I'm Back!!!

Let’s try this again. 

Hey Folks, God damn, it has been a while.  Don’t worry. I haven’t forgot about you. I’ve just been so monumentally busy. But I tell you 1 thing and that’s for sure – I have not stopped listening to music. I have not stopped wanting to tell you fuckers about all this cool shit that has been going on. 

So today – I am just going to throw a whole hodge-podge of shit at you and let you figure this shit out.  I mean it has been a long time since I have done one of these. I have always had the goal to just show you things, songs, whatever.  You know, just stuff that I have heard recently, or thought of.  I mean I can only play so many songs in the garage, or in the car, after a while, it just stays in my head until I explode.

Hell, I am not really sure of how to do this anymore.  So, if the shit doesn’t seem right – It probably isn’t.  Send me a message on the facebook page – here - and let me know. 

Where do I begin? 

How about a concert.

Hobo Johnson and Jeffrey Lewis

I have this new thing going now, where I am able to take my oldest son to concerts with me and while we have only gone to two so far, I thought I would talk about the 2^nd one, which was a small but packed show in Milwaukee’s Rave.  I was arguably the oldest person there, aside from maybe some concerned parents in the back. But shit, even as the creepy old guy, I still had a blast.

So, let’s dive into Jeffrey Lewis – Jeffrey Lewis is one of the late 90s torch bearers of the “antifolk” scene.  Describing that scene however is difficult, as each artist has sort of morphed their own way of doing things.  Jeffrey Lewis doesn’t come right out and talk politics, unless you are viewing one of his short-illustrated stories.   To me, there is always a weird swerve or a different moral than what you were thinking. 

Consider my favorite Lewis song below.  The Chelsea Hotel Oral Sex Song

If you stuck around for the whole song – first, thank you, secondly – How about the moral at the end.  I have loved that hopeful ending.  It’s just a great way to end a song.  I mean- maybe it’s just relevant for all of us hopeless romantics out there.  I always thought that I personally had these weird ideas for feelings for people who I’ve seen in passing – but shit, I would never have the courage to write a song about it. I guess someday I should.

Anyways – here is another one of my favorite of Lewis’s songs.   It has another swerve ending.  Which again, is what makes his folk songs “anti” to some.  I don’t know.  Maybe I just don’t get the concept.  I should ask my mom more about Folk (I mean, if I want to learn what anti folk is, I should learn what folk meant to someone in her age bracket {old})

So Anyways – Don’t be Upset

One last one – Broken Broken Heart

This one was played at the concert – with the newer band of Jeffrey Lewis and Los Bolts-  but this was recorded with The Junkyard.  Anyways, I still have the video of this song live from Milwaukee on my phone, I wonder if the teenage girl who filmed my excitement for this song on her phone.  Hell, maybe I am a viral star now, or maybe she wrote a song about it. 

I lied – I am sorry. This is really the last one – another Jeffrey Lewis and the Junkyard song 

Good Old Pig, Gone to Avalon

Now onward to Hobo Johnson and the Lovemakers

I had only heard Peach Scone before I decided to go to the concert – Truth is, I really only went to see Lewis who opened for Hobo Johnson.  But here is the cool part – Hobo Johnson blends rap and emo into a way that makes perfect sense to my mind.   Which also- my son could dig too. He likes rap, when he isn’t listening to Weird Al.

So here is Peach Scone

Demarcus Cousins and Ashley

I will admit, I don’t watch much basketball, so initially I didn’t know who this song was about.  Plus, who is Ashley?  Anyways – I still like the song. 

Like I said, it’s a blend of Emo and rap, the music contains elements of both.  So – yeah.  It’s definitely worth getting behind.  I promise.  One last song.

Father

Moving along.   Here is another song that I recently love.  This one feels biographical to my life.  True story – first time I heard this song, I had to stop walking and just sit and listen.  So, if you don’t know me well, or whatever.  Anyways – This is a band called Boris Smile.  They broke up in 2011 – so there’s not much to say.  I mean, there is, but do you really want to read more? Look it up for yourself.

True Colors

Have you ever thought about what songs you want played at your funeral?  No just me the fucking freak I am!

Anyways -My list has been Hallelujah – some version   and Always Look on the Bright Side of Life.  Well, in 2018 John Prine added another song to that list. 

When I get to Heaven

Speaking of John Prine and Heaven, have you heard this song?

