Gone Fishin'

It's Christmas Vacation! Everyone is home!

So, I'm doing this:

Episode 25 - A Visit to the TPOS Cabin

While walking home on a snowy evening, you stop to catch your breath.  It's hard to see with such strong gusts of wind and you fear that you have become lost.  Your curse yourself for trying this shortcut through the woods and brusquely rub your tingly fingers, desperate to regain some feeling in them.

As you wonder whether you should continue on to your family's home to celebrate Christmas or surrender to your panicked mind and rush back to your lonely, one-bedroom apartment, you hear a sweet melody coming from the trees.  You head towards the siren call of music and, walking into a small clearing, you find yourself staring at a cozy little cabin.  Peering into the windows you see a warm fire; seated in an opulent computer chair is a dashingly handsome man wearing a fine set of headphones and speaking into a silver microphone.  

On the verge of collapsing into a snow drift, you grasp the small, brass handle, open the door, and enter the cabin...

(Special thanks to Bob Mackey at Retronauts for the cabin in the woods idea).

Please very much enjoy!


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Episode 24 Epilogue - Christmas Song List

Hope you enjoyed yesterday's episode.  In case you were wondering what songs we were talking about, here's the list of our favorites:

Rob - Carol of the Bells as sung by a chorus of people
Diana - Fairytale of New York by The Pogues
Jackie - I'll Be Home For Christmas as sung by Bing Crosby
Heejean - O Holy Night as sung by Nat King Cole
Brendon - Wonderful Christmastime by Paul McCartney
Matt - Last Christmas by Wham!
and, of course, Somewhere In My Memory by John Williams.

And don't forget to check the webiste or your podcast app for a special Christmas Day episode tomorrow.  We're the gift that keeps on giving!

Episode 24 - Christmas Songs

Bringing everyone together for the holidays is a Christmas tradition.  So that's what we did for this week's podcast.  Join me, Diana, Jackie, Matt, and two new guests, Brendon (last name withheld) and Heejean Parry.  We enjoy a round table discussion of our favorite Christmas songs while reminiscing about Home Alone and Paul McCartney.  And maybe, if we're all very good, Santa can bring me a second microphone and a mixer for Christmas.

Please very much enjoy!

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Episode 24 Preview - Christmas Songs

It's the most wonderful time of the year when Christmas songs can be found playing on every street corner.  But which of these glad tiding tunes are our favorites? Join a cavalcade of thousands (or six) in sharing their favorite Christmas songs as we sit with a cup of egg nog by the ol' Tannenbaum.

Nothing to buy this week since you've probably heard all of these songs a dozen times on the radio in the past two days.   Instead, just think long and hard about your favorite Christmas song...and realize we won't talk about it because you never told me! Oh, well, maybe next year.  But, since we value your holiday spirit, here's Mariah Carey's All I Want For Christmas video!

See you on Wednesday!

Episode 23 - Yub Nub

I grab the mic to preach the gospel of Yub Nub (a.k.a. Ewok Celebration) while special guest Mark Brillon has to choose which Ewok is his favorite.  Will it be Wicket? Chief Chirpa? Logray? The answer will forever be out of your grasp as we don't actually talk about that this episode.  But we do make our Star Wars VII predictions about cameos we'd love to see.

So, please very much enjoy this bonus episode as you wait in line for Star Wars: The Force Awakens and remember to share the gospel of Yub Nub with your friends and loved ones.

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Episode 23 Preview - Yub Nub

Like a phoenix from the ashes, we resurrect the now non-canon Ewok Celebration or, as everyone else knows it, "Yub Nub".  For those of you who didn't see or don't remember the 1983 theatrical release of Return of the Jedi, the film ended with a tribal melody by John Williams to emphasize the awesomeness of a party in the Ewok village.  When re-released in theaters as the Special Edition in 1997, this scene was heavily edited including the removal of Ewok Celebration for the more somber Victory Celebration.  Less fuzzy puppets chanting is not a good thing! You can read a bit more about the change here.

