Archive | 4:37 pm

Lyric of the Day #9

4 Jun

        

  Mellow Yellow

  Let us get to some 60′s humor for today. “Mellow Yellow” by Donovan, the confusing, debated, but clear folk hit, literally hit the stores in 1966 and was originally thought to be about using dried banana skins as a Hallucinogenic drug. This rumor was actually perputated by Country Joe McDonald, no surprise there, who thought it was an interesting idea to smoke dried banana skins. The Music Court does not support doing this in any way. Yet, this rumor was debunked.

        Apparently, according to a Rolling Stones interview, mellow yellow is in reference to a certain device used in women’s pleasure. I will let you put that together. What we really can conclude is that the song is wierd, the lyrics are wierd, and there is no point. This is exactly what makes the song hilarious. And wait, you have got to be kidding me. Straight from wikipedia, “In Episode 17 of the 5th Season of  Scrubs, JD figures out the Song is about Liver Disease (not quite rightly).” Scrubs, stop taking every song for your show.

      Interesting fact. Many believe that this is actually a Beatles song because it sounds similar and it is extremely catchy. While it is not a song by The Beatles, Paul McCartney can be heard as a background singer for the song. Donovan and The Beatles were friends.

     Now to the lyrics.

“I’m just mad about Saffron.
A-Saffron’s mad about me.
I’m-a just mad about Saffron.
She’s just mad about me.”

        – Donovan, “Mellow Yellow,” Single released in 1966.

Saffron is a spice and is used for cooking. How did this come about? Donovan must have been cooking with Saffron and sneezed. Saffron, you make me mad!

Look at how it stares at you. No wonder why Donovan was mad

Look at how it stares at you. No wonder why Donovan was mad

Song of the Day #9

4 Jun

Words and Music

“Close your eyes baby close your eyes
sunshine just this one last sunrise and im home”

                   These homebound lyrics appear in Aqualung’s 2008 release Words and Music. Aqualung is the taken name of English singer/songwriter Matthew Hales known for his “Strange and Beautiful” which has appeared in a Volkswagen commerical and countless television shows. Okay I know what you are all thinking. Can he pull it off? Is one of his songs in Scrubs? Yes, of course, every band must be christened by the Scrubs producers. “Easier To Lie” was featured in an episode.

            Yet, while Matt Hales has enjoyed popularity based off of his older releases, it is this recent release, Arrivals, on the album Words and Music that I believe displays his true talent and potential. The song is a masterpiece that is connected with his pleasent whine that explores head falsetto’s and chest low’s. Yet, what really puts this song in the category of strange and beautiful is the beginning. The beginning that introduces morning strings which almost feel like they are introducing you to a new day. Strings that play the hook that follows the song through both strings and piano. Notes that resound beautifully and carry the melody. Notes that carry you home.

Check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loqseAaW-Zs&feature=related   (Not the greatest video and no opening strings, but check it out and possibly buy it if you want to hear the full version)

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