Oh, just a little ditty from a band about which I recently heard someone say, "They were almost as big as The Beatles back in the '60s..." Apparently, this American trio took the UK by storm, and (if the internet speaks truth) at one time their fan club was bigger than that of the Fab Four. Their counterattack to the British Invasion makes for quite the tale of intrigue... hit up Wikipedia if you're looking for more details. The song has that classic feel, and if you're dealing with a breakup or just wishing you had someone special, this one's definitely for you.
"Loneliness is the cloak you wear a deep shade of blue is always there the sun ain't gonna shine any more..."
A few weeks ago, my job had me travel to Nashville to work on a prototype system we have set up with a customer. Same prototype that had my in Tennessee twice last year, but this time I was there all week and had a bit more time to enjoy the city. Plus, it was spring instead of winter, so the city was coming out of its shell a bit and more lively this time around.
Last year, I stumbled across a girl with some pipes in one of the honky tonk / bar establishments on Broadway (downtown Nashville). When I found out I'd be back in town, I checked her website, and sure enough, she was playing at a different venue right down the street. As is the nature of bar entertainment, she and her band were playing a bunch of covers, from Beatles to Bon Jovi. I put in a request for her original song, "Arizona", which I'd heard her play last year. Since I already posted that song back then, here's an introspective ballad where Rachael Johnson reflects on the trials of her musical journey and trying to make a living in one of the musical meccas of the world:
(if anyone's keeping score, this is my second late post in three days... I blame Canada.)
The Peak came through with a bunch of good tunes during my time in Vancouver, and here's another one. A little bit electronic, a little bit pop, a little bit egocentric...?
And of course you know by now that if there's an unplugged version, I'll add it for good measure:
Time for the '90s at... whatever time it is. The song "Hook" is not catchy at all, I just like the lyrics. (thanks to Empty Netters for the link.) But yea, Blues Traveler may not be everyone's cup of tea - my college roommate was not a fan - but then again, there are a few people in the world who don't like the Beatles, U2, or (dare I say it?) Lady Gaga. So I'll continue to post songs I like, and let you decide whether they're awesome to you, too...
I really do like the lyrics on this one, though. It's a biting commentary on the shallowness of society and the entertainment industry, and perhaps also on the weak-minded nature of the masses being reeled in again and again by hollow and trite diversions. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm ok with a song that "says nothing so far" but has a good hook... but seriously, with some of the stuff that's "top 40" these days ("tell me what's next, alien sex?" ...really, Kanye?) I worry about the children. Bottom line is, Blues Traveler have convictions and they're standing by them. They want their songs to mean something AND be catchy, and I think they succeeded here. If you really listen to the lyrics, there are numerous layers of brilliance to be gleaned.
But the video is a little creepy:
"I'll do as I'll decide and let it ride until I've died
And only then shall I abide this tide Of catchy little tunes Of hip three minute ditties I want to bust all your balloons I want to burn all of your cities To the ground..."
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Oh, by the way, if the chord progression sounds familiar, Rob Paravonian will explain why (in hilarious fashion):
(the use of a classical composition with a "hook", and the fact that so many other hit songs ripped Pachelbel's chord progression, just adds to the brilliance of the song, don't you think?)
Some folks would tell you The Beatles were the greatest band ever. I'm not one of them, but they sure were pretty good. Here's a fun one that might not be so light and fluffy as it might seem at first, based on the tempo and chord progression... the writer (Lennon) was actually in some pretty dark times, it seems. But he knew that if he turned to others for support, he could get through it. Or maybe it's about drugs... you never can tell with The Beatles...
"When I was younger, so much younger than today, I never needed anybody's help in any way; but now these days are gone and I'm not so self assured, now I find I've changed my mind, I've opened up the doors..."
