The Candy Shop #25

WOOF! MEOW! MOO! BLUB (that’s the sound a fish makes)
by Nayt Housman

Since I was a kid I have been surrounded by music revering and educating me about our life companions. Some call them “fur/feather/fin children” or “kids of the four legged/winged/finned kind”, even simply my best friend. Of course I’m talking about our partners… I mean pets. Pets always find a special place in our soft lil hearts and musicians often find inspiration to write about them. This weeks Candy Shop is dedicated to all the pets out there in the world and is a plea to my loving partner to GET ME A GUINEA PIG! Oint oint oint (that’s the sound a Guinea Pig makes)!

So most musicians seem to find inspiration for writing from their dogs.

You Can Run (Ferns Theme)

by The Orbweavers  

Oh lordy cheeses sliced this song makes me weep like a baby. A song about Marita Dyson and Stuart Flannigan’s rescued race greyhound Fern.

Evie 

by Cub Sport

This delicious little morsel from Cub Sport makes me squeal and giggle like a five year old girl with new pink glitter sneakers that have flouro yellow shoe noodle laces.

Sadie

by Joanna Newsome

 

Love her or hate her, Newsome’s child like voice is the perfect tool for engineering a song about a dog. Her story telling ability is humbling and totally endearing (until she hits one of those shriek notes).

Rosie

by Thelma Plum

I hadn’t heard much Plum goodness until Bigsound a lil while back but I’m so glad I got to hear Rosie, a song about her dog. Bless.


Sometimes marine life is even inspirational...

Rock Lobster

by B52’s

Sooooo a rock lobster isn’t really a pet I know BUT I’m sure some people have them and possibly love them very much, also clams, mermaids, snappers and thankfully for this post a dog-fish and a cat-fish feature in this grand classic.


Sometimes though we don’t have pets so we just fantasize about being an animal…

I’m Like A Bird 

by Nelly Fur-tado (gettit? Fur? Pets? Lol)

Nelly was probably so angry that she was denied having pets (this is not fact, I really don’t know/care) that she went a little crackers and pretended to be a bird until she was heavily sedated and institutionalized and forced to write about her experience which then was made into this song (again this is definitely not fact)…


In honour of all the pets that were ever a part of my life, in no particular order, Bear the dog, PJ the dog, Lady the dog, Bubbles and Squeak the ducks, Red the chicken, Mickey the budgie, Snuffie the Cockatiel, the several unnamed and short lived guinea pigs (Lady the dog ate them as well as one of the ducks), the many unnamed mice that never stopped breeding, Princess the cockatiel, Dexstar the dog, Mikey the dog, Chocolate, Vanilla, Honey and Cinnamon the fish and all the rescued animals, Tawny Frogmouth, Magpie, Kookaburra, Baby Pigeon and Lorikeets x a million (drunken bastards would booze up on fermenting mangoes)....

It's All Coming Back To Me Now - Music Is My Aeroplane

Traveling in style....um, maybe?

Music Is My Aeroplane

by Jo Michelmore

So, I'm getting on an aeroplane this week. I'm not going too far, but I get to do all that fabulous stuff like wander through the airport and hang out in the waiting lounge and watch numbers and places and names change on little electronic screens and I get to drink overpriced coffee and eat overpriced sandwiches from little triangular shaped packets. How awesome. These are all things I love. Other things I love? Music. Duh. That's why I write on a music blog. How does this relate to my week? Songs about planes and flying and things in the sky. There's been a few. In fact, I think one of the most boring songs ever written is about aeroplanes (thanks Angus and Julia Stone. Zzzzzzzzz.) Anyway, I couldn't think what else to write about this week. Deal with it.

Learn To Fly

by Foo Fighters (1999)

 

 I will take any excuse to post a song by the Foo Fighters. Dave Grohl is one of my favourite rock stars. Yep. Stars. He was in Nirvana, he gets to be called 'star'. Deal with it. 1991 Kurt would never have let him. Dave is hilarious and he's one sexy, sexy man. Taylor Hawkins is ok too. Two I love in one band is rare. I don't care what you think of Dave,there's just something about that rock-sweat-bad hair-guitar thing I love. Then when he dresses as a woman and talks to his own male self, things get even better. Maybe. Or not. What? Deal with it.

Paperplanes

by M.I.A. (2007)

 

Oh M.I.A., when she was good, before she became a cheap sell out. HA! Oh, I had you for a minute there, didn't I? She's one of those artists that makes you feel cool just at the mere mention of her name. Like, I'm cooler just because I've got her on my ipod. The fact that I actually know her songs means I AM actually cool. What? I am. Deal with it.

