%%USERNAME%%    %%ACCWORDS%% %%ONOFF%% |
 |
28 songs for the month of February. The soundtrack of my life in 2022. |
I'm making a solid attempt at the Soundtrack of Your Life challenge  for February. I'll be honest that with my schedule, a daily writing challenge is quite difficult. But I love music so this challenge is right up my street.Buckle up and be prepared for possible musical whiplash. Hopefully you'll discover something new. ![Merit Badge in Music
[Click For More Info]
Congratulations on successfully completing at least 21 daily entries for the 2022 round of [Link To Item #1970896] !](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/genre-Music-1050.gif)
|
"Put a Lid on It" by the Squirrel Nut Zippers (Put a lid on it) What's that you say? (Put a lid on it) Oh man, no way Put a lid down on it, and everything will be all right (Put a lid on it) Don't hand me that (Put a lid on it) I'm all right, Jack Put a lid down on it, before somebody starts a fight Say, every time I turn it loose you cats come down and cook my goose When I start I just can't stop But if you keep this up you're gonna blow your top! (Put a lid on it) Too late this time (Put a lid on it) I've got to get what's mine Put a lid down on it, and everything will be all right Well, grab your drink and clear a space I think it's time to torch this place Now the girl's in overdrive But some of your pals want to stay alive! I'll put a lid on it I'll put a lid down on it I'll put a lid down on it Save it for another night I just had to include this song by the Squirrel Nut Zippers. The last concert I saw in person, shortly before the pandemic shut everything down, was the Squirrel Nut Zippers. In fact, I remember that they updated one of their songs to reference the virus that was just starting to take over the world. They are so much fun to see live. The whole room was on their feet dancing by the end of the night. So, this song reminds me of better times.I'm a big fan of their modern jazzy / swing style, and I adore the tone of her voice and the wailing trumpet. She has excellent pitch and control. But what I love the most about this band is their impeccable timing and use of percussion. It's like they have an entire arsenal of percussive instruments at their disposal and they know how to use every one of them. As a former band nerd, I appreciate a good percussion section. If you want a better example of their percussive prowess, you can check out their song "Interlocutor" . It doesn't have any lyrics, but it does have nearly as much percussive excitement as "Stomp". This song doesn't really have a particularly deep meaning or anything, it's just a fun little ditty. I don't think anyone likes to be told to "be quiet" or to "put a lid on it". Has that ever actually worked to get someone to shut up? Saying that will only have the opposite effect. Not that people really use the phrase "put a lid on it" anymore, but if someone said that to me I would definitely blow my top. Anni |
"L.A. (Looking Alive)" by Madison Cunningham Taking a walk down Eagle Rock, wandering Where the men wear their jeans tight as a bull dog’s skin Listening to the way people talk, and the way people worry Turn themselves blonde when they get that sick feeling they’re... aging Well, I've got a face he has a hard time remembering And every time that we’ve met he’ll ask, "Sorry what’s your name again?" The way people talk and the way people hurry To reach for a card when they think that you might be Wasting... their time Wide-eyed, looking for something There’s bound to be something to let you down Wide-eyed, are you sleep deprived? Well if you want to be something, you’re looking alive Taking a drive down the five, I’m a different man The drivers have a way of taking the last bit of goodness I had There’s always something to wake you when you're caught in a dream Flashing lights in your rearview, the hollowing scream of your own voice Was that my voice? Might I suggest something? There’s bound to be something To let you down Wide eyed, are you sleep deprived If you want to be something then Hey! Look alive Look alive Well, I left for the city with the strength and the will to compete How quickly you forget that just anyone can fill your seat Doesn't it feel good to laugh at yourself Turn your back on the business and leave it to sell its own worry, its own worry I’ve been looking alive I've been looking alive Madison is a young up-and-coming singer and songwriter that I really think is going to go far. I like her voice and her use of interesting chords with a lot of dissonance. I think this was the first time she performed this song live in front of an audience. As she said, she wrote this about her experience in the music industry in L.A. She's definitely not the first to write about