Ah Ah Ah AAAHHHH Ah...

This is totally the sound of my soul, y'all. Yep.

You know, I started off with something else stuck in my head this morning. The song Human by The Human League (not sure what's making them SO sad, their lack of originality in titling things or the weight of their earrings) is on some commercial at the moment and I woke up singing it this morning.  But somehow that has now morphed into Spandau Ballet's True. Didn't Tears for Fears cover this song? Anyway, clearly the most bizarre thing about these guys (aside from the fact that they're still around) is the name of their band. What the heck does Spandau Ballet mean? Well, I'll tell you. You knew I would.

So they started out as The Cut (should've stopped there in my opinion,) then for a brief period they were The Makers (OK, not too shabby,) but changed their name again when a friend of theirs saw the words 'Spandau Ballet' scrawled on the wall of a nightclub bathroom in Berlin. So basically, they found their name in the toilet. Hmm. But wait, there's more! This name refers to Spandau Prison and the many suicides by hanging there. The victims were said to twitch and jump at the end of a rope, in some sort of morbid dance. How uplifting! And so, for whatever reason, the name stuck. Despite the fact that as far as I can tell their only real German link is that they liked to hang out in clubs and listen to Kraftwerk. Right.

It's a tough call deciding what I like best about this video. The cheesiness of dude's over dramatic lipsynching in split screen, or the totally unnecessary sax solo in split screen. Or the hexagonal drums. I give up. You decide.

You Make Me Testify

So I know that haters gonna hate and that I'm gonna get made fun of for this one in certain social circles, but let's just get something clear. If there is a dude, let's call him an artist, who performs music that makes people jump around and smile, and who performs with a backing band that busts out choreographed (and very well-synchronized) dance moves WHILE playing horns and guitars, and if that music has a good beat and I can dance to it, then I'm gonna be into it people. That's just the way I roll. None of you would argue with me if this was a post about James Flippin' Brown! But it isn't...

Bruno Mars, folks. That's what I'm into today. The only thing I really can't take about this guy is his ridiculously over sized fedora. (I mean, seriously guy, you are small and your head is largish. Big hats should not be a wardrobe staple. Just rock that fro, yo!) But his talent, I am digging. And for a little dude, he's got a fair amount of it. And even though Locked Out of Heaven is, like, way up there on the charts these days, I really had no idea who he was until I happened to see this little ditty on SNL a couple months ago. And this is where he got me. Bands that dance and play at the same time (and manage to sound decent on SNL) are guaranteed to entertain (me.) I can't vouch for any more of his music, maybe it's all total crap, but this song makes me want to get off the couch...to go pour another glass of wine! And on the way back to the couch I bust out some wicked dance moves of my own...without spilling the wine! I'm not necessarily lacking in talent myself, you know.

Anyway, here's a fun fact for today: B.M. (hee hee, B.M...) a.k.a, Peter Gene Hernandez, is the son of a hula dancer and a percussionist. Also, among other instruments, he plays the congas. Yep.

And apparently he got his nickname because his Old Man thought he looked like this guy. Maybe his dad needed glasses?

I Betcha Five Dollars He'll Kill You Dead

Happy New Year, ladies and gents! Let's ring in 2013 with a fresh little earworm from the Dixie Cups. Who are the Dixie Cups? Well, we'll get into that a bit later. First, the song. Iko Iko is in my brain because of a very music-driven movie I recently watched, and I woke up singing what I thought were the words this morning, only to find out that (shocker) I was wrong. But what is really more interesting than the fact that as per usual I am singing incorrect lyrics, is the fact that I had no idea this is a Mardi Gras parade song. And here I thought I new about all things Mardi Gras! Once again (shocker,) wrong. Supposedly it's about two Mardi Gras Indian tribes having a confrontation about who's flag should fly and who's should burn. The song doesn't mention this, but I'm pretty sure the resolution was something like, "Ah, screw it. Let's just get drunk and eat some crawfish. Ca c'est bon, cher!" I could insert some pretty embarrassing pre-Bug pics here of me and Hubby, in full Mardi Gras (throw me somethin' mister!) regalia, but I'll spare you. And you're welcome. Just beware of catching a chicken foot at your next Mardi Gras celebration. Trust me, it's gross. Now the sparkly purple thong on the other hand...

