If you haven’t seen this yet , this is where it starts.
I’ve had to watch this at least 50 times by now. Just so that I could do it without
crying. I’m not going to get political,
but I know I am not the only person that was moved to tears by this(as I’m
writing this… here we go again)
So, there’s the whole political side, it’s clear that Kate
McKinnon is playing this as Hillary Clinton. At the same time, she’s gotta be dealing with
real fears. Being openly gay, being so inspired by Clinton. I mean we are talking about a woman who doesn’t
participate in social media out of fear.
Then there’s the fact that sadly Leonard Cohen had passed on
Monday. So from a musical side, it was
another loss in the musical community, in a year where so many great ones are
leaving us. Not again.
Now on top of it all, the Cohen family waited until Thursday
to announce Leonard’s passing. So here
we were, a nation in somewhat of a crisis, a nation in fear, a nation in
mourning, and now we lose someone who could put words together more beautifully
than most.
So I have decided that I will take this time to get back to
writing, and I want to highlight moments in television that had a perfect
soundtrack moment. You know, those moments in tv where the music just fits
perfectly and it affects the scene that much more. So let’s do that.
(Yes I know that the SNL moment isn’t really soundtrack, it
was the inspiration.)
*********SPOILERS*********
It should be noted
that since this is about tv shows, you may see scenes of a tv show that you are
watching or getting caught up on, so know that there could be spoilers ahead.
We Used to be Friends – The Dandy
Warhols – From the OC
So we go from one Cohen family to another, if you didn’t watch
the OC, fine. But I loved the show, I
only missed 1 episode live and that was due to the birth of my child.
So the show was about the hip Orange County scene, and a
family who took in a teen with a long rap sheet . The dad was a lawyer the at
risk youth had nowhere to go. Watch it.
Anyway this is juat a brief moment where you see a kid happy
because he’s gotten not 1 but 2 girls. Then
he realizes that he has to face them.
This was my first encounter with the Dandy Warhols, and I’ve
been hooked since.
Overkill- Colin Hay – From Scrubs
If you’ve never watched Scrubs, Fucking shame on you
What makes this great is that Colin Hay was there to play
his song
This is from the beginning of the second season . At the end
of the first season it was realized that there was a bizarre love hexagram
happening
This is just a great song and a great sequence.
The video that you see shows the opening sequence which was
the best part, but then the reprise at the end of the episode, plus another
Colin Hay appearance
Nico Stai – One October Song – From Chuck
If you are anything like my wife, you haven’t seen much of
Chuck. Or any. Another great show. There was always good
music on the show, I mean it was a McG produced show, just like the OC, so
music was always it’s own part of the show.
I mean, I don’t think I have time to explain the show, much
less get you caught up to almost the end of season 3
In fact, I don’t think I even need to explain the scene, the
dialogue and tone of the music sets the scene.
Mr Sandman – Dorothy, Rose and
Blanche – from the Golden Girls
If you don’t know The Golden Girls, then you don’t know
shit.
So I am waiting for Christmas to be over so that the Girls are back on television. Or maybe someone will get me thebox set,
either way.
So, I don’t remember how, I think this is when the girls
watched kids during a race or something and then this child got left behind, or
maybe that’s a different episode, plus they did a lot of montage episodes,
maybe this is it.
Either way, just like the girls, this scene is Golden
Born to be Wild – Steppenwolf – From Supernatural
If you are anything like my wife, you have seen every
episode of Supernatural, like 27 times.
Like The OC, and Chuck, Supernatural is a McG show, so again
there is emphasis on using the right music.
(Is there anything on tv that McG is not involved in?)
So this is Season 7 episode 23, the last of the season. Throughout most of the season Sam and Dean,
(the heroes of the show for you newbs) have been in hiding due to leviathans
that look like them committing crimes.
Of course there was all the cry baby sam, macho dean
bullshit you get every season, and they split up a few times.
They also had to use different hideouts and modes of
transportation due to their normal car “baby”
being easily recognizable to the Leviathans that are monitoring them and
trying to kill them.
So we arrive at this point, like the end of every season,
where one or both of the brothers may die, and the future of the world is
uncertain. (If only the British Men of letters would intervene LOL!!)
So Baby comes out of retirement.
(Headphone this one, it’s that good)
Hallelujah – Jeff Buckley – The West
Wing
I hate to put you through this song again, but it has been
featured in so many movies, tv shows, that it was bound to make the list.
So, The West Wing was a great show about well, the president,
and the West Wing of the White House. I am sure you knew that or at least
figured it out.
There are a few things going on, but the main thing to note
was that Allison Janney’s character CJ had been receiving death threats and was
assigned a secret service agent of her own, played by Mark Harmon there was a flirtatious sort of feeling
between them, and it seemed like a good thing.