this subject. I've always wondered how many great artists we never hear of because they just didn’t make it through the indifference and mistreatment of the music industry. Only a small percentage ever make it, through a combination of luck, networking and pure resilience. Not so much on the basis of talent. Although it isn't what Madison wrote this about, this song always reminds me of my days working retail. I spent about three years working a few different service jobs to pay my way through school. Possibly the longest three years of my life. Another industry where you're treated as if you're invisible and expendable. "How quickly you forget that just anyone can take your seat." I have more than one horror story of being screamed at over a coupon on a $2 ice cream, or because their favorite item wasn't in stock. And even more stories about legally questionable things my managers did (or didn't do) that never got reported. Honestly, it was my main motivation for going on to graduate school afterwards, and I even said as much in my applications. The physical toll of hauling heavy boxes and crates around, working in extreme temperatures like freezers, and strain from constant repetitive motions. The incessant reminder to "Hey, look alive!" by managers and customers alike. You can't have an off day, you can't be tired, or be anything less than chipper and bubbly. I'm too much of an introvert to get through hundreds of superficial interactions and small talk with complete strangers for 8+ hours every day. Trust me, it does feel good to turn your back on the business and leave it to sell it's own worry. They need you way more than you need them. Anni |
| Entry number 11, slightly delayed. "New Kid in Town" by the Eagles There's talk on the street, it sounds so familiar Great expectations, everybody's watching you People you meet, they all seem to know you Even your old friends treat you like you're something new Johnny come lately The new kid in town Everybody loves you So don't let them down You look in her eyes, the music begins to play Hopeless romantics, here we go again But after awhile you're lookin' the other way It's those restless hearts that never mend Johnny come lately The new kid in town Will she still love you? When you're not around... There's so many things you should have told her But night after night you're willing to hold her, just hold her Tears on your shoulder There's talk on the street, it's there to remind you Doesn't really matter which side you're on You're walking away and they're talking behind you They will never forget you 'til somebody new comes along Where you been lately? There's a new kid in town Everybody loves him don't they? And he's holding her And you're still around... There's a new kid in town Just another new kid in town... Everybody's talking 'bout The new kid in town Everybody's walking like The new kid in town There's a new kid in town (I don't want to hear it) There's a new kid in town (I don't want to hear it) There's a new kid in town (Everybody's talking) There's a new kid in town (People started walking) There's a new kid in town The Eagles are one of my all time favorite bands. I never get sick of listening to the complex harmonies and flawless guitar work. You've probably noticed by now that vocal harmonies and guitar are my weaknesses. (Please don't use this against me.) This song in particular is underrated, in favor of their more well-known songs like "Hotel California", but it deserves more attention. It's written by Don Henley, Glenn Frey, and J. D. Souther. Yes, it took three people to write this masterpiece. Unfortunately, Glenn Frey, who founded the band, passed away in 2016 and even the other band members have said that the band will never be the same. However, the Eagles are still together and making music with two new members to replace Frey, one of which is his son. According to the info underneath the video, they're currently touring right now. Like most bands of their caliber, the Eagles had their share of the sex, drugs and drama that's typically associated with Rock & Roll. In fact, by the time they recorded their last album, there was so much animosity between the members that they couldn't stand to be in the same room together, even for long enough to record. Their parts had to be recorded in separate locations and then patched together. It still amazes me that these men who apparently hate each other can sound SO good together. You'd never know it by the way they play together and blend their voices. I would assume that it would come through in the music and things would sound disjointed and not as cohesive, but perhaps that's not the case when you're a professional. To be fair, this is the studio version, and it could have been recorded before there was trouble in paradise. I suppose some things must have been resolved if they can stand each other enough to go on tour together now. Anni |
