Music Monday #17 - Expectations

Get the song here:
Belle & Sebastian - Expectations (Mediafire)
Belle & Sebastian - Expectations (Megaupload)

On today’s Music Monday I’d like to present you with a very cool song from the Juno Soundtrack. Yesterday I helped a friend move and he tried to drive me home afterwards and we got hopelessly lost. However, the Juno OST was playing on his car stereo so all the driving around was quite enjoyable anyway.

The Juno Soundtrack features a lot of songs by Kimya Dawson, who is one half of The Moldy Peaches (Adam Green is the other half). I believe it was Ellen Page’s idea that the character of Juno McGuff would listen to that music. Ellen’s got taste.

The song I chose, however, is not one of Kimya’s, it’s one by Belle and Sebastian, who are an indie pop band from Glasgow.

I’ll leave you with the trailer to Juno. If you haven’t yet, go watch the movie!

——

Belle and Sebastian - Expectations

Monday morning wake up knowing that
You’ve got to go to school
Tell your mum what to expect
She says it’s right out the blue
Do you want to work in Debenham’s
‘Cause that’s what they expect
Start in Lingerie, and Doris is your supervisor

And the head said that you always were a
queer one from the start
For careers you say you want to be
remebered for your art
Your obsessions get you known throughout
the school for being strange
Making lifesize models of the
Velvet Underground in clay

In the queue for lunch they take the piss
You’ve got no appetite
And the rumour is you never go with boys
and you are tight
So they jab you with a fork
You drop the tray and go beserk
While you’re cleaning up the mess
the teacher’s looking up your skirt
Hey you’ve been used
Are you calm? Settle down
Write a song, I’ll sing along
Soon you will know that you are sane
You’re on top of the world again

Monday morning wake up knowing that
you’ve got to go to school
Tell your mum what to expect
She says it’s right out the blue
Do you want to work in C&A,
cause that’s what they expect
Move to Ladieswear and take a feel
off Joe the Storeman

Tell Veronica the secret of the boy
you never kissed
She’s got everything to gain cause
she’s a fat girl with a lisp
She sticks up for you when you get
aggravation from the snobs
Cause you can’t afford a blazer and
you’re always wearing clogs

At the interval you lock yourself away
inside a room
Head of English gets you, asks you
“What the Hell do you think you’re doing?”
“Do you think you’re better than the other kids?
Well get outside.”
You’ve got permission
But you’ve got to make the bastard think he’s right
Hey you’ve been used
Write a song, I’ll sing along
Are you calm? Settle down
Soon you will know that you are sane
You’re on top of the world again

Video Saturday #22 - Utah Phillips

Utah Phillips (May 15, 1935 – May 23, 2008)

This Video Saturday is all about Utah Phillips. He passed away on May 23rd, 2008. I only know him through his collaboration with Ani DiFranco - or her collaboration with him, rather. From what I understand, she took hours and hours of his material and toyed with it to create Past Didn’t Go Anywhere and Fellow Workers.

Bruce “Utah” Duncan Phillips (May 15, 1935 – May 23, 2008) was a labor organizer, folk singer, storyteller, poet and the “Golden Voice of the Great Southwest”. He described the struggles of labor unions and the power of direct action. He often promoted the Industrial Workers of the World in his music, actions, and words.
(from Wikipedia)

Look at those videos to get an idea who Utah Phillips was, if you don’t know yet:

You can find more Utah Phillips on YouTube on VeniceArtists’ profile and on mediagrrl9’s profile or if you simply search for Utah Phillips.

Enjoy and comment.

Music Monday #16 - L.E.S. Artistes

Get the song here:
Santogold - L.E.S. Artistes (Megaupload)
Santogold - L.E.S. Artistes (Mediafire)

On today’s Music Monday I’d like to introduce you to a song by Santogold. Santogold is the new star in the music press it seems, and she definitely has an idiosyncratic sound. I mean that as compliment to the artist.

I suppose it’s only a matter of time until you’ll hear L.E.S. Artistes again and again on the radio (which is why I don’t listen to the radio most of the time), but if it’s not shoved down your throat ears, it’s actually excellent. She sounds a bit like Joan Jett on this song, and when I first heard it I couldn’t help but think: Tegan and Sara could probably do an excellent cover version of this. Somehow this song sounds like something Sara Quin might’ve written for The Con.

You can buy her album Santogold at Amazon.com.

