Prompt: "A live version that just hits better than the official version"
Selected by Joe
"Up Song"
Black Country, New Road
Live at Bush Hall, 2023
1) This live version is better than the studio album version by default, since there is no studio album version (yet).
2) This song has a very real chance of being my favorite song of 2023. It's a lock for Top Five.
3) We're almost done the Summer Song Challenge. I'm so goddamn proud of everyone for putting this thing together over the course of the past three months. When I listen to this song now, I'm going to think about you guys:
"Look at what we / did together! / PoYB / friends forever!"
That's it for the blog post proper. But in honor of the friends that blogged this summer, I'm going to rewrite this blog post in the style of every writer who graced the digital pages of our Summer Song Challenge.
2) This song has a very real chance of being my favorite song of 2023. It's a lock for Top Five.
3) We're almost done the Summer Song Challenge. I'm so goddamn proud of everyone for putting this thing together over the course of the past three months. When I listen to this song now, I'm going to think about you guys:
"Look at what we / did together! / PoYB / friends forever!"
That's it for the blog post proper. But in honor of the friends that blogged this summer, I'm going to rewrite this blog post in the style of every writer who graced the digital pages of our Summer Song Challenge.
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Prompt: "A live version that just hits better than the official version"
in the style of Joe
"Up Song"
Black Country, New Road
Live at Bush Hall, 2023
To not even talk about the goddamn music: when I achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, we had a small ceremony in the Church Hall. During a short speech, my scoutmaster described me as "a leader." It's tough to see yourself from someone else's POV like that, so it definitely caught me off-guard. He also said that leadership is a double-edged sword, and that I should be weary of where I lead. That advice stuck with me, and I've been mulling it over for the past sixteen years or so. I used to think about it a lot when I was, say, organizing a keg party in the woods. I like(d) setting up events like that, and I think others liked when I did, but the words echoed in the back of my mind: is this what being a leader really means?
Even in sobriety, I don't really know the answer. I don't know what type of leader I want to be. I don't even know if I want to be a leader. It's more complicated because of the excising of alcohol as a way to gather, like I don't even know what the excuse could be at this point to get people together. It's complicated too because the person who gave me the advice is a Fox News conservative, but I'd rather not talk about that. Finally, it's complicated at this age, because whenever I think of "leader," I think of my peers, and I feel like maybe by the time you reach your mid-30s, there's very little need to lead.
I'm saying that most of my peers are leaders themselves in their own homes. I can only speak for myself though. The leadership is necessary as a parent, and I struggle under that weight daily. I try my best to be a good leader for my daughters, but I often fear that I'm fucking them up in ways that none of us will understand until its too late.
Regardless, re: leadership, the important function is the "bringing together" of people. If I had to define the term then that's the route I'd go. So when I hear "Up Song," BC,NR's joyous ode to togetherness, what I really hear is leadership, and I wonder if the band themselves see themselves in that way at this point. There was the whole losing-their-enigmatic-frontman thing last year, so this live album is a band finding their voice again in real time. They lost their leader, but they are finding that the band itself can still be a leader to its audience. "Look at what we did together!" That sounds like true leadership to me.
Even in sobriety, I don't really know the answer. I don't know what type of leader I want to be. I don't even know if I want to be a leader. It's more complicated because of the excising of alcohol as a way to gather, like I don't even know what the excuse could be at this point to get people together. It's complicated too because the person who gave me the advice is a Fox News conservative, but I'd rather not talk about that. Finally, it's complicated at this age, because whenever I think of "leader," I think of my peers, and I feel like maybe by the time you reach your mid-30s, there's very little need to lead.
I'm saying that most of my peers are leaders themselves in their own homes. I can only speak for myself though. The leadership is necessary as a parent, and I struggle under that weight daily. I try my best to be a good leader for my daughters, but I often fear that I'm fucking them up in ways that none of us will understand until its too late.
Regardless, re: leadership, the important function is the "bringing together" of people. If I had to define the term then that's the route I'd go. So when I hear "Up Song," BC,NR's joyous ode to togetherness, what I really hear is leadership, and I wonder if the band themselves see themselves in that way at this point. There was the whole losing-their-enigmatic-frontman thing last year, so this live album is a band finding their voice again in real time. They lost their leader, but they are finding that the band itself can still be a leader to its audience. "Look at what we did together!" That sounds like true leadership to me.
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Prompt: "A live version that just hits better than the official version"
in the style of Pam
"Up Song"
Black Country, New Road
Live at Bush Hall, 2023
I love this song. I don't think it's been chosen yet on here, and if it has been, I'm sorry. But it's just too good.
