This is a fun little rocker from Harvey Danger, a simple song about–well, you can make your own decisions. I like it because it’s got a nice melody, and it’s fun to listen to.
If I had to interpret it at all, I’d say it was about someone who’s been screwed over for promotion at work. That’s only my interpretation. I can’t say it’s right or wrong.
Someone did a pretty neat Halo 2 inspired fan video for the song
And of course, the lyrics:
You’re doing everything your people said to
I’d hate to be the one to break it to you
It’s only sad cause it’s true
They misled you, when they bred you
Somebody said some things they had no right to
Some of it stuck, and you were known as someone who
Could simply not follow through if they had to
But you have to, don’t you?
You don’t have to be a genius, but it helps to (It helps to)
Fools and charlatans they may get wise
But only cream and bastards rise
Yeah you can see it in their eyes
You follow good advices to the letter
You know your friend, he’s doing so much better than you
Are ever likely to do, he’ll eclipse you
But he will not miss you
You don’t have to be a genius, but it helps to (It helps to)
All the also-rans are real nice guys
But only cream and bastards rise
People who could buy and sell you
Sharing a joke that they will never tell you
You think you’re dialed in, someone has to win
And you know what that means, well then someone’s got to lose
It’s probably you, it’s probably you.
It’s not a race, it’s not a competition
And if it were, you’d be in no position to
Get them to listen to you
If you had to (Not even if your life depended on it)
You don’t have to be a genius, but it helps to (It helps to)
Some are aliens, the rest are spies
But only cream and bastards rise
Yeah you can see it in their eyes
Ah hahahahaha!
Ah hahahahahaha!
Ah hahahahahaha
Ah hahaha!
Adrian Belew is probably best known for his unique guitar style, shrieking and wailing away like a herd of elephants. He’s notably played with Talking Heads, Nine Inch Nails, and spent some time as lead singer for King Crimson. This particular tune is just a good old fashioned balls to the wall rocker, reminiscent of earlier Bowie songs like Jean Genie, Suffragette City or Panic In Detroit. Anyway, it’s just a great song; sit back and enjoy it.
And of course, the lyrics:
Yeah, she’s just been to Russia and they’re dyeing their faces
They’re dying over there
A pretty pink rose
[That rock ‘n’ roll lady takes a space-ship ride
She’s out of this world
A pretty pink rose]
And we’re living for you, my love
We’re living for you
And we’re dying for you, my love
Pretty pink rose
She tore down Paris on the tail of Thom Paine
But the left wing’s broken, the right’s insane
A pretty pink rose
[Ah, have a nice day, it’s a killer, turn a cheek
It’s a Christian code
A pretty pink rose]
And we’re living for you, my love
Yes we’re living for you
And we’re dying for you, my love
Pretty pink rose
Ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh
She’s the poor man’s gold, she’s the anarchist crucible
Flying in the face of the despot cannibal
Pretty pink rose
Never let it rain, never rain
On the heart of the pretty pink rose
Pretty pink rose
And we’re living for you, my love
We’re living for you
And we’re dying for you, my love
Pretty pink rose
Ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh
Get me through the pain, through the pain
Of the thorn of the pretty pink rose
Never let it rain, never rain, never rain
On the pretty pink rose
[Take me to the heart, to the heart, to the heart
Of the pretty pink rose]
Never let it rain, never rain, never rain
[Take me to the heart, to the heart, to the heart]
Never never let it rain, never rain
[Take me to the heart, to the heart, to the heart
Of the pretty pink rose]
Never let it rain on the heart of the
[Take me to the heart, to the heart, to the heart]
Never let, never let it rain, never rain on the heart
[Take me to the heart, to the heart, to the heart
Of the pretty pink rose]
[Take me to the heart, to the heart, to the heart]
Never let it rain, never let it rain, never rain
[Take me to the heart, to the heart, to the heart]
This is one of my favorite Beatles songs. It’s a quiet, understated song written by George Harrison for the White Album. I love the quiet feel of the song, the drums are excellent, just cool all the way around.
Here’s a little more information from Wikipedia:
Critic Richie Unterberger writes that “Long, Long, Long” is one of the most underrated songs in the Beatles’ large discography. It is a relatively quiet, calm song, especially when compared to the raucous heavy metal of “Helter Skelter” which immediately precedes it on The Beatles.“Long Long Long” is a love song, though as Nicholas Schaffner notes, it is “the first of dozens of Harrison love songs that are ambiguous in that he could be singing either to his lady or to his Lord.”
