Today’s topic is totally banal and I am not sure why it’s even part of the challenge. Simply, all I have to do is choose a song (any song!) from my favorite band. Stupid.
I am principally against the practice of having “one favorite thing.” I usually find that favorites are contingent upon a complex set of circumstances i.e. time, place, mood, happenstance, hormones, etc. . . However, this band has been continuously impressing me for years now. I liked them before they became ubiquitous and I still like them even though they are experiencing a hipster backlash. The music is pop infused fun; the lyrics are intelligent, entertaining, thought provoking, and dada-esque; and the band itself is comprised of nerd-dorks. All the makings of something I would totally be into-quirky intelligent songs to dance to. Why not?!?
I can’t quite recall the first time I heard MGMT. All I can remember is one day, for seemingly no reason, having “Electric Feel” in my head. Although, at the time I did not know it was “Electric Feel.” Tracking it down was a difficult challenge that comprised the better part of a day. I bought their first album, Oracular Spectacular, almost immediately (on vinyl because I’m cool) after pinpointed the mystery song. Since that day it has been one of my most listened to albums. I also had the pleasure of seeing MGMT at last year’s Rock the Garden, although a more intimate venue would have been preferable. Their latest release, Congratulations, is also quiet good. The album itself was scratch off-which was fun.
Today topic is a song to fall asleep to. This theme is extra appropriate because a) I've been extra sleepy this weekend and b) I have a sleeping Chihuahua on me at this very moment. I am very particular about the songs I can fall asleep to. They cannot have any lyrics because my brain will listen to the words while I am asleep and choose one it likes as a wake up term. They can also not be overly raucous because I am a light sleeper (sort of-I have very peculiar sleep idiosyncrasies that would be too boring to explain). I actually very very rarely listen to music when falling asleep.
However, I find Philip Glass perfect music to nap to. I genuinely appreciate Philip Glass in my waking life as well and recently had the pleasure of seeing him perform this song live at an experimental jazz festival in Manhattan. Also, I once did fall asleep (almost instantly) while watching Koyaanisqatsi: Life out of Balance, a film scored by Philip Glass. So here it is, "Glassworks" by Philip Glass.
Claiming to be able to dance to this song is a bit of an overstatement. Actually, it is a bold faced lie but here I am, writing about it anyway.
Imagine this, it’s Memorial Day, the sun is shining, you are in Los Angeles, and your friends have a really sweet porch. What do you do? If you are us, you spend the day partaking in adult beverages like any true American. Although, if you go down this wayward path you risk being completely sloppy drunk by the early evening, as is what happened to me.
My L.A. friends (yep, I’m super cool) live in a four-plex and are very neighborly, so when one of their upstairs neighbors came home to find himself locked out of his apartment we offered him a beer and asked him to join us. Unfortunately for him this happened to coincide with me suddenly coming down with a massive case of “Teach Me How to Dougie” getting stuck in my drunken little head. As it turned out this dude, who’s name I cannot remember (I’m a bit of an asshole), admitted that his girlfriend knew how to “Dougie.” Also, he was pretty good at the “Dougie” himself. Ultimately this then led to a marathon of me commanding him to “teach me how to Dougie” (in my defense that is what the song prescribes) and him futilely attempting to show me. It was actually pretty rad. Every time he’d attempt to show me a “Dougie” move he’d say “of course.” i.e. “Then you move your arm like this of course.” And, of course, I could really not mimic any of it.
This is how it went down (from what I’ve been told):
Me: am I doing it?
Crowd: (unenthusiastically) yeah, that time it was pretty good
Me: Quit placating my Dougie (I really like to use the word “placate” when I’m drunk, I think that the drunken version of myself thinks it makes me appear less drunk). Show me again!
Dougie Dude: Then you move you feet like this, and then, of course, you move your arm like this. . .
Me: is this it?
Crowd: No
Sadly, times this by a few hours and that was the rest of the evening.
Anyway, I can now “Dougie” a million times better than I could before, which is actually pretty pathetic because my “Dougie” totally sucks. Thank you L.A. friends, cool L.A. Dougier, Cali Swag District, America, troops fighting for freedom, Skyy Vodka, barbequed Twinkies, and diet coke for blessing me with a truly fabulous Memorial Day 2011. The parts I can remember shall never be forgotten.
