Hey, people who read this! I'm sorry updates have been pretty non-existent, after I said I would update more frequently. My life has been pretty crazy since being admitted to grad school. I do have some song ideas to add, so I want to post those soon. I am also considering moving the blog over to either Wordpress, a platform I've blogged with a lot last semester, or Tumblr, a platform that I also used frequently last semester. Not really sure. But I do miss this, since it's a fun blog to do and it really doesn't take much time to update, as long as I remember to update! And now that I'm in between semesters, I should have a little more time to work on things like this.
Hoping to post things soon!
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Monday, May 13, 2013
I'll eat you up, I love you so
I heard a song on the radio this weekend that made me think of Maurice Sendak's classic picture book Where the Wild Things Are. It's actually been about a year since he passed away (it's hard to believe). The songs used in this post show the far-reaching legacy of Sendak and his work.
"Breezeblocks" - Alt-J
This is the song that I heard this weekend. I find the song itself and the official music video kind of disturbing (a woman gets drowned in a bathtub). The lyrics allude to Where the Wild Things Are in the lines "Do you know where the wild things go?/ They go along to take your honey." There are also the lines "Please don't go, please don't go/ I love you so, I love you so." Later, it changes to "Please don't go, I'll eat you whole/ I love you so, I love you so." These lines refer to the famous line "I'll eat you up I love you so," which the Wild Things say to Max when he tries to leave. This saying from the book might be seen by some as loving, but it's also creepy. I think the song takes on the creepy meaning in its use of the line, coupled with the other lyrics and the music video.
"Where the Wild Things Are" - Metallica
I found this song through a search for more songs that referenced Where the Wild Things Are. The title is an obvious reference. The song itself alludes to childhood throughout. It starts with the lines "So wake up sleepy one,/ It's time to save your world." It also mentions "toy soldiers off to war," hand puppets, clowns, and slingshots.
Where the Wild Things Are film soundtrack
(Note: I've embedded a playlist of the soundtrack that I found, but songs 3-7 have been blocked by the publisher so they will have to be found elsewhere.)
Spike Jonze's film adaptation of Where the Wild Things Are included a soundtrack mostly created by Karen O (the lead singer of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs). I haven't listened to the whole soundtrack, but I haven't heard many lyrics that allude to the storyline. However, the sound fits well with the film (at least what I remember of it, since it has been several years since I saw it) and the book in some ways. The titles of some tracks reference some things from the book/movie ("Rumpus" and "The Food is Still Hot").
Where the Wild Things Are opera
I had heard of the opera based on the book, but I had never seen a clip of it before. This part is Max's journey to the place where the Wild Things are. Many of the lyrics come from the book's text. It's pretty cool to see the book brought to life in a way that attempts to exactly replicate Sendak's iconic illustrations. It looks like the book has literally come to life! Check out the first half of this clip to see the Wild Things (which I find a little creepy, but it's still cool that they made them resemble the book).
Really Rosie
I was going to just make this post about Where the Wild Things Are, but then I remembered Really Rosie! It's based on Maurice Sendak's Nutshell Library, taking the kids and stories and making them into a made-for-TV musical with music from Carole King. It's really cute! We watched it in class one day, and I still remember some of the songs. Of course I had to re-watch it once I remembered it. Now I'll have the songs stuck in my head again! But they're pretty good so that's not so bad.
It's not surprising that a children's literature legend such as Maurice Sendak has an influence not only in literature but in other art forms as well. I'm getting away from music for a minute, but I can't finish this post without including my admiration for Sendak. Not only did he write some of the most recognizable and celebrated works in children's literature, he also shaped the field in many ways. I've learned a lot about him in my classes, and what I love most about him is that he never dumbed anything down for children. He held a great respect for children and childhood; through his books, he treated them like equals instead of inferiors. He has left a mark on the world, and his images and words have helped countless people.
