January 13th 2017: Music.
That's what could make this day beautiful. What makes you want to dance, do that little lifting action with your left shoulder which breaks into a full-on mirror gazing Flashdance-fest? Never heard of Flashdance (1983)? It's a movie I saw as a child that had quite an impression on me; I wondered what it would be like to be a beautiful metal worker and vulnerable but feisty stripper who gets rescued by a rich man. It's not dated too well. My schools (Whangamata Area School and then Takapuna Grammar) didn't allow girls to do metal or woodwork in 1983 or 1984 which was really bizarre. I was forced to choose sewing and typing and was not an enthusiastic student as a result. My adoptive father was a carpenter and I really thought I would have been good at it, but the teachers at Takapuna Grammar acted as if I were asking to throw shit at people. Very weird. My father wasn't on the scene after the age of 7 which is why he didn't teach me anything beyond hammering a nail into a piece of wood.
There were lots of metal work moments that made it seem like girls really could do 'anything' unless they went to Whangamata Area School or Takapuna Grammar in New Zealand. The teachers (for the most part) at Grammar were utterly full of shit and sorrow and lacked any courage or vision. I hope it's improved.
Anyway, 'Flashdance' had a great sound track which included one called 'Romeo' by Donna Summer.
I used to put that one on after school and dance like a fucking maniac. I didn't really know what she was singing when she says 'oh chucka' or 'oh chuck up' and still don't. "He's the boy. He's the boy. He's the boy. He's my Romeo. Oh oh oh." I was partial to 'Seduce Me Tonight' and a few other tracks on the album which also sound terrible in the light of the 2000's. All that saxophone and overt sexism.
I have a few list of songs on Youtube (more carefully curated than on Spotify) that I can turn to which always give relief. I never get sick of ...
'Suffer for Fashion' - Of Montreal
'Let me Roll it' - Paul McCartney
'This is the Day' - The The
'New Slang' - The Shins
'Moonage Daydream' - David Bowie
'Mr Zebra' by Tori Amos ...
'Trouble' - Lindsay Buckingham (especially the beginning)
'Cos I love you' - Slade
'Cheer Up and Free Your Mind' - Jenny O
Such songs contain a thread of something my soul recognises and is elated by. What songs do it for you?
Right this second I'm now listening to the Flashdance soundtrack to see if it's as good and bad as I remember. It might not inspire a full fledged stripper's dance - but maybe I'll get the dishes done before my friend comes over and we go to the beach.
There were lots of metal work moments that made it seem like girls really could do 'anything' unless they went to Whangamata Area School or Takapuna Grammar in New Zealand. The teachers (for the most part) at Grammar were utterly full of shit and sorrow and lacked any courage or vision. I hope it's improved.
Anyway, 'Flashdance' had a great sound track which included one called 'Romeo' by Donna Summer.
I used to put that one on after school and dance like a fucking maniac. I didn't really know what she was singing when she says 'oh chucka' or 'oh chuck up' and still don't. "He's the boy. He's the boy. He's the boy. He's my Romeo. Oh oh oh." I was partial to 'Seduce Me Tonight' and a few other tracks on the album which also sound terrible in the light of the 2000's. All that saxophone and overt sexism.
I have a few list of songs on Youtube (more carefully curated than on Spotify) that I can turn to which always give relief. I never get sick of ...
'Suffer for Fashion' - Of Montreal
'Let me Roll it' - Paul McCartney
'This is the Day' - The The
'New Slang' - The Shins
'Moonage Daydream' - David Bowie
'Mr Zebra' by Tori Amos ...
'Trouble' - Lindsay Buckingham (especially the beginning)
'Cos I love you' - Slade
'Cheer Up and Free Your Mind' - Jenny O
Such songs contain a thread of something my soul recognises and is elated by. What songs do it for you?
Right this second I'm now listening to the Flashdance soundtrack to see if it's as good and bad as I remember. It might not inspire a full fledged stripper's dance - but maybe I'll get the dishes done before my friend comes over and we go to the beach.
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