| This might not be the song you were expecting when you saw the title "Zombie"... "Zombie" by Orla Gartland When all of your body's burning up When all of your body's burning up You live like a zombie Turn it off, and push it down And it comes back round again When all of your body's burning up When all of your body's burning up You live like a zombie Turn it off, and push it down And it comes back 'round again You're not a bad guy, not a bad guy But you do this all the damn time You go quiet and you fight it You don't know how to feel All of this rage in your hands Passed on down from your old man And now somehow it's my fault Oh, who is this monster on the phone? Jacked up on your testosterone And I hate it, I hate it, I hate it, I hate it I hate it, I hate it, I hate it, I hate it Oh, when all of your body's burning up When all of your body's burning up You live like a zombie Turn it off, push it down And it comes back 'round again When your body's burning up When all of your body's burning up You livе like a zombie Turn it off and push it down Take your timе, take your time 'Cause babe, what's yours is mine All your drama and your trauma That you hide from the boys If I say that I'll stay then I'll stay But I can't sit here watching you wasting away Oh, when all of your body's burning up When all of your body's burning up You live like a zombie Turn it off, push it down And it comes back 'round again When your body's burning up When all of your body's burning up You live like a zombie Turn it off and push it down Orla Gartland is one of the most talented and creative musicians you've probably never heard of, and this is my favorite song of hers. Her energy is infectious (in a good way, not in a "wear a mask and keep 6 feet" kind of way), and her musical style is rather unique. I haven't heard a rock song intro with these cool descending harmonies, in a round, set to such a danceable beat like this before. It's just the right amount of different to catch your interest before she dives right into a classic rock verse that feels a lot more familiar. With plenty of electric guitar. There's also moments of relative calm for balance, which makes the upbeat sections even more-so by contrast. In the video, Orla stars as a zombie hunter facing a group of zombies. These zombies don't appear to be the violent type that want to eat your brains; they're mostly just... dead inside. Pun intended. In fact, she’s not so much a “zombie hunter”, but more of a “zombie rehabilitator”. If you notice, the patch on her arm says ZOMBIE RESCUE. She goes about using various methods to get them to shed tears for her, which she collects in little vials to use as a cure for their Zombiness. There's obviously a deeper meaning here in the lyrics, something about (literally) bottling up emotions, toxic masculinity, and generational trauma being passed down. But, mostly, it's just a super catchy and high energy song that will probably take up residence in your ear holes for a while. Sorry about that! Anni |
| Day 9, a song that was way ahead of it's time. "Handlebars" by Flobots I can ride my bike with no handlebars No handlebars No handlebars Look at me, look at me Hands in the air like it's good to be Alive, and I'm a famous rapper Even when the paths are all crookedy I can show you how to do-si-do I can show you how to scratch a record I can take apart the remote control And I can almost put it back together I can tie a knot in a cherry stem I can tell you about Leif Ericson I know all the words to "De Colores" And "I'm Proud to be an American" Me and my friend saw a platypus Me and my friend made a comic book And guess how long it took I can do anything that I want, 'cause, look I can keep rhythm with no metronome No metronome No metronome And I can see your face on the telephone On the telephone On the telephone Look at me, look at me Just called to say that it's good to be Alive, in such a small world I'm all curled up with a book to read I can make money, open up a thrift store I can make a living off a magazine I can design an engine Sixty-four miles to a gallon of gasoline I can make new antibiotics I can make computers survive aquatic Conditions, I know how to run the business And I can make you wanna buy a product Movers, shakers and producers Me and my friends understand the future I see the strings that control the system I can do anything with no resistance 'Cause I can lead a nation with a microphone With a microphone With a microphone And I can split the atom of a molecule Of a molecule Of a molecule Look at me, look at me Drivin' and I won't stop And it feels so good to be alive and on top My reach, is