Here’s the (weird) video on YouTube:

_________
Santogold - L.E.S. Artistes

What I’m searching for
to tell it straight, I’m trying to build a wall
Walking by myself
down avenues that reek of time to kill
If you see me keep going
be a pass by waver
Build me up, bring me down
just leave me out you name dropper
Stop trying to catch my eye
I see you good you forced faker
Just make it easy
You’re my enemy you fast talker

I can say I hope it will be worth what I give up
If I could stand up mean for the things that I believe

What am I here for
I left my home to disappear is all
I’m here for myself
Not to know you
I don’t need no one else
Fit in so good the hope is that you cannot see me later
You don’t know me
I am an introvert an excavator
I’m duckin’ out for now
a face in dodgy elevators
Creep up and suddenly
I found myself
an innovator

I can say I hope it will be worth what I give up
If I could stand up mean for the things that I believe

Change, change, change,
I want to get up out of my skin
tell you what
if I can shake it
I’m ‘a make this
something worth dreaming of

Music Monday #14 - Beggin’

Get the song here:
Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons (Megaupload)
Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons (Mediafire)

On today’s Music Monday I’d like to bring to you a classic: Beggin’ by Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons. This song has lately been very successfully covered by the Norwegian band Madcon, but I personally like the old version a bit better. Kudos to Madcon, though, for introducing me to the song in the first place!

(Click for the Madcon video at YouTube.)

(Click for the Frankie Valli video at YouTube.)

______
Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons - Beggin’

(Begging) begging
Put your loving hand out, baby
(Begging) begging you
Put your loving hand out, baby

Riding high when I was king
Played it hard and fast
Cause I had everything
You walked away, won me then
But easy come and easy go
And it would end

(Begging) I’m begging you
Won’t you give your hand out, baby
(Begging) begging
Put your loving hand out, baby

I need you to understand
That I tried so hard
To be your man
The kind of man you want in the end
Only then can I begin to live again

An empty shell
Used to be
Shadow of my life
Is hanging over me

Broken man without a throne
Wont even stand the devils dance
To win my soul

(Begging) begging you

Won’t you give your hand out, baby
(Begging) begging you
Put your loving hand out, baby

I’m fighting hard
To hold my own
No, I just cant make it
All alone

I’m holdin on
I can’t fall back
Now that big brass ring
Is a shade of black

(Begging) I’m begging you
Won’t you give your hand out, baby
(Begging) begging
Put your loving hand out, baby

Music Monday #11 - Quiet Little Boxes

Get the songs here:
Malvina Reynolds - Little Boxes (WEEDS theme song)
Malvina Reynolds - Quiet

On this Music Monday I bring you Malvina Reynolds. According to the Wikipedia, she was born on August 23, 1900, and died March 17, 1978. She was an American folk/blues singer-songwriter and political activist.

Like many people, I first heard one of her songs when Weeds came on TV. Her popular song Little Boxes has been used as the title song for that show.

Malvina has a fascinating voice and her lyrics can make you think and I like that. So without further ado, here are the lyrics to her songs Little Boxes and Quiet.

———

Malvina Reynolds - Little Boxes

Little boxes on the hillside
Little boxes made of ticky-tacky
Little boxes on the hillside
Little boxes all the same

There’s a green one and a pink one
And a blue one and a yellow one
And they’re all made out of ticky-tacky
And they all look just the same

And the people in the houses
All went to the university
Where they were put in boxes
And they came out all the same

And there’s doctors and lawyers
And business executives
And they’re all made out of ticky-tacky
And they all look just the same

And they all play on the golf course
And drink their martinis dry
And they all have pretty children
And the children go to school

And the children go to summer camp
And then to the university
Where they are put in boxes
And they come out all the same

And the boys go into business
And marry and raise a family
In boxes made of ticky-tacky
And they all look just the same

There’s a pink one and a green one
And a blue one and a yellow one
And they’re all made out of ticky-tacky
And they all look just the same

————–

Malvina Reynolds - Quiet

I don’t know much about much
And what I don’t know I don’t say
And when I have nothing to say
I’m quiet

When there’s occasion to holler, I’ll buy it
I can make noise with the best
But most of the rest of the time I’m quiet

I’ve made mistakes in the past
Things that I blush over yet
But I hardly ever regret
Having been quiet

I have a TV at home
And I do truly enjoy it
I can just leave it alone
And it’s quiet

I’m not unsociable, no
People are fine in repose
Somehow my favorites are those
Who are quiet

Quiet’s a wonderful sound
Sweeter than oboe or fiddle
Someday I’m going to be found
In the middle of quiet

Sing me a song of the sea
Soft as the breath of a breeze
Sing me to sleep and then please
Keep quiet

If you still want more Malvina Reynolds, check her out on amazon.com or see this YouTube video of The Little Red Hen:

Music Monday #9 - Hey Matthew

Get the song here:
http://www.mediafire.com/?oxa9clp01qg
or here
http://www.sendspace.com/file/ewl8os

It’s Music Monday again and again I’m late. I’m stressed out, can you tell? Anyway, Music Monday is important and should not be neglected too much. So today I bring you a sweet song from the 80ies - Hey Matthew by Karel Fialka. You know how they say, you can take the girl out of the 80ies, but you can’t take the 80ies out of the girl.

