#like what more can I say it’s the fucking Bob Dylan Christmas album
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I'm listening to every Bob Dylan album. I'm on the Christmas In the Heart. Yeah idk anymore. I’m dedicating so many hours to this man.
#Bob Dylan#like what more can I say it’s the fucking Bob Dylan Christmas album#I’m not gonna lie I do like it better than modern Christmas songs and modern Christmas covers#so idk what that says about me lmao
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parts of pete shotton’s book “john lennon: in my life” that stood out to me
(this is semi long and contains book spoilers)
john and pete being the first people ever to get banned from their church
pete saying john would always share any candy he had with everyone around, but that he would maybe give john one piece of candy
they held a competition to see who could go the longest without swearing and they both spent so much time focusing on not swearing that they sat in silence
tw blood/cutting: wanting to do a blood oath and cut their wrists to be “blood brothers” but john brought a dull knife that wouldn't cut so they pretended to do it
being pyromaniacs (seriously)
john crawling out of all fours and groaning after being canned and making pete get canned even worse because he was laughing
john being known to pee himself when laughing
john daydreaming while he was riding his bike, crashing into a parked car, catapulted into the air, hurt his arm pretty bad, but his main concern was the damage to his bike
they once had a serious fight where pete was about to step on john’s glasses but intentionally missed just to tease john
persuading their classmates to wear white dog collars that they made in class
eleven year old john making pete watch him orgasm
pete and john having sex with their girlfriends in the same bed
john going through great lengths to avoid dancing because he was horrible at it
john and paul’s first introduction being awkward as they both just stood there
pete asking paul if he’ll join the band: “a full minute passed while paul pretended to give the matter careful thought: “oh, all right.” he finally shrugged.”
mimi slamming the door in paul’s face whenever john wasn't there to stop her
george just pushing himself into the band because he wanted to be there
paul, george, and john wearing buckets on their head and marching around on paul’s roof to make fun of pete’s cadet graduation ceremony
one night after julia’s death pete found john completely passed out drunk on a bus and found out that he had been on it for hours. he took him home and tucked him into bed.
john saying that he wrote in my life with pete and stuart in mind
cynthia scolding john for saying something outrageous and then john saying something even more outrageous
the quote, “john bamboozled his new soulmate” in reference to making stuart use his art show money to buy a bass
brian epstein asking if pete wanted to come back to his house for sex and pete turning him down but following with, “no offense taken. actually, i take it as a compliment!”
calling ringo a runt
“what’s a fucking wank between friends anyways?” - pete shotton
brian having a reminder of “haircut for george” on his desk because he was in charge of their grooming needs
john giving pete one of his big beatles paychecks so he had money for christmas
john asking pete “isn't he lovely?” when first meeting julian
john screaming “hi pete!” at a show because he told the staff to let him know whenever pete arrived
john hated to be touched and especially by strangers
john wanted to open his book in his own write with a dedication to pete saying “to pete, who got it first.” but didn't want to hurt mimi’s feelings so he drew a caricature of pete at the beginning and that’s how he dedicated it to him secretly
pete telling john he would never go to a interviewer and talk about john for money. (he only talked to two authors about john. hunter davies, who he asked john for permission for, and philip norman. who told pete that he was only writing a book about liverpool pop music)
cynthia and john getting in an argument because she wanted a porsche and john said they're too dangerous
paul was the beatle that was the hardest to get close to
george’s proudest possession was a painting by bob dylan and he had a guitar shaped pool
“there never was, and probably never will be, a group more self contained or tightly knit than the beatles were in those days..”
john loved a good pun joke
john loved hanging out with the monkees and micky dolenz was the craziest one
“the only thing john hated more than going to bed at night was getting out of it the next day.” MOOD.
john would literally read every single page of the newspaper
he once saw a tv program talking about autistic kids and donated 1,000 pounds to an autistic foundation
john making a random guest give him their sgt pepper album so pete could get one
the beatles almost showed up to brian’s memorial service in bright colorful clothes for “good vibes”
tw suicide: john was convinced brian committed suicide
george telling pete he use to think he was a “bad influence” on john
paul thought magical mystery tour was going to be a big masterpiece
at beatles financial meetings: paul doodling, john high on lsd, ringo asleep in the corner, george actually paying attention
bill turner (childhood friend of theirs) telling paul he didn't like hello, goodbye and paul being taken back by that
the beatles bought pete a car (jaguar to be specific)
john was very insecure around girls and never knew if they liked him or not
john thinking his housekeeper would assume him and pete were having sex because they were laying next to each other
pete was actually happy at first when john and yoko got together because john was happy
any time john and pete would be laughing together yoko would silence John
the beatles had to constantly tell ringo he was the best rock drummer in the world before he agreed to join the band again
paul asking pete if hey jude or revolution should be on the A side, pete saying hey jude, and then paul immediately screaming to john that pete picked his song over john’s.
there was so many arguments with yoko that would have to be another post itself but i will say it’s awful
george running after the press in his backyard because he took a photo of him while the police chase george around to arrest him for possession of drugs
“remember pete, they can't kill you for speaking your mind.” - john lennon
when pete found out about john’s death he went to visit george
“on the drive back home, memories of john flooded into my head. what a life, i thought.” <3
#this book is gold#please read it#Pete shotton I love you#I cried again typing this out#now onto geoff's book#the beatles#the beatles master list#the beatles books#John lennon#pete shotton#yoko ono#paul mccartney#george harrison#ringo starr#the beatles facts
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Memory cues
It gets harder to journal about anything personal, the more jealous I become of my privacy. But I still have the impulse to share things about my life with the proverbial curious party.
Some guy was walking by as I left the bathroom at work today, and he saw me try to throw a paper towel out into a hallway trashcan from about two inches away and still miss, and he laughed at me. As I bent to pick up the paper towel, he must have seen what I guess was a vaguely wounded look on my face because he turned away and said, “...Almost got it,” not breaking stride.
Then again, I was on a very crowded, cliff-face grate bridge in the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park in Vancouver last month, and I heard a lady behind me say to her companion, “I’m not looking down. I’m just trying not to have a panic attack,” and I said, unsolicited, “Just remember that you’re stuck, and you couldn’t get off this bridge even if you wanted to.”
At that moment of my existence, turning 35 years old was imminent. Was this kind of little rat-fuck joke a sign of things to come? I hope not. I reflexively shriveled up inside and turned around and said “Ma’am, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you more nervous, that was a bad joke.” She laughed, and her husband, I, and my lab partner chatted amiably for the rest of the walk.
I’d never been to the Pacific Northwest before then, but it put sort of a spell on me while I was there, and the next time I go up to that region (Seattle), I suspect I will enjoy that, too. The Capilano Suspension Bridge Park looks like the forest moon of Endor, and the coffee in Vancouver tastes very good (this is coming from a certified non-connoisseur who says “this tastes like dirt” to most cups).
The busiest and fanciest area of the city comes to a halt on its northern end at Vancouver Harbour, which sports green mountains behind a large, clearly too-far-to-swim-across inlet. In the harbor, chubby seaplanes take off and land, their motion dictated as if by cartoon physics.
I stayed at a hotel embedded in a residential neighborhood a few miles south of “downtown,” so I had to take buses and trains to get into and around the city each day. At first I was annoyed, but then I felt like I was getting a better view of what it would be like to live there, which was neat. On public transport at commuter hours I felt both uncoolly older and obscenely whiter than I do at home. Late at night, on the same modes of transportation, I felt doubly old and doubly square.
Life at 35 is like life at 25, except you’ve been around for ten years more, your cultural touchstones are outdated, and you feel more tired spiritually, if not physically. Professionally, you feel more focused; you’ve crossed more items off the list of things that you enjoy doing, and you don’t have the nervous energy you did a decade ago that prevented you from buckling down.
The separation between 35 and adolescence also means that the memories of the old days are more distinct than they were at 25. I think of memories now like opening a fresh can of tennis balls: the smell seems to enter your nose and occupy your brain all the way back to your ears and then it’s gone. For me, the easiest way to access memories is by listening to music.
The abridged version of the music important to me: before I “liked music,” I enjoyed the song “Good Vibrations” and I learned to love the Smashing Pumpkins album Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness because my older brother played it constantly. Beck was the first artist who made an impression on me, so seventh through ninth grade was mostly Beck’s Odelay and Mutations. Sophomore year of high school Kid A came out, which led me back through Radiohead for the rest of high school and the beginning of college, with Beck’s Sea Change nestled in there, too. Zwan formed (and mostly disbanded) in 2003, but now it’s forever joined to the endless nights in my dorm freshman year playing Quake II and eating Gerlanda’s pizza by myself. The blistering winter winds waiting for campus buses are inseparable from “When You Smile” by The Flaming Lips, and with the spring came Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots. Sophomore through senior year of college I zoomed through lots of splashy indie bands, faithfully sticking with the discography of only a small fraction of them (Silver Jews, now Purple Mountains, and Pedro the Lion). During that time, I also learned I disliked Bob Dylan and Conor Oberst (sorry Joe).
After college, Andrew Bird soundtracked the purposeless days of professional indecision pretty well. I walked through my new apartment neighborhood during the soft end-of-summer evenings of 2008 to You & Me by The Walkmen. Beach House came along during Stair-master sessions at my local gym when I was starting out at grad school, as did the ultimately disposable Girl Talk mashup albums. Kanye West made Christmas 2008 feel like looking at a photo negative, but afterward Fleet Foxes and Grizzly Bear/Department of Eagles blew the naturalness back into feeling. Fall of 2009 was David Bazan’s Curse Your Branches and, later, Embryonic by The Flaming Lips.
