My pick for this week was influenced by the weather: it’s overcast and threatening rain, so I was in the mood for something very quiet and slow. I actually discovered this song recently…the title was mentioned on a blog I was reading, and I loved it so much that I had to go and listen to the song immediately! Here’s The Magnetic Fields with “Love Is Like a Bottle of Gin”:
Category: Music
Tune in Tuesday with Katelyn: Ain’t that perfection?
My pick for this week’s Tune in Tuesday is once again taken from a TV show. This time it’s “Bunheads,” a charmingly quirky ABC Family dramedy that has unfortunately been canceled. (Side note: ABC Family, whyyy? Do you really have anything else going on?) This is actually quite an old song — originally published in 1927, according to Wikipedia — but I really like this performance in particular! Here’s the Beatles with “Ain’t She Sweet”:
Tune in Tuesday with Katelyn: You can take all the things, the boxes and rings
I am one of those people who tend to dislike something automatically if it becomes too popular or trendy. Too much hype about something drives me crazy and makes me want to avoid it just out of spite. (I have still not read The Hunger Games because of this.) The band fun. is a perfect example: I think they are extremely overhyped, and I hate that lowercase F and the period at the end of their name! But at the same time, their songs are catchy, and I can’t help liking them despite myself! So for this week’s Tune in Tuesday, here is fun. with “All the Pretty Girls”:
Tune in Tuesday with Katelyn: Everybody wants some presto magic
Normally I don’t have trouble picking a song for Tune in Tuesday; I just post whatever song has been stuck in my head that day or that week. Sadly, no such song exists for this week, so I had to wing it! Here’s “Magic” by B.o.B featuring Rivers Cuomo (the lead singer of Weezer!), which is an excellent song for getting me pumped to start a new day of work:
Tune in Tuesday with Katelyn: I could lift you up
Despite my love of music, I don’t listen to the radio all that often, so I’m woefully ignorant of what songs are popular hits these days. Seriously, it’s embarrassing…I feel like an old lady most of the time! (Those darn kids with their baggy jeans and their rock-‘n’-roll music.) But I’ve been hearing this song on the radio lately, and I’m kind of digging it! I like the disco beat and old-school trumpet line. And, frankly, it makes me want to dance! So for this week’s Tune in Tuesday, I give you “Safe and Sound” by Capital Cities:
A Year with the Beatles: “Rubber Soul”
When I first started my Beatles project, I intended to post about an album on the last Saturday of every month. Obviously, this did not happen, but I seem to be back on track now with Rubber Soul! I think I can say with certainty that this is my favorite album so far; it’s more musically interesting, and the songs’ intellectual content is deeper. But of course, there are still six more albums to go! Here are my thoughts on the individual songs:
“Drive My Car” — Such a great way to start this album! The song is catchy and kind of sexy and sounds like a quintessential rock-‘n’-roll tune — which, of course, it is.
“Norwegian Wood” — Can you believe I’d never heard this song before? I like the 3/4 meter and acoustic accompaniment, both of which have been rare in the Beatles’ oeuvre so far. The song has a somewhat dreamy, melancholy quality that I really like.
“You Won’t See Me” — This song is a bit boring compared to the previous two, but it’s still a solid pop song that sounds very professional and confident.
“Nowhere Man” — I feel like this song is trying to be too philosophical and clever for its own good. At the same time, though, I have to admit that it paints a vivid picture.
“Think for Yourself” — This song seems to be made up of two halves that don’t always quite mesh. I like the minor groove of the “Do what you want to do / Go where you’re going to” sections, but the verses don’t seem to match it.
“The Word” — The Beatles keep saying that “the word is love,” but they’re wrong; the bird’s the word. I do like the unusual harmonies in this song, and I can’t help interpreting the hippie-ish lyrics ironically…sort of a satiric version of “All You Need Is Love.” I’m probably wrong about that, but I can’t help contrasting the two songs anyway!
“Michelle” — I really like this one! For some reason it makes me think of a bizarre circus or carnival setting…something a bit creepy about it, perhaps? But definitely a great love song for those lucky girls named Michelle!
“What Goes On” — Poor Ringo; I just don’t seem to like his songs as much! This one is perfectly pleasant, but it’s just not particularly interesting.
“Girl” –Anyone else think this is an early musical depiction of the Manic Pixie Dream Girl?
“I’m Looking Through You” — Love the dissonance at the end of the chorus, which is such a contrast with normal musical expectations.
“In My Life” — To me, this song is the emotional equivalent of “Yesterday,” almost sugary-sweet in its nostalgia. I’ve heard of people using it as a wedding song, and it’s certainly emotional enough to fit the bill, though a bit sappy for my taste. I do like the Bach-esque keyboard solo in the middle, though!
