Hello! Remember me, or are you too drunk? Tonight sucked—um... did not go the way I thought it would go... and I'm going to let bygones be bygones, but you've got to hear this shit from me first. How dare you? How dare you do that? Y'know, if you hated me, why don't you just blog me, right? I wish—I would rather you had just watched 500 movies you've never seen before right in the fuckin' head. Because what I'm going through right now has not been felt since World War II by some people that were in it.
Rap World
2024
Conner O'Malley
Danny Scharar
There was a time when I thought the future was limitless. That's how it goes for everyone, at a certain time in your life. I'm thinking like right around the end of high school. You believe it because you want to believe it about your life, how it could go anywhere and you could do anything, but you believe it also because life hasn't closed many doors yet. You have no idea that the rest of your life will be a long series of rapidly ending opportunities. Eventually, you will be locked into what you have, and that will be that. Hopefully, by the time you get there, you'll have found happiness, but that's besides the point. The point is that there is a time in your life when anything is possible, and Rap World captures that feeling better than almost anything I've ever seen.
It's also a comedy film, and an extremely funny one at that, so any seriousness I may have implied in that first paragraph is all my own doing. Rap World is an incredibly unserious film that managed to touch me deeply anyway. That doesn't happen that often. Comedies are supposed to be unimportant. Rap World, almost ironically, felt important. In many ways, it holds up a mirror to a certain subset of the audience. Did you grow up in white suburban Pennsylvania in the mid-'00s? Then this movie is not for you, it's about you. I wouldn't go so far as to say that this film is about me ("suburban PA" is technically true for me, but Rockledge is adjacent to the big city, whereas Tobyhanna is in the middle of nowhere), but I definitely recognized so many little details.
But yeah, funny. Very funny stuff. Probably the funniest is that I keep thinking about this movie as a "high school is ending, the world seems limitless" movie, but the main characters are in their late 20s and early 30s. I think that was intentional, because it shows that the characters are a little stunted in their development, and that they are still able to capture the sense of "immaturity" despite their ages. But there were plenty of actual funny bits, like the camcorder confessionals, getting yelled at by the aunt, all the stuff with the gun... actually, the gun stuff was more impressive than funny. There was a Chekov's gun in this movie, and they somehow made the idea seem fresh and exciting!
I will say that the extreme lo-fi camera recording for the film took some getting used to. But I think it had to be done, because it was accurate as well. Apparently the idea for this movie spawned from finding some old "home movies," i.e. kids fucking around taping themselves playing Guitar Hero. I had a few of those tapes, growing up. You can even watch some on this very blog if you want. I am in love with the idea of making a movie comprised of nothing but these types of home-recording-style camcorder shots. I'm just saying that it made me a little dizzy until I got used to it.
I didn't have to get used to anything else. Everything about this film was so lived-in and real. One of my favorite sequences was when they went to the "big party" at their friend's house, complete with Facebook wall post announcing it. And then they get there and it's just like two girls and six dudes playing beer pong. Hopefully you can understand how many "parties" I went to back in the day that were structured exactly like this. I was half-convinced that I had been to a party at this exact house, so accurate was it. That realness made the comedy pop even more.
I wasn't too familiar with Connor O'Malley before watching this movie (I learned this week that he's married to Aidy Bryant, for example), but the most recent thing I saw him in was the weird but funny out-of-nowhere scene in Friendship. Thinking about that, and Tim Robinson, made me realize that Rap World was probably at some point recommended to me by PoYB contributor Brian, since this shit is right up his alley for these reasons and more. So I reached out to him to see if he wanted to contribute to this post. Here is the question that Brian sent me:
"Some of the best nights of my life were being had in parking lots." What is your best parking lot-adjacent memory, and if you don't have one, your most Panera-adjacent memory?
I love the question, because I can infer that Brian felt the same way about Rap World that I did—that it's real and accurate and true to life as we knew it back then. Of course I have parking lot memories. "Parking lot" isn't a unique enough phrase that I can easily find what I'm looking for on Blogspot, but I know I've written about this before somewhere. My parking lot memories most occurred in parking lots of Wawas around my neighborhood. Drinking half gallons of iced tea and shooting the shit. Running into random acquaintances that we knew.
I liked the one scene where the one guy is dared to talk to a girl, and he actually has a nice conversation with her. At the end of the that scene, he takes a picture of her, saying something like "I just want this picture to remind me of the time I talked to someone." There's humor in the fact that "talking to someone" is such an everyday occurrence that it's hilarious you'd want to memorialize it in a photo. But there's pathos too, because the desire to memorialize this moment is sadly accurate. I wish I had the foresight to take a pic on those nights when nothing of note happened but it felt like we were at the peak of our existence anyway.
It's also like that scene when Jason's on the phone and Matt is giving the McDonald's drive-thru order, and Jason lightly pranks Matt by asking him to get "Mystic Sauce," which doesn't exist. The dumbest, smallest prank ever, and Matt freaks out about it. "How dare he prank me like that," and so on. It seems silly to us, the viewer, but at the same time, it feels intimately accurate with how someone in that position might feel in that moment, both how Matt would feel like he's been made the fool, and John in how, through this ultimately innocent prank, he's attempt to make the moment feel "epic."
That's the juxtaposition that you get when you try to answer a question like "favorite parking lot memory." You acknowledge that none of them were actually epic in nature, but you also acknowledge that all of them felt epic at the time. It can be both. It's like how the friend group's rap song about Tobyhanna (which hilariously soundtracks Matt's funeral) is an attempt to document how "epic" Tobyhanna is, and how many crazy nights they had in that place. The funny part is that it's a fucking terrible song. The funnier part is that the film Rap World achieves the goal anyway. I will probably never visit Tobyhanna, but I've been there, and I know how epic it is.
GRADE: 4 pukes out of 5
NEXT TIME: We have the Xanadu Zoom tomorrow night (4/29) at 9 PM! And then a discussion post the next day! See you then!
I thought it was probably time for me to make my thoughts on this matter clear, and end the BLOG DRAMA once and for all. The way to self-fulfillment is blogging, and I've spent too much of my time writing in private emails and not writing publicly on the blog.
I wrote an email on 11/12/25 and sent it to both Brian and Zach. I made it clear that everything I wrote was going to be posted in a blog post, and gave one week for any responses to be made to what I wrote, with the promise that those responses would be included in the blog post as well. Any responses I received are included today. Any lack of response should not be considered a "no comment," but instead, an indication that the conversation is ongoing, and will remain ongoing for as long as Blogspot allows us to stay in this space.
Please feel free to comment on this blog post if you have any questions or concerns, or wish to make your voice known publicly as well. Thanks for being here!