Your Flag Decal won’t get you into Heaven Anymore

For the record – I must confess that I am a little too giddy to talk John Prine right now as I prepare to see him in 20 days.    I keep overthinking what a perfect setlist will be.  Certainly, it won’t include all my favorites.  But I can hope for a few of them.  Here’s one I hope he plays.  Hell, I will give it a standing ovation if he does.

The Other Side of Town

One last Prine song

In Spite of Ourselves

So, remember how I told you I was going to see John Prine? I forgot to say that Todd Snider was opening for him. 

I know – you have no idea who that is.  That’s fine, I didn’t at first.  But now I love him. In fact, just like Jeffrey Lewis before Hobo Johnson, I may be looking more forward to seeing Todd Snider than I am John Prine. 

Who is Prine you say?  Well he is certainly not the embodiment of this title, but rather somewhat the opposition. 

Conservative Christian, Right Wing, Republican, Straight, White, American Male

Todd put out a new album recently – Cash Cabin Sessions, Vol. 3 available now through Aimless Records/Thirty Tigers here: https://toddsnider.net/cashcabin

On that album, you will find this little ditty below.

Talking Reality Television Blues

What can I tell you about Todd?  Not only is he a great songwriter, he is an incredible storyteller as well.  Some of his stories can go on for “18 minutes” as he says himself. 

Well this one is this –

The Ballad of the Devil’s Backbone Tavern

Lastly here’s Can’t Complain

I told you I was going to be all over the place and just pushing out videos, right?  Songs, whatever – Just shit that you might want to hear.   Shit that I can’t get out of my head.  This is my musical psychiatric couch, I guess.  I’m just lying down baring my musical soul.

Here. 

This might bring back some memories for anyone that knew me in like 96-99

Ok, Let’s talk about my new crazy love for Jimmy Buffett

My dad liked Jimmy Buffett, or at least he did when he was in a party mood.  Think like – racing days, or fun drinking days.  I don’t know.  Anyways.  I got back into it when I heard this.  Don’t watch the whole thing, but at least watch the first song. 

A Pirate Looks at Forty

This is slowly becoming my favorite Jimmy Buffet song, and I mean really, it’s relatable somewhat to the times still.  But also, as I approach 40, it’s a good reminder to look at your own body of work and see how you feel about it. 

That’s sappy – Try this for fun!

Why Don’t we Get Drunk…

So – here is a fan shot video of a moment I wish I could have been a part of.  This sort of became another Chicago tradition, as Jimmy and Patrick Kane would get together quite often.  Man, we need to get the cup back.

One last Jimmy Buffett song.

Son of a Son of a Sailor

Where do we go from here?  Have I shown you enough?  Man, Now I remember why I began to despise this blog.  I have to come up with words.  Someone should teach me how to make a fucking pirate TV station that I can use to just show cool old videos. 

Like this one

Jesus is my Friend

I love the guitar player’s enthusiasm- also, this is a very rare record to find.  It’s not valuable, just there’s not a lot of them out there.

Hey – Here is something that I haven’t watched in like 15 years, if not more.  This was one of the first songs I put on a CD R

Tiny Dancer

Ok – One last video and that is it for the day.  I am not sure if I have ever shown this one.  So here is the story.  Weezer had many fans, but Mykel and Carli Allan held fan club memberships 0001 and 0002.  They helped establish the fan club, they were just incredible.  Mykel is the female voice that you here on Undone – The Sweater Song. 

So, the Allan sisters were out following the weezer tour in 1997, with a younger sister Trysta when they were involved in a car crash, killing all 3.    This song was written much earlier as a tribute to their fandom and assistance.  Rivers would just call them and ask random questions until he had a song. 

Some say that the death of Mykel and Carli attributed to the hiatus, and it’s understandable.  It also makes sense that Rivers strays away from personal songs since Pinkerton.  This song changes meaning if you don’t realize that it was written pre 97.  Think of the bus as an Angel if you will.

Anyways – Here’s the video.

Mykel &Carli

That’s it for now – Thanks for reading, watching blah blah blah

As the Allan’s father stated – Please take care of one another.

Ranking every track 1 on every full length Weezer album.

Ranking every track 1 on every full length Weezer album.

So here we go.  If you aren’t down with the weez, then this might not be a fun post for you. 

But then again, maybe you haven’t given them enough of a chance and should check this list out.