Episode 22 - Duel of the Fates

With the triumphant blaring of a Gungan choir, we bring you this: a discussion of Duel of the Fates from The Phantom Menace.  Mark Brillon returns with his Star Wars cred in tow to regale us with the power of John Williams' bombast while Rob regales us with stories of defeating his kids in fake lightsaber duels.  If only they knew the power of the Dark Side.

Remember to come back on Friday for a BONUS Star Wars episode!

Please very much enjoy!



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Episode 22 Preview - Duel of the Fates

With only a week until Star Wars - The Force Awakens releases in theaters, I thought it was time to revisit some of the great John Williams's score for the original six films.  So, this week, we'll be discussing Duel of the Fates from Star Wars - The Phantom Menace.  While the movie isn't held in particularly high regard, the song and the scene in which it is features certainly is.

You can pick up the song on iTunes, Amazon Music (free with Prime!), and Google Play.

And, if you're interested in watching the clip (it's all instrumental so no lyrics), click down below to see a fabulous Lego version.

So, listen, watch, and join us this Wednesday to discuss Duel of the Fates!

Episode 21 - Free Fallin'

Who is "Free Fallin'"? Hopefully special guest Diana Parry-Cruwys knows because I sure didn't.  We discuss the timelessness of Tom Petty's rock and roll, the horror of day-glo spandex, and our detailed business plans for licensing snappy jingles.  Anyone in the market for some free trawlin'?

Please very much enjoy!



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Episode 21 Preview - Free Fallin'

Time for some Americana classics with Tom Petty's "Free Fallin" (sorry, no Heartbreakers).  On the drive to Thanksgiving, as I subjected my family to hours of podcasts, we discovered that there was a new biography about Tom Petty.  "Why haven't we done a Tom Petty song?" I said to no one in particular.  After repeating myself multiple times, my wife chose "Free Fallin" to shut me up.  And here we are with the magic happening!

Episode 20 - Hello

We're dropping science this week with Carolyn Brillon (formerly Beaumier) as we discuss off-the-charts danceability of Martin Solveig and Dragonette's "Hello".  While I calculate the jumps per minute of the song, Carolyn makes sure to provide hot tips about Family Ties and how to avoid hurting your knees on the dance floor.

Quick note: my audio cut out right at the intro so I left some extra music in there to note the break.  The gold sounds you missed: Carolyn got married, is now Mrs. Mark Brillon (yes, from our previous, similarly awesome episode), and had a fantastic wedding in which everyone was constantly dancing.  Oh, and "Hello" is from the 2011 album Smash.  There, all caught up.

Please very much enjoy!



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Episode 20 Preview - Hello

It's time to get on the dance floor with this week's tune, "Hello" by Martin Solveig with Dragonette. Other than being the song I put away dishes to, it's an actual club tune that I first heard at an actual club.  But let's save that story for the podcast.

You can listen to "Hello" by purchasing it on iTunes, Amazon Music (free with Prime, just scroll down to track 1), or Google Play.  There are like a million versions of this so I tried to link to the one that I listened to before recording the episode.

If you prefer visuals with your songs, here's the official music video as well as the lyrics.  Watcher beware, the video is part of some sort of epic, multi-part series so the song is cut up a bit to match it.

"Hello"

I could stick around and get along with you 
Hello 
It doesn't really mean that I'm into you 
Hello 

You're alright but I'm here darling to enjoy the party 
Don't get too excited 'cus that's all you get from me 
Hey 

Yeah I think you're cute but really you should know 
I just came to say hello 
Hello 
Hello 
Hello 

I'm not the kinda girl who'd get messed up with you 
Hello 
Imma let you try to convince me to
Hello 

It's alright I'm getting dizzy just enjoy the party 
It's ok with me if you don't have that much to say 
Hey 

Kinda like this thing but there's something you should know 
I just came to say hello 
Hello 

Hey 
Hey 

I could stick around and get along with you 
Hello 
It doesn't really mean that I'm into you 
Hello 

(I'm here darling to enjoy the party) 

I just came to say hello 
Hello 
Hello 
Hello 

I'm not the kinda girl who'd get messed up with you 
Hello 
Imma let you try to convince me to 
Hello 

It's alright I'm getting dizzy just enjoy the party 
It's ok with me if you don't have that much to say 
Hey 

Kinda like this thing but there's something you should know 
I just came to say hello 

Hey

So, listen, watch, read, and join us on back here on Wednesday with your best moves.