Anyway, this song reminds me very much of being very young. I probably had it on an old cassette tape somewhere (remember cassette tapes?) and I also remember it was on one of my brother’s cassette tapes - I probably copied it from his tape, in fact. Remember how you used to spend hours making mixed tapes and figuring out what song to put next and rewinding and fast forwarding and all that? Well, I do. The good old days, right?

The single to the song was released in 1987 and peaked at #9 in the UK Singles Charts (says Wikipedia), making Karel Fialka a One Hit Wonder.

(See the extended version with lyrics here.)

___________________________
Karel Fialka - Hey Matthew

I was sitting with Matthew, we were watching TV
I said Hey Matthew, what do you see?
Do you see the guns, do you see the bombs
See those people throwing all of those stones?
Do you see the cars going up in flames
See their faces, do you know their names
Hey Matthew, when you’re watching TV
Hey, Hey Matthew, what do you see?

Do you see the tension in a rich man’s house?
Do you see the cat, do you see the mouse?
Do you see the beauty or the big bad beast?
Do you see the famine, do you see the feast?
In this world of villains do you see the crime
Is a superhero waiting at the edge of time?
Hey Matthew, when you’re watching TV
Hey, Hey Matthew, what do you see?

I see Dallas, Dynasty, Silver Hawks, He-Man
Tom & Jerry, Dukes of Hazzard, Airwolf
Blue Thunder, Rambo, Road Runner, Daffy Duck
The A-Team, The A-Team, I see the A-Team

I was sitting with Matthew, we were watching TV
I said Hey Matthew, what’ll you be?
Will you walk like a lion in the danger zone
Will you pass unnoticed in the great unknown?
When you see the press out on a witch hunt
When you see a political publicity stunt
Will you fight for the right, will you be a man?
Will you step aside, will you give a damn?

Will you ride that tide with the starry eyed?
Will you give and take, will you laugh ’til you ache?
Will you learn to live, will you take, will you give?
As the bridges burn, will you live and learn
Will you be numbered with the brave and true?
Well, good luck kid, here’s lookin’ at you.

In the future, Matthew, so bright and free
Hey Matthew, what’ll you be?
Hey Hey Matthew, what’ll you be?

I want to be a soldier, street fighter, be a policeman
A captain of a boat - big boat. I want to be a magic man
A cowboy, a train driver, high jump champion
A fireman, a pilot, I want to be your friend.

It’s all a game - I hope.

Hey Matthew
Hey Hey Matthew.

I hope. I hope. I hope. I hope.

Music Monday #8 - Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?

Get the song here:
http://www.mediafire.com/?jgpzmtgwm10
or
http://www.sendspace.com/file/ze14ey

 

It’s Music Monday again and today I have something very special for you. If you know who Zooey Deschanel is, you’ll be thrilled! If you don’t, let me enlighten you. Zooey Deschanel (imdb.com / wikipedia) is an actress who very much enchanted me in the fun movie Eulogy. She also was in the new Hitchiker’s Guide To The Galaxy movie.She’s not only a great and funny actress, she also has a very pleasant voice, and so she formed a band with M. Ward and they called it She & Him. I really “like their style”, the songs sound like they could be from the 60ies, but they still sound very fresh. You can get their album Volume One at Amazon.com for only $9.99 - if that’s not a bargain, I don’t know what is! I’ll certainly order my copy shortly. If you’re not convinced yet, check out the You & Him MySpace page to listen to several other songs.