According to Harrison’s autobiography, I Me Mine, the rattling heard at the end of the song was the result of a bottle of Blue Nun wine sitting on the Leslie speaker. When Paul McCartney, who was playing Hammond organ on the track, hit a certain note, the bottle began to rattle.
And of course, the lyrics:
It’s been a long long long time,
How could I ever have lost you
When I loved you.
It took a long long long time
Now I’m so happy I found you
How I love you
So many tears I was searching,
So many tears I was wasting, oh. Oh–
Now I can see you, be you
How can I ever misplace you
How I want you
Oh I love you
You know that I need you.
Ooh I love you.
This song isn’t likely to be for everyone, but I quite like it.
Fun Boy Three was an offshoot of the Specials, and their sound was a little different as well. Heavily reliant on African drum rhythms, and flavored with tinges of ska and jazz, it was a pretty unique sound for the time. This particular track has some interesting piano and horn sounds, which mixed with it’s fairly monotone sound creates a fairly dark mood. Like I said, I like it.
I had a very difficult time finding the lyrics to this song, and the ones I did find weren’t particularly accurate. I did my best to transcribe them, but I know I’m not 100% accurate either. Still, better than nothing, right?
It must be wonderful to live like you do
To have respect from everyone that you know
To have surprises waiting outside your door
When you come home to answer your telephone
He who knocks his key like this
The “no disturb” sign’s on the door
And he who call this, he got dropped
The invitation’s on the floor
Sitting down and switching on
The wooden box, the door is locked
Switching off the world outside
The party’s over for the night
It must be wonderful to live like you do
To have respect from everyone that you know
To have surprises waiting outside your door
When you come home to answer your telephone
The telephone starts to ring, it rings
The five piece doorbell starts to chime
The liquid box bursts into song
It’s out of tune, the time is wrong
It must be wonderful to live like you do
To have respect from everyone that you know
To have surprises waiting outside your door
When you come home to answer your telephone
It must be wonderful to live like you do
To have respect from everyone that you know
To have surprises waiting outside your door
When you come home to answer your telephone
Lying down and soaking in
The bubble bath, the door is locked
Switching off the world outside
The party’s over for the night
It must be wonderful to live like you do
To have respect from everyone that you know
To have surprises waiting outside your door
When you come home to answer your telephone
It must be wonderful to live like you do
To have respect from everyone that you know
To have surprises waiting outside your door
When you come home to answer your telephone
It must be wonderful to live like you do
To have respect from everyone that you know
To have surprises waiting outside your door…
This is just a cool song. I love the bass line, and the slashing guitars make a nice contrast. Good vocals as well.
I found the following information on Wikipedia:
The song, written by guitar/vocalist Jerry Cantrell, concerns the late lead singer of Mother Love Bone, Andrew Wood, who died of a heroin overdose in 1990. It is one of the band’s best-known songs.
This first appeared on the soundtrack to the 1992 movie Singles, in which the members of Alice in Chains make a cameo appearance.
Jerry Cantrell on the song, from the liner notes of 1999’s Music Bank box set collection:
“I was thinking a lot about Andrew Wood (Mother Love Bone frontman) at the time. We always had a great time when we did hang out, much like Chris Cornell and I do. There was never really a serious moment or conversation, it was all fun. Andy was a hilarious guy, full of life and it was really sad to lose him. But I always hate people who judge the decisions others make. So it was also directed towards people who pass judgments.”
And of course, the lyrics:
Know me broken by my master
Teach thee on child of love hereafter
Into the flood again
Same old trip it was back then
So I made a big mistake
Try to see it once my way
Drifting body it’s sole desertion
Flying not yet quite the notion
Am I wrong?
Have I run to far to get home
Have I gone?
And left you here alone
If I would, could you?
This is a neat little song by Elvis that was later included in the Taking Liberties. Another version appears on Get Happy. I like the one on Get Happy, but this one is my preference. I think the song works better in a stripped-down, country tinged version. I also think the lyrics work better at the slower pace.
For this particular recording, Elvis chose to play all of the instruments himself–at the time, according to him(info courtesy of Elviscostello.info):
I had this idea of recording songs that didn’t have a beat in them at all, that were just a conglomeration of instruments that weren’t played with the usual techniques. That’s why I played all the instruments myself, basically. They weren’t songs you could really play with a group. They were just like pictures, doodles.