Kibbutz Tirat Zvi: This religious kibbutz is a throwback to the collective Socialist spirit that characterized early Zionism. Most kibbutzim have privatized these days, and Tirat Zvi is no exception. But the spirit of collective work lives on. There is no private ownership of property, and one most go through a grueling application process to be accepted on the kibbutz. Prayer is at 6 AM every day, a throwback to the times when residents woke up early to work in the fields. There are cars available to those who want to use them, anytime. Children run about, freely, without a care in the world. Nearby, in the Jordan Valley, birds migrate southward, using the valley as a kind of superhighway to travel toward warmer climes. It is paradise here, even if it is the hottest place in Israel.
Eat Me Out if I am a sausage, made at the Tirat Zvi meat factory, whose products are shipped around the world. —Zach
Florentin: This Tel Aviv neighborhood is named after Solomon Florentin, a Greek Jew who purchased the land in the late 1920s. In doing so, he avoided a likely death, as 80 percent of Jews from Thessaloniki were murdered in World War II. These days, the real estate is cheaper than in other parts of the city, but the area is quickly gentrifying. Think Fishtown vibes—although I haven't been to Fishtown in years, so what do I know?
Eat Me Out to this song if I am Tel Aviv's cheapest lunch, a twelve-shekel falafel at Falafel Ben Hur, on Washington Boulevard in the neighborhood. —Zach
"Hang Down Your Head" by Tom Waits
from Rain Dogs, 1985
In the abstract, I find the act of listening to Tom Waits to be performative. How can anyone really take this warbling nonsense seriously, am I right? But then I settle down and his specificity and kooky arrangements always get me. I also work with someone who exclusively is in a Tom Waits cover band. That seems a bit too far, but popping in every now and again, it's just fine.
P.S. I picture Brian climaxing when the horns kick in here. —Sam
"Tongue Tied" by GROUPLOVE
from Never Trust a Happy Song, 2011
Once again I did not submit this category if so I would be able to pick and choose the songs and have total creative tongue control but I do realize the success of the blog is predicated on my contributions for better or worse everyone continues to puke on your brian so here I remain fighting against the scourge of white rastas from west chester. This song is still better than most!!!! —Brian
Ga'ash Beach: This wild beach is only accessible via trail. As such, it's much less crowded than other Israeli beaches. It's located between Herzliya and Netanya and also functions as an unofficial nude beach, only for men (I saw no nude women). It's a place where you can sit, silently, and listen to the waves hit the shore.
Eat Me Out if you're a person who goes to this beach, as one time, mid-beach run, I saw two men sitting, partially submerged in the surf, one giving the other a blowjob. —Zach
"The Pledge of Allegiance" by the United States Air Force Band
from 50 American Patriotic Military Songs, 2011
You should honestly have this kind of adoration and devotion to eating me out or whatever, whoever "me" is now. One Nation Under Me..... said cheekily. Or like a Lizzo song! She playing that damn flute in my ass but it's empowering I used to work for her and she would kick the fucking shit out of us if we didn't make the word count just like a certain editor.... Jizzo. —Brian
Rabin Square: Nine days ago, on Saturday night, at least 100,000 people gathered in Rabin Square, in the heart of Tel Aviv, to mark 30 years since the assassination of Prime Minster Yitzchak Rabin, who was gunned down after a pro-peace rally in the square in 1995. It has been said that Rabin's murder is among the most effective political assassinations in history. With it, the Israeli left-wing camp took a hit from which it never fully recovered. Rabin charted a bold path. He was in favor of trading land for peace, and shook the hand of the PLO's Yasser Arafat on the White House lawn as President Bill Clinton looked on proudly. Peace seems far away now, but after the most recent ceasefire and hostage/prisoner exchange, and with an election coming up at the end of the year, maybe, just maybe, there is hope again.
Eat Me Out if I am a cream-filled pastry at Pate & Puff, located just off Rabin Square—how fucking delicious! —Zach
"Eatin' Big Time" by Tyler Childers
from Snipe Hunter, 2025
I've had a lot of time to think about this, because Tyler Childers has been in our lives for a few years now and he's one of the better country stars that we've got at this point (it's all relative, like it's not that hard to be seen as one of the liberal-leaning artists in a genre that actively caters toward morons and white supremacists). But I think Childers manages to be so popular in this genre because his politics are coded as centrist, but are pretty easy to decipher as progressive if you read into it, and, ya know, there are a bunch of people who don't read into it. There are some people who hear this song and think that it's about someone trying to steal the fruits of your labor. There are others, like me, who hear this song and believe pretty strongly that Childers is telling us to kill the rich. Maybe I'm wrong, I don't know. Sometimes I get all caught up in the meanings of words and the meanings behind the words. Is the theme really about songs that you play when you eat a blogger's butthole, or is there subtext to comb through here?!?! —Joe
"Pleine Lune" by Scratch Massive
from Nuit De Rêve, 2011
I had a friend with benefits in college who used to write me poems. One of them started, "On two twins tied together, we can love in many positions." A reference to my dorm room bed after my roommate dropped out mid-semester, leaving me with two twin mattresses. And I don't know, it's one of the few lines of poetry that sticks with me. I have the whole poem in an empty cigar box, along with other things from around that time: a MetroCard, a four-leaf clover pressed between tape, a small piece of fire agate, and a few feathers from the American Kestrel. —Gloria
Sea of Galilee: This is the lake where Jesus performed many of his miracles, including walking on water. It's also a beautiful place for camping and is Israel's main natural water reservoir. It's up north. The historic city of Tiberias is located on its shores.
Eat Me Out if you I am a box of instant mac and cheese you can make over the fire. Oh, and if you're instant coffee, as Israeli don't go anywhere in the woods or mountains without bringing a stove and a pot and coffee with them. —Zach
"Mr. White" by Khruangbin
from The Universe Smiles upon You, 2015
It's the tenth anniversary of The Universe Smiles upon You. I love the new recording of it, but I also loved the original recording. I saw Khruangbin last night at Union Transfer, and they were phenomenal. It was such an intimate venue to see them in too, such a great energy, and a good way to end the weekend. —Gloria
"Hallelujah" by Milk and Honey
from Milk & Honey With Gali, 1979
Noga Erez: I left "Come Back Home" off this list because I picked it already for MMM. This song here was the winner of Eurovision in 1979. But let's talk about Noga Erez. Noga Erez is an Israeli musician who performs internationally. She will be performing in Germany, Belgium, France, UK, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic, and Poland from November to December. I would love to see her live one day. To those who have seen her live, how was it? Her album The Vandalist came out less than a year ago and was widely celebrated, especially on the digital pages of this blog.
Eat Me Out if I am an avocado, a food Noga Erez likely enjoys, as she follows a vegan diet. —Zach
Haaretz: Known as Israeli's most liberal newspaper. It recently featured an article about the growing popularity of the dating application Feeld in Israel. Haaretz means, literally, "the land," which is how Israelis refer to Israel when they are talking about it (as in "when are you going back to the land?").
