Day 19 – A thought-provoking day …
Klaatu … how familiar are you with the band?
Today’s submission introduced us to a great creative track by them that comes with an equally creative video.
Here is the link to the video we watched:
1978 Klaatu – A Routine Day
A popular rumour in the 70s was that Klaatu was in fact the Beatles gone “undercover”. We are surprised that this theory got so much traction, as anyone who was familiar with the Beatles’ voices would have been able to spot the difference, even on first listen. It must, however, have been a great compliment to the Klaatu members and their influences are certainly undeniable.
We love the theme of this song’s lyrics: Questioning the point of a hamster wheel existence. Which got us thinking how different life will be in just 10 or 20 years’ time. Share your thoughts down below!
See you all tomorrow ♥
Mona & Lisa
Twenty years ago I did not envision a world like this one. So, I don’t know. I think there will be a lot more people working from home as businesses try to lower their overhead and reduce costs to be more competitive. I think gasoline automobiles will be phased out… already happening. But, all of that is the obvious. Also, tracking people will become more prevalent. And, of course, there will be changes we can’t foresee.
Love the song. They sound like the Beatles. 💙😊
This song is familiar to me. In 1979 it was two weeks in one of the Dutch hitparades (positions 49 and 46 from a top 50) and I was immediately taken by it.
In a pop magazine the rumor about them being the Beatles undercover was mentioned, among which a reason why people thought that. Apparently, George Harrison once had stickers, of something like that, made with the name Klaatu on it. Naturally the sound of the song also played a part.
Klaatu was a character from the 1951 movie The Day the Earth stood still. He came to our planet to warn us that we would be destroyed if we would not make peace with each other. I think this connects nicely with the question what we expect will happen in the next 10 to 20 years.
Looking into the future has both positive and negative elements. I think medical science will reach new levels, regardless of what happens in the world. On the other hand, as long as money is more important than personality and social behavior I fear not much will change on such a short term. I agree with Richard in that regard. Or as a Dutch psychologist once stated on television: scientific developments are on a higher level, but human beings on a social level are still Neanderthals. He got flamed for it and later apologized, basically proving his point if you ask me.
I was aware of Klaatu when the hype was they were the new Beatlesque band around. Never heard them on the radio and years later with YouTube looked them up and they clearly weren’t the Beatles. This song is good and one could see why they could be mistaken for some of the Beatles. I’m not really a fan of the term Beatlesque which has been used to describe some other bands over the decades.
As for the state of the world. I don’t try to live in a world any bigger than my own. Some would say I miss out on a lot and for that I am actually grateful. I told myself at a young age that, “Mankind hasn’t improved, only the toys have gotten better”. Write a song about that. I do know that my younger daughter Kate said she had been waiting for a world wide calamity to occur and see how mankind reacted and whether they pulled together to meet the challenge and helped each other out or if they just made a mess of the situation. She says she is disappointed at society as a whole. It turned into a petty, pity party. I hope it doesn’t leave her too cynical. Social media didn’t help that’s for sure and the general lack of leadership worldwide also made things worse. If you want to really know what’s going on in the world get out of the house and see it for real. Not the crap they feed you on the media.
There’s an old saying, Don’t believe anything you hear and only half of what you see. If you depend on TV and Social Media for the visual part then move that percentage up to 80% of what you see. Everything is an ad or a way of persuading you where or how to spend your money. A lot of your latest album was based on these observations I believe. Don’t let others make decisions for you or place a certain value on you. Don’t let the world label you and categorize you. No one has the right to tell you what and who you are, so don’t give it to them. Self-determination is the real American Dream and we should be very careful to protect that concept if we hope to have a better world in the future.
I’m not going to get involved with what will happen 10 years from now but it seems too many people today are too oversensitive about everything. So I’ll just keep my thoughts on that to myself! People need to stop wanting to work from home. Too many people seem to want to be Youtube “stars” and make their living from that and very few will be able to do that successfully. I hate Youtube “shorts”, such a lazy man’s way of making “content”.
I’ve might of heard of Klaatu, maybe not, can’t really recall… although name kinda rings a tad of familiarity bells….perhaps they were on MuchMusic/FGoodRockin Tonite / Video Hits back in the day in the 80s, during my teenager years…just never really paid any full mind to their stuff, too busy being a Durannie, and into other music I liked at that time ….
I recall in school reading/listening to George Orwell’s 1984 , seeing some futuristic film in Grades 3-6 where they showed what was kind of a reaction, ahead of time scenario of which was reminiscent of The Jetsons/Back To Future 2, of flying cars, housing, etc tgat looked liked towers with bubbles….also like that Singing Frog episode on Bugs Bunny , where the guy dreams of future with Frog making a fortune, etc…
I’m not sure of the Futuree but to only know it is of how we choose to shape it, perhaps …
There fine, but they don’t sound like the Beatles to me.