Anyway, as we dig a little deeper, (sorry, I'm feeling a bit librarian-ish today...occupational hazard I suppose) the story gets even more interesting (to me, anyway.) The Dixie Cups were originally from the Calliope housing project in New Orleans and grew up singing this song because they heard it from their grandmother. Not realizing the origin of the song or even it's meaning, it was just something they knew and sang as a matter of habit. Once in a New York studio they were clowning around and started singing it while tapping out the rhythm with drumsticks on ashtrays. Little did they know, the tapes were recording. Later session producers went back and added drums and bass, and, PRESTO, a song that so easily gets stuck in your head it's ridiculous!

So L'aissez les bons temps roulez! And in case you were wondering, Fat Tuesday falls on February 12 this year. Get your beads out.

I Wrapped It Up And Sent It

Feliz Navidad and stuff! I can say with absolute certainty that I am not at all ready for Christmas. Hubby has the flu, Bug's daycare is closed (which means he's at work with me, which means I'm not getting any work done,) and we have an eight hour (at least) car trip ahead of us tomorrow (which means I'll be driving all day while Hubby vomits out the window and Bug kicks the back of my seat and screams.) Also, I'm not packed and we're hosting a last minute cocktail party tonight. Clearly I have lost my mind.

But in the spirit of the season, I have a little holiday-themed earworm to pass along today. It's been stuck in my brain for about a week now, but I just haven't had the time to post it. You know, with all of my many social engagements to keep up with. And by social engagements I mean season one of Homeland. But I digress, today the stuck music is brought to you by Wham! (and George Michael's awesome hair...and his gay earrings.) As previously stated, Last Christmas has been playing on a loop for about eight days now (which might be significant if G.M is partially Jewish), despite the fact that I only know the words to the chorus. And actually I think I keep getting them wrong too. But still it's one of the less annoying Christmas pop songs, so I guess things could be worse. What I think I love most about this video (and this is a close runner up to the plethora of over sized coats from the 80's) is the fact that he's singing about some chick when we all know he'd rather be sticking it to the other dude in Wham. Also, the fact they they are all just pretending to take sips from their wine glasses is kind of hilarious. Were they not 21 yet when they shot this video? Was the director scared of things getting out of control with all the rampant Chardonnay sippage? I feel an investigation coming on...

So Merry Christmas and pass the egg nog! And thank you baby Jesus for another happy (most of the time) year with Hubby, Bug and of course, Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou. Peace out.

Climb Aboard, Get Ready To Explore

"We're going on a trip in our favorite rocket ship." If you don't have young children I bet you can't name that tune! Hubby and I, however, can name it in two notes or less. Beat that, bitches! We are so familiar with this little ditty that we actually both woke up singing it this morning. Bug just told us to be quiet. He can be so unappreciative of our morning duets.

So the earworm du jour is the theme song from Disney Jr.'s Little Einsteins, currently young master Bug's favorite show. For those of you who don't know (and are probably 112% uninterested) the concept of this show is actually right up my alley. It teaches famous composers and artists, music theory and terms, mixed in with a bit of geographic exploration of places with major architectural or historical significance. In reality it is totally bizarro. The rocket ship in which these four parent-less tots zoom around time and space (totally unchaperoned!) is fueled by Rocket Soup made of cheese, peas, and musical jumping beans. And yet somehow said soup is bright tomato red. This makes no sense. Neither cheese, peas, or musical jumping beans (I have seen them, so I know) are red. And still, red soup. This doesn't seem to bother Bug, but I just can't get past it. Anyway, all 13 of my readers should consider this their lucky day, because I managed to track down a video of the song sung in six (yes, SIX!) different languages BACK TO BACK!!! You get to listen to it six times in a row, people! English, Spanish, Italian, Japanese (my personal fave) and French. If you make it to the French without developing some sort of nervous eye twitch, you score 70 bonus points. Good luck in your mission. Start the count down...