I'm Like A Bird

by Nelly Furtado (2000)

 

...and then, to counteract how cool I apparently am, I mention Nelly Furtado. There were a couple of weeks there where I spent many a car journey being both backing and lead vocal, while attempting to sing all the lines of the chorus "baby-all-I-need-for-you-to-know-is-I'm-like-a-bird". Yeah, I did. Whatever. Deal with it.

I Believe I Can Fly

by R. Kelly (1996)

 

Then a tribute to what I think is the second 'worst song ever' about flying (yes, Angus and Julia Stone still win that impressive title), I am including this one as a special feature for my ex-housemate, who spent many a drunken night, unusual morning, relaxing afternoon, ok, at any moment possible, paying tribute to R. Kelly and all his crap-ness, by singing this song, badly. No matter how much you believe it R Kelly, without assistance, you cannot fly. Deal with it.   

Aeroplane

by Red Hot Chili Peppers (1995)

 

Finally, my very favourite song about aeroplanes because because no matter how long it's been since I've heard it, it always makes me smile when I hear it, I remember all the words and can sing along to all of it and it contains some of my favourite lyrics ever; "I like pleasure spiked with pain and music is my aeroplane" because they're true. Music is my aeroplane. Deal with it.

New Music Monday #4

Jack White!

Blunderbuss [Album] (2012)

by Jack White

Let’s just suspend reality for a few minutes here. Let’s pretend none of us know who The White Stripes were, the Dead Weather never existed, the Raconteurs; who are you speaking of? Now let’s look at ‘Blunderbuss’, the first solo album by a little guy named Jack White. Like a good book, a good album should take you on a journey, take you away from where you are and set you down in places and scenes you’ve never been, places that are uncomfortable and amazing and comfortable and incredible. From the opening track, this album took me far away from my iPod and I loved it. I visited filthy little blues bars just before midnight, jazz clubs filled with smoke in the early hours of the morning, an old school saloon in the middle of the desert with someone playing an aging piano in the corner, a Motown gig in the 60s, a merry go round in the middle of a fair. This strange mix of scenes make for a remarkable album, the lyrics centering around love lost, bitterness, heartbreak, some anger and a little bit violence. There is a beautiful amount of piano in this album that give it an intense sound, something that holds on to you and wraps around you. From the simple start of 'Missing Pieces' to the stunning vocals of 'Love Interruption,' the superb piano of 'Hypocritical Kiss,' the sweet mandolin and keyboard combination on 'Hip (Eponymous) Poor Boy;' this album ties together a whole bunch of genres seamlessly, combining country, jazz, folk, rock, blues, the list goes on. The strangely named 'I Guess I Should Go To Sleep' is awesome; the swinging rhythm oddly suiting its lullaby title. It ends with a song a little over 4 minutes long that manages to take you back on the entire album’s journey; a swinging piano start, layered vocals, anxious lyrics, raunchy blistering guitar and then it sets you back down comfortably with the desperate lyric ending it, "…take me anywhere you go." Stunning. So, about that suspended reality. Yes, there are aspects of all of Jack White’s previous projects in this album and there should be. Without the others he wouldn’t have arrived at this magnificent album. The familiarity makes it comfortable and there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s only April and already this is an album that will define 2012 for me. It’s fabulous and wonderful and everything I hoped it would be. I will listen to it over and over again as I already have. Now this time, I’m heading back to that filthy blues bar…

 Jo Michelmore gives Blunderbuss five Eddie Vedder's out of five...

Breathe

by Delilah

Album: From the Roots Up (2012)

And they say trip hop is dead. 'Breathe,' the latest single from emerging UK sensation, Delilah shows that a genre on the verge of extinction is still influencing a new generation of artists. Heavy on the strings, a haunting ambiance, powerful vocals against an industrial backdrop; 'Breathe' is a song that the likes of Massive Attack and Faithless would be proud to have in their own catalogue. This is all about Delilah though. 2012 is going to be a huge year for her in the UK (and hopefully the rest of the world not long after). She's collaborated with some big names like Sia and Emeli Sande for her debut, From the Roots Up, an album that is surely going to create a ton of buzz around the name Delilah. We can also celebrate our new go to for the name Delilah instead of that awful and kinda creepy Tom Jones song. Everyone's a winner! 

Matt Bond gives 'Breathe' four Shirley Manson's out of five... 

