Pause seems to have a negative connotation. You are voluntarily stopping something. Why would you do that? Go Go Go! Time is money!!

But when things get chaotic, sometimes a pause is necessary. It’s a time to recollect and re-energize. 

Pauses in life and music are fun because they catch people off guard. Is it over? It’s over. No it’s not! Yeah!

1. “Love is a Deserter” by The Kills 

I am excited to see them in concert. There is a pause at 2:04. I absolutely love jamming out, stopping at the pause, and continuing the jam afterwards. It’s always a good time.

2. “Dog Days Are Over”  Florence + The Machine

I am excited to see them in concert. I sound like a broken record player, but music and concerts are what energize me. Pause at 2:49. A pause of a second, but still definite. People started to clap at the pause during the SNL performance. But the song continued like an encore.

3. “Pause” by Run DMC

Sadly, I am not seeing them live. RIP Jam-Master Jay. But remember

“Look it over, investigate
Evaluate, think
Life is wrong, and full of flaws
Before you break laws just pause”

This weeks 3 Songs Thursday isn’t very cohesive. It occurred stream of consciousness within 10 seconds and came with some surprises.

1. “Excuses” by The Morning Benders

7:30 AM this morning, in a half asleep stupor, I walked into the computer lab before class and saw this in between the printers:

This made me happy. Happiness in a computer lab where satisfied or unsatisfied homeworks and powerpoint slides are being printed by the satisfied or unsatisfied masses. The heat from the two industrial printers are giving off fumes. Stuff like this sign never appears in the sterile business school. It looks like guerilla marketing or some sort of statement from a freshman. Still innocent. I hope it’s a daily thing.

I first heard The Morning Benders from a new music session on Minnesota Public Radio last year and then on some Reece’s commercials recently. It reminds me of summer. And Reece’s peanut butter cups.

2. “Guerilla Radio” by Rage Against The Machine

After seeing the sign, I thought it was guerilla marketing and then I thought of “Guerilla Radio”. Be grateful that I didn’t think of “Boom Boom Pow” by the Black Eyed Peas after seeing #4. on the sign. I easily could have. The picture below is not of Rage Against the Machine, but of a rally with Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine, Wayne Kramer of the MC5, Ike Reilly of the Ike Reilly Assassination, and Wisconsin residents to protect the state of Wisconsin’s collective bargaining rights. I wish my labor relations and collective bargaining classes could have been this semester. My professor would have great insight to all of this.

(Picture via Hot Lunch Collective)

3. “19/2000 (Soulchild Remix)” by Gorillaz

Guerilla led to Gorillaz. There was a rumor that they were ending, but even though I don’t really listen to them, I’m glad that they aren’t ending. My neighbor and childhood best friend loved the Gorillaz, and I would listen to whatever she listened to. 19/2000 (Souldchild Remix) was my favorite song of theirs. My friend and I grew apart (she is 4 or so years older than me), and then I started hearing this song on various commercials.

Last weekend, my friend debuted her senior project. She put together a beautiful collection of performance pieces, speeches, poetry, and more on Israel and Palestine relations. The play included 3 songs that went so well together. It was inspiring to hear music I’ve never heard of that complimented the art so well.

It’s project is called Pocket Full of Stones

“Answer, if you hear the words under the words- otherwise it is just a world with a lot of rough edges, difficult to get through, and our pockets full of stones.”

1. “Going to Palestine” by The Mountain Goats

My friend sang this song beautifully in the play. The Mountain Goats is to my friend as The White Stripes are to me. John Darnielle is to my friend as Jack White is to me. I can just imagine how exciting it is to be able to perform and incorporate your absolute favorite artist into your creation.

2. “Fantasy” by The XX

This song is haunting. There was a showcase of movement to the second half of this song in the play. It fit right in. I’ve had this song on repeat since the play.

3. “selat ra7em” by katibe 5

katibe 5 is a Palestinian rap group from the refugee camp of Burj al-Barajneh, Beirut, Lebanon. The 5 members express what it’s like in refugee camps, social commentary, and political activism with their music.

Last week, I said the next 3 Songs Thursday would be Musicians that “retired,” but to be more celebratory (and hold off on reminiscing), we will celebrate the new music video by The Kills for their new song “Satellite.” 

(Mis)communication. It makes life so much easier. It makes life so much harder. There are so many songs about love. I’m surprised there aren’t more songs about communication. Maybe love and communication are the same thing.