global My tower, secure My cause, is noble My power, is pure I can hand out a million vaccinations Or let 'em all die of exasperation Have 'em all healed of their lacerations Have 'em all killed by assassination I can make anybody go to prison Just because I don't like 'em And I can do anything with no permission I have it all under my command because I can guide a missile by satellite By satellite By satellite And I can hit a target through a telescope Through a telescope Through a telescope And I can end the planet in a holocaust In a holocaust (x5) I can ride my bike with no handlebars No handlebars No handlebars I remember hearing this song in high school, and the only part that stuck with me was that he could ride his bike with no handlebars. I thought that was kind of cute, and paid no attention at all to the rest of the lyrics. I also hadn't seen the music video before. Now, in 2022, this song hits differently. "I can hand out a million vaccinations / or let them all die of exasperation." I don't think the artists knew at the time how prophetic this song and video would be. Let's just say, the friend who went the corporate rout looks a bit too familiar. Everything from the nonsensical bragging, to the big corporate tower changing to a political landscape in front of American flags. Again, this song was first released in 2005, so I doubt they had any specific person in mind. I'm sure they meant the character to be a generalized symbol of corporate greed and power left unchecked. Who could have known that we would soon have a prominent political figurehead who is the very embodiment of corporate greed and power left unchecked. Granted, most politicians are greedy, but the one we elected in 2016 is like a cartoon caricature of a sleazy businessman. Like many things, this song starts out innocent enough. Two friends riding bikes together decide to take very different paths in life. The lyrics become more and more exaggerated, from "Me and my friends saw a platypus" to "I can split the atom of a molecule", and things soon escalate out of control. The slow descent into Fascism is pretty realistic, like the frog in the boiling pot that can't sense the temperature rising until it's too late. It starts with, "my cause is noble, my power is pure". It's easy to get into power by claiming that you will use that power for good; and maybe in some cases that actually is their intention at the start. But, power corrupts, and it's nearly impossible to take back once you give it. It can very quickly turn into, "I can do anything with no resistance". And then things turn violent, because that's the only way to hold onto power once you get it. People generally don't take kindly to being oppressed, and leaders generally don't take kindly to challenges to their power. In the video, the peaceful friend rallies the people to protest against the leader and things end in a massacre. I like the use of white splatters instead of red for blood to symbolize that the blood spilled is from innocent casualties. No one wins here. Including the leader, who lost his friend from the beginning in the massacre. From his expression, it's clear that he didn't fully understand the consequences of what he started. A good example that once you stoke the fires of unrest and doubt and violence, they can take on a life of their own and you don't control it anymore. The damage is done and everyone gets burned, including the one who started it. Well, can you ride a bike with no handlebars? Anni |
Cover of Billie Eilish's "Idontwannabeyouanymore" by Teddy Swims Don't be that way Fall apart twice a day I just wish you could feel what you say Show, never tell But I know you too well Got a mood that you wish you could sell If teardrops could be bottled There'd be swimming pools filled by models Told "a tight dress is what makes you a whore" If "I love you" was a promise Would you break it, if you're honest? Tell the mirror what you know she's heard before I don't wanna be you, anymore Hands getting cold Losing feeling is getting old Was I made from a broken mold? Hurt, I can't shake We've made every mistake Only you know the way that I break If teardrops could be bottled There'd be swimming pools filled by models Told "a tight dress is what makes you a whore" If "I love you" was a promise Would you break it, if you're honest? Tell the mirror what you know she's heard before I don't wanna be you I don't wanna be you I don't wanna be you, anymore One of my favorite things is popular songs covered by someone completely unexpected, the opposite gender, vocal style, time signature, genre, etc. than the original artist. Although Teddy doesn't stray much at all from the original melody or musical style, he puts a very different spin and feel on this Billie Eilish hit song. It