Music

2 Songs From the Past

2008-07-13T20:44:00.002-04:00

When I was in the car riding back from Columbia yesterday I got to hear two songs that I had not heard in awhile. Thank you Sirius!

SONG ONE
Jewel's "Near You Always"
I wouldn't ever say I have been a huge Jewel fan. My Mom thinks she is too "yodely." For some reason though, she seems to be getting a good amount of play on Sirius these days. Especially in the Coffee House. All sorts of different acoustic recordings of her songs. I got the album "Pieces of You" when I was in high school and listened to it, knew most of the songs, but had forgotten about "Near You Always" until I heard it the other day. The YouTube version I pulled just shows you the album cover, not much to watch - but you can listen.

You can listen to it on You Tube.

Lyrics:
"Near You Always"

Please don't say I love you,
those words touch me much too deeply
and they make my core tremble
Don't think you realize the effect you have over me
Please don't look at me like that
It just makes me want to make you near me always
Please don't kiss me so sweet
it makes me crave a thousand kisses to follow
And please don't touch me like that
makes every other embrace seem pale and shallow
And please don't come so close
it just makes me want to make you near me always
Please don't bring me flowers
they only whisper the sweet things you'd say
Don't try to understand me
your hands already know too much anyway
It just makes me want to make you near me always
And when you look in my eyes
please know my heart is in your hands
It's nothing that I understand, but when in your arms
you have complete power over me
So be gentle if you please, 'cause
Your hands are in my hair, but my heart is in your teeth
And it makes me want to make you near me always
Your hands are in my hair, but my heart is in your teeth
And it makes me want to make you near me always
I want to be near you always
I want to be near you always
I want to be near you always

SONG TWO
Pete Drodge's "If you don't love me (I'll kill myself)"
I saw Pete open for Edwin McCain the first time I ever saw Edwin in concert. It was shortly after his "Misguided Roses" album came out. The show was at the Music Farm down in Charleston in June of 1998. My parent bought me a copy of Pete's album and I think it was the first "obscure band" I liked. My friends thought I was a little silly for listening to him, but I remember driving around Florence in my bright blue neon cranking the album "Spacey & Shakin'." The song I heard on Sirius was on the "Dumb & Dumber" soundtrack, and what I found on You Tube has shots from that film.

Watch on You Tube

Lyrics:
"If you don't love me (I'll kill myself)"

If you want I'll be by your side,
and if you don't maybe suicide
And it's my love that'd kill me dear,
if you won't hold me and have me near
But don't you fret and don't be scared,
cuz baby I am a millionaire
I'll make you a star and I'll make you a queen.
I'll put your face in all the magazines.

Okay so I lied and none of that's true,
but not having you is making me blue
And I want you for the rest of my life,
yes I want you to be my wife,
I'll give you a ring and a home sweet home,
and if you want you'll be free to roam
But not too far I'm begging you please.
Begging you please upon my bended knees.

If you don't love me I'll kill myself (4 times)

I need you more than a sailor needs a breeze
I need you more than an eskimo freeze
I need your loving more than money or air,
and if you don't love me baby that's not fair
Cuz I'll be good to you in every way,
I'll give you loving baby everyday
A loving that's good a loving that's all right.
A loving like an oven on the coldest night.

If you don't love me I'll kill myself (4 times)

If you don't love me... If you don't love me...

Oxygen

2008-07-01T06:20:00.002-04:00

Even though two of my friends have told me they thing the album CoCo is depressing I just don't care. Boo on them! I listen to half of these songs and I think about warm spring days outside wearing soft cotton dresses while blowing on dandelion puffs. (And for some reason I sort of woke up with that same warm and fuzzy feeling this morning.)

Lyrics:
I came apart inside a world made of angry people
i found a boy who had a dream
making everyone smile
He was sunshine
I fell over my feet
like bricks underwater

how am i supposed to tell you how i feel
i need oxygen
oh baby let me be your lady
i will make you happy
never gonna leave, never gonna leave
oh baby can i be your lady
i am going crazy for you

and so i found a state of mind
where i could be speechless
i had to try it for a while
to figure out this feeling
this felt so right
pull me upside down to a place
where you've been waiting

how am i supposed to tell you how i feel
i need oxygen
oh baby can i be your lady
i will make you happy
im never gonna leave,
never gonna leave
oh baby can i be your lady
i am going crazy for you

you dont wanna keep me waiting
staring at my fingers feeling like a fool

oh baby can i be your lady
i am going crazy
im never gonna leave,
never gonna leave
oh baby let me be your lady
i will make you happy, yeah-ohhhh

tell me what you want,
baby tell me what you need
anything i ask baby give it to me
baby give it to me, give it to me

give it to me, give it to me
baby give it to me give it to me

The Guy Who Says Goodbye

2008-06-12T23:12:00.002-04:00

What I love about Sirius is that some days it just knows when to play me a good song. And today I got one while on my way to the post office and to grab some lunch. I met, for the first time, Griffin House and the song "The Guy Who Says Goodbye." I don't think any more explanation is necessary.

OK - maybe one thing is necessary. He plays in Charlotte on July 23! SWEET!

Lyrics:
ou don’t need to change a thing about you babe
I’m telling you from where I sit you’re one of a kind
Relationships I don’t know why they never work out and they make you cry
But the guy that says goodbye to you is out of his mind
Well I been down and I need your help I’ve been feeling sorry for myself
Don’t hesitate to boost my confidence
Well I been lost and need direction I could use a little love protection
What do you say, honey, come to my defense?
I’ll stand up for you if it’s what you need and I can take a punch I don’t mind to bleed
As long as afterwards you feel bad for me
And you give me all of your attention I got deep desire and it needs quenchin’
I think that’s pretty plain for you to see
Hell, enough about me and more about you ‘cause that’d be the gentlemanly thing to do
I hope you like your men sweet and polite
I thought I was done with telling you but I ain’t nearly half way through
I got a few more things I’d like to say to you tonight
You don’t need to change a thing about you babe
I’m telling you from where I sit you’re one of a kind
Relationships I don’t know why they never work out and they make you cry
But the guy that says goodbye to you is out of his mind
You always did kind of drive me crazy and it pissed me off ‘cause I let it faze me
But I never wanted my time with you to end
Now I’m back in town for a day or two and mostly I came back just to see you
I’m leaving now but I don’t want to go
You don’t need to change a thing about you babe
I’m telling you from where I sit you’re one of a kind
Relationships I don’t know why they never work out and they make you cry
But the guy that says goodbye to you is out of his mind

I Will Possess Your Heart

2008-06-09T22:03:00.002-04:00

I haven't much listened to the new Death Cab for Cutie album, but this song is getting a lot of play on Sirius, and I like it. There is also some appropriateness.

