It's a Privilege to Pee

Yes, you read the title right.  This is really a song, and it really was stuck in my head this morning.

The song "It's a Privilege to Pee" is from a hilarious musical called URINETOWN.  I had the privilege to see this musical in 2002 on Broadway.  I'll always love the story and music from this show.  I like to describe Urinetown as 'the cleanest dirty musical' I've ever seen.

If you're offended by the words 'pee' and 'poo' then you'll be disgusted by this musical.  Other than those words, the show is clean and fun.

The story is about a society in the not-to-distant future where a water shortage has caused giant corporations to gain control of the water supply, in a sort of necessary form of regulation with monetary gain as a side-effect.  The whole show is a goofy parody of capitalism and how giant, powerful politicians and corporations can control society.

The song I'm featuring today is from the first act of the musical and is sung by uncompromising toilet mistress Penelope Pennywise.  She controls one of the toilets where people are forced to pay to use the restroom.  Listen to this song, it's hilarious- also this singer rocks.  

Dear friends, that's the end of today's post.  Go enjoy the freedom you have of peeing without having to pay for it.

Everyman Needs a Companion

Today's song comes from musician Josh Tillman, otherwise known (in this case) as Father John Misty. 

Father John Misty's only album "Fear Fun" was recommended to me by a friend and I'm glad I have it as part of my collection, there are some great songs on it. 

According to Wikipedia, Tillman took a lot of mushrooms, went driving down the coast of California feeling inspired to write a novel, but instead produced this album.  The song stuck in my head this morning is the final track on the album and is called "Everyman Needs a Companion"

This track is straightforward just by the title, although it also gets somewhat biblical along the way.  Who knows- maybe he's alluding to religion being a sort of companion to mankind?  I'm pretty shallow so I don't understand stuff. 

But the song's good, right?  RIGHT?

A quick story.  I am a man.  I need a companion.  I'm lucky I have one.  Her name is Megan.  I sure like her.  We are pretty head over heels for each other, almost in a sickening way- and we were much worse during the courtship leading up to our marriage in 2005.

Well, one day we were at my parent's house with all my family- my parents, siblings, and their spouses.  It was Christmas day (we were married a few days later on New Years Eve) and my family was having a great time making fun of our public display of affection. 

Megan pulled me aside to give me a gift in the other room.  The gift was a blanket she made for me (which I still have) and it was soft, nice, warm and I was really flattered that she had made it for me.  My family could hear me from the other room spewing all kinds of sappy gratitude and love for this gift. 

When we returned to the family room, where everyone was gathered, we were soon the brunt of a hilarious practical joke.  My mom and dad, my brothers, sister and all their spouses were kissing, making out really- and quite passionately.  Once we had gotten over the shock, we all had a really good laugh.  The best part too was my 90 year old grandmother who was sitting there with an incredibly confused look on her face.  She had no idea what was happening! 

Have a good week, friends.    

Oasis

Hey friends.  Today's song comes from a Vermont-based band headed by soulful Grace Potter.  Grace Potter and the Nocturnals have been around for more than a decade, but have gotten quite a bit of attention in the last few years since signing with Hollywood Records in 2007.

I own their 2010 self-titled album and really like it's blend of soul and rock.  Grace Potter's vocals and passion as an artist are evident on each track of this album.  It really rocks.

So the song stuck in my head is the second track on the self-titled album, it's called "Oasis"

Here's a studio recording of the song that is more clear than the live version:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FASKSeJhojQ


The song itself is about a person who's lost, perhaps stuck in a relationship, bad job, or just a lousy place, "lost in the desert" if you will.  The Oasis represents hope of finding solace in a desert.  It feels like a cliche, but works for this song.  Personally, I love it, especially the way the band breaks down for about the last minute of the song.

Not much else to say here.  I hope you like the song.

Hugs,
Brady

Baby Be Mine

I'm on a huge Michael Jackson kick.  I just finished an 800 page biography about his life and I've scoured YouTube and various web pages over the last few months as I've tried to understand this man's life.  Sadly, I've never really delved much into his catalog of music- something I'm sure I'll remedy in the near future.

While reading about his life, I teetered between feeling that his life is a great tragedy and that his life was astonishing and triumphant.  What entertainer has had worldwide renown like Michael Jackson?
So- obviously the song stuck in my head this morning was from The King of Pop himself.  "Baby Be Mine" is the 2nd track on Jackson's 1982 album "Thriller" which still, so many years later (31 years!) is the best selling album of all time.  And with what's happened to the music industry, I doubt it will ever be surpassed by another album.  Time will tell, but I'll bet I'm right.

Oddly, today's song is one of the few tracks on this album that wasn't released as a single.  And it's a great song!   If I have my memory right, I think this is the 4th song from "Thriller" that I've blogged about here, which to me is saying a lot since I've not really ever been an active listener to Jackson's music (until now!)

OK, here's "Baby Be Mine" listen and enjoy.

I feel like I have so much more to say about Michael Jackson in this post, but I just don't have time. I hope I don't sound trite, but I will say simply this:

Here's to you MJ, a talented kid from working-class Gary, Indiana who has left behind a legacy that will never be forgotten.

Lenders in the Temple

I'm blogging on a Monday only because yesterday I had a song stuck in my head of which I had previously written about.

This will be brief.  Today's song comes from Conor Oberst.  If you're smart, then you know that he's from the band Bright Eyes.  This is from his solo album.  The song is called "Lenders in the Temple."

It's from Oberst's 2008 self-titled album.








http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cO8GzpUvMsw

Clap your hands if you like this song.  Stomp your feet if you don't.

I'll be clapping my hands.