He says he was inspired to write the song by watching old movies, in particular Ball of Fire with Barbara Stanwyck. It’s certainly got the nostalgic tone down; one gets the feeling of a fan who’s had a crush on a particular actress for years only to find that she’s no longer the pristine beauty she once was.
I was surprised to find a fan video on YouTube, but here you go
And of course, the lyrics:
I was looking at the black and white world
It seemed so exciting
If you’d only put me back to back with that girl
When the night’s inviting
With just a little lighting
There’ll never be days like that again
When I was just a boy and men were men
You never go from moment to moment
You’re the living double of a single fiction
You’re very colourful with your compliments
As you feel the finger’s friction
It’s a freeze-frame
Still it’s real life
You don’t want to look
Cause you’ve seen the film and you’ve read the book
I was looking at the black and white world
Trying to name some pin-up
Those days she was just a beautiful girl
Now she’s framed and hung up
I thought she was young
Up until I saw her last night in close detail
Though they all fade away when you’re so pale
It’s more than just a physical attraction
It starts with a face and ends up a fixation
But you’re never gonna feel a fraction
Of the way it used to work on your imagination
When you were looking at the black and white world…
Before he was “composer” Danny Elfman, he was Danny Elfman, lead singer and songwriter for the band Oingo Boingo. This particular song is a jumpy little tune with a nice ska beat off of his solo album, So-Lo (definitely worth tracking down). The entirety of the song is upbeat, despite some lyrics that are almost depressing.
There’s a fan video on Youtube that’s available
And of course, the lyrics:
I don’t know why I feel this way
I don’t know if it’s right or wrong to laugh at misfortune
Darkness can never last too long
Every time I think I’m falling
And there’s nobody around to hold me up
And it seems like the world has come to an end
I look for miles but not a face is friendly
Then suddenly a hole opens up in the ground
The bottom of the hole is a raging fire
I try to jump over but there’s no way
The next thing I know, I’m going down
(Chorus)
Does it hurt?
Oh, it really doesn’t matter
Does it burn?
Oh, I don’t feel a thing
Does it sting?
Oh, yeah, it really doesn’t matter
Does it hurt?
Oh, I don’t give a damn
When I find myself falling and I hit the bottom
It only makes me laugh
It only makes me laugh
When I go down the hole and I hit the bottom
The last time that I fell in love
The love was milk and honey but the milk turned sour
The woman became a monster
And everyone I knew had become a stranger
And the room went black and my luck was spent
The floor opened up, down I went
(Repeat Chorus)
It only makes me laugh
It only makes me laugh
It only makes me laugh
Coming right back
Coming right back
‘Cause you can’t keep me down
Can’t keep me down
Oh, in the ground
Does it hurt?
Oh, it really doesn’t matter
Does it burn?
Oh, I don’t feel a thing
I don’t mind just a little pain
Ooh, oh yeah
Whoa…
Remembering when I was a young man
How everything seemed to turn against me
I didn’t know a soul, it was an alien place
The sun was covered by a dark cloud
And though I tried, I couldn’t find a way to escape
The only way to go was straight down
(Repeat Chorus)
It only makes me laugh
It only makes me laugh
It only makes me laugh
It only makes me laugh
I don’t know why I feel this way
I don’t know if it’s right or wrong to laugh at misfortune
Darkness can never last too long…
When you laugh in its face
When you laugh in its face
I don’t know why I feel this way…
Chances are that you’ve heard this one before, but if not, get ready for a treat.
Like many people, I first stumbled upon this gem of a song a couple of years ago. Someone linked to the video, and word of mouth spread. They had a hit on their hands.
I love this song because it’s not only funny, but it also has a good beat and you can dance to it (well, I dance to it).
There’s a nice page on Wikipedia outlining many of the references in the song, and the fates of the participants.