I was in a relationship from 2012-2015 and got really into Tame Impala during that time. From the relationship, I picked up a few others--Abba, some newer indie bands that didn’t hit my ear as keenly as the ones in undergrad, and Paul McCartney. In 2016 I clung for dear life (personal, not political reasons) to Mac DeMarco’s insouciant vibe, 1970s McCartney, and Lord Huron’s death anxiety. In 2017 things came to an anxious head with Aesop Rock’s The Impossible Kid. 2018 was the beginning of an as-yet undefinable mix of old and new stuff making up the “present period.” Those are the milestones, anyway.
Recently I was reminded of memories from 2004-2006, which was during the splashy indie band phase. I made a mix on Spotify that was as close as I could get to one of the mixes I made for myself at the time, when the city surrounding my college took on a kind of permanent cold, permanent night-world texture. I guess it’s because most of the important stuff during that period happened at nighttime and in the fall or winter. I spent a whole weekend in a bittersweet reverie.
Memory can be a mournful thing, but sometimes its vividness makes you feel like there may still be great things within you yet. At least, I hope so!
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The Kind of Girl I Could Love~ Chapter 8
Mike help Jessica carried her bags into her apartment. After a funny coffee encounter with her friends, Mike helped Jessica walk back home as they made small talk. “Need help wrapping presents?” Mike asked. Jessica shook her head. “I just need to hide these before Joanne comes home.” She said, quickly running to her room; Mike followed. Jessica put her bags in the deep part of her closet, as did Mike. She closed the slide door and faced the towering Texan. “Thanks, Mike. For tolerating my friends and helping me.” She said, smiling sweetly. Mike nodded, “Is Madeline single?” He asked. Jessica rose an eyebrow. “Yes, why?” She asked. “She might be the perfect match for Peter.” He said. “Playing matchmaker?” She asked, giggling. Mike shrugged, “Guess so!”
“Since you helped me today, anything I can do to return the favor?” She asked. “Dinner out?” He asked. “Mike you’re marr-” “I mean as friends. Talk, eat, drink…” ‘kiss’. “I’m gonna have to call a sitter for Joanne, but I think I can go for dinner. What should I wear?” Jessica asked. “Anything casual.” He said. The two heard the front door open and close, hearing feet running up the carpet hallway into Jessica’s room.
Joanne entered with a smile on her face, “Only 15 days until Christmas!” She shouted gleefully. Jessica giggled, picking up her daughter. “Yes! Wanna say hello to Mike?” “Hi, Mike!” Mike smiled at the child and waved. Joanne grinned and hugged her mother tightly. Jessica enjoyed hugs from her child. Made her feel warm. She looked at Mike and smiled. “How about we arrange a play date between my son and Joanne?” Mike suggested. Jessica nodded, “That sounds nice!” She said. “What is Christian like?” Joanne asked. “I assure you, he is a sweet child.” Mike said, smiling, thinking about his son. Mike loved Christian dearly. He was ecstatic when he entered the world. Jessica smiled at Mike, knowing where his mind wandered.
Jessica put her kid down and Joanne skipped her way to her room. “Wanna listen to some records, or do you need to get home?” Jessica asked. “An album sounds groovy.” “Guhroovy!” Jessica said, mimicking his accent. Mike smirked and they made their way into the living room.
“You pick this time. Albums are in a crate in the closet.” Jessica said, pointing to a door. Mike made his way and opened the door. He spotted the crate and looked through her albums. 'Nice collection’ He thought as he passed through some Beatles, Beach Boys and Bob Dylan. He found an album that intrigued him. He pulled out an album. The cover was a picture of 4 people in the bathroom, sitting in the bathtub. It was the Mamas and the Papas 'If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears’. He handed Jessica the album. She looked at the album and grinned. “I love this one. A good group, too.” She said, putting the album on the turntable.
The needle was placed on the spinning record and the vocals of Michelle Phillips and Cass Elliot roared out…
'Ba daaa, ba da da da’
Jessica smiled and started swaying her hips to the music. Mike watched her with a smirk. His eyes were on her firm ass, beautiful curves… just her body. It wasn’t just her looks, it was also her personality, her being a good mother…
'She’s perfect’
“Who’s perfect?” Jessica asked. Mike’s eyes widened and cheeks turned red at the realization he said it out loud. She giggled and offered him her hand. “Dance with me. I still need lessons.” She said. Mike chuckled and took her hand, standing closer to her. They were chest to chest, holding hands, looking into each other’s eyes as Denny Doherty sang the next verse.
'Oh, Monday morning you gave me no warning
Of what was to be
Oh, Monday, Monday
How could you leave and not take me’
Mike hummed along and they danced. He spun her around and held her close. Her head rested on his shoulder, giving him the opportunity to smell the aroma of her hair.
Coconut; quite the hippie
His hands lowered to her waist, Jessica, being comfortable with his embrace, smiled and hummed happily.
'Monday, Monday
So good to me
Monday morning
It was all I hoped it would be
But, Monday morning
Monday morning couldn’t guarantee
That Monday evening you would still
Be here with me’
Mike felt content for the first time today. A carefree spirit, a wonderful mother, a beautiful woman, inside and out. They stopped moving and pulled away to look at each other. “Do you remember that almost kiss a few weeks back?” Jessica asked. Mike blushed, not knowing what to do. 'Should I play it cool and say yes, or pretend I don’t remember?’ “From your rosy cheeks, I’ll take that as a yes… What did it mean? Like, do we like each other, were we caught in the moment? What happened?” Mike didn’t know what to do. 'Expose myself and tell her, or keep pretending?’ “If there is some interest, I’d like to know now.” She said, sitting them both down on the couch, turning off the record player. Mike sighed, “I was caught in the moment.” He wasn’t lying, but will he tell her the full story? “Oh, ok. I just wanted to be su-”
“There’s more. For the past month, I’ve become attracted to you. Like, extremely attracted to you. It’s hard for me to come home to my own wife without you on my fucking mind. This is completely out of character for me, and I fucking love it! Jessica, you’re a smart woman, beautiful inside and out, a wonderful mother to Joanne. The motherly part is like my own wife, but you’re so much more than that. The fact you have to do it by yourself is amazing! It’s like my own mother taking care of me. You turn my brain into mush; you teach me to let go and enjoy what’s around me.” He paused and sighed, not wanting to say three very strong words yet. He looked at her, waiting for her reaction.
Jessica stared at him, her jaw dropped a bit. She wanted to say something, but her brain couldn’t form the words. Mike stood up and made his way to the door. Jessica stood up and grabbed his arm.
Mike turned around to look at her, giving Jessica the chance to cup his cheeks and pull him in for a kiss.
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I often wonder to myself, when he says ‘Wake me up before you Go Go’ does he mean – wake me up before you leave leave, or wake me up before you leave for your job as a go go dancer?
Five most played songs on my iTunes
I had originally planned to make ‘Ten most played songs of 2016”, but weirdly enough iTunes doesn’t show me that information. There is a theme in this list, majority of the songs are quite slow. I enjoy music that allows me to think, but is powerful enough that it distracts me, because I’m obviously a fucking music guru. I have decided to listen to each song as I write about it, y’know raw emotion and all that shit, which is ruining Ru Paul’s drag race for me just by the way. Some of these songs mean quite a lot to me, some of them are just awesome.
1. Mellon Collie and The Infinite Sadness by The Smashing Pumpkins.
Play count: 590
Date added to iTunes: 02/06/2013
Let me just begin by saying, this song is honestly just a two minute and fifty-two second instrumental.
I play this song on repeat for a few reasons. It helps to calm me when my anxiety attacks become just a little too real, it really helps me concentrate if I need to study, and it put kids right the fuck to sleep. There is nothing I don’t love about this song. The piano is strong and the focus of the song. For me, it perfectly replaces lyrics. I don’t personally hear a story as I listen, but it does take me to a very calm place. If I could learn any song on the piano, this would be it. The strings in the background definitely add to the calming tone, but I really feel like the piano on it’s own is enough.
2. Make You Feel My Love – Adele
Play count: 128 (huge number difference!)
Date added to iTunes: 29/10/2013
I am a huge Bob Dylan fan, but Adele’s rendition of this song is absolutely perfect. I generally prefer originals, I love older music, but I would absolutely dance to this at my wedding. Hell, I would even serenade the lucky bastard! This song is, again, very piano heavy, but obviously the focus is Adele’s angel voice. Is there anything this woman can’t do?! Fuck Beyoncé! When I die, I want to come back as Adele. I love strong singing voices, they give me chills. I will literally listen to a song on repeat 20 times if the voice is good enough. It of course helps that I love the original.
3. America – Simon & Garfunkel
Play count: 105
Date added to iTunes: 14/06/2014
I’m surprised there isn’t more Simon & Garfunkel in this list; I listen to them every time I feel anxious.
This is one of my favourite Simon & Garfunkel songs. I can listen to it in any situation.
I get very real chills in two parts of this song.
- ‘It took me four days to hitch-hike from Saginaw’ I just like the way this part is sung. There is no other way to put it. C-H-I-L-L-S!
- “Kathy, I’m lost” I said, though I knew she was sleeping. “I’m empty and Aching and I don’t know why.” I have always felt like this specific lyric stood out to me more than any other lyric I have ever heard. When I hear it, I feel like I wrote it. That’s the best way for me to explain it. I have written and re-written a hundred different ways to explain how that lyric makes me feel, but nothing else feels more right.