Happy Thanksgiving!

To all of our American listeners, hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with family and large portion sizes.  For non-American listeners, today is Thanksgiving in America so please visit our country to join the stampede of shoppers looking for 4K TVs at midnight.

Jack E. posted a suggestion that we discuss "Alice's Restaurant Massacree" by Arlo Guthrie which is apparently a Thanksgiving song now.  I didn't have time to fit in a full episode (maybe next year, Jack!).  Strangely enough, I did actually do an oral report on the song as part of a project looking at protest songs of the Vietnam War.  According to Mr. Guthrie the song isn't specifically an anti-war song either, but he seemed happy that it had become associated with Thanksgiving.

With that in mind, relax from eating turkey by checking out this video of Arlo Guthrie performing "Alice's Restaurant Massacree".  It's even got footage from the movie!

Episode 19 - Lucky

Is it possible to decode the meanings of Radiohead songs without Wikipedia? I can't, but special guest, Matt Summers, sure can when we discuss "Lucky" off the seminal album, OK Computer.  Matt shares his personal connection with the song and some great insight into the musical techniques of the band while I talk loudly about superheroes and what you'll find if you Google my name.  It's what we in the biz call fair and balanced.

Please very much enjoy!



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Episode 19 Preview - Lucky

This week we're talking about Radiohead's "Lucky" with special guest (and podcast fan!) Matt Summers.  While we've delved into a number of 90's tracks, Radiohead is almost a musical entity unto itself so you'd better come prepared for this episode!

Take a listen on iTunes, Amazon Music, or Google Play, though I'm sure most of you already own the album, OK, Computer.

Here's what I believe to be the official video as well as the song lyrics.  Please note, the video was originally released as part of a benefit album to raise funds and awareness for victims of the Bosnian War in the early 90s so there are some disturbing images throughout.

"Lucky"

I'm on a roll, I'm on a roll
This time, I feel my luck could change
Kill me Sarah, kill me again with love
It's gonna be a glorious day

Pull me out of the aircrash
Pull me out of the lake
'Cause I'm your superhero
We are standing on the edge

The Head of State has called for me by name
But I don't have time for him
It's gonna be a glorious day
I feel my luck could change

Pull me out of the aircrash
Pull me out of the lake
'Cause I'm your superhero
We are standing on the edge

We are standing on the edge

So, listen, read, think, and join us back here on Wednesday for the full episode.

Episode 18 - Rock Band

It's an epic discussion of all things Rock Band with Diana Parry-Cruwys and Brian Grady!  We wear our video game reviewer hats to examine how playing crappy songs on plastic instruments makes everything better and how playing awesome songs with your friends is utterly transcendent.  Is there one song to make our song? No! Hundreds of songs are yours for the taking, you just have to be ready to be the bass player.

Please very much enjoy!



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Episode 18 Preview - Rock Band

Bit of a break this week as we talk about the video game sensation "Rock Band".  Though not the first "I can pretend to play music using a guitar/drum/microphone controller" game, it is arguably one of the best.  And, with the release of "Rock Band 4" by Boston's own Harmonix Music Systems, I take some time to talk with fans of the game about their favorite tunes and the allure of playing fake, plastic instruments in a group holds.

As "Rock Band" contains hundreds of songs, we won't be focusing on any one tune so, instead read some background material on the game itself as well as some reviews of the latest iteration then come back on Wednesday for the show.

Episode 17 - Conversation 16

Brian Grady joins us with a deep dive into The National's "Conversation 16".  We seek the answers to those eternal questions like is a bad relationship compare to brain-eating, how many internal monologues does it take to find happiness, and, are we all really that evil? Fun bonus game: figure out where I edited out my terrible hacking coughs and you could win a pizza from Agostino's.  I mean, you won't, so...

Please very much enjoy!


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Episode 17 Preview - Conversation 16

Our awesome guests return with their own favorite songs.  This week, Brian Grady brings The National to our airwaves with their song "Conversation 16".