"Breezeblocks" - Alt-J
This is the song that I heard this weekend. I find the song itself and the official music video kind of disturbing (a woman gets drowned in a bathtub). The lyrics allude to Where the Wild Things Are in the lines "Do you know where the wild things go?/ They go along to take your honey." There are also the lines "Please don't go, please don't go/ I love you so, I love you so." Later, it changes to "Please don't go, I'll eat you whole/ I love you so, I love you so." These lines refer to the famous line "I'll eat you up I love you so," which the Wild Things say to Max when he tries to leave. This saying from the book might be seen by some as loving, but it's also creepy. I think the song takes on the creepy meaning in its use of the line, coupled with the other lyrics and the music video.
"Where the Wild Things Are" - Metallica
I found this song through a search for more songs that referenced Where the Wild Things Are. The title is an obvious reference. The song itself alludes to childhood throughout. It starts with the lines "So wake up sleepy one,/ It's time to save your world." It also mentions "toy soldiers off to war," hand puppets, clowns, and slingshots.
Where the Wild Things Are film soundtrack
(Note: I've embedded a playlist of the soundtrack that I found, but songs 3-7 have been blocked by the publisher so they will have to be found elsewhere.)
Spike Jonze's film adaptation of Where the Wild Things Are included a soundtrack mostly created by Karen O (the lead singer of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs). I haven't listened to the whole soundtrack, but I haven't heard many lyrics that allude to the storyline. However, the sound fits well with the film (at least what I remember of it, since it has been several years since I saw it) and the book in some ways. The titles of some tracks reference some things from the book/movie ("Rumpus" and "The Food is Still Hot").
Where the Wild Things Are opera
I had heard of the opera based on the book, but I had never seen a clip of it before. This part is Max's journey to the place where the Wild Things are. Many of the lyrics come from the book's text. It's pretty cool to see the book brought to life in a way that attempts to exactly replicate Sendak's iconic illustrations. It looks like the book has literally come to life! Check out the first half of this clip to see the Wild Things (which I find a little creepy, but it's still cool that they made them resemble the book).
Really Rosie
I was going to just make this post about Where the Wild Things Are, but then I remembered Really Rosie! It's based on Maurice Sendak's Nutshell Library, taking the kids and stories and making them into a made-for-TV musical with music from Carole King. It's really cute! We watched it in class one day, and I still remember some of the songs. Of course I had to re-watch it once I remembered it. Now I'll have the songs stuck in my head again! But they're pretty good so that's not so bad.
It's not surprising that a children's literature legend such as Maurice Sendak has an influence not only in literature but in other art forms as well. I'm getting away from music for a minute, but I can't finish this post without including my admiration for Sendak. Not only did he write some of the most recognizable and celebrated works in children's literature, he also shaped the field in many ways. I've learned a lot about him in my classes, and what I love most about him is that he never dumbed anything down for children. He held a great respect for children and childhood; through his books, he treated them like equals instead of inferiors. He has left a mark on the world, and his images and words have helped countless people.
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Mockingjay playlist
****Spoilers ahead! Don't continue unless you have read Mockingjay or don't care if it's spoiled!****
Next up is something a little different: a playlist inspired by Mockingjay, the finale of the HG trilogy. The songs do not directly allude to the book; instead, they are more of a soundtrack, reflecting the events and tone of the book. I made it as an assignment for my Music in Children's Literature class for which I created this blog (Hi Gina!). I decided to include it because I worked pretty hard on it. It's going to have shortened explanations compared to what I included in my paper for the soundtrack (I'll try not to make it too long). The playlist is really about Katniss's trajectory in the book, with how broken she is inside after being strong for so long and how she tries to deal with the many things she has been through. (Side note: since this is more about the tone than the lyrics, I made a YouTube playlist and used the actual music videos when I could, instead of lyric videos).
"Misguided Ghosts" - Paramore
This is like a prologue to the events of Mockingjay. It reflects how Katniss does not feel like herself after all she has been through with the Hunger Games, the Quarter Quell, and the aftermath of her actions ("I'm going away for a while/ but I'll be back, don't try and follow me"). It also mentions "misguided ghosts," which remind me of the ways in which Katniss is haunted by her decisions and by the many people she has lost during the revolution in Panem.