[Zooey Deschanel on YouTube]

___________________________
You & Him - Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?

Why do you let me stay here, all by myself?
Why don’t you come and play here?
I’m just sitting on the shelf
Why don’t you sit right down and stay a while?
We like the same things and i like your style
It’s not a secret, why do you keep it?
I’m just sitting on the shelf
I gotta get your presence, let’s make it known
I think you’re just so pleasant, i’d like you for my own
Why don’t you sit right down and make me smile?
You make me feel like i am just a child
Why do you edit? just give me credit
I’m just sitting on the shelf

Music Monday #5 - Cosy In The Rocket

Copy and paste this into your browser:
http://www.mediafire.com/?nskawzzyy0d
or
http://www.sendspace.com/file/42k1ka

It’s Music Monday again and today’s song is called Cosy in the Rocket and it’s by Psapp. They’re a band from England, and while they’re listed as electronica/indie pop band on Wikipedia, it also says that they “are sometimes credited with inventing a musical style known as toytronica, a form of electronica made with toys and toy instruments (the band uses toy guitars, flutes, and a chicken they named Brunhilda)”. I’m not sure what to make of that chicken…

Cosy in the Rocket is the theme song to the really fun TV show Grey’s Anatomy (with the amusing Ellen Pompeo. (I’m just mentioning her so I have a reason to link to her Punk’d video, which some people thought was really outrageous - but then again, she didn’t think anybody was listening. For what it’s worth, I still like her anyway.)

______________________________

Psapp - Cosy in the Rocket

Climb, climb into the rocket
And we set the fuse to go, go go
Head start, cosy in the rocket
And I need to go, go, go,go
Tip top ready for the sky
And I’m tip top ready to go
Tip top ready for the sky
And I’m tip top ready to go,go,go

Come, come, fly into my palm
And collapse
Oh oh, suppose you’ll never know

Nobody knows where they might end up
Nobody knows
Nobody knows where they might wake up
Nobody knows
Nobody knows where they might end up
Nobody knows
Nobody knows where they might wake up
Nobody knows

Tick tack toe, you’re fitting into place
And now the old ways don’t seem true
Stick stop blue you’re only shifting i
In the same old shape you always do
Tip top ready for the rocket
And I’m tip top ready to go
Tip top ready for the sky
And I’m tip top ready to go, go go

Come, come, fly into my palm
And collapse
Oh oh, suppose you’ll never know

Come, come, fly into my palm
And collapse
Oh oh, suppose you’ll never know

If you’re already smitten with this song, you might want to check out the Psapp videos on YouTube.

Enjoy, and leave a comment!

Music Monday #4 - Still Alive (Portal Spoilers!)

On this Music Monday I would like to warn all the gamers among you that this entry will have spoilers for Portal. So if you plan on playing the game, don’t read any further. I’m serious. Stop reading.

If you don’t know what the heck I’m talking about, well, Portal is one of the coolest games I’ve played and at the very end there’s a very cool song. I don’t know if you can appreciate the song if you haven’t played the game, but I think it’s fantastic. It’s actually sung by Ellen McLain and was written by Jonathan Coulton. So without further ado, I bring you:

http://www.mediafire.com/?byxolwtxei9
(copy and paste this into your browser)
OR
Get it from the Central Village blog (good taste in music there!)
OR
Watch the video here (again, SPOILERS and nice ASCII art ahead):

Enjoy and feel free to comment!

Music Monday #3 - Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others

This Music Monday I would like to present to you a song by The Smiths called Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others. Let me quote Wikipedia:

“The Smiths were an English rock band active from 1982 to 1987. The group was based on the songwriting partnership of Morrissey and Johnny Marr and were signed to the independent record label Rough Trade Records. Considered by some critics to be the most important alternative rock band to emerge from the British indie scene of the 1980s, the Smiths have had a major influence on subsequent alternative music, including bands such as Radiohead, The Killers, Bloc Party, The Stone Roses, Blur, Suede, Oasis, The Libertines, Brand New, The Verve, Belle and Sebastian and Doves. At the time, the group was notable in particular for two things: Morrissey’s unusual, witty, ambiguous and sometimes controversial lyrics; and Marr’s complex, dense music, which helped return guitar-based music to popularity after it had fallen somewhat out of favour in the UK charts.”

Copy and paste this into your browser:
http://www.mediafire.com/?0obtkyqdvzr

Or watch the video on YouTube here:

Lyrics:
The Smiths - Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others
From the ice-age to the dole-age, there is but one concern
I have just discovered:

Some girls are bigger than others
Some girls are bigger than others
Some girls’ mothers are bigger than other girls’ mothers (x2)

As Antony said to Cleopatra as he opened the crate of ale
Oh, I say:

Some girls are biger than others
Some girls are bigger than others
Some girls’ mothers are bigger than other girls’ mothers (x2)

It’s under your pillow, the one that you dream of
It’s under your pillow, the one that you dream of

And I said you’re mine