Back in high school, my friend Jessy used to be really into tailgating for some reason. I remember one time, we were tailgating a Black Country, New Road concert. This must have been 2002ish (unless I'm misremembering... Britt, do you remember?), because Chrissy's parents drove us there and dropped us off. The funny part is that Jessy had brought this big grill and was cooking hot dogs. So we're all eating the hot dogs that she made, and all of a sudden, she says, "Alright, the hot dogs cost fifty cents each." We still still make fun of her to this day about it.
Anyway... this is a good song. It's about being together, right? So it even makes sense with the song. I don't know. I hope this makes sense. I don't consider myself a good writer, even though I write for this blog every day and have honed my skills significantly and I'm actually one of the best writers of anyone my age and Joe says that constantly but... I don't know if I believe him. Still. Anyway... back to watching this stupid Elsia and Anya thing on YouTube that my kids are obsessed with. UGH.
Back in high school, my friend Jessy used to be really into tailgating for some reason. I remember one time, we were tailgating a Black Country, New Road concert. This must have been 2002ish (unless I'm misremembering... Britt, do you remember?), because Chrissy's parents drove us there and dropped us off. The funny part is that Jessy had brought this big grill and was cooking hot dogs. So we're all eating the hot dogs that she made, and all of a sudden, she says, "Alright, the hot dogs cost fifty cents each." We still still make fun of her to this day about it.
Anyway... this is a good song. It's about being together, right? So it even makes sense with the song. I don't know. I hope this makes sense. I don't consider myself a good writer, even though I write for this blog every day and have honed my skills significantly and I'm actually one of the best writers of anyone my age and Joe says that constantly but... I don't know if I believe him. Still. Anyway... back to watching this stupid Elsia and Anya thing on YouTube that my kids are obsessed with. UGH.
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Prompt: "A live version that just hits better than the official version"
in the style of Pat
"Up Song"
Black Country, New Road
Live at Bush Hall, 2023
[INT: Record label, 2023. An unidentified MUSIC PRODUCER sits in his office. He strongly resembles (but is legally distinct from) Bobby Cannavale's character in Ferdinand. Minus the horns. Suddenly, the office door bursts open. Enter PAT, wearing a matador's outfit, i.e. the traditional traje de luces. His hair is perfect.]
PAT: They've done it again!
PRODUCER: Who did what now?
PAT: Black Country, New Road!
PRODUCER: That's the name of a band?
PAT: Yes!
PRODUCER: A pop country band or something?
PAT: No! Baroque indie rock!
PRODUCER: Doesn't sound like anything that would make any money.
PAT: But you haven't heard their new song!
PRODUCER: Who's their lead singer?
PAT: Well, it was this guy Isaac Wood.
PRODUCER: Was?
PAT: Yeah, he had to address some mental health issues.
PRODUCER: But this great new song still features him on vocals?
PAT: Oh no, he's long gone.
PRODUCER: So who's singing now?
PAT: Well, this great new song is sung by Tyler Hyde.
PRODUCER: Is he any good?
PAT: She.
PRODUCER: She?!
PAT: Tyler is a gender neutral name!
PRODUCER: Well can she sing?
PAT: No.
PRODUCER: But you think this is a great song anyway?
PAT: Yes.
PRODUCER: I don't believe it.
PAT: Just listen. It's called "Up Song."
PRODUCER: "Up"? What's "Up"?
PAT: Not much, what's up with you?
[PRODUCER charges at PAT, but PAT pulls the red cape away at the last minute, and PRODUCER crashes through the wall, and falls perilously into the Cantabrian Sea. END.]
PAT: They've done it again!
PRODUCER: Who did what now?
PAT: Black Country, New Road!
PRODUCER: That's the name of a band?
PAT: Yes!
PRODUCER: A pop country band or something?
PAT: No! Baroque indie rock!
PRODUCER: Doesn't sound like anything that would make any money.
PAT: But you haven't heard their new song!
PRODUCER: Who's their lead singer?
PAT: Well, it was this guy Isaac Wood.
PRODUCER: Was?
PAT: Yeah, he had to address some mental health issues.
PRODUCER: But this great new song still features him on vocals?
PAT: Oh no, he's long gone.
PRODUCER: So who's singing now?
PAT: Well, this great new song is sung by Tyler Hyde.
PRODUCER: Is he any good?
PAT: She.
PRODUCER: She?!