Eat Me Out if you are on Feeld in Israel. —Zach
"King of the Fall" by the Weeknd
a single, 2014
Now that you've warmed me up tooting and booting to some John Phillips Sousa it's time to move north not south... no silly Santa isn't eating me out (yet) I'm talking Trudeau, this is TGIF behavior I'm saying last friday nite stuff It's the Weeknd and my shit fucking stinks in Hogsmeade Village —Brian
"Titanium" by David Guetta ft. Sia
from Nothing but the Beat, 2011
What year did Pitch Perfect come out? (Checking the tape: 2012, my guess was close) It was a (new) era where a movie could become a mega-hit just on music gimmick alone. I was on vacation recently and caught Bring It On on the TV, another artifact of another fecund era of cheap movies. I remember very little about Pitch Perfect, but I think one of the characters professed getting off to this song. —Sunny
"More Women" by Saâda Bonaire
from Saâda Bonaire, 2013
This song has gone triple platinum on my iPhone only. It's one of the things that I listen to at least twice a week. Saâda Bonaire's self-titled album was recorded in 1984, but didn't get released until 2013, except for their lone single, "You Could Be More As You Are." The whole thing is such a great listen. It’s one of my dream albums to find on vinyl. It’s minimal, it’s kind of danceable, and it has such a great 80s vibe. —Gloria
"Berghain" by Rosalía with Björk and Yves Tumor
from LUX, 2025
You're silly and a sinner if you think this entire playlist isn't secretly Young Pope coded. As someone that has been to Berghain several times, always in a different Rajon Rondo jersey, I can say for certain... uh yeah it gets a lil crazy in there!! And the music... well let's just say.... I pledge allegiance to the CLUB! nomomnomnom ha ha tgif —Brian
Modi'in: The first planned city in Israel. As such, it doesn't have much of a soul. There's a mall. There are a bunch of (mostly) corporate restaurants. There are construction cranes everywhere. (There's a joke in Israel that goes something like "What's the official bird of Israel? The crane.") But it has good schools, is centrally located, and seems like a nice place to raise a family. Sometimes, that's enough.
Eat Me Out if I am the entrecote steak at Fedrik, the restaurant that is the pride of Modi'in. —Zach
"Pussy Poppin" by Rico Nasty
from Nightmare Vacation, 2020
I feel like I've heard this description about the last three or four book club books that I've read: "This is a horny book." That always catches me off-guard. Not because it isn't true, but more because, I dunno, maybe I don't notice it because the characters' horniness matches my own? I am as horny as Ulysses' Leopold Bloom so I don't think that his horniness is abnormal, and so I wouldn't think to mention it in a discussion. There was some insight into this the other night on a Zoom: are guys these days less horny because they are constantly exposed to porn or porn-adjacent imagery in their daily lives? I don't like that. I want to listen to "Pussy Poppin" by Rico Nasty and feel horny, ya know? I don't want to feel nothing. It's worth forgoing porn to feel something when you hear a song. JEEZ this is tough to write about. —Joe
Western Wall: Also known as the Wailing Wall. The last remaining wall from the era of the Second Temple, before it was destroyed in 70 C.E. Because of this, it is the closest place to the Holy of Holies where Jews can legally pray. Many write notes and place them between the wall's stones, hoping that somewhere, up above, their voices will be heard. It is at the bottom of Jerusalem's Old City, near the confluence of the Jewish, Armenian, and Christian Quarters.
Eat Me Out if I am a bowl of hummus at one of the many hummus restaurants that line the Old City's streets. —Zach
"Mucho Ôro" by Céu
from Novella, 2024
This is so vibey—the music, the lyrics, it's so dreamy and romantic. This is such a beautiful song. It truly has that feeling of being with someone who genuinely appreciates and understands you. The rhythm change in the middle of the song is done so well, and helps to keep it feeling interesting throughout. —Gloria
The Nova Festival Site: The Nova trance music festival took place October 5-7, 2023, in an open park area near the border with Gaza. The site is now a memorial for the 378 people who were murdered there, mostly young music festival goers who were really just beginning their lives. It's hard to go there without feeling like you're walking through rivers of blood.
Our pain is real, too, even if you want to say "we had it coming" as the result of what you—your words, not mine—might call "genocide" and "colonialism." It hangs over us, like a cloud.
Eat Me Out if... you know what, no. Sexual assault took place here, and we won't be going there, not for this one. —Zach
"Quizás, quizás, quizás" by Gaby Moreno
from Postales, 2012
I always wanted to write music, but I don't think that I have it in me. And I don't mean complicated orchestral music or something, but even simple singer-songwriter stuff. It's so hard. I think, to be good, you need to be okay with a level of vulnerability that I'm just not okay with. We used to host an open mic night at the commune, and I remember talking to a singer-songwriter there. He said he writes whatever he thinks, and it works out. And I think that was the first time that I learned that some people think in words, not in intangible thoughts or pictures that need translation to language. And that blew my mind. I can't imagine thinking in words. —Gloria
I'm pretty sure this song is about bragging about eating out. But I also didn't know what was going on about half the time for this whole album, so don't take my word for it. I applaud T-Pain's insistence in correcting the record and stopping any untoward rumors. I applaud autotune. —Sunny
"Sad Generation, Happy Pictures" by Noga Erez ft. Flyana Boss
Hebrew: Did you know that Hebrew was essentially, as a spoken language, dead until the late 19th century? Sure, it was studied; holy texts are written in Hebrew, and that was never going to change. But it was not until a character named Eliezer Ben-Yehuda arrived on the scene (he immigrated to Palestine, as it was called then, in 1881) that things started to change. He was an important figure, among others, in orchestrating its revival. As such, Hebrew is a language that is constantly evolving.
Eat Me Out if you know how to say "eat me out" in Hebrew! (No, seriously, tell me! I don't know.) —Zach
"Wildcat!" by Be Your Own Pet
from Be Your Own Pet, 2006
You'd probably be surprised to hear me say it, but I listened to this album a lot back in the day. My high school garage rock cover band covered "Bicycle, Bicycle, You Are My Bicycle" (very poorly, without video evidence), and I guess I played the album for my bandmates a few times. I remember our ivy league guitarist reading into the lyric of "I am wildcat / You are a worm / And we are chasing each other and taking turns" and considering it to be a metaphor for sex, like I guess the worm was a penis or something? I mean, I'm no Freud, and I'd normally say that sometimes a worm is just a worm... but in this case, our pal Mike definitely had penis on his mind. —Joe
"Eat Men Eat" by black midi
from Hellfire, 2022
I do a lot of fixing punctuation during the editing process for PoYB. I'm always curious if someone is going to push back against one of my punctuation choices, but no one ever has. A lot of it is from the gut for me, no punctuation mark more so than commas. I try to imagine the author of the piece speaking the sentence out loud, and then move the comma to where I'd naturally here a brief pause in the speech. I think that black midi purposefully eschewed commas from their song title here, because they probably figured that some stupid asshole would assume it was like "Eat Men, Eat" and thus was eligible for a mixtape of songs about a male blogger getting his asshole eaten out. —Joe
"A Farewell Ode to Port Sunlight" by Gothic Horizon
from The Jason Lodge Poetry Book, 1971
(not available on Spotify, fuck you Spotify!!!!!!!!)
