Ok, its Monday night. Day two of my not allowed to go to bed before midnight because I have so much damn work to do regimen. The only way I've been getting through this is with Batman sized cups of green cordial and the most ridiculous playlists ever. Whatever keeps me awake and working.. and researching Godzilla.
Check Yo Self - Ice Cube
Wild Wild West - Will Smith
I still can't hear the words wild or west without busting out a "wicky wicky wild". And I genuinely enjoy this and everything Will Smith does. Go on and judge me.
Daughter - Pearl Jam
What's better than my drunk Eddie Vedder impression? My overtired 11pm Monday night Eddie Vedder impression. "Doooonnnn't caawwlll meeeaaaaa"
99 Problems - Jay Z
Timebomb - Rancid
We Belong - Pat Benetar
You thought Love is a Battlefield was entertaining? It aint' got nothing on the green gloves, creepiest drummer ever, and the children's choir singing at the bog of eternal stench.
Which brings me to..
As The World Falls Down - David Bowie
Like most normal children, I developed a massive crush on David Bowie after seeing this movie. Ten year old girls all over the world were wishing their brothers away, hoping that a glam rock goblin king would dance with them at a masquerade ball. It must be love. You can't even see his junk in this scene.
Express Yourself - NWA
I don't have much to say about this, apart from I got in an argument with a girl at school once because she tried to tell me Express Yourself was a Madonna song.
Tops - The Rolling Stones
I'll still defend Mick & Co in any Beatles vs Stones argument.
And of course...
Godzilla - Blue Oyster Cult
There's no working on dino themed artworks without this bad boy playing.
It's playlist time again, and you
know there's only one option this week. The best of the Beastie Boys. They're
one of my favourite bands, so it was such a sad day when I found out the awful
news about the awesome MCA. It's hard for me to pick just ten songs from these
guys. Everything they do makes me happy. But I went with the ten most amazing
(in my opinion) videos. Plenty of these ones were directed by Nathaniel
Hornblower, which I've included not just as a tribute to Mr Yauch,
but because they're some of the funniest videos not just of the Beasties, but
of all time.
Intergalactic
This one I have a soft spot for
because it ticks all the boxes. Since I'm old, but not that old, a lot of
their albums had been released when I was much younger and so I had to do
some reverse discovery. But Hello Nasty was released just when I was at that
perfect teenager discovering music age. It has some of the greatest, sometimes
overlooked, songs like Super Disco Breakin' (such a great way to start an
album), The Move, and The Grasshopper Unit. And of course Body Movin', which
is, of course, in this list.
This video is the reason I
obnoxiously kept yelling "Shibuya!" every time I was anywhere near it
when in Tokyo (do yourself a favour and watch the Criterion Collection
anthology with the commentary on to understand that). There's a robot
doing the robot, a squid headed monster, and an easy
Halloween costume for you and two friends. How can you not love it?
Best lines: When it comes to beats
well I'm a fiend.
I'm from the family tree of old
school hip hop.
Like a pinch on the neck from Mr
Spock.
Ch -Check It Out
I much prefer this version, but for some reason it's not available on you tube, which is really weird. It's one of the funnier ones.It's got Star Trek, old ladies
throwing fish, fights with joggers, and the visualisation of lines like bank
cashier, engineer, magician, scientist, and the doctor who's breaking the bad
news about the sparky in your butt. Rad.
Best lines: Son you better listen,
stuck in your ass is an electrician.
You look like cable guy dunked off of
your crown.
Like a scientist, when I'm applying this.
Body Movin
I bought this as a single not only
because it was awesome and I was obsessed with it, but because this was a time
before easy internet downloads, and the Fatboy Slim remix was better than the
album version. I think it says a lot about my 15 year old self that I thought
this song and video was the best thing going around at the time. I would get
stupidly excited and make people watch it whenever it came on tv (remember that
I'm old enough to not have you tube in my childhood). It's just pure fun, and
doesn't really make a lot of sense, but that's what's so great about it. The
use of stock footage is almost as good as Sabotage.And that weird fondue soup
thing still makes me feel ill. In a good way.
Best lines: Flame on! I'm gone! I'm
so sweet like a nice bon bon! Came out rapping when I was born! Mom said rock
it til the break of dawn! Puttin bodies in motion cos I got the notion. Like
Roy Cormier with the coconut lotion! The sound of music making you insane, you
can't explain to people this type of mind frame. Like a bottle of Chateau Neuf
Du Pap, I'm fine like wine when I start to rap. We need body rockin not
perfection, let me get some action from the back section! (that was all from memory, because I'm a loser)
Sure Shot
I love you. Is what the dog says at
the start. And I love this video. Those suits. Hurricane's fear as he hangs off
the camera. Underwater rapping. Adrock's weird part. MCA's hat. The funny
walks. You should love it also.
