Song of the Week — California Love

In honor of the great day that lies before me tomorrow (and the concurrent cessation of postings until next week), I present to you one of the greatest songs of all time:  California Love.  Throw yo hands up, yo.  Tomorrow, pink will be the new black, and 50 degrees will be the new 20 degrees.  I said Brrr, it’s cold in here.  Gimme some Cali love.

California love!

California…knows how to party
California…knows how to party
In the citaaay of L.A.
In the citaaay of good ol’ Watts
In the citaaay, the city of Compton
We keep it rockin! We keep it rockin!

Verse One: Dr. Dre

Now let me welcome everybody to the wild, wild west
A state that’s untouchable like Elliot Ness
The track hits ya eardrum like a slug to ya chest
Pack a vest for your Jimmy in the city of sex
We in that sunshine state with a bomb ass hemp beat
The state where ya never find a dance floor empty
And pimps be on a mission for them greens
Lean mean money-makin-machines servin fiends
I been in the game for ten years makin rap tunes
Ever since honeys was wearin sassoon
Now it’s ’95 and they clock me and watch me
Diamonds shinin lookin like I robbed Liberace
It’s all good, from Diego to tha Bay
Your city is tha bomb if your city makin pay
Throw up a finger if ya feel the same way
Dre puttin it down for Californ-i-a

California…knows how to party
California…knows how to party
In the citaaay of L.A.
In the citaaay of good ol’ Watts
In the citaaay, the city of Compton
We keep it rockin! We keep it rockin!

Shake it shake it baby
Shake it shake it baby
Shake it shake it mama
Shake it Cali
Shake it shake it baby
Shake it shake it shake it shake it…

Verse Two: 2Pac

Out on bail fresh outta jail, California dreamin
Soon as I stepped on the scene, I’m hearin hoochies screamin
Fiendin for money and alcohol the life of a west side playa
where cowards die and it’s all raw
Only in Cali where we riot not rally to live and die
In L.A. we wearin Chucks not Ballies (yeah, that’s right)
Dressed in Locs and khaki suits and ride is what we do
Flossin but have caution we collide with other crews
Famous because we programs
Worldwide let’em recognize from Long Beach to Rosecrans
Bumpin and grindin like a slow jam,
It’s west side so you know the row won’t bow down to no man
Say what you say, but give me that bomb beat from Dre
Let me serenade the streets of L.A.
From Oakland to Sacktown the Bay Area and back down
Cali is where they put they mack down – Give me love!

California…knows how to party
California…knows how to party
In the citaaay of L.A.
In the citaaay of good ol’ Watts
In the citaaay, the city of Compton
We keep it rockin! We keep it rockin!

Dr. Dre: now make it shake…

Shake it shake it baby
Shake it shake it baby
Shake it shake it mama
Shake it Cali
Shake it shake it baby
Shake it shake it shake it shake it…

Outro: Dre, 2Pac

(Dre)uh, yeah, uh, longbeach in tha house, uh yeah
Oaktown, Oakland definately in tha house hahaha
Frisco, Frisco
(Tupac) hey, you know LA is up in this
(Dre) Pasadina, where you at
yeah, Ingelwood, Ingelwood always up to no good
(Tupac) even Hollywood tryin to get a piece baby
(Dre) Sacramento, sacramento where ya at? yeah

(Tupac) Throw it up y’all, throw it up, Throw it up, I can’t see ya
Let’s show these fools how we do it on this west side
Cause you and I know it’s tha best side

(Dre)yeah, That’s right
west coast, west coast
uh, California Love
California Love

Did I mention that I know Dr. Dre?  Yeah, we met last year when I was getting my bum knee scoped for the third time.    Dre and I go way back.  Maybe, when I’m in town, I’ll hit up Dre to hook me up with some bomb ass hemp beat.

Song of the Week — A Little Blues with My Christmas

I sometimes believe that I was actually born in the Great Depression, finding my only solace in the emotionally-laden music of American blues.  While I do love me some Justin Timberlake and New Kids on the Block, I also love me some Billie Holiday, Etta James, Duke Ellington, Diana Krall, and Michael Buble.  Therefore, imagine the thrill of discovering the collision of my musical worlds when Christina Aguilera released her Back to Basics album.  But even before said album, Christina released her version of the Christmas blues classic, “Merry Christmas, Baby.”  Lyrics provided by Lyricwiki, so if they’re wrong, take it up with them:

Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
In days of auld lang syne

Oh, ooh
Merry Christmas baby
You sure did treat me nice, oh ooh, yeah, yeah
Said uh, merry Christmas baby oh
You sure did treat me nice, oh
You gave me a diamond ring for Christmas
Now I’m living in paradise, oh

[Christina Aguilera (Dr. John)]
I’m, I’m feeling mighty fine
Got good music on my radio
(Yes you do child)
Well I’m, I’m feeling mighty fine
Got good music, music on my radio, oh
(That’s right)
Well I, I wanna kiss you baby
While we’re standing underneath the mistletoe

Santa came down the chimney
About a half past three
Left all these pretty presents
That you, that you see before me, oh

Merry Christmas baby, merry Christmas baby
You sure been good to me, oh, oh ooh
Well I, I haven’t had a drink this morning
But I’m, I’m lit up like a Christmas tree
Christmas tree, oh ooh oh, oh yeah

[piano solo by Dr. John]

Ooh, yeah, oh
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Oh, oh
Oh yeah, yeah, yeah

[Dr. John]
St. Nick came down the chimney
About a half past three
He left all these pretty presents
That you see before me

Merry Christmas baby
You sure look good to me
Ain’t had a taste this morning
But I’m all lit up like a Christmas tree, yeah

[Christina]
Oh, oh, oh, ooh
Merry Christmas baby
You sure been good to me
Oh, oh, ooh
Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah, oh
Sure been good to, to, to, ooh me
Hey, ooh, oh yeah

Happy holidays, everyone.  During this time of year, even this bitter old beyotch can appreciate the holiday spirit.  I believe I just shed a tear.  It may have been a tear caused by my allergy to the Metro, but it’s a tear nonetheless.

Song of the Week: The Show

I haven’t posted a song in a while, perhaps because my head has been firmly placed up my ass, and music just does not play up in the depths of that cavity . . . Anyways, I downloaded this song for free on iTunes quite a while ago, and I have to say that it might be the only free song of the week I have ever downloaded on iTunes that I actually enjoyed.  Lyrics and video:

I’m just a little bit caught in the middle
Life is a maze, and love is a riddle
I don’t know where to go
Can’t do it alone
I’ve tried, but i don’t know why

Slow it down, make it stop
Or else my heart is going to pop
Cause it’s to much, yea it’s a lot
To be something I’m not

I’m a fool, out of love
Cause I just can’t get enough

I’m just a little bit caught in the middle
Life is a maze, and love is a riddle
I don’t know where to go
Can’t do it alone
I’ve tried, but i don’t know why

I’m just a little girl lost in the moment
I’m so scared but i don’t show it
I can’t figure it out
It’s bringing me down
I know, I’ve got to let it go

And just enjoy the show

The sun is hot in the sky
Just like a giant spot light
The people follow the signs
And synchronize in time

It’s just, no body knows
They got to take it to the show
Yea

I’m just a little bit caught in the middle
Life is a maze, and love is a riddle
I don’t know where to go
Can’t do it alone
I’ve tried, but i don’t know why

I’m just a little girl lost in the moment
I’m so scared but i don’t show it
I can’t figure it out
It’s bringing me down
I know, I’ve got to let it go

And just enjoy the show

Just enjoy the show
I’m just a little bit caught in the middle
Life is a maze, and love is a riddle
I don’t know where to go
Can’t do it alone
I’ve tried, but i don’t know why

I’m just a little girl lost in the moment
I’m so scared but i don’t show it
I can’t figure it out
It’s bringing me down
I know, I’ve got to let it go

And just enjoy the show

Just enjoy the show(x2)

I want my money back(x3)

What a cute fuckin song, don’t you think?  Lenka, I feel you.  Life is a maze.  And frankly, I’m often lost, given my poor sense of direction and poor judgment.  I recited the chorus of this song to the Comcast customer service representative last week, when my Internet and phone service went out.  I tried to draw an analogy about how losing Internet and phone service is equivalent to being in a maze.  I then recited the “I want my money back” line several times.  I was met with silence.  Kiss my ass Comcast.

Song of the Week – I Voted!

In honor of my absentee vote this morning, this week’s song is “In the Waiting Line” by Zero 7.