"In My Veins" - Andrew Belle ft. Erin McCarley
This song reflects the relationship between Peeta and Katniss. They are bound together by the experiences they have shared. The chorus reflects Katniss's emotions when she learns that Peeta has been kidnapped by forces from the Capitol:
Oh, you're in my veins
And I cannot get you out
Oh you're all I taste
At night inside of my mouth
Katniss can't escape the pain she feels over Peeta's capture. There is also a line, "Nothing goes as planned/ Everything will break," that reflects how everything in Mockingjay seems to go bad, making things even harder for our heroine.
"Fences" - Paramore
Katniss has to take on the role of Mockingjay against her wishes, and this song reflects that. The most prominent lines are "Don't you know by now/ You can't turn back/ Because this road is all you'll ever have." This reminds me of how Katniss becomes a symbol after she found a way to beat the system of the Hunger Games her first time around; as much as she wants to go back to her anonymous life in the Seam, she can't due to the way she has shaken Panem's society to its core.
"Uprising" - Muse
To directly quote the write-up for this soundtrack: "This is one song that I think, if it exists in Panem..., the rebels would use it for the propos they make and that Katniss stars in." It sounds like an anthem, and its lyrics reflect the anger that most citizens feel against the Capitol.
"Let the Flames Begin" - Paramore
Quick note, since this is the third of five Paramore songs in this soundtrack. I used this band so much in part because I am a fan and therefore I am familiar with their music. Also, I like having a strong female voice with songs in a range of emotions, because it's a way to represent Katniss as a strong female protagonist. Most importantly, a lot of Paramore's songs deal with themes and concepts that are frequently used in the Hunger Games trilogy. Hopefully this shows in my explanations of the songs and the songs themselves.
Anyway, back to this song. It uses a motif of fire, which is synonymous with Katniss in the series. This song also sounds a little angry or rebellious to me, with lines like "This is how we'll dance when/ when they try to take us down/ this is how we'll sing of it." Katniss herself rages a lot, and who can blame her? She has been through so much and very few people could take it sitting down. The song's lyrics also talk about a tiny spark and how the character in it "give[s] it all [her] oxygen," and this is what Katniss has been able to do with the revolution in Panem - she made it grow from a tiny action to a full-blown war.
"We are Broken" - Paramore
At this point, Katniss starts to lose hope due to Peeta's damage and the effects of her own past catching up to her. The chorus fits the situation perfectly:
'Cause we are broken
What must we do to restore
Our innocence
And oh, the promise we adored
Give us life again
'Cause we just wanna be whole.
Katniss and Peeta are definitely broken in Mockingjay, and they have to find a way to feel complete again.
"This is Why We Fight" - The Decemberists
What I like about this song is that it incorporates a lot of the feelings that can be behind a revolution or war, especially the quest for freedom. The lines "When we die/ We will die/ With our arms unbound" stand out. This is also a line about "why we lie awake," which is reminiscent of the nightmares that plague Katniss and Peeta.
"Untitled" - Simple Plan
Katniss has seen a lot of death, and this song represents the loss of Boggs, Finnick, the propos team (at least most of it), and especially Prim. The song's lyrics and vocals have a lot of pain in them, and similarly, the heroine of the story is at the lowest of the emotional low points she has dealt with. The chorus is most relevant particularly the lines "I'm sick of this life/ I just wanna scream/ How could this happen to me?". Katniss would never have envisioned her life the extremely dark and sad way it has turned out.
"On the Turning Away" - Pink Floyd
The somber tone of this song reflects the end of the book. It especially fits with the decision made by the Victors to have the children of the Capitol (or at least the organizers of the Hunger Games) compete in a final Games as payback for the wrong committed by their elders. The people who voted for this last act of violence (including Katniss and Haymitch) are "turning away" from the real problems left in the wake of Panem's revolution in order to fulfill their selfish wishes, which is the opposite of the message of this song.
"Franklin" - Paramore
This song revolves around the way in which you can never truly go home again after leaving for a long period. Katniss and Peeta experience this when they are sent back to District 12 after everyone they love has been killed or has refused to interact with them (I'm looking at you, Haymitch!). They have to try to make a home out of a place that is now haunted by their pasts.