The future more challenges definitely !
There will be lots of good things also !
Like a huge Number one hit by
THE MONALISA TWINS !!!
Klaatu was known in Toronto as they were Toronto area musicians.Klaatu got no airplay on commercial AM radio but was played on FM radio in Toronto. I saw them in concert by accident. I travelled to McMaster University to play volleyball and while searching for the gym I opened a back door to a concert taking place in a huge gymnasium. I didn’t know who was playing until the next day. I stayed and listened to about 5 songs before I moved on to play volleyball. I think someone left a back door open for a friend to sneak in without paying and I was a lucky beneficiary of their actions.
I’ve never heard of this group Klaatu but I enjoyed their song A Routine Day and the animated video….it quickly brought to mind another song that some twins wrote ..Any Other Day….you certainly have been receiving some interesting videos to react to.
I never heard of this band, but I like the song and video. It hits close to home because I work in one of the biggest bureaucracies in the world. It is really unfulfilling, but it pays the bills. I find fulfilment in other ways i.e. raising my little shepherd, Hotchi; writing short stories; doing volunteer work; and now learning to play the guitar. And I will retire next year, and may move to Costa Rica because the future (tomorrow) promises to bring an arctic blast to Oklahoma, and I can’t take the cold! Peace be.
I always hold out hope that people learn from our mistakes and make changes for the better. Unfortunately if history has taught us one thing is that we are most likely going to repeat it. From one generation to another, memories get clouded and the important things don’t passed. I see the future dominated by the internet, and although I enjoy it (none of us would be enjoying this Club right now without it) but I also see it something that is going to be very destructive going forward. Hackers have now learned they can hold a wide swath of the population hostage without firing a shot to blackmail individuals, companies, and entire countries. As for jobs, there will always be a need for basic jobs… carpenters, welders, construction workers, mechanics, food preparation, health care, etc. Basic needs will always need to be filled.
Having so many robots in the workforce will certainly make things interesting. Especially the office parties.
I was 20 in 1978. Never heard of Klaatu. This was an ok, maybe better than ok, song. The Beetles, A Day in the Life, did it better.
Very thought provoking song. I think the future will present lots of engaging possibilities with jobs we can’t imagine today. Stay Groovy.
I vaguely remember Klaatu, but that might’ve been from when that alien ship landed and they tried to take over or something. I forget how that turned out…
As for the future, I’ve heard it said that “no one can clearly foresee the future,” but based on how things have been going since I’ve been around–particularly since the rise of the internet–it looks like more do-it-yourself rather than call someone or go somewhere to get something done. Stuff we need gets delivered, possibly because our smart refrigerator put in an order to restock. It’s cheaper for businesses if we work from home, so I don’t see a big return to office buildings. Population growth will ensure traffic continues to be horrid.
Personally, I’m waiting for self-driving cars so I can hit the road at night and sleep while my car does the driving, letting me wake up in another part of the country.
Despite all the new conveniences and the demise of many mundane jobs, replaced by AI and online services, new annoyances will arise to fill the void, leaving people to still lament the days gone by, when life was simpler and children behaved. Just like always…
I really love listening to the music with you both Mona and Lisa with your keen musicians ear as you pick out certain aspects of the music and add your impressions and thoughts that is so insightful and adds to the appreciation.
The WHY? album art cover image of a line of people glued to their phones going in and out of the metropolis in a clock work fashion certainly resonates with the “routine day” feel of this song.
Your album WHY? is such a rich and meaningful work of art that expresses the precious things in our lives personally and how we feel about the world around us, and at the same time present glaring issues of these times and concerning truths that make us question WHY? Why does it have to be this way? When we start questioning and ask why, perhaps that will inspire us to solve problems and make the world a better place. The music across the entire album does that so passionately with amazing emotion and beauty that moves you. When people are moved and touched deep inside, great things can happen. That is what great art like WHY? does. That’s why it is a timeless masterpiece in music. It is so though provoking indeed!
No one really knows what the future will bring specifically. But it’s clear from history that it’s a cycle. Maybe we learn a little each time around and get incrementally better. Maybe not, but I hope so. Every now and then, we just need a reset to wake us up out of complacency. One thing that seems clear to me is that through it all, people tend to be more good than bad, especially in difficult times. Every generation thinks it’s the end of the world, and the youth rise to prove them wrong. Mona and Lisa can certainly be our flag bearers of change for the better.
Oh, I was in high school for the original Klaatu are the Beatles thing, and certainly didn’t believe it. But the music was good…
Lisa, you remind me of a lyric from a Don Henley song “Dirty Laundry”.