The other thing going on is Josh and Amy (Bradley Whitfield
and Mary Louise Parker respectively) had a relationship happening while at the
same time were political opponents over a bill being put through, Josh’s win
meant that Amy had no job, and thus
ended their relationship.
There’s the stuff with the president, but really for me the
focus is on CJ and Agent Donovan
I know, rough, I’m sorry.
Let’s switch up the mood
The Right Time – Ray Charles – The Cosby
Show
This was just such a great surprise It became a recurring thing that the
Huxtables did for the anniversary of Cliff’s parents.
But this one was just so exciting, and hilarious, Rudy,
really steals the show.
Then Cosby himself comes in and shows what he can do with
just a few funny faces.
I’ll keep it short and sweet so you can just go enjoy it.
At This Moment – Billy Vera and the
Beaters- From Family Ties
Family Ties was just one of those really good 80s shows that connected people together, I sort of miss
it.
They used the song a few times on the show. I mean, it speaks for itself as a love
song from a broken heart perspective,
but it was clearly Alex and Ellen’s song.
I’d like to think that the real life couple of Michael J Fox
and Tracy Pollan still dance to this song.
I also like to think that they pull this video up on YouTube
and watch themselves fall in love.
So, I thought I would take a look at other celebrities in
music videos. I won’t have a lot to say
about them, but I will let you know who and what to look for. But we are going to skip past Cortney Cox in Dancing in the Dark,
everyone knows that one. I was hoping
to find you some you didn’t know about
Counting Crows – A Long December
Speaking of Courtney Cox, in 1996 she was in the video for
Counting Crows A Long December.
She had dated Adam Duritz (Vocals, Piano for
Counting Crows)
This was after she was with Batman, so, I mean; she really got
around for a while there. She was in a
few other music videos too. But who has
the time.
Michael Jackson – Remember the Time
There were multiple stars in this video, and that is what
makes it so great.
It’s Egyptian, it’s
fun, it’s hip and it stars, Eddie Murphy, Iman, and Magic Johnson.
I mean really could it get any better than
that?
Certainly I don’t think so. Not to mention this is a good jam.
Paul Simon – You Can Call Me Al
Paul Simon did a whole ton of great shit on Saturday Night
Live. He could have been a comedic actor, I honestly believe that. He plays the straight man well, and has great
timing.
“I can't fit through the door!”
In this video he
plays backup singer and instrumentalist to SNL’s own Chevy Chase. So you know
damn well it is going to be a fun great time. I have always also loved the way
they move together whilst playing instruments.
Also, if you don’t get the “I can’t fit through the door”
reference, I dislike you, but look it up please.
The Offspring – She’s Got Issues
You might have to pause it, if you really want to see it, if
you don’t believe me, but the heroine of this video is none other than a 19
year old Zooey Deschanel.
It’s actually, pretty easy to see. I just want you to watch a cool music video
that you forgot about or never saw.
I’m not sure how this came about; it may have just been an
acting gig for her. But hey, it’s also
a great song with some really good animation.
Aerosmith – Crazy
So this was Alicia Silverstone’s third video for
Aerosmith.
Which by the way, let’s talk about the fact that in 1994,
Aerosmith was still relevant. How many bands from 1970 can say that?
So, let’s get back to the video, this was Liv Tyler’s first
video, and she was cast from her prior work in a shampoo commercial. The
director found out later she was the bandleader’s daughter.
Which, by the way, who allows their daughter to be the sex
appeal of their own video? Which is even
weirder because, Liv Tyler was originally Todd Rundgren’s daughter, but that’s
another story. Anyways yeah.
Mumford and Sons – Hopeless Wanderer
So, what we have here is a song that is already good as
hell. If you haven’t acknowledged
Mumford and Sons as a good band, then give them some time.
This is just a case of some great comedic presences acknowledging
a great band and playing them in their video.
Basically, the band is not there, they are instead played by Arrested
Development’s Jason Bateman, SNL’s Jason Sudeikis and Will Forte, and ED Helms,
that dude from the Office.
The video is as great as you might be thinking. If you haven’t seen it, watch the whole damn
thing right now.
Annie Lennox – Walking on Broken
Glass
I think I have shared this video before,
Truth be told, I love Annie Lennox, with or without Dave
Stewart.
This video was directed by Sophie Muller, who directed tons
of great videos, including weezer’s Say it Ain’t So.
I digress; this video stars John Malkovich and Hugh Laurie,
now that is a lot of star power. (Two guys, I wouldn’t stop from grabbing my pussy)
So Laurie is just reprising his role as
Prince George. Look it up
Malkovich is just being his cool ass self as a dude who just
got married, but used to hook up with Lennox’s character.