was already a beautiful song with meaningful lyrics, but somehow Teddy and his golden voice make it even more so. I love those subtle runs and the way he sings, "Tell the mirror / What you know she's heard before". His voice has a lot of flavor in the way he approaches his vowels, but at the same time it's so warm and comforting. Like a big hug from a Teddy bear. A Teddy Swims bear. The contrast of vulnerable lyrics and angelic vocals coming from a tough looking exterior is very striking. Just goes to show that insecurities and body image issues are not limited to pretty young women such as Billie. Almost everyone, at one point or another, has looked in the mirror and not liked what they saw. It's a nearly universal human experience, especially in the modern times of social media, where anything and everything you do is being watched (and judged) by an audience of sometimes thousands of people. It's so easy to compare yourself and your life to others' curated highlight reel and wish you were someone else. I’ve actually touched on the concept of self image before in my poem "Mirror, Mirror" [13+], written from the perspective of a bathroom mirror. And that's enough shameless self-promotion for one blog entry. If you haven't heard it before, also check out the original by Billie Eilish: https://youtu.be/-tn2S3kJlyU. Anni |
| Day 7 of the "Soundtrack of your life" challenge: (Warning: Strong language in this one.) "Sweater" by Spencer Sutherland It's a fun song, but the video is really what makes it. The aesthetics, the cast of characters, the lyrics, the comedic timing, the dancing at the end, the facial expressions. Pure gold. Especially for a music video, you can tell a lot of thought and work went into this. It's like a three and a half minute movie. Props to the director, Seth Stern. There's too many subtle details to point out all of them, but my favorite is the three of them bowling on beat in the background behind Spencer as he sings. I'm also impressed with Spencer's range. That's quite high, and it doesn't sound strained in the least. I think it's a pretty relatable situation that a lot of people have been in at some point in their lives. You break up with someone and then realize they still have your stuff, and somehow you have to get it back. Or, if the breakup is bad enough, just call it a loss and buy yourself a new one. Sometimes it's not worth having to see that person again. It amuses me that he decided to write an entire song about it. I hope Spencer gets his sweater back. Anni |
| Day 6, just another Pleasant Valley Sunday. "Pleasant Valley Sunday" by The Monkees Your local rock group down the street Is trying hard to learn this song To serenade the weekend squire Just came out to mow his lawn Another Pleasant Valley Sunday Charcoal burnin' everywhere Rows of houses that are all the same And no one seems to care See Mrs. Gray she's proud today Because her roses are in bloom And Mr. Green he's so serene He's got a TV in every room Another Pleasant Valley Sunday Here in status symbol land Mothers complain about how hard life is And the kids just don't understand Creature comfort goals They only numb my soul And make it hard for me to see My thoughts all seem to stray to places far away I need a change of scenery Another Pleasant Valley Sunday Charcoal burning everywhere Another Pleasant Valley Sunday Here in status symbol land Another Pleasant Valley Sunday Written by Carole King and then made famous by the Monkees, this catchy little number captures the feeling of stagnation and monotony of middle-class suburban life. Rows of cookie-cutter houses, keeping up with the Jones', doing the same chores and seeing the same people day in and day out. A life that looks pleasant and perfect on the surface, but is actually soul-crushingly boring. Not just boring, but there's incredible pressure to keep up appearances, impress the neighbors, and sweep anything unpleasant under the rug. If you've seen the movie "Pleasantville", it has a very similar message. Only, without the infamous guitar riff and awesome harmonies. I don't live out in the suburbs, but I can relate to the feeling. People aren't made for that level of monotony. Our brains crave novelty and stimulation, and without that, things start to go wrong. Some people need more than others, and some people are perfectly content in their routines and don't like change. Nothing wrong with that. But for some, it can feel suffocating, like you're trapped. I think I was getting to that point. Fortunately, although I didn't plan on moving and wasn't particularly happy about it, I did end up with a change of scenery. I think I am better off for it. Anni |