Episode 16 - Sick Day

Inspired by a true story about a boy, a girl, and a contractual obligation of their employer to allow them to stay home when ill and still get paid.  It's Fountains of Wayne's "Sick Day"!

Please very much enjoy!


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Episode 16 Preview - Sick Day

Besides needing my voice for podcasting, I just super-love talking all the time.  So losing my voice for a week+ has been just the worst.  Coughing up phlegm like a consumption victim on Downton Abbey didn't help much either.  It got so bad that I did, in fact, need to take a sick day to just sleep and recuperate.  Which made me think of the Fountains of Wayne song, "Sick Day".  While not even close to my favorite FOW song--that list is too long to discuss here--it certainly is topical.  So, we have our episode, a little late and a little raspy.  Fun fact: Diana and I once saw Fountains of Wayne at a show in Northampton get cut short due to lead singer Chris Collingwood having a case of laryngitis.

You can purchase the song on iTunes, Amazon Music, or Google Play. No official music video, but we do have a live version of the song from a Chicago show in 2009.  Not quite the same as the album version though which is the one we'll be talking about.

Did I hear a request for lyrics?

"Sick Day"

Check out the girl in the Harbor Tunnel
Crawling to work six feet under
And the day has barely begun
They're all chewing gum

And laughing at the voice on the crackling radio station
Lead us not into Penn Station
Cause the best part's just begun
We're all becoming one again

And she's making the scene
With the coffee and cream
And the copy machine's not working
She's a hell of a girl
She's alone in the world
And she likes to say hey good lookin'
She's on her way
She's taking a sick day..soon

And here is the man pushing paper past her
Thinks up ways to make the day go faster
But the day goes on and on
He dreams of his lawn

And all about 
the pretty careerist 
the next cube over
The fat secretary, 
the lunchtime lovers
'Til the path train finally comes
The platform's full of bums again

And she's making the scene
With the coffee and cream
And the copy machine's not working
She's a hell of a girl
She's alone in the world
And she likes to say hey good lookin'
She's on her way
She's taking a sick day..soon

And she's taking her time
As she's tossing a dime
At the man in the cardboard coffin
It doesn't have to be fine
She's ahead of the line
And doesn't have to be here too often
She's making a play
She's taking a sick day..soon

So, listen, read, watch, think, and come back here on Friday (maybe Thursday? haven't you subscribed to the RSS feed or on iTunes yet?) for the discussion.

Running late this week

So, my voice is still shot.  And I had to reschedule everybody to record later this week.  So, I'm a bit behind.  It did get me thinking of a song I'd like to talk about.  Hopefully my voice will return enough to get something together a little later in the week.  As long as I don't sound like the spirit of emphysema, I'll shoot for a Thursday release, just a little late.  Perhaps some extra sleep and less talking will speed my recovery along.

Episode 15 - Der Erlkönig

We go full-on classical with this quick Halloween episode as we explore the dark, German woods in "Der Erlkönig".  Just when did I even hear this song? Why is Der Erlkönig so obsessed with this kid? Can I fit more ghost-wails into the show? How did I get so many umlauts into my text? All this and more!

Please very much enjoy! OOOOOOOOOOO!


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Episode 15 Preview - Der Erlkönig

We take a break before the conclusion of our love-centric episodes with a spooooky Halloween treat, "Der Erlkönig", with music by Franz Schubert and lyrics (i.e., the original poem) by Johann von Goethe.

Episode 14 - Inside of Love

We understand the beginning, middle, and ending of love. But what happens before all of that? Delving "Inside of Love" we discuss the sadness of leaving a fantasy world, the surprise of telepathically sharing imagery, and why men get less pity than women. Live from a hard drive and under a blanket! Well, at least that's what this week's wonky audio sounds like.

Please very much enjoy!


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Episode 14 Preview - Inside of Love

Trying for a month of songs about the various aspects of love, we get to the sad part of the equation as featured in Nada Surf's song "Inside of Love".

Episode 13 - Hands Down

No one's gonna steal my thunder as, in true teenager fashion, I create a self-centered podcast bubble in which my opinion is the only one that matters because I'm the only one talking about "Hands Down".  Plus, the secret origins of my marriage.

Please very much enjoy!