Teach Me How to Dougie Lyrics
Aye! Aye! Teach me how to dougie (aye! ) [Verse 1:] They be like Smoove (what?) Can u teach me how to dougie? You know why? 'Cause all da bitches love me (aye! ) All I need is a beat that's super bumpin' And for you, you, you to back it up and dump it! Put your arms out front, lean side to side They gon' be on you when they see you hit dat dougie right? Ain't nobody fuckin' wid my bro from morningside He go by Bubba and he hit dat dance wid thunder I ain't from Dallas but I D-town boogie I show my moves off and errbody tryna do me I leave da function and all da ladies tryna screw me You just do you and I'ma do me (all day) Niggas love to hate so they try to shoot me Bitches be stuck to me I think they tryna glue me I make the party shine bright when it's started boomin' Dis beat was bubblegum so I had to chew it [Chorus] Teach me how to dougie Teach me, teach me how to dougie Teach me how to dougie Teach me, teach me how to dougie All my bitches love me All my, all my bitches love me All my bitches love me You ain't fuckin wid my dougie! x2 [Verse 2] My name is yung! For da dudes who don't know me I know I'm from da west but I can teach you how to dougie! Step up in da club and all these bitches bug me All da niggas dancin', none of them know me I hear da spot screamin' like "Aye! Get it brody!" So I'm on my shoulders and I take it real low Dey like "how you da dat? he can dougie on the floor!" And when dat nigga stop they like "dougie some mo'!" I'm like a nigga kinda tired so, I pass it to da bro! M-bone! show these cats how to do dat down south dance Dat we learned a lil too fast and bought it to da hood And got da whole crew askin... [Chorus] Teach me how to dougie Teach me, teach me how to dougie Teach me how to dougie Teach me, teach me how to dougie All my bitches love me All my, all my bitches love me All my bitches love me You aint fuckin wit my dougie! x2 [Verse 3] Back of the party I don't really like to boogie I'm just tryna get bent and meet a thick redbone (Mmm) she do her dougie and all them bitches hatin' but I'm bout To escape with a bitch and head home (fuck it) She got her friends so is a two man and And I wanna run it even if her legs long She like you hubby, I think she love me but, I change da subject and I do my dougie Cuz, I don't give a fuck, blow trees, get money Me, smoove, hef in the back with playboy bunnies We gon' make em do the dougie in the middle of da bed And when I asked for some head da bitch looked at me funny Daaah! bitch you can't tell me nothin star make the beat And I just took it out the oven, I just see the dougie when everybody Clubbin and I hate skinny jeans cuz the burner keep rubbin! [Chorus] Teach me how to dougie Teach me, teach me how to dougie Teach me how to dougie Teach me, teach me how to dougie All my bitches love me All my, all my bitches love me All my bitches love me You aint fuckin wit my dougie! x2
I performed this song at a high school talent show with my Economics teacher. It was pretty dope. It was committed to film. If I ever run for office hopefully it will surface and cause some sort of amazing scandal. Until then. . . word to your mother.
Ice Ice Baby Lyrics
Yo, VIP Let's kick it
Ice, Ice, baby Ice, Ice, baby
All right stop, collaborate, and listen Ice is back with my brand new invention Something grabs a hold of me tightly Flow like a harpoon, daily and nightly
Will it ever stop? Yo, I don't know Turn off the lights and I'll glow To the extreme I rock a mic like a vandal Light-up a stage and wax a chump like a candle
Dance, go rush the speaker that booms I'm killing your brain like a poisonous mushroom Deadly when I play a dope melody Anything less than the best is a felony
Love it or leave it, you better gang way You better hit bull's eye, the kid don't play If there was a problem, yo, I'll solve it Check out the hook while my DJ revolves it
Now that the party is jumping With the bass kicked in and the Vega's are pumpin' Quick to the point, to the point, no faking Cooking MC's like a pound of bacon
Burning 'em, if you ain't quick and nimble I go crazy when I hear a cymbal And a high hat with a souped up tempo I'm on a roll, it's time to go solo
Rollin' in my 5.0 With my rag-top down so my hair can blow The girlies on standby waving just to say hi Did you stop? No, I just drove by
Kept on pursuing to the next stop I busted a left and I'm heading to the next block The block was dead, yo, so I continued To A1A Beach Front Avenue
Girls were hot wearing less than bikinis Rockman lovers driving Lamborghinis Jealous 'cause I'm out getting mine [ From: http://www.elyrics.net/read/v/vanilla-ice-lyrics/ice-ice-baby-lyrics.html ] Shay with a gauge and Vanilla with a nine
