Egao No Genki

<span style="font-style: italic">If you listen to our AACA jukebox, you'll recognize some of these songs! I did, so it reminded me of this here website, and the good old times we used to (and probably still) have.</span> http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/04/12/greene.car.songs/index.html?iref=mpstoryview By Bob Greene CNN Contributor Editor's note: CNN Contributor Bob Greene is a bestselling author whose current book is "When We Get to Surf City: A Journey Through America in Pursuit of Rock and Roll, Friendship, and Dreams." Bob Greene says Americans no longer are moved to celebrate their cars in song. (CNN) -- This is undoubtedly way too unsophisticated a solution to the troubles in the American auto industry, but it has to be better than bankruptcy or federal edicts: How about manufacturing cars that make people want to sing? For many years, that was a factory-installed component of America's love affair with Detroit, Michigan. People were wild enough about their cars that singers and bands knew they could make hit records by singing of the joy of being behind the wheel. "She's real fine, my 409. ..." When the Beach Boys sang those words in 1962, they knew the potential audience would be enormous, because there was nothing more dear to the American public than the experience of driving their brawny cars, and those brawny cars came from one brawny place: the Motor City. Which is what is so melancholy about the present-day developments in the car industry. It's not just the dwindling sales faced by the Big Three automakers; it's not just the indignity of having to consider taking bailout money from Washington. It's that the joy itself -- the joy that was worth singing about -- seems to be gone. When Dinah Shore presented her show each week in the early years of television, the ode she sang about her sponsor was corny, sure, but it was an accurate reflection of how her post-World War II viewers felt about their cars and about the freedom of the open road: "See the U.S.A, in your Chevrolet / America is asking you to call. ..." "Drive your Chevrolet, through the U.S.A. / America's the greatest land of all. ..." Tempted to smirk? All I can tell you is what I have seen for the past 15 years, traveling the country on summer weekends as part of my unlikely side avocation, singing backup with the Jan and Dean band. We have gazed out from stages from coast to coast, and as we sing the car songs -- "Shut Down," "Little Deuce Coupe," "Little GTO" -- what we witness in front of us are thousands of people, young and old, who know every single word and who every night are on their feet and shouting along: "Well, I'm not braggin', babe, so don't put me down / But I've got the fastest set of wheels in town. ..." They're wishing for something. Today, when people think about the auto industry, it's hardly with a song in their hearts (with the possible exception of John Rich's current hit "Shuttin' Detroit Down," which expresses anger at the price that the people who build the cars are having to pay for Wall Street's mistakes). What made the music of the road go away? Probably a confluence of factors: from something as complex as emission-control legislation, which made cars seem less swaggering, to something as mundane as increasingly interminable rush-hour traffic jams, which made climbing behind the wheel as enticing as a visit to an oral surgeon. But singers who know their audiences understand that the flame still burns. When country singer Alan Jackson wanted to connect with the departed dreams of his listeners, he recorded a new version of a car song that was released in 1949. "Mercury Blues" has lost none of its power over the decades: "If I had money, tell you what I'd do / Go downtown and buy a Mercury or two. ... The car songs were about us as much as they were about what we drove. Country singer Dan Seals died in Nashville last month; it is impossible to listen to his 1984 version of "My Old Yellow Car" and not reflect on something now vanished: "An American boy with his hands on the wheel / Of a dream that was made of American steel. ..." Seals' voice was filled with longing for that intangible extra those Detroit automakers routinely gave us, something that endured even when the autos grew old: "The floorboard was patched up with paper and tar / But I really was something in my old yellow car." On Monday night, as Michigan State played North Carolina for the national collegiate basketball championship, many people said that Detroit's, and Michigan's, hopes were tied up in the outcome. The contest, as luck would have it, was being played in Detroit. As Michigan State fell behind, I muted the volume on my television set. It had been unrealistic to believe a home-state victory would really change anything; even if Michigan State had prevailed, the sun was going to rise the next morning over a city in continuing pain. What I did, as I watched the now-silent game, was put on a song by Bob Seger, an album cut that was never as famous as his biggest hits but that seemed right for our current times. The basketball game was being played at Ford Field; Seger's song, "Makin' Thunderbirds," is the only one I'm aware of that salutes the fierce pride of working on a long-gone Ford assembly line: "The big line moved one mile an hour, so loud it really hurt. ..." The song was a heartfelt acknowledgment of something that must have seemed so simple at the time, one of those things that aren't fully missed until they are just a memory down the road: "They were long and low and sleek and fast, they were all you've ever heard / We were young and strong, we were makin' Thunderbirds." Washington and Detroit are constantly conferring these days, or so we are told; soon enough they will work something out, and the auto industry will or won't be salvaged. We can always hope. But it's nothing to sing about.