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Episode 13 Preview - Hands Down

Forgetting it's a three-day weekend, I treated today as Sunday meaning I'm late on my Monday post.  As apology, I'm making this post extra special in that I'm writing it while thinking fondly of you, the audience.  I am nothing if not a romantic.  And, to continue that sentiment, this week's episode features the Dashboard Confessional classic "Hands Down".

Episode 12 - Epilogue of Fun Facts

It's always nice when these things write themselves and, to be honest, just watch this excellent video at the AV Club to hear Ben Folds talk about "The Luckiest" in great detail.  If you'd like to see Ben Folds do a full performance of the song, here he is playing on the Queen Latifah show.

Did you know "The Luckiest" was supposed to be on the soundtrack of not one, but two movies? It finally made it into "About Time", a movie that I vaguely remember the poster of.  But it did lead to this nice clip from the director talking about "The Luckiest".

Unrelated to Ben Folds, I found myself going down the rabbit hole of WatchMojo Top 10 videos including cheesiest songs of the 00s and songs that make you cry.  I didn't see Ben on either list.

Episode 12 - The Luckiest

A very romantic discussion of how even old fogies deserve a special song about relationships.  Is it possible to say the word love more than we do in the next 25+ minutes of podcast? NEVER!

Please very much enjoy!

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Episode 12 Preview - The Luckiest

Love is all around this week as we discuss the anti-love song love song "The Luckiest" by Ben Folds.  Try not to cry as you listen to this one folks.

Episode 11 - Epilogue of Fun Facts

Are you ready for some fun facts...RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME!!! Sorry, super excited.

Episode 11 - Life's A Happy Song

The boys are back in town to discuss the Muppet hit for the next generation.  In between my lectures on podcast etiquette, we cover the funny, 4th-wall-breaking antics of Gary and Walter and why a filet of fish is the most factual of lyrics.

Please very much enjoy!

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Episode 11 Preview - Life's A Happy Song

We return with the second part of our Muppet-stravaganza with special guests my kids! We'll be talking about their favorite Muppet song "Life's A Happy Song" from The Muppets (2011) movie.

Episode 10 - Epilogue of Fun Facts

What a blast from the past this week's episode was.  Strange to say, I suppose given that every other week is its own past blast.  Requisite links to learn about Jump, Little Children on Wikipedia as well as reviews of their album, Magazine, from All Music and, with a much more sweet tone, the AV Club.  More musings and a live clip after the jump.

Episode 10 - Close Your Eyes

This week we talk about Jump, Little Children's beautiful "Close Your Eyes".  Diana is surprised that, after so many years of marriage, we would have a different interpretation of the lyrics while I wonder why more songs don't remind us of old Bert and Ernie adventures.  Everyone agrees you need to go buy the album (or at the very least use your Amazon Prime subscription to download almost every song for free).

Please very much enjoy!



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Episode 10 Preview - Close Your Eyes

Though she couldn't remember why we chose it, Diana rejoins the show to discuss a song dear to both of our hearts: Jump, Little Children's "Close Your Eyes".

Episode 9 - Epilogue of Fun Facts

Interested in learning more about Stars? Here are the standard links about the band on Wikipedia and links discussing the album Set Yourself On Fire here and here.

Did you know that Pitchfork Media considers "Your Ex-lover Is Dead" the 298th best song of the 2000s? Strong start to this new millennium for Stars, huh?

Episode 9 - Your Ex-lover Is Dead

Serenaded by a string quartet, my guest, Jackie MacDonald, and I take a trip across Pont Champlain while discussing Stars' "Your Ex-lover Is Dead". We talk metaphor, life-changing events, and our love of Canada. No podcasters were set on fire during this recording.

Please very much enjoy!



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Episode 9 Preview - Your Ex-lover Is Dead

This week we take a break from puppets with special guest Jackie MacDonald and her song "Your Ex-lover Is Dead" from Canadian indie band Stars.

Episode 8 Epilogue

Wocka wocka wocka! Hope you enjoyed that special episode of "Parry Family Podcast".  Interested in learning more about our song? Well, there's always IMDB and Wikipedia.  If you need more details, there's even the entry from Muppetpedia for the song itself and for the whole movie.

