Amazon discontinued the ability to create images using their SiteStripe feature and in their infinite wisdom broke all previously created images on 12/31/23. Many blogs used this feature, including this one. Expect my archives to be a hot mess of broken book cover images until I can slowly comb through 20 years of archives to make corrections.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

All Aboard!

Our old apartment in Michigan was about one step up from a hovel. Despite that, it was actually an OK place to live until one day The Frat Boys invaded. Well, you can guess what happened. They moved into the apartment directly above us. Oh good times! Walking out to my car in the morning to discover someone had puked on my windshield (true story). What sounded like them dropping their couch on the floor, every single night. Then there was the fact that one of them was a bass player with a deep love for Ozzy Osborne records.



Needless to say it didn't take long for the bass line of Crazy Train to be burned into my soul. I think the technical term is "ear worm." When you get a song lodged into your brain and it just. won't. go. away.

So in honor of Ozzy and the Crazy Train riff, I thought I would hold my first ever contest here at the Bat Cave. Up for grabs? Three books from Warner Books Grand Central Publishing. Get it? Grand Central? Crazy Train? Ha! Now Rod Roddy, let's tell our contestants about our fabulous prizes...

Between The Sheets by Robin Wells
The Most Notorious Woman in America

There are probably worse things than having the entire country think that you’re the girl whose “services” gave the president-elect a fatal heart attack in the sack—but at the moment, Emma Jamison can’t think of any. A terrible mistake has made her the face of a national scandal, leaving her with no choice but to retreat to the small town where her grandmother lives to get a fresh start.

The Straight-Arrow D.A.

Max Duval is up for election in Chartreuse, Louisiana, and he can’t afford a scandal. But Emma, with her disarming smile and razor wit, is impossible to ignore—especially since his grandfather and her grandmother are starting a romantic romp of their own, and a Geraldo-wannabe is chronicling everyone’s every move for the tabloids. Is Emma really as innocent as she claims? Can Max follow his heart and still win the election? Sometimes the only way to sort out the dirty laundry is to dive in…
No Control by Shannon K. Butcher
No Hiding

Lana Hancock knows all about danger -- and betrayal. Eighteen months ago, she was captured by a terrorist group known as the Swarm while one of its member, a rugged man with sinfully dark eyes, did nothing to help her. Now when she’s freed and desperate to put it all behind her, the unthinkable happens. The Swarm is targeting Lana once again and the man who stood silently by has become her protector. But can she trust him?

No Escape

Delta Force operative Caleb Stone will never forget the hatred shining in Lana’s eyes. Ordered to take down the Swarm by infiltrating its ranks, Caleb couldn’t blow his cover to save her -- no matter how much it haunted him. Now, gifted with a second chance, he vows to move heaven and earth to protect her…and fulfill her every desire. But the Swarm has reorganized. It’s more powerful than ever and hell-bent on revenge…
Seduced by a Spy by Andrea Pickens
They were once orphans from London's roughest slums. Now they are students of Mrs. Merlin's Academy for Select Young Ladies, learning the techniques of spying and seduction. Bold, beautiful, and oh-so-dangerous, they are England's ultimate secret weapons...

Hot-tempered and a warrior to the bone, Shannon is the most daring of "Merlin Maidens." Her assignment: stop the fiendishly cruel assassin who is targeting a top British ballistics expert's family. Marshalling her intelligence, fighting skills, and weapons is easy. Being forced to work with the rakishly handsome Russian spy she loathes is something else.

Witty, resourceful, and notorious for his rakish charm with women, Alexandr Orlov tempts Shannon's fierce reserve and lithe body to win her trust. But in the remote Scottish castle where they are sent to protect the innocent, their games of parry and thrust could end in death. A ruthless enemy is watching...and planning to turn their passion into the most dangerous weapon of all.
To be eligible to win all three books, leave a comment on this post telling me a song that once burrowed into your brain. Winner will be drawn at random on Tuesday, March 18 @ 8:00AM PST. Oh, and this bad boy is open to international readers - cuz I'm nice like that. Good luck!

31 comments:

Sarah said...

We Built This City by Starship. It was senior year of high school and my friend kept playing it over and over, every time we went to the casino so now I have terrible memories of not only that song but of losing money. I truly hate that song. Immensely.

Jenifer said...

Just recently I had the theme song from "Big Top Pee-Wee" stuck in my head. I've never seen this movie, but the song was on a soundtracks CD. Now, it is a pretty decent theme song. For a movie. It is not a decent ear worm to be stuck with.

Chrysalis said...

When I was still in school (not that loooong ago) I couldn't stop whistling Yellow Submarine. It drove my friends up the wall. Hmm, maybe that's why I didn't stop.

azteclady said...

