Stevie Wonder: Superstition
Friday the thirteenth reminds me of the first record I ever bought, Stevie Wonder’s Talking Book. It was 1973, I was 11 and had just started babysitting, charging 50 cents an hour. I really liked children, playing puppet theater, “let’s pretend” games and going places with them, and learned early on that it’s relatively easy […]
Their wine + Bottle of wine
Siri Svegler’s “Their Wine / Not Worth it” makes a good case for cultivated wine-drinking habits (though she does say it’s also about addiction). I’m pairing it up with that marvellous old hobo song by Tom Paxton, “Bottle of wine, fruit of the vine”. Siri Svegler: Their wine (lyrics) I try to break through that […]
Seven Nation Army
One classic rock song and football stadium favorite (Seven Nation Army by the White Stripes 2003) in four completely different interpretations: White Stripes, Kate Nash, Vivienne Long, The BossHoss. Where does the title come from? According to Wikipedia, Jack White misheard the phrase “Salvation Army” as “Seven Nation Army”. That’s called a mondegreen, after an […]
Mae West: I’m an occidental woman in an oriental mood for love
Mae West (1993-1980), actress, comedienne, sex symbol. Mistress of double entendre. Her best lines: I speak two languages, Body and English. It takes two to get one in trouble. Love conquers all things except poverty and toothache. Opportunity knocks for every man, but you have to give a woman a ring. You only live once, […]
When I’m gone
You’re gonna miss me I’ve got my ticket for the long way round Two bottles of whiskey for the way And I sure would like some sweet company when I’m leaving tomorrow – What d’ya say? When I’m gone, when I’m gone When I’m gone, when I’m gone You’re gonna miss me when I’m gone […]
Coldplay: Viva la vida
Pinki runs the nice group house my mother now lives in, doing a great job, too. She was wearing a Coldplay t-shirt when we first met, so this is dedicated to her: Viva La Vida lyrics Songwriters: Berryman, Guy Rupert; Buckland, Jonathan Mark; Champion, Will; Martin, Christopher A J I used to rule the world […]
Frankie and Johnny
The traditional “Frankie and Johnny” may have been inspired by several murders. One of these took place in St. Louis, Missouri, on October 15, 1899, when Frankie Baker, a 22-year-old dancer, stabbed (or shot) her 17-year-old lover Al Britt, who was having a relationship with a woman named Alice Pryor. Britt died of his wounds […]