Wait in line
Till your time
Ticking clock
Everyone stop

Everyone’s saying different things to me
Different things to me
Everyone’s saying different things to me
Different things to me

Do you believe
In what you see
There doesn’t seem to be anybody else who agrees with me

Do you believe
In what you see
Motionless wheel
Nothing is real
Wasting my time
In the waiting line
Do you believe in
What you see

Nine to five
Living lies
Everyday
Stealing time
Everyone’s taking everything they can
Everything they can
Everyone’s taking everything they can
Everything they can

Do you believe
In what you feel
It doesn’t seem to be anybody else who agrees with me

Do you believe
In what you see
Motionless wheel
Nothing is real
Wasting my time
In the waiting line
Do you believe
In what you see

And I’ll shout and I’ll scream
But I’d rather not be seen
And I’ll hide away for another day

Do you believe
In what you see
Motionless wheel
Nothing is real
Wasting my time
In the waiting line
Do you believe
In what you see

Everyone’s saying different things to me
Different things to me
Different things to me
Different things to me
Different things to me
Everyone’s taking everything they can
Everything they can

I waited in line today for a little over a half hour to vote.  To meet Virginia election requirements, I covered up the Obama buttons on my backpack with my jacket.  Waiting in line kind of sucked, but it did make me think that November 4 could be a serious pain in the ass for voting.  I’m imagining lines extending out the door and into the freezing fall air.  But, c’mon people — especially if you’re in a battleground state, think of how important it is for you to be able to have your voice be heard.  If that doesn’t work, think of something else you’d be willing to stay out in the cold for — think of November 4 as Black Friday and you’re waiting in line to get a $49 Blu-Ray player.  Or think of November 4 as the Super Bowl and you have a coveted 50-yard line ticket.  Or think of November 4 as the day you attend a Meet and Greet with Jonathan Knight or Justin Timberlake or Milo Ventimiglia or [insert your unhealthy infatuation].  Or think of November 4 as the day you meet Tina Fey and finally tell her in person that you would like to be discovered and whisked away from the doldrums of your professional legal career to enter the exciting world of television writing and comedy (Discover me, Tina Fey!).  I digress.  The point is, there must be something you’d wait in line for.  If exercising your right to vote is not sufficient incentive, then trick yourself into thinking of something else.

Unless you’re voting for Johnny Mac and the Moron.  In that case, waiting in line sucks.  And seriously, is your one vote going to count?  Go home and take the day off!

Song of the Week – A Blast From the Past

For this week’s song, I have chosen “Cover Girl,” by the New Kids on the Block.  As always, lyrics were pulled from LyricWiki:

I get up in the morning and I see your face, girl
You’re looking so good, everything’s in place
Don’t you know I could never leave your side girl
Won’t you stay here with me and be my bride?

Don’t you your my kind, your just what i like
Girl you’re everything, don’t you know you’re alright
The only girl I’ve always needed for so long

Chorus:
Oh, oh-oh, she’s my cover girl
Oh, oh-oh, oh-oh
Oh, oh-oh, she’s my cover girl
Oh, oh-oh, oh-oh

When I look through the pages of a magazine
Still, your pretty face is the prettiest I’ve seen
Don’t you know I only want to be with you
No other girl could make me feel the way you do
You’re my everything

(Repeat Chorus twice)

It’s alright
Oh, yeah, it’s out of sight
Let me say it’s alright
Ah, yeah!

Don’t you know I only want to be with you
No other girl could make me feel the way you do
You’re my everything

If you watch this video (go ahead and watch, I won’t tell), go ahead and laugh.  Giggle at Donnie’s torn-up jeans; chuckle at Jon’s bright orange shirt; and keel over at Danny’s pimp tail.  But don’t laugh at me.  I watch this video and reminisce of better days.  Back when this video was all the rage, my biggest concern was beating the other girls at jacks and beating the boys at tetherball.  Or getting new pairs of aerobic socks, because the elasticity on my old socks had withered due to me rolling my jeans into my socks.  Or carrying a keychain with 1 key and 5 chains with various pictures of Jonathan Knight and the rest of the New Kids.  Or believing my Jonathan was straight and would whisk me away despite protests of pedophilia.

Song of the Week — A Tribute to Fridays

This week’s song is an oldie, but goodie — Friday I’m in Love by The Cure.  As always, lyrics provided by LyricWiki:

I don’t care if Monday’s blue
Tuesday’s grey and Wednesday too
Thursday, I don’t care about you
It’s Friday, I’m in love

Monday you can fall apart
Tuesday, Wednesday break my heart
Thursday doesn’t even start
It’s Friday, I’m in love

Saturday, wait
Sunday always comes too late
But Friday never hesitates

I don’t care if Monday’s black
Tuesday, Wednesday heart attack
Thursday, never looking back
It’s Friday, I’m in love

Monday you can hold your head
Tuesday, Wednesday stay in bed
Oh Thursday watch the walls instead
It’s Friday, I’m in love