Lyrics:
How I wish you could see the potential,
the potential of you and me.
It's like a book elegantly bound but,
in a language that you can't read.
Just yet.

You gotta spend some time, Love.
You gotta spend some time with me.
And I know that you'll find, love
I will possess your heart.
You gotta spend some time, Love.
You gotta spend some time with me.
And I know that you'll find, love
I will possess your heart.

There are days when outside your window
I see my reflection as I slowly pass,
and I long for this mirrored perspective
when we'll be lovers, lovers at last.

You gotta spend some time, Love.
You gotta spend some time with me.
And I know that you'll find, love
I will possess your heart.
You gotta spend some time, Love.
You gotta spend some time with me.
And I know that you'll find, love
I will possess your heart.
I will possess your heart.
I will possess your heart.

You reject my... advances... and desperately...
I won't let you... let me down... so easily.
So easily.

You gotta spend some time, Love.
You gotta spend some time with me.
And I know that you'll find, love
I will possess your heart.
You gotta spend some time, Love.
You gotta spend some time with me.
And I know that you'll find, love
I will possess your heart.
You gotta spend some time, Love.
You gotta spend some time with me.
And I know that you'll find, love
I will possess your heart.
I will possess your heart.
I will possess your heart.

I'm All Right

2008-04-13T20:05:00.003-04:00

I heard this song on Sirius the other day. John likes Madeline Peyroux so when I see her name pop-up on the screen I try to pay attention. She gets decent coverage on The Coffee House and when I heard I'm All Right the other day, it spoke to me.

Lyrics:
He made me laugh
He made me cry
He smoked his stogies in bed
But I'm all right
I'm all right
I've been lonely before
I asked the boy for a few kind words
He gave me a novel instead
But I'm all right
I'm all right
I've been lonely before
It's fine, it's OK
It was wrong either way
I just wanted to say
There isn't much fun when you're drinking alone
He got drunk, he fell down
He threw a few of my things around
But I'm all right
I'm all right
I've been lonely before

I'd like to believe it is easy to leave
But I have to conceive that wherever you are
You're still driving my car
Sticks and stones break my bones
But tears don't leave any scars
So I'm all alright
I'm all alright
I've been lonely before

Mmm...
I'm all alright
I'm all alright
I'm all alright
Yeah
He played solitaire in bed
Used to blow bubbles in bed

Running on Sunshine

2007-05-11T12:55:00.001-04:00

Matt, at some point, sent me the MP3 for this Jesus Jackson song. It is kind of old school, but when Carley and I were tooling around the low country listening to tunes on my iPod this track came on. I think it is my theme song for the current times. :-)

Lyrics:

Running on Sunshine

Girl you got me tripping on sunshine
God knows you just made my day
Since you came around, no
I just can't slow down, no
I wanna see you walk in my walk

Girl you got me thinking about diving
And get down on one knee, maybe two
People may stop and stare, but
I don't even care, no
Just as long as I'm with you

You got me running on sunshine
Ain't no clouds getting in my way
I must be running on sunshine
Ain't no rain getting in my way

Girl you got me acting real crazy
Chasing tail like some old dog
Oh I got this rocket
In my friendly pocket
Ready to explode like a bomb

Something tells me you made me lose it
Cause everything keeps shaking around
We can cut the rule
Make these walls go boom
We can do this right here and now

You got me running on sunshine
Ain't no clouds getting in my way
I must be running on sunshine
Ain't no rain getting in my way

(2X)
Hey just get over yourself
This thing is to good for you help
Hey just get over yourself

Girl you got me tripping on sunshine
God knows you just made my day
Since you came around, no
I just can't slow down, no
I wanna see you walk in my walk

Girl you got me thinking about diving
And get down on one knee, maybe two
People may stop and stare, but
I don't even care, no
Just as long as I'm with you

You got me running on sunshine
Ain't no clouds in my know
I must be running on sunshine
Ain't no rain getting in my way

You got me running on sunshine
Ain't no rain getting in my way
I must be running on sunshine
Ain't no rain getting in my way

(6X)
No doubt, no doubt about it
And there ain't no clouds in my sky

Follow Through

2007-05-01T08:56:00.001-04:00

I have known of Gavin DeGraw for awhile and probably have heard a song or two and not known it - but passed it on the iPod this morning and decided to stop and listen. Quite happy I did too because I like it. :-) The first song I heard was "Follow Through" and it is possible I like it best, but I am not sure. "(Nice to Meet You) Anyway" is also good (listening to that one now).

All the lyrics are sort of mushy - like in a "I am singing to appeal to the ladies" sort of way - and well, I am a chick so that might be why I like it. But it has that laid back - easy-to-listen-to - thing going on.

Lyrics:

Follow Through

Oh, this is the start of something good
Don't you agree?
I haven't felt like this in so many moons
You know what I mean?
And we can build through this destruction
As we are standing on our feet
So, since you want to be with me
You'll have to follow through
With every word you say
And I, all I really want is you
You to stick around
I'll see you everyday
But you have to follow through
You have to follow through
These reeling emotions they just keep me alive
They keep me in tune
Oh, look what I'm holding here in my fire
This is for you
Am I too obvious to preach it?
You're so hypnotic on my heart
So, since you want to be with me
You'll have to follow through
With every word you say
And I, all I really want is you
You to stick around
I'll see you everyday
But you have to follow through
You have to follow through
The words you say to me are unlike anything
That's ever been said
And what you do to me is unlike anything
That's ever been
Am I too obvious to preach it?
You're so hypnotic on my heart
So, since you want to be with me
You'll have to follow through
With every word you say
And I, all I really want is you
(For) you to stick around
I'll see you everyday
But you'll have to follow through
With every word you say
An I, all I really want is you (For) you to stick around
I'll see everyday
But you have to follow through
You have to follow through
You're gonna have to follow
Oh, this is the start of something good
Don't you agree?

