Mine
Collection 1983 – Plan Bey
© Tanya Traboulsi
Not as in working a coal mine
but rather like the birds in Finding Nemo…
I discovered Awkwafina early one morning after a long fight with insomnia. A friend posted NYC Bitche$ on FB and I clicked on it. Of course, it’s hispter-y etc…
But I got to My Vag
Which is a take on Mickey Avalon‘s My Dick.
Anyway, it seems that rapping about female genitalia is all the rage nowadays!
Of course before that, there was the Black Eyed Peas’ more mainstream My Humps
Or Kelis’ Milkshake which is more about skills than private parts…
But if we’re talking food analogies, try this one for size
“He make my pussy say ‘Ah!’ like it’s Mozart”
And there’s always LDR’s pussy that tastes like Pepsi cola…
In any case, it’s always about me, me, me… So it was a relief to discover completely ridiculous French rap duo Orties during another bout of procrastination a few days back. They’re trying too hard to be provocative… incestuous devil worshipping twin sisters etc… But they did pay tribute to Doc Gyneco with this track
His “civil” name is Bruno and Kincy is just being his Vanessa. Despite the sexy topic, it’s more about fantasies than bravado.
No comment
So what’s the difference between a tribute and plagiarism?
Classical music has been ripped off by so many that we sometimes ignore (when the melody is slightly less-known) the original piece!
Serge Gainsbourg found his inspiration in Classical music so often that DECCA Records even published an album compiling the inspiration behind some of his greatest tracks.
To my knowledge, he “borrowed” Chopin’s melodies at least 3 times, transforming them into beautiful tracks he didn’t necessarily sing:
The Prelude No. 4 in E minor, Op. 28 became “Jane B“, famously sung by his partner at the time Jane Birkin.
Catherine Deneuve’s “Dépression au dessus du jardin” was lifted straight from Etudes, Op. 10 No. 9 in F minor.
But the cover I first heard that actually spiked my interest in this classically-trained musician’s melodic inspiration was Lemon incest (1984) which he sang with his daughter Charlotte.
Forget the controversial subject matter, the lyrics (it took me some time to understand that Niédwa Sorou was reverse slang for the painter Le Douanier Rousseau) or the video (love the denim though!). What really struck me the first time I heard it was how familiar it felt. I was sure I’d heard this track before!
I later learned it was Frédéric Chopin’s Etude n°3 op.10. And when I went around the web trying to learn more about it, I realized a lot of users called it Tristesse (Sadness)… in reference to a Tino Rossi song released in 1939 which had also borrowed the melody!!
“L’ombre s’enfuit, tout n’est que songe
Et tu n’es plus, malgré tous nos désirs,
Qu’un souvenir
Si l’amour n’est que mensonge
Au parfum triste qui ronge
S’il est vrai qu’à moi ta lèvre ment
Sache pourtant que toujours quand même
Cher amour je t’aime
Eperdument”
More recently, another cover was used extensively in Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest Scientology movie, The Master. This is when the track changed completely in my ears. No longer a sleazy french track, the naïve and honest lyrics of this version tore down the wall of cynicism that I had built around myself.
“No Other Love can warm my heart
Now that I’ve known the comfort of your arms
No other love.
Oh the sweet contentment that I find with you Every Time
Every Time.
No other lips could want you more For I was born to glory in your kiss.
Forever yours
I was blessed with love to love you Til the stars burn out above you
Til the moon is but a silver shell
No other love, Let no other love
Know the wonder of your spell.”
Nearly 20 years later, in 1969, The Lettermen gave these lyrics a “close-harmony” twist: mp3
But why did I decide to dedicate so much time to this composition, especially since I’m not really a classic music buff nor have i ever really played an instrument?
Is it because the Lyrics were dedicated to me recently?
Is it because I Like Chopin?