Don't Call My Name

Blogging is hard work, y'all. Like, for reals. First off, where do I find the time? I am just soooooo busy! I mean, I have to pretend to work for 8 whole hours a day, then I have like 5 hours of TV to watch when I get home. Not to mention the fact that Hubby and Bug can be so needy with all the requests for food and water and poop-free diapers (those are mostly just for Bug.) Phew, what's a girl to do?! OK, so the reality of the situation is that I am lazy and uninspired and that's why the blog has been on hiatus. Now that we have that cleared up, let's move on.

Lady Gaga. I am fascinated, intimidated, grossed out by, and a little in awe of this woman. I do not understand the meat dress. I totally love the bubble dress. I like that she is an actual musician. I do not like that she has that fab body because of eating disorders. But all of that aside, what I'm here to discuss today is the song Alejandro. I just don't get what's going on here. Who the f**k is Alejandro? And if he's important enough to have an entire song about how irresistible he is, why does she also mention some other dudes (Roberto and Fernando?) Is she having a 4-way? Or trying not to have a 4-way? I'm confused. And the chorus. What's up with that? She just says his name over and over and calls it a day. Was she suffering from writers block while penning this little snippet of Americana? And the video does absolutely nothing to clear any of this up. I mean, we get it, you like to prance around in funky costumes (or your underwear) and fancy lighting while topless men dance-fight (or simulate raping you) for your enjoyment (don't we all?) But what the hell does that have to do with the damn song, woman?!? Eating a rosary? Now that makes sense.

Seriously, help. Somebody please figure this one out for me. In the meantime I'm going to go develop an eating disorder of my own. Why should she get to have all the fun?

We've Had A *Bleep* Day

So I'm pretty sure I heard this song three times yesterday. On the same radio station. Within only a few hours. Eesh. So needless to say, Pink's Blow Me (One Last Kiss) is the earworm du jour. I actually kind of like Ms. Alecia Beth Moore. She's got a killer voice, even if you don't like it. Hubby (is about to be outed) used to totally rock out to that song Get the Party Started way back in 2001. Oh yes he did! You go, girl! And I like that she's a pop star that actually plays instruments and writes her own music. Quel novelty! And of course the Lady Marmalade video...tres sexy!

And even though you expect things she does to be slightly against the grain in terms of pop trends and what all the other young skin-bearing h(st)arlettes are doing these days, this video is not at all what I was thinking it would be after hearing this song two dozen times. Way to throw us a curve ball, P!nk! Anyway, I just wouldn't be me if I didn't also give a heads up to the Glee cast (even though that show is getting lamer by the episode) when they covered this one. I mean, the guy who plays Unique hits all of Pink's high notes with less difficulty than I do when I'm in the shower and someone flushes a toilet. And he has a penis. So, yeah, you definitely go girl! Or boy? I think he prefers girl...I dunno, just watch the video.

Fun Friday factoid: In conjunction with PETA, Pink criticized the Australian wool industry for its use of mulesing. Yeah, just Google mulesing real quick. Yikes.

 

In other news, I need to learn to type French accents. Au revoir.

 



 



My Baby Shot Me Down

OK. Time to get back to normal. After all the sickness, and sprained ankles, and bummer birthdays spent hopping on one foot chasing a toddler with a fever and the runniest nose on earth, I am returning to the blogosphere in an attempt to feel like things are back on track. Of course, things aren't, but it's time to fake it 'til I make it. So here goes.