4. A Million Love Songs – Take That
Play count: also 105
Date added to iTunes: 26/09/2013
I’m not even embarrassed. Gary Barlow is an angel. Back at it again with the piano strong songs, this one is a classic. It’s definitely another wedding song. I don’t really have much in depth stuff to say about this song, I just like singing it to be honest. You’re welcome neighbours. I’m disappointed in myself for this one, but the only person who can get deep about a Take That song, is Gary Barlow.
5. Freedom – Wham!
Play count: 92
Date added to iTunes: 08/11/2015
Hands down, the best Wham! song ever. I’ve listened to this song at least 4000000 times in my lifetime. George Michael’s voice does things to me. The man is an absolute treasure. I could dance completely sober to this song, anytime! It is another one of those songs that I can’t really get too deep about, it’s freakin’ Wham!. It’s honestly just one of my all time favourite songs. R.I.P. George.
6. Ha Ha You’re Dead – Green Day
Play Count: 83
Date added to iTunes: 26/01/15
Believe it or not, I can get pretty deep with this one. It’s basically a punk rock song written by a bunch of twenty-something’s, so it’s as mature as you’d think. The final chorus of this song goes as follows;
Ha ha you’re dead
The joke is over.
You were an asshole, and now you’re gone.
As your ship is going down, I’ll stand by and watch you drown.
Ha ha you’re dead.
Ha ha you’re dead.
Ha ha you’re dead.
I remember absolutely screaming this chorus on the way to work after being dumped. Good times. I belt this song out anytime anyone fucks me over, actually. I’ve used this song as anger management since I was about 13, it works wonders.
I accidentally did six, you’re welcome.
Mood Playlists.
I have like three moods so don’t get too excited. I’ll give a brief description on the reason each song is in these playlists, but over all you’re welcome because these are some of the best songs the world has to offer.
Ten songs’ I listen to when I’m super anxious.
Landslide – The Smashing Pumpkins
The first version I heard of this was by The Dixie Chicks and I know it’s a Fleetwood Mac song, but Billy Corgan’s voice speaks to me on another level when I’m all fucked up.
Candle in the Wind – Elton John
Elton John could bring me down from just about anything. What a voice! What a man! What a song!
One Crowded Hour – Augie March
I could listen to this song thousands of times over, and I genuinely would not get sick of it. It is music genius. MUSIC GENIUS I SAY!!!!!!
Dear God – Avenged Sevenfold
M Shadow’s voice is fucking beautiful. It is only his voice that calms me, but I like to listen to slow music when I’m anxious, heavy metal would just work me up.
Tangled Up In Blue – Bob Dylan
The first time I heard this song was a cover by The Whitlams, so I was actually surprised to learn that it was a Bob song. Bob Dylan is definitely one of those artists that I could probably listen to his discography in its entirety when I’m anxious, but this one is a favourite.
Little Drummer Boy/Peace On Earth – David Bowie & Bing Crosby
I don’t even give a fuck that this is meant to me a Christmas song. Also, fuck Bing. This choice is honestly all about David Bowie’s voice. This is the first song I have ever heard David Bowie sing that gave me butterflies in my stomach. It’s so beautiful.
My Way – Frank Sinatra
I discovered this song after heard Sid Vicious’ version, which is obviously equally as calming.
Be Calm – Fun.
I read this information years ago, so if it’s wrong… well I don’t give a fuck. This song was actually written by the lead singer during a panic attack, and speaks to me so personally. It basically talks me down. “I know you feel like you are breaking down. Oh I know that it gets so hard sometimes. Be calm.” You got it, buddy. Obviously not a cure for anxiety, but it sure as fuck helps.
Yer Spring – Hey Rosetta!
This is just a very slow and peaceful song. I actually discovered when I saw The Living End Once.
Last Hope – Paramore
I think this is another song that really speaks to me when I’m down or anxious. It’s definitely about overcoming obstacles and coming out stronger. There is one part of the song that I usually play over and over. “It’s not that I don’t feel the paint it’s just I’m not afraid of hurting anymore.” I wish I were that deep sometimes.
Ten song’s I listen to when I’m feeling nostalgic.
You Sound Like Louis Burdett – The Whitlams
I remember being maybe 7 years old, and begging my Mum to let me say the F word in the song. She always said no, but I mouthed it anyway because I don’t play by the fucking rules.
Another Saturday Night – Cat Stevens
I know for a fact that this was not the song that my Dad likes most by Cat Steven’s but I just have memories of it being played A LOT.
Real Men – Joe Jackson
Another song my Dad played to death. I heard it for the first time in about 5 years on the radio a few months back, and instantly had ‘nam like flashbacks to my childhood.
I Feel Possessed – Crowded House
Again, a song my Mum wouldn’t have played the most when it comes to Crowded House, but it’s just one of those songs that takes me back whenever I heard the chorus.
The entire Bad album - Michael Jackson
Let me tell you a story! I can’t remember exactly which birthday, but I feel like it was my tenth. I had just heard of this little Indi artist called Michael Jackson. I’d gotten the HIStory album that I played to death. You’re welcome Mum and Dad. My grandparents came over for dinner, and brought a large box for me to open. Inside this box were several things, but most importantly Michael Jackson’s 1987 album Bad. I have memories of literally picking up the album and not giving a shit about anything else. I chucked that sucker into my discman and the rest is history.
Keep On Movin’ – Five
Every time I hear this song, I remember having my CD player sitting up on the window with that song blasting, while bathing. Good times.
Whatsername – Green Day
There are hundreds of Green Day song’s I could’ve chosen. This one specifically, I remember listening to on my MP3 player on the bus to and from school on repeat. I would stare out the window, just to make sure I looked as depressed as my music made me seems.
Dead! – My Chemical Romance
I used to have a dance to this song. Actually, there’s a video of me on YouTube somewhere dancing to this song. I used to act like a psycho teenager when listening to this song.
English Army – The Living End
Besides the fact that this is actually my favourite one of their songs, I used to have this DVD which had several videos of live performances on it. I used to listen to the live version of English Army all the time. Also, I’ve seen The Living End like 14 times, and they have not played it once!!!
Last Beautiful Girl – Matchbox Twenty
Honestly just another song my Mum played to death.
Songs that just generally give me some goddamn chills right down my spine.
I’m just going to write the lyric that gives me chill’s. Although, its actually the way the lyric is sung that gets me.
One Crowded Hour – Augie March (Yes, I’m mentioning it again because it’s that good.)
I completely relax when they sing “What is this six-stringed instrument but an adolescent loom
Let Her Cry – Hootie & The Blowfish
“Last night I tried to leave, cried so much I could not believe she was the same girl I fell in love with long ago. She went in the back to get high, I sat down on my couch and cried. Yellin’, “Oh, mama, please help me””
Somewhere Only We Know – Keane
I like all of these lyrics. What a good fucking song!
So Far Away – Avenged Sevenfold
“I love you, you were ready, the pain is strong and urges rise. But I’ll see you when He lets me, your paint is gone, your hands untied” insert cry emoji
Under Pressure – Queen ft. David Bowie
Like I need to just choose one fucking lyric.
Run To The Water – Live
“A million mile fall from grace, thank god we missed the ground.”
The Deepest Blues Are Black – Foo Fighters
The whole chorus is sung so well!!!
You Are Not Alone – Michael Jackson
I do the best version of this song. THE BEST. I used to jam to this with my karaoke microphone in my bedroom when I was younger.
I Walk Away – Split Enz
“Your life, slave to ambition”
Fin.
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My Top 132 Songs Of 2016
Previously: 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011
Haven’t started writing this yet, but after peaking at 73 songs in 2013, then dipping to 67 and 71 the last two years, it is unbelievable we hit 132 (blame Spotify’s easy ability to save music and create playlists).
I debated skipping around, but nahhh, let’s get it.
As always, the criteria/info:
This is a list of songs I personally like, not ones I’m saying are the “best” from the year; more subjective than objective
No artist is featured more than once
If it comes down to choosing between two songs for an artist, I try to give more weight to a single or featured track; it’s not the ultimate factor, but it typically makes sharing the music easier
Speaking of... each song on the list is linked in the title if you wanna check out some for yourself
BOBBY VS. THE SONGS, FID
132) Kendrick Lamar - “untitled 07 | levitate”
Yeah, not gonna do the thing everyone else is doing where we pretend Kendrick is making amazing music with 2016′s throwaway release. I had to trudge through so much weird-and-not-fun stuff on “Butterfly” last year; it’s time to be done with it. Kendrick is obviously a top flight MC and could end up as an all-time great, but, like, come on -- this is from an EP of b-sides, it’s (probably) the best song... and it’s still not that memorable. How this record is ended up on so many year end best of lists mystified me.
131) Young Thug - “Drippin'”
Thugger spazzin’ around.
130) 2 Chainz f/ Lil Wayne - “Gotta Lotta”
Eh, this song’s aight; beat good, kinda sticks with you sometimes. Funny it should be listed as “2 Chainz & Lil Wayne” -- peep the very creative album art -- yet ended up as a 2 Chainz solo feature (on technicality alone) due to Weezy’s ongoing label issues. These two play off each other well.
129) Real Friends - “Mokena”
This song is good, but it’s... a little too angst-y at points.
128) Iggy Pop - “American Valhalla”
The best compliment I can give this song is it sounds unlike anything I’ve ever heard. Not a fun listen every time, but if you consciously immerse, it can definitely work.