Episode 8 - Movin' Right Along

It's a family affair this week as we discuss one of my personal Muppet favs, "Movin' Right Along".  Our discussion of this classic Muppets tune devolves into Yoda impressions as my middle son hijacks the podcast.  Baby squeaks throughout.  Still better than the first attempt at recording.

Please very much enjoy!



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Episode 8 Preview - Movin' Right Along

The fall means cool weather, red leaves, and new TV shows are right around the corner including a brand new Muppets series.  And what better way to celebrate the reappearance of a delightful franchise than to discuss our favorite classic Muppets song with the rest of the Parry family.

Episode 7 - Epilogue of Fun Facts

Want to learn more about the Wu Tang Clan? Check out this handy-dandy primer from the A.V.Club to get your RZAs, GZAs, and ODBs straight.

Interested in Mr. Killah himself? After you peruse our usual Wikipedia link on Ghostface and the Ironman album, read a quick review on AllMusic.  Perhaps you'd even like to read this brief reminiscence from RZA, Ironman's producer, 10 years after the album's release.  I enjoyed these quick interviews with Ghostface on Pop Matters and the A.V. Club as well.

It's always funny how some artists can be so acclaimed, yet I still have almost no knowledge of them.  Big thanks to Mark for expanding my horizons with his song.

See y'all next week for some more guest favorites.

Episode 7 - All That I Got Is You

We delve into the 36 chambers with special guest Mark Brillon, ever after to be dubbed our hip-hop expert, to discuss "All That I Got Is You" by Ghostface Killah.  It's autobiographical from all angles as we learn about Ghostface's upbringing, Mark's brush with the man himself, and where I hide all my CDs.

Please very much enjoy!



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Episode 7 Preview - All That I Got Is You

We're heading out into new territory with this week's song: Ghostface Killah's "All That I Got Is You" (feat. Mary J. Blige and Poppa Wu) brought to us by a very special guest: King Mark Brillon.  He's the king of hip hop podcast discussion, folks

Episode 6 - Epilogue of Fun Facts

Quick epilogue this week as I prepare for a nice weekend trip with my oldest two boys.

You probably wanted to take a look at the Gears of War trailer we kept talking about, right?

Well, here it is...

Episode 6 - Mad World

I'm typing this one handed with a sleeping baby in my arms.  Yet our love of Michael Andrews and Gary Jules cover of "Mad World" can't be stopped by such trivialities.  Thus the podcast rolls on with special guests Diana Parry-Cruwys, Donnie Darko, Marcus Fenix, and a band of wandering thespians.

Please very much enjoy!



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Episode 6 Preview - Mad World

This week Diana rejoins us to talk about the Gary Jules cover of "Mad World".  Though we discuss a number of topics related to the song, I mostly want to talk about "Gears of War".  Find out how this video game with chainsaw machine guns relates to the sedate tune about depression this Wednesday!

Episode 5 - Epilogue of Fun Facts

And thus, our Summer Theme is quietly swallowed by a wave (or as I usually sing it very loudly, "swallowed by a whale" which is a different Decemberists' song).

As we mentioned on the episode, this song provides a strong visual for me.  When I hear "Summersong", this is the image that pops into my head:

Episode 5 - Summersong

After waiting for two weeks for the thrilling conclusion of our Summer Song theme, without further ado, Episode 5, a.k.a., Talking About Summersong by The Decemberists.

Please very much enjoy!

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Episode 5 Preview - Summersong

This week, part two of our Summer Song theme with the appropriately titled "Summersong" by The Decemberists.

Episode 4 - Epilogue of Fun Facts

One of the hoped benefits of doing this show was putting more emphasis on listening to songs I wouldn't otherwise have given that focus.  I have yet to feel that time wasn't worth it.  Hope you enjoyed our first theme episode and feel the heat from the Summer Songs show.

Did you know that Gotye is Belgian-Australian and not a goat-man/yogurt hybrid like I'd originally surmised.  These epilogue posts really are helpful.

If you'd like to learn more about this song, check out a whole bevy of song facts from an eponymous website or just good ol' Wikipedia.  You can also learn more about the album as a whole with this capsule review from Rolling Stone or the slightly longer reviews from AllMusic and Pitchfork.