Not really… It’s just that, a few hours ago, I stumbled across yet another cover of this melody (a surf-rock version nothing less!!!) and I decided it was time to take all this useless trivia off my chest and turn the page.
The thing is you can never totally turn the page. People will continue integrating this Etude into popular culture. Muse even transformed it into a Prelude for their Olympic Anthem Survival on their latest album The 2nd Law
So, you’ll ask me: was it worth it? Am I always that anal about things? What now?
No Comment!
Thrill
The King of the Blues was in Byblos yesterday. He got sick and wasn’t on his best form. It broke my heart (and made me cry) to see him on stage barely able to sing and forgetting his band members’ names. Let’s not even talk about the guitar playing or the fact that he played 2 songs twice. I actually turned and looked away for most of the concert. So, no I didn’t see him puke. However everybody talked about it. He wasn’t drunk. He’s diabetic and had a hypoglycemic attack. Whatever… He was more punk rock than Sid Vicious. He sat back up and plowed on for another hour or so. He got the crowd on its feet and in the end I’d say most of the audience was happy to have witnessed history, even if it was painful to watch. Whoever said it was going to be an easy ride?
The thrill is gone
The thrill is gone away
The thrill is gone baby
The thrill is gone away
You know you done me wrong baby
And you’ll be sorry someday
I love this edit. And here’s a fanshot video of BB and slash goofing around on the same track last year at the Royal Albert Hall
The thrill is gone
It’s gone away from me
The thrill is gone baby
The thrill is gone away from me
Although I’ll still live on
But so lonely I’ll be
The thrill is gone
It’s gone away for good
Oh, the thrill is gone baby
Baby its gone away for good
Someday I know I’ll be over it all baby
Just like I know a man should
You know I’m free, free now baby
I’m free from your spell
I’m free, free now
I’m free from your spell
And now that it’s over
All I can do is wish you well
I found my thrill on Blueberry Hill
On Blueberry Hill where I found you
The moon stood still on Blueberry Hill
And lingered till my dreams came true
The wind in the willow played
Love’s sweet melody
But all of those vows you made
Were never to be
Tho’ we’re apart you’re part of me still
For you were my thrill on Blueberry Hill
You don’t know how you took it
You just know what you got
Oh Lordy you’ve been stealing
From the thieves and you got caught
In the headlights
Of a stretch car
You’re a star
Dressing like your sister
Living like a tart
They don’t know what you’re doing
Babe, it must be art
You’re a headache
In a suitcase
You’re a star
Oh no, don’t be shy
You don’t have to go blind
Hold me, thrill me, kiss me, kill me
You don’t know how you got here
You just know you want out
Believing in yourself
Almost as much as you doubt
You’re a big smash
You wear it like a rash
Star
Oh no, don’t be shy
It takes a crowd to cry
Hold me, thrill me, kiss me, kill me
They want you to be Jesus
They’ll go down on one knee
But they’ll want their money back
If you’re alive at thirty-three
And you’re turning tricks
With your crucifix
You’re a star
(Oh child)
Of course you’re not shy
You don’t have to deny love
Hold me, thrill me, kiss me, kill me
Larme Fatale
I was talking to a friend about tears being a woman’s lethal weapon: “larme fatale”. I can’t deal with tears. Remembered in the following sequence “This Mortal Coil‘s album It’ll end in tears. It’s the one that illustrates this post… The one with the Tim Buckley cover that this same friend likes so much… I also thought of this silly Grease track.
You don’t remember me
But I remember you
It was not so long ago
You broke my heart in two
Tears on my pillow
Pain in my heart
caused by you…you…
If we could start anew
I wouldn’t hesitate
I’d gladly take you back
and tempt the hands of fate
Tears on my pillow
Pain in my heart
caused by you…you…you,you…you…
Love is not a gadget
Love is not a toy
When you find the one you love
He’ll fill your heart with joy
If we could start anew
I wouldn’t hesitate
I’d gladly take you back
and tempt the hands of fate
Tears on my pillow
Pain in my heart
caused by you..you
And then I realized there was this Drums song
Baby, I know you hate me so
I gave you everything, why do you hate me so?