"By Your Side" - Beechwood Sparks (originally by Sade)
This song, which I first heard in the movie adaptation of Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, is my conclusion to the soundtrack. It shifts the point of view from Katniss to Peeta, so it might not fit perfectly with the previous songs, but it was too appropriate to leave off. The chorus fits Peeta to a T:
Oh, when you're cold
I'll be there
Hold you tight to me
Oh, when you're low,
I'll be there by your side, baby
After Peeta has started to overcome his hijacking, he can return to being the "dandelion in spring" that Katniss needs. He is the gentleness that balances out her fire. He is also the person that can best comfort Katniss because they have been through almost everything together. The book ends with Peeta and Katniss getting married and having children several years after their ordeal has ended, and so I felt like the love and softness of this song was a good fit.
So that's my Mockingjay soundtrack. I hope you liked it! And I hope I kept the descriptions brief enough! I'm not sure what I'll be posting next, but I'll come up with something soon.
Next up is something a little different: a playlist inspired by Mockingjay, the finale of the HG trilogy. The songs do not directly allude to the book; instead, they are more of a soundtrack, reflecting the events and tone of the book. I made it as an assignment for my Music in Children's Literature class for which I created this blog (Hi Gina!). I decided to include it because I worked pretty hard on it. It's going to have shortened explanations compared to what I included in my paper for the soundtrack (I'll try not to make it too long). The playlist is really about Katniss's trajectory in the book, with how broken she is inside after being strong for so long and how she tries to deal with the many things she has been through. (Side note: since this is more about the tone than the lyrics, I made a YouTube playlist and used the actual music videos when I could, instead of lyric videos).
"Misguided Ghosts" - Paramore
This is like a prologue to the events of Mockingjay. It reflects how Katniss does not feel like herself after all she has been through with the Hunger Games, the Quarter Quell, and the aftermath of her actions ("I'm going away for a while/ but I'll be back, don't try and follow me"). It also mentions "misguided ghosts," which remind me of the ways in which Katniss is haunted by her decisions and by the many people she has lost during the revolution in Panem.
"In My Veins" - Andrew Belle ft. Erin McCarley
This song reflects the relationship between Peeta and Katniss. They are bound together by the experiences they have shared. The chorus reflects Katniss's emotions when she learns that Peeta has been kidnapped by forces from the Capitol:
Oh, you're in my veins
And I cannot get you out
Oh you're all I taste
At night inside of my mouth
Katniss can't escape the pain she feels over Peeta's capture. There is also a line, "Nothing goes as planned/ Everything will break," that reflects how everything in Mockingjay seems to go bad, making things even harder for our heroine.
"Fences" - Paramore
Katniss has to take on the role of Mockingjay against her wishes, and this song reflects that. The most prominent lines are "Don't you know by now/ You can't turn back/ Because this road is all you'll ever have." This reminds me of how Katniss becomes a symbol after she found a way to beat the system of the Hunger Games her first time around; as much as she wants to go back to her anonymous life in the Seam, she can't due to the way she has shaken Panem's society to its core.
"Uprising" - Muse
To directly quote the write-up for this soundtrack: "This is one song that I think, if it exists in Panem..., the rebels would use it for the propos they make and that Katniss stars in." It sounds like an anthem, and its lyrics reflect the anger that most citizens feel against the Capitol.
"Let the Flames Begin" - Paramore
Quick note, since this is the third of five Paramore songs in this soundtrack. I used this band so much in part because I am a fan and therefore I am familiar with their music. Also, I like having a strong female voice with songs in a range of emotions, because it's a way to represent Katniss as a strong female protagonist. Most importantly, a lot of Paramore's songs deal with themes and concepts that are frequently used in the Hunger Games trilogy. Hopefully this shows in my explanations of the songs and the songs themselves.
