I might lie a lot but never in my lyrics.
- Courtney Love
Have you ever noticed that nearly every Natalie Merchant or 10,000 Maniacs song, the first few words in the lyrics are the actual song title? It makes “Name That Song Title” kind of easy.
My parents were already pretty old when they had me, so because they were raised in the 50s, Lawrence Welk was a typical guest in our house thanks to his weekly TV program. I dreaded it outwardly, but secretly, I loved it. The women in their pretty dresses, the dancers, the singers, the bubbles.. oh so many bubbles.
But there developed my favourite sound in the entire world. The sound of dancing shoes on the Lawrence Welk show floor. I don’t know what it is about that particular floor, but the sound is so crisp… I just looked forward to hearing that week after week.
Hear it for yourself. By the way.. Tea for Two is a kick ass song.
Sunday morning I’m waking up
Can’t even focus on a coffee cup
Don’t even know whose bed I’m in
Where do I start
Where do I begin
- Chemical Brothers
Do you have one of those songs that immediately transport you to a certain time or place? Maybe we all do.
Mine is Chemical Brothers “Where Do I Begin”.. instantly I’m transported to 1994 and sitting in a 1989 Ford Escort named Boo-Boo. My friend and I would wake up Sunday morning with a hangover, nod at each other, put on our sunglasses, and drive to the nearest McDonald’s for our Quarter Pounder hangover cure.
The first song we would play is “Where Do I Begin”. I still ask myself on Sunday morning for the hell of it.
I was listening to Talking Heads today and as I sang along I realized I had no idea what I was singing. I sing their songs like a Russian sings to Michael Jackson, just sing what it sounds like.
Here’s some pretty strange song lyrics. Feel free to comment and add your own!
I am made of skin
And you are made of skin
Rain or shine, all jets are gonna fall today
There’s no time, we’re all gonna fall today
You’re trash, you’re in trash
There was nothing, you made trash
Rain or shine, all jets are gonna fall today
There’s no time, we’re all gonna fall today - Chocolate USA “All Jets Are Gonna Fall Today”
Birds in traffic, gonna do the back flip
Trampoline, what a scene
Down with the birds from which way they came - Gary Young “Birds in Traffic”
(Those lyrics may be way off, I had to figure them out myself)
America: It’s like Britain, only with buttons.
- Ringo Starr
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band from the Beatles had a little gem on there that’s been covered countless number of times. I even do a sufficient cover of it in the shower.
“With a Little Help From My Friends” was written by Lennon and McCartney specifically for Ringo Starr and his limited vocal range. It’s comprised of only 5 notes, and all 5 of those are ones that Starr can hit. The last note that he sang, he worked on with his friends.
Which just goes to show you that if you’re limited in any capacity, milk it for all it’s worth and get your friends to help push you a little further.
Oh, and another insight for you. Sometimes fancy isn’t necessarily better. That song is 5 notes. Simple and effective.