Watch the video on YouTube

New Amsterdam

2007-04-24T08:30:00.001-04:00

OK - Travis' new album comes out in a few weeks, but I have skillz (well John does) so I am listening to it now and did listen to it most of the weekend. It is awesome. Very, very good. Since Matt introduced me to Travis in the fall I have always enjoyed listening to the music, and this album is no different. "The Boy with No Name" and I believe it is released on May 7. So, get it now, get it then - either is fine with me. I just recommend you take a good listen. All the songs are lovely, but one in particular caught my interest from the very beginning and I think it is because of the phrase "Park that is Central." Not sure why it sticks out to me, but it does.

The whole thing is very relaxed and very Travis.

Lyrics:

New Amsterdam

New York, New York,
good bye girl

And they meet
on Bleecker Street
or the Park that is Central
oh no
I watched the sun go down
down down beneath the ground
and it's a new day,
it's a new dawn,
in New Amsterdam.

The stranger in the moonlight,
looks stranger in the moonlight

And they meet
on Bleecker Street
or the Park that is Central
oh no
I watched the sun go down
down down beneath the ground
and it's a new day,
it's a new dawn,
in New Amsterdam.

And we meet
on Bleecker Street
or the Park that is Central
oh no
I watched the sun go down
down down beneath the ground
and it's a new day,
it's a new dawn,
in New Amsterdam.

Hold Me Now

2007-04-19T13:28:00.001-04:00

I like Sujifan Stevens a good bit, but don't listen to him as much as I like - not sure why. But, Justin kindly turned me onto The Polyphonic Spree, and I find that they are sort of similar. The 4:30 track Hold Me Now was the first to really stick out for me, but I also really like Section 17 (Suitcase Calling).

The quality that Polyphonic & Sujifan share (at least in my eyes) is the utilization of very diverse instruments, melodies, and chord structures to create "real music." Its so much more than rock-and-roll (which I love). And I don't even consider their music rock at all. What category is it? I have no clue. But I know that the people that write this sort of stuff do composition of the same caliber as good symphonic band guys. The arrangements and array of instruments is complex and offers listeners an intellectually stimulating experience. These are no doubt hard core chorus and band geeks (or at least were).

Lyrics:

Hold Me Now

He started the day with a mood and a shake.
He was finally arranged.
And someone said with a cold, hard chest, "You're a mess!"
He woke up at nights.
He thought he was twice.
He was moving away
cause everyone thinks that it goes away with age.

Hold me now.
Don’t start shaking.
You keep me safe.
Don't ever think you're the only one
when times are tough in your new age.

Hold me now.
Don’t start shaking.
You keep me safe.
Don't ever think you're the only one
when times are tough in your new age.
You better be cool at the time.

He’s walking along with his soul in his lungs.
Ya stare at him long you can find a new song.
Everyone thinks they've got a new phrase.
But you're still miles away.
You're still miles away.
I said, "You're still miles away."

(Repeat 2x)
Hold me now. Don't start shaking.
You keep me safe.
Don't ever think you're the only one
when times are tough in your new age.

Instrumental Bridge

(Repeat 4x)
Hold me now. Don't start shaking.
You keep me safe.
Don't ever think you're the only one
when times are tough in your new age.

As Lovers Go

2007-04-17T12:18:00.001-04:00

It's Dashboard Confessional today. Well, technically today I am listening to Panic! At the Disco, cause it is what is on my mind, but last night - driving down the road - it was all Dashboard. And this song came on, and it made me sort of reflect on things. And I smiled. :-)

Lyrics:

As Lovers Go

she said "i've gotta be honest,
you're wasting your time if you're fishing round here."
and i said "you must be mistaken,
cause i'm not fooling...this feeling is real"
she said...she said "you gotta be crazy,
What do you take me for? Some kind of easy mark?
"No, you've got wits, you've got looks,
you've got passion, but I swear that you've got me all wrong."

all wrong.
all wrong.
but you got me...

i'll be true, i'll be useful...
i'll be cavalier...i'll be yours my dear.
and i'll belong to you...
if you'll just let me through.
this is easy as lovers go,
so don't complicate it by hesitating.
and this is wonderful as loving goes,
this is tailor-made, whats the sense in waiting?

and i said "i've gotta be honest
i've been waiting for you all my life."
for so long i thought i was asylum bound,
but just seeing you makes me think twice.
and being with you here makes me sane,
i fear i'll go crazy if you leave my side.
you've got wits...you've got looks,
you've got passion but are you brave enough to leave with me tonight?

tonight.
tonight.
but you've got me...

i'll be true, i'll be useful...
i'll be cavalier...i'll be yours my dear.
and i'll belong to you...
if you'll just let me through.
this is easy as lovers go,
so don't complicate it by hesitating.
and this is wonderful as loving goes,
this is tailor-made, whats the sense in waiting?
this is easy as lovers go,
so don't complicate it by hesitating.
and this is wonderful as loving goes,
this is tailor-made, whats the sense in waiting?

Dog Problems by The Format

2007-04-15T09:59:00.001-04:00

OK. Wow. I love it. This album is good. At least for me.

The Format's first single off the album was "The Compromise" - a song Justin and I enjoyed over last summer/fall when we were riding back and forth from town building the house. The current single off the album, "She Doesn't Get It," makes me smile ear to ear every time I hear it, and lots of dancing happens in the car. In fact, several songs make me do that. :-D

Its nice because there are so many different words I can use to describe the different songs on the album... whimsical, carnival, music box, fun, happy, show-tuny, crisp, loving, passionate, true, baring.

I think my new friend John & I are going to go see them up at the Spring Fling at Erskine College on May 5. :-) Yippeee! (It is awesome to have a person locally that loves music as much (no more) than I do. So fab!!)