Anyway, back to this song. It uses a motif of fire, which is synonymous with Katniss in the series. This song also sounds a little angry or rebellious to me, with lines like "This is how we'll dance when/ when they try to take us down/ this is how we'll sing of it." Katniss herself rages a lot, and who can blame her? She has been through so much and very few people could take it sitting down. The song's lyrics also talk about a tiny spark and how the character in it "give[s] it all [her] oxygen," and this is what Katniss has been able to do with the revolution in Panem - she made it grow from a tiny action to a full-blown war.
"We are Broken" - Paramore
At this point, Katniss starts to lose hope due to Peeta's damage and the effects of her own past catching up to her. The chorus fits the situation perfectly:
'Cause we are broken
What must we do to restore
Our innocence
And oh, the promise we adored
Give us life again
'Cause we just wanna be whole.
Katniss and Peeta are definitely broken in Mockingjay, and they have to find a way to feel complete again.
"This is Why We Fight" - The Decemberists
What I like about this song is that it incorporates a lot of the feelings that can be behind a revolution or war, especially the quest for freedom. The lines "When we die/ We will die/ With our arms unbound" stand out. This is also a line about "why we lie awake," which is reminiscent of the nightmares that plague Katniss and Peeta.
"Untitled" - Simple Plan
Katniss has seen a lot of death, and this song represents the loss of Boggs, Finnick, the propos team (at least most of it), and especially Prim. The song's lyrics and vocals have a lot of pain in them, and similarly, the heroine of the story is at the lowest of the emotional low points she has dealt with. The chorus is most relevant particularly the lines "I'm sick of this life/ I just wanna scream/ How could this happen to me?". Katniss would never have envisioned her life the extremely dark and sad way it has turned out.
"On the Turning Away" - Pink Floyd
The somber tone of this song reflects the end of the book. It especially fits with the decision made by the Victors to have the children of the Capitol (or at least the organizers of the Hunger Games) compete in a final Games as payback for the wrong committed by their elders. The people who voted for this last act of violence (including Katniss and Haymitch) are "turning away" from the real problems left in the wake of Panem's revolution in order to fulfill their selfish wishes, which is the opposite of the message of this song.
"Franklin" - Paramore
This song revolves around the way in which you can never truly go home again after leaving for a long period. Katniss and Peeta experience this when they are sent back to District 12 after everyone they love has been killed or has refused to interact with them (I'm looking at you, Haymitch!). They have to try to make a home out of a place that is now haunted by their pasts.
"By Your Side" - Beechwood Sparks (originally by Sade)
This song, which I first heard in the movie adaptation of Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, is my conclusion to the soundtrack. It shifts the point of view from Katniss to Peeta, so it might not fit perfectly with the previous songs, but it was too appropriate to leave off. The chorus fits Peeta to a T:
Oh, when you're cold
I'll be there
Hold you tight to me
Oh, when you're low,
I'll be there by your side, baby
After Peeta has started to overcome his hijacking, he can return to being the "dandelion in spring" that Katniss needs. He is the gentleness that balances out her fire. He is also the person that can best comfort Katniss because they have been through almost everything together. The book ends with Peeta and Katniss getting married and having children several years after their ordeal has ended, and so I felt like the love and softness of this song was a good fit.
So that's my Mockingjay soundtrack. I hope you liked it! And I hope I kept the descriptions brief enough! I'm not sure what I'll be posting next, but I'll come up with something soon.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
"Girl on Fire"
For my first couple of posts back, I'm going with a Hunger Games theme since it's one of my favorites, and since the music that inspired me to post again is connected to this series.
"Girl on Fire" - Alicia Keys
If you're familiar with Suzanne Collins's Hunger Games trilogy, you'll know that the heroine is called "Katniss, the Girl Who Was on Fire" by her stylist Cinna. When I first heard the name of this song, my mind immediately went to Katniss. According to the Wikipedia page for the album the song comes from (which shares the name), it was released in November 2012, so several months after the first Hunger Games movie was released in theaters. In looking up that page, I just learned that the title is actually a nod the Katniss! (I would include a link to the source article that was used on Wikipedia, but I can't get that article to work.) But I think it can be applied to almost any woman - it's a very positive, "girl power" kind of song. But a lot of it can be applied to Katniss, especially the flame imagery used. Part of the second verse stands out in particular to me in terms of Katniss-like qualities:
Looks like a girl, but she's a flame
So bright she can burn your eyes,
Better look the other way
You can try but you'll never forget her name
I actually really like this song, especially as it was performed by Naya Rivera on "Glee" (which is where I first heard the full song). Also check out the "Bluelight" version for a slightly different spin on it by Keys (a different, more improvised vocal style and less drums).