Big Hoops (Bigger the Better)

by Nelly Furtado

Album: The Spirit Indestructible (2012)

"That boy gonna feel my poison, I know he can't stand the rain, I wanna be down with ya baby, back and forth, back and forth." Woah, Nelly... that line was like a slap in the face. No, seriously, I literally slapped my palm on my forehead when I heard it. Really though, it was an accumulation of future additions to our hilarious lyrics posts one can find within 'Big Hoops' that had me resorting to assault of the face. "Hey hey hey, what's the scenario, that boy keeps passin' me by, I said no diggity, no doubt, I thought I told you I was fly." Stop it. Stop it right now, Furtado. The world embraced your promiscuous and Stefani-esque turn to shiny Timbaland super pop, but this is too much. How do you define this? Is it rap? Hip-hop? It's certainly not super pop, for where art thou banging beats, catchy choruses and fist pumping moments of joy? They're gone and, sadly, so is my interest in the lovely Nelly Furtado... for now. One misstep should never see you give up hope on a previously successful artist. Perhaps the daftly named The Spirit Indestructible will house some chart topping goodness. "I don't want to talk about sex, wanna express myself tonight." Go back to talking about sex and being a man eater and sprouting illogical-yet-somehow-logical lyrical wonders like 'Say It Right.' Even better? Go back to writing illogical-yet-somehow-logical lyrical wonders like 'I'm Like A Bird.' We could all use a good laugh.

Matt Bond gives 'Big Hoops (Bigger the Better)' one Dannii Minogue out of five...

NEW MUSIC VIDEO OF THE WEEK

Out of the Game

by Rufus Wainwright

Album: Out of the Game (2012)

Helena Bonham Carter. What more do you want in a music video? Nothing. That's what. And she's playing a sexually frustrated librarian. You don't see any of those in a Tim Burton or Harry Potter film. For this reason alone the video should receive a five star grading. On the other hand, there is way too much of Rufus Wainwright getting it on with himself for my liking. Still... Helena Bonham Carter! 

Matt Bond gives 'Out of the Game' three Karen O's out of five...

Top 300 Songs of the 2000s, #190 - 181



Robbie Williams.


Before we get to our next ten songs in the countdown, I thought it would be my civil duty to make clear what you should already know... Lady Gaga's dropping her new track 'Born This Way' tomorrow. As you would know, this means that the Gagapocalypse is imminent. The world won't be able to handle what we're about to be hit with, so I just wanted to say thanks for reading, it's been a lot of fun! Yeah, I'm kidding, but only a little. This has been hyped up to be one of the biggest moments in the history of pop music and I've learnt not to be against my Queen, uh, I mean Lady Gaga. Moving right along, here's ten awesome songs from the 2000s...

#190 - Why Do You Love Me? (2005)

by Garbage

And I am not as pretty as those girls in magazines,

I am rotten to my core if they're to be believed...

Shirley... Shirley, Shirley, Shirley. Garbage managed to maintain their popularity throughout the 2000s but still ended up going on hiatus after the release of Bleed Like Me. But that's all about to change since they're reportedly back in the studio working on new material. This excites me. This excites me very, very much.

Top 100 Songs of 2010, #80 - 71

Jump on a 'Rocket' with Goldfrapp...

#80 - Write About Love

by Belle and Sebastian

Write about love, it could be in any form,

Hand it to me in the morning...

#79 - Another Day

by Marching Band

You tell yourself to do and be the best you can,

Then you tell yourself to try harder...

#78 - Do Wah Doo

by Kate Nash

Everyone thinks that girl's a lady,

But I don't, I think that girl's shady...

#77 - Hot 'N Fun

by N.E.R.D ft. Nelly Furtado

With this hypnotizing bassline,

Please feel free to lose your mind...

#76 - Old Fashioned

by Cee-Lo Green

Hush child, just listen,

Don't it sound just like the good old days?

#75 - Running Away

by The Verses ft. Dan Sultan

Of course you would, it's no good,

Running away is all I think I'm good for...

#74 - Gold In The Fire

by Monarchy

Let's make you picture perfect,

Run around in the rain...

#73 - Breathe Again

by Sara Bareilles

Car is parked, bags are packed,

But what kind of heart doesn't look back?

#72 - Airplanes

by B.o.B ft. Hayley Williams

Somebody take me back to the days,

Before this was a job, before I got paid...

#71 - Rocket

by Goldfrapp

Danger, heartache, I always knew,

There's no winner, in this game you lose...

Another set of ten songs that made 2010 so very, very good. It's only going to keep getting better, so see you tomorrow for #70 - 61! 

Song of the Day - Crazy

Gnarls Barkley - Crazy

Album: St. Elsewhere (2006)

Cee-Lo's enjoying a whole lot of success with his retro-solo act and Danger Mouse is off producing U2's new album, but hopefully one day they'll come together again and attempt to better their 2006 debut, 'Crazy.' Rolling Stone lists the song as the greatest song of the last decade and they added it into their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, at number 100! It's been covered by a million people but today, for your listening pleasure, you can take a look at the original version, Ray Lamontagne's cover, Nelly Furtado's cover and Katie Noonan's cover. Ah, what the hell... and Paolo Nutini's version too.