And not just donate, but buy AACA merchandise if I wish, to add new songs to the Jukebox? I have a feeling that I can't just keep requesting new songs to go on the Jukebox. Therefore, I think I should give back to this community. What do you say that for every $10 donated, to add a requested song will do? (Same for every $10 used to make (a) purchase(s)?) I request for my first $10 to go towards adding the song from this video below. (In case the video doesn't embed, click on the link in my signature.) <span style="font-style: italic">What makes it happen?</span> <span style="font-weight: bold">ONLY MUSTANG!</span> <object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value=" name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src=" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>

You know how eBay's becoming worse when it comes to fees, feedback, and draconian policies, right? (For example, they suspend family members just for being related/associated with a suspended user.) I recommend iOffer (Or any other popular automotive trading site) if you're going to sell that. Otherwise, you'll pay out your nose in sellers' fees, and sellers can't give feedback anymore. <style> #feepay_swf { padding: 15px; background: #000; text-align: center; } #feepay_swf h3, #feepay_swf h3 a, #feepay_swf span { font-family: verdana,tahoma,helvetica,sans-serif; } #feepay_swf h3 { color: #ccc; font-size: 12px; margin: .5em 0; padding: .25em 0; } #feepay_swf h3 a { color: #ffc; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; } #feepay_swf h3 a:hover { color: #009; background: #ffc; } #feepay_swf span { color: #999; font-size: 11px; padding: .5em 0; } </style> <div id="feepay_swf"> <object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=4,0,2,0" width="400" height="300"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.ioffer.com/imgs/feepay/feepay.swf"> <param name="quality" value="high"> <embed src="http://www.ioffer.com/images/misc/feepay/feepay.swf" quality=high pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400" height="300"></embed> </object> <h3>When you've had enough of the feePay game, be sure to check out iOffer.com.</h3> <span>Please make sure your speakers are turned on.</span> </div>

I'm back, and not in the US any longer. (I'd love to find some Japanese automotive music and ask her to upload <span style="font-style: italic">those</span>! Doubt she will, though.) Now, what are your opinions on the following two songs? (And music videos in this case.) (Sample dialog with borrowed lyrics) 1P1: "What makes it happen?" 1P2: "Only Mustang!" 1P1: "Heh! Oh, really??" 1P2: "Only Mustang makes it happen! Only Mustang makes life great! Mustang warms you, and transforms you! This hot Mustang sets you free!" 1P3: "Guess what it is about Mustang that makes it happen! Maybe it's the styling that was new for '68. Features to choose from like select-shift, and AM/FM Stereo Radio. Maybe it's standards like bucket seats, or options like the fast 302 V8, and bold, racing hood-stripes. Or maybe it's the original idea; the better idea called Mustang!" <object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value=" name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src=" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>"...Maybe need a station wagon? Go See Cal! If your wife's a-started naggin' and your tailpipe is a-draggin, Go See Cal! Go See Cal! Go See Cal!" <object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value=" name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src=" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>I read that Cal's ads were seen on the ABC's "World's Funniest Commercials" specials. Besides, how often does the Jukebox manager update it anyway?