So as the title would suggest I am going to give you a 12 through 1 ranking of the 12 full length weezer albums.  12 includes the upcoming Pacific Daydream, due out October 27^th.

I am also including 2010’s Death to False Metal.  Which, in case you are wondering was sold as a Weezer album to fulfill their contract with Geffen, but it was really a compilation album, patched up by Rivers with little input from the rest of the band.

 But more on that later.

Let’s get Going.

12. Don’t Let Go from 2001’s Green Album

So, initially there is an excitement when a band comes back after a 5 year hiatus. But once you get past this song, you realize there are better songs later.

The whole green album was filled with weird cryptic lyrics with no personality.  This started that mold. And as a comeback song, you can see why it was never a single.  

The album should have opened with Hashpipe.  This was just cookie cutter, there were a few old school sounding riffs. But the solo was just a copy of the vocal track. 

 Rivers would later improvise better solos.

 But it was such a dismal way to start an album.

Here is a redone version from 2005. You can look for the original on your own. 

So, the guy in the back is Bobby Schneck, a guitar tech for the band who played during some songs on the Make Believe tour.  Also, some people have dubbed this version the “New Wave” version of the song due to Brian’s synthesizer duties.  The solo section on this version is much different as well.  

11. Turning Up The Radio from 2010’s Death to False Metal

So this was a song that came out of a whole conglomerate of Rivers Cuomo and anyone following him on YouTube. 

I participated, it was weird, but it showed the whole world a facet of his writing process.

The project was called, Let’s Write a Sawng

Go ahead, click it.

Right up there where it says Let’s Write a Sawng

So, yeah, this is a decent song, but this was a completely solo project.  Cuomo offered the song for the band; they didn’t want it so it ended up on this album. 

Here ya Go.

10. Beverly Hills from 2005’s Make Believe

Here We go,  

I have held a grudge against this song since 2005, and it’s time to end that beef.

If this is what brought you into the weezer world, cool.

If you haven’t checked out any of the older stuff, or anything since, you are really missing out.

The summer of 2005 and the Make Believe tour was overrun with 13 year olds, who only knew 1 song, and they would rush the stage as soon as this song came on.  I try hard not to be a snob, or a hipster, but sadly when it comes to weezer, I kind of am. Sorry

So this was the band’s biggest single of all time, and the number 2 most downloaded song of 2005. If you are under the age of 30, I have probably offended you already

Anyways.  The song was just too poppy for me. And as good as Stephanie Eitel’s gimme gimmes are, I like it better when the band does it.

Also, there is a better live version of this.  You don’t need the original, everybody fucking owns it.

Yeah, how about that solo huh?  Also, did you hear rivers accent. When he plays live sometimes his r’s and L’s become w’s.  I don’t know if that is on purpose, or is that a Connecticut thing that he masks when he records.  Anyways.  Good, it’s done.

9. California Kids from 2016’s White Album

Look, this song is good. It gets a lower rating though, in particular because as far as lead songs go, it’s just not the best. Plus we just came from Everything Will Be Alright In The End, and for me that was a phenomenal album.

Now granted this wasn’t the lead single.  In fact it was the 5^th single.  But still the first song.

Look it’s just kind of boring and based on just weird meet ups that Rivers had through tinder.

However, the one positive I would say is that it did set the tone for the album.  Which is cool.

To my knowledge this was the only song that had been written before recording the white album. 

Well.  Here it is.  By the way the video pays homage to the other videos from the album.  Make sure you check those out too.

8. Memories from 2010’s Hurley

Ahh, that’s right, Weezer was on Epitaph for 1 album.  So they got a bit harder.  Maybe you like it.  It didn’t feel real to me.  But hey

So the song itself is definitely a cool look back at the history of weezer, however, for as much as they say they want to go “back there”  it took them 4 years to actually go back there.

The song is decent.  Rivers screaming is a bit awkward. 

A killer solo would have been nice.  But hey what can you do

I think I like this song more because of the video.

Decide for yourself.

7. (If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To from 2009’s Raditude

I don’t know

A lot of people didn’t like this song, and in general Raditude is highly regarded as weezer’s worst album.

I actually liked the album.  

Ok except Love is the Answer, but-

Nobody liked that song.

Look if anything, this song should be noted for the background “yep shouted after the line - The rest of the summer was the best we ever had- unofficially I think of it as a nod to that song Shine by Collective soul. But hey maybe I am wrong

The song itself is not half bad; it definitely has its own sound. But that was true of the whole album.  It’s pretty straight forward. About a guy wanting a girl to make the first move

It was also the lead single off the album, but everyone was waiting for Can’t Stop Partying.