"Last Hope" - Paramore
This post originally just had "Girl on Fire," but this song is one of my favorites from Paramore's new album and I've been thinking about it a lot. It also connects a lot to the way Katniss feels throughout the series, especially toward the end. I almost added this to the Mockingjay soundtrack post (which is coming next), but that is already pretty Paramore-heavy and long so I added this to this post. It's sort of a sad song, with its first lines being "I don't even know myself at all/ I thought I would be happy by now." But it's ultimately hopeful with the repetition of "Gonna let it happen" (instead of trying to control uncontrollable things) and with the chorus:
It's just a spark, but it's enough
to keep me going
And when it's dark out, no one's around,
It keeps glowing.
The spark imagery for the part of someone that keeps on going no matter what happens connects with Katniss's identity as the Girl on Fire. I relate it also with the way Katniss doesn't stop, no matter how bad she is hurting; even if she wants to escape for a moment, she gets back to doing what she needs to do in Panem's revolution. The thing that keeps her going is her family, especially Prim and Peeta, who has a closer relationship with her than almost anyone else and who is the one she is ultimately left with.
Next up: the previously mentioned Mockingjay soundtrack/playlist!
"Girl on Fire" - Alicia Keys
If you're familiar with Suzanne Collins's Hunger Games trilogy, you'll know that the heroine is called "Katniss, the Girl Who Was on Fire" by her stylist Cinna. When I first heard the name of this song, my mind immediately went to Katniss. According to the Wikipedia page for the album the song comes from (which shares the name), it was released in November 2012, so several months after the first Hunger Games movie was released in theaters. In looking up that page, I just learned that the title is actually a nod the Katniss! (I would include a link to the source article that was used on Wikipedia, but I can't get that article to work.) But I think it can be applied to almost any woman - it's a very positive, "girl power" kind of song. But a lot of it can be applied to Katniss, especially the flame imagery used. Part of the second verse stands out in particular to me in terms of Katniss-like qualities:
Looks like a girl, but she's a flame
So bright she can burn your eyes,
Better look the other way
You can try but you'll never forget her name
I actually really like this song, especially as it was performed by Naya Rivera on "Glee" (which is where I first heard the full song). Also check out the "Bluelight" version for a slightly different spin on it by Keys (a different, more improvised vocal style and less drums).
"Last Hope" - Paramore
This post originally just had "Girl on Fire," but this song is one of my favorites from Paramore's new album and I've been thinking about it a lot. It also connects a lot to the way Katniss feels throughout the series, especially toward the end. I almost added this to the Mockingjay soundtrack post (which is coming next), but that is already pretty Paramore-heavy and long so I added this to this post. It's sort of a sad song, with its first lines being "I don't even know myself at all/ I thought I would be happy by now." But it's ultimately hopeful with the repetition of "Gonna let it happen" (instead of trying to control uncontrollable things) and with the chorus:
It's just a spark, but it's enough
to keep me going
And when it's dark out, no one's around,
It keeps glowing.
The spark imagery for the part of someone that keeps on going no matter what happens connects with Katniss's identity as the Girl on Fire. I relate it also with the way Katniss doesn't stop, no matter how bad she is hurting; even if she wants to escape for a moment, she gets back to doing what she needs to do in Panem's revolution. The thing that keeps her going is her family, especially Prim and Peeta, who has a closer relationship with her than almost anyone else and who is the one she is ultimately left with.
Next up: the previously mentioned Mockingjay soundtrack/playlist!
I'm back!
So I decided that even though I haven't updated the blog in a year, I want to start it up again. It was really fun to put together, so I think continuing the blog will be enjoyable. I may not be able to post all the time, depending on what I've got going on, but I will try to post once in a while.