It can be anything! Anything! Ring the alarms, it's one of those mixtapes! Put fucking ANYTHING on here!!!! I wanted to put this beautiful and relatively unknown folk song that I've loved for a long time onto this mixtape just fucking because, ya know? And I put it on here and only then do I listen to the lyrics to try to justify it and sure enough, there's a lyric that goes "I know a man who's going down" that could totally be (mis)understood as a sex thing, if you wanted it to be, and I do, I want it to be, because it's a great fucking song and you should hear it, here, right now, on this mixtape about anal-oral sex acts. —Joe
Mitzpe Ramon: Mitzpe Ramon is a village in the desert, at the edge of the Ramon Crater. If you've never been to a desert city—like Sedona, say—it is worthwhile for you to visit. Even if you have, a visit to Mitzpe Ramon is always worth it. Desert hippies flit past, sitting at HaBerech Pub, listening to whatever musician is playing that night, wearing their pashmina scarves. The crater sits at the edge of the town. When you sit at its rim, you observe a silence that you won't find in many settled places.
Eat Me Out to this song if I am a pie at the delicious artisanal pizzeria Paco Ve Nany. —Zach
Shalom: The word "shalom" in Hebrew means hello, goodbye, and peace (the third definition is the reason why Neve Shalom is called that). It's a word you hear all the time, and for good reason. I believe that most people here want peace, but it gets muddled up all the time by bad actors, governments that don't represent the people, terrorism, and global political considerations.
Eat Me Out if I am the pad Thai at Thai Street Food, located at Shalom Aleichem Street 14 in Tel Aviv. —Zach
Neve Ilan Communications Park: This is the place where all the Israeli version of shows like Big Brother, American Idol, Top Chef, etc., are filmed. It was originally the place where most big Israeli movies were filmed. It is perched upon a hill, overlooking Route 1, the main highway connecting Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Next to it is an Elvis-themed gas station, for some reason. It is also the place where I worked for two years and eleven months, as there are other random offices there too.
Eat Me Out if I am the inexpensive main course at Azura Catering that day, where for less than 40 shekels you can get a full meal and all you can eat salads and soups. —Zach
"Day by Day" by the unnamed character who sings "Day by Day" (performed by Anna Maria Perez de Tagle)
from Godspell (The New Broadway Cast Recording), 2011
Lots of crushes during my semester rehearsing for and performing in La Salle College High School's musical production of Godspell, including................ no, wait, that's a bad idea, I'm not going to do this blurb. This was a mistake. This was all a mistake. We gotta listen to 27 songs from an extremely mediocre and incredibly frustrating pop album and then I'm gonna make you listen to some dumb fucking song from a Broadway musical too? That's enough. We're towing the line as it is, but then listing high school crushes would blow way past the line of decency. Didn't get to third base in high school at all anyway, so none of those stories would be relevant for today's already poorly conceived mixtape. —Joe
"Sister Ray" by the Velvet Underground
from White Light/White Heat, 1968
I have a very distinct sexual memory with this song. It is appropriate for this playlist theme, but I'm not going to have you read that on a Monday morning. But my memory is not even a quarter as wild as what the lyrics in this song describe. In an interview, Lou Reed said, "['Sister Ray'] was built around this story that I wrote about this scene of total debauchery and decay... The situation is a bunch of drag queens taking some sailors home with them, shooting up on smack and having this orgy when the police appear." —Gloria
Neve Shalom / Wahat-al-Salam: A village at the foothills of the Jerusalem Mountains, near Latrun. It was co-founded by Jews and Arabs in 1969, in an effort to show that the two can coexist peacefully. But can they? It's not an easy question. I have a friend who lives there, and he says that things there, in general, go well, but not perfectly. Still, it's a place where people believe in peace, and work toward achieving it in ways that many others do not.
Eat Me Out if I am a bottle of wine from the Judean Hills, served at the Neve Shalom Hotel. —Zach
"Big Butt Billy" by Willi Carlisle
from Winged Victory, 2025
I don't know if this is the best song of the year, but I think it's the funniest. "Beauty is truth, and truth is booty"? I mean, c'mon. Here, Carlisle proves two things. One, that there can be humor when you're poking fun at something that you love and respect and care about, i.e. you can tell that this all comes from a good and true place, and so, it's funny. Two, that shit if funnier the more seriously and breathlessly you deliver it, e.g. the end of the song's a cappella Merriam-Webster-indebted ranting and raving is a marvel to behold, and honestly something that I occasionally try to mimic here on the blog, when my blog posts turn into one long paragraph and punctuation takes a backseat to getting ideas out there as quickly as possible. —Joe
Dome of the Rock: This site is considered by Muslims to be less holy than the Al-Aqsa Mosque, but is located right next to it, on the former Temple Mount. From here, Muhammad ascended to heaven. Its golden dome is an iconic symbol of Jerusalem, and looks stunning, from every angle.
Eat Me Out if I am the special air of Jerusalem, air that everyone should have merit to inhale at least once in their lives. —Zach
NEXT WEEK: "The PoYB Potluck" — Songs whose titles are food or drink (chosen by Gloria)
gave me the good PTSD when you go to your friends brothers basement show where you stand 10 ft away from the band and they start and you're like oh damn it's just this guy are they even gonna sing I honestly don't even know which one is the brother and then you're like okayyyy damn this guy can kinda play bass and you say that out loud in your friends ear as they clearly didn't hear you grinning nodding back. Assuming Desert Song is about Dune, loved it, 4 outta 5 Flat Stanleys tgif
Fuuuuuck one week after ending things with a blurb about how I didn't think it was worth considering any decisions we might make if we're on our death bed, I am forced by the next mixtape to consider what I might be thinking about on my death bed. Here's what I'm thinking about if I'm on my death bed: that was fun. There were plenty of bad times; now's not the time for those. There were plenty of good times; let's talk about them. I know this is cliché, but I'm not usually in the business of thinking about my death. No point. When I'm dead, I won't care. Bottom line is I think maybe it would be fun to make y'all listen to Be Your Own Pet one last time. —Joe
"Heaven Is 10 Zillion Light Years Away" by Stevie Wonder
from Fulfillingness' First Finale, 1974
I wish man. I wish. We were all built for purgatory. Purgatory on Your Birthday. Took this one literally. If heaven is a party where someone 5'2 explains to you how he thinks Stevie Wonder actually isn't blind just look at this clip bro, we all knew from the start we were born in hell. I assume heaven will be like Mario Kart Online with a bad connection. I spent all this time picking this guy and now he's in last place still he even got the bullet he has access to firearms. We Will All Pass with Access to Firearms. Ten Zillion Words. Ten Zillion Bullets. When We Pass I Pray We All Hit the Word Count. —Brian
"Love Trinity" by Life Without Buildings
from Live at the Annandale Hotel, 2007
Energy is never created or destroyed, so maybe that's the place to hang your hope. That whatever makes up you joins with whatever makes up everything else, and your atoms will fall into the soil and seep into the water and feed whatever is left alive and parts of you will live on forever in parts of them, all of us on the long road to all becoming one thing, over and over again. Maybe that's the world without end. I hope I don't find out for a very long time. —Nate
"Ride into the Sun" by the Velvet Underground
an outtake from 1969
Every day, I remind myself that I am going to die. Everyone I know and everyone I love is going to die, too. This isn't as morbid as it sounds. When you get used to the idea of death as part of life, it frees you in many ways. It helps you to stay grounded and enables you to structure your life.