6. Mexican Fender from 2017’s Pacific Daydream

Look, you probably haven’t heard this yet.

The weez has been getting us ready for this album for a while.

You owe it to yourself to get hip to this. 

Out of the first 3 songs released from the album, this is my favorite.  There are a lot of modern sounds to it, but it has a very pinkertonesque breakdown.  But no solo.

I think this might grow on me, and hopefully you. 

Check out the video, and yes this is the real video

Finally, the top 5

5. Troublemaker from 2008’s Red Album

This is top 5 because it is a great song. 

The red album was sort of all over the place, but this was a hip song to start it all off. 

Good hook, good breakdown.  I mean, It’s missing a solo, but there weren’t many on the red album. 

But this song has the ability to get you going.

Oh plus my son loved this song.

Check out the very different video

4. American Gigolo from 2002’s Maladroit

Maladroit as an album is always overlooked. But I mean they had cool videos for other songs, this one just got missed.

It is a pretty hard rocking number. And a great opening number. Keep in mind that this came out almost a year after the green album.  So there was a tradeoff, where the green album seemed rushed, Maladroit was almost over produced.

The song features a lot of distortion and a whiny guitar sort of shredding in the background, and just a great crunchy snacky cake of a solo.

I have always liked Maladroit. And I love using this song as an entry way, to show people that weezer is more than just the pop you see them putting out.

Dig it.

3. Tired of Sex from 1996’s Pinkerton

Gasp

“This is not number 1?”

So this song has lived in obscurity for most casual fans.

I mean when you think about Pinkerton, most of it has wasted away.

But when I say solo, these are the kind of solos I am looking for.  Rivers just shredding his heart out.  He hated the album, but fans loved it.

So anyways, it is only number 3 because; there are 2 songs that mean more to me… kinda…

It’s just

Ok here it is, it’s top 25 and with 12 albums to choose from. Top 25 is saying a lot.

Here’s a live version from 2001

Here’s the original from the album

Both worth your time.

2.  My Name is Jonas from 1994’s Blue Album

If you are doing the math, right now you are probably very confused.

Pinkerton at 3, blue at 2?

And, hey think about this, my son’s middle name is Jonas.

The song rocks and I mean loudly. 

Then all of a sudden, a harmonica.  How often do you hear a harmonica if you aren’t a huge blues fan?

I mean it has a cool break/solo and really just chomps down on you. 

This was always a good first set closer.

Just listen

So if you haven’t figured it out yet… it’s time for number 1

It’s a bit of a shocker…

1.  Ain’t Got Nobody from 2014’s Everything Will Be Alright in the End

The song has everything that I have been saying the others haven’t.

Kick ass intro, hand claps, solos, breaks, shreds, crunchies,  it is all there. 

The lyrics might not make much sense. But ehh what does Ape the Goomba mean?

So here is what it is.  For years, the weezer fanbase has begged for Pinkerton 2.0, in my opinion, this album was it. 

As soon as I heard this song, I was so excited; weezer was back, and not just back, but true to form.

This one does it for me.

Guilty pleasure? Maybe, but after you hear it, it’s going to be yours too.

That is it for now, I will amend this if a new album comes out.  Until then, check out all of the other ones, and get ready for Pacific Daydream.

One Love

=w=

The Art of the Mix Tape

If you care enough about music, eventually you will make a mix tape or a compilation cd or something. 

Something that you present to someone, or maybe you keep it for yourself. Think of the options

Break up songs

I love you songs

Songs to fuck to

Songs to listen to while you work out

The list could go on and on… 

Maybe you have scoured the internet for guides, or have watched videos. Maybe you looked for themes; maybe you have a million ideas.

Wanna know what I think?  There are no fucking rules!!!

Sure some of the guides make sense, but at the same time, no one has ever made the album you are making. You aren’t remastering Rubber Soul.  This is a new thing

Sure maybe someone else made a cd for Pamela Johnson, but that dude didn’t have your style.  He opened with something from the Lion King; you can open with Frank Zappa

So, I decided to make a mix tape, and just tell you about it.   I will tell you as we go along, maybe the theme will come to you…

If there even is a theme. 

There doesn’t always have to be a theme

In fact, the mix that I am going to give you, has an almost anti theme, that I will explain at the end….