1. “Satellite” by The Kills

I’ve said this before, I absolutely love music videos with The Kills. It looks like they are just having fun and doing what they love. I wonder what the story of the music video is. It’s more than just clips of scenes like their previous videos. Or maybe it’s just clips of scenes. I wonder if the video is portraying Alison and Jamie or 2 other people (small scale Bonnie and Clyde?). I bet Alison is a ghost. Imagine all of those activities, Jamie doing them alone (driving, arcade, dine and dash, beach frolic).

(Picture via halfofus)

Jamie talking about the song, “It turned into a daydream about the universe and vibrations, and how a voice can go from one side of the planet to the other via satellite — and it’s all vibrations.” It is crazy how much easier communication is today. When will the progression stop?

2. “Hello Operator” by The White Stripes

Hello operator
can you give me number nine?
can I see you later?
will you give me back my dime?
turn the oscillator
twist it with a dollar bill
mail man bring the paper
leave it on my window sill

find a canary
a bird to bring my message home
carry my obituary
my coffin doesn’t have a phone
how you gonna get the money?
send papers to an empty home?
how you gonna get the money?

nobody to answer the phone

rubbing wood, sand

3. “Communication Breakdown” by Led Zeppelin

This rocks. Enough said.

For obvious reasons this week’s 3 Songs Thursday: The White Stripes

This isn’t my “final ode to the band” yet. I’ll write that in a few days when I have time.

I can’t pick 3 songs of theirs because that would be like having to pick a favorite child. But I have featured 5 of their songs in previous weeks, so I’ll copy and paste 3 song selections of past weeks that I think are relevant.

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1. Week Theme: “I am thankful for these 3 songs (Thanksgiving)”

“Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground” by The White Stripes

I was hooked with “Fell in Love with a Girl” and “Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground” solidified my love for The White Stripes. I can’t explain what attracted me to them. I think it was just meant to be. They got me through my awkward teen years at 13 years old. They might have alienated me from other teens since I was the only person at school who liked The White Stripes, but I am grateful for that. It made life more interesting.

2. Week Theme: “Up to bat songs”

“Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes

The guitar riff at 2:00 minutes. 2:20. Life changing. And in the music video, I love it when Jack points to Detroit like a true Michigander.

3. Last week’s Theme: “Catharsis inducing songs”

I hope this edition of 3 Song Thursdays isn’t depressing. I think catharses are transformational and beautiful. Sandra Oh has done 3 of them beautifully in Grey’s Anatomy.

Winter break was weird. Throughout all of break, I felt like I needed a catharsis. To be able to start new or something. But I was in a strange limbo. My mind wanted the catharsis, but my body didn’t.

“I’m Bound To Pack It Up” by The White Stripes

I used to listen to this song when I was 14 and think that it was so tragic. Why would he leave her (I always overlooked “The feelings that you have for me, have gone away it’s plain to see”)? Why are there a hundred people running away too? Cowards. I also thought that Tom Wingfield was selfish for leaving his family. But as I grow up, I see that sometimes it’s necessary.

I picked a grey double decker bus for the picture because I remember reading an interview of Jack White by a 5 year old boy. He asked Jack what color the bus is in “I’m Bound To Pack It Up” and Jack said grey. And the double decker bus reminds me of the “Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground” music video.

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Moral of the story: The White Stripes have always given me what I needed.

Especially last week’s entry. I realized last week that sometimes people have to leave. ”But as I grow up, I see that sometimes it’s necessary.”

I was looking for a catharsis. A new start. And they gave that to me.

Next week: Musicians that “retired” (featuring Frank Sinatra, Jay-Z, and Cher)

Catharsis inducing songs

I hope this edition of 3 Song Thursdays isn’t depressing. I think catharses are transformational and beautiful. Sandra Oh has done 3 of them beautifully in Grey’s Anatomy.

Winter break was weird. Throughout all of break, I felt like I needed a catharsis. To be able to start new or something. But I was in a strange limbo. My mind wanted the catharsis, but my body didn’t.

1. “Cold War” by Janelle Monae

This music video. Great song, and the music video is just as great So simple. Seeing her start to cry after the lyric “I was made to believe there’s something wrong with me,” and then she tries to brush it off with laughter and “strength”, but she can’t hold back the emotion. So beautiful. She believes in her lyrics. 