Did you also know this song was featured on the TV show "Glee"? Of course not.  No one watched that show after its first season.

And, just for funzies, I've linked some audio bloopers from this week's episode.  Please, feel free to laugh along with us for a moment.

Episode 4 - Somebody That I Used To Know

The theme: Summer songs.  The guest: Carolyn Beaumier with what I think is better audio than last week.  The song: "Somebody That I Used To Know"

We actually recorded about two of our favorite summer songs; we had so much audio on the subject that I'll be breaking it into two separate parts so each song gets full attention from the audience.

Please very much enjoy part one!

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Episode 4 Preview - Somebody That I Used To Know

What a doozy we recorded this week.  Carolyn Beaumier returns (with what I hope is better audio to do her melodious voice justice) to discuss our favorite summer songs.  We waxed philosophically about our picks for so long that, I've had to cut it down into two whole episodes so as to give each of our songs its due.

Our first song is "Somebody That I Used To Know" by Gotye (feat. Kimbra).  I wasn't super familiar with this song but really fell in love with it.  Perhaps you will too!

You can download it on iTunes (), Google Play, or Amazon Music.

We've also got a link to the kind of weird music video.

And, of course, the lyrics.  So, listen, watch, read up, and be back on Wednesday for the first of our two-parter about summer songs!

"Somebody That I Used To Know"

[Gotye:]
Now and then I think of when we were together
Like when you said you felt so happy you could die
Told myself that you were right for me
But felt so lonely in your company
But that was love and it's an ache I still remember

You can get addicted to a certain kind of sadness
Like resignation to the end, always the end
So when we found that we could not make sense
Well you said that we would still be friends
But I'll admit that I was glad that it was over

But you didn't have to cut me off
Make out like it never happened and that we were nothing
And I don't even need your love
But you treat me like a stranger and that feels so rough
No you didn't have to stoop so low
Have your friends collect your records and then change your number
I guess that I don't need that though
Now you're just somebody that I used to know

Now you're just somebody that I used to know
Now you're just somebody that I used to know

[Kimbra:]
Now and then I think of all the times you screwed me over
But had me believing it was always something that I'd done
But I don't wanna live that way
Reading into every word you say
You said that you could let it go
And I wouldn't catch you hung up on somebody that you used to know

[Gotye:]
But you didn't have to cut me off
Make out like it never happened and that we were nothing
And I don't even need your love
But you treat me like a stranger and that feels so rough
No you didn't have to stoop so low
Have your friends collect your records and then change your number
I guess that I don't need that though
Now you're just somebody that I used to know

[x2]
Somebody
(I used to know)
Somebody
(Now you're just somebody that I used to know)

(I used to know)
(That I used to know)
(I used to know)
Somebody

Episode 3 - Epilogue of Fun Facts

Even after listening to the podcast four or five times while editing it, I really never got tired of Otis Redding's voice or this song.

Did you know that "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay was his only #1 hit and didn't become so until after his tragic death? Singers should avoid chartered planes, folks.  It's just good advice.

Episode 3 - (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay

Special guest Carolyn Beaumier joins the show to talk about Otis Redding's posthumous hit "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay thus pulling us out of our 90's rut.

Pardon for poorly balancing my microphone creating some tinny audio. Also sorry about the rain tapping on the air conditioning unit. And someone turned off our lights so we recorded in the dark.

Good times!

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Episode 3 Preview - (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay

We've got our first special guest lined up for this week's episode: Ms. Carolyn Beaumier!!

Carolyn broke out of our subconscious mold of just doing 90's songs with a real Golden Oldy: Otis Redding's "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay".

To get ready for the show, dust off the ol' phonograph and your wax cylinder of this track, or just do what I did and

 Or get it on Amazon (free download with Prime!) or on Google Music.

And if you want to read along with the song, here are the lyrics.