Ready for the chumps on the wall The chumps are acting ill because they're full of eight ball Gunshots rang out like a bell I grabbed my nine all I heard was shells
Falling on the concrete real fast Jumped in my car slammed on the gas Bumper to bumper the avenue's packed I'm trying to get away before the jackers jack
Police on the scene, you know what I mean? They passed me up, confronted all the dope fiends If there was a problem, yo, I'll solve it Check out the hook while my DJ revolves it
Take heed 'cause I'm a lyrical poet Miami's on the scene just in case you didn't know it My town that created all the bass sound Enough to shake and kick holes in the ground
'Cause my style's like a chemical spill Feasible rhymes you can vision and feel Conducted and formed, this is a hell of a concept We make it hype and you want to step
With this, Shay plays on the fade Slice like a ninja, cut like a razor blade So fast other DJ's say, "Damn!" If my rhyme was a drug I'd sell it by the gram
Keep my composure when it's time to get loose Magnetized by the mic while I kick my juice If there was a problem, yo, I'll solve it Check out the hook while D. Shay revolves it
Confession: I have a strange fascination with truckers. I blame this on my unhealthy childhood obsession with Big Trouble in Little China. The notion of spending one’s life on the road has been highly romanticized in my imagination and I don’t intend on changing my opinion. Jack Burton, Kurt Russell’s character, passes the long hours by waxing poetic on his CB Radio and eating burritos. His pithy dialogue and rugged good looks paired with his individualistic nature make him a veritable dreamboat for those of us who are attracted to men for all the wrong qualities.
Another main attraction of the trucker lifestyle is the cute cozy nooks they get to sleep in. I can often envision myself tucked away comfortably, dog by my side, in our sleeping cabin (which would look like the inside of the Genie’s bottle) with some greasy diner fare and a good book. Or maybe we’d burn the midnight oil, putting pen to paper writing the next great American novel (because in this alternate universe I’d actually be disciplined enough to do so). Other bonuses of the trucker lifestyle: rest-stop showers (I’m totally serious, they have good showers), breakfast sandwiches, tons of radio listening time, 24 hour diners, burnt coffee, witnessing shifting landscapes, and tons of cool trucker stories.
So, what does this have to do with today’s song? The name of the game today is to select a song which reminds you of an event. My event involves, for a fleeting moment, being the leader of a convoy.
My friend Ned and I had a lot of pretty mundane pastimes when we were in our late teens. We loved to hang out at Wendy’s and read tarot cards, we loved to eat dill pickle chips and play Mario Cart in his basement, we loved to go to playgrounds in the rain, and we loved driving around late at night listening to music (mostly Ned’s “Now 6” CD), chatting and smoking cigarettes. Well, Minneapolis is known for its construction season. Often stretches of highway are completely closed down and travelers are sent on confusing and ill planned detours. One night, this worked in our favor. We found ourselves aimlessly driving around a desolate southwest Minneapolis neighborhood when we stumbled upon two lost and out of place Semi Trucks. We pulled up next to them and they asked us how to get to the highway. Quickly realizing the tremendous opportunity we had been granted, we seized the moment and offered to direct them to the highway ourselves. Ned pulled his golden chariot (busted Nissan Maxima) to the front of the behemoths and we led a convoy from Linden Hills, down Xerxes, to the highway. It was freaking awesome!
“What does any of this have to do with today’s song?” you may still be wondering. Well, as fate would have it, at the exact moment we became convoy leaders, “Brass in Pocket” by The Pretenders came on the radio. Holy fuck it was amazing! Back story: Ned and I love this song, super a lot. The fact that it played at that moment was unreal! We were both completely and utterly shocked. We had, lucky for us, by this time perfected our performance of it. If my memory is correct, we had even devised an accompanying car dance. Till this day I have not had a surge of adrenaline that matches the one I experienced that night. We couldn’t sleep for hours. We drove around discussing how awesome our night had been until morning. We laughed so hard we cried. Literally, we laughed for at least an hour straight. It hurt. To this day, I still consider it to be one of the most amazing events of my life. Whenever “Brass in Pocket” plays I think of Ned and that incredible evening.