Way back when, I worked part time at a (roller) skating rink. I spend something way too much time there, because both my kidlets were taking private lessons during the week, and then we all spent the entire weekend there (at least ten hours each day). At the time, the soundtrack from the first Shrek movie was all the rage, and the DJs would play at least two of the songs from the soundtracks--every hour!

"I'm on my way from misery to happiness today na na nananana..."

"... And then I saw her face! Now I'm a believer--not a trace of doubt in my mind..."

oh crap, they are back--just shoot me now!

Jude said...

When my niece was a tiny little thing of three or so, I took her trick'o'treating. She went as a strawberry. Killer cute.

However, when the across-the-street neighbor rose from behind a bush attired in blood and black, she shrieked, dropped her plastic pumpkin and tore back across the street toward home, tearing the strawberry costume off as she went (thank god no cars were coming, cos I was totally caught flat-footed by her instant, all-out panic).

She got home and immediately changed into a Power Ranger uniform which gave her renewed courage, though not enough to revist the lunatic across the street. But every Halloween the Power Ranger theme song loops endlessly through my mind along with the image of a fleeing strawberry.

Cathy in AK said...

I'm more of an ear worm of the day, picking up whichever song happens to be playing when my alarm goes off in the morning. Tody it's "Sweet Escape" by Gwen Stefani. Woo-hooo....WEEE-hooo...It's like having a little siren going off in my head at the damnedest moments.

Better that than when I had the radio tuned to the news station. Who needs THAT stuck in their head all day?!?!

Linda S said...

I have two awful ones from my college days. The first was "The Way it Is" by Bruce Hornsby, which my next door neighbor played on an album that repeated loudly and endlessly. It was right next to the window. I don't know if it was his personal heartbreak song or what, but I was ready to murder him. I now hate Bruce Hornsby, who is probably a nice guy.

The second was a result of my love of old sitcoms - the theme song to "My Three Sons." This seemingly innocent tune becomes a pathway to insanity when trapped in your head for several days.

Alie said...

Yay for international shipping and Wendy :) Great idea!

The song I always get ear wormed is oddly enough, the Mini Wheats commercial theme song. "Mini Wheats, wheats, wheats full of flavour and so sweet..." Oh and it just goes around and around in my head until I'm insane lol.

I hope that song counts! ;)

sula said...

Here's a song that used to get stuck in my head for no good reason except they played it all the damned time EVERYWHERE when I lived in Indonesia...

"I saw the sign, and it opened up my mind, I saw the sign, [insert garbled lyrics I never understood], I saw the sign and it opened up my mind, I saw the sign..." (rinse, repeat and repeat)

That little whistling sound and the beat-track (which if you have ever listened to one Ace of Base song, you've heard them all)...oh yes, it would sear itself into my brain and never let go of my synapses. Saw the sign indeed. Saw the sign of my impending head explosion! garrr!

Lori said...

So funny about Crazy Train - that's the song Jeff wanted to bring in to preschool on "bring your favorite song to school" day. He was 2 at the time. LOL! We had to try hard to find a song that wasn't along the same lines.

Right at this minute I have Lean on Me going thru my head and it won't leave. Steve has been singing it nonstop for the last 2 days.

Lil Sis said...

I'm not in the contest...as I am related to the judge BUT when I worked in an office we called it "song bombing" and it was considered inter-office terrorism. The top song for song bombing: Blinded by the Light by Manfred Mann (also recorded by Springsteen) - and of course everyone would sing the wrong lyrics "cut loose like a douche..."

Katiebabs a.k.a KB said...

Seduced by a Spy's cover is pretty nice. Like the hidden dagger behind her back. *G*

Mel Francis said...

Sugar Ray's I JUST WANNA FLY. But, the problem was (and still is) I heard the lyric "Spread your wings and fly" wrong the first time I heard the song. And to this day, I still sing: Spread your love on Clyde.

Yes. I'm sick and twisted. And now I'm singing that freaking song again. Sigh.

Wendy said...

Great entries so far! Funny, funny stuff here!

Lil Sis: You don't want to enter this contest anyway. All romances, no erotica.

Back at The Boyfriend's old job they did "song bombing." Their favorite? Barbie Girl by Aqua. I don't know about you, but I'd stab out my ear drums with a letter opener.....

Big Sis said...

I had a bass riff stuck in my head at work last weekend. I don't know the band but it's "Radar Love".
Anyhoo, I'm not in the contest but I had to point out that the version of Crazy Train all Ozzy fans prefer is the one with Randy Rhodes on guitar (may he RIP). You are not a metal head so you are forgiven.

Lynn said...

Reading these comments made me have some of the songs start in my head, yikes! A few years ago Quiznos had a horrible ad that had spongemonkies on it singing. A friend of mine found the site where the spongmonkies came from and sent me the link. I made the mistake of checking it out at work. One of my coworkers started looking at the site and would play or sing "We like the Moon" to me almost every day and the stupid thing would stick in my head all shift! I tried listening to the radio and it still wouldn't go away. If you would like to hear the awfulness go to: http://www.rathergood.com/moon_song/

Casee said...