Best lines: I got more rhymes than I
got grey hairs.
Can I crossfade on your ass and bust
your eardrums.
Keep my underwear up with a piece of
elastic.
Hey Ladies
I can't help it. I love the
funky disco sounds. And a man with a hair dryer. And the cowbell. And more
underwater rapping. And that polyester look. They do make ladies flock like
bees to a hive.
Best lines: Date women on TV with the
help of Chuck Woolery.
Educated no, stupid yep, and when I
say stupid I mean stupid fresh.
Vincent van Gogh go and mail that
ear.
Shadrach
I know I probably say this all this
time, but this is one of my favourite songs ever. Of all time. I love it so
much I was going to get a Shadrach tattoo. The only thing that stopped me was
that my mother would kill me, and I don't think I could be bothered answering
the stupid questions about what my tattoo meant. Anway, gorgeous video. Press
pause on any moment in this, print it, and I'd happily hang it in my house. Or
press pause on every moment and make me a sweet ass wallpaper.
Best lines:
Got the girlies in the coupe like the
Colonel's got the chickens.
We love the hot butter on what the
popcorn!
Madder than Mad's Alfred E Newman.
Three MCs and One DJ
Firstly, what's with the Ghostbusters
get up that Mix Master Mike is wearing? It makes absolutely no sense, which I
guess is what makes it cool. Especially since it seems to get in the way a bit.
While we're talking about Mix Master Mike, I've always wondered what would
happen if nobody had let him in that door. Would the Beastie Boys still be
standing there today, with weird atrophied arms and grey hair? I kind of wanted
to live in that dodgy basement area. At least there was a turntable, and some
nice rugs. I think we can all agree that the best part of this video is Mike D's
weird handstand. He's obviously a very athletic man.
Best lines:
Kenny Rogers' Gambler is my gambling
theme.
My beats is sick like malaria.
He'll tweak your ass across the
cross fade.
Root Down
Money makin! This is the funkiest
shit ever. I remember hearing this as a kid and I wanted to learn two things.
How to breakdance and how to play a Hammond
organ. Luckily these boys were all about name dropping, because that's
how I found out about Jimmy Smith and became a loser teenager who listened
to funky jazz. That's a record!
Best lines:
Jimmy Smith is my man I wanna
give him a pound.
Because I've got the flow where I
grab my dick, and say oh my god that's the funky shit.
It's Kool Moe D vs Busy Bee there's
one you should know.
Sabotage
Waaaaahhhh! Can't stand it! I know
you planned it! I guess this one is most people's favourite, which is totally
understandable. Kicking doors in. Moustaches. Suits without socks.
The lamest knife fight ever. Shitty stock footage. Be
honest. We've all driven around listening to this thinking that we're
fucking invincible.
Best lines:
But make no mistakes and switch
up my channel, I''m Buddy Rich when I fly off the handle.
Shake Your Rump
It's the joint! Another funky always
on repeat track. Watching that video actually makes me want to be young and
stupid again. I can't say much more about this one. The hilarious lyrics speak
for themselves.
Best lines: With your bad breath
onion rings.
My man MCA's got a beard like a billy
goat.
Got more rhymes that Jamaica got
mangoes.
Suckers they be saying they can take
out Adam Horovitz.
Like Sam the butcher bringing Alice the meat, like Fred
Flintstone driving around with bald feet.
Fight For Your Right
Best lines:
Living at home is such a drag. Your
mom threw away your best porno mag.
Mom you're just jealous it's the
Beastie Boys!
Kick it! I'll admit it, I've included
this one purely because I wanted to follow up with this...
It's been a Sunday morning full of awesome tunes. Enjoy this one. A mash up of my three favourite types of music, resulting in one of the best songs ever.
What's that? You want another awesome playlist? Right on!
This morning as I was getting myself to work my phone managed to shuffle the greatest playlist ever. Sometimes technology does good things. Mainly, though, it turns my alarm off and makes me late to things.
ANOTHER music challenge. Thanks Morgan. This time we've got the top ten songs from movies, and it is on like donkey kong.
