Ali Farka Toure - Savane
Futureheads - News and Tributes
New York Dolls - One Day It Will Please Us to Remember Even This
Scott Walker - The Drift
Sunset Rubdown - Shut Up I Am Dreaming
Twilight Singers - Powder Burns
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Friday, August 04, 2006
England Dan and John Ford Coley's "I'd Really Love to See You Tonight"
There are many execrable songs in the history of popular music. "Feelings". "Afternoon Delight". "Tonight's the Night" (Rod Stewart, not Neil Young).
But I have concluded that none is more foul, more detestable, than "I'd Really Love to See You Tonight" by England Dan and John Ford Coley.
I won't even comment on the musical vapidity of the song, but it's lyrics - oh my God.
Okay, guy calls up a girl and says, "Hey, haven't spoken to you for a while, how you doin', would you like to get together tonight and do something." So far, we are in the land of the merely banal.
But in the chorus, he sings "I'm not talking about moving in, and I don't want to change your life..." At this point the girl should be saying "Hold on, cowboy, who said anything about moving in?"
It only gets worse from there. The second verse amounts to "So maybe we could take a walk in the park, watch TV and hang out or something, and then maybe we could, uh, you know, fuck."
So in other words, this guy is calling up this girl to say "I haven't seen you in six months, but I'm feeling horny, I'd like to come over to your house, fuck you, and then leave. Is that okay?"
The girl's only correct response to this asshole is "If you call me again, I'm calling the police."
I suppose some deconstructionist dimwit (like my brother-in-law) would say "Actually, the song is meant ironically. The songwriter knows the protagonist is an asshole. The song is a biting, satirical portrait of loneliness and self-loathing that rivals "Strange Fruit" for pathos and power." Yeah, right. How did I miss that?
But I have concluded that none is more foul, more detestable, than "I'd Really Love to See You Tonight" by England Dan and John Ford Coley.
I won't even comment on the musical vapidity of the song, but it's lyrics - oh my God.
Okay, guy calls up a girl and says, "Hey, haven't spoken to you for a while, how you doin', would you like to get together tonight and do something." So far, we are in the land of the merely banal.
But in the chorus, he sings "I'm not talking about moving in, and I don't want to change your life..." At this point the girl should be saying "Hold on, cowboy, who said anything about moving in?"
It only gets worse from there. The second verse amounts to "So maybe we could take a walk in the park, watch TV and hang out or something, and then maybe we could, uh, you know, fuck."
So in other words, this guy is calling up this girl to say "I haven't seen you in six months, but I'm feeling horny, I'd like to come over to your house, fuck you, and then leave. Is that okay?"
The girl's only correct response to this asshole is "If you call me again, I'm calling the police."
I suppose some deconstructionist dimwit (like my brother-in-law) would say "Actually, the song is meant ironically. The songwriter knows the protagonist is an asshole. The song is a biting, satirical portrait of loneliness and self-loathing that rivals "Strange Fruit" for pathos and power." Yeah, right. How did I miss that?
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Capsule Music Review - Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash - Personal File
This two disk set is purportedly composed of obscurities and rarities recorded mostly in 1973, uncollected and released only sporadically from Cash's basement. As one might expect, the song quality is uneven, but there are some gems, especially "The Engineer's Dying Child" and the Louvin Brothers' "When I Stop Dreaming" on disc 1. The spoken personal reminiscences on disc 1 are charming.
Disc 2 is composed entirely of religious songs, again of uneven quality. Cash's religiosity is moving and all but, to paraphrase Oscar Wilde, one would have to have a heart of stone to listen to these songs without laughing. I know I'll burn in hell for this, but when he talks about religion between songs, he just sounds like a stupid hick.
This two disk set is purportedly composed of obscurities and rarities recorded mostly in 1973, uncollected and released only sporadically from Cash's basement. As one might expect, the song quality is uneven, but there are some gems, especially "The Engineer's Dying Child" and the Louvin Brothers' "When I Stop Dreaming" on disc 1. The spoken personal reminiscences on disc 1 are charming.
Disc 2 is composed entirely of religious songs, again of uneven quality. Cash's religiosity is moving and all but, to paraphrase Oscar Wilde, one would have to have a heart of stone to listen to these songs without laughing. I know I'll burn in hell for this, but when he talks about religion between songs, he just sounds like a stupid hick.
What's playing in my car?
T-Bone Burnett - The True False Identity
Camera Obscura - Let's Get Out of this Country
Drive-By Truckers - A Blessing and a Curse
Galaxie 500 - Today
Parliament - Funkentelechy vs. The Placebo Syndrome
Walker Brothers - After the Lights Go Out
Camera Obscura - Let's Get Out of this Country
Drive-By Truckers - A Blessing and a Curse
Galaxie 500 - Today
Parliament - Funkentelechy vs. The Placebo Syndrome
Walker Brothers - After the Lights Go Out
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