Are You That Somebody?

RIP Aaliyah. 

Just have to throw that out first. As a tall, skinny, little girl, I was often just the one that bopped to the beat at dances and parties. I had been in several dance classes, many with performances, but never felt as self conscious dancing then as I did surrounded by people my own age. Aaliyah and the choreographed dances in her videos were the inspiration I needed to start shaking my booty. Seeing her videos made me realize that I could toss on some baggy pants and dance to my hearts content with out feeling self conscious. I spent many days in front of my t.v. following along with the moves and feeling pretty fantastic. Did I go to the dance and bust a move in the middle of a crowd like they did in the movies? Heck no. But I could have if I needed to. When this song in particular, Are You That Somebody, came out, I was really into hip hop and dance music. There was a lame dance club in AZ that was all ages and this song was on the first time I went there, I danced to it with my friend and we threw in some flamenco moves from the video. Some older guys said that we were sexy and we ran away from them laughing and saying "gross". This song reminds me that older guys trying to hook up with little girls at all ages dance clubs are not that somebody.

King of the Road, yes Roger Miller does it right

Have you ever heard a song and it just sticks to you? I was a child and this song, King of the Road, was on during a barbecue and at my grandmother's house in Arizona. This song actually made me stop what I was doing and want to listen to it. I HATE cigarettes, always have, and I was far from being able to drive or having to work for a living. How does this song, a classic at this time, appeal to an elementary student with pigtails and parachute pants? Roger Miller, a guy whose memorable performances include Hee Haw, made me forget about Cindy Lauper for a second and get down to some Honky Tonk. I hadn't seen this video for it until recently so it was not that, although that would likely appeal to a child. Whatever it is, this song always makes me think back to those "simpler times" with slip and slides and sprinklers and corn on the cob. I could really use that feeling right now on this blustery Boston day.

Jawbox- Static

1992, I was just starting my high school life. My musical tastes were all over the place, and I would buy random music to "try it out". During a trip to our local record store, I saw this odd cover with a distorted face staring out at me from the employee pick shelf. The album was called Novelty, and the band, Jawbox. I had not heard of them and when I went to buy it, the clerk said, "cool, dude from Government Issue is in this band". I had no idea who Government Issue was then so I just smiled and nodded. I listened to it one time and loved it.  One song demanded more plays however, Static. It has this raw sound to it but there are also little melodic and romantic undertones as well. The intro and exit lyrics of this song are my favorite parts. To this day, when I hear it, I can remember laying on my bed listening to it and reading some goofy R.L. Stine novel. The whole album is amazing and really edgy, what was then known as "alternative rock" or "indie rock". Jawbox is a pretty rad band and I heard a rumor that their music is on itunes now so, if you like it, check there.

Jawbox-Static Lyrics

I sunk my eyes in static
You taught me how to see it
Now there's no sign of you at hand
So i stop looking at it
My head is splitting trying
To read the name that you abandoned
Congratulations sister
You put yourself right over
Though you don't think i understand
This sudden awkward rupture
This stuck-unhealing fissure
No love could possibly withstand
And i'd never say
It doesn't mean that much to me
Glad anyway
To see you struggle free
Pinned down but unexamined
Though you kept right on looking
At static there behind my eyes
Keep pushing one-way vision
I guess at least it's something
Since everything is so compromised

I sunk my eyes in static
You taught me how to see it
Now there's no sign of you at hand
So i stop looking at it
My head is splitting trying
To read the name that you abandoned