We got the bubble-headed bleach-blonde
Comes on at five
She can tell you ’bout the plane crash
With a gleam in her eye
This is from a song by Todd Rundgren
I remember the world of tomorrow
I’m supposed to drive a flying car
I’m supposed to have a house on Mars
I’m supposed to live 200 years
I’m supposed to live, I’m supposed to live in
The future is now, the future is now
The future is now, the future is now
https://youtu.be/SrZRYzZsOOs
Mona and Lisa…just have to say: You have initiated a great topic. The members have come up with some outstanding thoughts pertaining to your question. The line of communication today is particularly fascinating. What a great group of members!
Thank you for making us think and for giving us a “Teachable Moment”. Well done!
Thought provoking indeed. Thank you for being “thought provokers”!
Natural curiosity, the quest for truth and the need to take control of one’s own destiny have propelled homo sapiens to this point in time. But we are social animals and can only survive when we learn to live together. There is much cause for hope for the future but only if we work together to solve the problems that our success as a species has created. It will take courage, intelligence and love, but it must start with awareness.
My Christmas wish is for your new album WHY? to go viral and people will “raise their heads” before it’s too late.
Only 5 more days until Christmas.
Why? Where did December 25th come from? It was figured out centuries ago that the crucifixion was in the middle of April and since life begins at conception, you add nine months to that. That’s Why.
Name another musical group out there that has original Classic Rock tunes and consistently delivers 25 days in a row the most fantastic and personable open-ended fun available on the Internet. This is very much how it used to be back in the day to have the Christmas spirit.
Only the MonaLisa Twins. No one is like them.
I just want to say that team MLT always made me feel special and in return I desire to be a good fan for them. Ultimately it’s to share Christmas cheer and be with their most dedicated fans.
This is literally the highlight of each year.
Merry Christmas,
Mike
A Routine Day is a very sad song. Ending “And I’m waiting on the pier till Charon comes”
OMG! How awful is that? Charon carried the dead across the river Styx.
The Beatles connection was because of a song on their first album Klaatu. The song is Sub-Rosa Subway. Check it out. A rock’in tune.
Merry Christmas Y’all
Good afternoon, just like some of you this is the first time I hear about Klaatu.
So with the help of Google I will be able to know more about them.
Hi again,
if I may, I have something to add about the song “Lies” by the Knickerbockers.
Supposedly, when John Lennon heard that song for the first time he said –
“I don’t remember recording that”. If he really said that, then that would be a great compliment to the Knickerbockers. And I guess to John L. it sounded like the Beatles.
Bobby S.
Howdy,
I first heard of Klaatu only a few years ago, by a friend. I bought two of their Cds.
Although you can hear some Beatles’ influence in their music, you can tell that it is not the Beatles.
Have any of you ever heard of the Knickerbockers? A pop/garage band from Bergenfield, New Jersey, USA, which formed in 1962. They had a huge hit song in 1966 called “Lies”. Now almost everyone thought it was the Beatles. They had a guitarist, bassist, drummer, & saxophonist. Although on Lies I don’t know if there was a sax?
Please try to listen to that song and let me know what you think? I would post a link here if I knew how to do it. You can google them or look on You Tube.
As far as the future is concerned, it is very hard to predict. We have made so many advancements & inventions in the past two hundred years, I think the possibilities are endless.
You may think I am strange (in a way I am), but I hope to do some time travelling.
There are some physicists working on time travel right now.
Enjoy the rest of the day,
Take good care,
Bobby S.
Beware of predictions, especially about the future – various attributions
It was the best of times. It was the worst of time – Charles Dickens – A Tale Of Two Cities
May you live in interesting times – Chinese aphorism
For me, the single most prominent contributing factor, and the one that all the other factors are subsidiary to, is population. Never before have there been 8 billion people on the planet, double the number from when many of us were young. That’s what exponential growth means and looks like. Canada’s population is a meagre 36 million, and it is to here that many people from tropical and sub-tropical regions, (which are bursting at the seams), wish to emigrate. What are they thinking? It’s -25 degrees C here today. But come they will, if they can. Legally or illegally. Human migration has existed for Millenia, sometimes with push comes to shove consequences.
Some demographic experts say that world population will stabilize at somewhere around 10 billion. I don’t know how they come to that assumption. Men and women, in whatever their circumstances, are inclined to get acquainted. In the meantime, all the other contributing factors, from agriculture, to climate change, to healthcare, to education are all under unprecedented stress.