Ok it’s English, so it doesn’t make sense, just watch it.
Hanson- Penny and Me
This is one of those, “It’s my blog so shut up”
moments.
So first off, yes, Hanson had more songs than MmmBop.
Secondly, yes I think Samaire Armstrong is a celebrity. You may know her from Dirty Sexy Money, or
Not Another Teen Movie, but I remember her best as Anna from The OC, and if you
don’t know about The OC, well that’s your problem.
I mean seriously, it was produced by McG, yeah that same McG
who’s Supernatural you love.
Ok, so also, this video was hard to find, but here is a link to it.
Ok, so this one might be hard to stomach, and, honestly I am
choked up by the irony/foreshadowing.
This is a very happy song, and how can you not enjoy
it. It stars, Bill Irwin, who, does tons
of work as a clown and has been in so many movies that when you see the video,
you will be like “I know that guy “
It also stars Robin Williams.
There is so much that I would like to say right now, but
this isn’t the right venue, or the right place.
But folks, the world is real
and it sucks and you have to take care of yourself and those around you. Depression is real. Dementia is real, and
they can both do some nasty things to you. So, sorry for being a downer, but, if you or
someone you love needs help.
You're not alone. Confidential help is available for free.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Call 1-800-273-8255
Available 24 hours everyday
We aren’t going to end on that note though. There’s still one more. Plus hundreds that I did not even talk
about.
Fatboy Slim - Weapon of Choice
Did you really think I would leave this one out?
Christopher Walken epitomizes coolness. Sure there are some stunt doubles involved,
but Walken was a dancer in theatre before he was an actor.
The video won 6 MTV awards and a Grammy. What more can you want? Walken even took home a Moonman from the VMA’s. How
many people have won them at the age of 58?
That’s the other thing, he is 58 in this video, and doesn’t speak a word… Not to mention, this was not his first music video.
This was voted as the best video of all time in 2002 for
Christ’s sake.
What more do you want from me people?
So, there it is, that’s today’s list of things. I
apologize if I left out your favorite, but make your own damn list then. I
know, I say that every time. I left out
a few on purpose, like Ben Affleck in Jenny from the Block. Or that guy that plays Hawkeye in Pink’s video
for Trouble. I also didn’t mention any
of the Cyndi Lauper videos starring Captain Lou Albano. So there.
Anyways, as long as they keep making videos for songs,
celebrities will continue to be in them, so if your favorite Actor isn’t in one
yet, well then give it time.
Ok, so anyways, as you can see by the title, this one is
going to get a little out there.
So, you know how my blogs are all full of hyperlinks and
random shit, or just the occasional jimmy fallon video? Well, today is a day that is just plain out
dedicated to that stuff. I am going to
just ram your throat with videos that I want you to see.
My goal is to have no random links or anything
A lot of the videos will just be still pictures accompanying
music, give it a shot.
I’m going to explain some of them, but not all of them,
because some of them need to be seen on their own. Many of them are just “other” versions of
stuff that I just couldn’t figure out a way to squeeze in. There’s going to be some covers some
alternate takes and just whatever.
There is no reason for any of these videos to be shown
together. But here they are.
Why am I doing so much prefacing, I don’t have to explain myself
to you? But I do love you, despite what
you think.
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes – Hava Nagila
If you know the Gimmes, then you know that I could have just
done a whole blog of all their covers, because that is all they do.
So, for those of you that don’t know the band, Who the hell
are you?
The Gimmes are a punk supergroup featuring members of
Swingin’ Utters, NOFX, Foo Fighters, Lagwagon and, No Use for a Name.
Oh, you only recognized Foo Fighters? You must be that also trying to kill punk,
but as everyone knows Punk’s not dead!
But seriously, check them dudes out.
Ok, so anyways, sometime in 2004, the band played a real Bar
Mitzvah, If I remember correctly, there was a contest, or maybe he was just
related, clearly, I don’t remember correctly.
The released an album called – Me First and the Gimme Gimmes
Ruin Jonny’s Bar Mitzvah
Anyways, they played a Bar Mitzvah, the adults and most of
the kids didn’t get it but they all indulged.
The CD that came from it was also incredible as it was just a straight
beginning to ending recording, including false starts, fuck ups, and whatever
else happens in a live setting. They
even left the tape going as they took a break, so you get like 15 minutes of
people mingling and shit.
So they play a bit of everything, and I mean everything!
But I want you to hear is their second take of Hava Nagila,
they do a traditional-esque version and then they do their new version.
So here is some actual video of the gig, including the first
version of Hava Nagila.
