What Are You Listening To Right Now? #25

This passion arousing song came to mind, though I was disappointed, that it no longer inspired me, with the same force, as it once had. Looking for a better version, though, I came across Howard Stern's asking Billy Corgan, about the genesis of the idea, "I'm still just a rat in a cage," which is interesting to think about. Corgan said they'd written it about the music biz (a vampire, set to drain them), with all the things it expects of them and, even after complying with the demands, and achieving fame, they remain subject to it, just in a bigger cage.

It is easy, I feel, to see this concept, in our own lives, of there being an established order, into which life requires us to fit. Who hasn't faced a family gathering or social event, or perhaps just another shift at work, asking themselves (or feeling that the world was asking) "Can you fake it, for just one more show?"

The song then turns the spotlight to religion, with the mentioning of Jesus. But I think I always took it to be referring to the greater reality, behind our physical existence. Even if one does not agree with its management, or believe in it, what can one really do about that-- since ultimately, with respect to whatever the Truth turns out to be, regarding the system which God has created, we are as powerless to change things, as a rat, in a cage?


Bullet With Butterfly Wings





As I'd said, the song doesn't feel as powerfully delivered, as I'd once found it to be, but I think the video, above, is better than most; the irony of needing to perform the song, surrounded by go-go dancers, probably goosed the anger level, up a notch.

Another possibility, it occurs to me, to explain my weaker response to the song, is
that maybe I just don't have as much rage, or as much passion, left inside myself, after the intervening years of life's draining it from me.


In any case, here are some worthwhile, alternate takes on the song:

Frida Snell sings the lyrics, especially well. This version is done on piano. Very nice.






Sarah, on acoustic guitar.






Kind of a Goth metal take, by Nahar, whose sultry style works well with the verses, but doesn't give the refrain, the punch that I'm looking for.






Don't miss out on this interesting variation, by Freedom Fry.

 

Pixies mini-set, #2:


"Hey"-- live, from 1988.







"Where Is My Mind?"-- Live







I don't know if "On Graveyard Hill," is the most typical of the Pixies, but the video is pretty cool.







If you missed the first set (prior page):

http://www.politicalforum.com/index...-right-now-25.562489/page-168#post-1074312651

 

A Capella version. Pretty good.

 

Despite my initial impression of cheesiness, from the costumes, the song turned out to be very listenable-- catchy, even. And there could be no complaint with the voices, either.

 

Mellow and nice acoustic guitar cover of Nirvana's "Come As You Are," that adds a new dimension to the song. Enjoy.

 

a little faster tempo than the 72 era

 

Not that it's such a great song, but just to try to raise the vibe to something a little more upbeat, after all the slower stuff, and in keeping with the theme of the last page or so-- with the Pixies, Smashing Pumpkins, and Lemmiwinx's posting of the Cowboy Junkies-- of music of the 1990s and late '80s, here's looking back at a song which, itself, refers further back, to a simpler age.






Here's a kind of interesting, incidental note: that Weezer song was produced by Rick Ocasek (of the Cars).

 

german hiphop ...which I never really thought about, but I guess makes sense, is actually a thing:


............aaaand the metal version (and good lord, Melissa Bonny at 2:11 can really growl!)

 

That last one, for me, was a no. But I appreciate it, because it makes me less self conscious about presenting this guilty pleasure of mine, going back to 1984. I'll start with this version, because the other instruments come through to play a bigger role than in others, and the whole song is better blended and balanced.

Laura Branigan's "Self Control"





Another live performance





The video-- a little racy perhaps, for the time.





As long as there's room, why not another live performance?





And this is another video, but with a kind of strange concept, for the backdrop. Seems pretty low budget. But the song is still good.

 

Now, there's a band I haven't heard in a while

I was looking handsome, she was looking like an erotic vultcha...

 

I don't know why the Pixies reminded me of this band, but whatever....

 

...and while I'm riding this wave....

 

a really good cover of Ian Gillan's tour de force

 

I can definitely recognize a similarity in the flavor, particularly in the spoken lines.

 

As the thread is moving on, I'm going to slip in one more, late 80's post. This is not someone I expect most will be familiar with: Anna Domino. I only knew her from this one song, that was long a personal favorite, titled "88." While the sound quality isn't all that I'd hope, it's the best offered by the You Tube selections.






There were a few videos of her other stuff, and it's OK. Very laid back. I recommend deferring your judgement for a good minute or so, to really get in synch with each of the tunes, which represent a range of styles. I'll start with "Snakefarm," because I think there's a possibility that @Turtledude might dig it:





This next one is quite different from the last-- funky & Beboppy. But I'll just let you hear that, for yourselves. Here's "Vanna"





"Land Of My Dreams" combines a bit of Asian flavor, along with a hint of the vibe of 60s Drug Rock. At least you can't say that you've heard that before:






Anna is the guest singer, for this pleasant enough, final song, by Polychron+, titled "Pocketknife"

 

One of the most glaring omissions from the Hall of Lame, in not selecting the incomparable Paul Rodgers

 

Some more Paul Rodgers with the guy I believe is the best rock guitarist of all time

 

Ahh...Summertime...and the livin' is easy....

 

.

 

Here's a better Canadian guy with a similar surname ...

 

3rd song was sung by the great Janice Joplin, the true voice of America.