Immigrant Song

Immigrant Song by Led Zeppelin

There is something so effing awesome about this song.

There is something so effing cheesy about this song.

I've got a new theory about "III". It's basically Jimmy Page showing off. And it's awesome. And therefore it isn't the worst Zeppelin album as I always thought in high school (personally, "IV" or whatever we're calling it today, is the worst Zeppelin song because really it's a singles album). In fact, the idea of one guy in the band just showing off for an entire album and the band being cool with it (apparently) is pretty cool.

Page is downright dirty on this album, he seems bored that he can play the guitar as well as he can. He does things with the guitar that don't really fit into half the songs, but since he can do it, he does it, and it some how works. Take his work on this song. I'm not sure what or why he does what he does in the second half of the song, but because he can do it, he does it, and it sounds good (I've just set the record for pronouns used in one sentence!)

Okay... Immigrant Song... okay... well don't they play this at every hockey game in North America? Isn't this the unofficial, official song of the NHL? Since it's Zeppelin and Plant sings "Land of the ice and snow" hearing this at an NHL game is as certain as hearing "I Will Survive" at a wedding.

Stay or Leave

Stay or Leave by Dave Matthews

On a cold day in the middle of March, this song fits the mood. And I haven't broken up with anyone.

Since I'm not in a melancholy mood, where do break up songs fit into day-to-day life? I guess we can be taken back to past loves, but dwelling on past lovers isn't something I would guess most of us do unless something strikes us. A location, a picture, a song, a TV show... to bring back the memory. But just a random break up song? Nah. It doesn't flood my mind with images of the woman I've dated.

Of course that's me. That doesn't apply to everyone (I assume). So what happens to break up songs when we haven't broken up with someone? Do we keep them in the back of our mind and forget about them entirely? Or are they like a potato peeler... something you take out only when you need them.

I honestly don't know. I listen to "Last Goodbye" a lot more when I'm in the process of or just have broken up with someone. Does that mean at some point in my married life I'll never listen to "Last Goodbye" again? Will I just skip it? Or will I let it take my mind to the girl it associates at that moment?

Piano Man

Piano Man by Billy Joel

I think I'm in the minority here, and while I like this song, I don't think it's all that great. Maybe it's the uninspiring bass line.

But it's not. I'll admit it. I hate the down-on-my luck lyrics. I can't stand the people at the bar... I can't stand their defeatist bullshit. And I can't stand Joel's Piano Man... the man who makes them forget about life instead of inspiring them to do something about it all.

I know this is Joel's first big hit and it isn't a do or die song. But it sounds like a do or die song. Joel sings it as if this is his last chance in the music business. But it wasn't. And it pisses me off.

See a do or die song is Springsteen's "Born to Run". That really was Bruce's last chance. And he pours everything and then some into that song (and album). Sure it's over the top and the lyrics can be laughable at times, but it throws caution into the wind. It's about Bruce and the American Spirit.

But Piano Man? It sounds nice, it moves you, if you're drunk it's a fantastic song, but it's calculated. And Billy Joel knew it was going to be a hit. The Piano Man is a pretentious hero who helps people forget about their pathetic lives. What's the difference between the Piano Man and drugs? Should the song and the Piano Man himself, strive to be more? Should the writer and the narrator want to inspire instead of trying to tell us that he can save us for five minutes at a time? Big deal... there are so many distractions in the modern world that getting away from life isn't difficult and one should not be proud of such 'ability'.

Thirty-five years later, the sad (or ironic) part is that Billy Joel is now one of the losers he sings about in this song. He has become the drunk. On the irony scale where would Joel listening to this song at a bar rank?

I Want To Hold Your Hand

I Want To Hold Your Hand by the Beatles

I read somewhere once (probably some review of the "I Am Sam*" soundtrack) that it is impossible to mess up most Beatles songs because they're so well crafted.

And this song is living proof of that theory. It might be the best crafted pop song of all time. As I wrote about a year ago:

"I Want to Hold Your Hand" features hand claps... you've got to love how the drums and Harrison's guitar work together... the song is about love, puppy love on top of it... the song builds up throughout, but the amazing thing is that it you really never know what it coming next. When they throw that bridge at you about halfway though the song, it's so out of the blue yet so perfect. I mean there may not be a more perfectly put together song out there.

This is pure pop bliss. There is nothing wrong with this song. Nothing. And once TV Carpio and her voice got a hold of this song... well it just goes to show how great of a song it is.

The Beatles' original is perfect because of how they play the song--the instruments, the unpredictability, and and words. TV's cover is great because of her voice... they down play the unpredictability of the song which sort of sucks. But she sings the song without any noise--true, she's showing off--and it gives the song a new lease. It's cleaner. It soars. It's beautiful...

God, I love this song. It's the type of song that makes you love music even more. It's the type of song that makes you love pop music. It's the type of song that makes you want to turn on a Michael Jackson song just so you can hear his voice. It's the type of song that makes you want to have a Coke and smile. It's the type of song that makes you realize that holding the right some one's hand is so much better than sex.




* Insert Sean Penn comment here: ______________________________________________________________

Everything in it's Right Place

Everything in it's Right Place by Radiohead

It's been a while, I know, but I've been busy out of my ears. But I'm back... if you even cared/missed me.

My freshman year of college—during the fall especially—I hadn't found my niche. And what I ended up doing to kill the time on Friday and Saturday nights would be to walk. I'd hop on the Metro, and then walk from DuPont west into Georgetown eventually hitting the Barnes &Noble on M Street.

Kid A was released the summer or fall of 2000. And this album was always on display which allowed me to throw on some headphones and listen. Every time I found myself in that Barnes & Noble, I would throw on the headphones and listen to "Everything in the Right Place". In my mind I'd debate if "waking up sucking on a lemon" was one of the worst lyrics I'd ever heard. But I loved the organ, it fit those some what lonely weekend nights, some how giving me comfort as I waited to fit my place, my friends, in college.

After the song ended, I'd put down the headphones, maybe browse for a few more minutes, and then head out into the streets of Georgetown... wondering who lived in all those beautiful houses.