Friday Music XVI

Hey, it's been a while, but I'm back. And in that spirit, I give you a massive guilty pleasure song, but a deadly serious one too, given its subject.

The Cranberries, "Zombie"

Friday Music XV

Apologies for the slight hiatus this week. Normal blogging will resume next week.

Pet Shop Boys - "Integral"

Ruminations on the National Anthem

One of the many reasons I enjoy watching international sporting events is the chance to compare the national anthems of different countries.  There are a few nations with some very stirring anthems - "O Canada" and "Advance, Australia Fair" immediately spring to mind.  "La Marseillaise" is also excellent, but it's rather creepy once you know what the last few lines ("Marchons, marchons! / Qu'un sang impur, / Abreuve nos sillons!") translates into.  A few could probably be replaced by something better, but at least aren't that bad - I'd put the "Deutschlandlied" and "God Save the Queen" in this category, although the British don't seem to realize that "Jerusalem" is a vastly better song, despite it's obvious religious overtones.  It's just a very moving piece of music.  I'm even partial to "Rule, Britannia!" but such imperialistic sentiments are probably inappropriate in the 21st Century.

Which brings me to the rather troubled national anthem of these, our United States.  First off, it's unsingable.  How often must we suffer through trained performers screwing it up before this becomes clear?  Second, the song is almost unique in the world of national anthems, in that it is a description of an event (the shelling of Fort McHenry), rather than simply an ode to the nation and its virtues.  Third, the tune simply isn't (to my mind) all that great.  And, as it happens, there's a much better piece that solves all these problems and is already quite well-known: "America, the Beautiful."

Yes, it invokes the almighty in the refrain, but in the form of a request, not an assertion.  I get a lot less upset at "God shed his grace on thee" than the ridiculous "Annuit coeptis" on our currency, as if we are all certain that God or providence has, in fact, favored our undertaking.  But beyond that, the lyrics are truly moving, especially the fourth verse:

Oh, beautiful for patriot dream,
Which sees beyond the years.
Thine alabaster cities gleam,
Undimmed by human tears.

I still recall Dan Rather breaking down while reciting these words on David Letterman's first broadcast after 9/11, and remarking that "We can never sing those words the same way again."  No, we can't.  If nothing else, the sentiment is perfect for a post-9/11 America.  And the melody is evocative too, unlike the current national anthem, which sounds like what it is: the tune of a drinking song, namely "To Anacreon in Heaven."  Ew.  And so, here in the early 21st Century, we ought to do away with our substandard anthem, and replace it with the first or, better yet, fourth verse of "America, the Beautiful."

And while I'm on the topic of official songs, I'm quite a fan of "On, Wisconsin," but "Maryland, My Maryland" really needs to be stricken as the state song of Maryland.  Why?  Because the song was written by a secessionist hoping Maryland would join the Confederacy.  And it refers to our greatest president as a "tyrant," a "vandal," and a "despot."  Why the Hell is it Maryland's state song?*  And before you say "But, [Redacted], state songs and national anthems are traditions and cannot be changed," check out Colorado.  That's right!  In 2007, the State of Colorado changed their state song to that atrocious John Denver diddy, "Rocky Mountain High," causing stoners everywhere to snicker.  Tennessee has had eight different state songs, and the current one is a 1980 country song by Ronnie Milsap.  I guess "Rocky Top" got boring or something.  "Georgia on My Mind" only became the state song of Georgia in the Seventies.  So while I'm advocating for our national anthem to be changed to "America, the Beautiful," can someone please write a song about Maryland, so that the Old Line State can finally have a non-secessionist state song?

*Also, on an aesthetic note, the song isn't helped by being set to the hokey and groan-inducing strains of "O Tannenbaum."

Friday Music XIV

In light of the mounting debt crisis, and the utter inability of our political leaders to agree on, well, anything really, I have to go in the obvious direction.

R.E.M. - "It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)"

Friday Music XIII - Killswitch Engage Edition

Looking back at the music I've posted on various Fridays, it's been an eclectic mix to say the least.  Punk Bad Religion, twice), American metal (Metallica), indie rock (Guster and Bloc Party), classic rock (Mark Knopfler), even some Billy Joel doo-wop.  But, alas, the time has come to turn the volume up to eleven.  I've been to my share of concerts, but seeing Killswitch Engage perform in a fairly small venue was probably my favorite.  Nothing like some good, loud, obnoxious metalcore to get you pumped up for the weekend.

"Rose of Sharyn"



"Self Revolution"

Friday Music XII

Puddle of Mudd - "Drift and Die"



But wait! Yesterday was Captain Picard Day! As my friends and family well know, there may be no bigger fan of Star Trek: The Next Generation than I, and in that spirit, I give you The Picard Song:

Friday Music XI - Billy Joel Edition

There's always an extent to which one's musical taste is owed to exposure at an early age, for better or worse. And, like so many people, my love for the various hard rock and punk acts can probably at least partially be chalked up to rebellion against parental authority, even if my parents didn't really care that much what I listened to (within reason). On the other hand, I can think of two musicians where my appreciation for them is entirely due to my parents exposing me to them frequently when I was very young. One was Harry Chapin (and I really need to do one of these on him as well), and the other was one William Martin Joel. When I was taking piano lessons, I wanted to be Billy Joel. Then, well, I learned the electric guitar and I wanted to be in a metal band, but I never did lose my taste for Billy the Kid.

"Allentown"



"Uptown Girl"

Friday Music X

The Temper Trap - "Sweet Disposition"

Friday Music IX

I've been a fan of Metallica since at least middle school, but it was not until I got to college that I really learned to appreciate the musicianship of their ...And Justice For All album. The disc is literally packed with ten minute epics, tricky time changes, dual lead guitars, and some of the most crushing riffs ever recorded. The eponymous track from the album, in particular, wraps the whole thing into one awesome package, and it pleases me to see Metallica put the song back into their live rotation.

Metallica, "And Justice For All"

Friday Music VIII - Rapture Edition

Some crackpots think the end of the world starts this weekend.  Old news.  But, in the spirit of mocking crazy people, this song seems appropriate.

Bad Religion, "God Song"

Friday Music VII

Nightwish, "Ghost Love Score"



Bonus: I'm a huge fan of the film Crimson Tide, so I have to post a symphonic metal cover of the main theme from the movie.

Nightwish, "Crimson Tide/Deep Blue Sea"

Friday Music VI

Pendulum, "Propane Nightmares"

Friday Music V

I hear there was a party in London today, so how about some British rock.

Bloc Party, "Helicopter"

Friday Music IV

This weekend is Easter for those who keep it, and while I may not care much for religious institutions, I do have a great appreciation for religious art, and so this weekend seems a good time to break out one of my favorite pieces from Bach, the opener to his Ascension Oratorio, BMV 11.

J.S. Bach, "Lobet Gott in seinen Reichen" ("Worship God in his Kingdoms")

Friday Music III - Special Edition

It's my wife's birthday, so I owe it to her to at least put up a song that always makes me think of her.

Guster, "Satellite"

Friday Music II

Mark Knopfler, "What It Is"

Friday Music

Bad Religion, "New America"