PAT: Tyler is a gender neutral name!
PRODUCER: Well can she sing?
PAT: No.
PRODUCER: But you think this is a great song anyway?
PAT: Yes.
PRODUCER: I don't believe it.
PAT: Just listen. It's called "Up Song."
PRODUCER: "Up"? What's "Up"?
PAT: Not much, what's up with you?
[PRODUCER charges at PAT, but PAT pulls the red cape away at the last minute, and PRODUCER crashes through the wall, and falls perilously into the Cantabrian Sea. END.]
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Prompt: "A live version that just hits better than the official version"
in the style of Dave
"Up Song"
Black Country, New Road
Live at Bush Hall, 2023
For today's prompt, I chose another My Chemical Romance song, from their album Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys. Unlike yesterday's prompt, this is actually a cover of the MCR song, by a band called Black Country, New Road. I saw them play this song live back in 2006 at Warped Tour. They were great.
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Prompt: "A live version that just hits better than the official version"
in the style of Sam
"Up Song"
Black Country, New Road
Live at Bush Hall, 2023
The Bridge on the River Kwai is such a study on Britishness. David Lean somehow pulls off what on the surface (or my first watch) appears to be a rah-rah war movie but is in reality a clinical take-down of principles, patriotism, and heroism. Alec Guinesess is not exalted but is a madman; the heroic American escapee essentially Don Draper/dick whitmaned his way to success; and the originally despotic Japanese warden comes off as sympathetic and fatalistic. And everyone kinda has a point! The bridge is a great symbol for many things: purpose, ambition, burden, and for Lean, a kickass set piece. The whole movie is a breeze and the climax doesn't disappoint. Even better on second watch.
I know it's technically about a bridge being built, but I would argue in court as a lawyer that a new bridge needs to have a new road on it. Doing this at 11:30 PM and that's my first thought, best thought.
I know it's technically about a bridge being built, but I would argue in court as a lawyer that a new bridge needs to have a new road on it. Doing this at 11:30 PM and that's my first thought, best thought.
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Prompt: "A live version that just hits better than the official version"
in the style of Maeve
"Up Song"
Black Country, New Road
Live at Bush Hall, 2023
I mean... it feels like everyone is going to pick this song today, right? It's the obvs choice. I was at the local watering hole with my sister, and of course we were talking about today's prompt with the bartenders, who I'm friends with. My sister was pushing for the live version of Post Malone's "Love/Hate Letter to Alcohol" featuring Fleet Foxes (that's a band that everyone on the blog has heard of, right?). The bartender suggested this song, though. That's the bartender from my eighth prompt, not from my first prompt. I know whole the bar staff at this point. The conversation annoyed me, but I hate to say it, he was right in this case. It's a bop!
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Prompt: "A live version that just hits better than the official version"
in the style of Bob
"Up Song"
Black Country, New Road
Live at Bush Hall, 2023
The only reason I'm picking this song is because I used to listen to it all the time back in the day in my boy's shed. Smoke just pouring out. Can't do that anymore. I have like bills to pay and children to take care of. Song's not really my cup of tea but it's okay. I picked it because I just heard it the other day during a NASCAR race.
Anyway, when I hear this song now, I think about Grand Theft Auto. Anyway. Give it a listen. It's fuckin awesome.
Anyway, when I hear this song now, I think about Grand Theft Auto. Anyway. Give it a listen. It's fuckin awesome.
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Prompt: "A live version that just hits better than the official version"
in the style of Stephan
"Up Song"
Black Country, New Road
Live at Bush Hall, 2023
If you haven't been reading along, I've mentioned before that I like to bake (sorry if I've mentioned too many times!). It's a relaxing hobby that also makes me feel accomplished, and that feels good. It makes me happy. Yesterday, I was working on adapting a recipe for 7Up Cake, which, if you've never had it, is basically your classic lemon pound cake, but with a "secret" ingredient. My version uses real butter and room temperature ingredients, and includes powdered sugar, lemon zest, and a 75/25 split of 7Up and, surprisingly, Mello Yello. It felt like the perfect late-summer treat for all my blog friends, just like "Up Song." Enjoy the song, and hit me up if you'd like to help me eat some of these bakes!
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Prompt: "A live version that just hits better than the official version"
in the style of Nate
"Up Song"
Black Country, New Road
Live at Bush Hall, 2023
"Now that you've had some time to think," said Cuchillo, "have you come to a decision?"
I wanted to keep him off-balance, so I answered in the affirmative. "Sure. If you feel like that would be best. But what about Eddie?"