Here is their second more “original” version of Hava
Nagila. This is what you’re here for. Stay for the banter after the song.
Weezer – Brain Stew
Again, I could do a whole blog on weezer’s covers and
alternate takes, and everything else they’ve done. But I will try to not overburden you with too
much weezer. But I can’t make too many
promises.
So, really, this can’t be considered a weezer song, but it
is. It’s really just Rivers, some random
dude on Piano and Josh Freese on drums.
First off, I honestly have no idea who is playing piano. Josh Freese on the other hand became a
touring member of weezer, when Rivers decided to just be a singer and had Pat
play guitar. (Hence the line in Back to The Shack where Rivers says, “Maybe I
should play the lead guitar and Pat should play the drums”
So, anyways, the boys in the =w= camp always do like some
sort of AOL session, or Shazam or Yahoo or whatever whenever they put out a new
album. So that is where this came
from. You can find other songs from this
session all over the internet. The band
(except for Rivers) all where the same jacket that Freese is wearing.
This song was on none of their albums, and if you didn’t
know, it is a Green Day song. But it is
so stripped and slowed down in this that it becomes a completely different
song.
Hey remember when
this was in an episode of Supernatural?
Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. and Dean
Martin – Me and My Shadow and Sam’s Song – Live
So, if you have never seen the picture, the sign at The
Sands in Vegas; it said Dean Martin Maybe Frank Maybe Sammy.
They all did their small residences there; sometimes Joey
Bishop would be there too. Basically it was their own little playground to do
whatever they wanted. It didn’t hurt
that Sinatra was a small but partial owner of the place.
So the guys would just be there and perform and by the end,
they would all be on stage, drinking and smoking and going on. The shit was awesome. Sadly I was born 40 years too late, but hey
at least someone was smart enough to record it.
These were songs that they had already recorded these in the
studios, hell; they were old songs by the 60s.
Still they put a new spin on them.
The guys played with the lyrics and had fun with each
other. They all truly loved each other
and were very liberal and made fun of each other. I don’t know how else to
explain it,
Also, if you have ever wanted to know more about, melody,
harmony, counter melody and the such…
This is a decent starting point.
Me and My Shadow
Sam’s Song (I
apologize that the audio clicks, it’s old)
Elvis on Elvis
So, I was originally looking for something else, someday I
will find it and give it to you.
Somewhere there exists a video of Elvis Costello playing Alison, but he
gave the words a new melody. But that’s
what I couldn’t find so fuck it, here’s this instead.
This has no reason
being on this page at all, but it might just be the best thing you see today
The Blues Brothers – Rubber Biscuit
What’s that? You don’t
know The Blues Brothers?
Take that rock you’ve been living under and smash yourself
to death!!!
Was that too harsh?
So, this, like all the other Blues Brothers songs was a
cover.
This is not the version that they recorded for the Briefcase
Full of Blues album. Remember, today is
about other versions of stuff. The cool
thing to think about is that this was recorded about a year and a half before
the movie. And the single version
cracked into the top 40 chart. Not bad
for a band comprised of session musicians and comedians.
So take this for what it is, miscues, feedback issues. And all
that other fun stuff.
Hozier – Take Me to Church
Acoustic backstage at
The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon
So, I promised the wife she could pick a song, clearly, I
shouldn’t have.
It’s not that I dislike this song; it’s not that I dislike
my wife, sure, she has a crappy taste in music, and maybe she’s right and I am
a music snob.
That wasn’t a question.
Also, this is a 3 year old song that was rereleased so, I
mean, I didn’t know about it then.
Speaking of which, how did the hipster burn his tongue?
He ate his soup before it was cool!!
Ok, so my lady’s taste in music isn’t crappy. Realistically,
she’s recommended great songs for me, that I have enjoyed, but at the same
time, I think music itself has changed and become crappy. The problem is that in the end it’s a
business and it is a product of supply and demand.
To prove my point; the top songs of 2006, so just 10 years
ago, were:
1 Daniel
Powter - Bad Day
2 Sean
Paul - Temperature
3 Nelly
Furtado feat. Timbaland - Promiscuous
4 James
Blunt - You're Beautiful
5 Shakira
feat. Wyclef Jean- Hips Don't Lie
6 Natasha
Bedingfield - Unwritten
7 Gnarls
Barkley- Crazy
8 Chamillionaire
feat. Krayzie Bone- Ridin'
9 Justin
Timberlake - Sexyback
10 Beyonce
feat. Slim Thug - Check on It
Ok, so how many of these artists are still around 10 years
later. And by around I mean relevant. When you look at it like that, it’s dreary; I
mean really, only Beyonce and JT are still making it big. And they came in ninth
and tenth.