"Inaudible Melodies" by Jack Johnson Brushfire fairytales Itsy bitsy diamond wells Big fat hurricanes Yellow bellied given names Well shortcuts can slow you down And in the end we're bound To rebound off of we Well dust off your thinking caps Solar powered plastic plants Pretty pictures of things we ate We are only what we hate But in the long run we have found Silent films are full of sound Inaudibly free Slow down everyone You're moving too fast Frames can't catch you when You're moving like that Inaudible melodies Serve narrational strategies Unobtrusive tones Help to notice nothing but the zone Of visual relevancy Frame-lines tell me what to see Chopping like an axe Or maybe Eisenstein should just relax Slow down everyone You're moving too fast Frames can't catch you when You're moving like that Well Plato's cave is full of freaks Demanding refunds for the things they've seen I wish they could believe In all the things that never made the screen And just slow down everyone You're moving too fast Frames can't catch you when You're moving like that Slow down everyone You're moving too fast Frames can't catch you when You're moving like that Moving too... In times of high stress and hectic schedules and failed experiments, like this past week, I turn to Jack Johnson. Even without the lyrics, the smooth tone of his voice alone with the laid-back island beat and effortless guitar riffs is so calming. I would love for Jack Johnson to sing me to sleep every night. The way the lyrics flow and rhyme feels like waves washing onto the shore. It's probably not surprising, then, that Jack is a big surfer born and raised in Hawaii who went to school in California. You can literally hear it in his music. He uses a lot of slack-key style guitar, typically found in Hawaiian music, which adds to the cool island feel. As a transplanted native Californian who hasn't seen the ocean in at least 4 years (probably longer), this is about as close as I can get right now. While the lyrics may seem like fluff on the surface, if you stop to listen to the words they're actually quite clever and poignant. What other musician do you know references Plato's "Allegory of the Cave" in their lyrics? In a song about the dangers of the hustle and noise of the modern world, referencing an allegory that says everything we experience is just an illusion, a distraction, a shadow of the real thing, is not a coincidence. People are "demanding refunds for the things they've seen" which, according to the allegory, aren't even real and thus don't matter. It's all very intentional, as are all the references to old silent films. Also, the irony of "solar powered plastic plants" is not lost on me. You probably also won't be shocked to hear that he's a major environmentalist. In fact, he and his wife have started several charity foundations to support that cause. What a stand-up guy.This is your reminder to slow down, because you're moving too fast. Anni |
| And now for something a little lighter. Mashup of "I Knew You Were Trouble" / "As Long as You Love Me" by VoicePlay, Featuring Rachel Potter Anyone who knows me knows I love Acapella music. For those who haven't heard of VoicePlay before, they are one of the best Acapella groups out there (with the exception of Pentatonix, who will also make an appearance on this list at some point). The things they can do with just their vocal chords-- it's mind boggling. Keep in mind as you listen that there are no instruments here. The group consists of Geoff the super bass (front left), Layne the percussionist (front right), Earl the high tenor (back left, no longer in the group), Eli the tenor (back center) and Tony the baritone (back right, also no longer in the group). Together, they have a range of five octaves. They are joined here by Rachel Potter, who is a Broadway star and overall impressive vocalist. To be perfectly honest, I probably wouldn't listen to either of the original songs on their own. But as an acapella mashup? Yes, please. I love it when mashups are so well done they sound like a completely new song as opposed to two separate songs being sung together. VoicePlay has such tight timing and harmonies that you sometimes can't even tell the individual voices apart. It all comes together into a solid wall of harmonic bliss in the background. They usually include a fun little treat in each video too, like the use of the megaphone. I'd say this is the very definition of "ear candy". Sweet and fun and calorie dense and probably bad for your teeth. Make sure to brush afterwards! Anni |
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
Community Newsfeed
General Discussion
Sponsored Items
Book of Trinkets
Static Items
Books
Groups
Interactive Stories
Audio
Campfire Creatives
Community Notes
Crossword Puzzles
Documents
Folders
Images
In & Outs
Madlibs
Photo Albums
Polls
Product Reviews
Quizzes
Survey Forms
Web Pages
Word Searches