I guess my favorite song on the album is probably "Inches & Falling"

Lyrics:

Inches & Falling

I love Love
I love being in love
I don't care what it does to me

Take these tattered boxes
that used to hold your clothes
Break them down
Build them back up with your bones
All you did was construct a mess
You'r good to me when only flesh
You'r a memory with nothing to show

When we would take trips
We swore we'd never take pictures
Pictures only prove you can't convince
Now i wish those photographs
could convince you that what we had
would only turn out a negative

well
well
well

If fingertips are relationships
then i could barely carry your weight
If fingers are mistakes
Don't use this one to point the blame
Just sing
sing

I love love
I love being in love
I don't care what it does to me
These pills are fine to pass the time
'til i find my new drug
Then
We'll take our chances
we'll last a month
we'll never speak again

How i love being in love

And don't pick up the line
You're dressed to have a good time
you don't need him, you need to be seen
so someone else can treat you wrong
so you my love can sing this song

I love love
I love being in love
I don't care what it does to me
These pills are fine to pass the time
'til i find my new drug
Then
They'll take advantage
I'll claim that's what i want

To be the new statistic

How i love
How i love
How i love being in love

Take these tattered boxes
That used to hold your clothes
Break them down
Build them back up with your bones
All you did was construct a mess
you're dead to me if love is death
You're a memory with nothing to show

WELL
WELL
WELL

If fingertips are relationships
Then maybe i could use a break
She smiles
She points at me
shes says:
Baby i love how you sing
so just
sing

I love love
i love being in love
i don't care what it does to me
These pills are fine to pass the time
'til i find my new drug
Then
We'll take our chances
we'll rise above
we'll last until the end

How i love
How i love
How i love being in love

Flathead

2007-03-26T09:13:00.001-04:00

OK - I really had no clue what the words were to this song were before I looked them up for this post, and honestly I have no care what the lyrics are (for once) because I just love the music of this song. This little diddy in question is from The Fratellis' album Costello Music. I have been hearing the song on Sirius' Left of Center and Alt Nation for a few weeks now and through my music hookup am now listening to the album, which is sounding pretty good. :-) Some of the songs might be a little too 'punky' for me though.

Why the music in the song Flathead? Its that sort of retro feeling that is has, and the tight cord structure of the "ahhs" that I really like. And the song uses mixed meter - a combo of 4/4 and 6/8 - what musician doesn't like that? Some elements of the song are kind of show-tuny as well and I like that too. Even though I don't know the words I can still sing along. The trailing guitar solo at the end reminds me of Hawaii for some reason (not that have been there). Maybe it is just a retro-beachy-surfing sort of feeling. I can't tell if it is the range of notes (in terms of octave) used, the rhythm of the piece, or the key/chord structure that they are in that gives that feeling - but it is something.

I guess all that really matters is that I like the song though, and highly recommend a listen. It's good. :-)

Lyrics:

Flathead

Just because she feeds me well
and she made me talk dirty in a pink hotel
doesn't mean she's got eyes for me
she might just want my bones you see
hey flathead don't you get mean
she's the second best killer that I have ever seen
they don't come much more sick than you
I could go on if you want me to
it's just so wrong so very nice I told you
once and you killed me twice
I saw you one time at the back of the
club chewing on glass and a ticket stub
I heard they kicked the boy till he bled
then stood and said oh my god till she said
bara bap bara ra ra bara bap bara ra ra ra...
everybody knows you're the one to call
when the girls get ugly at the back of the wall
Josephine says you got a bleeding nose
so taking it with her wherever she goes
hey flathead don't check me in
well hers is a tonic and mine is a gin
they don't come much more slick
than you I'd drive your car if you ask me to
said the boy's not right in the head
so he stood and got a kicking instead till she said
bara bap bara ra ra bara bap bara ra ra ra...

You're All That I Have

2007-03-22T12:01:00.001-04:00

Last night I made the trek to Duluth, GA to see OK Go, and Snow Patrol. Silversun Pickups also played. The show was amazing. I got home about 2:45am though - and surprisingly am relatively chipper. :-)

Similar to when I saw Weezer a few years ago, I was more interested in seeing the opening band than I was the headliner. But unlike the Weezer show, I was more impressed with the opening band than the headliner. (At Weezer, Ozma opened and they really failed to meet my expectations - and Weezer was off the charts fantastic.) Last night I was really expecting a good show from OK Go, and it was awesome. I also expected a good show from Snow Patrol, but my slight "DC4C syndrome" fear was confirmed.

See, Death Cab For Cutie (DC4C) was good live, but I didn't think their music translated well live. It is more the sort of stuff you can rock out to in the car, or when laying in the bed. I have the same opinion of Snow Patrol stuff, and while the execution and performance was great I still left will a little feeling like I wanted something more.

If more Snow Patrol songs were like "You're All That I Have" I think it would have really taken the show over the top. It just a little peppier and rockin' than some of their other amazingly wonderful "chill" sort of music.

So - do not take this to be any sort of cut against them. If you have the chance - see Snow Patrol. And DEFINITELY see OK Go.

In relation to this song. I think the concept of realizing (or admitting) that your world revolves around one person and then as a result of that having no fear is pretty awesome. For me, and my current situation it is very realistic. Everything that I was had to do with Justin, and I knowingly put that central part of my life out of my life. It was not done without fear though. Having the confidence and the security to be fearless knowing that your life is centered around one person takes a lot of strength. But sort of contradictory to that the pleas of "a chance to hold on" imply a sort of fear of losing the only thing that you have. It's like trying to convince yourself you are OK. -- Just my random thoughts on the lyrics...thats all.

