#BOTB: The Staying Alive Battle




I had a completely different battle planned for today, but then life decided to kick me in the butt.  When I went to the emergency room on Monday, January 6, by all accounts (according to labwork and doctors) I should have been dead. Instead, despite all that my body was going through, I was alert (okay - mostly alert) and entertaining the doctors and staff with my witty banter (aka sarcasm). After 3 hospitals, 13 units of blood, a one-hour life-flight, an ambulance driver that got lost during transport (and also during a major snow event that was closing roads all around us), and countless events during my hospital stay, I am happy to report that I am home and medically stable. I still have to have radiation 5 times a week for the next month, but for the most part I feel pretty darn good considering all that my body is going through.

I’d like to thank everyone for your well wishes and prayers that were said on my behalf while the medical staff was doing their best to get me stable. Your comments on Cathy and Stephen’s posts meant more to me than you will ever imagine.

One of the first songs that I heard after I was released from the hospital is the song that I’m using for today’s battle. Yes, the song is extra cheesy, but the words are quite encouraging - at least to me given all that I’ve been through this past month.  I know the contenders are not the best, but they are the best that I could find. As with life, we’re just going to ‘roll with it’ and enjoy it for what it is.

As a reminder for you seasoned readers and to help out those of you who may be new here

Here is how a battle works:

Step One - Listen to each of the contenders. TRY not to be persuaded by the videos

Step Two - Pick  the contender that you prefer the most (not just the one with the name you are familiar with) Pick ONLY from the contenders provided in THIS battle.

Step Three - Comment  with your selection. The comment section has been set up so that anyone can leave a comment. I do ask that you please include your name, should you use the anonymous feature.

Step Four - Visit Stephen’s blog to check out his battle and for a list of other bloggers that have battles going on. We each have different battles, so please be sure to visit everyone. I'll provide a link below the videos to Stephen's blog for your convenience.


Now that we’ve got the formalities out of the way, let’s get to it!


Contender #1 -  Jive Bunny & The Mastermixers
Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers were a British novelty pop music act from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, England. The face of the group was Jive Bunny, a cartoon rabbit who appeared in the videos, and also (as a human being in a costume) did promotional appearances for them.





Contender #2 - They Might Be Giants
They Might Be Giants is an American alternative rock band formed in 1982 by John Flansburgh and John Linnell. During TMBG's early years, Flansburgh and Linnell frequently performed as a duo, often accompanied by a drum machine. In the early 1990s, TMBG expanded to include a backing band. In today’s video, they are joined by the AV Club Chorus





Now, to repeat myself:

YOU DON’T NEED TO BE FAMILIAR WITH AN ARTIST OR A SONG TO KNOW WHICH ONE YOU PREFER. You only need to listen to the videos and choose which one sounds better to you.  There are no right or wrong votes, unless you vote for someone not listed as a contender or don’t vote at all.


For those of you who may be interested in joining in our fun - The battles take place twice a month. Once on the 1st, and again on the 15th. Some participants have chosen to participate only once a month - and that’s okay - we’re just happy to have you join us! Your battle can consist of covers of the same song, different songs with the same title, or even a themed type battle. We just want you to join in the fun!  Catch the link to Stephen’s blog to join in - all you need to do is drop him a comment on his blog stating you’d like to participate and he’ll add you to the roster of participants.

I’d like to encourage you to visit the other bloggers participating in the battle of the bands blog hop as well.  We’ve all put a lot of time and effort into putting together these battles and they are a lot of fun. Each blogger has a different battle taking place. You can find a current list of participants on Stephen’s blog (don't forget you can also request to join the battle of the bands blog hop by simply commenting on his blog that you'd like to join us). 


Alright now… Cast your votes for either Jive Bunny or They Might Be Giants!
Voting will end on Thursday, February 6 with results being posted on Friday, February 7.

If you’re interested, I’ve got a special theme going for the month of February. You can find more information here. I’d love to have you join me in this as well.







Comments

  1. I remember this song. Catchy innocuous little ditty.

    At first I wasn't getting into TMBG's version though I've always liked their music, but then it started getting pretty trippy, drawing me in.

    I vote for TMBG

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out

    ReplyDelete
  2. MMQE ~

    Let's see, how does that chorus go again?...

    I get knocked down
    But, look, I'm up again
    I keep on coming around

    No, that's not quite right.

    You knock me down
    But I struggle to my feet
    I ain't got sense to just stay down

    No, no. One more try . . .

    I get knocked up
    And I ain't married
    But I'm still gonna have the kid

    Ahh, I give up. If only they had repeated the chorus a few more times it probably would have had a better chance of sticking in my mind.