So, what comes to be regarded as A Routine Day: that’s when post Covid normalcy is defined more by the accessibility to live entertainment, rather than to the accessibility of hospital emergency facilities. By all appearances, a stellar example of misplaced priorities. I don’t find myself too optimistic, but like Janitor Joe, I may have departed the scene via natural processes before things become too critical. In any case we have to leave a few problems around for younger generations to solve. That would be Mona’s and Lisa’s generation. At least they’ll be around to see what happens.
.
I am with you on all of this.
I was thinking the same thing earlier about the Twins generation. They will be stuck with the problems and many of us won’t be there to help solve them. As the new generations take over, I have noticed that the two 28 year old ladies we follow musically seem to have matured beyond their years when it comes to “Why”. If a real world government were to take over before I leave this beautiful planet, I would vote for them as representatives any time they chose to run. Think of it, music and brains in government – It’s OK to dream.
Never heard of Klaatu before but I will do some digging. This is what I love about this Advent time, learning and hearing different things each day. Thank you so much
Bill
Wow, never heard of Klaatu before this. That was lovely. I’ll need to do some research to find out more.
Since animated videos have made a few appearances this month. I’ll share 2 of my personal favorites.
From Big Big Train, released in 2022, “Proper Jack Frost” – https://youtube.com/watch?v=Fju33DnyNoQ . A sad story of growing up but has a happy ending.
From Steven Wilson “Routine” https://youtube.com/watch?v=sh5mWzKlhQY ← This one is beautifully animated but it’s a gut punch.
Have to believe the future is bright seeing those smiles… never heard of Klaatu.
if people haven’t figured out after all the trauma and sadness with Covid that every day is a gift to be made the most of, then those people will jyst stay on the hamster wheel. There are no wasted or useless days, but each day to be used try to change your little part of the world for the best you can and try to make the day better for the people God puts across your path.
What will the world be like in the future? That is a complex question with multifaceted answers. First of all, I believe a lot depends on your age. If you are younger, the world develops naturally for you and everything seems to be as it should. If you are older, the world develops in contrast to the world you grew up in and is difficult for you to adjust or grow used to. You certainly are more nostalgic for the world that you developed in. For more specific things , the world is less personable than it was and less mannerly. Instant gratification is more important, when I was young it was common to learn how to listen. Now, you are trained to get your message across instantly and in fewer slides. I feel there is little depth to knowledge anymore despite it being easy to attain. And yet, your approach to your craft and your followers seem to buck these trends, which is why I have invested both intellectually and artistically in the both of you. You seem genuinely interested in your fans and want to reach them on a deeper level rather than just padding your bank account. This puts you heads and tails above others in your industry and will insure devotion from your supporters for a very long time. You figured it out, God Bless you for doing so. And God Bless your fans.
Tim, I think you’re observations are spot-on and very well supported in fact. Your comments on the Twins are so true. They are the breath of fresh air we have waited so long for. We can only hope that our support for them will help their success to grow and their example be a significant influence on society’s future.
I think we hear a likeness of Paul & George and a passage like Sgt. Pepper’s
but the Beatles would not have sounded so much like that.
They would have gone off in a different direction.
Diana G. AI is already hiding behind the scenes in many places.
Jung you are so right as usual.
Great observation Jeannette!
Chris O. It never occurred to me that you school teachers have such
an enhanced view of this 21st century culture.
Diana, Chris; Simulations are showing up on television.
Everyone stay strong. Cheers.
Thank you, Tom. I appreciate your comment. Change trickles down very quickly in the education genre. Students are very aware of the societal context in which they live. Sometimes they do not understand the full scope of matters, but awareness always is evident.
The kids who are currently in school experienced such a variation in their learning process during Covid. 2019-2020 was cut short, with only a 25 week year (March to June was lost). 2020-21 was virtually a total loss due to full or hybrid remote learning. 2021-22 was an adjustment year…many students totally were lost in both the educational process (mental discipline was lacking) and in the process of interacting with their peers.
This year things are returning to some normalcy but with kids being way behind. It still is a wonderful profession but adjustments have had to take place. We are getting there. The American Rescue Act has helped. But that expires in June 2023. We have learned to be more tolerant, especially with the mental health of the kids. Many have become quite fragile.
But that’s okay…if situations are recognized…if the students feel welcome and safe, we can take it from there.
I wasn’t familiar with that group or that song, but I have to agree that it sounds very Beatley!
I’m hesitant to make any predictions about the next 20 years, because my track record hasn’t been very good. I thought movie theaters would die out after home video came along, and that texting would never catch on because typing with just your thumbs on a tiny screen looked so clunky. But I’ll continue to hold out hope for my dream invention: a washing machine that automatically ejects its load of clothes into the dryer, so that you don’t have to hang around to intervene for just a few seconds in the middle of an hour-long process.