127) The Avett Brothers - “Ain't No Man”
Good mom song; feels like fun. passed the torch with this one.
126) Paul Simon - “Horace And Pete”
Louis C.K. got Simon to write a theme song for his dramedy “Horace and Pete”, and the diminutive one came through in spades. I sometimes like to shoehorn in the f-word when singing along to help break up some of the seriousness. But yeah, this feels like a ‘60s classic even though it’s essentially brand new.
125) Frank Ocean - “Nikes”
The A.V. Club summed up my opinion of the Frank Ocean record with one swift line: “On first listen, Blonde feels like a Cracker Jack box with no toy in it.”
Amen.
Don’t get it twisted: I love Frank, still believe in Frank, and of course consider “channel ORANGE” to (objectively) be one of the greatest albums of this generation, but “Blonde”? It didn’t connect. Somewhat reluctantly, I picked this song for the list because it was the first one I heard, and it stands as a symbol of the initial hope which faded over a few listens. But when Ocean breaks in after all the high pitched singing, it does feel like a moment.
Also, this line will always stick: “RIP Pimp C / RIP Trayvon, that n**** look just like me”.
124) DJ Khaled f/ Jay-Z & Future - “I Got The Keys”
DJ Khaled is a talentless jackass, annoyingly ad libbing his way into our brains. Unfortunately, my personal favorite artist chooses to make listenable songs with him. Alas, No. 124. Jay slaying with “My wife Beyoncé, I brag different”. Future... being Future.
123) Slim Thug - “King”
The always underrated Slim Thug, hangin’ out and tellin’ you about his life. Also lifting weights. Minus points for using the Pimp C sample Jigga used in “FuckWithMeYouKnowIGotIt” only three years ago.
122) American Football - “Give Me The Gun”
This band will never hit for me as much as it does with cool/laid back guitar people, but I enjoyed this tune. And I wish my friend Luke were here to listen with me.
121) Craig Finn - “Screenwriters School”
Craig Finn, as slow and chill as you’ll ever hear him.
120) Mikey Erg - “1001 Smashed Motel Rooms”
Solid verses, big chorus, and you can almost, like, tell he’s bald by the voice (not an insult).
119) Cassadee Pope - “Summer”
The former Hey Monday singer goes in on the strongest season.
118) The Cool Kids - “Connect 4″
It’s very difficult to write about The Cool Kids without using the word “cool”, but man, these guys have such a great interplay. It’s not two separate dudes taking turns; it’s a glorious intertwine with true chemistry.
117) Third Eye Blind - “Cop vs. Phone Girl"
This is our first song I’d call an imperative listen. I say this because you need you to hear Stephan Jenkins sing “Why's it so hard to say ‘Black Lives Matter’? / Doesn't mean that you're anti-white / Take it from me, I'm super fucking white”.
He remains bulletproof.
116) Wakrat - “Sober Addiction”
I was positive this song was a jam after one listen, but I’ve listened 3-4 times since, and it’s gotten progressively worse each time. If that’s not enough of a hook, the singer is the Rage Against The Machine bassist.
115) Owl Meet Rabbit - “This Side Of The Nut House”
A Christmas song with a “National Lampoon” reference.
114) YG f/ Drake & Kamaiyah - “Why You Always Hatin?”
Still a little unclear why Drake keeps agreeing to be in YG songs. His verse references sliding into DMs.
113) Yo Gotti f/ Nicki Minaj - “Down In The DM (Remix)”
...and we also have a track titled after it. My biggest memory with this song will be feeling sick in an Uber from Chicago to Forest Park on, like, a weekday morning but still mustering the nerve to laugh at the chorus, which is egregious enough before the “bridge” of “Snapchat me that pussy, if it’s cool”. Seriously. RIP, music.
112) The Dirty Nil - “Zombie Eyed”
This rips.
111) Microwave - “Homebody”
A good song that pulls you in further when the distortion gets bigger in the chorus.
110) AJJ - “Terrifyer”
Some days, you're a member of Queen
Other days, you're a Kottonmouth King
Some days, you're Emilio Estevez
Other days, you're Charlie Sheen
109) Band of Horses - “Casual Party”
These guys are all smooth harmonies.
108) Fitz and the Tantrums - “HandClap”
This song is pretty unoffensive, but it’s catchy enough to work.
107) Nothing - “The Dead Are Dumb”
“The Dead Are Dumb” -or- if the “Twin Peaks” theme actually went somewhere.
106) Car Seat Headrest - “Unforgiving Girl (She's Not An)”
This band kinda reminds me of The Strokes; just a liiiiiitle less New York street and a tad more indie.
105) Vince Staples f/ Kilo Kish - “Loco”
Vince got into the news this year after defending the mom who had an extreme distaste for his lyrics in 2015′s “Norf Norf”. Let’s just say she also would not enjoy this one. His interplay with Kilo is on point.
104) GTA f/ Vince Staples - “Little Bit of This”
‘ey, it’s Vince again, and this one is stronger; somehow topping the high energy of “Loco” with another level of fire-spitting.
103) The Living End - “Monkey”
The Aussies broke a 13 year album hiatus with 2016′s “Shift”, and “Monkey”, one of the lead singles, did not disappoint. There will always be a place for songwriting like this.
102) Vic Mensa - “16 Shots”
This song is so raw and street and real. Sometimes you hear something, and it just cuts like a knife. I’m talking a “Straight Outta Compton” level here. Mensa has thoughts on police brutality in Chicago, and he ain’t holding back. He played this live on Kimmel, and his solemn-yet-wired energy could not be ignored.
101) Boyd & The Stahfools - “Summerly”
Some might say BATS sold out with this very commercial ode to Pollyanna’s raspberry wheat ale, but when you consume as much of it as those boys do, I say it’s legit art.
100) Macklemore & RL f/ J. Woods - “White Privelege II”
This is kinda like the Third Eye Blind message on Black Lives Matter, only the exact opposite. It’s... quite heavy handed, and while I like that from Macklemore, I realize a lot do not. All I can say in his defense is, like, man, it really seems like this dude is trying, and he certainly attempted to involve the right people. If that’s not good enough for you, I get it.
(Plus, he kinda digs on Iggy; throwing y’all a bone, just take it.)
99) Conor Oberst - “A Little Uncanny”
Oberst sounds a ton like Bob Dylan in this one, but he also sounds a ton like Oberst. It’s kinda like two massive folk tidal waves crashing into each other.
98) Cymbals Eat Guitars - “Have A Heart”
CEG -- despite a terrific name -- have always made music that felt obtuse, but this is the first song that felt ready-made to, like, give normal people a window to check out the band.
97) Green Day- “Bang Bang”
Everyone wants to over-analyze Green Day. But if you don’t do that, you’ll enjoy this as a fast and easy pop-punk song. It plays at my gym sometimes, and I always kinda assume people are annoyed by it. To quote Josh from “Heavyweights”, this pleases me.
96) James Vincent McMorrow - “Get Low”
Chill/cool.
95) The Flatliners - “Hang My Head”
This won’t end up in their all-time Top 5, but it’s a good song, and it was nice to hear from this band in 2016.
94) AFI - “Snow Cats”
This would sound right at home as a mid-tempo number on “Sing The Sorrow”.
93) Jay Electronica - “#TBE The Curse Of Mayweather”
Oof, what a shitty title. So, this is Jay Elect’s “blast back” at Kendrick Lamar after K-Dot slaughtered the rap game (and shit, maybe rap itself) in 2013′s “Control”. But here’s the thing... “Control” was “Control”. No one is topping “Control”. No one is successfully going at “Control”. That’s in its own stratosphere. Was it fun to see the enigmatic MC try? Sure. Did it make any type of impact? Eh, no. But I did enjoy the fake Kendrick voice.
92) The Dyes - “Loudmouth”
Out of every song so far, I’ve found this the toughest to write about. My favorite part is probably the way the guitar and bass play off each other, but my second favorite part has to be how sinister and swaggery it sounds.
91) Big Sean - “Get My Shit Together”
Maaaan, I missed Big Sean in 2016 after an extremely fruitful 2015. The few times he did surface -- on other people’s songs -- he stayed in form, so you’ll see more of him as this goes.
It feel like young Ray Allen with the white twins
90) Emeli Sandé f/ Jay Electronica & Áine Zion - “Garden”
Serene, with a fitting Jay Elect verse.
89) Yumi Zouma - “Haji Awali”
Chiller than a Coleman.
88) Jimmy Eat World - “Get Right”
We’ve talked about this before, but JEW typically have sunny day feel good songs, or nighttime darkness-type songs; this one’s the latter.
87) Into It. Over It. - “No EQ”
Sooooo good; melodic and percussive and soulful. It tugs at your heart just the right amount.
86) The Front Bottoms - “Joanie”
This really, really sounds like a Front Bottoms song, which I mostly mean as a compliment but also... am slightly worried about as it pertains to future material.
85) The Lumineers - “Ophelia”
Would I like to steal this song and give it to a girl and say I wrote it to mega impress her? Uh, duh. Piano for dayz.
84) Viola Beach - “Swings & Waterslides”
Kinda a lighter version of the Arctic Monkeys; mostly the singing... but in a big way.
83) The Game - “92 Bars”
It’s sposta be a Meek Mill diss, but it’s basically Game freestyling about a buncha stuff over a workable beat. Some real solid lines, too. My favorites:
- “I can kill you in four bars, that's a Kit Kat”
- “Let me tell you who suck, like banana Now and Laters” (haha)
- “Give me Left Eye back, take Fetty Wap and the Raiders”
- “Gum by them Yeezys, I'm the 6'5" Eazy” (MVP bar?)
