I'll start out by admitting that I don't like limos; to me they're a symbol of greed, egomania, and hubris. Whenever I see one I get a strong urge to start lighting and tossing Molotov cocktails; they just seem to scream "We need a revolution!" So I didn't approach this theme with a lot of enthusiasm.
However... I thought of a few places I could go in town where I'd at least find vehicles that are used to ferry people and do so in a manner that definitely catches the eye. Not the stretch limos, which we get overrun by in the tourist season. Something unusual. Yeah, that's the ticket!
So... I couldn't find a VW Microbus painted up with murals and peace signs ("The People's Limousine", you know). But the Hotel Viking has an interesting vehicle they ferry people around in, including brides and grooms using the hotel.
However... I thought of a few places I could go in town where I'd at least find vehicles that are used to ferry people and do so in a manner that definitely catches the eye. Not the stretch limos, which we get overrun by in the tourist season. Something unusual. Yeah, that's the ticket!
So... I couldn't find a VW Microbus painted up with murals and peace signs ("The People's Limousine", you know). But the Hotel Viking has an interesting vehicle they ferry people around in, including brides and grooms using the hotel.
Then I thought of the funky old antique car at Mrs. Astor's Beechwood, one of the Bellevue Ave. mansions, privately owned and run as a theater company - when you take the tour, the guides are dressed as and act like the house's servants, and little theatrical vignettes are acted out in various rooms of the mansion, sort of like an in situ "Upstairs, Downstairs". Mostly what they used the car for is ferrying their own actors around town in costume to lure customers. But they hire it out to wedding parties and the like, so I considered it a candidate for today.
Ah, now we come to the good stuff - the music I've collected for this week. I decided to have some fun with it! Let's start off with the Rolling Stones and their paean to the Rock & Roll lifestyle, "Black Limousine", performed live in 1981.
Believe it or not, I used to have a real thing for Eurodisco - Telex, Falco, etc. - so when I ran across this next video I was definitely pleased. This is Hubert Kah, a German singer, with "Limousine".
When I fed "limousine" into YouTube's search engine, this next video was up near the beginning of the list. I couldn't have been more pleased! It's the perfect spoof of the gangsta rap "let's party in the limo" schtick, and it's hilarious. This is Rootbeer's "Pink Limousine" video.
Okay, so this last one has very little to do with limousines, but I couldn't help myself. Since I mentioned Eurodisco and German acts further up, and because this whole theme is about automobiles, I went and tapped my own roots. Kraftwerk was the seminal synthesizer band in the music business; they've been cited as an influence on artists as wide-ranging as David Bowie, Ultravox, and Afrika Bambaataa. Without them there wouldn't have been a Eurodisco. So I figued since we're talking about cars today, no matter how specific, I just had to post a live show video of Kraftwerk doing "Autobahn". Heh, heh!
Photos & text © 2009 by A. Roy Hilbinger
Hey, Roy, limo was a hard theme and yet you managed to come up with some pretty cool stuff. Kraftwerk is so fun!
ReplyDeleteHow fun, starting my day with a little Mick strutting is always good. The first "limo" is so cute. I'm also glad I listened to your last musical selection. It was great. Sue
ReplyDeleteI suspected you'd find a good twist on this subject.
ReplyDeleteRoy, awesome post! Got quite a few German techno bands on another playlist. LOve Kraftwerk but Hubert Kah is new to me. Thanks for the intro and Happy TT :)
ReplyDeleteloved the vids! this theme was a beast and you pulled it off well!
ReplyDeleteI knew you'd have access to some Limo just but virtue of your Zip code. I also knew the theme would turn you on your ear....you did great!!!
ReplyDeleteHaha I went along that tack and looked at all those vids last night before changing my mind! Loved the rap one . . and a London Taxi for a hotel car, great idea . .the're bigger inside than they look!
ReplyDeleteLove those first few pictures....very cool cars!
ReplyDeleteMaybe you'd like Brian's limo...apparently he's getting one with a hot tub inside! :)
LOVE the second pic there! Sweet!
ReplyDeleteLimo was hard work this week.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I really had to grind to get something for this one,lol.
ReplyDeleteI am with you about the limos...and for the life of me I really don't see the thrill.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos and selection of music!
I've not come across anyone who owns up to liking limousines yet on my tour through the TT posts. Your take on it is just right and, as always, the mixture of music and pictures is a pleasure to view.
ReplyDeleteSome cool cars indeed! Especially the first one, but that's mostly because it says "viking" on it :-)
ReplyDeletegreat combos of text and pics and music...can't say I'm surprised to learn we share a similar take on limos.... explains why the slithery slitch was the first thing to pop into my brain and how you were in search of a people's limo...love the viking's car and happy to hear brides and grooms employ it!
ReplyDeleteWell, you cannot please everybody. But still you managed to do that with these Limo videos. I agree that not all Limousine service can give you the satisfaction you can get. Thus, it is very important to be vocal enough of what kind of service you need and make a wise choice of Limousine service.
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking the time to publish this information very useful! Toronto Limo Bus Rental
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