At that moment I knew that Ned and I were destined to be life long friends. His ability to revel in events that most others would consider humdrum is a true testament to the amazing person that he is. We truly are kindred spirits.
Also, Chrissie Hynde is mega awesome and we love her.
Brass in Pocket Lyrics
Got brass in pocket Got Bottle, I'm gonna use it Intention, I feel inventive Gonna make you, make you, make you notice
Got motion, restrained emotion Been driving, Detroit leaning No reason, just seems so pleasing Gonna make you, make you, make you notice
(CHORUS) Gonna use my arms Gonna use my legs Gonna use my style Gonna use my sidestep Gonna use my fingers Gonna use my, my, my imagination
'Cause I'm gonna make you see There's nobody else here No one like me I'm special, so special I gotta have some of your attention, give it to me
Got rhythm, I can't miss a beat Got new ne skank, it's so reet Got something, I'm winking at you Gonna make you, make you, make you notice
(CHORUS) Gonna use my arms Gonna use my legs Gonna use my style Gonna use my sidestep Gonna use my fingers Gonna use my, my, my imagination
'Cause I'm gonna make you see There's nobody else here No one like me I'm special, so special I gotta have some of your attention Give it to me
'Cause I'm gonna make you see There's nobody else here No one like me I'm special, so special I gotta have some of your attention Give it to me!
Runners Up: 1.“Let the River Run” by Carly Simon-Riding the Staten Island Ferry and seeing the statue of Liberty for the first time 2.“Ridin’ Dirty” by Chamillionaire- Driving through Alabama to Staci and Tucker’s Florida wedding/creation of the Hater Party Crew 3.“Hip Hop” by Dead Prez-New Years 2007 at Thanh Do
One of the most compelling characteristics of music is its ability to transport us through time and space. Today, the agenda is to write about a particular song that reminds me of a particular place. The first time I heard “Appletree” by Erykah Badu I was sitting at the desk of my high school art teacher at Southwest high school, Minneapolis, MN. Whenever I hear it I am immediately brought back to that specific moment in time. Nothing out of the ordinary was happening. I was drawing, there was the tumult of people arting around me, the room smelled of stale acrylic paint, and I just sat for a moment, listening to the song and watching the people surrounding me go about their business of creating. It wasn’t an exceptional moment but it has stuck with me for all these years later (10 I believe!). After that, “Appletree,” and other Badu songs, became a staple in that space. There was one lousy boom-box and a few dozen CD’s (most of them outrageously scratched) to choose from. Once I played a Roots CD someone anonymously complained that it was offensive. That was lame. For some reason a lot of Bob Marley and Bob Dylan were also played. Jurassic Five and Deltron 3030 were also popular now that I think about it. Anyway, “Appletree” is the song that stands out the most as reminding me of the high school art room environment.
At the time, I was a junior, I was really struck by the lyrics of “Appletree.” I hadn’t really listened Badu before and I was really engrossed by her style. That night, I believe, I bought a few of her albums at the Galleria Mall’s Barnes and Noble. The one I listened to the most was her live album, which still stands up today as a quality album. Over the years I have spent a lot of time listening to Badu, those she’s inspired and those who have inspired her. I still love the song “Appletree” and am thankful it can so easily transport me back to a place so seminal in my personal development.
Appletree lyrics I'd like to dedicate this to all of the Creator's righteous children. I have some food in my bag for you. Not that edible food -- the food you eat? No. I have some food for thought. Since knowledge is infinite it has infinitely fell on me. So umm...