- “This the Golden State and my shooters ain't on no hoop shit” (coooold)
82) OMI - “Hula Hoop”
I’mma give the write up here to my girl Alyssa Pawola, via her husband, Jeff Pawola (who watched the video after she was told the song reminded me of him):
She agreed with you!
She says it's because the singer dances similar to me and is a little goofy (compliment?), whereas all the girls around him are really good dancers (thus, her).
81) Joey Purp f/ Chance The Rapper - “Girls @”
If you’re not all-in on this song by the seven or eight second mark, then you can probably pass. HOWEVA, Chance and his 3 hat appear later on, so we call that incentive, young Bucky.
80) Vinnie Caruana - “I Don’t Believe You”
The feels like a last-song-on-the-record kinda track.
/looks up if it was the last song on the record
...8 of 10!
(Close enough.)
79) No Lenox - “Leave”
This song is heart and blood, with a rare use of “fucking” from Chris Trott.
78) JANK - “Versace Summer”
JANK is interesting. All of their artwork and motif make them seem like stoners (and maybe they are), but the music itself is so technical and synced. Like, you know they’re trying and very capable. So as weird as seeing “Versace” next to “JANK” might look, maybe it’s this high end brand that truly does fit their sound over, say, Faygo. But yeah, by the time this song is done, even though they’ve played the chorus a handful of times, you probably wouldn’t mind a handful more.
77) White Lung - “Dead Weight”
This band is just the coolest shit. They always go so, so hard, but this time, there’s a guitar playing mega bad ass leads to help even things out. I would believe you if you told me the guitar was also shooting lasers.
76) Descendents - “Without Love”
Like The Living End, the Descendents have also been out of the ‘releasing new records’ game for over a decade. And as jokey of a band as they’ve been in the past, this song has some of the same earnestness and vulnerability we heard on 2004′s “Cool To Be You”.
75) Andrew Bird - “Roma Fade”
For sure a candidate for coolest song title of 2016.
74) LVL UP - “Hidden Driver”
This is too indie for its own good.
73) A$AP Ferg f/ Big Sean - “World Is Mine”
Mostly included for Sean. Sorry, Ferg -- but you did give him the hook and a verse.
72) AM Taxi - “Enough To Feel Like Enough”
Like The Front Bottoms song from earlier, this AM Taxi song is very AM Taxi. But I ain’t ever worried about AM Taxi.
71) Rozwell Kid - “Baby’s First Sideburns”
Not sure I’ve ever heard a weak song by this band.
70) PARTYNEXTDOOR f/ Drake - “Come And See Me”
If you wanted to upset your love interest in 2016, hitting him or her with the “I hear you talkin' 'bout ‘we’ a lot, oh, you speak French now?” line was probably a good place to start.
69) Tancred - “Bed Case”
Kinda ‘90s, right? Nice.
68) Thrice - “Blood On The Sand”
Moderate take alert: I purport the Thrice singer sounds like Dave Grohl in this song, particularly during the chorus. Come at me with your agrees or disagrees.
67) MakeWar - “Ode”
The dude on this band’s album cover always reminds me of Rafa Nadal, which is weird, as I’d argue he looks -20% like Rafa Nadal. This song has a downcast energy. I think I wanna see these dudes live.
66) PKEW PKEW PKEW - “Asshole Pandemic”
Party punk, wooooo. You will not find a more circular 2016 lyric than “Why’s this fuckin’ dick gotta be such a cock?”
65) Adam Friedman f/ Mike Posner - “Lemonade”
blue eyes >>> brown eyes, Adam.
64) Matt and Kim - “Let’s Run Away”
As always-always-always, Matt and Kim are having more fun than we are.
63) Ariana Grande f/ Nicki Minaj - “Side To Side”
As recently as 40 days ago, I was emaling my friends about this track with the very loaded “I’m not sure this song is good at all”.
My buddy Brian’s response will probably jar you like it jarred me:
Gotta say, I have a soft spot for this song. I think the beat is pretty banging and the subject matter is a plus. Like, we do have to acknowledge that she's walking side to side because she's been having sex with dude all night and day and now her vagina is too sore to walk like a regular person. I can dig that.
Well then.
62) With You. f/ Vince Staples - “Ghost”
Weird music video, but definitely my favorite version of Vince that we got in 2016.
61) Fifth Harmony f/ Ty Dolla $ign - “Work From Home”
I was listening to this song with my girlfriend the other day, and I said something like “This song could really use a rap cameo”. Enter: the very forgettable Ty Dolla $ign. Still, a fun, sexty song. Also, I believe this is our first -- and only? -- song to have over one billion YouTube views (!!!).
60) Masked Intruder - “If Only”
This made it over other MI candidates due to the Winnie Cooper reference.
59) Fat Joe, Remy Ma, Jay-Z f/ French Montana & Infared - “All The Way Up (Remix)”
An easy chorus for sports teams to co-opt, as well as a “fuck off me” Jay verse. He bucks “Lemonade”, ups his products for the infinite time, and drops the mic after:
The OG's say, "Hov, how high is high enough?"
I said "'till we eye and eye with the higher ups"
Until we let 'em know, we ain't those n****s
Until our baby's showered in gold, n****
Blue looking like Pac in the tub
David LaChapelle levels of not giving a fuck
Prince left his masters where they safe and sound
We never gonna let the elevator take him down
Man.
Worry not, cockroach French is around to muck things up. It’s salvaged by a real dope Remy Ma verse, though.
58) Al Scorch - “Everybody Out”
The perfect soundtrack for escaping a busted speakeasy.
57) Tegan and Sara - “Dying To Know”
This song makes the list because the “Boyfriend” chorus was lazy as hell; it was like the “Closer” chorus, version 2.0. Conversely, “Dying To Know” has real emotion and a big, legit chorus.
56) Bloc Party - “The Good News”
A song I fear no one will like but me... but hey, my list.
55) New Lenox - “It’s Its Own Thing”
This is a song I wrote (and drummed on) about how winter sucks. It’s also about Chicago, being alone, finding someone, and using Banner Pilot to get through tough, frozen times. Shout out to Dave Rokos for singing the majority of the leads and Chris Trott for producing.
54) Julien Baker - “Photobooth”
I became enamored with the voice and talent of 21-year-old phenom Julien Baker throughout 2016, and though she released her debut album in 2015 (ALL TRACKS DISQUALIFIED, CHICA), she did drop this Death Cab cover for The A.V. Club this year, so I found a way to get her in the door. Now that we’re all here, I’ll give the floor to Deadspin’s Tom Ley:
What I did not expect was to like this version of the song so much that I now become visibly disgusted when I try to go back and listen to the original. Like all the good, thoughtful teens of my era, I spent a lot of time listening to Death Cab in my car, and I used to nod along pleasantly when “Photobooth” came on. But now I’m just angry I ever wasted any time listening to a lesser version of the song. In my opinion, Death Cab should just turn their entire catalog over to Julien Baker and be done with it.
Ironically, I will be seeing Baker open up for Death Cab singer Ben Gibbard later this January.
53) Desiigner - “Panda”
This is a bad song... but it’s incredibly listenable (for about 30 seconds, only it keeps going for a normal amount of time). It got upped on Kanye’s album, which likely sparked public interest in this mumble rap disaster. Literally the best thing you can say is it’s a Future rip off -- and he’s not all that great to begin with.
/sadly looks up YouTube view total
190 million; Fifth Harmony is like “pshhhh”.
Yet, “Panda” somehow endures. It feels fresh, saying “panda” repatedly never seems to tire, and it burned down the dance floor at Brian Pawola’s wedding this summer; old and young alike wanted to be pandas.
Now is also probably a good time to disclose my Halloween costume...
52) Cloud Nothings - “Modern Act”
Me, blogging about my excitement for the new Cloud Nothings album that drops in three weeks.
51) A Tribe Called Quest f/ André 3000 - “Kids” (no link)
Welcome back.
50) Run The Jewels - “Talk To Me”
Haven’t listened to RTJ3, but it’s only been out for, like, 10 days. Still, this song is as reliably dope as they’ve always been. I also felt compelled to include ATCQ and RTJ in these spots to ensure they were not above “Panda”.
Brave men didn't die face down in the Vietnam muck so I could not style on you
49) Kevin Devine - “No History”
My aforementioned buddy Dave Rokos likes this song because of its big chorus, and I’d also like to use it as a selling point.
48) Kings Of Leon - “Reverend”
For as big as Kings Of Leon are, I haven’t really heard this song anywhere.
47) Rae Sremmurd f/ Gucci Mane - “Black Beatles”
I always thought Rae Sremmurd were kinda meh (at best) and Gucci Mane was an idiot’s idiot (at absolute best), but this song’s a banger -- and this conclusion was reached prior to it going viral with the Mannequin Challenges. Speaking of... my 2016 Black Wednesday:
A video posted by Bobby L (@bobbystompy) on Nov 23, 2016 at 7:15pm PST
46) Grimes - “Kill V. Maim”
This song is straight out of a video game or action movie. Like, get ready to fight a boss or something.
45) Dave Hause - “With You”
Heartfelt ballad that feels sprawled out across a few genres.
44) Robin Thicke f/ Nas - “Deep”
What do we get when we combine a dude with no credibility and feature a dude with tons of credibility? A sneaky sizzling collab. And if you still got beef, remember: it ain’t that deep.
