I'll admit I�ve been a bad "blogger" lately. I've been so busy with other things that I haven't posted as often as I'd like, and the last post I did put out was written more from guilt than creativity. You'll be happy to know that I�m back though, and truly inspired. It's hard to draw inspiration to write about these songs if I try force myself, it has to come to me organically. The other day I stumbled upon some inspiration in a totally un-music related convo with a friend. I won't get into the details of the conversation, but at one point he referred to a "Swan song". I'd never heard this term before so I made him explain it, and then later googled the hell out of it.
I am a huge fan of myths, folklore and legends so I was ridiculously intrigued by the concept of a "Swan song". According to an ancient legend the "Mute Swan� spends it's whole lifetime completely silent, until the moment before it dies, when it sings a beautiful song. In society today a "Swan song" refers to, "a final theatrical or dramatic appearance, or any final work or accomplishment." The performer realizes it's their last performance so they give it their everything. The idea of a "Swan song" was so beautiful to me that I had to figure out a way to incorporate it into my blog. At first I thought, "what would my swan song be?" I mean initially I thought I'd choose a favorite by Bob Dylan or Tom Petty. After much thought I decided to write about a song which can literally be considered this artist's "Swan song."
Warren Zevon will go down in rock history as a great musician, but few people are familiar with his work. His biggest mainstream hit was, "Werewolves of London". He was best known for his covers of famous songs, and for writing songs with themes of history and politics. He frequented the role of guest band leader on the Late Show with David Letterman. Throughout his life Zevon described a phobia of doctors, and admitted he had rarely seen a physician. In 2002 after feeling continuously ill he was persuaded to see a doctor who diagnosed him with inoperable cancer. In typical Warren Zevon style, he refused treatment and instead began work on his final album, "The Wind"
October 30, 2002, Zevon was the featured and only guest on the Late Show with David Letterman where he played his final performance. He performed a series of songs and spoke about his illness. When asked by Letterman his thoughts on life and death he replied, "Enjoy every sandwich." He thanked Letterman for all of his help and after his performance gave him his guitar that he had always used on the show, saying, "Here, I want you to have this, take good care of it."
Zevon lived to see the birth of his twin grandsons and accomplished his goal of staying alive long enough to see the next "James Bond" movie come out, "Die Another Day". He also lived long enough to see his final album, "The Wind", be released and succeed. Following his death in September 2003, "The Wind" received five Grammy nominations, (One nomination for "Song of the Year" for, "Keep Me In Your Heart") and won two Grammy Awards. His posthumous Grammy awards were the first in Zevon's 30-year music career.
Although his final album, "The Wind", was an incredible piece of work in itself, the one song that could truly be identified as Zevon's "Swan song", is "Keep Me in Your Heart." The lyrics to the song are beautifully sad but the tempo remains upbeat and mellow. In the song Zevon sends the message that just because, "I leave you it doesn't mean I love you any less". Although soon he will be gone, he asks, "Keep me in your heart for awhile." He says,"To think of him and smile" , "when you're doing simple things around the house."
I am not an overly religious person, but I would consider myself spiritual. It is so comforting to think that the people that have passed continue to live on all around us. "Ashes to Ashes and Dust to Dust", meaning we came from dust and we return to dust. It's a reminder that everything is part of a natural cycle, and that we will always end where we began. It's reassuring to think that we are absorbed back into nature and our spirit lives on in the beauty that surrounds us. So never think of your loved ones as "gone", because you will find them in a raindrop, a flower, or as Bob Dylan said of his idol Woody Guthrie, "In the Grand Canyon at sundown."
Shadows are falling and I'm running out of breath Keep me in your heart for awhile If I leave you it doesn't mean I love you any less Keep me in your heart for awhile
When you get up in the morning and you see that crazy sun Keep me in your heart for awhile There's a train leaving nightly called when all is said and done Keep me in your heart for awhile
Sha-la-la-la-la-la-la-li-li-lo Keep me in your heart for awhile
Sha-la-la-la-la-la-la-li-li-lo Keep me in your heart for awhile
Sometimes when you're doing simple things around the house Maybe you'll think of me and smile You know I'm tied to you like the buttons on your blouse Keep me in your heart for awhile
Hold me in your thoughts, take me to your dreams Touch me as I fall into view When the winter comes keep the fires lit And I will be right next to you
Engine driver's headed north to Pleasant Stream Keep me in your heart for awhile
These wheels keep turning but they're running out of steam Keep me in your heart for awhile
Sha-la-la-la-la-la-la-li-li-lo Keep me in your heart for awhile
Sha-la-la-la-la-la-la-li-li-lo Keep me in your heart for awhile Keep me in your heart for awhile
While most teenage girls my age were swooning over the Backstreet Boys and N'SYNC I was devoted to an entirely different type of band. Blink 182 is a foul mouthed, pop-punk band formed in the early nineties. I was absolutely smitten with one of the band's members, Tom Delonge. While other girls my age were starry eyed over Justin Timberlake, I was contemplating a lip ring as an ode to my crush. What this band lacks in talent they make up for in hilarity. Even the story of the band's formation is hilarious.