Lyrics:

You're All That I Have

Strain this chaos turn it into light
I've got to see you one last night
Before the lions take their share
Leave us in pieces, scattered everywhere

Just give me a chance to hold on
Give me a chance to hold on
Give me a chance to hold on
Just give me something to hold onto

It's so clear now that you are all that I have
I have no fear cos you are all that I have
It's so clear now that you are all that I have
I have no fear cos you are all that I have

You're cinematic razor sharp
A welcome arrow through the heart
Under your skin feels like home
Electric shocks on aching bones

Give me a chance to hold on
Give me a chance to hold on
Give me a chance to hold on
Just give me something to hold onto

It's so clear now that you are all that I have
I have no fear cos you are all that I have
It's so clear now that you are all that I have
I have no fear cos you are all that I have

There is a darkness deep in you
A frightening magic I cling to

Give me a chance to hold on
Give me a chance to hold on
Give me a chance to hold on
Just give me something to hold onto

It's so clear now that you are all that I have
I have no fear now you are all that I have
It's so clear now that you are all that I have
I have no fear now you are all that I have

Compare and Contrast

2007-02-25T14:06:00.001-05:00

I have made a few references to "the type of music I would listen to." And on the way home from grocery shopping just a bit ago a perfect illustration was drawn. I was listening to Alt Nation 21 on Sirius and the following song came on...

This Ain't A Scene, It's An Arm's Race by Fall Out Boy (Download zip of song)

Lyrics:
I am an arms dealer
Fitting you with weapons in the form of words
And don't really care which side wins
As long as the room keeps singing
That's just the business I'm in, yeah

This ain't a scene, it's a goddamned arms race
This ain't a scene, it's a goddamned arms race
This ain't a scene, it's a goddamned arms race
I'm not a shoulder to cry on
But I digress

I'm a leading man
And the lies I weave are oh so intricate,
Oh so intricate
[x2]

I wrote the gospel on giving up
(You look pretty sinking)
But the real bombshells have already sunk
(Prima donnas of the gutter)
At night we're painting your trash gold while you sleep
Crashing not like hips or cars*,
No, more like p-p-p-parties

This ain't a scene, it's a goddamned arms race
This ain't a scene, it's a goddamned arms race
This ain't a scene, it's a goddamned arms race
This bandwagon's full
Please, catch another

I'm a leading man
And the lies I weave are oh so intricate,
Oh so intricate
[x2]

Yeahh…
Whoa-ohh

All the boys who the dance floor didn't love
And all the girls whose lips couldn't move fast enough
Sing, until your lungs give out

This ain't a scene, it's a goddamned arms race
This ain't a scene, it's a goddamned arms race
(Now you)
This ain't a scene, it's a goddamned arms race
(Wear out the groove)
This ain't a scene, it's a goddamned arms race
(Sing out loud)
This ain't a scene, it's a goddamned arms race
(Oh, oh)
This ain't a scene, it's a goddamned arms race

I'm a leading man
And the lies I weave are oh so intricate,
Oh so intricate
[x2]

Then I switched to 26 - Left of Center - and heard...

Gene Autry by Beulah (Download zip of song)

Lyrics:
Me and Mean Gene's got a beautiful voice
he carries me home on his beautiful horse.
Where she waits, I will ride ride ride
c'mon stranger just sing me a song
And if it's sad, I'll sing along long long
I told you I knew every word

When I get to California,
Gonna write my name in the sand
I'm gonna lay this body down
and watch the waves roll in

and when the city spreads out
just like a cut vein
Everybody drowns, sad and lonely
well everybody drowns, sad and lonely
well everybody drowns, sad and lonely, alright

Sweet dreams and color and sound
Highways in the fog waiting to be found
I'll start gold mines in the sky sky sky
They were clouds just waiting to cry

And with the wind
I'm dancing drift drift drift
in the shapes of the place that I miss

When I get to California,
Gonna write my name in the sand
I'm gonna lay this body down
and watch the waves roll in

I'm gonna rest this weary head
on someone who I think will care
When the stars and the sky start falling
I think you'll understand

That the city spreads out
just like a cut vein
Everybody drowns, sad and lonely
well everybody drowns, sad and lonely
well everybody drowns, sad and lonely, alright

Yeah I'm waiting for something to give
Well I'm waiting, I hope it's not me
Yeah I'm waiting...

"Gene Autry" is much more my style, but I love the Fall Out Boy song too - and if you listen then you will understand just how different they are. Profiles on the songs individually will come later.

Cemetery Drive

2007-02-24T13:25:00.001-05:00

I have phases where I listen to My Chemical Romance, and last night on the way home from Irmo was one of the times I wanted to rock out to some My Chem. I think it had to do with the fact that I was feeling a little testy and frustrated. But - I am over that now, not bitter, and I don't know.

But, MCR is another one of those bands that really don't fit my M.O. When you look at Leslie you don't think MCR fan, but get "I'm Not Okay" blaring on the radio and I am singing at the top of my lungs. Love that song. And the "Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge" albums has a lot of good songs on it, but one that I never really remember until it comes on is "Cemetery Drive." It is 3:05 of enjoyment for me.

The cadence that drives the song first catches my attention, and for some reason I have a think for songs that have the word mausoleum in the lyrics. Go figure. I also like the idea of a kiss being referenced as a collision. Often kisses are depicted as sweet and soft, but in real life are often collisions of awkwardness, and just as a car collision can have devastating ramifications so can a kiss. The sort of uncertain nature of "I miss you so far" is appealing to me as well because its like - well yeah, i miss you - but I'm not sure how long it will last, and damn that kiss because if it wasn't for that I probably wouldn't miss you. Makes me think it must have been some damn good kiss. Mmmm.

Lyrics:
Cemetery Drive

This night, walk the dead
In the solitary starlight,
Crash the cemetery gates.
In the dress your husband hates
Lay down, mark the grave
Where the search lights find us
Drinking by the mausoleum door
And they found you on the bathroom floor

I miss you, I miss you so far
And the collision of your kiss that made it so hard

And I call you off the run
Singing songs that make you slit your wrist
It isn't that much fun, staring down a loaded gun
So I won't stop dying, won't stop lying
If you want I'll keep on crying
Did you get what you deserve?
Is this what you always want me for?

