They're Playing Our Song

While I messed up and forgot that "Imagine" was actually from the album Imagine, special guest, Terry Parretti, lifelong educator and dancer, forgives me in the name of John Lennon's message of peace, humanity, and love. We discuss what happens when we die and if it even matters, the power of music in teaching, and just how crummy the 70s were. Stay tuned until the end for some free choreography consultation.
Please very much enjoy!
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This week we sip lemon gin with writer/comedian/nice person, Hunter Gardner. to celebrate the season with a discussion of "Almost Summer" by Jason Collett. We wonder why summer sounds so sad in this song, opine on the indignities of youthful intoxication, and embarrass each other with bad date stories. Our pants remain securely around our ankles.
Please very much enjoy
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Because they did me the favor of visiting me, I forced a good 40% of my extended family into the ol' podcast studio to discuss our favorite songs about America and the summertime, but mostly the summertime.
Hang ten and put your wayfarers on for a deep conversation on topics like what's the opposite of America, when's the best time to barbeque, is Dave Matthews music a substitute for Ambien, and just how awesome is a bottle of Zima? And in a They're Playing Our Song first: country music! Then a somber tangent about regret, past joys, and growing up as summer vacation hits the halfway point.
Please very much nostal-joy!
If you want to join us in thinking fondly about the songs we discussed, here's the final list:
"It Must Be Summer" by Fountains of Wayne (Rob's choice)
"Surfin' U.S.A." by The Beach Boys (Heejean's choice)
"Hot Fun In the Summertime" by Sly and the Family Stone (Brendon's choice)
"Summertime" by DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince (Justin's choice)
"Heavy Metal Drummer" by Wilco (Diana's choice)
"Cold Beverage" by G. Love and Special Sauce (Jessica's choice)
"Summertime" by Kenny Chesney (Mike's choice)
"The Boys of Summer" by Don Henley (Sara's choice)
"Summersong" by The Decemberists (Rob's original summer choice)
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It's the big 50th episode of the show! And I booked a bunch of young children to make noise in the background. What better way to celebrate our house party than by talking about Grouplove's "Tongue Tied". Listen to me wax philosophically about the deep, deep meanings of the song and how it taps into our collective unconscious about how crappy it is to try to get a date. Everyone else just talks about medical problems and strategies for laser tag.
Thanks to everyone for listening and thanks to all our guests for sharing their songs! You all make this show a pleasure to do.
Hope you all very much enjoy our anniversary!
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Ta da! Our very first episode. Hopefully you will very much enjoy it.
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Here's a link to the album description on AllMusic and Wikipedia as well as a nifty article from NPR in Boston by someone who also bought this as their first CD. Finally, the the original review by Rolling Stone.
If you're interested in what Adam is singing, behold his lyrics:
Step out the front door like a ghostinto the fog where no one noticesthe contrast of white on white.And in between the moon and youthe angels get a better viewof the crumbling difference between wrong and right.I walk in the air between the rainthrough myself and back againWhere? I don't knowMaria says she's dyingthrough the door I hear her cryingWhy? I don't know[Chorus:]Round here we always stand up straightRound here something radiatesMaria came from Nashville with a suitcase in her handshe said she'd like to meet a boy who looks like Elvisand she walks along the edge of where the ocean meets the landjust like she's walking on a wire in the circusshe parks her car outside of my houseand takes her clothes offsays she's close to understanding Jesusand she knows she's more than just a little misunderstoodshe has trouble acting normal when she's nervous[Chorus:]Round here we're carving out our namesRound here we all look the sameRound here we talk just like lionsBut we sacrifice like lambsRound here she's slipping through my handsSleeping children better run like the windout of the lightning dreamMama's little baby better get herself inout of the lightningShe says, "It's only in my head."She says, "Shh I know it's only in my head."But the girl on car in the parking lotsays, "Man you should try to take a shot.can't you see my walls are crumbling?"Then she looks up at the buildingand says she's thinking of jumpingShe says she's tired of lifeshe must be tired of something[Chorus:]Round here she's always on my mindRound here hey man got lots of timeRound here we're never sent to bed earlyAnd nobody makes us waitRound here we stay up very, very, very, very lateI can't see nothin', nothin', round here.You catch me if I'm falling.You catch me if I'm falling.You catch me cause I'm falling down on youI said, "I'm under the gun..."Round here.Oh, man, I said, "I'm under the gun..."Round here.And I can't see nothin', nothin'.Round here. We don't actually do a ton of research before doing the show: this is new media where feelings rule over fact!
And here's the actual music video for "Round Here" again if you missed it in the preview post. Don't see any small pool like Diana mentioned, but it's the metaphor that counts.
If you have feedback for us or want to be on the show, don't forget to email me. My wife will only be the guest so many times. While you wait by your phone for my call, remember to subscribe to our RSS feed below. We'll try to get on iTunes at some point. One step at a time.