I almost did this
After being expelled from his high school for showing up drunk to a basketball game, Tom Delonge switched schools and was introduced to Mark Hoppus. They became fast friends and Delonge broke both of his ankles after trying to climb a streetlight to impress Hoppus. Delonge was on crutches and at that point they decided to form a band. Hoppus had a girlfriend at the time who thought they practiced too much and tried to make him choose between her and the band. He initially chose her, but as soon as the band found a decent recording device he ditched her, and for lack of a better term - the rest is history.
They recorded several albums under the name "Blink", but after legal issues with a band of the same name they added the "182". I should mention that although I'm a huge fan of the band, it is primarily because of their earlier recordings. They gained success with "Enema of the State", but that album also marked the band's departure into a more mainstream, pop genre. I prefer their older albums such as "Buddha", and "Cheshire Cat" when their songs had much more of a punk vibe going on.
The brilliance of Blink 182 is not in their lyrics and certainly not in their image. They are immature and juvenile but undeniably hysterical. Their stage shows are ridiculously inappropriate and entertaining. I admire them partly because they always seem to be having a good time.
Blink 182
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"M&M's" was first released off of Cheshire Cat as a single and although it achieved popularity it failed to chart. The lyrics are simple but the riffs are catchy. Favorite line of the song "When I'm with you, there's nothing I wouldn't do." Reminds me of my younger days when I made a bad decision or two out of spontaneity. Blink 182 is back together and in the recording studio, having reunited after their last break up. They have a new album coming out this fall I believe. Do yourself a favor and dig up some of their older albums - if you are a fan of punk, or inappropriateness you will enjoy.
You and I should get away for awhile I just want to be alone with your smile Buy some candy and cigarettes and we'll get in my car We'll blast the stereo and we'll drive to Madagascar
Because when I'm with you there's nothing I wouldn't do I just want to be your only one I'm grasping out at straws thinking back to what I saw That night on the floor when we were all alone
My love life was getting so bland There are only so many ways I can make love with my hand Sometimes it makes me want to laugh Sometimes I want to take my toaster in the bath
Because when I'm with you there's nothing I wouldn't do I just want to be your only one I'm grasping out at straws thinking back to what I saw That night on the floor when we were all alone Who's gonna be the odd man out? I don't want to be the odd man out Is this going to be the end Or are you going to be my new girlfriend?
Mike Oakfield - Tubular Bells (Steve Andrew's 112 Ocean Avenue Remix) Michael jackson - Thriller (Jasons Halloween Intro Mix) Halloween Film (sample) Ray Parker, Jr - Ghostbusters Theme (Wosiu Remix) Rocky Horror - Sweet Transvestite (Ursula 1000 Remix) Bobby Pickett - Monster Mash (Redz Remixxx)
I mixed the first sample and then remembered id requested a DJ on YouTube to send me his track. So ive added it and now its now complete with the 5 most requested halloween tracks!