And of course, the lyrics:
Old Godzilla was hopping around
Tokyo City like a big playground
when suddenly Batman burst from the shade
and hit Godzilla with a Batgrenade
Godzilla got pissed and began to attack
but didn’t expect to be blocked by Shaq
who proceeded to open up a can of Shaq Fu
when Aaron Carter came out of the blue
and he started beating up Shaquille O’Neal
then they both got flattened by the Batmobile
but before it could make it back to the Batcave
Abraham Lincoln popped out of his grave
and took an AK47 out from under his hat
and blew Batman away with a rat-a-tat-tat
but he ran out of bullets and he ran away
because Optimus Prime came to save the day
this is the Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny
good guys, bad guys, and explosions as far as the eye can see
and only one will survive, I wonder who it will be
this is the Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny
Godzilla took a bite out of Optimus Prime
like Scruff McGruff took a bite out of crime
and then Shaq came back covered in a tire track
but Jackie Chan jumped out and landed on his back
and Batman was injured, and trying to get steady
when Abraham Lincoln came back with a machete
but suddenly something caught his leg and he tripped
Indiana Jones took him out with his whip
then he saw Godzilla sneaking up from behind
and he reached for his gun which he just couldn’t find
’cause Batman stole it and he shot and he missed
and Jackie Chan deflected it with his fist
then he jumped in the air and did a summersault
while Abraham Lincoln tried to pole vault
onto Optimus Prime, but they collided in the air
then they both got hit by a Care Bear Stare, oooh
this is the Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny
good guys, bad guys, and explosions as far as the eye can see
and only one will survive, I wonder who it will be
this is the Ultimate Showdown…
angels sang out in immaculate chorus
down from the heavens descended Chuck Norris
who deliver a kick which could shatter bones
into the crotch of Indiana Jones
who fell over on the ground, writhing in pain
as Batman changed back into Bruce Wayne
but Chuck saw through his clever disguise
and he crushed Batman’s head in between his thighs
then Gandalf the Grey and Gandalf the White and
“Monty Python and the Holy Grail”’s Black Knight and
Benito Mussolini and The Blue Meanie and
Cowboy Curtis and Jambi the Genie
Robocop, the Terminator, Captain Kirk, and Darth Vader
Lo Pan, Superman, every single Power Ranger
Bill S. Preston and Theodore Logan,
Spock, The Rock, Doc Ock, and Hulk Hogan
all came out of no where lightning fast
and they kicked Chuck Norris in his cowboy ass
it was the bloodiest battle the world ever saw
with civilians looking on total awe
and the fight raged on for a century
many lives were claimed, but eventually
the champion stood, the rest saw their better:
Mr. Rogers in a bloodstained sweater
this is the Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny
good guys, bad guys, and explosions as far as the eye can see
and only one will survive, I wonder who it will be
this is the Ultimate Showdown…
this is the Ultimate Showdown…
this is the Ultimate Showdown…
of Ultimate Destiny
Delia’s Gone was one of the first singles from Cash’s brilliant “comeback” (no, he hadn’t gone anywhere) album, American Recordings. It was not unusual for Cash to perform a song about killing someone and regretting it later, but what really makes this one stand out is that he delivers the dark lyrics with a certain sly humor that really takes the edge off. One might even forgive the protagonist by the end of the song, as the titular lass is not presented in a sympathetic light. This particular song was written by Karl Silbersdorf and Dick Toops.
And of course the lyrics:
Delia, oh, Delia Delia all my life
If I hadn’t have shot poor
Delia I’d have had her for my wife
Delia’s gone, one more round Delia’s gone
I went up to Memphis
And I met Delia there Found her in her parlor
And I tied to her chair
Delia’s gone, one more round Delia’s gone
She was low down and traveling
And she was cold and mean
Kind of evil make me want to Grab my sub machine
Delia’s gone, one more round Delia’s gone
First time I shot her I shot her in the side
Hard to watch her suffer
But with the second shot she died
Delia’s gone, one more round Delia’s gone
But jailer, oh, jailer Jailer,
I can’t sleep ‘Cause all around my bedside
I hear the patter of Delia’s feet
Delia’s gone, one more round Delia’s gone
So if you woman’s devilish
You can let her run
Or you can bring her down and do her
Like Delia got done
Delia’s gone, one more round Delia’s gone
Kevin Godley and Lol Creme are best known for one of three things:
- Being two of the founding members of 10cc
- Having directed many innovative music videos in the 1980’s
- They’re own song, Cry, which was likely their biggest hit as a duo
However, today I’d like to focus on a track from one of their lesser known solo albums Snack Attack(also known as Ismism across the Atlantic.
