Today's Earworm is by one of my favourite artists. Frank Turner - Photosynthesis.
Over the summer I saw Frank at Leeds Festival and loved him even more. Although he has a new album out, (Poetry of the Dead) He did perform a lot of songs from his second album (Love Ire and song) which is the album this song is from.
It's also my favourite of his three current albums.
'I won't sit down and I won't shut up. and most of all I will not grow up'
Lyrics of my life. I can be quiet, I can be sweet but I have my own mind lets say and I definitely do not intend on growing up.
It is not my favourite song on the album, that would be 'long live the queen' a song made for the breast cancer campaign in honour of a friend who suffered from the disease. However, I do love this song and it is one of his best in my opinion.
Did you know:
Frank Turner went to school with Prince William.
He was in a post hardcore band until 2005 when the band split but he wanted to continue.
Previous to becoming a singer he was an investment banker.
The Spin Doctors are an American alternative rock band who formed in New York. They are best known for this song which came from the album 'Pocket Full Of Kryptonite'.
The song reached number 2 in the U.K chart.
This song, in my opinion, is one of those that once heard, whether on the radio or when your Ipod shuffles, can brighten the most miserable of days.
The distinctive drums and percussion at the beginning slaps a smile on my face which lasts the rest of the day.
Did you know...
'Pocket Full of Kryptonie' was almost completely ignored commercially until vast numbers of grass routes fans propelled them into the mainstream.
The Spin Doctors then played their first festival on tour in 1992 at H.O.R.D.E and have since gone on to play huge music festivals such as Woodstock 1994 and the Glastonbury festival.
The Spin Doctors made an appearance on Sesame Street, singing a modified version of "Two Princes" that emphasized the importance of sharing.
Really odd Earworm today. A traditional Chanukah song. Dreidel Dreidel Dreidel.
Now i'm not Jewish, in fact i'm Christian so I can't really explain my song choice. All I can say is my housemates and I sing this ALL the time. For no apparent reason.
We love it and it tickles us. It started at a yearly festival called Leeds and Reading Festival and my housemates friend sang it (who knows why) and it has just stuck ever since.
I obviously went to the Leeds Festival (the better one).
I am deadly serious if you do not know the song don't listen to it because it is so infectious. You will have it in your head forever. Part of me resents it.
The simple, repetitive lyrics are spell binding.
I have a little Dreidel. I made it out of clay.
When it's dry and ready, then dreidel I shall play. Oh dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, I made it out of clay. Oh dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, then dreidel I shall play.
This irritating song was written by Samuel S. Grossman and composed by Mikhl Gelbart. Unfamiliar names to me too.
This is a cool fact:
Dreidel came about when the Greeks controlled the Jewish lands and banned Jews from learning the Torah forcing them to learn in hidden dark forests. The king had many patrols though so they couldn't always do it so the would quickly hide the Torah and pull out the Dreidel and pretend to play.
I hope your burdened with this song in your heads too, now.
I know it is late but being a student I am terribly busy doing assignments etc..
Anyway my Earworm today has been inspired by the fact that my housemates and I HAVE PUT UP CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS. I know a lot of you may be thinking, it's a bit early isn't it...
Well I say... Bah Humbug Get some Christmas Spirit. It only comes once a year.
The song I've chosen isn't the most popular but it is still one I sing every year.
12 drummers drumming 11 pipers piping 10 lords-a-leaping 9 ladies dancing 8 maids-a-milking 7 swans-a-swimming 6 geese-a-laying 5 Gold Rings 4 calling birds 3 french hens 2 turtle doves And a partrige in a pear tree
It excites me that Christmas is around the corner and I've already done the majority of my shopping.
Doesn't this song just take you back to your youth and give you a great Christmassy feel. We are all ready in this household.
So what you all getting me for Crimbo?
Did you know:
It is sung in France, Scotland and Australia too and they all have totally different lyrics, the French sing each number as if it is another addition to the dinner plate.