So my issue with modern music is that everyone is so quick
to jump to the next big thing, that so many great artists are being swallowed
up and not being given a proper chance.
So it’s not that I hate my wife or music, I just don’t want
to get behind something that will end. Television has taught me that. I mean, I
always like a show and it fails.
Speaking of which, remember that show Arrested Development,
That guy Michael Cera was on that show.
Later he was mistaken
for Jimmy’s brother the sing-ger
Puddles Pity Party and Haley Reinhart
– Mad World
So, we saw Puddles very recently on my Happy Songs post. Remember, he’s the 6 foot 8 clown with a voice
that is as golden as his sad crown.
That wasn’t supposed to rhyme, but that happens on accident
from time to time.
Haley Reinhart, I can’t say I know who she is outside of
this video, but I love her voice. Apparently she was on American Idol some
while ago.
The song Mad World was originally a hit for Tears for Fears,
at that time it was like a synth prog pop sort of number and sounded nothing
like it does now.
Later on, it was covered by Michael Andrews and Gary Jules.
They slowed it down and made into a much more beautiful song for the movie
Donnie Darko, I never saw the movie, but I have liked this song since then.
So now fast forward to present day, but not quite, because
present day is today, everything else is in the past. In fact this sentence you
are reading is right now present day but it is past or history as soon as you
read to the period.
I have officially gone deep into the rabbit hole,
So anyways-
In the recent past Puddles got together with Haley and they
put a vaudevillian spin on the whole thing. Vaudevillian like as in harkening
back to Vaudeville, not the wrestling duo.
So here it is
I would keep posting Puddles’ videos if I could, but too
many people are afraid of clowns.
I mean, what’s next, a singing spider?
Truthfully, they exist, but since I have to kill spiders for
half the people I know, I won’t do it. But try googling it sometime.
That’s some pig!
Speak of the devil.
Weezer – I’m Your Daddy
So, first off, it’s not as weird as you think. This is actually from the same session that
the Brain Stew video came from before.
Note the matching track jackets.
Now here’s the thing, I don’t remember this being a single,
so I don’t know why they did this.
Not to mention they added another person who was not a part
of the original recording, as you will see. It really and honestly makes no
sense
But that’s also what makes it so cool. Like when a joke goes
full circle and comes back out from the person the joke is about.
Like when Deadpool disses Green Lantern. Or when Rick Astley shows up in the middle of
a parade float to rick roll a shit ton of people.
So here you are.
Justin Timberlake – (Sittin’ On) The
Dock of the Bay
First of all, had he not had already brought Sexy Back; this
certainly would have done it.
I mean, what do you have to do to get invited to sing for
the president? I mean, how many people can say they’ve done that? I mean Elvis and Nixon had that weird
relationship, but that’s a whole other story.
The band that is backing JT up in this is iconic in its own
way. Just a great jam band, including Steve Cropper of Booker T and the MGs or
of course the aforementioned Blues Brothers Band.
When JT hits the falsetto…
I mean Come on…
Seriously, ladies be careful, you may pass out, or at the
very least have to change your undies, I know I did the first time I saw this.
Of course the original is great too, but Timberlake really
takes this and makes it his own.
Speaking of the President
Bayside – Megan
One of my favorite Smoking Popes songs, done by Bayside a
really great band that you should really devote more time to. Their singer Anthony Raneri has a very unique
and good voice, he has a great range and just.. I mean he’s not JT but he has
his own greatness.
Then you add the fact that Josh Caterer stops by to sing the
second verse. I mean I love that. Whenever
an original artist shows up in the middle of a cover it’s always a good
thing. At the very least it counts as a
blessing to the cover
Jimmy Fallon and a Bunch of Famous People
– Any Damn Thing They Want
So, here’s the thing, I tried to choose just one, I really
did, but how can you?
That’s why I saved this for the end.
Don’t think of it as a cop out, think of it as, I love Jimmy
Fallon; you would know that if you have been reading this thing since the
beginning.
And. You know all the old posts are right there at the side
or in some spot, you can read all the old ones too you know.
It would really make me happy.
I don’t want fame or popularity, ok maybe a little, but I
want a chance to talk to more people.
Hey do me a favor recommend me to a few of your friends.
So this is it, here’s where it ends Thank you for reading today, I don’t know
when I will be back, but in the meantime, here’s a shit ton of Jimmy Fallon
videos.
The Ragtime Gals
Hello
Russel Crowe, Balls
We Can’t Stop
Ice Cream
Impressions with
Jamie Foxx
On a Boat
Slow Jamming the News
Iko Iko with Queen
Amidala
That Bass
Ok, if you are still with me, here’s one that’s not Jimmy
Fallon, it’s not safe for work, and definitely not safe for small children or
Mothers or Fathers- in- law,
Really, you might find this offensive, seriously
I can’t believe I am showing you this after having shown you
The President.