I miss you, I miss you so far
And the collision of your kiss that made it so hard

Lay down, way down
Way down, way down
Way down, way down
Way down, way down

I miss you, I miss you so far
And the collision of your kiss that made it so hard

I miss you, I miss you so far
And the collision of your kiss that made it so hard
Made it so hard

Lay down, way down
Way down, way down
Way down, way down
Way down, way down

Way down

Watch on YouTube

Teardrops on My Guitar

2007-02-12T09:09:00.001-05:00

I have been over my real "country kick" for awhile now, but happened to have it on Sirius 60 - New Country this morning on the way into downtown and heard the new Taylor Swift song. Something about it hit me, and I am sort of shocked because she is a chick, and I generally do not like girl singers (no matter the genre.)

But, it was an immediate download and I swear I have listened to it 10 times this morning. It's a sort of melody that puts goosebumps on my arms and a sweet voice that soothes my ears. I cannot say I am exactly in a situation similar to the story the lyrics, but there are hits of it that I can relate to well.

Lyrics:
Teardrops on My Guitar

Drew looks at me.
I fake a smile so he won't see.
What I want and I need
And everything that we should be

I'll bet she's beautiful.
That girl he talks about,
and she's got everything
that I have to live without

Drew talks to me
I laugh 'cuz its so damn funny
But I can't even see
anyone when he's with me

He says he's so in love,
he's finally got it right.
I wonder if he knows
he's all I think about at night.

He's the reason for the teardrops on my guitar.
The only thing that keeps me wishing on a wishing star.
He's the song in the car I keep singing,
don't know why I do.

Drew walks by me.
Can he tell that I can't breathe?
And there he goes, so perfectly.
The kind of flawless I wish I could be.

She better hold him tight,
give him all her love,
look in those beautiful eyes
and know she's lucky 'cuz..

He's the reason for the teardrops on my guitar
The only thing that keeps me wishing on a wishing star
He's the song in the car I keep singing,
Don't know why I do.

So I drive home alone,
as I turn out the light,
I'll put his picture down
and maybe get some sleep tonight.

He's the reason for the teardrops on my guitar.
The only one that's got enough of me to break my heart.
He's the song in the car I keep singing,
don't know why I do.

He's the time taken up,
but there's never enough.
And he's all that I need to fall into.

Drew looks at me
I fake a smile so he won't see

I Constantly Thank God For Esteban

2007-02-10T16:32:00.001-05:00

I found two things that surprised me last night. There is a male on the face of this planet that has the following things in his 6 disk changer...

- Rascal Flatts
- The Killers
- Lionel Richie's Greatest Hits
- Nelly Furado
- Guns N Roses Greatest Hits
- Panic! At THe Disco

And that I was so impressed with the variety of music that I lent my burnt copy of Say Anything's "...Is A Real Boy"

It took just hearing three or four seconds of one of those Panic! songs to know that was what I needed to listen to on the way home, and I surely rocked out on my way back to the ponderosa. For some reason when I think of things to listen to on the iTurk Panic! skips my mind, but gosh - all the songs are so good. The different ups and downs of each song, almost like different movements within one piece. Strong lyrics, great - pure vocals floating over a very tight and creative instrumentation.

The song in for this post makes me move my hands in bizarre ways as I sing along in the car, and the beginning has the very fluid vocals over the driving pulse of drums and guitar while later it just makes you want to move. All of their songs make me want to move. I would love to see them live, and will travel wherever I have to when they start touring again.

For now I leave the lyrics...

Lyrics:
I Constantly Thank God For Esteban

Give us this day our daily dose of faux affliction
Forgive our sins
Forged at the pulpit with forked tongues selling faux sermons.
'Cause I am a new wave gospel sharp, and you'll be thy witness
So gentlemen, if you're gonna preach, for God sakes preach with conviction!

Strike up the band!
Whoa-oh, the conductor is beckoning
Come congregation, let's sing it like you mean it
No. Don't you get it, don't you get it? Now don't you move.
Strike up the band!
Whoa-oh, the conductor is beckoning
Come congregation, let's sing it like you mean it
No. Don't you get it, don't you get it? Now don't you move.

Just stay where I can see you.
Douse the lights!
We sure are in for a show tonight

In this little number we're graced by two displays of character,
We've got: the gunslinger extraordinaire walking contradictions
And I for one can see no blood from the hearts and the wrists you allegedly slit
And I for one wont stand for this if this scene were a parish you'd all be condemned.

Strike up the band!
Whoa-oh, the conductor is beckoning
Come congregation, let's sing it like you mean it
No. Don't you get it, don't you get it? Now don't you move.
Strike up the band!
Whoa-oh, the conductor is beckoning
Come congregation, let's sing it like you mean it
No. Don't you get it, don't you get it? Now don't you, don't you move.

Just stay where I can see you
Douse the lights!
We sure are in for a show tonight
Just stay where I can see you
Douse the lights!
We sure are in for a show tonight

Stay where I can see you
Douse the lights!

Strike up the band!
Whoa-oh, the conductor is beckoning
Come congregation, let's sing it like you mean it
No. Don't you get it, don't you get it? Now don't you move.
Strike up the band!
Whoa-oh, the conductor is beckoning
Come congregation, let's sing it like you mean it
No. Don't you get it, don't you get it? Now don't you move.
Don't you move
Don't you move
Strike up the band!

Admit It!

2007-02-06T12:19:00.001-05:00

I put the Say Anything album away for a bit purposefully not listening to it for awhile. And last week when I pressed "CD" and then "Disk 2" in the Jetta I was greeted by the familiar sounds of an album I love. Normally I would not listen to music like Say Anything. It is a little grungier than I prefer, but something about the well orchestrated intensity of these songs and the powerful lyrics is moving for me. It hits me in such a way that the first thing I IMd Matt that morning was... "Listening to Say Anything is like a rock album making love to me." Yeah - it is an interesting statement. As I recall, he simply responded with "Whoa." (Which is a common lyric on the album actually.) I think that track 13 on the album is probably the most lyrically complex and profound for me. So it is what I have highlighted here today. And in making this post I checked their site and am pleased to see new dates for a co-headlining tour with Saves The Day. (Wow, have not listened to them recently, but did see them open for Weezer back in 2002. Awesome show, the Weezer part - not Saves the Day.) Key dates for the tour include...