1. Alicia Keys - Wait To You See My Smile (Monodrome Remix) (5:03) 2. B-Fonic Feat. Ana Flora & Andrea Tich - Fe' (DJ Brizi Extended Mix) (6:48) 3. Charice - I Love You (Dave Aude Remix Edit) (3:51) 4. Christopher S & Mike Candys Feat. Antonella Rocco - Rhythm Is A Dancer (Jack Holiday Remix) (6:34) 5. Daruso - Since You Been Gone (Buzz Junkies Radio Edit) (3:59) 6. Diana Vickers - The Boy Who Murdered Love (Glam As You Edit) (3:47) 7. Lady Gaga - Telephone (DJ WaY House Electro Remix) (2:59) 8. Gabriel Delgado - Imagination (Alchemist Project Remix) (5:06) 9. Juan Magan Feat. Bobby Alexander - Never Enough (Radio Edit) (3:36) 10. Khaled Bougatfa - The Other Side (Original Mix) (6:21) 11. Lady Antebellum - Need You Now (Hott22 Big Room Club Mix) (6:15) 12. Maroon 5 - Misery (Cutmore Radio Edit) (3:40) 13. Micah - She Cant Get Me (Beaumonts Dead Set Remix) (9:26) 14. Nadia Ali - Not Thinking (Green Falkner Remix) (7:06) 15. Nick Tohme - Gods Love - Simon De Jano & Chriss Ortega Pirates Mix (6:42) 16. No Id - Aquadome (Original Mix) (7:57) 17. P.L.C. Feat. Lukas - Love Me Baby (Plc Nrg Radio Mix) (3:32) 18. PH Electro - Englishman in New York (Ph Electro Freak Out Mix) (4:42) 19. Random Soul Feat. Kristen Pearson - Steppin Out (Groove Junkies Hypnotic Mix) (7:29) 20. Rank 1 - L.E.D. There Be Light (Cold Blank Remix) (6:09) 21. Rob Marmot & Juan Kidd Feat Penny Mac - Summer Breeze (Vocal) (6:45) 22. Roll Deep - Green Light (Ill Blu Uk Funky Mix) (5:11) 23. Same Difference - Shine On Forever (Riff & Rays Remix) (6:22) 24. Sandy Rivera - I Like It 'DIRTY' (Sandy Rivera's Dirty Bitch Mix) (6:39) 25. Sean Kingston - Letting Go (Dutty Love) (Jump Smokers Radio Edit) (4:50) 26. Seductive - Discobuzz (Original Mix) (5:34) 27. Sergio Rene - love it feel it (luigi daniell whisper mix) (7:37) 28. Sir Colin Feat Mickey - So Blind (Radio Mix) (3:31) 29. Slin Project - Rock So Well Club Radio Cut (2:58) 30. Solange - I Told You So (Mike Rizzo Funk Generation Dub) (6:24) 31. Soulstar Syndicate Feat. Dawn Tallman - Take Me (Soulstar Syndicate Original) (5:51) 32. Stafford United - Just the Beginning (Emmanuel Dunn Remix) (8:06) 33. Starkillers, Pimp Rockers, Tom Hangs & Marco Machiavelli - Insomnia (Original Mix) (7:19) 34. Stereo Mcs - The Here & Now (Tom Middleton Remix) (7:47) 35. Steve Brookstein - Promised Land (Electric Allstars Radio Edit) (4:10) 36. Strobe - Liebe (Vocal Mix) (7:07) 37. Alors On Danse Vs. Akcent - Thats My Name ( UnderVibe Mash Up ) (5:41) 38. Swedish House Mafia VS Lady Gaga VS Congorock VS Brad Walsh - Oone Monster (Morningstar Mix) (6:14) 39. Taio Cruz - Dynamite (Dan Clare & Varski Remix) (5:23) 40. The Matrix vs. Mr.Basic vs. EasyTech - Protect The sexy Innocent (Disco Freaker Bootleg) (5:54) 41. The Prodigy - Omen (Cool Project Remix) (5:28) 42. The Angry Kids Vs. Bob Marley - Mr. Brown (Moko Remix) (5:53) 43. The Rooster Presents Funk Deluxe Feat. Minzty Berry - Music is Everywhere (Rooster's Bangin Vocal Mix) (7:19) 44. Tim Mitchell Feat Nathalia - Please Stay (Radio Edit) (3:30) 45. Topspin and Dmit Kitz and Andy Fink - Leave Me Alone (Original Mix) (7:45) 46. Travie McCoy Feat. Bruno Mars - Billionaire (Liam Keegan Radio Edit) (2:46) 47. Travis Garland - Believe (Jump Smokers Remix) (5:36) 48. UGLH & Federico Locchi - House Gift (Original Mix) (8:35) 49. Usher Feat. Pitbull - DJ Got Us Fallin' In Love (Almighty Radio Edit) (3:35) 50. White Shoes feat. Sharon May Linn - No Control (The Doktor Remix) (9:19)
In my opinion HBO is the new MTV. HBO shows such as"True Blood","Entourage"and "Californication", are all excellent sources for new music. MTV focuses more on pop songs while music featured on HBO shows tend to give more exposure to a variety of genres, especially Indie.