    Mary, when I saw the title, I was expecting to hear The Bee Gees.

    Lemme share wid ya my own favorite fight song, and feel free to use it in your fight with cancer (which I know you will win because God knows BOTB needs its historian!)

    My friend, play this LOUD!!!

    [Link> LONG PROMISED ROAD
    {*Note: The word "evolution" on the screen is incorrect. It should read "revolution".*}

    Hokey-smoke! When the music kicks into high gear at 2:32, I am seriously ready to kick some ass!! (And, hey, Who is that "Source, gentle Force, never ending, never ending" that they're refrerring to? He can also be a fearsome Force. Just ask Pharaoh.)

    OK, OK, I know, I know!! You just want my vote on this BOTB contest. If I can't give it to The Beach Boys, then give my vote to THEY MIGHT BE MIDGETS. (Oops! Color me "politically incorrect". I meant, "diminutive". ;-D )

    ~ D-FensDogG
    STMcC Presents BATTLE OF THE BANDS

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Stephen,

      Long Promised Road is an awesome fight song. Today's song just happened to be the first song I heard when I was released from the hospital. Yup, I know it was super cheesy... but what can I say?

      Delete
  3. There really ain't that much difference between Chumbawumba's original and these two covers. I think I like They Might Be Giants a little better on this one, so they get my vote.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Mary, I'm giving my vote to They Might Be Giants, because their sound is quirkier, and so '90s - a decade I am greatly nostalgic for these days! Jive Bunny's version was nice, but in the end, it was just a remix.

    I will continue to send good, healing vibes to you. You have been through an awful lot this month, and I truly hope it's smooth sailing and all good news from here on out.

    P.S. Who doesn't love cheese, especially extra cheese?

    Kim

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Kim!

      So glad to have you join us in the battles :) Extra cheese is the best!

      Delete
  5. Mary, I'm so glad you survived your health crisis and are home again! Best wishes for a speedy recovery! You picked an appropriate song, as well. ☺ I'm saving you from a shutout here (as Stephen would say) and voting for Jive Bunny.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Debbie!

      It's good to be home - although I have to travel 5 times a week to my radiation treatments (25 miles each way). There's just something about being able to sleep in your own bed. Thanks for saving the day!

      Delete
  6. Mary, Mary quite contrary! I guess the cancer didn't get that memo that you're contrary and there's no way you were gonna take this layin' down. You are going to beat this thing hands down flat because the Good Lord is watching over ya! ;) Besides, He knows we really, really, really like you a lot. :) I'm giving my vote to Jive Bunny & The Mastermixers. I felt their version was just peepier and isn't that what a fight song is all about? It makes you wanna get to your feet and stomp the enemy! Great, fun battle, dear friend. Take it easy and rest often. Be kind to your body and you'll be all the glad that you did. Continuing those prayers, my love. Thanks for stopping by to vote in <a href="https://curiousasacathy.com/2020/02/piece-of-my-heart-botb-showdown-3rd-round/>Piece of My Heart #BoTB showdown 3rd round</a>!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Cathy!

      For the most part, I feel pretty good. It's those moments when I don't feel quite right that are a bit concerning. Hoping to have more answers this week on progress being made. Thanks for your continued support!

      Delete
  7. Girlie, I'm glad to see you are f eelin' the love from your prayer partners. I think you had a lot piled on your plate...but God's got this! I continue to pray for your body, spirit, heart and mind.

    As for this battle, first of all, Stephen's lyrical analysis cracked me up.

    My vote is gonna land on Jive Bunny & The Mastermixers...they just seemed to have a little more excitement in their version, but both were pretty close to the original. And that's not a terrible thing, I loved the original!

    Keep gettin' better!
    Cherdo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Cherdo!

      For a 'throw-away' battle (that's what I'm calling it, because it was done mostly for fun) The numbers are really close.

      Thanks so much for your continued prayers. That means the world to me. When I got home from the hospital and read all of the get well wishes on Stephen's and Cathy's pages, my eyes were a bit leaky. It really touched my soul.

      ~Mary

      Delete
  8. I am going with Jive Bunny who made this song fun and it is why I like it. The 2nd one was just very irritating to me. I am so thankful to see you here and I hope the Doctors have things under control. Radiation sucks but you need it and you will get stronger. Life is a gift to be cherished and you know this better than anyone. I will have you in my thoughts and all the prayers from everyone will strengthen you as well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Birgit!

      This has been quite the interesting battle. I appreciate the thoughts and prayers.

      ~Mary

      Delete

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