Driving along the winding roads in Vermont this weekend, and one thing that stands out is the number of cemeteries that you pass. Small reminders of impermanence. You see this in Philly, too; walking in the city, every small place of worship has its own cemetery. On this drive, I was talking to my partner about how many people are removed from death. Many places are sanitized from the concept of death, so when it happens to someone we love, or to ourselves, we are unprepared to face this very normal and natural end. No matter what your beliefs are—whether you believe in an afterlife or a complete end—your death will be one of the most important and transformational parts of your life. You need to be ready.
In the past five years, I've watched so many people die. I've helped care for their bodies, preparing them for what comes next. You learn a lot about life when you learn about death. I've seen people who were ready for death, and those who weren't. The difference in the peace of their passage was profound. —Gloria
"Sex and Dying in High Society" by X
from Los Angeles, 1980
"Hey pop, why are we listening to this punk rock song from 70 years ago while you're dying?"
"I'm dying, I can listen to whatever I want."
"But pop, there's no thematic relevance here. You were only in Los Angeles that one time for a Phillies/Dodgers game. X was probably your 163rd-favorite punk rock band. This is a mid-tier song off their admittedly great debut. What gives?"
"Well, see, it has the word 'dying' in it."
"But it's not about death. Don't you want songs about death to make this process feel, I dunno, important or whatever?"
"Jesus fucking christ, the iPod is on shuffle, okay? Just let me eat my final Tastykake Butterscotch Krimpet and listen to some music in peace."
—Joe
"Snookered" by Dan Deacon
from Bromst, 2009
Sudden death is a motherfucker. It's theft, not of the deceased because, again, their problems are over, but for the ones left behind who are not able to say goodbye. It's the thief of joy, of experience, of closure. Sudden death can turn you into a zealot, a maniac, a street preacher, or a jailor. —Nate
"Source Tags & Codes" by ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead
from Source Tags & Codes, 2002
The best joke about dying comes from (where else?) The Simpsons, specifically the episode where McBain's partner talks about being two days from retirement, seeing his daughter graduate from college, then sail around the world with his wife on his boat called "Liv-4-Ever." Then he get gunned down by Mendoza's henchman, who pulls a gun out of a turkey to shoot him. That's good business right there. —Nate
"Staying Alive" by Cursive
from The Ugly Organ, 2003
As a body begins the dying process, a couple of things will happen depending on the conditions surrounding the death. One thing that happens in gradual death, rather than sudden death, is that sleep becomes different. Where it once restored energy, it charges the batteries less and less. Sleep also crosses a line into unconsciousness, which can stretch out for long periods of time, well past what would be considered restful sleep. When folks come out of this state, they usually have no feelings of illness or unwellness. To them, they were just sleeping soundly. To us, they were starting the process of kicking off from the shore. —Nate
"Walk of Life" by Dire Straits
from Brothers in Arms, 1985
Pam shows me an Instagram account she follows (I don't follow any Instagram accounts but I have a burner account that I occasionally need to check a business's hours, and also have "saved" a couple ads that feature full nudity, if you're ever interested in seeing some Instagram pornography) that (oof sorry for that tangent, that's regrettable) features an ongoing bit in which they'll "change" the ending to a classic movie into a freeze-frame and "Born to Run" by Bruce Springsteen. E.g. instead of "Auld Lang Syne" singalongs at the end of It's a Wonderful Life, the video clip freeze-frames on George Bailey smiling and plays "Born to Run."
It's a good bit. It's also not an original bit. I know this because I was aware of a website at one point that did the same exact thing, and featured all sorts of edited video clips of movie endings, except the song they changed it to was "Walk of Life" by Dire Straits. That was also a good bit. But now the website that hosted all those videos is gone, lost in the sands of a rapidly crumbling internet. Did you know that eventually the internet is going to consist entirely of AI robots talking to one another? That's a shame, because those robots are gonna be missing out on a good bit about "Walk of Life." —Joe
"welcome at azerty and qwerty's home" by In Love with a Ghost
(on YouTube but only as part of the whole album, so I couldn't add it!)
I don't want to remember the big moments, when I'm dying. I want to smile at the small moments. I don't really remember the big moments anyway, so thoroughly does the adrenaline wipe your brain of those memories, like it prevents the tape from hitting record. You ever notice that? I don't remember asking Pam to marry me. I know it happened, and there are pictures. But I was so nervous at the time that my brain was recording the memory. So it goes.
It's all good, because I have the small moments to keep me company. Like this weird-ass little track, only known because of Record Club, only known to my kids because they wanted me to play it because they saw the cover of it and were intrigued by the witch, and now this third track off the album healing is known as the "crazy kitty kat song" because Martha had a stuffed animal called "crazy kitty" who did a "crazy" dance when this song hit the minivan's speakers, and man, did we all laugh. We laughed so much, in this life, and had so much fun. —Joe
"Don't Stop Living in the Red" by Andrew W.K.
