Saturday 9

Saturday 9: The Best (1991)

In memory of Tina Turner, who died on May 24.

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

 
1) In this song, Tina Turner sings that she can think of no better place to be than her lover's arms. Since we're entering summer vacation season, let's switch it to: What's the best place you've ever traveled to? This is hard, because there are so many vacation destinations I'd love to return to! But right now I'll go with Colonial Williamsburg. I love getting my nerd on and learning about America in the 18th century, and then going to the spa and being pampered. I was always such a happy Gal when I was there.

2) Songwriters Holly Knight and Desmond Child originally offered this song to English pop singer Paul Young. He declined it. Can you think of a time when you said "no" when "yes" might have been a better answer? Oh, there was a guy who really liked me. His name was Bill. He was as sweet to me as he could be. I only went out with him twice, choosing instead to wait by the phone for the sexier guy to call me. Unfortunately, he did. I wasted my 20s in a really unhealthy relationship. I am quite confident I would have been better off with Bill. Of course, I really didn't want Bill. No zsa zsa zu. In SATC, Carrie Bradshaw defined the zsa zsa zu as "'the butterflies-in-your-stomach thing that happens when you not only love the person, but you gotta have them. Isn’t that what gets you through the years? Even if it fades, at least you have the memory of the zsa zsa zsu…'” So it probably wouldn't have lasted with Bill anyway.

Doesn't even look like Frank, does it?

3) Tina Turner was born in Nutbush, TN. In 1973 she recorded a song about it called "Nutbush City Limits." Is there a song about your hometown? Why yes there are! Two specific ones come to mind. Both immortalized by my man Francis Albert Sinatra. "My Kind of Town (Chicago Is)" and "Chicago (That Toddlin' Town)." I am amused that the Yankees are giving away Sinatra bobbleheads next weekend. Yeah, yeah, whatever, New York. He sang twice as many songs about us.

4) It was at Nutbush's Spring Hill Baptist Church that very young Tina began singing with the choir. She credited those early performances with giving her confidence in front of a crowd. Are you comfortable with public speaking? Yes. I learned over my career that for the most part, audiences want to like you.

5) When she was a teen, her mom relocated the family to St. Louis. It was here that Tina played on the high school basketball team. Can you make a free throw? Since I've never tried, the answer is no.

 

6) Tina met her second husband, Erwin Bach, at the airport. A record exec, Erwin went to Heathrow to meet her flight and help her prepare for her London appearances. The last time you were at the airport, were you a traveler or were you meeting or dropping someone off? I was coming home from Hollywood and the TCM Classic Film Festival. Ten months until next year's fest.

 

7) In 1991, the year this record was released, Queen lead singer Freddie Mercury died. What's your favorite Queen song? "Crazy Little Thing Called Love," because it's about the zsa zsa zsu.

 

8) Also in 1991, Disney's Beauty and the Beast became the first animated movie to be nominated for a Best Picture Oscar. What's your favorite Disney movie?

Mary Poppins was practically perfect in every way

9) Random question: What's your perfect day, weatherwise? Sunny, dry and 65º.