So, last week I touched on some great opening lines, that
was fun and all, but a new idea blossomed from that. That would be, favorite overall lyrics, wherever
they so exist in a song. As always, this
is my list so, feel free to let me know yours.
However, this time I have numbered them, so I took a lot of time
thinking about this. We are doing it
countdown style.
I will preface this by saying that by some estimation, half
of these songs could be considered “emo” But if you think about it, that makes
sense.
Not to be all Dr. Phil, but wouldn’t any song lyric that
someone loves and connects with be at an emotional level?
It was rhetorical. So
shut up, and quit making fun of me. I’m
telling my mom.
So, some of these songs have been mentioned here before,
some have never been mentioned at all, either way, stay with me, I think you
will be happily surprised by this.
***I just want to point out that I am copying and pasting
these lyrics from their official google play lyrics, we can argue their
correctness as they come up ***
10. Kings Of Convenience – I’d Rather
Dance with You
Even if I could hear
what you said
I doubt my reply
would be interesting for you to hear
Because I haven't
read a single book all year
And the only film I
saw, I didn't like it at all
So, we had to start somewhere, why not here?
Kings of Convenience are a nerdy yet massively cool duo from
Norway, I doubt you have ever heard of them, but if you have, you get an extra
sticker.
This song, as far as I know, as the titles and lyrics
suggest, is about a guy who would rather dance than talk. But not because he
likes dancing, but because he feels there is no other way he will impress a
girl. And frankly, as the video shows, he’s no dancer either.
The lyric is from the first verse, and he is really setting
up his case for dancing. I will admit, I
am not much of a book reader, and I don’t see too many movies. (At least I used
to not) I mean I haven’t even seen Fight
Club.
So on some nerdy musical level, I totally relate to this
line.
Really, give this video a chance too; it is really good as
well. At least I think it is. And I have the microph- err keyboard and I can
say whatever the hell I want.
9. Warren Zevon – Werewolves of
London
I saw a werewolf
drinking a pina colada at Trader Vic's
And his hair was
perfect
First off, if you only know Warren Zevon’s name because of
this song, that’s cool. I mean he has a whole songbook of great songs, but this
was the biggest. But the whole Excitable
Boy album that this comes off of is one of his best.
Zevon’s falls down and risings back up reflect Meat Loaf
just without all the hit songs, and less time in between.
And of course about 200 less pounds.
If you really want to see him push the hell out of this song
live, click here. I didn’t
use this as he doesn’t say the Pina Colada line in it.
This line as it stands may not seem like it’s that
great. But at the same time, its
awesomeness usually goes unnoticed.
Throughout the whole song we here about various werewolves, every so
often he makes them seem dapper, and this is no exception.
The thing that I have also loved about this line is at the
end Zevon lets out a, I don’t know what to call it, I don’t know any big words,
but he says something like dip, or dit or nip, either way, I like that part
too.
***No hearts were ripped out in the
making of this video; I had the Ghostfacers personally check it out. ***
8. Bob Dylan – Don’t Think Twice, It’s
All Right
And it ain't no use
in turning on your light, babe
The light I never
knowed
And it ain't no use
in turning on your light, babe
I'm on the dark side
of the road
Some people don’t like Bob Dylan, and those people are
wrong.
Truth be told, for the first twelve or thirteen years of my
life, I only knew this as a Peter, Paul and Mary song. But that’s because my mom was part of the
peace culture of the 70’s. And really, big props on her for being a late
blooming hippie. I don’t really give her
props, but she introduced me to a lot of great music.
But, in what Paul Stookey and Peter Yarrow add in beautiful
harmony, Bob Dylan is able to avoid with raw emotion. Also his stripped down version of the English
vocabulary is something of note.
This line and the use of the un-word knowed always caught me
as a great line.
The song has been described as a diary entry. In a way, it
is a man telling the girl that he’s going to be ok without her. As far as the light, it’s apparent that he
feels she never wanted him in the first place.
Also it’s worth noting that:
“I once loved a woman, a child I am told I gave her my heart but she
wanted my soul” is also an incredible lyric.
7. Dashboard Confessional – Hands Down
Safe from the hour
and all the stupid questions
"Hey did you get
some?"
Man, that is so dumb.
Stay quiet, stay
near, stay close they can't hear
So we can get some.
So anyone from the early second/third (depends who is
counting) wave of emo will remember this one. I warned you this list would be emo heavy so
shut up and keep reading,
This is one of those weird google play lyrics I noted in the
beginning. The part that google states
as “from the hour” is actually “in here”.