Nancy Sinatra's Bang Bang is a damn sexy song. Loving it. But why is it stuck in my head? Well I'll tell you (you knew I would!) Limping around at work today I stumbled upon our latest magazines waiting to be put out for the information starved public, and I happened upon the December issue of Dance Spirit (homeless people can't get enough of this one.) On the cover of this magazine (that no one reading this blog probably even knew existed,) are the two latest winners from So You Think You Can Dance (a show no one reading this blog probably ever watches.) The girl, Eliana Girard (not that anyone cares) is a ballet dancer whose most memorable moment on the show was when she danced a very sultry number to this song. And yes, I remembered that immediately when seeing her on the cover of the magazine. Because I do actually watch that show and know who this girl is. You can make fun if you like. I'm used to it (Hubby!) And she's awesome, so she probably doesn't care about your opinion either. So there. So there's today's earworm explained. You can all go back to what you were doing now. But first you'll want to watch Nancy in all her pink-fringed glory sing this song. She makes it look so easy. What a bitch.

So, it seems her fringe-matching pink boots weren't actually made for walking, but for rolling comically off stage after her performance. An interesting choice. I'm not sure I get it. The SYTYCD judges would most definitely not approve. "Nancy, we really expect a higher level of performance from you at this stage of the competition. I'm afraid we will not be asking you to stay. YOU'RE FIRED!" Oh wait...wrong show. Whatever.







He's Real Smart With A Real Big Heart

The whole gosh-darned family has been sick for over a week. We're all sick and tired of being sick and tired. And what I'm most over at the moment is the 2:00 a.m. eyes-popping-open-for-no-reason-other-than-I'm-hopped-up-on-cold-medicine routine that I've gotten into. And every danged morning last week, the same danged song was on a very fast and loud repeat in my looped out brain. I think this one got stuck when I stumbled upon the tail end of the movie Sweet Home Alabama (more than once, I might add) while home on the couch trying not to cough up both lungs. I'm a total Dolly fan (she's made an appearance here before,) but this song at that time of morning...it's just not working for me. Please for the love of all that is good and holy, make it stop! I just fell asleep while typing that.

There Is This Old Woman

I know I've mentioned this in previous posts (and I know that no one really cares,) but the state of Atlanta radio these days...Oy Vey! Yesterday, one of the good ones (which is currently functioning like a jukebox because they fired all the DJ's three weeks early to prep the switch to 24/7 sports talk...slaps forehead and roles eyes...) was playing the Pixies. There will be no other station in this town that will play this kind of music in the foreseeable future. Disgraceful! Apparently the demographic that enjoys good music no longer listens to the radio. Except for me. Go figure.

Anyway, Dig for Fire is a great song and I hadn't heard it in quite a while. It made me happy and now it's so stuck in my head. When Hubby and I first moved to Atlanta we stood in a crowd in the pouring rain in Midtown, wearing our most fashionable emergency ponchos, and giggled like teenagers at the fact that we were getting to see the Pixies, LIVE, at last! I realize they tour and stuff now, but this was a BIG deal (to me anyway) in 2005. I totally remember doing that thing where you call all your besties and hold your phone up during your fave song, thinking that you're sharing this incredible moment with them, and that they're on the other end of the line rocking out and being jealous of you, when what's really going on is they can't actually hear what you're hearing and they wonder if you butt dialed them, and when you don't answer all their frantic cries of "HELLO??" they just hang up, but you still think they're there thinking about how cool you are, so you keep holding your phone up (in the rain) like an idiot. Good times! I'm pretty sure these days there is no way in hell I'd stand in a thunderstorm to watch anyone play, so really Black Francis and crew should consider themselves lucky.

Fun Friday factoid: Dig For Fire is apparently a tribute song to The Talking Heads. MmmHmmm.

Side bar: This Dig for Fire link has nothing to do with the Pixies and most certainly deserves a post all its own, but just trust me that it's worth checking out. Music saves, people!