Can't Do Nuttin' For Ya Man - Public Enemy (Three Kings)
Hilarious underrated movie. One of the best bits is where Marky Mark is dancing around to Public Enemy.
Your mother got gold nipples.
Electric Avenue - Eddy Grant (Pineapple Express)
I'd been rocking out to this gem for many years after receiving a CD card with songs from the year of my birth one year from my uncle. Then I saw Pineapple Express and realised I might not be the only person who likes this song. Not long after, it was playing when I was on some bumper cars and of course I had to drive past everyone saying "yeah, Electric Avenue!"
White Lines - Grandmaster Flash (Shaun of the Dead)
We've all done the Shaun and Ed thing of singing this while walking home from the pub. With or without zombie backup singers. You all sniff when you sing along, right?
Another song that's proving that I was born in the year of awesome music.
Stuck In The Middle With You - Stealers Wheel (Reservoir Dogs)
You're listening to K Billy's super sounds of the 70s. This is possibly the best use of a soundtrack I've ever seen. Michael Madsen is so rad.
Wind Beneath My Wings - Bette Midler (Beaches)
Oh, the tears!
You've Lost That Loving Feeling - The Righteous Brothers (Top Gun)
That's right, I chose this one over Kenny Loggins. I once serenaded a kid in a McDonald's drive thru with this. He didn't give me a free frozen coke.
Bye Bye Blackbird - Joe Cocker (Sleepless in Seattle)
Just lovely.
Blaze of Glory - Bon Jovi (Young Guns II)
Bon Jovi AND Emilo Estevez. Surely I'm winning now guys?
No Matter What - Badfinger (Now and Then)
Pretty much the whole Now and Then soundtrack is amazing. Every girl around my age loved that movie and as a result loved 70s music. We really need another movie like this for the current generation so they can appreciate quality like this.
You Make My Dreams Come True - Hall and Oates (The Wedding Singer, but made cool by 500 Days of Summer)
Bonus track that probably should have been on the guilty pleasures list:
Men In Black - Will Smith (Men In Black)
Seriously, I love this. I used to do the dance. Oh yeah.
So the music challenge is on again. I blame Morgan. She inspires me. And by inspires I mean makes it really easy to pick on her music choices, so it was only fair to show my super daggy side. This time it's ten guilty pleasures. Not that I feel guilty for liking any of these (obviously I have impeccable taste), but I feel that cool* people would probably judge quite a bit.
*hipster dickheads
Here I Go Again by Whitesnake
Here's a truth bomb for you. I have a Whitesnake shirt that I wear unironically. And while we're talking about guilty pleasures... I got the shirt from KMart.
We Built This City by Starship
Time Of My Life by Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes
This might have more to do with Patrick Swayze rather than the actual song. I will still listen to it over and over though.
Stay (Faraway, So Close) by U2
I am a closeted U2 fan. I just threw out eight U2 shirts because I'm too ashamed to wear them in public, and one can only have so many bed shirts. I flew down to Sydney for one day just to camp out to see them about five years ago. This was after I'd already seen them in Brisbane, but I ended up too far back because I couldn't get out of work that day. Sydney was much better. I made friends with people in line and we held each other's places when we needed to eat and pee. We laughed together at the losers who turned up late thinking they'd get a good spot. We exchanged email addresses that we never used. We speed walked to the stage because there were signs that said 'no running'. Then I lost them and found new friends. These friends bought a total stranger dinner and got up and danced to Kanye with me even though they didn't like him. In the front row. Totally worth it.
Kokomo by The Beach Boys
Yes, The Beach Boys wrote some awesome songs. I've been told this isn't one of them. I refuse to listen to those haters, though. This one might be awesome because it does have good memories attached to it. It was obviously a hit because of Tom Cruise's amazing cocktail skills, and because of this it was always playing on the radio in our house when I was a kid. Because we were a top 40 non-hipster family, thank you very much.
I also had this weird ass video called Trollies where these creepy little troll dolls would sing covers of popular songs. I might have had a huge collection of troll dolls, so that video was on constant rotation.
Make Me Lose Control by Eric Carmen
I thought that was Tina Turner at the start. Never mind. "Rock" on.
Livin' On The Edge by Aerosmith
Walking in Memphis by Marc Cohn
I went walking in Memphis. I was the only idiot out on the street. People were driving past me looking at me like I was a freak. I'm pretty sure I walked past a statue of one of Forrest Gump's ancestors. I bought apples and donuts at a place called Piggly Wiggly. I pissed off about twenty people waiting behind me in a line as I tried (unsuccessfully) to get my paycheques cashed. I had dinner at 4pm because I was scared to go out alone after dark.