I don’t feel sorry when you cry
I don’t believe you when you lie
Because your eyes are always saying goodbye
Saying goodbye
Baby, you took my soul
I gave you everything, what did you give my soul?
I don’t feel sorry when you cry
I don’t believe you when you lie
Because your eyes are always saying goodbye
Saying goodbye
It will all end in tears
And they sound so much like the Cure…
I would say I’m sorry,
If I thought that it would change your mind.
But I know that this time,
I have said too much,
Been too unkind…
I tried to laugh about it,
Cover it all up with lies.
I tried to laugh about it,
Hiding the tears in my eyes.
Cause boys don’t cry.
Boys don’t cry.
I would break down at your feet,
And beg forgiveness,
Plead with you.
But I know that it’s too late,
And now there’s nothing I can do…
So I tried to laugh about it,
Cover it all up with lies.
I tried to laugh about it,
Hiding the tears in my eyes.
Cause boys don’t cry.
Boys don’t cry.
I would tell you,
That I loved you,
If I thought that you would stay.
But I know that it’s no use,
That you’ve already,
Gone away…
Misjudged your limit,
Pushed you too far,
Took you for granted,
I thought that you needed me more…
Now I would do most anything,
To get you back by my side.
But I just keep on laughing,
Hiding the tears in my eyes,
Cause boys don’t cry.
Boys don’t cry.
Boys don’t cry…
Ok, we’re done for today. And no this is not a life post. Just an exercise in futility. I felt the urge to compile and post thematically…
Anyway, here’s the BONUS:
After laughter comes tears
After your laughter there will be tears
When you’re in love, you’re happy
When your in a arm, you gaze
This doesn’t last always
After your laughter there will be tears
My friends all say, don’t try to hold it in
But i can’t let that guy know how i feel
I’ll try to hold back my, my, my tears
But they keep say
After your laughter oh, oh, oh
I’ll try to hide, hide my sorrows
I wonder can i hold them till tomorrow
Maybe ill hold them for a year
But they keep say
After your laughter
Now you will see those wet little tears
After your laughter
A little biddy tear will look climb into your eye
And a stream of consciousness Bonus
After the rain comes sun
After the sun comes rain again
After the rain comes sun
After the sun comes rain again
This must be underwater love
The way I feel it slipping all over me
This must be underwater love
The way I feel it
Burn, Baby, Burn
Let me get this right, you’re getting a Burning Sensation? – Eddie Murphy / Raw
Watch out you might get what you’re after
Cool babies strange but not a stranger
I’m an ordinary guy
Burning down the house
Hold tight wait till the party’s over
Hold tight We’re in for nasty weather
There has got to be a way
Burning down the house
Here’s your ticket pack your bag: time for jumpin’ overboard
The transportation is here
Close enough but not too far, Maybe you know where you are
Fightin’ fire with fire
All wet hey you might need a raincoat
Shakedown dreams walking in broad daylight
Three hun-dred six-ty five de-grees
Burning down the house
It was once upon a place sometimes I listen to myself
Gonna come in first place
People on their way to work baby what did you except
Gonna burst into flame
My house S’out of the ordinary
That’s might Don’t want to hurt nobody
Some things sure can sweep me off my feet
Burning down the house
No visible means of support and you have not seen nuthin’ yet
Everything’s stuck together
I don’t know what you expect starring into the TV set
Fighting fire with fire
(Burn baby burn) disco Inferno
(Burn baby burn) burn that mother down
(Burn baby burn) disco Inferno
(Burn baby burn) burn that mother down
Satisfaction came in a chain reaction
(Burnin)
I couldn’t get enough
So I had to self-destruct
The heat was on, rising to the top
Everybody is going strong
And that is when my spark got hot
I heard somebody say
(Burn baby burn) disco Inferno
(Burn baby burn) burn that mother down
