I’ve altered today’s challenge slightly adding the “you like” to “A song you like form a band you hate.” It’s too easy to post a song from a band you hate; what’s the point of that? What’s more interesting is to post a song by a band you hate that you actually like. I had a few contenders for this one, but I ended up with something I’m satisfied with.
Coldplay is one of those bands that I always said I hated even though I didn’t really know any songs they did. They just seemed like a band I should hate, and in fact, most of the songs I’ve listened to while trying to find this elusive song that I liked, I actually do dislike. In fact Clocks, the song in question, is a song I’ve heard a few times and always really like. It’s reminiscent of Sufjan Stevens, whose work I really enjoy. When I realized it was Coldplay, i was rather surprised, but as this meme shows, there’s nothing wrong with liking a song by a band you hate. I must confess though, that when I watch this video, there are several parts that make me hate them even while I’m enjoying the song. So without further ado, here is Clocks.
While Kate Bush is my favorite artist, I’ve got a couple of bands who vie at any given time for the crown. Heart and Martha & the Muffins always hover around the top of my favorite bands list, but for sheer longevity, and diversity of music, Fleetwood Mac remains on top. While I jumped on the Fleetwood Mac bandwagon like many others during their heyday in the mid-70s, I went back and explored their catalog and their roots as a British blues band starting out in the late 60s. It wasn’t until the addition of Christine McVie that things really came together for me, and obviously, the addition of Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks made magic happen for me, like the rest of the world. Since Ms. McVie’s departure from the band over ten years ago, I have to say I haven’t been as interested.
Of course, with all the terrific songs Fleetwood Mac has performed, I had trouble deciding which one to post here. I decided it had to be a Christine McVie track as she is my favorite member. I thought I’d go back to the pre-Buckingham/Nicks days, and I knew I had to choose Heroes Are Hard to Find with its sassy lyrics and funky brass licks. It’s a bit of a departure for Chris, while still recognizably her. If you haven’t heard this track, do yourself a favor and take a listen.
I don’t actually fall asleep without intending to, so I don’t think there are any songs that make me fall asleep. However, there are songs that have put me in a sleep-like trance, and there’s one song in particular, linked to one night in particular that is strong in my memory. I had just started dating someone who would turn out to be my first long-term serious relationship, and I got home one night from one of our first dates. I was living in Melrose at the time and my roommate either wasn’t home, or was already asleep. I was lying on the couch, staring up at the ceiling and the shadows that were flowing across it as cars went by on the street. I was in a state of semi-bliss and I had Smashing Pumpkins’ Gish album on. Love Rhinoceros, and that song has a somewhat hypnotic effect on me as well, but the one that really put me in a sort of trance is Crush. Between the opening bass riff, and the ethereal guitar harmonics, lead vocalist Billy Corrigan manages to restrain himself vocally. I’m kind of falling into a trance right now as I’m listening to the song and typing this. I certainly didn’t fall asleep that night, but it was a mesmerizing effect and a moment in my life I’ll always remember.
There are a lot of songs I can dance to. I love dancing. I’m not a great dancer, but I can do okay. I like dancing to different kinds of music, from 80s new wave to disco. I wanted to post some obscure song that you probably never heard of here, but the simple fact of the matter is, the first song that sprang to mind for this category, and the song I probably most readily will get up and dance to is Madonna’s Express Yourself.
I’m not really sure what it is about that particular song that makes me want to start grooving so badly. I’m not a big Madonna fan. I like a lot of her stuff, while other leaves me cold. I did see her live once and she put on a great show. Express Yourself has a fun video, a great beat and just makes me want to boogie!
In the world of contemporary pop music there are music people and there are lyrics people. I’ve never really been into lyrics. The words to a song can certainly augment my enjoyment of a song, but they are rarely the reason I like a song. Contrarily, a phrase of melody can bring me to tears. Despite that, like most people, there are lots of songs I know the words to. I do notice that songs I know extremely well I often just make up words to when I sing along. But still, there are many songs, by sheer repeated plays, whose words I’ve come to know. For today’s song challenge, I thought I would pick a song whose lyrics I think are clever, well crafted, and memorable. That song is Barracuda by Heart.
I think songs that are written about something very specific often have the best lyrics. Barracuda is a scathing warning to young up and coming rock stars about the dangers and sleaziness of record company executives, something Ann and Nancy Wilson learned about first hand when they were just starting out back in the mid-70s. Mushroom records took a promotional photo taken of Ann and Nancy for the Dreamboat Annie album, and published it with an article with the quote, “It was only our first time…” implying that the two were lesbian lovers. Please… they’re sisters. After the success of the first album, Heart changed record labels and a legal battle ensued. Ann’s lyrics, and the metaphor of the record company executive as the cold, vicious barracuda are creative and spot on. Enjoy this terrific television clip of the original line-up performing this classic song.
And the lyrics:
Barracuda
Heart
(A.Wilson/N.Wilson/R.Fisher)
So this ain’t the end – I saw you again today
Had to turn my heart away
You smiled like the Sun – kisses for everyone
and tales – it never fails!
You lying so low in the weeds
Bet you gonna ambush me
You’d have me down on my knees
Wouldn’t you, Barracuda?
Back over Time when we were all trying for free
Met up with porpoise and me
No right no wrong you’re selling a Song – a name
whisper game
If the real thing don’t do the trick
You better make up something quick
You gonna burn it out to the wick
aren’t you, Barracuda?
“Sell me sell you” the porpoise said
Dive down deep to save my head
You… I think you got the blues too.
All that night and all the next
Swam without looking back
Made for the western pools -silly fools!