It was first published in England in 1780 but some evidence shows it to be from earlier than that and of French origin.
The twelve days of Christmas don't start until after Christmas. I may sound daft for not knowing that but i'm sure i'm not the only one. This surprised me. I don't think it makes complete sense.
It's great though, for that Christmas vibe. The count down starts soon hope you all have your advent calenders ready!
Unless your a massive Ke$ha fan like me, you will not know this song.
Ke$ha - Dancing with tears in my eyes is one of my favourite songs from her album, Animal.
There isn't an official video because it hasn't been released. I think it should be because it's a lovely song by her.
In it she keeps to her Ke$ha style and sings about going out. However, we do see a different style at the same time. Her songs usually involved her getting slaughtered and thats about it really, all about having fun.
They match her party girl status/persona.
This song shows her in a different light and shows us Ke$ha is capable of heartbreak, love all that kind of soppy stuff.
Lyrics such as:
'here we go welcome to my funeral, without you I don't even have a pulse.'
and 'I'm dancing with tears in my eyes, just fighting to get through the night'
Show that this is a love song, and although the lyrics make this obvious it doesn't feel to me like your ordinary love song, but then in my opinion, Ke$ha isn't an ordinary artist.
Her songs really express who she is I think and seem to have something behind them that link to her, whereas other artists sound like they have put some words together that sound good and you don't feel the connection between them and the song.
I say this because Ke$ha's songs match her personality. She is a party girl and I can imagine some of the songs relate to an experience of hers.
Ke$ha grew up very very poor and never knew her father. Changing the S in her name to the $ symbol is 'ironic' and is supposed to show an opposite effect than the emphasis of money being important.
Did you know:
Ke$ha is really a do gooder. She held a benefit concert in June and all the proceedings went to aids victims. She also donated 1,000 pounds worth of dog food to dog shelters.
She is the female voice in Flo Rida's single right round, but took no money for her part and didn't want to be in the video.
She has worked with Katy Perry, Britney Spears, The Veronica's and Miley Cyrus before she became a successful artist.
She also played host to Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie in an episode of the Simple life in 2004. I thought that was quite cool.
I thought my earworm today was quite odd. Not because it's by Elton John. I think Elton John is fantastic. 'Your song' is quite slow and not really the kind of song you would usually get in your head, in my opinion.
However the chorus could be. "I hope you don't mind, I hope you don't mind that I put down in words, how wonderful life is when your in the world." Yeah. It definately is, bet it's in your head's now.
This is one of Elton Johns most famous songs. It was the song which made him a recognised recording artist although it never reached number one, or even number 2. It did get into the top 10 at number seven.
It has been described as a 'near perfect song'.
Elton John has had 56 top 40 singles and 9 number one hit's. He has won 5 Grammy awards, a Golden Globe award, an Academy award and a Tony award.
Did you know:
Bernie Taupin (Johns song writing partner) wrote the song over breakfast, then John took ten minutes to write the composition for the song.
It is one of Johns favourites from his collection of songs. He performs it at almost every concert.
The song came to 136 on the Rolling Stones list of 500 greatest songs of all time.
My Earworm today is one of my favourite songs of all time. 'Eagle eye cherry - save tonight.'
Unfortunately, it is probably the only one of Eagle's songs out of four albums which is well known and if you don't know it.
I love this song, I think he has a lovely voice, it isn't too strong and it's calming. The background music is fantastic and is the bigger part of the song which I get stuck in my head.
I get it stuck in my head all the time.
This is his first song ever released, that was in 1997.
It was the first song on his first album Desireless.
Eagle Eye Cherry got his name when he was Christened. He was actually Christened Eagle Eye because the first time he ever looked at his dad he only did it with one eye open, therefore he became Eagle Eye.
Cherry is his last name.
He was born in Sweden then moved to New York to study at the age of twelve. He stayed on after to pursue an acting career.
