I've been remiss for the bulk of this year in not posting this song. I first heard it around this time last year, and was spinning it frequently throughout last winter, but apparently never whilst I was pondering which song to select for the day's blog post. So here you go.
G Love teamed with The Avett Brothers (acting as producers, among other things) on his latest album, and since TAB are pretty swell in my opinion, odds were good that I'd like the collaborative effort as well. This track is old-fashioned foot-stompin' bluegrassy rock, crying out to the good Lord as he ponders his final days and the fate of his poor children if'n he passes...
(Scott and Seth appear courtesy of their being awesome...)
"Well, I don't mind dyin',
but I hate to leave my children cryin'.."
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PS - poke around on philadelphonic.com for some free stuff, if you so desire...
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?)