from I Get Wet, 2001
Here's the way I explain it to myself when I'm sitting here at like 9 PM and missed my kids' bedtimes and am getting paid time and a half but wondering whether it's fucking worth it: we were $X in the black, which was comfortable, and then, in practically an instant this past summer, we were $X in the red, a complete $2X swing in a downward direction. And I've worked a lot in the time since, and we've clawed our way back to even, like $0X, which is good, but I wanna get back to $X in the black again, and feel this anxiety lift. It's not every night. It's like twice a week. I feel guilty but it could be worse. My kids won't remember this time in our lives. By 2026 I'll be home for bedtime every night. We're gonna be okay. These are the things I tell myself. And I hope I'll believe them when I'm on my death bed. —Joe
So...imagine....you are the damb bee....and you pulled your stinger out joinking it...now you gotta get back to the damb hive....you are sick, your stomach is full of honey and all youre thinking about is your perfect queen back home she is sick of your shit and stung up and then all of a sudden...you release...you let go....you let the honey flow from within, down all of your legs, however many legs...and you say thank you....thank you queen.....we have done it...We have found the song that does closure....it closures it....RIP to ME and the BEE.....Pee on Your Beedee.... —Brian
"life" by awakebutstillinbed
from what people call low self-esteem is really just seeing yourself the way that other people see you, 2018
I don't really know what she's saying in this song, or any of this band's songs, but that's not really the point, the point is the screaming, ain't it always, the point, the screaming, I love it, I love it in music and I love it in life, I love it when it is free and uninhibited, and the screaming is not a habit but an outlier, something that doesn't usually happen but here, in this moment, needs to happen, as a pressure valve, letting off steam, resetting, balancing, etc., you get it, just scream, it works. —Joe
"The Other Side of Mt. Heart Attack" by Liars
from Drum's Not Dead, 2006
The question of consciousness post-death has kept me up at night since I was a child. It frightened me when I was ten, and it frightens me now if I spend too much time thinking about it. Consciousness cannot comprehend non-consciousness, because how could it? The best case I can get my head around is that I don't know when I am asleep that I am sleeping, and that state will just continue going on forever. Even that gives me chills, the concept of an eternity. I suspect that I'll never realize time is passing because concepts like "time" will continue to be a concern for my non-extant form. Maybe that is the best way to think about it: all your problems are solved. —Nate
"Pitter Patter Goes My Heart" by Broken Social Scene
from You Forgot It in People, 2002
I was in the room when a pet died seven or so years ago. It was a 20-plus-year-old cat. Cats, when they are at the end, usually try to hide and be in a quiet, private place. Mine was on the couch meowing and calling out, unable to really move around. Seemed like it was time. Took it to the vet on Girard Avenue, and once they realized what was going on, they took us out of the waiting room and into a private side room where I laid her on a table and pet her until she gave a big shuddering sigh and stopped breathing. —Nate
"Revelation 420" by Algernon Cadwallader
from Trying Not to Have a Thought, 2025
Playing it fast and loose with answering religious questions in the home, like I got a good one the other day because a bible that part of the kids' book collection had a picture of a dinosaur, and the question was "did god create dinosaurs," and I gave what I thought was a decent and involved answer that definitely included the phrase "we believe in science in this house" at some point while also respecting the storytelling nature of religious teachings. I think I got another question about the bible at some point, I forget why I was trying explain Revelations, and, like, not really doing a good job at it, because the whole thing is kinda ridiculous, right? The end of the world symbolism bullshit tacked on here at the end of this book about god and jesus. Maybe it'll make more sense to me when I'm at the end of my life. See, this is what I was trying to say in that blurb last week. I can't know what I'll be thinking, and honestly it might be disrespectful to the self to attempt to guess. Just take it as it comes. Feel it when it gets here, and forget about it before that. Until then: stay angry, stay alert, make yourself heard, love truly. —Joe
NEXT WEEK: "IT WAS A GRAVEYARD SMASH" — Songs featuring spooky monsters or the supernatural (chosen by Batts)
I keep pitching the next Monday Morning Mixtape theme as SONGS TO EAT ME OUT TO and the editor keeps saying "No" so alas, here we are. I like listening to the radio. I like Lloyd. This is an album full of songs I would go down on myself hear on the radio and probably not change the station. Wow! It's Lloyd! I Can Make Your BedRock! Yabba Dabba Doo! I'm soaked, I'm wet, I'm shook, great job Lloyd!! Another perfect pick, excellent job Brian. "Certified" is what I sing to Joe when I ask to skirt the word count, as Lloyd would say "You can Moulin Rouge me, or you can keep it real and chill and watch a scary movie" What the world needs now, is Lloyd sweet Lloyd tgif
I'm always in this space pushing articles that I see that vibe with what Puke on Your Birthday is going for. Here's a good one from a substack that I hadn't read before. It's about how college radio is on the upswing. Why? Because the kids are saying "fuck the algorithm." The kids, in this case at least, are alright.
Continue below for your 350th album recommendation in as many weeks. Recommended by a PERSON, not a fucking ROBOT who was programmed by BLOOD-SUCKING CORPORATE SUITS WHO HATE MUSIC.
ABOUT: Lloyd Polite Jr. (known mononymously as Lloyd) was born January 3, 1986, in New Orleans, Lousiana (but grew up in Decatur, Georgia). He was originally part of a pre-teen group called N-Toon (Lloyd's is the only name on Wikipedia with a hyperlink). That disbanded in 2001, and he started a solo career, finding great commercial success through a series of hit singles. For this author, he is known for a feature in Young Money's song "BedRock." Lloyd made his acting debut in 2019. He has two children. He's still making music today.
DISCOGRAPHY: This is the second of five albums. The first was 2004's Southside. The most recent was 2018's Tru. He also released a non-album single, "All I Need," in 2021.
RECORD CLUB CONNECTIONS: The story is analogous to Bobby Brown's, in that they started out in a boy band and then broke out to find more success as a solo artist.
This is Lil Wayne's fourth official appearance on a Record Club album, after Tell Me You Love Me, Thats What They All Say, and 1UP (not Honest, as previously reported, since his feature there is on a bonus track, but even so, four appearances still stands as the record so far!).
MENTIONS ON THE BLOG: None, as far as I can tell. There were a lot of hits for "Lloyd," but 99% of them were in reference to Lloyd Dobler from Say Anything...
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OTHER ALBUMS TO CHECK OUT
LAST WEEK'S ALBUM: Luke's Garage by Delicate Steve, and make sure to check out the reviews if you wanna see what we thought of it!
RC@5: We're relistening to the Record Club album we featured exactly five years ago this week. The RC album for this week in 2020 was In Between Now and Then by O.A.R.
RC f/u: We're attempting to catch up on all the new albums from our esteemed Record Club alumni. Mini-reviews coming next Saturday, this week for Perfume Genius, Beirut, and the Black Keys.
SHADOW RECORD CLUB: Each week, we're exploring the genres of last week's album. If there is a genre that has a #1-rated album that I've never heard before, I'll download it. If not, I'll just give you my best recommendation. Last week's Luke's Garage was a garage rock album. We're listening this week to Is This It by the Strokes. I've heard it before!
NEXT WEEK'S RC ALBUM: In case you need some extra time with an album to write a review for it, you can get a head start on The Silver Tongued Devil and I by Kris Kristofferson!
Welcome to Monday Morning Mixtape, a PoYB Contributor-curated playlist of songs, made just for you at the start of each week.
HBD MD, may Mike Scott punch an Eagles fan in your honor.