On the subject that has been brought up here about people obsessed with their phones, Saturday Night Live had a great commercial spoof a few years ago for a phone app. We see a young guy walking along a busy sidewalk in Manhattan, eyes firmly glued to his phone. Then a voice from the phone says, “Stop! You’re about to step into the street and get hit by a car.” The guy stops and, without ever looking up, waits until the phone says, “Okay, you can go now.”
I liked that song and don’t remember hearing it before. But I do remember the whole Is Klaatu the Beatles conversations on the radio back then. Klaatu got their name from a main character in the old 1950s movie The Day the Earth Stood Still. Nice harmonies, sounded like something you two ladies would do. Enjoyed this.
For the younger generation, The Day the Earth Stood Still was remade in 2008 with Keanu Reeves as Klaatu.
Gort Klaatu Birada Nikto!
Hello everyone. I’m now in Salt Lake city area waiting on a door to deliver my freight. In the 70s there were artists that had a lot of Beatles influence. I think they were just filling the void after the split. As a child, my older sister bought all the Beatles albums. My first album I bought at 10 yrs in 1968 was the Supremes. I loved Motown too. Later when I was stationed with my wife in Germany, I bought my dream stereo system. Bought all the Anthology Beatles Albums remastered back then. It was the early 80s. I don’t think I’m familiar with that group. Immediately I thought of a heavy Beatles influence. I was kind of wondering if this might be The Guess Who? I love the story how that Canadian band got their name. The lable sent their first single to the US. Was the time of the British invasion, lable wanted not to get them mixed up with that so when the radio stations asked who are they? Lable would say Guess Who? So, the name stuck. I find that funny. See you all tomorrow. Love you all. Peace. Stay safe. God Speed. Stay Groovy! ❤️🌹🤘
This song seems to me to be about someone who needs to work but doesn’t like his job. I think the majority of people are probably like that. I was one of the lucky few that loved my field of work. The Twins obviously love their work.
The Twins’ request for comments today seems to be heading towards the more serious “Why” side of things, so I am going to deviate from my usual mode and make my comment a bit more on the serious side.
As to the question of “where we will be in 10 years”, it’s impossible to say, but Lisa’s comment about “Things the way they are – they can’t sustain …” was right on the money as far as I’m concerned. Here, the US and its people have a staggering amount of debt and the inflation is still very high. As in “Why”, “we are meant to follow”, and we are following. But reality doesn’t “follow”, and sooner or later times will get tougher.
My parents lived through the depression and WWII. My dad had to serve in the war. Every generation since then has had it easy in the free West. We have all perhaps become more than a little spoiled. Perhaps things will not be so easy going forward. My parents talked about food and energy rationing, but we had it easy in the US. I’m guessing the Twins’ grandparents and great grandparents lived in a very difficult time during WWII(?).
Lisa’s “Happy pill” comment is right out of “Brave New World”, and perhaps that’s where we heading. I hope Lisa’s final comment about war doesn’t happen – I think I would take “Brave New World” over “1984”.
“Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men. And, weak men create hard times.”
― G. Michael Hopf
Amen to that quote!
Dennis, I am in agreement with you. I am pretty sure every era had its trials and tribulations. But to me, it seems to be more uncertain how things will turn out. I believe the pillars that civilization grew on were religion, education and government. Now all those institutions are either under attack or poorly implemented. There are no substitute for any of them in sight when any of them fail.
In another view, there are always beautiful and wonderful things to observe and admire if someone takes the time to notice. These things go a long way to healing or nourishing the soul. We know one of these these as MonaLisa Twins.
Very well said Tim.
It may be time to “Jump Ship”. This is why this amazing album by The Mona Lisa Twins is so very special. They’ve crafted some of the most amazing and beautiful protest songs collected on one album since the ’60’s. No fear. They ask the question that anybody that has been paying attention the last 3 years is asking, Why?
Hello Ladies,
Very interesting today. Sounded very much like the Beatles. I never heard much about this.
Deep South and wasn’t allowed to listen to Beatles or anything to do with them. Which is strange, because I could listen to The Monkees.
Yesterday you mentioned the Livestream. Here it will be -3c for a high and -24c for a low. Snow starting around 3am (8am GMT)
And stopping @ 6pm (11pm GMT). Total of 3-5″ hopefully. Just doesn’t much here.
Hope you get some but hopefully it will be warmer.
Lisa, what an Adorable Donkey Gift! Mona, you were so excited. Love seeing you interact with each other. It’s so sweet.
Sisterly Love today.
Rick Ross
What a cute and adorable little donkey gift from Lisa to Mona. I love the feisty and stubborn character of donkeys, they look so cute, way up there as one of my favourite animals, could certainly fall in love with one as a pet.
