80's). I guess no one told them that when creating an acronym, you really can't pick and choose random letters. I wish I could remember what the station number was. I'm sure it's still operational. I think they later became strictly 80's. Anyway, it was a pretty magical station because every time I turned it on, and I mean every time, Caribbean Queen was playing. I shit you not. At one point, I was here in Orlando visiting my best mate Brian and I told him about the station and what consistently occurs. He found it amusing but I don't think he really believed me. We were driving down the road later on that weekend and he bore witness to me turning to the station and low and behold, there was Billy Ocean denying his love the ability to run. And that is the power of Ocean.
Now I didn't know this, and I'm rather ashamed, but Billy isn't from America. This is kind of a relief, because since I haven't heard from him in years, I just assumed he was dead. Not true!!!! He is actually British. Can you believe that? Well, technically he's from Trinidad, but he's been living in Albion since childhood, so that's good enough for me.
You know who else isn't British? Bono. Here he is doing his best Angelina impression.
I have another shocker for you.
No, Jenna, not that kind of shocker, you bad girl, you.
Still the wrong shocker.
The shocker I'm referring to is in regards to Mr. Ocean's name, which it is not! His real name is Leslie Sebastian Charles. As a matter of fact, his very first release in Britain was under the name Les Charles way back in '72. It wasn't until 1975 that he adopted the name based on where he was living (Ocean Place) and I was born. Again, the power of Ocean. Just the mere creation of the name put my mom into labor. Get out of my uterus and into my car.
There really isn't much else to speak of about Billy Ocean aside from his song "When the Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going" made famous by the film "Romancing the Stone." You remember that movie, right? The one with Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner, and Danny DeVito where the Jewel turns out to be some old Indian dude? Fucking lame. Do not, however, get Billy confused with fellow Brit (technically from Guyana, truth be told) Eddy Grant (real name) who did the title track for the movie's predecessor, "Romancing the Stone," which is, in my opinion a much better film. Mostly because it paved the way for Zemeckis to do "Back to the Future," and I'd hate to think where we would be as a society without that movie. It alao introduced most of us to the sultry voice of pre-Jessica Rabbit Kathleen Turner.
Jewel of Denial
Speaking of which, has anyone ever questioned what Jessica Rabbit's maiden name was? I mean, it couldn't have been Rabbit. That would be weird. Come to think of it, try explaining Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, and Daisy Duck. You know they're not married, so explain those last names. Fucking gross, Disney. Fucking gross.
Since I mentioned Caribbean Queen, here's a strange little tidbit of information. The song has different titles in different countries. African Queen, European Queen, Czechoslovakian Queen, The Republic of Ireland Queen, United Soviet Socialist Republic Queen. As I'm sure you can imagine, the song's rhythm had to be slightly modified in certain areas.
So, now here we are. 2008. And my man Billy Ocean is happily living in England with his wife and kids and still touring!!! Can you believe it? He's still pumping out his soul-infused pop, though it looks more like he's running with Eddy Grant's reggae band these days.
Shabba!
So, here's to you Billy Ocean! The man who told women everywhere to "get in the backseat, baby!" A line which never, ever worked for me.
1 comment:
great post!
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