When that wasn't working he moved on to pursue a singing career and moved back to Sweden to work on his album. Desireless which he released in 1998.
His songs have been used on loads of films including Billy Elliot.
It is a brilliant song by the band and one which is so easy to sing along to. I love it and have spent many a drunken nights walking home with my housemate singing it.
It has also recently been re-used for the Anchor butter advert. I absolutely love this advert and again i'm always singing along. It is one of my favourite adverts to date (yes I like adverts).
The cows working in a factory is really funny and I love the idea. My favourite part is the cow putting money in a vending machine for a snack and having the choice of different chunks of grass. It has made me laugh my ass off time and time again.
I think it's great.
The Band have been together since 1985 and the name came from combining two band members names together, although the band member Tracii Guns left they still kept the name.
Axl Rose is the front man and also every one knows Slash. I didn't know Slash wasn't an original member although he did come along pretty early and fit right in. I would even say he completed the band.
Paradise city was on their debut album apppetite for destruction in 1987 and was released as a single in 1988.
Although the best it did was number 5 in US charts the album itself was and is still to this day the best selling debut album of all time, worldwide.
The song Paradise City came about while the group were travelling in the back of a van and Axl sang 'Take me down to the paradise city' and then Slash joined in by singing 'where the grass is green and the girls are pretty'.
They then sang the first line again and Slash tried 'where the girls are fat and they've got big titties.'
Although Slash thought that was the better version the rest of the band didn't agree and thats how we have those great lyrics today.
They have won Ten Awards and have been nominated for 21. They have been nominated for 3Grammys but never won.
Although the Guns 'N' Roses are great I think they've lost their touch lately and their old stuff will always be their best.
The film is based on her attempt to get back home after a tornado blew her and her house to an alter universe.
She makes three friends, the cowardly lion, the scarecrow who doesn't have a brain and the tin man who doesn't have a heart. They all set out on a quest to get the things they want from the wizard. As odd as it sounds it really works and is a wonderful film.
The Wizard of Oz was made in 1939 and was one of Judy Garlands most famous roles.
The film won Two Oscars and 5 other awards. It has had a special edition released and everyone knows the film.
It was based on the 1900 novel by L.Frank Baum and the film was released 20 years after he died.
It was MGM's most expensive film up until that time and although it is a favourite classic and one of the best known movies of our time now, back then it only had average rates and didn't profit much, around one million. It sounds like a lot but for a film it isn't.
Judy Garland died at the age of 47 after an accidental overdose leaving behind three kids, Liza Minelli being one.
She was married Five times the first 4 ending in divorce.
Throughout her career she was told she was unattractive and criticized despite being a versitile and brilliant actress and singer.
She won a tony award, a golden globe award and twogrammy's. Along with many others.
She also won a grammy lifetime achievement award and was inducted into the grammy hall of fame.
The video is so fun to watch. The idea that they have a massive fan base and girls passing out around them is a bit egotistical, yet true.
I love how they make it look like there is a big band when infact there is just two of them. However the band in the video consists of seven clones of lead singer 'Andre 3000' and the other member 'Antwan "big boi" Patton' is nowhere to be seen, this is because this particular album is separated into two albums, one for each artist.
It's very clever and such a random idea.
This is not your standard kind of chart song. It's not romantic and it's not about heartbreak, Andre 3000 is simply singing about wanting no strings attached, claiming to not want things such as love.
"Seperates always better when there's feelings involved." As this lyric shows us.
This is just an upbeat, funny song that just makes you want to shake your hips a bit (as I always do) so just do it, have a little shake and it usually makes my day a bit better.
The band Outkast only consist of two men. They were originally called The Outkast brothers but later shortened it.
They have released six studio albums and a greatest hits and won 6grammy's
They originally wanted to be called '2 shades deep' or 'Misfits' but when they found those names had been taken they simply looked in a dictionary for the synonym of Misfits where they found the name we all know so well today, Outkast.
