I’m letting someone else do the hard work again in this
feature. Here’s JC, The Vinyl Villain…
Once again, you've posted something that gets me thinking!
Maybe there is something real about 'grumpy old gits' in
that the older we get, there seems to be fewer things we find to laugh about.
Or is it just that what constitutes a sense of humour changes and evolves
through life? I certainly 'don't get' a lot of what makes the younger
generation(s) LOL these days, but then again, my parents 'didn't get' the
political humour of the 80s that had me roaring with laughter.
I think one of the things about humour in songs is that all
too often the music itself is not all that enjoyable... (the song you've posted
[in my first post] being an example!!). It takes a real talent to be equally
funny and musical.
JC hits the nail on the head here… because musical taste is
such a subjective thing, once you try to add humour into the mix, it’s like
trying to throw a dart and hit two separate bullseyes at the same time.First you have to please the musical taste
part of our brains, secondly you have to tickle our even more subjective funny
bones. All in the same song. The intersection of that particular Venn diagram
will often be very small, and it’ll be a different intersection for every
listener. No wonder so few artists consciously go down the “funny songs” route…
the whole thing’s a minefield.
I know that the way I appreciate music is very different to
a lot of people. That’s down to my writer / English teacher brain. Well written
lyrics will always win me over to a tune, regardless of genre. It’s no secret
that I’m not the biggest fan of post-1987 dance music, for example. And maybe
the biggest reason for that is that words aren’t really seen as important on
the dancefloor. Yet when the words are given some consideration, dance music
becomes a lot more interesting to my brain…
All of which brings me back to JC’s nominated band, Flight
of the Conchords, with their amazing ability – as JC puts it – “to be equally
funny and musical”. What’s incredible about the work of Bret McKenzie and
Jemaine Clement is that they’re not just very funny guys… they’re also
extremely talented musicians and songwriters, capable of mastering any genre
they turn their hand to… and making it look easy.
I have a question though - for those of you who approach
music via sounds first, rather than words – for those of you whose specific
musical tastes are tied to genres and won’t be interested if it’s a musical
style you just don’t dig… do you prefer the FoC songs which focus on one of
your favoured genres? The fact that JC chose the Bowie song as his example made
me wonder this. Everyone in our little group loves Bowie – and if there’s
anyone reading this blog who’s not a Bowie fan, don’t be afraid to speak up - so
that’s the perfect synergy of sound and satire, music and merriment. Do the
songs above which venture into ungainly genres still work for you? Or does the humour
win you over… in the same way that the lyrics in my “dance music” choices make
those tracks work for me?
Here's my favourite Flight of the Conchords tune… and I’m
not even sure what genre it is.
We have a new guest this week on Guest Post Thursday - our old friend Rigid Digit, and even better... it's his round! Take it away, RD...
3 months of Lockdown hasn’t actually been as bad as
initially feared.
Work continues, buying music continues unabated.And after early difficulties, shopping, beer
and spirits, and a selection of snacks (including Frazzles, Pork Scratchings,
and Ritz Crackers) continue to arrive at my home.
As advised, daily exercise involves a 30 or 60 minute walk
around the local area.12 years I’ve
lived here, and I’ve discovered new roads, paths, and houses I never knew
existed.
One such walk, on a warm evening, concluded with a walk up
the hill towards home and past the local Pub.
It was at that point it hit me – “I could murder a Pint”
Yes, I can imbibe at home – but the sitting in a Pub nursing
a Pint of frothing ale is but a dream at this time.
The potential easing of restrictions suggests Pubs and
Restaurants may be opening soon, but until that time when I/We can enter the
local hostelry again, here are 10 Boozy Based Tracks to keep the Spirits up (do you see what I did there?)
Bad Manners did a sort of Two Tone Ska thing with added
Music Hall.Buster Bloodvessel’s gurning
upped the comedy angle, as did frequent appearances on Tiswas.
This track may not be strictly “about” booze, but namechecks Lemmy’s favourite
drink (after Jack Daniels), and is one their very best.
