Sometimes, a song can in 3-5 minutes talk about important issues without rubbing your face in them. Lola is more than she seems!
Maybe Katie Couric could learn something from The Kinks.
The Kinks also managed to take a song about dating in the 50s and add commentary on urban redevelopment and loss of local landmarks.
The idea of a song being a play in 3-5 minutes is actually pretty old. Here’s Johnny Cash singing an example from a previous age:
Or at least that’s what one guy figured out. Original video is not currently available, so you’ll have to make do with this. This one probably isn’t safe for work, so be warned. Still, this is a nice story of one man’s really good day, presented in a convenient 3-5 minute format.
Perhaps the essence of a play in 3-5 minutes is Billie Jean. Paired with an iconic video, it solidified Michael Jackson as an adult pop singer whose color did not matter. And it turns out there was just as much drama in the recording studio as in the actual song:
Oh, one more thing. It’s kind of important. If you don’t like the idea of random people being able to contact you through G+, you’d better read and follow the instructions in this article.
In Closing: the official excuse is to prevent unauthorized export; hero; Pope Francis continues to preach common sense along with lovingkindness and compassion; NSA scandal junkies need to be aware that Bruce Schneier is planning to post an “exploit a day” (yes, he has a working RSS feed); on college; on employment; on the Fed; the Japanese appear to be getting serious about whiskey; and just a little round up of some of the smarter things I’ve seen on other people’s blogs this week.
In his book, Jimmy Webb tells us that the very best popular songs are actually complete plays in 3 to 5 minutes. We will be exploring that idea for a while on Music Monday, but let’s start with the Master himself….
In Closing: I seem to recall Jesus saying something about how the poor would always be with us; a few choice items on dietary choices; now that’s just plain dumb; Janet Yellen; glad I’m not up north; follow-up; oops; bwahahaha; reality check; Cambodia; free house, just add land; and I’m not sure how anybody is dumb enough to think that a for profit company can reduce costs without also reducing service.
In Closing: the TSA; I hope I never need this drug; power of the purse-string; the end of the Kombi; yet another heaping helping of NSA, FBI, Snowden, privacy, and related links (oops, the money might actually be on We The People’s side this time); um, yes; Chinese food; REAL ID is still out there; cannabis; killer cows; part-time; sorry, those 70+ grocery stores weren’t making enough money; apparently the conservatives are on to Pope Francis’s source material; and the middle class.
That is all.
If this song doesn’t make you smile, there may well be something wrong with you. Keep an eye out for both Santa and his cousin, Pancho Claus tonight!
In Closing: yes yes yes, of course I’ll serve up more NSA, privacy, and Ed Snowden links, you can count on me!; RIP Kalashnikov; ancient super-volcanoes; he’s got the right to say stupid, hateful shit and I’ve got the right to continue ignoring him; nice doggies, bad handlers; not sure why people think they have the right to ignore the law, nor why they think kids having babies is a good idea somehow; a few moments of economic clarity; wouldn’t get much traction as the Screw Everybody Treaty; rich white criminal; zero thinking policies; would require backbone; Cuba; or, you know, we could start school late enough that kids don’t have to walk in the dark.
In Closing: NSA? Sure, I got your random links right here (and why exactly would Snowden take a deal that forces him to shut up?); Muslims; I’m not sure how equal wages equals abortion but then I’m sane; let’s hear it for statistics; friendship; race card; Keystone XL is not only a bad idea, it’s unnecessary; cyberspace robots; and there are moments I miss Seattle.