This is the first chart song i've done so far and i've got to say, I am a fan of chart music. For some reason I come across a lot of people these days that seem ashamed by the fact they like chart music.
WHY?
It's chart music for a reason, yes a lot of it is bulls**t but the same can be said about any genre or style of music. Chart isn't my favourite kind, to be honest I don't have a favourite kind but I do personally get tired of some people judging others for liking chart music, claiming they don't like it themselves in some desperate attempt to be 'different'.
Now some people may genuinely not like chart and fair enough but the majority do. What ever happened to Each to their own? That's what makes people different.
I think Bruno Mars is an individual. He has his own sense of style is an extremely versatile artist and an incredible songwriter.
I love this song as do many other girls I know and a lot of boys. It's quite soppy but happy, romantic. Every girl wants to hear their boy sing to them (or at least say)...
"If perfects what you're searching for then just stay the same." awwwwww.
It's a lovely song and I am personally glad to hear Bruno get out there and sing a solo song totally by himself and get more of the credit he deserves.
He has done a lot of different songs either with another artist such as 'nothin' on you - B.O.B' and 'Billionaire - Travie McCoy' and I think he did the better parts in these songs yet they are better known to be by B.O.B. and Travie McCoy. Unfair.
Did you know:
He was Hawiian raised and his real name is Peter Hernandez. He recieved the nickname 'Bruno' as a baby because he was chubby like a famous wrestler at the time.
He has been nominated for seven awards this year. (Mostly for his collaboration with B.O.B on 'Nothin on you'
He has writen songs or partially writen songs or sung with: B.O.B, Alexandra Burke, Travie McCoy, Adam Levine, Brandy, Sean Kingston, Flo Rida, Sugababes, Far East Movements and Cee Lo Green.
I think it may have been inspired by their Greatest hits album released this week.
Bon Jovi is one of my all time favourite bands and I always thoroughly enjoy this song.
It was released as a single in 1994 and taken from their Album Crossroads. It was their biggest selling single making it high into the top ten in a few different country's such as:
Australia
Germany
U.S
Bon Jovi have released eleven albums, 3 compilation albums and one live album. They formed in 1983 and are still going now.
Did you know:
In 2006 they were inducted into the UK music hall of fame.
in 2004 they got the Award of Merit at the American Music Awards.
Jon and Richie (two band members) were inducted into the song writers hall of fame in 2009.
I've really struggled to find an earworm today. Infact i'm not sure you can call it an earworm if you got it in your head by default.
Never the less I do have a song in my head now. Its been a long day involving a long drive down to Devon. My boyfriend and I made a 'road trip' play list and the old classic 'Breakfast at Tiffany's by Deep Blue Something' happened to come on.
I sang my heart out at the chorus to say the least. As did he (even if he doesn't want to admit it).
"I said what about,
Breakfast at Tiffany's,
she said I think I remember that film and
if I recall I think we both kinda liked,
and I said well thats, the one thing we've got."
Deep Blue Something released this song in 1995. It hit the number one spot in the UK and was their best song to date.
The background to the story is quite simply that he and his girlfriend are having issues, pretty much breaking up and in a desperate attempt to save the relationship he searches for something they still have in common. This is the Film Breakfast at Tiffany's.
Therefore, Breakfast at Tiffany's inspired the song.
Breakfast at Tiffany's is a popular 1961Audrey Hepburn film.
For those who haven't seen the film Holly (Audrey Hepburn) is an extrovert, classy young care free woman who eats pastry's whilst staring into the jewellery shop Tiffany's. She then continues on, to get stuck in romantic, dramatic love triangle.
"How many roads must a man walk down, before you can call him a man?"
Symbolizes his view. Taken from picsearch
I think it's a fair few to be honest.
This is quite a relaxed song. Most people view it as a song questioning freedom and peace. The Lyric:
"How many times must the cannon balls fly, before they're forever banned."