I might change the focus of the blog a little bit. I know I've only scratched the surface of song that directly allude to children's literature or culture, but I think I might add some songs that remind me of certain books. I'm also going to post at least one playlist inspired by a book, and I might do more if I come up with them. But I will still include songs with direct allusions when I can come up with them or when they are suggested to me.
On that note, let me know if you ever come across a song that references children's literature or pretty much anything to do with children! I'd love to add them to the blog if I don't have them already.
Thanks for reading, and for your suggestions!
I might change the focus of the blog a little bit. I know I've only scratched the surface of song that directly allude to children's literature or culture, but I think I might add some songs that remind me of certain books. I'm also going to post at least one playlist inspired by a book, and I might do more if I come up with them. But I will still include songs with direct allusions when I can come up with them or when they are suggested to me.
On that note, let me know if you ever come across a song that references children's literature or pretty much anything to do with children! I'd love to add them to the blog if I don't have them already.
Thanks for reading, and for your suggestions!
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Hodge-Podge
So, here is stuff I couldn't fit elsewhere or didn't think of sooner. This includes Schoolhouse Rock (I had to put it in somewhere!) and some other stuff. Let's get to it:
"Silver Spoon" - Kiss
This song was mentioned because of the phrase "born with a silver spoon in your mouth." Like if someone is rich, this is what is said about them. The phrase is the title and a part of the song.
"Kryptonite" - 3 Doors Down
This song mentions Superman, through the title "Kryptonite." It counts for this blog because comics are a big part of a lot of people's childhoods.
"It's a Hard-Knock Life" - Jay-Z
I'm not embedding this song due to the strong language. But the title and some of the lyrics are taken from a song in the musical Annie, which was originally a radio show if not also a book.
Let's finish this blog with Schoolhouse Rock because it is fun. I've only got two songs here, but there are a ton more.
"Elementary, My Dear"
I picked this one, because it's a Sherlock Holmes reference with the "Elementary, my dear" line. I also think all of the animals are cute.
"Interjections!"
I just thought this one was funny, so it's what I decided to post.
Well, I hope people have enjoyed this blog as much as I enjoyed putting it together. It was a lot of fun!
"Silver Spoon" - Kiss
This song was mentioned because of the phrase "born with a silver spoon in your mouth." Like if someone is rich, this is what is said about them. The phrase is the title and a part of the song.
"Kryptonite" - 3 Doors Down
This song mentions Superman, through the title "Kryptonite." It counts for this blog because comics are a big part of a lot of people's childhoods.
"It's a Hard-Knock Life" - Jay-Z
I'm not embedding this song due to the strong language. But the title and some of the lyrics are taken from a song in the musical Annie, which was originally a radio show if not also a book.
Let's finish this blog with Schoolhouse Rock because it is fun. I've only got two songs here, but there are a ton more.
"Elementary, My Dear"
I picked this one, because it's a Sherlock Holmes reference with the "Elementary, my dear" line. I also think all of the animals are cute.
"Interjections!"
I just thought this one was funny, so it's what I decided to post.
Well, I hope people have enjoyed this blog as much as I enjoyed putting it together. It was a lot of fun!
I'm Just a Kid
This second-to-last post has a bunch of songs about childhood and adolescence.
"The Boys of Fall" - Kenny Chesney
This song is about remembering time spent on the football field. Since I didn't play any sports as a kid, I don't feel this exactly, but I guess it's kind of like marching band in a way, just the camaraderie we had. Anyway, here are some lyrics:
"I'm Just a Kid" - Simple Plan
This song, which I heard in the movie Cheaper By the Dozen, is so adolescent to me. Here's the chorus, just to show how childish/teen-ish it sounds:
"I'm just a kid and life is a nightmare
I'm just a kid, I know that it's not fair
Nobody cares, cause I'm alone and the world is
Having more fun than me"
"Jack & Diane" - John Mellencamp
I thought of this song because of an episode of "Glee." They don't sing it, but one of the characters (Sam, who is played by Chord Overstreet) mentions the line "Hold onto sixteen as long as you can." He was saying it to Quinn (Dianna Agron) because she was trying to grow up too fast, when really we only have so much time in our lives so why not savor it? Anyway, I felt like that was the most relevant line, other than the song being about "two American kids doing the best that they can."