Dreamy Duchovny
I had never really given David Duchovny a second thought until I saw him in "Californication". I mean everyone knows him as "Mulder" from the "X-Files", but this show casts him in a whole new light. The show follows the main character, "Hank Moody", as he tries to raise his daughter, get back together with his ex-wife, and have sex with everything in-between. Duchovny'scharacter is the stereotypical player. He is inappropriate and immature yet handsome and charming. He sleeps with anyone with a pair of boobs, but does it in a way that never seems deceitful or wrong.
In one particular episode his ex-wife catches him sleeping with (3) other women. One of the women's husbands calls Moody ,"A girl whisperer". He is in awe that no matter what Moody does, he can never seem to do wrong. Moody's apology is that, "he had the best of intentions". I really liked that line. I think that there are two kinds of "assholes". There are the kind that intentionally do things to hurt people, and then there are the kind who have the "best of intentions", and unintentionally hurt someone. I would like to think I fall mostly into category #2.
The scene where Moody apologizes to his ex-wife is where I first heard "3 Rounds and a sound". It was an incredibly suiting song for Hank Moody's character. The song was also played on an episode of "Chuck".Blind Pilot is an indie band from Portland, Oregon, that made if big in 2008 with their single"Go On, Say It". Following the success of their single they toured on specialty bicycles made to carry their instruments, from Bellingham, Washington to San Diego, California. In 2009 they released "3 Rounds and Sound" which featured the song of the same name.
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Marilyn Monroe
It was driving me crazy trying to figure out the meaning behind the songs' name. I finally stumbled upon an interview where Israel Nebeker, (Lead Vocalist) said that it's a Chinese custom to give someone "3 rounds and a sound" as a wedding gift. For example a clock, a spool of thread, a bicycle rim and a radio. The theory is that newlyweds will need practical things to start their lives together. Israel said he wrote the song when his cousin asked him to learn "Our Song" by Conor Oberst to play at his wedding. Israel liked the song and the idea of having "a song". He wrote the song hoping evenutally that he would have someone to share the song with. It's funny that he drew inspiration from Oberst because before knowing this, I had thought that this song reminded me of to "First Day of My Life" by Bright Eyes, which I previously blogged about.
My favorite line of the song is, "You're the one I want, to see me for all the stupid shit I've done." Because that's when you know you really love someone right? When you realize that you love them despite all the "stupid shit" they do. They incorporate "for better" or "for worse" into wedding vows for a reason. Marilyn Monroe said it best, "I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, than you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best."
They're playing our song They're playing our song Can you see the lights? Can you hear the hum? Of our song
I hope they get it right I hope we dance tonight Before we get it wrong And the seasons Will change us new Be the best I've known And you know me I could not be stuck on you If it weren't true I was swimming My eyes were dark Til you woke me And told me that opening is just the start It was Now I see you, til kingdom come You're the one I want To see me for all the stupid shit I've done Soil and six feet under Killed just like we were Before you knew you'd know me And you know me Blooming up from the ground Three rounds and a sound Like whispering you know me And you know me
So this was our song This was our song I still see the lights I can see them And the criss cross Of what is true won't get to us Cause you know me
I could not give up on you And the fog of what is right Won't cover us cause you know me I could not give up a fight
Soil and six feet under Killed just like we were Before you knew you'd know me And you know me Blooming up from the ground Three rounds and a sound Like whispering you know me And you know me
I am a huge fan of myths, folklore and legends so I was ridiculously intrigued by the concept of a "Swan song". According to an ancient legend the "Mute Swan� spends it's whole lifetime completely silent, until the moment before it dies, when it sings a beautiful song. In society today a "Swan song" refers to, "a final theatrical or dramatic appearance, or any final work or accomplishment." The performer realizes it's their last performance so they give it their everything. The idea of a "Swan song" was so beautiful to me that I had to figure out a way to incorporate it into my blog. At first I thought, "what would my swan song be?" I mean initially I thought I'd choose a favorite by Bob Dylan or Tom Petty. After much thought I decided to write about a song which can literally be considered this artist's "Swan song." 
I am not an overly religious person, but I would consider myself spiritual. It is so comforting to think that the people that have passed continue to live on all around us. "Ashes to Ashes and Dust to Dust", meaning we came from dust and we return to dust. It's a reminder that everything is part of a natural cycle, and that we will always end where we began. It's reassuring to think that we are absorbed back into nature and our spirit lives on in the beauty that surrounds us. So never think of your loved ones as "gone", because you will find them in a raindrop, a flower, or as Bob Dylan said of his idol Woody Guthrie, "In the Grand Canyon at sundown."
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