Idolator
We'll admit that we watched last night's Celebrity Duets with a bit of a knives-out mentality—and for the most part, it was indeed pretty terrible (especially because unsmiling giant Aaron Neville looks like he's about to kill everyone else on stage). But when talking-head man-boy Hal Sparks and Styx singer Dennis DeYoung came on stage to sing "Come Sail Away," we got something resembling actual goosebumps.
What is it about this song? It's been abused in a million karaoke halls (and at least one crappy Adam Sandler film), yet it still can't be killed. Watching DeYoung at work, you start wondering what would happen if he were to go on the road with, say, John Bolton. Would loving U.S-Iranian bear-hugs ensue? Would world peace become a viable possibility? Could Dennis DeYoung bring home the troops?
Also: Could someone please tell Sparks that the dragon-print vest makes him look like a busboy at Ruby Foo's?
"Sail Away - Sail Away—Hal Sparks And Dennis Deyoung—9-14-06" [YouTube]
Comments
Actually I'm kinda surprised nobody's sampled "Too Much Time On My Hands" yet. (Or have they?)
Oh, Hal. I fell in love with you on Talk Soup. The Queer as Folk years were hard. But we made it, soulpatch/goatee thing and all. But now you're singing duets on a reality show? I checked your website again. What the hell is this band you have? Sure, life is about reinvention, but I miss the goofy guy that made me laugh. He had a homemade website. He didn't take himself to seriously. That was rock and roll.
Am I the only one that thinks Little Richard looks like a reanimated corpse?
Jackie Mason is THE king of Hollywood reanimated corpses, though. He makes Little Richard look Downy Fresh.
celebrity duets...pluuuueeeze. if they wanted a real winner they'd have hal sparks up there rappin with Nice N Smooth. It couldn't be any better than seeing good old Hal rappin for the kids:
And I said woah little hottie
I'm not DeLorian, Gambino or Gotti
I don't deal coke, and furthermore you're making me broke
I'll put you in a rehab and I won't tell your folks
And what do you know
In 18 months she came home and I let her back in
And now she's sniffing again...
Wow, this made me simultaneously gain new respect for Styx and loose what little I'd had. Say what you will about the band, guy certainly can sing.
That song was in key scenes in "The Virgin Suicides" and "Freaks and Geeks" as well. Also Styx's episode of Behind the Music is hands down the best ever-DeYoung is totally over-the-top hilarious and there's a massive feud-ted nugent is prominently involved.
Dennis DeYoung and Amy Lee - the perfect Andrew Lloyd Webber musical pair.
"Don't cry for me, Evanescence..."
Without a real life synthesizer, what's the point?
.....This song got me into the record stores to spend my $3.98 on Grand Illusion, to be sure. Styx had a great run from Equinox (1975) to Pieces of Eight (1978). I'm also one of those suckers who paid for Paradise Theater (the one with "to much time..."). Whole lotta suck. I'm thinking DeYoung's creativity got poisoned by Rik Ocasic.
People love "Come Sail Away" because the song tells of angels who gather above DeYoung's head, take him on board their starship and, finally, head for the skies. People enjoy this possibility, as they would like for DeYoung to be whisked far from the bonds of earth. Tommy Shaw is one of these people.
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