songs

Won’t Do What?

Third Time Wife, Wedding Planning

Over on the Wedding Bee forums there was a discussion that came up about the well-known Meat Loaf song: I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That). Exactly what, the poster wondered, wasn’t he going to do?!

Well, I happen to be a pretty big fan of the Loaf’s work, especially his collaboration with Jim Steinman on the Bat Out of Hell Trilogy which is where we get this sweeping production of a 12 minute (album edit) song.

So I thought it would be fun to figure out exactly what is it the singer isn’t going to do. (Oh, like you haven’t had those days where you spend a few hours idly contemplating the meaning of song lyrics. We can’t all be striving for the Nobel prize with every waking thought, can we?)

Just from a careful listen to the lyrics we find out he specifically will not

      1. forget the way you feel right now
      2. forgive himself if they don’t go all the way tonight
      3. do it better than he did it with you
      4. stop dreaming of you every night of his life
      5. treat you like a fling and move on
      6. screw around on you
Not a bad list of don’ts for any dude, come to think of it.

Those sorts of things also remind me of another song, one more on the tell end of the show don’t tell theory of wordplay.

Yes, I just Rick-rolled you. But not at all sneakily, so I don’t think it really counts. Remember, there was a time when we thought this song was good without it being a meme!

Pretty Book and Flower Icon

 

What song did you just never “get”?

Sing a Song

64 Arts

The thing that makes singing relatively simple, is that it requires no outside equipment and no knowledge of theory, the ability to read sheet music or formal training. We learn by mimicking what we hear from others or on the radio. We rely on our ears–again, standard issue along with the voice box–to tell us what sounds “right” and what doesn’t. I’m astonished at a child’s ability to make up songs as they play.

Melody is the most basic component of a song–the words and the tune they are sung to. And many songs work perfectly well with a melody alone. A richer sound, however, can be acheievd when more voices, singling slightly different notes, join in. This is called harmony.

I seem to recall an SNL skit in which they poke gentle fun at the Indigo Girls “harmonizing” up on their mountain day after day, but I can’t seem to find it; my search-fu isn’t strong enough. Still, that duet is a really great example of harmony and since I’ve now got their songs stuck in my head… Here, let me share 🙂

Ensembles are the Only Group Project I Never Hated

Did you ever feel that way in school when you were forced to team up with others? I hated group projects, even when I was working with friends. I much preferred working on my own and, succeed or fail, be the sole body responsible for the outcome. Except singing, singing I was glad to do in a group.

I was a band geek throughout middle and high school and the theory seemed to be that those who can [sing], join chorus, those who can’t, join band. That might be true for some but there were a few dual-enrollments in high school and then there were kids like me: in band at school but sang every weekend in the church choir. And then some. See, I was one of 4 girls all around the same age all in choir–hello, girl group. But not in the Contempo-Christian vibe you might be thinking. Oh, no, ultra-conservative, folks, but it was fun.

We usually sang in 2 or 3-part harmony: soprano/alto or soprano/second soprano or mezzo-soprano/alto. I was being taught the 2nd soprano bit since my range wasn’t anywhere near my friend Jen’s on the upper end. While singing the melody or lead is often easier, I did enjoy the challenge of singing the harmony part.

I’ve long since reformed my ways and no long attend a church or perform with a choir. My recent attempt at karaoke on last year’s cruise was abysmal (but still kinda fun!) and brings home the power in choosing the right song for one’s voice and the need to practice. And by practice I don’t mean just singing along with the iPod.

Have you ever done Karaoke? What song did you do and how good/bad do you think you did it? Would you ever do it again?

Random Appetites: Drinking Songs

Nibbles

Continuing along the somewhat reaching path of writing-related food and alcohol (no, I don’t blame you if you didn’t catch the theme), today let’s investigate some songs that center around or are sung while enjoying various libations.

Now, it’s totally a coincidence (no, really, it is) that as I compose this post I’m just returning home from the Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert. Before I continue I just want to say that if you live in a place they are coming to and enjoy live music, laser light shows, pyrotechnics and some frickin’ sweet rock and roll/classical/Christmas music fusion then do yourself a favor and get tickets NOW! How is this not off-topic? Well, they have a song that, while not directly about drinking, takes place in a bar (Old City Bar (LP Version), from Christmas Eve and Other Stories). So there.

The next tune that comes to mind when I hear “drinking songs” is Alcohol by the Barenaked Ladies. Just a nice, fun, kicky song about booze to sing along with on those nights when you’re driving home (preferably not having been drinking) from somewhere way too late at night and you’re trying to stay awake long enough to get home. Oh, wait, maybe that’s just me…

Quick on it’s heels, though, is a song that has topped at least one top ## list of drinking songs and who can’t help but sing along with Thorogood’s last call lamentations? One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer by George Thorogood and the Destroyers.

Now, I have a teensy bit of a confession to make: I’ve never actually participating in a true, honest-to-goodness, stein-swaying drinking song breaking out in a bar. I suppose I should try our local Irish pubs a bit more often and see if it ever really happens. BUT! I have been to more than one Bardic Circle and The Wild Rover seems to be a popular sing-a-long of just that sort. Don’t worry if you’ve never heard it before, after the first chorus you’ll catch on easily enough.