43) Against Me! - “Rebecca”
A lot of people have had this AM! song on their year end lists, and I wasn’t seeing it, but after a few extra spins, it became pretty clear this was thee highlight from the album. It’s got this kinetic energy, spinning out of control while somehow maintaining perfect balance.
42) Restorations - “See”
Restorations make spectrum songs; ones you listen to while the world moves in slow motion at an airport reunion, while time stops after a death, or stretches out on an overly contemplative Sunday evening. What I’m saying is, these dudes control the clocks.
41) Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties - “Green Like The G Train, Green Like Sea Foam”
Soupy from The Wonder Years’ solo project keeps -- PUN INTENDED -- chuggin’ along with this one. He’s singing in the same gear he always sings in, but the chorus and always trusty synced rhythms that break it in two definitely get me goin’.
40) Titus Andronicus - “No Future”
Titus Andronicus covering Craig Finn, and they add just the right amount of anguish to the proceedings. There’s such an obvious-yet-still-clever element to the “February’s about as long as it is wide” line.
39) Rihanna - “Needed Me” (NSFW-ish video)
This song is good -- Mustard on the beat, natch -- but RiRi murdering a dude in the back of a strip club in the video might be better.
38) Jeff Rosenstock - “Festival Song”
The former Bomb the Music Industry! singer dipped his toe in a few genres throughout his 2016 album “Worry”, though I’m not sure how to describe this one; it’s kind of spastic punk with some synthy keyboards and a catchy outro, strong enough to throw two capable haymakers as the song enters its final minute.
37) The Steve Adamyk Band f/ Colleen Green - “Carry On”
I hadn’t even heard of this band a month ago, but “Carry On” has quickly become a favorite; toe-tappin' rock.
36) The Naked And Famous - “Higher”
This band seems like they’d have -- there is no better word I’m so sorry -- epic concerts. Also, don’t miss out on the “In The Air Tonight”-sounding fills.
35) Phantogram - “You Don’t Get Me High Anymore”
Brilliant drum samples, drug stuff, and a pop sensibility; you seriously could not ask for more.
34) Child Bite - “Vermin Mentality”
This song is quite harsh, and I imagine if you had individual approval ratings for all 132 of these songs, it would very easily finish in the bottom five. That said, I think it rocks, and it reminds me of the Dead Kennedys’ best scenario.
33) Joyce Manor - “Last You’ve Heard Of Me”
Sure, I reacted like a mom when I saw Barry’s new neck tattoo in the video, but the song was the redeemer. Recommended if you like the Everclear “Santa Monica” intro, marijuana makes you tired, or you’ve found love in the parking lot outside a karaoke bar.
32) Cassino - “Alabama Song”
If you did happen to listen to “Vermin Mentality”, this’ll probably be the song to get that taste out of your mouth. I love its overall laid back vibe, even if what it’s about remains unclear after a good chunk of listens.
31) Direct Hit! - “Was It The Acid?”
This one lost several punk points after the singer revealed he did not use hard drugs. But still.
30) Bayside - “Pretty Vacant”
My buddy Brian Pawola doesn’t like this song because of the teenage-y “I can’t believe this is my life, I’m pretty vacant all the time” chorus, but that’s precisely why I do. Also, apparently the album it’s off of is called “Vacancy”, haha.
29) PUP - “Familiar Patterns”
Feels weird not picking a single, but this one was always my favorite; the same percussive power, shreddy singing, and unrelenting noise we got in their debut a few years ago. Also funny: they named their 2016 album “The Dream Is Over”, which is what the PUP singer’s doctor told him after diagnosing his vocal chord ailment.
28) Tokyo Police Club - “Not My Girl”
Sometimes, I wanna tell non-punk fans TPC is what all punk rock sounds like, because even though the band has more of a pop-indie element, they do seem like the genre’s best case scenario more often than not.
27) The Falcon - “If Dave Did It”
Feels like sacrilege picking a Dave Hause fronted track for my Falcon choice. After all, this is Brendan Kelly’s group, and after an EP and two full lengths, it’s Dave’s first ever time fronting a song in the band. But this song kept standing out. It also has a small drum solo, and even though basically all drum solos are bad, Neil Hennessy’s on the kit -- so you know you’re in good hands.
26) Chance The Rapper f/ 2 Chainz & Lil Wayne - “No Problem”
Chance’s “Coloring Book” was so positive and creative and multi-faceted that it feels a little wrong to pick a song that’s more traditional rap with typical guests, but it really is the best song, you know? For whatever reason, Lil Wayne’s nonchalant verse was my favorite, with his initial bars being the highlight:
I got problems bigger than these boys
My deposits, they be on steroids
Lord, free the Carter, n****s need the Carter
Sacrificin' everything, I feel like Jesus Carter
But sure, we can also highlight funny 2 Chainz things:
- “Inside of the Maybach look like it came out of Ikea / Run shit like diarrhea” (oh my god)
- “Aye, aye, captain / I'm high, captain / I'm so high / Me and God dappin'” (haha)
Also, if you don’t raise-and-drop your arms for the “huh! huh!” part before the beat kicks in at the beginning after “lobby”, you’re a monster.
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25) David Rokos - “Pacific Time”
Falling in lust with a California girl who has the keys to bomb ass hotel room overlooking the ocean? What self-deprecating heterosexual dude isn’t signing up for this?
24) NOFX - “Six Years On Dope”
Thrash punk, with Fat Mike and Eric Melvin divvying up the vocals after arguing to start the song. Here’s the July 2016 description I emailed to the gf:
So, the lead singer has kind of a flat, annoying voice, but then there's this guitarist who mostly does yell parts and not a lot of leads, but in this song, they both basically trade off yelling, and the guitar is blaring, and it just does not relent. They've released a million records at this point, but something about it feels so fresh. Like new blood has been infused into all of them.
You will like... 0% of this.
Her response: “Hahaha. I wouldn't say that I hate this...but it's pretty close.”
23) Beach Slang - “Future Mixtape For The Art Kids”
Of all the artists on this way-too-long list, I had the hardest time picking a Beach Slang song. This is probably because all of their songs sound the same. But as a writer earlier this year said, it’s still a good song. So true. I went with Track 1 from their album “A Loud Bash of Teenage Feelings” (this is the actual title) because it has the biggest chorus:
We're not lost, we are dying in style
We're not fucked, we are fucking alive
I hope I never die
Every Beach Slang song also has to include “die” or “alive” in the lyrics; this one gets both. Minor gripe: that vocal distortion you hear is an effect used on every other song on the 29 minute record.
22) Kid Cudi f/ André 3000 - “By Design” (no link)
When you think too much, you’re removing what’s moving
This song could literally be in a made up language, but the diction, beat, and Caribbean stylings from Cudi and 3 Stacks would still make you wile out. The full version appears to be nowhere on the free Internet, but I highly recommend finding it.
If you’re too lazy, peep Cudi’s “Goodbye” instead. It’s a pump up track that samples 2Pac and Pink Floyd -- what could go wrong?!
21) Anderson .Paak - “Come Down”
My buddy Ceebs used this as the entrance song at his wedding; he and his wife looked so cool.
youtube
20) The Weeknd - “False Alarm”
Listen, I wanted to include “Starboy”. But after shunning “The Hills” for “Can’t Feel My Face” in 2015, I wanted to pick the weird song over the poppier one this time, OK? This music video is so violent. I also really do wonder if this song has borderline punk elements.
19) Carly Rae Jepsen - “Higher”
Just a Carly Rae “Emotion” b-side cracking the Top 20, no big deal. Seeing CRJ in Milwaukee in March was my favorite concert of 2016; so much so that I saw her in Chicago the next day and even exchanged a shirt (...cutoffs) with the merch guy I’d met already.
18) Brian Fallon - “Red Lights”
We have The Gaslight Anthem singer’s solo project here. This could definitely be a TGA song. “I only stop to tell her that I love her at the red lights” = unstoppable swoon.
17) Jay-Z - “Spiritual”
I need a drink, shrink or something
I need an angelic voice to sing something
A song that should’ve had a much bigger spotlight in an incredibly tumultuous year. I remember listening to this during the Dallas shootings, my heart absolutely breaking for the country. Here is the statement Hov released with the track:
16) Justin Timberlake - “CAN’T STOP THE FEELING!”
Our Song of the Summer, 2K16.
The one critique you could give is maybe it’s a little too easy, a little too low hanging fruit, but my counter would be: who said pop music has to be terribly difficult? And if you’re still folding arms during the “Can’t stop the fee-laaaaahn” falsetto part, having fun probably isn’t your bag.
15) Get Well Cards - “Is It Worth It?”
I think you’re trying to kill me, when you said you’d lick my wounds
I play drums on this jam, but it’s Dave Rokos’ songwriting that gives me all the feels. It always reminded me of a slightly more restrained “Good Things”. This song is about sleeplessness, deep contemplation, and a deteriorating relationship; you don’t know if you should do everything you can to hold on... or mercifully let it all go (”And they say time is all we have to give / And I think I’ve given you enough”... oof).
14) Resolutions - “Daily Train”
Blindly assumed this band was from Canada, but, upon further research, it looks like Germany. Hmm. The singer sounds like the Rise Against dude to me.
13) Mike Posner f/ Big Sean - “Buried In Detroit (Lucas Lowe Remix)”
Hunger > Strategy
The Mike Posner comeback was one of the more delightful storylines of 2016. Though I liked “Ibiza” quite a bit, I had a softer spot for the one with his fellow Michigander. This is my favorite Big Sean performance of the year, and Posner’s verses and choruses are straight anthemic.