It didn't get the reaction that I was hoping for. Cuchillo looked nonchalant. "Eddie? I don't know who you're talking about."
I twirled my hair slightly, and it was still wet from the bucket of water that was poured on my head sometime back in mid-June. I was silent now. It felt like I was fighting some leviathan, which didn't make sense, since Cuchillo stood at a sprightly 5 ft 6 at best. But he had a sort of mental focus and poise that made him seem much taller than that. He nodded again. "Oh, you mean the large man who professed his love for you?"
I was taken aback. "What?" Eddie? Profess his love? That doesn't sound like the Eddie I knew. I shot back, "No. Different guy."
Cuchillo nodded again. "The man I spoke to may not have had any emotion in his face as he said it, but his words seemed sincere. I seem to recall this large man taking a swing or two in your Peaquad's gym. If we are talking about the same man, then it is true. He is in love with you."
This, out of anything that this mysterious and wicked man had uttered so far, was the thing that truly knocked me backward and off my feet in the proverbial ring.
"Ah, but it is too late," said Cuchillo. "Let me tell you what happened on a recent bus journey..."
I wanted to keep him off-balance, so I answered in the affirmative. "Sure. If you feel like that would be best. But what about Eddie?"
It didn't get the reaction that I was hoping for. Cuchillo looked nonchalant. "Eddie? I don't know who you're talking about."
I twirled my hair slightly, and it was still wet from the bucket of water that was poured on my head sometime back in mid-June. I was silent now. It felt like I was fighting some leviathan, which didn't make sense, since Cuchillo stood at a sprightly 5 ft 6 at best. But he had a sort of mental focus and poise that made him seem much taller than that. He nodded again. "Oh, you mean the large man who professed his love for you?"
I was taken aback. "What?" Eddie? Profess his love? That doesn't sound like the Eddie I knew. I shot back, "No. Different guy."
Cuchillo nodded again. "The man I spoke to may not have had any emotion in his face as he said it, but his words seemed sincere. I seem to recall this large man taking a swing or two in your Peaquad's gym. If we are talking about the same man, then it is true. He is in love with you."
This, out of anything that this mysterious and wicked man had uttered so far, was the thing that truly knocked me backward and off my feet in the proverbial ring.
"Ah, but it is too late," said Cuchillo. "Let me tell you what happened on a recent bus journey..."
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Prompt: "A live version that just hits better than the official version"
in the style of Fisher
"Up Song"
Black Country, New Road
Live at Bush Hall, 2023
Heard this one because it was featured in Goodnight Mommy. The 2014 Austrian psychological horror film, not the shitty 2022 American version. The song had me hooked immediately. Spooky saxophone vibes. My sisters and I used to watch this back in the day, brings back some memories.
It's a song about being together and building something. What they are building I don't know. Just go with the flow.
It's a song about being together and building something. What they are building I don't know. Just go with the flow.
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Prompt: "A live version that just hits better than the official version"
in the style of Walter
"Up Song"
Black Country, New Road
Live at Bush Hall, 2023
"Up Song" by Black Country, New Road is my pick for today! It's the first song on their new live album, Live at Bush Hall. I was immediately struck by these lyrics:
"All these things will remain invisible to the world
And you wish you could be held
A silent embrace in the arms of another
Who knows what's wrong?"
This seems to be addressing the integral philosophical notion of tolerance vs. intolerance, and how we sometimes want the one thing that we can't have. Woah, what a cool trip this song is when thought about in that light! I was thinking... that maybe we should all embrace our fellow man a little tighter. You never know who is going to need it. You never know who is wondering what is wrong.
Sunny, you were saying something in Infinite Jest book club the other night... it was about how we as a society have come to view the idea of cynicism as equal to being cool and hip, and but that misses out on the integral human experience of being open and honest and gooey and lame... kinda makes you think! I wonder what the members of BC,NR would think about this... time to listen to more of their music and find out!
"All these things will remain invisible to the world
And you wish you could be held
A silent embrace in the arms of another
Who knows what's wrong?"
This seems to be addressing the integral philosophical notion of tolerance vs. intolerance, and how we sometimes want the one thing that we can't have. Woah, what a cool trip this song is when thought about in that light! I was thinking... that maybe we should all embrace our fellow man a little tighter. You never know who is going to need it. You never know who is wondering what is wrong.