"Surrender" - Cheap Trick
Here's a song we talked about it class. The song is told from the point of a teenager, and the chorus is perfect for that age group:
"Your Mommy's all right
Your Daddy's all right
They just seem a little weird
Surrender
Surrender
But don't give yourself away"
"The Kids Don't Stand a Chance" - Vampire Weekend & "The Kids" - B.o.B. featuring Janelle Monae
These songs go together because the 2nd samples off the 1st. I love Vampire Weekend, so I like their version better, but I don't really get most of their lyrics anyway so I don't get what it has to do with adolescence, whereas the B.o.B. lyrics clearly related to adolescence. I have lyric videos for each song, which use the same melody.
"Life of a Salesman" - Yellowcard
I used to listen to Yellowcard a lot, and I really like this song now that I thought about it and have rediscovered it. It's very childlike - it's a boy (maybe a teen, but sounds younger to me) telling his father how he wants to be like him. Here is the chorus:
"Father I will always be
That same boy that stood by the sea
And watched you tower over me
Now I'm older I wanna be the same as you"
Well, the last post on here will be a hodge-podge of what I couldn't fit elsewhere. It won't be as long as most of my other posts.
"The Boys of Fall" - Kenny Chesney
This song is about remembering time spent on the football field. Since I didn't play any sports as a kid, I don't feel this exactly, but I guess it's kind of like marching band in a way, just the camaraderie we had. Anyway, here are some lyrics:
“Well it’s turn and face the stars and stripes
It’s fightin’ back them butterflies
It’s call it in the air alright
Yes sir, we want the ball
And it’s knockin’ heads and talkin’ trash
It’s slingin’ mud and dirt and grass
It’s I got your number, I got your back, when you’re back’s against the wall
You mess with one many, you got us all
The boys of fall""I'm Just a Kid" - Simple Plan
This song, which I heard in the movie Cheaper By the Dozen, is so adolescent to me. Here's the chorus, just to show how childish/teen-ish it sounds:
"I'm just a kid and life is a nightmare
I'm just a kid, I know that it's not fair
Nobody cares, cause I'm alone and the world is
Having more fun than me"
"Jack & Diane" - John Mellencamp
I thought of this song because of an episode of "Glee." They don't sing it, but one of the characters (Sam, who is played by Chord Overstreet) mentions the line "Hold onto sixteen as long as you can." He was saying it to Quinn (Dianna Agron) because she was trying to grow up too fast, when really we only have so much time in our lives so why not savor it? Anyway, I felt like that was the most relevant line, other than the song being about "two American kids doing the best that they can."
"Surrender" - Cheap Trick
Here's a song we talked about it class. The song is told from the point of a teenager, and the chorus is perfect for that age group:
"Your Mommy's all right
Your Daddy's all right
They just seem a little weird
Surrender
Surrender
But don't give yourself away"
"The Kids Don't Stand a Chance" - Vampire Weekend & "The Kids" - B.o.B. featuring Janelle Monae
These songs go together because the 2nd samples off the 1st. I love Vampire Weekend, so I like their version better, but I don't really get most of their lyrics anyway so I don't get what it has to do with adolescence, whereas the B.o.B. lyrics clearly related to adolescence. I have lyric videos for each song, which use the same melody.
"Life of a Salesman" - Yellowcard
I used to listen to Yellowcard a lot, and I really like this song now that I thought about it and have rediscovered it. It's very childlike - it's a boy (maybe a teen, but sounds younger to me) telling his father how he wants to be like him. Here is the chorus:
"Father I will always be
That same boy that stood by the sea
And watched you tower over me
Now I'm older I wanna be the same as you"
Well, the last post on here will be a hodge-podge of what I couldn't fit elsewhere. It won't be as long as most of my other posts.
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