12) blink-182 - “Rabbit Hole”
Though we can all agree “Built This Pool” is the best song of all-time (Travis’ “Is that really it?” = completely perfect), “Rabbit Hole” was a bit more well-rounded -- and it’s Matt Skiba getting in the mix in a blink-182 song (verse two); I can’t believe we’re here.
11) Kanye West f/ Kendrick Lamar - “No More Parties In L.A.”
In honor of its number on our dear list, my Top 11 favorite bars from this banging banger of a song...
11. Kanye: “And as far as ‘Real Friends’, tell all my cousins I love 'em / Even the one that stole the laptop, you dirty motherfucker” (he’s not over it)
10. Kanye: "My psychiatrist got kids that I inspired / First song they played for me was 'bout their friend that just died” (creepy, ominous)
9. Kanye: “Hey baby, you forgot your Ray Bans / And my sheets still orange from your spray tan” (very South Naperville)
8. Kendrick: “She said she came out here to find an A-list rapper / I said baby, spin that 'round and say the alphabet backwards” (the young MC will not be slighted)
7. Kanye: "Thinking back to how I got here in the first place / Second class bitches wouldn't let me on first base" (those days are probably over, Yeezy)
6. Kanye: “Got pussy from beats I did for n****s more famous / When did I become A list? I wasn't even on a list” (those days are also probably over, Yeezy)
5. Kendrick: “Well cutie, I like your bougie booty / Come Erykah Badu me" (that’s just good game)
4. Kanye: “Every agent I know, know I hate agents / I'm too black, I'm too vocal, I'm too flagrant” (empowering)
3. Kanye: “I was uninspired since Lauryn Hill retired / And 3 Stacks, man, you preach it to the choir” (golden)
2. Kanye: "Mulholland Drive, need to put up some god damn barricades / I be paranoid every time, the pressure / The problem ain't I be drivin' / The problem is I be textin'" (we’ve all been there)
1. Kanye: “I be worried 'bout my daughter, I be worried 'bout Kim / But Saint is baby 'Ye, I ain't worried 'bout him” (and we’ll end with my favorite rap lyric of 2016)
10) Daya - “Hide Away”
It took a few listens to realize how sublime this one is. The lyrics are solid, the beat is great, and they display some real patience with how the hi-hat notes are deployed, and it really helps control the flow of urgency (Posner uses this tactic in the “Buried In Detroit [Remix]” as well).
Also, don’t sleep on its grocery store banger potential with the happier sounding and cutesy “Tell me where the good boys go” bridge.
9) Beyoncé f/ Kendrick Lamar - “Freedom” (note: link is to the live performance)
This is big.
I remember when “Lemonade” dropped, I was txting with my friend Buffalo Grove Tina (she’d heard the album and I hadn’t yet), giving her selective feedback as I was progressing through the tracks. She then sent a message that stuck with me every listen since:
Hooooooly buckets, she nailed it. The Just Blaze beat should be sent to the CDC, Yoncé is breathing fire, and once you start to finally wrap your head around all of that, you get a K-Dot verse as icing on a cake that already had great cake and great icing. It’s run-through-walls time.
8) Drake - “One Dance” (note: link is to the live version)
Drake has been so consistent with his output this decade, turning every year into a "Should I pick the hip-hop song or the pop song?" debate when it comes to list-making. This time, the pop song wins (or dancehall, really).
"One Dance" is a good joint to drink, dance, or sway to. There's a reason it became his most streamed song of all-time.
7) The Hotelier - “Piano Player”
What a beautiful piece of music. The warmness I feel during the “I don’t know if I know love no more” is unmatched. Their album (”Goodness”) is one of the year’s best.
6) Culture Abuse - “Dream On”
This song is automatic pulverization. Like, about 80% of the way through, it tries to end but somehow can't. The chorus isn't ready to be done. Some have compared the singer's style to a robot, but I think it just sounds *cool*.
5) Japandroids - “Near To The Wild Heart Of Life”
She kissed me like a chorus
Skeptics might hate on this song for sounding like a retread of their sound from 2012's legendary album "Celebration Rock", and even non-skeptics may roll their eyes at the "I used to be good, but now I'm bad" line. But I shun these trigger happy notions. Enough time has passed since “CR”, and I was ready for this band to come back; beyond ready. This song gave me everything I was missing during the Japan-void.
/walks out of the room with an unflinchingly straight face
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4) Pusha T f/ Jay-Z - “Drug Dealers Anonymous”
My pick for the best hip-hop track of the year. No choruses, no trade offs; it’s one long Pusha verse, then one long Jay verse -- the best rap verse of 2016, by my count. Pusha’s is galvanizing too, though. He paints pictures, conjures the Flint water crisis*, and sets up a bowling pin for the GOAT to roll one at...
/deep breath
Just, like, fuck, man.
JAY-Z IS SO GOOD AT RAPPING WORDS
Shawn Corey Carter doesn’t walk, he weaves. He doesn’t blast, he shoots silenced. I’d love to use the word “ether” to describe the verse but won’t out of respect. What doesn’t it have? I don’t know. Here’s what it does have: Tomi Lahren she gone, drug dealer stuff, rich guy stuff, historical and pop culture references (I’ll defend the “Damn, Daniel” line to the death), and this piece of divinity: “Y’all think Uber’s the future, our cars been autonomous”.
Sometimes all I can do is put my head down, bite my lip, and bob when this song comes on; lucky to be alive, like always.
(* - Pusha apparently donated water to the city but wanted it nameless, rationalizing it in the song with: “And I can’t even mention what I sent or what I spent / Cause my name in 18 wheelers is evidence”)
3) Modern Baseball - “Apple Cider, I Don’t Mind”
MoBo’s “Holy Ghost” was a little uneven as an album, but I’m just happy to have singer Brendan Lukens here with us after his bout with depression, substance abuse, and suicidal thoughts. By the time he got back to the studio after rehab, he was ready to give us at least a little insight into his psyche -- and it’s desperate, scary, and beautiful. My favorite overall musical moment of 2016 is the pleading “I can’t” he hits at the 1:15 mark of this one.
Clocking in at a tick under two minutes, this song almost feels incomplete in a way that 2014′s “Rock Bottom” (2:14 itself) didn’t. It’s like Lukens wants to sprint so hard he passes out, worrying not as much about finishing the race but instead focusing on giving the audience all of himself while in the booth.
2) Pinegrove - “New Friends”
Hit me, Spin:
Pinegrove are almost radically likable, soft-spoken in a year of grandiose statements, filling a void that only existed in retrospect.
Damn straight. I hadn’t even heard of these guys at the start of the year.
This goes from indie folk to a Weezer-y outro with only a short build up, but the songwriting and lyrics are in a style all their own, really. That’s it.
1) The Menzingers - “Lookers”
When this dropped, my buddy Chris Trott emailed me what he always emails me when a new song piques our interest: “Holy good god damn this is good. This is like 'I believe in music again' good.”
Shortly after, I remember leaving work for lunch and bumping the song for the first time in a parking lot. I wrote him back: “Was staring at this brick wall while listening and the first thought that popped into my head was something like 'It feels like they are taking my soul out of my body and splattering it on that wall' (in the best way, of course).”
Nostalgic verses, massive Jersey chorus, an “On The Road” reference, and the desire to want more of these songs even after you were just given everything in a single installment.
This god damn band.
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#kendrick lamar#kanye west#beyonce#jay z#pinegrove#rozwell kid#masked intruder#best of 2016#music#2016#mobo#the hotelier#modern baseball#japandroids#pusha t#drake#daya#blink 182#mike posner#big sean#the weeknd#justin timberlake#carly rae jepsen#beach slang#anderson paak#young thug#the menzingers#kings of leon#cloud nothings#grimes
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Stereophonics Talk Bob Dylan, 'Scream Above the Sounds' LP
New Post has been published on http://gossip.network/stereophonics-talk-bob-dylan-scream-above-the-sounds-lp/
Stereophonics Talk Bob Dylan, 'Scream Above the Sounds' LP
On the afternoon that Rolling Stone catches up with Stereophonics leader Kelly Jones, he’s already had a full, and rather upsetting, day. The 43-year-old singer and guitarist is calling from his home in the Parsons Green district of London, where, just a few hours earlier, an explosion on a train at his local tube station injured several people. “I’ve got three daughters, and I dropped the oldest one, who’s 12, at the tube,” he says. “And she went off on the train and then 10 minutes later I come back and there’s men with machine guns and helicopters flying over. So it’s been kind of a weird, insane, surreal day, to be honest.”
Jones is on the phone with Rolling Stone to speak about the Stereophonics’ new album, Scream Above the Sounds, the Welsh band’s 10th full-length overall. But several times throughout the conversation, he’ll make reference to the day’s alarming event – which, in its own way, also ties into some of the emotions captured on the record. “You know,” he recalls, “we opened up for U2 on their Elevation Tour, when 9/11 happened, and the names of all these firemen would come on [the screen] and stuff like that. There’s been a lot of stuff that has gone on in my professional life, and things happen and you don’t talk about it and you bury it. And I guess you get to a certain point and maybe you start making life choices, you don’t want to go here, you don’t want to go there. And then you realize it doesn’t really matter where you go, there’s shit happening all the time. Today is a fucking perfect example of that. And I always try to write about the things I’m experiencing. “
Those experiences are all over Scream Above the Sounds, such as in “Before Anyone Knew Our Name,” which finds Jones looking back on his musical life with both fondness and regret. Overall, however, he posits that Scream is a “hopeful” record, its title telegraphing a desire to have one’s voice heard through what he deems to be the constant noise and intrusions of modern life.