I found some more <span style="font-weight: bold">priceless masterpieces</span> here. These shouldn't NOT be on the Jukebox.: "Only Mustang Makes It Happen" (or is it officially titled "Only Mustang" or "Mustang Makes It Happen?") - 1968 <object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRx2xzz7cJc&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRx2xzz7cJc&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object> "Go See Cal" - circa 1976 (If you lived in California in the '70s, you'd have been quite fond of that guy!) <object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOsLdT4slsk&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOsLdT4slsk&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object> (Has 24t42 upgraded to a faster Internet connection since last time? From the last time she told me, I understand she hesitates to add to the Jukebox because of a slow dial-up. If only I could add to the Jukebox for her...) PS: <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 24T42</div><div class="ubbcode-body">(on 2-24-2008 19:23:45) I will see if I can't upload a couple of new tunes for you this week.</div></div> What did you find out when you tried?

Booreatta and Jaxops, we already have them. "See The USA In Your Chevrolet" - http://local.aaca.org/junior/cartunes/mp3/57-See_The_USA.mp3 "Beep Beep" - http://local.aaca.org/junior/cartunes/mp3/58-Beep_Beep.mp3 As for what I request, I have them on the signature of every one of my posts. =)

Now we know: Pakistan shut it down that day. I'll assume the next time I have something to embed, it'll work. Before, I only thought the Forums disabled embedding. Glad I was wrong.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 1DandyDaves</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Actually I was hoping some friendly aliens would stop by in their flying saucer and pick me up and leave a clone to take my place and do the dirty work for a number of years. Then they could fly me around the universe for fun and drop me back again when I'm 65 with a 25 year old body. I bet I could live to at least 140 that way. -OR- Just drop me off on the Star Ship Enterprise and I'll put that holographic Room to good use driving all the simulated cars I want. Sigh, I guess that is not going to happen any time soon. But it's fun to dream! Dave! </div></div> We share the same dreams, Dave. (Maybe except for the alien abduction part- future tech should make me look younger by standing in a futuristic booth & keying in the age I want to be. As for the holorooms- I'll probably get one of those on Terra Firma in over a decade.) Even though I'm still in college, I feel like I've grown too old, too fast.

Here's a more modern automotive masterpiece: "Breakdown" by Reliant K. Album Released: June 2001. How often does the Jukebox manager upload new songs? I would sure appreciate some by now. And don't forget to upload The Beatles' "Drive My Car" please. That one was a HIT.

Is 24T42 still around? If you are, have you upgraded to a faster modem? I feel that every time I respond to myself, I had better propose a new song to add. Here it is: "Breakdown" by "Reliant K." Their album was released in 2001. Here is a music video: (I used to be able to embed videos here. Why can't I anymore?)

I found a full version of Chrysler/Plymouth's "Coming Through" from circa 1971: http://www.80stvthemes.com/ra/CHRYSLERTHRU.ra Please upload to the juke box. Thanks in advance! XD

I found a full version of Chrysler/Plymouth's "Coming Through" from circa 1971: http://www.80stvthemes.com/ra/CHRYSLERTHRU.ra Please upload to the jukebox! Thanks in advance. =D

Here is also a cute, catchy tune about early 70s Chryslers: (attempting to embed video; if embedding fails, see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbeJ9TJirLU#5KEdykS-Ai4) <object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbeJ9TJirLU&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbeJ9TJirLU&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>

rbl2, been here? | | V http://junior.aaca.org/cartunes/mp3/wimpy.php

No new CarTunes have been added since '05. We really ought to have new songs to reflect today's automotive atmosphere. "The One-Hundred (dollar) Barrel Ballad" (an 8-syllable title here somehow sounds less cumbersome than 10.) "Our New Hydrogen Hype" "The Pretty Prancin' Prius" "The Three-Dollar Blues" "Give Me My Flying Car" (Or, "Where's My Flying Car," "Give Me My Flying Car Already," "I'm Still Land-Bound, Let Me Fly!," "Pull Me Above This Traffic Jam," or other similar titles.) "Three Dollars Is Trivial (And You Have It Better Than We Do)" (sung in a European accent) "Sell This Gas-Guzzler, Honey (And Buy Us A New Hybrid)" "Where are the Hydrogens?" "The Biodiesel Bus" ...and other songs reflecting automotive current events. (Those titles were just made up. However, what auto songs have been released since '05?)