Sunny, you were saying something in Infinite Jest book club the other night... it was about how we as a society have come to view the idea of cynicism as equal to being cool and hip, and but that misses out on the integral human experience of being open and honest and gooey and lame... kinda makes you think! I wonder what the members of BC,NR would think about this... time to listen to more of their music and find out!
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Prompt: "A live version that just hits better than the official version"
in the style of Galia
"Up Song"
Black Country, New Road
Live at Bush Hall, 2023
This is a song that I feel like I have loved forever! I just had to choose it for this blog challenge. I have fond memories of listening to the counselors sing this one in beautiful harmony on a cool summer night at Jewish sleep-away camp in my youth. It really felt like the whole camp was brought together by this wonderful tune. Speaking of being together! I'm back at SSC for the remainder of our time here. We're going to be together until Labor Day! I'm excited to read everything you have to say about all your little songs.
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Prompt: "A live version that just hits better than the official version"
in the style of Lamson
"Up Song"
Black Country, New Road
Live at Bush Hall, 2023
Not sure why, but this song feels like it needs to be heard in a live setting. I'm not too familiar with Black Country, New Road. I could probably name three of their songs off the top of my head. But this kind of reminds me of my time as a P90X instructor. We tried doing the instructing over Zoom during COVID, and it wasn't the same. You need to be there, live and in person. If I was in the gym right now instead of typing on a blog, I'd probably throw "Up Song" on the bluetooth speakers and get the heart rate up! That's probably why this song has stuck with me all these years.
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Prompt: "A live version that just hits better than the official version"
in the style of Dwyer
"Up Song"
Black Country, New Road
Live at Bush Hall, 2023
I saw nothing in this stupid blog rules about picking a song that doesn't have a studio version, so I'm going with this one. I don't mind making Joe K*** angry, so my pick is "Up Song."
Anyway, back to the point. Black Country, New Road is awesome. Probably on a list of my top five favorite bands of the past eight months. Maybe. I asked my friend Alex what he thought, and Alex said that they aren't that good, so maybe they aren't. They're no Weezer.
I'm having a child in February. Not sure why I'm wasting my time with this shit.
Anyway, back to the point. Black Country, New Road is awesome. Probably on a list of my top five favorite bands of the past eight months. Maybe. I asked my friend Alex what he thought, and Alex said that they aren't that good, so maybe they aren't. They're no Weezer.
I'm having a child in February. Not sure why I'm wasting my time with this shit.
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Prompt: "A live version that just hits better than the official version"
in the style of Rachel S.
"Up Song"
Black Country, New Road
Live at Bush Hall, 2023
YAS Queen, take me to CHURCH with this song. The vibes on "Up Song" are giving me Bowie. King Crimson. RuPaul. There's a sentimental aspect to it to, how I remember being a goth in high school just SCREAMING to this song in my car. Have you ever felt a song in your whole body**? Honey, it's like nothing else on earth.
Gotta give props to my girl Kandi Burruss, who said "You get a different respect when you can handle things on the behind the scenes end as well as in front of the camera or in front of the mic." It's so true. BC,NR aren't in the studio. They are singing "Up Song" live in front of an audience, and that audience gets WRECKED.
**Remember to VOTE this November to show the tr*mpers that we are willing to stand up and fight for our rights to bodily autonomy. LET'S GO GIRLS.
Gotta give props to my girl Kandi Burruss, who said "You get a different respect when you can handle things on the behind the scenes end as well as in front of the camera or in front of the mic." It's so true. BC,NR aren't in the studio. They are singing "Up Song" live in front of an audience, and that audience gets WRECKED.
**Remember to VOTE this November to show the tr*mpers that we are willing to stand up and fight for our rights to bodily autonomy. LET'S GO GIRLS.
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Prompt: "A live version that just hits better than the official version"
in the style of Brittany
"Up Song"
Black Country, New Road
Live at Bush Hall, 2023
Because... it's a live song! I guess. Well, I need to be completely honest with you. I have never heard this song before. Sounds cool. But I have been to a lot of concerts. Something like this might make me want to get up and dance to those complex rhythms and sexy saxophone! Just don't tell anyone where I was that night. Awkward.
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2 comments:
I am truly laughing out loud. I was read to filth and it was so accurate. God bless. In the words of boygenius (have I written about them??) "it feels good to be known so well"
Jesus, the full Joe K**** experience here. Truly through the rabbit hole where I thought Joe had copied my movie review, then believed Joe had parodied me, and realized I had in fact written that review.
https://letterboxd.com/samfrans/film/the-bridge-on-the-river-kwai/reviews/
Love the Nate fanfiction though.
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