Maybe…

      1.     Feels Like Summer – Weezer

So I am just starting out with a song that I am anticipating.  Weezer has an album coming out at some point, tentatively titled “The Black Album” which means it will just be another self-titled album.

 I love it. It is supposed to be darker, edgier and sadder.

 Pinkerton 2.0? 

Let’s not get our hopes up.  But still

I think it’s a great way to start off

       2.     The Beatles - Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!/I Want You (She's So Heavy)/Helter Skelter

I have been fixated on The Beatles Love experience from Cirque du Soleil.  So much so that I want to go to Vegas badly.  Just to see this and go home.  Of course, that’s not much of a trip.  But I’ve had shorter trips to Vegas in the past.

So the whole album is just one flowy mind fuck from beginning to end.  It’s wild man. 

There are other songs that you can trip out to, but I just like the way this one ends, especially when added to a comp cd

       3.     The Beach Boys – Caroline, No

Just a continuation of the mind fuckery.   I think if you read these long enough, you know how I feel about The Beach Boys. 

So the main reason I picked this was due to the comma in the title, which was the result of misheard lyrics.

Look it up for yourself

      4.     Frank Ocean – Crack Rock

When your lead in is the closing song of Pet Sounds, where do you go from there? 

Something that touches you deep from a different point of view.  

The extension to me is the depth that a break up can spiral to.

That is, if you see Caroline, No as a break up song.  2 months later you are alone high and quivering. And that’s where it goes

Plus then, near the end, there is that discussion on the value of a cop versus the value of a drugged out, depressed black dude.

But let’s not get into that political discussion

      5.     Bob Dylan – Forever young

I can’t find a video containing a full version of this song

But it is real and legit

It is almost 3 minutes long.  Somehow I wish I could get it to you, but I don’t know where I got it

  Let’s move on.  I just added this track to pick the mood back up

      6.     Jimi Hendrix – Foxy Lady

The first 7 seconds of this song are so quiet, they are there and they are good, but...

That’s the way they suck you in,  You turn it up to hear the twang and just as you do, the control volume goes up, and now you are rocking and screaming and near deaf.

Then you rock for 3 minutes,

Then silence again

Fuck yeah

     7.     Jack Johnson -  Banana Pancakes

It’s just a simple happy tune about what to do on a rainy day. 

This is a fun song.  How many happy songs are there about rainy days, (besides Bus Stop by The Hollies)?

I like the random lyrics and the simplistic nature of the recording

     8.     Simon and Garfunkel - The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)

This is nothing more than an older version of Banana Pancakes

It’s just a happy little ditty about having a lazy day

The title of the song for the sake of the lord says “Feeling Groovy”

It is less than 2 minutes long.

If I write anything more it will surpass the length of the song.

     9.     Cat Stevens – The First Cut is the Deepest

Yes I am well aware that this is probably not the version of the song that you know

But this is the fucking original.

Rod Stewart’s was just an interpretation. And Sheryl Crow’s version was an interpretation of that. 

The real reasoning for me picking this song is that it is not Father and Son.  I put that on so many mix tapes that well, it’s played out

This whole album is beginning to sound like a break up album

It is not

I am happily married

     10.                         Ben Kweller – On My Way

So, first off, it is not Ben Folds.  I usually put a folds song on for filler.  

Of all the Kweller songs that I could have used this is the most delicate, and it’s a fresh start

The lyrics continue down the path of mistakes, but in the end, it’s a happy song.

At least to me it is

And here is the bonus of the day

     11.                        Bob Marley & The Wailers – No Woman No Cry (Live)

My wife hates live recordings, I don’t get it.

There is a trueness to live music. It is as it is intended.  Do I love what studio bands can do?  Sure, but they each have their own place, and for me someone who can perform a song live and still sound original.  That’s talent

So I just wanted to take a step back and clear the mind of the listener.

Just something to take the edge off.

Reggae has a way of relaxing you. Whether you are into the extra-curricular activities or not.

I love Bob Marley, not because I am a stoner, but because of the message.  It is a shame he was taken from us too soon. 

Almost sooner too.

Just think about that.

     12.                         Hanson – MmmBop (Acoustic)

In 1997 people thought it was junk. 

Maybe it was, but they are still selling out shows.  They must be doing something right.