Nobody walks in Memphis.
Like a Prayer by Madonna
I really hate Madonna. But this is the one song I will not only allow, but sing along to when very drunk. And I encourage everyone to get all handclappy and and swaying with me in the gospel bit.
Hot Blooded by Foreigner
It was so hard for me to pick just one Foreigner song, but I think Hot Blooded is probably the most fun.
Foreigner might have saved me one particular night when I was in charge of organising a talent night skit. I had three unmotivated adult campers, but the knowledge that one of them loved Foreigner as much as me, and a best of CD in my bag. Our portion of the night pretty much consisted of me dancing and miming hardcore to Cold as Ice with with three people unenthusiastically swaying behind me. Good times.
Also, there's the Foreigner belt:
And a bonus track that I'm totally not even slightly guilty about because it's just amazing:
Blog neglect has been happening a bit lately due to househunting, sorry. But I've finally found somewhere to live, so I'm back - for that small period of time between now and when I have to move the mountains of crap I've accumulated over all these years.
It's going to be a bit of another lazy music post I'm afraid. I've had very limited TV lately, and because I'm so cool and social, I've been making up for it by watching a lot of youtube videos. This time, it's ten awesome covers. Full disclosure: I've omitted quite a few faves purely because they have a crappy quality (or no) video. That should cover (zing!) me.
Nothing Compares 2 U by Sinead O'Connor
Firstly, it pains me to have to write to you as 2 U, but maybe we can blame Prince for that. I don't really want to like Sinead O'Connor. She seems a bit intense for me, BUT she totally owns this song. It takes guts to lip sync that shit straight down the camera. And she manages to do it without looking like a loser.
Llorando by Rebekah del Rio
So Sinead wasn't tear enducing enough for you? Try this one.
I thought Cryin by Roy Orbison was the perfect song to sing along to on a Friday night when you've decided to put your pyjamas on and be a little bit drunk and depressed. Then I saw Mulholland Drive.
Jolene by The White Stripes
Know who I love more than Dolly Parton? Jack White.
Bennie and the Jets by Biz Markie
Ah, Biz. Do you know what I would give to have your life? This version is actually pretty well done by Biz. The one I usually listen to came on a Beastie Boys CD and he's forgotten most of the lyrics and sounds terrible.. which just makes him sound even better.
Valerie by Amy Winehouse
Seriously, Glee need to stop poaching good songs. In other news, my hair is bigger than that of all those girls. Put together. Try harder with the beehives.
Bohemian Rhapsody by The Flaming Lips
This just seems like ridiculous amounts of fun. And is there a more complicated song in the world that everyone knows every single word to?
Handbags and Gladrags by Stereophonics
As much as I love The Office, just try to forget about that for a second while you enjoy this one. While you're there, try to ignore the weird scarves over the lampshades thing. Forgive us kids, the turn of the century was a wacky time (I liked football!).
Oh Sister by Anderw Bird & Nora O'Connor
Dylan covers are always great because he writes such beautiful songs, but sings a bit like me when I'm drunk. You should totally buy me a beer or six and get me to do a bit of Subterranean Homesick Blues.
Cats in the Cradle by Ugly Kid Joe
Not the greatest, I'll admit, but it's all about the memories. It was Christmas, I was camping at Coolum with extended family, and I got the best Christmas present ever - The Best of '92 (on cassette of course). Alongside Ugly Kid Joe it featured such gems as Stay by Shakespear's Sister, Dizzy by Vic Reeves, To Be With You by Mr Big, Let's Talk ABout Sex by Salt n Pepa (which I always fast forwarded when in range of my parents because I did not want them to talk about sex), Under the Bridge by Red Hot Chilli Peppers, and the piece de resistance, Marvelous by the 12th Man. You have no idea how much a 9 year old girl couldn't care less about cricket. But because that was my absolute favourite album ever (and it's really hard to skip songs on a tape) I learnt every single word. From the Gabba to the WACA, to MCG it doesn't matter, where you're from... oh shit how do I still know the words?
Anway, Cats in the Cradle. It was the first time I heard my Dad use the phrase "that's a bloody rip off". Oh Dad, you're so uncool. You don't even understand my cricket rapping. Now, 20 years later it's come full circle and I sound just like my Dad when I hear shitty covers by tweeny pop stars of what used to be cool songs. If only I was a guy. Then we could have some irony Dad!
