Story of My Life

Story of My Life:

Or how Power Pop and The Flaming Lips describe my personal sine curve.

So everybody’s got that song that he or she can point to as an expression of his or her life’s battle royal. I’ve got 8. In listing them in blog form I realize that I’m revealing a ton. Feel free to speculate why these songs ring so true to me-self. Wild conspiracy theories and conjecture are not only welcome, but are what I’m aiming for you, the intelligent reader, to carry out.

-Side note, these aren’t necessarily my favorite songs of all time, though I certainly do love them. I also fancy story-of-other-people’s lives too!

Power Pop is a classification that often tells stories, which makes it naturally a Fountain spewing forth story-of-my-life kind of songs. And yes, the capitalization was most intentional…(note: other grammar items might not be intentional, so back off). So first batch of story of my life songs comes from Fountains of Wayne… no I’m not talking about Stacy’s mom :v. I’ve always loved these guys for their storytelling/slice of life style and now that I’m a “young professional” I can relate even more to their stories. Sick Day has been more relevant to me recently, “lead us not into Penn Station”, listen to all the fantastic lyrics. In fact I’m taking time off right now :D. Anyways I think the closest thing they’ve got to me is “Someone to Love”. Smart hip catchy, and hauntingly beautiful [ok maybe not that, but it’s very relevant to my life (even more so if I decided to work in NYC) with some more amazing lyrics] One song from them that is more a “story of the Harrington Family’s life” is New Routine. I think we’ve lived in most of the places mentioned and are always restless for the titular theme.

While on this subject of fountains of wayne I need to mention “Michael and Heather at the Baggage claim”(an unlikely title to one of the greatest love songs of our time). I be keen on this song, it feels like you are people watching and spotted a couple at the airport after a long trip. Also Red Dragon Tattoo makes me happy, though I only relate to the sentiment of trying to impress a lady cooler than me. (a universal theme in music)

Next up, Weezer

I know, I’ve had a lot of weezer on this here blog, but…well never mind that train of thought, I make no excuses and brake for nobody. Strangely enough, Make Believe holds most of the story of my life songs. Perfect Situation is pretty spot on, though The Other Way is my choice. (again, the pattern here is listen and conjecture)

Now its Ben Kweller time, Don’t Know Why… (actually I do)

Ok its time to delve into psychedelic space rock, something that I totally relate to (???) Most particularly I wanna talk Flaming Lips. Frontman Wayne Coyne is pretty crazy, but hits at some heavy topics through simple allegory, by way of spiders, messengers from the future, robots learning love, ambulance drivers, fights, autumn transformation and scientists racing for the prize and so much more.

But relating back to the topic at hand I submit these two as story of my life songs. Feeling yourself Disintegrate, the simple life themes/message is combined with such a lovely tune. I feel I relate to it somehow, but I don’t know why. Lastly I submit Ego Trippin, again I say conjecture.

I leave you with this beautiful instrumental, please comment folks, tell me your theories/your songs.

Thank you, you’ve been a lovely audience, its certainly been a thrill …I’d like to take you home with me,

Affectionately yours,

-James