2. “I’m Bound To Pack It Up” by The White Stripes

I used to listen to this song when I was 14 and think that it was so tragic. Why would he leave her (I always overlooked “The feelings that you have for me,
have gone away it’s plain to see”)? Why are there a hundred people running away too? Cowards. I also thought that Tom Wingfield was selfish for leaving his family. But as I grow up, I see that sometimes it’s necessary.

I picked a grey double decker bus for the picture because I remember reading an interview of Jack White by a 5 year old boy. He asked Jack what color the bus is in “I’m Bound To Pack It Up” and Jack said grey. And the double decker bus reminds me of the “Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground” music video.

3. “Another Lost Summer” by Blanche

I absolutely loved this past summer. I may even declare it best summer ever. But again on winter break, I felt like it was a lost winter break. It wasn’t a terrible break, I just had expectations. I wanted progress. But I’m moving on. This is a great song to describe my feelings though.

3 Songs Thursday is back! It’s been on a 5 week unplanned hiatus. I got busy at the end of the semester then avoided writing altogether over break (Wintertime blues).

Tonight is supposed to be the coldest night of the year at a wind chill of -20° F. But I think it is going to get colder because it has been at least -40° F wind chill in the past (interesting fact, -40° C is the same as -40° F). So in need of being able to remember what warmth is, today’s 3 Songs Thursday theme is: Covers.

People may think that it’s easy to do a cover. Song and music is already written, just play it. I think it takes A LOT of talent to do a cover well. You have to take a song, make it your own, while respecting the original artist.

Covers keep you warm.

1. “Sunday Bloody Sunday” by U2 covered by Saul Williams

I had no idea who Saul Williams was, and I somehow ended up front row for his show at Lollapalooza 2008. I heard that Trent Reznor produced his album, so I expected something like Nine Inch Nails. Saul came out and it was insanity (in the best possible way). I was digging his songs and slam poetry and when he did a cover of U2’s “Sunday Bloody Sunday,” I was blown away. Then he jumped into the audience, and I held him. You can see me in the front row with my arms in the air holding a blue feather, next to the two guys (guy plugging his ears, go big or go home).

2. “Girl, You’ll Be A Woman Soon” by Neil Diamond covered by Urge Overkill

Quentin Tarantino was just honored by the Critics’ Choice Awards with the first ever “Music+Film” award  for extraordinary cinematography combined with brilliant use of source and soundtrack music. Tarantino is the master at soundtracks. The use of “Girl, You’ll Be A Woman Soon” for Mia Wallace (Uma Thurman) was perfect. It brought the song, Urge Overkill, and Neil Diamond to the spotlight. 

3. “Jolene” by Dolly Parton covered by The White Stripes

In honor of Dolly Parton Day in the state of Illinois yesterday (January 19th), I present to you my favorite cover. I don’t remember the first time I heard it. I think it was before the Late Night with Conan O’Brien performance, but it could have been from that performance. The White Stripes take this song, own it, and respect the original artist. And I LOVE that Jack keeps all of the original lyrics. I remember some of the Why does he say “Please don’t take my man?” debacle. He could have easily changed the lyrics, but he didn’t. The song would have lost the meaning and power if he changed the lyrics. And he sings it proudly and passionately.

I can’t believe Christmas is in 2 weeks! Time goes by fast. 2 weeks is a good amount of time to listen to holiday music. Some people go crazy (either positive or negative) for holiday music. I have friends that started listening to holiday music during Halloween. 3 weeks ago my friends and I sang holiday songs in the car on a roadtrip. We sang everything from “The Twelve Days of Christmas”, songs I don’t know the name of, to Lady Gaga’s “Christmas Tree.” 

I have normal reactions to holiday music. Here are 3 holiday songs to listen to. That’s about it (my brain is fried from finals). Happy Holidays!

1. “Wondaland” by Janelle Monae

This song instantly puts me in an upbeat mood. Not necessarily a holiday song, but Wondaland could be a winter wonderland. And the lyrics “I’ll be your secret santa, you be mine” can make it a holiday song. I was going to post a picture of someone that dressed up as Janelle Monae for Halloween, but her awesome hair was completely cut out when I developed the film.

2. “Wonderful Christmas Time” by Paul McCartney

I’ve actually never heard of this song until spending Christmas in London last year. This song should be played more in the states.

3. “Christmas Time Will Soon Be Over” from the Cold Mountain soundtrack

This is the second song that caught my ear on the Cold Mountain soundtrack (the first song that caught my ear was “I’m Going Home” performed by Sacred Harp Singers At Liberty Church). I used to listen to this song on repeat in high school. 