That song and video by Klaatu certainly has a feel of the Beatles and the vocals too. I can’t say I am familiar with them at all or ever heard of them, but I agree what a great video. I don’t put much stock in conspiracy theories, but an entertaining thought. Reminds me of the other conspiracy theory that Paul McCartney died in the late 60s and the current one is a fake.
I have to agree that the world has changed, and while I was under the illusion I could work for one company until I retire with a wonderful defined benefits pension plan, but mergers and acquisitions of smaller established companies by a giant conglomerate with deep pockets motivated by nothing but ROI seems to be the way of the future. I got into the industry in the late 80s when people could work for one company all their lives was a reality, but that certainly changed by the end of the 90s. Your skills and employability or entrepeneurship is the only thing you can count on as your greatest asset.
I think covid and the lockdowns will have a profound impact on society, and working from home a more viable and long lasting solution to help corporations keeps costs down. So many people I know in Canada anyway work from home, and the internet technology with compression and 1G and greater bandwidth to the home, and fiber optics to the prem for most new residences will ensure the practicality of greater and better zoom calling and virtual presence. So I think working from home or a hybrid arrangement where people work from home who can and are required to come into the office a few times a month may very well be the way of the future. Certainly will be better for the environment too with fewer commuters.
I think there will be a rise in autocratic tendencies, and the outcome of what happens in Ukraine and Taiwan will have a profound impact on the direction of the world. It’s important the world has the courage to stand up to bullies and work together to stop it. If you don’t stop bullies in their track, they will think it’s OK and keep doing it to others. Bullying has no place in the school play ground and certainly no place on the world stage.
Wow Mona and Lisa, todays topic is very thought provoking.
BTW, I also think artificial intelligence and robotics will be a big thing in the future as there are some amazing advancement in that field today. It will be as big as smart phones and the internet.
Jung, you have covered just about everything in your post and I could not agree with you more. Extremely well-said and well-written. Many thanks!
Thanks Christopher. Hope the joy of the season fills your house!
And same to you, Jung. See you at the Livestream!
Well said Jung.
Thanks James, and great submission today, 👍 as Mona and Lisa said, very “thought provoking”!
I like Mona’s thought Stay Groovy on whatever is to come. I take one day at a time because Tomorrow Never Knows. I think that back then any little rumor or thought of a Beatles reunion was on most peoples minds, I remember seeing the People magazine someone offered 50 million dollars for a Beatles concert and the offer from SNL for $3,000. John and Paul were watching that night at the Dakota. The first time I heard Klaatu was a couple of years ago on you tube. Thank you for sharing, Have a nice day everyone
A few weeks after that SNL incident, George Harrison was the musical guest on SNL. The show opened with a tense backstage confrontation between George and Lorne Michaels (who had made the $3000 offer). The audience was at first kept in the dark as to the topic, but eventually Lorne said, “No, the offer was $3000 for the Beatles, not $750 for a Beatle.”
Paul Simon was guest host . it was during Thanksgiving weekend Paul came out dressed in a turkey costume for his opening monologue.Later on Paul Simon and George did an acoustic set Homeward Bound and Here Comes the Sun.
Klaatu (like many Canadian artists and bands) didn’t get a lot of recognition both in North America and world wide. However, that video did get some exposure on Don Kirschner’s Rock Concert (sort of a modernized version of American Bandstand). I never paid Klaatu much mind myself as they weren’t exactly what I considered “main stream” back then. How unlike me to get a prod to revisit something at this stage in my life when I might just appreciate it for what it was/is: just plain good music.
Who knows where this crazy world is headed right now? I have stepped away from the daily grind in favor of some personal enjoyment while I still am (reasonably) young and healthy enough to actually enjoy life.
No more treadmill/hamster wheel (figuratively speaking) for this cat anymore. I’m using up my accumulated vacation time and am officially retired (no more pay check either though) as of January 1. Downside is I can’t ride/race my motorcycles or play golf in the Canadian winter months. But on a more pleasant note, there are no mosquitos or wasps to contend with either. I have reached that magical “senior” designation, so I don’t have to buy a fishing license anymore, so there’s that too. I have my guitars, and I can work out, train and teach in our martial arts classes again now that the COVID restrictions are gone.
The rest is beyond my control so why dwell on it? Life is pretty groovy now I think.
Happy Monday!
D
Daryl, I too have joined the wonderful senior retirement club. I spend a lot of my time taking care of myself now which never happened in the previous 40 years. I still volunteer in some charity organizations to try and give back, but no more worrying about my job and the company.
I’ll be right behind you. 45 years of working for someone else is enough. I’m looking forward to getting back to my music and photography, and most of all having much more time to spend with my family. Enjoy retirement!