                                                      "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay"

Sittin' in the morning sun
I'll be sittin' when the evening comes
Watching the ships roll in
Then I watch them roll away again, yeah

I'm sittin' on the dock of the bay
Watchin' the tide roll away, ooh
I'm just sittin' on the dock of the bay
Wastin' time

I left my home in Georgia
Headed for the Frisco Bay
Cuz I've had nothing to live for
And look like nothing's gonna come my way

So, I'm just gon' sit on the dock of the bay
Watchin' the tide roll away, ooh
I'm sittin' on the dock of the bay
Wastin' time

Looks like nothing's gonna change
Everything still remains the same
I can't do what ten people tell me to do
So I guess I'll remain the same, listen

Sittin' here resting my bones
And this loneliness won't leave me alone, listen
Two thousand miles I roam
Just to make this dock my home, now

I'm just gon' sit at the dock of a bay
Watchin' the tide roll away, ooh
Sittin' on the dock of the bay
Wastin' time

[harmonic whistling]

Just be sure to get it, listen to it, think about it, write down some questions, mull over your answers, and tune in on our new day, Wednesday, for the discussion.

Tonight, Tonight - The Supplemental Stuff

Here are some more supplemental materials to read after listening to the show.  Apparently they were in Boston Tuesday night...which I didn't realize until Tuesday night.  I almost got to see the original lineup in Providence way way back in 1999.  Perhaps it's just never meant to be.

Want a quick rundown of the Smashing Pumpkins? This video from Diffuser shares some key tidbits about the band for those of you unfamiliar with their oeuvre.

As always, here are write-ups about the full Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness album that "Tonight, Tonight" is featured on from AllMusic and a brief summary of just the song on Wikipedia.

Finally, here's a quick acoustic version of "Tonight, Tonight" by Billy Corgan from the Howard Stern Show.  I still love the bombastic orchestral backing of the original, but, knowing more about the song as a response to childhood abuse, there's something really touching about the quieter, guitar-only version.

Episode 2 - Tonight, Tonight

Very exciting to talk about one of my personal favorite songs on this week's episode: seminal, alternative tune Tonight, Tonight.

Special guest, Diana, joins in to what is otherwise a 15-minute gushing over this track.  Pardon the tinny audio...not sure how to improve that quite yet.

Please very much enjoy!

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Episode 2 Preview - Tonight, Tonight

This week we're doing a song that's very much my song: "Tonight, Tonight" by the Smashing Pumpkins.

To get ready for the discussion, break out your old CD copy, or download one of these new-fangled digital versions.

Click here to  
To buy on Amazon, click here.
To buy on the Android Marketplace, click here.

We're On iTunes!!

Wow, this is very exciting.  "They're Playing Our Song" is on iTunes! Kind of feels like we made it now: we're legit.  So, you should probably click this big iTunes button and subscribe.

 


 Now that we're a respected pillar of the podcasting community, you should probably join in.  Why not email me with your favorite song and become one of our guests.  My plan is for this to be a positive experience so no song will be patronized.  Come on the show now before we're too famous for anyone but A-list celebrities!

Episode 1 - "Round Here" by Counting Crows

Ta da! Our very first episode. Hopefully you will very much enjoy it.
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Episode 1 Preview - Round Here

Well, the first episode is in the bag.  Since this won't be as interesting if you haven't heard the song, I'll try to remember to send a preview post before every episode.  No idea how long editing, posting the feed, etc. will take yet so expect sporadic release dates for now.

The song for our first episode is "Round Here" by the Counting Crows which you can get on iTunes or Amazon Music. You can also hear the song on streaming services or check out the music video on You Tube down below.

I recommend listening to the song so you have any idea what we're talking about.  Or don't and play a fun mind game in which you nod politely as we blather on about the ephemera of a song you've never heard before.  Either way, I get rich off my little podcast.

We've also got email!! If you're interested in being on the show or giving us feedback, you can email me at rob@playingoursong.net.  Any song, any time, anywhere.  Provided anywhere is close to my house.

Episode 0 - Alphacast

Here we go with a little test of RSS feed creation and uploading the darn files with some audio I created with my son briefly discussing "Crazy Train".




Here's the direct link to the show if you're so inclined.

They're Playing Our Song - Live and In Beta

Sit back, relax, and wait for me to sort out a series of technical difficulties.

In the meantime, check us out on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for all relevant updates.