I watch Glee. I don’t love it, but I did like it a lot at one point. When I heard Florence + The Machine’s “The Dog Days Are Over” on Glee, my body convulsed. For some reason, I didn’t like that it was on Glee. Maybe it’s because I don’t want everyone to hear it. I was happy that the song was in the Eat, Pray, Love trailer, but Glee seemed like the point of no return. Point of no return being that Florence becomes “too mainstream.” Which is a stupid mentality altogether. I wonder why people (including myself) think this way. Everybody deserves to hear the song. It’s wonderful and so is the band.

This inspired today’s 3 Songs Thursday: Songs that should never be on Glee.

Naming songs with the reason “because Glee will ruin it” would spoil the fun. So I thought of legitimate songs that should not be on Glee because they are inappropriate.

One song has already been on the show, one song I could see being on the show, and one song is guaranteed to never ever be on the show.

1. “Teenage Dream” by Katy Perry

I remember thinking when this song started playing on the radio this past summer “This song promotes sex. This will never be on Glee.” And a few episodes ago, it was featured on Glee. Not to promote sex. But to promote an all boys glee group. The show makes weird decisions and sometimes plays songs just to play them (example when Rachel sang “Poker Face” with her mom).

2. “Teeth” by Lady Gaga

I could see Glee making another weird decision and using this song for the dentist, but probably not because it wasn’t a single. Super inappropriate song (I’m such a prude) that I love that is apparently about the truth (teeth apparently also means truth).

Minnesota Public Radio once played songs with the theme “songs with teeth.” They played songs like Wilco “Summer Teeth,” Kimya Dawson “Wiggle My Tooth,” Death Cab for Cutie “Crooked Teeth,” and more.

I would have donated $1 million (fake) dollars if they played “Teeth” by Lady Gaga. They didn’t. Probably because it wasn’t on Glee. Just kidding.

3. “Pussy Control” by Prince

I was thinking of other inappropriate songs that I like and this one of course appeared. My Minnesota bias probably gives me a deep liking for Prince, and I like that. He’s proud of his Minnesota roots. And it is my goal to sing this song at karaoke (my falsetto is beautiful). There is a karaoke bar in Minneapolis that is rumored to have this song on the roster.

I can safely say that “Pussy Control” by Prince will never be on Glee.

It’s been a busy week at school. Just finished last round of midterms and projects before finals. 2 weeks left! So I haven’t been writing because “I’ve been so busy,” but I could have been writing just fine. Just an excuse to make me feel like I’m being more productive with academics. I was able to sneak in some re-blogs. Instant gratification. I think writing takes a lot of time. Even about 3 songs. That should take 3 minutes, maximum. But I think too in depth when I write. I write slowly. I don’t know why. To quote the hilarious Fran Lebowitz:

“I write so slowly, I could write in my own blood without hurting myself.”

This is 3 Songs Thursday for last week.

Happy Thanksgiving! I am thankful for these three songs. They each solidified my love for my favorite musicians, have amazing music videos, and have been apart of my life.

1. “Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground” by The White Stripes

I was hooked with “Fell in Love with a Girl” and “Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground” solidified my love for The White Stripes. I can’t explain what attracted me to them. I think it was just meant to be. They got me through my awkward teen years at 13 years old. They might have alienated me from other teens since I was the only person at school who liked The White Stripes, but I am grateful for that. It made life more interesting.

2. “Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga

I’ve been a hardcore White Stripes/Jack White fan for 8 years. Nothing came close to being music that I love as much. And then Lady Gaga came. I don’t know what she did, but she became my 2nd favorite artist. Again, I can’t explain it. It just happened. Pop music has always been a guilty pleasure of mine. She let me become proud and not ashamed of liking pop music. “Bad Romance” is what solidified my love for Lady Gaga. It came at the right time. I’d say she’s getting me through my awkward young adult phase. It’s meant to be.

3. “U.R.A. Fever” by The Kills

I was intrigued with “Getting Down” since it was played a lot on the radio here. But I didn’t pursue The Kills. I wish I would have earlier. “U.R.A. Fever” would always be played at parties I went to, and then I met Alison Mosshart, so I checked The Kills out. This song and music video got me hooked. I am glad it did. I basically spent last summer listening to Midnight Boom. And I love all of their music videos. They’re having fun. Doing what they love. Can I do that?