James, I worked 25 years for myself and it was great. Long hours but it paid huge dividends. The last 25 years I was a wage earner, but for people that were as much family as they were employers. There are advantages to living in a smaller community that way, a solid work ethic and a good public reputation goes a long way. But yeah, it’s “my” time now.
At this time, I would not even try to guess what the world will be like 10-20 years from now. Too many variables, both positive and negative, come into play.
Being an educator, the changes that have occurred since the beginning of the pandemic leave me wondering sometimes. The big thing that concerns me is the huge shift to online classes and degrees. For example, many teacher education programs have shifted to a 100% online class format. It is easy to see why it occurred but for some programs, like education, interaction is so important. Maybe I’m wrong…
I hear you, Christopher. This past semester, about 80% of my student enrollment was in fully on-line classes. I don’t anticipate that in my area (science) those sections will ever go beyond just the gen. ed. courses for non-majors, but who knows? The college population has been declining nationwide, and is forecast to continue to decline based on birthrates alone, and schools have to bring in the tuition money or else start letting employees go. But the computer simulations I’ve had to adopt as lab activities just don’t give students any experience with using real equipment and dealing with real uncertainties, which doesn’t bode well for people who will actually need such skills for their jobs.
Hi David. Interesting point about computer simulations as a teaching tool. I can see the value for teaching something with high predictability (e.g., how a carburetor works), but for uncertainty the simulation is only as good as the imagination of the programmer. I wonder if AI can inject enough pseudo-random “Spaniards in the Works” to keep the simulations unpredictable enough to approximate reality.
Don’t get me started about computer simulations. Have one course in which a couple of them are mandatory…the students hate them and I dislike being “on the outside”. Blah.
I believe Ari Raki mentioned this song in his comment. I had to find it and share the link.
Here’s a link to “Sub Rosa Subway” off the first Klaatu album. It’s one of my all time favorite songs. Very Beatlesque, especially the bass line. Well worth your time to check it out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uc6s6S-MrzY
Wow! I love this song – lyrics, music, and the animation too. How on earth, as a Canadian, have I never heard of Klaatu?!!! I looked them up and found that their first album was released in 1976, the year I started high school, but I don’t recall ever hearing their music. The only song of theirs I was surprised to find that I knew was “Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft” but I knew it as a Carpenter’s song because their cover is what was played on the radio! It seems that the members had some interesting quirks (not naming themselves in credits on albums for one) – perhaps that accounts for their lack of fame?
Although the subject of what the world might be like in 10-20 years is a fearful and possibly depressing one, it is one that we all need to give urgent attention too. Our world is suffering – the environment and it’s inhabitants, both human and non-human. Sometimes I think that the largest group of sufferers are our children. So many are growing up without the benefit of loving attention and nurture. The sky-rocketing statistics regarding mental illness attest to this.
I continue to believe, however, that our current suffering could be growing pains or birth pangs – if only we pay attention and not shut down against the pain. We have allowed ourselves to turn to technology as an analgesic to kill the pain instead of allowing the pain to turn us toward healing – like taking cold medicine to suppress symptoms so that we can carry on with our busy lives instead of listening to the symptoms and taking appropriate action to restore our health.
We distract ourselves with so many things – fiddling while Rome burns! If we could heed what true artists tell us, slow down, refuse to engage in meaningless activities but pay more attention to one another and the world around us, then I believe we could transform our world into something healthy and beautiful.
As a schoolteacher (I have a free period at this moment), I definitely see your point, Jeannette. There are so many students with anxiety and depression issues. Social Media, in many ways, has created an unhealthy culture for adolescents. The sometimes toxic culture of it all clearly is evident.
The pandemic has hurt them as well. Most kids are at least a grade level behind in their development. It makes teaching a challenge, but we do the best we can.
God bless you for being a teacher in this difficult time! I’m a semi-retired teacher – I still fill in for sick teachers – but I’m not sure I could handle the challenges on a daily basis. My heart breaks for the those students who are struggling with anxiety and depression – too many of them!
Jeannette, I am glad that you are continuing with teaching. We have a huge shortage of Supply Teachers where I am at and teacher absenteeism is at an all time high. Being around students who always have colds and such, it always hits us eventually. Also, there is that element of “putting on a show” (make show) all day that puts a strain on some of my peers.
It is a great profession, and I am glad that I made a career switch in my late 20s from Accounting…now I teach it among other things!
There is that “make show” element in all levels of education. I have done Adjunct at the Graduate School level and that is always show time!
Another wonderful Advent Calendar episode! I had never heard of Klaatu. Thanks for the introduction!
I believe in the basic goodness of people and that when things get tough, people will rise up and help each other.
I stumbled upon these two videos that I believe have great messages, Thank you, Mona, Lisa, Rudi and Michaela for sharing your light with the world!