I don’t know where google got it’s lyrics from, but I just checked the “A
Mark A Mission A Brand A Scar” liner notes. And I am right. I can’t find my “So Impossible” EP case to
see if they had been changed. What I will say is that there are definitely a few
extra syllables in what he says.
What the hell…
Why’d you let me get so off track?
Anyways, the relatable part of this lyric is the idea that
you think your young loves are so important, and that they mean more. In retrospect they aren’t, and they don’t. But don’t tell that to any 16 year old.
So, anyways you have this visceral idea that your
relationships is so important and more than just trying to get laid, but at the
same time, on a more primal level, you want to get laid.
It’s sort of Yin and Yang like that.
The rest of the song is just as beautiful, obviously I
prefer the acoustic solo original but if you’d rather hear the full electric band
version find it here.
Also, at the end he is saying “that you meant it” Not “the
Jew meant it” even though that is exactly what it sounds like.
6. Fall Out Boy – Nobody Puts Baby in
the Corner
So wear me like a
locket around your throat
I'll weigh you down
I'll watch you sulk
You look so good in
blue
More Emo?
You have no choice, so shut your cakehole bitch.
There are 2 versions of this song, most people know the
second, and the more rocking version from “From Under the Cork Tree” but it
originally appeared as an acoustic song on the EP “My Heart Will Always Be the
B-Side to My Tongue. That is the version
that you will be seeing later.
But if you are interested, here is a live electric version. Complete with 15 year old girls singing along
in the front row with their mom.
I don’t really know who I am insulting anymore, you, me or
15 year olds who are now in their late 20s.
So because this song was sort of lost amongst Sugar We’re
Going Down and Dance Dance, not much is known about it, or the lyrics. But I have my interpretation, and it is that
of a scorned suitor or something like that.
But the combination of “I’ll watch you choke, you look so good in
blue” is so awesome and gruesome at the
same time, I mean obviously she isn’t wearing blue, her face is turning blue
due to his choking of her.
I mean right? Do you
interpret it some other way? I am open
to other interpretations of the song as a whole, but clearly he is choking her,
don’t try to sell me anything less.
5. Van Morrison – In the Garden
No guru, no method,
no teacher
Just you and I and
nature
And the Father and
the Son and the Holy Ghost
In the garden
Wet with rain
I honestly can’t think of too many performers whose voice
just makes me want to close my eyes and listen, but Van Morrison is one of
them.
I first heard this as a live version mixed with
Allegheny and You send Me from A Night in San Francisco, which is an incredible
live album that any music lover should know.
During this song Van mumbles as he is singing with a harmonica in his
mouth.
And if the only Van Morrison song you know is Brown Eyed
Girl, you should be ashamed of yourself.
This is from Van’s album whose title No Guru No Method No
Teacher is lifted from this song, and this great set of lyrics. But in all reality the song is full of
incredible lyrics.
But this set of lines, is such a beautiful image. You could
argue that it harkens back to Adam and Eve, but I would say that it gets a
little deeper than that. I mean, love
as a concept doesn’t appear in the bible until Genesis 22. After Adam and Eve
and Noah and Babel and Sodom and Gomorrah.
So I would say that this is more of a feeling of true love
and emotion that is true and can only be felt when you are at peace and
incredibly open with your mind and you are alone with the one you love and no
other human beings. But being so in love that you are at the mercy of the
other, just as you’d be with God when you die.
Maybe I am thinking too hard, and what’s even crazier is
that the song is actually Van Morrison’s take on transcendental meditation.
So any way you look at it or listen to it, it is deep and it
is spiritual.
4. Weezer – Pink Triangle
But when I start to
feel that pull
Turns out I just
pulled myself
She would never go
with me
Were I the last girl
on earth
First off, why would you think this list would be complete
without a weezer song; you’d have to be crazy.
You probably didn’t think this would be the one though. However let’s be honest, you knew it would be
from Pinkerton. So why not one of the
least relatable songs on the album?
The line speaks for itself; it’s a song about a guy in love
with a lesbian.
Ok, so I have never been in love with a lesbian that I know
of.
I mean maybe I have turned a few girls into one,
And maybe there was this one time I turned a lesbian
straight.
But to my knowledge I have never knowingly been in love with
a lesbian.
But if I was…
This would have been my jam. I mean it still is, and the
lyric in question is absolutely amazing.
A man complaining that he is not capable of gaining her love even if he
was the last girl on earth,
That’s a clever line, and I don’t think enough people give
it props.
I think I have talked about this song before, go back and
find it, don’t always expect me to hyperlink everything.
Jeez!!!