I really hope you're not sorry you asked this after you see what song is ALWAYS stuck in my head. Prince Ali from the movie Aladdin. Thanks to my daughter watching this movie a gajillion times over the last two months, I seem to always have this song stuck in my head.

Prince Ali! Fabulous he!
Ali Ababwa
Genuflect, show some respect
Down on one knee!
Now, try your best to stay calm
Brush up your sunday salaam
The come and meet his spectacular coterie

I think it's sad that I could sing the entire song.

Phyl said...

Every now and then, especially when I'm reading a Harlequin Presents, the word "virgin" will be used in such a way that Madonna's "Like a Virgin" will pop into my head and drive me mad for a few hours. I should just stay away from the HPs, but they're like crack.

I want that Andrea Pickens book!

Anonymous said...

Phyl - lol.

I get songs stuck in my head from watching movies too. My 3 year old nephew loves High School Musical 2, especially the song "Bet on it". He actually does the moves to the song when watching it. Anyway, I can't get the damn song out my head;(

Kel

SandyW said...

I get songs stuck in my head on a regular basis, especially if I’m stressed.

The worst was a contagious earworm, caused by several viewings of the Beatles’ animated film, ‘Yellow Submarine.’ My daughter, daughter-in-law, and I all had ‘Hey, Bulldog’ stuck in our heads for days.

Even now, a year later, one of us can start singing, ‘You can talk to me...’ and the other two will be infected. It’s hilarious.

lysrian said...

I would have to say Boot to the Head by Doctor Demento.
I cannot find it anywhere, so you will be spared...

nah-nah

Andrea said...

The song that's currently playing over and over isn't so bad, it's a Beatles' song, "Maxwell's Silver Hammer". It's catchy but driving me nuts :P

Katiebabs a.k.a KB said...

I totally forgot my ear worm song! For the longest time I couldn't get Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen out of my head. Galileo my ass!

~ames~ said...

Cool contest idea!

I have the theme song from the Girls Next Door (yes, the show about the playboy bunnies) constantly stuck in my head. It's a Rosemary Clooney tune: Come on - a my house

Rosario said...

For the last week I've kefinding myself singing the theme song of a telenovela I used to watch about 10 years ago.

Gaviota, que de a lo lejos, vuela muy alto
Gaviota que emprende vuelo no se detieeeeene

My flatmates must think I'm nuts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMYouDxa8_Q

Jennfactor 10 said...

I drive everyone at work crazy because I sing the chicken dance tune--no words, just the da-na-na-na-na-NAH, da-na-na-na-na-NAH, da-na-na-na-na-NAH, NAH-NAH-NAH-NAH!

I don't even realize I'm doing it under my breath. But I have realized that I do it when I'm doing stupid repetitive tasks...

Jennifer said...

The most annoying song I hear at work, on near-constant rotation, is "I want it that way" by the Backstreet Boys. Now, I will be honest. I liked the song in high school. No longer, however.

Megan Frampton said...

Champagne Supernova by Oasis--it stayed in there all night, while I was sleeping, even.

Don't really like the song, actually, but it is catchy.

My son had the Gwen Stefani song with the Akon "woo-hoo-ooo-hoo" riff stuck in his head, which meant he sang it all day so it stuck in mine.

livlife said...

The Pied Piper by Crispian St. Peters. It all started bc I am a libarian at a private university. I knew our mascot was called a Piper, but I didn't know why. As a librarian I couldn't bear the suspense and I did a little digging. I found that the university mascot is actually called the Pied Pipers in honor of the legend. Unfortunately for me, this prompted the song to ring through my head. "Come babe, follow me, I'm the Pied Piper, follow me, I'm the Pied Piper and I'll show you where its at." And I don't know the rest so it just rattles around in there every day when I am at work and I see the name of the university or the newspaper (The Piper) or really anything. Every. Day. I even looked up the lyrics to try and dispell it from my brain. To no avail. Here is a link to a sample on Yahoo!

http://audio.search.yahoo.com/search/audio?_&ei=UTF-8&fr=sfp&x=wrt&sngid=XXXXXXT001810721&p=Pied+Piper

Sorry the link is so awful. But you are welcome to listen and share in my misery (ear worms unite!)if you'd like.

Kristie (J) said...

Rise Up by the Parachute Club is forever stuck in my head. The DJ plays the beginning notes every morning so I hear it every day. Now when I hear it on the radio after the first few bars, I find my self repeating "It's Steve in the Morning" and I'm a bit startled when the song keeps on playing :)

SheilaL said...

A song that I can't seem to get out of my head is "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina" from the musical Evita. I saw the movie version starring Madonna years ago and the song just stuck with me ever since.