"The TouchTunes at Bardot"
Maeve is turning 36 on Wednesday, and she's requesting a mixtape comprised of specific recommendations for her. Here's what she's into: "female singer-songwriters that are sad-girl anthems, anything on XPN, folksy jam bands, songs with loud brash drums that hype you up, current girlie pop music, the cover of Addison Rae's 'Diet Pepsi' by Ben Platt (I mean, duh), country music that doesn't talk about trucks, guns, or America, rap songs that make me laugh, and power ballads"
In any language, any culture, anywhere, the best foods are wet mess. A giant pile of tasty soggy slop piled high on your plate, Pretty hurts and is in the eye of the beholder yet there's no denying it's wet and clearly a mess either way. Maybe you weren't expecting it, maybe you'd swap out a few different ingredients or sides, maybe you had it once ten years ago and loved it but it's filling for now and satiating in a familiar enough way you're fine leaving what's left on the table or taking it home in a nice lil mushy box to cherish/debate/second guess later. If you like it, you like it, if you don't, next time you'll order something else and you'll leave me alone eating my wet mess. of Montreal is my wet mess. They fed me when I was hungry. My big beautiful bloomin' onion. I think I've seen them live twice I honestly don't even really remember, I am full of pasta salad. (JOE YOU KEEP THAT O LOW YOU HEAR ME. TINY Os ONLY I WAS BLOGGING WHEN I WROTE THIS SO FORGIVE ME IF IT MAKES YOU WET) uhhhhhhhhh 3.9 mamajuanas Beep On Your Boopday tgif
My favorite states are Wisconsin and New Mexico. My favorite cities are Philadelphia (for living) and San Francisco (call me bougie). My favorite day on a bike was on the Loneliest Road in America, 110 miles from Austin to Fallon, Nevada with almost nothing in between. You haven't seen America until you've seen its empty spaces. The meal I miss the most in America is cheesy nachos. The fast-ish food I miss the most in America is Chipotle. The place with the best energy in America is Sedona. The people I miss the most in America are my family. I don't know if I'll ever live there again, but it certainly is tempting. —Zach
"Parties in the U.S.A." by Jonathan Richman
from I, Jonathan, 1992
One of the best parts about summer growing up was attending the various block parties in different neighborhoods throughout my county. There was at least one every weekend. They all had distinct feels depending on the immigrant population of that area. Whether it was Polish, Lithuanian, Ukrainian, Italian, or Mexican, the food, music, low-stakes gambling, and vibes were always fun. My hometown was populated mainly by Lithuanian immigrants and their descendants. So, as a kid, I'd always relish the opportunity to buy blynai (basically latkes but with the most finely grated potato possible, you hand grate them using a grater that is like a wire lattice) or haluski (fried cabbage with noodles) at these block parties. It was and is great to experience the beautiful mosaic of different cultures that make up America. —Gloria
"American Weekend" by Waxahatchee from American Weekend, 2012
I don't know how I got roped into seeing the Rockledge Fourth of July Parade every year for basically the last 20 years. I am officially retracting this blog's 2008 defense of the ritual. "A tradition that brings us all together in peace and harmony on a warm summer day"?! Jesus fucking christ. Now all it is is an extra three hours of worrying that my kids are going to get sunburn and having to avoid eye contact with cops. Have I mentioned how much I hate Rockledge, Pennsylvania? I have? —Joe
"Wallace" by Drive-by Truckers
from Southern Rock Opera, 2001
Last week, folks talked about the on-the-nose politics of Drive-by Truckers. On contemporary issues, I agree. But for the historical "Southern thang" exploration they undergo thematically on Southern Rock Opera, I appreciate the context. They do the best job that I've seen in threading that needle on explaining, without excusing, the duality of the American South. In my view, they aren't condoning racists like George Wallace, but instead are providing a lens into what made the man tick. It's very heavy-handed, but like an opera, sometimes you have to hit people over the head with your point. —Sam
"Okay guys, one more thing, this summer when you're being inundated with all this American bicentennial Fourth Of July brouhaha, don't forget what you're celebrating, and that's the fact that a bunch of slave-owning, aristocratic, white males didn't want to pay their taxes." —Ms. Ginny Stroud, Dazed and Confused, 1993, a quote burned into my brain. —Joe
"Don't Tell Me How to Live" by Kid Rock ft. Monster Truck
from Bad Reputation, 2022
As a Born & Raised, Pure Blooded, Red White & Blue American, there are two things I love more than anything else: my truck, Israel, and killing small children. I am white, and I like to say things like "but y'know what... I still believe in this country!" Being polite and respectful is more important to me than anything else, you can't talk to me like that, hate has no home here! I do not fear a school shooting because I will NEVER send MckBraeylen anywhere that does not start with SAINT—and we are thinking about pulling them out and moving to Maine for a clam-based curriculum. I voted for Trump twice and Biden twice but what scares me more than anything is footage of 9/11. I just don't understand why everyone can't get along, I don't care if you're black white yellow or PURPLE, Israel has a right to defend itself and jumping the turnstile deserves the death penalty. Please remember to vote! One Love ✌️ —Brian
"If the World Had a Front Porch" by Tracy Lawrence
from I See It Now, 1994
I will say it right now—if this song is chosen as the editor's "best song of the week," I will go streaking outside in broad daylight, so confident am I that there is no chance it will win. And no cheating! You can't pick it just because you want me to embarrass myself. I throw it in as a test, to see what the tolerance level is on the blog for this kind of absurd country music that appeals to wide swaths of people, most of whom are not staff writers at Puke on Your Birthday. —Zach
"BLOOD IN THE MILK" by Fireworks
from Higher Lonely Power, 2023
The good about RFK Jr.: he's actually a really helpful target to have in political conversation. If you mention trump to maga people, they get all defensive, because they've been brainwashed. There is no cult of RFK. He's just some fucking nutjob. It's a lot easier to talk shit on him in public. His heinous acts are a lot clearer. It's a lot easier to make people feel shame for taking his views seriously. It's a good pressure valve to say, in so many words, yes, you're a fucking moron if you think this brainwormed fuck has any decent views on anything.
The bad about RFK Jr.: he's killing a lot of people. —Joe
"National Anthem" by Lana Del Rey
from Born to Die, 2012
What's up with this Betty Boop thing? Lana really has the ability to turn a phrase and crank out great pop hooks. But she executes it in this sexed-up way that confuses my puritanical nature. How sexist is my critique here? Does my opinion prove whatever point she is trying to make? Is there a male analogue to her shtick? Would I ask these questions to a dude? —Sam
"American Woman" by the Guess Who
from American Woman, 1970
One of my favorite stories to tell on the Fourth of July is of the events that took place when I was eighteen years old celebrating this holiday. I went with both of my older sisters to a fairly sketchy bar in Reading to see their friend Henri play the laptop in a band. On our walk there, we passed a patio of people who kept saying, "Fourth of July happy." We didn't realize they were talking to us, and after we passed them completely, they shouted, "Fourth of July happy, assholes!" I still feel bad that they thought I was ignoring them, but that is still my favorite greeting to use on Independence Day with anyone who knows the story.
