"Bulletproof" by La Roux

I don't know why--there is no real reason to explain it--but this video sort of got me through working out this morning. I discovered La Roux as a Discovery Download one day on iTunes. I was so impressed with this single, "Bulletproof," that I ended up buying her album. [If you're worried that I relapsed LT, don't be. I bought this about two or three months ago.]

I really like her play with cubism and geometric shapes in the video. Also the color! Well, this video came on VH1, and after watching the video, I switched from my regular work out mix to her album. I had done a couple miles at the track listening to it. This morning it just sort of motivated me. I only wanted to do 30 minutes on the elliptical because that is the length that you can stay on the machines. Well, the CD kept me pumping, and I stayed on longer--against the rules of the UREC.

Here are the lyrics to the video above:

Been there, done that, messed around
I’m having fun don’t put me down,
I’ll never let you sweep me off my feet,
I won’t let you in again, the messages I’ve tried to send,
my informations’ just not going in,
burnin’ bridges shore to shore, I’ll break away from something more,
I’m not to not to love until it’s cheap,
been there, done that, messed around,
I’m having fun don’t put me down,
I’ll never let you sweep me off my feet,

Chorus:
This time maybe,
I’ll be,
Bulletproof x2

I won’t let you turn around,
and tell me now I’m much too proud,
to walk away from something when it’s dead,
do do do your dirty WORST come out to play when you are HURT,
there’s certain things that should be left unsaid,
tick tick tick tick on the watch and life’s too short for me to stop,
Oh baby, your time is running out,
I won’t let you turn around,
and tell me now I’m much too proud,
All you do is fill me up with doubt,

Chorus:
This time maybe I’ll be bulletproof x10

Music

I had this dream the other night that people actually became more cohesive and unified because of and through music. Chuck this up to too much positive thought (I really need to read Ehrenreich’s new book, Bright Sided) or perhaps way too much GLEE, but I really think that music can bring us together.



I started singing the Beatles’s song “Come Together” in class the other day, and my students were receptive to the idea. We were doing a sort of informal mid-term evaluation of the class, and so discussion was sort of all over the place. At some point, I deformed into “True Confessions” moment and started talking about this dream I had.

It was of a society that was completely devoid of art. So I was sitting in this huge college auditorium, and this envoy from our world was there and was projecting film titles that she was going to transport into our collective unconscious. Well, she started singing, and people in the audience were shocked—beggging her to continue. Really weird, I know, but it was a dream?! Anyways, music actually, literally brought together people in my dream. Students started singing, and people would gather around this minstrel voices roaming the campus. People cried at the beauty of music. People danced the rhythms of the body.

Maybe GLEE is finally starting to get to me. But I really do think that music is such a unique force in society. I don’t know where this was really going, and I’m not sure what I got here but …

If It Be Your Will

I was watching this documentary recently called Leonard Cohen: I’m Your Man. This is a cover of his song “If It Be Your Will” by Antony Hegarty. I thought this was just a really amazing song.



Unfortunately, I couldn’t find a video on YouTube that let me copy the original video from the documentary. I did find this video instead, which is very interesting. I think there is a bit of La Chien Andolou in there.

Leonard Cohen, for those of you who don’t know, is a Canadian singer/songwriter and poet. His most famous song is probably, “Hallelujah,” which has over twenty covers.

Here are two poems:

I Wonder How Many People in This City from The Spice-Box of Earth

I wonder how many people in this city
live in furnished rooms.
Late at night when i look out at the buildings
I swear I see a face in every window
looking back at me
and when I turn away
I wonder how many go back to their desks
and write this down.

Poem 111 ("Each man ...") from The Energy of Slaves

Each man
has a way to betray
the revolution
This is mine

Bust Your Windows

Lea Michele can sing, but I still think this was the best moment in Glee so far.



Amber Riley can belt it out. I can't wait until the soundtrack comes out in November or whenever it is supposed to come out.

A September Playlist

Some music for your enjoyment!


1. “September” by Earth, Wind, and Fire



2. “Wanted” by Holly Brook
3. “Bite Your Tongue” by Duncan Sheik
4. “Tulsa” by Rufus Wainwright



5. “September Baby” by Joseph Arthur
6. “California Dreamin’” by The Mamas and the Papas
7. “Dear Prudence” by The Beatles [I know this isn't the Beatles's version, but this is my favorite song in the movie. I couldn't hold back from putting on here.]