“The Party” is an odd infusion of rap, funk and comedy as the listener is thrown into a typical show business party, most likely from the perspective of the artists themselves. There are references to artistic pretentiousness, a bit of (likely) unwanted advice given freely from an associate, a little too much information given about the sexual habits of a particular couples’ babysitter, and just general mayhem. The song is wickedly fun, and has lots of great moments both musically and lyrically.
And of course, the lyrics:
Ding dong, ding dong
Hi! Hey! Sorry we’re late
You’re not the first
Oh Great!
Hey listen I’m sorry but we can’t stay late
so we parked in the middle at the top by the gate
on the grass with the crass Volkswagen estate
Whose is it? Mine! You’re kidding, it’s great! (Jesus)
I just love the way he’s used the car like an empty canvas
and let the rust eat itself into the overall design
with such devastating spontaneity
David you’re ignoring me, come here
Who do you have to fuck to get a drink ’round here?
It’s art David, neo-functional mannerism
cerebral but oblique
it’s one star four owner shagged out chic
one star four owner shagged out chic
one star four owner shagged out chic
one star four owner shagged out chic
one star four owner shagged out chic
one star four owner shagged out chic
You’re a cocksucker Michael
you are what you eat David!
Ding dong, ding dong, ding dong, ding dong, ding dong
Darling, darling, Hi darling
Hello darling John! Ben! John! Sandy! John! Somerset! John!
Weekend! John! Wendy! John! Kevin! Got any?
No but I’ve got champagne!
Hi, hi, hi there.
Damn it I know you’re in a bit of a spot
and you’re used to the Merc and the Moet and the yacht
and it must be a blow to the ego, what!
But forget about this video rot
and write yourselves a hit or three
like “I’m Not in Paris” or “The Dean and Me”
I mean really I don’t like your stuff very much
it’s too avant garde and aggressive and butch
I prefer a gentle and melodic touch
but the kids today have got their ears in their crutch
If it’s not robots singing in Dutch
it’s Adam and the Ants and Starsky and Hutch
By the way here’s your present, Thanks very much
Now who’s here?
The Prews, the Magoos, the Targetts and the Benmen
Johnny Peruvian, Marathon Man,
Blonde and the dangerous cameraman
Hello. The Prews, the Magoos, the Targetts, and the Benmen
Brando, Banacek, Pusher, Taker,
Student Prince and cocktail shaker
Hello. The Prews, the Magoos, the Targetts, and the Benmen
Tim Clinch Vicar’s son, Prince Buster meets Tweedledum…
Hello. The Prews, the Magoos, the Targetts, and the Benmen
Well Jesus Christ is that the time
I could have sworn it was only twenty to nine
Hello Susan darling you look divine
Anyway we’d better be off before we get blocked in
so give our regards to the Paul and the Lynnes
and the swankys and the chatters and the Tequila twins
sorry Attilla’s brides
Anyway must go, must fly, don’t drink yourselves to death
but the baby is allergic to the babysitter’s breath
and she’ll have her boyfriend in a vice-like grip
on the backgammon table sucking guacamole dip
through the holes in his stockings, isn’t it shocking!
Champagne.
I hope the whole world comes to my birthday party
I hope the whole world comes to my birthday party
I hope the whole world comes to my birthday party
I hope the whole world comes to my birthday party
I hope the whole world comes to my birthday party
I hope the whole world comes to my birthday party
I hope the whole world comes to my birthday party
I hope the whole world comes to my birthday party
Oh boy my skin feels about an inch thick, how about you Ben?
I’m fine, another line?
Why is everybody talking in speech balloons
and disappearing in Tequila fumes
Another line? Fine.
I love you Ben, let me count the ways
whoops here comes the Spaghetti Bolognaise
So I’m stuck in the toilet with Rick
and I’m gonna be, I’m gonna be, I’m gonna be, I’m gonna be
I think I’m gonna be, it’s gonna be, I’m gonna be,
it’s gonna be, gonna be, gonna be, it’s gonna be
so long Rick
It’s gonna be me and the bowl,
me and the bowl
me and the never ending bowl
me and the bowl
me and the bowl
me and the never ending bowl
me and the bowl
me and the bowl
me and the never ending bowl
I hope the whole world comes to my birthday party
I hope the whole world comes to my birthday party
I hope the whole world comes to my birthday party
I hope the whole world comes to my birthday party
I hope the whole world comes to my birthday party
I hope the whole world comes to my birthday party
I hope the whole world comes to my birthday party
I hope the whole world comes to my birthday party