“Wait” — This song reminds me a lot of the Beatles’ earlier work. It almost sounds like a track from Please Please Me, but it’s a bit more layered and complex; I like the more inventive percussion and harmonies.
“If I Needed Someone” — I like the near-constant syncopation of this song, which gives it a slightly “off” feel.
“Run for Your Life” — I didn’t like this song much, but that’s due to a personal pet peeve of mine: I HATE when male singers refer to their love interests as “little girl.” It’s infantilizing and creepy. Of course, this song is quite creepy overall — a man telling a girl that if she ever cheats on him, he wants her dead. Um, no thank you!
The next album up is Revolver, which I’ll (theoretically) discuss on July 27, so stay tuned!
Tune in Tuesday with Katelyn: So long, sweet summer
This is the last week of Tune in Tuesday: Summertime Edition, so I’ve decided to pick a song that’s about summer ending. I always loved the end of summer because it meant a new school year (yes, I was a dork) and cooler weather ahead! But it’s a bittersweet time, too, and I think this song reflects that feeling very well. Here’s “Age Six Racer” by Dashboard Confessional:
Sadly, I couldn’t find a more interesting video!
Tune in Tuesday with Katelyn: So sweet you make my mouth water
For this week’s Tune in Tuesday, I’ve picked what I think is a quintessential summer song. The guitar lick at the beginning reminds me of “Wipeout!” and other surfing-related anthems, and the entire song is so upbeat and happy! Not to mention, the truly fantastic music video takes place on the beach, so watch out for some classic ’80s graphics! Here’s “I Want Candy” as performed by Bow Wow Wow…but I don’t think they’re really talking about candy.
Tune in Tuesday with Katelyn: A long way back to the light
One thing I have learned through my recent musical experiences is that I really enjoy jaunty songs about heartbreak. Something about the contrast between happy music and sad lyrics fascinates me (which possibly makes me a twisted person…hmm…). So I heard this song on the radio yesterday and kind of fell in love with it! I don’t know if it really fits within the summertime theme, but it is a bouncy, high-energy tune that could conceivably evoke summer fun…so what the heck, I’m counting it. 🙂 Here’s Frank Turner with “Recovery”:
A Year with the Beatles: “Help!”
Time to talk about the Beatles’ fifth U.K. studio album, “Help!” Apparently this is also the soundtrack to a Beatles movie wherein the Fab Four battle an evil cult. This sounds totally insane to me, but apparently it is a real thing, according to Wikipedia! I have not seen the movie, so perhaps my impressions of the songs lack the appropriate context. But I really enjoyed this album overall; I feel like I’m really getting into the meat of the Beatles’ oeuvre at last! Here are my thoughts on the songs:
“Help” — Great song, even if it is a bit repetitive.
“The Night Before” — I like the bridge of this song; it’s got some cool, unexpected harmonies.
“You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away” — When I first listened to this album, I recognized this song immediately; I just never knew what it was called or who sang it (if you can believe that!). Good song…I especially like the “Hey!” parts. 🙂
“I Need You” — I really like the verses of this song. Once again, the Beatles seem to be branching out in their harmonies.
“Another Girl” — I have to say, I love the way the Beatles pronounce the word “girl”! They sort of say “gel” (with a hard G) instead, and it’s great! This song does have a very similar beat to the last one, though…makes them sound quite similar.
“You’re Going to Lose That Girl” — Love the jump to the high notes when they sing the word “lose.” The verses are pretty boring by comparison.
“Ticket to Ride” — This song makes me nostalgic for summer afternoons spent at my neighborhood pool…and I’m not sure why! It’s not like I heard this song that often as a kid. One of those mysteries of the human brain, I guess. At any rate, good song!
“Act Naturally” — I have to say, I hated this one! Definitely a huge clunker in an otherwise really good album.
“It’s Only Love” — Meh. I find this song very musically boring, but I like the lyrics.
“You Like Me Too Much” — Just what every girl wants to hear. 🙂 At least he says he likes her too! Also, I dig the honky-tonk piano vibe at the beginning of this one.
“Tell Me What You See” — I like the call-and-response feel of the verses. But overall, I find this song very forgettable.
“I’ve Just Seen a Face” — Love, love, love this song! It’s so sweet and happy and romantic. It just makes me smile! 🙂 Also, I like the sort of fake-out at the beginning…it sounds like a totally different kind of song at first.
“Yesterday” — What can I possibly say about this song? It’s iconic and quite lovely. I feel like it’s a bit of a cliché now, but that’s not really the Beatles’ fault!
“Dizzy Miss Lizzy” — Great song title, less great song…but it was still a fun listen.
Next album is “Rubber Soul,” which should be really interesting, so stay tuned!
You Book Me All Night Long 