Sonal saw it first. A car commercial that uses T. Rex's "20th Century Boy." She told me about it a few days ago. Then I saw it last night during Star Trek: Voyager. A Mitsubishi commercial. When it cranks up (the music, not the car), you just can't help but be happy to hear it, even if Mitsubishi is trying desperately to buy cool.
Because, honestly, cool is the only way to describe T. Rex. Their songs are great rock and roll, and Marc Bolan was a great, great singer. His voice would have been enough to put T. Rex in the Rock 'n Roll History Books. But then they had the wacked out lyrics, the music, the drums, the distortion and fuzz. I love it.
I have a soft spot for glam, too. And you don't get any more glam than T. Rex.
Here are some of my favorite T. Rex songs:
Jeepster 20th Century Boy I Love to Boogie Get It On Black Cat Life's a Gas
So now, years and years after Bolan's death, they're being played on commercials and movie soundtracks. (Billy Elliot, anyone? Excellent use of T. Rex there.) It can't be a bad thing. Maybe there's some kid out there just waiting to find herself, and maybe Marc Bolan's songs are the key. I wouldn't doubt it.
Saturday, March 24, 2001
A New Obsession
I am loving the Music Match Jukebox. I've been using it for over a year as my main music file player on the computer, but today I discovered something new. Radio stations.
They've got a bunch of stations that just play music, music, music all the time. They play all different genres. But then -- and this is the best thing -- you can program a personalized radio station. To do it, you just type in the name of an artist you like, and then the "radio" plays songs by that artist and similar ones. One of the best "stations" I've played so far I created by typing in Rolling Stones and letting the software take it from there.
Right now I am playing one of my other personal stations, Indigos, which I spawned by asking for the Indigo Girls and artists like them. It's so cool! So far this is the playlist:
Indigo Girls, Power of Two (live version from 1200 Curfews) Tracy Chapman, Mountains o' Things Sarah McLachlan, Hold On Billy Joel, River of Dreams James Taylor, How Sweet it Is (to be Loved by You) Ani DiFranco, Both Hands Barenaked Ladies, These Apples (I was surprised they were on here, but it's a live, acoustic song and fits in well.) Melissa Etheridge, Breakdown
It's great, because you can listen to a bunch of songs you know, and then hear some new ones that are similar. (I sometimes have a hard time listening to a bunch of new stuff when there's nothing familiar. That's why I like mixes that build on things I already know.)
I already knew all these songs except the Ani DiFranco and Barenaked Ladies ones, and I had forgotten how much I loved some of them. Like this one:
Hold On Sarah McLachlan
Hold on Hold on to yourself for this is gonna hurt like hell.
Hold on Hold on to yourself. You know that only time can tell
What is it in me that refuses to believe this isn't easier than the real thing.
My love you know that you're my best friend. You know that I'd do anything for you and my love let nothing come between us my love for you is strong and true.
Am I in heaven here or am I... At the crossroads I am standing.
So now you're sleeping peaceful I lie awake and pray that you'll be strong tomorrow and will see another day and we will praise it and love the light that brings a smile across your face.
Oh god if you're out there won't you hear me. I know we're never talked before
and oh god the man I love is leaving won't you take him when he comes to your door.
Am I in heaven here or am I in hell at the crossroads I am standing.
So now you're sleeping peaceful I lie awake and pray that you'll be strong tomorrow and we will see another day and we will praise it and love the light that brings a smile across your face
Hold on hold on to yourself for this is gonna hurt like hell.
Tuesday, March 06, 2001
I've been working on a couple of CDs and I'm listening to some awesome songs. Here's one I'm really loving right now:
You Angel You Bob Dylan
You angel you You got me under your wing. The way you walk and the way you talk I feel I could almost sing.
You angel you You're as fine as anything's fine. The way you walk and the way you talk It sure plays on my mind.
You know I can't sleep at night for trying, Never did feel this way before. I get up at night and walk the floor. If this is love then gimme more And more and more and more and more.
You angel you You're as fine as can be. The way you smile like a sweet baby child, It just falls all over me.
You know I can't sleep at night for trying Never did feel this way before, Never did get up and walk the floor. If this is love then gimme more And more and more and more.
You angel you You got me under your wing. The way you walk and the way you talk It says everything.
T. Rex: Coolest Band Ever?