Straight out of Canvey Island, plying no nonsense R&B,
and you wouldn’t want to start a fight with any of them.A supposed autobiographical tale of
songwriters Nick Lowe and Gypie Mayo consuming too many Kahlua based drinks at
a John Lee Hooker show.
Despite having no original members, Dr Feelgood continue to
tour to this day – and a thoroughly great show is guaranteed
The Irish do like a drink (apparently), and it would take
about a month to complete a Pub Crawl in Dublin’s Temple Bar (you may also need
a second mortgage).Those in the North
are equally thirsty too.In my
experience they also have some of the most welcoming Pubs I’ve ever been in.
The Who By Numbers isn’t a bad album, just often forgotten
in the pantheon of ‘Oo greats.
OK – it’s a patchy album.After Who’s Next and Quadrophenia they just sound a bit laboured in
places.But the good outweighs the not
so good, and is ripe for re-discovery.
This track deals with the darker side, and catalogues Pete
Townsend's experiences and reasons for giving up the demon drink.
There are 9 official albums in The Doors catalogue – I
reckon all you need is the debut (from which this track is lifted) and The Best
Of The Doors, and you’re pretty much covered.
Also, this track is apparently responsible for Status Quo’s
change in style from psychedelic pop to heads down no nonsense mindless boogie
This track is never less than an absolute joy.Jangling guitars, speedy delivery (all done
and dusted in under 2 and a half minutes), and a video featuring
mad/uncomfortable dancing, a claymation sequence, and a cameo from Phill
Jupitus.
He drinks a Whiskey drink, he drinks a Vodka drink
He drinks a Lager drink, he drinks a Cider drink
And somehow this song escaped the BBC censors with the line
“pissing the night away” – George Formby’s harmless, but suggestive, “With My
Little Stick of Blackpool Rock" gets banned, but a song about alcohol
abuse containing a naughty word is absolutely fine.
Fresh over from Ireland, the band need a hit single to repay
Decca’s faith.They deliver a re-working
of an old folk song, hit the top 10.It
gets too much for Eric Bell who goes back home, but Phil Lynott gets a taste of
Rock & Roll lifestyle and a legend is born.
10. Underworld – Born Slippy
Lager, Lager, Lager …
Thanks, RD... I've long thought of doing a similar Top 10 myself, but was always crushed by the sheer weight of drinking songs available. Good to see my beloved whiskey well-represented, even though I haven't touched a drop in 20 years. (Can it really be that long?) RD also had quite a few leftovers in his list, so maybe I can persuade him back for a volume 2. Or perhaps you fancy a go at compiling your own drinking Top Ten. As always, the door is open for anyone on Guest Post Thursdays, and as I speak, there's a blank space in the diary next week...
Quick reminder of the Lime Green Rule, for anyone who's not been paying attention...
Unless they're amazing suggestions, I'm going to stop allowing lyrical 24s (and so on) as we get nearer number one. Let's face it, there are way too many. So you'll have to be really persuasive if you want to sell me on a lyrical reference from now on. Sorry.
Because, look, here's George again.
Damn that lime green rule. It means whip Crack Away by Doris Day is excluded.
Exceptions can be made in exceptional circumstances, George.
It's in the collection - no idea how it got there, but it aint bad ... I'm off to listen to some more. Never knowingly heard it.
Welcome to 50% of my record collection, RD. One of the reasons I do this blog is so I actually get to listen to some of the tracks I've never heard before.
OK, before we get to this week's debate, what else did my hard drive spew up?
Which brings us to the debate. The Swede was the first to raise the issue...
Seriously though, is anything going to top 'Strawberry Letter 23' by Shuggie Otis this week?
Charity Chic seconded that... but then, Lynchie threw in the alternative.
I prefer The Brothers Johnson version of "Strawberry Letter 23" to Shuggie Otis, so there!
I must admit, I'm really kind of torn. I know Shuggie wrote it, and the original takes some beating... but I really am rather fond of the Brothers Johnson version myself, especially as it's the version I heard first. Have we to call it a tie?