Is a good example of why people would consider it just that. It questions, perhaps whether or not these weapons will ever be banned because maybe if they were, peace may be more likely.?
I don't personally think it would make any difference and this world is one where peace is rare in all forms. Anyone agree?
'Blowin in the wind' was one of the first songs he release back in 1962 on his second album 'The Freewheelin''.
Dylan is a man of many talents, he has published three books with his drawings and paintings in. He has released 54 albums since 1962, almost one every year sometimes two a year. He expresses himself creatively and has a lot to say.
Did you know:
Blowin in the wind (as well as a couple other songs by Dylan) became anthems for the US Civil rights and anti-war movements.
In 1999 it was conducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
It came 14th on 'The Rolling Stones' magazine list of 500 GREATEST SONGS OF ALL TIME.
I love this song, its such a happy, upbeat song, its a romantic song but hasn't got that low soppy edge to it most love songs have. I've never considered myself a romantic but this song brings it out in me.
Taken from picsearch
My house mate mentioned it to me a few weeks back and its been playing in my head since.
We all know the song from Juno. A 2007 comedy directed byJason Reitman and writen by Diablo Cody.
If you haven't seen it already you really should it's a great film about a quirky teenage pregnancy and has fantastic cast:
Juno won anOscar for Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen.
Also won another 53 awards and was nominated for a further 39 awards.
I absolutely love the song on Juno. It is originally written and performed by The Moldy Peaches and I personally aren't too big a fan of their version. On Juno they sing it to one another and it feels like they mean it, the Moldy Peaches just sing a song.
The Moldy Peaches released their first record in 1996 and are a quirky look originally sadistic band. Not my cup of tea but this cover of the song makes them shine a little bit more in my eyes.
I'd also like to thank Siobhan, my housemate for bringing this song to my attention.
It is one of my all time favourite songs. It seems to have become pretty popular lately thanks to X-factor and a contestant singing it for an audition.
If anyone follows X-factor you'll know Rebecca also did a version of it on saturday night.
Although she sung it beautifully you all know how it feels to see your favourite songs copied on X-factor.
Adele's version on her 2008 album '19' is a cover of Bob Dylan who originally wrote and produced it in 1997 for his album 'Time out of mind'.
On her home page( Click here for Adeles homepage )she says: "The whole reason I called my first album “19” was about cataloging what happened to me then and who I was then, like a photo album" This is the only song on her album which is a cover but she's says it's the one that best expresses her feelings at that time.
She sings the song with such passion and beauty it makes my skin crawl. She is a Beautiful woman with a Beautiful, Original voice and it almost seems like the song was meant for her.
How do you all feel about it?
Has anyone else's favourite songs been sung on X-factor? Don't be shy let me know.
Hope you enjoy the song.
The film itself is not one i'd watch again, it bored me a bit. Considering it's a cartoon I didn't find it funny, it is also supposed to be 'cartoon horror' yet it wasn't scary.
The song itself has a horrible theme, Kidnapping Santa. NIGHTMARE! That's not something that anyone wants to think about, kid, teen or adult. Although we know he isn't real he is the foundation of christmas these days. Yes I know its supposed to be a time for giving and coming together etc... but realistically its all about the spirit, Santa, pressies and DINNER :-)
'Kidnap that sandy claus' is the main part of the chorus
but it changes everytime to things such as:
'lock him up real tight, throw away the key and turn off all the lights.'
OR
'throw him in a box bury him for 90 years, then see if he talks.'
It is funny but they are drastic and disturbing idea's. Who comes up with these things?
It's very Catchy.
It was made and released in 1994 and is still a popular christmas film. Tim Burton is a well respected very well known director with other films such as 'Sweeney Todd' and 'Corpse Bride'.
my grandma told your grandma gonna set your flag on fire!"