- May 4 : The NorVa
- May 8 : Tremont Music Hall
- May 8 : HOB

Lyrics:
Admit It!

Admit it!
Despite your pseudo-bohemian appearance
And vaguely leftist doctrine of beliefs
You know nothing about art or sex
That you couldn’t read in any trendy New York underground fashion magazine
Prototypical non-conformist
You are a vacuous soldier of the thrift store Gestapo
You adhere to a set of standards and tastes
That appear to be determined by an unseen panel of hipster judges (bullshit)
Giving a thumbs up or thumbs down to incoming and outgoing trends and styles of music and art
Go analog baby, you’re so post-modern
You’re diving face forward into a antiquated path
It’s disgusting, its offensive, don’t stick your nose up at me

Yeah, what do you have to say for yourself
Whoah, whoah, whoah, whoah
Yeah, what do you have to say for yourself
Whoah, whoah, whoah, whoah

You spend your time sitting in circles with your friends
Pontificating to each other
Forever competing for that one moment of self-aggrandizing glory
In which you hog the intellectual spotlight
Holding dominion over the entire shallow pointless conversation
Oh, we’re not worthy
When you walk by a group of quote-unquote normal people
You chuckle to yourself patting yourself on the back as you scoff
It's the same superiority complex
Shared by the high school jocks who made your life a living hell
And makes you a slave to the competitive capitalist dogma
You spend every moment of your waking life bitching about

Yeah, what do you have to say for yourself
Whoah, whoah, whoah, whoah
And I say yeah, what do you have to say for yourself
Whoah, whoah, whoah, whoah

Cause I’m proud of my life and the things that I have done
Proud of myself and the loner I’ve become
You’re free to whine, it will not get you far
I do just fine, my car and my guitar

Proud of my life and the things that I have done
Proud of myself and the loner I’ve become
You’re free to whine, it will not get you far
I do just fine, my car and my guitar, yeah

Well let me tell you this, I am shamelessly self-involved
I spend hours in front of the mirror, making my hair elegantly disheveled
I worry about how this album will sell
Because I believe it will determine the amount of sex I will have in the future
I self medicate with drugs and alcohol to treat my extreme social anxiety

You are a faker (admit it)
You are a fraud (admit it)
Yeah, you’re living a lie (hey) living a lie (hey) you’re life is living a lie
You don’t impress me (admit it)
You don’t intimidate me (admit it)
Why don’t you bow down, get on the ground, walk this fucking plank (yeah!)

Yeah, what do you have to say for yourself
Whoah, whoah, whoah, whoah
And I say yeah (what do you..)

Proud of my life and the things that I have done
Proud of myself and the loner I’ve become
You’re free to whine, it will not get you far
I do just fine, my car and my..
Guitar, guitar go!

I drift drift drift drift drift yeah
I drift drift drift drift drift yeah oh

And I am done with this
I wanna taste the breeze of every great city
My car and my guitar
My car and my guitar
So you'll come to be, made of these, urges unfulfilled
Oh no no no no no
When I'm dead I'll rest
When I'm dead I'll rest lay still
When I'm dead I'll rest, I'll rest
When I'm dead I'll rest, I'll rest
When I'm dead I'll rest, I'll rest
When I'm dead I'll rest, I'll rest

Blind

2007-01-29T12:26:00.000-05:00

The Sundays, Blind - Matt shared the album with me on Friday last week. He warned that I would have to listen hard for lyrics, but I find myself not caring. Something about her voice and the music just feels like my soul is escaping. I want to find a wonderful Sunday to spend in the bed listening to this album on the iHome system.

I recommend you indulge yourself. Check them out.

OK Go.

2007-01-23T11:25:00.001-05:00

This is my new favorite song, and for the first time in awhile it is not because of the lyrics that I am attracted. It is just the music.

From OK Go's 2005 Album - Oh No.

Lyrics:
Oh Lately It's So Quiet

(Oh no) Oh lately it's so quiet in this place
You're not 'round every corner
(oh no) Oh lately it's so quiet in this place
So darlin' if your not here haunting me
Im wondering...

Whose house, are you haunting tonight?
Aw. Whose sheets you twist
Aw. Whose face you kiss
Whose house, are you haunting tonight?

(oh no) I dont think much about you anymore
You're not on every whisper, oh
(oh no) I dont think much about you
But if you're not lurking behind every curtain
Im wondering...

Whose house, are you haunting tonight?
Aw. Whose name you hiss
Aw. Whose clenching fists
Whose house, are you haunting tonight?

Now Whose house, are you haunting tonight?
Aw. Who cant resist
Aw. Whose cryin'
Whose house, are you haunting tonight?
Aw. Whose name you hiss
Aw. Whose sheets you twist
Whose house, are you haunting tonight?

Flowers in the Window

2007-01-21T17:00:00.001-05:00

Just absorb the lyrics from this song by Travis, from the album The Invisible Band

Lyrics:
Flowers in the Window

When I first held you I was cold
A melting snowman I was told
But now there was no one there to hold
Before I swore that I would be alone forever more

Wow look at you now
Flowers in the window
It's such a lovely day
And I'm glad you feel the same
Stand up, out in the crowd
You are one in a million
And I love you so

Let's watch the flowers grow

There is no reason to feel bad
But there are many seasons to feel glad, sad, mad
It's just a bunch of feelings that we have
To hold but I am here to help you with the load

Wow look at you now
Flowers in the window
It's such a lovely day
And I'm glad you feel the same
Stand up, out in the crowd
You are one in a million
And I love you so
Let's watch the flowers grow

Repeat chorus (la la la)

So now we're here and now it's fine
So far away from there and there it's time time time
To plant new seeds and watch them grow
So there'll be flowers in the window when we go

Wow look at us now
Flowers in the window
It's such a lovely day
And I'm glad you feel the same
Stand up, out in the crowd
You are one in a million
And I love you so
Let's watch the flowers grow

Wow look at you now
Flowers in the window
It's such a lovely day
And I'm glad you feel the same
So just stand up, up in the crowd
You are one in a million
And I love you so
Let's watch the flowers grow

Oh
Let's watch the flowers grow

Favorite Albums, Year 2006

2007-01-12T16:26:00.000-05:00

I like music. I love music. I would prefer to be blind than deaf because I would lose music. But, late in 2006 I rekindled a passion for new and motivating music. So, to mark the beginning of 2007 I figure I would look at what are currently by favorite albums. Some of them will forever be on the list - others are just flukes of the current days. But here they are, in no particular order...

