BRBcoffee

Archive for the ‘Music’ Category

It feels like it’s been too long since somebody posted a blog on here. Therefore, I feel the need to give some life (albeit unsubstantial life) back to BRBcoffee.

But what to write about? So many things come to mind; my recent obsession with late-80’s/early-90’s R&B/Hip Hop, and um, no…that’s actually about all that comes to mind (which proves how deeply this fixation has a hold on me). As I write, I am slowly building a playlist of songs that come to mind. So far: “Poison” by Bell Biv Devoe (effing brilliant song, you all must listen!), “Rhythm Nation” by Janet Jackson, “Pony” by Ginuwine, and “Too Close” by Next. This last song, I must elaborate on because it makes me laugh.

Let me begin by saying that I used to love and sing along to “Too Close” when I was in elementary school. Back then, all I cared about was a catchy hook and a sweet beat *facepalm!*. Recently, I re-discovered the song and stumbled upon a dark, dark secret I was unaware of as a child: the song is entirely about a man and woman grinding at a club and the man consequently getting a boner. Yep. Here are some gems of lyrics you can find in this magical song:

“The way that you shake it on me,
Makes me want you so bad sexually
Oh girl!”

(and we can’t forget…)

“Step back you’re dancing kinda close,
I feel a little poke coming through,
On you.”

Just a little poke? Clearly they’re not grinding close enough.

Click here to watch the music video.

Man, the image of me singing along to this is just so utterly fucked up that I cannot help but laugh.

Ooh ooh! More additions to the playlist: “Never Gonna Get It” by En Vogue (En Vogue is so amazing), “My Prerogative” by Bobby Brown, “Candy Girl” by New Edition, and “I’ll Make Love To You” by Boyz II Men (please don’t make fun of me).

I have no idea what has prompted this recent musical endeavor (if I may call it that) of mine. I am a bit prone to what I call “musical obsessions.” I don’t know what sparks them or why they even happen, but every once in awhile I simply get hooked on a certain facet of music, almost like a drug. Some of my past obsessions: Randy Travis’ “I Told You So,” New Kids On the Block, Eminem, Michael Jackson of course (that’s more like a lifelong fixation really), etc. [On a side note, “etc.” is such a lazy expression. It basically means you got tired of listing stuff and instead of saying something like “and so on and so forth,” you just type three letters and a period and call it a day. But I digress…]

The only bad things that come along with these episodes (despite how that sounds, I’m not really a drug addict!) is me usually looking like a fool and wasting time that should be spent on things like, oh I don’t know, homework or getting scholarships maybe? But nooo, my time is spent trying to find the music video for that one song from back in the day I used to dance to that goes something like “du du duu duuu, du du dududud du!” Oh the hours that go into such a search. *Shakes head ashamedly*

How does one end a blog like this? And by ‘this,’ I mean a frenzied rambling on a topic very few give a biscuit about. I think this will suffice:

And now come the lasers:

In honor of the Michael, I, along with my sister, attended the MJ laser light show in Seattle. Now, I had absolutely no idea what to expect when I heard the term “laser show.” I thought perhaps it would be like a Michael Jackson concert with laser reincarnations of Michael and the band, but I was wrong. Oh, was I wrong. Instead, what I experienced was an eye-melting display of drug-inspired laser patterns projected onto the dome ceiling of the Pacific Science Center which rhythmically corresponded to MJ songs. Don’t get me wrong, it was totally enjoyable and worthwhile, but it simply didn’t live up to my unrealistically high expectations. Honestly, I probably would have paid the same $8 to sit in the dark and listen to MJ on that awesome sound system AND I got to see/take a picture with an amazing impersonator.

I was/still am pretty jealous.

Overall, it was a success. Was it a lifelike recreation of an MJ concert? No, but I’m okay with that. It’s the closest I will ever come to attending one of his real concerts and it was certainly a hell of a lot cheaper. I’d recommend seeing a laser show, specifically one at the Pacific Science Center in Seattle, WA (shameless plug), to any- and every- one. It’s fun, it’s different, it ruins your eyesight, but most of all- it’s a justification to the benefits of drug use.

And with that, I say good day!
-Elaine

P.S.- If you’re interested in more of my experiences whilst over in Seattle/Olympia, you can look forward to my up and coming blog documenting my trip. 🙂  And if you’re not interested, well then screw you.

Just kidding.

I have a confession to make:

I love cheesy duets from the 1980’s.

Come on…you know you do too. Just admit that when you’re listening to the radio and you hear that cheesy synthesizer intro, you cannot help but sing along. I have decided to make a list of what I deem the ten best 80’s duets ever.

After careful deliberation:
10. “Somewhere Out There” -James Ingram/Linda Ronstadt

9. “Up Where We Belong” -Joe Cocker/Jennifer Warnes

8. “You and I” -Eddie Rabbitt/Crystal Gayle

7. “Almost Paradise” -Mike Reno/Ann Wilson

6. “The Next Time I Fall” -Peter Cetera/Amy Grant

5. “(I’ve Had) The Time of  My Life” -Bill Medley/Jennifer Warnes

4. “Ebony and Ivory” -Stevie Wonder/Paul McCartney

3. “Under Pressure” -Queen/David Bowie

2.”Islands In the Stream” -Kenny Rogers/Dolly Parton

And finally *dun dun dun*….
1. “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You” -Michael Jackson/Siedah Garrett

Get off my man, ho!