8. “Fallen” by Sarah McLachlan
9. “Little Details” by Mason Jennings
10. “We Don’t Need Another Hero” by Tina Turner
11. “Pavlov’s Bell” by Aimee Mann

Sookie? (Creepy...)

I can't believe tonight is the last episode of True Blood for this season. It seems to have gone by so fast. I can't wait until next season already. Here's a creepy video I found on YouTube for you to enjoy.

For All You Fans Out There

So, I kept seeing the Ponyo movie times when checking for other, better movies to see. When surfing the net the other day, I found this excellent video from Funny Or Die. Enjoy!

Ponyo is on a Boat - watch more funny videos

Sincerely, Jane

Because my last post on Janelle Monae was so popular, I thought I would capitalize on that success and post this video of her performing “Sincerely, Jane” live at the Filmore. I know that Progress’s blog written by Beamish mentioned some stuff about Monae, and one of the comments was about this particular. I compared this song to Pink’s “Dear Mr. President” because of the lyrics and the rhetoric behind the song.



Here are some lyrics for you to consider: (they are not the entire lyrics)


Left the city, my momma she said don't come back home
These kids round' killin each other, they lost they minds, they gone
They quittin' school, making babies and can barely read
Some gone off to their fall, lord have mercy on them
One, two, three, four, your cousins is round' here sellin' dope
While they're daddies, your uncle is walking round' strung out
Babies with babies, and their tears keep burning, while their dreams go down the drain now

Are we really living or just walking dead now?
Or dreaming of a hope riding the wings of angels
The way we live
The way we die
What a tragedy, I'm so terrified
Day dreamers please wake up, we can't sleep no more

Love don't make no sense, ask your neighbor
The winds have changed; it seems they have abandoned us
The truth hurts, and so does yesterday
What good is love if it burns bright, and explodes in flames
(I thought every little thing had love but uhh)

Gin Blossoms

So this was supposed to be me tonight:



However, I am at home reading Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress and texting Laura and Jami instead. While seeing the Gin Blossoms would have been money, I think my teachers will be happier with me getting work done today. I managed to read quite a bit.

I figure my skipping out on this concert will be made up with seeing Mat Kearney in October, which I am so excited about!

My Freedom's In A Bind

goes out to the one i love

"You Cheated Me" by Martha Wainwright

You Cheated Me


So, those of you who know all about my obsession with all things Wainwright and McGarrigle, will most likely not be all that surprising. I was cruising around YouTube with some friends the other night when I noticed that I hadn’t really watch too many music videos recently. I also then started thinking about how in my writing class on visual culture, I have a day planned to talk about music videos. And I am excited about it. There was this awesome day in my pop culture class when I was a junior in undergrad when two friends came up with a music video theory. Awesome, right?

Well, I recently discovered that Martha Wainwright is going to covering some Edith Piaf songs, and I decided to check out some of her music videos. I found the one for “You Cheated Me” from her most recent CD, I Know You’re Married But I’ve Got Feelings Too. The video is so interesting, not to mention that the song is uber-awesome.

What I think is so awesome about the video is it how it uses the sofa. I mean, it is pretty hard not to miss, right? She sort of comes embedded in it, and I wonder if the sofa is a metaphor for how we become consumed by our emotions and anxiety after we discover some really bad news. The sofa is a place of comfort, and it is a place where we can get away and escape through a variety of means: conversation, TV, reading, avoiding work, sleeping.


Here are the lyrics:

I know you've got to go
And I wanted to be afraid to say
But I'm not
I'm scared to death of what you've become

You were my only ally
Now you're looking around for an alibi
Why don't you go ask your new set on the set of lies

Chorus: You cheated me and I can't believe it
I've been calling since four o'clock last night
You cheated me and I can't believe it
I saw you singing and dancing in the rain
All the way home

You left the keys in the door when you left that night
I don't wanna point the finger but I can't help it
Why don't you run your scared little ass down the block
I'll catch up to you when you come back and

Chorus

When all the bills have been unrolled
And your story has been untold
Tell me if it was worth it
To see the whole damn thing unfold

Chorus (2xs)

Monday, Monday, Monday

Monday Monday Monday Lyrics
Artist(Band):Tegan & Sara

This week or last week
I don't really care about it anymore
I write myself this letter
I tell myself you let me go
Without me
What's wrong with you?
Monday Monday Monday
Monday Monday Monday
Monday Monday Monday
Monday Monday Monday
Your house or mine
I don't really care about it anymore
I close my eyes
I, I make myself unhappy so you'll go
Without me
What's wrong with you
Monday Monday Monday
Monday Monday Monday
Monday Monday Monday
Monday Monday Monday
Oh, and I
I say damn your mood swings
Damn your mood swings
Oh, and I
I say damn your mood swings
Damn your mood swings
I'm calling out
I don't really care for your city anymore
I spend the night
I lay awake and miss you when you go
Without me
What's wrong with you
Monday Monday Monday
Monday Monday Monday
Monday Monday Monday
Monday Monday Monday
Oh, and I
I say damn your mood swings
Oh, and I
I say damn your mood swings
Damn your mood swings
Oh, and I
I say damn your mood swings
Damn your mood swings
Oh, and I
I say damn your mood swings
Damn your mood swings

Going Out on a Friday Night

... Well it's not quite like this. But wouldn't it be awesome if it could be. At least, sometimes.

Heigh Ho

My friend Sam posted this awesome video about Disney the other day which highlighted Disney's perpetual remaking of Snow White. The video was interesting, but what was really surprising was reading this blog about cartoon songs that labelled "Heigh Ho" as the best cartoon song. I don't know how I feel about that, or for that matter, how I feel about a number of the other songs that were ranked on the top ten. Certainly not ones that I would choose. Nonetheless, I am happy that the reinforcement of "off to work we go" is something that has bombarded me in the past two days. I have been extremely lazy yesterday and today (and I continue to be bad today because I have a party and a concert to go to in just a bit). All of this just to say, in a week from right now, I will be done. A Master. Have a Master's Degree. Done. Finito. Ah, the bliss. The next blog will come then, but until then, maybe you can contemplate this passage I just dissected for my MA Project.

“Margaret had often wondered at the disturbance that takes place in the world’s waters, when Love, who seems so tiny a pebble, slips in. Whom does Love concern beyond the beloved and the lover? Yet his impact deluges a hundred shores. No doubt the disturbance is really the spirit of the generations, welcoming the new generation, and chafing against the ultimate Fate, who holds all the seas in the palm of her hand. But Love cannot understand this. He cannot comprehend another’s infinity; he is conscious only of his own—flying sunbeam, falling rose, pebble that asks for one quiet plunge below the fretting interplay of space and time. He knows that he will survive at the end of things, and be gathered by Fate as a jewel from the slime, and be handed with admiration rounding the assembly of the god. ‘Men did produce this,” they will say, and saying, they will give men immortality.” (127)

It is from Forster's Howards End

More Happenings

Okay, so I totally noticed that one of my old college friends (Melody) posted this on her Facebook wall, but I had to post it here too just in case some of my friends that aren't hers who didn't get a chance to see it could see it for the first time. Like her, I am probably way to excited about this, but as you probably know, one of the things I am totally interested in is Happenings. This random occurrence of art and performance being made. I hope you enjoy!



I know that there are some elements to a Happening that are controlled and practiced. Certainly these actors/dancers had to learn their parts. But the sheer joy of some of spectators is just so amazing, and the fact is that many people in the station were probably shocked at this. This rather mild, amusing Happening is one to share.

Sara Bareilles

In honor of my seeing Sara Bareilles in concert tonight (as part of TU's Spring Fest events), I thought I would write this short post about my favorite songs from her debut album, Little Voices. Of course, her first single, "Love Song," has made its way through a number of radio stations, TV shows, and movies. I'm sure it will be one of those enduring songs that will find its way into romantic comedies and angsty romances for the next couple of years. Nevertheless, I think a number of her other songs from Little Voices are much more interesting, and even though they don't get the play time of "Love Song," some of these songs are pretty great.

This video is of "Gravity" is sweet little ballad(?). It is a quite song about love, memory, and relationships. She says in the video that it is about her first real break-up.

This is the video for "Fairytale." On the CD, she sings just a tad bit more tempo. The lyrics for this song are just genius though I think.

Hope you enjoyed the videos!

Celebrity Playlist

[I apologize in advance for the length of this post.]

I have been purchasing quite a bit of music lately. Some good stuff, I think. I rarely actually sit and listen to music, but I often listen to music when I am working at TSWL or walking across campus and what not. I especially like it when I go hiking at Turkey Mountain. Well, I was on iTunes when I noticed that they have "Celebrity Playlists," in which you can buy songs that famous people recommend. I thought I would give it a try. And considering that I love to make mix CDs for a lot of my friends, I tried to think about what I would put on a mix CD for myself. So, I stuck to 18 tracks, which is what usually fits on a CD.


1. "Foolish Love" by Rufus Wainwright (Album: Rufus Wainwright, 1998). Rufus must be first on my list because he is my most immediate interest in music right now. I have slowly fallen in love with him since a friend of a friend copied my Rufus Does Judy. Ever since, I have slowly acquired his music, and I love his wonderful voice. For a while, I had very little interests in male singers, but now, I can assert that he is my favorite singer at present. This particular song is just one of many that I really like.

2. "Half-Life" by Duncan Sheik (Album: Daylight, 2002). Duncan Sheik is another late discovery in my life. While I've always loved "Barely Breathing," which has been on my iPod for quite some time, I only recently got into his music through Spring Awakening. Actually, I had mistaken one of his songs as a track by another artist and thankfully I was able to get more of Duncan Sheik's music. I love how his albums tell stories, and you can see this wonderful transition from his score writing to his own music with his latest debut, Whisper House.

3. "Bloody Mother Fucking Asshole" by Martha Wainwright (Album: Martha Wainwright, 2005). I first heard Martha Wainwright sing "Stormy Weather" on Rufus Does Judy. Thankfully, I have been able to explore some of her stuff. For more, see my previous post on her.

4. "Boys Don't Cry" by The Cure (Album: Boys Don't Cry, 1980). The Cure. Need I say more?

5. "Taking Chances" by Abra Moore (Album: No Fear, 2002). This is my track from Felicity, which has let me into quite a bit of music. I love this track just for its sheer uplifting feeling it gives me. Never before have I wanted to just go out and achieve something. I really needed this song to get through grad school, I think.

6. "I Know I Know I Know" by Tegan and Sara (Album: So Jealous, 2004). Following Felicity, this song comes from Veronica Mars, my second favorite show. These two sing like no one else, and I love the repetition they use in all of their songs (see "Monday Monday Monday"). Check out this YouTube video from an MTV live music session:



7. "Lucky" by Bif Naked (Album: I Bificus, 1998). My third, and final, song inspired from a TV show. Bif Naked actually performed this song on the fourth season of Buffy, the Vampire Slayer. Seen as the most turbulent and out of place seasons of the show's run, the episode in which this song appears, "The Harsh Light of Day," is not exemplary of the entire season, but it is one that provides a nice transition to the crossover with Angel.

8. "Because the Night" by 10,000 Maniacs (Album: MTV Unplugged: 10,000 Maniacs, 1993). I didn't realize that this song was actually a cover of a song by the Patti Smith Group. I love this particular band, and Natalie Merchant to be more specific. I think song highlights both the group and the individual's particular best qualities. I also included the video because it's great. On a personal note, I play a mean air violin to accompany the band, and I share many fond memories of singing this song in an incredibly loud voice while driving around Natchitoches.

10,000 Maniacs - New Music - More Music Videos

9. "Caring is Creepy" by The Shins (Album: Oh, Inverted World, 2001). I have to thank my old roommate, Marli, for introducing me to this group. As for this particular song, it is my favorite on this album. I also love the rhythm of their songs.

10. "Permission" by Joseph Arthur (Album: Redemption's Son, 2002). While I do love this entire album, this particular song has always moved me the most. Maybe its the song's simplicity?

11. "1963" by Rachael Yamagata (Album: Happenstance, 2005). This is a delightful little song that I didn't have when I first downloaded some of Yamagata's music. However, it was the first song that I officially purchased from iTunes from my iPod. I think the video for the song is great, which is why I included it below. Hopefully, the lyrics and music are just as enjoyable.



12. "Head Over Feet" by Alanis Morrissette (Album: Jagged Little Pill, 1995). Greatest female artist ever? Quite possible. Alanis is amazing, and I have been blessed because I have managed to see her live twice. I would say this is my favorite track from her debut album.

13. "Finally" by The Frames (Album: Burn the Maps, 2005). Thank you Nick Reeves for letting some friends and I take some music from the Demon radio station. With that, I might not have discovered this wonderful band. This is the actual album I managed to get back in 2006. Since, The Frames have reached fame, or at least Glen Hansard has with his film, Once.

14. "Dreams" by The Cranberries (Album: Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?, 1993). Beautiful. "Oh my life is changing everyday. Every possible way." Wonderful lyrics. And the vocal fluctuations that Dolores O'Riordan manages at the end of the song still gives me shivers to this day.

15. "The Scientist" by Coldplay (Album: A Rush of Blood to the Head, 2002). This song supplies the ringtone to one of my favorite people ever, who happens to be a scientist. Or at least a student of the sciences. I actually think this is a beautiful love poem, but perhaps, I am wrong in my interpretation. Regardless, the song has always made me a little emotional. As I think it should.

16. "Downtown" by Petula Clark (Album: You'd Better Like Me, 1964). My favorite song from the 1960s. Also, this song has just provided me with a great bunch of pleasure.



17. "Paperback Writer" by The Beatles (Album: Hey Jude, 1970). It was so hard for me to pick a Beatles song for this list, but I chose this song because of its connection to my own interests in writing. No particular reason. I have always loved this group and a number of their songs could have found their way to this play list.

18. "Mad About You" by Belinda Carlisle (Album, Belinda, 1986). A recent discovery I made from the soundtrack of 13 Going On 30. Just cute and sentimental.

Bonus Track: "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" by The Shirelles (Scepter Single 1211, 1960). Another great classic that has found its way into a couple of my favorite movies, Dirty Dancing and Beautiful.

--
That's my list. It was neat for me trying to make this up, and I feel good sharing some of these songs. What would be on your list?

Martha Wainwright

My newfound love of all things Rufus Wainwright allowed me to make this new, brilliant discovery: his sister, Martha Wainwright.

For the little I have been able to devour about the Wainwright/McGarrigle clan, it seems that everyone is so musically and artistically inclined. Even though Martha Wainwright has several albums of her own, Martha sang "Stormy Weather" on her brothers album/concert, Rufus Does Judy, and before this, she had been featured on a number of McGarrigle albums.

I haven't had much time to listen to a number of songs, but one in particular that I have fallen in love with is "Bloody Mother Fucking Asshole." My own proclivity for cursing is not the only reason that I like the song. I love how her voice combines this weird conflation of Alanis Morissette and Dar Williams vibes. Thanks to YouTube, I can share this video of a live performance of the song:






While I hesitate to label the song as a feminist one, I do love how the speaker of the song asserts her own presence to forcefully. I mean the lyric "I will not pretend / I will not put on a smile for you" stands out so much on the song. Also, the lyric, "Oh I wish I were born a man," makes me recall Beyonce's latest single, "If I Were a Boy."

I hope you enjoy this song. I look forward to listening to more Martha Wainwright and hopefully sharing some more about her and her music, too.

Lyrics:
Poetry is no place for a heart that's a whore
And I'm young & I'm strong
But I feel old & tired
Overfired
And I've been poked & stoked
It's all smoke, there's no more fire
Only desire
For you, whoever you are
For you, whoever you are
You say my time here has been some sort of joke
That I've been messing around
Some sort of incubating period
For when I really come around
I'm cracking up
And you have no idea
No idea how it feels to be on your own
In your own homewith the fucking phone
And the mother of gloom
In your bedroom
Standing over your head
With her hand in your head
With her hand in your head
I will not pretend
I will not put on a smile
I will not say I'm all right for you
When all I wanted was to be good
To do everything in truth
To do everything in truth
Oh I wish I wish I wish I was born a man
So I could learn how to stand up for myself
Like those guys with guitars
I've been watching in bars
Who've been stamping their feet to a different beat
To a different beat
To a different beat
I will not pretend
I will not put on a smile
I will not say I'm all right for you
When all I wanted was to be good
To do everything in truth
To do everything in truth
You bloody mother fucking asshole
Oh you bloody mother fucking asshole
Oh you bloody mother fucking asshole
Oh you bloody mother fucking asshole
Oh you bloody mother fucking asshole
Oh you bloody...
I will not pretend
I will not put on a smile
I will not say I'm all right for you
For you, whoever you are
For you, whoever you are
For you, whoever you are

The Beatles

I had to share this snippet of an article I found on Huffington Post.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/03/uk-university-offers-mast_n_171656.html

The Liverpool Hope University is now offering a Master's Degree in "The Beatles, Popular Music, and Society."

This is quite possibly one of the neatest things ever and, of course, yet another reason why the liberal arts rock (and roll)! Literally.

More from the article:
"There have been over 8,000 books about the Beatles but there has never been serious academic study and that is what we are going to address," said Mike Brocken, who is directing the program at the university, which is in the band's hometown in northwestern England. Brocken said students would be expected to study the Beatles' songs, stardom, hometown and cultural impact through four 12-week courses and a dissertation. Brocken said studying the band was really a way of examining society as a whole. "If popular music is about anything, it's about people," he said. "If we look at popular culture, it simply provides us with a very complex mirror of ourselves."