- Pink Floyd, Dark Side of the Moon
- Yellowcard, Ocean Avenue
- Dashboard Confessional, Dusk & Summer
- Edwin McCain, Misguided Roses
- Say Anything, ...Is A Real Boy
- Weezer, Weezer
- Ryan Adams, Gold
- John Williams, Original Movie Score - The Patriot
- The Veils, Nux Vomica

I guess there are some of my favorite artists missing from this list. But, it is people like The Beatles - where I like tons of their songs, but no one album really stands out for me as something I could listen to over and over again. I also sort of tried to limit it to one per artist as well.

[Editorial note - I composed this post the other week and forgot to publish it...oops]

Somehow, Someday

2007-01-12T12:16:00.001-05:00

I often say "one day" when talking to people about nice things that would be wonderful to do. Listening to Ryan Adam's today at work. On the "Gold" album right now, but when I listen to him I play through all three albums that I have. Just seems like the right thing to do.

So, I had not really had this song hit a specific chord with me yet - and today it did. Why today, I don't know. But...

Lyrics:
Somehow, Someday

want to tell you something
That I should've, long ago
I wish that you and I had those kids
Maybe bought us that home
I wish that we were stumbling fast
Down on Irving and 14th Street
I wish that we were still in your room
In your bed and you were holding me

'Cause there ain't no way I'll ever stop from lovin' you now
There ain't no way I'll ever stop from lovin' you now
No there ain't no way and I'm gonna try and show you somehow
Somehow, and I'm gonna someday

I dreamt that you and I were still young
Laughing like little kids
I'll never know just how bad it hurt
Or what I did
I wish that we were stumbling fast
Down on Irving and 6th
I wish we were still making plans
But now, there's nothing to fix

But there ain't no way I'll ever stop from lovin' you now
There ain't no way I'll ever stop from lovin' you now
No, there ain't no way and I'm gonna try and show you somehow
Somehow, and I'm gonna someday

Someday...Someday
Ah honey, someday

Pat McGee - Revel

2007-01-09T14:27:00.001-05:00

I would not say I am a "fan" of Pat McGee or "Pat McGee Band" because I only have one of his albums, Revel. (I ought to check out some of his other stuff though.) But, what I can tell you is that I love this sort of music.

I finally finished ripping some CDs onto the computer, and while I had a few singles from Revel on the Love Machine (yes, that is my computer's name - I have no clue why) I did not have the entire album. But, I do now - and as a result the album is now on the iTurk (more information later). So - I have been listening to it today at work.

Its a pretty good album. And while my last "kick" was country music I am surely now on an "alternative kick" now. Nothing beats McGee's sort of music for me though. And I never know what genre to put it into. Acoustic Rock? I don't know. Someone help me with this. It is like the old Edwin McCain stuff that I loved so much.

So - cheers to refinding Revel. Although, it is sort of funny - my favorite PMB song is not even on that album...only reconfirms I need to get more of his junks!

Lyrics:
Shine

I hear you walkin around this house sometimes
I wish you never chose to cross that line
Now you walk among the famous ones
You're the angels' sun, but now you're gone
And you chose to shine
Sorry, but you know that we're
Far from fine

She won't be comin' home for quite some time
Guess I'll have to see you on the other side
Now you walk among the famous ones
You're the angels' sun, but now you're gone and you....
You chose to shine
Even on the line
Sorry, but you know that we're
Far from fine
I will live these days, (no, I won't)
I will live these days, (no, I won't)
I will live these days, no I won't hide....
No I, I won't hide

I feel you next to me, your eyes so bright
Never thought I'd see the world so kind
Now you walk among the famous ones
You're the angels' sun, but now you're gone and you...
You chose to shine
Sorry but you know that we're
Far from fime
I will live these days, (no, I won't)
I will live these days, (no, I won't)
I will live these days, no I won't hide
No I, I won't hide, I won't hide

I know you're watching me
Your father's so proud
You were born to be the talk of the crowd
But now you walk among
The famous ones
You're the angels' sun, and now you're gone and you
You chose to shine
Even on that line
Sorry, but you know we're far from fine

I will live these days, (no, I won't)
I will live these days, (no, I won't)
I will live these days, no, I won't hide
No I, I won't hide

I won't hide, I won't hide, no, I wont' hide

Damn, Sam (I Love A Woman That Rains)

2007-01-07T12:35:00.000-05:00

I love when it rains at home. And today - it is raining. Raining pretty hard too. And since I feel like I am getting sick, I could never get in touch with Carlo to confirm what time church was, and he has not called me about lunch or the other things were were suppose to do today, I have opted for curling up under a warm blanket and listening to the rain. Ok - what that really means is that I have been sleeping a lot. ;-)

When it rains like this I often think of a Ryan Adams song. I'm not really sure what he means by all of these lyrics, but I do know that a day like today + Ryan Adams music + a bottle of wine + really good company would = good snuggling and sweet conversation.

Lyrics:
Damn, Sam (I Love A Woman That Rains)

As a man I ain’t never been much for sunny days
I’m as calm as a fruit stand in New York and maybe as strange
But when the color goes out of my eyes, it’s usually the change

But damn Sam I love a woman that rains

Clear as a bell, and sound as an old engineer
Clear as a bell, and sound as an old engineer
With talented breezes that blow off your hat with a sneer
As a man I’ve never been much for talking to
I’m as open as the door in her house that leads to her room
And when the color goes out of my eyes, she’s usually too

But damn Sam I love a woman that’s blue

As a man I ain’t never been much for sunny days
I’m as calm as a fruit stand in New York and maybe as strange
But when the color goes out of my eyes, it’s usually the change

But damn Sam I love a woman that rains