As for the Stereophonics’ own noise, Jones and his bandmates have been playing their particular brand of wide-lens pop-rock (gritty and punk-infused sometimes, slick and electronic-tinged at others, massively anthemic more often than not) for 20 years now, and continue to find great success – in particular in the U.K., where they regularly chart Number One albums and sell out arenas and stadiums. And while they haven’t experienced the same popularity on these shores, the band has garnered respect and recognition from some of America’s greatest artists, from Bruce Springsteen, who has had Jones & Co. open shows for him, to Bob Dylan, who in a recent interview named the Stereophonics as a “good record” he’s heard lately.
“It’s very surreal,” Jones says of the Dylan shout-out. “You know, I was brought up with two older brothers and they used to play stuff like Creedence and Neil Young and Dylan all the time when I was a kid. So when I heard him namecheck us I was very kind of nervous if it was true, and then very, very flattered. Because I’ve spent a long time trying to writing lyrics that mean something to myself, and that hopefully other people can then relate to. So to have something like that come from a guy who’s kind of the Shakespeare of music? It’s very … it’s a jab in the arm for sure. It’s encouraging, you know?”
Stereophonics on U2’s 2001 Elevation Tour
Jeremy Bembaron/Getty Images
This year is the 20th anniversary of the Stereophonics’ 1997 debut, Word Gets Around. Did you have that in mind at all while working on Scream Above the Sounds?
Not really. I’m not the type of writer or the type of musician that looks back very often. I mean, the last two albums [2013’s Graffiti on the Train and 2015’s Keep the Village Alive] have been very successful. We had a Number One record [with Keep the Village Alive]. And we did them both independently, on our own label, so I think of these as almost like a trio of albums, really. So I wasn’t really thinking about Word Gets Around a lot. And you know, records to me are kind of an ongoing process. I’ve got my own studio space and I’ve just been going to work every day and making songs and making music and not really thinking of them as albums. And then I compile the songs and fit them together at a later date. Whereas in the past, you’d book a studio for six weeks, go in and make a record and hopefully get it done in that period of time. But I’ve just been making music in a very free kind of experience.
Do you feel there’s a difference in the type of music you’re making today?
I think the main thing with each record is finding something that steps out of our comfort zone, musically and lyrically. And I try to always write about something I’m experiencing. Tracks like “Caught by the Wind” and “Boy on a Bike” reflect back on stuff that happened – oddly speaking considering what happened today – after things like the Bataclan, where I felt anxiety start to get in the way of choices we were making. And I thought the record as a whole might have turned that way, but the songs actually came out much more celebratory. I think they lend themselves to some sort of hopeful kind of record, and really in a time where there’s a lot of noise and a lot of destruction every day.
Is that what the album title is referencing? Trying to get beyond that noise?
Yeah. It’s a lyric in a song called “All in One Night,” which takes you through a journey where two people’s lives change quite dramatically. And then it just kind of fit. There is a lot of intrusion, and young people have to deal with this stuff every day. We all do. And I think people sometimes we forget to celebrate the small things – lying on a roof and looking up at the sky, or whatever it might be. I try to paint pictures that make people realize there’s more to life than the constant intrusion we’re living through, really.
“All in One Night” has a pretty detailed lyric about two people who meet at a party. Is it based on a true incident?
It’s pretty much a fictional story. I like narrative songs, story songs. I had an idea for each verse taking place at a different time of night. It was kind of inspired by … there’s an independent German movie called Victoria, where these guys leave a nightclub and over the course of an evening everything turns pretty dramatically on its head. And I like that idea. I had the music for the song in a hotel room in Shanghai when we had to do a stopover once. I had a few versions and that was the one that stuck really. So it’s a fictional story but one that takes you on kind of a trip.
“Boy on a Bike,” on the other hand, is clearly self-referential. It shows you looking back on your childhood, to a simpler time in your life.
Yeah, probably everyone’s lives. But there’s an image I used to use in my head of me riding down a small village street when there was snow on the ground, going to see my grandmother on Christmas day and it was very quiet and you could just hear the snow crunching under the wheels of the bike. That’s a common image for me that I use quite a lot. And it just came out in a little song, really. Kind of a little Louis Armstrong tune in a way. I had a nylon-string guitar, it was very lo-fi. It’s a very personal song and I’m quite fond of it.
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Another song that shows you looking back, and in a very specific way, is “Before Anyone Knew Our Name,” which pays tribute to a former member of the band.
That’s about friendship and loss. Boyhood. That’s a reflection of losing Stuart Cable, who was the drummer in the band, which happened almost seven, eight years ago now. I don’t know where that song came from – one day it just came out that way and it was literally pages and pages of words and I just sat down at the piano and they unraveled. Again, it’s a very honest and vulnerable type of song, you know? Very true. Almost one of those ones where you’re not sure you want to put it on the album.
It’s a reflection on the beginnings of the band, and your musical journey with Stuart.
Yeah. I think, you know, Stuart left the band and we were still friends for seven years. And then he passed away tragically, and of course people have opinions about what happened and all this sort of stuff. We kept it very private because we were like brothers and we didn’t want to dish any dirt. And I guess a lot of the point of the song also is, you know, Stuart and I lived seven doors apart all our lives, and from the age of 12 I was in a band with him. So we were trying to be the people we became for a long time, before anybody knew who we were. So there’s a lot of history there before we even had a record deal. People forget that sometimes. There’s a lot of history there and sometimes people make judgements or calls on what happened when they don’t really know the backstory.
You talked earlier about stepping out of your comfort zone not only lyrically but also musically. And there are a few tracks on the new album that have a bit of a different sound for you: in particular, “What’s All the Fuss About?” and “Geronimo.”
“What’s All the Fuss About?” is a very musical song for us – it has almost like a jungle drumbeat. And it’s also a very lyrical song. I guess it’s influenced by people like Leonard Cohen and Tom Waits. Again, I’m using a nylon-string guitar with all these other kind of electronic sounds, and there are trumpets and other things. So that was a cool song which really led the way to some other ideas. “Geronimo” is more kind of gnarly. Again, I’m a big fan of Tom Waits, and I love songs like “Big in Japan” and that kind of stuff, where the trumpet just goes fucking crazy at the end, and all the saxophones and baritones. That kind of very free, falling-apart kind of feel. Compared to something like “All in One Night,” which is very linear and very electronic, it’s a complete contrast. And then you have something like “Caught by the Wind,” which is a very uplifting kind of sound, and that goes into “Taking a Tumble,” which has almost like a New Wave, Tom Petty / Cars kind of vibe. And “Elevators” at the end could be kind of Lou Reed crossed with Exile on Main St. It’s very loose and falling apart. So there’s a lot of different things on there. I don’t really like to box myself in on sounds. I let the song dictate where it feels it should go. And I try to make the sonics sound as close as possible to what the lyric is about, to take you on that trip.
You guys are huge in the U.K. Obviously, you haven’t had the same sort of success in the U.S. Have you ever wondered why that is?
Yeah, I’ve wondered why. I think people are the same worldwide. I think if there’s a certain tribe of people that like the music I make, then I’m sure there’s certain tribes of people in every country. But you know, we signed to an independent label, V2, and it was great for the first couple of years. And then it kind of fell to shit. And once you lose that momentum it’s very difficult to get it back. So without blaming others involved, we tried our best to be there as much as we could in the early days, but sometimes things don’t pan out your way. But I kind of feel that’s what’s made me work so hard for 20 years. And I feel more comfortable in my skin now than I ever have. And I think the music I’m making now, I’m way more comfortable, and if anything, we’ve become more successful now than I would’ve been then anyway. You know, we’ve had the opportunity to do Bowie’s last tour in America. We’ve done shows with Springsteen, who doesn’t have opening acts. We’ve learned so much from watching the greats. And I would say we’re ready for any opportunity that comes along. We’re in a good place now.
Stereophonics in 1997
Martyn Goodacre/Getty Images
Twenty years in, are you amazed at the experiences and success that you’ve had?
The last, I would say three to five years, I’ve really embraced it and understood it. When it first started to happen I was very young. It happened on, like, our second or third record and I kept thinking that these people were there for someone else! I couldn’t fucking believe it. And of course it took me 15 years to realize they bought the ticket to come see us play. It’s weird because when success comes that fast and that hard and that big, and literally four years before you’re playing in a bar, it’s an odd feeling. You know, we headlined Glastonbury on the Pyramid stage [in 2002] and I basically can’t even remember it, really. It was an out-of-body experience, you know? It was so bizarre. I’d love to have a crack at it again and actually be present [laughs].
Is there one show you’ve done over the years that really stands out?
I guess the first big one. It was at a place in Wales called Morfa Stadium. It was just when our second album [1999’s Performance and Cocktails] came out, and a promoter took me to a field and he said he could put 50,000 people in this field. And I told him he was fucking crazy. And the next thing you know, there were 50,000 people in the field watching us. That was very special, because at the very beginning I didn’t really believe it could possibly happen. And then I realized that, you know, people really do relate to things that we’re saying. That was a very special moment. And then from that point on it was very, very fast. We were opening for everybody from the Chili Peppers to Aerosmith, and all these bands wanted to take us on the road. We were playing with the Stones and these sorts of things. So it’s been a fucking ride, and it’s been incredible. And like I said, since about 2012 I’m starting to really get into that whole, you know, “what it all is” point of view. And I’m loving it.
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