I like this acoustic, live setting, because it is intimate enough to feel what is happening, without overpowering you with too much

Ok, so it’s a guilty pleasure, but it’s mine.  And this song has helped me progress any live sets I have needed a cool filler for.  Girls my age are nostalgic for this shit.

     13.                         Sublime - Badfish

Originally this was going to come on earlier, but it needed to be after the Bob Marley break. 

I think this is just the heart almost of the CD

Remember I don’t follow rules

So I can build you as slow as I want

     14.                         The Dirty Mac – Yer Blues

In 1968 The Rolling Stones put together their Rock N Roll Circus.

They invited some great musicians.  The Dirty mac was:

John Lennon (as "Winston Leg-Thigh") – vocals, rhythm guitar (from The Beatles)

Eric Clapton – lead guitar (from Cream)

Mitch Mitchell – drums (from The Jimi Hendrix Experience)

Keith Richards – bass (from The Rolling Stones)

How the hell could they go wrong plus they do just such a romping number. 

Yer Blues was from the Beatles White Album, but this has Clapton and Richards

Some would say that it is a faux pas to put 2 Beatles songs on 1 album.

I disagree

It’s fucking sonic craftsmanship

     15.                        The Monkees – Zilch

And the mind fuck comes to an end

The Finished product

So as a whole, there is no theme. 

It’s sort of an anti-thematic mix.

 It is as much noise as I could put on in 15 songs. 

I tried to find songs with as much extra noise as possible, songs that start soft and finish strong, that was my only real guiding force, extra noise and louder at the end

And that is my 1 rule; don’t fill the disc just because you can.  And now, now that we can make digital playlists there is no track limit.  But that doesn’t mean you should just keep adding

All I wanted was an album that I could watch the stars with.  Get high and sit on a roof.  Each song brings you something new to think about or talk about.

So my final thought is, Fuck it, and make your mix. Have fun, get loud. Just do it.

I encourage you to just sit for a few hours and make 1 playlist 1 great mixtape, 1 cool comp cd. Hell, I put my life story on 2 discs once.  All the way to my funeral

I love you.  See you soon

It’s good to be back

What?! Oh Hell No! Hold up. Huh? Oh Ok

(Or, what’s that song really about?)

Wake Me Up When September Ends – Green Day

So, we hear this song every year when a football team starts out 0 and 4.

We also hear it when we are seeing tributes to the September 11^th attacks.

It was used as a tribute to Hurricane Katrina

The video itself is a long sweeping love story about a young couple torn apart by the war. The sadness of waiting for a loved one to come home, and everything we feared during the Iraq war.  

Obviously none of that is what the song is about at all.

But the band never told anyone not to use it.  I think good musicians are aware that, even when their words are misconstrued, they can still help others heal.  (ok maybe not the football stuff)

The song’s real meaning came from Billie Joe Armstrong’s childhood.   They mention it in one line in particular, but at the age of ten Billie Joe lost his father in September of 1982.  So the line “Like my father's come to pass”  is the whole meaning behind the song.

The video was okayed because Billie Joe felt that it still conveyed loss, along with their disdain for the war.

Closing Time – Semisonic

20 years later, bars are still playing this song as they turn up the lights.

Seems simple enough, we all know the bar culture, “you don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here“ has been around for years, hell, it’s in the Blues Brothers

So, ok, what’s the song really about?

Childbirth.   Yep, just listen to the damn lyrics, take the bar context out of it, and realize that the bar is a womb, that  “won’t be open until your brothers or sisters come”    

It’s the baby that knows who it wants to take him or her home. 

Yep. 

Don’t believe me, Singer Dan Wilson breaks it down line by line in the video below.

Say It Ain’t So – Weezer

I don’t get to talk about this song enough, and more people should know what it’s really about.

So if you don’t understand the importance this has to me, recognize that the symbol on the bass drum head is on my arm.  Or realize that when I am talking about Rivers the next couple of lines, I am talking about the leader of Weezer; not my son, but recognize where I got my son’s name.

So I don’t know what you think the song is about, I’ve known for years, so I don’t know what people think it’s about.

Anyways Rivers’ real parents split when he was a kid, and when that happened Rivers believed it to be due to the fact that his father was an alcoholic.  I can’t confirm that he was, only that this was what Rivers believed.

Flash forward to Rivers in High School and he comes home and there is beer in the fridge, So Rivers immediately thinks of the worst.  He now thinks that his step father is going to become an alcoholic and leave his family just as his real father had done.

