“Writers are liars, my dear, surely you know that by now? And yet, things need not have happened to be true. Tales and dreams are the shadow-truths that will endure when mere facts are dust and ashes, and forgot.” - Neil Gaiman - Dream Country
Artist: the Cure Title: Friday I’m In Love Favourite Lyric: You can never get enough, Enough of this stuff It's Friday I'm in love
Why?: Because it’s Friday! I remember listening to CFNY’s premiere of this song. What I remember were a few angry Cure fans calling in to bitch about how this song was too ‘pop’ and how the Cure was betraying their song, style etc. I was something between a mod, goth and emo at the time. I remember being somewhat offended on behalf of the Cure. Really guy? You’re offended because you don’t like this song? Let’s see you go out and create some decent music then! Artists are allowed to have fun, which was clearly what the Cure was doing here. This whole album was ‘pop’ but what’s wrong with that? The Cure had no obligation to you to be moody and depressing. Fuck. Even Depeche Mode has happy songs. FFS, get a fucking life. Music is meant to be enjoyed. It sets moods and memories. If the Cure wanted to have a happy song, so be it. Go soak your head you pretentious goth-boy emo wannabe!!!! Fuck, they used to play Wham! at Skank (our affectionate nickname for the Sanctuary Vampire Sex Bar). And goths would dance to that and be happy about it. FUUUUCK!
TL:DR: Pretentious ass calls in because band didn’t write 'moody woe is me' song. Note: This was originally posted on Facebook without comments.
Artist: UB40 Title: Red Red Wine Lyrics: Red, red wine, it's up to you All I can do, I've done Why?: A song from my youth. A song I can relate to as I’ve become older. Not quite ska, but the reggae inspired beats fit. It’s music from the 1980s. Do I need any other reason?
Note: This was originally posted without comments on Facebook.
Artist: Time Zone with Johnny Rotten Title: World Destruction Lyrics: This is a world destruction, your life ain't nothing. The human race is becoming a disgrace. Countries are fighting with chemical warfare. Not giving a damn about the people who live. Why: Africa Bombaataa’s poignant lyrics, written in 1984 are frighteningly relevant still in 2018. I like the song. Angrily singable, like Rage Against the Machine.
Note: This was originally posted without comments on Facebook.
Favourite Lyrics (heh): Hey you! Don’t watch that! Watch this! This is the heavy heavy monster sound. The nuttiest sound around! Why?: Ska! Ska! Ska! I knew when I was young I was never going to fit into mainstream culture. At my heart I identified as a mod (and irony of ironies, here I am riding a motorcycle, married to a rocker. And even in subculture, I don’t quite fit in!) But I always loved ska. My kingdom for a James jacket... I miss that thing. :(
Note: This was originally published with video link and lyric choice only.
Artist: Aretha Franklin and George Michael Title: I Knew You Were Waiting For Me Favourite Lyrics: When the river was deep, I didn't falter When the mountain was high, I still believed When the valley was low, It didn't stop me I knew you were waiting, I knew you were waiting for me
Why?: In tribute to Aretha Franklin, I racked my brain. Of course “Respect” is a great song and would have been the go to for her. But in my own personal list of music and what it means to me, this is the first song I could recall from my youth where I knew who she was. She was that older black singer with a great voice and she’s singing a song with George Michael. I liked this song. The lyrics still speak to me. The songs I like are about love. This chorus is no different. But there’s momentum here. A desire to move forward because my lover will wait for me to reach these goals. Note: This was originally published with video link and lyric choice only.
Favourite Lyrics: And when they come to ethnically cleanse me Will you speak out? Will you defend me?
Why?: In regards to the lyric above, after seeing some of the shit ‘Facebook friends’ post, I have my doubts.
The song was dance-able. It made me realize anger could be enjoyable and directed into my dancing. I took pleasure in screaming out these lyrics on the dance floor. Some blind hope that they meant something.
Fun fact: This song is 24 years old.
Note: This was originally published with video link and lyric choice only. There was a lot of hate going on. Hate based on fear and it was a moment of just doubting some people who claim to be friendly, but after seeing some of their misinformed hate spewing across social media, I had a moment of, maybe I need to cleanse my friends list. Upon reflection, I don't believe them to be hateful, just scared. It's a sad world we live in sometimes.
Favourite Lyrics: Funny how I find myself in love with you. If I could buy my reasoning, I'd pay to lose.
Why?: Mark Hollis’ deeply emotive voice. The lyrics speak of a tumultuous relationship. Love, drama, and so much emotion. I think of my own love life and the song makes me nostalgic. Quintessential 80’s new wave. A little alternative, a little pop, a little weird (watch both versions of the video, but also animal documentary footage! It was as if they crafted a perfect video for my nine year old self. I want to know who do I write to to get my digital cable provider to give me the option of watching any animal documentary with the choice of David Attenborough, Lorne Greene or David Suzuki narrating and the choice to have the original soundtrack or Talk Talk... sorry I digress). Also, Mark Hollis is super cute in the second version of the video. Nobody said I needed deep valid reasons for enjoying music, okay? Jesus... I could go on for pages about this, but I'm not here to scare anyone off. ... k. I'll stop gushing.
Honestly, I’m saddened that it took me this long to start seeking Talk Talk’s extended library of music. I love their music and they’ve broken up. Also, this song is no longer a song about a human relationship in my life. I sing it to my Precious motorcycle often. I'll be sure to explain someday.
Edit update: December 31, 2018: So… when I posted this video, I basically dove headfirst into this band. Like… dove in… In my head, I’ve gone and married all the core band members several times, written their last names after mine… you know… going through my mid-life crisis by being a teenaged girl. It was Duran Duran the first time round.
Pity my husband who had to put up with me listening to Talk Talk non-stop for about a month (and counting) and visibly cringes if I mention the name Mark (eeeeeee. OMG…. I love this man so much… eeee!) Hollis, Paul (automatically I had the hawts for him because he's the bass player! Plus have you seen him lately with his Rustin Man stuffs? Still adorable.) Webb and Lee (OMG... he's like, not wearing a shirt... and he's hawt! And why are drummers shy? Roger Taylor from Duran Duran... hawt... shy... gah!) Harris and anymore. I think the whole Talk Talk library, and beyond (I’m talking, Mark Hollis’ solo stuff, O.Rang, Rustin Man) is very much worth a listen. It’s really great stuff.
Edit update 2: March 1, 2019: So of course, you understand that this was written months before February 25th, 2019. The day the news broke I was beside myself. Like, seriously? I just got into you and you go and die on me?! But as a Firefly fan, I know what it is to be disappointed by things cut short and what heartbreak is. *Yes, that was a terrible joke. This is why I have kept my day job. Shut up.* Needless to say, it’s a great song still. RIP Mark Hollis. Thanks for making me feel 14 again. *sniffle*. Edit update 3: May 7, 2019: First... apologies to the band for instantly objectifying them. I blame unbalanced hormones (But... daaaaamn! Super talented and hawt... Sorry! It's Scotch this time you can blame. Hehe). And hey! I can post multiple links in my blog! Here is the second video:
Note: This was originally published with video link and lyric choice only.
Title: Stairs and Flowers Favourite Lyric/Sound Bite: “Whatdya mean what happened? I just slipped down these damn stairs!” Why?: This was likely one of the first songs I’d heard by Skinny Puppy that pulled me into the world of the Goth subculture. It was this rhythmic noise. It was appealing to my teenage angst. It was dark and helped define my weirdness. I was happy being moody. This song was moody, creepy, strange and funny all at once.
Note: This was originally published with video link and lyric choice only.