So check out the video now
3. Ben Folds – The Luckiest
I don't get many
things right the first time,
In fact, I am told
that a lot
I mean… Come on…
This is actually the song that spawned this list. I was going to use this as one of my favorite
opening lines, and I mean, it is, but I think of that as just an incredible
lyric,
And the music that goes with it. I mean, seriously, there is a beauty of a man
that can sit at a piano and write something that beautiful. Hell, when he performs it alone it is a thing of beauty.
If you don’t know enough about Ben Folds, that’s on
you. But really you should know more.
He is an incredible singer songwriter and can hold his own
either with a band or by himself, as evidenced by the Ben Folds Live
album.
So we are getting the idea right away that this is a song by
a guy who knows he is a human and that he has fucked up many a relationships
and any other god damn thing you can think of.
And really, besides Donald Trump, is there anyone on earth
that doesn’t look back on their life and see a few failures? I mean, how many people marry their first
love and stay married until they die?
Hell, the broad from The Notebook couldn’t even do that.
I sure as hell didn’t come close. But the beautiful feeling
of knowing that you might have finally done it. This song conveys that. And we
all know that feeling, even if in the end we were wrong again.
2. Taking Back Sunday – You’re So
Last Summer
I'd never lie to you
Unless I had to
I'll do what I got to
Unless I had to
I'll do what I got
to, the truth
Is you could slit my
throat
And with my one last
gasping breath
I'd apologize for
bleeding on your shirt
In all actuality the part that I love is the second half,
starting from “the truth” but I left it all there so it could be seen with the
context.
How fucking great is that line?
How fucking emo is it!?!?!!!
But still, I mean think about what is being said there, A
guy is so in love with a girl that even if she killed him, he would still love
her until the very end.
What’s more is that he would use his last breath to
apologize to her for ruining her shirt with the blood that poured from his body
after she cut him to kill him.
Seriously….
That’s deep, and sick, and sweet, and so oddly poetic, that
even now 14 years later, it still gets me a little worked up.
I mean, think about it yourself, have you ever loved anyone
that much? I mean I love my kids that
much, but that’s a given for anybody. I
certainly didn’t love my first or second wives that much. And honestly, I would love to tell you that I
love my current and final wife that much, but I mean, the only way I will
really know is if she slits my throat. But
even then, I’d certainly apologize for bleeding on her shirt, but that would
just be to fulfill the prophecy of this song.
Seriously, for being loud obnoxious 2002 emo, it’s really
deep.
1. Smoking Popes – Pretty Pathetic
The way she used to
look at me
Made me a thousand
feet high
The meaning of the
word cool
Not the same geek
Who fumbled through
his words that night
The ugliest night
Honestly, I feel like I could have just copied all the
lyrics, I mean - This is my second favorite song of all time.
For some odd reason, in December of 2013, I got to spend
almost an hour on the Phone with Josh Caterer (The writer and singer of the
song, dummy.) You can read that article
on the blog post entitled fittingly Ladies
and Gentlemen – The Smoking Popes I
really had no business interviewing a man of his immense talent.
So I will try not to steal too much from that article, that
way you have to go read it, and really, Why haven’t you already.
So basically it’s this idea of a guy who is trying to win
his girl back. He isn’t quite
successful. So this song is like the guy
recounting the whole thing to like a bartender or something.
I always pictured it
at like an Applebee’s or something.
And that’s not a plug for Applebee’s, or a reference to the
fact that I worked there for 7 years, even though they have a killer menu.
No, the reason I saw it as at like an Applebee’s is because
for as hard as it tries to be a bar, it’s really just a family restaurant, and
anyone who treats it as a dimly lit corner bar where you can wax poetically to
the bartender has got to be- by definition and title- pretty pathetic.
But again, just like all great songs that one can connect
to, we all sort of know this feeling.
I mean again, are you
some robot that has never been dumped?
Oh You are?
Well fuck you Debra!
So the reason why I chose this line, is that it conveys so
much in so little words, the guy was at the top of his game because of her, and
then because of her and in front of her he was at his lowest. That doesn’t happen with crushes, that doesn’t
happen with one night stands, that only happens with the truest of loves. When you talk visceral, this is at the top.
I want to give you
the live version and the album version, so I will do that, go ahead and enjoy
either, or both. Just not at the same time.
Live
Album
Livelier Live
So that’s it. These
lyrics always take me to a totally different place and deep into my mind with
all of these songs. I love these words, I really do.
What are some of yours?
Do you like my list?
Do you even like me?
Did you click on the Applebee’s menu hyperlink?
Did you even notice it?
Yep, I really hyperlinked to an Applebee’s menu on a blog
about music…
Keep scrolling…
Or don’t…
Why did you scroll down this far? As
a gift for your continued scrolling you get to - For no reason at all - watch
this:
