lyrics of the week

AMERICA
Tracy Chapman

You were lost and got lucky
Came upon the shore
Found you were conquering America
You spoke of peace
But waged a war
While you were conquering America

There was land to take
And people to kill
While you were conquering America
You served yourself
Did God's will
While you were conquering America

The ghost of Columbus haunts this world
'Cause you're still conquering America
The meek won't survive
Or inherit the earth
'Cause you're still conquering America

America
America
America

Your found bodies to serve
Submit and degrade
While you were conquering America
Made us soldiers and junkies
Prisoners and slaves
While you were conquering America

America
America
America

You hands are at my throat
My back's against the wall
Because you're still conquering America
We're sick and tired hungry and poor
'Cause you're still conquering America

You bomb the very ground
That feeds your own babies
You're still conquering America
Your sons and your daughters
May never sing your praises
While you're conquering America

America
America
America

I see you eyes seek a distant shore
While you're conquering America
Taking rockets to the moon
Trying to find a new world
And you're still conquering America

America
America
America

The ghost of Columbus haunts this world
'Cause you're still conquering America
You're still conquering America
You're still conquering America

lyrics of the week

This song by Dire Straights really speaks to me right now.


Brothers in Arms

These mist covered mountains
Are a home now for me
But my home is the lowlands
And always will be

Some day you?ll return to
Your valleys and your farms
And you?ll no longer burn
To be brothers in arms

Through these fields of destruction
Baptisms of fire
I?ve witnessed your suffering
As the battles raged higher

And though we were hurt so bad
In the fear and alarm
You did not desert me
My brothers in arms

There's so many different worlds
So many different suns
And we have just one world
But we live in different ones

Now the sun's gone to hell
And the moon's riding high
Let me bid you farewell
Every man has to die

But it's written in the starlight
And every line on your palm
We're fools to make war
On our brothers in arms

christmas song part 3

Another Stephen Colbert song

Another Christmas Song

Ho! It’s another Christmas song
Whoa! Get ready brother for another Christmas song
They play for a month, Ad infinitum
One day it struck me someone must write ‘em
So! It’s another Christmas song

Santa clause singing on naughty snow
Reindeer ringing in the mistletoe
The manger’s on fire,
The holly’s a-glow
Hear the baby Jesus cryin’ ho ho ho

Hey! It’s another Christmas song
Yay! Another oft’ returning
Royalty earning Christmas song
I’ve got plenty more so go buy a modem
Log on to iTunes and pay to download ‘em
Pay! For another Christmas song

Chestnuts glisten on a silent night
Sleigh-bells kissing by candle light
The tree is frozen, the winter’s bright
Who’d have thought the wise men look so white

You! Don’t you wanna sing along?
To! My humble yule tide
Dreamed up pool side
Christmas song
Make it a part of your holiday canon
Make it the heart of my retirement plan and
Do! Sing another Christmas song

BEAT IT INTO ‘EM FELLAS!
WATCH MY FEET FLY!

But wait! Who’s this?

Young ones starving on a dead-end street
Taped up tabloids on their frost-bit feet
Hear what they carol as they huddle for heat

[All children:]
Please help the “Colbert Children” eat

Whoa! Just another Christmas song
No! This is like no other Christmas-mother-lovin’-song
Public to whom I'm so proud to have pandered
Please save my family and make this a standard
Go! Join the ever-growing throng
Who are singing
And swingin’
While my kids are clinging to the hope
My register’s ching-ching chinging from the cash I’m bringing
From another Christmas song


Love it!!!

song for christmas part 2

This is from Stephen Colbert's Christmas Musical Special. This is a song that he sung as a duet with Elvis Costello

Much Worse Things to Believe In

Elvis: There are cynics, there are skeptics

There are legions of dispassionate dyspeptics

Who regard this time of year as a maudlin insincere

Cheezy crass commercial travesty of all that we hold dear

Stephen: When they think that

Well, I can hear it

But I pity them their lack of Christmas spirit

For in a world like ours, take it from Stephen

There are much worse things to believe in.



Elvis: A redeemer and a savior, an obese man giving toys for good behavior

Stephen: The faith in what might be and the hope that we might see

The answer to all sorrow in a box beneath the tree

Find them foolish

Elvis: Sentimental

Stephen: Well you're clearly none too bright

Both: so we'll be gentle

Stephen: Don't even try to start vaguely conceiving

Both: Of all much worse things to believe in



Stephen: Believe in the judgment, believe in Jihad

Believe in a thousand variations on a dark and spiteful god

Elvis: You've got your money, you've got your power

You've got your science, and all the planets going to end within the hour

Stephen: You've got your dreams that don't come true

Elvis: You've got the ones that do

Stephen: Then you've got your nothing

Both: Some folks believe in nothing

But if you believe in nothing

Then what's to keep the nothing from coming for you



Stephen: Merry Christmas, Happy New Year

Now if you'll forgive me there's a lot to do here

There are stockings still unhung

Colored lights I haven't strung

Elvis: And a one-man four-part Christmas carol waiting to be sung

Stephen: Call me silly, call me sappy

Call me many things, the first of which is happy

You doubt, but you're sad

I don't, but I'm glad

Both: I guess we're even

Stephen: At least that's what I believe in

Both: And there are much worse things

Lyrics of the Week

From the great song Career Opportunities by the great punk band The Clash.


Career Opportunities
(M Jones and J Strummer)

The offered me the office, offered me the shop
They said I'd better take anything they'd got
Do you wanna make tea at the BBC?
Do you wanna be, do you really wanna be a cop?

Career opportunities are the ones that never knock
Every job they offer you is to keep you out the dock
Career opportunity, the ones that never knock

I hate the army an' I hate the R.A.F.
I don't wanna go fighting in the tropical heat
I hate the civil service rules
And I won't open letter bombs for you

Bus driver....ambulance man....ticket inspector
They're gonna have to introduce conscription
They're gonna have to take away my prescription
If they wanna get me making toys
If they wanna get me, well, I got no choice

Careers
Careers
Careers

Ain't never gonna knock



This song, written during Margret Thatcher's term as England's Prime Minister, reminds me of a man who said on the radio that growing up in England during that time was a lot like growing up in Poland except without the excuse of being a Communist Dictatorship.



Long Live Punk

R.I.P. Joe Strummer

lyrics of the week

These are the lyrics for a song called Alla This by Ani Difranco, who I plan to write an article about at some point.



Alla This
(A. Difranco)

i will not stand immersed,
in this ultra violent curse
i won't let you make a tool of me
i will keep my mind and body free
bye bye minutiae
of the day to day drama,
i'm expanding exponentially,
i am consciousness without identity

i am many things,
made of everything,
but i will not be your bank roll
i won't idle in your drive-thru,
i won't watch your electric sideshow
i got way
better places to go

i will maintain the truth
i knew naturally as a child
i won't forfeit my creativity,
to a world that's all laid out for me
i will look at everything around me
and i will vow to bear in mind
that all of this was just someone's idea
it could just as well be mine

i won't rent you my time
i won't sell you my brain
i won't pray to a male god
cuz that would be insane

and i can't support the troops,
cuz every last one of them's being duped,
and i will not rest a wink
until the women have regrouped

i am many things,
made of everything,
but i will not be your bank roll
i won't idle in your drive-thru
i won't watch your electric sideshow
i got way
better places to go


In the next week or so I plan to write a review of Bon Jovi's new album and, of course how could I resist, a rant about, you betcha, Sarah Palin (wink wink) I'll try and find some of her lies and bring 'em to ya.

And That's the way it is.

Some Funny Political Song Parodies

Here are three Capitol Steps videos. I am sorry, you will still have to cut and paste the link as Blogger is annoying.


This one is a parody of Let It Be by the Beatles called Huckabee

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UX7V-F1irek

This is a parody of Boulevard of Broken Dream by Green Day called Boulevard of Broken Dean

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DacLFiWmRw&feature=related

And finally one of my favorites, a parody of Don't Cry for Me Argentina by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice called Don't Cry For Me I'm in Argentina.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THdOHyAvcdc&feature=channel


Enjoy!!!!

Single Reivew: For Your Entertainment by Adam Lambert

Okay, okay I admit it, I'm an Adam Lambert fan. I enjoyed his stuff on American Idol and I planned to buy his album when it comes out next month. However, when he released his first single, called Time for Miracles, I was a little disappointed. It was a very forgetful track that had very generic lyrics and sound. You can't say that about his new single.

It has very David Bowie's Fame feel and, I gotta say, it is weird as heck. To quote the very odd lyrics "Oh, I bet you thought that I was soft and sweet (bet ya thought)‘Ya fallen angel swept ya off your feet Well I’m about to turn up the heat (turn up the heat) I’m here for your entertainment"

I don't really like techno or odd lyrics, but this song is so catchy, strange, and totally irresistible I have to say this, Glam Lives Once Again!!! Adam Lambert has the potential to be the next David Bowie with all his oddness and catchiness(I think that's a word). I look forward to hearing Mr. Lambert singing a song written by P!nk in his album. I also look forward to the duet that he will have Lady Gaga. It looks to be a strange album, and I will love almost every second of it.

A few pieces of advice to Mr. Lambert before I go, the first and most important is, would it be too tough to write your own songs?!!!!! I mean seriously, all these pop stars apparently can't write their own songs, why is that? Does the ability to sing a Pop Song suddenly make them unable to write one? They don't have to be good, at least they will be "you".

4.9/5 Rock Scale 2/5 Lyrics Scale 5/5 Artist Scale.

A confession

As the title suggests, I have a confession to make, I like the band Creed. I know, I know, critics hate them and they have been almost universally trashed, but I enjoy their sound and lyrics. One small point about Creed as a music group, THEY ARE NOT A CHRISTIAN BAND!!!!!!!!! Okay, people? Just because I sing about God and Religion does not make me Christian or my band a Christian group. Anyway, if you actually read some of their lyrics you will see that their lyrics can be really quite beautiful. For example this is the chorus and a verse from the song One.

One, oh one,
The only way is one
I feel angry I feel helpless
Want to change the world
I feel violent I feel alone
Don't try and change my mind

Society blind by color
Why hold down one to raise another
Discrimination now on both sides
Seeds of hate blossom further
The world is heading for mutiny
When all we want is unity
We may rise and fall, but in the end
We meet our fate together

T That is a really good lyric. Here is another from the song Higher.

Ive seen the wicked fruit of your vine
Destroy the man who lacks a strong mind
Human pride sings a vengeful song
Inspired by the times youve been walked on
My stage is shared by many millions
Who lift their hands up high because they feel this
We are one we are strong
The more you hold us down the more we press on
What if you did?
What if you lied?
What if I avenge?
What if eye for an eye?
I know I cant hold the hate inside my mind
cause what consumes your thoughts controls your life
So Ill just ask a question
What if?
What if your words could be judged like a crime?

That is not quite as good, but still quite profound.

Now their sound, okay I will admit that it is pretty generic, but it is catchy and their guitarist can play. Scott Stapp is a decent vocalist who does sound like Eddie Vedder only not quite as good.

I think I might like them more than others because I heard them before I found out they were supposed to be terrible. Maybe some of the critics should listen to their music with an open mind. I saw this review on CNN that didn't contain any information about the record itself. It didn't contain any real criticism it just said that Creed is a terrible band who's music will destroy your speakers because it is so bad. The review also said that no one likes Creed. I think that people like Creed but are too intimidated by the pompous reviews who think they know everything about music.

And that's the way it is.

One of the greatest protests ever

Watch this clip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2QX9sMV5xI&annotation_id=annotation_362609&feature=iv

Is that not absolutely hilarious? When some people want to protest they go and shout down a meeting. When others want to protest they go and sing a parody of the song Tomorrow.

They were also quite good singers.

Music Review, We Weren't Born to Follow by Bon Jovi

Yes, Yes, Yes!!! Finally, Jon Bon Jovi and his band are doing Slippery When Wet again, but without the cheesy synth. The lyrics send a message and the music matches it perfectly. This is one of the best Bon Jovi songs I've ever heard. After their strange foray into country music, it's nice to see Jon rocking out again.

Rock Scale: 4/5 Lyrics: 4.5 /5 Music Video: 5/5 Artist Scale: 4.7/5

lyrics of the week

These are the lyrics to a great song by the folk band The Indigo Girls, who, incidentally I'm going to see in concert in a few days.

Three Hits

three hits to the heart son
and it's poetry in motion
one could send you down the river
three's a strange way to be delivered

would you trade your words for freedom
that's a barter for a blind man
three hits to the heart son
and it's poetry in motion

are you levee'd like a treasure
only words can help me find you
and this world's a fickle measure
I would painfully remind you

from a wise man to your red hand
you lay covered ion our best sins
three hits to the heart son
and it's poetry in motion

well I dream you constant stranger
with your best bloods and your anger
you say mother do you claim me
my beloved do you blame me

well the first two might release you
but the last one sings in me son
three hits to the heart son
and it's poetry in motion

three hits to the heart son
and the last one sings in me


this song is about the American poet Frank Stanford.

Cover songs, the good and the bad

The cover song is a mixed bag, it can compliment a great album or it can make your ears bleed. So now it's your turn, in my play-list are a collection of covers, vote on the best and the worst. In July I'll post the winners. So hurry up and vote!!

Note you can only vote on the songs in the playlist.

The rebirth of rock

In the past several years there has been a slew of bands and artists who are a lot like classic bands from the 60s and 70s. Here are a few examples:


Buddy Holly: Bruce Springsteen, they don't sound particularly alike, but they are both singer-songwriters in the same vain.

The Clash: Green Day they have many songs that are similar like Train in Vain and Good Riddance, White Riot and Know the Enemy, Should I Stay or should I go and American Idiot, ect

The Kinks: Van Halen

Bob Dylan: John Mellencamp they both have folk sensibilities and similar lyrics

Joan Baez : the Indigo Girls, really they are almost exactly alike)

The Eagles: The Counting Crows both of them are county rock, but with folk influences and the occasional rocker and a ton of "story songs"

Bob Dylan: James McMurtry almost everything by him is like Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan: Bruce Springsteen, almost everything he sings has dylan-like
lyrics

Janis Joplin: Melissa Ethridge they have the same voice and are strong female rockers

The list just goes on and on. It makes one wonder what Bands will be like thirty years from now. How will they emulate popular bands if all the popular bands are emulating others. On the other hand, Bob Dylan emulates Woody Guthrie and bands still manage to emulate him, so maybe there is hope.