Friday 10 July 2015

Song of the summer

Every couple of summers I hear a song and fall in love. It has to be a song with complicated lyrics--like long and winding lists or stream of consciousness ramblings that might not make sense.

I know it when I hear it.

Then I proceed to immerse myself in the song until I can sing all the words.

Sometimes it can take me all summer.

In the past I have memorised such songs as You Can Call me Al by Paul Simon.


It's The End of the World As We Know It (and I feel fine) by REM.

We Didn't Start the Fire by Billy Joel.
 
Loose Lips by Kimya Dawson (of the Moldy Peaches) The longer version than the Juno soundtrack (the one with the Anti Bush/Iraq war lines in it)
Last year (or maybe the summer before) it was I'm Proud of the BBC by Mitch Benn.
This year I have hit upon an incredible video by the amazing Amanda Palmer (married to one of our favourite authors Neil Gaiman).  The video is a stop motion masterpiece with all the lyrics written out by hand before your eyes (mostly on the body of the lovely Amanda Palmer) so there is some tasteful/artistic nudity. You have been warned. But it is gorgeous. I also love that she doesn't shave her armpits--just like me!!! She is big on natural body hair. She has another song called Map of Tasmania all about not shaving off your pubic hair. Seriously.

So here is this summer's song. Drumroll please.
Rat-a-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat!

Want It Back by Amanda Palmer and the Grand Theft Orchestra.

If you are squeamish about nudity then go to youtube and search for the "clean" version (I hate that term. it implies the human body is dirty) which had pixelated wobbly squares over her bits.

Do you sing in the summer? What do you like to do to challenge yourself?

2 comments:

  1. loved all of them. I've been singing old Smithfield Fair songs and also listening to a CD of various women singers doing covers of Dolly Parton songs. Each has a completely different rhythm and take on the words.

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