It was a stormy night you know the kind where the lightning strike and I was hangin' out wit some of my "artsy" friends ooh wee ooh wee oooh The night was long the night went on people coolin' out until the break of dawn incense was burnin' so I'm feelin right -- ah'ight
See I picks my friends like I pick my fruit & Ganny told me that when I was only a youth I don't go 'round trying to be what I'm not I don't waste my time trying ta get what you got I work at pleasin' me cause I can't please you and that's why I do what I do My soul flies free like a willow tree doo wee doo wee do wee
And if you don't want to be down with me You don't want to pick from my appletree And if you don't want to be down with me Then you don't want to pick from my appletree And if you don't want to be down with me Then you don't want to pick from my appletree And if you don't want to be down with me You just don't want to be down
I have a ho and I take it everywhere I go Cause I'm planting seeds so I reaps What I sow -- ya know Oh on & on & on & on my cipher keeps movin' like a rollin' stone I can't control the soul flowin' in me ooh wee
See I picks my friends like I pick my fruit [ From : http://www.elyrics.net/read/e/erykah-badu-lyrics/appletree-lyrics.html ] & Ganny told me that when I was only a youth I don't walk around trying to be what I'm not I don't waste my time trying ta get what you got I work at pleasin' me cause I can't please you and that's why I do what I do My soul flies free like a willow tree doo wee doo wee do wee
And if you don't want to be down with me, You don't want to pick from my appletree [x3] And if you don't want to be down with me You just don't want to be down
Oh my my my Oh my my my Oh my my my ahh Oh my my my my my my my Ohh I picks my friends like I pick my fruit & Ganny told me that when I was only a youth I don't walk around trying to be what I'm not I don't waste my time trying ta get what you got I work at pleasin' me cause I can't please you and that's why I do what I do My soul flies free like a willow tree doo wee doo wee do wee
And if you don't want to be down with me You don't want to pick from my appletree And if you don't want to be down with me You dum dum diddy And if you don't want to be down with me You don't want to pick from my appletree And if you don't want to be down with me You just don't want to be down You just don't want to be down Ohh you just don't want to be down Down, down, down You just don't want to be down Ohh You just don't want to be down down [x15] wanna be down no oh no You just don't want to be down no no no You just don't want to be down
Today’s agenda is to pick a song that reminds me of someone. Most of the songs I went through in my mind remind me of people I am currently friends with and choosing just one friend to write about proved to be too difficult. Plus this is a fun anecdote.
My first job out of high school was as a hostess at California Pizza Kitchen, Southdale. One day word spread around the restaurant that our general manager, Steve, had once been on a date with Paula Abdul. Steve was one of the sweetest/kindest managers I have encountered in my life which made all the ensuing jokes that much more hilarious. The running joke was that Paula had written this song about him. In fact, the 18-year-old incarnation of myself would sing it (awfully) to him whenever he entered a room. His nickname actually became “Snake” for a while. Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, Steve, this one’s for you. Plus it’s a really good song.
Sorry this one’s so short. I’m actually taking a break from a pretty hot date to write this. We are going to watch "The Crow" now, utilizing Netflix’s “watch instantly” feature. No big.
Cold Hearted Snake
He's a cold-hearted snake Look into his eyes Oh ohhh He's been tellin' lies He's a lover boy at play He don't play by rules Oh oh Girl don't play the fool--no
You're the one givin' up the love Anytime he needs it But you turn your back and then he's off and runnin' with the crowd You're the one to sacrifice Anything to please him Do you really think he thinks about you when he's out
He's a cold-hearted snake Look into his eyes Oh ohhh He's been tellin' lies He's a lover boy at play He don't play by rules Oh oh oh Girl don't play the fool--no
It was only late last night He was out there sneakin' Then he called you up to check that you were waiting by the phone All the world's a candy store He's been trick or treatin' When it comes to true love girl with him there's no one home
He's a cold-hearted snake Look into his eyes Oh ohh He's been tellin' lies He's a lover boy at play He don't play by rules Oh oh oh Girl don't play the fool--no
Rap: How come how come he can he can tell-a tell-a you're-a you're-a Always always number number one without a doubt (He's he's one one cold cold snake snake) When-a when-a he is he is always always squirmin' squirmin' Like a little snake under-a e-ver-y-a rock (No no give give, all all take take) You've been you've been workin' workin' on the on the love And he's been only only playing undercover all the while (One one smooth smooth sharp sharp tongue tongue) Take a take another 'nother look into his eyes (He he just just talks) And you will on-ly see a rep-tile
You could find somebody better girl He could only make you cry You deserve somebody better girl He's c-cold as ice
He's a cold-hearted snake Look into his eyes Oh ohhhh He's been tellin' lies He's a lover boy at play He don't play by rules Oh oh oh Girl don't play the fool--no
He's a cold-hearted snake Look into his eyes Oh ohh He's been tellin' lies He's a lover boy at play He don't play by rules Oh oh oh Girl don't play the fool--(repeat to fade)
