Morrissey - "The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get"

I love Morrissey because he writes the darkest, most brutally honest and funny lyrics, and then he (and The Smiths and his other collaborators) combines them with beautiful music. And that amazingly perfect sad voice.

This song, unfortunately, describes how I've acted far too many times. It's embarrassing how I've tried to use other people to resolve my own daddy (or mommy) issues.

"Beware, I bear more grudges than lonely high court judges
When you sleep, I will creep into your thoughts like a bad debt
That you can't pay, take the easy way and give in"

Fun fact for U2ers - this song was produced by Steve Lillywhite!

#‎YearlongMixtape

#getyourmopeon 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nAMFWDuDEI

Arrested Development - "Mr. Wendal"

"Here, have a dollar
In fact, no brotherman - here, have two
Two dollars means a snack for me
But it means a big deal to you
Be strong, serve God only
Know that if you do, beautiful heaven awaits
That's the poem I wrote for the first time
I saw a man with no clothes, no money, no plate
Mr.Wendal, that's his name
No one ever knew his name cause he's a no-one
Never thought twice about spending on a ol' bum
Until I had the chance to really get to know one
Now that I know him, to give him money isn't charity
He gives me some knowledge, I buy him some shoes
And to think blacks spend all that money on big colleges
Still most of y'all come out confused

Mr.Wendal has freedom
A free that you and I think is dumb
Free to be without the worries of a quick to diss society
For Mr.Wendal's a bum
His only worries are sickness
And an occasional harassment by the police and their chase
Uncivilized we call him
But I just saw him eat off the food we waste
Civilization, are we really civilized, yes or no
Who are we to judge
When thousands of innocent men could be brutally enslaved
And killed over a racist grudge
Mr. Wendal has tried to warn us about our ways
But we don't hear him talk
Is it his fault when we've gone too far
And we got too far, cause on him we walk
Mr. Wendal, a man, a human in flesh
But not by law
I feed you dignity to stand with pride
Realize that all in all you stand tall"

To the beautiful people of my beloved Baltimore - I'm sorry that I didn't know how much you are hurting.  Be safe.

#YearlongMixtape

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cHOc5t6yaE

Bob Geldof - "The Great Song of Indifference"

There are days when I wish I wasn't born with the "care so much about everything all the time" gene, but I prefer it to living a life of ignorance and delusion.  (Wow, that sounds like a humblebrag, doesn't it?  "Oh my gosh, saving the world is SO exhausting!")

I love that "Saint" Bob Geldof, known to the world as the great humanitarian, is actually a grump with a biting sense of humor.  I think that attitude is sometimes necessary to keep you sane in the face of chaos and rage.

"I don't mind if the government falls
Implements more futile laws
I don't care if the nation stalls
And I don't care at all"

#YearlongMixtape

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

Coldplay - "Lovers In Japan"

Last one for #ColdplayWeek (as some of you rejoice - lol!).  I am now thinking that Viva La Vida is tied with A Rush Of Blood To The Head as my favorite of their albums.  It was produced by Brian Eno, and he helped them develop as a band, which led to such a magnificent collection of music.

I was fortunate to see them a few times on this tour, and this song was a highlight, not just because it's a joyful song, but because of what happens during the performance.  They released massive amounts of butterfly-shaped confetti.  It sounds strange but let me tell you - having millions of paper butterflies rain down on you while watching a great band play a great song might be the best feeling in the entire universe.

I have some of the butterflies in my "concert confetti box" that I've collected over the years at various shows.  I was thinking of making a collage with them.  If I ever get tattoos, one of them is going to be a Coldplay butterfly.

There are those who make fun of Coldplay for trying to be like U2, but they are their own band - so unbelievably talented, engaged with their fans (I would argue that they've surpassed U2 in this respect), and their music moves and inspires a lot of people.  Oh, and they're totally cute too.  What more could you possibly want in a band?

#YearlongMixtape
#ColdplayWeek

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Rje0I0X9nU

Coldplay - "Violet Hill"

"Violet Hill" was inspired by right wing talking heads and war mongers.  Chris discussed the inspiration in a Rolling Stone interview when Viva La Vida was released:  "One day I was watching Bill O'Reilly, and I was like, 'I know how to finish that song. My best friend, Tim ... was having trouble with his boss, and it made me think that so many people spend their lives being told what to do by people that they just don't like. So it was that idea, and watching Bill O'Reilly, and all these words just came out."

When Bill O'Reilly found this out, he got indignant and called Chris and the band "pinheads" on his show.  The band showed the video during the Viva La Vida tour, and we all booed, and they got the last laugh.

Here is that video: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5uq72_o-reilly-factor-chris-martin-coldpl_music

There's also a really fantastic alternate video called "Dancing Politicians": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8zKtcKCaG8

"When the future's architectured by a carnival of idiots on show,
You better lie low..."

The second time I saw them live was in Philly the week before the 2008 election.  Chris said they had heard how important Pennsylvania was (because we're a big swing state), and that it was a pleasure to be in our state during that important time.  I'm glad it worked out the way it did :)

And even if you don't care about the message, it's still an incredible song.  It might be their most "rock"-sounding song.

#YearlongMixtape
#ColdplayWeek

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IakDItZ7f7Q&feature=youtu.be

Genesis "Invisible Touch"

Posting Yes's "Owner Of A Lonely Heart" the other night prompted me to think about other progressive rock bands who went commercial.  I hate prog rock - I don't understand why you would play something horrible and unnecessarily complicated just to show that you are musically proficient. Or high. Or both.

Anyway, Genesis is another one of those bands who I thankfully wasn't old enough know about until they started making more commercially friendly music. (I still love you Peter Gabriel!) Invisible Touch is an awesome album. This video was groundbreaking at the time, and still pretty revolutionary in terms of its political message.

I think I might have already posted Land of Confusion, so I'm posting the title track, which is my other favorite from the album.  So much 80s goodness!

#YearlongMixtape

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pW68T84RLHw

The Beatles/Paul McCartney - "Hey Jude" (for Cynthia Lennon)

Two great women passed away in the past two days.  Both were famous mainly because of the men of whom they were a wife and/or mother.

Barbara "Babs" Platts is Todd Platts mother.  Todd has served York County in various ways for a long time - as state Rep., U.S. Rep, and now judge.  Even though I disagree with 99.999% of his political views, I'm sure she is very proud of him.  Here's a great article about Mrs. Platts - including her famous fudge recipe!  http://www.ydr.com/local/ci_27820247/barbara-babs-platts-mother-former-u-s-rep

And of course, Cynthia Powell Lennon - former wife of John, and Julian's mom.  I always liked that she stayed true to herself and didn't put up with John's crap.  If there is a heaven, I hope she's up there giving him hell :)
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/02/arts/cynthia-lennon-the-first-beatles-wife-dies-at-75.html?_r=0

Here's the song that Paul wrote for Julian when John and Cynthia got divorced.  I hope both women would enjoy a nice singalong tribute.

#YearlongMixtape

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRnFHfI7WAQ