Saturday, wait
Sunday always comes too late
But Friday never hesitates

Dressed up to the eyes
It’s a wonderful surprise
To see your shoes and your spirits rise
Throwing out your frown
And just smiling at the sound
As sleek as a shriek
Spinning round and round
Always take a big bite
It’s such a gorgeous sight
To see you eat in the middle of the night
You can never get enough
Enough of this stuff
It’s Friday, I’m in love

I don’t care if Monday’s blue
Tuesday’s grey and Wednesday too
Thursday, I don’t care about you
It’s Friday, I’m in love

Monday you can fall apart
Tuesday, Wednesday break my heart
Thursday doesn’t even start
It’s Friday, I’m in love

I’m having a particularly rough week at work, so Friday couldn’t come any faster.  Of course, I doubt that my Friday will be like your Friday (viz. to be followed by two days of relaxation), so I may have to play this song next Friday instead.  At least, by the time I leave work, it’ll be late enough that I’ll get a seat on the Metro.  Nothing like looking at the glass half full, right?  It’s like if I became homeless and I found a nice clean bundle of newspapers to lay on the ground underneath a bridge to sleep.  Or if I attempted to jump off the Golden Gate Bridge and missed the water and found myself lying on a net designed to prevent people like me from perishing.  Or if I was hit by a car on a bike and I only broke one of my legs.  Ahh!  So much to be thankful for!

Song of the Week – The Return of Pop Culture

This week’s song marks an interruption in my coverage of the politics of stupidity.  I really need a break from hatin’ on Palin.  And what better song to enjoy than Josh Radin’s “What if You,” a song that could make the best of us slit our wrists in despair.  Happy Friday!  (Lyrics from Lyric Wiki)

What if you
Could wish me away
What if you
Spoke those words today

I wonder if you’d miss me
When I’m gone
It’s come to this, release me
I’ll leave before the dawn

But for tonight
I’ll stay here with you
Yes, for tonight
I’ll lay here with you

But when the sun
Hits your eyes
Through your window
There’ll be nothing you can do

What if you
Could hear this song
What if I
Felt like I belong

I might not be leaving
Oh so soon
Began the night believing
I loved you in the moonlight

So, for tonight
I’ll stay here with you
Yes, for tonight
I’ll lay here with you

But when the sun
Hits your eyes
Through your window
There’ll be nothing you can do

I could’ve treated you better
Better than this
Well, I’m gone, this song’s your letter
Can’t stay in one place

So, for tonight
I’ll stay here with you
Yes, for tonight
I’ll lay here with you

But when the sun
Hits your eyes
Through your window
There’ll be nothing you can do

This song is sweet, isn’t it?  Depending on how you interpret the lyrics, it appears that Mr. Radin could be quite the playa (and I’m not talking about the Spanish word for beach).  Seems like Radin is sick of taking the walk of shame at 3 in the morning and he’s hoping that if he just stays until the sun rises, he’d be able to stick around for breakfast and cuddling.  You know, what every playa wants.  Nothing like spooning and oatmeal.  Don’t hate the playa.  Hate the game beyotch!

Song of the Week

This week’s song is by Ray LaMontagne (shout out to AM for the introduction), an up and coming singer-songwriter from New Hampshire.  Below are the lyrics, provided by cowboylyrics.com (I’m not joking-that’s an actual site).

Baby
It’s been a long day, baby.
Things ain’t going my way
you know I need you here
here by my side
all of the time

And Baby, the way you move me it’s crazy.
it’s like, you see right through me, you make it easier,
You please me and you don’t even have to try.

oh because,
you are the best thing
you are the best thing
you are the best thing
ever happened to me

Baby,
We’ve come a long way, baby.
you know, I hope and I pray that you believe me
When I say this love will never fade away

oh because
you are the best thing
you are the best thing
you are the best thing
ever happened to me

Now both of us have known love before,
To come on up promising, like the spring, just walk on out the door.
Our hearts are kind and are hearts are strong.
well, let me tell you what exactly is on my mind.

you are the best thing
you are the best thing
you are the best thing
ever happened to me

you are the best thing
you are the best thing
you are the best thing
ever happened to me

yeah, yeah
yeah, yeah, yeah,
now, now, now, now

What’s the inspiration for this song?  I actually just really enjoy this song, and I figured a happy go lucky song is just what is needed on this brutally awful hump day.  Of course, for me, since I’ve worked long-ass days since last Monday, technically my hump day was sometime last week.  But that’s just a technicality.