(Burn baby burn) disco Inferno
(Burn baby burn) burn that mother down
Up above my head
I hear music in the air
That makes me know
There’s a party somewhere
Satisfaction came in a chain reaction
I couldn’t get enough
So I had to self-destruct
The heat was on, rising to the top
Everybody is going strong
And that is when my spark got hot
I heard somebody say
(Burn baby burn) disco Inferno
(Burn baby burn) burn that mother down
(Burn baby burn) disco Inferno
(Burn baby burn) burn that mother down
Boots
You keep saying you got something for me
Something you call love but confess
You’ve been a’messin’ where you shouldn’t ‘ve been a’messin’
And now someone else is getting all your best
Well, these boots are made for walking, and that’s just what they’ll do
One of these days these boots are gonna walk all over you
You keep lyin’ when you oughta be truthin’
You keep losing when you oughta not bet
You keep samin’ when you oughta be a’changin’
What’s right is right but you ain’t been right yet
These boots are made for walking, and that’s just what they’ll do
One of these days these boots are gonna walk all over you
You keep playing where you shouldn’t be playing
And you keep thinking that you’ll never get burnt (HAH)
Well, I’ve just found me a brand new box of matches (YEAH)
And what he knows you ain’t had time to learn
These boots are made for walking, and that’s just what they’ll do
One of these days these boots are gonna walk all over you
Are you ready, boots?
Start walkin’
You can find more info on U2′s Get On Your Boots (Justice Remix) here
Wild Beasts – The Fun Powder Plot
This is a booty call; my boot up your arse hole
This is a Freudian slip; my slipper in your bits
Destiny’s Child vs Stevie Wonder – Bootystition
Billy
Billy yesetrak billy
Last time I heard that was in Guitar el Hob. Here’s a bad quality clip from this Omar Khorshid classic
And here’s a download link
But this all started with the one and only Billy, the one i got my name from (thank you S.S / no he ain’t a nazi): Billy Idol
Hey little sister what have you done?
Hey little sister who’s the only one?
Hey little sister who’s your superman?
Hey little sister who’s the one you want?
Hey little sister shot gun!
It’s a nice day to start again.
…..
There is nothin’ fair in this world
There is nothin’ safe in this world
And there’s nothin’ sure in this world
And there’s nothin’ pure in this world
Look for something left in this world
Start again
I’m all out of hope
One more bad break
could bring a fall
When I’m far from home
Don’t call me on da phone
To tell me your alone
It’s easy to deceive
It’s easy to tease
But hard to get release
Les yeux sans visage eyes without a face
Les yeux sans visage eyes without a face
Les yeux sans visage eyes without a face
Got no human grace your eyes without a face.
I spend so much time
Believing all the lies
To keep the dream alive
Now it makes me sad
It makes me mad at truth
For lovin’ what was you.
Les yeux sans visage eyes without a face
Les yeux sans visage eyes without a face
Les yeux sans visage eyes without a face
Got no human grace your eyes without a face.
When you hear the music you make a dip
Into someone else’s pocket then make a slip
Steal a car and go to Las Vegas oh,
the gigolo pool.
Hangin’ out by the state line,
Turnin Holy water into wine,
Drinkin it down oh,
I’m on a bus on a psychedelic trip
Reading murder books tryin’ to stay hip.
I’m thinkin’ of you you’re out there so
Say your prayers.
Say your prayers.
Say your prayers.
Now I close my eyes
And I wonder why
I don’t despise
Now all I can do
Is love what was once
So alive and new
But it’s gone from your eyes
I’d better realise
Les yeux sans visage eyes without a face
Les yeux sans visage eyes without a face
Les yeux sans visage eyes without a face
Got no human grace your eyes without a face.
Such a human waste your eyes without a face
And now it’s getting worse.
Night!
