Friday 24 August 2012

all other mammals plus equal votes....

Earworms of the Week

Woman” – Wolfmother
Strutter” – Kiss


Given that I caught myself on Tuesday thinking that it was Thursday, this has been something of a long week. Still, I’ve finally made it all the way to Friday, and the super-bonus is that it’s also a long Bank Holiday weekend, so things are definitely looking up. Just don’t mention that it’s the last public holiday before Christmas, as that’s just needlessly depressing. Bit of a Guitar Hero double-whammy to kick us off this week. Both are on my running playlist, although oddly, of the two, only Wolfmother seem to keep coming up. Both are big,dumb rock songs and are thus absolutely perfect for running. I actually find myself doing air guitar as I run, which given that I now often run in company, is quite a statement, I think.

You Better You Bet” – The Who

Speaking of air-solos… the Who are generally pretty good for that too. I thought that they were actually pretty good at the Closing Ceremony to the Olympics the other week, and I seem to be on a bit of a kick rediscovering them at the moment. Usually I’m all about “Substitute”, but my interest in their songs seems to be expanding. This came on in the car the other day, and I found my hand automatically reaching up to skip to the next track and then pausing as I realised that I actually really wanted to listen to this song.

Celebrity Skin” – Hole

Earworm classic. I couldn’t name you another Hole song (Live Through This? Was that just the album title?), but this one is one of the best songs on my iPod, by anyone. Fact.

Tennessee Stud” – Johnny Cash

I’m considering expanding my Johnny Cash karaoke repertoire. My first thought is to go for “Folsom Prison Blues”, and “I’ve Been Everywhere” would certainly be a challenge… but I find myself increasingly drawn to this one. I’m not sure I’ll ever find a karaoke bar that offers a Cash selection big enough to include this, but if I ever do, then maybe I’ll be straight on up there. What do you reckon? Also, is it weird that I get slightly teary-eyed by the time we get to the end of this song? It’s a bit of an emotional rollercoaster with a lovely happy ending, especially for the Tennessee Stud (who meets a Tennessee Mare and gets a Tennessee Colt, in case you’re not familiar with this epic storyline)

Survival” – Muse

Probably not their finest song ever, but Muse’s Olympic theme has really grown on me. It was played at every venue, which didn’t hurt, mind. I also quite like their new single, “Madness” too. Good band. Good band. They still should have played “Knights of Cydonia” at the Closing Ceremony mind you. Just for the hell of it and because it is completely mental.

Don’t Stop Believing” – The cast of Glee

I heard this playing in reception at work and knew at once that I was doomed. The fucking Glee version, too.

London Calling” – The Clash
The Imperial March – John Williams


These are my two current ringtones. “London Calling” because it sounds absolutely great as an instrumental at the beginning of the song – again, as discovered at the Olympics – and I was reminded what a brilliant song it is (it never rings long enough to get to Strummer singing, although that’s pretty cool too). Makes a decent ringtone, if you ask me. That’s my default ringtone. I have one other ringtone, and it’s assigned to my wife’s various phones. Yes. The Imperial March. The Death Star will be completed on schedule and the weapons will be fully operational.

Reasons to be Cheerful, Part 3” – Ian Dury and the Blockheads

My friend Ali found out whilst on holiday that she had been burgled. Rubbish news at any time, but if there’s a surer way of ruining your break, I’m not sure I know what it is. She asked on Facebook for reasons to make her feel good about humanity again, and this song sprang instantly into my head. Not knowing what else to say, I quoted some of the lyrics on her timeline. In the couple of days since, two things have happened: one is that I’ve remembered what a splendid song this is, the second is that a number of Ali’s Facebook friends of a certain age – all male – seem to have “liked” my post. Go figure. I saw Ian Dury and the Blockheads live, actually. They were brilliant. Supporting Madness at one of the original Madstocks and on the same bill as Aswad, Credit to the Nation and A Guy Called Gerald. Good gig that, actually.

Right. That’s it. It’s a long weekend here. How’s that for a reason to be cheerful? Have a good one, y’all.

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