Now that I think about it, though, this song could be good for an Obama rally.  Imagine Barack coming out, giving one of his inspirational speeches; lambasting his ancient opponent and that opponent’s wholly moronic running mate.  He speaks of hope, of change, of a new era away from the politics of stupidity.  As his speech hits its crescendo, Barack waves to the crowd, cuing the beginning of this song and thereby further energizing a crowd that is thirsty to drink from the cup of change.  Because after 8 years of drinking the diarrhea tea brewed by Dubya, I could sure use a chaser.

Song of the Week

This week’s song is performed by Jenny Owen Youngs and is entitled, “Fuck Was I.”  As is my custom and practice (how legalese is that?), I present to you the lyrics, from LyricWiki:

Love grows in me like a tumor,
parasite bent on devouring its host.
I’m developing my sense of humor,
till I can laugh at my heart between your teeth,
till I can laugh at my face beneath your feet.

Skillet on the stove; it’s such a temptation.
Maybe I’ll be the lucky one that doesn’t get burned.
What the fuck was I thinking?

Love plows through me like a dozer.
I’ve got more give than a bale of hay,
and there’s always a big mess left over.
What a did you do?
And what did you say?
What did you do? And what did you say?

Skillet on the stove; it’s such a temptation.
Maybe I’ll be the special one that doesn’t get burned.
What the fuck was I thinking?

Love tears me up like a demon
Opens the wounds and then fills them with lead.
And I’m having some trouble just breathing.
If we weren’t such good friends, I think that I’d hate you.
If we weren’t such good friends, I’d wish you were dead

Skillet on the stove; it’s such a temptation
Maybe I’ll be the special one that doesn’t get burned.
What the fuck was I thinking?
What the fuck was I thinking?
What the fuck was I thinking?

But it’s so embarrassing
I’m in this awkward and uncomfortable thing,
and I’m running out of places to hide in
I’m running out of places to hide in

Should you desire singing along, Reading Rainbow style, here is the video to this fabulous song (note I did not post the actual video, as it has been censored!):

I’m sure we can all relate to this song.  Indeed, the chorus of this song could be the theme song for many periods of our lives.  I submit to you these examples:

1.  You voted for Dubya because you bought into the Republican fear propaganda–cue “What the fuck was I thinking?”

2.  You purchased a gun for self-defense, placed the weapon into your pants like on television and subsequently became sterile–cue “What the fuck was I thinking?”

3.  You are an aspiring pyromaniac, and at a beach bonfire while others are singing Kumbaya and making smores, you decide to spray gasoline directly on the fire and subsequently lost your eyebrows–cue “What the fuck was I thinking?”

4.  You spot some pigeon eggs on your balcony, think they’re cute, and allow them to hatch and live on said balcony, leading to a balcony covered in crap and infested with disease of the most unknown kind–cue “What the fuck was I thinking?”

5.  Despite the lessons of Dubya, you again buy into Republican fear propaganda and vote for McCain, only to realize that the Maverick isn’t much of a Maverick at all and that our economy is still shredded and that countries all over the world laugh at our ineptitude–cue “What the fuck was I thinking?”

What else would qualify as a “What the fuck was I thinking?” event?

Song of the Week

Today’s Song of the Week is Yesterday by Leona Lewis. This song has not been released in the US, but it’s fabulous, and I encourage all to take a listen. In particular, I dedicate this song to my friend D, who is going through a really tough time right now. D–my thoughts are with you through this difficult time.

Here are the lyrics, courtesy again of LyricWiki:

I just can’t believe you’re gone
Still waiting for morning to come
Wanna see if the sun will rise
Even without you by my side
When we have so much in store
Tell me what it is I’m reaching for
When we’re through building memories
I’ll hold yesterday in my heart
In my heart

Chorus
They can take tomorrow and the plans we made
They can take the music that we’ll never play
All the broken dreams take everything
Just take it away
But they can never have yesterday
They can take the future that we’ll never know
They can take the places that we said we would go
All the broken dreams take everything
Just take it away
But they can never have yesterday

You always used to say
I should be thankful for every day
Heaven knows what the future holds
Or at least how the story goes
(But I never believed them till now)
I know I’ll see you again I’m sure
No it’s not selfish to ask for more
One more night, one more day
One more smile on your face
But they can’t take yesterday

Chorus

I thought our days would last forever
(But it wasn’t our destiny)
‘Cause in my mind we had so much time
But I was so wrong
Now I can believe that
I can still find the strength
In the moments we made
I’m looking back on yesterday

Chorus

All the broken dreams take everything
But they can never have yesterday