Some of the other close contenders:
“If I Close My Eyes Forever” -Lita Ford/Ozzy Osbourne
“Friends and Lovers” -Gloria Loring/Carl Anderson
“Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around” -Stevie Nicks/Tom Petty
“The Girl Is Mine” -Michael Jackson/Paul McCartney
“Tonight, I Celebrate My Love For You” -Peabo Bryson/Roberta Flack

Leave a comment telling me what your  #1 would be!

I am quite aware of the grave situation in Israel right now, and just so ya’ll know, I am pro-Palestinian. Now, this blog has absolutely nothing to do with the conflict, hence my title. What this blog is going to be about is a song I, along with Amanda Inman, wrote. It is for the plight of the manatee and all cetaceans. It should be sung along to the tune of “Man In the Mirror” by Michael Jackson:

“I’ve been a victim of poachers from up above,
It’s time they leave me alone.
Go back to your boat, stop being a ho!
Could it be really me,
Trying not to lose control?

A seaman’s disregard,
Somebody’s broken harp,
And a washed up whaaaale…

The tears of a dolphin come from the soul
And the saline stings their nose,
That’s why I want you to know!

I’m starting with the manatee in the mirror, Oooh!
I’m asking him to swim away, Oooh!
And no blowhole could’ve been any biggah!
If ya wanna save my peeps from being extinct,
Take a look at ya feet and stop eating meat!

Whoo! Whoo! Na na naaa, na na naaa, na na na naaaaa….Uhhuhhh Ah!

I’ve been a victim of a boating accident
It’s time my flipper is healed.
I can’t swim, I can’t dive,
I’m barely alive!
Could you please, kill some trees?
Instead of trying to eat me…

Maybe I’d eat you too,
If I could eat some meat,
But I got no teeth…

I wanna be happy swimmin’ in the sea,
Why won’t you just let me be,
I like eating seaweed!

I’m starting with the manatee in the mirror, Oooh!
I’m asking him to swim away, Oooh!
And no blowhole coulda been any biggah!
If ya wanna save my peeps from being extinct,
Take a look at ya feet and stop eating meat!

(Repeat Chorus and add some ooh’s, ahh’s, and snaps)”

[poll id=”14″]

Guess what, everyone…

You all get to go through an entire writing process with me!!! Aren’t you excited?! I know you’re already in utter rapture at the idea, so get some poppycorn, fasten your seat belts and away we go!

I plan on this being a sort of series which will come in (semi-)regular installments. This being the very first, I’d like to introduce to you why I am writing and what it is I am writing about. I will even attempt an Intro/Thesis Statement! I find this to be a wonderfully self-benefiting idea because it gives me a chance to get some helpful feedback from all of my well-versed readers.

Let me start by informing you that I have not, do not, and will not write essays unless forced. That being said, I’m writing an essay for my English class. It has to be under the general-topic-umbrella of “Music and Social Commentary.” Now, as some of you may already know, I am a fan of Michael Jackson. Aha, let me rephrase that… I FREAKIN LOVE MICHAEL JACKSON! Naturally, I have decided to write about him; my lovah.

I know some of you are probably snickering at me for my love of the Michael, but that’s okay. Not everyone understands him or even wants to, though it should be accepted as a natural law that he was a musical genius.

The direction I wish to take with this paper is somewhat of a broad one. See, I plan on discussing 3-4 of his songs and the social commentary in each. After compiling a list of possible songs and their related social issues, I have come up with this:

Black or White- racial inequality
Earth Song- environmental concern, warfare, animal welfare
We Are the World- global awareness
Heal the World- similar to ^
Man in the Mirror- making the world a better place
Gone Too Soon- written for AIDS victims (specifically, his friend Ryan)
What More Can I Give?- along the same lines of We Are the World
Morphine- drugs
Scream- public scrutiny/paparazzi, sensationalized media
They Don’t Care About Us- stereotypes, prejudice, police brutality
We’ve Had Enough- situations in Iraq and Afghanistan

After careful deliberation, I have narrowed it down to Earth Song, They Don’t Care About Us, and We Are the World/Heal the World. The last two will be combined since they pretty much deal with the same issues.

And now, what you’ve all been waiting for. *DUN DUN DUN* The Intro/Thesis! Any and all feedback is GREATLY appreciated, and don’t forget to come back for my next installment! Enjoy:

Known for being the greatest pop musician in the history of the genre, Michael Jackson was and still is a musical legend. It is nearly impossible to find a single person on planet earth that cannot name and/or sing along to at least one of Jackson’s songs. What many people are not aware of, however, is the incredible lyricist with a knack for social commentary that was hidden behind those infectious rhythms and that shiny pop veneer. Whether it was world poverty, environmental degradation, police brutality, racial inequality, or simply making a difference in this world, Michael Jackson’s talent for penning socially aware songs left a lasting impression on multiple generations and continues to inspire fans of music worldwide.