Jim Carrey:
https://youtu.be/s4uajFzgXSY
Ringo Starr:
https://youtu.be/JKh1IozcHY4
Thank you, Steven, for sharing these. Both are very inspiring!
You’re welcome, Jeannette!
That is a very cute ornament. Love these Advent Calendar videos.
I have only heard of Klaatu and this story recently Yes, as a Beatles fan, I knew right away there was no chance it was them, also 40 years later there wasn’t much guessing left.
Is Lisa not wearing her glasses anymore? Lighting is always so perfect.
Thank you for the smiles!
i remember when Klaatu appeared with the song “Sub Rosa Subway” and that rumor that they were The Beatles with pseudonym spread all over the world. Here in Finland one pop magazine took it very seriously and tried to convince us that fab four is back. And it was tempting to believe it because the lead singer in that song really sounded like Paul and the music was full of elements from Beatles in Abbey Road period. But I never really believed though. But Klaatu was a good band in its own. Other great song I remember from them is “Calling Occupants From Interplanetary Craft. Carpenters made a pretty good cover version from it,
Oh wow Ari, I never knew the Carpenters “Calling Occupants….” was a cover and Klatuu is the original artist, love that song!
Great submission. I love Klaatu and have listened to them since their first album. I commented a while back that I thought “Any Other Day” would fit in nicely on a Klaatu album. I have always loved this song but I have never seen this video. I never looked it up, I suppose. Very interesting to listen to your discussion after. I can only hope freedom prevails.
I had heard of Klaatu before and also the Beatles rumours but had never listened to their music. I really liked this song and the animation of London complimented it well.
Love how guilty Mona looked when caught snooping! Really lovely donkey ornament though, so sweet.
I think the future has been changed by the pandemic with far more home working but also with people having more leisure time. This is already reflected by some companies moving to 4 day weeks (with 100% pay!) and weekends being the busiest on roads and trains. Monday is now the quietest day!
Addiction to mobile phones is a big issue and also how many YouTube people can you follow before your whole day is just watching their videos.
Slightly downbeat ending but Mona recovered expertly to cheer us up again for the day!
I feel very sad when I think about the direction that technology is taking us. People walking along with their eyes on the mobile phone screen, riding cycles and driving motor vehicles with speakers and headphones covering their ears and not taking notice of what is going on around them. People going out for a meal even on a date sitting at the table not talking to each other but texting on the phone.
Motor cars without drivers, I actually like driving my car, to me it is a skill , no automatic car for me.
Technology has its place but we should not allow it to take over the personal and communicational skills that we have developed in our brain over many years.
Having said that you two are looking as lovely as ever, I can’t help wondering how big your wardrobe’s must be, you seem to be able to wear a different item of clothing and jewellery without repeating each day. Some lovely clothes by the way. I hope I am allowed to say that in this day and age.
Stay groovy!!
Good morning, oh sure I remember Klaatu, at first I believed the rumour of them being the beatles, it sounded beatle-ish i thought. Afterwards we found out that it was a canadian band. Nevertheless its great music they made. I believe they argued quite a lot and the band didn’exist that long.
As for the future: I can only hope that there is no war or other disaster needed to make us realise that we need eachother and have to cooperate with nature to make this earth inhabitable for all of us. Its not individuals that make our society.I totally agree with Michael Walker that phones and internet techniques have their dark sides, but at the same time it is a way to connect to eachother and look and listen to music .I am convinced that mankind will use its brain and start repairing what has been lost.
In 10 or 20 years’ time, it will look silly seeing pictures of people constantly looking down and fidgeting on phones.
When I was growing up you greeted people when they walked in the room or the sidewalk — not ignoring them by looking down at the phone. Hopefully, the technology will catch up with good manners again one day. LOL
I thought it was a tune that at least one of the Beatles contributed to because the individual solo Beatles were writing songs for each other and the favorite groups back then.
For instance, I’m the Greatest was a tune written by John for Ringo’s solo album, so when this rumor started, it wasn’t too far out to suspect Beatle writing involvement. It was never confirmed when some time had passed.
I believe Artificial Intelligence will radically change the world. It will take over manufacturing jobs. There will be more driverless trucks etc.
I told a coworker a few years ago that her five year old daughter would never need a drivers license. Looks like self-driving cars aren’t coming along as quickly as I imagined, but it does seem to me just a matter of time. We waste too much of our lives sitting behind a steering wheel.
I remember that well.
Note: Klaatu was a borrowed name from the 1950s sci-fi classic The Day the Earth Stood Still.
Released in 1951
https://www.imdb.com/video/vi803511577/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk
Or for the younger folks, the 2008 remake with Keanu Reeves.
https://youtu.be/tQk7Fbmp2oM