It's such a feel good song although it has quite an aggressive context. It was written in 1953 by James Crawford and released in 1965 by the Dixie cups.
It's basically a story of two indian tribes encountering one another and threatening to set the other party's flag on fire.
Despite having one of the worst days ever, no actually one of the worst weeks ever i've had the rather cheery christmas tune 'White Christmas'in my head and been singing along with my houses mates all morning. It is safe to say I want to crawl into bed and sleep all day.
The sooner the day ends the better. Its one of those days.
But... this song, and this particular video keeps putting a smile on my face. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddVZOK_9UUI
Everyone has a christmas advert which they class as their favourite, the one that really makes them think ITS CHRISTMAS. Mine is the coca cola adverts every time. Whats everyone else's? Let me know.
Whitechristmas was written in 1941 by Irving Berlin and performed for the first time By Bing Crosby in 1942. It is in my eyes and i'm sure in everyone else's eyes one of the best christmas songs ever made. It allegedly meant a lot soldiers and families in the Second World War.
I do often get it in my head because I think it's a really catchy tune. The subtle mix of soul and R&B is a fantastic style which only the voice of Amy Winehouse can pull off in the way she does.
"We only said goodbye with words, I died a hundred times, you go back to her and I go back to black."
Taken from peirce clipart
These are lyrics almost every member of the public feels they can relate to as everyone thinks they've been through heartbreak.
This song however maybe have quite a dark aura about it but i think it also feels strangely positive.
I must admit this is the last song I expected to have in my head today let alone for a second post as i'm in a reasonably good mood and this is a morbid song. I don't understand who has actually died in the video, is it her loved one? Has he died because of their lifestyle? does anyone know?
Maybe it's some kind of metaphor and she knows this is the worst case scenario if she continues in this lifestlyle.
Basically its a reflection of her experiences with relationships, drugs and sex. Thanks for sharing Amy! And she's shared it the general British public's favourite way, in the form of a well liked song from 2006.
Did you know:
Amy Winehouse has never been in prison despite what many might think because of all her convictions.
Back to Black won 5 awards at the grammy awards.
Back to Black was the third best selling album in the UK in the 2000's.
I've never had a blog before. I've often considered making one but only recently had the inspiration to do so.
I could write a casual blog about day to day life but realistically, who wants to hear about my life?
For those of you who do not know, an earworm is the term used when you have a song stuck in your head.
I don't know about the rest of you but I know I have a tendency to get random songs stuck in my head.
The idea of this page is to share with you all the random, often irritating, often great songs I get in my head and fill your heads with this crap too. I'd love it if you could all comment and tell me what song you've had in your heads today.
The one song i've had stuck in my head more then most recently is the childrens classic
The classic main lyric of "there was an old lady who swallowed a fly, I don't know why she swallowed a fly, perhaps she'll die." Is a lovely morbid lyric. Would I say it was suitable for a nursary rhyme, probably not but it is so funny. Pessimism at its finest.
I just love how the lady swallows a fly, then a spider, then a bird, then a cat, then a dog, then a goat, then a cow and then finally only when she swallows a horse does she die.
I understand the theory or spiders eating flies, birds eating spiders, cats eating birds and the dogs chasing cats. But a goat getting a dog!! and then a cow getting a goat then a horse finally finishing them all off. The food change doesn't quite go like that, I would personally have used more ferocious animals like lions, tigers and bears. (Did that make anyone else think of Dorothy? Classic.) but hey ho, strangely it works.
I've got to say I love the song, it is definately an old classic from the days of nappies and dummies. 'Good times.'
It was written in the 1950's by Canadian folk singer Alan Mills and I think he did a great job.
I've also got to sadly admit that I have had christmas songs stuck in my head for a few weeks now.
The main ones have been:
dreaming of a white christmas
rocking around the christmas tree
winter wonderland
jingle bells
I know this is unacceptable considering it started in october and christmas isn't for another two months but I love it and i'm totally in the spirit.