The bouncer at the door asked for my ID, and I told him I didn't have one on me. He then told me it would be a five-dollar cover charge; I told him I didn't have any cash. He let me in any way—no ID, no cover charge. A great start to the night.
Henri's band was middling at best. Afterward, my oldest sister helped the band pack up their equipment before heading back to his place. My other sister drove separately and stopped to get gas at Turkey Hill. I went inside to buy a Vitamin Water, and soon after I got in there, it got held up at knifepoint. I didn't really know what to do, so I just left with my Vitamin Water. It's probably not the only time I stole anything, but it's undoubtedly the most memorable. —Gloria
"Fortunate Son" by Creedence Clearwater Revival
from Willy and the Poor Boys, 1969
One of my dad's patients is related to John and Tom Fogerty, and he loves to bring it up. My dad usually plays classic rock in his office, so he tries to make it a point to play a little CCR whenever he comes in, haha. This song is very much an anti-war anthem. John Fogerty is said to have written the lyrics in about 20 minutes in state of rage about the Vietnam War. About the inspiration, he's said, "It made me so angry that the rich old men make the war, and the poor young men have to fight it." Yeah, same. —Gloria
"When My Time Comes" by Dawes
from North Hills, 2009
Dawes is not a good band. This song, however, is excellent. This song gets me every time. It's certainly a darling of the XPN set, but that's fine sometimes. I used to think of Dawes like the Avett Brothers, but then Seth Avett came out with the album of Elliott Smith covers, and I liked them again. Dawes is way too cheesy for me. They might as well be a one-hit wonder. —Zach
"Fireworks" by Animal Collective
from Strawberry Jam, 2007
You're fifteen
You're at a friend's graduation party
Most of your friends were seniors this year
Most of your friends will be in college next year
You'll need to make new friends
At the party you meet one of their cousins from another school
You hit it off, he's a senior and you think he's cool
You leave the party to go watch the Fourth of July fireworks with him
You are in the Walmart parking lot laying on the roof of his car
He tells you that you're not like other girls
You outwardly smile, but inside you are upset
All you've ever wanted was to be like other girls
You wonder if he'll kiss that night
You wonder if you'll see him again
—Gloria
"Patriot" by Crying from Beyond the Fleeting Gales, 2016
I have not given up on the American flag. Yes, I'd be more likely to want to burn the thing than prominently display it in my home at this point. Yes, if you have one on your social media profile, there is an 80% chance you are a white supremacist. Yes, I cringe every time I see one on cutoff Ts or pickup trucks. But I think it can be saved. I think we can take it back. First, we need to establish what it means. It's a symbol of how we are one country, together, and we need to look after each other, every neighbor, provide for everyone's basic needs, show kindness toward the less fortunate. Then we just need to use the flag every time that discussion takes place. Take it back from your nazi uncle. It's ours. —Joe
"America (You're Freaking Me Out)" by the Menzingers from Hello Exile, 2019
Here's what you need to do: you need to be specific. You need to gather like two or three talking points and really hammer 'em in. Do not relent. Do not go off topic. Know three ultra-specific political subjects extremely well, and do not shut up about them when the general "trump biden harris maga hilary woke" conversation begins. Here is my recent one: Republican state legislators are threatening to not sufficiently fund SEPTA for no reason other than to punish the Philadelphia region for being blue. I was able to navigate a conversation with my maga cop BIL the other day by consistently using the phrase "Republican state legislators." There's just nothing else to say about the subject. There is no upside. No one's life is going to get better by withholding that funding. Even the worst maga among us cannot deny this. It only works if you are specific, if you are relentless, and you don't allow the conversation to get derailed by whataboutisms. Yes, America is freaking us out, but how? Be specific. —Joe
"Ventura Highway" by America
from Homecoming, 1972
America is sunsets and wide-open boulevards. America is hot dogs and baseball on a summer afternoon. America is state signs and windswept landscapes. America is winding borders and worldwide isolation. America is lightness. America is the Eye of Sauron staring right back at it. America is George W. Bush and high approval ratings on September 12, 2001. America is fireworks on the lakeside pier and crew cuts. America is cruel, too, except for the ones that can escape it. —Zach
"Fourth of July" by Sufjan Stevens
from Carrie & Lowell, 2015
Sufjan recently indicated that his album Carrie & Lowell, now ten years old, "embarrasses" him. I've never fully bought into the album but I do like the album so I'm in a good position to say that this is okay. Art is a product of the moment. He was grieving the death of his mother, and so he made music. That music is going to feel strange once the grief fades or mutates into something else. That's how it goes, man. It's actually really helpful to hear an artist grappling with his past creations like this. A lot of what I've written five or ten years ago embarrasses the hell out of me. I'm sure most artists feel this way. It's natural to feel this way about anything, honestly. America is almost 250 years old, and I'm embarrassed by it constantly. —Joe
Only Sufjan has that unique ability to make you cry and feel hopeful at the same time. Nothing says a Fourth of July celebration like the words "we're all gonna die" over and over and over again. There's something about picking a specific day of the year that most people associate with a specific mood and flipping it. Sufjan does it with "Casimir Pulaski Day," and he does it here. The book/movie One Day does it with the obscure holiday of St. Swithin's Day. Next up for an artist that wants to take the bait: Memorial Day, but it's actually about the people America has lost. —Zach
"Clarity" by Jimmy Eat World
from Clarity, 1999
I stand on the precipice of the summer and a new life. A new job, eventually. A new apartment, hopefully by August 1. But everyone is so flaky when they're looking at places, and everything is so uncertain. A new girlfriend, hopefully. More than that, though, a new friend, one who I get along with well enough that I want to pursue romantic connection. It's the Fourth of July, and the summer is all in front of me in a way it hasn't been since I was eighteen. The Tour de France will start, and I know that when it ends at the end of July, summer will feel like it's already winding down. My biggest fear is that I won't use this unemployed time the way I really want to. That I'll always regret something about it.
Well, I haven't gotten there yet. My first day of not working 9-5 is next Sunday. This summer I want to kiss strangers, write my novel even if it's total shit (because hopefully the next one will be better), work weird one-off jobs, make smart financial decisions, invest. Be myself. I need a plan. I need a schedule. I can do this, but I can only do it with a piece of paper in front of me and commitment. I have this. I can do this. The more I say it, the more it has to be true. —Zach
NEXT WEEK: "The Monday Morning Mixtape Road Atlas" — You provide the songs that are about or at least mention a specific street or roadway, and we'll provide the map (chosen by Joe)