Optimist vs The Silent Alarm by Casiotone for the Painfully Alone
Technically not a cover, but I don't care. My rules.
And a bonus track for the jerk who isn't Steve Martin:
Common People by William Shatner
Now, I have to go watch blurry 30 Rock on one of the only semi-working channels on my TV. Peace!
These aren't going to be the obvious ones. I mean, we all wish we'd written Imagine and Stairway to Heaven. Some of these might not even be that great. The prerequisites for these songs is that the best way to listen to them is late at night. At full volume while driving around alone in your car. Imagining that you're on a stage. Hitting all those high notes in your mind, but in reality sounding like a dying cat. These are the songs that I wish were mine not necessarily because they're brilliant songs, but because I fantasise about rocking the shit out of them with my imaginary band.
Dirty Hearts by Dallas Crane
I love everything about these guys. I remember seeing them a few (maybe more) years ago at The Zoo and it was one of the best shows I've ever been to. That's saying a lot, because I saw Bryan Adams when I was 12 and thought nothing could possibly be better. Sadly they seem to have disappeared off the face of the earth. The last time I "saw" them was when I was doing my usual late night channel flicking and there they were on my TV. I got very excited, but when they finished I discovered I was watching The Footy Show. I've never been more disappointed.
The Honeymoon is Over by The Cruel Sea
I've had the chance to see Tex not once, but twice and bailed both times. Not quite sure what was wrong with me. Listen to that voice. He is number two in the sexy voice competition. Joe Cocker is number one, but Tex wins on a technicality because Joe Cocker's face doesn't allow him to win, no matter how much you tell yourself you don't have to look at him when he's singing.
Valerie by The Zutons
Amy Winehouse did a pretty awesome cover of this. Glee did not. Glee ruins everything.
Knockers by The Darkness
I believe in a thing called love? No. Do yourself a favour and play this one over and over. Because I LOVE WHAT YOU'VE DONE WITH YOUR HAIR! I was so sad when I found out they were no more. I really thought glam was making an awesome comeback.
The Truth About Love by David McCormack & The Polaroids
So after Bryan Adams introduced me to the wonderful world of live music, the second concert I went to was (and I'm showing my age here) The Presidents of the United States of America (also known as PUSA because that is a bitch to type). PUSA were cool and all, but we're not talking about Peaches here. Custard were the support act, which is where Mr McCormack started out. I wasn't that big on Custard, but when I went to see Tenacious D many years later and found out that this guy was supporting, I got super excited. I enjoyed it, but it was a bit of a weird mix of bands for most of the audience (like that time I saw Kiss supported by Machine Gun Fellatio). Anyway, that story didn't really go anywhere. Enjoy this beautiful modern non-lame power ballad.
I Meant Something To You Once by Mia Dyson
I found this gem from a free iTunes download. It starts out a bit slow, but stick with it. Everytime I hear it I wish I had a guitar and some talent.
Common People by Pulp
The first time I saw Jarvis Cocker I literally had to run to the show from work because I couldn't get out of a function (if you've ever seen me run, this should amuse you). I was stuck up the back with old hipsters (they exist) who all thought my black glasses were part of my "outfit", rather than a device I wear to keep me from walking into poles and falling down stairs. The second time I saw him was at Waterloo station in London. I was with my friend Kara who had no idea what I was talking about when I kept whispering "there's Jarvis Cocker!". He was dressed like a pimp. A tall, skinny, white, glasses wearing pimp. He was accompanyed by an equally tall 70s clad woman. Kara still had no idea who I was pointing at.
This song has always been my number one choice for karaoke due to the fact that I know all the words and you can get away with speaking it Shatner-style. Unfortunately, most karaoke joints haven't wisened up to this gem and I usually have to throw down some Bon Jovi instead.
Falling Aeroplanes by Darren Hanlon
I have nothing to say about this one. It's perfect as it is.
Get It Together by Beastie Boys (and Q Tip!)
It's hard for me to pick just one Beastie Boys song. There's many a night I dance around pretending to be in a white boy rap band. This one gets props for the shout out to Biz Markie, Ma Bell and the romantic line of "she's the cheese and I'm the macaroni". And often times I will just bust out with "1-2 oh my god!"
Also, lets not forget that this gem manages to rhyme rhythm with jism without batting an eyelid.
How You Like Me Now? by The Heavy
I'm ashamed to admit that I was late to discover these guys. Like, I had to find them on a True Blood soundtrack. That late.