So, listen to the lyrics now, it’s all there,  a Heineken in the fridge,  “like father , step father”   really the words were there the whole time, so if you missed it, well yeah  I can understand.  That’s a lot of personal history to know about. 

Damn.

Semi- Charmed Life – Third Eye Blind

You didn’t realize what this was about because on the radio and video edits, they backmask  the word, and in the video, lead singer  Stephan Jenkins covers his mouth .

But if you watch the video, he also walks backwards as he says it, which, means nothing, but come on, backmasking and showing that you did it.

Fucking genius.

The radio and vide edits also take out the post bridge.  I mean, you aren’t missing much, but the lyrics make sense if you know what you are hearing.  

There are other edits that take a shit ton more out. They use those on “light” radio stations nowadays, and those edits make it impossible to understand the true meaning.

Ok fine, I’ll tell you

Crystal Meth.  The song is about  a downward spiral into a slow addiction to Crystal Meth. The original chorus was, “I want nothing else”

So, yeah, he says “Doing Crystal meth will lift you up”

Drugs man, drugs.  Has anyone ever written a straight up song about drugs and got it on the radio?  Maybe someday soon. 

So here is the official video

Here is an unofficial fan made lyric video of the whole song intact as it appears on the album 

Love Song – Sara Bareilles

So, you may think that it’s a break up song, or a fuck you to a former lover.

It’s actually a fuck you to her record label.

She was trying to make an album and she was writing song after song, and the label, Epic, was still looking for a hit.  They weren’t ready to put out an album without a radio hit.

She was running into writer’s block and just became frustrated.

So Bareilles just wrote out the way she felt about the record label’s pressure and the way that they would just offer no help other than to shoot her down.  They wanted a love song.

That’s exactly what they got.

The Freshmen – The Verve Pipe

Depending on who you ask, the song means a lot of things. 

Only two of them are acceptable answers. 

The song is usually referred to as a song about suicide, and lyrically that’s what it’s about, the lead singer’s ex committing suicide.

Except that it never actually happened. 

The girl in question did have an abortion, and that’s what the song is really about.  There’s only 1 line that truly refers to it, but it’s there and you probably never  noticed it. 

“Stop a baby's breath and a shoe full of rice”

I don’t know what the rice part means.  But yeah, it’s a really deep dark song.

And here’s the darkest version out there.

And here’s the brightest:

Total Eclipse of the Heart – Bonnie Tyler

So the song was written by Jim Steinman, the man who wrote and produced Meat Loaf’s Bat out of Hell.

So right off the bat (no pun intended) you know it’s going to be some crazy shit.  The song was originally longer, I mean you’ve heard Paradise by the Dashboard Light, Jim Steinman writes some long ass crazy songs. 

The video is crazy as fuck too, and if you haven’t seen the Literal version, you owe it to yourself to see it. Click Here.   Watch other literal videos too.

So anyways, the song is a love song, but it’s not just any love song, it’s a vampire love song.

I would’ve watched more of Twilight had they used it.

So yeah, it’s a god damned Vampire love song.  So it’s about literally living in the dark all the time and that will be the only time for love or anything. 

Obviously the eclipse represents that moment of darkness in the middle of day. A brief moment where you can be totally out and free.

Summer of 69 – Bryan Adams

Seriously?

Bryan Adams was 10 in the summer of 69, you really think he had a band then?

And that one of the members would have left the band to get married?

Sex.   As in the sexual position of 69ing.

There’s some nostalgia in there and you can say it’s about young love, but 69 is there on purpose.

So that’s it for today.

 I’m sorry if I ruined your ideas as to what this music was really about, I know that you probably won’t look or hear the songs in the same way again.

But hey at least you know the truth right?

One last fun story,  Randy Bachman of Bachman Turner Overdrive has a brother named Gary.   Gary had a stutter. 

So when BTO was making the Not Fragile album the guys were playing around with a fun song, it was a nod to The Who, with the chorus progression being the same as Baba O’Riley. 

The song was not supposed to be a part of the album and Randy Bachman stuttered through the chorus as a joke to his brother, Gary was supposed to get the only copy of this song.   

Well, the rep from their label was still looking for a hit, and this was proposed, Randy re-recorded the lyrics without the stutter, but no one liked it, so they used the original with the stutter, and they had a number 1 song. 

Ok, Bye Now, 

See you later.

Woops??!?

Ok, bye now,  see you next week or something .